I can find very few faults on Justin Timberlake’sThe 20/20 Experience, but unfortauntely ‘Mirrors’ (for me at least) stands out like a sore thumb. It’s the weakest song on the album with a sloppy rehashed Timbaland beat at the heart of it. It’s the only song on the LP that feels completely uninspired and as Wiley so eloquently put it “sounds like he went round Timbaland’s for half hour” to record it. Their attempt at making a lazy anthemic power-ballad worked perfectly of course (just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean I don’t see the genius in it) with it shooting straight into the #1 spot in the UK and fast becoming another one of JT’s most commercial songs. On the upside the backend of the song is smashing – shame it’s not like that the entire way through. Anyway – here’s the video…
The Godfather of Grime, known commonly as Wiley, occasionally as the most random man on road in the game or most recently, chart topper connects UK and Canadian dots in this surprising collaboration with rising Toronto songstress Rochelle Jordan. His verse is a typically Eskiboy affair, but more than that his feature shows he’s still an artist with some foresight and an ear very much to the ground. What other British emcee (of his stature) is jumping on relatively obscure R&B releases like this?
Also the perfect time to remind you, Rochelle Jordan’s debut album Pressure was released this week. It marks one of the best R&B albums you’ll probably hear this year, so listen, download for free and read our thoughts here.
The second preview of upcoming Coexist arrives in due course. Jamie opting for a more 2-Step inclined rhythm and cottony drums (*Wiley voice* whatchu’ call it? Post-Dubstep?!) as both Romy and Oliver engage in their famous, softly-spoken interplays. Whilst still not hugely digressive in styling, why would it need to be… the magic formula of foot pedal etherealism and intimacy, as always still very beautiful. As far as indie popping vibes (*Wiley voice* whatchu’ call it? Guitar Music?!), take it from us, they’re still amongst the sexiest and most soulful this country has ever managed to produce. Cannot wait till September 10th. Meanwhile, pair this up with ‘Angels’ right now for maximum gratification.
Woah. A strenuously long minute has passed, but freshness from homegrown talent Fantastic Mr Fox finally arrived via the radio rips (Annie Mac, Radio 1) last night. Having carved a neat following after his 2010 Black Acre release, a brilliant three-track ‘Evelyn‘, the producer’s early adoption of current 2-Step and plug-in R&B shifts have kept heads waiting for a next outing.
Alongside label mate and a fave of ours Alby Daniels, these two give us a bout of line-blurring, swingingly programmed 4/4 soul and the gloopiest bass pop you could slip and crack your backside on. Caught at the right moments and a breathy tone from Alby is pitch-shifted to chilliest temps over Fox’s sunset bounce; their chemistry will leave a fair few requiring a 320. Welcome back wiley Fox, take ‘em to the dance.
The award winning creative partnership ‘US‘ have done it again. The duo behind great videos for the likes of Wiley and DELS have created a snippet for Dubstep warrior Benga’s new single ‘I will Never Change’, featuring 960 records individually cut to create an awesome stop-motion wave-form. Originality always the priority with these lot. Keep it locked on their site for future goodies
Since Kindness is doing his damn thing, you funky mothers might want to keep this in mind for that playlist. Brand new single from the Brooklyn disco funk outfit Midnight Magic. Led by Tiffany Roth’s cocaine vocals, there’s more addictive twangings and spacesynth backed up by former Hercules & Love Affair grads Carter Yatusake, Morgan Wiley & W. Andrew Raposo. The video has some fine levels of gluttonous, oddball, self-deprecation aswell. Overall the record feel like, Studio 54 swag meets groovy robots from Tokyo, or something. Asses shall shake.
After releasing two brand new songs (‘Big Mouth’ & ‘Disparate Youth’) over the past couple months, Sanitgold has revealed the artwork for her forthcoming second album Master of My Make-Believe – due out May 1st.
Shot by photographer Jason Schmidt, the cover depicts Santi as three different characters: as warriors in “Bond-girl, gold” bodysuits, an army officer (painted by artist Kehinde Wiley) and a mafia Don, which she describes as “some sort of ruler in my own reality”.
After the jump watch a behind the scenes video of the photoshoot where she gives further explanation into the concept behind the albums artwork.
Our brand new monthly mix launches today! Welcome to your Soundtrack…
Such a vast number of songs drop every day weekly, that by time it’s the end of the month you’re blissfully drowning in an endless pool of miscellaneous .mp3′s. Always here to make your consumption of fine art as easy and satisfactory as poss, we decided to compile (some) essential songs posted within each given month and seamlessly mesh them into a bite size round-up mix representing the best in new music. Sounds interconnect, but genre limitations need not apply – it’s a London ting mindset…!
Available to stream now. Or for an iPod/iPhone/iWhatever friendly version to bump on your skank sessions, long walks, train delays or Peugeot joy rides, just download free above or direct from the soundcloud player below.
This little number surfaced a week or so ago, humble apologies for delivering a little behind schedule. National treasure Wiley and fellow Roll Deep members Flowdan, Riko & Manga come armed and ready spitting fire upon fire on this new track called ‘F OFF’. Possibly taken off a forthcoming collaborative album from Wiley & Manga, the African drum drive of this is undeniable. Loud. Listen, loud!
Well rested and fully partied out after the Bank Holiday antics, I’m catching up on all the going on’s over the last few days and happy to see Jamie XX provide my Tuesday back-to-work soundtrack. Recorded down in the Radio 1 building, he pulls out a two hour mega mix of the best out of his bag. Looking forward to tucking into this one – Jamie XX does it again.
Stream below, catch the track list over the jump. Big up Young Turks for the stream
