New Music: Rihanna- Diamonds

When a singer becomes a superstar there comes a point where it's hard to judge whether the music they produce is quality or not. When you're a superstar, radio stations will play your song, (whatever it sounds like). Your legions of fans will buy your song, (whatever it sounds like). It's like supporting a football team fans are with you- win or lose; good song, or bad song. Superstar singers have earned that status but does that give them license to release mediocre music knowing it'll be consumed no matter what? Rihanna has released 6 soon to be 7 albums in as many years. The quality of those albums, has been patchy but all have sold around the world in their millions. Her newest offering 'Diamonds' is a kooky ballad written by Sia.  The song is OK but because it's marketed as "Rihanna's newest song" it'll probably chart very well and is actually number 1 on iTunes as I type!! Maybe superstar status does afford the superstar the right to just be OK- I'm sure if this single was offered up by a brand new artist it wouldn't be up to scratch. What do you think? No need for me to post the song- just go switch on the radio!

Starboy Nathan Talks about The X Factor

I was going to do a post about possible reasons Nathan chose to do  The X Factor. But who can explain it better than the man himself? No one, that's who and so here you go. 

Nathan, knows how the music industry works. He has been there and done that and he is clearly, a lot wiser than many Twitter users were giving him credit for, last night. For me, this film shows that there was actually strategy and admirable method to the madness. But what do you think?

REVIEW: Josh Osho- The John Doe EP

It’s been a busy year for Josh Osho: After releasing “The Manifesto EP” then his debut album “L.I.F.E (Learning Is For Ever)”, touring plus headlining his own show in London and doing festival dates over the summer, he still found time to record another body of work.“The John Doe EP”is a collection of seven songs covering themes of identity, freedom, love, loss and legacy.

The John Doe figure is used to explore the freedom of anonymity: The idea that in being nobody, you can become anybody.The title track, “John Doe (Forget to Remember”)is a reflective,uplifting song about breaking away from the labels and categories that we use to define ourselves and our place within the world. The song is a call for people to find the freedom to be whoever they want to be, rather than aspiring to someone else’s vision. The steady bleep of a heart rate monitor, the church organ and Osho’s rich vocals all combine to give this song its intensely ethereal tone and give gravity to the message being communicated.  This opening track does an excellent job of setting up what to expect from the rest of the EP, both musically and lyrically.

“Even in War”is a folky mid-tempo track about viewing life as series of experiences both good and bad:‘Even in war, the birds sing’. There is the idea thateven in the darkest moments of life there is still light andthere is still hope. “The Sandbox” continues this concept, observing the lessons adults can learn from children in terms of living life fearlessly being carefree and contented.“The Last Letter” is abitter sweet song that encourages the listener not to lose themselves in grief over the loss of a loved one because ‘Our time is only borrowed’.  The legacy of those,passed lives on through those left behind:‘I’m living forever, through you and your endeavour’. The songadvises the bereaved to find solace in this.

Osho avoids sounding corny, patronising or preachy. He comes across as authentically honest with a youthful wisdom. You get the sense that he truly believes in what he is singing and that he’d be singing it, whether he had the platform to tell just one person or thousands of people.There is the familiar twang and scrape of the acoustic guitar which give his songs that genuine, wholesome, earthy vibe. Even the most cynical among us couldn’t deny thatthere’s something about Josh Osho that just rings true. The one time on the EP when stereotypical expressions are used,it’s done with an ironic twist. “The Clichés” is a self-conscious love song in which, Osho finds himself stuck having to use some typical romantic expressions to describe the way a lover makes him feel.

The EP features two covers and having previously done amazing versions of Kanye West’s“Jesus Walks” and Alex Clare’s “Too Close”, Fans have come to expect great things from any song that gets reimagined by Josh Osho. The two featured onThe John Doe EPdo not disappoint. The first is“Call My Name”, a hypnotic reworking of Cheryl Cole’s synth-heavy dance track. The second is the classic, “Could you be Loved” by Bob Marley.

This is an impressive EP.  It’s musically atmospheric and lyrically clear and simple. Josh Osho is a storyteller andThe John doe EP is genuine food for the mind and soul. You get the sense that this artist is here to impart something more than great songs.  Amongst the mix of disposable music in the charts, Osho creates music with such depth and clarity that it’s instantly grounding. Perhaps that’s what makes his songs so relatable and so refreshing.  There’s nothing to fault here, The John Doe EP is like a warm musical embrace that no one should shy away from.

FLASHBACK: N.E.R.D- In Search Of...



I remember first hearing this album and going into sensory overload! The fusion of different musical genres is immense: there are elements of Hip hop, Funk, Pop, Alternative Rock, Dance and R&B all fused together, blending and separating to create this amazing Alternative Hip hop Psychedelia. The group did receive some criticism for clumsy, crass lyrics, but I think this is a misunderstanding. The lyrics mirror the music to create a fusion of odd words and unconventional imagery. This album is about finding new, original and relevant ways to express and define age old feelings of angst, isolation, identity, love, sex and freedom. In Search of... is full of layers so everyone is invited to listen (or search); whatever you find is up to you.

This album was never really given the due credit it deserved for helping to open up a new kind of freedom of expression within Hip hop music. I remember Missy Elliott describing N.E.R.D as "grunged-out hip hop" and she was right. Pharrell and his band mates were skateboarding, trucker cap wearing, tattoo bearing rappers, the like of which, hadn't really been seen before. N.E.R.D made it OK to be a different kind of Rapper- a different kind of R&B singer and you can see the legacy of this with artists like Frank Ocean, Childish Gambino and even Lil Wayne.N.E.R.D will always represent a kind of punk Hip hop and In Search of... is as relevant now as it was then.

Hot Right Now: Azealia Banks

 Azealia Banks is the newest female star on the scene and already she has come to represent a new brand of rebellion and fearlessness. The 21 year old New York rapper burst onto the music scene last year with her particular brand of Hip-Hop that she has described as "Witch-Hop". Her music combines elements of 90's House beats with quick-witted rap vocals. In late 2011 Banks released her debut single, 212. The sexually charged track is peppered with profanity. This resulted in limited airplay but did not stop the song charting inside the top 20 and becoming a dance floor favourite. We have come to recognise the commercial brand of fearlessness churned out by artists like Nicki Minaj or Rihanna. But Banks is not just going to don a studded leather jacket or extra short hot pants in the hopes that such style choices will be interpreted as an "I don't care" attitude. Having topped NME's 'Cool List' and received a nomination for the BBC's 'Sound Of 2012' it's clear that Banks is not style over substance but rather the substance of style.

    

Unlike most of the headline female artists in the industry at present, Banks is not heavily endorsed by a popular male Hip Hop artist. It's fair to note that the partnerships between Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, Rihanna and Jay-Z, and even fellow rap newcomer, Iggy Azalea and T.I. have boosted the success of these artists. But Banks is doing her thing without the backing of a Hip-Hop heavyweight and for me; this makes her brand of fearlessness all the more authentic.

Her music addresses issues of youth, sexuality and otherness. There is a feminist current that runs through her work. Even in her styling she often takes inspiration from popular mythical female images such as genies and mermaids. These are creatures famed for being beautiful, mysterious and strong. She frequently refers to herself as the 'Liquorice Bitch’, a reference to her skin tone which is darker than most of the currently popular black females in the music industry. Banks is celebrating her difference and her otherness in obvious ways as well as subtle ways. Banks wants the world to know she is as a unique artist in every aspect and it’s refreshing to see an artist not afraid to be honestly outspoken in their music and style.


Azealia Banks' 1991 EP and Fantasea mixtape are out now.
Visit: www.azealiabanks.com
Twitter: @AZEALIABANKS

EVENT REVIEW: Vocals and Verses [Summer Soul Special]

 

Vocals and Verses is an event that showcases some of the best music and poetry from some of the best up and coming artists around and it's fast becoming one my favorite events.

Concrete in Shoreditch was the venue for this month's showcase, featuring the talents of Jodie-Lee, Ink, Nia Barge, Leanne Robinson, YJ, LionHeart and JP Cooper. Hosted by popular presenter Kae Kurd, it was billed as a Summer Soul Special and it was, just that.

Nia Barge, was one highlight of the night. The American spoken word poet offers a female perspective on family, love and relationships. Her poem 'I'm Not Supposed To Be With You' is about the conflict between ideals of love and the realities of true love. The piece is funny and witty in its acute observation of the shallow reasons people use to dismiss the potential for true love.

Another high point of the show was when poet LionHeart took to the stage: you could almost feel the pulses of the predominantly female audience quicken, slightly. Wearing a slick suit this young poet's work is as smart as his dress sense.  He delivered a very confident and passionate performance, using clever word play to articulate complex perspectives on life. In the poem 'Lupus' he talks about the difficulty of witnessing a friend living with this disease. The crowd were gripped throughout his performance.

JP Cooper was the headline act of the night. This shy-seeming unassuming singer ascended the stage guitar in had and began playing a beautiful acoustic set. His voice is soft and soulful but it really resonates. Cooper's songs tell a story and on stage he is a comfortable performer, poised, relaxed and humble. He delivered a stunning set to the crowd  who listened attentively to every word and every note.  There was a queue of people (including me) waiting to buy a copy of his EP at the end of the show.



JP Cooper. Image from: citylife

The vibe at Vocals and Verses is always fantastic, the audience are very responsive this is, in part, due to the interactive features of the show: The Verse Off is where two volunteers from the audience take to the stage to rap or sing about a topic chosen randomly by the crowd. This part of the show is always hilarious and entertaining. Then there's the Open Mic section members of the audience can sign up and get 60 seconds to show their talent for poetry or singing.

Vocals and Verses promises to be a relaxed, intimate evening of great music, poetry and entertainment. It's safe to say that this is exactly what the crowd got.

New Music: Frank Ocean- Channel Orange

Frank Ocean is back, apparently on the crest of the wave of interest caused by his open letter about his sexuality, posted on Tumblr. The release of his debut studio album, Channel Orange was brought forward- some say, to capitalise on the internet furore: Frank Ocean has been the most talked about R&B artist of the last two weeks. But, aside from this Ocean is recognised for his quirky mystique and unique song writing skills. Swim Good and Novacane from his mix tape Nostalgia/Ultra, show his fantastic ability to talk about the traditional song themes of love and heart-break in a completely new way. His first track off Channel Orange Thinkin Bout you, is a slow groove song that captures the uncertainty of feelings stirred up by a relationship. This is already a fan favourite with artists such as Karina Pasian and Alexandra Burke doing their own covers of the song. Another stand out song off Channel Orange is Pyramids, the nearly  ten minute long song full of musical changes and Ocean’s haunting vocals  has already received a lot of attention and stirred up plenty anticipation for this album. Perhaps it's because the dominant image of R&B singers is one of almost celebrated heterosexuality, that Ocean's revelation about his apparent bisexuality has provoked such a variety of responses. Whatever it is, talk of Ocean's private life should not overshadow the undeniable bold creativity of this artist.

Channel Orange is out now.

Resurrected For Your Listening Pleasure: India Arie- Acoustic Soul

'Acoustic Soul', the 2001 debut album from India Arie is one of those subtle touches of brilliance.  Blending elements of soul, folk and blues- 'Acoustic Soul' is a guitar lead expression of love, gratitude and openness to understanding and accepting the variety of life's experiences. The lead single 'Video' is an upbeat song, Arie is contented and happy on this gently self affirming track. 'Back to the Middle' is a cautionary tale about having the courage and confidence to tackle a daunting situation. 'Ready for Love' is a beautiful, bittersweet song about patience and longing. The interludes running through the album are like mini, melodic odes to her inspirations. The final song, 'Wonderful': is Arie's celebratory ode to one of her biggest musical inspirations, Stevie Wonder. 'Acoustic Soul' is an easy listen, Arie offers advice and perspective without preaching, nothing feels forced or contrived. You listen to Arie's smooth rich vocals and you feel as though she values her listeners and truly cares. Simply beautiful.