So I gave you a brand new playlist update yesterday, oh yes, and I think it's safe to say there were some corkers on there. Personally, I have been quite taken by Haim- what beautiful music!- and I think I'll be departing on a voyage of Haim's back catalogue within the next coming days and you're all free to join me.
Now the reason for this next post is because in the 24 hour period between this post and the last post, I have discovered a few more beauties/ corkers/ whatever adjective floats your rowing boat and I just couldn't wait till my usual update day to tell you about them.
I have the patience of an atomic bomb. ie, it really isn't that long.
So I'm going to get stuck in there....
1) FOREVER BY HAIM
I really don't know how it's possible not to like this song. It's so simple and laid back constructed using a classic formula and yet it sounds so unique, new, original. 'Forever' has you questioning why there is such a strong force pushing music into dubstep/ electronica, why does a song need a dubstep influence in order for it to make an impact, in order for it to be classed as 'good', in order for it to sell. I understand that for some artists, it enhances their music and they have the ability to use dubstep and electronic mavericks well, but when it's used by a pop artist, on a pop song, you can't help question why? Was there any need?
Because the Haim sisters are showing that there's still life in the stripped back approach to music, where all you need are a guitar, a beat and a voice.
I for one am happy that somewhere out there, we have a complete polar opposite to the current dubstep/ electro/ techno reign. I fully support the new approach to music where we can achieve all these wonderful, unique, extra terrestrial sounds and mash them all together to create music that seems to be delivered from another stratosphere or existence.
But deep down I'm a guitar and vocals kind of girl; I love the 'sit down with a guitar and let yourself go' approach, and that's what Haim embrace, it's what they're about, and they do it so well.
It's a familiar, nostalgic kind of pull and yet it's so new and refreshing.
So jump on the Haim bandwagon now because I promise you, you won't regret it.
2) STAY BY RIHANNA FT MIKKY EKKO
Following on from what I said above, can you understand how excited and relieved I was when I heard Rihanna's new song, 'Stay'? In this day and age, we are inclined to expect a new Rihanna track once a month, every month and I don't know about you but I can only take so many 'Only Girl In The World's or 'We Found Love's before I want to tear my hair out in frustration. It all sounds the same, it has no meaning, no soul, just manufactured pop that follows the same formula every single time.
As Rihanna's success evolved to meteoric heights, her approach to music changed along with it.
We used to get a mixture of pop, soul, R & B, hits like 'Unfaithful', 'Umbrella', 'Take A Bow' and the pop records only dabbled in electronica and to great effect, as seen in records like 'Disturbia'.
But somewhere along the line, Rihanna lost the soul and R & B and embraced pop and that was when Rihanna the artist became Rihanna the brand. An individual to a creation that is shoved in front of your face wherever you may go, or blasted into your ear drums on an all too regular basis.
I missed the old Rihanna, the Rihanna with soul, self-respect, innocence, the Rihanna who didn't need the provocative clothing or over produced dance tracks to be successful.
Where did she go?
Well I'm pleased to say she's wasn't erased completely, no, that Rihanna was still there and I don't know if this is a one off but anyhow, we finally have that Rihanna back, at least for now.
Her new song 'Stay' is the epitome of soul, emotion, feeling, passion; a slow ballad with vocals that ache of experience, longing, truth. Each line has meaning and the slow tempo means the message is delivered to the full extent. This is a record you can take something away from, it strikes a chord within, it resonates with you.
Unlike 'SNM' where one can't really relate to being whipped with a chain, 'Stay' relates to anyone who has ever loved another, and I think almost everyone can hold their hand high to that.
This is a song worth hearing.
3) KARMAGEDDON BY DOT ROTTEN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4RHabjap-s
Now here is an example of when dubstep and electronic/ techno is used
properly.
In 'Karmageddon', artist Dot Rotten uses those beats as they were meant to be used, he adds to his vocals so that the message they are singing translates, he mixes in swirls and waves of electronic riffs to add power to the song. It just works so
well. And it's refreshing to hear a rapper with vocals about world peace and honest love instead of the many
Jag's and
Lamborghini's in his crib or the 'hoes' he's got falling at his feet because he's
just that cool, standing there with wearing a thick, luminous gold chain, trousers sliding down past his designer knick knacks.
'Karmageddon' is a fantastic song firstly for the musical technicality and the way it's used to build up the song in to something magnificent and secondly, for the lyrics that actually
mean something.
Combine them together and you have a real corker of a song.
Dot Rotten isn't a well known rapper, he's best known for hits like 'Overload' and 'Are You Not Entertained' that were taken on board and broadcast by Radio One to successful acclaim, namely being hailed one of the best new artists in 2011.
He's talented in the way he can create a catchy hookline, match it with the perfect beats and accompany the two with lyrics of substance. Plus he has a name that plays on the infamous and beloved 'Dot Cotten' from classic soap EastEnders.
Dot Rotten hasn't had his true breakthrough moment yet, but with songs so good, surely it can only be just around the corner? Every song he releases is snapped up by Radio One, winning him a series of new fans every time, and each song is slightly different but with the same Dot Rotten blue print re-worked into something new. I for one don't know why he hasn't made the big time yet, but with every song being such a corker ( it's the word of the day), it can only be a matter of time before one of his fabulous creations blasts onto the bigger scene and sends seismic rolls across the land.
And like the title suggests, I think karma
just might play in his favour.
