This week saw Canadian lo-fi punk duo Japandroids start their first ever UK tour. The pair, comprising of guitarist Brian King and drummer David Prowse, put on a relentlessly energetic performance that inspired frantic reactions from the crowd. Playing a short set comprising of all the tracks from their debut album ‘Post-Nothing’, Japandroids deliver a sonic blast that seems unnaturally loud for a band with only two members.
After playing a handful of shows in the capital, the band will now head out on a full UK tour; supporting A Place To Bury Strangers. For more information on the dates, head to their MySpace.
There are few certainties in life, apart from the fact that you’ll end up paying taxes, but Jason DeRulo’s continued domination of the Shazam USA chart seems to be a new assurance on which you can depend on. After seven weeks at the top ‘Whatcha Say’ continues to enjoy the status of the most tagged track in the USA. A new entry comes this week form Britney Spears, who is already causing plenty of excitement with her latest single, ‘3’.
To check out the full chart click below… Read more…
After taking some time out to write new material, New York DJ and Producer Drop The Lime returns with his latest single ‘Set Me Free’. Opening with atmospheric synths, the track quickly evolves into a gut punching monster that has proved a highlight in his sets for the last few months. While the lairy beats maybe too much for some, this monster of a track will be lauded by many when heard on a rammed dancefloor. Look out for the killer AC Slater remix and the awesome Harvard Bass mix below. Injecting a vicious bass line, the mix is a slightly more subtle take on the frantic original.
Drop The Lime will no doubt be dropping ‘Set Me Free’ on his forthcoming UK tour before heading to Australia later in the year.
No one knows how to play the media game quite like Lady Gaga. Her unhinged dress sense, taboo baiting music videos and skill for delivering an attention grabbing sound bite has made her a tabloid darling in 2009. In many ways she’s out Madonna-ed Madonna.
Even if a large part of Gaga’s popstar appeal has been a combination of the hype, rumour baiting and a now over exposed RedOne production sound; her vocal talents and ability to write truly memorable pop tunes are still pretty much undeniable. Her latest single, ‘Bad Romance’, carries on where ‘Poker Face’ left off featuring a barrage of hooky refrains and a typically Gaga style ‘gets stuck in your head’ chorus.
The single heralds the release of Gaga’s new album, ‘The Fame Monster’. At first it would seem that this ‘new’ double disc album is just a cynical repackaging of Lady Gaga’s previous album; however with eight new tracks it deserves to be treated as a release in its own right. In typical headline bating fashion Gaga will be offering an Ultra Deluxe edition that offers (of all things) a lock of Ladg Gaga’s hair. Whether this beats the usual ‘extras’ of dull DVD footage and picture postcards will probably depend on how much of a Lady Gaga fanatic you are.
The Fame Monster is released November 23rd. For more info check out ladygaga.com
Fan Death cropped up on our radar at the start of the year after their delectable Erol Alkan produced single, ‘Veronicas Veil’, started appearing in the CD wallets of some of Europe’s most discerning DJ’s. Since then, despite some promising live shows, we’ve heard very little from the band in the way of new music. Thankfully that’s all about to change with the releases of a new EP coming soon on Pharmacy Recordings.
The lead single from the EP is set to be ‘Reunited’, a stirring electro pop number which has equal shades of Italo pop, Pet Shop Boys style voiced synthesizers and Yazoo-esque vocals. It may be yet another repackaging of the 80’s synth pop that La Roux and co. have been peddling but when it’s done this well it’s far from unwelcome.
The video for ‘Reunited’ is also a bit special. Resembling something of a hallucinogenic drug trip through the British countryside, the video features a mind melting array of freaky characters – including an unconvincing Prince impersonator, a random long haired kilt wearer and a group of sexually ambiguous characters that look as though they’ve escaped from the most ill conceived fancy dress party imaginable.
You can check out the video above and download the track for free here.
The Drums finished last night their presentation mini-tour in British shores at Camden’s cosy rock venue rock venue, The Barfly. The band’s unique combination of contagious summer vibes from 50’s surf with slightly darker elements taken from such 80’s icons as The Cure or Factory Records’ roaster has earned them the attention of talent scouts and trend makers around the globe; everyone from Pitchfork to NME is currently tagging The Drums as the next big thing.
The New York based foursome offered a powerful display of energy and enthusiasm, having grown from previous adventures (Goat Explosion; Elkland; Horse Shoes; Cape Of No Hope) into something quite special. Part of a night organized by their UK’s record Label, Moshi Moshi, their brief showcase didn’t disappoint. It was mainly comprised by tracks of their debut EP “Summertime”, with the whistling “Let’s Go Surfing” and the closing song “I Feel Stupid” as highlights. Vocalist Jonathan Pierce’s assured live presence and the other member’s enthusiasm, helped on stage by two “drummettes” adding a note of colour to their performance, more than confirmed the audience’s high expectations.
With more US #1’s than Elvis Presley, Mariah Carey is officially the most successful female artist of all time. Now, after last year’s Platinum selling E=MC² release, Mariah Carey returns with a new album entitled ‘Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel’.
Already riding high in the US charts, the album is due for release in the UK on 16th November and includes a special bonus disc of remixes of her last single, ‘Obsessed’ – an apparent ode to Mariah’s former flame Eminem and something her current husband, rapper Nick Cannon, is probably none too pleased with.
Here at the Shazam blog we have three copies of Mariah’s new album to give away. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning one is email competition@shazamteam.com with your address and answer to the following question:
Which Adam Sandler film did Ms. Carey recently have a cameo role in?
Jason DeRulo makes it a second week at the top of the UK Pre-release tag chart this week as he conquers both the UK and USA tag charts with ‘Watcha Say’. Meanwhile new entries to the chart come from Britney Spears, Snow Patrol and the new look Sugababes – who are looking to score their 25th top 40 hit with ‘About A Girl’ without any of the original members of the group now in the band.
Not content with giving away a free CD of one of their recent live performances in this weekend’s Guardian newspaper; Swedish electronic warbler Fever Ray (AKA Karin Dreijer Andersson from the ever so exquisite The Knife) are giving away yet more free music this week with a downloadable mix courtesy of dance music bible, Resident Advisor.
Featuring a discerning blend of credible, blog-friendly music from the likes of Neil Young, Amadou & Maraiam and Shakleton – the mix is sure to go down well with those who like the more ethereal side of electronic music.
And if you’re wondering what’s inspired this sudden burst of generosity from the folks at Fever Ray HQ, the short answer is that it’s to promote their forthcoming Europen tour and the new deluxe edition of their album which is in stores now. Upcoming dates are below while tickets and more information can be found at http://feverray.com .
29th Nov – Copenhagen
30th Nov – Oslo
1st Dec – Stockholm
2nd December – Hamburg
3rd December –Amsterdam
4th December – Rennes
5th December – London
Marina and the Diamonds debut single for new label 679 is the fantastic ‘Mowgli’s Road’. The bird like call that opens the track was clearly an influence on director Chris Sweeny when he developed the accompanying video. The impressive short see’s the singer’s legs and arms replaced with puppet limbs – think Emu trying to emulate the Thriller video and you’re not far off.
The track is the strongest thing we’ve heard from Marina so far and hints at an assured debut album from the singer. After recently playing Huw Stephens Swn Festival, Marina and the Diamonds will play a handful of UK shows next month. For more information head to their MySpace.
