If one subject has dominated the blogosphere this week, it’s the emergence of a track called ‘The Crash’ – rumored to be the first song taken from Daft Punk’s highly anticipated soundtrack to Tron Legacy. It’s a ten minute long space disco epic that gives a clear nod to Vangelis, never a bad place to start if you’re composing a score. At the moment the track still hasn’t been confirmed by the French duo, but if it isn’t them then someone out there has composed a song worthy of comparison.
I Blame Coco is the alias of one Coco Sumner; who has so far been mostly known for being the daughter of Sting and Trudie Styler and her previous dalliances with infamous indie urchin, Peter Doherty. However this is all set to change with the release of her debut single ‘Caesar’ – released February 1st on Island Records. The track sees the young singer team up with Swedish songstress Robyn for a cut of fast paced electro-pop. While being the offspring of rock royalty would irk some people, Coco clearly hasn’t let it affect her at all. Addressing any potential critiques with the opening line “I want to annoy… and I’m going to enjoy it”. Any fans of 80’s infused songwriters such as Ladyhawke & Little Boots will find plenty here to enjoy, while any naysayers should at least hold back their thoughts until the album is released later in the year.
Gaggle are a twenty strong all female choir, who seem likely to become one of 2010’s most original discoveries. Treading a line somewhere between The Slits and The Polyphonic Spree, the band create a cacophony of harmonies through their numerous vocal styles. Although they are still to release a single, the band have attracted the attention of a number of tastemakers; with Radio 1’s Huw Stephens describing them as “the most extraordinary band I’ve heard in a long time”.
Their debut single ‘I Hear Flies’ is released through Transgressive Records on March 8th. Built over a dark throbbing bassline, the girls repeat the lairy chant of “I’m A Drunk”. Basically throw away any preconceptions you’ve had about all female choirs, it’s safe to say Gaggle won’t be attempting a cover of ‘Shine Jesus Shine’ anytime soon. Formed as a response to existing stereotypes of women in music, Gaggle promise to be an intriguing and intoxicating force throughout the year. See below for a preview of ‘I Hear Flies’ and for more information head to their MySpace. GAGGLE // I HEAR FLIES // FEBRUARY 2010
Jason DeRülo shot to fame in the second half of last year with his super smooth and ridiculously popular R&B hit, ‘Watcha Say’. The track dominated radio playlists worldwide and was almost omnipresent in the upper echelons of Shazam’s charts for most of 2009. It was always going to be a tall order for a relative newcomer such as DeRülo to follow up the huge success of ‘Watcha Say’, but the Miami born singer looks to be well on the way to succeeding with his follow up single ‘In My Head’. The record is rapidly rising up the US Billboard chart, currently residing at #38, and is gaining plenty of radio play in the UK in anticipation for its release on 22nd Feb.
As you would expect, ‘In My Head’ doesn’t deviate too far from Jason’s previous foray into smooth soul. Produced by JR Rottem - a man whose work with JLS, Iyaz, Leona Lewis and Sean Kingston has given him something of a midas touch of late - ‘In My Head’ is a another example of DeRulo’s skill with a radio friendly chorus. The video is also likely to go down well with urban music fans and features some serious dance moves from DeRulo and an easy on the eye female cohort.
Currently on the top spot of the US iTunes chart, this collaboration between Justin Timberlake and rising singer songwriter Matt Morris is helping to raise much needed funds for the recent tragic events in Haiti. The song is taken from the ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ album, a compilation of covers featuring a plethora of A-List stars including Jay-Z; Coldplay; Bruce Springsteen and Madonna. Their cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ is currently available on iTunes. For more information regarding the Hope For Haiti Now appeal, please follow this link.
What better way to mark Australia Day than with a short sharp blast of AC/DC? Since 1973 the Sydney based band have been putting the ‘rock’ firmly into rock and roll but always delivering it with their unique Ozzie humour. Despite picking up an English front man in 1980 in the shape of Geordie singer Brian Johnston, AC/DC remain the archetypal Australian band and undoubted national icons.
The announcement that AC/DC are to headline this year’s Download festival alongside Bullet For My Valentine and Wolfmother proves, as if it was needed, that AC/DC can still rock out harder than bands half their age. The eighth Download festival marks the 30th anniversary of rock festivals at Donington Park – the first of which were the infamous Monsters Of Rock festivals which AC/DC played all the way back in 1981.
For more info and tickets for Download Festival click here
Caribou, formerly known as Manitoba, has been using a laptop to create spellbinding electronica for the past few years. However he recently upped the ante by putting a full band together to support his latest album project entitled ‘Swim’ – the follow up to Caribou’s Polaris Prize winning long player, ‘Andorra’. First track ‘Odessa’ maintains their trademark electronic-tinged, pop-rock. On first impression, it sounds like a future cult classic, likely to be considered next to ‘Melody Day’ or ‘Yeti’ as one of Caribou’s finest moments. ’Swim‘ is out via City Slang on 16th April (Germany), 19th April (UK/Europe) and on April 20th via Merge (North America).
With the release of ‘La Trinciarice’ Ben Rymer continues to prove himself to be an endearing addition to the world of dance music. After his previous work with The Fat Truckers and Gucci Soundsystem, Rymer has now found a new home with London’s Disco Bloodbath collective – known as the capital’s finest purveyors of all things disco related.
‘La Trinciarice’ is an epic, slow burning cosmic cut that sucks you in and throws you back out nine minutes later. The track is released through Serge Santiago’s Arcobaleno label now and is available on iTunes. To listen and purchase click here .
