Shazamers' Blog

Lil Wayne makes it two weeks at the top of our USA New Release Chart.

Jon Davies News Lil Wayne

Sak Noel climbs up the Shazam UK New Release Chart to take this weeks top spot.  

Jon Davies Shazam New Release Chart UK Sak Noel

Soul crooner Aloe Blacc continues his run of good form with a new video for ‘Green Lights’, the latest single taken from his album ‘Good Things’. The release of the video has been accompanied by the news that the singer will play a string of dates in the US later this year. After a number of high profile festival slots this summer, Aloe and his band have firmly established themselves on the live circuit and the demand for these shows is sure to be high. You can catch him on the following dates:

Sep 04: Virginia Beach VA @ The Jewish Mother.
Sep 05: Pittburg @ Stage AE.
Sep 06: Boston @ Brighton Music Hall.
Sep 07: New York City @ Highline Ballroom.
Sep 17: Austin @ Austin City Limits.
Sep 17: Austin @ La Zona Rosa.
Oct 12: Costa Mesa CA @ Detroit Bar.
Oct 13: San Diego @ Casbah.
Oct 15: San Francisco @ Treasure Island Music Festival.
Oct 22: Los Angeles @ El Rey Theater.

While ‘Green Lights’ may not have the instant, universal appeal of ‘I Need A Dollar’, it’s a slow burning soul number that showcases another side to his sound; perfect listening while we reach the tail end of summer. Check out the video above, which sees Aloe ditch his broken scooter to enjoy a scenic route in Paris. For more details on the tour, head to his website.

Jon Davies News Aloe Blacc

Released back in 1979, ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ was the second single released by The Cure. While it, strangely, didn’t make the cut for their debut album ‘Three Imaginary Boys’, the track remains a strong favourite from their extensive back catalogue. The foundations for The Cure were laid in 1976, when Robert Smith gathered some friends to form a band called Malice. After a few lineup and name changes, Smith formed The Cure with Lol Tolhurst and Michael Dempsey on drums and bass respectfully. The band have now released thirteen albums, and counting, their latest being 2008’s ‘4:13 Dream’.

‘Boys Don’t Cry’ epitomises everything that’s great about the band, a timeless melody fronted by Robert Smith’s distinctive vocal delivery. While there’s no word on a new album, The Cure are set to steal the show at this year’s Bestival; with their headline performance their only European show of 2011. The event takes place on September 8^th-11^th on the picturesque Isle Of Wight. With festival organiser Rob Da Bank also pulling in Pendulum, Björk, Primal Scream and PJ Harvey, this year’s event looks set to keep the standard of previous years. For the full line up and ticket info, head to the Bestival website.

While there’s no guarantees over what The Cure will play, with no current album to promote, all signs are pointing to a career spanning greatest hits set. Which will hopefully mean a welcome airing for ‘Boys Don’t Cry’.

Jon Davies Gigs/ Events, Tag Of The Day Bestival, The Cure

‘Fantasy’ is the latest single from Breakbot, the French producer/DJ. Despite a constant stream of remixes for the likes of Chromeo, Metronomy and Air, Breakbot’s own back catalogue has been slow to develop. He first released the ‘Happy Rabbit’ EP on Moshi Moshi in 2007, and then forced us to wait until 2010 for the follow up.

However, this hiatus was quickly forgotten when he returned with the fantastic ‘Baby I’m Yours’. An instantly catchy slice of disco influenced pop, which attracted a dancefloor slaying remix from Aeroplane.

Breakbot has returned with another potential summer classic, ‘Fantasy’. Featuring the vocal talents of Ruckazoid, ‘Fantasy’ is as close to a musical homage can get before it becomes plagiarism. And the subject of his musical affection? The King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. Not to take anything away from Breakbot, ‘Fantasy’ is a fantastic track, but it’s one that could easily pass as a previously unheard gem from ‘Thriller’ era Jackson.

While the producer clearly wears his influences on his sleeve, there’s no denying ‘Fantasy’ stands up in its own right. With Justice’s long awaited second album nearing release, we might be due for a second wind from the Ed Banger label. If the songs are this good, it’s fine with us.

Jon Davies Tag Of The Day Breakbot

David Guetta is back, with his latest single ‘Little Bad Girl’ teaming up with Taio Cruz and Ludacris. The massive dance track features his trademark synths and dance beats, with Taio Cruz providing the smooth vocals and rapper Ludacris lending his inimitable flow. The track is the second single taken from his forthcoming album ‘Nothing But The Beat’ and promises that the French producer/DJ has had no problem following up the huge worldwide success of his last album ‘One Love’.  Just after a few weeks, ‘Little Bad Girl’ has already racked up over 10 million YouTube hits and counting.

With Little Bad Girl also riding high in Shazam’s US and UK Tag Charts – what better track to show our new LyricPlay feature in action! LyricPlay is available now in Encore and (SHAZAM) RED for Shazamers with an iPhone or iPod touch. See and sing to the lyrics as they play in time to music for 30,000 (and growing) of our most popular Shazam’d tracks. 

Check out the video to see LyricPlay in Action!

‘Little Bad Girl’ by David Guetta Feat. Taio Cruz & Ludacris is available on iTunes in the UK and US.

Jon Davies News David Guetta, LyricPlay

This week indie upstarts YACHT made their way through the capital with an energetic set that inspired handclaps from even the most jaded of hipsters. Considering the band were playing in the aforementioned stereotype’s back garden, Hoxton, this was no mean feat. Part performance, part slide show; the YACHT live experience confirmed their status as oddball cousins of the DFA family.

Taking to the stage accompanied by their familiar giant triangle logo, the band quickly tear into a tight set, predictably borrowing heavily from their latest album ‘Shangri-La’. Led by multi-instrumentalist Jona Bechtolt and singer Claire Evans, the group is bolstered by three touring members. This expanded line-up has turned YACHT into a fully functioning live unit, as opposed to previous tours where Bechtolt and Evans tended to look slightly lost onstage.
Read more…

Jon Davies News YACHT

‘Dirty Dancer’ is the latest single from platinum selling artist Enrique Iglesias, and sees the Latin singer collaborate with two giants in the world of Urban music, Usher and Lil’ Wayne.

The video is hot – with Enrique spending much of his time being entertained by a bevy of stripping beauties – and as of today you can uncover exclusive behind-the-scenes video footage only when you Shazam the track!

All you need to do is…
1. Shazam ‘Dirty Dancer’ by Enrique Iglesias with Usher & Lil’ Wayne
2. Click on the banner at the top of the tag result, to reveal the ‘Behind The Scenes’ and Official Music Video links.

The track sets its sights on the dance floor with a crescendo of building synths and a stomping electro beat courtesy of producer RedOne (Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez). Check the video out and tell us what you think!

Jon Davies Competitions Enrique Iglesias, Lil Wayne, Usher

Cults are fronted by New York couple Brian Oblivion and Madeline Fox, since their inception the band have been on the receiving end of some intimidating hype. With melodies that recall Phil Spector’s early work, this boy/girl duo soon got the likes of Pitchfork swooning with their early demos. That, plus a vague air of mystery added by their enigmatic website, ensured people were quickly trying to find out more about the band; including one Lily Allen, who snapped up the band as her first signing to her label In The Name Of, a joint venture with Columbia.

Their self titled debut album was released to wide acclaim at the end of May, with eleven tracks that fully justified the buzz they’ve so far received. While on the surface, a band comprising of a couple singing doe-eyed jangly pop could seem overly saccharine, Cults’ off kilter pop will change the minds of even the most harden cynic.
Read more…

Jon Davies Competitions Cults

Last weekend, legendary Camden venue The Jazz Cafe was taken over by the equally notable Tom Tom Club, with the group playing three dates in the capital. The group was founded by husband and wife duo Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth who were previously members of influential post-punk band Talking Heads. After the demise of said group, the pair gave Tom Tom Club their full time focus; decamping to Compass Point Studios, Bahamas to record their debut album under the eye of Island Records’ Chris Blackwell. The resulting sessions led to their self titled debut, notably spawning the band’s best known singles ‘Wordy Rappinghood’ and ‘Genius Of Love’; which went on to be sampled by Black Eyed Peas; Mariah Carey and Tupac Shakur.

Predictably the night’s biggest cheers were reserved for the aforementioned tracks, but Tom Tom Club held the crowd’s attention throughout an energetic set. ‘Who Feelin’ It’ proved a great opener, instantly showcasing the skills of the band’s DJ, whose seamless scratches blended perfectly with Chris and Tina’s seasoned rhythm section. The set featured tracks from across their discography, including a particularly lively version of ‘The Man With 4-Way Hips’ from 1982’s ‘Close To The Bone’. The band enticed a rapturous applause from a crowd that ranged between their old faithful following and young hipsters eager to see them for the first time.

Not ones to shy away from their past, the band gave a cheeky nod to Talking Heads by performing an encore of their version of ‘Take Me To The River’ and ‘Psycho Killer’; with Weymouth’s imitable bassline giving the show a fitting end.

Jon Davies Gigs/ Events Tom Tom Club