2009 was an amazing year for London based band The xx. Their debut album ‘xx’ was met with almost universal acclaim, finishing high on many critics’ end of year lists. The xx’s morose mix of The Cure and Chris Isaak style guitar riffs has given the group a highly distinctive sound; something the folks at NBC seem to have picked up on after using their music as the theme for their coverage of the Winter Olympics.
The track NBC has used is ‘Intro’; the instrumental opener to the band’s debut album. As you would expect, the group’s presence on the TV is showcasing The xx to a whole new and more mainstream audience – something that’s likely to do the band no harm before their upcoming tour of the States.
On another note, the band have also been recently remixed by techno maven Matthew Dear AKA Audion. Check the video below to listen to his proto-disco rework of one of the band’s breakthrough tracks, ‘VCR’.
For more info on The xx and tour dates head to their myspace
Native New Yorkers Holy Ghost! have been getting plenty of plaudits from both the dance scene and indie fraternity since signing to the achingly hip DFA records in 2007. The band’s uniquely old school approach to producing disco influenced pop involves the use of plenty of dusty analogue synthesisers and even the hire of whole string sections just to get the sound right on certain tracks – something that probably dooms the group to financial disaster before they’ve even started.
Their latest project sees the group hook up with acclaimed British band Friendly Fires for a double A-side single where each band will cover the other’s songs. The effort from Holy Ghost! sees the band taking the raucous energy of Friendly Fires’ ‘On Board’ and slowing it down to a sleazy disco bump. Like the band’s previous track ‘Hold On’, produced by LCD Soundystem’s James Murphy, the Holy Ghost! version of ‘On Board’ mixes the up the cooler than cool production sound of DFA with a genuinely memorable vocal to great effect.
The split single will be released on March 8th and also includes a Friendly Fires version of ‘Hold On’. If you can’t wait till then you can purchase the original of ‘Hold On’ from iTunes by following this link.
Rihanna’s obsession with outlandish fashion and OTT stage wear have always meant that her videos are visually impressive affairs; but it looks like the Barbadian singer may well have outdone herself with the video to her latest single, ‘Rude Boy’. Directed by Melina Matsoukas - a woman who’s been putting a striking visual stamp on trails for the likes of Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Lilly Allen - the video utilizes a shed load of effects and visual trickery to create one of the most striking music promos that have been released so far this year. One minute the screen fills with lurid comic book style graphics and animated boom boxes, then flips to moody monochrome for a break down. The whole treatment is quite similar to the one that was used for M.I.A.’s video for ‘Boyz’, but it’s certainly one that works. As standard, Rihanna sports a series of racy outfits throughout – the most insane of which would have to be an all in one gold lame body suit coupled with a leopard skin train-driver’s cap. Rhianna even rides a lion in the video!
The single is out now in the USA and out next week in the UK.. To purchase from iTunes click here.
Hendrick Weber has been releasing under monikers such as Glühen 4 and Panthel through the influential German electronic label Dial for some time; but it’s as Pantha Du Prince he’s gained most recognition. The DJ and producer’s mix of minimal techno with elements of British shoegaze and Detroit house create very personal electronic soundscapes and have won him much critical acclaim. His third album, ‘Black Noise’ – released by British indie label Rough Trade – is earning Pantha Du Prince unanimous praise for both staying faithful to his roots and expanding in ways that may appeal to a wider audience. Highlights include collaborations with LCD Soundsystem and !!!’sTyler Pope ‘The Splendour’; and with Noah Lennox – AKA Animal Collective’s Panda Bear - who adds a touch of psychedelic colour to the ethereal beauty of ‘Stick To My Side’.
‘Stick To My Side’ and the whole ‘Black Noise’ album are available now via Itunes.
Chiddy Bang is a four piece hip-hop/electronica outfit from Philadelphia currently attending their first year of college. However, unlike most first year students, Chiddy Bang appear to have hit pay dirt with their debut single, ‘Opposite Of Adults’. The record ingeniously shreds the opening riff from MGMT’s ‘Kids’ over a block rocking break beat and a raucous rap from frontman Chidera “Proto” Anamege. Signed to Parlophone in the UK, ‘Opposite Of Adults’ is already creating interest with Shazamers in Britain after the record was championed by Radio 1’s main man for all things indie, Zane Lowe. The track also gets the seal of approval from Hip Hop mogul Pharrell Williams who even makes a cameo appearance in the video for ‘Opposite Of Adults’.
For more info and to download a free track from Chiddy Bang simply head to their MySpace.
One thing that’s helping us get ready for the weekend here at Shazam HQ is repeated listens of the fantastic new single from Yeasayer. Taken from their new album ‘Odd Blood’ – released on Monday through Mute – ‘O.N.E.’ is a glorious slice of shimmering pop that showcases what promises to be one of the standout albums of the year. Taking in influences as varied as 80’s pop and afro-beat percussion, the track is likely to have the same effect on their popularity as ‘My Girls’ did for Animal Collective. It’s currently available as a free download through their website, preceding a full physical release on the 22nd March.
Yeasayer are currently embarking on a tour across the US, UK and Europe, for more information head to their MySpace.
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
It seems that Goldfrapp are revamping their sound once again for their fifth album ‘Head First’. The British duo have found some sort of middle ground between the organic atmospheric pop-folk of ‘The Seventh Tree’ and their former, trendier flirts with electroclash. If the first single ‘Rocket’ is any indication of things to come, we can anticipate a poppier, more uplifting synth sound for their new offerings.
The world’s favorite cartoon rock stars are back with their highly awaited third offering. Gorillaz, the project created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, has enjoyed an impressive cast of high profile guests in ‘Plastic Beach’, including Snoop Dogg; De La Soul; The Horrors; Lou Reed – there were even rumours about a collaboration with Barry Gibb which have to be confirmed. For the first single, ‘Stylo’, the rocking cartoons manage to put together the vocal talents of two exceptional collaborators: Bobby Womack and Mos Def.
‘Stylo’ has just leaked and can be listened at the band’s website. Gorillaz were also announced this week as one of the headliners at this year’s Coachella festival. Keep an eye for the band members tweets for related surprises until the record is officially launched.
Appropriate for Martin Luther King Day, Stevie Wonder’s ode to the civil rights leader has remained a constant at birthday celebrations across the world since its release in 1980. The song was originally used to help popularize the campaign to make Dr King’s birthday an official public holiday – something that was made official by President Regan three years later in 1983. More recently, Wonder performed the song at 2007’s The Dream Concert at New York’s Radio City Hall which which helped raise funds to build the DC Memorial in honour of Martin Luther King and featured performances from Stevie, Aretha Franklin and Garth Brooks.
