The Maccabees – Pelican
There’s nothing like kicking off 2012 by wanting to do the Time Warp then realising it’s not that but the new single by the Maccabees. Speeding along happily it’s an upbeat slice of indie that moves in waves from verses to choruses to instrumental sections like someone casually strolling through a dream. There’s something eminently happy about the way the song is put together, combining poppy Daft Punk guitar work and Hot Chip lyrical stylings, with some harmonies thrown in. Interesting. 7/10
Michael Kiwanuka- Home Again
So laid back it’s practically horizontal, this is a slow, pondering slice of soul that sounds like the soundtrack to a lazy Sunday afternoon. It’s not the most amazing track you’ll hear this month, in fact much of it passes you by as it switches you into relax mode, but he’s got a great voice and the simple, almost-acoustic backing compliments the song well. Perhaps a little bit repetitive in parts, it’s one of the best soul-based tracks released in a long time, what Seal could be doing if he wasn’t covering other people’s work. Should do well. 6.5/10
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds- If I Had A Gun
The latest single from the former Oasis singer is not the one I would have picked as a cut from the album – ‘Broken Arrow’ would be my choice – and though this isn’t on the same level as the previous two tunes it’s still a great track, even if more suited to an album environment. Built around some lyric-less humming sections by Noel it doesn’t quite have enough momentum to last the five minutes to keep your interest. Great album track, not so hot single. 6/10
Rihanna- You Da One
It’s probably been all of two weeks since we heard something new by Rihanna so it’s about time for a new single. Once more using sex to sell – but perhaps not quite as obvious as, you know, in ‘S&M’, she grabs her crotch more times than Michael Jackson in the video and naturally can’t get through four minutes without talking about sex. That said, the mix of slowed-down reggae and the use of repetitive lyrics and the great Carribbean feel, it’s what ‘Man Down’ could and should have been if it had been a decent tune.
I hate to say it but Rihanna has made yet another catchy, poppy, reggae-infused track that sticks in your head with its fusing of different styles. 7/10
Taio Cruz- Troublemaker
With a song that sounds like one of those old fashioned ink-jet printers you used to have at school it’s not a million miles away from Taio’s previous stuff. Sounding like the brother track to ‘Dirty Picture’ but without the catchiness or Ke$ha to add some variety, he tries his best with the song by throwing in some memorable ‘owy-owy’ bits but unfortunately it’s far too derivative of his other stuff but without the hooks to be exciting. Need to get back to the pad and pen I think, Taoi. (5/10)
Friday 30 December 2011
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment