Whereas for me in 2012 I’ll be looking forward to new albums from the Ting Tings, the Killers, Robbie Williams, Scissor Sisters and hopefully Franz Ferdinand and Electric Six, plus of course a re-issue by the Kaiser Chiefs, it’s not just about returning bands but also about new artists, and the BBC have conducted their latest ‘sound of...’ poll to find the fifteen hottest artists that should do big things this year.
I’ll take a look at the bottom ten next weekend but for today let’s have a gander at the top five and one of their tracks:
5) Niki and the Dove – The Drummer
Ecclectic pop that takes the synth of La Roux and mixes in the vocals of Ellie Goulding, Florence and the Machine and Kate Bush with maybe a little bit of Goldfrapp. A little eccentric perhaps for my tastes. It’s interestingly produced but the vocals and music sound like they’re from two entirely different songs and there’s nothing particularly to get hooked onto. Unconventional and not unpleasant to listen to but a little weird for my tastes.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHuci2LUHPA&
4) Skrillex – Ruffneck
A slice of “Migraine Skank”-sounding dubstep that is enjoyable or unlistenable depending on whether you like that genre of music. As an example goes it’s a great mix of beats and loops but there’s nothing about it that particularly stands out from over similar songs. Like I would say for Niki and the Dove I don’t think it will get much mainstream exposure.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t2TzJOyops
3) Azealia Banks feat. Lazy Jay – 212
With a duet with the Scissor Sisters coming up that certainly won’t do her career any harm, here is possibly the most controversial entry in the line-up. Definitely not safe for work it’s equally a track that’s not going to get much mainstream play certainly in this form. An interesting take on rap with singing, vocal effects and dance beats thrown into the mix that makes her more intriguing to listen to than, say, Nicki Minaj. A great piece of production and a mixture of genres and talents but it’s going to be more her controversial and explicit lyrics that will hit the headlines, which is possibly quite smart on her part but equally disappointing as she’s using her talents to shock rather than necessarily entertain or put forward a message.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3Jv9fNPjgk
2) Frank Ocean – Novacane
Laid back, story-telling rap over a repetitive beat that again revels in rap, swearing and gangster culture clichés that have been covered before and in more entertaining ways than this. The music that serves as the backing never gets beyond the same few seconds over and over again and when combined with Ocean’s laid back vocals it becomes a little on the tedious side.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMfPJT4XjAI
1) Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again
I recently reviewed this as part of my single releases and enjoyed it, even if it’s not a particularly ground breaking track. Easily the most commercial friendly of all the tracks here and the most enjoyable to listen to. It’s also the most stripped back of the tracks and the only one of the top four to not shock, mention drugs, swearing or any of the other rnb and rap clichés that are becoming tired now.
It’s not the most exciting track ever but thumbs up to Kiwanuka and a deserved number one spot.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ4s3G7hgR4&ob=av2e
If I was to say which were my favourites it would be between Skrillex, Azealia Banks and Michael Kiwanuka and though those first two are more “interesting” listens they are, in the case of Skrillex, too similar to what we’ve heard, or too intent on being shocking rather than being a good track. I have to agree with the BBC on their choice of number one out of these five but none of the tracks particularly excite me at the moment.
Sunday 8 January 2012
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