The XX // Last Christmas (Radio 1 Live Lounge Cover)

It’s been a long time since I’ve been posting music, but I’m gonna try and give this whole blog thing a try for about the 1000th time. I’d say I was sorry for my absence, but you’d probably rather I apologise for returning to be honest.

Since it’s Christmas I thought I’d post something to try and get us in the holiday mood. I’m not gonna lie, I still don’t feel Christmassy at all. Hopefully this XX track will help. The trio performed the Wham cover in Radio 1’s Live Lounge today, and I’m impressed that they managed to make the irritating track a lot better by giving it this haunting ambience. Watery guitars, subdued vocals and surprisingly sharp synths give the song a bit of a groove as well, which make listening to the song even more of an odd experience.

Speaking of odd, I decided to use a photo of the band all happy and smiling to get us in that Christmas mood. If it doesn’t work for you then that’s fair enough - the joyous photo and song still weren’t enough to get me in the Christmas mood, but at least we got to see a photo of The XX that proves they do have emotions, right?

Gorgon City // Used To Be Real [Feat. Yasmin]

It’s been a while since we’ve heard the gorgeous voice of Yasmin. It’s also been a while since we’ve heard from me, but I’m not gorgeous so we’ll get round to that some other time.

Gorgon City is the collaborative project between Foamo and Rack n Ruin, and it seems like they’re gelling together pretty well if their set on Radio 1’s Diplo & Friends show is anything to go by.

“Used To Be Real” is a track they premiered on the aforementioned show. I’m not sure if it’s going to be a single or not, but if either Foamo or Rack n Ruin end up reading this, please release it. Yasmin sounds like one of those cool mid-90s dance vocalists on the bass heavy, throwback tune. Everything from the production to the melody is irresistible, plus it’s nice to hear Yasmin again.

Solange // True (EP Cover)

Inspiring.

As explained in this previous review, I absolutely love the song. With its unearthly intro, off kilter instrumentation and marching drum beat, “Never Be Another” sees Delilah toughening up and going into stealth mode. So you’d think a verse from Devlin would fit in perfectly, right? It doesn’t. At all.

Devlin sounds completely out of place on the track. His style doesn’t match with the instrumental, plus sometimes it sounds like his flow doesn’t even go with the beat at all. “Never Be Another” is still a stellar record, but I’d listen to the version without Devlin if I were you.

Brandy // Slower [Review]

Brandy’s “Two Eleven” was released in Europe today, so I thought it would be only fair to give you a teaser to tempt you into buying the LP. Except I can’t give you a teaser since Brandy’s team don’t want the song online until the album is released worldwide, so enjoy the Rugrats theme tune for now.

From the snippets it was track number four, “Slower”, that stood out the most to me from the R&B singer’s sixth effort. With low-slung synths riding upon a slick early 2000s reminiscent drum pattern, “Slower” takes me back to the days of “Full Moon”, while also reminding me of many an atmospheric R&B hit of today.

However, Brandy’s unique tone makes the track a lot sweeter than the likes of “Motivation”, while the subtle production makes it a lot more unique than the Jim Jonsin joint. There’s a bit in the track when these swirling synths, reminiscent of those in Crystal Castle’s “Courtship Dating”/”Ayo Technology” come in. Combined with the slick production and a slight touch of the piano it all works so well. After the disappointment of lead single “Put It Down”, it seems like Brandy might bring the goods with “Two Eleven” after all. Make sure you cop the LP when it’s released next week, it sounds like it could be a lot better than 2008’s “Human”.

For the benefit of RCA Records & Brandy I am posting some websites that confirm illegal downloads of “Two Eleven” that are spreading. Semi-popular website BrandySource seems to be the main source of the link, with confirmation of illegal activity available here and throughout this topic.