Jamie xx, In Colour

After a long anticipation, Jamie xx has announced his new album In Colour. I couldn't be anything but excited. After forging the way for the iPod generation of music makers Jamie xx has pursued his obsessive and all encompassing adoration of dance music. In an interview with i-D he claimed For me, it used to be simply music. I would enjoy it more if I was on my own. when speaking about going to clubs solitarily. This appreciation for a genre which often gets overlooked for it's artistry has brought us one of the most soulful and creative producers of a generation. His Sleep Sound EP released at the head of last summer was excellent and still holds one of my favourite songs Girl- which hits me with a wave of romance and smiles. 


Patiently, Jamie has worked and re-worked his debut In Colour to be able to release it this June. And he's released two killer tracks to go along with it. First off the blocks is Loud Places featuring xx collaborator Romy on haunting but verging on dull vocals. The next is club banger Gosh, which is indescribable and powerful.


I think this will be an impressive and interesting album with features from Young Thug and Four Tet, and of course Romy and Oliver from the dreamy xx.

Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp A Butterfly Review

Alright alright, let's cut the crap. No fluffy introduction, this is a rap album review. Not just any rap album, since good kid m.A.A.d city Kendrick Lamar has been the most sought after rapper this decade. His live shows are infamous (I mean have you seen that vine?) and everything word that has been spat out the Compton rapper's lips has been well publicised and talked about. So where do you go when your debut is synonymous with being full with bangers suitable for parties and pre-drinks? You make To Pimp A Butterfly, and give it a surprise release, obviously.

The general form of the album is absurd and free flowing. Styles vary from jazz, G-Funk, straight up funk and gangsta rap. The themes are even more far flung; racism, fear of God, sex and money. This seemingly jumbled mismatch of songs read as confusion. But the war Lamar has mixed them together, trying to create a coherent piece of art has not failed. By adding in vocal samples at the end of his songs to connect them works to a certain extent, I remember you was conflicted/Missing your influence. Undoubtedly it is now his style to try and create the most cinematic experience for his listeners but can become imposing and tiresome. For example the character of Lucy who represents Satan, the conversation with God in How Much A Dollar Cost- maybe just a tad pretentious.

Pretention aside, it is difficult to fault Kendrick Lamar for his content. Setting himself apart from other rappers in 2015 he decides to look objectively at African-American culture and it's capitalistic obsession. Like GKMC made you question gang culture, TPAB makes you question everything. My favourite song on this album is certainly The Blacker The Berry. The most hard hitting beat and violent delivery is justified by the final verse.

I want to give this to my English Lit teacher for him to have a field day, the cutting stereotypes and use of irony is genius. 

Talking to fans of Kendrick Lamar, people have discussed the lack of 'bangers' on TPAB. I personally view see this is as one of the smartest aspects of the album, the lack of another Maad City allows Lamar to be appreciated for his musicality and skill. This album isn't here to be number one, it's here to cement Kendrick Lamar's place as number one. 

Odyssey Gig- 20th March

My A-Levels are on the horizon and I'm dipping between crying while listening The Smiths to screaming while listening to Nirvana. Everyone is having a bit of a rough time at the moment, I think we can blame the hypocrisy of the weather and Jeremy Clarkson.

So what are you gunna do to turn the anxious frowns into carefree smiles? Well I have just one suggestion. This Friday (20th March), at the wonderfully middle class county of Surrey, more precisely the wonderfully decorated Boileroom in Guildford is a local gig full of class and sass. The lovely people at Odyssey are putting on yet another brilliant gig. This time it's hotly tipped Falmouth based Native People who take to the headline spot, and they look to be a treat.

I can't say too much about the music, because it's the atmosphere that makes it a real event- everyone becomes friends there and it's just a great laugh. Plus the poster for it is truly, truly sublime

BUY TICKETS HERE IF YOU LOVE LOCAL MUSIC AND SMALL GIGS AND POSSIBLY MORRISSEY BECAUSE HE COULD BE THERE WHO KNOWS?

⭐️Thanks Zane⭐️

Things have changed, the game has moved on. (And I'm not talking about the emojis in the title, because we all get how important it is) but the face of British radio.

On Thursday night I stopped my very important revision for AS Levels to have a listen to Zane Lowe's final night on the evening show on Radio One. I was actually flabbergasted at the quality of EVERY song in the brief two hours, I went from going in on 'Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe' to balling my eyes out to Amy Winehouse. Zane had every genre and every important band which happened in the past twelve years. It was an emotional listen, like saying goodbye to a family member who hollered "WHO'S ON BOARD" for the last time.

As a 17 year old I can't remember a time without that constantly vibrant New Zealander, always playing great music and always impressing with quality banter and interesting and insightful comments. I still have stuck in my head interviews he did with Eminem pre-Relapse and giving me my first listen to Arctic Monkeys, in the cringiest way Zane was a part of my musical childhood. Letting loose some of the greatest albums of our time for a full run was inspired and really made me think of what it meant to create something cohesive and beautiful. And for that I think I can partly blame Zane Lowe for my debilitating music obsession today.

And of course, he did this interview...



But all is not to cry about. Zane isn't dead, he is just being an absolute don in America working with Apple (probably sorting out iTunes' updates). Annie Mac has seamlessly taken his place, not just being the first woman to take the evening slot but also being a massive leader of dance music in Britain. If anyone was going to take this job it had to be Annie Mac to keep the last miniscule of integrity Radio One has.

Whole Lotta Love (for festival season)

Some big things have happened on the internet in the past few weeks. Kanye West has decided that we must all listen to word he utters (or censored if ITV had their way) as he jaunts to the UK to make mates with Boy Better Know. We all watched the Brits and realised that actually it is supremely crap and took to Twitter to abuse it, and a random 60 year old who fell over. Plus there was some rubbish about a dress (it's white and gold).

But what has got me excited is the ridiculous amount of festival line ups revealed. For the most part we know a few acts for every festival this Summer. Let's have a brief flick through where British music lovers will be spending their time off their faces come July.

Reading And Leeds

Possibly one of the most diverse line-ups in R&L history, 2015 is looking to be a hectic year. Across the headline stage so far we have comeback king Jamie T; West Coast lord Kendrick Lamar; folksy farmers Mumford & Sons and beautiful but unreliable The Libertines. Also on the main stage you have some embarrassments, Panic! At The Disco and All Time Low remind us of those cringe Year 9 days and Bastille will bring all the flower crowns to the yard. But apart from some other sketchy acts, the vast majority of the festival looks set to rock. Highlights include Run The Jewels, Jamie xx, Hudson Mohawke, Django Django and Peace. Only issue is the severe lack of women on the bill (a follow up to this may have to occur)

IOW

Probably the only place this summer you will witness the genius of Fleetwood Mac in person, IOW brings the big names but lacks on excitement in other places. Yes you've got Pharrel bleeding your eardrums with catchiness but you also have Billy Idol, the beauty of First Aid Kit juxtaposed with the blandness of James. Although a great atmosphere, IOW this year seems to be an array of has beens and artists who you've probably heard your mate rave about but can't be bothered to listen.

Parklife

 If you live up north and love to party, then Parklife is right up your street. Throughout the line up is class artists from across the spectrum. Headlining you have Disclosure and Rudimental, strong bets on this being saucy in the Summer heat. Looking through the bill you probably want to shout "yes boi" at acts such as Wu Tang Clan, Fatboy Slim, Jungle, Madlib and Chet Faker. Truth be told, this will be a party from the start- and that is even without the insane line up of DJs.

Bestival

Let's be honest, you don't go to Bestival just for the music. The people who go to Bestival are there for the detailed and thoughtful work by Rob Da Bank. Famed for fancy dress this year's theme is The Summer Of Love, psychedelic. Helping the cause for most fun in Britain is the top line up as well. Tame Impala, Kate Tempest, Action Bronson, Annie Mac are just a few of the expertly curated acts at the festival. Expect turning up to Bestival with your finest rags on for three day bender laced with beautiful people, no gollum-esque children and some great tunes.

So, for the most part- festivals in 2015 are looking good. To be honest, there isn't a perfect festival out there. It's because we are all looking for different things in a sweaty weekend in a field. But anyway, here are some of the places you could go

And anyway, there is always Glastonbury...