Category: Single Reviews

Originally posted on Noise Cannon (final post): http://noisecannon.com/2016/01/15/noise-of-the-week-farewell/

Jenny Lee? Ultra babe from Warpaint? Solo stuff? Uhhh, YES PLEASE!. Debut album Right On offers that funky, albeit sultry tone that Warpaint fans will love and enjoy, while honing in on the bassist’s individual creativity and concepts.

‘He Fresh’ steers more towards the sultry side. It’s a chilled-out number draped in light vocals, with a sensual ambiance that you just can’t help but be turned on by. This track is the perfect melodic interpretation of pining after another, someone “smooth like butter”, a description that also happens to fit the nature of the song itself.

The lyrics are mainly taken up by repeated lines of “he so fresh” that will stick in your head for days, but you try obsessing over someone, (or something for that matter) without going on and on about it. Kinda hard right?

Not only is this song pleasing for the ears, it just makes a whole lotta sense, and with Warpaint’s ‘Disco//Very’ being the first of many NotW entries by yours truly, it only seems fitting that I close with some Jenny Lee.

Originally posted on Noise Cannon: http://noisecannon.com/2015/12/20/noise-of-the-week-141215/

They’re back, they’re ruddy back, and what better place for these indie sweethearts to do an intimate show than NME’s Best Small Venue, Ramsgate Music Hall? It wasn’t until I watched an interview of these guys prior to the show that I heard a glimmer of this track and I just couldn’t wait to hear more of it. ‘Telomere’ is bigger than anything Mystery Jets have ever done – sure ‘Two Doors Down’ will always bear that whimsical charm which can never be replaced, but this latest track is in another scope of the band’s talent. The distinctive vocals come with a well established sound that shows they are the same band (save for a few differences in the line-up) but they’re about to give so much more than before.

Originally posted on Noise Cannon: http://noisecannon.com/2015/12/13/noise-of-the-week-071215/

For now, let’s forget about the video and talk about the song itself. It’s a perfect blend of slick grooves from the well defined guitar, and a psychedelic haze from the lead vocals of frontman Kevin Parker. Add to that the shimmering essence of 80s tones, and this track is rich in layers, albeit super easy to listen to. It’s catchy in a way you’d never thought it could be and even if it took the crazy gorilla sex fantasy video for you to take notice, ‘The Less I Know The Better’ is something the more played, the better. Plus since that first play, we haven’t stopped conjuring up ideas of what this Trevor dude is really like.

Originally posted on Noise Cannon: http://noisecannon.com/2015/12/06/noise-of-the-week-301115/

Having claimed that he likes to make music that takes the listener into another world, Jon Hopkins certainly doesn’t disappoint.

His recent remix of Disclosure’s ‘Magnets’ surges with an electronic melody that makes use of every element. Every little bit counts as the track lifts you off your feet, developing into an ethereal state – sticking true to his style, Hopkins transforms ‘Magnets’ into a journey that just keeps going.

The flow is so smooth that you could listen to this track on repeat seamlessly and barely notice how many times it has come back around. Of course, we can’t ignore the thick bassline; the raw grit makes you bite your lip while it gives the track a strength that you never even realised it was missing. It draws us in for the ride as Hopkins continues to make everything he touches turn to gold.

Originally posted on Noise Cannon: http://noisecannon.com/2015/11/29/noise-of-the-week-231115/

Wolf Alice may not have nabbed that Mercury Prize but they’re sure as hell stil having fun. Latest single ‘Freazy’ has always been the fun, easy going part of My Love is Cool and now with the release of its colourful video there’s a kind of out of body feeling that comes along with it too. Hazy vocals float atop a steady beat while melodies brush past you like air, alluding to a feeling of flying in the clouds, as if they’ve taken you from the ground to explore a new world. There’s an element of fantasy, particularly towards the end as the cartoon-like melody moves further into the foreground, adding a touch of magic and wonder while the video leaves you smiling at the splendour of the band members’ distorted appearances.

Originally posted on Noise Cannon: http://noisecannon.com/2015/11/01/noise-of-the-week-261015/

After keeping us in suspense for months since the cryptic release of ‘REALiti’, Claire Boucher, aka Grimes, has finally announced that her new album Art Angels will be released November 6th, along with a new video – ‘Flesh Without Blood/Life in the Vivid Dream’.

The pop princess energy might not be what we expect of the Grimes we’ve grown to love, but her sweet vocals alongside the upbeat, peppy energy aren’t by any means a turn off, and the point is, she’s experimenting (also, all her looks in that video are ON FIRE). Despite this different direction, the ‘Life in the Vivid Dream’ element of the song is more of a nod towards previous releases, exhibiting more fairy princess than pop. Judging by the Art Angels track-listing with both parts of the song featuring separately, there may very well be more to that chapter, leaving us in anticipation once more.

Originally posted on Noise Cannon as part of the Noise of the Week feature: http://noisecannon.com/2015/06/21/noise-of-the-week-150615/

Foals have returned to the limelight, teasing us listeners before chucking something entirely satisfying our way. This track got me going “yes yes yes!” for all its raw energy, fluctuating melodies and kicking rhythms that keep you on the ground, yet ominous tones imply that there’s more to come.

Foals have embraced a variety of guitar styles in one song, and Yannis Philippakis’ occasional repression from lyrical pronunciation adds a rich, dramatic tone. The heavy rhythms are somewhat set free in an array of sparkling harmonies that tempt the mind out of reality, before Philippakis’ voice brings you back to focus as the previous rhythms return, enforcing just how strong they are. This track merely hints at what the band have been working on since Holy Fire and there’s no straightforward answer for what is to come from Foals in the upcoming months – and that’s just how we like it.

Words by Samantha Fisher

Originally posted on Noise Cannon as part of the Noise of the Week feature: http://noisecannon.com/2015/06/07/noise-of-the-week-010615/

There’s not a lot to this track but maybe that’s one of the great things about it. Among the house beats and rave vibes of Jamie xx’s recently released debut LP In Colour, ‘Stranger in a Room’ is a soothing trance of melodies, with Oliver Sims’ vocals reminding us of The xx, much like Romy’s contribution to single ‘Loud Places’. Nevertheless, those rave ideologies are still present in the lyrics, depending on how you want to read it – essentially this song can be stripped down to your own meaning and make of it as you will, it’s a simple yet well placed track that contributes to a well rounded album from Jamie xx.

Originally posted on Noise Cannon as part of the Noise of the Week feature: http://noisecannon.com/2015/05/24/noise-of-the-week-180515/

It was clear from the release of ‘You Wanna Know’ in 2013 that the Don Broco lads may delve a little more into the realms of pop, and latest single ‘Automatic’ plunges headfirst with a catchy pop melody, this time infused with a funky little rhythm too. Never fear though, despite a Wham!-tastic video (c’mon, the white suits and that pool scene…) their unique charm still remains through the distinct vocals of Rob Damiani and that kicky Broco beat. They have definitely moved on from the days of ‘Thug Workout’, (which is still brilliant in its own way) and with increasing coverage on the likes of Made in Chelsea you might be quick to jump to accusations of selling out. Yet the more you listen to this track the more defying that surge of rock energy is, and Don Broco have proved themselves ready to conquer.