Not only is the sun out, but it’s actually WARM. We’ve turned the corner, readers – onwards to the summer…
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Single Of The Week
Kode9 – ‘Black Sun’
The mysterious Kode9 has been inspiring the dubstep scene while defying its conventions for some time now. His contributions to the seminal ‘Future Dub’ compilation arguably inspired several producers to switch on their mixing desks, while the releases on his own label Hyperdub have remained true to an eloquent promise to “give dubstep that which it is not”. Ferocious, paranoid but with an irresistible beat, ‘Black Sun’ is the Glasgow-born boffin’s first release in some time, and it’s rightly spreading shockwaves. Retaining elements of what’s made his name to date, Kode9 has filled the track with entrancing square waves that take on board the influences of dread-heads such as Quarta 330. Confusing, exhilarating and ultimately brilliant.
Also out today…
Pet Shop Boys – ‘Love Etc’
BRIT award or not, let’s not forget that this is the group who denied The Pogues a Christmas number one. Sure, their version of ‘Always On My Mind’ is pretty nifty, but that’s no excuse for spitting in the face of the sublime. Therefore, for this single we offer only a shrug of the shoulders and the advice to buy ‘Rum, Sodomy And The Lash’.
Gang Gang Dance – ‘First Communion’
This is, we imagine, the noise New York makes when it sleeps. Never quite letting both eyes close, a vast array of numbers, possibilities and transactions fly across the city’s retina. Math-rock with added synths, ‘First Communion’ builds to an anthemic chorus before collapsing into twinkling shards of guitars. Gang Gang Dance make music of hope, striving for the future by hinting at the past.
Future of The Left – ‘The Hope That House Built’
‘Seminal’ is a word that gets bandied about too often these days. But it’s fair to say that while a lot of bands stop short of wanting to be Andy Falkous, they certainly want to sound a hell of a lot like him. Which makes it mysterious that Future Of The Left can stay so firmly ahead of the game. A heavy throbbing bassline and urgent, threatening vocals are all on display with Falkous’ love of wordplay blissfully to the fore. Welcome back, dude(s).
Keane – ‘Better Than This’
It sounds like ‘Ashes To Ashes’ and comes with 3D glasses – have Keane gone back to the drugs? Whatever, this is mildly diverting tosh that makes for a good soundtrack when doing the dishes and you fear changing the radio in case you give yourself an electric shock.
Metric – ‘Help, I’m Alive’
Synth pop gurus return. Since Metric turned down a host of major labels for the DIY route it seems like it’s almost illegal to criticise them. Send me to jail then – this is really very boring. Any single called ‘Help, I’m Alive’ is to be avoided. What help do you need? Just keep breathing. Some nice instrumental moments but overall the music doesn’t match the gesture.
Grammatics – ‘Shadow Committee’
Opening with jagged, lumbering riffs, this single then swiftly turns into a squealing, soaring epic. Complete with a cello solo, this is effectively prog, only 30 years later and without the wizard’s cloak. It will probably placate Muse fans who doubt the Teignmouth trio will ever create new music.
Third Degree – ‘Mercy’
Perhaps the most over-played song of last year, the first blast by Duffy quickly polarised audiences. To some, she was a chic soul diva, taking faces from the Northern scene into the mainstream. To others, she was the Amy Winehouse the industry could handle. (Or: she’s a pug-ugly squealer hawking cancer pop to cloth-eared idiots – Online Ed.) Whatever, ‘Mercy’ remains a hefty slab of soul-inspired pop, and this rendering by London group Third Degree restores some much-needed grit. Out now on the esteemed Acid Jazz label, its shows there may be some life left in the old beast yet.
The Foxes – ‘Bill Hicks’
Bill Hicks was great. Sure, it’s become almost a cliché to say that, like pointing out that Mars bars are tasty, but it is nonetheless true. London indie group The Foxes remember the iconic comedian with three minutes of garage-rock bluster. “Said Bill,” the band shriek, before asking people to “take a look at their stupid ignorant selves”. Sadly, as fun as all this is it lacks the same sense of originality, drive and purpose that those classic Bill Hicks routines had, and a vocal sample at the end underlines this. However, this is still a rollicking blast of energy.
La Roux – ‘In For The Kill’
Highly tipped by those within the industry, this is fairly uninspiring electro. A tepid vocal doesn’t help inspire matters, and the whole thing stutters to a halt without leaving much of an impact. However, Skream’s remix is a thing of wonder – stripping the track down to the vocals and some sub-bass, it is truly epic and one of dubstep’s most commercial moments yet.
