Throw Bombs on it.

Labrinth featuring Tinie Tempah
Earthquake
Released: 23 October 2011
From: Upcoming debut album

For those unaware of who Labrinth is, let me just fill a few gaps. The breakthrough of 2010, Tinie Tempah owes his life to Labrinth, a producer signed to SyCo. The track 'Pass Out' dominated the UK charts back in March '10 and it's successor, the #2 hit 'Frisky' also enjoyed success thanks to the Labrinth-production. In October, Labrinth released his debut single 'Let the Sun Shine' - a feel good track, which despite showing no particular skills as a producer, showed great vocals; earning him a #3 single. More recently, Labrinth has appeared on Professor Green's 'Alive Till I'm Dead', Devlin's 'Bud, Sweat & Beers', as well as producing for Loick Essien and the singles 'Neva Soft' and 'Wonderman' by Ms. Dynamite and Tinie Tempah / Ellie Goulding respectively. All this makes a rather impressive first year in the industry.

With the introduction out of the way, here comes the best bit. 'Earthquake' is the second solo effort from Labrinth and is due for release in the UK on 23 October. Having already received praise from BBC Radio 1 - including Greg James - the track is a sure fire contender for #1. On first listen I was hasty towards the track, what with it's futuristic introduction - "Labrinth come in" - but by the third/fourth listen I was hooked. Describing the song becomes progressively difficult, I'm tempted to just say 'it sounds like everything a song should', but in reality what I'm classing as incredible production is just heavy synths and a mash-up of high pitched chords.

The message of the song is that Labrinth plans to create an earthquake with the track, even roping record label boss Simon Cowell into the track - "Hey Simon, we're fucking them up. Turning them SyCo, we bring the house down to rubble and dust". Of course it'd be unjust not to mention Tinie Tempah's inclusion on the track. With five top 10 singles and a number-one album under his belt, I guess the collaboration is Tempah's way of repaying the producer that may him - evident when he claims the track is hitting a full ten of the Richter scale.

I eagerly await the release of the track, and under Simon's control - an X-Factor performance isn't out of the question entirely. Let's hope it's heading for the top end of the chart #teamlab.

So trashy, it's addictive.

"When I came to Spain, and I saw people partying - I thought to myself 'what the fuck?!'"

I'm sure you've all heard of the superstar DJ that is Sak Noel? No. I wouldn't worry too much, the song sounds like a one-hit wonder a la 'Fireflies' by Owl City and 'We No Speak Americano' by Yolanda Be Cool & D-Cup.

'Loca People (What the Fuck)' is by far the trashiest song of the year - even beating Cher Lloyd's 'Swagger Jagger' - but there's something about this track that I find enjoyable. It's been heralded as the club anthem of the year, selling bucket loads all over Europe; but come Sunday the UK get to download the best thing to come out of Spain since... Umm... I'm not so sure.

I've posted the original mix below.

'We Found Love In a Hopeless Place'

Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
We Found Love
Released: TBA
From: Upcoming Sixth Studio Album

So it was revealed yesterday evening that Rihanna was releasing the lead single from her sixth studio album. Instantly, it may strike fans to know that the Barbadian singer is onto her third album in less than two years: Rated R (2009), Loud (2010) and now TBA (2011).

In the space of two years, Rihanna has managed to achieve 10 top 40 singles, including: 'Russian Roulette' (#2), 'Rude Boy' (#2), 'Te Amo' (#14), 'Love the Way You Lie' with Eminem (#2), Only Girl (In the World) (#1), 'Who's That Chick' with David Guetta (#6) 'What's My Name?' (#1), 'S&M' (#3), 'California King Bed' (#8) and recently 'Cheers (Drink to That)' (#19). Now that's pretty impressive by any standards - so 'We Found Love' will no doubt clock up an eleven T40 hit for her when it sees release in the upcoming months.

The track, produced by Scottish-born Calvin Harris, is a club-banger, there's no doubting that. The chorus, 'We Found Love In This Hopeless Place' is preceeded by a drop into an incredible piece of dance music, equating to a radio-friendly track that'll appeal to fans of both credited artists. It's fair to say that this is not Rihanna's best work, but anything is better than the gloomy slit-your-wrist songs that featured on her Rated R album - which saw release after the whole Chris Brown situation.

I've posted the track below for y'all to enjoy. Feel free to comment on what you think of the track - sound a bit too much like 'Only Girl', reckon it'll be a contender for #1?

Rihanna - We Found Love by carelpedre

Everybody Hurts

So it was revealed earlier today that American rock band R.E.M. were finally calling it a day after a length 31-year career in the music industry.

They posted a statement on their official website saying: "To our fans and friends: as R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening".

After their latest album (released in early 2011) sold a disappointing amount on it's first week, it was clear the disbanding of this group was coming. Regardless, it's a sad day in the music industry - but they did predict "Everybody Hurts, Sometimes".

Nero appear in the Live Lounge.

BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge
03 August 2011
Nero

I'd been eagerly awaiting Nero's appearance in the Live Lounge since it was announced by DJ Fearne Cotton last week. Booked for a slot at 11.30am, I decided to put my activities for the day on hold to ensure I was able to concentrate on the performance. Preceded by a bit of chat, Nero broke into their third commercial single, 'Promises' - which as a track is just utterly flawless. Vocals from Alana are just astonishing time-after-time, but it's only live that one is able to see the real vocal talent of a singer - and boy has she got it. They announced beforehand that they were going to perform it without their computers - so it was a performance consistent of keyboard, vocals, guitar and a drum-kit. I found myself singing along to the addictive chorus of "Promises, and they still feel oh so wasted on myself" - despite it seeming to drag on for a bit (but one should expect that in a live performance of a drum n' bass track).

Following the performance, they were given a four-minute break (in which Lady Gaga's Bad Romance was played) - before beginning their 'mystery cover'. It was announced yesterday on the show that Nero would be performing one of the following: Emeli Sande 'Heaven', record label bosses Chase & Status 'Time', Foo Fighters 'Walk' or Friendly Fires 'Live Those Days Tonight'. Having expected them to attempt Foo Fighters, they ultimately attempted Friendly Fires. Texts received afterwards read "One of the best live lounges ever" for a reason - the track was made for dubstep. We were finally given a chance to listen to the track without having FF lead singer Ed screaming the lyrics at the speed of light, but rather appreciate them through the voice of Alana (although I believe Joe and Dan also had a helping hand during the bridge). I was so impressed by the live lounge that I decided a blog post regarding the whole thing was a necessity.

For those that have yet to hear the performance, I'll post the link here: BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge - 03 August 2011 - Nero.

"Sounds So Soulful, Don't You Agree?"

The Throne ft. Otis Redding

Otis
Watch the Throne

At the beginning of the year we were treated to the rush-release of The Throne (the name assigned to the project consisting of Jay-Z & Kanye West) and the debut single "H.A.M. (Hard as a Mother****er). It debuted at number 30 in the UK Singles Chart, dropping like lead soon afterwards - not that it should come as a shock to anyone. Obviously the appeal of the project, the singles and the album is that Jay-Z and Kanye are both Gods respectively - but together it can surely only get better? H.A.M. was a tragic mess. It was negatively received and the song itself was both unnecessarily violent/bad-languaged and seemed to touch on topics including the Illuminati.

However, a few weeks back news of a second single began circulating the internet. The second single, entitled "Otis" is a big improvement on the mess of a lead single - even going as far to sample the late Otis Redding and the 1966 track 'Try a Little Tenderness'. As per usual, you can normally judge the direction of a song in the first 30 seconds - and with 'Otis' we are treated to a relaxing 25 seconds of soul singing before Jay-Z interrupts with the killer line 'Sounds so soulful, don't you agree?'. This collaboration works well on so many levels with Kanye and Jay swapping lines throughout the 3-minute long track. But I think the appeal of this track in particular is how consistent the usage of a sample is - we get to enjoy the scatting of Otis Redding over the course of the entire 3-minutes and are even treated to a piercing soul-scream at the end of the track.

I'm hoping the album released next week will follow more the direction of 'Otis' as opposed to 'H.A.M.' - I truly believe 'Otis' is some of the two rappers best work. I mean where else would Jay-Z produce the lyric: "Photoshop fresh, looking like wealth; I'm about to call the paparazzi on myself" and Kanye the lyric: "I made Jesus walk, so I ain't going to hell". Neither of these two need worry about going to hell - they are to forever walk the Earth as Gods of the music world (see below).

The Wombats: Our Perfect Disease

The Wombats
Our Perfect Disease
This Modern Glitch

"We don't admit it, but we've never seen eye to eye"
From the very first lyric, it's clear 'Our Perfect Disease' is a song by Liverpool-band the Wombats - I mean after all it's about heartbreak. Although still indie-pop, the band took on a dance-direction with their second studio album - This Modern Glitch - and to be quite honest, I much prefer it. Where the first album's lyrics stood out, the second album builds on that by having some fantastic production - with 'Our Perfect Disease' as the best example. The verses build up to an incredibly catchy chorus filled with oooo's and the keyboard solo makes for a great listen. Here's hoping the band continue with this style - as I'm left eagerly awaiting album #3.

Track of the Year by Example

Example
Changed the Way You Kiss Me

Playing in the Shadows

Returning with new music following the success of 'Kickstarts' and 'Won't Go Quietly' was always going to prove challenging for Example, but when 'Changed the Way You Kiss Me' emerged on the internet back in May - the situation changed. No longer would Elliot Gleave have his fans chanting "Play Kickstarts" at every last appearance, but rather they'd demand for his future #1 single to be played. Two months later and 'Changed the Way You Kiss Me' topped the UK Singles Chart - spending two weeks at the peak and an amazing 7 weeks in the top 10. Produced by Michael Woods, the track has already sold more than 400k in the UK alone, but it's no wonder really. The track is just full of energy. From the very first listen, it was evident that 'the drop' would become a defining moment in Example's career - the single has 'club-banger' written all over it. But what makes the track even better is the underlying dark lyrics, including "... you're scaring me, and I don't like where it's going". I have to give it to Example here - 'CTWYKM' is a defining song of 2011 - with the picture selected below displaying how wild the crowd went when he performed the track at the iTunes Festival in July 2011.

Track of the Year by Clare Maguire

Clare Maguire

The Last Dance
Light After Dark

I'd like to thank the BBC for introducing me to Clare Maguire. The Birmingham-born singer was nominated for the Sound of 2011 poll - and after Youtubing her soon after, I realised what a 'sound' she truly was. Maguire has one of the most powerful voices I've heard and although debut single 'Ain't Nobody' showing how variant she could be with it - 'The Last Dance' is just a true emotional belter of a release. Written following the death of superstar Michael Jackson, 'The Last Dance' is packed full of emotions and watching the singer perform the track live brings a tear to my eye. "I'll save my last dance for you" is the stand-out lyric from the track though and although released in February, I can see this song staying with for a long, long time. Below is the official cover for the single release - of which the EP featured an incredible remix from Gods: Chase & Status!

Track of the Year by Viva Brother

[Viva] Brother

Still Here
Famous Last Words

"I've got selected memory, forgotten her name" belts lead singer Leonard. The Slough-originated band are 2011's effort to bring 'guitar music' back into the public eye, and although they've been hit with bad reception from Oasis fans - claiming "the band is just a bunch of posh c***s with tattoos" - I think Brother have succeeded in bringing back guitar music; even if it's only my life that's been affected. The band are due to appear at Reading festival this year, so I have that to look forward to - although a Celtic rock band named 'Brother' have sued them for the band title, so it's 'Viva Brother' now - haha. As for 'Still Here' itself, the vocals are just perfect and a lot of effort has been put into crafting masterful lyrics - even if they seem a lil' cheesy in regards to a dwindling relationship. Here's hoping the debut album released August 1 won't do as bad as Oasis-fans'd hoped - I know I'll be purchasing it ASAP. Below is the accompanying cover for the single release.

Track of the Year by Kanye West

Kanye West

All of the Lights

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Although 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' was released in late 2010, I think 'All of the Lights' only captured my attention in early 2011 - partly due to the radio edit. The radio saw fit to completely butcher the perfect collaboration between Kanye West and everyone else in the music business - I believe the only artists credited on the radio edit were Rihanna and Drake. 3 minutes in, we get a glimpse of how Fergie would sound on a Hip-Hop track, and by jove is it amazing - although Rihanna's vocals are the standout here. Kanye certainly proves himself as one of the greatest rap artists at the moment, with some legendary lyrics like "her mother, daughter, grandmother; hate me in that order" - just a shame Jay-Z wasn't included on the track; I think 'All of the Lights' puts 'Run This Town' to shame. To represent the beauty of this collaboration, I've chosen an image from the music video - showing West rapping atop of a police car, 'cos that's how Kanye does it.

Katy B: Easy Please Me

The wave of breakthrough 'dubstep' began in September of last year, when Katy B released her debut single 'Katy On a Mission' - proving a huge commercial success. Since then, the BRIT-Academy graduate has scored another 2 top 10 hits and a number 2 album. Fourth release, 'Easy Please Me' is a song packed full of energy, although very much different to that evident on 'Lights On'. The lyrics center around the idea of Katy unable to find a man that can please her, which laughably has been done a million times; but the production of this track just makes it seem completely original. Included with crisp vocals and an incredible drum 'n' bass beat in the background, 'Easy Please Me' is by no way a bad release choice from Katy 8/10.

Lady Gaga: Hair

It seems Gaga has gone jazz... First 'The Edge of Glory', with trumpet solo included; but now the second promotional single from Mother Monster draws its influences both from pop and from jazz. 'Hair' isn't as immediately good as its predecessor, but it certainly packs a punch; having a similar beat to that of 'Judas'.

Lyrically, the song is average - what with references to "lipstick" and "parties", but most importantly the chorus "I'll die living, just as free as my hair". Regardless, the release seems to working in the pop sensations favour - as 'Hair' is set to debut within the top 10 on Sunday; meaning she'll have 4 top 20 entries at once (with 'Judas' and 'Born This Way' climbing to just inside the top 15) - but this promo has done what it should: get me excited for the other musical gems she'll have on the second album 8/10.

Swedish House Mafia: Save the World

"Who's going to save the world tonight? Who's going to bring it back to life?" belts Swedish singer John Martin on the latest Swedish House Mafia-produced track. Recently named 'legendary' producers, Swedish House Mafia have returned with a belter of a song following 'One (Your Name)' and the Tinie Tempah collaboration 'Miami 2 Ibiza'.

At first, the single appears nothing more than a well-produced song from a Swedish singer, but it quickly becomes more than just that when 'the drop' occurs; sending the beat spiralling into an explosion of dance. Despite having been released on Sunday, the SHM's performance at Radio 1's Big Weekend of this song illuminated the brilliance of this song; with the track conduced live (equip with Swedish singer 'n' all). The song lacks the addictive chorus the previous singles had, but I believe powerful and emotive verses make up for this - I'm just anticipating the video that'll accompany this. It's looking to debut within the top 15 this week, but I can easily see it becoming a Summer anthem - to which I have no objections 9/10.

Nicki Minaj: Super Bass

2011 has without a doubt been the breakthrough for Nicki Minaj, with 'Check It Out' (a collaboration with will.i.am) marking her top 40 debut and follow-up singles 'Moment 4 Life' and 'Girls Fall Like Dominoes' both receiving commerical success.

Now, much like the previous release, 'Super Bass' is a song avaliable only as a bonus track on iTunes; although it's compelled me to buy it - with the extent to my Minaj collection only going as far as the physical CD tracks. 'Super Bass' is probably the popiest release we've had from Minaj thus far, but that doesn't stop it from being an amazing hip-hop song. Minaj knows she's good and she certainly isn't afraid to show it on 'Super Bass', with the help of Ester Dean on vocals. The pink-infested video is a perfect match for the summer-feel of the video; let's just hope 'Super Bass' can maintain the run of top 40 hits from the rapper. 9/10

Lady Gaga: The Edge of Glory

I decided I'd get back into the blogging business as means to vent my anger on the music scene yet again. I thought I'd start with the new Lady Gaga track, 'Edge of Glory' which was released on Monday night; serving as a promotional single for the upcoming second album. As with every other Gaga release, the 'little monsters' have no doubt gone crazy - so much so that the release looks to chart in the top 10 come Sunday. The chorus is far superior the previous singles, 'Born This Way' and 'Judas' and the verses are very reflective of the material on the debut; with resemblance to tracks like 'Speechless' and 'Dance In the Dark'. What sells the single is of course the jazz-sound it builts up throughout the track, with the saxophone solo really confirming where the influences have come from. Hopefully the material from the second album will be a lot more like this and less like the pop-awful tracks we've heard already. 8/10