Hip hop/ pop with a cool look. Check out here.
Author: ALFITUDE
New Music: The Minutes
Crazy Irish rockers who happen to be very good. Check out here.
First Listen: Paper Crows ‘Cloudbusting’
Previously mentioned on here back in October 2010 (seems like it was only yesterday!), this is a stunning piece of pop from Paper Crows covering the Kate Bush track ‘Cloudbusting’.
New Music: Lawson
There’s big label backing from Polydor for this boyband- their selling point is that they write their own stuff. It’ll be interesting to see how well they do in 2012. Check out here.
2011’s Random List
So everyone’s doing their lists for 2011. They’re fun to read but a nightmare to compile, so I thought I’d shake it up a bit with my list by using some really rather pointless categories.
2011’s Most Painfully Cool

Woodkid – This is one of those ‘hidden loves’ I have who I don’t really blog about because I want to enjoy for myself. Kinda selfish it sounds but it’s only because if I do blog about them I just won’t stop… Friendly Fires being an example. Anyway, anything Woodkid touches turns to gold.
2011’s Best Second Album
Friendly Fires – Pala. Second albums are so hard to get right but Friendly Fires had no trouble coming back with a piece of genius.
2011’s Best Album To Fall In Love To
Patrick Wolf – Lupercalia. Patrick Wolf has one of the most devoted set of followers for any musician that I know in the UK. I have a few records of his, but this is by far the standout album that he’s produced to date. Just because the story behind it is so simple- he fell in love. And the songs that feature are a pure joy to listen to.
2011’s Most Underrated Album
Alex Clare – Lateness Of The Hour. Produced by Diplo and mixing some really heart-stopping beats with a raw voice and big lyrics, it’s just stunning from start to finish. I really hope it picks up in 2012 because this record is just too good to not be heard.
2011’s Most Bittersweet Album
Amy Winehouse – Lionness. You may know that I am a huge fan of the late Winehouse. So when this was released last month I was stunned at how some of the songs which had already been released sounded so different when arranged the way Winehouse actually wanted. It’s a beautiful record, but I really hope her estate releases more.
2011’s Most Addictive Track
M83 – Midnight City. This track makes you feel like a kid running around in the dark pretending to be a space hero or something. It’s amazing.
2011’s Biggest Disappointment
Ed Sheeran – ‘+’
2011’s Most Anticipated Debut

Penguin Prison – Penguin Prison. This chap’s been causing a stir on the blogs for a couple of years now and his debut album came out a few months back. Most of the songs have already been out, but there’s something about hearing them in full set that makes the ears very satisfied.
2011’s Most Welcome Return

Man Like Me. One of my favourite bands by a mile, purely because of the genius behind their sillyness, Man Like Me released some new material this year that got me a bit excited.
2011’s Most Interesting Lyric To Come Out Of A Rap

Childish Gambino – Freaks & Geeks: “An elephant never forgets, so my dick remembers everything”.
New Music: fiN
I’m drawn to this band, but I’m really not sure why. It’s indie rock but there’s something different about it- I can’t figure it out, but maybe that’s why I like them. I love the chorus bit. Check out here.
New Music: Kenzie May
Really don’t know much about Kenzie May- yet. But from what I’ve heard so far I get a feeling that she won’t be unknown for much longer. I kind of stumbled across this track and thought it was very good, so here it is. Still in demo phase it seems but crazy catchy. Check out here.
Marvin Gaye to end the day
I adore his remix by Mercury of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Sunny’ so hard. It just picks you up to another level.
New Music: Gabrielle Aplin
Christmas is all about being somewhere you feel is home. So it seems apt to feature this lady on Christmas day- the song is a beautiful folky pop song that warms up the heart. Check out here.
Merry Christmas.
Christmas with Niki & The Dove
Free Download: Johan Reinhold ‘Shoot Me Down (Owsey Remix)’
One of my favourite exports from Sweden this year, Johan Reinhold, has released an exclusive remix of his viral hit ‘Shoot Me Down’ courtesy of UK producer Owsey. Looking forward to Johan’s ‘Rework’ EP out January 20th 2012! Listen to the original version of ‘Shoot Me Down’ here.
New Music: Anjulie
First Listen: Oh Land ‘Speak Out Now’
A new slice of pop heaven from Oh Land, to feature on a re-release of the album she launched this year.
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An awesome mixtape to ease over that festive Friday night hangover…
A very hip-hop heavy mixtape that makes you smile hard. Christmas tomorrow! Woo!
In the unusually warm 3am air of a Parisian suburb, a house party is getting out of control. Police Nationale have been called – but no-one can get near. The air is thick with Hip-Hop filling the adjacent streets, acting like a force field. You can hear the faint licks of Aerosmith and the rising vocals of Bowie as far as the Champs Elyse. Is that DJ Kool Herc on the decks? Situated in the Capital of French Electro, the influence is audible, while Meth, Red, Jay-Z and even Mystikal get 16 bars in on the mic. Who knew The Beatles were this funky?
The cause for celebration? It’s the wrap up party for First Serve, an undercover project that has been two years in the making. First Serve is the brainchild of French producers/ DJ’s, Chokolate & Kahlid (aka 2 & 4), who met as master turntablists at the 2004 DMC Championship. After an instant meeting of minds they decided to embark on a musical adventure – a Hip Hop album played by musicians. All they needed was a couple of MC’s to help complete their vision. Enter NY based Jacob ‘Pop’ Life and Deen ‘D’ Whitter.
Due to hit the streets in 2012, the First Serve album is the soundtrack for a movie that has yet to be made. It tells the story of two dreamers in a basement struggling to start their musical career, the battles they face, through to the point that they eventually release their debut single, ‘make it big’ and their hard work and persistence finally pays off. As we know that is rarely where the story ends and the story of First Serve is no different. Taking place in an animated world that could have been imagined by Hawley Pratt on Magic Mushrooms, the high spirited and often hilarious journey is pure old school hip-hop; skits, disco, beats, funk, quips, burns and hustlin’ all included.
Listen to ‘The Goon Time Mixtape’ recorded at the party. It’s funky, it’s hip hop, it’s disco… and it’s a classic!
Track-listing:
1-First Serve – We Made It Interlude
2-First Serve vs Aloe Blacc – Pushin’ Aside, Pushin’ Along
3-Notorious BIG vs De La Soul – Whatchu Want
4-Krs-ONE vs 2&4 –
5-Jay-Z – 99 Problems (Prodigy Remix)
6-First Serve vs Run DMC – The Work/Walk This Way
7-Run DMC vs Jason Navins – It’s Like That
8-Theophilus London – Girls Money
9-2&4 vs Akil (of Jurassic 5), Busta – Must B The Music (Remix)
10-First Serve vs Eminem – Move ‘Em In, Move ‘Em Out
11-Lupe Fiasco feat. MDMA – Coming Up
12-Cee-Lo – Bright Lights, Bigger City
13-Grand Master Flash – The Message (2&4 Mash Up)
14-Mystikal -Bouncin’ Back
15-Jurassic 5 – The Influence (2&4 Mash Up)
16-Redman vs Dj Quick – Get Dirty (2&4 Remix)
17-IAM – La Saga (2&4 Mash Up)
18-First Serve – Must B The Music
19-The Beatles vs Joan Jett vs Cypress Hill vs House Of Pain vs RATM – Mash Up
20-BB King – Boom Boom Boom (Remix)
21-De La Soul – Say No Saturday
22- Nas – Made You Look (Remix)
23- Ini Kamoze vs Naughty By Nature – Here Comes The Hotstepper
24- First Serve – Move ‘Em In, Move ‘Em Out (Demo Version)
Lykke Li ‘The Lost Sessions Vol. 1’ EP
Free Download: Team Me ‘With My Hands Covering Both of My Eyes I Am Too Scared To Have a Look At You Now’
That really is the title to this free download from Norway’s ‘Team Me‘. I must admit this took me a couple of listens to get in to but I would describe it as indie pop with a breezy vibe that you get out of these Scandinavian bands. Sounds sort of magical in a weird, indescribable way.
MP3: Team Me – With My Hands Covering Both of My Eyes I Am Too Scared to Have a Look At You Now
New Music: Prance Faris
New Music: Jakwob
New Music: The Concept
A Swedish band consisting of former band members for Robyn, Tove Styrke, MRTN and Veronica Maggio (all Swedish pop institutions). Check out here.
First Listen: Fibes Oh Fibes! ‘Cerahtonia’
I’ve been waiting for these guys to come out with new music for what seems like a lifetime! Cute and quirky Swedish pop. What’s more exciting is their upcoming album is produced by Miike Snow‘s Pontus Winnberg. Check out here.

























