Well, it’s not really new but it’s the next one for the UK. I blogged about Atlas Genius last August and it’s great to see they’ve gotten themselves a good following. Out May 6th.
I know it sounds a bit old school to write about buying CD’s from a record shop, but whatever. One of my few pleasures is buying physical albums from HMV. It always makes me feel like a kid, and there’s something fun about looking forward to opening the case up.
Anyway, I brought myself three albums this weekend. Three of the most anticipated pop albums of the year, and they were all as good as I expected them to be. So here’s each one, with an album track that I particularly enjoyed. What a dorky post… Anyway, try and buy a CD every now and again. It would be a shame to see them go…
Laura Mvula – Sing To The Moon
In theory, this is the sort of album that wouldn’t warrant more than one listen every now and again. But Laura Mvula’s album has been on repeat all over the weekend. The way she writes these songs… Sublime…
Woodkid – The Golden Age
THE most anticipated album on my list this year for sure, I was ridiculously excited to finally hear this. Epic and orchestral and stunning.
Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience
Think what you like about Justin Timberlake but this guy always delivers slick production on his records. There’s a rumour he’s releasing a follow up album before the end of the year.
To Be Frank is one of my favourite male vocalists of late. There’s something pretty captivating about his voice, and if you give his single above a spin you will feel that you’re listening to something pretty special. On an interesting note, his great great grandfather was the Chopin-taught composer Michel Bergson. Ladies and gents, meet To Be Frank…
How would you describe your sound to those who have yet to hear it?
I wouldn’t really say I have a specific sound, I have written a lot of songs in many genres, you may have heard some in one style but there are others which you would think is that still frank. I like to try new things and test myself as a producer and writer. you have to keep moving and evolving, well I do!
You like to experiment with different sounds, but which one do you connect with the most?
I have banks of sounds, and lots of instruments and I could never say that one is my favourite, I guess It depends where the sound is coming in the chain, for instance if i am looking for inspiration from a sound and the song has not been written yet i will search many places to find something that fuels an idea or it may be I am looking for a sound to add to an existing song, it all depends really.
I have just written a song where I had a visual idea in mind that was pretty cold and desolate but I wanted it to represent fire, so I made a beat that had lots of sparky sounds in it.
You’ve already got a pretty impressive family background musically, do you find that motivates you to be a success?
I have many motivations behind my music, obviously my family history is amazing and inspiring but its not my main motivation, my parents always encouraged me to be creative as a child, me and my brothers when we were little turned my mums art shed into a music room when were young and stacked it with equipment, thats where it started really. I also have my own family now too, becoming a dad has inspired me to create on another level really, it’s such an amazing experience.
What inspires you to write?
I write a lot, most days I write something and have done for many years. I just write what comes to me, I can’t tell you where it comes from, it’s a bit like one of those magical things in life where you can’t control it, it just happens when it wants to. I think the most important thing is to not force it, if it’s not happening it’s not supposed to.
Who are your musical idols?
One of the earliest moments in my life musically was when i got on stage at 4 years old at a friends birthday party with a local blues band called the Low House Blues, the lead singer is called Frank Prendergast , or big Frank when I’m around! I took the microphone in the break on my own and sang apparently to everyone in the room. Big Frank is a massive inspiration to me, they are still going now 25 years on and I occasionally get up and sing with him.
How did you come up with the name ‘To Be Frank’
It just came to me one day and felt right!
What are your future plans?
Future plans are to keep writing more songs, and release lots more music on my label. I want to build a live show around it all eventually and play these new songs to people. I would like to produce a few other projects I have been asked to work on too so we shall see.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to have heard a preview of this EP in full for the first time. Beatrice Eli has constantly been on my top lists for the last year or so.
So I’ll obviously sound a little bit biased when I say that the ‘It’s Over’ EP (out today on Razzia Records) is just about the best bit of Scandi pop you’re likely to hear for quite some time.
There’s only four songs on there but they seem to cover every possible spectrum involving love and loss, from ‘Conqueror’ (above) through to this track that has one of the fiercest set of lyrics you could find in a song (‘You’re silence is violence’… ouch):
Anyway, it’s well worth the wait. Get it now!
A dreamy, ethereal and uplifting sound. Check out here.
I haven’t heard of Rigas before, but this Swedish indie track is worth listening to because it has a bit of a ‘Sign ‘O’ The Times‘ vibe around it. Check out here.
Reggae… from Leicester. The bit after the 1:30 mark is particularly fun. Check out here.
I’ll be honest – I’m not sure I like the video to this BUT the track put a huge smile on my face… So here’s to a happy Wednesday! Check out here.
New one from Kristine Mirelle. I find her voice pretty distinctive and her tracks show heaps of potential.
NOT SAFE FOR WORK!
These types of club bangers usually either scare me or get me going like no one’s business. This one by Swedes Kill FM manages to do both.
Oh… How happy I am to hear this!
This, folks, is the sort of music that will get me tapping my feet a little bit madly.
I will personally say that it has to be the best slice of funk delivered from Robin Thicke, T.I. and Pharrell for some years now.
Saw this over on Pigeons & Planes and rather liked it, so here it is. It’s a pretty intense remix of Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’. Not heard anything quite like this before.
I have a fondness for this neo-soul act. It’s a sexy, perfected sound that still manages to sound pretty raw. Caught A Ghost will release a special version of their debut EP ‘Nightworks’ on April 8th.
An extraordinarily beautiful, subtle jazzy sound that makes me think back to 90’s trip hop. Check out here.
