Tag: Listen

First Listen: Cher Lloyd ‘Swagger Jagger’

Let’s be clear about this – I despised Cher Lloyd from the start on the X Factor. I found her cocky, ridiculously tacky and annoying. That said, I like this track. I know it samples ‘Oh My Darling Clementine‘ and forces in just about every current pop genre in a couple of short minutes but its a hot mess I’m enjoying listening to. I’m sorry. Listen to it here.

Update: Little brat’s pissed off the song’s leaked, ‘”I’ve never been this upset ever!” Lloyd tweeted following the leak. “I worked so hard, and people wanna ruin it for me, if you wanted to hurt me you’ve done a great job (sic).

“please dont do this to me. i wish i was at home with my family, i’ve been through enough this year. me and my brats are stronger than this!! come onnnn! lets get em !!!!”

I’d be a bit glad to know people can’t wait to hear my music but whatever…

Listen: Wakey!Wakey! ‘Feral Love’

Wakey!Wakey! is the chamber pop product of Michael Grubbs’ eclectic musical education- formative years spent listening to an improbable mix of Gershwin, Brahms and Zeppelin were followed by a stint in NY in the company of ‘Anti-Folk’ contemporaries including Regina Spektor and The Moldy Peaches.

The most surreal point in Grubbs’ backstory came when cult U.S. show ‘One Tree Hill‘ synced a series finale to a Wakey!Wakey! track (past contributors to the soundtrack include Iron & Wine, Frightened Rabbit and Bon Iver). So enamoured was the show’s producer that he gave Grubbs a recurring acting part as a bartending musician, in a surreal case of life imitating art/art imitating life…

The band will be headlining London Scala on June 14th (having sold out the Garage last year) which follows on from sets at SXSW earlier this year.

First Listen: Nicola Roberts ‘Beat Of My Drum’

I know, a lot of people will look down on this single but for what it’s worth, this is about as edgy as mainstream pop is in the UK right now- and it’s actually a lot of fun. Produced by Diplo and Dimitri Tikovoi. She was always the odd one out from Girls Aloud, and this single is pretty left field compared to what the other girls have done with their solo stuff. And dare I say, I see small hints of Robyn in there too. Check out here.

First Listen: The Kill Van Kulls ‘Lost and Found’

I just adore this new single by The Kill Van Kulls, who I’ve featured on here before. Visit the band’s website to hear more, or download a remix of ‘Lost and Found’ right here!

MP3: The Kill Van Kulls – Lost and Found (Swansong Remix)

First Listen: Frankmusik feat Far East Movement “Do It In the AM”

After the success of his top ten UK debut, Frankmusik is preparing to release his fresh blend of synth-pop, hard-knocking beats and flowing melodies in the US with Do It In the AM featuring Far East Movement (out July 18th) a new album inspired by the energy of his adopted hometown of Los Angeles. The single is produced by Billboard (Britney), Martin Kierzenbaum (Lady GaGa) and Frankmusik, and is one of his catchiest songs to date. So exciting!

First Listen: Friendly Fires ‘Live Those Days Tonight’

First single from my favourite band’s second album, out in May, called Pala. Nothing Friendly Fires does is wrong right now. So good. So good. Much as I love my job I was GUTTED to have missed out on pre-sale tickets for their comeback gig later in the year when I couldn’t get near to a computer. Anyone wanna be a lovey and give me a ticket?

First Listen: Robyn feat Teddybears ‘Cardiac Arrest’

Teddybears have previously worked with Robyn on ‘Cobrastyle’ from *that* album which shook the pop world crazy side. They’ve collaborated with her again on ‘Cardiac Arrest’- it’s got a cheeky upbeat poppy vibe to it which is just perfect to listen to on one’s birthday! Buy it here.

First Listen: Erik Hassle ‘Are You Leaving’

Erik Hassle, one of my favourite Swedes of late, is previewing his first new single here (wait for the Swedish ad to finish then it plays straight after). It’s out in Sweden tomorrow. It’s excellent. An electro transition from the older Hassle stuff. Love it. Nothing this man does is wrong at the moment.

First Listen: The Streets ‘Computers and Blues’ (Album Stream)

Click here to listen to The Street’s final album, ‘Computers and Blues’ in full before it’s release later in the month. It’s excellent. I’ll be sad to see the end of The Streets… until their gig in March!