Featured Reviews
Learn more about your favourite artists; find out what they are up and keep tabs on what interests you.
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Halfway Home
Morgan Van Dam |
Morgan Van Dam Music Production is a London-based music company who produce music specifically for commercials, TV and film. You may well recognise this catchy dance/pop song, from the Ford Focus advert that was on screens late 2009, which is yet another impressive and memorable tune in their arsenal. With a shuffling dance beat and an infectious and choppy guitar line forming the basis of this track, a soaring high-pitched vocal adds another layer and lifts the track to new heights. A perfect song to get you dancing in a club late into the night, it's also (perfectly) great night driving music. With 'Halfway Home' pulsing with the beat, unforgettable guitar riff and powerful vocals that mirror the energy of the lights, sights and sounds of a Friday night, this will make journeys more exciting. Whether you're hitting the town or heading back home, play it loud and feel the rhythm. Ian Chaddock~ Copyright (c) Shazam Entertainment Limited 2010. All rights reserved |
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Sixteen
The Heavy |
Hailing just southwest of Bath, England, this neo soul/indie rock four-piece have a gift for penning powerful songs that combine a number of different influences to create their unique sound. On 'Sixteen', the second single from their 2009 sophomore album 'The House That Dirt Built', the band channel voodoo blues with the use of keyboards, female backing vocals and stomping brass to create a retro and achingly cool sound. It's Kelvin Swaby emotive lyrics and Curtis Mayfield-like soulful singing that makes the track so special though, as he purrs and howls the story of a sixteen year-old girl whose learnt a lot, but none of it good - including dancing with the devil, clubbing, drinking and smoking. Fans of Screamin' Jay Hawkins may have found a new group to pick up his cape and put a spell on you. Ian Chaddock~ Copyright (c) Shazam Entertainment Limited 2010. All rights reserved |
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Stylo
Gorillaz Feat. Mos Def & Bobby Womack |
With Albarn the only permanent fixture musically, Gorillaz are always a band to be in fine collaborative company; previous guest spots have been given over to De La Soul and Shaun Ryder amongst an eclectic cast of others. Previous albums have been taken the shape of an ever changing collective, made as close to real as possible by artist Jamie Hewlitt's stunning visual renderings. Here the characters of Murdoc et al are joined by hip hop visionary Mos Def and soul legend Bobby Womack on the first single to be lifted from the 2010 album 'Plastic Beach', the band's third since their eponymous debut in 2001. 'Stylo' is as ambitious and spellbinding as any of Gorillaz previous work, and sees Albarn again drawing from a scattered range of influences, in this case from Bambata era proto electro and late 70s block party hip hop in the low buzzing bassline tones that bind the tune together. Albarn’s vocals are distant and spacey, like they've been phoned in at 4am from the midst of some insomniac paranoia, yet remain lethargic and soothing across some of the most textually dark material the group have released. The relatively sparse nature of the beats underpins the three distinct vocal contributions with a wide, dreamy aesthetic while maintaining sufficient energy to captivate and hypnotize the listener. 'The Eclectic' Mos Def appears is in his trademark tight and inventive wordplay style, if only a little too briefly, while Womack's powerful commanding voice lifts 'Stylo' to some special ethereal and emotionally affecting territory. A texturally rich outing for an unpredictable and unmistakable outfit. ~David Sutheran~Copyright (c) Shazam Entertainment Limited 2010. All rights reserved |
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Omen
The Prodigy |
After a four year break following the release of 'Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned', The Prodigy made a strong resurgence with the release of their fifth album 'Invaders Must Die' which went straight to the top of the UK Albums Chart. Once again featuring all three main members of the band ('Always Outnumbered' was effectively a Liam Howlett solo work) the record saw a bruising return to the heavy beats and rave influences of their earlier years beefed up considerably by slick production and influences from genres such as breakbeat. 'Omen' was the first single to be released from 'Invaders' and was very favourably received charting at number 4 in the UK Singles Chart and being named Kerrang! magazines Single of the Year 2009. Vocalists/dancing maniacs Maxim and Keith Flint both reappear, sharing the microphone as Howlett delivers a powerhouse track with the traditional Prodigy emphasis on hefty stop/start beats, rave keyboard lines and killer bass. ~Martin Gadgil. Copyright (c) Shazam Entertainment Limited 2010. All rights reserved |
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Fireworks
Stina Nordenstam |
Taken from her 1994 second album 'And She Closed Her Eyes' (that gained her a wider audience outside of her native Sweden thanks to a song featuring on the 1996 film 'Romeo + Juliet'), this song from the acclaimed experimental singer-songwriter is beautifully understated number. A simple guitar line and the occasional effect are the only additions to Nordenstam's delicate, emotional and distinctive voice. This is a dreamy track that transports you to a calm and serene place, you'll barely notice that it drifts well past the five minute mark. With a minimal sound and with pained yet honest lyrics such as, "I'm falling with the tide/They said that this would end/I went as far as I could", it's a powerful song that's natural and comforting yet cold and harsh. Nordenstam's high-pitched, almost breaking voice has resulted in comparisons to fellow Scandinavian ice maiden Björk, as well as a range of jazz influences. Ian Chaddock~ Copyright (c) Shazam Entertainment Limited 2010. All rights reserved |
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Sweet Harmony
Danny Byrd Feat. Liquid |
A stone cold classic in certain sections of the dance world, Liquid's 'Sweet Harmony' is up there with the likes of The Source’s 'You Got The Love' and Baby D's 'Let Me Be Your Fantasy' when it comes to immortal house anthems - so much so that they seem to be re-released each new decade. Already smashing its way through charts across the land, Danny Byrd has taken the Liquid original and laced it with ultra-tech drum & bass beats while retaining the hands-in-the-air rave feel. Hailing from Bath, England, Byrd has previously been tipped by the likes of UK D&B legend Fabio thanks to his remix of London Elektricity's 'Wishing Well' and looks likely to capitalise on it with this club banger. A perfect lesson in pacing, Byrd holds back the instantly familiar piano break for as long as possible, layering 'Sweet Harmony' with air-cutting bass lines, horns and lush string sections, squeezing every second of anticipation out of the song before soaring into a crescendo of "In sweet harmony" vocal loops. James Sharples~ Copyright (c) Shazam Entertainment Limited 2010. All rights reserved |
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The Only Exception
Paramore |
After half a decade gradually building up an ever-growing fanbase and glowing reputation, Paramore finally hit the global big time with their third long-player 'Brand New Eyes', which reached the number one spot in several countries. The third single, plus one of the albums stand out moments, 'The Only Exception', sees a definite shift in direction and sound from the hard-rocking, energetic tracks such as 'Misery Business' and 'Ignorance' that first brought the band success. 'Exception' is a down-tempo, gentle song with an almost lullaby feel to it, thanks to its tender subject matter and soothing, relaxed chord progression. Lyrically, the song tells of a gradual shift in lead singer Hayley's view on love - she goes from not believing in the existence of it, to admitting that the apple of her eye is, in fact, 'the only exception'. The song is sure to draw in a new audience for the band, thanks to its simple composition and sweet, tender lyrics. ~ John Rowley ~ Copyright (c) Shazam Entertainment Limited 2010. All rights reserved |
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Heartbreak Warfare
John Mayer |
The American blues-rock star has experienced more heartbreak warfare than most, with high profile relationships with stars such as Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston collapsing in the public eye, so the title of this single seems honest and appropriate. Drawing on his experiences it's perhaps also not too surprising that this track - as much of his 2009 fourth studio album 'Battle Studies' does - takes a slightly more rock ballad direction than the soft blues of his previous material. Still smooth and slick, with the LA-based singer's distinctive crooned vocals, some dreamlike effects and a solid drum beat, the lyrics reveal a darker, moodier side. "Drop his name, push it in and twist the knife again. Watch my face as I pretend to feel no pain" and "Red wine and ambient, you’re talking s**t again. Its heartbreak warfare" are lines that show how Mayer is wearing his broken heart on his tattooed sleeve. Ian Chaddock~ Copyright (c) Shazam Entertainment Limited 2010. All rights reserved |
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Wile Out
DJ Zinc Feat. Ms Dynamite |
After an all too long hiatus from the game Miss Dynamite, has been popping up and dropping bars on a few big underground dance tunes since 2006's difficult second album 'Judgement Days'. Sticking closely to the winning ticket that is the burgeoning UK Funky scene, Miss Dynamite's distinct flow has been leant to a true legend of bass driven music, in the form of the one and only DJ Zinc on his swaggering anthem 'Wile Out'. Here shades of Zinc's classic drum and bass track 'Casino Royale' are present in the rolling bassline and kinetic bounce that couple perfectly with Dynamite's lyrical touch. Rhythmic low-end frequency business, reminiscent of the best of his Bingo label output, are matched perfectly with the funky breaks that have grown from the UK Garage and Grime scenes in and around London. Expanded from its instrumental version 'Blunt Edge' which appeared on Zinc's Crack House E.P in July 2009, 'Wile Out' epitomises his skilful transition from one time drum and bass pioneer and scene figurehead, to a fully fledged and innovative house music producer. While Zinc left DnB in 2007 after become disillusioned with the way the music was moving, his fidgety, deep and funky approach to house beats has seen him strike a chord with fans of eclectic, intelligent rhythms and good time vibes as he did way back when with his fusion of hip hop and jungle beats. ~ David Sutheran. ~ Copyright (c) Shazam Entertainment Limited 2010. All rights reserved |
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O Lets Do It
Waka Flocka Flame Feat. Cap |
Coming at you from the stables of Gucci Mane's fledgling So Icey Entertainment imprint, Wacka Flocka Flame was originally born in Queens, New York, before moving to the seamy and steamy Atlanta, Georgia where he proceeded to kick off his rap career. Wasting little time, his debut solo mixtape 'Shoot Me Or Salute Me' dropped in 2009 with a veritable avalanche of additional mixtapes following in quick succession. Taking influences as disparate as Easy E and Lil Jon, 'O Let's Do It' is the perfect sonic accompaniment for when you're thrown out of the club, all swagger raps over a beautifully sparse, minimalistic track. Seemingly assembled from broken organ parts and Game Boy sound effects, this sounds like a carnival reflected back through a shattered funhouse mirror. With a holler-along refrain of "Yeah! O let's do it!’ prepare to go hard or go home when the DJ drops this. James Sharples~ Copyright (c) Shazam Entertainment Limited 2010. All rights reserved |
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