Not Another Music Blog.

Thursday, 13 September 2018

Album Review: IDLES - 'Joy as an Act of Resistance'

Image result for idles joy as an act of resistance

Whoever coined the expression 'difficult second album' never bothered to tell Bristol punks IDLES. The follow up to their wonderfully deranged debut 'Brutalism', 'Joy as an Act of Resistance' is a record full of euphoria and heartbreak. Now signed to Partisan Records, IDLES have had one hell of a year from making waves over in the U.S. at SXSW to nearly (at the time of writing) selling out their biggest UK tour to date. 'Joy...' also amazingly made it to number FIVE(!) in the Official UK Album Chart, which, however you look at it, is an incredible feat for five relatively unknown lads from Bristol with one incredibly loyal fan base. Shouts to AF GANG too by the way.

Album opener 'Colossus' is a slow burner with a riotous finish whilst second track 'Never Fight a Man With a Perm' is a wonderfully bat shit crazy exploration into front man Joe Talbot's colourful past. These two tracks contrast brilliantly and instantly show an improvement on their sometime one dimensional debut record.

The thrashy tempo set by the second track is counteracted by the marching, plodding beat on 'I'm Scum' whereas 'Danny Nedelko' (named after Heavy Lungs' Ukrainian front-man) is a melodically charged commentary on immigration. 'Love Song' is yes, you guessed it, a love song and an ode to Talbot's partner before the unbelievably harrowing and beautifully heartbreaking ballad 'June' is introduced. A tough but equally beautiful listen, the song explores incredibly personal themes and is easily one of the most emotional songs released this year. Be prepared for tears with this one.

The lyrical themes explored on 'Joy...' are bold, relatable and incredibly frank. The honesty of the band is what makes them so special and their songs so accessible. On 'Samaritans', the band tackle toxic masculinity whilst on 'Television' they explore the ridiculous beauty standards of the media and fourth single 'Great' tackles the never-ending circus that is Brexit.

'Rottweiler', the albums closer and one that's been performed live since 2016 is a call to arms against the tabloid press and the perfect ending to a perfect album. The way the song builds at the end and the aggressive way Talbot encourages the band to keep playing is brilliant. IDLES' live show is one of magnificence and 'Rottweiler' is the perfect embodiment of that.

On 'Joy as an Act of Resistance' IDLES have blown open the punk scene. Musically the band have stepped it up incredibly since their last effort. The variation of each track is fantastic with new unexpected elements cropping up at any moment. Lyrically IDLES have created an album of pure joy. The subjects tackled here are dark but equally identifiable and the way the band marry these themes with wit and aggression is a touch of genius. IDLES have raised the already high bar set on their debut even higher on their sophomore release and it seems they won't be stopping. Magnificent stuff.

10/10

Best track - Never Fight a Man With a Perm

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Monday, 10 September 2018

Track Review: Cola Boyy - 'Buggy Tip'

Do you like throwback disco with a modern twist? The answer should always be ‘yes’, especially when it’s as fantastic as Cola Boyy’s ’Buggy Tip’.

The track is a frantic funk workout that opens with a decisively hectic guitar riff, quickly followed by a glorious string ensemble, reminiscent of the disco hits of the 1970’s. But it never at any point feels completely like a homage, interjecting enough modernity into a genre full of instrumentation staples to create an entirely new beast.

At the forefront of the track is Cola’s unique vocals, employing an unconventional vocal style that fits perfectly with the utterly bizarre vibe that the song presents. Once again, it’s something you can completely see being part of the disco era, but you could never actually find an example, giving a much needed breath of fresh air to the genre.

What makes this song though is the energy in the instrumentation, where a chaotic clavinet clashes with an extremely eccentric drum beat whilst the Nile Rodgers-esque guitar barely punches through the noise, becoming more percussion than melody. It’s disco played in a punk fashion. It’s just brilliant, trust.

What you’re presented with upon first listen is a dichotomy between the vintage and contemporary, before you realise that this fusing of Chic with Thundercat contains elements of the old and new, but is not defined by them. Oh, also it has a trippy Tame Impala type guitar solo halfway through.

‘Buggy Tip’ is available on Cola Boyy’s debut EP, ‘Black Boogie Neon’, out September 21st on Record Makers.

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Sunday, 9 September 2018

Arctic Monkeys: Worst to Best

Sheffield's mightiest heroes have had a cracker of a year. Their sixth studio album 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' was released to critical acclaim, before they embarked on a mammoth US and European festival crawl including headline slots at NOS Alive, Primavera and TRNSMT. Next up, the four piece will be heading out on their first UK arena tour since 2014, which predictably sold out in minutes. If anyone can sort us a ticket for one of the many London shows, we're not fussy which.

To celebrate the new tour, we thought we'd take a deep dive into one of our generation's most successful bands, ranking their increasingly diverse back catalogue from worst to best.

6. Favourite Worst Nightmare

It's not a shit record by any stretch of the imagination (it's fair to say Arctic Monkeys don't have any of those), but 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' is definitely the band's weakest. The follow up to their record breaking debut, 'FWN' had it's fair share of bangers but doesn't quite hold up as a single body of work.

Opening track 'Brianstorm' was an instant classic, with Matt Helders' performance potentially his best as an Arctic Monkey. 'Teddy Picker', 'The Bad Thing' and 'Old Yellow Bricks' are also brilliant, harking back to the first album's sound everyone so desperately wanted more of. But, unfortunately, the album comes across very 'samey samey'.

A favourite of the Inbetweener's generation, with 'Fluorescent Adolescent' sound-tracking many an episode, 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' is great in many ways, but doesn't stand the test of time as well as other Monkeys' offerings.

5. Suck It and See

'Suck It and See' is Arctic Monkeys going heavy, as their fourth album ditched the simple riffs for something with a lot more attitude. Here, the band shake the immature sound that could be heard on 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' and (arguably) even their electrifying debut.

Lead single 'Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair' saw the band progress from the darker sounds of the experimental 'Humbug' album to a fully formed stadium rock outfit. The ridiculous lyrics and bombastic production were the perfect introduction to their new sound.

Tracks like 'Library Pictures' and 'Brick By Brick' brought further grit, while 'Love is a Laserquest' and Turner's 'Piledriver Waltz' (previously heard on his 'Submarine Original Soundtrack') showed a more tender side, which would continue to grow through future albums.

4. Humbug

Seen as a bridge album before 'Suck It and See', third album 'Humbug' took many fans by surprise. The direction they took didn't go down too well with everybody, most notably the indie-cindy-lad-rock demographic.

Produced by Josh Homme and longtime collaborator James Ford, 'Humbug' saw Arctic Monkeys explore a more experimental side, while still embracing the catchy riffs fans knew and loved. And though the move wasn't universally appreciated, slowing down the tempo drew attention to some exceptional song writing.

You can't talk about 'Humbug' without 'Crying Lightning' - the lead single is up there as one of the band's best ever. And the beautiful 'Conrnerstone' has now become a mainstay of their incredible live performances. Despite gems like this however, there are some quite forgettable tracks - and Turner's vocal melodies can leave a lot to be desired.

Although it's clear the band are finding their feet in this new style, "Humbug' gives us the first glimpse of magic yet to come. This album took four young lads from Sheffield in a new, experimental direction that would eventually evolve to near perfection. And for that we're eternally grateful.

3. AM

On their fourth album, Arctic Monkeys went stratospheric. Breaking all kinds of records and garnering critical acclaim, 'AM' embraced groove and oozed cool. Alex Turner donned a new teddy boy haircut, a sharp suit and an incredibly odd accent to deliver tracks full of infectious melodies and grungy riffs.

Bringing another change in direction, 'AM' embraced elements of disco and even hip hop, and Matt Helders' drum patterns took a simpler turn (apart from on the rousing lead single 'R U Mine?'). Josh Homme's influence is once again all over this record with falsetto vocals and deep, heavy bass riffs throughout.

On AM, the band are their most playful musically. 'Snap Out of It' is a perfect pop masterpiece and the incredible 'Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?' is a testament to James Ford's perfect production. The overall sound is what makes this album score so highly, and something the band would come to perfect in their most recent release.

2. Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Probably one of the most famous debut albums of the last thirty years, 'Whatever People Say I Am...' injected life into a very stale British rock scene. A product of self promotion on MySpace, the band's rough, topical and highly relatable music became the soundtrack of life for thousands of kids up and down the country. At the time, the album was the fastest selling debut album in British history selling an impressive 120,000 copies in it's first week.

Songs like 'Fake Tales of San Francisco', 'Still Take You Home', and 'When the Sun Goes Down' transcended social groups and inspired kids from all backgrounds to pick up a guitar and start a band. Looking back now, the impact this album had was incredible and something amazing to be a part of.

Packed full of charm and Yorkshire wit, 'Whatever People Say I Am..." made people sit up and start believing the hype.

1. Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

The band blew 2018 apart with the release of their sixth studio album 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino', and once again turned a lot of their fan base against them. 'Where are the guitars?!', people cried. 'It's so self indulgent!' was another common complaint. And even on this very blog, we only gave it an average 7/10. Oh how wrong we were.

This album has grown in our humble opinion to be easily the best thing Turner and co. have done. Yes, it's lyrically bonkers. Yes, it sometimes feels like a Bowie cast-off. But 'Tranquility Base...' is the perfect illustration of why bands need to change and adapt to stay relevant. The lads are no longer spotty teens queuing to get into clubs in Sheffield, but grown men living it up in LA headlining every festival in the world.

'What do you mean you've never seen Blade Runner?' is a line that will stick forever and the riff seconds after is one of the best moments on an album full of amazing moments. The guitar solo on 'She Looks Like Fun' and the slight break at the end of 'Four Out of Five' are just a few of many touches of class throughout this record.

Who would've predicted back in 2006 that Arctic Monkeys would one day be singing about space hotels over psychedelic instrumentations? Not us. And for that, we love them. 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' is hopefully just the start of an even more exciting, more interesting, and more challenging Arctic Monkeys, who'll keep surprising us for years to come.

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Thursday, 16 August 2018

Track Review: Sam Fender - 'Dead Boys'

Newcastle singer/songwriter Sam Fender has returned with the fantastic new 'Dead Boys'. The 22 year-old has been making serious waves in the past year by playing shows up and down the country, smashing the festival circuit and making the BBC's 'Sounds of 2018' shortlist. Recently signed to Polydor, Fender's new tune was premiered on Annie Mac's Radio 1 show as the coveted Hottest Record.

Opening with fast-paced finger-picked guitar, 'Dead Boys' is atmospheric and instantly haunting. Fender's delicate vocals take center stage as he sings openly of male suicide, a rising problem currently facing the UK, especially in the music industry. Fender's vocal is haunting and beautifully delicate, delivering his powerful message perfectly.

The way the song builds musically is a real touch of genius. The addition of a heavily reverberated guitar part here or a long understated drone there ensures 'Dead Boys' is constantly dynamically interesting and intriguing. When the drums are introduced the groove becomes incredibly infectious with the track sharing musical similarities with The War on Drugs or early Ben Howard. The cascading guitar part before the second chorus adds a sense of grit as the song grows in intensity.

Sam Fender's songwriting has come on leaps and bounds in the past year and 'Dead Boys' is a real testament to his growth. Poignant lyrical themes, combined with fantastic instrumentation and stunning performances set Sam Fender way ahead of the pack leaving contemporaries like dull-as-dishwater James Bay and your Mum's favourite bore George Ezra behind. Time to get into Sam Fender, he'll be sticking around for quite a while.

'Dead Boys' is out now on all decent streaming sites or you can listen below.

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Monday, 13 August 2018

Track Review: Ash - 'Naked'

Credit: Lauren Dunn

‘Naked’ is the second single from Hawaiian newcomer Ash (not to be confused with the Northern Irish alt-rock band of the same name), and it’s a fantastic slice of Latin-jazz-neo-soul-R&B. You’d think with a mixture of genres like that, this track would sound like an absolute cacophony of inharmonious sounds, and you’d be so, so wrong. ‘Naked’ takes the best parts of each genre; the jazzy bass, the Latin rhythms, the soulful singing, and combines them into an intensely expressive song.

The first thing that grabs you is Ash’s incredibly heartfelt vocals, being equal parts Portishead and Destiny’s Child. This combination enables Ash to display a masterclass in expressive vocal delivery as they transform from low, sultry dulcet tones in the verse to elated highs in the feel good, summery chorus. Featuring such lyrics as “I surrender to the moment now I know there’s no reason to be scared”, the composition emits pure positivity, nicely supported by the carefree rhythms and instrumentation.

Layers upon layers of percussion give this track an amazingly syncopated groove, underpinned by the wonderfully vibe-filled bass-line, forming a rock-solid foundation for a song that is undeniably dance-able. This is aided up by the light tinkling of a jazzy piano part, before the song crescendos with a fantastically vivid trumpet solo.

Essentially, everything in this song is filled with a sense of rhythmic passion, creating an atmosphere of optimistic fervour that is absolutely sure to brighten up your day.

‘Naked’ by Ash is available now on all platforms or you can listen below.

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Friday, 10 August 2018

Track Review: The Post Romantics - 'Call It Off'

Liverpool natives The Post Romantics - consisting of brothers Connor, Cameron and Liam Cockbain and their childhood friend Samuel Barton - have released an intriguing new tune entitled "Call It Off". The band have spent a significant amount of time constructing this release, to ensure that it properly captures who they are as musical artists and it seems that, with the production assistance of Sugar House, they have achieved their goal.

Opening with what appears to be a fairly standard trap beat, the track demonstrates its eclectic approach when these are joined by atmospheric guitars and rich lead vocals. In just under three minutes, the listener is drawn in by a layered sound which is defined by emotive vocal delivery and enveloping instrumentation, judiciously layered.

Between delicate verses and charged choruses, the band present a narrative based on a relationship which is reaching an end before it has even had a beginning. Combined with the melancholic tone, the familiarity of the lyrics highlights the band's attempts to reach a generation who feel dejected and desperate for a distraction. At the same time, they have managed to craft a song which is charming and tuneful.

Despite the multitude of British indie rock artists who have broken through in recent years, The Post Romantics clearly bring something different to the table. If they can cultivate their experimental influences and continue to combine them with a gritty and authentic lyricism then the band have the potential to create music which amalgamates genre in a polished way.

Listen to 'Call It Off' below.

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Wednesday, 8 August 2018

Track Review: Wes Allen - 'Ask Me Now'

‘Ask Me Now’ is the first single from Wes Allen’s debut EP, ‘Funny Thing’. It’s a very relaxing piece, conjuring up similar feelings found on ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’ era Bon Iver with it’s sparse arrangement and lo-fi instrumentation.

Produced by Chester Hansen of BADBADNOTGOOD, the song heavily features a wonderfully comforting acoustic guitar progression, which somehow feels both familiar and unique at the same time. You can tell great care has been taken in capturing the performance of the instrument, as the volume of individual notes ebb and flow in the most charming way, helping keep a fantastic sense of groove throughout. This is all undercut by scattered vibraphone (an irresistibly delightful, if criminally underused, instrument), swelling routinely throughout the track at pivotal moments in the composition.

At the forefront of the track is Wes’ wonderfully reserved vocal performance, containing such haunting lyrics as, “ask me now if I’ve changed my mind, about leaving you behind”. The performance describes the painful process of breaking up with someone who wants to stay together, and in doing so brilliantly contrasts the messy unpleasantness of breakups with the soft and calming personality of the song.

Harrowing and dark themes aside, the whole thing feels like it takes place in a blissful underwater cavern, far away from the problems of the outside world, where for three minutes and fifty-three seconds, you can just forget. And that’s something everyone needs once in a while.

‘Ask Me Now’ is available on Wes Allen’s debut EP, ‘Funny Thing’.

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