This week's playlist is an amalgamation of last Summer hurray tunes and a welcome to Winter, as seems the norm now it's probably most suited for getting ready/pre-drinking as it traverses from indie to dance. As always you can click the icon for a full playlist.
Shake It Out - Florence And The Machine: The second single from Florence Welch's new album 'Ceremonials' to be released on Halloween is a gorgeously poignant and uplifting piece of work. Bursting from the confinements of the net into your heart. With clever and resonating lyrics accompanying Florence's soaring vocals, it suggests great things for the difficult second album. And I can't wait for The Weeknd and Benny Benassi's remix of this standout track.
I Could Be - Kyla La Grange: Kyla La Grange's powerful and dark folksy pop is undoubtedly Florence Welch inspired, paralleling her intelligent, disturbing but on-point lyrics with extraordinary vocals. There is a contrast between the fragility emotionally charged lines of this song with the dramatic soaring vocals as the chorus kicks in that Kyla La Grange perfect so well. With intimate gigs and new track releases forthcoming following a strong festival circuit she is definitely one to watch.
Fire Alarms - Ed Sheeran: Last night the chart's new heartbreaker Ed Sheeran released a limited edition 'Thank You' EP following his chart domination: two singles in the Top 20 and selling over 100,000 album copies. Defying his label, Sheeran released a three track EP featuring two old songs from the 'Songs I Wrote With Amy' EP and a 'You Need Me' remix demonstrating once again his charming and endearing manner. This song is sure to win over all Sheeran fans; following the simple guitar chords, catchy lyrics and sweet melody formula perfectly.
Body And Soul - Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse: The last record Amy Winehouse ever recorded before her tragic death is the gorgeously soulful and somehow rather Christmassy crooner with the great Tony Bennett. Featuring a simple video, in which Amy Winehouse looks casual, cool and collected it is easy to see why its already received over 2 million hits. This record shows Amy at her best, effortlessly swaggering her way though astonishing vocals. Smart, simple and stylish it's definitely a song for the impending Winter months.
What A Wonderful World - Alison Mosshart & The Forest Rangers: Recorded for the season premiere of Sons Of Anarchy this record shows Alison Mosshart in a whole new light; gone are the rock screams and raspy vocals and in place is a more sweet and melodic approach, yet the dark overtones and distinctive voice does remain. My biggest girl crush in the world adds something new to a timeless classic, it's pretty perfect.
Not Long Now - James Blake: Radio One spoilt us on the Mercury nominated James Blake front this past week, with Giles Peterson delivering this new record and an extraordinary two hour James Blake essential mix showcased early Saturday morning. Ever intense, stirring and wonderful this is an exhibition of James Blake's strengths and skills in creating beautifully, modern records.
You Don't Know How Lucky You Are - Keaton Henson: Keaton Henson is my new favourite find, with his quivering, intricate, intense and wholly riveting music having immediately weaved its way into my heart. These are modern love songs; soon to be classics. It appears Keaton Henson is creating intelligent indie love songs for the James Blake/Bon Iver/Jamie Woon generation. With a new EP 'Metaphors' out now and Zane Lowe supporting this record on the show I wouldn't be surprised if we find Keaton Henson on the Mercury nomination list next year.
The Ballad - New Look: Released on the 27th June 'The Ballad' has elevated New Look to new heights, with features in publications from Mixmag to the Guardian. The Canadian duo create dreamy music for Winter days; think Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs or Delilah meets James Blake - sparse and faded upbeat records.
Everything Goes My Way - Metronomy: This really has been Metronomy's Summer, they've knocked out one beautiful festival set after another, received a Mercury nomination and been one of the most talked about bands EVER. Their dreamy, sunshine melodic pop has really resonated with festival audiences, which may be why Rob Da Bank heralded this as his 'hottest record in the world right now' on his early morning Saturday show, post-Bestival blues. Cowbells aplenty and possessing that quirky vintage feel this track makes you want to have one last Summer heyday before Winter sets in for good.
If There Is Something - Roxy Music: Throwing caution to the wind and sticking some Roxy Music in here, because at some point in your life, regardless of age, you should throw on some Bryan Ferry dance like a loon and pretend you're 17 again. Youthful, energetic and pretty damn gorgeous I haven't stopped listening to this record since 'Flashbacks Of A Fool' reminded me of it. Nostalgia in musical form.
All We Ever Wanted Was Everything (Bauhaus Cover) - MGMT: MGMT have injected their starry Summer anthemic sound into this Bauhaus cover to create a moody, poignant yet still beautiful record. This is a much darker sound than usually anticipated by MGMT but my maintaining their trippy, drug infused sound the cover works really successfully. Winter raves!
Little Man - Little Dragon: Suddenly this Little Dragon record is popping up everywhere, which is definitely not a bad thing. An enchanting, almost hypnotic record, bringing to life their self-confessed "dreamy, rhythmical, shifting, moody rainbow sounds." To me they are MGMT meets CSS meets SBTRKT meets Koreless. I can't stop playing this, and I can't wait to see what Little Dragon bring to the Jools Holland show tomorrow evening.
Sixes And Nines - Birkwin Jersey: Stumbling across Birkwin Jersey on Soundcloud a few weeks ago I instantaneously fell in love with Graeme Coops frenetic, dischordantly beautiful sound. His productions are curiously interesting, playful and absolutely gorgeous. Comparable to the skills of Jamie xx, the youthfulness of Koreless and the sound of Gold Panda and Four Tet he is one to watch for sure.
Lotus Flower (Radiohead) - Jacques Greene Remix: Producing and DJ of the moment Jacques Greene is creating one beautiful track after another these days but this Radiohead remix remains one of my favourites, a tangible, organic, rising mix is the perfect accompaniment to beachy pre-drinks, I'm going to be drinking mojitos and listening to this, wishing myself to be at the Ibiza closing parties. Having recently sold out both acclaimed venues Warehouse Project and Fabric it is clear Jacques Greene's star is marked.
Garden (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs) - Joe Goddard Remix: As soon as this hit my inbox this morning I was immediately excited; Joe Goddard's launch party for 'Gabriel,' one of the hottest records around is this weekend, whilst headdress wielding TEED has long been a favourite. This new remix comes following TEED's re-release of 'Garden' fresh with new label and new video. I wouldn't be surprised if Annie Mac plays this out come Friday evening, pre-drinking heaven!
Hurting (Friendly Fires) - Benoit & Sergio Remix: Friendly Fires have been one of the hottest tickets in town this Summer, 'Pala' has been an instantaneous hit and their confetti cannon, Hawaiian dancer, sunsoaked performances have been many people's festival highlight. Similarly, Paris and Iowa born DJs Benoit & Sergio's remixes have been heard everywhere from Ushuaia, Ibiza to Burning Man Festival. This lively, energetic remix is one for the closing parties, and with Benoit & Sergio set to remix Metronomy's 'Corrine' next, they're evidentially all about that last Summer hurrah!
Antidote - Swedish House Mafia & Knife Party: Dropping this much anticipated new single on their Radio One Pete Tong takeover show, Swedish House Mafia are finishing their Summer residency at Pacha, Ibiza on a high note. With this track a return to their true, dramatic, heavy house roots. Bringing it back from the charts to the dancefloor, where they belong. The single is still in the radio rip stages on Youtube so sorry for that, but I'm glad to see Swedish House Mafia divert from Guetta's path and return with a more solid, oldschool beat. I can just imagine it going off in Pacha to this!
Signatune - DJ Mehdi: Following his tragic death early last week I felt it was only right to finish with this. My Twitter timeline's been terribly sad, full of heartbroken DJs, bookers, producers and festival organisers all reflecting on what a humble and happy guy Mehdi was. Signatune remains one of the heaviest electro records to date. I have great memories seeing Mehdi as part of DJ collective Club 75 at Rockness, which to this day is one of the best sets I've ever seen. RIP.
