Example - Kickstarts


Got this guys album and it's seriously dope. 'Won't Go Quietly' isn't your typical dance album with a few singles on it; it's very deep in it's roots and there's a bit of everything on there to be honest. Some grime stuff, some dance stuff, some big beat stuff and general clubbie stuff too.

I rate Example because he's stepped out of the traditional 'this is what dance music should be' persona and just put out a great sounding record for all types to like.

You don't have to love dance music to love this record, there's plenty to keep you busy. My fave tracks are probably 'Won't go Quietly', 'Last One Standing' and 'Kickstarts' - but there's loads of top stuff on here to keep your head nodding and face smiling.

The big single off this record was 'Kickstarts' - it's a nice aide memoir to people rolling in and out of relationships when you think you've found 'it'... but then realise it's not 'it', and the new thing might be 'it', but you're just not sure what 'it' is anymore? lol

I love this song and I'm sure there's loads of people who do too.

... And the love kickstarts again :) lovely...
Nelly Feat. Chris Brown & Plies - Long Gone


Nelly isn't back!... the boy never left as far as I was concerned!

This tune has that great 80's beat sample and those retro synths all over it. It does remind me of old skool Whitney Houston and Chaka Khan, but with some tight rapping from Nelly and Plies, and smooth sauce drizzled all over it by Chris Brown - it's a real winner this joint.

Think the tune itself is about stealing someones girl from right under their feet, but there's nothing consciously wrong with that when being discussed in a over produced rap song is there? lol

I like the feel of this song, it's more of a RnB track than an all out hip hop offering, but it fits real well in the demands of Nelly fans awaiting his real grown up comeback to the game.

It's definitely worth a spin and I'm sure there's quite a few Nelly fans who will be pleased with this return to form I reckon :)
YG - Toot It & Boot It Remix (Feat 50 Cent)


50 Cent is back again and is spittin' all sorts of crazy sh$t with the boy YG. Loving the remix he's done here; it's got that old dusty crackly sound with a hugging bass line and ripply piano clinking throughout.

I've always loved 50's swagger and the way he mumbles and spits through his gritted teeth when he rhymes, but this tune is all nasty and crazy in a real bad way too!

Love listening to this song very loud in my headphones, it's got that laid back southern feel to it and a load of dirty attitude to spare. It's been a while since I last heard a hip hop song that made me think...'damn, this sh%ts good?', but I guess 50 doesn't really put his name on anything that he doesn't believe in,... or support, or approve, or simply can't make some serious money off!

So I'm feelin' this tune and loving the arrangement all over it... So what does 'toot it & boot it' actually mean again?? ;) xo
Kate Nash - Paris (Live in Paradiso)


I'll say this... I've always loved, and will always love Kate Nash. Her music has always created great vibes with me, and it's the sort of music I like to listen to when I'm restless and itching with randomness. It's really thought provoking and her cockney rhyme-lullabies are great fun on the mind.

In terms of her music being labelled as leaning towards the female of the species is unfair; I certainly feel that anyone willing to listen to heartfelt emotions littered across a few tracks will love Kate Nash.

My fave song off 'My Best Friend Is You' is 'Paris'. It's a no holds barred brass band piano chugging affair of tippy toe mercurialism! It's a great bicycle ride of a song that evokes feelings of warm friendship and telling people all sorts of bonkers barminess!

It's ace, it's heart warming, and for all it's worth - it makes for great music for poker dot dress wearing girls to shake to ;)
Taylor Swift - Speak Now


Now you I know you all love Taylor Swift right?! This girl epitomises what's so amazing about the teenie pop folky scene right now... Which is that if you put enough make-up on it, enough money behind it and enough promo all over it - then you can easily devour the teen masses.

Believe it or not, I did get 'Fearless' and I'm slightly embarrassed to say... That it was actually very good!?! Her music is written very well with cliche verses and imagery - but there's nothing wrong with that I reckon.

I do like this pop tune 'Speak Now', it's timidly paced and chirpy in all sorts of ways. Very catchy and fun is what it really succeeds to be, but its not a bad thing to have a bit of Taylor in amongst your Kings Of Leon and The XX tunes?... Right?? Lol

It doesn't have to be serious all the time, sometimes it's OK to say... "hey, I love Taylor Swift man!" :)
Shakira - Islands (The XX Cover) Live


Now when I heard about this cover, I was a bit worried - especially coz I love love love The XX. But this version by the very original and unique Shakira has got a thumbs up from me.

It retains the sentiments from the original meaning of the XX version, but I like the fact that she stepped it up a couple of gears.

There are still a few of the original samples in there - but all in all, it's a decent effort from a decent artist.

Whether XX fans will agree is another topic altogether - but I like it... After all, it's the only decent tune she has on 'Sale El Sol', and 'She Wolf' was just OK... But I am a bloke - and she is well fit too ;)
Kings Of Leon - Come Around Sundown


OK, so who's got the new Kings of Leon record 'Come Around Sundown' - well, I have and after all the hype and general hysteria... it's OK... no really, it's just 'alright'.

Nothing ground breaking, nothing over the top, nothing too far out - just a nice 'in the middle of the road' record for none offensive listening types.

It doesn't pull at your heart strings, it won't make you think deep serious thoughts, and it wont make you wanna 'rock out with your c$ck out!' - but hey, I bet all KOL fans will love this record.

I've got a few faves already; namely Beach Side, Radioactive, No Money, The Face and Back Down South. These are simple songs with no fancy stuff - no extra trimmings, no fancy buckles and no fireworks. Plain and simple KOL folks... but I never said that was a bad thing?

I love these guys and I'll probably be one of those guys who will always run for the next KOL record on release day, but it's not the most exciting album on the block right now.

Give it a listen - or as I have done, listen to the short interviews they've released out there. This one above is about my fave-bestest-loveliest song on the record, Beach Side.

It's simple, flat pack assembly tune'age for the not so fussy people... with a bit of a tendency to make you shake yo' hips to doll ;)