TheStylishKidsRiot for Tune Love

Lana Del Rey seems to be taking over the UK at the moment. Her engaging style and detached performances make for compelling viewing.

Initially I’ll admit I had trouble taking to Del Rey, I felt her music was depressing, a little bit samey and struggled to captivate me. Fully expecting the phase to pass, I began to become more familiar with her style through the infinite Radio and TV appearances of late.

I’m pleased to say that as you get passed the initial tones of her music, it’s clear to see that there is a real talent on show. Del Rey’s voice is sublime and her style is kinda retro, a warm break from the norm. However I think the thing I find most endearing in Lana Del Rey is how her lyrics can provoke real imagery of modern scenarios but with her classical graceful voice. It could be argued that she’s brought a quite dated style of music in to the 21st Century. You’ll often see her alone on stage with a microphone, making no effort to engage with the audience at all and in a way this kinda works for her, there’s an air of mystery and importance about it all. Perhaps this is what makes her so engaging, this feeling that even if you lot (the audience) weren’t here, She’d still be doing her thing, in her style.

This track “Glimmer” comes off the Maccabees third album Given to the Wild, released a few weeks ago. For me this is the stand out piece in what is a very easy listen from one of my favourite bands.

The Maccabees characteristic mix of detailed instrumental, and the stunning voice of Orlando Weeks make the whole record refined, intricate in this instance, Glimmer, Beautiful.

Expect to see these guys all over the UK festival scene this Summer alongside their current tour.

Etta James RIP

Was saddened to hear today of the loss of Etta James who passed away at the age of 73.

I’m too young to have caught James in her prime, However I’m thankful to my parents and grandparents who have excellent taste and raised me on beautiful music like hers.

The two songs I’ve linked; “At Last” & “I’d Rather Go Blind” are two of my favourites. But I’m sure two that you also most familiar with, having been covered an infinite number of times down the years, a fitting tribute to great music.

Wow, What happened to music like this?!

Michael Kiwanuka recently won the BBC’s Sound of 2012 here in the UK, beating of strong competition from the likes of Frank Ocean, Azealia Banks and Skrillex all established artists in their own right.

The track I’ve posted was actually free on iTunes last week and having heard it once I must have played it at least 20 times. Michael’s voice is great, it’s deep, earthy and above all soulful, But is matched by a sound that can’t help but draw comparisons with Motown, Soul and music of good times gone by. It’s surely too premature to suggest that Michael is going to revive a new era of this kind of music (he hasn’t even released an album yet!) But I shall be eagerly awaiting more from “The Sound of 2012”

If you like this, check out a “Home Again” or “Tell Me a Tale” as well as a recent session he did for the BBC here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/soundof/2012/artists/michaelkiwanuka/#p00mmknj

Up The Bracket - The Libertines

For me The Libertines epitomise the great english band.

The Libertine way of life embodies the attitude of doing what you want, when you want because you want to.

Amongst the No shows, Pete Doherty stand-ins, drug abuse, fights, jail time, model girlfriends, guerrilla gigs, arguments over who wrote what, break ups, make ups, pub antics, dodgy radio interviews and complete press intrusion….The Libertines were something truly special and quint essentially eccentrically English.

Barat & Doherty’s partnership was mercurial to say the least and conjured songs with the force and movement of “Time for Heroes” & “What a Waster” along with the introvert and honest “Music When the Lights Go Out” or “What Katie Did” to name but a few.

The Libertines time at the top was short lived, but this band were huge before they made the big time and in a way that’s what made them so special. When the band broke up Doherty and Barat both pursued different projects in the form of Babyshambles and Dirty Pretty Things, as well as solo efforts. However none of these reached the success of The Libertines, and I consider that a testament to the enigmatic combination of Pete Doherty and Carl Barat.

I was lucky enough to catch the Band’s reunion gig in 2010 at Reading Music Festival where there were high hopes of a revival. As yet nothing seems to have surfaced.

The song here, “Up the Bracket” is one of my favourite tracks and though nothing compares to hearing it live with thousands of people, it’s still pretty damn good.

http://the-weeknd.com/

“From the morning to the evening, 

Complaints from the tenants,