Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say

-'Jason Drulo tries out being a large man's chair for one day'

Man of the moment, Jason Derulo’s debut single tops both the US and UK charts. This tune has taken over the radio waves. The infectious sample from Imogen Heap’s Hide and Seek helped add another hit to now SUPER producer J J J J.R’s discography. As R&B and pop seem to be merging with time and the autotune being unavoidable it seems the only option for artists and producers is to embrace the change and still make hot music. I don't usually give a flying buck singers rely on autotune (D.O.A all the way) but Derulo and J.R manage to create an original sound with creative mixing of the sample and Derulo’s smooth ryhmes. Likely to be another Bobby Valentino (anyone remember him? I thought not), but with a multi-platinum selling single he's definitely got himself one foot on the next level. The songs simple lyrics are used to convey a simple message which we can all relate to – I made a mistake but give me another chance. Luvin dis tuuuuneee!
4/5
Nabbbbbbbbbbbbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllll

Kid Sister – Right Hand Hi

(Lia - Surely the worst promo pic EVER. Unless you are working for Scope...ok, it was a joke! Don't make the P.C. cops beat me up!!!)

Making herself known in 2008 with ‘Pro Nails’, Kid Sister is back with a added spice to her flava. Switching her style from urban to an electro/dance feeling and staying away from songs about painting her nails, Kid Sister reinvented herself on this tune. The fresh beat combined with stand out hook makes Right Hand Hi an obvious club banger, you can also tell by the 7 mixes you get with the single! The song has been getting a lil' airplay and could potentially to blow up if given the right exposure.
3.5/5

Nabeel

Jamie T – The Mans Machine

- (Lia - 'ok, so Jamie T always reminds me of big sandwiches.')

Jamie T is one of those artists who’s been around for a while and just needs that 1 big break to get him on his way. Likened to the mighty Mike Skinner, Jamie T brings his relaxed rap to the game. The minimal music provided by the Pacemakers, although unimaginative when combined with Jamie’s effortless flow, makes for an easy listening track. Lyrics are inventive and interesting but still don't really get what the song is about. Something about a break up???

2/5

- Nabeel

Biffy Clyro - The Captain

Cue the brass, Biffy Clyro are back in town with a new album and a slightly new direction. I say slightly only because they’ve been hinting at Simon’s lust for all things orchestral for a while now. “The Captain” is the third single off their fifth effort “Only Revolutions” and follows a similar trend set by the previous singles. Namely the inclusion of orchestral elements, you absolutely cannot miss the brass arrangements in “The Captain” they are as integral to the song as the guitars and drums are. The jutting and swaying play of the brass and guitars give the song a certain sea shanty like feel which only adds to the whole theatrical-ness of the song.

Lyrically Biffy Clyro were never anything to write home about and this is not proven wrong in “The Captain” (or in any of the previous single, lines like “I am a mountain” come to mind) but what they lack in lyrical endeavour they make up for in pure delivery of melody. And boy do they pack the melodies into this track, to the point where you don’t notice how cringe-worthy lines like “I’m not the son of god” and “I can’t climb up your ladder” actually are.

All the trademark Biffy Clyro turns in melody and tempo are here, and they certainly still do sound like Biffy Clyro. But I can’t help but feel like all this addition of orchestral instruments to songs to transform your music is a little artificial or maybe I just miss the Biffy Clyro of old. One thing’s for sure this new direction is winning over some new fans as is (sort of) shown by the #1 spot in last week’s Felix and probably an upcoming jump in record sales.

CHENG 'the gift' Lao
-3.5/5 (everyone is rocking the half points today, yo.)

Mumford & Sons – Winter Winds

- THEY LOOK LIKE THE COUSIN/BROTHER/GRANDFATHER (ALL THE SAME IN THE SOUTH) OF MILEY CYRUS

Winter Winds comes to you from Mumford & Sons' debut album Sigh No More and follows the successful single (especially in Belgium apparently) Little Lion Man.

Mumford et al have made another good stab at bringing folk to the people but with fewer swears and bit less fun than Little Lion Man. This track does however, have more depth of sound and emotion; it's lyrically more interesting. An especially striking image being 'The flesh that lived and loved will be eaten by plague '.

The slow pondering pace has a tender wintery feel as you'd expect but builds to a strong climax with an almost military beat to it. If you want another Little Lion Man then maybe it's not for you but this is a grower.

Overall, a compelling song and all the mainstream airplay Mumford & Sons are getting, can only be a good thing for intelligently crafted music.

BEN KOLB-STER!

3.5/5

Yeasayer – Ambling Alp

[Lia's comment- 'look at them ^, arty trendy shoreditch magician fuckers! i kid, i kid]

If I could read phonetics then I would have known the band are YAYsayer not YEAHsayer. Now we have that out of the way you can't embarrass yourselves like I did.

Ambling Alp is the first single from Brooklyn-based Yeasayer's second full album: Odd Blood and for the moment is available for free via their Myspace.

If you're an Animal Collective fan, definitely give this a listen. Despite the range of electronic blips, chirps and other random sounds this isn't a cacophony. Although at times you might wonder if they hired Michael Winslow from the Police Academy movies. Don't expect the harmonious beauty of 2080 (from 2007's All Hour Cymbals), this is entirely different. Ambling Alp is musically experimental but never alienating thanks to the catchy melody. After a couple of listens it will be a bit of an earworm you can't get rid of but you'll want to hang onto this worm. It really is quite charming.


4/5

Ben Kolb