Good Stuff released 21st June
Mark Ronson & The Business INTL – “Bang Bang Bang”
This track is definitely a grower. When I first heard the song about a month ago I was a bit impartial to it, but now I fucking love “Bang Bang Bang”! Musically its cute and fun, but it has a sober, cool edge to it that makes its very appealing and not too gimmicky. It has good quality funky guest stars in Q-tip and MNDR, who submit idiosyncratic vocals that make the track interesting because of its vocal styles, not just because of the person producing them, (as in much of Ronson’s other work). The melody line and synth hook are also good. But what I think really makes this track is the video. The combination of vintage French/Japanese cultural references is soo cool (everything down to the Lacoste trainers is perfect), as is the 80s style Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy sound effects and graphics. This might be my favourite thing Mark Ronson has ever done. Do check out the video:
Bad Stuff released 21st June
Scissor Sisters – “Fire with Fire”
Previous work by the Scissor Sisters has often been interesting, camp, humorous, fun, cheeky, perhaps (if you’re a homophobe) even controversial. Unfortunately these are all qualities this new song does not have. It’s been four years since Scissor Sisters released anything and then they come back with this limp, half arsed offering. The music, the video, the lyrical content, it all smacks of dissatisfied queens whose melodramatic view of their situation has turned them into gay martyrs. Its sombre, sober, dull attitude is certainly to be missed.
Cypress Hill – “Armada Latina”
Ah, remember when Cypress Hill were good? Remember Black Sunday and when they used to play rapcore? Well this will be beyond a disappointment to you. Yes, Cypress Hill have Latin roots, but must they embrace them so much that they become a sad Latino parody? Change the vocal style and this could be a track from Enrique Iglesas. They seem to have completely lost their edge, fire and interest.
