Good Stuff released 12th July
Darwin Deez – “Up in the Clouds”
Darwin Deez is certainly growing on me, and indeed this song is very cute and interesting. The lyrics are a bit coy and obvious at times, but it works well within this song’s innocent/ironic context. Musically, the guitar is made up of mostly simple and unassuming riffs layered in a complicated yet pretty fashion, with a great tone. The cheap 80s electronic drum sound is also very cool and hip right now, an aspect that I always personally enjoy. It is relatively unassuming generally this track, which gives it an amiable, soft quality. The video is also quite interesting, creative and sweet. I still don’t like the moustache/perm combo though.
Janelle Monáe ft. Big Boi – “Tightrope”
God how cute is Janelle Monae?! For such a teenie tiny baby of a thing, she has a lot of talent. Here she offers a gorgeous old skool style of R&B, which really has rhythm, blues, style and substance, and is certainly not cheap manufactured pop style R&B from cheap manufactured women (and men). Her vocal abilities are of such good quality, with soul that could have literally stepped right out of 1960s Detroit. There is depth and interest in the brass that goes beyond simple licks and samples, subtle uke and guitar parts, and Big Boi’s guest is good stuff too; his smooth low toasting really complements Monae’s vocals. And my god this girl can move her feet! Check out the video if you need more evidence:
Bad Stuff released 21st June
Justin Nozuka – “Heartless”
For fucks sake why is this kind of stuff still in the charts? Its just the kind of vomit inducing, nicey-nicey, weak, dated, dull kind of shit that frequents the likes of Heart and Magic playlists, and quite frankly the world could really do without it. Everything about the track, from the vocal style and lyrics to backing vocals, guitar timbres and the melody line are reminiscent of the worst kind of late 90s easy listening euro-trash. Its even got the bad fade out thing going down. This is music for dull mums and even then they really should at least be listening to Tina Turner. She’s got way more balls than this piece of crap.
