There was a fear from me that it would the case of diminishing returns after the excellent ‘No Strings’ was followed by the good, but not great ‘Paper Heart’, but the quality level is lifted in this multi-layered funky lyrically interesting number that takes its funky, gloopy start and speeds along with a toe-tapping poppy […]
Author: Philip Lickley
Single review: Christina Perri – ‘Human’
Christina “Jar of Hearts” Perri is back with single number one from her ‘Head or Heart’ album. ‘Human’ is a slow moving ballad that is half bucket list of ideas and half motivational speech, the kind you’d do in front of a bathroom mirror on a morning when you can’t be bothered with the day […]
Single review: Chasing Grace – ‘Free’
With the video proudly declaring it’s produced by Naughty Boy you’re hoping for something special and what we get it a song that sounds like Avicii’s ‘Wake Me Up’ part two with a little bit more oomph in its backing sounds and more emotional lyrics mixed with the sound and tempo of Vance Joy from […]
Single review: Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull – ‘I’m A Freak’
I can’t help feeling that Enrique Iglesias is lowering himself with this video, an off-the-shelf rhyming clichéd dance track built around being a ‘freak’, with a video that is pretty ironic to be watching on International Women’s Day. Throw in a very familiar Pitbull opening (two introductions and a declaration of “Mr Worldwide”), though he […]
Single review: Flo Rida – ‘How I Feel’
Nina Simone was a great artist. But I think if she heard this adaptation of her song ‘Feelin’ Good’, so excellently covered by Muse, she might want to weep. Taking the musical riff and the chorus of the classic song and funking it up actually works well, but the overly familiar rapping of Flo Rida […]
Single review: Cage The Elephant – ‘Come A Little Closer’
If you were to re-record Gorillaz’ ‘Feel Good Inc.’ using a microphone that was bought for £2.50 from a dodgy man in a sheepskin jacket at your local market, then you’d probably end up with verses like this. The bass-dominated riffs are atmospherically evoking and the drum beat that throws the song forward near the […]
Single review: American Authors – ‘Best Day of my Life’
Even though it starts with a riff that sounds like a nursery rhyme crossed with a television jingle it’s a pretty distinctive start for this uplifting, perky indie-pop number that has so many catchy elements thrown into it I’m surprised it hasn’t been given a health warning. With hints of Train weaved into its verses […]
Single review: Dvbbs and Borgeous feat. Tinie Tempah – ‘Tsunami (Jump)’ (EP)
Taking the original track and adding Tinie Tempah’s distinctive vocals on top has made the bland instrumental much more exciting and memorable. Yes, the lyrics are pretty derivative with a rhyming dictionary and the clubber’s guide to making a generic club track being essential source material for the piece, but as a club-friendly number it […]
Single review: Coldplay – ‘Magic’
Taken from their upcoming album Ghost Stories Coldplay return to their earlier form of slow, ponderous ballads and ‘Magic’ is possibly the slowest amongst them. Fans of the band will lap this up and there is much to enjoy: the instrumentation and Martin’s vocals are crisp and involving and move smoothly as the song progresses, […]
Lucius – ‘Nothing Ordinary / Turn It Around’
‘Nothing Ordinary’ is an indie hit with a surprisingly hooky chorus hiding behind its unusual and wacky production side. The off-kilter drum track and quickly singable chorus work together to give this a more commercial side to its distinctly indie vibe. {rating}
Read more about Lucius – ‘Nothing Ordinary / Turn It Around’ …