The Music Site.
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, […]
‘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’ …
Opening with the title track featuring a guest appearance from Frank Carter III (he’s on it so little I hope they didn’t pay him much) the EP gets off to a soulful start before someone sets the drum machine going and ruins it, with the fast-paced drum and bass riff being entirely different to the slow, sensual nature of the rest of the record. ‘Missing Persons’ is fine at the times when the drum machine is given time to rest but even without that it does sound like an off-the-shelf relaxation CD has been put on. It’s hardly dolphin sound but it’s hardly engaging music either. {rating}
Sadly not Darius of Pop Idol fame, this is a different, more French, Darius out with his EP of smooth electronic laid back numbers. Lead single ‘Espoir’ is samey, repetitive and lacking the oomph needed to really lend appeal to a minimalistic synthy composition, though it does echo the calmer more subdued numbers from fellow countrymen Daft Punk’s earlier catalogue. ‘Espoir’ doesn’t do enough to really grab me though its atmosphere and smoothness are definite positives. {rating}
Track number one on her EP, ‘Silk Road’, is as silky as the title, a slow, meandering number but one that pulls you in with its simple, evocative nature boosted by a mesmerising harp sound. It’s difficult to put my finger on what makes the track but the gentle well-constructed production is definitely one of them. {rating}
Opener ‘Little Italy’ is a pointed, indie number led by the distinct vocals of the lead singer and it bounces along for a very quick three minutes but doesn’t leave a massive mark on you as it lacks the killer hook of an indie classic, and the converging elements at the two minute mark don’t quite gel. The synthy bits are quite fun though. {rating}
I think I’ve listened to my fair share of repetitive electronica this week but here is fate dolling me out some more. I like Groove Armada but not when they make music like this. {rating}
I remember when I first started learning the keyboard I could have done a piano riff like this, someone stabbing at five notes on the keyboard over and over again. Here on ‘Games’, joined by three remixes on the extended-play, CLAIRE is more listenable than the irritating, repetitive off-the-shelf backing; her voice is a pleasure to listen to. {rating}
‘Wanderlust’ is possibly the most unique release I’ve reviewed this week thanks to its strong audible style. {rating}
The fourth single from Brand New Machine is a sombre number that is so downbeat I’m surprised the vocalist doesn’t give up half way through, down a glass of whiskey and go ‘it’s not worth it’. {rating}
Read more about Chase and Status feat. Ed Thomas – ‘Blk and Blu’ …