LONDON, UK (Top40 Charts/ by Jenny McCarthy - Staff Writer) -
RECORD OF THE WEEK Just Jack - Embers: Embers', the lead single from album number three, finds Jack attempting to bring some rationality to the confusion of modern life. It's packed with infectious catchy beats all wrapped around his razor sharp lyrics with a unique accompaniment of violin strings. This is the first single to be taken from his stunning new album 'All Night Cinema'. It may not grab you fully on first listen, but this charming grower will soon make you smirk imagining that GaGa and Perry are actually no different from the lady behind the fryer in your local chippy.
HOT SHOT RECORD
The Maybes' - Trick Of The Light: Liverpool's finest export The Maybes' get 2009 underway with details of a new single and a co-headline tour of the UK. A live favourite, the song soars with sentiment and heartfelt lyrics with haunting guitar parts and their trademark cascading harmonies - the band at their powerful best. With virtually ever 90s indie act either about to join or fresh from the comeback trail, it can't come as any surprise that this modern Merseybeat act sound more than a little like their fellow cityfolk Cast. Vocallist Nick Ellis and co definitely have the talent to carve out a long career as a tribute act, one simply wonders whether writing material "in the style of..." will work for them as well as simply cutting to the chase and covering the back catalogues of our Britpop heroes.
Jack Penate - Tonight's Today: Since discovering his brilliantly summery new single 'Tonight's Today', my morning dilemma has been solved. Pop a bit of this song on first thing in the morning, and, like me, you'll totally be rocking the sunny look, regardless of the weather. Yes, mostly I am suffering for this choice, but it's worth it. Thanks to this song (and no thanks to the weather), summer is officially on it's way!
Doves - Kingdom Of Rust: Recorded at a converted farmhouse up in North West England, Kingdom of Rust primarily features production work from Dan Austin (Massive Attack), with two additional tracks helmed by industry vet John Leckie (XTC, Stone Roses, Radiohead's The Bends). The single 'Kingdom of Rust' sees Doves return with an utter epic album of eclectic tunes that takes you on a journey somehow perfectly painting a picture of the Northwest of England in a way that only Doves can do. I can hear so many influences in this single, the likes of Blondie, Bowie and the Clash to name but a few.
Antony & The Johnsons - Epilepsy Is Dancing: 'Epilepsy Is Dancing' is an endearing song, with Anthony in a cheerful mood. I love the song and the video is so freakishly, performance-art-y and dream-like, "it's fabu", as many of our friends would say. Musically, 'Epilepsy Is Dancing' is mainly played with piano and acoustic guitar, with touches of classical instruments here and there. The song is nearly perfect in structure: it's short, rhythmic, lovely and sublime!
Paul Carrack - No Doubt About It: 'No Doubt About It' leans more towards the Chicago soul style of Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler! The single is more up-tempo, driven along by Paul's horn section and recalling classic seventies soul. I guess Carrack is at a stage where he is past caring about chart rankings and massive sales volumes, although both would be nice, and just concentrating on making the music he loves, which shines through on this album. Just an upbeat soul anthem!
Peter Bjorn & John - Nothing To Worry About: Peter, Bjorn & John, from Stockholm, stand out among them for their capacity to compose some captivating music-sketches that speak through small sonic details, able to seduce a more global audience. This first single, from the incoming and long-awaited new album, works exactly the way it promised. Surprising listeners with a floating lo-fi-dub refrain introduced by a distorted chorus and waving slowly into a mine-field of percussive splashes. Make no mistake, 'nothing to worry about' is one song that undoubtedly deserves the hype!
Alain Clark - Father And Friend: Dutch pop sensation Alain Clark makes his UK debut with an upbeat pop record called Father & Friend. The Netherlands' answer to Will Young, Alain sings here alongside his father Dane Clark in a spirited and emotional ballad. The moving ballad, 'Father & Friend' soared to No 2 in the Dutch charts, but may just eclipse that feat if not here, certainly stateside. Clark is a major bet in his home country Holland so it seems only fitting that Warners are willing to plough a bit of cash into this rather easy-on-the-ear vocalist! It's a song that redresses both the generation gap and the often unspoken love between dad...
Ferry Corsten feat Betsie Larkin - Made Of Love: Before the end of 2008 Dutch DJ and producer Ferry Corsten released his album "Twice In A Blue Moon." "Made Of Love" is a vocal track Ferry Corsten did with American singer/songwriter Betsie Larkin. This is bound to one, if not the biggest track off the album! Different melodies starts to flow elegantly and the kicks slowly fades and suddenly Betsie's voice hits you. Her vocals are smooth as silk, and I already wonder why we've only heard her in 1 other recent trance track. The grand breakdown is absolutely well done. Fantastic synth work and perfect and a subtle use of piano. After the break the track peaks with a simple but yet super effective and captivating lead.
Ben Montague - Can't Hold Me Down: Radio 2 Playlist, it's likely that he will be flying high very soon. The track is co-written by Ben, Gary Go (who has just finished a stadium support slot with Take That) and former Mel C collaborator, Peter-John Vettese and is at the Radio 2 end of Paul Welleresque soul but there's a big string production going on as if Elton wanted to get in on the act. Some hack has even described 'Can't Hold Me Down' as stadium pop and I can see why, personally, no pop song should ever have the word 'epiphany' in the lyrics. "Can't Hold Me Down" brags upcoming blue-eyed Soul popster, Ben Montague. And being given the nod by members of Queen and Pink Floyd would indeed lift anyone's feet off the ground!
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Ben Kweller - Sawdust Man
Buffalo 77 - Memento
Detroit Social Club - Sunshine People
Dinosaur Pile-Up - Traynor
Emma Deigman - It Was You
Eskiboy feat Kano & Ghetto - She's Glowing
Kaki King - Mexican Teenagers (EP)
Operahouse - Genius Child
Kurd Maverick - Blue Monday
Presidents of the United States of America - Rot In The Sun (EP)
Qemists feat Jenna G - On The Run
Red Blooded Women - Enjoy The Silence
Twisted Wheel - We Are Us
Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work
Yo! Majesty - Don't Let Go
6th Apr
Art Brut - Alcoholics Unanimous
Bat For Lashes - Daniel
Burial & Four Tet - Moth
Depeche Mode - Wrong
Ercola feat Daniella - Every Word
Faithless feat Cass Fox - Music Matters
Fightstar - Mercury Summer
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
Franz Ferdinand - No You Girls
Fugative - Jimmy Shoe
The Hours - Big Black Hole
India Arie - Chocolate High
James Morrison - Please Don't Stop The Rain
John & Jehn - Oh My Love
Kid British - Sunny Days
Lady Sovereign - So Human
The Liverpool Collective feat The Kop Choir - Fields Of Anfield Road
Mumford And Sons - The Cave and The Open Sea
The Rifles - The General / Romeo & Julie
T2 feat Michelle - Come Over
Tiga - Shoes
The Virgins - Rich Girls
Zarif - Let Me Back
13th Apr
A.R. Rahman & Pussycat Dolls - Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)
AC/DC - Anything Goes/Big Jack
Alex Cornish - My Word What A Mess
Beyonce - Halo
Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This
Calvin Harris - I'm Not Alone
Camera Obscura - French Navy
Das Pop - Never Get Enough
Death Cab For Cutie - The Open Door
Delphic - Counterpoint
The Enemy - No Time For Tears
Everything Everything - Photoshop Handsome
Frankmusik - Better Off As Two
Gomez - Airstream Driver
Kabeedies - Little Brains
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
McLloyd - Tembisa Funk
N-Dubz - Wouldn't You
PJ Harvey & John Parrish - Black Hearted Love
Rochelle - Chin Up
Screaming Lights - Phenomena
The Shermans - Venom
The View - Temptation Dice
The Wave Pictures - If You Leave It Alone
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero
20th Apr
Asher Roth - I Love College
The Big Pink - Velvet
Chocolate Puma feat Shermanology - Only Love Can Save Me
Eagles Of Death Metal - Anything 'Cept The Truth
Go Audio - Drive To The City
Golden Silvers - True Romance (True No. 9 Blues)
John Dahlback feat Basto - Out There
Junior Boys - Hazel
Kevin Rudolf - Welcome To The World
Kidbase feat Sincere - Goodgirls Love Rudeboys
Kleerup feat Titiyo - Longing For Lullabies
Okkervil River - Pop Lie
Patrick Wolf - Vulture
Still Flyin' - Good Ting It's A Ghost Town Around Here
Super Furry Animals - Inaugural Trams
Tinchy Stryder feat N-Dubz - Number One
Two Fingers - That Girl
27th Apr
Ben Harper & Relentless 7 - White Lies For Dark Times
Bimbo Jones - And I Try
Blazin' Squad - Let's Start Again
Bloc Party - Signs (Armand Van Helden Remix)
Ciara feat Justin Timberlake - Love Sex Magic
Girls Aloud - Untouchable
Ironik - Tiny Dancer
James Fox - Say What You Like
Kanye West - Paranoid
Keri Hilson - Return The Favor
The King Blues - I Got Love
King Creosote - Coast On By
Maccabees - Love You Better
Madina Lake - Never Take Us Alive
Miley Cyrus - The Climb
Morrissey - Something Is Squeezing My Skull
Peaches - Talk To Me / More
Pink - Please Don't Leave Me
Shannon Noll - Shine
Sky Larkin - Antibodies (Cassette)
St Vincent - Actor Out Of Work
Steve Appleton - Dirty Funk
T-Pain feat Chris Brown - Freeze
Velvet - Chemistry
White Light Parade - Wake Up
4th May
Annie - A'nthonio
Ben's Brother - Apologise
Britney Spears - If You Seek Amy
The Brownies - Cougar
Carolina Liar - Show Me What I'm Looking For
Daniel Merriweather - Red
The Days - Never Give Up
Empire Of The Sun - We Are The People
Gary Go - Open Arms
Hockey - Song Away
In Case Of Fire - Enemies
Jade Ewen- My Time
Laurent Wolf - No Stress
Liz McLarnon - Lately
Maximo Park - The Kids Are Sick Again
Team Waterpolo - Room 44
Tommy Sparks - She's Got Me Dancing
U2 - Magnificent
Will And The People - Knocking
11th May
Alesha Dixon - Let's Get Excited
Brick & Lace - Bad To Di Bone
Broken Records - Until The Earth Begins To Part
Dub Pistols - Back To Daylight
Ebony Bones - The Muzik
Laura Izibor - Don't Stay
Lily Allen - Not Fair
Livvi Franc - Free
Marilyn Manson - Armageddon
Passion Pit - The Reeling
The Prodigy - Warrior's Dance
18th May
Absent Elk - Sun And Water
Agnes - Release Me
Black Lips - I'll Be With You
Datarock - Give It Up
Eg White - Broken
Graham Coxon - Sorrow's Army
Ladyhawke - Back Of The Van
Scott Matthews - Fractured
Taylor Swift - Teardrops On My Guitar
Team Waterpolo - Room 44
White Light Parade - Wait for The Weekend
25th May
Billy Talent - Rusted From The Rain
Dan Black - Hypntz
Dani Harmer - Free
Flo Rida - Suga
La Roux - Bulletproof
Little Boots - New In Town
Melody Gardot - Baby I'm A Fool
Paolo Nutini - Candy
Pet Shop Boys - Did You See Me Coming
Ro"yksopp feat Robyn - The Girl & The Robot
The Veronicas - Untouched
1st Jun
Demi Lovato - La La Land
Hockey - Learn To Lose
Kasabian - Fire
Kissy Sell Out - This Kiss
Snow Patrol - The Planets Bend Between Us
Coming Soon
Alcazar - Burning
Alex Roots - Fake (Apr)
Alina - When You Leave (May)
Anastacia - Defeated (Apr)
Annagrace - You Make Me Feel
Annie - My Love Is Better
Basic Element - Touch You Right Now
Bat For Lashes - Moon And Moon (7") (8th Jun)
Billy Talent - Devil On My Shoulder (Aug)
Blackout Crew - Dialled
Boogaloo Stu - Hammer To Fall
Cahill - Sex Shooter
Cartridge - The Woods (8th Jun)
Charlotte Hatherley - Winter
Client - Can You Feel (1st Jun)
Cutback feat Federal - Rock To The Rhythm (Apr)
Daniela - Push It Up
David Guetta feat Kelly Rowland - Love Takes Over
Deerhunter - Never Stops
Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers (Jun)
E-Type - Rain (Apr/May)
Elliott Minor - Discover (Why Love Hurts)
Example - Girl Can't Dance (Jun)
Flo Rida - Jump It (Jul)
Fragma - Memory
Freemasons feat Sophie Ellis Bextor - Heartbreak Make Me A Dancer (Apr)
Friday Night Posse - Before He Cheats
Gathania - Blame It On You
Grace Jones - Love You To Life
Green Day - Know Your Enemy (Apr)
Jack Pen~ate - Be the One (Jun)
Janelle Monae - Many Moons
Jenny Jones - Don't Walk Away
Julian Velard - Love Again For The First Time
Kate Ryan - Ella Elle L'a (Apr)
Katy Perry - Waking Up In Vegas
Kelly Llorenna - Dress You Up
Kid British - Rum Boys (15th Jun)
Lasgo - Out Of My Mind
Laura And The Tears - Love Live On!
Lonnie Gordon - Gonna Catch You 2009 (May)
M Ward - Rave On (Jun)
M83 - We Own The Sky (EP)
Maria Lawson - These Walls
Master Shortie - Dance Like A White Boy
Natalie Imbruglia - tba
Natural Born Grooves - Candy On The Dancefloor
Papa Roach - Lifeline (8th Jun)
Peacemakerz feat Danielle Senior - Take It To The Dancefloor
Pixie Lott - Mama Do (8th Jun)
Platnum - Trippin'
Poppy & The Jezebels - Rhubarb & Custard
Private - My Secret Lover
Razorlight - Burberry Blue Eyes
Rob Thomas - My December (22nd Jun)
Rose Elinor Dougall - Start/Stop/Synchro (8th Jun)
Saturdays - Work
Shontelle feat Akon - Stuck With Each Other
Slipknot - Sulfur
Star Pilots - In The Heat Of The Night
Swingfly - Singing That Melody
Tina Cousins - Sex On Fire
TV On The Radio - Crying (May)
Ultrabeat - Starry Eyed Girl
The Veils - Three Sisters
Vogue - Twilight (29th Jun)
Wideboys feat Dennis G - Sambuca (The Return)
DOWNLOAD ONLY RELEASES:
Basshunter - Walk On Water (06/04)
Fujiya & Miyagi - Sore Thumb (06/04)
Jazmine Sullivan - Dream Big (06/04)
Imelda May - Big Bad Handsome Man (13/04)
Jason Mraz - Make It Mine (13/04)
Duke Special - Sweet Sweet Kisses (20/04)
Gallows - The Vulture (Act II) (20/04)
Raphael Saadiq - 100 Yard Dash (27/04)
Theory Of A Deadman - I Hate My Life (27/04)
Attack! Attack! - Honesty (18/05)
Jamie Foxx feat T-Pain - Blame It (25/05)
