Sound of 2011

It is the end of the year and as always I scramble towards the goal line with my predictions for the next big thing(s). I've completely missed my deadline (read: damn you BBC!), but then again that seems to happen every year – an unfortunate side- effect from being slow. Therefore, this time around I present more of rundown of what I think could do well next year critically, chart- wise or even both. So without further ado…

THE CPHNOISE SOUND OF 2011

Jessie J
Clare Maguire
James Blake

The Vaccines

Sky Ferreira

Starsmith
MNDR
Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All
Jai Paul
Yadi

The order is arbritrary, but by all accounts it seems as if Jessie J and Clare Maguire are the ones whom the most believe in, thus they top mine as well – like a lemming one has to follow the masses. 

James Blake, Jessie J, Clare Maguire, The Vaccines and Jai Paul all figure on the BBC list, for obvious reasons: They're either pretty damn good (Jai Paul, James Blake), have lots of hype (The Vaccines) or they have the hits in the wings (Jessie J, Clare Maguire).

I'm surprised, though, that the BBC- list didn't feature MNDR, Sky Ferreira and Starsmith as they're all artists showing tons of promise and have great pop sensibilities. MNDR has already had chart success featuring on Mark Ronson's latest album (the stand- out Bang Bang Bang) and has solid songs in her catalogue already like I Go Away. Then there’s Sky Ferreira, who is backed by such super producers as Bloodshy & Avant (Britney Spears' Toxic and of Miike Snow- fame) and her single Obsession could be a hit (at least that's what me thinks) - the video sure has enough weirdness to grab people's attention. Finally, Starsmith produced most of Ellie Goulding’s debut album (including her hit Starry Eyed) and has been the subject of much hype since. Really, they all seemed like shoo-ins.

Finally there's OFWGKTA and Yadi. Odd Future released some the best hip hop music, if not best music, last year, and Tyler, the Creator - head producer and leader of the gang - is expected to drop his first real album (not counting Bastard) next year. With their track- record from this year, I have high expectations from this bunch of mostly 18-19 year-olds. Yadi, on the other hand, produces great massive pop songs and is backed by Neon Gold, who have a knack and proven track- record of uncovering the stars of tomorrow (from Passion Pit to Ellie Goulding). Thus these are my picks for the sound of 2011.

And for just for the hell of it, here are the rest...

THE TOO LONG LIST
Bright Light Bright Light
Esben and the Witch
Fiction
Egyptian Hip Hop
The Naked and the Famous
Cults
DOM
MEN
Starslinger
Hooray for Earth
Sunday Girl
Alex Winston
Kimbra
Jamie Woon

Sidebar: I’ve left out Warpaint on purpose, because – really – they have already released their debut album (featured on many Best of 2010 lists) and been on the cover of NME. For me they are a 2010 band – a great one too -, and I just don't see 2011 being much bigger for them.

So Much To Give, So Much We'll Never Hear

I've been criticesed for having the tenacity to dare to write about music that people have already heard off. I have let my core audience down and I'm terribly sorry for this neglect. Worry not though, I present you with a choice selection of three wilfully obscure songs and one with a whiff of being on the cusp of indie- stardom (I dapple in oxymorons too). Basically, I'm saying that Twin Shadow are on the doorstep of the garden path to the house of near-obscurity to the greater public, but near to the hearts of the select indie-navel-gazing-pitchfork-reading few - I heart you Twin Shadow!

The New Division - Starfield


Starfield is an instant winner, with its sharp trickling synth and melodramatic yet distant vocals. More than anything though, it is carried by the heavy and meaty bass - a bass that will echo in your head for days. There really isn't that much else to say. Enjoy.

Chad Valley - Ensoniq Funk


Looping wood- block sounds opens Ensoniq Funk and from then on it explodes into full chill- wave goodness. It somehow manages to sound like the perfect song for a summer barbecue, but also like a warm hug of a pop song during these wintery cold months. Listening to it is like hearing a fantastic 80's pop song (full of synth horn- and string stabs) played through a broken car speaker far away. It's that magic quality of chill wave, where you instantly invoke a nostalgic sound and feeling even though you have no real previous ties to the music.

Fiction - Phyllis


Trustworthy sources tell me that Fiction have consistently been one of the best live band in London over the past year, so no faint praise there. Their music nods heavily in the direction of Talking Heads, but with a bit of the synth-y weirdness that made Late of the Pier interesting. Phyllis is a playful little tune with an afro- beat guitar, a bouncing bass- line, lots of rim taps and some of that previously mentioned synth-y weirdness. FUN!

Twin Shadow & Hooray For Earth - A Place We Like


By all means this should be a pop smash. First of all there is the bass and kick drum combo, which screams dance (dance!), on top of that there are flute-y synths, hand claps and Spanish guitar (!). Everything that should be cheesy and wrong is put together and just works. However, what really gets me is the blissfully happy chorus. If you don't smile when you hear this, then you're dead inside. Literally (figuratively).

There Is Something In My Mind

Glasser - Apply


Apply is the standout track from Glasser's debut album, Ring, and is without a doubt one of this year's best songs. It all boils down to how the tribal drum rhythm perfectly matches Cameron Mesirow's siren-meets-jungle-queen vocals. I was hooked from the very first listen.

Picture Plane - Goth Star


I've known Pictureplane for a while, but never really listened to his music. Big mistake on my part. His music is noisy and poppy in the best possible way, so no wonder HEALTH are fans (they actually covered this song the last time they played in Copenhagen). The mashing of Fleetwood Mac's Seven Wonders with the pulsing synth and hard marching drums all combines to this beast of a song. I simply can't get enough of it.

Earl Sweatshirt - Couch (feat. Tyler, The Creator)


The beat is swag and the lyrics are crass. Definitely not for the sensitive and/or political correct, these are teenagers rapping about rape, murder, drugs and everything in between. There's a really sinister (and slightly juvenile) sense of humor and a hell of lot of creativity going on with these guys. My favorite bits are when the piano sample and distorted bass kick in (first time at 0:34), the "clitoris of Kelly Clarkson's dick"- line, and the pitched- down "stab him" at 3:04. It's so wrong that it's... well, still wrong, but also kind of funny and pretty damn great.

Keeping It Classy

I just thought I'd introduce you to the background on my desktop. Classy.

Sidebar: Gaga puts phone on head, Perry lactates... Bieber, your move.

030

Incredibly NSFW, but definitely worth it.

The Good The Bad - 030


... The song is pretty damn great too.

She Painted Pictures With The Tips Of Her Fingers

Tokyo Police Club - Bambi


The synth, with its distorted yet organic sound, is a real show stealer here. It's pure ear candy, and when combined with TPC's knack for making catchy-as-heck songs, you have a real winner. Never ones to do Sigúr Ros- style epics, they keep the song at the perfect pop song length of less than three minutes and, as the saying goes, the best things come in small packages.

Let Me Love You Down, Even If It Takes All Nite

Summer blogging hiatus / holiday ended up a bit longer than expected, but I'm back in business. To start things off here are two songs that represent everything that can be great about R'n'B. A little negative space goes a long way.

Me'Shell N'degeocello - Love You Down [via Nehru Jackets]


 
Aaliyah - We Need A Resolution (feat. Timberland)

I'm Just Having Fun With You

I have a feeling that Wavves' King of the Beach will be the soundtrack of this summer (or at least a big part of it)... Like Cool Jumper before it, new single, Post Acid, is hella good!*

Wavves - Post Acid


* Get it? Get it?

Hell Is Around The Corner

With an exam coming up friday (yikes!), my playlist of late has been dominated by music with a relaxing quality to it. Two songs in particular have been on near- constant rotation over past few days, and they are Hell Is Around The Corner and Electric Relaxation. They are the sort of songs that make you sit back, relax and, for a brief moment, forget about everything else around you. Fantastic songs with great lyrics and even better production.

Tricky - Hell Is Around The Corner




A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation

With Your Voice My Belly Sunk

There is a great expressive quality to Taylor Kirk’s (Timber Timbre) voice and the way he enunciates every word carefully on Demon Host. His voice conveys a palpable sense of vulnerability with the trembles and the soft moans of oh. Throughout the song he is accompanied only by acoustic guitar and piano, which makes the song a very intimate listening experience, while also complimenting the eerie ghostly feel that permeates the song. 

"Oh reverend please, can I chew your ear? I have become what I most fear
and I know there is no such thing as ghosts, but I have seen the demon host"

Timber Timbre - Demon Host