New Waves.. Charli XCX - 'Superlove'

Ohai, remember me? I used to write blog posts on here on da regz. Now it's somewhat less regz, but that's largely down to my feeling uninspired in regards to some of the music I keep coming across.

But come forth Charli XCX - someone who I can generally count on to make me happy again with her glorious dance-pop songs - and it appears she is on top form! After gaining more worldwide press attention thanks to her both writing and featuring on mega-hit of the summer, 'I Love It', by Swedish duo Icona Pop, Charli has (somehow) managed to find time to begin work on her second album whilst touring here, there and everywhere. The first song to be debuted as the follow-up to her first proper album, True Romance, is the delectable 'Superlove'; it is instantly loveable, of similar glittering ilk of 'Take My Hand' but much more accessible and sophisticated - by no means a bad thing! - and will no doubt be played on radio airwaves anytime soon. This is straight up pop at its best - so go get hooked!

http://www.charlixcxmusic.com
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New Waves.. Marina and the Diamonds & Charli XCX - 'Just Desserts'

I must say that seeing this on my Twitter feed today was rather unexpected, but after I saw Marina (of Diamond ilk) post about getting ready to drop a track that she recorded with Charli XCX, I got more than a tad excited; two of may favourite pop artists collaborating!? What on Earth could be better?

The song - 'Just Desserts' - sounds like a perfect blend of the two singers, combining Marina's dark electronic pop with Charli's quirky delivery. Whilst Marina's voice is unique, Charli's contribution manages to compliment it, whilst many other voices wouldn't have been able to pull it off without it sounding more than a bit awkward; however, that said, at times it get a little difficult to differentiate between the two voices.

As for the song itself, it grows with each listen, however it definitely feels as though it is leaning closer to the Marina side of the fence, and 'Just Desserts' would have been perfectly at home slap bang in the middle of Marina's 2012 concept album, Electra Heart. Lyrically, the content is similar - in this instance, an ode to revenge - with Charli declaring in a sickly sweet manner 'Yeah baby, I know that it hurts when you're about to get your just desserts'. For fans of either or both of the singers, the song is definitely an unexpected treat!

What do you think of 'Just Desserts'? Do you like Marina or Charli XCX? Was it a collaboration worth having?

http://www.marinaandthediamonds.com/
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April BUZZ

Out with the old and in with the new as they say, and seeing as April is now behind us, I'd like to welcome you to the the first installment of my new feature - MONTHLY BUZZ!

In this feature I'll be highlighting some of the very best music that I've come across this month, amongst other things. So, to get the ball rolling.......

Peace @ The Kasbah, Coventry

I finally caught Peace live, and let me tell you they were brilliant - literally flawless! Whilst Superfood dropped out last minute, the support band JAWS were also very good and, as a whole, I have never seen a crowd so euphorically happy to be dancing and singing to their favourite band's songs! May the world be converted by the cult of Peace!

Swim Deep - 'She Changes The Weather'

This time, one month ago, I found myself pleasantly shocked by the first new song to be revealed to the world from their forthcoming debut album, Where The Heaven Are We. Even listening to it now, the song it still beautifully arranged and is easily their most mature effort; if you've missed it, it's a must listen!

No Doubt - 'Just A Girl'

You'll be seeing more of this further on in the week because, as I'm sure we're all aware, there are only a certain amount of Fridays (and therefore Flashback's) in each month. But yes, it's that time of year when the sun finally shows its face and certain genres of music become absolutely essential - in this case, ska and  No Doubt, and whilst I've mainly been listening to Rock Steady - the album from the 'Hey Baby' era - 'Just A Girl' is a classic song which encapsulates what the band is about.

Charli XCX - 'True Romance'
Charli XCX finally dropped her debut album, 'True Romance', and whilst it may have felt somewhat overly familiar to certain fans who lap up every single snippet that she drops (ie. me), it was a really strong effort, replicating that seamless feel of a mixtape and is jam-packed with high quality alt.pop choons. 'Cloud Aura' feat. Brooke Candy is a grower!


Daft Punk - 'Get Lucky'

Need I say more? It's the song that blew up April and threw everything else out of the water because, despite the retro disco makeover, Daft Punk are back and are back and milking the hype machine for everything that it is worth, they're going to be bigger than ever. 2013 is already their year.

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So there it is, the first MONTHLY BUZZ installment!

What do you think about April BUZZ? Do you like the installment? Do you think what I've posted above is BUZZworthy? What are your picks from April?

Rapid Review.. Charli XCX - 'True Romance'

It's been a long, long time coming, ladies and gents but it's here and happening; Charli XCX has finally dropped her debut album!

I can't express how frustrating, yet exciting the wait has been for me since she announced the release date a few months ago, I've literally been counting down the days til I got the album in my grubby lil mitts! But now True Romance is here (I ordered a signed copy and it arrived 2 days in advance - woop woop!) - and what a treat it is!

To anyone who has been following Charli XCX closely for the past year or two, it is immediately apparent that there are very few tracks that are not immediately identifiable. This is not necessarily a bad thing, especially as some of the singles and samples on her mixtapes have been proper bangers, and even the short intro at the beginning of album opener, 'Nuclear Seasons', feels familiar. The latter is still one of Charli's best songs, and has held the test of time for me, especially considering that I first heard it at least 18 months ago, however in comparison to this, I still can't get overly excited by 'You (HA HA HA)', despite really liking the Gold Panda sample and knowing all the lyrics.

The first new song that is thrust upon us is 'Take My Hand'; it's an incredibly fun electro-pop number that will have you dancing around your room singing into a hairbrush (people still do that?) and is a perfect pre-piss up song, with Charli declaring 'Don't go to sleep - let's go out!'. Track 4, and we're back on firm favourites with the addition of 'Stay Away', the song that re-introduced Charli XCX to the world as a more serious artist, in comparison to her older demos. 'Stay Away' is a luxurious gothy number with an industrial edge that hums and purrs it's recount of a past relationship that turned sour, and it is easily the most mature sounding song on the album.

'Set Me Free (Take My Hand)' continues the more mellow mood, whilst 'Grins' gets somewhat trippy and experimental, but the next standout track for me is 'So Far Away' - a song that I raved about previously when it was included in its entirety on the You're The One EP; it's an addictive and moody lament to love and shows a more sultry side to the singer, with Charli half-rapping her way through the verses declaring 'I wasn't looking for a thug, I was looking for a bad boy'. Next is 'Cloud Aura', her duet with rapper Brooke Candy and the highlight of the SUPER ULTRA Mixtape, a song that I initially found somewhat irritating yet, months later, I find myself highly addicted to. Listen to it and channel your inner badass! The party vibe is continued by the chilled out R'n'B of forthcoming single 'What I Like', before we hit 'Black Roses', a song that I'm actually not as fond of, it feels weaker, but then again, given what I've initially written about other Charli XCX songs, this may be subject to change!

Next is the euphoric and catchy 'You're The One', before we're given 'How Can I' - a song first debuted on the HEARTBREAKS AND EARTHQUAKES Mixtape - and now, hearing it in its finished form, I am left a little befuddled by. It's gloomy and menacing and is easily the darkest track on the album, however the bridge section feels somewhat clunky and slightly out of place, however we are taken full circle with album closer, 'Lock You Up', a poppy number with a rosy - slightly '80's glow that rounds off the album in a satisfying manner.

Overall, True Romance has the feel of an extended mixtape; the songs flow that effortlessly into each other, and it works all the better for this. You'll find yourself thinking, at the end of 'Lock You Up', where on Earth did this entire album whizz by, it's of that much consistency and that much fun. Not a single moment drags.

So, whether you're a Charli XCX addict or waiting to be converted, definitely have a listen of True Romance, I highly doubt that it will be something you regret, and you may just find yourself your new favourite pop starlet in the making! I'm already anticipating album number 2!

Are you a Chalri XCX fan? What are your thoughts on True Romance? 

PS: It wasn't until I was linking to all my other articles that I realised how much I had written on Charli XCX in the past 18 months!

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New Waves.. Charli XCX - 'What I Like'

Oh yes! - Take a look; it's Charli XCX time again!

The electro-pop starlet is back with the second single from her forthcoming debut album, True Romance (April 16th - not long to wait now, folks!) entitled 'What I Like'. The accompanying video, which was shot of a handheld camera, sees Charli and her friends partying in a hotel, whilst the song, I am glad to report, is in my opinion superior to her previous single, 'You (HA HA HA)', which I found a tad lacklustre lyrically, though I loved the Gold Panda sample. 

'What You Like' starts with a building frenzy of dance beats before climaxing and abating into the uber chilled out chorus, with Charli semi-rapping through the verses in her signiature manner about young love and lazy days (spent smoking who-knows-what, if we're judging from this), stating 'You were like the medicine, the medicine, I wanted more'.

Yeah, so do we Charli!

The release date for 'What I Like' is as of yet unconfirmed. 

True Romance is released April 16th.

http://www.charlixcxmusic.com/

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