Posts Tagged ‘UK’

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Okay, so I may be a little late on this, but I am a recent supporter of UK duo The Big Pink. Back in 2009, the group released their debut album A Brief History of Love, which I wish I had given more attention to, but hey, that’s the beauty of music — it’s never too late to give your ears some foreplay. (Their sophomore release, Future This, is now on my to-do list.)

I am currently focusing on the strike with lead single Stay Gold. It has a hip hop drum pattern with a little electro feel. Song Facts explains that the song’s title is a phrase meaning “keep true to yourself” or “preserve your innocence,” which was originally used in Robert Frost’s 1923 poem, Nothing Gold Can Stay.

Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell drop the hazy pathos and opt instead for slick beats and a trip-hop edge. I could listen to this on repeat for days! On to the rest of the album!

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Nothing else enhances my week quite like discovering free singles on iTunes. This week, it’s Swedish duo First Aid Kit, and their single Emmylou (off of their record Lion’s Roar). I am totally intrigued with this number. The single pays tribute to some of the girls’ favorite country musicians, including: Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, June Carter and Johnny Cash.

Two sisters with a robust love for folk, indie, country, and most of all, kick ass harmony. I recollect hearing of these girls when they did a stunning cover of The Fleet Foxes, resulting in a huge internet fan base. Maybe it’s me, but this tune puts me in a state of widespread calmness. Check it out.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I’ve been scoping out some fresh talent these days and pleasingly landed on a British dynamic duo (Jeremy and Elizabeth) called Summer Camp. Their album Welcome to Condale was released in November and has received great reviews as one of the best albums of the year in many musical publications. It’s got that glow sound of the ’80s, all while keeping it current and fresh at the same time.

Check out one of the many attractive tracks off of this release, called Down. The video is just as cool as the jam!

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

If you follow this blog, you will see Florence + the Machine (and Drake) on a consistent basis. They’re just that damn good. Once again, they’ve gone and outdone themselves. At BBC Radio One’s Live Lounge, the band broke out with a cover of Take Care by Drake featuring Rihanna. I was a fan of this track before, but now, it’s an absolute love affair.

Check it out for yourself.

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Bell X1: a band that’s content making a stream of steady music. They are Irish lads who have been loyal to the art since who-knows-how-long. They bring an elemental poignancy to indie rock I have not yet seen before. And that’s quite nice. Just when I think indie rock is bordering on cliche, a new (or old) act steps up and grabs me.

Recently, they found themselves touring about New York and couldn’t help but be drawn to the magnetic, odd allure of the Occupy protests. This was their thought on it: “…It actually had a real festival feel; there were some drummers and horn players throwing it down. Noise about all these ills is better than no noise.”

Love it. What’s more, their new song Sugar High is all about these dear old corruptions our world is facing.

I dig this groove. It’s energetic, incredibly powerful, but also very sad. I adore it when people use their talent to spread a message, to get people talking and thinking about what’s happening in the world. And the lyrics hit me hard…

“Let’s build all this shit no one’s ever gonna buy, When we come ‘round we’ll blame the sugar high, And act all sheepish and kinda sorry-ish…”

“Free to those who can afford it, To those who can afford it, Very dear to those who can’t, Those who can’t…”

Bracing, beautiful, breaking.
　

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Coldplay has freshly released Mylo Xyloto, fully compacted with assorted reviews and spiraling vocals and lyrics, solidifying why they were, are, and always will be one of the biggest bands on the planet. I totally dug the single Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, and enjoy the album as a whole. But one track sticks out like a sore thumb – Paradise. It balances the perfect style of vintage Coldplay and the new electric style Coldplay. And if you aren’t sold on the song right away, just watch the video below. It features lead singer Chris Martin dressed as an elephant on a journey to find other members of Coldplay, also dressed as elephants. Yes, I comprehend it’s a bizarre concept, but somehow it works.

This track pulses with a tantalizing force. Fan or not, no one can deny that Coldplay always experiments into new realms of music, complete with color and diversity. It is buoyant and beautiful, yet still finds a way to match itself with the deep, slow, and evocative jams. From their own lyrics, ‘In the night, the stormy night, she’ll close her eyes. In the night, the stormy night, away she’d fly.’

Go on, and let the music consume you, for this could be Paradise.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

One of my favorite alternative rock duos, The Kills, are back with a smashing new single entitled Baby Says. This is by far one of the strongest tracks off of their fourth album release, Blood Pressures. Not to focus on the whole album, but it is indeed a fine work in a progressive discography.

There is just something about The Kills’ Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart that gets my heart pounding. In order for a two piece band to work, there has to be a certain magic between the two performers and these two certainly get a passing mark.

Check out this rare acoustic performance of Baby Says below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Sunday Girl (AKA Jade Williams) has written for a whole host of impressive collaborators with tracks on albums by Martin Solveig, Rusko and Booka Shade. Her skills in the pop-writing department are currently in demand from the likes of Deadmau5 and none other than the very Princess of Pop, Kylie Minogue. So needless to say, the material she creates for herself is just as stellar.

The new single, Love U More, takes Sunday Girl’s music into a more commercial arena, meshing heart with dance pop, creating an undeniable appeal. The track was recorded in Club Ralph in London with producer Mark Ralph (Ana Calvi, Hot Chip, The Two Bears).

Now signed with Polydor, Love U More marks a fresh start in the run up to Jade’s debut album, which is set to drop early in 2012.

Sunday Girl has also made a solid name for herself in the fashion world over the past year, which has invited the interest of Firetrap who approached her to design her own AW11 collection for the label. This exclusive range will be available from early October and is already being worn by a host of celebs including: Fearne Cotton and Rihanna.

Watch the super sweet and super chic video for Love U More below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

The Horrors recently hit up BBC Radio 1, covering Beyonce’s Best Thing I Never Had. The arrangement mixed with frontman Faris Badwan’s vocals sends the breakup anthem into a disheveled indie rock state of mind.

It’s random, bizarre and unexpected, and that’s what makes it so cool.

I dig.

The Horrors – Best Thing I Never Had (Beyonce cover) by the3penguins

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Do you sometimes look in the mirror and struggle with loving what you see? I do. I envy those who seemingly love every inch of their skin without hesitation. I always preach this kind of self love (especially to girls), but I often forget the rules when I look at myself. Note to self: The surface is an imperfect ever-changing shell. The pearl is and will always be on the inside.
[Rob Brayl Poetry]

[Pop Gets A Facelift With Jessie J]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

As a follow-up to my Darren Hayes Pours Gorgeous Over New ‘Bloodstained Heart’ Single post, Darren has officially released the music video to the stunning ballad. Shot in the UK and directed by Chris Cottam, the video remains true to the simplicity of the song. Less is more and Darren proves this in the clip.

Says Darren:
“The song means so much to me because I wrote it about a time in my life when someone close to me was going through a horrible time and I wished more than anything that I could step in and take the bullet for them. We’ve all experienced that helpless feeling of standing by idly while someone you love is suffering – and wished that you could absorb the impact for them. It’s about those situations in life where, maybe you feel you are losing the battle, but you’ll never lose your dignity.”

Freakin’ love!

Darren’s new album Secret Codes and Battleships is due out next month.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

First off, apologies to my baby daddy Drake for what I’m about to say. I think I may have a new crush! And he’s white! Guess the world is going to end in 2012 after all. I’m kidding. I love white dudes! As long as they are cool, personable, genuine, funny, and not into like Michelle Bachmann and stuff. Ya know, the usual ‘Is he worth it?’ routine.

His name is Jamie Scott and if you’re from London or a music trendsetter than you may have already called dibs, but I just stumbled across this video and instantly felt static cling. Beyond the surface remains a talent that stings just the same.

The style + art direction hits the bull’s eye.

Watch Jamie Scott in action below to see what I mean.

Graffiti6′s EP Free will drop on October 4th, so watch out!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“I’ve seen people where it rules their lives, who want to be thinner or have bigger boobs, and how it wears them down…I have insecurities, of course, but I don’t hang out with anyone who points them out to me.”

–Adele on body image
[Taken from this month's issue of Vogue UK]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[Myself, Heidi Klum, & Jessica Brasfield of Le-Mos]

Fashion’s Night Out in NYC is no joke! At the beginning of the night, my mantra was simple: As long as no one gets stabbed in da eye with a high heel, all is well.

Highlights:

-L’Oréal Paris spraying so much hairspray I could’ve sworn that if a cig was turned in the wrong direction someone’s ass would’ve been tickled. And by tickled, I mean torched.
-Seeing DJ Pauly D in SoHo. For real, I think you could crack an egg on that hairdo of his. It’s harder than a 2×4. Wait, that didn’t sound right.
-Meeting Heidi Klum!!!
-The original ‘Back to the Future’ car on display at Nike. I mean, how awesome is that? Uber-awesome. Duh.

Ok, back to Heidi for a second…

Yeah, oddly enough we met Heidi at QVC’s party! Who knew QVC would have the coolest party tonight?! Who knew QVC even had parties? Not I! But for real, it was swanky, chic and hella fun. Kathy Griffin was there, too. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet Kathy as she was busy being a ham with the press (go fig).

My only beef is spotting Marina & the Diamonds and watching her disappear before I could say hello. She was in attendance at Beth Ditto’s set at MAC Cosmetics. I’ve been writing about her long before she developed a buzz for herself and her music and I just wanted to tell her that. I love her work. Oh well, next time!

All in all, a night of epic proportions (but mainly size zeros — next year, someone needs to hand out deep fried twinkies)!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[All photos via Getty Images]

Ok, Gaga makes one creepy old man! Adele’s WTF face in the audience was priceless and my thoughts exactly. But what else is new? Same ridiculous crap.

Nicki Minaj’s outfit is epic…epically HORRENDOUS. Gurl bye.

Pitbull… Get it, papi! Latinos always bring the heat!

Adele’s performance, with nothing but a microphone and a piano, has exposed the sham that is 90% of the other acts that have performed so far tonight. The woman knows real music, heartbreak, and what true beauty is all about. Gorgeous!

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Adele

Ok, not to sound mean but I definitely think Taylor Lautner has tasted the rainbow!

SOUTHERN PRIDE! GO BRITNEY & BEYONCE!

Amy Winehouse, RIP.

OMGOMGOMG DRAKE, my baby daddy!!!

Get More: Music News

Lil Wayne, for the love of God! Please pull your pants up!