Artist: Djemba Djemba

I've decided to take Friday's to post about artists I've recently found out about, and think are pretty cool. Today's is Djemba Djemba.

Djemba Djemba is an electronic artist/DJ who makes some fantastic beats. They're innovative, thought provoking, and just damn catchy. Truly groovy stuff.

Think of a mix of Burial's lighter stuff, TNGHT and Four Tet. Really worth checking out.

Track Review: CHVRCHES - Leave A Trace (Four Tet Remix)

Four Tet has done a lovely  remix of 'Leave A Trace' by CHVRCHES. It's a great little summery number with lots of thought behind it.

The track has a beautiful build throughout, and has a stunning end to it. Four Tet as per usual brings his amazing talent to a song which was pretty great to begin with. The vocals fit really nicely with the rework of the backing, and the track just as a solid feel to it.

I can't really say much more to be honest, apart from that it's definitely rooted in the whole tropical house vibes that are floating around at the moment.

Overall: 7/10

I like this track a lot. I'd say it equals the original song in terms of ingenuity and just general fun. 

What really makes this track though is the build throughout, as it really changes what could be a straightforward 5/10 or 6/10 remix at the beginning into something a little bit more special.

As a result, it probably won't make a great radio single. Definitely one to hear at clubs though.

Album Review: Spector - Moth Boys

Spector's second album Moth Boy was released last Friday. As someone who has never really heard any Spector before, I thought I'd give it a listen.

The band have been knocking about since about 2011, and the London outfit make a nice, bright post-indie/new wave sound.

You'll like them if you like Hurts, Interpol, Editors or White Lies.

What does it sound like?
Moth Boy seems to take inspiration from the best parts of Interpol, Delphic and The 1975 to form a really fantastic sound. It sounds like the natural progression of indie/electronica, without sounding too hip and pretentious.

Overall, it has a very well polished sound.

Best tracks:
- 'Stay High', 'West End'

'Stay High' showcases the more indie side of the album, and 'West End' showcases the more electronic side of the album. I think both are great songs, although 'Stay High' is probably the better song out of the two.

'Lately It's You' definitely pushes the most boundaries, however it doesn't fit as well with the overall feel of the album. It's a great closing track though.

Worst tracks:
- 'Decade of Decay'

I just didn't really like this song. I can't really put my finger on it, but it didn't really fit with the rest of the album, and sounded a bit jarring between 'Bad Boyfriend' and 'Kyoto Garden'.

Overall: 7/10

Moth Boys is a great album overall, and a great achievement. I can't give higher than a 7 as I don't know how similar this is to their older stuff.

As I've previously said, the album has a very well polished sound, but it feels like Spector are holding back a little bit on the oomph. Some of the songs are very punchy ('Stay High', 'Decade of Decay') while others are very glossy ('Believe', 'Using')

Well worth a listen.

Yet another end of hiatus...

Ok, seriously. This time I will keep this updated. Pinky promise.

Over the last year I've been finishing up my undergraduate degree which has taken a heck of a lot more free time than I expected. I have been listening to loads of stuff though, however there isn't much point reviewing stuff from last year/early this year in my opinion.

So, starting from today, I'm going to keep this updated with track reviews, album reviews, and general bits and bobs about artists.

Oh and I'll fix the broken image links on here. Dang this blog looks sketchy right now.

Much love.

Album Review: Jungle - Jungle

As a perhaps more recent review, I've been listening to Jungle's new album. Who are Jungle? I don't think anyone really knows. Redefining the very meaning of the word hipster, I don't think even Jungle's parents know who Jungle are.

But their name comes with a lot of weight; Jungle have been steadily releasing some pretty good tracks over the course of the year, and getting a fair bit of radio play. Their self-titled debut album, Jungle, is both weighty and worthy of their initial praise.

What does it sound like?
Jungle is a neo-soul album, through and through. However, Jungle's own unique brand of neo-soul takes a lot of influence from the latest trends in 'edgy' dance music, bringing a fresh, warm sound. As a result, Jungle sometimes sounds halfway between James Blake and Bill Withers. But their re-invention is so perfect, that you sometimes wonder if soul ever did sound any different.

Think future garage if it went back to it's funk roots. Kinda like what Daft Punk did with Random Access Memories.

Best tracks:
- 'Crumbler', 'Busy Earnin''

It's pretty hard to pick the best tracks on the album, considering that the album is a joy from end to end. 'Crumbler' has some wonderful beachy vibes though, and is definitely my favourite song, alongside the warm 70s feel of 'Busy Earnin''. 'Julia' is a close third though. And 'Time'. Heck, the whole album is full of bangers.

Worst tracks:
- n/a

I genuinely don't think the album drops at any point in both style and quality. Flawless end to end.

Overall: 8/10

Jungle is a spectacular debut album. However, in a twisted mockery of success, Jungle have perfected their sound, possibly too well. After a while, one starts to notice that Jungle have a little bit of a formula going. It's not exactly a cast iron mould per se, but the production duo definitely have found what works (really damn well) and stuck to it like glue.

As a result, Jungle are a victim of their own success; the album does not continuously push any boundaries, leaving you satisfied, but not astounded. It's perhaps the lack of this shock factor that limits me to an 8.

It also makes me worry for the pair. Will they top this first effort? Or have they just found the sweet spot between soul and modern dance music?

That aside, the album is fantastic, and even though the album isn't vastly different to their singles (which is in a way a refreshing change from some other albums) it definitely is a breath of fresh air. Good on you guys.

Album Review: Band of Skulls - Himalayan

Well, well, well. Himalayan is something special. Band of Skulls really have produced an amazing album here.

Band of Skulls are a 3-piece rock outfit from Southampton, featuring the holy trinity of rock music; bass, guitar, drums. That's it. Pure and simple. Throw some vocals on top, and boom.

It is perhaps this simplicity that makes Band of Skulls good at what they do, and beckons them to draw creativity to keep their sound fresh.

As a band which in my eyes are the English equivalent of the Black Keys (plus one), they come with high praise (Baby Darling Doll Face Honey) and great musicianship.

What does it sound like?
Equal parts punchy and smooth, Himalayan sounds fantastic. As the title suggests, the album has a big sound, but has a lovely crisp feel to it; Band of Skulls bring a lovely bare sound that is never too cluttered, but still has a heck of a bite.

The album is garage rock through and through, and never fails to remind you; the album is no nonsense, moving from track to track with brutal efficiency. Each track leaves you hanging, only for the next to bring you back into the foray.

There is no time for filler tracks.

There are definitely a few twinges of influences here and there; 'Nightmares' has a slight Britpop twinge to it, 'Hoochie Coochie' reminds me a little bit of Led Zeppelin. But nothing feels stolen, it simply feels like you're taking a journey through a musical landscape.

Best tracks:
- 'Himalayan', 'Brothers and Sisters'

The eponymous track 'Himalayan' is amazing, put simply. 'Brothers and Sisters' shows a little bit more of the blues side to the album, while still keeping you on your toes.

Worst tracks:
- n/a

Seriously, none.

Overall: 9/10

This is an album that only gets better with each listen. To me, the album is as good as Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, possibly better. Band of Skulls have definitely not lost their touch after 3 albums. Here's hoping for a spectacular 4th.

Album Review: Aloe Blacc - Lift Your Spirit

Yeah I know this is a bit late, but here's my review of Aloe Blacc's new album Lift Your Spirit.

Aloe Blacc's been around for a while, with his song 'I Need A Dollar' perhaps being his best known song. However, he's been floating around on the sidelines mostly, largely eclipsed by better known R&B/soul artists like John Legend.

That is not to say that Aloe Blacc hasn't made some great stuff though, and Lift Your Spirit is no exception.

How does it sound?
A truly lovely smelting pot of soul and folk; two genres that are heart are definitely kindred spirits, but lead down two different musical roads.

Aloe Blacc has definitely taken inspiration from his work with Avicii (who has recently been making his own unique brand of folk inspired EDM), infusing European folk rhythms and instrumentation into modern R&B/soul. The result is uplifting, entertaining, and generally a great listen.

Best tracks:
- 'The Man' and 'Love Is The Answer'

To be honest, all of the songs are pretty good, but these two are my favourite. 'Eyes of a Child' is a close third.

Worst tracks:
- n/a

I really can't complain about any of the songs on this album. Sure, songs like 'Here Today' are possibly a little bit too sugary-sweet for my liking, but they're not bad songs. Plus, that's the whole feel of this album; unadulterated, pure joy.

Overall: 8/10

This album really is great, and I think it definitely will bring Aloe Blacc flying into the spotlight. A much cleaner, smoother, and generally inventive album than Pharrell Williams' G I R L, I feel that Lift Your Spirit is definitely one of the better records of the year.

Unfortunately, it's not quite amazing enough for me to give above an 8; while it really is pretty faultless, it lacks that special something in both creativeness and shine to bring it up to the dizzying heights of a 9 or 10. That's not to say that Aloe doesn't bring a lot of ideas to the album, it's just more of a variation on a famous meal than a completely new dish.

Definitely worth a listen though.