plan b - deepest shame
the 2nd single off his current #1 soundtrack 'ill manors', plan b releases this theme song about one of the characters from his upcoming gritty directorial debut. played by actress anouska mond, 'deepest shame' sees plan b sound more soulful than his previously retro vibe. the end result is something really dynamic from an equally amazing album!
plan b - love goes down (live @ bbc radio 1 live lounge)
[ben drew returns to the live lounge to offer up a version of his latest single. this guy definitely is one of the best acts of the year and i can't wait to hear what he has up his sleeve in the coming year. brilliant!]
plan b - in the bleak midwinter (live @ bbc radio 1 live lounge)
[further proof that plan b's voice is AWESOME live! what a lovely remake of a classic xmas tune!]
plan b - ill manors
[the first single from his upcoming hip hop musical feature of the same name, ben drew (aka plan b) has been working on the film since 2008 and only got around to funding the feature after the success of defamation of strickland banks album/project. ill manors will be a gritty look at UK youth and will feature a song (all done by plan b) for each character. it sounds like a complex project, (which you can see the pilot short film called 'michelle' here if you want to get a taster) but the first single is KICKING and raw and amazing. i cannot wait to hear more!]
plan b - stay too long (pendulum remix) [can't say which version i like more, but the pendulum remix definitely hides his everyman vocal talent. this is going to be an underground hit!]
plan b - stay to long [whoever is directing his videos, they are doing an awesome job at selling his image and music! helps that ben drew is a bit of an actor himself. definitely an interesting act coming out of the UK at the moment!]
plan b - prayin'
[if you have been following the wonderful music video series of plan b's awesome album 'the defamation of strickland banks', you'll TOTALLY love this extended 6 mins mini movie that shows what happens to strickland when he's ends up in prison (if only all prison riots were dance offs!). plan b is definitely one of the most exciting acts to come out of the UK this year and this continues to showcase his skills as an all around performer. brilliant!]
i've been very excited about the slate of new hip hop coming out these days. not only are they going against the boring 'bling/b*tch/boast' criteria of 90% of what's on radio, but the music is vibrant and wonderfully diverse.
plan b - love goes down
[the defamation of strickland banks saga continues with this latest installment of love gone horribly wrong. even though this jumps back to before strickland goes to jail, this non-linear video saga is only made better by the amazing tracks taken off the album. oh and paul young makes a cameo in this!]
if you want to see how the story has unfolded in a linear timeline, check out she said, then prayin and finally with the video below:
plan b - she said [the continuing story of 'the defamation of strickland banks' (aka the name of plan b's album) is a fascinating project that not only incorporates a plotline of a dethroned singer (due to a sex scandal, no less, featuring the current star of skins, kaya scodelario), but also showcases ben's vocals and rapping through a 60's northern soul filter. it's all pretty cool, if you ask me!
PS: if you want to see the 1st part of this ongoing series, check out the awesome video for the single 'gone too long' here]
plan b - stay too long (live @ bbc in session) [damn, ben (aka plan b) can actually do this song live! i have newfound respect for this rapper/singer now. great song!]
it's like a fiesta of leaks today. beyonce has 5 full tracks leaked online. i'd go here as soon as you can before it gets pulled off.
while you're at it, daddy knowles made a public statement today responding to all the rumors being posted online. here's the main crux: "It is apparent that there is a consistent plan by some to create chaos around Beyonce's B'Day album release on Sept 5th in the US. First, it was a petition against the single, “Deja Vu”, then a rumor regarding conflict between Beyonce and Rihanna, seizures caused by the "Ring the Alarm" video, putting out a single to compete with LeToya's album and now to add to all the ridiculous rumors, is my plan to postpone the release of her B'Day album. What will be next? Beyonce's cut off all her hair? Dyed it green? Maybe she's singing the songs in reverse with some hidden subliminal message! Unfortunately what it shows is that anyone can go on the internet and create rumors and the media in some cases will pick up these stories and run with them which influence the consumer’s perception.
Beyonce has sold over a 140 million records as an artist. Over half sold outside of America. 2500 responses for a petition on the internet (which really represents often the same people responding 2-3 times) go online with a petition regarding “Deja Vu”, and it's national news? Think about that for a minute. 140 million records sold versus 2500 responses about a video. Does that really equate to a major concern? The answer is No!
I couldn't be happier with where “Deja Vu” is on the charts. It’s a Top 10 song on Billboard 100 and #1 on this week’s R&B charts. Mid week numbers in the UK is trending at #1 for the "Deja Vu" single for this week. Records have broken in Japan regarding ringtone sales of “Deja Vu.” It is one of the most ever streamed videos at Yahoo. “Ring The Alarm” was added to TRL on its first day of airing and it is on the R&B charts this week which gives Beyonce two singles on the charts at the same time.
Our plan is to have three singles on the charts together. For this album we have a unique strategy. Rather than concern ourselves with purely chart positioning we are focusing on the combine audiences who are listening and are aware of the singles on the album. That strategy is based on the combine belief of Beyonce, SonyBMG and Music World. This is unique, creative body of work on B'Day and every song is a potential single.
After all what do we know? Some weeklies reviewed "Independent Women" and gave it a "D-" and Beyonce’s first album “Dangerously in Love,” a "D".
And just for the record, Beyonce’s success or failure for me is not based on the number of records she sells. For me it's based on how proud I am that she is a genuine good person (Ask anyone who's worked with her). That she always has a kind word for others. That she is respectful and honest. That she gives back to her community and that she has so much love for her family. That she has grown to be such a leader. And lastly, she has the confidence not to be bothered by these planned distractions."
#1-25 (the youtube player has all the videos above in a playlist, press >> for the next song)
1. Rihanna feat Calvin Harris – We Found Love
[there's no doubt that this is wholly a calvin harris production, but it's riri's melancholic vocals over his drowning beats that bring this club tune to the top of my 2011 list. i haven't felt so elated and yet kind of bummed out at the same time in ages...maybe cause it's a running theme of my year? screw it, lets dance!]
2. Ed Sheeran – Lego House / The A Team
[the storytelling abilities of young ed is made only more impressive with the fact that his knack for strong melodies and shaggy presentation crossed over into the UK mainstream in a BIG way this year. proof that there is still love for the singer/songwriter in this day and age. easily my favorite debut artist of the year!]
3. Beyonce – Countdown / Who Runs The World (Girls)
[none of her songs became zeitgeist hits this year. instead they filtered down slowly to where people kind of had to discover songs from '4' on their own (it didn't help that every week there was a new single released to crowd the market). but when they did discover the tunes, boy was it fun. some would probably highlight the more mid tempo/ballad aspects of the album, but for me, these two tracks were the ultimate zig zag messed up tunes that just kept on giving with each listen. genius!]
4. Nicki Minaj – Super Bass
[when a 5 year old can sing along to your music, you know you've hit the jackpot! like a boom ba doom boom superbass jackpot!]
5. Emeli Sande – Heaven / Daddy
[brit awards critics choice for 2012 deserves all the accolades she's been getting over the past few months as one of UK's most sought after songwriters AND a dynamic voice in the charts today. perhaps it's the heavily influenced massive attack soul structure that makes me love her so much, but whatever my reasons, she came up with two seriously strong songs for the year and i can't wait to hear a proper album from emeli in 2012!]
6. Lana Del Rey – Video Games
[my personal issues with the lana del rey 'creation' aside, this haunting song is just brilliant on it's own merit.]
7. The Wanted – Glad You Came
[during birthday 2011 (yes i title my birthday's) this song easily became the theme song for the month long experience (yes i celebrate in month form). what would have been in my guilty pleasure list, got the wanted a hot slot in my top 10! oh and it helps that the song is so cheesy good!]
8. James Blake – Wilhelm Scream / A Case of You (Joni Mitchell cover)
[if you didn't discover james blake during 2011, then you certainly missed out on the james blake experience. if you don't know what that means, then plug your headphones in your player, press play for the above two tracks, close your eyes and let your heart break. sigh.]
9. Maverick Sabre – Let Me Go
[the UK is pumping out these amazing rapper/vocalists (or is it a vocalist/rappers) these days (thanks to success of plan b in 2010) and maverick was easily the one that got the most traction. with this awesome song, i feel like we've only hit the tip of his potential talents. more in 2012 yo!]
10. The Vaccines – If You Wanna / Wetsuit
[something about the vaccines that makes me love them so! maybe it's their self proclaimed love of "50's rock 'n' roll, 60's garage and girl groups, 70's punk, 80's american hardcore and good pop music". easily my fave indie band of the year!]
11. Adele – Rumor Has It / Set Fire To The Rain / Rolling In The Deep (Jamie XX shuffle)
[you're probably wondering how is it possible that adele didn't rank higher on the chart and the reason is that 'rolling in the deep' and 'someone like you' actually was my #5 of last years (unpublished) chart. so the above tracks were the only ones eligible for 2011... and boy were they dramatic ones! throw in the amazing jamie xx shuffle of 'rolling' and you've got adele representing very nicely at #11!]
12. Gotye feat Kimbra – Somebody That I Used To Know
[the most bitter breakup song of the year is also the most whimsical and most australian (their song of the year yo!)]
13. Ben Howard – The Fear / Keep Your Head Up / Old Pine
[my favorite folkie singer/songwriter of the year offered up the amazing 'every kingdom' album filled with sweet gentle tracks and uplifting lyrics that also offered images of dreamy escapism. if there is any soundtrack to fit your rural farm to table outdoors lifestyle, THIS is it! love this guy!]
14. SBTRKT feat Roses Gabor - Pharoahs
[though this isn't the track that got sbtrkt their critical props, it IS the track that got my dance loving, neck boppin head rolling. if there is such a thing of hipster house, then this would be their 2011 anthem!]
15. The Civil Wars – Barton Hallow / Poison & Wine
[joy williams and john paul white are harmonizing monsters! their brand of americana meets country meets AC balladry is a cross genre success story for the year. with a debut so phenomenal and assured, one can only imagine what the next 12 months will be like for this talented duo.]
16. Pistol Annies – Hell On Heels
[who'd have thought that miranda lambert and her two gal pals ashley monroe and angaleena presley would make one of the best down and dirty sassy country blues tracks of the year. when their three part harmonies collide, these gals are definitely dangerous in both feminine swagger and earthy confidence... and i LOVE that!]
17. Little Dragon – Ritual Union
[there's something about the mellow intensity of these swedes that just draws you in and keeps you there. perhaps it's the cool demeanor of lead singer yukimi nagano or the intricate electronica playing in the background. whatever the reason it sure is hypnotic and brilliant!]
18. Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks
[how could you not love this massive pop crossover indie track?]
19. The Milk – (All I Wanted Was) Danger
[i have to admit that i discovered this essex band via the amazing record of the day website. at the time, i knew nothing of these guys except for the fact that they wrote killer retro soul tracks and the lead singer could surely belt. fast forward to this month and the band just announced their signage to a major label which means you'll be hearing ALOT more of these guys in 2012!]
20. Nicola Roberts – Lucky Day / Beat of My Drum
['the ginge one' from girls aloud stepped up to the plate and offered an album full of left of center pop gems. though the public didn't appreciate it as much, nicola roberts sure surprised and entertained the rest of us who did.]
21. Florence and the Machine – Shake It Off
[in 2011, flo reached a point in her career where she not only got the love of the fashion elite, but confirmed her standing as a tremendous live stage presence. unfortunately her 2nd album 'ceremonials' was kind of meh and the only track that matched her larger than life machine was this epic one. shame really...]
22. Cher Lloyd feat Mike Posner – With UR Love
[cutesy never sounded so good! x-factor UK alum cher lloyd offered one of the catchiest pop tracks of the year and still threw us some stank face in the process. i kind of love her!]
23. Azealia Banks - 212
[this gal is going to be HUGE in 2012! azealia manages to front nasty and yet still come off as a sassy gal with a twinkle in her eye. i can't get enough of this track and you shouldn't too!]
24. Michael Kiwanuka – I’m Getting Ready / Home Again
[there is something so simple and comforting from the very second you hear michael's vocals. with his acoustic soul made better with lush orchestrations, the kiwanuka effect is akin to curling up under your fave blanket and feeling wonderful. le sigh...]
25. Metronomy – The Bay
[this slice of chilled disco electronica was easily THE soundtrack for sunset getaways and lazy waterfront dreaming. if there's ever been an excuse to kick back and just soak it all up, it is now!]
ellie goulding - anything could happen
it's been an AMAZING week for new music (mumford, plan b, david guetta/sia) and now we can add another gem into the mix! after putting out two back to back covers, we can FINALLY check out original material from our gal ellie. all this is leading up to the release of her sophomore album 'halcyon' which showcases a more mature production with her usual strong catchy songwriting. i am TOTALLY loving this tune!
kwabs - pray for love
produced by plan b (where is he these days?), this is a dramatic sparse number that pushes kwabena's strong vocals front and center. definitely an artist already making 2014 a good music year.
after the success of plan b, the race to find a follow up vocalist/rapper seems to have landed with maverick sabre, a london based kid with interesting jazzy vocal phrasings and hip hop swagger. the presentation is intriguing and definitely on my radar as an act to watch based on the following videos below.
the UK hipster club adventures close to home consistantly brings in their fave indie acts for their monthly parties and throws amazing parties in between. being dj's themselves, the organizers create a monthly soundtrack to their club, incorporating their fave acts of the moment and of course bootylicious rock out remixes of the songs their loving.
thanks to the cool site headphone sex i got ahold of november's mix and it is fucking brilliant!
i hope you enjoy just as much i am (turn it up)!
Adventures Close To Home (November 2006 mix) Kelis vs Kongo Thong (ACTH Edit) Ali Love - K Hole (SebastiAn Mix) Epicman & Plan B - More is Enough Uffie - Hot Chick Yo Majesty - Club Action DJ Mehdi - Boggin' JME vs The Eraser (ACTH Edit) Carl Craig - At Les (Russ Gabriel Mix) Indo - R U Sleeping? Various Production - What About Them? MIA - XR2 (ACTH Raveon Remix) Klanguage - Priceless Things Diplo vs Ramirez (ACTH Edit) Klaxons - Magick (Simian Mobile Disco Mix) Futureheads - Worry About it Later (Switch Mix) (Lotterboys - Superdope SebastiAn - Ross Ross Ross Justin Timberlake - FutureSexLoveSound Standing in the Way of Control - The Gossip (Headman vs Tronik Youth ACTH Edit)
the UK hipster club adventures close to home consistantly brings in their fave indie acts for their monthly parties and throws amazing parties in between. being dj's themselves, the organizers create a monthly soundtrack to their club, incorporating their fave acts of the moment and of course bootylicious rock out remixes of the songs their loving. 
