Like many people i found it easy to dismiss Billie at first. The earlier singles from this album showed off a sound that was unique rather than defining. Usually when the entire industry decides that one person is worth obsessing over its tempting to do the opposite and ignore them entirely. But the only thing that ultimately matters is whether the music is good. And when you forget about the (admittedly brilliant) high budget music videos, baggy clothes and public persona, this debut album is actually good. In fact it's excellent. Far from the usual overproduced pop records of her peers, This record is the sound of Billie and her brother throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks. The production is unique and genuinely creative, cutting and pasting beats and vocals into songs that are both catchy and sinister. Billie herself is only 17 and the highs and lows of first love are recounted here in frank and sincere detail. When the effects are stripped back on deep cuts such as 'ilomilo' and 'i love you' it becomes clear that this is the emergence of a major talent.
Check out - i love you
Foals - Everything not saved will be lost Part 1
On first listen I was disappointed that after 5 years Foals hadn't changed up their sound or experimented with new ideas. Yet on repeated listens I grew to appreciate how much this album captures everything that is great about them. Aside from some muddy vocals the production is fantastic as are the performances and songs. Foals have taken the muscular rock sound of their later records and mixed it with the complex math rock of their early records and have created an lush sounding, compulsively listenable record that may be their definitive record. and there's still a second part tome come..
Check out - White Onions
Little Simz - GREY Area
After a string of promising alums dating back many years. it seems that GREY area is the album in which Little Simz has realised her full potential. Stripping away the pretence and filler of the average modern rap album for 10 tight as fuck bangers. From the raw empowerment anthems Offence and Boss Little Simz sets the tone by saying whatever the hell she wants over a back drop of raw, jazzy instrumentals. Best of all is the charming garage throwback 101 FM. A lyrically and musically retrospective tune that proves that no matter how far Little Simz has yet to come. She will never forget where she came from.
I also Enjoyed:
Flume - Hi This is Flume
Nilufer Yanya - Miss Universe
Scarlord - Infinity
The Comet Is Coming - Trust in the lifeforce of the deep mystery
The Japanese House - Good at falling
Mercury Rev - Bobbie Gentry's The Delta Sweete revisited
Sundara Karma - Ulfilas' Alphabet
