Oasis “Cigarettes & Alcohol” (1994)

“Cigarettes & Alcohol” has been the soundtrack to many a night of debauchery, but it’s so much more: as Alan McGee of Creation Records said upon hearing, "Is it worth the aggravation to find yourself a job when there's nothing worth working for?”, this song was one of the greatest social statements made in modern music.

Paul Weller "Wild Wood" (1993)

So I’m back writing, after too long. Maybe it’s a reflection of the times we live in, but I’m no longer reviewing albums. I still listen to them, but it’s such a chore to give a comprehensive verdict on one. So my new focus is singles. B-sides are something I have somewhat overlooked in my lifetime; only now do I realise that they can be the greatest outlet for an individual’s creativity.

I figured it was quite appropriate, considering my newest hairstyle, to kick things off with The Modfather himself. “Wild Wood” is a real highlight of Weller’s solo career and paints the picture of being caught in an urban jungle. Something about the way the song is structured consistently, throughout both the verse and chorus parts, really brings out how feelings of struggle can grow and overcome someone who’s “climbing... Forever trying.”

Wu Lyf - Live at The Ritz, Manchester (4th February 2012)

Maybe, just maybe, the pressure of a homecoming gig was getting to Wu Lyf. A voicy Mancunian crowd failed to have their enthusiasm dampened by the quite bizarre New Romantic singer on warm-up duty. Immediately after his departure, choruses from the main act’s best-loved songs could be heard ringing around the infamous Ritz. Then the protagonists walked onto stage; then launched straight into “L Y F”. Smooth as.

The Dø - Both Ways Open Jaws (2011)

7/10

Does originality really matter so much?

In the current music scene, the quickest way for an artist to get noticed is by bringing something new to the table. It’s pretty much impossible to whip up something completely unheard of, from a musical tabula rasa, but even a new twist on an older idea or an amalgamation of older influences feels fresh.

Air - Le Voyage Dans La Lune

8/10


Back on soundtrack duty, Air return to form

If getting Air to do a soundtrack for the restoration of 1902 silent movie A Trip To The Moon sounded like a good idea, that’s because it was. The duo from Versailles have a number of excellently spacey, cinematic songs in their back catalogue, so their production fits the theme perfectly. Not only that, but this is some of Air’s best work for years.

Keep Shelly In Athens - Our Own Dream (2011)

7/10

Greek outfit Keep Shelly In Athens have managed to stand out amidst all the emerging outfits trying to combine the band concept with current trends in electronic music. It’s hard to pin down a single factor which makes them so appealing, but an endearing eclecticism to their songs is certainly part of it.

Darkside - Darkside EP (2011)

8/10

It’s remarkable to think that, so early on in his career, Nicolas Jaar has really managed to nail a sound as his own. Fans of his previous work will easily recognise the rhythms, atmospheric build-ups and manipulation of vocals that has made him the premier minimalist of the moment. But for this project, he’s teamed up with guitarist Dave Harrington.

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

5/10

I didn't want to like this at all, but...

Even before the release of her debut album, Lana Del Rey had taken a lot of criticism. While it’s probably fair to say that she’s not the most natural of live performers, many of the snipes aimed in her direction haven’t really focused on her music. Which, in fact, isn’t all that bad.

L-Vis 1990 - Neon Dreams (2011)

7/10


Sparkling debut LP which occasionally crosses the line between eclectic and unfocused

L-Vis 1990 certainly doesn’t hold back with his first full-length album. Among the styles which can be seen to influence Neon Dreams are house, electro, ‘90s dance, UK funky and the bass music scene which L-Vis seems to be lumped into right now. So how do these elements combine over a 56-minute record?

Sepalcure - Live at Fabric (4th February 2012)

In all honesty, seeing Sepalcure wasn’t the overriding motivation to go to Fabric on this Saturday night. Even before their 1.30am slot in the second room, taken over by Hotflush for the night, there had been some treats. George Fitzgerald was at work laying down his usual melange of house/garage/whatever. The main room was even better; Nina Kraviz providing techno of the highest order, driven by basslines both menacing and groovy, delighting a truly up-for-it crowd.

But Brooklyn’s Praveen Sharma and Travis Stewart provided the highlight of the night with a superb live set, showcasing the talent that has grabbed a lot of attention since first collaborating over a year ago. Much of this acclaim came about as a result of their recently-released LP, and some of the best tracks from it really stood out; “Breezin” was a delight to hear on a big system, while an extended version of lead single “Pencil Pimp” was the cause of much skanking and a few hands in the air.