Yesterday (weds) was dreadful. Cancelled trains. Packed trains. No air-conditioning trains. I was a mess. A hot sweaty sexy mess. Let us speak no more of and sally forth with today's musical goodies...
Kylie Minogue ~ Locomotion 2012:
Is there no end to the combined talents of Kylie Minogue and musical maestro, Mr Steve Anderson? That is a rhetorical question, but if you had answered it in your head, you would have surely said "no, there is no end to their combined talents". Going back to her roots with the song that kicked it all off, Kylie revisits Locomotion as part of her K25/Abbey Road celebrations and what a bloody brilliant treat it is. The video above is a run through of how she has always kept the hit that launched her (in Australia anyway, Britain had 2 S/A/W singles first) - from that giddy so-80s-so-fun first video, through to Intimate and Live, through to Fever Tour in Manchester and beyond. She's stripped it back, reinvented and rebuilt it into a number of genres over time - from pop to sultry jazz to funked up, sexalicious r'n'b to glorious theatrical cabaret. The clip of the 2012 version at the end of the video is criminally brief, but enough of a teaser to have me fan-girl screaming into my coffee this morning. Kylie looks entirely radiant and beautiful. The song remains true to it's original recording roots, beefed up with a sumptuous orchestral big band backing and deliciously good backing vocals that culminate in a "i know you can do it, come on baby (come on come on)" chant. It's her finest merging of the 60s era joy of the tune yet and I can't wait to hear more.
Delta Goodrem ~ Dancing With A Broken Heart:
Ooo, she's gone from Sitting On Top Of The World to Dancing With A Broken Heart in just a few short months. Yes, the comeback of Delta continues with the second single from her forthcoming album, her first full length set since 2007's Delta. Sitting On Top Of The World was a gloriously euphoric piece of pop from Delta, and if you were expecting a ballad based on the title of this single, readjust your expectations because actually it is a sparkling, uplifting dance number about using the pain to come out stronger & instead of wallowing, ploughing forward and dance dance dance with your broken heart. The music swirls around a decadant beat and of course Delta's vocals shine from start to finish. There's a lovely piano infused middle 8 that makes me yearn for a piano-vocal of this track to accompany this version. I'm always delighted to hear Delta's voice and this song is a dazzling follow up that will set her up nicely for her album launch. Hurrah!
FAYE ~ Water Against The Rocks:
Well Blimey O'Reilly's trousers! Former girl group Play member Faye (Must Not Chase The Boys, Hot, etc) has launched her solo career and judging from her stunning single, Water Against The Rocks, has produced a very different sound from her formative group days. The track is structured around a grandiose electro-infused backing track while Faye's powerful vocal remains front and centre, imbuing the song with heart, passion and emotion. This plays well against the often sparse, haunting instrumental which is cleverly arranged to provide a musical thrust in all the right places - right before the chorus the music strips back, a drum beat is all that plays and all of a sudden the massive chorus emerges like a butterfly from a cocoon. As the track draws to a close, and as Faye emphasises that her heart beats no more, the music fades until just the aortic like drum can be heard. It's absolutely a stunning listen and one that gets more rewarding with each play. Check out the video where she just sits in the back of a cab and pours out her frustrations as the song goes on. It's compelling brilliance :)
Brittany McDonald ~ Notice Me:
Stand by to be stunned because Brittany McDonald and her sensational track, Notice Me, is something special. The singer songwriter from Orange County has penned a tune that gives a candid view of life as a woman in the 21st century. Amidst a range of complementary images in her video clip (above), Brittany sings of the struggle that women have in modern society to be recognised as strong, confident individuals in a world that values flesh over brain, sex over real sex appeal. What stands out here is that the song is never overbearing or preachy - indeed, it sits over a percolating pop beat that absolutely shimmies during the resplendent chorus; Brittany's vocals are elegant and instantly radio friendly which give the song a charm and honesty to match the sincerity of the lyrics. I love an empowerment song & this is one of the best I've heard in a long time. Easily the thinking person's Call Me Maybe in terms of hit potential. Can't wait to investigate more from Brittany...
Jessie Ware ~ Wildest Moments:
Introduced to me by that parameter of good taste, XoLondon, I've become very smitten with Jessie Ware from the first play of her gorgeous single Wildest Moments. There's an inherent grace and class within Jessie's vocal and her restrained performance actually gives this beautiful ballad infinite power. The drums are subtle but percussive, the keyboard melodic and sparse, like gently falling showers. It's more than just a song, it's a work of musical art and one that is rightly winning accolades across the media. Jessie has a captivating voice and knows how to use it maximum advantage. Her debut album is going to be something very special indeed...
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