Indie Experimentalists & Fantasy Island Rock

NMU News

On 25th June 2009 The King of Pop, Michael Jackson died of a heart failure. New Music Upfront would like to pay its respects to an artist who helped shape music as we know it today. His music will live on forever as some of the greatest ever made. R.I.P Michael Jackson.

• Two of the year's most hyped female singer-songwriters breaking out of Little Boots' media shadow, La Roux and Florence + The Machine (NMU 31/10/08), have released their albums this month. 'La Roux' and 'Lungs' have had rave reviews and entered at number 2 behind Michael Jackson's 'The Essential' on the week of their releases.
• Last blog post's 'Animal' by Miike Snow was previously a Jo Whiley 'Record Of The Week' on Radio1 and is now on the station's B-List. The single will be released 10th August.
• Steve Appleton's (NMU 7/5/09) next single will be out 16th August and is called 'City Wont Sleep'. The album follows with an end of summer release on 31st August under the title 'When The Sun Comes Up'.
  
• As if a collaboration filled album for Tinchy Stryder (NMU 23/12/08) wasn't enough, he's recently put in a contribution to the charity single cover of The Killers- 'All These Things I've Done'. The August single set to raise money for War Child also features Chipmunk, N-Dubz, Pixie Lott and V V Brown. Available to download very soon.

Chart News (chart as of 26/7/09)

X Factor runners up JLS get a second week at the top of the singles chart with 'Beat Again' as Mr Hudson's first solo single 'Supernova' featuring Kanye West fails to topple them. 'Supernova', shockingly one of only two new entries in the top 40 this week is at number 2, whilst Frankmusik's electro pop song 'Confusion Girl' makes 29. Michael Jackson fever is now fading away as 'Billie Jean' drops nine places to 37, the biggest fall this week. La Roux's first single 'In For The Kill' on the other hand is still popular as it rises six places to 17, the highest riser this week.

The number 1 and 2 position in the album chart stays the same this week as Michael Jackson's 'The Essential' and Florence + The Machine's (NMU 31/10/08) 'Lungs' respectively. Number 11 is home to Jordin Sparks who is the highest new entry this week with her sophomore album 'Battlefield', followed by another Michael Jackson best of album 'The Collection' at 14. Highest risers are Noisettes' 'Wild Young Hearts' at 9 and Green Day's '21st Century Breakdown' at 20, both gaining seven places.

This week I bring you...

Song Of The Week



Bloc Party- One More Chance
www.myspace.com/blocparty
Indie, Dance, House

Bloc Party are a band never afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of indie music, never more so than with their next 'in between album single' 'One More Chance'. This time around the band are continuing with their attention grabbing indie/dance music in the wake of big chart hit 'Flux'. However, instead of trance type synths this single takes influence from early nineties house music with repetitive chyming piano chords. Proving the production duties of Jacknife Lee never cease to fail, this record blows previous Arman Van Helden collaboration remix single out of the water with an almighty smash. Imagine this song blasting out your car stereo as the sun sets after a hot Summer's day and you'll understand a great setting for such a tune. 'One More Chance' was actually recorded in April because there was 'still some creative energy left', lead singer Kele Okereke explains. Although Bloc Party haven't been a singles band in the past, this song has a club beat giving it potential to be as big as 'Flux''s number 8 chart position. The odd retro video includes a madman on keyboards, a tap dancer in a garage and an attempt to contact the dead with an ouija board.
'One More Chance' is released on 10th August.



Hear Tiesto's trance reworking of 'One More Chance' here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwfAvDlmWF8

New Artist

Magic Wands
www.myspace.com/themagicwands
Indie, Rock/Pop, Punk

No this isn't a childrens TV programme turned pop group out to scare you as the name may suggest, but an ultra cool indie male/female duo only the hippest kids are following (that includes Little Boots). Meeting outside a gig in not too distant 2007, Chris and Dexy Valentine became friends and started making music together over myspace including their first track 'Teenage Love'. The band produce songs that send you to a typical hot, sunny U.S. setting i.e. the never ending blue Long Beach coastline or a bustling Los Angeles street, whilst wearing your fashionable shades and short summer get-up of course. Heavily influenced by the 80's, the band create a hippy aura similar to that of MGMT with their steady beats, apathetic echoing vocals and demanding guitar riffs. Image-wise, artwork from the band draws in dreamy animal fantasy and space like scenes, which compliments their music perfectly.They have already toured with Black Kids and The Virgins and are now heading out across America this Autumn with another up and coming band School Of Seven Bells. A debut EP from the band was recently put up for downloading on UK iTunes featuring five hot tracks that can also be heard on their myspace. A scheduled album release date has not been stated in the press, but look at NMU News for when the information is out. The video for which was their first single (June 08) and arguably their most catchy song, 'Black Magic', can be seen below:



A video of Magic Wands performing 'Kiss Me Dead' live can also be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIx8OpHPtq4

Recent iTunes Uploads:
Florence + The Machine- Lungs
La Roux- La Roux
Jackson 5- Who's Lovin' You

A Musical Mau5 & A Diamond in the Rough

NMU Update:

• Coldplay have decided to release a full album worth of new tracks this week, which is available free from their website www.coldplay.com.
• In the bid for a better chart position, 'Jump In The Pool' by Friendly Fires (NMU 31/8/08) has been re-released.
  
• Surprisingly, Steve Appleton's 'Dirty Funk' (NMU 7/5/09) did not enter the top 40 singles chart. A re-release of the song or a second single in the future is sure to give the singer the success he deserves.
• Soul legend Chaka Khan is still going strong as she is set to release a new single with the help of Mary J. Blige. See the behind the scenes footage for the video to 'Disrespectful' here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb1_6suMrRA
  

Chart Update:
The Black Eyed Peas have made a welcome return to the singles chart by hitting the top spot this week with club track 'Boom Boom Pow'. In the top 10, 'We Made You' by Eminem goes up from 7 to 4, whilst Ciara ft. Justin Timberlake 'Love Sex Magic' goes down from 6 to 10. The highest riser is the new Soulja Boy Tellem ft. Sammie song 'Kiss Me Thru The Phone', which rises fourteen places from 30 to 16. The other two new entries slipping into the top 40 this week is album track 'Beautiful' by Eminem at 38 and a return is made from Bill Withers at 40 with soul classic 'Ain't No Sunshine'.
Album chart top 10 highlights include punk rockers Green Day shooting into the number 1 spot with '21st Century Breakdown' while new releases come from Maximo Park 'Quicken The Heart' at 6 and Jim Reeves' 'The Vert Best Of' at 9. Alesha Dixon has had a good week with single 'Lets Get Excited' going 25-13 and album 'The Alesha Show' 27-12.

This week I bring you...

Song Of The Week


I Remember- Deadmau5
www.myspace.com/deadmau5
Dance/Trance

Granted this song has been around for a while, but it is a good song and Deadmau5 clearly deserves the hype. You will be hearing a lot more from this Canadian DJ as his popularity grows and not just because of his cool name. With a leet five for the s that ends his name, this can also be found in his record label 'Mau5trap'. He wears a light up mouse head on stage, naturally, and has an array of impressive dance tracks meaning a Deadmau5 gig is a definite treat. He really knows how to work a crowd and none more so than with his new single along side Kaskade, 'I Remember'. This song is more of a chilled out approach for Deadmau5 featuring soothing vocals over synths and a pulsing bassline. The opening chymes take you off to a dreamy world before the soft singing sends you into a trance coma. Listening to this song will conjure up imaginations of a lively, alcohol fused crowd filling a festival in the summer air. A scene not unfamiliar for the DJ and happening all over the world at his shows this summer including his set at Creamfields. 'I Remember' is the start of Deadmau5's attack on the mainstream and bigger singles are bound to follow. 'I Remember' is out to buy and download now. See the exciting short film video below:



Deadmau5 recently performed a crowd pleasing slot at Radio 1's Big Weekend: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2009/artists/deadmau5/


New Artist
Marina & The Diamonds
www.myspace.com/marinaandthediamonds
Pop/Alternative

Another new '& The' artist but this singer should be anything but overlooked. Flatteringly, Miss Marina tells us it is the fans who are The Diamonds. There is a lot of theatrical type women out there in the charts at the moment but it's Marina's creative songwriting and nack for a piano hook that makes her stand out from the other Nash's and Florence's. Influences of Kate Bush run arife in her punchy lyrics and fluctuating vocals that range from deep trembles to harmonic highs. Just like her myspace friend Little Boots, Marina is making a similar strong build up before any album release. Backing from the BBC should mean Marina & The Diamonds is a sure fire succes with performances at Radio 1's big weekend and a live lounge session on Radio 2, whilst Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephen's is raving about his fellow Welshman. Festivals featuring an appearance from Marina this summer include Glastonbury, Underage fesitval and Bestival where she's sure to cause a stir. Marina & The Diamond's second EP 'The Crown Jewels' is released on 1st June through Neon Gold Records. The artistic video for previous captivating first single 'Obsessions' can be seen below:



Marina writes her own blog that can be found at: http://marinaandthediamonds.blogspot.com/

Recent iTunes Uploads:
Bloc Party- Signs (Armand Van Helden Remix)
Enter Shikari- Take To The Skies
Marina & The Diamonds- Obsessions

Top Club Track & A Highly Tipped Songstress

Chart Update
Number 1 in the singles top 40 this week is Girls Aloud with 60's inspired 'The Promise' after a well publicised performance on XFactor. Second highest new entry is NMU (3/10/08) featured 'Infinity 2008'- Guru Josh Project at number 3 this week. Bloc Party slip in at number 39 with 'Talons' (NMU 16/09/08).

Rock legends AC/DC managed a mighty number 1 album spot in a total of 29 countries, reflecting a dedicated fanbase still going strong. 4 other top 10 new albums starting the Christmas rush come from Sash's 'Best Of', Sugababes, Katherine Jenkins, Leon Jackson. Kaiser Chiefs commendably settle for number 2 with their third Mark Ronson produced album 'Off With Their Heads'.

This week I bring you...

Song Of The Week

Kid Cudi- Day & Night (Crookers Remix)

www.myspace.com/kidcudi

Hip Hop/Alternative/Rap

Already becoming an underground hit on the dancefloors, Day & Night (Crookers Remix) is currently circulating Radio 1Xtra's B List and is highly anticipating a Radio1 crossover. When a live strobe light accompanies the track breakdown that includes a manifesting alarm loop in a club, urban dancers are set alight to pulsating beats and 'whomping' bassline electronics. The original track by US rap outift Kid Cudi about a 'lonely stoner' has clocked up over a million listens on his myspace for this song, whilst the remix transforms it from a laidback cruise to a spark of energy. This new rapper boasts similarities with both Kanye West and Lil Wayne and aims for a crossover of genres. Guitars, drum and bass, and catchy samples all feature in Kid Cudi's music. A release date for the Crookers Remix of Day & Night is yet to be announced.

New Artist

Florence And The Machine
www.myspace.com/florenceandthemachinemusic
Indie/Punk/Soul

This voice will hit your soul. Emotional, dramatic and powerful are a few words to describe this new sound hailing from South London. Florence And The Machine make music so captivating they beg to be seen live, a potential festival stand out. It is expected this band will be all over the summer festivals of 09. Your first listen of this band was possibly from an advert for channel 4's new music channel '4 Music' with 'A Kiss With A Fist' (see below). Songs suggest a stripped down folk-indie sound with energetic drums, keyboards and guitars that accompany lead singer Florence Welch's powerful swoons. Florence And The Machine are currently on a UK tour including an acoustic set at the intimate Union Chapel in London for Jo Whiley curated 'Little Noise Sessions'. References can be made with the edgyness performance of Cat Power, the catchy rhythms of Feist, and Ida Maria who is also part of the progressing new punk wave. Next single 'Dog Days Are Over' is a happy clappy feel-good sing along to be released through Moshi Moshi Records on 1st December 2008. An album is yet to be confirmed.

Recent Uploads to my iTunes:
Bloc Party- Intimacy

Crazy P- Stop Space Return (iTunes Single Of The Week)

Joss Stone- Governmentalist

Energetic Guitar Strumming & A Spunky Hip Hopper

EXCLUSIVE!
All 13 tracks of Ne-Yo's new synth ridden album 'Year Of The Gentlemen', which is released this week, are available for listening on his defjam page www.defjam.co.uk/neyo.

Jazmine Sullivan's (NMU 19/8/08) 'Need U Bad' is this weeks iTunes single of the week on the US store.

Chart Update
Katy Perry finally takes a bow out of the singles chart number 1 after a 5 week stay as Kings Of Leon give an allmighty shove with 'Sex On Fire' (NMU 19/8/08), making it their first time at the top. Cliff Richard who jokingly said he'd 'leave the planet' if he didn't beat them, only manages number 3 with 'Thankyou For A Lifetime'.
There is a shock number 1 album entry from metal legends Metallica with 'Death Magnetic' when the release date was brought forward to last wednesday reaching sales of 75,164. The highest sales achievement by a number 1 in 11 weeks. Glasvegas settle for second spot with their self-titled debut.

This week I bring you...

Song Of The Week
Bloc Party- Talons
www.myspace.com/blocparty
Indie/Alternative/Rock

Bloc Party are back with a bang. Original fans will once more be satisfied, as they make a pleasing return to the skillful guitar work first heard on 'Silent Alarm'. Aiming to always make the sounds in their songs unique, Talons is no exception. The twinkering xylophone melody enchantingly eases through the verses and the guitars motor in the chorus along with a striking drum beat throughout. Fading rhyths build high anticipation to a chorus sung out loud by an emotional Kele Okereke. This song follows the dark trend of previous single 'Mercury' suggesting a similar approach for the album 'Intimacy' to be realeased 27th Ocotober. Talons is released for downloading and purchasing in the shops the week before, 20th October.

New Artist
Kid Sister
www.myspace.com/kidsister
Dance/Hip Hop/Rap

Energetic is the ideal word to describe the music from this female Chicago rapper. . Debut single 'Pro Nails', a song about painting your fingernails, doesn't win the award for best song subject of the year but who cares when addictive bopping beats hook your interest. Kanyé West lays his thing down on the track so you can trust that this isn't a solo artist to ignore. She also takes on her fellow rapper's illuminous colourful image, painted all over her myspace. . If it's Kid Sister's dancier sound you're looking for, it's 'Control' that draws you in with a faced paced chorus and fast flowing raps through the verses. With her punchy lyrics, an obvious influence you can hear is Salt-N-Pepa and a similar accent to Lil Mama. You may remember Kid Sister from her feature on semi-big single 'Beeper' by The Count and Sinden earlier this year. 'Pro Nails' was getting some early airplay on UK radio quite a while ago now and an initial release on 30th June, but things died down straight after. Hopefully a second return with an album in the near future will strike it hot like it should.

Recent uploads to my iTunes:
Pete Greenwood- Sirens (iTunes single of the week)
M.I.A- Paper Planes
Friendly Fires- In The Hospital (iTunes single of the week 9/9/08)