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

André 3000's Protégé & A Dirty Funker

NMU Update

• Florence And The Machine's (NMU 31/10/08) highly anticipated debut album will get its release this Summer on 6th July.
• 'Magnificent' is U2's (NMU 24/01/09) second release from 'No Line On The Horizon' and has been released this week.
• The next single and video from Asher Roth (NMU 24/01/09) features Cee-lo from Gnarls Barkley on a track called 'Be By Myself', found on his debut album 'Asleep In The Bread Isle' out now.
  

Chart Update
Making a second week as the number 1 single, Tinchy Stryder (NMU 23/12/08) has worked his rhyming magic on another record conveniently named 'Number 1'. This time he is lent a hand by fellow UK rap trio N-Dubz. 'Going In For The Kill' by new 80's inspired duo La-Roux stays put at number 2 followed at number 3 by another UK rap entry. 'Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer)' is the highest new entry courtesy of Ironik & Chipmunk. The Maccabees are the only other new entry into the single chart this week with 'Love You Better'- 36. Asher Roth (NMU 24/01/09) is currently at number 27 with 'I Love College'.
Spanning a career of over 40 albums, Bob Dylan knocks Lady Gaga off the top spot in the album chart with 'Together Through Life'. Consequently of Dylan's return, The Enemy's second album 'Music For The People' does the best it can to reach number 2. Pink's 'Fun House' makes the highest move up the top 10 from 10 to 6.

This week I bring you...

Song Of The Week

Dirty Funk- Steve Appleton
www.myspace.com/steveappleton
Pop/Acoustic/Funk

Uplifiting could sum this song up in one word. Sang by a 19 year old from Surrey, this pop tune is sure to enter high up the charts with its energetic chorus and thumping beats. In the video you'll see Appleton has gone for a surfer type look with his straggy hair and casual wear at a lively party, everyone having fun. Stick to just the listening and it's certainly the scene this song creates in your head. The song starts off with the uptempo strum of a guitar followed quickly by a high beep and kicking of drums that instantly captures you for a full listen. Appleton's mellow vocals float on the chords of the guitar with ease as choppy lyrics make up the verses and when the anticipating transition to the chorus is made a helpless sing along is demanded. With a release date in May there couldn't be a better time for this track as it effortlessly begs the awakening of Summer sunshine. 'Dirty Funk' is out to download and buy on CD now.



Also check out his King Of Leon cover of 'Use Somebody': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Boe7dXp6deE

New Artist
Janelle Monae
www.myspace.com/janellemonae
Pop/Rock/Soul

Don't be put off by her current myspace background where she looks slightly pained but be tempted by NME who call her music 'slick futurism' in the current issue. Not the only vent of futuristic claim about this lady, her myspace says she sounds like 'a runaway android' and her music features an orchestra of chirpy, unsual sounds. The soulful Monae enters into the pop scene with a boundful of celebrity fans including Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy and Outkast. 'Enchanting' praises André 3000 who's rapping other half Big Boi first featured Monae on his album. Monae hails from Kansas City where her charisma and artistic flair was allowed to nurture and it is 2009 with her upcoming album 'Metropolis' that Monae will flourish. The music you will hear from her is funky, experimental, and refreshing to the ears. See the impressive video for 'Many Moons' in the form of a short film below.
Whilst a UK single release is yet to be publicised, the album 'Metropolis' is due 24th August 2009.



Janelle Monae also features on the collaboration 'Open Happiness': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTk5dRytUI8&feature=PlayList&p=D7A85485F30677F4&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=33

Recent iTunes Uploads:
The Mummers- March Of Dawn (iTunes single of the week)
Rod Thomas- Same Old Lines
Ercola- Ercola