So many great tracks dropped the past month, so here are some of my ‘September Selections’.
First up is James Blake ft Chance The Rapper with ‘Life Round Here’. The London based producer & singer/songwriter, has teamed up with rising Chicago based artist ‘Chance The Rapper’ for a reworked version of ‘Life Round Here’, taken from his Mercury Prize nominated album ‘Overgrown’. The track featured as Zane Lowe’s Hottest record where Blake spoke about the collbaoration: ‘I really liked his mixtape (Acid Rap) and saw him at South by Southwest. I just thought his voice would work really well. I never felt the track was finished, even when it went on the album, I always thought there was space for something else’. Blake has certanly found that missing element and the duo deliver a fresh and exciting outlook with Chances’s raw energy and Blakes melodic and atmospheric vocals. Check back soon for their forthcoming video, set to feature ‘Everything from Somalian horses to pirates and Chevy Impalas’.
A while back I posted about rising New Zealand songstress Lorde (Aka Ella Yellich-O’Connor) and her infectious track ‘Tennis Court’, from her free ‘Love Club’ EP. Her latest offerings, taken from her debut LP ‘Pure Heroine’, is another exceptional track titled ‘Team’ , where the 16 year old presents a very mature sound with her upbeat yet bittersweet melodic vocals, that is captivating audiences worldwide. Having recently performed on ‘Later with Jools Holland’ Lorde is set to embark upon a sold out australian tour but will first play ‘Vevo’s 2013 Halloween Party’ in Oval Space, London. Lorde also features on the forthcoming ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘ Soundtrack with a cover of Tear For Fears 1985 hit song ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’.
Is it Gangsta (Yes yes yes) is the first single to be taken from South London rapper Giggs’ forthcoming album ‘When WIll It Stop’. Produced by Mark Ronson and Tone P, this is the first new material to surface since his 2010 album ‘Let Em Ave It’ and delivers a strong return to form from the SN1 frontmnan. Be sure to check out the 9 minute short film video, directed by Reg Traviss, that even had it’s own trailer released. You can also catch Giggs perform at Londons ‘Under The Bridge‘ on October 15th, while ‘Is It Gangsta’ drops October 6th.
LA singer Banks has unveiled her new single ‘The Is What It Feels Like’, taken from her recent 4 track ‘London’ EP. Produced by Lil Silva and Jamie Woon, the single serves as the follow up to ‘Before I Ever Met You’ from the ‘Fall Over’ EP and the recent Teed collaboration ‘Warm Water’. Banks has such a unique sound and delivers haunting vocals amidst deep sultry beats and eerie electronic production. Currently supporting The Weeknd on tour in the US, Banks will also support The Weekend in London’s O2 on November 26th.
Danny Brown returns with a new single ‘Dip’ taken from his highly anticipated album ‘Old’. Produced by Skywlkr, ‘Dip’ samples Freak Nasty’s 1996 single ‘Da’ as well as referneces to Jay Z and Kanyes ‘Niggas In Paris’ throughout. The MDMA fueled video, shot during his European tour, showcases Browns rapid rap skills with some trippy animations to match. ‘Old’ is set for release Oct 8th through A-Trak’s Fools Gold Records and features artists such as A$AP Rocky, Purity Ring and Charlie XCX.
Sia’s new single ‘Elastic Heart’ ft The Weeknd and Diplo, is set to feature on the forthcoming ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘ soundtrack, alongside previously announced artists such as Coldplay, Lorde, Of Monsters and Men and Ellie Goulding. The sombre synth driven track, which featured as Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record, highlights Sia and Abel Tesfaye’s enthralling and haunting vocals with slick production as always from Diplo.
Having delivered one of the summers biggest anthems ‘Jack’, Breach (aka Ben Westbeech) has unveiled his follow-up single ‘Everything You Never Had’ ft the infectious and soulful vocals from Andreya Triana. Sure to be a dance floor filler with it’s classic house vibes and 90′s rave influences, the Bristolian dj and producer is constantly raising him game with each new release. Be sure to check out the Joe Goddard remix, who once again works his magic on delivering a fresh new remix. ‘Everything You Never Had‘ is set for release October 20th.
Back in May, ‘What Love Is Made Of‘ provided us with the first look from Katy B’s highly anticipated sophomore album and follow up to 2011′s ‘On A Mission’. Katy has since dropped her latest single ’5AM’, which serves as a worthy successor with it’s big room house vibes, infectious hooks and katy’s smooth garage infused pop vocals. Set for release Oct 28th through Rinse and Columbia, expect her second album sometime in 2014.
‘Blood Runs Wild’ is the latest release from Brotherly duo Ruen Brothers (Rupert and Henry Stansall). Having already released their retro inspired ‘Aces’ and ‘Walk Like A Man’ to high praise, ‘Blood Runs Wild’ follows the same suit with it’s vintage rock n roll vibes, sweeping vocals and upbeat melodies.The duo deliver such a mature and accomplished sound far beyond their years. With big support from Radio 1, Zane Lowe featured the track as his Hottest Record. Be sure to check out Ruen Brothers headline the Q Awards gig on Oct 19th at London’s Jazz Cafe, before supporting Tom Odell on his UK tour. Having signed a major record deal during the summer, ‘Blood Runs Wild’ is set for release Novemeber 4th via Island Records (UK) and Universal/Republic (US).
