HauteSound

RiRi is at it again, this time with single no.4 from her sixth album ‘Talk That Talk’. Nothing screams club anthem better than this single, with the start resembling Johnny Cash’s famous ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’. 

This is album is definitely the most club friendly Rihanna has produced working with the likes of Calvin Harris. The constant repetition of ‘Where have you been all my life’ sets the song into club mode, with the choral harmonies increasing as the song move to it’s first climax. Then the beat drops and plays out the dance beat people have been looking for. The song continues with a steady beat leading into another resemblance of Johnny Cash, the simplicity and how catchy the lyrics are, are what will get this song huge club recognition.  

Rihanna is no lyrical genius, we have all began to understand that. Definitely with this album, I feel she has held back on going deeper with her lyrics. But clearly the production of each song has been pushed to a higher level. She has looked at the market and realises that dance music is now massive niche. DJ’s are the new rock-stars. 

Listen to Rihanna’s new single here

(Source: hautesound)

Since her first release in 2009, Marina and the Diamonds has come from strength to strength. Undoubtedly with the help of coming second place on the BBC’s Sound of 2010 clearly helped the Welsh singer rise to fame. 

2011 was a pretty quiet year for Marina (real name Marina Lambrini Diamadis) with only her promotional release ‘Radioactive’ for up-coming second album ‘Electra-Heart’. And with ‘Primadonna’ airing nationally, clearly Marina has changed her sound. With heavy electronic beats and Marina’s vocals still as unique as ever, you can’t deny to squeeze yourself further into the mainstream of the music industry some sacrifices have to be made.  

It isn’t a surprise it resembles in areas of the typical electronic-pop song, but as usual Marina’s vocals just take the song to a different level. Eerily enchanting, but still very dominating throughout the song.

I’m liking this step forward for Marina. She’s clearly enhancing her sound to appease more, but never losing the vocal tone she has had from day one.

Listen to her new single ‘Primadonna’ here 

(Source: hautesound)

(Source: hautesound)

It’s been nearly two months since the highly anticipated album ‘Born To Die’ was released by Lana Del Rey. With mixed reviews and a lot of critics saying she’s brought back ‘vintage glamour’, clearly she must be feeling on top of the world right now? Well, controversy has struck the newly born star with some of her album artwork being dubbed ‘disturbing’. The picture (see above) is from her latest single ‘Blue Jeans’, which is set to be released within the next month with the video. The picture entails a tattoo’d man’s arm around the throat of Lana’s body, supposedly checking the pulse. On a personal level, I can’t see anything wrong with it, I feel as though certain individuals just feel the need to blow everything out of context and say that the picture is harmful to youngsters, or somehow promotes that hitting women is fine. I can’t say this is completely true, I am being hypothetical in most cases. But, I feel as though people jump to worst conclusion when a picture relates to anything bad. A music video is just as crucial as the song in nowadays, and with that comes artistic reference. Artists are understanding their music paints a picture and the picture can be painted for millions to see. Certain individuals need to realise being ‘wrapped in cotton wool’ all our lives is not going to help anyone. A picture as harmless as this seems to really spark some attention. 

What are your thoughts on the picture? Is it too much for an audience?

(Source: hautesound)

With synth-pop a struggling genre in the current music scene, I feel its time for a band to show the country what it’s missing out on. Fenech-Soler just do the genre justice in every aspect. The self-titled album just oozes futuristic electro-synth melodies, and the heavy bass beats just crying out to be played at a laser filled festival. Forming in Kings Cliffe, Northampton. The band haven’t looked back onto the days of recording in their bedroom’s, signed under Warner Bros. the boys are surely making their mark. From a personal note, their live performances are incredible. I struggle to find artists that are capable of making the audience move, whilst keeping great composure as they perform. Lyrically strong, the band have become big Festival performers, and now turning to Europe the boys are slowly gaining world domination. If you’re looking to dance your face off to a euphoric electro-pop band, Fenech-Soler definitely tick that box! The high energy performances are making this band the breathe of fresh air for many listeners, the anthemic atmosphere is what makes this band so desirable to play live gigs. 

I highly recommend as a must-see live! They certainly get your heart racing with their more up tempo tracks!

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The Brits Music Awards have passed once again, and I feel its my place to pick on some controversial stories that I feel need/have been raised, for good or bad? That I will let you decide.

I’ve always felt the Brits nominations have always been quite… eclectic to say the least. This year, more so than others, I’ve realised artists who really don’t have a big fan base are being nominated against chart dominating artists. For example, Bruno Mars and Bon Iver were both up for ‘Best International Male Artist’, from the crowd’s reaction’s to their name’s being announced. Clearly Bruno had the bigger cheer and he also performed like that night. Does this mean that Iver didn’t really stand a chance? But, I can argue my point and bring up the shock win by Laura Marling last year at The Brits, taking home “Best Female Artist” against the likes and favourite, Cheryl Cole. Does this mean that unheard artists are just as able to win compared to big chart acts?

Now who could forget Adele being cut-off in her second speech for winning “Best Album”? Was it right, after all that hype and knowing that she would win the award, for her to be cut just after she composed herself? And then came the unexpected. Adele stuck her middle finger up to the audience. She has claimed in all of the papers it was never to the fans, but to the people “in suits”. I personally come to believe she was fine to do it, simply because I feel the whole night was a total mess in organisation. You could see that James Corden was under pressure the entire night, following his earlier stint with not even letting Emeli Sande accept her ‘Critics Choice’ award. I couldn’t completely blame James for his actions, he was being told to do it. But, I just can’t see how The Brits would allow artists who have proven a heck of a lot in the past year, to be shunned for another act to perform. Deadlines are deadlines, but I believe The Brits producers should have been ready for over-running. 

Finally, this is going to be slightly off topic. Rihanna, as we all know is most probably being named one of the raunchiest artists of our generation. And why shouldn’t she? She has a huge amount of sex appeal. Yes, I wouldn’t say no either! But I’m starting to feel her performance’s are starting to get the heart racing a little too much. Although RiRi’s performance was clearly toned down for British viewing, after her past X Factor stints, we clearly are struggling with the Bajan beauties’ way’s. Now the ‘watershed’ time for the UK is 9pm, I’m starting to feel it’s still too early. Children are staying up later and later for numerous reasons and are viewing her excessively sexy show’s. Now, I can’t blame Rihanna entirely, TV executives should be looking at pushing the ‘watershed’ time to 10pm instead. This would then mean certain forms of sex/violence/gore would be put on at a later time, meaning less children would be watching the PG+ rated programmes. 

(Source: hautesound)

Florence Welch has done it again. ‘Ceremonials’ is one of the most anthemic albums of 2011. Clearly building on her roots from ‘Lungs’, she has edged her way deeper into her love for massive percussion and angelic harmonies, accompanied by repetitive choruses built on layers of her voice. 

Clearly she has sat back and pulled this album apart to the very last detail. Opening with ‘All This And Heaven Too’ is almost perceived as the gateway to the album. It even gives off the image of two strong gates opening to her creative flow. Swiftly moving on to ‘Heartlines’. Obviously experimenting with synthesizers a lot more now, but never losing the massive chorus that instantly sends chills down your spine. ‘No Light, No Light’ clearly a big part of the album, single number four and you can see why. If there were ever a love song to create so much tension, this song clearly does it. Once again, drawing back to the gorgeous percussion accompanying Welch’s almost Boadicea-esque voice. And my personal favourite, ‘Spectrum’. Florence clearly showed her femininity in this piece, the lyrics ‘Say my name..’ start off the constant beat of the drums, yet the harps seem to sit quite happily with the heavy beat. Her voice just empowering the entire piece as you get the feeling of her statuesque figure releasing this anthem.

This album is incredible in my eyes, Florence has clearly taken time to nurture this album into something which almost empowers you completely. 

Watch her third single, ‘Spectrum’, here   

(Source: hautesound)

With the industry buzzing about this young budding star, so am I. Ben Howard is a breath of fresh air, with his light guitar picking and soft voice it’s not surprising his U.K. tour is sold out! Folk music seems to be making a massive comeback in the last few years to the industry, the likes of Mumford And Sons and Howard are placing themselves firmly in the music scene. 

Debuting his first studio album last year, ‘Every Kingdom’ has sent Howard into the limelight of the music world. Working under Island Records, Howard has released three singles from his first album, none making the Top 40 UK Singles Chart. But this hasn’t stopped him.

The best way to describe ‘Every Kingdom’ is that it is a extremely good easy listening, feel good album. I struggle to fall asleep listening to music, but this album just sent me straight off. The harmonics played on guitar complimented by Howard’s voice, just increasing the imagery he is clearly portraying. 

My personal favourite has to be ‘Only Love’, I suggest you listen to the flashmob video on YouTube here

(Source: hautesound)

So there are massive rumours that Britney Spears could be one of the new two female judges joining the ‘X Factor USA’. With Miss Spears recently coming back into the spotlight with her ‘come-back’ album ‘Femme Fatelle’, she has been rumoured to have been wanting a place on the judging panel since Simon Cowell confirmed the X Factor was going to start in the States. 

My personal opinion to this all, is that she shouldn’t get the job. Maybe I’m being a little too harsh, but I hold a valid reason. My personal beliefs are, when a music icon, like Miss Spears, has to feel lip-syncing is the only way to carry on doing well in the industry I feel sick. I hate to see artists which have paved the way for many more, to just turn around and throw away all their hard work and start faking their shows. I was hurt to see her world tour being promoted on ITV’s ‘Daybreak’ early last year, to which they quoted “She is singing 40% live” … 40%?! So you’re telling me, she is raking in millions to only sing some of it live. Now I will not say this statement is untrue, but for a national breakfast show to quote it, it most probably is. Also at the MTV Music Awards she lip-synced with Rihanna on ‘S&M’. It just makes me furious to see artists abuse their power to the extent they rely on auto-tuning and just having their track played over their voice so they sound near perfect.

I honestly believe, if you are going to lip-sync, quit while you’re ahead. Don’t result to embarrassing yourself in front of millions. 

JPJ.

(Source: hautesound)

So a new year and yet another Grammy’s Award Ceremony is over! And hasn’t this Grammy’s been a whirlwind!

Who could forget Nicki Minaj’s performance. The Exorcism style theme to her new track ‘Roman’s Holiday’ from her up-coming second studio album ‘Roman Reloaded’. She’s had mixed reviews on it dubbing it a ‘try hard’ performance, maybe giving Lady GaGa a run for her money? The controversy hovering over her Catholic style she clearly had added (she walked down the red-carpet with ‘Pope’ on her arm for crying out loud!) has caused the church to once again be up in arms over her use of religious scenes. Having saucy women dancing rather seductively around choir boys and monks break-dancing was maybe a little too much for the Pope himself? 

The lady of the night was definitely Adele. With her comeback performance of ‘Rolling In The Deep’ from her second album ‘21’. She did us British proud, scooping 6 Grammy awards! She certainly did enter back into the music industry on a high-note. After having to take a few months out due to a throat condition which could have threatened her whole career, Adele came back in fighting spirit and wow’d audiences with her near perfect vocals at the ceremony. The whole performance being on the other of the spectrum from Nicki’s, she surely achieved capturing the audiences attention every second. With a standing ovation at the end, she has clearly made her mark on the music industry as one of voices of the 21st Century. 

I would love to continue with more artists from the night, but we’d be here forever. I will post Nicki Minaj’s and Adele’s performance’s and let you choose which you prefer and why!

JPJ.

(Source: hautesound)