When your career is built on sombre music, it’s very hard to catapult your career onto worldwide attention. The first single you put out has to be relevant in sound, yet descriptive of your direction as an artist and not a fluffy number as you might run the risk of attracting the wrong audience. Very few artists have managed to capture that feeling and maintain a career in melancholy music. Think of what “Luka” did to Suzanne Vega’s career, or Tracy Chapman’s first record. Here, Lianne La Havas does that. “Forget” is a midtempo number with all the vigor of subdued melody. It’s chorus is probably one of the most heated screams of emotion you’ll hear in a while. It makes you feel like the singer is going through heaps of anguish and is having a hard time setting the past aside. It’s a strong track that is packed with deep sentiment.
This is the third time Emily King has scored a “Sexy Track” from the same EP, Seven, which means you should get it now! In the same mood as the other ones, including “Ever After” and “Georgia,” but this is a slower grower, if it makes any sense. It’s a sombre-toned number soaking in agony and what feels like a dab of remorse. In keeping with the mood of the disc, yet not too overwhelming drab in melancholy essence.
One of the only singers out there still reviving the punk movement, Peaches, has opted to go all disco on us. The Canadian rocker is about to release an EP that will consist of disco-era covers in 2012. Joining her on the Casablanca Reworks EP are the Gomma All Stars, aka Gomma Records artists Moullinex, Telonius, Munk and The Phenomenal Handclap Band, with originals by Michael Sembello (‘Maniac’, from the movie ‘Flashdance’), Harold Faltermeyer (‘Our Love’, as made famous by Donna Summer), Giorgio Moroder (‘You Can’t Run From My Love’, as made famous by Stephanie Mills) and the Skatt Brothers (‘Walk The Night’).
Madonna tracks are leaking left and right. From recent sessions to older ones. But, we try not to report on any unless they are listenable. Of course, this one has nothing vocally of interest, but the song is not bad. In fact, it sounds like a riled up track from the Music era. It could have fit in perfectly on that stupid EP that followed after it. We hope this William Orbit gem ends up on the album, because even stars as big as Madonna could topple their career with two Hard Candy-like albums in a row. Click below to listen to “Run.”
Many thought that the Kings Of Convenience promotional sect for their album Declaration Of Dependence is way over. However, they surprised us with a new video from the album for “Me In You,” which is an imposing ditty from the effort. It’s a cute surprise and if we had our way every song on that album would get the video treatment. Continue reading →
1. Greetings from Kuwait! Loft965.com picked “Phakade” and “Mali” as a “Sexy Tracks” of 2011! How do you feel about that and what do you think the rest of the year holds for you?
Amazing, I did not expect that the African songs would resonate but I think this is very exciting! Thank you! I’m going to spend the rest of the year taking advantage of Southern African Festival season so that I can reach more fans.
2. As of now, “Mali” is constantly on our stereos! Will it ever get released as a single?
It is currently one of our singles in South Africa.
3. You just released an EP for your American audience. Are you planning on launching your new album there and when will it be?
I’m planning to launch a full album titled Rise Again in early 2012 and then follow it up with a tour from the end of January. The album is a combination of tracks from Feel Good, Soul in Mind but mainly containing new tracks from my Return to Love album.
4. Are you going on tour? What will be your next single?
Yes my tour will span over the entire North America and it will be 60 days long!
5. We love quotes, what is your favorite quote or motto?
I post so many on my twitter and facebook page periodically. My favourite one from this week is “Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own.”
We stumbled upon this track on Twitter and we fell in love with it. In true James Blake fashion, simplicity is key. Beautiful blips and blops all around and a great vocal background. This is not on the debut album, but it should be on his next. If anyone finds a version without the radio clutter on it, send it our way. Click below to listen to it.
Leave it to the UK to take soul elements that have always existed since the inception of the genre and recreate them into beautiful 21st century ditties without overproduction or glitz. Daley is the newest soul child on the scene. His voice is grandiose, his beats are fluttering and the overall composition is just mesmerizing. This is red-wine-in-the-sheets material although the lyrics are more of an ultimatum. It takes the basic essence of neosoul and merges it with a Britsoul tint. We will be hearing much more from Daley.
Yes, we have been listening to Emily King non-stop these days. We even downloaded her more mainstream previous album to check it out. But, if the Seven EP is anything to go by, Emily is well on her way of becoming one of the greatest soul artists of this decade. “Georgia” is proof of that. A track that showcases the opulence of simplicity. It sounds like a lullaby that someone with great emotional vigor penned down. The lyrics are straight forward and the melody is that of a yearning town. The kind of song that makes you want to know more about the story that initiated its inception. A remarkable song.
If you haven’t put your claws on Emily King’s new music, you should. It’s some of the best music out there right now. Her EP, titled Seven, contains some great sombre, yet soul-inspired songs like “Every After” and “Down.” Lovely little gems to be discovered for 2011.
Good soul music is hard to come by these days, especially when its not muddled with Hip Hop. Emily King is one of those voices that are still keeping the velvety lushness of soul music alive. On her new EP, Seven, the singer asserts a return to feel-good lyrics and moody rhythms. “Ever After” is an ode to alternative soul, the less-visited genre of sorts. It’s sexy and smart, yet emotional and profound. Its yearning lyrics will leave you wanting more and more of her lovely sensibility. Great track.
Charlotte Gainsbourg is back with a louder album. A double album at that. It’s called Stage Whisper and it supposed to surface soon. This song is a departure from her previous efforts as she is revisiting basic rock elements. Let’s hope the rest of the album is better than this single.
Florrie is not about to give up with this new EP that insinuates everything about drug consumption, but doesn’t quite touch that line. Experimenting is probably her last attempt at some hipster-love. This is another refreshing summer track from the disc.
Rochelle started singing as child trying to emulate what she saw from 90′s RNB acts such as Aaliyah, Kelis, Nicole Wray, TLC, 702 and Missy Elliot. Pursing this dream as a teenager landed her a by chance meeting with Toronto Producer “D10″ who happens to be the same producer that produced Drake out of Toronto. D10 offered Rochelle the chance to sing backup for another rising star at the time Keisha Chante. That experience made Rochelle realize that she could really do the same thing and started making the transition from backup to lead.
1. Greetings from Kuwait! Loft965.com picked your song “Put Your Hands Up” as a “Sexy Track” of 2011. How do you feel about that and what will be the next single?
I do believe this is the first time any track of mine has been described as ‘Sexy’. That alone has made my day, so thank you! I think the next single will either be ‘Turn Me On Again’ or ‘All Bets Are Off’. Not sure which order.
2. Your new album is titled Year Of The Wolf. That’s not one of the animals that is included in the Chinese zodiac calendar. How did that name come about?
It’s slightly sentimental – my baby son is called Wolfie, and as much of the album was written and recorded while I was pregnant with him, it seemed a fitting title. I did consider calling it ‘Year of the Carrot’ just coz, you know, it seemed like fun.
3. We love “Damascus” so much. What was the inspiration behind the song and have you been there?
Thank you, glad you like the song. I have been to Damascus, a few times, as a child on my way to India with my mother to see my family there. We used to fly some complicated routes, so I’ve stopped off in loads of Middle Eastern cities over the years on my way to India. I guess as a kid, I was really into Bible stories, and I loved the one about St Paul having his epiphany on the road to Damascus. I used that metaphor to describe a relationship that has ended after years of waiting for a Damascus moment that never came.
4. We know you have worked with Kylie Minogue. How is she to deal with and what was your inspiration behind writing “Aphrodite” the title track, which became the ongoing theme that seemed to have carried through the whole album and its tour?
Kylie is everything an icon should be. They say that you shouldn’t meet your idols but in her case she is just fantastic. I wrote “Aphrodite” with my husband shortly after we started working with her. I wanted to craft her a song that was as a celebration of her as an icon and the power of women in general. But not in a ball-breaking, women are better than men way – more a celebration of femininity, love and playful sexuality – all the things I feel Kylie radiates. I was so proud that she chose to name the album and tour after that track – and going to see her open the show with it is definitely one the highlights of my life.
5. We love quotes, what is your favorite quote or motto?
It’s by my bedside and it’s one from Winston Churchill : ‘Never, ever, ever, ever give up.’
And I like that one that goes ‘Shit happens.’ I reckon that’s a Zen master one. It’s certainly true.
Nerina Pallot’s single “Put Your Hands Up” is out now. The album Year Of The Wolf will be out on June 13th, 2011.
Never underestimate a good morning number. Nerina Pallot is no stranger to pretty tunes, but this track is a little on the upbeat side. It’s a testament to just surrendering at times. Her vocals follow perfectly and the chorus catches you by surprise. It’s the kind of track that might go by unnoticed at first but you’ll soon notice you can’t stop humming the chorus. “Put Your Hands Up” is the lead single to the album Year Of The Wolf and if it is a taste of what is to come then we surely have a great album.
As a part of the promotional campaign to launch Nerina Pallot’s forth album Year Of The Wolf, Loft965.com has been sent an exclusive performance of her new song “If I Lost You Now.” We definitely like what we hear and can’t wait for the album to drop on June 13th, 2011!
Not only in Kylie Minogue releasing a limited edition of her album for the US tour, but she is also releasing a single EP for her song “Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love),” which should have been her 3rd single instead of “Better Than Today” followed by “Too Much.” This is the cover art for it and we can’t wait to hear it all the different clubs this summer.
One of our all-time favorite mood music bands Undersea Poem have released an 8-track EP without telling anyone. We came across this by mistake and found it to be as scintillating as their debut album. Click here to head over to iTunes to purchase the EP.
