Monday, March 31, 2014

All the Colours of the World @ Maroubra Countdown - Sun 30 March 2014


20 - Illy - Tightrope {Feat. Scarlett Stevens}
19 - London Grammar - Strong
18 - Glass Animals - Gooey
17 - The Black Keys - Fever
16 - Chet Faker - Talk is Cheap
15 - Aloe Blacc - The Man
14 - Lily Allen - Air Balloon
13 - Eminem - Headlights {Feat. Nate Ruess}
12 - Skrillex - Recess
11 - Joel Fletcher & Savage - Swing
10 - Duke Dumont - I Got U {Feat. Jax Jones}
9 - Avicii - Addicted to You
8 - Route 94 - My Love {Feat. Jess Glynne}
7 - Rudimental - Free {Feat. Emeli Sande}
6 - Coldplay - Magic
5 - Sia - Chandelier
4 - Peking Duk - High
3 - Calvin Harris - Summer
2 - Pharrell Williams - Happy
1 - Clean Bandit - Rather Be {Feat. Jess Glynne}

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Sheezus it's more new music from Lily Allen


I am not sure if I like the name of her new record (simply because I loved Kanye's Yeezus so much last year) but I am liking (most) of what new music I hear from the Lily Allen return to music camp.

Here is yet another taste of Lily Allen, Greg Kurstin produced pop bliss:

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Mystery New Records dropping Over Night


It's a new marketing ploy and a powerful tool for music in 2014. Beyonce rocked it last year with her self titled visual album and went straight to the top of the charts. The album came gathered PR and notoriety amongst her peers.

The album was unique in the fact that not only was their new music but new music videos for each tune, something extremely good for the industry as a whole. In a world of music downloads and lack of sales Beyonce has proved she ain't no overnight fly by night one hit wonder.


Other acts as below have recently followed in Beyonce's leading lady footsteps, Skrillex has released EP's and singles however his debut after years of build up just dropped, Wolfmother decided to make a comeback and so they did with "New Crown" and again they just dropped this, Kid Cudi also made waves with his album just landing online.




Online is not all bad and all about piracy, online has a wide reach and gone are the days of the build up to a new album (look at Azealia Banks) this is the future, here is my new album, listen, discover and like or hate it, it's out now and you can't leak it, it's just here.

To the music industry, can we please continue this trend, Beyonce has again paved the path for over 2 million sales of a new record and some damn slick and fine tunes on the way.

New on the Shelves/Online.... from the past two Fridays {Easter Lead In}


Two weeks of new music, one big BLOG entry:

Avicii by Avicii - Basically it's a remix album of Avicii songs, remixed by you guessed it Avicii. Sounds interesting? Maybe just a marketing ploy to keep one of the biggest dance albums of 2013 at top of mind pre Easter.

Aloe Blacc - This album came out in 2013 overseas so no doubt many Australian's had heard this material prior to it's release a couple of Friday's ago. It features the Aloe Blacc version of Avicii's "Wake Me Up". A good listen from my memory, I had heard this a while back.

Now onto yesterday's releases in the stores and online:

Architecture in Helsinki release their 5th studio album and it feels like this has been coming for a while. I recently instantly feel in love with "I Might Survive" and "Into the Future" & "Dream a Little Crazy" have been past radio favourites. So it's with no doubt in my mind that Now + 4EVA will keep the indie kids happy who have followed Architecture in Helsinki's indie career. Great to see such great new pop music from our very own shores, well done Architecture in Helsinki.

More local music and this time from Canberra. The Aston Shuffle have released their second full length album and with teaser singles dropping every few months and a successful Friday radio show on JJJ, "Photographs" is more like a best of the last 12 months for The Aston Shuffle. Most of the tracks are from 2013 but this record will surely set dance floors alight as they tour across the nation in support of this record.

Small mentions to the Kaiser Chiefs and Band of Skulls who also dropped new records yesterday.

Finally Mr Little Jeans also released a long awaited release "Pocketknife" yesterday, I will be back with more Friday releases soon and I am so this entry has been long awaited but with Easter round the corner and life ramping up, I have had to delay my love of music.

But this weekend I guarantee a return to blogging.

Monday, March 24, 2014

It's Strictly Business This Week - Sun 23 March 2014


20 - London Grammar - Strong
19 - Chet Faker - Talk is Cheap
18 - Illy - Tightrope {Feat. Scarlett Stevens}
17 - Vance Joy - Riptide
16 - Avicii - Hey Brother
15 - Skrillex - Recess
14 - Route 94 - My Love {Feat. Jess Glynne}
13 - Eminem - Headlights {Feat. Nate Ruess}
12 - Lily Allen - Air Balloon
11 - Duke Dumont - I Got U {Feat. Jax Jones}
10 - Joel Fletcher & Savage - Swing
9 - Avicii - Addicted to You
8 - Rudimental - Free {Feat. Emeli Sande}
7 - Aloe Blacc - The Man
6 - Sia - Chandelier
5 - Coldplay - Magic
4 - Calvin Harris - Summer
3 - Peking Duk - High
2 - Clean Bandit - Rather Be {Feat. Jess Glynne}
1 - Pharrell Williams - Happy

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Album of the Year Nomination #1 - Pharrell - G I R L


After some rather bad reviews after his live performances in Australian on he back of Future Music Festival, Pharrell Williams has proved however he is the king of production and the king of pop. "GIRL" is a sensational return to smart fun pop, from the massive single "Happy" which has topped the charts globally from the animated hit "Despicable Me 2" and featuring guests from JT to Miley to Daft Punk. Pharrell has got a load of his closet mates on board for this stellar album.

From the classy opener "Marilyn Monroe" and second single you know your in for fun and the duet with JT at track number 2 is pure pop brilliance.

"Hunter" the only new track he did live at FMF is just so funky and ace I love it, a future single in the making and an anthem for clubs across the globe.

"Gush" is also another radio friendly jam whilst tracks with Miley and Alicia Keys actually work which is why Pharrell is the king of production and producing pop gems. He has even recently made a new Kylie tune sound really top notch.

This album for me is just 10 wall to wall hits that will be on my iPOD for a long time from now. He owned 2013, he has started 2014 in a big way with "Happy" all over the radio and reaching number one across the Globe from Australia to the USA to the UK and beyond.

Williams had his name all over the biggest hits of 2013 and I think 2014 will continue to rise of the Williams return to his late 90's early 00's dominance of the charts.

Pharrell "G I R L" deserves nothing more than and album of the year nomination and on Boxing Day he may just take out the big award. Like Haim last year Pharrell is oh so hot right now.


Sunday, March 16, 2014

Almost St Patrick's Day Countdown - Sun 16 March 2014


20 - Flume & Chet Faker - Drop the Game
19 - Chet Faker - Talk is Cheap
18 - Ed Sheeran - I See Fire
17 - Skrillex - Recess
16 - London Grammar - Strong
15 - Route 94 - My Love {Feat. Jess Glynne}
14 - Avicii - Hey Brother
13 - Vance Joy - Riptide
12 - Calvin Harris - Summer
11 - Eminem - Headlights {Feat. Nate Ruess}
10 - Lily Allen - Air Balloon
9 - Joel Fletcher & Savage - Swing
8 - Avicii - Addicted to You
7 - Duke Dumont - I Got U {Feat. Jax Jones}
6 - Peking Duk - High
5 - Aloe Blacc - The Man
4 - Rudimental - Free {Feat. Emeli Sande}
3 - Coldplay - Magic
2 - Pharrell Williams - Happy
1 - Clean Bandit - Rather Be {Feat. Jess Glynne}

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

RE: Out on the Shelves.... Friday {Easter Lead In} - Kylie is now Streaming Online & ...


She has leaked already too, it was only a matter of time hey! But for all your legal citizens it's streaming over here too.

My BLOG was also being a poo and didn't let me upload the below videos this morning:






Out on the Shelves.... Friday {Easter Lead In}


So much new music in the lead up to Easter and well this is part one in a series looking into new music pre chocolate and hot cross bun overload:

1. The Audrey's

Haven't heard a track from this group in years, I remember there debut with the the sweet tuen "Oh Honey". However this new album is titled "Til My Tears Roll Away". It's out Friday through ABC music/Universal.



2. Foster & The People

Super cool kids return for their second album called "Supermodel" will there be another "Pumped up Kicks" on this disc? will Owl Eyes also cover another tune from this release? Only time will tell.



3. Kate Miller-Heidke

Has looked to her fans for a fan funded album titled "O Vertigo". Drapht even features on the CD and she recently got her first JJJ play in years. Well done Kate. She will also play a gig at Sydney's Seymour Centre tomorrow night.



4. Kylie

Oh Kylie, what I heard on the sampler it was terrible but I will give it another listen once the album drops this Friday. "Into the Blue" hasn't really set the charts on fire but with Sia & Pharrell on board she may have a winner on her hand.


5. Duke Dumont

The great single "I Got U", finally gets a digital release with great vocals from Jax Jones. "I Got U" has been a club chart smash and I think it is almost (if not as good) as Need U (100%). Take a listen for yourself on Friday when it hits the iTunes store.

Monday, March 10, 2014

The Future Comedown Countdown - Sun 9 March 2014


20 - Mikhael Paskalev - I Spy
19 - Chet Faker - Talk is Cheap
18 - Route 94 - My Love {Feat. Jess Glynne}
17 - Flume & Chet Faker - Drop the Game
16 - Major Lazer - Aerosol Can {Feat. Pharrell Williams}
15 - Ed Sheeran - I See Fire
14 - Lorde - Royals
13 - London Grammar - Strong
12 - Avicii - Hey Brother
11 - Vance Joy - Riptide
10 - Eminem - Headlights {Feat. Nate Ruess}
9 - Lily Allen - Air Balloon
8 - Joel Fletcher & Savage - Swing
7 - Peking Duk - High
6 - Rudimental - Free {Feat. Emeli Sande}
5 - Avicii - Addicted to You
4 - Aloe Blacc - The Man
3 - Coldplay - Magic
2 - Clean Bandit - Rather Be {Feat. Jess Glynne}
1 - Pharrell Williams - Happy

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Pharrell is the FUTURE!


Australia the Festival season is done, Summer is gone and the sniffer dogs are being shipped off to the large airports around this fine brown land. Yes Future Music Festival marks the end of the large Festival run over Summer is this fine joint.

Of course the terrific Groovin the Moo event is on the way soon so if your a regional folk, get ready!

So SMH has printed a rather bland account for Future whereas News.com.au has done the complete opposite (weird huh?), I wonder what Miranda Divine would think about Future Music Festival?

So onto my account of two (and a half - Album of the Year nominated Rudimental) acts here I go:

Pharrell has always in my eyes been wonderful, that said when I saw his group N*E*R*D at a large room in Sydney I was a little disappointed. But I went in after the release of G I R L wanting big things. He delivered to a degree. A half an hour slot for a man who has created more number one hits than the Voice, The X Factor and Idol put together it was just not enough time. So to Future Music - 3 hours for Pharrell in 2015.

His mix up of past hits and collaborations felt a little lazy since he has just had some terrific hits including "Happy", "Marilyn Monroe" & "Hunter". Of course he completed his set with "Happy" but still G I R L is a full bodied terrific piece of work.

Australia has embraced Pharrell, his production and his featured tracks over many years. So again he did a decent job for a 30 minute set, he did need at least one hour but with the crowd singing, grinding and letting loose it was a fun 30 minutes with the man of the moment right now.

Now to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis who if you read the SMH article above did peak early but I enjoyed "Thrift Shop", "White Walls", "Wing$", "Can't Hold Us" & "Same Love". "Same Love" was very emotive for me, it really is a great song with real meaning and a statement to hip hop and politicians world wide.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis did mess around a bit but delivered their big big five and seemed to have a great time whilst on stage.

Prior to leaving the now trashed Royal Randwick Racecourse I checked in on "Free" and some of "Hell Could Freeze" (less Angel Haze) at the Safari stage. The songs felt a bit "lounge" for me compared to the mega doof doof across the racecourse.

A fun day and a good chance to see two of the biggest artists right now. For some more Pharrell check out this 2005 piece, it's DOPE!

I will do an opinion piece on the festival goers of today on my other blog later, so check it for a nana on a mission.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Bali Style Countdown - Sun 2 March 2014


20 - The Aston Shuffle - Tear it Down
19 - Bliss N Eso - My Life {Feat. Ceekay Jones}
18 - Mikhael Paskalev - I Spy
17 - Lorde - Royals
16 - Flume & Chet Faker - Drop the Game
15 - Chet Faker - Talk is Cheap
14 - Ed Sheeran - I See Fire
13 - Avicii - Hey Brother
12 - Eminem - Monster {Feat. Rihanna}
11 - Vance Joy - Riptide
10 - London Grammar - Strong
9 - Peking Duk - High
8 - Eminem - Headlights {Feat. Nate Ruess}
7 - Joel Fletcher & Savage - Swing
6 - Lily Allen - Air Balloon
5 - Aloe Blacc - The Man
4 - Rudimental - Free {Feat. Emeli Sande}
3 - Avicii - Addicted to You
2 - Pharrell Williams - Happy
1 - Clean Bandit - Rather Be {Feat. Jess Glynne}

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Summer Anthems 2013/2014 - Summer Music Lists Special - Part Nine




1. Pharrell Williams - Happy
2. Eminem - Monster {Feat. Rihanna}
3. Vance Joy - Riptide
4. Flume & Chet Faker - Drop the Game
5. Lorde - Royals
6. Rudimental - Free {Feat. Emeli Sande}
7. Joel Fletcher & Savage - Swing
8. Avicii - Hey Brother
9. Lily Allen - Hard out Here
10. Ed Sheeran - I See Fire
11. Avicii - Addicted to You
12. London Grammar - Strong
13. Lorde - Team
14. Bliss N Eso - My Life {Feat. Ceekay Jones}
15. Lana Del Rey - Young & Beautiful {Cedric Gervais Remix

16. Busta Rhymes - Thank You {Feat. Q-Tip, Kanye West & Lil Wayne}
17. Lupe Fiasco - Old School Love {Feat. Ed Sheeran}
18. Aloe Blacc - The Man
19. Ellie Goulding - Goodness Gracious
20. Calvin Harris & Alesso - Under Control {Feat. Hurts}