Song of the Week April 21st 2014

Song of the Week- Black Widow by Iggy Azalea featuring Rita Ora, from the album The New Classic

As she currently rides high on the chart success of her latest single 'Fancy', Australian rapper Iggy Azalea has released her first full length album, The New Classic. One of the shining gems of the set is Rita Ora collaboration Black Widow. Already poised to be the sets next single, the track is a smart slice of sophisticated pop infused with a cool dose of hip hop. Lyrically the track finds Ora and Azalea taking on the roles of powerful girlfriends who are going to love their men until they hate them. Co-written by hit songstress and all-round superstar Katy Perry, the tracks chorus is a razor sharp, excellent piece of work that is brought to life by the smooth and sultry vocals of Ora, whilst Azalea provides some crisp rap verses that act as the perfect complimentary piece to the package. The production straddles the line of clinky hip hop and bubbly pop with it's combination of snappy trap beats and chart ready, strobing synths, and makes for a track that will potentially appeal to both the masses and the hardcore hip hop fans. Black Widow is just a dark but fun song that works as the ideal single choice, and with Katy Perry having already enjoyed her own bout of success with the pop and trap combo in the form of the track 'Dark Horse', it might just be a matter of time before Black Widow is being played all over radio stations worldwide.

Song of the Week April 14th 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Song of the Week- Sing by Ed Sheeran, from the album x

The first time that I heard Ed Sheeran’s latest single, I was a bit premature in my judgement: the song has more than a whiff of Justin Timberlake about it, and was produced by the man of the moment, Pharrell Williams, who maybe is becoming overexposed. But on repeated listens, I have become immune to the charms of the track and the power that Sheeran has. The song lyrically finds Sheeran telling his girl of how he needs her and just wants him and her to feel that rush of love. The song finds Sheeran on strong lyrical form, wielding his strong singer-songwriter sword but not allowing that to compromise on some slick rapping and a solid lyrical hook. Vocally the track is also great as we get to hear a range of different tones to Sheeran’s voice, with the rapping and singing acting as perfect complimentary components that show this isn’t just a one trick pony. What is more impressive is Sheeran’s falsetto, which he just uses to brilliant effect, and is something that I perhaps foolishly didn’t believe this artist had in them. Pharrell does a solid job with the funk driven production, with the clattering guitar riffs and overall groove of the track having his signature style. But at the same time the production is just infectiously fun, and whether it is typical of Pharrell or not, Sheeran still brings his penmanship and artistic credibility in abundance, and shows that he is firmly in the driving seat. Sing is for me an unexpected offering from Ed Sheeran, and definitely shows the markings of an artist who is progressing, which is just a great thing, particularly when he does it so well.

Song of the Week April 7th 2014

Song of the Week- Extraordinary by Clean Bandit featuring Sharna Bass, from the album New Eyes

Not content with ruling the worldwide charts with their smash hit single ‘Rather Be’, British group Clean Bandit are gearing up to release the equally brilliant follow up Extraordinary. In many ways this new track works in the same way as ‘Rather Be’ in terms of enchanting audiences. Clean Bandit deliver a complex tune that combines a cool array of garage beats and classical string arrangements, with some italo piano thrown into the mix for good measure, and overall delivering a sound that is  powerful to hear and instantly recognisable. Once again the group also show that they don’t simply collaborate with people for the sake of collaborating. Sharna Bass brings a strong vocal performance that brings out this awesome sense of euphoria, whilst differing from previous Clean Bandit collaborator Jess Glynne through having a touch more depth to her vocals and bringing out a slight melancholic tinge to the euphoria in places. The song lyrically focuses on Bass telling this person of how people create extraordinary things in life, and she asks this person to say that they will be with her and feel the same way as she does. The lyrics focus on that simple statement of please reciprocate my feelings, but the song is lyrically intricate in a way that is immediately catchy but also doesn’t lack that sense of depth that can sometimes come out when a song is too commercial. Clean Bandit are definitely the stars of 2014, and the only annoying thing about this song is that now it has got me really excited for their debut album, but that has unfortunately been pushed back and isn’t to be released until early June. Until then, let us all just revel in the brilliance of Extraordinary.