Listening to... 'ON THE LAM' - Kele

I'm not going to lie, I am a MASSIVE fan of Kele, so this post may leave some musical objectivity at the door. But if you haven't yet heard the third single from the Bloc Party frontman's debut album, 'The Boxer', have a listen asap.

'The Boxer' album whilst not entirely removed is a clear progression from Kele's indie-rock roots thanks to a distinct electronic buzz throughout. Single 'On The Lam' takes things one step further. 

 The single makes its entrance with laid back vocals set against pulsating repetition and jagged beats, with drum kicks soon dropping into a grimy bassline of a chorus. Curiously even his distinctive bold vocals are digitally altered, to a higher tenor. 


For some his comprehensive electro-makeover may rather compromise the poetical intensity that we could have expected from a Bloc Party performance. However I think his 'new-wave' approach works here and on so many levels, because it does not detract from passionate melodies and his lyrics still pack a punch; yet it allows the emphasis of this song to be one of musical rather than lyrical progression. 

The result of this lyrical/melodic symbiosis is the kind of song that you can wake up to/work out to/chill out to/rave to. A rare versatile gem.


Most importantly, 'On The Lam' identifies Kele as 'Bloc Party frontman' but as a worthy solo artist in his own right.

Upcoming Tour Dates

15 - Institute Library, Birmingham 
16 - Arches, Glasgow 
18 - Ritz, Manchester 
19 - Electric Ballroom, London 
20 - Motion, Bristol 

ULI WEBER: Portraits of Celebrities

Mark Ronson

Following his exhibition in London this month, world-renowned photographer Uli Weber has compiled his most iconic celebrity shots to bring us a sure-fire coffee table hit in the form of 'Portraits of Celebrities'.


Due for release on Monday; here are some of the more familiar portraits you can expect to see amidst the book's 170 glamorous pages (rrp. £39.99).

Daniel Radcliffe

Anna Friel

Bonnie Wright

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Listening to... 'SHOW ME THE LIGHT' - Mystery Jets

Offically released a couple weeks ago and also on their third album,'Serotonin', which came out back in July, this song still puts a smile on face. And quite a big one. In an age of dying indie guitar music, it's good to see a decent alternative band finally back at the top of my playlist. I even dug out my five-year old tatty beer-stained converse hi-tops this week. Hell It's almost like the good old days! (See I pretty much stopped buying NME in 2006. Along with everyone else, no?)

Mystery Jets

But the new single is not quite 'Half in Love With Elizabeth' (Mystery Jets circa. 2006). In theory, 'Show Me the Light's innovative combination of old-skool bassline (enter Madonna's Vogue), mod-synth (Friendly Fires-esque), indie riffs (i'm hearing KOL) and acoustic ballad-ing (echoes Mumford) shouldn't work. In theory. However in reality it does. The result of this more ambitious musical fusion, here and elsewhere on the album, that goes some way to update their retro, previously predictable sound.

That said, 'Show Me the Light' is still unmistakably Mystery Jets. Or rather, Mystery Jets for 2010. Inventive, yes, but still identifiable by it's distinct 80s pop tempo and yearning lyrics.  
Overall the single is an adequate reflection of the album 'Serotonin' itself. It goes some way to keep with the trademark nostalgic and witty undertones previous fans already know and love... yet by simultaneously infusing a hint of upbeat novelty and new relevance, 'Show Me the Light's smiley melodies may well earn 'Serotonin' more than a few new advocates. Who's on board?

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JEEPERS PEEPERS - Céline's new collection

All I want for Christmas iiiiiiiiis... scrap that and I'll settle for them right now thanks. Céline's 2011 collection is availiable to buy from November and comes in delciously autumninal and spring worthy shades, patterns and shapes that'll make you even more grateful for the season's sunshine days. 

With a £180 starting price they may not be the best 'investment' if you're the dropping/loosing/sat on/fed the dog your sunglasses type, but at least a slice of Céline luxury in the form of these beuts is no longer completely impossible... either way they're definately a damsite more affordable than the rest of Céline's S/S offerings!

View Celine's Collection 2011

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BANKSY makes his mark in Devon

An 8ft-high mural of a young boy drawing a robot was discovered splayed across a wall of the Grosvenor Hotel, Torquay, by the hotel's owners on Monday morning.

The owners first thought it was some local graffiti (impressive!), but after people started raising their Banksy-esque suspicions the hotel boarded it up for protection and are planning to cover it in Perspex so that people can see it.

Although Banksy hasn't officially confirmed the work as his own he has since posted a picture of it on his website... hmm!

Me likes a lot.

On a similar note, if you're interested in the underground works and thoughts of some of the worlds best street artists you MUST (if you haven't already) watch the Banksy Film 'Exit Through the Gift Shop'... in it's own sardonic words; 'the incredible true story of how the greatest graffiti film of all time was never made'. In my own; hilarious, exciting and insightful, yet as irreverent as it is revealing...

 

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CLUB PONY 4th Birthday Party!

 

What better way to kick off the blog than wishing a Joyeux Anniversaire to my UK electro night of the moment Club Pony. After four years of frolics the Sheffield based night has become firmly established as a spectacular playground for electro-fashionistas from the Steel City and beyond. With none other than genius Fake Blood to get the party started, alongside Pony's remix legend Run Hide Survive and fellow resident SixFootSick, expect nothing less than an electro/disco/new wave/psychdelic/alternative spectacular  from our favourite northern night.

Predictably tickets for tomorrow's event have sold out online.But advanced tickets (£7) are still avaiable from Bungalows & Bears (Division Street), Arcade (Division Street) and The Bowery (Devonshire Street) and some will be available on the door, first come first serve (£8).

WHERE? DQ, Fitzwilliam Street, Sheffield 

WHEN? Friday 22nd Oct, 10pm til 4am

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