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Friday 28 November 2014

Dizzee Rascal - "Pagans"

Dizzee Rascal does not seem to have a new album coming out, but he has had a couple of new tracks out, including this intriguing entry, "Pagans". The track was produced by Newham Generals Footsie and is a pretty dark, eerie experience. It's pretty much a trap-style beat, but with dark sonics that are more often featured in British style underground beats. If this track is an album lead-off, it's a world away from the lead-off track, "Going Crazy" of Dizzee's last album "The Fifth", which featured Robbie Williams.

There is a whole new generation of underground rappers that you can catch on YouTube or on pirate stations that are from similar backgrounds and experiences to Dizzee Rascal, but there is always something invigorating about an original coming back to reclaim their territory. I find that there is always an interesting tone of almost panic in Dizzee Rascal's  delivery, but a panic that is under control. On this track you do find him spitting tough bars, re-establishing a flow he has been known for for over a decade now, but after the establishment of the first verse, we are treated to a glimpse of Dizzee's mind and a dose of social commentary, featuring lines about London's criminal underground such as "Devious creatures/Try to stay clear of the preachers/Screaming out 'God can't reach us/Nothing they can teach us, leave us/
and also some worldly views about the younger generation that are turning into adults" Update Facebook status, no hesitation
How they gonna deal with the wolves of the nation"
It's the 2nd verse that reminds me of why Dizzee Rascal will always be relevant. He is really the first rapper from the UK to have a long career, have had chart and critical success and still be going strong. Whenever the new album comes out, it is bound to be worth a listen, because he is Dizzee. Even now with success there will always be lines that come from his own unique viewpoint, about the world he lives in and has left behind.

Oh yeah, the martial-arts/ninja themed video is wonderful too! There is something decidedly Wu-Tang Clan about it!

Monday 3 November 2014

Superfood - You Can Believe

Today (3rd November) sees the release of the debut album by Superfood. They are from Birmingham, and are led by the charismatic frontman, Dom Ganderton. The debut album is called "Don't Say That". Superfood are definitely the definition of a band that makes "indie" music. It feels like a long time since I heard that sound, but when I came across the track "You Can Believe" I appreciated it straightaway. The first thing that you notice is that the song is really danceable. It's reminds me of an amalgamation between The Stone Roses and some of Beck's early material. It's a really anthemic sound, with a really powerful chorus. If it hasn't been used for a compilation of amazing goals that have been scored there is a person from a TV company who is really missing out on something! Dom Ganderton has produced tracks for other bands around Birmingham who have gone on to success, such as Swim Deep and Peace. It is an interesting scene that is coming out of Birmingham, which has a definite link to Manchester's sound. Superfood are definitely adding to it. You can't be a scene without a number of successes and it definitely feels as if they will be one.