The Prodigy - Nasty

The Prodigy have announced they are to return with a new album "The Day is My Enemy", which will be released on 30 March, via their own label Take Me To The Hospital. The first taster of the album is called "Nasty".

My first reaction upon hearing the track, is "They are back!" The beat clocks in at around 138bpm, which automatically gives it a different vibe and energy to the dance music that has been prevalent in the UK charts over the past few years, which has predominantly been at the classic house tempo of 128BPM. It sounds instantly familiar, which I feel is a strength of the track, and by that what I mean is it has a similar sound to that which was found on their last album, 2009's "Invaders Must Die". It has a belligerent sound, where the hyper-aggressive drums are accompanied mainly by a simple, pounding and aggressive riff, which features in the bass and the guitar/synth part, doubling the part for extra emphasis. It will translate extremely well live I imagine (which by the way is the best way to see The Prodigy. They are one of the few bands who can appeal across all genres, and you always hear reports of them smashing festivals. But my favourite place to see them is in Brixton Academy, as I have done three times.

Keith Flint's vocals have always been a crucial element to The Prodigy's mainstream success. By that I mean tunes like "Firestarter" and the all-important live element. When he did not play a main part in the group and it was primarily Liam Howlett producing it did not feel quite the same, and I know that the group has referred to it in previous interviews, particularly around the press of the last album. Keith doesn't over-power you with over-complex sentiments; the delivery is punky and full of attitude. It is a very British sounding delivery. The chorus is really catchy, but anthemic prominently featuring the word "Nasty".

And that quintessentially is what The Prodigy are to British music. They have been at the forefront of popular dance music for well past 20 years, but when they return as well as evoking the past, with things like Keith Flint's punk style delivery, it still feels like they represent a feeling of the current, whether that is frustration with some of today's current music, or with wider societal issues.

Roll on May, when The Prodigy will be touring the UK, and I can hopefully get tickets for their gig at Alexandra Palace on the 15th or 16th!

New Cross Music Crawl/The British Class - 28th August 2014

New Cross Crawl/The British Class by Johnni Lightning on Mixcloud

On Thursday 28th August 2014 at 9.30pm at The Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Road, London, SE14 6TY it will be the launch night of The British Class club night! This will be the after-party of the New Cross Music Crawl, which will be an amazing night of music. So to celebrate and promote this I have composed a 30 minute mix. Here's some details: Track 1: Billy & The No Mates - "Dreadnought" - One of the acts that will feature at the Crawl. A garage-rock/jams band. Track 2: Soundacity - "Mama Aura". This group is based in London, but their music is a fusion of Colombia, Andean music, nature, rock and digital sounds. Felipe Duarte will be performing an acoustic set on the night. Track 3: Edit/Select - "Palm" - This band will be concluding the Crawl at The Amersham Arms. They are an alternative/indie band from SE London. There is something uplifting about "Palm" which made me want to highlight it on this mix. It then segues into... Track 4: Basement Jaxx - "Where's Your Head At" - They are the band I have watched in concert the most. They are such a great example of British music. So diverse, so much energy. If you have caught them live, you'll know that this track is a real energy moment! Track 5: Audio Bullys - "We Don't Care" - There's a punky attitude to this track, in a similar vein to "Where's Your Head At?" I love the delivery of the vocals. Track 6: The Prodigy - "Breathe" - If you're going to make a mix of British music, you need The Prodigy! They're another act who have such an amazing live performance. "The Fat of the Land" was the first album that Keith Flint provided vocals on. It was also their international breakthrough album, reaching number 1 in America. Track 7: Plan B - "Ill Manors Remix" - Plan B in my opinion is the greatest British rapper of all-time. And an amazing singer. "Ill Manors" is amazing, but The Prodigy remix adds a little extra to it. Track 8: Boy Better Know - "Too Many Man" - So many times this is a sentiment I've felt in the club! The fact this track has a great sense of humour with a banging beat makes it quintessentially British! Track 9: Calvin Harris - "The Girls" - There is a kind of Benny Hill feeling to this track, the way the different types of girls are listed. But it's an example, when British artists do tracks about getting lots of girls, it's done in a playful way! Track 10: Cooly G - "What Airtime" - Highlighting the fact Britain has superb female producers this track is off Cooly G's Hyperdub album "Playin Me". The way I'd describe this track is dark UK funky. Track 11: Jessie Ware - "Running (Disclosure Remix)" Jessie Ware is one of those singers whose wonderful voice seems to have been featured in so many places recently, including on Disclosure's "Settle". I have a soft spot for Disclosure as they grew up in Reigate, like I did. Plus they make amazing music! So there it is. An explanation of my mix. The British Class launch night will be a great night. Make sure you come down to The Amersham Arms to check it out!