Rustie - Slasherr

Rustie is going to be returning with Slasherr/Triadzz on 18th March. I really enjoyed his first album "Glass Swords". It won debut album of the year on the Guardian Music's poll and was well worth the award.

With his new track I love the double build-up at the start. By the time the beat kicks in at 0.54 you are almost going crazy! There is something in the intro that reminds me of an old school rave track. It then morphs into somewhat of a trap-influenced, with some exotic synths guiding it along. From what I have heard of Rustie before, that is his sound. I love that Glasgow/wonky sound, for the reasons it's like they (Hudson Mohawke for example) took dubstep, brought in more rap influences and created their own sound.

Slasherr/Triadzz is being released on the Numbers label. No indication of an album to follow, but it's good to hear some new music from Rustie.

Rudimental ft. Ella Eyre - Waiting All Night (Radio 1 Live Lounge)

It's great that Radio 1 still have the Live Lounge. I remember when Jo Whiley was the presenter and I really enjoyed listening to her because I loved the enthusiasm and knowledge she showed about music. I was also at university and her 10am-1pm show often coincided with me waking up! When she left the show and Fearne Cotton took over it really worried me that this special part of the show would end. Luckily it hasn't.

So here's Rudimental with what is more of a PA than a live performance. I remember last time they were live on Radio 1 they had a drummer. (Brrr. What happened to that boy?)

But anyway, the songs that Rudimental have come out with so far have been excellent. Ella Eyre has a really great voice, which goes from sultry to powerful through the verse to chorus. There hasn't really been an act like this since Roni Size and Reprazent. It also feels like an antidote to the Eurosynth dance that has gotten a bit played out. I am sure this will be a big hit. It has the catchy big chorused ingredients that go into making a song a major hit.

Katy B- Aaliyah (BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge)

Bloc Party - Ratchet

Donae'o ft Mista Silva & Fuse ODG - Fire/Fire (AfrobeatsRemix)

Donae'o is back with Fire, a new track, which is signifying a change in direction. Fire is a dubstep track, but I much prefer the Afrobeat remix. Though to fair, if this was the original version released you would be thinking, "Wow, Donae'o hasn't really changed his sound at all". Does Donae'o work on a dubstep track? Hmm, I think it's good, but it is nice to have something familiar.

My favourite memory of Donae'o was when he came into the school where I work, played his hits, threw a t-shirt into the crowd and then suddenly every kid jumped to get it and it was like an avalanche. Every kid knew all the words, but Donae'o's tracks were more club hits. Guess it showed that he had a bigger reach than the clubs. I think the different sound is interesting, but I much prefer Donaeo's smooth voice riding over the Afrobeats remix, along with Mista Silva & Fuse ODG.

Sway ft Kano & Tigger Da Author - Still Sway & Kane -

I remember a summer back in 2000 when at every traffic light or in every car that passed you seemed to hear the ominous piano chords of Still D.R.E. SOunds like Sway and Kano have as fond memories of that summer as I do as they have sampled that amazing tune for the first single off Sway's forthcoming album. With the dubstep style drums and extra melodies it feels a bit more hyped up than Dre's version, but there is something cool about this song in that it pays tribute to the original, but keeps it British. As always Kano does something with his flow which is just great! I can never pinpoint exactly what it is about his delivery that I love, but I just think Kano is always on point. (BTW isn't Tigger Da Author an awful name?!)

Foals - My Number

So, Foals new album is out on Monday 11th February. Third album and it will probably sell a lot of copies. I hope it does. As always with groups there are a number of acts that you could cite as similar/influenced by. In Foals case Vampire Weekend/Talking Heads respectively. But Foals always wore their African/funk type influences with a pop edge. I definitely feel this track is a great example of that. It still has that sound there, which was found on their first album, but it feels melded in with other things now. It's a great song and the video is interesting. It keeps you watching and reminds you of gig experiences you may have had. Though I am sure with the release of this album they will be playing much bigger venues than the one depicted in the video.