Disclosure - Please Don't Turn Me On

It looks like 2013 is going to be a big year for Disclosure. The release of their first album will be an interesting moment in dance music. And I think that is the case because they are bringing back the sound of 2step/garage. They are also from near where I live, literally 20 minutes away. They are barely into their 20's, but garage is such a Croydon sound I know they would have heard this sound all around them as they were young. I know I did! (Weirdly enough I ran into a mate of theirs when I was DJ'ing at a wedding over the summer in Surrey. Small world) So they have updated a classic by Artful Dodger, which in my opinion highlights who they are and what they do. I remember when Re-Rewind dropped and you would hear it everywhere. "Please Don't Turn Me On" wasn't such a big-hit, but it was more gentle. I always got the feeling from the lyrics that it wasn't going to matter anyway; they were still going to end up together, despite his pleadings. I love the classic four-to-the floor sound, combined with the synths that beautifully dive in and out. If Disclosure have success, then that could set the template for pop music for the next couple of years. Kind of like how David Guetta's success a few years ago is still being felt today. Hope 2013 is a successful year for Disclosure!

Diplo - Set It Off/Katy B - Light As A Feather

It is always interesting when you hear something different being done with an original tune, so that it could become a pop hit. Something Diplo is familiar with, when Major Lazer's "Pon De Floor" morphed into Beyonce's "Run The World". This is a prime example as a tune from Diplo's "Express Yourself EP" turns into a sultry effort from Katy B. I have always thought that she was great. It is interesting to think it would have been quite easy for her to go the Skrillex/Calvin Harris route, but instead she returns on this EP with something slightly different. It feels like a summer tune with the dreamy nature of the synths and the relaxed beat, but it still feels awesome as the UK is weighed down by rain and wind!

BBC Sound of 2013 - Laura Mvula

With the new year fast approaching it is always with great anticipation that a music fan awaits the announcement of the annual Sound of poll as released by the BBC. Looking at the Sound of 2012 poll it is interesting to note the impact made by the winner, Michael Kiwanuka, the runner-up, Frank Ocean and number 4 Skrillex. I would not doubt that Azealia Banks has made an impact too, but the influence of Niki and the Dove hasn't really penetrated past the internet world. Skrillex (who came fourth) has had a significant influence with his records and his sound too. In fact at a Prodigy gig on Dec 18th that was all the warm-up DJ's seemed to be playing! The question that is always asked is that is this poll a reflection of all we are about to see in the forthcoming year, or a list of successful acts that become successful primarily because they will be listed on this prestigious poll?

In my opinion it is a bit of both. Because there are acts that will be launched in the fallow months of January and February that will be successful, but then there are acts that can be listed that will not ever release anything (Joe Lean and The Jing Jang Jong and Sadie Ama are the two names on the list that spring to my mind from previous polls). For me the most intriguing act in this year's list is Laura Mvula. Her songs sound like an orchestra of voices, with aspects of The Beach Boys in her sound. Check out her uniqueness...

Submotion Orchestra - All Falls Down

Submotion Orchestra are an amazing outfit live. I saw them live about a week ago. It's the collection of amazing musicians playing jazzy dubstep that is pretty unique. Though their records sound great it is really as a live act where their excellence comes through.

Bat For Lashes - All Your Gold

Amazing song as always!

Metrik feat. Reija Lee - Freefall

This track feels like a late autumn type of D&B track. Maybe it's in the title? The freefalling of leaves as we approach the onset of winter, yet it is still warm out and it doesn't get dark until 7pm, so you still feel optimistic. Well that's how I feel anyway. Especially when listening to this track.

SBTRKT - Trials of the Past

I am really looking forward to this Friday when I am going to see SBTRKT in London. I love Sampha's voice and I love the post-dubstep sound that SBTRKT has created. There's a soulful gentleness to it, but also a funky backbone behind it. I always find it interesting to see how producers of electronic type music replicate the sound live. Samplers, keyboards and Ableton is the accepted way and it is always interesting to see how the acts manipulate the tools at their disposal. Here's a quick taster with "Trials of the Past", from a TV performance about 18 months ago.