Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know

"Do I Wanna Know" was a song that hit me instantly as one of the best tracks of 2013. I have always been a fan of the Arctic Monkeys and have seen them numerous times and it has been great to see them develop into the greatest rock band of the 21st century in my opinion.

I think that only Queens of the Stone Age can rival them for that title. And I think that the reason that the Monkeys have evolved into the greatest band can be directly attributed to the work they have done with the lead singer of QOTSA, Josh Homme. QOTSA have always had a slower, more powerful sound than the one the Monkeys exhibited in their first two albums and it was from the moment that I discovered Josh Homme would be working on the third Arctic Monkeys album "Humbug" that I knew it would be a banger. And it was!

For me the strength of the Arctic Monkey's fifth album "AM" was that it melded some of the everyday storytelling lyricism of the first two albums, with the heavier elements of the third and fourth albums and the fact that Alex Turner lyrics are sung now, rather than the rapid-fire delivery of their earlier work (which I seen him attribute to the fact they were playing in grimy venues with really dodgy microphones at the start).

Added to the developments from the Arctic's previous work was that this was the first album where they took some of the sonic elements of rap production from the late 90's/early 2000's era, particularly the work that Dr Dre was doing around this time. It is clear that the band has always been rap fans; I saw a great bit in an interview where Alex Turner proclaims Roots Manuva's "Run Come Save Me" as a seminal album. Except it's in America and the host clearly has no idea how amazing that album is! In "Do I Wanna Know" there's something about it that reminds me of "The Watcher", the first proper track on Dr Dre's 2001 album. Except replace the funky bass on that with a powerful guitar riff. I love the backing vocals on the track. Especially when there is the call & response element to them in the chorus.

I think one of my favourite moments this year was when Arctic Monkeys walked out on stage at Glastonbury, kicked off with this track and you can hear the audience cheer and sing the opening guitar riff. At this point the song hadn't been out for very long and to start a Glastonbury headline appearance with it must of been considered a risk. But it wasn't. When you've got a song this amazing it's never a risk.

"AM" has been called Arctic Monkeys best album in some circles. That is a valid argument. I have gone back and forth and what is my favourite track on it. That is always a good sign. But this was an announcement track to me. It was an indicator of the forthcoming album and that is probably why it's a favourite. Plus the video is mesmerising too!

Bombay Bicycle Club - Carry Me

As we come to the end of another great year in British music I am going to list my favourite tracks. I think the thread that they all have in common is that I wish I had created something as amazing. And I am going to start with Bombay Bicycle Club's "Carry Me".

My perception of Bombay Bicycle Club was that they were a folk-type act in the vein of Mumford & Sons. Then I heard this track, by luck, when one of those infernal YouTube adverts came up. Luckily it was for this song, which had been released a few days earlier.

That insistent bassline gets you at the start! It's really infectious and is danceable and powerful. And there is a element to the beginning of the track and throughout the song that reminds you of a 90's rave track re-imagined by a band. The parts in the chorus that sound like a trumpet, the high male vocal in the verses, the repeated sung parts "You Carry Me" and the far-away sounding guitar parts all sound triumphant, but with such power behind them. I guess that comes from the drum part with the powerful sound of toms and snares melding together.

Bombay Bicycle Club have a new album called "So Long, See You Tomorrow" which is due out on February 3rd 2014. It's definitely much-anticipated and they released another taster called "It's Alright Now" earlier in December. That's a banger too. But "Carry Me" is easily one of the best tunes I have heard in years!

Franz Ferdinand - Love Illumination

Franz Ferdinand are shortly to return with "Right Actions, Right Words", which will be the first album they have had since 2009. There have been a couple of taster tracks, but the first single will be "Love Illumination". I am a big fan of Franz Ferdinand for many reasons. They brought a danceability back to British indie rock music when they first appeared. This to me led to numerous other bands I love such as Bloc Party, Friendly Fires, Arctic Monkeys and Foals for example.

They have always had catchy sing-along choruses and Love Illumination is another fine addition to their catalogue. The lead guitar line captures you right at the start of the song and hooks you in. Franz Ferdinand have always been great with guitar riffs and this 60's/70's style sounding line is the type that gets you humming straight away. This is coupled with a tight bass/drum part providing a strong foundation while snatches of the guitar hit through the verses. Then we hit the excellent insistent chorus. I also love the brass and organ that get added at this point. The verses sound as if they are sung with at least 2 or 3 singers, but I can't tell if this is Alex Kapranos double-tracking his vocals or all the band joining in, but it does sound retro in some kind of way.

It doesn't sound like Franz Ferdinand are going in a new direction. They are dancing with what brought them to the table. Guitars, catchy melodies and anthemic choruses. But why change something that has worked so well before?

Chase & Status/Louis M^tters - Lost and Not Found

Chase & Status are back with a new tune from their forthcoming third album. I think with the success of Daft Punk's/Pharell Williams "Get Lucky" and the success of Disclosure it proves that the EDM movement is returning to some of its original origins. Chase & Status are continuing this trend with a track banging in at 140bpm, accompanied by spacey synths, piano, string synths and even a rave-type "ow, ow, ow". One of the strengths of Chase & Status is their use of vocalists. Louis M^tters voice is awesome on this track. I love the way it veers from gentle to emotional in different times of the song, even at times in two following lines. All in all it's a great comeback. It's familiar, but different. Most of all, it's exciting. That is really all you ask for with album jump-off. And this sounds like a jump-off summer anthem!

Wretch 32 - Blackout ft. Shakka

Wretch 32 has released the first taste from his forthcoming second album. "Traktor" is one of my all-time favourite UK rap tracks. One of the main reasons for this was its uncommercial sound, yet it was still a UK top 5 hit. I must admit as a listener when I first heard the house-style organs, in combination with what sounds like a typical Calvin Harris style build-up I was fearing a typical four to-the-floor rap track. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn't resort to this easy shortcut. Instead what follows is a melancholy track that in my mind reminds me of the search for peace and quiet in a busy world. I imagine for an underground artist who has blown up like Wretch 32 there are times where his new life seems crazy. In fact there are references to frustrations with the paparazzi and "My ego's claustrophobic".

I really like this tune. Can't wait for the album that will shortly follow.

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.