MUSIC: This Week We’re Loving…

Savages don't need words - their music speaks for itself. Plus, check out Grimes' previously unreleased video for Venus In Fleurs, and the latest from Deap Vally, Valentina, Charli XCX & Marina Diamondis... 

By Jenn Selby

https://twitter.com/JennSelby 

Savages

Track: Various 

Album: Silence Yourself, Matador, Out Now

The last time I wrote to you about Savages, it was to explain why you should look not to manufactured acts who place aestheticism and 'business' before their music, but to bands like this one to be your female role models. Bands that transcend the obvious. Bands that don't care about being pretty. That sing about more than just chasing men. More than partying, or having money, or being overtly sexual to gain attention. Bands that have something to say for themselves. That give us the courage of conviction, the courage to have opinions, to pick up and instrument and play our own music. I was shocked, therefore, by a number of reviews I've read on their frankly outstanding debut album Silence Yourself that, although mostly flattering (it really is hard to pick fault), seem to suggest that underneath it all, Savages aren't actually saying a lot. Whether these particular writers are unfamiliar with the simple, metaphorical, often repetitive rhetoric that characterizes much of the post-punk/hardcore genre, I'm not sure, but they've missed the point completely. If there was not a single lyric on this album, a single word spoken or sung, their powerful music, symbolism, image and everything they stand for as a band would speak for itself. I'm not going to tell you anything more about the album, because I want you to buy it, hear it and judge for yourselves. This could be the band that changes your life, just like this one changed mine. Get it on iTunes here.

Deap Vally

Track: Baby I Call Hell

From: Sistrionix, Island Records, 24 June 2013

Speaking of women to look up to, Deap Vally released their laser-tastic, 70s-inspired music video for the thunderous Baby I Call Hell this weekend. The Californian duo, who, rather un-rock 'n'roll-ly, met in crochet class, sound like an empowered female incarnation of Led Zeppelin, had they replaced Jimmy Page with Cherrie Currie. Definitely a live act to look out for on the festival circuit this summer. Check back on GLAMOUR.com later this week to read our exclusive Introducing… interview with the band.

Grimes

Track: Venus In Fleurs

From: Geidi Primes, Arbus, Out Now

Ah, Grimes! What a hero. We'll let her introduce this one for herself:

" actuallygrimes:

Hey - this is a video my friend Video Marsh made for this really old Grimes song from my first record. We were supposed to release it ages ago and somehow it didn't happen probably because it didn't comply with the press cycle at the time and since I've stopped caring about complying with press cycles im sharing this now.

This is the only post-genesis official Grimes video that i didn't work on myself that will ever be released : ). it's a different vibe entirely as you can see. i think it's very very beautiful and haunting and peaceful and scary

all footage is from the reifel bird sanctuary in British columbia

enjoy : ) "

Valentina 

Tracks: Various

From: Wolves EP, Greco-Roman, Pre-Order On iTunes Here

Do you remember this track Joe Goddard released last year? Annie Mac couldn't put it down, I couldn't either? Well, the vocals from Gabriel belong to this lady - Italian-British singer/songwriter Valentina, who launched this four-track EP, Wolves, last week.  A floating, ethereal world away from the alt-dance world inhabited by the Hot Chip musician, it's a delicate and beautiful collection of songs that range from hazy, electronica to piano-driven, pop minimalism. A real talent. Check out her video for the title track below. 

www.valentinamusic.co.uk

Valentina - Wolves from Richard Forbes-Hamilton on Vimeo.

Charli XCX & Marina Diamondis

Track: Just Desserts

From: One-Off, Free Release

And let's not forget the women we should champion in pop music, either: the ones making their own beats, crafting their own songs, taking control of their own image, like grunge-goth-meets-90s-bubblebum-RnB-child Charli XCX. She's teamed up with her tour buddy Marina Diamondis (of 'And The Diamonds' fame) to gift this echo-y, reggae-infused track to the world.  For free. Which is nice of her. More of this kind of attitude please, pop world. 

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