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Daft Punk day finally arrives… But does it live up to its astronomical hype? Plus, the latest from Maya Jane Coles, London Grammar, Laura Marling, Eddie Berman and a special Virgin Records announcement...
Daft Punk
Track: Various
From: Random Access Memories, Columbia, Out 20 May 2013
… Where to start. This was probably one of the most hyped, talked about, tweeted about, written about, speculated over, agonised over albums of the year. It is likely to be 2013's biggest seller, features some of the most prolific names in the business (Nile Rodgers. He of funk forefathering fame). It's lead single, Get Lucky, found itself solidly on loop for some weeks after it was released, and it's still at the top of the charts as I type. But, judging on the couple of listens I got earlier this week, it's not quite up to the game. It's not that it's a bad record. You might (probably will, actually) disagree with me entirely, so get a listen for yourselves when it comes out on Monday. It's just that love is a strong word, and while I quite like Get Lucky (and now can't listen to it ever again because I've played it into the ground), and think a handful of tracks on there could even meander into my 'good' books, I do not LOVE Random Access Memories. It's just all a little lacking in substance, in punch, in excitement, in edge. There are few risks taken here; we all know Daft Punk peddle the funk stuff anyway, so that's nothing new. It's safe. Dare I say it, it's even a little bland in places. It's like the ruddy England football team: on paper, should be one of the best in the worId. In reality, just doesn't live up to expectations and, as a fan, all becomes a little too uncomfortable to be part of. I'm expecting it to grow on me. I'm not, however hard I wish for it, expecting it to turn into Homework, or the Tron: Legacy soundtrack or Discovery. But until then, here are a bunch of releases I like WAAAAAY more than this record…
Maya Jane Coles
Track: Everything Ft. Karin Park
From: Comfort, I/AM/ME, Out July 2013
… Including Maya Jane Coles' brilliant new single, Everything, for which she has enlisted the vocal talents of one of my favourite Swedes, Karin Park (the brains behind this year's Norwegian Eurovision entry). You can see her in the video below going a little bit nuts over a photograph of herself with a bob haircut and therefore dissecting a crow. Which contains a human heart. Obviously. Anyway, we're incredibly excited the London-based, self-made house DJ/producer - who we first introduced to you here (alongside an hilarious clip of Skrillex setting fire to his own hair) - will be releasing her debut album, Comfort, this July, especially if this almost ghoulishly dark track is any indication of what we can expect. I'm not allowed to tell you what it sounds like yet, but I can tell you it's awesome, and you should definitely check it out when it hits iTunes.
London Grammar
Track: Wasting My Young Years
From: Metal & Dust, Out Now
Another week, another music blog during which I bang on and on about the ridiculously talented duo, London Grammar, and their unique ability to lift you up until the hairs on the backs of your neck defy gravity, then smash you down to earth with the sudden realisation that, yes, you probably have wasted a lot of your young years doing the wrong things, with the wrong people, at the wrong time. Especially when the echoing piano melodies, soaring electronics and haunting, deep vocal lines belt out those poignant lyrics over the top of this moody, cut-out music sketch. God damn it, London Grammar, I hate it when you're right. And better than the new Daft Punk record.
Laura Marling & Eddie Berman
Track: Dancing In The Dark
From: One-Off Performance for The Lab TV
This beautifully soulful, stripped back cover of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing In The Dark, as made over by Laura Marling and Eddie Berman for The Lab magazine, is so much better than the new Daft Punk album. Like, infinitely better. The subtle, slowly building strings, the accordion, the flawless vocal harmonies all make for a pretty stunning folk tribute to The Boss' 1984 classic. The only thing that would make it better? If Berman cut his ruddy nails! Seriously. Man-lons. Not cool. PS - Marling's new album is out on 28 May! It's called Once I Was An Eagle. Sure you were, Laura. Sure.
WHAT THE HELL, I'LL ADMIT IT. I even love Sushi Cats more than the new Daft Punk record. SUSHI CATS, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD *breaks down, actually crys out loud, recomposes self, presses play. Ahhh. Sushi Cats. It truly is a magical combination.*
I'M ALSO LOVING THAT…
Virgin Records have announced a big, fat, multi-dimensional string of festivities to celebrate their 40th Anniversary this year. The label have always been ahead of the curve with their releases, starting out with the great success of Mike Oldfield's experimental, largely instrumental album Tubular Bells (which sold a phenomenal 15million copies), and going on to upset all sorts of be-spectacled music industry types by changing the face of pop music with the Spice Girls, transforming commercial house by championing acts like Daft Punk (just close your eyes and think of Discovery) and giving the 80s bands like Culture Club and The Human League.
So, taking place this autumn, there'll be a series of events called40 Years Of Disruptionsincluding artists from Virgin's past and present roster to take part, the proceeds of which will go towards supporting the charity War Child.
According to Virgin, they will run as follows:
"1) Exhibition
The creative direction for the exhibition will be overseen by Adrian Shaughnessy, George Lee and the team at This Is Real Art. It will include photos (seen and unseen), seminal videos (including props) and memorabilia that capture the symbiotic collaborations between the cultural icons of the day. The location will be an exclusive venue in Mornington Crescent.
2) Book
A beautiful art book will be edited by leading music journalist Adrian Thrills. Adrian began his career editing the punk fanzine 48 Thrills before becoming one of the main feature writers for NME in the Eighties. He contributed fifty cover stories for the paper championing the 2-Tone movement and many of the post-punk, reggae and dance acts of the era; as well as writing the first ever cover story for iconic style magazine The Face featuring The Specials. The book will be designed by Adrian Shaughnessy.
3) Documentary
A film produced by Leopard Films, one of the UK's leading production companies, and directed by Paul Tilzey, the director of many award winning documentaries for BBC and Channel 4 including 'The 70s'. Executive producer Todd Austin and Fiona Morris' projects include 'Do it Yourself; The Story of Rough Trade' (BBC Four) and 'Imagine: Damon and Jamie's Excellent Adventure' (BBC One) respectively.
4) Events
A series of live events. Virgin Records will be taking over legendary Camden venue KOKO in October. The shows will celebrate four decades of disruptions involving icons and luminaries from Virgin's roster past and present.
5) Compilations
A compilation CD with 2 x Cd set; one disc with current Virgin artists covering Virgin classics, another disc with original Virgin classics. There will also be a series of Virgin 40 compilation CDs spanning the four decades."
I'll have more to tell you in terms of which artists will be headlining the special KOKO events in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes on the news section for updates. Bet they'll be better than the new Daft Punk record, too! Ha. Later on.
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