THEGAYUK

Tag: Music Review

All the latest music reviews. Browse The THEGAYUK’s complete collection of features and commentary of music reviews.

  • EP REVIEW | Kerri Watt: Whos Loving Me Now

    ★★★★★ | Kerri Watt: Whos Loving Me Now

    This woman is amazing! You’ve been warned! Part Adele, part K T Tunstall – soulful voice, thoughtful lyrics = one musician you really need to watch out for.

    Her current EP combines 3 tracks that showcase her talents – and these are multitudinous! Always wanted to use that word in a review! And it ain’t hyperbole – she’s one to watch.

    Her current offering of “Who’s Lovin’ Me Now” has 3 delicious tracks on it:

    Who’s Lovin’ Me Now?
    Pirate Man
    So Crazy

    Let’s start with Who’s Lovin’ Me Now? Starts slow and low and builds terrifically, capturing you as it rolls – love it, the lyrics are perfect and her voice soars – the beat drags you along and you can’t help tapping your foot to this one! Listen to those lyrics – they tug your heart strings but sing to everyone of us who’ve loved and lost.

    Pirate Man changes tempo and showcases the lyrics and her voice to perfection. This is a soulful number, with lyrics that paint wonderful pictures in your head – this is a taste of the blues, great guitar riffs and a voice that cuts through to your heart!

    The final track on this EP is So Crazy and the one that most reminds me of Adele and her style. This song belies her tender years – the sign of a great talent!

    She cites her influences as Sheryl Crow and Katy Perry, and Freddie Mercury to the Stone – and after hearing this EP, I see what she means! There’s pop, there’s anthems, there’s soul searching lyrics and soaring themes!

    Kerri is truly one to watch, please, if you can, download and listen – she’s so worth it! Can’t wait to see what she’s like live! Keep an eye out for live dates!

    Out on 29th September

  • EP REVIEW | Batsch – Collar EP

    ★★★★★ | Batsch – Collar EP

    As a child of the ’80’s, I love synth pop, its mother’s milk to me. Give me some retro synth and I’m in heaven, sprinkle some John Foxx-esque lyrics and I’ll love you long time!

    Batsch does both – I’d marry them tomorrow if I could! This Midlands based quartet are channelling Talking Heads in their lyrical twists, their playful mix of synth, guitar and decent bass line.

    They follow up their 2013 EP “Tiles” with this lovely offering, “Collar”

    Celine is a playful tune that is very reminiscent of the early ’80’s – reminds me so much of the stuff Blitz kids listened to, early Ultravox, very early Spandau… not taking itself too seriously, but seriously enough.

    22 sounds like a good Howard Jones track with a spoonful of Aztec Camera or Lloyd Cole – the music is sparse, so you contrite on the lyrics and Batsch do a very good lyric!

    Did You Hear About Argine is a slower track, with some spoken word, nice mix of styles and a change of tempo.

    Mirrorball channels so much Lloyd Cole it’s untrue – whether it’s intentional or not. The lyrics again make this song so strong, the music, as with so much ’80’s stuff, is almost secondary.

    Can’t Tell is a change again in that it moves things up a gear and changes the tempo – showing their influences of Talking Heads and Chic!

    The band describe their sound as gutter glamour, and I’d have to agree – if you’re a pure ’80’s groupie like me, and love the sounds of La Roux, etc in terms of current acts, then give this band a go. I love hearing new music, it’s the John Peel in me… and this group don’t disappoint at all. One to follow!

    Their sounds are available from Amazon and iTunes

    I love them so much, I’d give them 5 starts for this current EP

  • ALBUM REVIEW | Do It Again – mini album collaboration by Röyksopp and Robyn

    ★★★★ | Do It Again – mini album collaboration by Röyksopp and Robyn

    Do It Again is a superb mix of tracks from the brilliant Norwegian group Röyksopp and the chanteuse from Sweden, Robyn.

    Put the two together and you get a soaring synth soundtrack, interspersed with Robyn’s unique vocals. Röyksopp’s electronic background instantly takes you back to the 80’s, using beats reminiscent of New Order to create tracks that then marry with Robyn’s Metropolis style of vocal to create what feels like a unique experience.

    Monument is nearly 10 minutes long, and uses repetition to great effect, repeating vocals again and again while subtly changing the background beat and chords. Sayit does something similar, melding techno voices with Robyn’s to great effect.

    Do It Again sounds very like old school Robyn – pared back chords, simple but very effective – and her soaring vocals, emphasising lyrics, and making you tap the odd toe along the way. 5 minutes of pure club joy.

    Every Little Thing slows things down, but from the first chord, you know this is pure joy. Robyn’s voice used to great effect, moody and very New Romantic in sound – or maybe thats just me?

    The final track on this mini album is Inside The Idle Hour Club, and again, we return to the nearly 10 minute track, slow to start, mixing sounds as it builds, it is almost orchestral, so many different sounds but with a distinct lack of Robyn’s signature vocals here – she doesn’t dominate, this is a showcase of the music and Robyn takes a back seat.

    Taken as a whole, its a little prog rock at times, a little too earnest maybe as a project – but for all that, it is one pretty brilliant collaboration.

    What could make it better? Why a tour of course – keep your eyes peeled for a joint tour shortly, part Robyn showcase, part Röyksopp showcase, part joint venture.

    As for the album – treat yourslef, and make this part of your collection. I give it 4 stars!

  • MUSIC REVIEW: Atlas, by Rüfüs

    Call me biased, but I love Australian music. Especially indie records like Australian band Rüfüs’ debut album Atlas, which hit stores this week across the UK, after debuting at #1 in Australia last August.

    This Indie dance trio of Jon George, Tyrone Lindqvist and James Hunt from Byron Bay in New South Wales formed in 2010 and now offer a downbeat ambient dance album featuring mellow tones and especially catchy hooks.

    From the moment the opening track Sundream kicked off, I was instantly attracted to the laid-back sound mixed with the high falsetto-vocals. The album works its way through to some dancier tracks, like Take Me and Tonight before going into full chill-out mode with Rendezvous. This is an album I could imagine being played at one of those funky-grungy warehouse dance parties in Berlin.

    This is an album that is right at home whether you’re listening to it as background music while you work, getting ready for a night out on the town, or chilling out on a Sunday afternoon after a big night out. If you’re like me, you’ll quickly find yourself humming and singing along with thetracks on this album.

    For those of you who love the live vibe, Rüfüs will be touring the UK in September, dates and tickets available here: www.rufussounds.com/tagged/Tour

    Available from Amazon

  • ALBUM REVIEW | Born Naked, RuPaul

    ★★★★ | Born Naked, RuPaul

    Original Drag Superstar RuPaul releases her strongest body of work so far.

    Hot on the heels of another RuPaul’s Drag Race juggernaut, the multi-talented Drag Queen releases ‘Born Naked’, a fresh, modern and young sounding 6th studio album.

    Ten tracks of perfectly crafted pop songs, filled to the rafters of positive messages and a light smattering of RuPaul’s very own catch phrases, with a heady mix of star guests including: Martha Wash (Original Weathergirl), Frankmusik and Michelle Visage.

    Although mostly upbeat pop songs, Can I Get An Amen, with Martha Wash, provides an astonishing intimate moment with the larger than life Drag superstar and the powerhouse vocals of the It’s Raining Men singer.

    So far, this is RuPaul’s most commercially successful album and it deserves to be. Gone are the mostly campy irreverent tunes (we loved those too), only to replaced with a thoughtful mix of songs and bang-up-to-date production, each standing strongly on their own merits.

  • ALBUM REVIEW | Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Wanderlust

    ★★★★★ | Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Wanderlust

    You know when you have a favourite artist, someone with a specific, unique sound, a person whose albums you buy, time and again because you love that sound? That pop/dance fusion that has you nodding your head as you listen on your way to work?

    Yeah, that! And then, they go and find a new sound, change things around, shift your expectations slightly left of field…
    That’s the latest self-funded offering from Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Wanderlust. It has a folky appeal, an approach that isn’t formulaic, little in the way of dance tracks… and is proving hugely popular with her existing fans, and the legion of fans she won on her recent stint on Strictly Come Dancing.

    She’s credited her trips to the former eastern bloc as her influence on this album, along with working with Ed Harcourt on writing and producing this album – all equates to a lovely shake up. This lady’s not one to rest on her laurels, with a couple of rug rats under her belt (not literally) and an active social media presence, she’s willing to open up and dismiss that long held aloof image.

    Her distinctive voice is here – one of the few english singers who sing with a tangible english ac-cent, rather than the adopted US slant we know and love.

    Track Listing:
    Birth of an empire – towering and epic, its one to tingle your toes!
    Until the stars collide – beautiful instruments and her lilting voice all mixed in harmony
    Runaway Daydreamer – stripped back to basics and sheer perfection
    The Deer & The wolf – toe tapping without being cliched
    Young Blood – slow and sleek, her voice at its best
    Interlude – a showcase for her vocals in a new style
    13 Little Dolls – made me dance round the living room
    Wrong Side of the sun – a clean sound, great lyrics and a wonderful vocal
    Love is a camera – soaring instruments, almost cinematic
    Cry to the beat of the band – that hypnotic beat and the choir, amazing
    When the storm has blown over – again, no gimmicks, no remix, just her amazing voice on show

    All in all, this is a showcase for how her voice has grown over her career, and also a brave choice of work to put out there. Some may say its a vanity project, self-financed because it isn’t immedi-ately commercial, but its seems to be working. Sales have been good, and to be honest, its grown on me – wasn’t too sure on the first listen. This is one of the reasons for the delay in writing this, rather than immediately after the albums release – it is a grower. If I’d written this after one hear-ing, my rating and review would be very different.

    And thats a good thing – sometimes, being too hasty is a bad thing…

  • MUSIC REVIEW | PJ Taylor – Twisted Love Song

    PJ is a singer/song writer from London. He admits himself that he is not an instrumentalist, but loves to create music and this comes across in his tracks to date.

    He began by recording covers of classic tracks, but has now moved into writing his own music. His self released album You Ain’t Seen The Best Of Me was released a while ago and he’s secured access to iTunes, Amazon and others for his new track and the entire album.

    Wills Room, a podcast, showcases some of PJ’s work and is available via iTunes

    His new single Twisted Love Song is reminiscent of the best of electronic pop, with his use of vocoder giving a gentle nod to the likes of Cher.

    He knows how to get your foot tapping, and he has a gift for lyrics. This is pop at its best, its not deep and meaningful, it’s not bed-sit sad, its not soul searching. It’s pure, unadulterated dance. PJ marries different influences into coherent tracks, sounding like he’s having fun along the way.

    He has several videos on Youtube that showcase his style and give you an idea of his style:
    http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Z3LbiY8cx6vHFQb5vNqDw?feature=watch

    He has a MySpace page:
    https://myspace.com/pjtaylor1

    And here is PJ’s Facebook page:
    https://www.facebook.com/events/773707892654709/

    Keep an eye on this guy – he makes good music, enjoys himself which is evident and produces infectious music. Suport him if you can.

  • MUSIC REVIEW | Seven, by Lisa Stansfield

    And about bloody time too! Finally, after 10 long years, she’s back – but by god, it was worth the wait. Seven, Lisa’s seventh album, gives us 10 tracks that make you cry, make you dance and make you glad you have ears!

    The latest two releases form the album, “Carry On” and “Can’t Dance” give you an overview of what to expect…..that soulful voice, that range, the soaring strings, the….well, you get the picture.

    During my recent interview with the lovely Lisa, I stated that she had a sound, an instantly recognisable sound and the moment you heard that first intake of breath, you knew it was her and on this album, she doesn’t disappoint.

    She has a discernible style, and it ageless – like all true style. She’s the Chanel suit of music, the Little Black Dress of soul.

    Seven is full of soul and R&B, the stuff that Lisa is known for, the stuff she does best.

    “Can’t Dance” showcases Lisa’s amazing vocal range and has a wonderful ’70’s disco feel, very Chic.

    “Why” has a sexy, soulful and pared down introduction, with a big band finish! Feels very Westside Story – full of playful lyrics, flutes and strong vocals both upfront and backing.

    “So Be It’ and “The Crown” feel very old school Lisa, slinky and soaring.

    “Stupid Heart” would make Patsy Cline proud – its the kind of lyric that makes you listen, forces you to take in every word, and feel every emotion.

    “The Rain” and “Picket Fence” are beautiful songs, expertly crafted, sung by a commanding voice.

    “Love Can” and “Conversation” remind us that this woman sang some of the best slow numbers of our youth – and that she has the ability to bring you to tears!

    “Carry On” is a toe tapper and no mistake! I defy you not to dance round the coffee table to this one!

    Lisa has done what she always does, mixed it right: the right amount of upbeat versus slow down, the right amount of big band versus pared back.

    This album is a rare thing – each track feels truly handcrafted, each word carefully chosen and each note pitch perfect all with no filler, no fluff.

    Lisa is back and we’re all the richer for it.

    Lisa Stansfield appears in our Feb edition of TheGayUK, out first week of Feb 2014

  • Your new popsession is Bel Heir

    Boys & Girls, let me introduce you to amazingly named Bel Heir
    A 4 piece outfit from sunny Philadelphia in the US of A. Over the past year they have been releasing 2 singles a month, slowly building up an impressive collection of music, even more impressive when you hear them and then realise they are still unsigned.

    So this music then, If you can imagine a bit of Lana Del Rey’s glamorous gloom-pop throw in a touch of London Grammar, a dash of the Twin Peaks theme and pile on some sexy brooding synths and you have the makings of a very special band indeed.

    The sound is fresh, thrilling, hypnotic but at the same time, it sounds like you have been listening to them for years, like a hot cup of tea on a cold but sunny winter day, basically.

    “Fault Lines” really is like the offspring of the Twin Peaks theme and Lana Del Reys’ retro Americana at its finest. “Kiss The Devil” for me is their standout track, a glossy, dramatic, huge chorused anthem about liking bad girls or boys, and lets face it, we have all been there at some point in our lives.

    If you love discovering new music then it would be rude to not to have a listen to “Bel Heir”
    Like the aforementioned bad boys/girls one taste and you will be hooked!

    Check them out here at these various internet places.

    Facebook / Twitter / Soundcloud

  • MUSIC REVIEW | 12 Inches of Pure Pleasure, 12″ 80s Club Classics

    You never forget your first. The first time you have 12 inches of pure pleasure in your sweaty little hand, black and perfect, prone to warping, nice sleeve design and the closest thing to a remix we got back in the 80’s! Of course I’m talking about 12 inch discs.

    When the opportunity came along to re-live my lost youth by reviewing this CD collection, I grabbed it so fast, my response could probably be seen from space. I’m old enough to remember buying the New Order Blue Monday 12 inch – the original one! I can remember when they first started to appear in the shops, the novelty value, something that used to be 3 minutes long now lasted 10 minutes or longer.

    When I received this selection to review, I honestly expected a few good tunes and a lot of fillers – but not the case at all. This 3 CD selection is wall to wall classics, designed to get you shaking your butt or tapping your toe…

    The first CD contains such classics as “I Feel For You” by the fabulous Chaka Khan and “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash” by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. If you were out and about clubbing in the 80’s, you’ll remember these tracks. To finish off, the final track is “Just Be Good To Me” by the SOS Band – classic is an overused word, but not here. Take a listen and then list the tracks that have sampled it. It also contains classics from Gwen Guthrie and Teena Marie, before moving on.

    Soul II Soul (featuring Caron Wheeler) kick off CD 2 with the seminal “Back To Life”, one of those tracks that never dates, washes over you and makes you feel good. I remember being obsessed with Loose Ends, so was delighted to find “Hanging On A String (extended dance mix)” on here – I owned this track on vinyl and wore it out playing it, sexy, sultry and soulful. Other artists on this CD include Thelma Huston, Alexander O’Neal and Cameo – see what I mean about no fillers?

    The final CD moves it up a notch – if that’s even possible. Inner City, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Bomb The Bass and S’Express are the highlights for me. But as with everything, music is intensely personal and these are my favourites. I’ll admit that these had my shaking my not-so-little-bootie around the living room, re-living some memories (making out to Loose Ends for example) and loving that fact that these tracks have hardly dated, some more than others…

    Treat your feet, buy this set and enjoy…..

    Buy now on Amazon

  • MUSIC REVIEW | Work Bitch

    ★★★★ Work Bitch | Last weekend when I awoke from the coma I had slipped into due to consuming copious amounts of wine  I came across the new single of the one and only Ms Britney Spears! My Sunday had just gotten a whole lot better.

    (more…)