Yesterday, I kicked off MuuMuse’s Most Anticipated list for 2013. You want more? Well, I’ll give you more. Away we go!
Put down the Cadbury Creme eggs and sit the fuck down: Lily Allen might actually be recording new music.
Despite announcing her retirement from the music industry following the release of her impossibly amazing Greg Kurstin-produced sophomore record It’s Not Me, It’s You in 2009, the “Smile” songstress was photographed smoking outside of London’s RAK Studios last week (photos here), where she was reportedly tinkering with some new tunes.
According to the Daily Star‘s James Ingham, an insider confirmed that Allen was working on new music and claims that a new album could be on the way “as early as next year.”
From the Daily Star:
The singer, 26, was at RAK Studios in St John’s Wood last week writing new material and I’m told she plans to record her third album there later this year.
A music industry insider revealed: “Lily has been in the studio trying different sounds and writing new tracks.
“She’s not at a stage where she can start recording but the new album is definitely underway and there’s a chance it could be released early next year.
Could it be? Have my prayers finally been answered?
If so, move over baby Jesus–the return of Queen Lily Rose Beatrice Allen Cooper is the true Easter miracle this year.
It’s Not Me, It’s You was released in February of 2009. (iTunes)
I’ll admit it: I’ve been sleeping on CocknBullKid for a while now.
Why? It’s a shamefully silly reason, yet entirely real nonetheless: She has literally the worst stage name of all time.
No, but seriously: It reads like one of those terrible hipster bands that mass CC’s me along with every other site across the blogosphere with their awful electro-rock trash and horrible neon-colored graphics.
But CockNBullKid, better Anita Blay, is not trash at all. In fact, she’s quite brilliant.
Having released a smattering of singles a few years back as thecocknbullkid (note: not a better name), the UK songstress was soon signed to Moshi Moshi Records (Island Records) in 2009.
Blay has since released two incredible songs from her upcoming studio album due out in May, Adulthood, including “One Eye Closed” and the Lily Allen-esque “Hold On To Your Misery.” Both songs evoke dozens of musical influences, from swinging, ’60′s Motown rhythms to flares of ’80′s New Wave.
Now, CocknBullKid is preparing the third single of the bunch, and arguably the best: “Asthma Attack.”
With a sparkling synthesized beat and an entirely infectious chorus, “Asthma Attack” is CocknBullKid’s most modern sounding single yet.
As MuuMuse contributor Sam Lansky noted when breathlessly describing the song to me (you see what I did there?), there’s a certain tinge of Xenomania mid-tempo UK synth-pop balladry a la Girls Aloud‘s “Call The Shots” or Mini Viva‘s “I Wish” that makes the track all the more spiritually fulfilling.
Plus, as a boy with numerous allergies (and even more deep-seated anxieties), I find that “Asthma Attack” resonates deeply with me, leading me to tuck this one into my pocket straight away. You know, right next to the inhaler.
CocknBullKid–despite that name–is the real deal. So calm down, put your headphones on and take a long, deep breath.
“Asthma Attack” was released on March 20. (iTunes UK)
Sky Ferreira will release her debut EP, AS IF! this week, and it’s like, so…whatever.
Actually, that’s a flat out lie: It’s incredible.
I’ve neglected writing about Katy B for a painfully long time. Not out of disinterest, but rather laziness: Whenever a new pop ingenue comes rolling around, I’ve either got to take the initiative and tackle the formal introductions head-on or–as it more often tends to be the case, I’ll end up riding the wave bubbling under until it becomes absolutely necessary.
It’s become absolutely necessary.
Katy B is part of a phenomenon in British female pop steadily increasing in popularity at the moment, characterized by sweetly sung R&B melodies, hip-hop rhymes, and rough, grinding garage/grime beats–let’s call it “swagga pop.”
Though she looks all of 12 years old, the rising South London-born pop chanteuse commands a sick flow and a pleasantly soulful croon, like a cross between Cher Lloyd and Jessie J or JoJo and Joss Stone.
Groomed by the good people of underground radio/record label Rinse.FM and recently signed to Columbia Records, Katy B has come a long way in a short period of time–and it’s clear that the British public’s already taken notice.
Her first single, “Katy On A Mission,” was released in late August. The track is a somewhat bipolar, grinding dubstep banger that–despite its somewhat less accessible radio sound–managed to climb to the impressive position of #5 the UK Singles Chart and #1 on the UK Dance Chart only two weeks after its release.
In fact, the song was such a success that its trance-y B-side, the glittering “Louder,” (which I imagine Lily Allen sounds like when played at a rave), peaked at #176 on the charts based on downloads alone.
“Lights On” is the second single to be released from Katy B’s upcoming debut album (due out next week), which also features Ms. Dynamite. (OH HAI–long time no see, lady!)
On her new track, the young singer ditches the dubstep sound of her debut in favor of UK garage/classic house revivalism a la Hercules & Love Affair. “I keep on moving with the lights on,” the young star sings above the song’s dull, throbbing beat whilst inexplicably parading around the “Rock Your Body”-esque video in–what else? A pair of pajamas.
If the late ’80′s/early ’90′s sound of “Lights On” rubbed you the right way, I highly recommend checking out Katy B’s take on the 1988 Inner City smash, “Good Life,” re-rubbed by Rinse.FM artist Geeneus. It’s, well…genius!
As with all noteworthy pop artists (especially of the ‘swagga pop’ variety), Katy B’s music constantly toes the line between brilliance and shit–a quality that will undoubtedly divide listeners and provide for some interesting pop discourse.
But whether you’re loving or hating the jams, there’s little doubt that Katy B is set to explode in 2011.
“Lights On” will be released on December 20. (iTunes)
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