Rated: Naughty Boy - Hotel Cabana - Album Preview

Check out the embedded preview of Naughty Boy's debut album below. It sounds way better than I imagined it would. Lots of Emeli Sande on there, some Bastille, Ed Sheeran, Tinie Tempah and god damn Gabrielle! 

Rated: Naughty Boy Featuring Emeli Sande - Lifted

If you attended your gran's 70th birthday celebrations last year it is almost a certainty that Emeli Sandé performed. I'm right... right? The performer of almost any televised event in 2012 is back after a relatively lengthy 6 monthish hiatus, at least by her standards. She's come back with her pal Naughty Boy, with whom she sang on the stunning 'Wonder' last year. It's one of those songs that makes you feel lucky it popped up on shuffle, lucky to have it in your life. Just me then?

So what's the new collaboration like then? 'Lifted' is an exciting track, harking back to Emeli's own debut single 'Heaven', a glorious song that should have gotten far more attention than it did. It's packed with trip-hop bells & beats, laid under Emeli's incredible vocal arrangement. The opening quivering violins are beautiful and the songs build up is subtle but ultimately explosive. If this pair did an entire album together it would more than likely be perfect.

5/5

Rated i: Top 25 Songs of 2012

The end of another year. Jesus Christina. 

So here we are, preparing our stomachs for the warmth and imminent agony of 'post Xmas dinner'. Figuring out what the hell we're doing at New Year, whether we're going to spend it getting pissed at a party or curled up on the sofa in our new slipper boots and long-johns, watching something uber violent and scary (just me?). One thing is certain, even if our festive plans aren't, 2012 has been an awesome year for music. It's been emotional, fun, surprising, revelationary (made up a word there) and camper than Louis Spence's underwear drawer.

We had the long awaited come back of Xtina with the epic 'Your Body', which didn't quite burn up the charts, but it's one of my top played songs of the year so far. There was the gorgeous revelation that is Jessie Ware and her mind blowing album Devotion; an album so perfect, I shit you not, it changed my year for the better. An Xfactor contestant released a 5 Star single and made my top 15. Rihanna is in there, of course, when wouldn't she be? She'll still be releasing singles when she's 65, probably still wearing a see through dress and getting soaked on the Xfactor live shows, now judged by 3 corpses and Louis Walsh (immortal). Rita Ora managed to get one on there, as did Leona Lewis who yet again flopped a bit. Poor cow. You're going to notice soon enough that there's a Eurovision entry on there too... I know good pop music when I hear it and it's one mother of a pop song.  Then we have the behemoth debut album by Scottish songstress Emeli Sande, Our Version of Events which has a single flying high in my countdown. Have a look below and let me know your thoughts, positive or negative. To be fair, I don't care if you think Sam and the Womp should be number one. Also, don't go expecting to see the ear torture that is 'Candy' by Robbie Williams. Over my dead body:

25. Aiden Grimshaw - Curtain Call

The first of the Xfactor alumni to appear on my countdown, and not one of them's a winner. Aiden surprised with his brilliant debut album, packed with dub-step and drum & bass influences all produced by the same dude who helped pull together Lana Del Rey's debut album. This was the second single from the album and although it didn't really see much of the charts, it's a stunning power ballad, brimming with cool and a huge chorus.

24. Girls Aloud - Something New

At first listen I despised this annoying little bitch of a song. Then once I realised how awesome the chorus was I let them off for having the 'G-g-g-go-go-go' stutter. It's not their best song but it is one of the catchiest mothers of 2012. Xenomania never falters.

23. Loreen - Euphoria

I've never liked a Eurovision entry/winner, let alone loved one. This song is instantly incredible and is Eurovision's finest moment to date.

22. Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe

When I first heard this I thought it was a joke song, like 'Candy' by Robbie Williams. I thought, 'what is this pish? It's a bit like that joke song by Robbie Williams called 'Candy''. Then after a couple of listens and seeing the video I thought, 'This is actually amazing and so much better than 'Candy' by Robbie Williams, which is total shite'. This is the second biggest song in the UK this year and will remain one of the catchiest pop tunes of the next decade (I imagine).

21. Rita Ora - R.I.P (Feat. Tinie Tempah)

Rita Ora hasn't had 20 number one hits on the charts; she has had 20 number one hits between her legs though. Ooohhhh Boom. The best part about this debut single from 20 Ora, apart from the hotness that is Tinie Tempah, is that panting bridge. It's one of my favourite moments of 2012 and is the finest song from her debut album ORA, which I didn't review very favourably.

Rated 'My Kind of Love'

Emeli Sande performed her stunning new single on The Voice UK last night on BBC1. One performance so strong and so impressive I thought it needed a post of its very own. Amazing vocal range, brilliant stage arrangement and one of my favourite songs of 2012, this is a performance I'll be watching over and over for months. Take a look below if you missed it or like me, you just can't get enough of Emeli!

Rated Thursday Playlist

They say music reflects and affects your mood. I'm not sure what mood I'm in, a pretty crappy one but the below playlist has plenty upbeat slices of yummy musical cake to keep you bouncing this coming weekend. I think the more up tempo tracks are probably illustrative of my desire to escape to a completely different existence. This isn't in any particular order, it's just some songs I can't stop listening to this week and I'll probably continue to batter then this weekend.

Rated i's weekend playlist (Published May 3rd)

Fun. - We Are Young
Rihanna - Where Have You Been?
Simian Mobile Disco - Cruel Intentions
James Blake - Why Don't You Call Me?
Black Keys - Gold on the Ceiling
Lana Del Rey - Off to the Races
Norah Jones - Happy Pills
Alicia Keys - Like the Sea
Beyonce - Sweet Dreams
Emeli Sande - My Kind of Love
Kele - Tenderoni

Rated Our Version of Events - "Creamy-Delicious Neo-Soul"

"Sande has a mesmerising gift"

Emeli Sande rocked up to the frontline in mid-late 2011 with her startlingly good debut single 'Heaven'. From there she's gone musical miles. A number one duet with Professor Green and impressive writing credits for the likes of Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Prof. Green and Tinie Tempah (not to mention being linked to numerous other stars). We no longer have to settle for three songs, we get a lovely 15 (itunes deluxe package) track album packed with passion and that soft yet powerful, gorgeously pitch perfect vocal. 

Her abilities as a singer are unquestionable on all of the tracks, from the soulful 'then I'm gone/then I'm gone' on the Massive Attack-esque beats of 'Heaven' to the stunning power ballad 'My Kind of Love'. Her range is perfectly illustrated on the lullaby style melodies of 'Where I Sleep', with its soft verses which effortlessly melt into creamy-delicious neo-soul.

First a songwriter, then a singer, Sande's talent shines on 'Mountains', a stunning love song about the journey of a relationship and the determination to overcome all obstacles. It feels real, with lyrics like 'I'd never work these hours if I didn't love you' and 'I keep my fingers crossed that we're gon' be able/I touch the wood for luck on our broken table...' Coupling lyrics like these with a voice like Sande's, creates a perfect song and a beautifully authentic message.

Rated Next to Me

There's so much excitement surrounding Emeli Sande (most of it from yours truly) that there's nothing that can stop her from hitting super stardom. Debut single 'Heaven' was an exhilarating 90s dance tinged delight and follow up 'Daddy' continued with this vibe. This is the theme I expected from all her debut album's material, however, new single 'Next To Me' couldn't be more different. 

With an Emeli Sande meets Sara Bareilles sound, this is one of the catchiest songs of January/February. The pounding drum beat, pumps its way alongside her gorgeous melodies as she soulfully sings, "when the end has come and buildings falling down fast/when we spoilt the land and dried up all the sea/when everyone has lost their heads around us/you will find him you'll find him next to me." With penmanship like this I have great expectations from her album.

Her voice is, as it was on all other cuts, absolutely flawless. There's a substance in there that I've never quite heard before. I hope this song makes waves, but even if it doesn't her album will surely drown out the rest of the charts for months to come. 

Our Version of Events is out on Feb 13th.

Rated Incoming Jan/Feb 2012

There are two HUGE albums coming out in the next month and I couldn't be more excited. This is going to be such a good Jan/Feb!

First up is the gorgeous Lana Del Rey's debut album Born to Die, which spawned the immensely popular 'Video Games' and the stunning single 'Born to Die'. The latter is my personal favourite thus far, but I just know there are going to be some truly haunting moments on this album. Released 30th Jan, this is an essential album to take us to the end of winter. Lana baby, here I come!

Secondly, we've got the great Scottish talent that is Emeli Sande. With a voice like warm honey and a funky hair-do, she's a star in the making. Scrap that, she's already a star, bigger and better than so many of the artists who've made it in this country. I expect huge things from Our Version Of Events when it comes out on February 13th. With singles like 'Heaven' and my new obsession 'Daddy', this album is guaranteed to be special.

Rated Daddy Daddy

The last half of 2011 will always be, for me, a time when my prospects were turned around and I gained a positive outlook on my life. Similarly, for Aberdeenshire born singer Emeli Sande, the latter half of the year has been insane and mesmerising. Her debut solo single 'Heaven' (perhaps my favourite song of the year) reached number 2 in the UK top 40 chart and she hit number 1 lending Professor Green a helping hand.

Back with her 2nd critically acclaimed single 'Daddy', Sande has cemented the fact that she is on route to big things. Destined to join the growing ranks of brilliant British female soloists (Adele, Ellie Goulding, Katy B) she is continuing with the retro 90s dance vibe that backed her debut. "You got your family back and you got your smile/And you promised your sister that you'd never go back again..." sings Sande with her distinct, silky vocals. Like 'Heaven', this song showcases just what an epic talent this young woman has/is and when the song hits its climax her vocals are on traffic stopping form.

There's something about this woman, something special. She can sing fantastically and she is a great live act. She's cool and unique, but there's something else. I just can't put my finger on it, but I can say that I smell immense success and worldwide stardom coming her way.

5/5