Rated ORA - Rita Ooh rara

The English equivalent to Rihanna has dropped her debut album. It looks set to take the number 1 spot this Sunday, but does ORA deserve it? The answer in short is yes, considering some of the other albums that have claimed this coveted position in the past (Justin Bieber?!), however as a collection of songs created to set Rita apart from her musical peers ORA doesn't reach the same level as superstar albums such as Talk That Talk and 4. 

Intro 'Facemelt' sounds cool, with the revving engine production and military drums under Rita's sassy rap, but why it wasn't made into a full track is unfathomable. The album does of course contain new single 'How We Do (Party)' and epic debut single 'R.I.P', both of which are brilliant pop songs, the latter one of the 2012's finest. These moments are only matched by the stunning 'Radioactive' which serves as the second best song out of 15 and will be the next single release (there is a God).

For a debut album which has been in the pipe line for over a year and has had EVERYONE working on it, ORA isn't a 5 star record nor does it escape the urge to press skip for more than 50% of its run time. Thankfully, the 3 brilliant songs are enough to make it worth a listen, but frankly there's far too much 'average' populating the tracklist.

2/5

Rated Jessie Ware - Devotion

I won't lie, I didn't know anything about Jessie Ware other than hearing few short clips here and there that intrigued me enough to listen but not enough to seek more. Silly me, because Jessie Ware's debut Devotion is a gorgeous collection of songs echoing with haunting 80s inspired synths and brimming with vocal prowess. In short, it's bloody amazing.

From the opener/title track, with its cute twinkles and thumping XX beat, Jessie's hypnotising voice demonstrates its power to harness attention. More loveliness comes from 'Wildest Moments' and new single 'Night Lights', which showcases a remarkable soulful voice that can only be destined for great things. The latter track is, in one word, breathtaking.

 

Devotion is an album so affecting that it's impossible not to adore its smooth production, endless hooks and stunning lyricism. 'Taking In Water' is a track bursting with emotion, so much so it moved me (not to tears - nothing does that). 

Not only affective, the album is perfectly paced. No track is so different from the others that it overshadows, in fact the album is totally self complimenting. The tempo shifts ever so slightly from slow to slow-mid to mid, never cranking up to a level that disrupts the journey. 'Sweet Talk', '110%' and 'No To Love' are the most uptempo tracks here, all so ridiculously infectious there's got to be something illegal going on.

Devotion is the most accomplished debut I've heard this year. It gets right what so many get wrong, it never tries to outdo itself. Every track flows into the next effortlessly, never setting itself up to be better than its predecessor. When the album reaches its inevitable close, you'll be hitting the rewind button to ride it one more time.

5/5

Rated Trouble - Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis didn't set the charts ablaze with her first Glassheart release 'Collide'. Aside from the legal controversy surrounding the song's copyright and the speculation as to the potential quality of her next album, the song itself was pleasant but far from breathtaking. Thankfully the second single from the album, 'Trouble', is a much more Leona sounding affair. Pounding beats, intense production and Leona's incredible vocals all swish together to form a pop song worthy of number 1. When I heard the song was written by Emeli Sande I knew instantly things were about to get seriously good.

5/5

Rated Mutya-Keisha-Siobhan - From the Ashes

Aside from the fact that I could possibly have just penned the name for their new sort of not first album together, how exciting is this entire MKS thing?! Frankly, I'm almost at pant pissing point. Mainly because I have the hugest love for the tracks 'Soul Sound' and 'Overload' and the notion that something similar to the fabulousness that oozed from their debut album as Sugababes could surface again is almost too much to handle.

So no more festivals, parties or any recreational activities at all ladies! Time to get those pipes flexed, those pencils scratching and a new album in my lap. MOVE. 

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Rated Aiden Grimshaw - Misty Eye

The singing Jack Torrance of the Xfactor, Aiden Grimshaw blew us all away with his creepy yet moving performance of 'Mad World' back in 2010. After months of waiting impatiently I finally got to hear Misty Eye the other night. 

'Hold On' sets the tone for the album with its Lana Del Rey style production (a la National Anthem), courtesy of Jarrad Rogers; Aiden's raw and authentic vocals drape perfectly over the top. The first word that pops into your head on first listen is "intensity" and this is applicable to the entire album; it's not one for background music. The drama continues with debut single 'Is This Love?' with its drum 'n' bass sound, heart pounding build up and explosive chorus. 

'What We Gonna Be?' does surprise but I can't decide if this is a good thing. Aiden sounds great but the rap seems out of place and the track itself doesn't grab as instantly as its predecessors. It's all good though as things get back on course for the rest of the run time.

Roger's suited production continues with title track 'Misty Eye', which has a Moby feel to it. 'Got a misty eye on you/thought all your lies were true', Aiden sings and all the while establishing himself as, perhaps, the UK's most exciting male musical export for years. 'The Island' is my favourite song here, with a chorus so big it could shatter your nuts.  Covering Sia Furler's fantastic 'Breathe Me' Aiden quells any fears I had for the cover (I'm a huge Sia fan), respectfully adhering to the original's structure and sound. He keeps up this tone with the lovely Feist sound of 'Poacher's Timing'.

The album closes with two of the strongest tracks 'Nothing At All' and second single 'Curtain Call', both of which are incredible listens. The former is a trip hop, Emeli Sande 'Heaven' sounding exhilarator, while the latter is a haunting anthem, with stunning vocal wobbles bringing all emotions to the fore.

If there was ever an album that was deserving of success, Misty Eye is it.

4.5/5

Check out 'Curtain Call' after the jump.

Rated Blow Me - Pink

Pink's been away for a while now, last gracing us with her album Funhouse, which wasn't one of her best. New single 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss)' follows in the same vain as hits 'So What' and 'Raise Your Glass' as an uptempo adult pop number, with an addictive chorus and Pink's distinctive soulful vocals on top form. As much as I like it, it's a pretty safe bet from a singer who doesn't care for experimentation to the extent of her peers. However, this is why we love Pink right? She's reliable when all the others flounder and struggle to remain relevant.

4/5

Rated Karmin - Brokenhearted

Once in a while a pop song comes along that makes everyday life a bit more tolerable. 'Brokenhearted' by Karmin is one of the top 5 feel good songs ever, probably. The members, Amy & Nick, are an engaged couple who sing and play together. Cute. Apparently the song is about how they met. Cute. All the crazy cuteness aside, this is one hell of a pop song with a f*cking marvellous hook that will get you bouncing through the streets a la Lily Allen in the 'LDN' video. 

5/5

Rated Amelia Lily - Floppy

So this Amelia Lily track. Do I like it? Is it original? Well, the latter is easily answered with a big fat niet! The former is answered by a shoulder shrug, you know, the ones where you curl your lip up at the right hand corner like you're trying to release gas? Here's the sitch. 'You Bring Me Joy' isn't bad, but it isn't awe inspiring either. I wouldn't dance to it in a club and I'll never download it. It's pretty generic dancey pop and where Amelia's vocals should have been blinding, they're energy saving bulb at best. 

1.5/5

Rated Flashback - Back to Basics

If I had started this blog back in 2006 I would definitely have posted a review of this album. Following the sexually charged beauty of an album Stripped, Christina Aguilera showed how dynamic an artist she was by completely overhauling her image and sending herself back in time to write an album that was like nothing else in the charts at the time. Voice on point as per usual, production reaching epic proportions and some incredibly perfect pop moments, Back To Basics was the album that got me interested in soul music and now I've got a 6 year relationship with the genre. Thanks Chrissy.

Best Tracks: 'Makes Me Wanna Pray', 'Ain't No Other Man', 'Candyman', 'Slow Down Baby', 'Here to Stay', 'Mercy On Me', 'Hurt'

4/5

Rated Cheryl (Cole?) - Under The Sun

So Cheryl (just typod Cherly - how amazing would it be if she was called Cherly?!) is back again with new single 'Under The Sun', taken from her sort of successful album A Million Lights (it could have got to number 1 but didn't) and following on from the immense lead single 'Call My Name'. I love that song.

I don't love this song so much. Aside from the awful single artwork where Cherly looks like she's about to have an aneurism holding a light-saber, it's not a terrible single choice. It's totally different to 'Call My Name', mainly in that it isn't as good, but it's got a pretty catchy chorus and some 'Woooah woohh' going on. Its saving grace is that it has Rihanna producer Alex Da Kid twiddling his knob(s). I'm at a bit of a loss with this woman as a whole to be honest.

2/5

Rated Rita - How We Do (Party)

You couldn't swing a cat now without slapping a female popster in the face, with the arse of said cat. They're everywhere, some of them popping up and dropping out after one flip flop single, others going on to become household names, idols and teenage boy fantasies. With the likes of Rihanna, Beyonce, GaGa and now Azealia Banks et al, someone like Rita Ora has a lot to prove if she's to stick out from the largely attractive female crowd. She's got the look nailed (she's fit) and she's got the pleasant singing voice, not to mention 2 number 1 singles, one with DJ Fresh on 'Hot Right Now' and more impressively her epic solo debut 'R.I.P' which featured the loin girding Tinie Tempah.

Second single 'How We Do (Party)' isn't as edgy as her first, but it's more fun. 'I get that drunk sex feeling yeah when I'm with you/So put your arms around me baby' she sings over some poppy beats so sweet and sticky they'd make Patisserie Valerie quiver. While it doesn't pack the slap that 'R.I.P' dishes out on every subsequent listen, it's fresh and hopefully a sign that her album ORA will be a dynamic debut. Oh and it samples Notorious BIG; how could you dislike it?

4/5

ORA is out 27 August - Reviewed here right away! 
See the review of 'R.I.P' here.

Rated Ruby Goe - 'Badman'

I posted about this singer last week and thought I'd just give you a cheeky link to her cool ass video for 'Badman'. This is an epic track: gritty vocals, a wicked bridge and some brilliant dance infused beats make it a total success. The video is so complimentary to the track it's genius. Check it out below:

Rated Joss Stone - Soul Sessions Vol. 2

Joss Stone has taken tonnes of flack in her decade long career, mainly from her homeland. It's a shame that one silly accent mishap caused so much animosity, but I guess the music world is a shallow place and the public can't see the talent beyond the person. The truth is, Joss Stone is a remarkable singer with a voice that coils its way around you as you sip your red wine and puff on your Marlboro on the couch, squeezing ever so slightly with every note. This is the case with the sequel album to her huge debut, Soul Sessions Vol. 2, which has Stone reunite with the mastermind behind the original album, Steve Greenberg.

The evolution of Stone's voice is apparent on Labi Siffre cover 'I Got The...', the same song Eminem sampled on his debut 'My Name Is'. '(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People' opens with an enormous roar from Stone's pipes and as the uptempo soul number kicks in you can't help tap your hands off everything around you. The tempo is kept with 'While You're Out Looking For Sugar', which is about as uplifting as a song can get. 'Sideway Shuffle' is a sassy, sexy soul song that suits Stone's foxy tones perfectly. Covering Womack & Womack's classic 'Teardrop', Stone almost makes the song sound like it was written for her.

The beauty of Stone's voice is that it's timeless. She sounds classically current; like a vintage voice for the modern generation. This is apparent on all songs on the album; reworking Eddie Floyd's 'I Don't Want To Be With Nobody But You' and Barbara Acklin's 'Stoned Out Of My Mind' Stone brings belting soul/funk melodies into the 21st Century and makes them appealing enough to fit in with the current wave of synth overdosing. 

Soul Sessions Vol. 2 is a great album to win back those fans who turned their backs on Joss Stone when she revamped her image and sound on Introducing... many years ago. Fantastic vocals, great soul songs and plenty of charisma make this one of the singer's most exciting albums to date.

4/5


Update! Not going to lie, I did get a little over excited about this. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship (shopping, drinking and dancing that is - no monkey business)

Rated Ruby Goe

A copious amount of alcohol and uneasy start to the day has ended in me being splayed across my bed by 11pm on a Friday night. However, everything happens for a reason and in a certain order, so I believe and thus I have discovered some new music to fluff out my recently played playlist for the coming months only because of said alcohol consumption.

East London entrepreneur and star in the making Ruby Goe caught my undivided attention with her distinct vocals this evening after reading a lovely wee interview with her in the latest issue of Dazed & Confused. A bit like a more vocally capable Santigold (no disrespect - I love Santi!), Ruby's single 'Badman' kicks off with some lovely electronic beats followed by thumping synths while her vocals evolve throughout the track from reserved to emotive, 'shot down those tiny daggers from your mouth' (bloody good line!). This has anthem written all over it.

She cranks up the tempo further with 'Get On It' which is basically about getting set for a night out and then getting on 'it'. It starts off with some heavy bass and rough synths only to burst into a marching band drum beat before the chorus belts you in the nuts. I've only listened to this through ear phones but I can only imagine how amazing it's going to feel when it's pounding out of my speakers tomorrow morning (sorry naybz). Check out the video too where she chunders black oil and then throws it at the wall. Standard.

Big things are coming this girl's way!

Rated Misha B - Home Run

When 'Home Run' kicks off in lounge ballad style it doesn't quite prepare you for the r'n'b insanity that's to come. Misha B was my favourite Xfactor contestant from last year; regardless of what people disliked about her personality she was the most original and exciting performer of the lot. As predictable as this debut single is (who didn't see an American inspired r'n'b dance floor filler coming) it's a total joy. Misha oozes charisma and presents herself as a nu-age Missy Elliot rapper/singer type bird with bigger hair and BOY leggings.

4/5

Rated Little Mix - Wings

Here's the thing, I didn't expect to like this, but I do. I can't help myself, I really like it. No, actually I love it. It's by no means revolutionary, but it is so bloody catchy there's nothing else to do but sing along and feel totally elated by the close. I challenge anyone not to be impressed, even if just in contrast to their original expectations. 

By the way, it's probably going to be number 1, for a long time.

4.5/5

Rated Calvin & Flo's 'Spectrum'

I love Ceremonials and I love 'Spectrum'. In fact it's one of my favourite songs on the entire album and so when I heard the remix was being presented as single I was of course a bit anxious as to the result. However, Calvin hasn't disappointed me before and thankfully he hasn't this time. The remix of Spectrum is brilliant, summery and totally infectious. Rather than stifle the song's charm it lifts it up and in true Calvin style, gets a scream when it blasts onto a dance floor (yes, from me). Nothing will ever satisfy or elate me as much as 'We Found Love' did, but this ranks damn high on my tracks of 2012. Good job.

5/5

Rated National Anthem

We've had 'Video Games', 'Born to Die' and 'Blue Jeans' from Born to Die,  Lana Del Rey's f*cking stunning debut album. Now we get... I just need a moment to regain myself and maybe let out a few squeals of school girlish joy... 'National Anthem' as a single. Here's the thing, this song is bloody brilliant. It's catchy, intoxicating and has some heady beats bumping up and down behind Lana's sort of rap (which is sexy btw). As if this wasn't orgasm inducing enough, the video is fantastic. 'Booyah baby bow down' you say? Lana babe, I'm on my knees already so keep singing.

Words escape me... so good. So good!

Check out the video here

Rated Aiden Grimshaw

My favourite Xfactor contestant of his line up, Aiden Grimshaw showed himself as special as soon as he belted out Kanye West's 'Gold digga' at his first audition. 2+ years on and he's finally here with his debut album Misty Eye, out on 13 August. The lead single 'Is This Love?' is a drum n bass heavy dance track with some stunning vocals showcased throughout. The new single, 'Curtain Call' is a haunting, down tempo number featuring some amazing vocals from a little know female singer called Sherelle. Both of these are brilliant songs so I can only imagine the album is going to a belter.