Major Lazer/ La Roux - Houstatlantavegas Pains feat. Drake

For all the talk of La Roux's hair, family, 80's nostalgia or her voice the one things people seemed to miss was just how heartbroken she sounds when she sings. Currently riding a wave of success Stateside, La Roux has teamed up with Diplo for the server crashingly popular mixtape Lazerproof and whilst, as expected, much of it brings a tropical tilt to Elly's angst-pop it is this re-working of 'Grwoing Pains' that leaps out that bit more. Spying the fragile bravado behind the harsh exterior of La Roux this delicate remix strips back the bouncing synths and lays things bare. A scene stealing cameo from Drake and a tear stained Jackson vocal later and you have a good song re-defined as a great one.

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"Do Do Do Your Dirty Worst"

2009 has been the year that pop stars started making an effort to look like stars again. Most were left trailing in the wake of Lady GaGa but Britains own La Roux has carved her own style niche and put her mark on the music world with a succession of future-disco looks. To get an exclusive insight into what goes on behind the scenes at La Roux HQ and watch her perform at stylist Nova Dando's catwalk show have a look at the video below courtesy of Vice and Vodafone 360.

For more Heroes videos head over to: http://heroes.vodafone360.com/

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Albums Of 2009: 25-11

As 2009 draws to a close I'm going to spend this week doing the obligatory 'Best Of' polls (I know, whatever next? Tipping Ellie Goulding for success? Well, wait till Wednesday). Today is the day of the albums, the first 15 here with the top 10 to follow later on in the day.

11. Sky Larkin- 'The Golden Spike'
12. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart- 'The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart'
13. Girls- 'Album'
14. La Roux- 'La Roux'
15. Bat For Lashes- 'Two Suns'
16. Future Of The Left- 'Travels With Myself and Another'
17. Patrick Wolf- 'The Bachelor'
18. Metric- 'Fantasies'
19. Franz Ferdinand- 'Tonight'
20. The Dead Weather- 'Horehound'
21. Grizzly Bear- 'Veckatimest'
22. Passion Pit- 'Manners'
23. Bombay Bicycle Club- 'I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose
24. Fever Ray- 'Fever Ray'
25. The Answering Machine- 'Another City, Another Sorry'

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Hold the phone...

Since when did The Horrors have sun tans? I feel cheated.

In other news the Mercury Music Prize nominees have been announced. Shockingly (but probably correctly) omitting Doves, Manic Street Preachers and Lily Allen it's a typically eclectic list with Bat For Lashes, La Roux and The Horrors probably battling it out for the eventual gong.

• Bat For Lashes: Two Suns


• Friendly Fires: Friendly Fires


• Florence and the Machine: Lungs


• Glasvegas: Glasvegas


• Lisa Hannigan: Sea Shew


• The Horrors: Primary Colours


• The Invisible: Invisible


• Kasabian: West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum


• La Roux: La Roux


• Led Bib: Sensible Shoes


• Speech Debelle: Speech Therapy


• Sweet Billy Pilgrim: Twice Born Men

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For The Record: June

June has seen two of the years most hotly tipped new artists release their debut albums alongside a return to form for Regina Spektor, a giddy romp from The Answering Machine, middling efforts from Gossip and Kasabian and a wildy experimental and intrguing record from White Denim. Winner by a country mile however is Future Of The Left, a record so raw and viscious it sounds like a pack of dogs chasing Derek Vinyard into a wood chopper.

Little Boots- Hands
Kasabian- West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Gossip- Music For Men
La Roux- La Roux
Future Of The Left- 'Travels With Myself And Another' (Album of the month)
White Denim- 'Fits'
Regina Spektor- 'Far'
The Answering Machine- 'Another City, Another Sorry'

Download these.

Little Boots- 'Stuck On Repeat'
Ksabian- 'Underdog'
Gossip- 'Heavy Cross'
La Roux- 'Fascination'
Future Of The Left- 'Arm Eritrea'
White Denim- 'Regina Holding Hands'
Regina Spektor- 'The Calculation'
The Answering Machine- 'Lightbulbs'

To see the whole of this year 'For the Record' see the sidebar to the left of the screen.

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La Roux- 'La Roux'

As June rolls into July we are reaching the crux of the January hype fest. Little Boots has already dropped her poptastic album to positive reviews and soon Florence and her Machine will open her ‘Lungs’ on the British public. However both of those highly tipped girls have so far been eclipsed by one Elly Jackson, the 23 year old girl from Brixton who (along with Ben Langmaid) goes under the name La Roux. Where Little Boots is making music for twelve year olds to devise bedroom dance routines to and Florence is lost in her own upper middle class bohemia La Roux is making cool clean pop that the British public have gone wild for. ‘In For The Kill’ has sold near half a million copies and the Skream remix has perfectly summed up the twin musical trends of 2009 with it’s dubstep reinterpretation of the 80’s pop stomper. Initially ignored by Radio 1 for being too tinny the broadcasting giant was forced to back peddle with red cheeks when ‘In For The Kill stormed to number two, only kept from the top spot by Tinchy Stryder and N-Dubz.

It is this track which commences the self titled album, kick-starting a rollercoaster of androgynous glamour and rain on the window heartbreak. The initial reaction to hearing La Roux is that it seems steely and cold, it can feel like you’ve, to quote ‘Tigerlily’, “put your face in the gutter of a snake pit”. From her idiosyncratic quiff to the unique voice there seems to be little in the way of softness to Jackson so it is alarming at how easily the metallic casing she wraps herself in is deconstructed, allowing the soft innards to pour out. See, Ellie Jackson has had her heart broken and ‘La Roux’ charts the on-off relationship a million pillow-cryers can relate to, it’s an ode to “How could they do this? Why do I feel so ill? With the omniscient relationship hovering over the record we investigate the seduction (‘Tigerlily’), the confusion (‘Quicksand’), the sex (‘In For The Kill’), the break-up (I’m Not Your Toy’) and the struggle to move on (‘Cover My Eyes’) with each song giving the listener and almost voyeuristic insight into a young girls life. ‘La Roux’s brilliance lies in the intricacies and thought that has gone into each moment of yearning, as you listen deeper to each repeat listen that tinny screech becomes a damaged cry that you can’t help but fall for.

Talk what you will of critics tips, 80’s throwbacks and Sgt. June Ackland- all you need to know about La Roux is that she’s made one of the most open and intimate records of the year and it’s as danceable as it is brave.

8/10

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January- March 2009 in 41 Tracks.

So the other day I looked over the last three months best albums and heaped praise on The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Sky Larkin and Franz Ferdinand in particular. Now is the turn of the single, or as it is better known these days 'track'. The very concept of a single seems slightly redundant now with internet leaks, Myspace streams and Spotify destroying the temporary relief of album anticipation a single once provided. What is now a much bigger trend is the free download, a way of introducing your new music to the fans and hoping they then come back and pay for another ten tracks. This list of tracks includes a few free downloads along with b-sides, remixes, good tracks from bad albums, live performances and a couple taken from the best albums of 2008 still demanding attention in '09.

In my mind these are the best tracks that are a) Not on the albums mentioned in Tuesdays post and b) not on the albums released in April, May and June that may well be doing the rounds (So no Zero, Black Wax, Bonkers, Daniel, Love You Better or The Reeling). They and many more will be included when I do this again in three months time.

Until then enjoy the definitive run-down of the best tracks 2009 has given us so far. To listen/ watch the video's then click here

1. Jamie T- Fire, Fire. (Download)
   
2. Jack Penate- Tonight's Today.
3. Friendly Fires- Skeleton Boy (Air France remix)
4. Radiohead- 15 Step (Live at the Grammy Awards)
5. La Roux- In For The Kill (Skream remix)
6. Hatcham Social- Murder In The Dark.
7. The XX- Stars.
8. Kid Cudi- Day and Night
9. Cocknbullkid- I'm Not Sorry.
10. Everything Everything- Suffragette, Suffragette.
11. PJ Harvey- Black Hearted Love.
12. TV On The Radio- Heroes (David Bowie Cover)
13. The Big Pink- Too Young To Love.
14. 
15. The Soft Pack- Nightlife.
16. Two Door Cinema Club- Something Good Can Work.
17. Phoenix- 1901.
18. Girls- Lust For Life.
19. The Dead Weather- Hang You From The Heavens.
    
20. Casiokids- Fot I Hose.
21. Navvy- Disco.
22. Dead Man's Bones- In The Room Where You Sleep.
23. Three Trapped Tigers- 1.
24. Tweak Bird- Whorses.
25. Chew Lips- Solo.
26. Pulled Apart By Horses- I Punched A Lion In The Throat.
27. Fol Chen- Cable TV
28. Telekenisis!- Coast Of Carolina.
29. The Temper Trap- Sweet Disposition.
30. Eugene McGuinness- Fonz.
31. School Of Seven Bells- Iamundernodisguise.
32. Filthy Dukes- Nonsense In The Dark (Ft. Orlando Weeks)
33. Dum Dum Girls- Jail La La.
34. Bear Hands- What A Drag.
35. Lissy Trullie- Self Taught Learner.
36. MC Rut- Busy Bein' Born.
37. Suckers- Easy Chairs.
38. The Lonely Island- Natalie's Rap.
39. Hockey- Too Fake.
40. Little Comets- One Night In October.
41. Still Flyin'- Good Thing It's A Ghost Town Around Here.
    

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New Music Monday

Welcome to Gigwise's weekly round up of all things new and shiny in music. Let us introduce you to two great new bands, recommend the five biggest tracks to hear, the weeks essential debut album releases and where you can see new music in your home town.

The XX
Four 19 year olds from London, The XX make dark and brooding music that is as introspective as it is indefinable. One of the great things that has come with the advent of the internet in modern music is the avenues and genres it opens up to people. No longer do artists stay in the confines of one style, instead they venture between folk and grime, between hip-hop and electronica. This style-skipping is reflected in The XX's music, refusing to sit still they play with dub basslines ('Stars') and juxtapose them with pop hooks and electric guitars all woven together by a hushed sense of tranquility. Recently signed to XL imprint Young Turks The XX are due to release their debut single 'Crystalised' soon with an album to follow shortly.

The XX@ Myspace

KASMS
From the East London scene that begat Ipso Facto and Televised Crimewave come the deranged and feral Kasms. Featuring ex-Test-Icicle Rory Atwell alongside star-in-waiting Rachel Mary Callaghan the four piece make a feral and trashy take on Riot Grrrl mixed with post-punk leanings. 'Bone You' is a spitting and flailing stab of a single that can only be made by the sort of bands who record hanging upside down at the end of dark alleys. Similarly 'Male Bonding' is a hook laden jerk punk workout of the highest order. KASMS release their debut album in May when they will also tour the country with Die! Die! Die!.

KASMS@ Myspace

5 To Download:

La Roux- Bulletproof
Following the brilliant 'In For The Kill' comes something even better. Bulletproof is another big slab of sassy 80's gloss and is mischievously being released the same week as Little Boots next single. Let the retro pop battle commence!

Mumford & Sons- The Cave
The folk troupe preview their third EP by streaming this track on their Myspace page. 'The Cave' is more of what we have come to expect from 'The Sons- epic and melodic hillbilly heartbreak.

Kill It Kid- Send Me An Angel Down
This Bristol band recently signed to Fat Cat Records (Home of fellow NMM favourites We Were Promised Jetpacks) and boast one of the most divisive sounds around. Following in the likes of Anthony Hegarty and Wild Beasts KIK main man Chris Turpin has a deep and rich voice that will entice and enthrall as well as create confusion aplenty. We think it's beautiful and hope you do too.

Apes & Androids- Nights Of The Week
Vaguely ridiculous music from the New York duo. Sounding like The Police covering the Baywatch theme 'Nights Of The Week' is sure to infuriate many but the uber-catchy hooks and ironic posing may snare more than a bit of attention. A nagging voice in the back of our heads says '2009's answer to Iglu & Hartly'.

Battant- Radio Rod
Stylish Anglo-Francais trio creating livewire art-punk. Think of Siouxsie fronting Devo (only not quite as amazing but good nonetheless).

Debut Albums out this week:
Dananananaykroyd release their long-awaited debut album 'Hey Everyone!' this week. Hopefully you don't need me to tell you that it's 12 non-stop supercharged hardcore pop songs that will leave you breathless and energised at the same time- a definite purchase. Elsewhere London based bloggers/promoters/ label No Pain In Pop release a compilation album featuring the likes of Telepathe, Abe Vigoda and Gentle Friendly whilst Still Flyin' set sail to their exubarant LP 'Never Gonna Touch The Ground'.

Hot Gigs:
Golden Silvers start their True Romance tour with dates in Nottingham, Stoke, Kingston and Oxford. School Of Seven Bells are on the road with Bat For Lashes playing in Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds and Birmingham. Italo-Disco revivalists Heartbreak play two dates in London and Lucy & The Catepillar plays in Bristol.

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Top Of The Pops #2

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Hysteric
2. Tweak Bird- Whorses
3. Chew Lips- Solo
4. The Soft Pack- Nightlife
5. Filthy Dukes- This Rhythm
6. The Big Pink- Velvet
7. Dum Dum Girls- Jail La La
8. Casiokids- Fot I Hose
9. Phoenix- 1901
10. La Roux- In For The Kill (Skream's Lets Get Ravey Remix)



Dum Dum Girls- Jail La La (mp3)
La Roux- In For The Kill (Skream's Lets Get Ravery Remix) mp3

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Top Of The Pops #1

This is the first of new weekly feature where I will be charting the ten tracks in constant rotation on the Boring By The Sea stereo. As it's a new feature fully expect the title and whole concept to change pretty quickly.

1. Yeah Yeah Yeah's- Heads Will Roll.
2. Friendly Fires- Skeleton Boy (Air France Remix).
3. La Roux- In For The Kill.
4. Phoenix- 1901.
5. Bear Hands- What A Drag.
6. The Maccabees- No Kind Words.
7. Jack Penate- Tonight's Today.
8. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart- Content.
9. The Joy Formidable- Cradle.
10. The Soft Pack- Parasites.
    

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New video round up

\\\ LA ROUX /// IN FOR THE KILL

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Here Come The Girls...

Originally on Drowned In Sound

Female is not a genre they say. However if you’ve being paying attention to the critic’s picks for 2009 then you will be aware that female soloists are the overriding theme set to dominate the year ahead. DiS takes a look at the three chief media tips to separate the MGMTs from the Bravery’s.

Little Boots-
Sound- Heralded by many as ‘The Future Of Pop’. That remains to be seen but the Little Boots sound is a big FM straddling pop aesthetic. I.e. what Kylie Mingoue is and what Annie should have been. 7

Personality- As an ex-member of now defunct Leeds trio Dead Disco, Little Boots a.k.a. Victoria Hesketh is clearly a survivor and determined to give this her best shot. Recent interview have seen her talk of the time she auditioned for Pop Idol and her belief that Little Boots is exactly who she is as opposed to what she thinks people want. 7

Live Show- Has not properly toured Britain yet besides a few dates with hipster also-rans Heartbreak at the tail end of 2008. Guardian writer Alexis Petridis recently spoke of a 6 song set in Berlin where every song sounded “suspiciously like a hit single” 7

Producers- Last Summer's underground smash hit ‘Stuck On Repeat’ was mixed by Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard and written with Greg Kurstin who has worked with Beck, Ladyhawke and Britney Spears. Recent recording sessions in LA have seen Hesketh working with Dr Luke, the man behind Katy Perry’s ‘I Kissed A Girl’ and ‘Since U Been Gone’ by Kelly Clarkson. 9

Covers- On Little Boot's YouTube channel are a host of lo-fi cover versions recorded in Hesketh’s bedroom. These range from Human League and Madonna to Wiley and Metronomy. Her use of the lesser spotted stylophone and Tenori-On will have music geek's attention, diverting away from her often weak voice. 5

Indie Credibility- Has been signed to Warner’s imprint 679 since the demise of Dead Disco. Rumour has it the label dropped Mystery Jets and Cut Off Your Hands last year in order to focus solely on Little Boots. Looks set to spend 2009 trying to balance between The Hype Machine and Radio 1’s A-List. 6

Media Love- Unparalleled. Has already topped this years BBC’s Sound poll joining the list of previous winners alongside Adele, Mika and 50 Cent. Most major broadsheets and tabloids have carried big features on Little Boots in recent weeks. 9

TOTAL= 50/70

Florence & The Machine-
Sound- Raucous tales of violence, freedom, love and loss. Florence Welsh has a voice to rival anyone in modern music if she can get the songs to match then the sky is the limit. 9

Personality- Flitting effortlessly between frivolous and fun to anarchic and wild Florence is an interviewer's dream with her tales of partying at Donatella Versace’s house and her parents who were friends with Andy Warhol. Perceived kookiness may well annoy some quarters. 7

Live Show- Lots of fun and a chance to hear that voice in its purest form. A full headline tour last year followed an MGMT support slot. The Machine will soon be opening the NME Awards tour, the legendary slot has been occupied in previous years by Coldplay and The Ting Tings. 8

Producers- Is currently working on her debut album with Simian Mobile Disco’s James Ford who is best known for his work with Arctic Monkeys. Also recording with ‘Silent Alarm knob-twiddler Paul Epworth. Points lost however for writing songs with Alex James and rent-a-twat Jonny Borrell. 8

Covers- Performed an astounding cover of ‘Hospital Beds’ by Cold War Kids throughout the duration of her live shows in 2008. Other covers floating around the internet include tracks by Beirut, Mystery Jets and a whole EP of Green Day covers with Lightspeed Champion. 9

Indie Credibility- Depends on your criteria. She is managed by Queens Of Noize and is friendly with the guys behind Merok records and the aforementioned Dev Hynes. Last years ‘Kiss With A Fist’ was released via the Moshi Moshi Singles Club. 7

Media Love- Big. Was on the cover of NME in their Tips for 2009 issue and will be awarded with the Critics Choice Award at the Brit Awards in February, last years winner was Adele. 9

Total= 57/70

La Roux-
Sound- The modern face of 80’s electro pop. Think less of the cold atmospheric synth music and more of the big-hearted dance floor classics. Will get the cool kids dancing quicker than you can say Crystal Castles remix. 8

Personality- Has done very little in the way of interviews or TV. One short video clip accompanying her appearance on the BBC Critics Poll shows her as intelligent and passionate with a clear, if slightly naive, view of what she is doing. 7

Live Show- Has played very few dates thus far but has a busy schedule facing her in 2009. As well as a residency at her label boss Seb Chew’s Yo-Yo Club in Notting Hill La Roux is on the road supporting Lily Allen on her nationwide tour. 8

Producers- No information is available as to who La Roux is working with however her music lends itself well to remixes and a fine AutoKratz mix of ‘Quicksand’ is already doing the blog rounds. 7

Covers- None that we could find but then this isn’t Jo Whiley’s Live Lounge. Full marks for spending time on her own songs. 10

Indie Credibility- Has released ‘Quicksand’ on the French Kitsuné label who then featured the track on their latest compilation. 9

Media Love- Is tipped as an outsider in terms of unit shifting success but has support from Popjustice amongst others. 7

Total= 56/70

So there you have it, a narrow win for Florence And The Machine. How do you rate these three acts? Can you see Little Boots becoming as big as predicted? Or falling short amidst a blaze of hyperbole? Who are the female acts who feel should be garnering attention in 2009?

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Take my picture by the pool 'cos I'm the next big thing. (a.k.a Tips for 2009)

LINK
Florence and The Machine
As accessible as she is eccentric, flame haired Florence Welsh has 2009 there for the taking. Alongside her band The Machine she creates an unrestrained and uplifting melodramatic pop sound and boasts an astounding voice that will enamour all that come across it. Having already released two singles in 2008 (‘Kiss With A Fist’ and ‘Dog Days’) Florence will release her debut album in 2009 produced by Klaxons and Arctic Monkeys main man James Ford. As if to add more certainty to her impending success Florence will be opening the NME Awards tour in January and receive the Brit Award Critics Choice award in February. Trust us, this will be huge.

Passion Pit
Passion Pit hail from Cambridge, Massachusetts and like MGMT look set to take eccentric-pop to a stratospheric popular level. Comprising elements of Prince and The Postal Service through Hot Chip and Flaming Lips Passion Pit are incredibly easy to fall in love with and to. The bands ‘Chunk Of Change’ EP hints at huge potential with tracks like ‘Sleepyhead’ and ‘I’ve Got Your Number’ transporting the listener to a far out state of magic and intergalactic wonder. Passion Pit tour in February with fellow Gigwise tips Hockey in a show not to be missed.

La Roux
Little Boots might get all the headlines in ’09 but we have a sneaky feeling La Roux will be making all the best beats. Hailing from Brixton, La Roux was originally set to be a singer/ songwriter (yawn) before a producer friend urged her to embrace the 80’s music she loved and make attention grabbing music. Doing exactly that pricked the ears of French dance gurus Kistune and they released the single ‘Quicksand’ in December. Her love for Human League and Blondie alongside The Knife and Chromeo is clear for all to hear. With a radio friendly pop aesthetic mixed with dancefloor ready tunes La Roux is a seriously cool contender.

Golden Silvers
This one could go either way. On the one hand Golden Silvers finely crafted sunny pop songs could break big in 2009 and soundtrack the Summer festival season and have Radio 1 on speed dial, on the other hand their lack of a guitars and off kilter outlook could see them bypassed by the record buying and see them side tracked like their brothers in arms Mystery Jets. Either way though Golden Silvers look set to make uplifting, life affirming music about young love and continue with their successful London club night Bronze.

Spinnerette
Brody Dalle, Ex-Distillers front woman and Mrs Josh Homme, has been frustratingly quiet for the past few years. All that will end in 2009 however when she returns with her new band Spinnerette. The bands sound is distinctly familiar to Distillers fans but more mature at the same time. Dalle’s rasping howl has been replaced by a smoother croon (though she assures fans the shriek will return after 6 months on the road). An albums worth of material has been written and recorded with QOTSA guitarist Alan Johannes including ‘Valium Knights’- an early stand out track.

Other bands to keep an eye on.
White Lies, Hockey, Mumford and Sons, Temper Trap, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Twisted Wheel, Telepathe, Titus Andronicus, Sky Larkin, Filthy Dukes, Pulled Apart By Horses, Gold Teeth, Little Boots, Lady GaGa, Ox Eagle Lion Man, Baddies, Wet Paint, Flashguns, Three Trapped Tigers, Ipso Facto, Fan Death, Everything Everything.

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Introducing... LA ROUX

LINK
2009 is the year the dancefloor belongs to the girls. Hard beats and big drops are out, Justice can go back to France because next year is going to be soundtracked by fairer sex and I can’t wait. Little Boots is a dead cert and so is today’s subject LA Roux, a flame haired cross between The Knife and Prince.

It feels cold and clinical to predict hits, mapping out a year before it even starts but if this time next year every single person reading this hasn’t tapped a foot, shook an arse or pulled someone closer to the sound of LA Roux well then you just won’t have lived. ‘Quicksand’ is a fine taste of what is to come from her, an incessant and fantastic electro pop song that could be written by anyone from Xenomania to Hot Chip. It comes out on the effortlessly brilliant Kitsune Label on December 15th. Future releases will come courtesy of Polydor (Klaxons, Maccabees and another next big thing Lady GaGa).

The Blogosphere has already hooked its talons into her, securing the hipsters. Remixers will no doubt be frothing at the mouth at the prospect of LA Roux as well leaving sites like Hype Machine brimming to the top with countless versions of these tracks. A Chateau Marmont mix of ‘Quicksand’ is already doing the rounds and sounding very sweet to these ears.
Patrick Wolf started it LA Roux is joining the party, red haired avant garde pop is the way forward.
MYSPACE

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Peaches- Discuss.

As the clocks go back and you wake up in darkness you realise the end of the year is approaching. After the initial “Where did that go?” questions you begin to get excited about what the next year will bring. Amongst the 2009 treats is a new studio album from Peaches, the first since 2006’s ‘Impeach My Bush’. Last week Peaches revealed she is working with, amongst others, Simian Mobile Disco and Digitalism whetting an already dripping appetite amongst those who danced through the electroclash days and the subsequent indie/ electro scenes that have sprung up year on year.

2008 however has seen the emergence and development of a number of female electro acts. From Lykke Li and Ladyhawke to Santogold by way of Uffie and Annie the niche Peaches once had monopoly of is now gaining members by the day and shows no sign of waning. Whereas in 2000 when ‘The Teaches Of Peaches’ was released a strong female voice was a rarity across the club nights of Britain, now we live in a more enlightened hedonism where cross genre, sex and styles meet in the middle to enjoy a good time. Which begs the question: Will there be room for Peaches in 2009?

Peaches one defining factor is her overt displays of sexuality. Youtube clips showing her performing ‘Fuck The Pain Away’ straddling an inflatable penis are typical fodder and the live shows are famously raucous. However Peaches, or to give her full name Merrill Nisker, turned 40 this year. Madonna is widely derided for gyrating in a leotard at 50 so why would an ageist media be any less scathing of Peaches?

To add more pressure to the return two names set to feature on numerous ‘Ones To Watch 2009’ are electro, pop and female. Little Boots, aka Victoria Hesketh formerly a member of Leeds also-rans Dead Disco is gathering more column inches and hype than any new act right now and already has two club hits to her name with ‘Meddle’ and the brilliant ‘Stuck On Repeat’. New to Polydor records meanwhile is La Roux who takes an icy disco infused stab at the electro filth and coming out the other side with a series of big floor fillers. Add to this list names like Cocknbullkid and Erol Alkans latest darlings Fan Death and you have a well and truly congested playing field.

What’s key to state here is that all the bands sound tracking your Saturday nights in dark sweaty clubs are forever indebted to Peaches, to Fischerspooner and to clubs like Trash. Without innovators there is not a springboard to leap from and diversify the scene. Fingers crossed that the new Peaches LP is a return to form but even if it’s not we are safe in the knowledge her influence runs deep through the nations tapping toes.

'Fuck The Pain Away' (Miss Piggy Style)

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