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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Little Boots- 'Hands'

///Gigwise///

It seems impossible to objectively approach any of the forthcoming albums from the female trio who at the turn of the year had the hopes of 2009 put upon their sleight shoulders. Blackpool's Victoria Hesketh, aka Little Boots, is the first to draw her hand by releasing her debut 'Hands' whilst Elly Jackson and Florence Welch sit opposite her awaiting their turn. Since topping the BBC's pointless but intriguing 'Sound of 2009' in January all eyes have been on Boots- mainly as she has been on every single magazine cover and website with spare column inches to fill. She speaks openly and frankly about the desire to be a proper pop star with no intentions of hiding behind hipster irony. However having come to initial attention in the Summer of 2008 with a 6 minute club track produced by Joe Goddard of Hot Chip and previously appearing in indie three piece Dead Disco she is clearly not a manufactured puppet.

'Hands' strikes to the very core of the argument of whether 'pop' music can be credible and does so with tracks that will please both sides of the divide. Make no bones about it, 'Hands' is a big pop album to rival Lady GaGa, Girls Aloud or Lily Allen and has a large dose of tracks that will entice the £50 Tesco buyer, the X Factor faithful and get Mum's tapping their fingers on the steering wheel during the school run. 'Remedy' is the most explicitly obvious pop song: sounding like a modern interpretation of a Smash Hits Poll Winner from the late 90's- if it doesn't have a choreographed dance routine expect teenage girls to be working on one ASAP. Similarly 'Hearts Collide' is the greatest Kylie track never recorded by the Australian.

Fans who have tracked Hesketh's rise will recognise tracks like 'Stuck On Repeat' and 'Meddle' both of which make an appearance amongst the more subversive side of 'Hands'. The former is now a three minute pop gem surely destined for the number one spot whilst the latter packs big beats with a monk like backing track reminiscent of Bloc Party's 'Banquet'. As electro pop seems to be the genre of choice in 2009 duetting with The Human League's Phil Oakey on 'Symmetry' feels like an obvious but mistaken decision- it seems to freeze the music in a no mans land between the present and 1981 killing the ability for 'Hands' to become timeless. The overriding influence of Xenomania is felt at large on 'Hands' and whilst Brian Higgins et al have played no part in the making of this record it must surely be acknowledged that such an album would not be deemed a contender in 2009 were it not for the writing teams stellar work over the past five years. Similarly it is about time Greg Kurstin was recognised alongside the aforementioned as an important part of 21st century pop, his work on 'Hands' as well as with Ladyhawke and Lily Allen is always unique and fresh. Hesketh herself proves to be a fantastic writer too and this is perhaps the albums major flaw- it is a good Little Boots album, however it could be an amazing album for someone else. There is little personality shown or any insight into the performers feelings. You could list the bands Hesketh likes but could you tell what she feels or what she has been through in life? Probably not.

So, is it possible to make credible pop music? On the strength of 'Hands' the answer seems to be a resounding yes. With the pressures of hype, expectation and media made competition it would have been easy for Little Boots to fall off the tightrope she has set herself and fall into the netting. So it is a testament to her that 'Hands' is an exciting and modern pop record that patronises nobody and should well please an awful lot of people.

7/10

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Introducing...

This is the first in a hopefully long run of articles. Every Monday Gigwise.com will run my weekly guide to all that is going on in new music. So expect to hear about the best new acts, essential tracks to download, key debut album releases and where you can see all these things live in your home town. Read on for the first installment...

Link to original

Asher Roth
How’s this for a breath of fresh air? A rapper who is a self confessed Dave Matthews Band fan, who claims to not relate to 90% of hip-hop and doesn’t even own a car to put 25 inch rims on. Pennsylvania’s Asher Roth has had 13 million plays of his ‘I Love College’ single on Myspace and with its mix of a party atmosphere and a stoner ethos it’s not difficult to see why. The track originally sampled Weezer’s ‘Say It Ain’t So’ but has since been changed due to legal wrangling (Rivers Cuomo didn’t like it). Jay Z’s label Def Jam clamoured to sign him but Roth currently resides with Universal who are celebrating ‘I Love College’ hitting the Billboard top 20. As a white rapper with a sense of humour inevitable comparisons to Eminem have been made but these are dismissed out of hand, "That Eminem comparison is barely accurate/My rapping is as passionate, but lacks the psychopath of it" he says on ‘Silly Boy’. Asher Roth will release his debut album ‘Asleep In The Bread Aisle’ in April featuring collaborations with Ludacris and Gnarls Barkley’s Cee-Lo Green.

Asher Roth Myspace

Tweak Bird
Following the likes of Turbowolf and MC Rut in making garage rock sound monumental in 2009 are Tweak Bird of Los Angeles. Their feral take on the age-old genre is a decibel smashing riot with little care for beauty or intricate sonic invention. ‘Whorses’ is a riff heavy party track seemingly made for flailing limbs and waterfalls of beer, similarly ‘White Lips’ could be DFA1979 if they were caged for 23 hours of the day and poked with sticks. Angry, thunderous and most importantly fun Tweak Bird are a force to be reckoned with. The EP ‘Reservations’ is available now via Volcom.

Tweak Bird Myspace

Top 5 New Tracks to download.

1. Cocknbullkid- ‘I’m Not Sorry’. Stylish electro glamour with streetwise vocals backed up by a Metronomy production job.
2. Favours For Sailors- ‘I Dreamt That You Loved Me In Your Dreams’. Not since Morrissey’s nocturnal monologues have dreams sounded so beautiful. This is a dizzying Weezer-esque slice on romance from the bands superb ‘Furious Sons’ EP.
3. The Big Pink- ‘Velvet’. Epic dose of hypnotic, maudlin shoegaze from the men behind Merok Records (Klaxons, Crystal Castles) and recent NME Award winners.
4. Two Door Cinema Club- ‘Undercover Martyn’. Wrestling the title of indie disco floor filler away from Mystery Jets will be a tough task but if anyone can do it it’s these three Northern Irish boys. Just try keeping your toes from tapping.
5. The Soft Pack- ‘Nightlife’- Fresh from touring with Franz Ferdinand these San Diegans hit the UK with their first proper single. An effortlessly cool, nagging and addictive slice of post-Strokes rock: it more than lives up to the hype.

On Tour this week.

Yo Majesty play shows in Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, London and Bristol. La Roux is supporting Lily Allen (Bristol, Southampton, Brighton, Norwich). Everything Everything play The Lexington in London (Tuesday), Birmingham on Wednesday then hook up with The Maccabees to play Glasgow, Sheffield and Coventry. Dutch Uncles play an album launch show in Manchester (Monday). The Joy Formidable and Chew Lips support Howling Bells in Liverpool (Monday) and The Invisible play dates with Doves in Coventry (Tuesday), Portsmouth (Wednesday) and London (Thursday).

New albums out this week

• Formerly in charge of the Kill ‘Em All clubnight and now musicians in their own right Filthy Dukes release their first full length record ‘Nonsense In The Dark’. It features collaborations with Orlando Weeks of The Maccabees, The Secret Machines and Samuel Dust of Late Of The Pier.
• Hatcham Social, championed by Tim Burgess, release their album ‘You Dig The Tunnel, I'll Hide The Soil’ this week. Featuring the superb new single ‘Murder In the Dark’ it is available on Fierce Panda.

News

• Little Boots has announced the details of her first single since topping the BBC Sound of 2009 poll. ‘New In Town’ will be released on May 25th and is produced by Greg Kurstin (Lily Allen, Ladyhawke)
• Vivian Girls follow up their debut album with a 7” single, ‘Moped Girls’ to be released in May.

Video of the week

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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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Single Of The Year #7- Little Boots: Stuck On Repeat

The first of two entries for Hot Chip's Joe Goddard in my top 10 singles (He produced Dels at #14 too). His production of ex-Dead Disco Victoria Hesketh, aka Little Boots, is as sultry as Kylie and as dark and demonic as Fischerspooner. The vocals add more to the mix with a dark pop sound that would sound as at home on Radio 1 as it does on a dance floor. This time next year she will be ubiquitous but for now revel in the pop single of the year.

(Live version, not as good but an official video was never made:( )

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Introducing... Little Boots

From the embers of glam dance act Dead Disco rises Little Boots. Also known as Victoria Hesketh Little Boots has been gaining attention since the Summer with a sound amalgamating Ladytrons cold edge with Hot Chips relentless hooks and beats. The latter is provided by LB producer and Hot Chip member Joe Goddard (also producing the equally brilliant Dels). Having only played her first gig under the Little Boots moniker recently this project is very much in its infancy but looks set to be on countless 'Hot In 2009' lists come December. It's not hard to see why either, the two singles to this date 'Stuck On Repeat' and 'Meddle' are uber-cool slices of disco based electro that are rooted and underpinned by a huge pop sensibility. Little Boots will be at In The City this week as well as playing the following dates this week-

Oct 4 2008 8:00P	Newcastle University	Newcastle, Northeast
Oct 5 2008 7:00P	Roadhouse	Manchester
Oct 5 2008 11:30P	NME Showcase, In The City	Manchester
Oct 7 2008 8:00P	Popjustice, In The City	Manchester
Oct 9 2008 8:00P	http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.showDetails&Band_Show_ID=35775225&friendid=312877888	London

Myspace

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