20. Congorock - Babylon
Built around a hypnotic, ear-popping riff straight from the off, rave horns come in around the minute mark before that huge Warp-esque drop ten seconds later which just builds and builds until the pressure drops. That riff has an undeniable groove that marks this above your average noise led banger.
19. Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks
Sometimes a band appears out of nowhere with a debut single that is just so perfectly formed that you almost urge them to call it a day instantly and leave us with this as their defining legacy. A simple shuffling beat, bouncy Brian Wilson bassline line, chillwave surfy guitars, muffled vocals that sound like they have been recorded through an intercom, whistling. Whistling, like handclaps and cowbells, is always good. It sounds like early MGMT, like Empire Of The Sun, like Peter, Bjorn & John. It could fit amongst the most playful moments of Blur, or Beck. In fact it could fit in with almost every great pop song ever.
18. Katy B ft. Ms Dynamite - Lights On (Skream Remix)
Katy B has probably been the breakthrough artist of the year and the defining voice of 2010. Taking the underground sounds of dubstep and funky and pushing them into the mainstream like never before and it was a toss up between this and the Benga produced 'On A Mission' for her entry into this years top 100. Her sweet vocal juxtaposes perfectly with comeback queen Ms Dynamite's more aggressive take and Skream's production on the remix is as dark and atmospheric as ever, the elastic, bouncing bass line untouchable.
17. The Chemical Brothers - Swoon (Lindstrom & Prins Thomas Remix)
The best song that The Chemical Brothers have released for years, 'Swoon' is a hazy, sun-soaked tale of romantic bliss. In the hands of Lindstrom & Prins Thomas it becomes a nine-minute stretched out disco odyssey that has that amazing power to feel like a three minute pop song. Everything disco needs is present, squelching slap bass, organs, piano and handclaps. It's sensuality is key, you won't need to remember to fall in love with this.
16. Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi - Tightrope
It is no surprise that Monae has such tight links to Outkast, her conceptual, sci-fi obsessed R&B shares so many ideas with the early ideas of the duo and her approach to eschewing the usual record company designed route that all female stars must follow aligns her with another star with close Outkast links, Erykah Badu. 'Tightrope' is about poise and balance, about the self-confidence Monae has to carry off her outlandish vision. She blends the rat-a-tat delivery that her mentor Big Boi has made his trademark with seamless transitions into classic soul-diva wails. The tongue-in-cheek rhymes are delivered with outstanding ease, within seconds she couples 'alligators' with 'rattlesnakers' (I know that shouldn't work, but believe me it does) and 'another flavour' with 'Terminator'. This is the best R&B track since Amerie's '1 Thing'.
15. Professor Green - Monster (T.E.E.D. Remix)
It's those Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs again, this time taking a fairly innocuous hit from Professor Green and turning into a dancefloor smash. Green had made his breakthrough by releasing a string of singles that were heavily reliant on ubiquitous samples (and Lily Allen) and Monster was his attempt to stand on his own two feet. It missed the boat, showing that the Brit-rap thing was all a little turgid and out of ideas (the video basically comes across as a sketch-show parody of an early Enimem hit). To take such a dull track and turn into the absolute behemoth that this is shows just how good TEED are.
14. Doctor P - Sweet Shop
Opening like a old-skool rave track, Doctor P begs us to take it higher before unleashing the mother of all screeching, industrial wobbles. While Katy B and Magnetic Man were disturbing the charts this became the dubstep hit of the summer for all those rudeboys riding around all summer in their hot hatches, looking for the filthiest, dirtiest track they could find to disturb all the pensioners on the sidewalks. It's not clever, but it is BIG.
13. Magnetic Man - I Need Air (Digital Soundboy Remix)
For all the production genius of Magnetic Man it may be a little controversial to think that their best moment of this year was actually a remix of one of their songs. The album is outstanding, the legacy it will have on UK bass culture without doubt but to me this remix by Digital Soundboy just added something extra.
12. Big Boi ft. Cutty - Shutterbug
Much as Janelle Monae's track was the best R&B track for years, in my opinion this was the best hip-hop track for years. It has the invention that the genre has forgotten in its quest for the ultimate unit-shifting ring tone hook. It's an electro bass club anthem, a genre-hopping funk jam. It has Big Boi switching pace and tone effortlessly, the requisite old-school references, honeyed backing vocals and an appearance from Andre 3000. In short it has everything.
11. Rusko ft. Amber Coffman - Hold On (Sub Focus Remix)
Last years don of dubstep, Rusko, released his debut album this to year to huge critical acclaim. The inspired decision to feature Dirty Projector's Amber Coffman on vocals meant this became a genre-transcending classic. Sub Focus' D&B beat cuts between the soaring atmospherics, the breakdown becomes a huge build of old-skool rave and the drop screams with Rusko's trademarks.
Showing posts with label Katy B. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katy B. Show all posts
Monday, 27 December 2010
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
ARTISTS & PRODUCERS OF THE YEAR
Wolfgang Gartner
As Joey Youngman he was beloved of the Deep & Jackin' House scenes, as Wolfgang Gartner he has thrust himself into the forefront of the Electro-Tech sound that has been destroying dancefloors all year. His collaboration with Deadmau5 'Animal Rights' was a massive dance chart hit, 'Illmerica' was one of the best tracks of the year in any genre and his Radio One Essential Mix was a 62 track epic that has to be heard to be believed.
Flux Pavilion
The only problem I can see with Flux is that I can never decide which of his tunes to play on any given night. He has been ridiculously prolific this year, dropping the huge remix of DJ Fresh 'Gold Dust' that blew the socks off the original, as well as stunning reworks of The Freestylers' 'Cracks' and even bringing Jamiroquai bang up to date with his remix of 'Blue Skies'. Then there was his own productions showing a versatility to his sound in a dubstep scene populated by artists chucking out the same thing over and over again with the tech-banger of 'I Can't Stop', the reggae tinged bounce that was 'Excuse Me' and this, the, er, haunting 'Haunt You'.
Congorock
Exploding at the start of the year with the party starter that was 'Babylon', Congorock is the latest name to come out of the burgeoning Italian electro scene that has brought us the likes of Crookers and The Bloody Beetroots. His remix of THE biggest dance anthem of the year, Swedish House Mafia's 'One' is set to be a classic for years to come and his take on Mark Ronson's 'Somebody To Love' juxtaposed the melodic heart-tugger of the original with the laser beams of the worlds biggest clubs.
Foals
The follow up to 2008's 'Antidotes' was always going to be difficult in this post-indie world (Klaxons' album in comparison came across as a jumbled mess of never quite finished ideas) and when the first track leaked the kids expecting another 'Cassius' were confused by 'Spanish Sahara' with its sparse vocals and barely there vocals. But in the context of the album in became a stunning centrepiece to an emotive, at times almost sensual whole. 'Black Gold' and '2 Trees' were bold and full of texture, 'This Orient' a catchy, twinkling epic and 'Miami' took a hip-hop groove and married it with post-punk hedonism in a way MIA could only dream of. Unfortunately they will not allow embedding of the Aphex Twin aping video, but check that out too.
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
Using easily the best artist name of the year, young producer Orlando Higginbottom has created a position for himself at the forefront of British dance music and is set to blow up to ridiculous proportions in 2011. You'll know his bass-heavy remix of Professor Green's 'Monster' from the Embargo floor and that is just one of a number of stunning tracks produced this year. Further remixes of Darwin Deez, Sky Ferreira, Fenech-Soler, Crystal Fighters & Tinashe all showcase his blend of bass obsessed electro-pop. His two EPs, 'All In Two Sixty Dancehalls' & 'Household Goods' have been revelatory and leave me very excited for next years album.
Jakwob
Another dubstep artist who has been incredibly productive this year, constantly changing his sound without letting it become tired is Jakwob. His Ellie Goulding remixes have become standards in the commercial dubstep world, along with a never ending list of remixes for Penguin Prison, Robyn, Audio Bullies, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, William Orbit, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cocknbullkid, I Blame Coco, Oh Snap!, Jessie J, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. & Temper Trap (amoung others)!
Afrojack
Where the Italians have enjoyed their own renaissance in breaking into the UK market, the dirty Dutch have taken it that one step further with their sound owning every set in every decent club going. Afrojack has taken it to another level and looks set to rise to the mythical Guetta level next year. Taking his Black Eyed Peas collaboration to one side 'Bangduck', 'Pacha On Acid' and 'Take Over Control' have been solid gold bangers this year and he has a knack of turning the likes of Madonna & Lady Gaga into twisting behemoths and his remixes of Example's 'Kickstarts' and David Guetta & Rihanna's 'Who's That Chick?' reach new levels of depravity.
Joker
The Bristol purveyor of the fabled 'Purple' sound made one of the undoubted anthems of the year in 'Tron', a track always guaranteed to force the most stationary of feet to move and to set limbs flailing. Making a name for himself by taking some of the most soulful vocals and overlaying them with the deepest of sub-bothering bass, check his work on the Beth Ditto featuring 'Cruel Intentions' by Simian Mobile Disco and the stunning 'Doncamatic' by Gorillaz featuring Daley (who himself is set to be one of next years big breakthroughs).
Sleigh Bells
Feedback drenched, rattling low-end beats, distorted guitars and occasionally nonsensical vocals Sleigh Bells are at first a difficult proposition. Nursed along by such luminaries as MIA and Spike Jonze the more you listen to them the more they shine, the structure of their songs shining through on a wave of bubblegum vocals and conflicting beats. A marriage of the lo-fi, dreamy indie and abrasive rave sounds they were about as 2010 as it gets.
Magnetic Man (& a sly nod to Katy B)
Last but by no means least we come to the breakout moment for dubstep in 2010. Of course Skream & Benga (as well as Artwerk) have been around for years but they have bought the scene crashing into the mainstream this year with their stunning self-titled album. 'I Need Air' was the first hit reaching chart positions no-one really thought possible and riding on the back of this was the massive number one crafted by Benga for Katy B 'Katy On A Mission'. Further collaborations with Katy B on the outstanding 'Perfect Stranger' and Skream's mix of 'Lights Out', a definitive Radio One Essential Mix and a live show that proved that dubstep could transcend the undergrounds clubs it grew from and become a main stage staple showed that the year belonged to Magnetic Man.
As Joey Youngman he was beloved of the Deep & Jackin' House scenes, as Wolfgang Gartner he has thrust himself into the forefront of the Electro-Tech sound that has been destroying dancefloors all year. His collaboration with Deadmau5 'Animal Rights' was a massive dance chart hit, 'Illmerica' was one of the best tracks of the year in any genre and his Radio One Essential Mix was a 62 track epic that has to be heard to be believed.
Flux Pavilion
The only problem I can see with Flux is that I can never decide which of his tunes to play on any given night. He has been ridiculously prolific this year, dropping the huge remix of DJ Fresh 'Gold Dust' that blew the socks off the original, as well as stunning reworks of The Freestylers' 'Cracks' and even bringing Jamiroquai bang up to date with his remix of 'Blue Skies'. Then there was his own productions showing a versatility to his sound in a dubstep scene populated by artists chucking out the same thing over and over again with the tech-banger of 'I Can't Stop', the reggae tinged bounce that was 'Excuse Me' and this, the, er, haunting 'Haunt You'.
Congorock
Exploding at the start of the year with the party starter that was 'Babylon', Congorock is the latest name to come out of the burgeoning Italian electro scene that has brought us the likes of Crookers and The Bloody Beetroots. His remix of THE biggest dance anthem of the year, Swedish House Mafia's 'One' is set to be a classic for years to come and his take on Mark Ronson's 'Somebody To Love' juxtaposed the melodic heart-tugger of the original with the laser beams of the worlds biggest clubs.
Foals
The follow up to 2008's 'Antidotes' was always going to be difficult in this post-indie world (Klaxons' album in comparison came across as a jumbled mess of never quite finished ideas) and when the first track leaked the kids expecting another 'Cassius' were confused by 'Spanish Sahara' with its sparse vocals and barely there vocals. But in the context of the album in became a stunning centrepiece to an emotive, at times almost sensual whole. 'Black Gold' and '2 Trees' were bold and full of texture, 'This Orient' a catchy, twinkling epic and 'Miami' took a hip-hop groove and married it with post-punk hedonism in a way MIA could only dream of. Unfortunately they will not allow embedding of the Aphex Twin aping video, but check that out too.
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
Using easily the best artist name of the year, young producer Orlando Higginbottom has created a position for himself at the forefront of British dance music and is set to blow up to ridiculous proportions in 2011. You'll know his bass-heavy remix of Professor Green's 'Monster' from the Embargo floor and that is just one of a number of stunning tracks produced this year. Further remixes of Darwin Deez, Sky Ferreira, Fenech-Soler, Crystal Fighters & Tinashe all showcase his blend of bass obsessed electro-pop. His two EPs, 'All In Two Sixty Dancehalls' & 'Household Goods' have been revelatory and leave me very excited for next years album.
Jakwob
Another dubstep artist who has been incredibly productive this year, constantly changing his sound without letting it become tired is Jakwob. His Ellie Goulding remixes have become standards in the commercial dubstep world, along with a never ending list of remixes for Penguin Prison, Robyn, Audio Bullies, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, William Orbit, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cocknbullkid, I Blame Coco, Oh Snap!, Jessie J, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. & Temper Trap (amoung others)!
Afrojack
Where the Italians have enjoyed their own renaissance in breaking into the UK market, the dirty Dutch have taken it that one step further with their sound owning every set in every decent club going. Afrojack has taken it to another level and looks set to rise to the mythical Guetta level next year. Taking his Black Eyed Peas collaboration to one side 'Bangduck', 'Pacha On Acid' and 'Take Over Control' have been solid gold bangers this year and he has a knack of turning the likes of Madonna & Lady Gaga into twisting behemoths and his remixes of Example's 'Kickstarts' and David Guetta & Rihanna's 'Who's That Chick?' reach new levels of depravity.
Joker
The Bristol purveyor of the fabled 'Purple' sound made one of the undoubted anthems of the year in 'Tron', a track always guaranteed to force the most stationary of feet to move and to set limbs flailing. Making a name for himself by taking some of the most soulful vocals and overlaying them with the deepest of sub-bothering bass, check his work on the Beth Ditto featuring 'Cruel Intentions' by Simian Mobile Disco and the stunning 'Doncamatic' by Gorillaz featuring Daley (who himself is set to be one of next years big breakthroughs).
Sleigh Bells
Feedback drenched, rattling low-end beats, distorted guitars and occasionally nonsensical vocals Sleigh Bells are at first a difficult proposition. Nursed along by such luminaries as MIA and Spike Jonze the more you listen to them the more they shine, the structure of their songs shining through on a wave of bubblegum vocals and conflicting beats. A marriage of the lo-fi, dreamy indie and abrasive rave sounds they were about as 2010 as it gets.
Magnetic Man (& a sly nod to Katy B)
Last but by no means least we come to the breakout moment for dubstep in 2010. Of course Skream & Benga (as well as Artwerk) have been around for years but they have bought the scene crashing into the mainstream this year with their stunning self-titled album. 'I Need Air' was the first hit reaching chart positions no-one really thought possible and riding on the back of this was the massive number one crafted by Benga for Katy B 'Katy On A Mission'. Further collaborations with Katy B on the outstanding 'Perfect Stranger' and Skream's mix of 'Lights Out', a definitive Radio One Essential Mix and a live show that proved that dubstep could transcend the undergrounds clubs it grew from and become a main stage staple showed that the year belonged to Magnetic Man.
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