I Don't Like Your Band

For anyone who loved the sleek synthpop of Little Boots, La Roux and Ladyhawke last year, you'll be pleased to find that there's a new girl on the scene, shaped in the petite form of Annie.

I really love this photo.

Annie Berge Strand is a Norwegian DJ and electro singer that's destined to become the new darling of mainstream pop music. Annie has been around for a while, (I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me is her fourth release since starting in 1999) but judging by her latest offering it's only a matter of time before she's competing with the likes of Ellie Goulding and Marina and the Diamonds for the love of the masses.

I really like what I've heard from Annie, it's fun pop music that you can dance about to on a night out, particularly this little ditty (see below). I also think her stuff is, on the whole, a lot stronger than Little Boots' debut (and I rather enjoyed that), so should hopefully stand a better chance of making a dent in the charts than Miss Heskweth managed. Of course you could make comparisons with other female singer songwriters until the cows come home, but why bother? This is cleverly crafted electro that's as cheeky as anything Uffie has produced (who, in case you didn't know, also has a single out- go buy it, it's ace). Plus it's one of those songs that you find yourself whistling along to, which is never a bad thing..

Expect to be hearing from Annie soon. You have been warned.

Just found this on Hype Machine, made me smile...

What do you think?

Happy Friday folks.

Fancy a chilled out track to ease yourself into the weekend?

You do?

Good.

I have to say, I am utterly exhausted. This month has really taken its toll on me, which may account for the lack of meaty posts. Fear not though, I have a few things in the pipeline for February, not to mention a particularly scathing rant about valentine's day. Hurrah.

In the meantime though, enjoy this chilled out track from the effervescent Magnetic Fields. You could do no better than buy their new album, Realism. It's almost on a par with their epic 69 Love Songs, (it's not as sappy as it sounds, the dark undertones are almost overwhelming at times; it's brilliant) which is rather surprising considering their last album was somewhat of a disappointment. This is one of my favourite songs from Realism, very bittersweet (and I'm still astounded by just how low Stephen Meritt's voice actually gets, I have yet to hear a bass match him for sheer sonority!). Enjoy.

Frank: On the Road

Everyone's favourite troubadour Mr Frank Turner is set to release a Live DVD this March, to coincide with his upcoming UK tour.

The DVD is alleged to have not just one but TWO full shows, recorded at the Shepherd's Bush Empire and Union Chapel in the latter part of last year. Featuring behind the scenes tour diaries, interviews and promo videos, this DVD looks like a must have for all FT fans, and a great introduction for those not yet acquainted with the Winchester lad. If you want something to watch over a weekend, you could do far worse than checking this out, you may find yourself surprised by the sheer brutality of Frank's live sets, it's pretty damn good.

Right, gushing over, here's the trailer..

Take to the Road is released on the 22nd March through Xtra Mile Recordings.

Nerd Rock Anyone?

Who knew Rick Astley and Mario would make such a cute couple...

I feel ashamed to like this, but this song's great if only for the bass and bizarreness of it all. So, sit back and enjoy this whilst the Mario theme slowly ingrains itself into your very being. Or Never Gonna Give You Up. Frankly, I'm not sure which is worse.

I Fight Dragons- Rick and Mario.MP3

This Ain't a Miracle

..But it's bloody good.

Only Revelations has definitely grown on me since its release in November last year. The die hard Biffy fans will no doubt think the lads from Ayrshire have gone soft, taking a poppier route for their new album, but who really cares? Biffy have been toiling hard for the past15 years to receive the acclaim they now possess; really it's about bloody time, even if that means changing their style a bit. And really, it's pretty great. Like Puzzle there's the same hooks, dramatic orchestration and brilliant lyrics that we've come to know and love (plus a strange obsession with horses..) as well as a couple of lighter in the air moments in tracks like Many of Horror- well worth listening to if you get the chance.

This is one of my favourite tracks from the album. Enjoy.

Dealing With Snow in A Typically English Fashion

The schools are closed. The transport system's in tatters and the hospital beds are filling up because your granny thought it would be a good idea to go jogging on the ice (well ok maybe not the last one, but you get the picture). Of course, it must be time for another bout of snow to fall upon the fair shires of Albion.

Ah well, I'm certainly not complaining. Two days off college has provided me with a golden opportunity to finish any hellish coursework and do some much needed revision. And obviously, when I say revision I mean procrastinating by checking out Hype Machine every 15 minutes. But hey, at least I can bring you lovely people a bit more music to indulge in and warm you up on a snowy winter's day.

Now I'm not usually one to sing Paolo Nutini's praises; I thought his debut stuff was thoroughly average, destined to be just another lot of chart fodder for decaying Radio 2 listeners. However, it may have taken a few years but he's finally produced something I actually like. Pencil Full of Lead is unashamedly retro (without a synth in sight-hurrah!) and just makes me want to get up and dance. The cheekiness of the trumpets is pure brilliance and, surprisingly, Paolo's husky vocals fit perfectly with the 1920's jazz style- this is a thousand shades better than some of the dirge he's released. Oh and the video's pretty damn good too, I'm loving the yellow bows!

So come on baby let me see you shake a tail feather ;)