Tinie Tempah

Found out about Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, aka Tinie Tempah, whilst on the stairmaster 6'ish a.m. yesterday. Reading some deets about this 22-year-old Plumstead, South London native kept me from resting my forehead on the command panel and taking a quick snoozer. He probably saved my life, as had I done such a thing I would've inevitably leaned on the crank-up button and hot-stepped to catastrophe.
Likely a more entertaining visual in my mind than on paper.

Coming out of the U.K. Grime scene, Tempah is already pretty hot-sh*t over the Pond and on the Brit charts. He's making the pop-duo rounds, {Kelly Clarkson, eh? Please don't.}, and paired up with our girl Ellie Goulding on this posted March 7 release. AND, according to wikipedia, his single "Written in the Stars" was used for a WrestleMania XXVII countdown promo during the WWE PPV Royal Rumble on 30 January, who later confirmed that it will be the official theme for Wrestlemania XXVII. Big time, baby!

Here's hoping after these forays and getting a little older, little wiser - perhaps after his 25th birthday? He sticks to more tracks like "Gimme More Money." Until then we can waste billable hours on his social media savvy game, blog, ad infinitum.

Tinie Tempah // Pass Out

Tinie Tempah f. Ellie Goulding // Wonderman

Peggy Sue - folk noir bandits

If you're gonna name yourself after one of the most famous songs of the '50's by one of the most famous '50's boys, you're gonna have some guts.

And blues.
And grit.
And woozy laments that feel like being entangled in damp sheets, caught in the throes of remembered heartachey noir dreams.

Formerly Peggy Sue & the Pirates. Then Peggy Sue & the Pictures. Now Peggy Sue, comprised primarily of Rosa Slade and Katy Slade, songs on their Fossils & Other Phantoms have lots of sweet little beginnings that build to ferocious crescendos. Now recording a second album in Bristol, these Brighton, UK lassies have my attention.

i only came here to see you see me ?

flippin' story of my life.

Peggy Sue // Watchman

Adele - chanteuse inferno

Since calling for her "Hometown Glory" on 19, Adele has forged her own path amongst the teenyboppers and pill-poppers of the diva scene. With 21, she lunges like a steam locomotive back into the charts with tracks produced by hitmakers Rick Rubin and Paul Epworth. You can hear her resonating vibrato for miles through the fog of "sophomore slump," not a bit of which seems to apply.

Had she made a dance album? Bleached her hair platinum and lost the bouffant? Tried to fit the pop-princess cookiecutter? Chances are this searing album of hearts rippedraw&bleeding that's going to have the lot of us condemning our deserter for lovers and exclaiming I FEEL that wouldn't exist for exorcisms.

Goddamn do I love a breakup album.

A favored peachy track and her gospel affirming performance on the 2011 Brit Awards.



Adele // Set Fire to the Rain

Wolf People

The brit boys of the lupine persuasion take us on a time travel tour to 60s/70s era rock - their February release, Tidings, disjointedly puffs and passes in the same circle as TBK Attack and Release and White Denim Fits. Peace, love and Jethro Tull flutes set over western twang rubbed with eastern silks. Steel strings live in harmony with sitars, strung over tape to tape transfers that hisses and pops to their pleasing. It's like Woodstock, except in the UK, no patchouli and absolutely no acid tripping Little Red Riding Hoodlums.

Wolf People // Tiny Circle

Laura Marling

She could be 20 or 200. A real girl or hazy ghost. Bra-burning feminist or romantic Victorian. Mooning over Edward Cullen or Mr. Darcy. Betwixt between, one thing or another - Laura Marling's latest release I Speak Because I Can is both old soul and present-day pixie.

The singer/songwriter has been a frequent in the UK indie-folk scene since her days of backup vocals for Noah & the Whale. Marling's first release at 17 was already way beyond her years - lost loves, failed poets and tear-stained blouses. At that age I was journaling about the thrills of going to a field party or hanging out in someone's garage until it was past curfew. So much for my self-believed romanticsim.

Speak tells tales of responsibility, particularly belonging to women, that bolster her seemingly fragile facade. Backed by beloved Mumford & Sons, it's like having the vastly talented rugby team putting their best girl up on their shoulders. The largely acoustic instrumentation and alto supporting vocals are as lush and rich as the peat moss on the heath (on which she likely stands, singing into the wind, right hand on her guitar strings, left hand resting on a unicorn and scoring an A+ in calculus. whatta betch)

Laura Marling // Alpha Shallows

Jack Peñate

There's a lot of pop out there to sift through. Orchestral pop, bubblegum pop, afro-pop, dream pop, cherry pop rocks. Can't blame the musicmakers - daily bread depends on the earworms making you fork over hard-earned .99cents. Lucky for us, there's a hefty portion of it that doesn't suck.
(disclaimer: don't call me a pop snob. I stood in a teal Pontiac convertible belting Backstreet Boyz "Incomplete" in 2006 all right? Sorry I'm not sorry.)

Peñate pop, it's got range - R&B, soul, gospel, disco, reggaeton.
It's got fash - the English lad looks good in a bedazzled track jacket.
It's got moves - not many a man can shimmyshonga at this caliber while playing guitars, singing, making sex eyes, etc.

His cockney yelp fizzes pleasantly over tracks washed with horns and vibing to distorted Telecasters. Everything is New is slow and smooth carbonation. You'll sing, you'll dance and you'll raise your can of cream soda to acknowledge the mustachioed gent.

Jack Peñate // Be The One

Scanners

When doing some digging on Scanners, the first hit was 1981 cult horror flick about suits using psychics to wage war on the world. "Their thoughts can kill!"

And as badass as that sounds, what I was really looking for is nearly on par.

Two boys and two gals from London with 80's post-punk pop sound - they keep a sneer on their face whilst pouring on the melodic hooks so everyone can get soaked. Sparked by Sarah (total babe - vocals, bass) and Matt (vocals, guitar) in 2004, they played sets backed by a drum kit. Amina (guitar, keys) and Tom (drums) soon joined in on the stank to release their first EP Violence is Golden.
Submarine released this past month, and they just finished getting beast at SXSW to rave reviews. Won't be long before Sarah will be on the "this or that" list with Siouxsie Sioux, Karen-O and Joan Jett.

"Salvation," menacingly sweet and simple. Both here and your own. Ominously windy whooooas twisted with brightly chipper "I'll take you to my grave" makes for a track Billy Corgan could be proud.
"Sick Love" makes me want to take a surfboard out to the breakpoint. Maybe see a shark. But then see that shark get it's ass handed to it by a dolphin. Then I'd ditch the board and ride in on the dolphin - or keep going out? Depends on what the dolphin wants; it IS bigger than I am and I would owe it for saving my life, so I couldn't exactly demand to be taken back to the beach. You know?

Now pardon me while I go take over the capital building using my sixth sense. Or my dolphin's echolocation.

Scanners // Salvation

Scanners // Sick Love

White Lies

80's post-punk revivalist, take heart. This Brit trio is pouring their waxy sound into the mold of the Cure - they've even signed to their label. These lads surprised me with the strength of their American following. The crowd was packed and everybody was singing along - ranging from gorgeous 20something redheads who can't dance to mangy 50something bikers with braided ponytails 8inches longer than mine.

Something to be said for a diverse fan base, just look at the dude cheesin' in the pic.

Last seen opening for KOL, it's worth it to catch these elegantly morose, dramatically gallant pretty boys before they hop back over the Pond.

White Lies // To Lose My Life

Jarvis Cocker

Jarvis Cocker. Pulp. Singer. Too much history to go into dating back to WWIV. Just know this man is nuts and awesome at the same time. His new album Further Complications picks up where Pulp left off, but he'd like you to believe it's art. Just check out his site and see what the eff I'm talking about.

Jarvis Cocker // Angela

The Veils

British Overlords Rough Trade Records have a score of lovely musical acts out these days including this feisty little London rock horse. Started in 1874 by a young and striking (he wears a hat) Finn Andrews, The Veins have become a tightly knit ball of talent, spreading a myriad of sounds across their latest album, Sun Gangs. From blues to harder blues to blistering soul splattering rock joints to quieter ballads, these guys have really spread their seed all over the face of music. Apparently they don't like babies enough to hit the hole. Gross? You're gross. Jerk.

The Veils // Three Sisters

Mumford and Sons

I found this 4-leaf on a 3-Quarter Moon last week. Like their Irish cousin across the pond, Damien Rice, these lads from London know how to implode the soul with simple and straightforward lyrics. I compare them to Rice because they sound a bit like him here, but they’re way more folksy and bluegrassy than he is. I’d also swear they’re from Ireland, but I can’t seem to find any evidence that supports that theory.

Disclaimer: This song may induce sudden shortness of breath, fatigue, outbursts of tears, heart explosion and wrist bleeding. Get your smiling in now and listen at your own risk.

Liar