We cut through the hype and give the one thing lacking in so many places these days: an honest opinion. We're not going to put something down for the sake of it either. For an honest outlook on music (and other subjects), you're in the right place!
So, another weekend is upon us, time to kick back and relax. So, what better way to start than by checking out some new videos for your viewing pleasure.
First up, we’ve been sent a video by old friend of the site. them:youth were one of our first ever interviews (check it out here) and now, ahead of their debut album which will be released later in the year, is a remix of Lost & Lonely from the always impressive Castaway.
Supposedly recorded for an Eastern European TV show (like our good friends at Breaking More Waves, we’re not so sure) this orchestral reworking of Marina & The Diamonds’Hollywood is superb, possibly better than the original track in fact!
We’ve got young upstarts (and residents of countless Ones To Watch lists this year) Chapel Club’s promo for their new single O Maybe I. Continuing their path of noir-ish pop, this is a great tune and well worth checking out.
We’ve commented on the cover of Pony that Far are releasing before, but here’s an acoustic version for you to have a look at, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Last but not least, check out the intriguing packaging from rapper Freeway and producer Jake One’sThe Stimulus Package… coming soon on Rhymesayer, this release promises to sound as good as it looks!
Marina and the Diamonds, AKA Greek/Welsh 24 year old Marina Diamandis, is proud to announce the release of her debut album ‘The Family Jewels’ on February 15th through 679/Atlantic Records. The album will be preceded by the release of her new single ‘Hollywood’, out 1st February.
What a whirlwind 2009 has been for Ms. Diamond! Having spent the year building experience & raising her profile through a succession of brilliant singles & EPs (‘Obsessions’, ‘The Crown Jewels EP’ and ‘Mowgli’s Road’), creating one-of-a-kind music videos, not to mention playing practically every festival date this summer, Marina is now perfectly poised to step into the limelight with the release of her beautifully crafted debut LP.
Produced by Liam Howe (Ex-Sneaker Pimps), Biff Stannard (Kylie) and Pascal Gabriel (Ladyhawke), ‘The Family Jewels’ is unlike any other recent debut. Marina is a true original who has poured her heart and soul into the writing of this gem. 12 tracks and 42 minutes in length, ‘The Family Jewels’ is part autobiography/part fairytale with the sound ranging from the uber-shiny pop of ‘Shampain’ to the fragile elegance of ‘Obsessions’ and ‘Numb’, the pop-punk of ‘Girls’ and the joyful quirkiness of ‘Mowgli’s Road’ and ‘Hermit the Frog’.
Not content to conform to the on-trend sound of the moment, Marina is determined to succeed on her own terms. This steely determination really fed into the production of the album with Marina making producer Liam Howe record 482 vocal takes for one song.
The end result is an album that functions as a fully formed piece of art. Heartbreaking and emotional at times as exemplified on ‘I Am Not A Robot’ Marina lays herself open and vulnerable for her fans, ‘The Diamonds’.
Marina comments: “I am really proud to finally release my debut album, ‘The Family Jewels’. It is a body of work largely inspired by the seduction of commercialism, modern social values, family and female sexuality. Each song was intricately produced and written by myself and my only hope is for it to be enjoyed and consumed as a story and theory that encourages people to question themselves.“
I was surprised by how empty the NME Radar Tour was when I arrived, for Yes Giantess there was a small crowd supporting and enjoying the energetic performance, despite the vocalist’s keyboard having “exploded” before the set he improvised with a maraca. His witty banter to the audience opened for a brilliant show. Next, The Local Natives played a slightly more calm set which included a impressive cover of The Talking Heads as well as an incredible drum session towards the end where members of fellow bands joined in for a vigorous ending to the set. Throughout The Local Natives the room had begun to fill, I can only imagine this was in preparation for Marina and the Diamonds.
Marina entered the stage looking a little nervous but gorgeous in a sequined lace dress which by the look of all men in the audience was much appreciated, during the opening song you wouldn’t have noticed anything was the matter, however before performing “Seventeen” Marina shared that she had been ill that day and hoped we “didn’t think she was crap” which was followed by an applause from the audience encouraging her to continue. At this point it was clear to see that Marina simply wasn’t feeling right, although sung “Seventeen” with surprising energy and practically flawless vocals although unfortunately broke into tears at the end. With screams of “we love you” and “you’re beautiful” from the crowd Marina bravely attempted “I Am Not A Robot” but it seemed to prove a little too much and she swiftly exited the stage as the keyboard player politely stepped up and exclaimed “enjoy the Golden Silvers, we’re sorry” and Marina hopped into a taxi.
The disappointed crowd showed no signs of heckling, rudeness or hatred towards the singer and rightly so. Marina was ill, it happens to the best of us unfortunately it just had to be on this particular show. As swarms of fans left the venue outside there were rumours of a band member proposing to Marina and her emotions got the better of her, however it’s difficult to believe anyone in a room of half cut fans each with their own thoughts on the event. Then came the final act, The Golden Silvers who entered the stage with an impressive performance and the crowd didn’t seem to remember Marinas upset- hopefully her next visit to Portsmouth will be more successful.
Following the release of her debut smash “Obsessions” / “Mowgli’s Road”, Marina and the Diamonds (aka 23 year old Marina Diamond) is pleased to announce the release of her follow up “The Crown Jewels” EP on June 15, 2009. Coming out through the innovative upstart NY indie label Neon Gold Records, the EP will include 3 tunes destined to be pop classics: “I Am Not A Robot”, “Seventeen” and “Simplify”. The digital EP will also include remixes by the like of Starsmith, The Aspirins For My Children and The Shoes.
With supporters as diverse as Huw Stephens, Rob Da Bank, Zane Lowe, Jo Whiley, Dermot O’Leary, Lauren Laverne, Nemone, Jon Hillcock and John Kennedy, Marina is headed towards big things in 2009. If you didn’t get a chance to catch Marina live at the Camden Crawl where she literally had fans swinging from the rafters, check her out at the following dates:
May
10 – Radio 1 Big Weekend, Swindon
16 – The Great Escape
21 – Stag & Dagger (Bar Music Hall), London
25 – Evolution Festival, Newcastle
June
07 – Sellindge Music Festival, Kent
27 – Glastonbury Festival
July
12 – Wakestock Festival
26 – Camp Bestival, Dorset
August
02 – Underage Festival, London
04 – Electric Picnic, Ireland
07 – Big Chill Festival, Eastnor Castle
30 – Get Loaded In The Park, London
September
11 – Bestival, Isle of Wight
Marina and the Diamonds new EP “The Crown Jewels” will be released through Neon Gold Records on June 15, 2009.
enjoying the energetic performance, despite the vocalist’s keyboard having “exploded” before the set he improvised with a maraca. His witty banter to the audience opened for a brilliant show. Next, The Local Natives played a slightly more calm set which included a impressive cover of The Talking Heads as well as an incredible drum session towards the end where members of fellow bands joined in for a vigorous ending to the set. Throughout The Local Natives the room had begun to fill, I can only imagine this was in preparation for Marina and the Diamonds.
