Now It's On

Single Review: Steven A. Clark "Bounty"

Steven A. Clark was one of my favorite finds of 2012. The Miami-based artist released my favorite R&B album of last year with Fornication Under Consent of the King and is a rising star in this new R&B movement we're seeing, alongside acts like Frank Ocean and Miguel. Clark mixes hip-hop, indie rock and old school R&B to create something fresh and he's definitely an artist I'll be following as his profile continues to rise.

This week, Clark has unleashed his contribution to Shaking Through, a documentary series curated by label head Chris Swanson that brings together emerging artists with their peers to record a new song in two days. "Bounty" features members of War On Drugs, Ava Luna and Man Man, and is another slice of Clark's brilliance. A gorgeous melody, impassioned lyrics and an undeniable vocal performance, there is no auto tune here folks. This man can sing. Check out the song, as well as the 'making of' video below, showing the process behind this great song.     

 

Shaking Through: Steven A. Clark from Weathervane Music on Vimeo.

Single Review: Prince "Rock & Roll Love Affair" (aka "RNR Affair")

Much like he did before he opened his Welcome 2 Canada tour by releasing a new track, albeit an awful re-make of the classic outtake "Extraloveable", Prince has surprised us with another new track a week before he starts his set of Welcome 2 Chicago shows. Thankfully, this time it is a much better song, although being the long time fan I am, I am not about to declare it any kind of a masterpiece either.

We all know Prince has nothing but disdain for critics of his music. If you don't make music, he has no use for your opinion on what he produces, especially when the review is negative. So here is an opinion Prince likely won't care about on this new track, being referred to as "RNR Affair" on the radio but Dr. Funkenberry has revealed on his site the correct, full title is "Rock & Roll Love Affair".

So this isn't an actual single you can buy, at least not yet, although it may be as Dr. Funkenberry also mentions a video for this was recently shot at Paisley Park. My thoughts on the song? It's basically typical of Prince's recent output. It's not earth shaking by any means, rather light weight and unessential in his overall catalog, but not without its charm. It calls to mind a number of other songs from his past including "Take Me With U", "The One U Wanna C" and "Willing And Able". It's a pure pop track, with some country-fied guitar in there too. The little keyboard hook is borderline cheesy and I really wish he'd get back to using real horns instead of this fake horn synth stuff. 

RNR Affair

It's a breezy little tune however, and very easy to interpret as about current muse/protege/whatever Andy Allo. He even drops a "When Stars Collide" reference in the lyrics, which just so happens to be a track on Allo's forthcoming NPG Records release Superconductor. And speaking of lyrics, it amazes me how a 'devout' Jehovah's Witness as Prince claims to be, can get away with such an obvious double entendre as 'If there's some room I'd like 2 sit at UR table, she said it's tight but I think I can fit U in'. It's a decent enough song, much better than pap like "Hot Summer" and "Rich Friends", but the days of being floored by a new Prince track appear long gone. I'd love to still be proven wrong and I'd also love to hear other fan opinion on the song.

Once again, thanks and credit to Dr. Funkenberry for the information on the new song.

Album Review: Pillowfilm.ours "Demo '10-'12"

Pillowfilm.ours is the music of Belgian musician Mauro Neyt. His material is mostly modern piano music but he incorporates strings, electronics and beats into a number of his songs as well, making it a mix of classical influences with more current ambient electronic sounds. He compares himself to the likes of Olafur Arnalds but I also would liken this to some of Moby's instrumental work.

Demo '10-'12 is a collection of material Neyt has recorded over the last three years and despite the word demo in the title, these songs actually benefit from some of their sparseness. Nothing is over-produced, the music is given space to breathe and it makes for an engrossing listening experience of this beautiful music. My personal favorite is "Vrijheid" which starts off as mostly piano before an orchestral arrangement and drums are added. It's a gorgeous piece. "Last train, goodbye. I love you." is another highlight, a somber piano piece with quiet orchestral accompaniment. The entire collection is around thirty minutes, my download has an extra track not up on his Bandcamp page entitled "Wooden seat at the lake" which is another beauty. Fans of this type of music will not want to miss this release. 

Neyt has also recently released a new Pillowfilm.ours track, "Ellecto", which takes his music in a new direction. This is more of a straight electro song, but it still retains Neyt's knack for a lovely melody. Hopefully he will continue to pursue his work as Pillowfilm.ours as there is a lot of potential here if a full length album is in his future.

Demo '10-'12 was self-released as a download only January 1, 2012 via Bandcamp. Download here

"Ellecto" was self-released as a download only on August 6, 2012 also via Bandcamp.Download here

Single Review: Pet Shop Boys "Winner"

Thankfully there are some artists who still believe in B-sides. While we await the September 11th release of the Pet Shop Boys' eleventh studio album Elysium, the first single "Winner" has been released with three new, non-album tracks included. "Winner" has grown on me, it's not nearly one of their greatest lead-off singles, but the chorus is unmistakably PSB. 

The B-sides are what we're really concerned about though, and "A Certain 'Je ne sais quoi'" is essential and the strongest track on here. It's so strong, it should have made it to Elysium, as there are a few weak tracks on the album that this would serve as a major improvement over. A dance track with guitar lines and looping keyboards, this song alone is worth the cost of the single.

"The Way Through The Woods" is a bit of a curiosity, based on a Rudyard Kipling poem. With outdoor sounds invoking the title of the song, it builds as a literal trip through the woods lyrically and musically. Electronic beats burst through the orchestration in the final minute. It's the weakest of the three new songs, but still an interesting listen. Songs like this fulfill the intention of B-sides, a place for the artist to experiment and put something out that may not fit the album concept.

The single closes out with a faithful cover of the Bee Gees classic "I Started A Joke", serving as a tribute to the late Robin Gibb. Neil Tennant delivers a wonderful vocal performance, capturing the spirit of Gibb's voice beautifully. 

The "Winner" single was released in the U.S. August 7, 2012 as a download only. A CD single has been released in the UK for those collectors, like me, who still demand a physical product.

Purchase the "Winner" single from Amazon.com (Download Version)

Purchase the "Winner" CD single from Amazon.com (Import Only)

Music Video: Pet Shop Boys "Winner"

Although the track "Invisible" was released a little earlier with a corresponding video clip, "Winner" is the actual first single from the Pet Shop Boys forthcoming new album Elysium. The song has been out for a few weeks now but the video has made its debut today and it's probably not what you would be expecting. 

The assumption was this track had an obvious Olympic tie-in. The cover art certainly suggests that and there are rumors PSB will perform at the closing ceremonies in London this summer. So I'm sure an Olympic themed music video for the uplifting song was the safe choice. Instead, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have released a video chronicling the London Rollergirls, an all-female roller derby league in the UK, and the efforts of a trans-gender woman trying to fit into the league. Leave it to Pet Shop Boys to not take the easy way out. I applaud the message but as a music video, this falls kind of flat. I'm not a big fan of the dialogue over the music and it's not one that entices me to watch again. 

The single, however, has grown on me. No, it's not their strongest lead-off single, but the shining chorus is undeniably catchy, the type of thing this legendary synth-pop duo has been doing for over 30 years now. Elysium is due to be released in the U.S. September 18, 2012 on Astralwerks.

Music Video: George Michael "White Light"

He's back. That is what George Michael declares at the start of his new single "White Light" and who can argue with him when the results are this good? Michael has been through a lot these last few years, much of it self-inflicted as he admits, culminating in a bout with pneumonia last year that left him in a coma and near death according to the singer. 

So with a literal second chance at life, he is rejuvenated and celebratory on his first new music since the health scare, the single "White Light". Musically, the song calls to mind "Precious Box" from his last studio album, 2004's "Patience", but the electronic dance music can't hide the deeply personal and affecting lyrics. Michael mentions stories of other celebrities, without naming names, who have succumbed to a life of excess, drug and drink and questions why he was spared, but does so in a message of genuine gratitude. He considers this song a thank you letter to his fans, loved ones and everyone who pulled for him to make it through and that uplifting chorus of 'I'm Alive' being repeated in the background sends shivers down the spine. 

The video is equally impressive and most importantly, the man looks healthy and happy again. Quick cuts of a hospital room, Michael stuck waiting between Heaven and Hell as his life hangs in the balance, it's pretty obvious what the message of the video is but the scene of George doing that 'George Michael' dance again brings a huge smile to my face. The man is a pop music legend, the music world is a better place when he is active in it. Here is to hoping this is indeed a new lease on life for George Michael and he makes the most of this second chance. 'I've got so much more that I want to do with the music' he sings. We hope so George, welcome back.

Single Review: And The Giraffe "Darling (Reprise)"

At the beginning of the year, I featured the wonderful music video "Underground Love" from folk/pop duo And The Giraffe. Now Nick Roberts and Josh Morris are back with a new single, a cover of the song "Darling (Reprise)" by the Boston-based synth-pop band Magic Man.

And The Giraffe call their music "dream-folk", although there certainly is a heavy dose of pop music leanings in there as well. Their EP "Something For Someone" was released in August of 2011 and this is the first new track they've released since then. They're joined this time by Robert Edmondson on bass and their version of "Darling (Reprise)" stays pretty true to the original, another nice three minute slice of dreamy pop heaven. Love that single cover too.   

Single Review: Vieem "If Only You'd Know"

My quest to find a new, soulful ballad to dominate my personal playlist has been satisfied with this gorgeous piano based track from Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Vieem. "If Only You'd Know" is the lead single from her debut EP "Be It Hated" which came out in December of last year on her own Fink Desour label.

Vieem was born and raised in Brooklyn, with music in her blood from an early age. Taught to play piano by her father, also a musician, she brings many influences to her music. Sure there are pop and R&B elements, but her lessons in gospel, opera and classical music also impact her sound. Her bio lists early female influences as diverse as Tina Turner, Joan Jett and Cyndi Lauper.

"Be It Hated" features seven tracks bringing all those genres together into a promising musical statement with "If Only You'd Know" the standout. Starting with just Vieem's vocals and piano, the track grabs you with the lovely chorus and her commanding voice. The song builds musically adding keyboards, electronic beats and effects, emphasizing the lyric of a love sadly not being returned or recognized. It's a wonderfully affecting performance and, simply, a great song.

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Purchase "Be It Hated" from Vieem's Official Website