We all know you’re out there. Those cynics amongst us who approach the dreaded February 14th with a mixture of apathy and disgust. After all, it is a poorly disguised capitalist construction designed to tide over the greetings card industry between the twin peaks of Christmas and Easter. True too that it is more romantic to show your loved one that they really are ‘the one’ on any other day of the year when a spontaneous and unexpected romantic gesture might actually be…well…spontaneous and unexpected. Meanwhile the evening spent awkwardly chewing food in a restaurant infested with doe-eyed couples re-enacting Disney’s Lady & The Tramp with their Spaghetti whilst giggling childishly or crying hysterically would certainly not be as unpleasant on any other day of the year.

OK OK, we get it. You hate Valentines. But chill out, it’s not all bad. Here at LSRadio we spent the fourteenth day of the second month of the year with out favourite new infatuations (as well as a few ugly ducklings). So as the roses slowly disintegrate, the chocolates quickly disappear and the greetings cards are carefully placed in a box under your bed, ease yourself back into the real world with a healthy dose of whats hot and whats colder than a misjudged romantic gesture in new music this week…

Single of the Week

M83 // Midnight City

Midnight City is the lead track from M83’s 2011 Album and by God is it a statement of intent. Constructed out of pitched up yelps and siren synth string lines it begins as a howling mess of excitement before dropping into the low and dark voice of Anthony Gonzalez, who’s low key intonation presents an excellent counterpoint to the excitement of its main refrain. Then just as you think it’s slipped away into another chilled out electro song it breaks once more into the excitable mess of synth. It’s a wonderful piece of electro to dance away to; it’s filled with a kind of joy lacking in so many other supposed dancefloor fillers. The fact that it features a saxophone towards the end can only serve to show just how much fun M83 is having with the track, he throws everything into it and it works. (by Louis Van Kleef)

The Shins // Simple Song

The Shins are one of those bands that it’s easy to forget about. It’s been a good four years since their last offering and a whole 16 years since the band first formed, long enough for many bands to form, split, reform then split again with time spare for some bad tabloid press and a youtube viral in between. Still, it’s hard to hold that against Mercer and co when they come back with a single as charming as ‘Simple Song’. Sitting somewhere between Supergrass, classic Elbow and something altogether more theatrical, this track is a-wash with rising harmonies, powerful falsetto and twee piano hooks. Its not exactly groundbreaking. There’s no dubstep drop or guest rap from Azaelia Banks but thats not why we love these pop-rock stalwarts. Simple Song is exactly what it says on the tin, simple, unpretentious, indie rock. Makes a change eh? (by Chris Chadwick)

Scissor Sisters vs. Krystal Pepsy // Shady Love

Believe it or not it’s been nearly 6 years since Jake Shears, Ana Matronic, Baby Daddy and co got their only UK No.1 single (and their last UK top ten) with I Don’t Feel Like Dancing. Bringing it back to 2012, the flamboyant American pop group are back with the help of little known female lyricist-Krystal Pepsy, or as she’s otherwise known, Azealia Banks… ring a bell? Shady Love has everything that we have missed from the Scissor Sisters in recent years -cheeky charisma and endless energy. Tongue twisting rap may be a new direction but It is the chorus that Shears releases the typical ‘Scissor Sisters’ sing along exuberance. Not to mention the choice use of pantomime overdubs for the explicit lyrics. Scissir Sisters are back. Pop just got fun again. (by Rob Dewis)

Lost Prophets // Better Off Dead

Better Off Dead’ is surely a phrase now more than familiar to Lost Prophets front man Ian Watkins. The difficulties the band have had in penning this, their fifth studio offering, have been well documented in interviews and insider pages with whole albums scrapped, producers sacked and band relations undoubtedly strained. It’s no wonder then, that with an album entitled ‘Weapons’, the Welsh rockers have come out fighting with theIR first single. ‘Better Off Dead’ is a return to form for a band that seem to have struggled with a crisis of identity of late. Sounding more in line with debut album ‘The Fake Sound of Progress’ than the more conservative pop-rock they’ve churned out since, this is aggressive drums, raucous vocals and relentless guitar riffs. It’s desperate, clawing and oh so catchy. Despite its formidable sound its difficult to digest. Perhaps its because of the time and toll its taken to produce this record but ‘Better Off Dead’ falls short of feeling authentic. Audiences will want to believe this kind of music has fallen fully formed out of a garage, thrashed out by angry men with big ideas such that the reality that it was carefully crafted over several years and much thought by a band who have consistently tried to reinvent themselves is disappointing and disheartening. Lost Prophets may be back and fighting but only time will tell if it’s for a ‘lost’ cause. (by Chris Chadwick

Lana Del Rey // Born To Die

Under her given name, Lizzy Grant was unheard of. Reinvented under the moniker of Lana Del Rey and all traces of Grant erased, Del Rey is the topic of much controversy. It’s no secret that critics are pulling Del Rey apart as we speak and probably rightly so. Big things were expected from her following the early release of singles Video Games and Blue Jeans but her single Born To Die is a disappointment. As much as most people loathe jumping on the bandwagon, you can’t help but feel simply unimpressed after listening to this single. For a song that titles her recently released album, Born To Die was expected to be something magnificent and it fell short of those expectations.

The first minute and a half of the song is pretty captivating, filled with deep dark sounds, definitive beats and Del Rey’s signature murmur. This first ninety seconds seem to promise an atmospheric and enchanting song. But no, it reverts back to quiet, repetitive and somewhat boring for the next four minutes. Born To Die is on the brink of being something musically beautiful but it’s not quite hitting the spot.

Putting a finger on which genre this song fits into is a tough one. Del Rey begins on a classical note, moving to pop through to a combination of violins with trance-esque sounds floating around in the background,  all of course accompanied by her male backing singer who crops up occasionally. But hey, maybe that’s the point. Maybe we aren’t supposed to be able to put our thumb on what sound Born To Die actually is. For some, that may add to the mystery of Del Rey but this side of the pond – just frustration. This single feels as though it could be something huge and it just isn’t. One cannot help but feel sheer dissatisfaction with Del Rey’s efforts this time around. (by Leanne Cook)

King Charles // Love Blood

King of Odd Indie, King Charles, is back with a bang. ‘Love Blood’ is a crunchy nuggest of sunshine pop complete with calypso rhythms and euphoric melodies. In places, the shimmering guitar and backing vocals on this track have more in common with reggae than with the ‘indie’ clique into which King Charles is often awkwardly packaged. It’s hardly suprising from a new artist who consistently defies expectations and refuses to be consistent, conservative and let’s face it…boring. Looks like the doctor has ordered a healthy dose of ‘Love Blood’ as a cure for those cold February blues. (by Chris Chadwick)

EP/Album Reviews

Caomhe // Untitled EP

Single Reviews:

Submotion Orchestra // Always

Jittery drum beats, jazzy piano/saxophone and Soul II Soul-y vocals…it’s hard to have a better introduction to this ‘Leodensian’ progressive-dubstep act.  My only quibble is that the track never really seems to progress or change throughout. Sadly the Synkro remix doesn’t really add much to the original, but the Laxx remix is, to not be overly hyperbolic,  flippin’ awesome. Starting off with eerie ambience, you wait for that absolutely cavernous dub bass line to kick in only to hear the track mutate into some freaky dub-acid house hybrid. It’s perfect. (By Laurence Cheesman.)

Patrick Wolf // Together

Having released his last album Lupercalia in April earlier this year- which on the whole, achieved encouraging reviews, there is hope for great things from the release of his new EP Brumelia, out December 4th. The track list includes songs he has written over the last year and also features a song he wrong whilst travelling through the swamps of Florida. One song that may seem familiar however, is “Together”, which Wolf has reworked especially for the release of the EP. With his renowned baritone voice and beautifully put together strings, “Together” is a romantic indie pop song, in which Patrick’s broody lyrics and electronic composition merge to form a single which meets the high expectations of the new release. (By Tilly Sharp)

Album Reviews:

Low Level Flight // Through These Walls

With its funky looking art-work, Through these Walls was looking promising. The start was pretty hopeful, all rolling drums and epic guitars in the intro to album opener Cash Machine. And then the vocals come in. Oh! The vocals…they sound like the worst kind of late 90s American wimp-punk and the kind of chant-alongs that belong solely in the realm of Blink-182 and jimmy Eat World. Exit, Raining Castles and the songs that follow are in the same vein; varying between a lacklustre amalgam of early-naughties dance-punk and Fugazi, and the sort of beige landfill indie that flooded the charts a few years back. With added whining. However, when picked apart each song could be pretty darn good, but one minute it’s moody-teen angst-rock, then all of a sudden it goes Editors, and for reasons known only to the band, it transmogrifies to shouty, laddy ‘indeh’…all in the space of a minute. That pretty much sums up the whole album too; it comes off as trying to appeal to too many people and attracting no-one. It should be great but it just isn’t. (By Laurence Cheesman.)

Smoove and Turrell // Eccentric Audio

Eccentric Audio is definitely eccentric. Its opening song Higher sets the groovy vibe within seconds of pressing play, its up-tempo style creating the same sort of feel as Beggin’ by Madcon - catchy, dancey, fun. The instruments put together for the songs – particularly the electric guitar and percussion – bring Jimmy Hendrix’s funky style back to life. The instruments are also a great accompaniment to the lead singer’s voice, which has a kind of retro, husky feel to it at times- the guy sure has range in his voice-what a set of lungs! It’s that sort of album that will make you want to stand on a chair and dance with joy -very feel good. There are also calmer sounds on Eccentric Audio, for example, Wasted Man put more emphasis on the main singer’s voice - you can hear his pain and passion. To give perhaps a bit of criticism I would say shame about the disc being scratched and causing some songs to be inaudible. Neverthless, these artists are all about the funk; singing about feeling it “deep in your soul” and mixing guitar blues into a more contemporary, R&B sound. Very original and very fluid. Stand back Joss Stone; Smoove and Turrell are the new sound of soul and they mean business. (By Kat Koumourou)

Stealing Sheep are a female trio from Liverpool. Becky, Emily & Lucy, armed with Casio keyboards and Yamaha synths, create lo-fi atmospheric pop that evokes the 1960’s of hippies and the velvets.  Swirling guitars, hypnotic beats and beautifully quirky harmonies, Stealing Sheep are fresh in their approach of utilizing past trends and taking inspiration to create something totally left-field and new. Recording songs in abandoned buildings here in Liverpool using retro cassettes and experimental recording techniques, they create warm layered and at times, eerie sounds. The band released their debut ‘Noah and the Paper Moon’ only a year after forming, which suggests this is a band with a clear vision and the impetus to make things happen.

The highlight of their glistening debut album comes courtesy of lead single ‘I Am The Rain’, which with its downbeat percussion and mesmerising vocals is a cleverly worked cross between modern indie folk stalwarts Fleet Foxes and classic Nico era Velvet Underground. These types of reviews always beg for more contemporary comparisons (a file next to section maybe?), however Stealing Sheep seem to me, simply too unique and in their own magical and mystical world to be bracketed alongside other far more bland nu-folkies.

Stealing Sheep’s debut LP ‘Noah & the Paper Moon’ is out now on iTunes and available on vinyl and other physical formats from Probe Records (Liverpool).

The band play the Kazimier in Liverpool on 8th March 2012.

By Leo Gibbons-Plowright

Hello, and welcome to the second instalment of LS Introducing! For those who don’t know what that means, LS Radio has launched a new section where we bring you the best in up and coming local talent, straight from our home and base, Liverpool!

This week we move over to the Urban side of things, to bring you the sweet sounds of rapper/singer KOF. Having already received consistent airplay on BBC 1Xtra, BBC Radio 1 and the Capital Network, the Merseyside artist has also earnt accolades from the likes of radio DJs Trevor Nelson, Mistajam, and DJ Target. Collaborations wise, the list is already admirable. Not only has KOF teamed up with other local artists such as Chelcee Grimes and Esco Williams, he has also featured on tracks with up and coming Birmingham MC Lady Leshurr and well known artists Wretch 32 and Wiley.

With 3 previous EP releases, this September saw the delivery of the Looking At Me EP. The first single from his forthcoming debut album, Looking At Me has had great success and was added to multiple Radio and TV playlists including BBC 1Xtra and MTV. On December 11th 2011, the second album single Be Like You will be released. Smooth vocals run over a mellow drum and bass track, with lyrics that stand for the purity of music and its purpose in the world. The track showcases KOF’s impressive songwriting, vocals and production skills, and is set to continue his elevation on the path to re-inject Soul back into the UK scene.

As you can see KOF has already achieved a great amount, and hopefully 2012 will be the year he gets the recognition he deserves.

Be Like You is released on 11.12.11 via Nothin’ But The Music

by Georgina Upton

Despite our apparent preoccupation with music making global waves in both our reviews and playlist content, LSRadio’s heart is rooted firmly in Liverpool and, as such, beats to the sound of local music. This illustrious musical city has produced some truly ground-breaking talent from the Fab Four to the Wombats. With new bands a constant on Liverpool’s ever changing landscape we’ve been hard at work with our ears to the ground to find the most promising acts who might just be next in taking their music from their Mersey base to the big bad world of Britain and beyond.

First on our list of acts oozing star quality and pop potential? Super Cannes.

 Super-Cannes, named after a JG Ballard novel, consists of Richie; lead vocals and guitar, Davy, lead guitar, Billy, bass guitar and Jams, drums. Huge devotees of Radiohead, this strikingly comes across in their sound, which is a mix of the brooding, the anxious and jittery. Songs such as When People Die In Small Rooms with its ominous bass rumble lingering over sharp guitar stabs and Richie’s inauspicious vocal performance create a truly claustrophobic atmosphere, a theme common throughout their debut EP. Vocalist Richie himself put it in one interview that there is a ‘melancholy undertow’ in the lyrics of the band and even in their more up-tempo songs there is vulnerability lurking behind some of the dark boots and leather jacket posturing that fronts the stage. If you only listen to just one track then New York-London-Paris-Tokyo is the stand out feature and contains all the Super-Cannes trademarks, Jams tight militarist drums, Davy’s swirling guitar effects and Richie’s intense baritone.

Described by BBC Merseyside presenter Dave Monk as ‘a group you really have to listen to’, Super Cannes are carrying on the fine tradition in Liverpool of superb Neo-Psychedelia acts such as The Teardrop Explodes and Echo & the Bunnymen and I for one hope their star continues to rise.

Their debut EP ‘Idee Fix’ is out now. 

New York-London-Paris-Tokyo- by supercannes

by Leo Gibbons-Plowright

Another week and another mixed bag of musical offerings from artists new, old and frankly past it. Some of the most satisfying music to review is those new artists who surprise (see this weeks Single of the Week). So prepare to be pleased, surprised or disappointed by how our reviewers rate or slate a selection of new music making its debut over the few days and weeks. 

Single of the Week

This weeks highlight comes in the form of London based, Alt-Folk band Urusen who charmed reviewer Sean Howlett with their refreshing brand of infectious folk pop.

Urusen // The Islander/A Once Was Tramp & Tree (Double A Side)

Urusen’s double A-side single The Islander/A Once Was Tramp And Tree is a joy to listen to. Their folk-inspired melodies don’t just fit in to the current folk spectrum, marked by Marling and Mumford, but rely on a greater heritage of alt-folk. The songs are great, first of all. The lyrics are bold yet calming and the production really presents archaic images of Britishness. Lush harmonies and orchestration accompany these incredibly catchy ditties, taking them from nice songs to melodies that get stuck in your head for days. You can really tell that at the core of this act is incredible passion, yet they remain to touch the heartstrings and offer a beautifully constructed pastiche of sound. In this David Guetta day and age, it’s a stunningly refreshing change. Out November 14^th. (by Sean Howlett)

Singles

The Submarines // Shoelaces/Fires (Double A Side)

Brimming with Electronic-Indie Pop goodness and some damn fine melodies, the Submarines are worth a listen. ‘Shoelaces’ keeps the raw vocals of the husband and wife duo contrasted against a mix of experimental style instrumental. Reminiscent of The Cardigans; a definite feel-good song. Meanwhile, folky vocals against an Electronic backdrop, Fire is a beautifully layered song with a catchy melody and punchy beat. The Submarines have done it again, a song to make you feel good…it’ll have your foot tapping. (by Emma Sims)

Maverick Sabre // I Need

Maverick Sabre burst onto the music scene this time last year when he featured on Professor Green’s single, Jungle. Since then, his music has been going from strength to strength. In March this year he released The Lost Words EP which featured 4 singles, including the amazing song Look What I’ve Done. His voice is highly distinguishable, quirky yet beautiful, and that tone certainly doesn’t differ on his new single I Need. The single, which is out on the 6th November, is a smooth, chilled out track featuring silky strings flowing throughout, along with the odd guitar strum and piano motif. The great thing about Maverick Sabre is although he is able to sing in a beautiful way, he still manages add an urban vibe to the music with his almost rap like vocal style. I highly recommend this track, but just to warn you, if you press play it is more than likely you’ll have to put it on repeat! Look out for Mavericks album, due 2012. (by Georgina Upton)

The Bullits // Supercool

Infectious ‘Supercool’ vocals, the swagger of early Kasabian with added dance ability makes this track from the Bullits an instant hit in my books. Perhaps not as full sounding as earlier single Landspeeder but a different direction from London producer and song writer Jeymes Samuel’s group is very much welcomed. (by Rob Dewis)

Albums

Wretch-32 // Black & White

I must admit, I was never a big fan of Wretch 32 when he first came out with Traktor or Don’t Go and before playing the album Black & White I did have pre-conceptions about the album, expecting to hear the sound of your typical rap album. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the album as a whole, especially certain songs such as I’m Not The Man and Anniversary depicting his effortless style. The phrase “write about what you know” is evident in his songs as he mentions life growing up in Tottenham, London and some of the worries of youth living in similar areas. The album shows off some great collaborations between Wretch 32 and other artists such as Chipmunk, Example, Ed Sheeran and Delilah to name a few. The collaborations seem to stand out from the other tracks on the album, pulling on from different influences in the music industry. (by Saadiya Yusuf)

You Me At Six // Sinners Never Sleep

Sinners Never Sleep is You Me At Six’s third album and having only just come out of their teens is quite the achievement. The album is definitely an attempt at leaving behind their pop punk songs about girls breaking hearts and leaving their lipstick on your best friend’s car and instead have opted for a more serious rock sound. This is shown by having Parkway Drive’s lead vocalist; Winston McCall to emphasise the more hard-core side of the new album in “Time is Money”. It would have been a disaster if the boys totally left their pop punk days behind, so there are still songs about those who have broken poor, unlucky in love lead singer Josh Franceschi’s heart to keep already devoted fans happy. Personally I enjoy the sound they already had going for them, it has brought them so much success, and feel that they shouldn’t have to mature and turn into the Foo Fighters just because they are now in their early twenties. The album has some good songs, including “Bite my Tongue” a song Josh wrote about the tensions within the band at the time, but surely the band is still young enough not to take themselves too seriously and keep on chasing “blondes with green eyes”. (by Tilly Sharp)

The Kooks // Junk of the Heart (Album)

Listening to the marmite-esque vocals of Luke Pritchard, consistently sounding like he can’t quite be bothered to open his mouth properly, the new Kooks album comes across more relaxed than their previous, Konk. They seem to have stripped down their up-beat songs in favour of a more mature, acoustic sound. Unfortunately lacking any prospects of matching the hits (Naïve and She Moves In Her Own Way) heard on Inside In Inside Out, Junk of the Heart seems to be taking a slightly different direction that just isn’t different enough. Some songs come across dated and repetitive with lyrics sounding suspiciously like they were stolen from the diary of a thirteen year old girl. Undoubtedly die-hard Kooks fans will still enjoy this album; they ultimately retain their distinctive style but honestly, don’t get too excited. (by Emma Sims)

Skrillex //More Monsters and Sprites EP

For anyone familiar with Skrillex’s Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites EP, the question is how can you actually get ‘More’? With so much wobble bass, Skrillex should probably call himself ‘Obi Wub Kinobi’, the original hits you over the head like Godzilla with a laser gun.

As individual tracks, this ‘extras’ EP is pretty decent and has some unexpected gems. Who would have thought a Phonat remix would include slow dub, more in line with SBTRKT number. However there are only so many ‘OH MY GODS!’ that you can take in one listening. In other words, Skrillex’s intensity, that is often so genius, actually creates the fall of this EP. For me, More Monsters and Nice Sprites EP is just a means by which a box gets ticked with the words, ‘new release’. (by Rob Dewis)

Next week we’ll have reviews of Lou Reed & Metallica, Jay-Z & Kanye West and Delilah. Until then, have a good one! 

Hello there. 

Sitting comfortably? Then lets begin.

With the whole world and its neighbours voicing their opinions on the good, the bad and the often ugly music industry, one could be entitled to ask, what could possible be the use of another music blog? What unique selling point is left to be utilised in a desperate attempt to draw people to this web page in this new age of twitter, tumblr, facebook and a virtual reality that we all live every day through the internet? 

The only answer i can give is that this blog is as much for the writers involved as it is for any readers that might care enough to peruse our posts. The LSRadio Music Team consists solely of students from the University of Liverpool, budding music writers, radio producers and presenters. Some have been writing about music in some form or another since they could start their own myspace account, for others, this is their first foray into the over-populated world of online press. This blog serves to help any and all of the above to develop their writing style and provide an online portfolio of their work. Former LSRadio contributors have included Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw and Newsbeat’s Tulip Mazumdar plus countless others who have progressed into the competitive careers that benefit from the skills developed whilst involved in Student Radio.  

From your side what can this blog offer? How about a truly interactive review website where your opinions matter as much as those of our bloggers? Feedback to us on our writing styles and tastes, disagree with us or agree with us. Do it nicely though! It’s all good. It’s all healthy. 

Add to that the absence of any hidden agenda, a complete lack of trend setting, hipster, pretention. This aint no NME. This is genuine and honest, student opinion on the latest ideas, artists and bands that that homogenous body we call ‘the music industry’ is spewing out.

Thanks for supporting student media. Stay tuned for what’s to come…

Chris

(Editor)