drum and bass
Top 10 Albums of 2013! Part 1 of 2!
So the end of 2013 is fast approaching. We’ve had some great albums been released over the last 12 months! Some old favorites returned, some newcomers marked their territory. If 2013 was anything to go by who knows what’s install for 2014! Here’s my countdown of my personal top 10 albums of the year.
10. Chvrches – The Bones Of What You Believe
Chvrches are a Scottish Synthpop band from Glasgow, who broke onto the scene this year after the release of their “Recover” EP back in march. The band came 5th in the “BBC’s Sound of 2013 list” this is a list of the most promising new music talent. Ever since, the band has grown in popularity and in September they released their debut album; The Bones Of What You Believe. This album is a great introduction of what is to come in the future from such a young and promising band! Every track catches you with each synth-induced note. Mix that in with the tremendously warming voice of Lauren Mayberry and you have a catchy album full of tunes. The band’s debut album was well received by many, scoring high marks with publicists such as NME who gave them a solid 8/10. Key tracks to look out for are “The Mother We Share”, “We Sink” and “Recover”.
9. Chase & Status – Brand New Machine
Brand New Machine is third studio album by British drum and bass duo Chase & Status. After performing extensively to crowds around the world and at major festivals such as Glastonbury and Reading Festival; it was time for the lads to put out their eagerly awaited album. From the very beginning of the record the duo have you wanting to rave within seconds. The album starts with the heavier drum and bass sound before weaving in and out with tracks that can be classed as house music whilst others lean towards dance club hits. Chase & Status hit the nail on the head with this album as the variety of tracks keep their audience at constant party tempo. The album is full with of guest appearances which allows for different artists from other genre’s to put their mark on the Chase & Status produced beats in a professional manner. Featuring artists include Major Lazer, Pusha T, Nile Rodgers, Louis M^ttrs and many more. It’s fair to say the album symbolises a strong output from highly talented pair.
8. Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
Possibly one of the most anticipated albums of the last decade. Yes, it took eight years for the release of Random Access Memories but we finally got it! I think it’s safe to say it was definitely worth the wait. Featuring artists such as the loveable Pharrell Williams, Julian Casablancas, Giorgio Moroder and Nile Rodgers how could you not be impressed? Daft Punk had got in a special bunch of people to create an album that would go down in history. The major talking point of this record is the song “Get Lucky.” The single reached the top ten in the music charts of over 32 countries, and has sold more than 7.3 million copies as of September 2013. Wherever you were, whatever you were doing, at some point you would have come across this track. In my opinion it is the song of 2013! And what a song Daft Punk had released to show they were back! Taking over the world again. Other fantastic tracks from the French duo’s forth record are “Give Life Back To Music”, “Lose Yourself To Dance” and “contact.” Go see what all the hype was about! The hype is truly deserved.
7. Foals – Holy Fire
Foals have always been a band close to my heart. The math indie-rock band from oxford never manages to disappoint. With each release they come into their own more and more. Holy Fire, the bands 3rd studio album is no different. This is the album to put the band on the map! Foals released the LP back in February and features amazing songs such as “Inhaler”, “My Number” and “bad habit”. Better yet, these songs sound even better live. Even the album intro “prelude” is a storm brewed hit of shredding guitars enegising the crowd from the very beginning when played live! Not only was this record a massive success but it also showed how sublime an act the band can be when it comes to playing headline shows! Foals headlined Latitude festival this year, their 1st major UK festival headline show. It’s safe to say it was show that managed to win best live set of the year 2013! I for one cannot wait to see what the future has install for such a thrilling UK band. Future Reading and Leeds headliners? Why not?
6. A Day To Remember – Common Courtesy
2013 marked the return of metalcore/pop-punk band A Day To Remember. The American rock band from Ocala, Florida self released their fifth studio album back on October 8th. At this point the album was only available as a digital download before being released in physical copy over a month later on November 25th. Before release, the album had been widely anticipated. Recalling the band’s fans response to “Violence (Enough Is Enough)”, Lead singer Jeremy said “it was one of the best responses we’ve ever had coming out of the gate. I can’t tell you how excited that made all of us.” The album debuted on the UK Album Chart at number 34, but reached number 1 on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart. Common Courtesy is the perfect album to represent a band such as these lads. The album starts and finishes strong with big riffs, crazy vocals and everything in-between. The album includes a bit of everything. Pop punk, Metal, Hardcore and even acoustics! The lads have done their fans and the world proud. Key songs on the album are “City Of Ocala”, “Right Back At It Again”, “Sometimes You’re The Hammer, Sometimes You’re The Nail” and “I Surrender”! In fact every single track is truly amazing! Go listen to it for yourselves! If it weren’t for a year of such strong releases, then this surely would have been my number 1.
Stay tuned for part 2 which should be up within the next couple of days! Some great albums and artists coming up! But who will be number 1?
Reading And Leeds Festival 2014 Announcement!
Christmas has come early for music lovers in the UK! Yes that’s right. Reading and Leeds Festival have joined the race to announce their first few acts for next year’s bill. As always it’s looking very pleasing for festivalgoers with 2014 just around the corner.
With Festivals such as Download, T in the Park and Sonisphere already having started to shape their lineups for their weekends of music, fans have turned their attention to Reading. In previous year’s Reading would usually wait til March to release a big bulk of names for their lineups (selling out almost instantly), but what with financial problems within the UK, some fans now want to pay in installments and who would buy a ticket without knowing at least a few bands?
On BBC Radio 1 tonight Zane Lowe announced the first 7 bands that will play across 5 stages. One of these being a main stage headliner.
It is with great pleasure to announce that the 1st headliner for Reading and Leeds 2014 is… Blink-182! Yes that’s right! The Californian pop-punk trio will head across the big pond in order to play their only two shows for 2014!
Mark Hoppus of the band says: “I’m stoked to play Reading & Leeds 2014. It’s our fourth time playing the festivals, and we’re very honoured. The New Year will see us in the studio preparing new music, getting ready to rock the fine people of the UK. Prepare for the fury.” This will be the bands first appearance back at the festival since they headlined last in 2010. Expect to hear hit after hit with the likes of “All The Small Things”, “What’s My Age Again” and “I Miss You” sure to be set highlights.
The next act to be added and returning for his 3rd year in a row is the talented Jake Bugg. With a Number One debut album under his belt, drawing huge crowds in previous years and now following the release of his brilliant second album ‘Shangri La’, Jake Bugg has earned his place on the main stage! Watch out for this solo artist to take the stage by storm again next August Bank Holiday.
Returning for what is expected to be yet another stand out set after 2013’s amazing reaction are brother’s Disclosure! This year their debut album ‘Settle’ topped the charts and the dance duo amazed crowds in sold out venues all over the world. If 2013 was a year for these lads to remember, just think how much better they will be one year on.
Another name announced for next summer’s bash is Metronomy. New track ‘I’m Aquarius’ was launched as Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record In The World recently and had 120,000 SoundCloud plays in a matter of hours. With new album “Love Letters” expected for release in March 2014 its seems only right for Metronomy to be welcomed back by the Reading and Leeds Demographic.
Of Mice & Men will return to English shores to play the festival in 2014 with new hits from their eagerly awaited album “Restoring Force” which is set to drop in 2014. Catch the US metalcore group on the Rock stage next summer.
The last two acts to be added to the festival in this announcement are Mark Wilkinson who will be dropping his massive hit, and dance chart Number One ‘Afterglow’. The other act is I Am Legion who are a combination of grime, hip-hop, Dubstep, and drum and bass. I am Legion is the side project of Foreign Beggars and Noisia.
With another lineup announcement not expected now until the New Year this will be enough acts for people to indulge in and explore their talents until the next announcement rolls round. Seven great acts have been added to the lineup for 2014, which can only make you wonder what other great additions do Reading and Leeds have install?
The festival has a lot to live up to after last year with sets from Biffy Clyro, Eminem, Green Day and System Of A Down but by the looks of it, they are more than capable of delivering.
Tickets can be purchased in full or in installments at Ticketmaster right now! What are you waiting for? I’ve got mine!
Mallen Official 