48 MusicWeek 06.07.12
PRODUCTRECOMMENDED ALBUM OF THE WEEK
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TRACK OF THE WEEK
KIMBRA Vows
(Warner Bros.)
Having spent five weeks at No. 1 as the guest vocalist on Gotye’s worldwide smash hit Somebody That I Used To Know’ Kimbra will release her debut album in the UK this month. A Top 5, platinum-certified hit in both Australia and New Zealand,
the initial release of the record saw Kimbra win the 2011 ARIA Award for Best Female Artist. The UK edition of the album features thirteen tracks including Settle Down, Cameo Lover and Good Intent, all of which were released as singles in Australia, as well as a live interpretation of Nina Simone’s classic Plain Gold Ring. Double A-side single Warrior / Two Way Street will be available to
download on August 6. Kimbra recently guested at Gotye’s London show at the O2
July 23 INCOMING ALBUMS
SKUNK ANANSIE Black Traffic (100% Records/Boogooyamma) Skunk Anansie’s fifth studio album follows 2010’s critically- acclaimed
Wonderlustre. It was recorded in London and produced by the band and Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Pixies), and mixed by Jeremy Wheatley and Adrian Bushby. Black Traffic will be their first
independent release via their own label working in partnership with 100% Records. The album will be supported by the first leg of an extensive 20-date European Tour including a night at Brixton Academy on December 1. The announcement follows what has
been a hugely successful return for the band, who regrouped in 2009 following an eight-year hiatus. Lead vocalist Skin said: “We’re very
proud of our past work, but what drives us is the future.”
SEPT 17
AMANDA PALMER Theatre Is Evil (8ft Records/Cooking Vinyl) Singer-songwriter Amanda Palmer is set to release her first studio album in four
years through her own label, using services from Cooking Vinyl, whilst retaining 100% of her rights and full artistic control over the campaign. Palmer recently raised over one
million dollars to fund Theatre is Evil exclusively from Direct To Fan presales, drawing on a devoted fan base, using the online crowd-funding platform Kickstarter. Recorded with her band, The Grand
Theft Orchestra and John Congleton (St. Vincent, Murder By Death, Modest Mouse), the record is said to be her most pop-influenced yet, offering a collection of sounds heavily influenced by 80s synth rock and Brit Pop. She will tour the UK and Europe for two weeks following the release.
ALISTAIR GRIFFIN Albion Sky (Dramatico Entertainment) Prior to the release of Just Drive, the title music for Formula 1 2012, Alistair Griffin
releases his album Albion Sky, written with Shed Seven’s Paul Banks and produced by award-winning producer (formerly of Psychedelic Fur) Ed Buller (Suede, Pulp, White Lies and The Courteeners). The album is said to contain self-
penned heartfelt songs packed full of emotion ‘underpinned by intricate melodies, soaring choruses and a direct lyrical approach’. Just Drive, ‘an anthemic, pop song
with a powerful hook and life-affirming lyrics’ will be released in the UK on July 16. During July, Griffin will perform Just
SEPT 10
Drive at the British Grand Prix and will also be playing at Hard Rock Calling and Guilfest.
JULY 2
Shepherd’s Bush Empire, toured with him in North America and is confirmed for further touring this summer with Foster The People. With a strong online presence, she boasts over 200,000
Facebook likes and 50,000+ Twitter followers, plus her YouTube channel has amassed over 21 million views.
July 15
Helicopters & Planes (RCA)
JOSH KUMRA FEAT. K KOKE
You may be familiar with 21-year-old Josh Kumra’s soulful voice - the singer- songwriter co-wrote and featured on Wretch 32’s No.1 hit single Don’t Go last summer. Off the back of that Kumra
signed a solo deal with RCA, toured extensively and has delivered a stunning set of songs for his debut album scheduled for release in September 2012. First up is his debut single
Helicopters & Planes, produced by UK talent Naughty Boy and featuring guest rapper K Koke (Roc Nation/RCA). He recently released The
Soho Sessions EP which features an acoustic version of the track.
STAFF PICK: RHIAN JONES, EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
NATALIE DUNCAN Devil In Me (Decca) Singer/songwriter/piano player extraordinaire Natalie Duncan has
crept quietly on to the music scene. But despite little promotional fanfare, debut album Devil In Me has managed to get rave reviews in the likes of influential music press MOJO and The Word. With 13 tracks of
soulful and heart- wrenching melodies it’s not hard to see how the record itself has garnered critics’ attention. Jam-packed with metaphorical lyrics
and rock-solid vocals, all written by the lady herself, her first offering holds strong promises of what’s to come. Heavily piano-centric (one of her
many self-taught talents) the live show
is also pretty breathtaking and one not to be missed. The spine-chilling Songbirdmanages
to marry dark words with an upbeat instrumental, balancing precariously on the edge of easy listening, while Sky Is Falling is concrete single material. Rant, Pick Me Up
Bar, is a welcome bit of rawk, a Gil Scott- Heron-style disparaging critique on popular culture: “There is nothing that will make cake, sex
and drugs less appetising”, while Black Thorn returns to the autobiographical theme, taking the mood Back to Black in a minor key: “I sold him my soul in return for his charm”. Duncan’s clearly got a story to tell
and this album will leave you gagging to know what it is.
JULY 16
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