La Roux Is Back And Better Than Ever

Elly Jackson of La Roux is back with new music and a new vibe just in time for Summer.

After winning the Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album in 2011 and a two year hiatus, La Roux is back on the music scene going it alone without co founder Ben Langmaid and with material better than before.

Buzz single 'Let Me Down Gently' paved the way for the new sound. Darker than previous singles it layers Elly's mellow vocals over syncopated beats with much less electronic instruments than before. It reminds me of Royksopp & Robyn's latest endeavour 'Monument' in ways.

'Uptight Downtown' is the first official single from the new album 'Trouble in Paradise'. A lot less heavy than the buzz single and with a more jaunty vocal and rhythm that wouldn't be out of place in the 80's.

'Tropical Chancer' premiered online on June 9th and is probably my favourite of new La Roux. A distinct summer vibe that is xylophone-esque with a Caribbean chorus that nestles itself into your head.

While I loved 'In For The Kill' and 'Bulletproof' I feel as though this new era of La Roux is what is going to set Elly apart from the rest. I am anxiously awaiting the release of the new album which is scheduled to drop July 7th.

Once Upon A Time's New Witch Is Wickedly Charming

Once Upon A Time kicked off season 3B last week, Sunday 9th, with a feisty new antagonist in tow.

Lost alum and English rose Rebecca Mader made her debut on the show as Storybrooke resident Zelena, also known as, The Wicked Witch of the West. And she is perfect.

Rocking the green skin and enchanting audiences with her English accent, Mader makes it extremely difficult for the audience to dislike her, even though she is wicked. She is almost like a naughty schoolgirl, knowing exactly what she's doing wrong and smirking away behind the teachers' back while entertaining onlookers.

Having just found out in last night's episode (SPOILER) that herself and Regina, the Evil Witch, are half-sisters, it'll be interesting to see how their relationship develops, especially since Zelena's purpose is all out revenge for Regina.

Although Mader is only guest-starring during this Springtime story arc, seeing how much of an impact she has already made after only two episodes makes me believe she could be sticking around for a lot longer and that is fine by me!

Once Upon A Time airs Sundays on ABC at 8|7c

Paloma Faith - 'A Perfect Contradiction' Album Review

Having just finished listening to 'A Perfect Contradiction', the third album from Paloma Faith, I wonder to myself why the Londoner hasn't become bigger because that's what she deserves. A Perfect Contradiction is soulful, melodic & full of funk. Everything you want to hear in a record.

Lead single Can't Rely on You which is produced by current hot property Pharrell Williams, paves the way for the rest of the album with it's use of brass instruments and 1960's era vocals.

The syncopated rhythm of disco-fuelled Mouth to Mouth couldn't keep you down if you tried. With it's catchy vocals and 70's inspired production it wouldn't feel out of place in a roller-disco rink.

However Faith doesn't only do uptempo. Paloma's smooth vocals are layered delectably over the strings of Only Love Can Hurt Like This which brings things back while drawing you in.

To me, the album fits alongside Amy Winehouse's Back to Black yet gives the listener something different. Paloma's talk/singing technique works well & is truly something special.

Top Tracks: Only Love Can Hurt Like This, Other Woman, Impossible Heart. Mouth to Mouth

A Perfect Contradiction is available now on iTunes.

Lady Gaga SXSW 2014

Lady Gaga performed last night at South by Southwest 2014 and boy did she leave her mark all over that stage. Literally.

Long after the 1 hour-ish performance had finished I was still pondering about what I had just witnessed. To me, the whole thing was uncomfortable to watch. I love her don't get me wrong, but something just seemed off about the whole thing.

Opening her show with Aura while mounted upon a rotisserie was nothing out of the ordinary. Swooping over & under she sounded great as she usually does live. Her next 2 numbers, MANiCURE & Jewels N' Drugs, were much of the same but off the spit roast which was probably a relief for her back. Then shit got weird.

For one of her most rave-like songs Swine, Gaga introduced the audience to her friend Millie who she said was going to perform to us all. With Lady G donning an apron I was quite intrigued with what was about to happen. One verse in and nothing was going on. Millie was drinking and stumbling around the stage and I looked on perplexed. Then it happened. Millie finished her drink, put her fingers down her throat and vommed up the neon green liquid she had been drinking all over Gaga. I had no words. I didn't want to watch but I couldn't stop. For verse 2 they both mounted a mechanical swine as Millie downed another drink, a black one this time, and once again spewed it up. Thankfully the song ended shortly after and Millie got the boat both to my joy and to that of the audience as they didn't give her much of a cheer when she left.

Dope followed suit and once again Gaga belted out her emotional lyrics but not before she gave a speech about addiction and life. Unnecessary but sure look, this is it. Gaga loves a good spiel.

To change the pace and blend in a bit more with the Austin aesthetic, a country mix of Bad Romance was up next and to me it was a hot mess. The fiddle, which was performed by an Austin native named Ruby, just did not seem to mesh with the rest of the instruments and the whole thing sounded off; vocally and rhythmically. Gaga moved around the stage wide eyed and mouth churning. She must have popped a few blue ghosts beforehand.

Semi Precious Weapons and Lady Starlight, the 'original bad kids from the Lower East Side' joined herself on stage for an impromptu rendition of Monster for Life and honestly by this stage I didn't have a clue what was going on. Everyone looked awkward, puffing cigarettes and drinking cans. When panning the audience the camera picked up people few and far between who actually looked as though they were enjoying themselves.

Applause closed off the set but only because she was 'told' to sing it apparently. That's a great indication of how things are between herself and her team! The song was half-arsed and almost insulting to the audience with the lack of interest Gaga had in performing it while bumming cigarettes of her friends, a far cry from her MTV VMA performance of the same song only last year.

Surprisingly, Gypsy was the encore but apart from the Little Monsters who were crammed up against the barrier, I don't think the audience cared much.

The whole thing was just odd. There was a fluid grunge theme throughout and that would be good if that's who Lady Gaga was but it isn't. Or at least I didn't think it was. I'm all for artists evolving. I love the new Miley Cyrus and I am 100% behind her evolution. But this seems different. Slowly but surely Gaga's image has gotten darker and darker over the years however her music hasn't. If grunge is who she truly is then why wasn't ARTPOP that kind of record? This would have been the perfect opportunity to re-brand herself especially as she was out of the music scene for a good while. Come back with a bang and a new lease of life.

Throughout her set she blasted record labels, spoke against pop music and people who are living their lives through technology. Perhaps I'm just not artsy enough to appreciate it all. I liked her most during her Fame Monster era. Knowing her audience, dancing high-octane dance routines and singing pop music. I'm not saying I don't like her anymore, I do! I'm going to see her in October for The artRAVE Ball. I just feel as though she's lost. Her image and her musicality are completely disjointed.

I just hope she gets back to her old self again soon. Somewhere she's happy and comfortable to be and somewhere we're comfortable to watch her.

Emotional Stages When Applying For A Job

Applying for a job is no easy thing to do. Whether it be for a part-time position in your local deli or a full-time position with Goldman Sachs, the stages you go through are inevitably the same.

Big Up
You love yourself when initially applying for the job. Bigging yourself up to the best of your ability. Oh I won this award twice, I can do that with my eyes closed, I have this, these & those qualifications too. I have this in the bag. They have to hire me. Look at me, I'm amazing.

Nervousness
You then begin to get nervous as soon as you've clicked 'submit' or once you've handed in your CV. You're second-guessing your qualifications. Wondering if you answered all those questions with full gusto or if you've missed your chance. Should I have said I'm a good dancer? That is a legitimate qualification for a job in IT isn't it?!

Despair
That's it, I'm doomed. I lost it. Not a chance now. I am a mess. I knew I should have included that dancer qualification. WHY ME?! I HATE LIFE.

Logical Thinking
Well now hang on now, I mean, I actually am perfect for this job. I DO have the necessary experience required. The picture I attached is from my good side. Now that I think about this, there is a chance. Just as much of a chance as everyone else.

Pray
DEAR GOD I KNOW WE HAVEN'T SPOKE IN A WHILE BUT PLZ GIVE ME THIS JOB.

Apathetic
I actually don't care anymore. Whatever. Just applied for the job on the off chance, it wasn't all that important. I mean I don't even like the company. Going to go look for a job more suited to me.

And finally,

Ecstatic
I GOT THE JOB. I would like to thank my mother, father, boyfriend, dog, cat groomer, gardener, playschool teacher, window cleaner, bus driver & everyone else who has believed in me over the years. This one's for you.

Katy B - 'Little Red' Album Review

Katy B returns with her highly anticipated sophomore album 'Little Red '.

Following the success of her debut album, On A Mission, Little Red strives to show just how talented the BRIT School graduate truly is. While her debut was piped full of drops & dancefloor thumpers, the follow up shows a more mature side, yet stays true to her roots.

Lead single 5 AM  is pure electro, hands-in-the-air, trademark Katy B layered with smooth vocals. But she is not a one trick pony. The second single from the album, Crying For No Reason, shows off Katy's range while also showing a vulnerable side which is rarely seen. The album is full of luxurious beats, catchy melodies & even features UK hit girl Jessie Ware on the addictive Aaliyah.

While the album is not perfect, with a few incoherent tracks added in, it is impossible to deny that Little Red is a treat for the ears. Loyal fans & new listeners alike will find something to indulge themselves within the 17 numbers.

Top Tracks: Sapphire Blue, Aaliyah, Next Thing, Emotions.

Little Red is available now on iTunes

Looking Needs To Look A Bit Harder.

HBO's latest drama, Looking, had garnered so much hype before it premiered that people had high expectations. However, those expectations have been met with a lackluster performance.

Now comfortably underway, Looking aired it's third episode over the weekend titled, 'Looking at your Browser History'. Having seen the promo prior to the show, I was very excited to welcome Russell Tovey to the fold as I had loved him in the UK version of Being Human. So far, three episodes in, he is the only character who actually seems to have a personality. Main protagonist Patrick is one of the most annoying I have come across. It's hard to feel anything towards him when he comes across so whiny at times.

Unofficially dubbed the gay version of GIRLS, that is about where the comparisons die. Lena Dunham's creation is smart, emotional & witty from the get-go. It is also relatable to everybody regardless of sexual orientation. The high & lows of a 20 something year old are universal. Looking on the other hand, is just dull. The most action, excuse the pun, happened in the very first scene of the very first episode, where protagonist Patrick cruises in a park & ends up getting with a guy in a bush. Seems wild I know.

I was just hoping  for more. I know the creators want to depict a realistic image of gay life but Christ is my life going to be that boring? It's so far been all about work, work, work. Patrick working hard as a level designer, Agustín failing as an artist & Dom the waiter forevermore. Where are the night clubs & bars? This is The Castro after all! A revolutionary place for the gays. I want to see them go on a night out, pop some Molly and end up in an orgy in the basement of a decrepit apartment block. I want to see Dom serving some wealthy businessman & getting off with him in the loo. I want Agustín to paint his fella like one of his French girls.

Of course, I'll continue to watch. After all it's one of the only, if not the only, shows on TV centered around an all gay cast. I just want it to get more exciting. I cry at thinking that's all I have to look forward to in 8 years time. A dull life, living alone & centered around work.