This month’s sinphonola opens with what could easily become the revelation of the year: Janelle Monae’s career to date included some early roles in musicals like “The Wizard Of Oz”, until Outkast’s Big Boi provided the young star with her first break as a guest vocalist in some of the tracks of the duo’s “Idlewild” soundtrack. The tepid reception to that album may have come in Janelle’s way to superstardom, but this could be just about to change with the release of her debut ” Metropolis Suite I: The Chase”, in which the Nona Hendryx lookalike adopts the role of alien cybergirl Cindi Mayweather’s, narrating her misadventures to save mankind, in a world where love is prosecuted. Her first single “Violet Stars Happy Hunting” is without doubt one of the most infectious and unique tracks we have heard this year. If all the album is like that Janelle will be seen at this year’s Rober Awards.
Listen to “Violet Stars Happy Hunting”
Another revelation in 2007 seems to be the Portland band Blitzen Trapper, who are finally conquering critical acclaim with their fourth album “Wild Mountain Nation” thanks to a rare eclecticism that makes them sound like late Pavement in one track, hillbilly punks in the next, southern rock revivalists, and so on. The Principal Participant remix of “Sci-Fi Kid” could well break the boundaries of the dance world for them.
Other indie, experimental art-rockers, Liars, are releasing their fourth and self-titled album. A less expansive collection than “Drum’s not dead” and with some noticeable Jesus & Mary Chain influences. Their trademark brutal energy remains intact.
Listen to Liars’ new single “Plaster Cast Of Everything”
Dizzee Rascal censors himself, changing the title and lyrics of “Pussyole”, the hightligh from his latest, US oriented album “Maths & English”, renamed as “Oldskool” to avoid problems with the most conservative radio stations. It seems like a clever move, as the track, sampling the rap classic “It Takes two”, is irresistibly catchy and the closest to a potential hit he’s ever had.
A couple of Spank Rock related records are also on our list of favourite hip-hop tracks: Destined for big things, the sister of Flosstradamus’ J2K, appropiately named Kid Sister, counts with Rock’s XXXChange and Kanye West turntabilist A-track on production duties; many illustrious godfathers made her a name to keep an eye on. “Control” is an electro monster that will open many doors for the Chicago MC. Spank Rock also adds some vocals on Pase Rock’s more controversial “Lindsay Lohan’s revenge”. A sort of tongue-n-cheek paean to..errm..Lohan’s vagina and maybe a criticism to the celebrity’s shameless overexposure?
Listen to Kid Sister’s “Control”
Listen to Pase Rock Feat. Santogold & Spank Rock “Lindsay Lohan’s Revenge”
And entering album of the year territory with “Strawberry Jam” flavour. The new Animal Collective album follows the shiny psychedelic adventures of their solo member Panda Bear. A pre-launch show at The coronet in London showed a band reduced to a trio, less electric and more electronic, with most of the music being played through loops and tapes. “Fireworks” is the video clip that anticipates their new full lenght. However, the first single will be “Peacebone”.
In the same summery psychedelic vein, Caribou’s comeback “Melody Day” sounds like the perfect soundtrack for the summer, refreshing and flawlessly poppy.
Listen to Animal Collective’s “Peacebone”
Listen to Caribou’s single “Melody Day”
Described by whoever’s seen them live as the missing link between Belle & Sebastian and Arcade Fire, Fanfarlo are currently storming the UK indie world with only a couple of singles. “Outsiders” and “Fire Escape”. A breath of fresh air among their more marketing oriented contemporaries, the six piece arty combo from London are hotly tipped for greatness when they release their debut effort.
Across the Atlantic, all eyes are on Spoon. Everybody expects them to be this year’s Modest Mouse, as they come from the same reputable indie background, hitting the mainstream while keeping their credibility intact. Their sixth album “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga” has just entered the Top 10 in the US charts and “The Underdog” is hoped to be their “Float On”.
“Go Masai Go Masai”, Manu Chao shouts. He’s back with “Rainin’ in Paradize” another anthem dedicated to the opressed and exploited by the dirty hands of Capitalism. Business as usual, then. Maybe not his best song, but enough to keep high expectations for his new work “La Radiolina”.
Unfairly ignored a few months ago, the second album by London electronic duo Soulsavers may enjoy a second chance due to their successful European tour. Mark Lanegan, who collaborates with his dinstinctive vocals in most tracks, also joins them live. “Revival” is still one of the most touching songs of the year.
Drowned in emotional trouble and after a rather ignored follow up to her classic solo debut with the MTV Unplugged series, Lauryn Hill is in serious need of a stellar comeback. “Lose Myself”, included in the soundtrack of summer animated blockbuster “Rise Up”, is a decent attempt, but the lack of success of the movie stateside has probably impaired her chances to have a hit. Lauryn’s voice, still one of the few truly soulful ones around, makes it worthwile.
And to put an espectacular end to this sinphonola, two of the artists getting ahead in 2007’s race for the album of the year gong: Post-rock revitalists Battles’ astonishing debut “Mirrored” and Spanish 90’s indie icons Los Planetas with “La Leyenda del Espacio”, their ambitious answer to Flamenco legend Camaron’s “La Leyenda del Tiempo”.
BATTLES-Atlas
LOS PLANETAS-Alegrías del incendio