After their breakthrough of moving successfully from the dance floor to the pop charts back in 2012, Disclosure, the British EDM duo made up of the Lawrence brothers, Guy and Howard, began a whirlwind of recording, remixing, production and touring the globe. By early 2017, the brothers decided to take a much-needed break from the scene.
Now Disclosure has quietly dropped some new music. "Ultimatum" is a choppy beat-driven track and features the vocals of West African singer/actress, Fatoumata Diawara. This is a teaser of the band’s upcoming third album as they are still in the process of putting it together and we won’t see it until sometime next year. While “Ultimatum” is not nearly as memorable as some of their previous work, it’s still a really nice appetizer.
I saw drag performance artist, Joey Arias at the Redcat in downtown L.A. last month. He is well-known for a vocal style and mannerisms that imitates jazz legend Billie Holiday. This year marks the centennial of Holiday's birth and Arias is touring in a show that celebrates the singer. He does amazing versions of some of her classics like "Lady Sings The Blues", "Summertime" "God Bless The Child" and "Good Morning Heartache". If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend you check out Joey Arias live in concert. Take a look at this clip of Arias performing one of Holiday's most haunting songs, "Strange Fruit":
And here is Lady Day performing that same song:
David Bowie is preparing to release his twenty-fifth studio album early next year and the sixty-eight year old rocker is exploring experimental art-jazz. He has dropped a ten-minute music video for the song "Blackstar" and the sounds and images are dream-like and trippy. Words will probably not adequately describe this, so just sit back and watch:
I never, EVER thought I would put music by Justin Bieber here on this blog yet shockingly here it is. The song is "Sorry" and it follows his recent number one single, "What Do You Mean?" (which I also happen to like?!) that continues to give the twenty-one year old Canadian singer some much needed musical respectability. Skrillex (who first helped Bieber on the road to being taken somewhat seriously with the surprise hit, "Where Are Ü Now") and Blood Diamonds produced the track and here is the music video that features the amazing moves of ReQuest and The Royal Family dance crews:
Howard and Guy Lawrence, the British brothers who make up the electronic band, Disclosure are finally back with new sounds. Their 2013 debut album, "Settle" took the world by storm and helped break-out pop sensation, Sam Smith who provided vocals on their hit, "Latch". The official first single off their upcoming release is called "Holding On" and features American jazz artist, Gregory Porter. This smoking track moves us back on to the dance floor with their distinctive wiry beats. I, for one, can't wait to hear more:
Icona Pop had one of the biggest songs in 2013 with "I Love It" (which was co-written by the now-super-hot Charli XCX). The Swedish ladies, Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo, harmonize on their new song called "Emergency". It features their familiar brand of electro-pop while offering little sonic twists to make the tune really stand out. This has the makings to become one of the major songs of the summer:
I know this is very late and 2013 is just a distant memory for most people but I have to point out my favorite tunes from last year. I had already displayed some of my favs throughout, so here is the rest of my best:
"Safe and Sound" - Capital Cities
"This Life" - Josef Salvat "The Way" - Ariana Grande featuring Mac Miller
"Love More" - Chris Brown featuring Nicki Minaj
"Hold On We're Going Home" - Drake
"Latch" - Disclosure featuring Sam Smith
"Happy" - Pharrell Williams
"Summertime Saddness (Cedric Gervais Remix)" - Lana Del Rey
Disclosure is the latest electronic band which mixes funky, deep house with a synthpop sound that is taking the world by storm. This British duo is made up of twenty-two year old, Guy Lawrence and his nineteen year old brother, Howard. In 2010, they first started out remixing songs of other musicians before branching out to create their own music.
Disclosure first hit the UK pop chart in 2012 with "Latch" that featured vocals by rising British artist, Sam Smith. That song reached number eleven and was soon followed by two more singles, "White Noise" (featuring AlunaGeorge) and "You & I" (with Eliza Doolittle) that both made it to the top-ten on the British chart this year. After releasing an EP earlier in 2013 that featured these three songs plus a remix, Disclosure has just put out their impressive first full-length album, "Settle". In addition to their hit songs, the record wisely features contributions from other new artists getting plenty of buzz including London Grammar, Jamie Woon and my current fav, Jessie Ware. With this excellent release, there is very little doubt that the Lawrence brothers will not only be ruling the dance floors but also the airwaves all summer long.
Have a listen to Disclosure in action:
"You & Me' - Disclosure featuring Eliza Doolittle (2013)
