Me "Damn right son!"
Now even though I’m not sure about the hipster part, I do like the fact that me being so transparent lets you know right up front what you’re going to get from me. It’s like when the townspeople in Blazing Saddles saw that they were getting a Black sheriff; right away they knew they’d be dealing with someone who was a bit of a trickster and probably had a big dong and liked white women too.
Well as you’re reading this, you should just know off the top that I too am a bit of a trickster and I too like white women. But along with all of that, I also happen to love the British and the music they produce; especially Brit punk, post punk, and goth. I however am not a big fan of singer-songwriters. I mean, I respect them and all and there are even a few that I’ll listen to when I feel like committing suicide but I wouldn’t expect to see a slew of them previewed here today.
And given my recent encounters with the Brits, I can’t believe they like them either. They seem like they’re always too drunk or too loud to have the patience for that kind of show. I kid, I kid…but not really. So with that said, this preview is for those who are looking for British artists that will make them dance or will have them jumping around like a crazy person. I sifted through all of what the British Music Embassy has to offer and here are the best of the bunch.
First up is JoJo Abot; she’s an artist from Ghana who somehow successfully manages to combine a multitude of musical styles. Her art is simultaneously a presentation of soul, funk, and reggae with a bit of electronic thrown in just for freshness. But having said all of that, It still feels as though she’s a more accessible version of Eryka Badu. When Badu first came out with Baduism, she just had this raw energy that immediately pulled you in and I get the same type of vibe from Abot when I listen to her music. You should know going in that sometimes she mixes in different languages in her songs but don’t let that keep you from experiencing what she has to offer. Check out her songs Pi Lo Lo and To Li to get a good feel for her. I rate her as FRESH.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz9o3FOkQ_Y
Next up is Clean Cut Kid, he is the low rent version of Phil Collins, and by that I mean solo Collins, not Genesis Collins. The fact that he seems to be using M83’s b-side beats in his music makes you want to dance to it from time to time but overall I’d have to say that he’s not for me. You might dig him as his music is kind of fun but the only reason why I’d see him is because he’s a British hipster who has a beard that makes him look like he brews shitty beer. I rate him as kind of WEAK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRumUyadht0
I find myself getting really excited about next band Autobahn. Now sadly they’re not the German nihilist band from The Big Lebowski. But if they were, I’m pretty sure this is what they would sound like if they ever released real music. They have rapid fire drums, post punk guitars, and a lead singer who sounds like he’s the first cousin of The Horror’s Faris Badwan. Now they’re not as good as the Horrors are but they are just getting started. I rate them as FRESH.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D7XJ5HXXQs
Next is Loyle Carner; he’s a British rapper whose style reminds you of the Digable Planets. I say this because his laid back flow and his Songs in the Key of Life esque lyrics manages to blend in perfectly with the lazy and almost jazzy beats on his records. If you have some down time in your schedule, you should pop in and check him out. I rate him as sort of FRESH.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HiB-hNt_mw
After him is Haelos; a fun indie electronic pop band that has a cute chick singing one of the leads. It feels like they’re a group of kids from the 90’s who are trying their best to hold on to the sound of the 80’s. I’m not completely sold on them yet but they’re starting to grow on me. Rating- barely WEAK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCWyGO0x1Uo
Girls Names is another band that I started to like after giving them a second and third listen. They’re an alt-rock group who can sometimes get fairly dark and heavy with their sound. They can be really good at times but can certainly lose their way if someone isn’t there to pull the reigns in a bit for them. But from what I’ve heard thus far, they are worth a pop in. Rating- potentially FRESH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa1TshNz8YA
The last band to see is Honne. I previewed these guys on this site a year ago and it looks like they finally have enough material to take their show on the road. They’re two Brits who sound as though they listened to way too much Cameo and the Gap Band when they were kids. The weird thing about that is, even though they love old school Black RnB, the lead’s voice sounds like Coldplay’s Chris Martin. So much so in fact, that I seriously thought they just sampled his voice and put it over their music. The Bootsy Collins guitar solo in the middle of All in the Value is a pleasant surprise. Ok, so it wasn't really Bootsy but they're still FRESH!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX5f0NcqlMs
Other bands to check out are Pins, Fews, Demob Happy, and Fizzy Blood.
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