GET WISH I STAYED NOW FOR FREE

Forgot to mention you can download tonights incredible TRACK OF THE NIGHT for free right here:

http://zaphod.uk.vvhp.net/reg/reg.pl?id=4509-110889

All you have to do is give your e-mail and in return you get a bloody great song - now that's a deal.

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Wish I Stayed

Ellie Goulding / Wish I Stayed (Feat. FrankMusik)

Right, so I finally get to see Ellie live tomorrow night when she supports Little Boots and I seriously cannot wait. I don't know why but there's something about her which just gets me very very excited. Ellie's music doesn't slap you in the face like music from say Lady GaGa for instance, but to sum it up it's almost like a sort of quiet revolution. Behind all these enchanting arrangements are some very subtle hints of absolute musical genius which Ellie's music doesn't strive for, it just is. Wish I Stayed is a good example of this understated amazingness as Ellie's beautiful vocals soar above a magical backdrop of gentle guitar strings and sublime synths, with the help of FrankMusik on production duties. However, it's Ellie's lyrics which truly make Wish I Stayed the musical diamond it really is, as they beautifully portray her emotional regret about leaving home with an important sense of realism. Words can't even start to describe how much I am anticipating the work that will come from Ellie in 2010 but until then I'm sure she will continue to dazzle us all with her stunning tales of love, life and the universe.

Ellie Goulding / Wish I Stayed (Feat. FrankMusik)  by  ShornStar

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Songs Remind Me Of You

Annie / Songs Remind Me Of You

In case you hadn't heard of her before Annie is a Norwegian singer who makes stunningly realised pop music. Annie herself sings: 'Music so good / Music so clear' on this, the defining moment from her new album Don't Stop, in which this annoyingly unnoticed gem of an artist sings of a boy who she remembers solely through some really great tunes. Songs Remind Me Of You is a literal rush of Italo Disco-style synths and pounding 80's beats, which seem to recall the dazzling arrangements of the synth king himself: Mr. Giorgio Moroder. As the song pulses and pounds along Annie sings in a seemingly whispered tone as her breathy vocals overflow with emotional urgency, adding a big heart to this juggernaut of a track. In Songs Of Remind Me Of You Annie yet again defines pop music in the 21st century proving that she is an artist not to be missed.

Annie / Songs Remind Me Of You  by  ShornStarBlog

HONEY...I'M HOME

I've been sick as a dog since Friday night but I'm finally feeling like more of a human now so I think it's high time for me to crack back on with ye olde blog and share with you all some sweet sweet music. Let's go.......

NEW ELLIE GOULDING VIDEO: Under The Sheets

Ellie has finally delved into the world of music videos and she's coming in with a bang. Under The Sheets is a stellar pop video which seems reminiscent of some of the classics from back in the good ol' days: the early noughties. The video features various identical Ellie Gouldings wondering around what looks like the Dragon's Den while lots and lots and lots of golden glitter is thrown and drummed (yes you read right - drummed) all over the place. The whole video is a pleasant flash of dazzling pop urgency which works as the perfect introduction to this fanastic new talent.  Top dollar.

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Discofreak

Bitclipr / Discofreak

Bitclipr are a pretty unknown electro group from America who make shockingly good electro-dance music. Discofreak is an absolute demon of a track and hits you from the very first listen. The track slowly builds up with a pretty slick hip-shaking guitar riff backed by a pulsing beat until....in comes the absolutely killer synth melody with its grinding tones to remind you that this is more than your average piece of electro. There is something strangely euphoric about Discofreak as it pounds along with the sound of robotic drones and computers blasting out of control while engraving itself into your brain. It's refreshing to hear an electro track that is not only ridiculously addictive but is also fantastically original, a quality missing from much of today's many commercial electro tracks. In other words, Discofreak kicks ass.

Bitclipr / Discofreak  by  ShornStarBlog

NEW MARINA & THE DIAMONDS VIDEO: Mowgli's Road

How brilliant is this! Not only is it a fantastic parody of Beyoncé's Single Ladies with the whole 3 ladies dancing in front of a white screen business but it also features Marina and her pals with blue puppet legs, then arms, then bodies!!!! Call it quirky, kooky, whatever you like...at the end of the day Marina is seriously hot, utterly bonkers and completely amazing.

SHORN CIARAN = DUDE

Possibly the best website come blog EVER. It's got it all: graffiti, a Yoda game, a pleasant picture of Ayers Rock, over 19,000 views and some killer links...oh, and did I mention that it's oh so smooth and creamy.

Basically, check out this bad boy:

CLICK CLICK CLICK ↓

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Mercury

Bloc Party / Mercury

First of all, I'd like to say I literally just got back from seeing Bloc Party live for the second time and they were bloody brilliant! Secondly, when I first heard Mercury I absolutely hated it however, after seeing Bloc Party perform it at Reading Festival this year something clicked, and I can now see that it is in fact pure and utter genius. In a world filled with formulaic indie Bloc Party are highly distinctive amongst their contemporaries as they continue to breeze through an array of different genres whilst pushing the boundaries of musical experimentalism. Mercury is most definitely Bloc Party's experimental tour-de-force as they play out a frantic mix of indie, electro, alternative dance and believe it or not brass. From the ridiculously catchy use of a vocal pedal (Mercury M-M-M-Mercury Mercury's in Mercury's in retrograde) to the African-esque drumbeat breakdown, Mercury is absolutely crammed with a million different musical references, making it one of Bloc Party's most captivating and unbelievable pieces of music to date.

Bloc Party / Mercury  by  ShornStarBlog

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Bad Romance

Lady GaGa / Bad Romance

Blimey. This really did take me by surprise. I always had a feeling there was something special about Lady GaGa but I never expected her to create a pop song quite as incredible as this. Imagine Just Dance, Poker Face, Paparazzi and LoveGame all being put into a massive melting pot, turn the heat up to a million and there you have Bad Romance. With the help of acclaimed producer RedOne Lady GaGa has created an absolutely mammoth pop song which is just as sinister as it is danceable. From it's Poker Face-esque chant-style hook to the absolutely gigantic chorus, this is pop music at its most thrilling. In the space of just under 5 minutes we are hit with a barrage of rave-style synths, pounding beats, some humongous basslines and the earth shattering vocals of GaGa herself. Strangely enough, Bad Romance comes off sounding like some sort of ridiculously epic war chant in which GaGa stakes her claim as the new first lady of pop while commanding her troops to hit the dancefloor. MONSTROUS.

Lady GaGa / Bad Romance  by  ShornStarBlog

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)

Monsters Of Folk / Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)

Monsters Of Folk are a supergroup made up of Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, Jim James of My Morning Jacket and M. Ward. This, the opener to their self-titled debut is an absolute dream. Almost reminiscent of the sound of Marvin Gaye in his What's Going On heyday, Dear God is a lush heavenly sounding letter to God, filled to the brim with flowing harps, delicate guitar strings and a gentle beat. Not forgetting the incredible vocals of Conor, Jim and M. Ward which saunter along as they break into some truly angelic harmonies. This is literally music sent from heaven and has to be one of the best album openers I've heard all year. It seems that Monsters Of Folk have smashed expectations by creating some truly timeless and beautiful music.

Monsters Of Folk / Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)  by  ShornStarBlog

BONKERS SPANISH ELECTRO-INDIE: Cof Cof

Ever since Cof Cof randomly added me as friends on MySpace I've been strangely attracted to their completely off the wall brand of music. Somehow emanating the same lewd international charm we encountered from CSS, Cof Cof make fun electro-indie which laughs in the face of common musical conventions. It's obvious that they show little consideration for the whole deep emotions: love, life and the universe shebang, as instead Cof Cof opt for writing about everything from cell phones to forbidden cocktails. This irrelevant sense of nuttiness strangely translates into very human sounding songs in which the duo bring such mundane items as computers and mobile phones into a wild and wonderful musical context, with the end result being oddly successful. The accent-heavy vocals of singer Ana may not necessarily always be in tune as she sings over a wide array of different electronic bleeps, blips and guitar strings, yet you somehow forgive this fact as you realise that this really is just the sound of two Spanish friends having fun, with this sense of complete and utter abandon giving Cof Cof their appeal. There is a definite gap in the musical world for some wacky international imports and Cof Cof seem like the duo to fill it.

Cof Cof / My HDD Is Broken

This is the song that originally got me hooked on Cof Cof. It can only be described as a barmy ode to our love of technology and the horrors we face when it all goes to shite. Utterly pointless but completely true, this is the sound of a band on the edge of madness and the forefront of amazing.

Cof Cof / My HDD is broken  by  ShornStarMusic

MySpace link:

Cof Cof

NEW LITTLE BOOTS VIDEO: Earthquake

Finally, we have a video that perfectly depicts the essence of Little Boots. New In Town seemed highly misconstrued while Remedy may have been flashy but it was essentially just performance shots with the kaleidoscope effect turned on. Earthquake on the other hand is an all out mind-blowing CGI fest. There are cosmic explosions in the sky (imagine the Northern Lights gone mad), incredible slo-mo raindrops and a silver heart which literally explodes with stardust. By the end of the video we see Little Boots raising up into the sky from the city below as she moves into an almost godly position. Extraordinary.

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: So Far Away From The Sea

Yuksek / So Far Away From The Sea

Yuksek is a Parisian DJ and music producer who creates seriously thrilling electronic music. Born from the wondrous depths of the beguiling French music scene So Far Away From The Sea is a passionate ode to love, loss and the sea. There is something oddly entrancing about So Far Away From The Sea through the way in which it seems to transcend many electro conventions by showing clear references to indie, new wave and psychedelia. It's a hypnotic mix, filled with gentle keys, sprightly synths, glowing harmonies and the almost retro-style vocals of Yuksek. Everything seems to magically fall into place as So Far Away From The Sea works as a modern-day cornerstone for electronic experimentation. Just lovely.

Yuksek / So Far Away From The Sea  by  ShornStarMusic

UNCHARTED SOUL: Airto

To put it simply, Airto has got the voice. Oozing pure unadultered soul with some of the smoothest and creamiest tones and textures I think I've ever heard from a white male vocalist, Airto is a literal diamond in the rough. Citing his influences as being the likes of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Luther Vandross, it is clear why Airto's vocals evoke the pure essence of soul music and act as an impressive throwback to these long-standing kings of soul. First publicising his musical adventures on YouTube, Airto has gained an understated yet commited following who all feel drawn to his effortless covers of artists and groups ranging from the Kings Of Leon to Justin Timberlake. Airto has a definite way with covers, stripping them back to their bare bones whilst pulling out as much soul from them as he can find.

Airto / Chasing Pavements



This is the cover which truly made me notice Airto as he beautifully portrays the song's lyrical notions about the trials and tribulations of love with a ridiculously deep intensity of emotion. A majestic and subtley powerful cover which bowls you over from the very start.

Airto / Heartless



A sublime creation which finds Airto taking this Kanye classic into newfound heights of soul while he even adds his own new lyrics to the mix which complement the track perfectly. All this makes for a truly mesmerising cover.

There's something about Airto that definitely shouts out star...it just seems a question of when. Hopefully, this young man from the Netherlands will finally get the opportunities and recognition he truly deserves as he brings back the soul that we just couldn't forget.

Links:

Airto's YouTube

Airto's MySpace

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Enjoy The Silence

Depeche Mode / Enjoy The Silence

An absolute classic. Taken from the masterpiece that is Violator, in which Depeche Mode successfully tied up the links between synthpop and alternative rock to form dark wave; Enjoy The Silence is a complete and utter enigma. Despite containing one of the greatest pop choruses of all time, this wonder of a chorus is surrounded by an awe-inspiring mix of haunting synths, dark guitar chords and an obscure underlying dance beat - not the most normal of pop arrangements yet this simply adds to the track's charm and pure brilliance. If that wasn't enough, Dave Gahan also adds a beautiful sense of emotion to the track as his deceptively deep yet sweet vocals mix perfectly into the track's dynamic arrangement as he sings "all I ever wanted, all I ever needed, is here in my arms" in such a yearning manner it sounds as if he could break down in tears. With Enjoy The Silence Depeche Mode proved that dark synthpop didn't have to sound cold and lifeless as they brought as much emotion to the track as they did synths. A timeless reminder of a band at the pinnacle of their career. Mind-bogglingly brilliant.

Depeche Mode / Enjoy The Silence  by  ShornStarMusic

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Unfinished Business

White Lies / Unfinished Business

White Lies have been a force to be reckoned with this year. Not only did their debut album 'To Lose My Life...' go straight to number 1 but they've also massed a stunning number of incredible live performances. Unfinished Business is a definite highlight from their stellar debut and proves that even these dark indie-rockers from Ealing can create a chorus the size of Mount Everest. Unfinished Business has anthem written all over it. Not only does it manage to describe a dying relationship in the most epic way possible (death, God, blood, thunder, wind, rain, snow and smoke and mirrors are all mentioned) but it also plays host to a seriously mighty arrangement comprising of a Godly church organ, some tight-as-hell guitar riffs and a thunderous drumbeat. White Lies have created a positively rousing piece of music in Unfinished Business which you can somehow see people chanting as some kind of battle cry in years to come...COLOSSAL.

White Lies / Unfinished Business  by  ShornStarMusic

NEW FLORENCE VIDEO: You've Got The Love

Very nice video but not so sure about the new single version with the new vocals. In fact, I'm not gonna lie...this new single version doesn't even come close to her original cover version! Florence, what's going on!?

NEW MICHAEL JACKSON SONG: This Is It

Surprisingly it's not actually too bad. It was never going to be the perfect way to end his career but This Is It somehow manages to stray away from trying to modernise Michael eg. being pumped up on R&B beats and electronics. Instead, it works as a timeless sounding reflection in which Michael sings of reaching some kind of pinnacle in his life - how ironic. The lyrics of the song are nothing special...pretty standard swan song material to put it bluntly, but it's the music behind Michael that really stands out. There are flowing strings, clicking fingers, a pretty classic MJ guitar piece (just listen to Human Nature) played throughout and some wonderfully cheesy yet somehow perfectly placed choir harmonies, at points it even sounds as if MJ's about to start singing the classic (I've Had) The Time Of My Life but sadly the track never quite reaches these dizzy heights of feel-good euphoria. As a whole, This Is It ends up sounding quite dreamy which seems like the best place to leave MJ in our minds as we look back and contemplate how he was and still is the King of Pop.

★★★

STEPHEN GATELY: 1976-2009

I can't say I was ever a real fan but I know Stephen Gately was talented in the field of music he worked in, so for him to die at the age of 33 when I'm sure he had so much more to give is a pretty sad thing.

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Postcards From Italy

Florence + The Machine / Postcards From Italy

Florence takes on Beirut in this truly beautiful cover. The original's jubilant bounce is transformed by Florence into a poignant sway as she strips back the original's tropical stylings so we are left with just her voice and a lone ukulele. This is an astounding mix, with Florence's powerful vocals soaring above the warm strings of the ukulele as she switches from sweet croons to commanding wails in a matter of moments. It has to be said Florence's vocals really do carry the track as she even replicates the horn section of the original through some dazzling vocal acrobatics. This is an exquisite cover which yet again justifies Florence as one of the most compelling artists of our time.

Florence + The Machine / Postcards From Italy by ShornStar

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Did It Again

Shakira / Did It Again

Definitely one of the finest imports straight from Colombia Shakira truly is a bonafide popstar. If you thought She Wolf was good you ain't heard nothing yet. Did It Again is a distinct style change for Shakira as she embraces the hip hop come R&B beats of Pharrell yet still manages to spread her definite Shakira stamp all over it. The track is one of those pop songs which is catchy as hell, will make you want to move yet at the same time has an underlying sense of melancholy, with the premise of the song itself showing some sombre self-analysis: "I did it again now, I got it all wrong / But it felt so right, I can't believe it." In terms of danceability Did It Again is up there with Shakira's greats with it's rattling drumbeat, lush synth sequences and some seriously hook-laden vocal takes from the woman herself. The track even has one of those classic breakdowns where we're left with just Shakira and the beautiful synth riff as you begin to contemplate that this really is just more than your bog-standard pop fodder. Once again, Shakira has proved to be one of the most interesting female pop artists around as she effortlessly moves into new musical territories while still retaining her unique pop flair and superiority.

Shakira / Did it Again by ShornStar

BIG TIP FOR 2010: Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding should have a lot to look forward to in 2010, not only does she already have an array of top class pop songs which are begging to invade radio stations across the country, but she is also a refreshingly new kind of pop star. In an industry currently swarmed with ladies and their synths Ellie Goulding is leading a crusade for a more organic form of electronic pop. Many of her songs are encompassed in truly beautiful electroacoustic soundscapes while her potent lyrics cite love in both its good and bad forms...all this comes together to produce the sound of a singer-songwriter veering away from the middle of the road and heading straight for the dizzy heights of unique pop stardom. Though this all sounds very dreamy and unreal Ellie's songs somehow manage to represent true human emotion in a truly magical and intriguing context whilst still maintaining a sense of realism for the listener. This is most definitely the sound of pop in 2010.

Now, I can't really mention Ellie without mentioning Starsmith - her musical partner in crime. Starsmith is responsible for many of the beautiful backdrops behind Ellie's songs and he also looks likely to shine in 2010. With a host of wonderful mixes under his belt and a really exciting ability to create spellbinding pop tunes which I haven't been seen from a producer in a long time, Starsmith looks prepared to set the musical world alight.

You can listen to Ellie's new Starsmith-produced single Under The Sheets here:

Ellie Goulding / Under The Sheets by ShornStar

You can also check out Ellie's collaboration with FrankMusik entitled Wish I Stayed here:

Ellie Goulding / Wish I Stayed (Feat. FrankMusik) by ShornStar

MySpace links:

Ellie Goulding

Starsmith

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Strange Enough (Designer Drugs Remix)

N.A.S.A. / Strange Enough (Feat. Karen O, Ol' Dirty Bastard & Fatlip) (Designer Drugs Remix)

N.A.S.A. are a DJ duo who've worked with over 36 different artists on their album, dabbled in an incredible array of different genres and cultures and out of all this ended up sounding ridiculously recent thanks to sheer vision and artistic determination. Strange Enough is a prime example of how the duo are able to take a bunch of completely different artists, throw them into a track and make it work. Strange Enough in its original form has it's roots firmly placed in hip hop yet Designer Drugs take it to a whole new level by pushing the track head first into a throbbing whirlpool of dark synths, grinding basslines and generally sinister forms of electronica. Even Karen O ends up sounding demonic as her vocals are twisted into a deliciously evil chant due to the heavy use of a vocoder. This really is a stellar remix from Designer Drugs which not only changes the whole atmosphere of the track yet also rivals the original for greatness.

N.A.S.A. / Strange Enough (Feat. Karen O, Ol' Dirty Bastard & Fatlip) (Designer Drugs Remix) by ShornStar

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: TiK ToK

Ke$ha / TiK ToK

Despite a little voice in my head telling me I shouldn't like this (probably because of the modern day pressures of having to look all "indie") I honestly can't get this song out of my head.You may recognise Ke$ha from her appearance on Flo Rida's track Right Round in which she features, however, to be honest that song doesn't really do her a lot of justice. TiK ToK on the other hand pretty much secures her status as the new pop it girl...to put it bluntly, it's a great big fuck off pop song. I honestly think it's going to be HUGE. The track itself has this great electropop vibe going on with a nice touch of auto-tune (but not too much) as Ke$ha sings about "feeling like P Diddy" and "brushing her teeth with a bottle of Jack" - it's all about getting smashed at parties basically, which may be pretty generic but constitutes for a great pop song. So there we have it, it's all pretty simple really, Ke$ha has created an ass-kicking pop song with an absolutely GINORMOUS chorus that is pretty damn likely to blow up the charts. Ace.

Ke$ha / TiK ToK by ShornStarOfficial

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Blue Skies (The Twelves Remix)

Noah And The Whale / Blue Skies (The Twelves Remix)

Noah And The Whale have really come into their own this year with the release of their sophomore masterpiece The First Days Of Spring, in which they show off a much more mature sound which reaches great new heights of indie folk epicness compared to the less expansive sounds of their debut. Blue Skies is a definite highlight with its poignant lyrics, lush arrangement and beautifully hopeful message it really has a fantastically positive vibe. In the hands of The Twelves the feel good factor is rammed up to 100 as the track is transformed into a hip-shaking indie delight. The original's lush acoustic guitar pieces are now replaced with a truly funky guitar jam which rides the track along at a fantastic pace as a refreshing mixture of cow bells, the occasional synth and some lovely flourishes of piano ensue. A subtle yet highly infectious remix for whenever you feel like smiling.

Noah And The Whale / Blue Skies (The Twelves Remix) by ShornStarOfficial

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Hideaway

Karen O And The Kids / Hideaway

It really seems like good, well thought out movie soundtracks are finally on the increase. Where The Wild Things Are is no exception as Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs fame takes control, creating a truly magical soundtrack for a truly magical film. Hideaway is a beautifully laid back track full of gentle emotion and introspection. Karen O is on sterling form, proving yet again that she can not only scream but she can also purr as her vocals gently float across the track's delicate backdrop of acoustic guitars, plodding drums and a twinkling xylophone. Hideaway as a whole sounds very reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac's classic Albatross and seems like the perfect summation of Karen O's talents as a heartfelt storyteller. Poignantly wonderful.

Karen O And The Kids / Hideaway by ShornStarOfficial

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Wanna Be Black

Hockey / Wanna Be Black

Hockey's debut album Mind Chaos isn't the greatest debut in the world yet somehow some things are just destined to be below par. However, the mighty Wanna Be Black is a bit of a stand out track, telling the tale of a guy who, in his younger days, desperately wants to be black but sadly will never reach this goal and will ultimately fail in life. The track is a pretty gritty affair compared to some of Hockey's other more smiley happy arrangements with a heady mix of dirty guitars, an intriguing whiff of disco in the bassline, a slapping beat and the soulful vocals of lead singer Benjamin. The lyrics are particularly excellent: "What kind of accomplishment is throwback? I was the first one to prefer that. Everyone's making dance music true, but we started in 2002." Nice. Wanna Be Black really is a track of the moment as Hockey lay no claims to the past and simply ask:

"So what the future don't appeal to you?"

Hockey / Wanna Be Black by ShornStarOfficial

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Get Down (VIP)

Jack Beats / Get Down (VIP)

Jack Beats are dropping a bomb through your speakers which is literally INCREDIBLE. Get Down is an absolute BANGER of a tune, featuring some of the dirtiest, grimiest, heaviest and more importantly the most thrilling beats, basslines and synths I've heard all year. They really are ones to watch...not only have they created some amazing remixes this year for the likes of Florence + The Machine (check out further down), La Roux and Hockey but their own creations are literally MINDBLOWING. There's little more to say really as this seems like a time when I think it's best to let the music do the talking. Oh, and in case you don't believe that this isn't going to be any good this was my initial reaction to the track: BLOODY HELL...INSANE!

"And then it happened..."

Jack Beats / Get Down (VIP) by ShornStarOfficial