Hurts - Happiness, Album Review

What we have may not be pop’s next masterpiece but there is plenty to enjoy here. Melodramatic, moody, with a heavy dose of melancholy, the debut from the mancunian duo Hurts is most definitely music for a rainy day with towering choruses that soar above thundering synths and haunting church bells. When it comes to style everything about Hurts, both musically and visually, is completely over-the-top, and better off for it. This is magnificent pop music on a huge scale.

With Ultravox’s seminal classic ‘Vienna’ acting as the blueprint for most of the slower numbers, the whole album definitely draws a lot of it’s influence from 80s new romantics like Tears For Fears, Human League and the fore-mentioned Ultravox. Powerful opener ‘Silver Lining’ certainly sets the standard, but it’s the gloomy grandeur of ‘Wonderful Life’ that really hits the spot with it’s relentless whips of percussion and stunningly sublime melody.

The one weakness of the album is that some of the power-ballads start to sound very similar, with only the Kylie Minogue duet ‘Devotion’ really standing out. Some of these slower numbers also lack an emotional connection and as a listener I sometimes found it a challenge to completely invest in the excessive lyrics of desperation and longing. However these shortcoming are forgiven when ‘Better Than Love’ comes hurtling out of nowhere after the three forgettable ballads that proceed it. The album highpoint however is the glorious ‘Sunday’, which rises from the gloom with its lyrics of hope hurried along by a defiant string accompaniment.

It may be little style-over-substance in places, but when misery sounds this good it’s hard not to enjoy.

Hot for 2011 - Jessie J, "Just me, my heels and my mic"

Jessie J, or Jessica Ellen Cornish as she is formally known, is a 22 year old British singer/songwriter and was recently announced winner of not only the 'BBC Sound of 2011' award but also the 'Critics Choice' Award at the BRITs (won by Ellie Goulding last year).

She studied at the BRIT school (The London School for Performing Arts & Technology), where the likes of Adele, Kate Nash and Amy Winehouse also studied. Her career began in songwriting, gaining a Sony ATV publishing contract. She co-wrote the Miley Cyrus his "Party in the USA", as well as writing for Justin Timblerlake, Chris Brown (with whom she toured Europe), Alicia Keys and Christina Aquilera. She was hailed by JT as "the best singer in the world right now", so there is no wonder she gained the 'Critics Choice' award, honouring her with the view that she will be huge this year.

In a rare move for a UK artist without a record deal at home, she was signed by a major label in the US. Universal Republic. Jessie considered giving her first single 'Do it Like a Dude', to Rihanna, but was told by JT to keep it to herself, which was a good move and gained chart success at #2 in the UK Top 40. Not bad considering she is under doctors' orders to take it easy as a result of an irregular heartbeat and a minor stroke four years ago, after which doctors could not guarantee she would sing or walk properly again.

Video of the Week - Jessie J - 'Price Tag' Acoustic


Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jessiejofficial

Introducing... The Vaccines!

The Vaccines are a relatively new London based band, forming in 2010.
On Wednesday, 5 January 2011, the band were announced to be third place in the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll. The band's debut album, 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' is due for release through Columbia Records on 21 March 2011. They released their debut single 'Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)' on 29 November 2010 in the UK where it reached number 157 in the UK Singles Chart. Only one minute and 24 seconds long, it was named 'Track of the Day' by Q magazine.

The band have been signed to play on the NME's 2011 Awards Tour (of which I will be attending and reviewing). They have signed to Columbia Records, and their second single will be 'Post Break-Up Sex', released on 24 January 2011. The Vaccines are also up for an MTV Award for 'Best New Band of 2011'.

Here are a couple of songs for you to check out:

Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra) by The Vaccines
Blow It Up by The Vaccines

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thevaccinesuk

Music for the new year - Designer Drugs

You may recognise one of their most popular songs, 'Drop Down' from an advert for 'Skins'. The duo are a club/electro/house duo from New York, and produce some of the hottest tracks around.
The ultra-stylish duo are set to start a US and Canadian tour on new years eve, so for all the UK kids that won't be able to make any of the shows, here is a track that will kick off your night into 2011 with a bang!

Video of the Week - Designer Drugs - 'Drop Down'


Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/designerdrugsclubmusic

Technical difficulties are now sorted as my Mac is fixed, so Insight Music is back to normal as of now!

Video of the Week - Coco Recording with Subfocus

Slightly different approach this week. Instead of a music video here's a montage of clips with Eliot 'Coco' Sumner of I Blame Coco writing and recording for Subfocus' track 'Splash'. It gives an insight as to how she writes her music and sneak peaks of what were originally the lyrics before changing them. Enjoy!

Video of the Week - The Drums - 'Forever and Ever Amen'

So last night I was supposed to be seeing The Drums and writing a full review for you all. Even though the weather has been bad I managed to travel up to the North East to Newcastle and battle through it. Unfortunately, Northumbria University (where the band were set to play) cancelled the gig even though the band fought to keep it on and even went through soundcheck after travelling 14 hours from Dublin.

The band posted this on their website: "Hi Everyone, it’s Jonny, Jacob and Connor. We were just informed that due to the rules here in Newcastle, the show has been canceled tonight. We traveled 14 hours to get here, did our soundcheck, and just were told we can’t play and there is nothing we can do about it. It kills us that this is happening. We will be back soon and make it up to you. Love, The Drums."

Hopefully they will reschedule to a time where I'll be able to get back up there. In the mean time, here's a personal favourite.