SINGLE REVIEW: Pnau 'Unite Us' out 19 February on Ministry Of Sound

Bog standard manu(factured) pop electro from Pnau. Was expecting more and It's a let down. The original is redeemed (as is this single release) by a great garage remix from Douster & Savage Skulls. Wookie tries his best to make something listen-able and nearly succeeds.

Raffertie made some industrial thing that although unusable in any normal environment might provide a useful soundtrack for the next instalment of the Blade franchise, if there ever is one. That was my favourite, strangely, after several listens. There are also some hands in the air remixes including one from Kris Menace that lacks originality but will get some people dancing should mainstream commercial clubbing be your thing.

5/10

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SINGLE REVIEW: Rubylux 'What You Need' out now on BMG

'What You Need' has that tinkling backing reminiscent of Sebastien Tellier's work, coupled with an instrumental swell of Snow Patrol circa 'Eyes Open EP' that kicks in at the chorus. Those two names should tell you everything; this is made for TV music and wouldn't be out of place on 'X Factor'; a hopeful contestant jumping with glee, the realisation of an unrequited romance on 'Greys Anatomy' or countless TV adverts.

With such a strong instrumental the lyrics can feel a little bit lost but are regained with gusto during the breakdowns. Essentially, It's a song that wouldn't have felt out of place when the post Brit pop haze of bands were becoming commercial.

2/5

Eriin Dhesi

SINGLE REVIEW: Longevity 'Tantrum' out now on Decon

Oh yeah that's what I'm talking about. A bold statement by Longevity who declares this joint a 'hip hop anthem'. He's not far off, this cut certainly has more than the average bear you'd be wise to do as he says so 'Everybody in this motherfucker stand up!'.

Check out the video below directed by Brian Mulchy - it's original and works well with the song. This is a solid package all round with great cover art too, a true single release!

5/5

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SINGLE REVIEW: Dimbleby and Capper 'Let you Go' out 21 March on Tape Records

The best way to describe this excellent single would be a musical form of fuzzy logic. Slightly harrowing dark electro-ish beginnings transcend into poppier punchiness producing an incredibly likeable toe tapping, head nodding cacophony of agree-ability. 

Also included and available for download below is the superb b side Raise It Right which is a prime example of Dimbleby and Cappers signature sound and should wet your appetite enough to compel you to buy this.

5/5

DLS

DOWNLOAD: 'Raise It Right'

SINGLE REVIEW: Memory9 'Mission ft Juakali' out now on Skany Panky

The King Cannibal remix takes the best elements of the original and beefs it up nicely as you would expect from a Ninja Tunes veteran. This is the only remix that is worthy of being released IMO and kicks the ass of the rest including the original. 

That said the King Cannibal remix is soooo tasty that it deserves a mention and if you can pick up a copy of it on download - guessing it's on beatport? - then it's worth checking out and dropping early on in your set and the bassline really tears the shit out of the speakers and there is some nice juicy breaks riffs and glitches in there to get the heads interested and the feet on the floor for sho'.

2/5

Ryu Rozinante

SINGLE REVIEW: Claire Nicolson 'You & I' out 7 March on Canned Records

Wow! I was quite taken aback upon hearing Claire Nicolson’s second single. It's a dreamy, folky, synth infused adagio sample of breathtaking pop music that made me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Within this one song are the hallmarks of a potentially great talent and it reminded me of listening to Vainzine favourite Jesca Hoop for the first time. Lovingly produced by Claire’s brother, ex-Primal Scream producer Hugo Nicolson (there are definitely no primal influences here I assure you) and recorded in LA – although it invokes more feelings of being recorded in a Norwegian wood - this is a great cinematic style of song. 

With a live version of 'Quiet Company' - an acoustic countrified love song and apparent live favourite of Claire’s loyal fans -  big things are expected of her forthcoming album “52 Card Pick Up”, due early summer 2011. If you can’t wait that long her next London gig will be at BBC 6 Music DJ Chris Hawkins’ Night at Catch, 22 Kingsland Road, 10th Feb. Be there!

5/5

DLS

SINGLE REVIEW: Keziah Jones 'Lagos vs New York (Gilles Peterson Remix)' out now on Because

The latest single from Kezia Jones the Nigerian born Blufunk innovator whose unique sound of Afrobeat, blues, rock, pop and funk has been quoted by Gilles Peterson himself as “being a constant source of inspiration to me for years”. 

This number has been given the remix treatment from the king and champion of world music GP. What is produced is a pleasant Masters at Work (circa early Noughties) –esque, house tinged, afro beat, Jazzy funk tune that you feel would not be out of place watching the Iberian sun set too nor getting all hot a flustered within one of Lagos’ legendary night spots.

4/5

DLS

SINGLE REVIEW: The Horn The Hunt 'Rapture' out 1 November on White Label Music

I have to say I was very taken with this latest offering from Leeds based duo The Horn The Hunt (awesome name too!!). Hailing from my old university stomping ground which is a hotbed of musical talent they have produced a sublime piece of electro indie. Soothing yet haunting vocals imposed upon a driving full blooded riff makes for an alluring concoction of Portsihead-esque musical sublimity that had me rocking on the spot.

With two Dean Honer (I Monster) remixes, one giving the track a tribal feel whilst the other giving a more laid back broken beat vibe and also B side 'Henry's Out' an insane Aphex Twin style arrangement this is most certainly worth a look and provides a nice warm up to the release of the band’s second album 'Depressur Jolie', due to be released in spring 2011.

5/5

DLS

SINGLE REVIEW: Inner City Pirates 'Seen It all Before' out 4 October on Superdark

Welsh rockers Innercity Pirates latest single offering 'Seen it all Before' is a pleasant yet edgy good auld fashioned indie rock tune that has a vague similarity to fellow Cardiff residents and all time Vainzine favourites the wonderfully unique Future of the Left in terms of it original sound and quirky nature. 

Perhaps we are seeing the beginnings of a new Welsh rock movement being spear headed by the Pirates or do I just not have a clue what I’m talking about? (Yeah that sounds about right! - Ed) Either way what cannot be denied is this is a damn good tune and will be worth every one of your hard earned recession pennies.

5/5

DLS

SINGLE REVIW: Thee Single Spy OK Corral out 9 August on Elephant Records

Thee single spy in my opinion can be best described as a post modern no frills indie band with a strikingly similar vocal style to the Cure’s Robert Smith. Debut single OK corral is a splendid homage to the aforementioned influences and the arrangement is extremely accomplished leaving your humble writer very impressed and wanting more. It’s down tempo haunting harmonies’ played alongside some pretty special Smith-esque vocal make for a truly mesmerising listen with layers of instrumental composition that produce a sound of blissful simplicity, you have to listen to understand what I’m talking about… Based on this and the excellent B-Side I will be expecting big things from brainchild of the operation Alex Mattinson and his entourage in the future.

5/5

DLS

SINGLE REVIEW: Not Squares 'Release the Bees' out 23 August on Pogo

For me this is what has been severely lacking on the dance scene in recent times. Down beat Eletro beginnings followed by a pumping beat, ludicrously composed vocals/scrams and epic break downs are exactly what Release the Bees by Not Squares proffers up and I couldn’t have been more delighted. This is a pleasant assault on the hearing as you could possibly hope for from such a borderline insane arrangement and also included is a Radio Edit (for those whose attention span can’t last the whole 7mins and 30secs of out there wackiness) and the delightfully titled Bi Ki Na (Me Me Wee Wee Wee Mix) go to show that originality still exists in what many perceive to be a washed out genre. Doubt at your peril.

5/5

DLS

Not Squares have kindly given us a remix of the track to us for you as a Free Download below.

DOWNLOAD: Not Squares 'Release The Bees (Fur Remix)

SINGLE REVIEW: Chief 'Breaking Walls' out 21st June on Domino

Chief recently signed to Domino and this is their first single release. Whilst not exactly smacking of originality in any sense (how difficult is this today?) the song oozes class and is composed with the loving care and attention that most of this esteemed labels artists seem to put into their work. 

At first it seems that the track is on a downer due to it's slow tempo and melancholic vibe but if you listen to the lyrics sung perfectly by lead singer Evan Koga you find there's a positive message underneath all the bustle. Chief are one to watch this year and if you are heading to the festivals this Summer you can check them out in the UK at Hard Rock calling with Pearl Jam 25June in Hyde Park, London or Glastonbury on the 27th.

3.5/5

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SINGLE REVIEW: Jon Hopkins 'Light Through The Veins' out now on Double Six

Originally posted on 1 May 2009:

Just released last Monday this is a real gem and one not to be missed, especially for you fans of quality chill out in the Digitonal (yes I know I am always harping on about him) ilk.

Ewan Pearson fans will be pleased to know that he is on remix duties with an epic 14 minute minimal / prog electro rework together with another slightly more upbeat than the original remix by David Holmes.

4.5/5

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Hatchback

Gines De Passamonte

SINGLE REVIEW: Digitonal '93 Years On' out 6 October on Just Music

Originally posted on 30 September 2008:

Following on from the simply astounding album released recently and featured on Vainzine comes the first single release from the album.

If you have the album already then you will know just how monumental this single is without overshadowing the superb LP.

If you haven't yet heard of Digitonal then the single is a great introduction to the musician who is creating his own legend Andy Dobson.

For those of you who do have the album then fret not. The single comes equipped with two great remixes of other album tracks 'Ana Kata' - remixed by 65 Days Of Static and 'Nothing Left To Say' - remixed by Echaskech.

The Echaskech remix is fantastic. The opening few bars remind me of the soundtrack to that 02 commercial a few years ago from the See What You Can Do campaign. Thankfully it progresses on from there into what can only be described as liquid sonic ecstasy! when you hear the bassline kick in you will know what I'm talking about. If you don't then you are probably deaf.

The 65 Days Of Static remix is also good, but I found it to be a little OTT and rather self indulgent in parts and that did take the gloss off it a smidgen.

Overall this is an essential piece of kit for professionals and home listeners alike. It will tear the roof off if you crank up the volume which is how it should be listened to. Don't try and listen through your I-Pod as it's just not the same.

4/5

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Save Your Light For Darker Days

Gines De Passamonte

SINGLE REVIEW: Primary 1 'Hold Me Down' out 28th January on Phantasy Sound

Originally posted 25 January 2008:

Primary 1 has more aces up his sleeve than it takes to get to the final of the Australian Open tennis final. He's not actually a tennis player but 21 year old Joe Flory. If you like breaks, Ed Banger Records, Metronomy, Ali Love, Justice or Digitalism then you need to get his first single release 'Hold Me Down'.

It's an electro funk falsetto vocal masterpiece that has already been devastating the coolest dancefloors across Europe and the UK largely due to the more up-tempo remix from French electronist Yusek. The original mix is a much more funky slow groove which in parts reminds of Ame in the synths used. Both the original and the remix made me wanna get my groove on in a big way.

Primary 1 is currently working on his debut album due for release this summer but if you like Hold Me Down keep you eyes open as he's sure to release some more singles before then. Check his MySpace page for more details of where you can see him live.

5/5

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Ali Love
 
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