Jai Paul. Front Page image – James Blake.
At this time of year for the last few years the BBC compiles a bullshit list of artists that silly music industry types have told them will be the next big thing of the coming 12 months. Worse than that, the organisers turn it into a knockout competition. Starting with fifteen, then counting down each day until one remains: the artist that will be the ‘Sound’ of the new year. It’s basically just a big promotion stunt by the music industry to promote their new acts. Those that get on the list are those that have the most promotion money and biggest marketing machine behind them. Last year, Ellie Goulding won. The year before, Little Boots. That says it all really. However, there are always a few interesting, and actually good smaller artists that manage to squeeze on the list- Gold Panda and Joy Orbison last year for example. This year there are a handful artists in the list who, although it’s meant to be about 2011, have actually already created some of the best songs of 2010.
See the complete Sound of 2011 list here.
BTSTU by Jai Paul
If music like this song by the definitely J-Dilla influenced londoner Jai Paul is what we can expect more of, then 2011 will be une belle année. We won’t be doing a ‘Best tracks of 2010′ list here on Les Flâneurs, but if we were this would be fighting for the top spot.
Limit To Your Love and CMYK by James Blake
If we are to take the ‘Sound of ‘ list at face value, then the solo male producer/singers making electronic soul and ‘post-dubstep’ (can music journalists please invent a more interesting title if you insist on forcing artists into your own fabricated genres) will dominate whatever it is that people on this list are meant to dominate in the world of music. Certainly not mainstream radio play. The living rooms of music industry and media types? Jai Paul, Daley, Jamie Woon and this guy all fall loosely into that category but Blake perhaps is the most rounded as these two songs prove. CMYK is a Kelis vocal sampling dubstep/house crossover in the vein of two of last year’s ‘Sound of’ artists- Gold Panda and Joy Orbison. Whereas, on Fiest cover Limit To Your Love Blake shows off his own tender vocal talent backed by minimalist piano and electronics to really heighten the lyrics of the song. The truthful idea that someone you love will only love and care for you to a certain point and that you are aware of this really hits home hard. His version is truly heart-wrenching.
Punching A Dream by The Naked And Famous
Ok, this band is nothing more than an Antipodean Passion Pit rip-off and this song certainly doesn’t push the boundaries of new music but hey, it’s lot of fun. And isn’t that the most important thing…
Traktor by Wretch 32
You can tell that the majority of people involved with compiling the ‘Sound of’ list every year are white and middle class as there will usually only be one token black British mc. Last year it was Giggs. This year it’s Wretch 32. Definite ‘cross over potential’ (a term always bandied around during these sort of things) but perhaps Dels would have been a more interesting choice.
Undertow by Warpaint
The all female group is one of only two US bands on the list and also the best guitar band.
