25 Tunes You May Have Missed This Year - 2015

Well then! 2015 was a pretty diverse year for music! So much so, I've decided to just give up on pulling together a definitive list of 'this years must hear sounds'...

Instead, I've listed 25 tunes you might have missed. They're in no particular order, nor are they necessarily the artists' definitive songs. What they are though, is an introduction to artists that might have otherwise passed you by. Below you will find a wide enough selection of songs & genres to peak most tastes at least once. You can thank me later.

25. Wolf Alice - Freazy 

24. Daredevil [Netflix 2015] Theme - John Paesano 

23. Ólafur Arnalds & Nils Frahm - Stare (Max Cooper Remix)

22. Georgia - Nothing Solutions 

21. Kelly Lee Owens - Lucid 

20. Eagles of Death Metal - Save A Prayer 

19. Bec Sandridge - In The Fog, In The Flame

18. The Gazette - Incubus

17. Sufjan Stevens - Should Have Known Better 

16. Crystal Lake - Prometheus 

15. The Tallest Man On Earth - Darkness of the Dream 

14. Skaters - Miss Teen Massachusetts 

13. Circa Waves - T-shirt Weather 

12. Beach House - Space Song 

11. East India Youth - The End Result 

10. The Maccabees - Something Like Happiness 

9. Zomboy - Back Once Again 

8. Emancipator - 1993 

7. Jack Ü - Take Ü There (Missy Elliot Remix)

6. Oh Wonder - Midnight Moon (Melvv Remix) 

5. Catfish and the Bottlemen - Cocoon 

4. Wavey Blue - Nym 

3. Keeno & Whiney - Dignity Found 

2. Realiti - Grimes 

1. Mountain At My Gate - Foals 

The top 10 anime of all time - As ranked by their opening music

Anime just wouldn't be anime without great music.

So, here are what I consider to be the top 10 anime titles of all time, as ranked by their opening themes or signature tracks!

Don't agree with me? Let me know which titles and tunes you would include on your list in the comments section below!


10) Pokemon
For many people this is the sound of both hope and youth...

9) Porco Rosso
Surprisingly chilled and jazzy.

8) Akira
One seriously apocalyptic score

7) Death Note (Series 1 and 2)
Grungey, dark and full of metal

6) Knights of Sidonia (Series 1 and 2)
ElectrOrchestral

5) Apreggio of Blue Steel
Energetic synth rock

4) Bleach (Series 1, 2 and 5)
Consistently strong and catchy openings (collectively earning 4th place). 

3) Tokyo Ghoul
Emo yet powerful

2) Attack on Titan
Rouses you to action!

1) Princess Mononoke
Simply magical

There we have it! Princess Mononoke is my number 1! Do you agree? Let me know!

***

Notable mentions, but not quite in my top 10 

- Tank! Cowboy Bebop
Bongos! Not in my top ten, partly because I haven't watched Tank yet, but mainly because it feels like animated Spy comedy 'Archer' has given Tank a nod in its own theme, somewhat diluting the original charm (for me personally).

- Rurouni Kenshin
The Ruro Ken/Samurai X series didn't quite make the cut, as they have had a few incarnations with subtle differences/tonal rebrands. Plus, the live action films have arguably made use of better music. Don't despair though, if this wasn't a music based list, Ruro Ken would be far higher ranking.

- Spirited away
Because Joe Hisaishi can't be the entire list

- Dragon Ball Z
Obviously a classic, but there's only so many times you can listen to this... 

- Psycho Pass
Great music, but equally Bloc Party could have supplied the tunes, and show would have retained its vibe... Should this matter? Probably not, but meh.

- Terror in Resonance 

Another quality tune, but the chord changes remind me a lot of Royksopp, who I could also hear soundtracking the opening. Perhaps unfair to down grade it on these terms?Again... Meh.

Glastonbury 2014 - A Belated Recap Of A Vintage Year

Glastonbury! Oh how you refresh the soul! There is honestly nothing like you in the world!

As dawn broke on the Thursday before the party started, I woke to the tent enhanced heat of a summer morning's sun, and realised something... I'm a bit of a Glastonbury veteran these days. I haven't missed a trip to the festival since first making the pilgrimage back in 2009. When you consider the amount of good fortune it takes to get a sniff at a ticket, I count myself amongst the very lucky - the blessed even. Glastonbury at times does have a divine feel about it. Ok, perhaps 'divine' is a stretch too far. But, there is a unique atmosphere present that you can only find at Glastonbury. You'd struggle to cultivate it anywhere else. Its the kind of vibe that only a huge gathering of collective good will can conjure. Glastonbury is so much more than a performing arts and music festival, its a celebration of the best things in life. There is no ill feeling, and everyone is united with one aim; to have a good time.

Irrespective of what people tell you it should be, Glastonbury is a great opportunity to take stock of what is important in life (whilst playing in mud... which is almost optional). Most people have no choice but to do away with modern technology and the perks of civilisation (yes, including those that provide basic hygiene and sanitation... but counterfactually not massive screens, pyrotechnics and sound-systems).

Because Glasto is so starkly different to our usual 21st century lifestyles, there is a somewhat religious undercurrent to it. Bizarrely, going to Glastonbury is sort of like fasting and binging at the same time. Its a step back from typical western living, coupled with an overexposure to near endless varieties of thinking, opinions and stimulus. True, some of the messages and ideas being spread at the festival are undeniably missionary (often rightfully so; universal access to clean water an indisputable example). However, other ideas and arguments, can be a little more polarising depending on who you are. A wander around the green fields will certainly get you thinking about lots of topics, not just about climate change as you might expect. This is amazing, mainly because starting a sustained discussion on climate change alone is sadly still quite difficult. Unfortunately the slow destruction of our natural resources and habitat remains boring topic for people. Perhaps unsurprising given our apparently diminishing attention spans and need of ever present entertainment. Mercifully, in our post-social climate of boredom, Glastonbury is a relentless muse, and undeniably a hot bed for inspiration. Every year I come back from the fields of avalon feeling inspired, optimistic, and increasingly desperate to one day be listed as part of the line up.

Common consensus ruled 2014 to be a vintage year for the festival. Despite the mud, rain, intense sunshine, tent-pitching difficulties, power-cuts, thunderstorms and the highest demand for mobile technology in the middle of any field anywhere ever; Glastonbury 2014 was Glastonbury at its best.

For me, the success of the festival is always defined by the music (even though there is so much more to it than that). When compared to the last 5 years, 2014's bill had no standout or 'power' headliner. No Rolling Stones, and no Beyonce. Metallica appeared to be the biggest name, but notably, they aren't everyones cup of tea. Across all stages the line up was arguably the most eclectic seen in years, with no one popular genre, band or artist dominating the agenda. People where sort of free from the usual 'must see' act that underpins what everyone spends their time hyping up... So mob rule elected Dolly Parton the supreme must see act of 2014. Slurred renditions of 9 to 5 were all you could hear. Everyone was singing it from their islands in the streams of mud. Jolene echoing everywhere in the Glasto ghetto. Dolly appeared just when we needed her the most, if you Parton the expression.

*Sigh.

Anyways... On this level playing field the mid bill bands got more attention than ever, and the result was everyone felt like they could discover something, or enjoy something new and unexpected at any moment! This itself lead to a constant state of feel good fun, and arguably the best Glastonbury I've ever been too.

On that note, here are some of my musical highlights from 2014:

Royal Blood 

Drum and Bass, but not as you know it. Shred that 4 string.

Crystal Fighters

Feel Good New Age Tribal Vibes

Jurassic 5

Old School Hip Hop, with a positive message

Metallica
Metal, obviously...

The Music of Barry Gray
Swinging 60s Television themes made real again

Circa Waves
Surf pop from... Liverpool? Ride that Merseyside tide!

Skrillex
Pretty much ADHD channeled into music. Metal for electroheads.

Nick Mulvey
Soothing nylon stringed bliss. Let yourself get carried away.

Turtle Island 
An ensemble of madness. 

Lana Del Rey
Glum chic, and desperate to make smoking cool again. Sort of managing. 

Pretty Lights 
Breakbeat meets Hip Hop = Dance moves

Oh Wonder - First ever live gig - Review - ICA - London, September 2015

Tonight I witnessed a very special, very confusing first. Oh Wonder just played their first ever live show. 

First. Ever. Live. Show. 

It was a sell out. I got my ticket 10 months ago (it sold out not long after). Skip ahead 10 months and Oh Wonder are actually on stage, casting their cooling, hushed melodies over 350 highly receptive early adopters/probable Guardian readers. They even had their name up in lights...

So why is this confusing? 

Oh Wonder as a 'band' had only ever existed online up until this point. Yet, here they are in front of me, playing polished, well crafted songs with the composure of seasoned performers (minus the odd 'oh my god, this is actually happening face'). Their music is great, and the choice of venue suitably artsy. The crowd, like Oh Wonder themselves, equally represent both genders. Yet everything feels wrong. It feels ordered. Intended. Planned. 

There has been no organic evolution of sound. There has been no right of passage. Oh Wonder have made their debut firmly on the upward curve of career progression, and to date there has only been digital strategy. Bizarrely its worked. They have built a huge and loyal following by writing and releasing a track a month on Soundcloud. As a result, they even managed to sell out several massive London shows (including the Shepherds Bush Empire) before people had ever seen them play. They effectively self manufactured a non-manufactured band.

This is not to say the success is not well deserved. Oh Wonder have beautifully formulated their own highly likeable brand of hushed pop. Breathy, faux-meloncolic songs that play on the interplay and chemistry of harmonised and synchronised male and female vocals. 

Oh Wonders' tracks build subtlety and gradually, but all the while feel too cool to indulge in euphoria and giddiness. Frosty and synthesised juxtaposition is often opted for to differentiate the verse from, as well as overstate the more conventional feel good highs found in their mellow choruses. 

This is not to say Oh Wonder are purposely heartless, or their music cold and robotic. It is simply composed. Their feel good melodies are at times isolated, restrained, muted or slightly off-set and chilled out. Think 'new boring', and then more 'cool boring'. Need a metaphor? Imagine it's a scorching hot day and you're on your holidays. Now imagine poolside pop is embodied by that one cool kid who never gets flustered. Then imagine that same cool kid on a lilo floating atop the residual calming ripples and waves of a deep house cannonball. 

Maybe just listen to them yourself? 'Technicolour beat' is a great introduction to this band: 

https://m.soundcloud.com/ohwondermusic

Half way through the gig my buddy likened the atmosphere and performance to an early XX gig he was at. Once said, I couldn't help but feel he was probably right to draw the comparison. You intuitively know when you see something special. You become strangely aware of the events that are unfolding in front of you. You try to guess their significance. This band, and this evening, felt like the begging of something. Maybe they're the first of a new line of 'digital first' performers. Maybe how they started doesn't even matter, so long as good music always shines through. Irrespective, it's clear Oh Wonder are the complete package, and are only set to get better. 

It's No Wonder their first gig was so special.

**Bonus observation:

If you stand at the back of an Oh Wonder gig, and are tall enough to see all the smart phones taking pictures, it looks like the crowd is pain. All you can see is 'OW' being displayed everywhere.

London Gig Guide - January to April 2015

2015 looks set to be a particularly strong year for gigs in London!

Below you will find a list of the best gigs in London town, from January, right up until to just before the summer, as curated by me. 

So... Happy music-ing!

(Yes, I am also aware there is the odd comedy listing in the mix too.)

Shepards Bush Empire

12 Feb - Hudson Taylor 

7th March - Hawkwind w/Focus

24th March - Kiesza

27th March - Simon Amstell 

2nd April - The Subways w/ Kill it Kid, Purple, Dune Rats

17th April - Circa Waves

28th April - Calexico

29th April - Sharon von Etten

28th May - Jose Gonzalez

Bush Hall 

31st March - Marika Hackman 

02 Brixton 

07 Feb -NME awards (Royal Blood, The Vaccines)

25th Feb - Death From Above 1979 w/ Turbo Wolf

21st March - Dropkick Murphys 

13th April - The Wombats

24th April - Jon Hopkins w/ East India Youth

1st May  - Flying Lotus 

7th May - Twin Atlantic 

4th July - NOFX, Alkaline Trio 

Scala

27th Jan - Wiley 

20th April - The Twilight Sad

Dingwals 

12 Feb - Russel Howard

XOYO

Skream Residency, like all the time...

30th Jan - Julio Bashmore

5th Feb - Hackman

13th March - Martyn 

27th March - Erol Alkan 

16th April - Citizens

Village Underground

14th Feb (Valentines Day) - Kitsune Club Night 

16th Feb - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

4th March - Yelle

18th - Portico w/ Snow Ghosts 

2nd April - Andreya Triana 

13th April - George the Poet 

Union Chapel 

23rd Feb - Stand Up for Legal Aid (Stephen K Amos, Stewart Lee, Kevin Eldon, Sara Pascoe + more)

1st March - Fairport Convention 

All throughout March -  Banff Mountain Film Festival

4th Jul - Stewart Lee + Guests 

6th Jun - Jason Byrne + Guests

St John's, Hackney 

23rd Arpil - Grouper 

Camden Barfly 

11th April - The Burning Crows & Falling Red

30th April - Young Kato

Electric Ballroom 

19th Feb - Marmozets 

3rd March - Ariel Pink

1st April - Awolnation 

8th April - We are the ocean

7th May - I am Kloot 

The Jazz Cafe Camden 

27th Feb - Omar

26th feb - Grandmaster Flash 

3rd April - Dreadzone 

The Lexington 

28th Jan Katzenjammer 

Feb 2nd - Rough Trade Pop Quiz

4th March - Spectres 

23rd March - Tom Williams 

Koko 

3rd Feb - La Roux 

11th Feb - Gruff Rhys 

13th Feb - M + A

17th Feb -  Royal Blood

19th Feb - The Used 

25th Feb - Ed Byrne 

9th & 10th March - Yellowcard & Less Than Jake

12th Match - Little Comets

31st March - Vintage Trouble 

8th April - The View

16th May - Mr Scruff 

28th May - Young Fathers 

02 Arena (and associated venues)

6th Feb - Hayseed Dixie 

14th feb - You me at 6 & All Time Low

3rd March - The Black Keys 

22nd May - Mark Knopfler and Band

27th May - Fleetwood Mac (multiple dates)

25th July - Santana 

Barbican 

Shed loads of classical music, all the time...

24th Feb - Rumer

18th March - Squarepusher 

25th April - Mexrrisey (the music of Morrissey, reimagined by mexican artists)

The Forum

4th Feb - DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist 

7th Feb - Tru Thoughts Label Night - Quantic, Hidden Orchestra, Ragga Twins (&more)

13th Feb - Matt Berry

14th Feb - Nicky Blackmarket w/ MC Skibadee (&more)

17th Feb - Interpol

20th Feb - Kerrang Tour

4th March - NME tour - Palma Violets, Fat White Family, Slaves

14th March - DJ Yoda w/ Dizraeli and the Small Gods

26th March - Stiff Little Fingers

27th May - Dylan Moran 

Cargo

N/A

Birthdays

N/A

Old Blue Last 

12th Feb - Devlin (Free) 

Heaven Under the Arches 

8th April - Say Lou Lou 

16th April - Bi Polar Sunshine 

22nd May - Lucy Spraggan 

Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen 

31st March Bo Ningen & Fufanu 

Soho Theatre 

Loads of comedy! (inc Stewart Lee) 

Bloomsbury Theatre 

28th Jan - Adam Buxton

10th April - Musical comedy Awards - Inc Cassette boy 

+ Loads of comedy all the time. Tim Vine, Katherine Ryan to name a few.

Roundhouse 

5th  & 6th Feb - Interpol 

26 & 27th Feb - Enter Shikari 

27th March - Nick Mulvey