SOMETHING OLD: ‘Creep’– TLC

I have a habit of randomly shouting TUNE whenever I hear this, an ultimate r’n’b and 90s classic, if this isn’t on your iPod then take this opportunity to go get it.

TLC as a group oozed attitude and talent with each member bringing something to the songwriting process and their memorable performances. T-Boz’s deep vocals instantly recognisable cover this track in sass along with its smooth production incorporating strings and a trumpet loop; you can almost feel the warm summer sun on your face.
A sample from Slick Rick’s ‘Hey Young World’ gives the drumbeat but it’s the harmonies in the chorus and posture from TLC which make it their own.

Despite the controversy that often followed them, TLC were one of the great and influential girlbands. Although this track doesn’t feature one of the consistently awesome raps from the late Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes, ‘Creep’ remains one of the defining tracks not only of their career but also the r’n’b genre.

From the album ‘CrazySexyCool’ (1994) / @officialchilli @BozBizz

SOMETHING NEW: ‘Colours’ (Captain Cut Remix) – GROUPLOVE

Flashes of Arcade Fire, but a little more fun – think of Arcade Fire...wearing red noses. See? Fun. Little bit scary, but fun. Grouplove are an American band made of 4 blokes and a lady, making their vocals pretty unique in the male dominated current climate of rock and its many forms.

A stomping remix by Captain Cut maintains the caveman “huh’s” and “ha’s” and the enjoyable shouty vocals, making this a standout track which despite probably not needing a remix, wallows in the extra sparkle this one gives the original song. 
The original is more organic-sounding rock, borderline folk even, but for me the remix does the real justice. Electronic reverb in abundance, with effects on voice and the original chords provide an enjoyable and uplifting track which maintains the original’s verses and chorus’. None of this just taking and repeating the chorus first line, as is sometimes classed as somewhat lazy remixing.

Most bizarrely but equally wonderful is a little dubstep bass nod halfway through. Much like chilli and chocolate, it shouldn’t work but is a pleasant surprise that clearly does. Captain Cut and his remix is a pounding, suitably loud twist on the brilliant original shout-fest version.

Original ‘Colours’ taken from the album ‘Never Trust A Happy Song’ (2011) / @GROUPLOVE

SOMETHING OLD: ‘Son Of A Gun’– JX

That’s right, the weekend maybe over but don’t chuck those glo-sticks away just yet – the week doesn’t start until you clock in, and by my watch that’s enough time to listen to this CHOON (as the kids say)
JX brings you pretty much everything you need in your classic 90’s dance track: big female vocal – check, heavy bass and electric drum beat – check, random repetitive phrase to work its way into your head – check and an even more random accompanying pop video, incorporating close up shots of lips and eyes – check.

Originally released in 1994 it reached number 13 on the chart and a year later was remixed to the radio edit we all know and love and peaked at number 6. As a remixer he reached the dizzy chart heights with mixes for Erasure, Smash Hits poster favourites Deuce and quirky number and letter named dance group 2wo Third3 (see what they did there) – which, tedious link fact fans, included Richard ‘Biff’ Stannard who co-wrote last week’s Something New choice, ‘The Sea’.

One listen to this and you’ll understand why clubbing became such a huge trend in the early to mid 90s. The normal piano led hook of the ‘90s dance music’ genre replaced here by a buzzing chord synth makes it instantly infectious and one of the classics of its day.

Available on numerous 90s dance compilations including Ministry of Sound: Pump Up The Jam / www.rexthedog.net

SOMETHING NEW: ‘Old Pine’ – Ben Howard

So if you follow me on Twitter then you would have heard me banging on about this Devonian guy for ages. I first saw him play in a small room underneath an old pub in Truro to about 30 other lucky people and since then just seen him grow as a performer, songwriter, build upon an ever-increasing fan base to finally last year being picked up by a record label.

The lyrics in 'Old Pine' are so incredibly beautiful and descriptive you can almost smell the sea air. A camping trip by the beach never sounded so good – 'hot sand on toes, cold sand in sleeping bags. I've come to know that memories were the best things you ever had'. For me personally his song writing is so easy to enjoy and identify with as he sings about areas I've grown up in.

From the beach to the moors, our climate and places we spent summers, 'Old Pine' is not only gorgeous in lyric but also in its catchy melody and incredibly uplifting and energetic second half. Almost jig-like it fits the bill as folk music but not the normal acoustic plodding you may normally associate with the genre.

As I've so often mentioned in my recommendations it's always about the simplicity. Having toured for the best part of his early career either alone or with India Bourne on cello, the freedom he now has making a 'full' album has not gone to his head in bringing in elaborate string melodies or over-produced segments. The original demo of this song isn't too far from the finished song we now hear, and if you get the chance to see him do this one live – get ready to jump, what starts as almost a lullaby will have you bouncing with the crowd by its finish. Local lad did good.

From the EP ‘Old Pine’ and forthcoming album ‘Every Kingdom’ (2011) / @benhowardmusic

SOMETHING OLD: ‘Helicopter’– Bloc Party

The mass hysteria of this track hits you right between the eyes from the outset. If you weren't awake this Monday morning, you will be now!

Drummer Matt Tong is a wonder to watch if you've been lucky enough to catch Bloc Party live and he really goes for it in this, as does the insane guitar rift which also keeps you on your toes. You are allowed breaks to breathe with Kele's almost conversational verses, traditional of the band style, but isn't long before the stabbing guitar returns to do just that.

Rumoured to be written about George W Bush (as so many tracks around this time seemed to be) ‘just like his dad, same mistakes, something’s will never be different’, the hypnotic and deep vocals in the bridge lead to the perfect sing-along chorus for a mass of people at a sweaty and energetic gig.
Despite the guitar instrumental reminiscent of something by The Editors, this is Bloc Party’s sound to perfection. Much more than a song used on a football video game, but a vigorous anthem from a fine British band.

From the EP ‘Little Thoughts’ (2004) later released on the album ‘Silent Alarm’ (2005) / @thisisblocparty

SOMETHING NEW: ‘The Sea’ – Melanie C

I'm trying to write this without using sea related puns, but it's so hard when the production of the track is perfectly synchronised with what is so fascinating about the natural power of the ocean – both literally and metaphorically.

The introduction itself is like the build up before a wave, the surge before the crest as the anticipation of recorded waves and increasing strings entice to the first verse.
A voice often associated with strength and power, Melanie's vocals are almost whispered throughout the track. It works so effortlessly to create a tempestuous, dark ambience which is lightened somewhat with the unexpected but welcome appearance of a sitar - complimented by pizzicato strings like rays of light through the storm.
Multiple layers of strings and Melanie's underlying beautiful vocals driven by a unusual drumbeat which would keep any motley boat crew rowing in time, create a track of pure escapism and lush wonderment right up until the last haunting twinkles of a music box.
 Having grown up surrounded by the sea and many hours of my life spent in it, I don't think a track has even come close before to capturing the mystery and awe of the sea (or the metaphorical emotional relationship it otherwise represents here) as this song is so perfectly titled, produced, written and performed.

From the album ‘The Sea’ (2011) / @MelanieCmusic

SOMETHING OLD: ‘Thinking About Tomorrow’– Beth Orton

Beth Orton has one of those voices which is effortless. There’s no putting on a style or trying to emulate anyone else. I guess sadly the majority of people would just know her as that woman that always seemed to get nominated for Best Female at The Brits. Yes, I was one of them too but that made me bother to find and take a listen to her stuff and in ‘Thinking About Tomorrow’, a gem was definitely found.

So chilled out it’s practically laid on its back; the lush mix of Beth’s gentle and slightly fragile vocals alongside the patter of an instrumental awash with strings, a bass line and flashes of guitar allow this track to take you away. At just over 6 minutes long, wherever you go in that amount of time you’ll come out the other side refreshed. My personal 6 minutes has sand and the gentle ripple of water.

A prime example of why Monday gets a choice of a weekly song from me. If you’ve had a hard Monday stick this one on around 8pm as the sun sets with a glass of rose. Who cares it’s a school night, you’ve earned it right? And if you like this gem, I can only encourage you to see what other absolute jewels can be discovered in the Beth Orton back catalogue.

From the album ‘Daybreaker’ (2002) / @beth_orton

SOMETHING NEW: ‘Back To Shore’ – Brother & Bones

Now I do like to support a bit of local talent, and when they’re this good a recommendation comes so easy. So in a music industry led by artists who like to do controversial things - wear meat dresses or need a nod from Louis Walsh and stint in ‘boot camp’ to get noticed; it’s incredibly refreshing to find a band who are genuinely talented, raw so in their passion and gain their popularity by word of mouth and live gigs. 

Without restricting them to the folk genre, this is more high energy stuff, an earthy drum met by the husky aggression of lead singer Richard Thomas. An incredible force when playing live, the same vigour is showcased in this track. Percussion, sliding guitar, foot-stomping - Brother & Bones are a musical army to be reckoned with.

It makes you want to stamp, sing and with this particular track, shout it from a rugged cliff top in deepest Cornwall as it reaches it a heart-pounding crescendo end.  No less, a rewarding breath of fresh air.

From the EP ‘Skin’ (2011) / @BrotherAndBones