Your New Years Eve Special

Black Flies - Ben Howard (Nixon Remix)


Thought i should get this post in as i know in a couple of hours many of us will be pissed and emotionally crying about that fact we got through another year whilst ending up in the foetal position on a bathroom floor somewhere. I can already feel a hangover coming on...

Before i float nicely into my number 1 (well sort of, there were a lot of songs and i just REALLY liked this one), I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you lot. This year has undoubtably been ridiculously good. To everyone that has helped out in one way or another, whether that be through buying the EP or just some fantastic words of support, it really does mean a lot. Martin Tibbetts...you are the man.

So here we are...the top spot. To be honest i really don't want to say much about this track because it speaks for itself. If you listen to one track this evening to take you through into the infamous 2012 let it please be this one. Find some really heavy speakers and let the bass hug your soul.

Have an incredible New Years Eve and party like it's nearly the end of the world....apparently.

x

Magical Number 2

Give Me Love - Ed Sheeran


I really don't think this chart would be complete without mentioning this ginger genius. I came across Ed youtubing (as you do) and found his SBTV version of 'You Don't Need Me'. Man can this bloke sing FAST! If you haven't see it...here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=temYymFGSEc

Just a mere 5 million hits...no biggie.

After seeing that extraordinary taste of his talents we were all waiting anxiously for his debut album and my god did he not disappoint. I really do love this kid.

There are a fair few tracks on his album that are just beautiful and very clever lyrically. He's just got a serious knack for writing current songs that everyone can relate to, which at times are just too heartbreakingly true and close for comfort from my respect.

So this song is my favourite off the album. Everyone that knows me would probably agree that i'm a hopeless romantic and i guess that's really why i picked it. Apart from the incredible acapella break down in the middle and juicy harmonies this song is a love song...and a good one at that.

swoon....

3 Is Most Definitely A Magic Number

Let Me Go - Maverick Sabre (Shy Fx & Benny Page Digital Sound Boy Remix)

I saw Maverick Sabre live this year for the first time at Beach Break Festival in Wales. This man has such a brilliant voice! I'd heard one song of his previous to seeing him, which was the track he did with Pro Green, but it's actually his own stuff which is unreal. 

He's got a seriously intriguing voice as i can safely say he has a black mans voice. I was even baffled to start with. After seeing him at the festival i went straight out and bought his EP even before this tune, Let Me Go, even came out. If you haven't got it, i sincerely hope that you do. Take note of the seriously sexy 'I Can Never Be' with its beautiful electric guitar and horn section! 

Anyways! back to my number 3 in this chart...No doubt everyones heard Let Me Go in some shape or form this year but it's this version that gets me going. 

Well you know what they say...Go hard or go home. 

NUMBER 4

Wicked Games - The Weeknd


The best thing about The weeknd's mixtapes?? THEY'RE ALL FREE.

Came across this Canadian guy through a friend of mine telling me it was a 'must listen', so tentatively i downloaded the free album off The Weeknd's website and listened from start to finish. There a few albums that i can say that i would happily listen to from start to finish but this has to be one of them. I can safely say this album got me through my bus rides to and from Brixton and waterloo when i was recording my album in the spring. A lot of love.

I chose this particular song as its the first one that really jumped out at me; especially the lyrics to the second verse. I like to call it baby making music............awkward.

Enjoy.

P.S If you happen to bring someone home with you on NYE this year...stick this on. You can thank me later.

2 in 1

Right i've been naughty and missed out a few days. Lets just say i swung myself fully into the festive season, was utterly spoilt and ate copious amounts of food. All round good job.

I really hope you all had a wonderful couple of days wherever you were (lets hope the hangovers wear off in time for New Year now hey?)

SO down to business it is...i'm going to give you number 5 and 6 of this wonderful little music chart iv'e got going.



6. Gabriel (Feat Valentina) - Joe Goddard


Back in the day Hot Chip really did do it for me 'over and over' again......cue laughter, or potentially none. My joke skills are just appalling. Feel free to press the X button at the top of your screen now......breathe.


I really love this song though. I remember first hearing it when i was driving down from Brighton to see my parents and just bopping away in the car. Love the vocal on it too. The whole things quite understated it doesn't really go anywhere, but that's why i love it. Its just there, ready and waiting for YOUR groove.

5. You Don't Know How Lucky You Are - Keaton Henson


I stumbled upon this beauty accidentally....and i'm so happy i did. For me this is one of the most beautiful things to come out of this year. I know alot of the other posts have been very focused on all things dance, dnb and dub but i am real sucker for music like this. As a writer i find these lyrics unbelievably simple but effective and i found that i really took something away from this track.

There's going to be great things from this man in the future. Mark my word.

'Doesn't love make your head spin....'

A Christmas Eve Special...Number 7

Raggamuffin - Selah Sue


Ok, so technically this song isn't really allowed to be in this list as it actually came out in 2010. HOWEVER i'm going to bend the rules for these 2 simple reasons.

1. I only found it at the beginning of the year.

2.  THIS IS A DAM GOOD SONG.

I'm going to keep the rest of this brief cos i know you'll all want to be getting to bed and trying to calm yourselves before the excitable storm arrives tomorrow morning (that will be about 5am for me)...so here we go.

If you haven't heard of Selah Sue then trust me. This one is a proper gem. Not only is this girl sickeningly beautiful, she has the pipes to match it. The thing is though, take one look at her and you'll be thinking 'pretty girl, pretty music' but you couldn't be any more wrong. Born in Belgian and singing in English, Selah Sue has this incredible west indies twang when she sings. I was gobsmacked when i first heard it. Combine that voice then with these sweet little acoustic guitar riffs she's got going on and you have hit the nail on the head.

I cannot rave about this girl anymore so see for yourself...

Happy Christmas Eve

Here Comes 8

Breathe- Delilah (Cally D Remix)


So as you've probably noticed there's a fair few remix's in this count down....what can i say hey!?

Delilah broke onto the scene this year as the vocalist on Chase And Status's stomper of a track 'Time', which ultimately broke her onto the music scene. It was this track however, well the original, that broke her own name as a serious singer-songwiter. Her raspy vocals i have to say are just beautiful.

Its this remix though that really heightens whats she was trying to do in the original. Its laid back and totally sexy...i always feel like i'm submerged in some kind of 'dub' water bubble when i listen to it <----(does that even make sense?!)

p.s apparently she is incredible live as well...anyone want to buy me tickets?

Number 9...

Rolling In The Deep- Jamie XX Remix


It was a close call between two of Jamie xx's songs for this spot but it was his remix of Adele's Rolling In The Deep that really did it for me this year. Of course there was 'I'll Take Care Of You' as well which really shouldn't go a miss; think I've seen that track on ever chill out album this year! Still trying to decide if Rihanna and Drake have ruined it or not.

There's no doubt he's an absolute class act.

But with Rolling In The Deep he turned the original into an even better track by sticking in some disgustingly good beats with a west indies vibe. Just try NOT skanking to this.

Top 10 Songs Of 2011

So i thought i would be rather wise to count down some of my favourite songs this year. There's no doubt that there's been some brilliant ones this year, especially with DJs really coming into the stride in the UK chart (Nero most definitely being one of them). Who thought we would be seeing some Dubstep in the top 10!

So here i will start with my number 10. I was sat here looking through my itunes really trying to mull this all over, so lets just say the blogs over the next 10 days are just going to be a few of my upmost favourites!

NUMBER 10

ANOTHER GIRL - JAQUES GREEN

This is the song i always stick on after a long night out and trust me it goes very well with watching the sunrise! So enjoy this one on me with its laid back vibe and understated vocal. Beauty.

One Stolen Phone... An EP... And A Trip To New York

There is a serious amount to catch up on but I promise I will do it all without boring you...you never know you may just crack a smile!

First big news is that my EP 'Telling Tales' is now available to buy online, click here to download it from iTunes now! Release date was 12th December but due to unforeseen circumstances aka stolen phone on the Sunday evening BEFORE the release, I was unable to blog away from home! All rather tragic but you get the jist. If you want a copy and I really hope you do...then please visit itunes or any other big name online music store for a little piece of my big adventure.

New York on the other hand was unbelievable. I am a very lucky girl indeed. Thought I'd include a few snaps so you can see what I got up to. Basically I just went on a Christmas jolly with the family and had a ball haha...

Picture above is the Rockettes! Absolutely awe inspiring. The precision of their dancing and their agility is just ridiculous but it was the venue that they performed in, Radio City, that struck a chord with me. Everyone one says its a must see and there's no getting away from the fact that its a serious tourist destination BUT if you can get over the crowds and tacky souvenirs WOW that place is just beautiful. I really did do the cliche and turn to my mum to tell her 'I WILL be performing here one day'. Girls gota have dreams.

Well Christmas is coming. The Coca Cola advert is on and everyones talking about X Factor and will they make it another Christmas number one or be overthrown by Rage Against The Machine again (absolutely brilliant stunt) but I thought I would just leave you with this video which has seriously cracked me up over the last week. One word. Priceless.

P.S. Went to see The Lion King on Broadway I felt like a 6 year old again.

Work Hard...Play Hard

Well I seem to have contracted a cold! Really thought I'd got lucky this winter and escaped illness, but no it turns out I am human! Lemsip will now be my best friend for the next few days.

Got a hectic week coming up including recording and filming on Thursday at Perry Vale studios in London and meetings with radio pluggers on Friday. Going to be recording a live track for the album and also a mystery cover...prepare to be a little shocked with the choice!

I'm also recording a Christmas song which will be available as a free download at the end of the week on my Facebook page...you lucky things! Haha

Anyways I though I shall leave you with this YouTube clip. No need for an introduction I'm sure...

All I Want For Christmas Is...

It's finally here...the 1st of December but for the love of me I can't begin to think how this year has gone so fast!? Cue the advent calendars.

Had my last co-write today in Sweden and I am now OUT FOR THE COUNT. My mind is now literally numb. Been incredible though and I just want to take the time to thank The Roasting House for having me and letting me write such beautiful music. Love you all.

Well as it is the 1st today I'd like to share with you two things...

1). The pair of shoes I need in my life before OR for Christmas. They are made by Jeffrey Campbell. I went a bit weak when I first saw them.

2). Beiber has well and truly gone and spoilt my most favourite Christmas song of all time by doing a feat track with Mariah Carey of 'All I want for Christmas'. Christmas will now never be the same....please feel free to listen and cry into your pillow as I did.

This Song Sounds Sexy

Difficult but seriously empowering day back in the studio in Sweden! Been working with Alexander Holmgren today, didn't manage to snap a picture of him but TRUST me...he actually looks like Basshunter! Check out his impressive array of guitars in the picture, I honestly couldn't fit them all in!
The song we wrote today was pretty testing and really pushed me vocally but hard work never hurt anyone hey!? After piecing the song together and recording the vocal we realised it needed to be stepped a few keys to give it a bit of power...BUT we got there in the end. It's soulful, meaningful and 'sexy' according to Alex...bless him.

On a completely different note, Melodifestivalen is currently occurring over here in Sweden. It's huge out here and the chosen winner then goes on to represent Sweden at The Eurovision Song Contest 2012, so you can just imagine the hype!

Found out today however that one of the 32 artists that are performing at the festival is actually associated with where I'm working here in Malmo! The band is called OPA. Check out all the acts out at the link below...I know you'd all love a sneak peak of who we'll potentially loose to next year. Nul Points anyone?

Read more about Melodifestivalen here http://www.scandipop.co.uk/?p=8119

To Sweden I Go!

Arrived in Malmo, Sweden, late last night and got caught in a very angry storm, meaning delayed trains and a VERY cold Moya. I can't complain though, it's good to be back and the people here are wonderful as always!

Worked today with David Frenberg (Swedish metal head in the picture!) and produced a soulful track with a lot of electric guitar...I love it and hopefully you will too!

3 more co-writes to go...I'll try to stay away from 'Euro-Pop'. Can't promise anything though :)

Video: Telling Tales

Don't Want To Know

Recorded live on stage at The Bedford, London. Taken from the Telling Tales EP, available December 12th 2011.

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Written by John Martyn. Published by Ryko Music. Copyright Four To One Records. Video by Dom Beno.