[TuneOTD] Rudimental - NOT GIVING IN (ft. John Newman & Alex Clare)

Artist: Rudimental

Genre: Drum & Bass
Location: Hackney, London, UK
Label Type: Indie

Record Label: Asylum Records/Black Butter Records

Website: http://rudimental.co.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RudimentalUk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RudimentalUK

Today’s tune is a big one! ‘Not Giving In’ is the brand new single from Rudimental released just a couple of days ago (November 18^th) on Asylum Records (US) and Black Butter Records (UK).

Following up the UK’s second ever Drum and Bass number one is a massive challenge. Naturally, Rudimental have stepped up with something equally refreshing; John Newman’s vocals are even more powerful than before, and the string/horn combo sends major shivers. They have continued where they left off with a rumbling bass accompanied by twinkling piano keys and lashing jazzy brass. The smooth, soulful vocals simply add to the already impressive amalgamation of brass, keys and bass. The meaning of the track given by the lyrics is simple. It aims to promote a message of standing tall, remaining strong throughout the tough times and ultimately, not giving in!

The Hackney quartet have once again decided to make full use of Newman’s infectious talent as they did on ‘Feel The Love’, a track which went platinum down under earlier this year. Furthermore, the latest release also features Alex Clare; the man responsible for bringing us the outstanding track, ‘Too Close’, which itself went platinum across the pond and in Germany.

‘Not Giving In’ comes with speaker-splicing remixes from Loadstar and Ed Rush, as well as a powerful, complementing video which you can check out below:

Matthew Evans

[AlbumOTD] Rusko - KAPOW

Artist: Rusko
Genre: Glitch-Hop/Dubstep/Electronica
Location: Los Angeles, California, US
Website: http://www.ruskoonfire.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ruskoofficial
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ruskoofficial

Today’s record is the newly released ‘KAPOW’ EP from Leeds-born dubstep producer, Rusko. The industrial glitch-hop EP features four tracks, ‘Yeah’, ‘Booyakasha’, ‘Bring It Back’ and ‘Like This’. The release is not the first thing to come out of camp Rusko this calendar year with March seeing the release of ‘Songs’, Rusko’s second solo full-length album, followed by the EP collaboration with hip-hop heavyweights Cypress Hill in June, titled ‘Cypress X Rusko’. The former was released on US-based label Mad Decent, however he has decided to release ‘KAPOW’ independently in order to produce it just the way he wants it to be produced. The emphasis for the EP is not on profit, but rather on promotion. 

The first track ‘Yeah’ is a real positive-sounding number suited more to a summer climate. It possesses an innate ability to bring a whole rave to a state of ecstasy. The intensity of the beat reaches peaks and troughs making it an ideal club banger.  

This is followed by ‘Booyakasha’ which again is an upbeat hard-style track around the 140bpm mark. It’s filled with energy and features certain wobbles synonymous with the sound of Rusko, transforming the hard-style opening into an eclectic pounding fusion of dubstep and drum & bass.  

The penultimate track, ‘Bring It Back’ threatens to go deep whilst continuing to hover just above the surface with its break-beat style. Undoubtedly the most club-style anthem on the EP, it blends twisted dubstep basslines with a dose of soul.

The final track ‘Like This’ may not be something new to Rusko die-hards with the full track dropped on Youtube on October 16^th.  Dissimilar in fashion to the other three tracks it clocks in at just 110bpm offering groovy, bass-filled drops with a move away from Rusko’s signature wobbles. This is certainly more ‘hands-in-the-air’ than your ‘down n dirty’ dustep classics, it’s a tune that is sure to get a crowd united and jumping as one. The track also samples the word “Wow” from an ’08 Crookers remix of ‘The Salmon Dance’.

The EP is officially released today free of charge on Rusko’s website here, and below you can check out the final track on the EP, ‘Like This’:

Matthew Evans

[TuneOTD] Netsky - WE CAN ONLY LIVE TODAY (PUPPY) (ft. Billie)

Artist: Netsky

Genre: Drum & Bass/Dance

Location: Edegem, Belguim

Label Type: Indie

Record Label: Hospital Records

Website: http://netskymusic.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Netskymusic

Facebook: http://facebook.com/Netskymusic

Those of you lucky enough to have purchased the sophomore album of 23 year-old Belgian drum and bass superstar, Netsky may already be familiar with today’s tune of the day. Takeaway the vocals of ‘We Can Only Live Today’ and you will get the single ‘Puppy’ which appeared on the aforementioned album, titled ‘Netsky 2’.

Layered on top of ‘Puppy’ are the soulful vocals of Belgium’s very own Billie, and as good as they are, it can be argued that they have done nothing to enhance the already splendid original. The polished vocal hook is simple in nature, but effective in making it a more commercial and radio-friendly - if that was the objective. This tactic of female vocals collaborating with drum and bass producers is something we see so much of on the circuit these days, previously employed by the likes of Nero, and Netsky’s Hospital Records label-mates Camo & Krooked, and more recently by Fred V & Grafix.

The release date for ‘We Can Only Live Today (Puppy)’ is set for November 5^th making it the perfect complement for those annual firework displays. With Netsky’s second album reaching the summit at number one spot in his home country; this single coupled with vocals of another Belgian is sure to cause a few rumblings in the higher echelons of the singles chart too. As with plenty of his work there is a liquid funk twinge to the drum and bass platform, demonstrated by the enriching synth sounds.

Netsky has made his name in the drum and bass scene with vocal-led dancefloor anthems, and with or without the added vocals, this is no different. It is to be released digitally only, with three further remixes of the track provided by Camo & Krooked, Lemaitre and Modek. Check out an extended teaser for the track below:

Matthew Evans

[TuneOTD] Chase & Status - BIG MAN (ft. Liam Bailey)

Artist: Chase & Status

Genre: Drum & Bass/Dubstep/Breakbeat

Location: London, UK

Label Type: Major 

Record Label: Mercury Records / Universal Music

Website: http://www.chaseandstatus.co.uk/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/chaseandstatus

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chaseandstatus

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/chaseandstatus

Following on from their highly successful single, ‘Blind Faith’, drum and bass heavyweights Chase and Status have once again collaborated with Liam Bailey to bring us ‘Big Man’. However, the auto-tuning on Bailey’s voice makes his inclusion completely unrecognisable to that on ‘Blind Faith’. Some may see it as a waste of his talent, taking away the passion and integrity, but on the other hand it could be seen as simply exploring another dimension of the musical resources in order to provide an alternative sound.

This effort is certainly more rock influenced than the sound Chase & Status have become synonymous with since the release of ‘No More Idols’ in 2011. This is evident in the guitars and drums, coinciding with less emphasis on the bass triggering the question of its genre. It suggests a slight switch of direction from good old fashioned D&B to a more drumstep approach. The heavy drum beats enable it to remain anarchistic in nature; a song that you can head-bang, mosh out and release energy to. In terms of the mood and atmosphere generated by the lyrics and meaning it reveals a darker sound, a trait which is rumoured to be more of a fixture on the upcoming third album. The general consensus however will undoubtedly look to issues surrounding the inclusion of the autotune on Liam Bailey’s vocals, possibly sparking a move away from clean vocals in the near future for the duo.

The song is now available for free download on the Chase & Status website. Below is the ‘Smack My Bitch Up’-esque video for the new single ‘Big Man’ (ft. Liam Bailey): 

Matthew Evans

[TuneOTD] Sonic Boom Six - WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU MAKE YOU STRONGER

Artist: Sonic Boom Six

Genre: Punk/Hip-Hop/Ska/Reggae

Location: Manchester, England, UK

Label Type: Indie

Record Label: Rebel Alliance
Website: http://www.sonicboomsix.co.uk 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sonicboomsix

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sonicboomsix 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sonicboomsix

It is so great to know that Sonic Boom Six are back, and better than ever. ‘What Doesn’t Kill You Make You Stronger’ is the B-side to the latest single ‘New Style Rocka’, but the two are completely different illustrating the diversity of SB6.

This track offers dusty dub wobbles and drum and bass beats leaving you with an urge to get your skank on! Barney Boom steals the show on this one with his gutsy raps and rhymes, complimenting the soulful squeaks of Laila K. The inclusion of so much drum and bass is something new to the band, adding another string to the already impressive bow. This new style suits Barney down to a tee, and perhaps this is the first sample of the message portrayed by A-side single, ‘New Style Rocka’.

The video is set in an underpass highlighting the new underground nature of Sonic Boom Six’s sound as they move with the times integrating current influences into their new material. If there is such a genre as punk-step, then this is it ladies and germs.

Originally the band wanted to shoot the video for the next single, ‘Sunny Side of The Street’ but the weather was unforgiving and so they have treated the world with a promotional video for ‘What Doesn't Kill You Make You Stronger’. Check it out!

Matthew Evans