Passing Judgement!

Once again in the absence of anything significant to post about I will instead pawn off some reviews of some new singles.
First up...

Roll Deep (feat. Jody Connor) - Good Times

If Roll Deep's manifesto was to become possibly the ugliest trio of rappers to ever appear on music television, then it would appear they have been entirely succesful in their endevour. However something tells me that they have actually set out to dominate the charts, and while it is true that they very probably wil achieve this (in the short term) it must be noted that this song is so bad that it makes N-Dubz look deep and positively genius by comparison.
Not only does the lead rapper's fascination with rhymes involving the term 'late-night shopping' leave the listener agog from the very beginning of the track, but he and his fellow MCs don't get any better than that, repeatedly repeating the same tired cliches about champagne and having an awesome time. Jody Connor seems to be enjoying herself though, fulfilling the 'Girl who sings the chorus and looks pretty' role with generic aplomb.
Then again I would probably dance to this if I was drunk enough but relying on the fact that most of your listeners will only dance to your shit if they are as a hammered as your Champagne-boasting lyrics would suggest isn't a good thing. Oh and at 3.23 you can actually see a minge. Avoid.
*

Crystal Castles - Baptism

OK so this isnlt their new single, most people are currently enthusing about the tracj 'Celestica' but I am totally in awe of this album track at the moment. Taken from their new and also self titled album (meaning they now have two albums called 'Crystal Castles', just to confuse the novice) this is like Courtship Dating on steroids. In a cathedral. In space.
Huge stabs of anthemic rave synths shatter the stained glass and rain around you in a torrent of lazer-fuelled angst and passion. This is what they do best. Furiously beautiful ravepunk, except this time they seem to have honed and polished their sound into something more streamlined and sleek, without losing the gritty charm of their debut. MEGA.
****

Sleigh Bells - Tell 'Em

Much hype is currently surrounding this noisy Brooklyn duo, currently signed to M.I.A.'s label N.E.E.T. recordings. I am yet to hear the whole album but I can say that so far I am very impressed. This is messy joyous anarcho-pop of the highest order, and further evidence of just how much variety and creativity is out there at the moment in American ' indie' music (see also, Yeasayer, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear etc). Certainly more than the UK indie scene which is still mourning due to the Arctic Monkeys' refusal to do the same thing twice.
Judging by this fanfare of an opening single, in which they combine screeching guitars, crunky baltimore beats with a half-time cheer-leader pom-pom waving rhythm and rainbow synths, and the other youtubes I have dug out, they promise to be a highlight of 2010's sound (which is going to be pretty loud). RAWR.
****

M.I.A. - XXXO

The third song to slip through the net ahead of her third album (out at the end of June) is yet another total change in sonic direction. First we had the dreamy and beautiful Rusko produced Space , followed by the explosive, raw, kraut rock sampling Born Free (a song which was almost totally eclipsed by the video that accompanied it) and now this. First listen was sceptical. Yes this has a very 'commercial' sound, as many furious fans have pointed out on youtube's comments section, but I am still willing to give it time, as I didn't enjoy Born Free at all on first listen, and consequently love it.
Yes it does have a commercial sound but only in that is more accessible than most of her other tracks. Compared to other commercial tracks (see Roll Deep, above!) this is still in a league of it's own. The beats are there, the sound is suitable M.I.A. without losing too much of her guerilla appeal, and who knows, flirting with the mainstream may just be the best idea she has ever had. Cross-over potential!
****

Big Boi- Shutterbug

This has been out for a while now but I still feel it is necessary to big it up, up, up!
One half of OutKast for those unfamiliar, Big Boi has come back with a huge hulking beat of epic proportions. This makes me want to be in a club. Yes that is a cliche, but that beat! That beat is "shittin on niggaz and pissin on the seat"
OutKast can always be relied on to come up with consistantly brilliant party tracks with significant lyrical and musical depth to lift them above their contemporaries. Of course it won't be as huge as Hey Ya! but few songs ever will. Produced by Scott Storch this funky riff is a perfect match for Big Boi's eloquent turns of phrase. Epic.
****

Justin Bieber Ft. Ludacris - Baby

No the title isn't referring to Justin himself, but to a school sweetheart; romance before pubic hair. Ludacris' rap reminicses back to when he was 13. Unlucky for some. This is a bit weird really isn't it. As for the music, it's alright as bubblegum goes but I just can't quite swallow this. It smells funny.
Justin's hand gestures seem to be a lot like those of Chris Brown, who dances alot like Justin Timberlake, who is a bit of fond of Michael Jackson, who was a child music star who got seriously fucked up. Oh shit! Someone call Childline and send this poor kid back to school quickly!
**