Music Reviews - October 2011

101

Keren Ann (Capitol)
Keren Ann Zeidel is a global citizen, a Dutch-Israeli songwriter who divides her time between Paris, Tel Aviv and New York. This is her sixth solo album and a perfect introduction to her Gallic-inspired pop. Her voice has some of the froideur of Nico; removed, yet painfully human. She sings like a woman who has no illusions about the world, but still clings to hope.
Buy this if you like Charlotte Gainsbourg.


Nothing But The Beat

David Guetta (Virgin)
After 20 years of obscurity, France's David Guetta became the go-to man for pop stars chasing a hit. His fifth album is a dancefloor juggernaut. Big booty-shaking tracks, such as "Where Them Girls At" and "Sweat", are sprinkled with vocals by A-listers including Akon, Ne-Yo and Will.i.am. But the star is Guetta – his music conjures a world where the good times never end.
If you download only one track, make it "Titanium".


Coastal Grooves

Blood Orange (Domino)
Blood Orange is one of the pseudonyms used by British songwriter Devonte Hynes (the other is Lightspeed Champion). Penned in New York, the album manages to juxtapose a chilled surf guitar sound with the jerky rhythms of '80s Japanese pop. It's an odd hybrid, but a perfect reflection of big international cities where cultures collide and create new forms.
Buy this if you like Roxy Music.


Blonde Ambition

Just like the dance music she's famous for, Connie Mitchell, one half of ARIA-winning Sneaky Sound System (alongside Black Angus) is fun, infectious and pulsates with energy. Mitchell's having a ball, due partly to the hotly anticipated release of Sneaky's third album, From Here To Anywhere, and also because she’s gone platinum. "I've never been blonde before – but I do think they do have more fun!" Resurfacing after a three-year break (comprising a world tour and lending her vocals to albums for Kanye West and Snoop Dogg), the new 'do may also be in response to Mitchell dealing with "a fair amount of heartbreak". The techno/pop album has proved "cathartic" for Mitchell, who wrote it with Angus while on tour. Now, also single, she "pushes some boundaries" with the track "We Love", featuring a throng of extras performing sex acts in silhouette. "It's purely suggestive," laughs Mitchell. "I keep all my clothes on."
From Here To Anywhere (Modular) is out on October 7.


You heard it here first...
Robert Bowers
Do you like White Ladder-era David Gray? Well, this UK singer-songwriter is exploring similar territory. Acoustic guitar, syncopated beats and a raw-edged voice complete the package. Check him out at www.myspace.com/robertbowerslondon.