The Student Pocket Guide editorial team, Nathan Wadlow and Stuart Robinson, discuss their top ten tunes which have been playing in the office throughout January. Tweet @TheSPG with #SPGplaylist to let us know who would make yours!
The Strokes – One Way Trigger
Stu: The Strokes are back! That’s always going to be good news, and while this taste of fifth album ‘Comedown Machine’ features uncharacteristically high-pitched vocals and bleeping synths, it is still very much The Strokes.
New Navy – Oceans
Nathan: These guys are relatively unknown, and if it wasn’t for Australian producer/teenage prodigy, Flume (who I included in November’s playlist), I too would not have heard of them. This is a great atmospheric, ambient, indie tune, that I have religiously listened to recenetly.
James Brown and 2Pac – Unchained (Packback/Untouchable)
Stu: One of the absolute standout tracks from the Django Unchained soundtrack. I won’t say any more for those that haven’t seen it, but this mash-up of two musical legends works brilliantly, and it’s barely been out of my head since I left the cinema.
Jessie Ware – If You’re Never Gonna Move
Nathan: She has been tipped for great things in 2013 and has again proved her worth with this one. ‘If You’re Never Gonna Move’ has seen a lot of airplay on the radio of late, not that me or anyone else in the office is complaining about it! Great tune, reminscent of an early Andre 3000/Outkast.
Disclosure feat. AlunaGeorge – White Noise
Stu: OK, OK, I know I chose a Disclosure track last time, but they’re absolutely unstoppable at the moment! This time they’re back with their trademark altered vocals, courtesy of AlunaGeorge, and incredibly catchy synths and beats, making certain that 2013 is definitely going to be their year.
The Weeknd – The Zone feat. Drake
Nathan: Later… with Jools Holland has introduced me to some brilliant new artists and none more so recently than soulful RnB artist, The Weeknd. After ‘Wicked Games’, you could be forgiven for thinking following singles may not be as emphatic. Not the case. ‘The Zone’ feat. Drake is suuublime!
Atoms for Peace – Judge, Jury and Executioner
Stu: As a huge Radiohead fan, I’ve been keeping a close eye on Thom Yorke’s new side-project. Their debut album ‘ATOL’ is out later on in February, and if the rest of it is anywhere near as good as this first taster, then I will be a very, very happy man.
http://youtu.be/yDpFjMOxURk
Soko – I’ll Kill her (Hannes Fischer Remix)
Nathan: French singer-songwriter Soko’s classic ‘I’ll Kill Her’, although rather agressively titled, is actually a pretty pleasant track to listen to, especially after Hannes Fischer had his way with it! For me, this is a classic example of a successful electronic remix.
Bonobo – Cirrus
Stu: I’ll admit, I’d never really listened to a Bonobo track until a few weeks ago, but I came across the downtempo producer’s new single while browsing YouTube, and it’s left me thinking, “Where have you been all my life?!?”
Bombay Bicycle Club – Lights Out, Words Gone
Nathan: As YouTuber Fluppy Tuppy says in his/her top comment on this video, ‘I will literally never get tired of this song’. Wise words, not sure about the name mind. ‘Lights Out, Words Gone’ rounds off a fairly chilled out selection, featuring vocals from the brilliant Lucy Rose.
