9 Years Since We Lost Music Legend and Icon - Amy Winehouse

As I woke this morning and went on to social media, it came to my attention that it’s been nine years since the passing of soul legend Amy Winehouse. Winehouse had such a humongous impact on music all across the world, making her stamp with her distinctive jazz vocals and heart wrenching songwriting skills. She got lost in the 27 club somewhere, amongst Brian Jones, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix to name a few. For those that don’t know, the 27 club is a collection of popular musicians, actors and artists that passed away at the age of 27.

I remember the media around the time of her passing and the drugs were still brought up a lot, but what was the root cause to her drug and alcohol abuse? The media. Amy was poisoned by the papz, she could not catch a break. Her escape from reality just unfortunately happened to be getting absolutely shit faced; whether that be with alcohol, drugs, or both. Towards the end of it all, she was rocking up to her slots on stage absolutely wasted falling off the stage, unable to even sing - let alone perform - but didn’t this show just how damaged she was? Did no one step aside and think for a moment “why does she feel the need to get into this state 24/7?” Amy needed time away from the spotlight, she needed a break. She needed time to just be herself for a second, to be that playful and bubbly young woman she was before. Unfortunately her hedonistic antics fueled by drugs and alcohol was what lead to her getting even more attention from the press, she was fighting a seemingly losing battle.

At the start of her career Amy brought out Frank in 2003, and really set the bar for female solo artists on the UK scene at the time. Frank climbed to number 13 in the UK charts, and also made it into the rest of the charts across the world too - but little did Amy know - this was just the beginning. Winehouse then brought out the absolute musical masterpiece that is Back to Black in 2006. Back to Black was Amy’s second and final album, and as much as I hate to say it - what an album to go out on. The album was based around her toxic experiences with her then ex-boyfriend Blake Fielder, and the emotional whirlwind she endured during their relationship. Think ‘You Know I'm No Good’, where she absolutely pours her heart out, “I cried for you on the kitchen floor” - although the relationship was rather short - it was fiery, it wasn’t good for her, and it was incredibly emotional - but that makes for a great album though, doesn’t it? Amy poured her feelings out on to a piece of paper and collated them to create not just a song, but an entire f*cking album. That album soon turned out to be one of the best-selling albums in UK history.

Amy had a huge impact on me as a kid. I was born in ‘98 so when she brought out Back to Black in 2006 I would have been around eight or nine at the time. That eight or nine year old felt her heartbreak, she felt what it was like to fall in love and be spiked by its thorns, only to be ripped apart. Amy’s voice would, and still does, send shivers all up my spine and the goosebumps and hairs on my arms erect. The album is completely faultless, there’s not a single song I skip, no matter how many times I’ve listened to it, or how many years it’s been. I’m sure a lot of other people out there can relate - no matter where in the world they’re from. Looking back on it, Amy Winehouse was f*cking massive, absolutely huge, all across the world - everyone knew who she was. She was known for not only her music but her look too, she was edgy and completely unforgettable.

Amy’s artistry was influenced by so many genres such as; ska, reggae, rnb, soul, jazz, rock and pop - it was incredibly evident in her work & she combined them so smoothly together creating such a distinctive sound, that you’d recognise a Winehouse song even if you hadn’t heard it before. She covered a variety of songs which featured those influences, and made it unmistakenly her own, such as her cover of reggae and ska tracks, Toots and the Maytals, ‘Monkey Man’ (1968), and ‘You’re Wondering Now’ by The Skatalites (1960) which was also notoriously covered by The Specials in in 1979.

Her soul influences are evident in her homage to Johnny Nash’s, ‘Cupid’ (1968),  Ruby and the Romantics, ‘Our Day Will Come’ (1963), and The Shirelles, ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ (1960). Not to forget Amy’s most famous cover, her rendition of ‘Valerie’ originally by the rock band The Zutons (2006). Not many artists can own any song and make it their own so much, that you think that you’re listening to the original - Amy did that every time she covered a track. No one was, or is, doing it like Winehouse did it.  As shown in the dates of the songs she covered, she was hugely influenced by the 60s too, it was apparent not only in her music but her style also - sporting the huge beehive and cat winged eyeliner on a daily basis - no matter the occasion.

It’s been a tough nine years without her glorious presence and talent on the UK music scene. Amy really was one of the biggest talents in the world, and she did that off the back of two albums. Her legacy will never be forgotten, and she will most definitely be written about in the history books in years to come. When you think of Amy, make sure it’s the positive things. She was such a talent, a great songwriter, a fantastic singer and performer and a really wonderful selfless woman who cared endlessly for her friends and those close to her. Remember the Amy that would light up a room with her smile and silence it with her voice.

RIP

We love you Amy.

Sunstinger Release New Track 'Nothing's Alright, Leave Me Alone' (Single Review)

Releasing new single ‘Nothing’s Alright, Leave Me Alone’ on July 24th is alt-rock Fife four-piece Sunstinger. Their new track has a combination of psychedelia, shoegaze and dream-pop influences, making it a stark contrast from previous release ‘The Void’. ‘The Void’ was released on May 1st and has an industrial sound to it, making the sound a lot heavier in comparison to new release ‘Nothing’s Alright, Leave Me Alone’.

Their new track has a distinct shoegaze sound whilst combined with psychedelic influences which are evident in both the song and its hippy-fied lyrics. The backing vocals and echoing sound of lead singer Taylor Wright’s voice really adds to the psychedelic shoegaze sound they were aiming for within the track.

There is also a Britpop twang to the song, which you hear in the immediate beginning. At the start, it sounds like it could be the introduction to an Oasis track, but that soon changes when the vocals enter, however the 90s pop sound still remains apparent throughout. ‘Nothings Alright, Leave Me Alone’ is a modern day psychedelic shoegaze tune that you want to be hearing on a sunny day lying down in the park on the grass, surrounded by daisies - it’s that kinda vibe.

OUT ON JULY 24TH 'Nothing’s Alright, Leave Me Alone' will be released on all major streaming platforms. To keep updated with Sunstinger you can follow their social media platforms here: Facebook /  Twitter / Instagram / YouTube 

Kwasi Manni Releases 'Lets Jam' ft Jasmine (Single Review)

Bringing summer to you is new track, ‘Lets Jam’ from Kwasi Manni ft Jasmine set to be released on July 24th. Kwasi is originally from Ghana, West Africa and is now based in London, however his roots play a big part within his music. Kwasi combines pop undertones with afro beats and reggae to create a fresh crisp modern sound.

Combining old and new influences, Kwasi has mastered the sound for the track which ultimately creates afro beat dance hall vibes, with a twist of reggae. The collaboration with vocalist Jasmine creates a softer sound for the track which helps radiate the desired summer spirit throughout ‘Lets Jam’.

‘Lets Jam’ is full of energy and full of positive vibes. The track is very visual and creates a vision of the sun being high up in the sky, on the beach, having a dance with all of your friends without a care in the world. With the worlds current circumstances, that’s the exact sort of place you want your mind to go. Energy is contagious, and Kwasi and Jasmine remind us of this within ‘Lets Jam’.

‘Lets Jam’ will be available to stream on all major platforms from July 24th, to pre-save the track, click on this link . To keep updated with Kwasi, follow his social media platforms - Facebook/ Instagram/ Twitter

The Streets Release 'None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive' (Album Review)

After almost a decade since their last album release, Computers and Blues (2011), Birmingham’s The Streets are back with a new 12-track feature album, None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive, released on July 10th. The mixtape contains features with an eclectic variety of talent, ranging from Tame Impala to upcoming rappers and artists like Ms.Banks and Greentea Peng. Skinner got the features in true DIY style by simply messaging his fave upcoming stars on Instagram, to collaborate with.

However, now a settled married family man, you would think what’s he going to talk about now? After a near ten year silence with making an album, he can’t exactly rap about narcotic use, drinking copious amounts of alcohol, raving, life on the dole, and basically the life of a LAD - can he?

Opening track, ‘Call My Phone Thinking I’m Doing Nothing Better’ ft Tame Impala is one of my favourites on the album. Combined with Kevin Parker’s angelic psychedelic voice, it creates a stark contrast which surprisingly compliments the track. Skinner raps about modern technology and trying to get through to people in the digital age, and how, at times it can be rather… invasive. He goes back to this topic on ‘Phone Is Always In My Hand’ ft Dapz on the Map - “my phone is always in my hand, if you think i’m ignoring you, I am.” Amen Skinner. The 21st century digital reality struggles and communication battles are real - if someone is ignoring you, it’s probably done consciously (but they also don’t owe you anything), “You’re ignoring me but you’re watching my stories” relationships and friendships summed up in 2020. How quick and easy it is to get in touch with someone now a days really does question somewhat a privacy issue, why do people feel so entitled to invade your space without asking?

Title track, ‘None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive’ ft. Idles is a punk track, combined with pirate radio beats, Skinner opens the track shouting in punk angst, “I don’t like my country, it’s more of an addiction.” “None of us are getting out of this life alive” Skinner constantly repeats emphasising on the reality of the rat race, and the only thing in life that is guaranteed… death.

Next track, ‘I Wish You Loved You as Much as You Love Him’ ft. Donae’o & Greentea Peng is also one of my favourite’s off the mixtape, a garage classic. Greentea Peng really makes the track, this was the first time I’ve ever heard her, so thanks for introducing me Mike.

In ‘The Poison I Take Hoping You Will Suffer’ ft Oscar #Worldpeace Mike says, “There’s several ways that this is gonna go bad. The devil says he misses me and wants me back. Me and you are like a boxset that I wish I forgot and watched again.” Is this conflicting two minds between Skinner’s old and current life? The devil being his past life?  “I told you I’d come along for the jokes but that was two hours ago, I was younger back then, I was full of hope.”

The struggles of the working class, and the poorer side of society are spoken of in ‘Falling Down’ ft Kah Baker, it enters with a piano intro, with a slow distorted garage beat over the top, “But see me cash flow’s a travesty, the reason why I’m nickin these bag of peas, oi oi oi.” The cut throat brutal honesty which shines through Skinner’s work is why so many people are drawn to him. There really aren’t many artists out there like him in that sense, that can actually relate. “Everyone who comes into your life, is a blessing or a schooling.” / “When you fail they rejoice, falling down is an accident - staying down is a choice.”

Second to last on the mixtape is the song I had been waiting for, the (somewhat) paradox of the album, ‘Conspiracy Theory Freestyle’ ft Rob Harvey. Bringing The Music ex-frontman, Rob, in full time with The Streets is one of the best decisions Skinner has made. An incredible vocalist, songwriter and musician. Harvey and Skinner have collabed previously on co-written tracks,‘Going Through Hell’ and ‘Soldiers’ off the last album Computers and Blues (2011). I find that both artists are very raw and emotive, so combined it makes for an incredibly powerful and real track, “We’re not gonna live this way (Where now do we go from here?) we’ve got to stand up and change.” / “The world is round to stop you seeing too far down the road, unless of course the world is incredibly flat. But if you want you a conspiracy, there’s an edible for that.”

Alongside ‘I Wish You Loved You as Much as You Love Him‘, the other tune you’ve probably been hearing on the radio as of late is closing track, ‘Take Me As I Am’ ft Chris Lorenzo - and it’s for good reason. One of the other top tunes on the mixtape. The best song to close off with - end the album on a high. “She said take me as I am or watch me as I go”  A proper upbeat dirty garage tune.

A DIY mixtape mastered to true traditional Streets style, keeping them living up to their name. The garage gods. This album is somewhat a nostalgic reminiscent deja vu of their debut Original Pirate Material (2002) of which they took the music industry by storm. Skinner delves into more modern matters on this album in comparison to focusing on a young twenty somethings life, like technology for example. A great project released, but for me - it still doesn’t compare to A Grand Don’t Come For Free (2004) - but that’s just me.

Kasabian Frontman Tom Meighan Quits Band Over ‘Personal Issues’

Creator: Venla Shalin /Credit: Redferns /Copyright: 2016 Venla Shalin

British electronic rock band Kasabian from Leicester have announced this morning in an Instagram and Twitter post that, “Tom Meighan is stepping down from Kasabian by mutual consent.” The post went on to vaguely expand, “Tom has struggled with personal issues that have affected his behaviour for quite some time and now wants to concentrate all of his energies on getting his life back on track. We will not be commenting further.”

Something just doesn’t sit right with me about Kasabian’s post of Tom’s somewhat resignation. For such a hugely successful band, losing their front man with whom they founded the band back in 1997 (regardless of the reason), you’d think Kasabian would’ve written a bigger post/ a homage to Tom and everything he has done within his time being the frontman of Kasabian. It just sort of disregards his leave and pins it on mental health/ personal issues. No doubt, it probably plays a part of why he felt he needed a break from the band, however it sounds like there’s some animosity, some bitterness shining throughout Kasabian’s post. I sincerely hope that is not the case. Regardless, I hope Tom is ok and will come back around when he’s ready and Kasabian can be full again.

The band - whose line-up now consists of Pizzorno, Edwards and drummer Ian Matthews - have not revealed whether they plan to replace Meighan or continue as a trio.