Jonathan Hatchman@JonHatchman picks out the sounds and stories that have been making headlines over the last seven days… and presents them all as a handy playlist
As far as the music world is concerned, it’s been a rich week. Perhaps the most explosive story to have surfaced is one regarding Eminem‘s apparently abusive nature being displayed in a new cypher for his upcoming compilation Shady XV. This time he’s targeted Lana Del Rey, rapping the line “I’ll punch Lana Del Rey right in the face twice“. The singer is still yet to comment but having caused uproar with his violent threat, Azealia Banks has jumped onboard and publicly slammed the rapper via Twitter, following the release of her long-overdue album Broke With Expensive Taste. In other news, Fleetwood Mac and The Wombats, and the Foo Fighters have announced UK tours, while AC/DC have unveiled a fan-dividing music video for new single Play Ball, the first to be taken from their new album Rock Or Bust.
Love her or hate her, we’re sure that Azealia Banks couldn’t care less, though despite causing an uproar of controversy over the past three years, as well as her latest Twitter rant directed at Eminem, Banks has finally released her debut album – Broke With Expensive Taste – more than two years later than planned, making the waiting process for fans nearly as gruelling as Guns ‘N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy. Anyhow, the wait is over and the NY rapper’s debut reminds us of why she took the world by storm with her debut 1991 EP. Here’s a brief insight into what’s to expect from Broke With Expensive Taste.
Following the news of drummer Phil Rudd’s arrest last week, AC/DC have returned with a brand new video for Play Ball, the first airing of their new album Rock Or Bust. Compiling a selection of clips featuring scantily clad women playing ball games while the band play live before a green-screen. Also featuring lead guitarist Angus Young, although pushing 60, masquerading around the stage in his trademark public school boy uniform. The video might be far from what’s expected from a huge-selling band such as AC/DC, but musically the ageing rockers still haven’t lost their flare for crafting hard-rock gems that sound as though ripped straight from 1978. Play Ball is far from the band’s finest recording, but let’s be honest: nobody was expecting another Back In Black.
Despite the rumours, Fleetwood Mac have categorically denied plans to headline next year’s Glastonbury Festival. However, although a Summer jaunt to Worthy Farm is out of the question, the band have decided to head out on a UK tour of their own, starting in May, including two dates at London’s O2 Arena, plus shows in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and Leeds. Tickets are on sale now and here’s something to get you all excited.
In other live music news, Foo Fighters, released their eighth studio album this week, this month’s cover stars have also announced a string of UK stadium dates set to take place next May and June, including shows in London, Manchester, Sunderland, and Edinburgh. Details of a Manchester show originally leaked on ticketing website Ticketline, and have now been confirmed. And highly rumoured to headline next year’s Glastonbury Festival, this stadium tour could in fact provide the perfect warm-up. Listen to new song What Did I Do? / God as My Witness taken from Sonic Highways.
Pursuing the mixed reaction to last year’s Yeezus, Kanye West has been promising to return with a new album for some time now. And although the release is still yet to surface, West seems to have delved back to his roots by familiarising himself with the “underground”, credited as the executive producer of
Theophilus London’s new album Vibes, Yeezy has recently unveiled his own rework of Lorde’s Yellow Flicker Beat, set to be included in the new Hunger Games soundtrack. The rework isn’t a far-cry from Lorde’s original, it merely contains a slightly altered beat that adds a touch of West’s vintage insouciance that was worked upon heavily through his 808s & Heartbreaks LP, and most unexpectedly, the new version of the track does not feature any vocals from Kanye himself.
Yesterday David Bowie pop a video online for Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime). The track features on the Nothing Has Changed collection that’s released on Monday (17 November).
Husband and Wife duo OOFJ‘s new single You’re Always Good appeared online this week. Featuring recording input from Trentemøller and the Royal Danish Opera House Concert Master, the track is a strikingly beautiful composition that comprises a brooding percussive element that builds into an almost danceable backdrop for the contrasting, siren-like vocals. It’s a dark combination that, in theory, shouldn’t work but the enchanting ambience is so intriguing that as soon as the track finishes, the desire to hit the replay button is irresistible.
