Earl Sweatshirt appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night (January 24) to perform ‘2010’, a track from his latest album SICK!. Watch it below.
‘2010’ is one of a few singles Earl Sweatshirt unveiled ahead of the album’s release earlier this month. SICK! also includes ‘Tabula Rasa’ and ‘Titanic’ and features collaborations with Armand Hammer, the Alchemist, Black Noi$e, and more.
Taylor Swift has responded to Damon Albarn regarding comments he made in a new interview with the Los Angeles Times. Speaking with Mikael Wood, Albarn said that Swift “doesn’t write her own songs.” Wood responded: “Of course she does. Co-writes some of them.” Albarn went on:
That doesn’t count. I know what co-writing is. Co-writing is very different to writing. I’m not hating on anybody, I’m just saying there’s a big difference between a songwriter and a songwriter who co-writes. Doesn’t mean that the outcome can’t be really great. And some of the greatest singers—I mean, Ella Fitzgerald never wrote a song in her life. When I sing, I have to close my eyes and just be in there. I suppose I’m a traditionalist in that sense. A really interesting songwriter is Billie Eilish and her brother [Finneas]. I’m more attracted to that than to Taylor Swift. It’s just darker—less endlessly upbeat. Way more minor and odd. I think she’s exceptional.
Swift replied to Albarn on Twitter, writing, “@DamonAlbarn I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this. I write ALL of my own songs. Your hot take is completely false and SO damaging. You don’t have to like my songs but it’s really fucked up to try and discredit my writing. WOW.” She added: “PS I wrote this tweet all by myself in case you were wondering 😑.”
Swift’s frequent collaborator Jack Antonof weighed in, commenting: “I’ve never met Damon Albarn and he’s never been to my studio but apparently he knows more than the rest of us about all those songs Taylor writes… If you were there…cool…go off. If not…maybe…shut the fuck up?”
Aaron Dessner also commented on the disagreement: “Not sure why you
@Damonalbarn would try to discredit Taylor’s brilliant songwriting but as someone who has gotten to press record around her …your statements couldn’t be further from the truth…you’re obviously completely clueless as to her actual writing and work process.”
Following Swift’s response, Albarn tweeted: “I totally agree with you. i had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait. I apologise unreservedly and unconditionally. The last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting. I hope you understand.”
I totally agree with you. i had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait. I apologise unreservedly and unconditionally. The last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting. I hope you understand. – Damon
— Damon Albarn (@Damonalbarn) January 24, 2022
i’ve never met damon albarn and he’s never been to my studio but apparently he knows more than the rest of us about all those songs taylor writes and brings in. herb.
— jackantonoff (@jackantonoff) January 24, 2022
If the release of Yard Act’s debut album is tinged with an eerie sense of déjà vu, that much is understandable. A slew of post-punk bands – mostly British (Sleaford Mods, Shame), others not (Viagra Boys) – were putting out albums around the same time last year; it’d been a couple of months since the last IDLES record, and a much-anticipated LP from Black Country, New Road was imminent. With IDLES’ last outing still fresh in our memory and BCNR’s sophomore effort just around the corner, things aren’t all that different in January 2022 – it’s hard to ignore the fact that Irish quintet Silverbacks followed up their debut last Friday, the same day Yard Act released theirs. There’s no denying the Leeds outfit – composed of Post War Glamour Girls’ James Smith, Ryan Needham of Menace Beach, Sam Shjipstone, and Jay Russell – have had a lot of momentum behind them, especially for a band that started out just 18 months ago. Still, it takes more than hype and extensive knowledge of a genre’s history to break through the noise (and, rather ambitiously, into the mainstream), and The Overload could have easily been an unfortunately apt title.
But this is arguably what the band does best on the album: plodding through a disparate range of characters and perspectives in the same playful yet ultimately sincere fashion that it treats the genre’s tropes. Post-punk has become frustratingly synonymous with sarcasm, and Smith’s acerbic wit is as prominent on the album as the wiry guitars and electronic flourishes that continue to claim space following the band’s 2021 EP Dark Days. As early as on the opening title track, he portrays a drunk bloke who suggests they “kick that dickhead singer you’ve got out the band” and focus on covers. Yard Act seem to acknowledge how insufferable and familiar the whole schtick can seem from the outside looking in, and Smith doesn’t go a long way to distance himself from the role typified by many of his peers – in fact, he actively plays into it. But ‘The Overload’ is a perfect set-up – in the midst of all the absurdity, the barrage of opinions accentuated by a nervous drum-and-bass loop, you need someone to stand up as the narrator, and Smith’s turns out to be more insightful and compelling than most.
There are plenty of lyrical gems and creative ideas flowing around here, but what’s fascinating about The Overload is the way it subtly deviates from the formula of Dark Days to offer something more catchy and immediate, as if disentangling itself from a sense of portnentousness that seems to come by design and reaching for true profundity. ‘Payday’ trades the layered commenterary of previous track ‘Dead Horse’ for more direct hooks, but the ridiculous flute riff thrown in at the end ensures it lands in at least equally bizarre territory. ‘Witness (Can I Get A)’ charges by with delightfully rowdy energy, a contrast to the serious kind of confidence that drives most of the LP. And the first-person narrative of ‘Rich’ (as in, “It appears I have become rich”) bears enough resemblence to the band’s own rise to success that its usual snarkiness is imbued with a genuine feeling of losing control over your life, the cheesily simple bass line slowly growing hypnotic as the off-killter synths and percussion chime in. It all seems painfully straightforward until it’s too much.
That point doesn’t fully come until ‘Tall Poppies’, a real stand-out that reveals the full scope of Yard Act’s abilities. It tells the story of a handsome football prodigy who never left his village, wading through his life in a manner so ordinary it’s almost overwhelming. Another band might soundtrack the moment of his death with some big crescendo, but Yard Act briefly employ dissonance in a way that doesn’t detract from the apparent contentment that seems to characterize its main character, pointing to the insignifance of a slightly-above-average existence without necessarily fearing or accepting it. The song is mostly observational but far from colourless, serving some of the band’s most poignant poetry and highlighting the earnestness and compassion that has been there from the start. Its arrival is nevertheless startling, so much so that the otherwise superfluous penultimate track, ‘Pour Another’, at least provides some space to let it sink in. By the final song, Yard Act sound less like any band you might be inclined to compare them to and closer to the universe of Cassandra Jenkins’ ‘Hard Drive’, leaving us with a strange but warm embrace: “It’s hippy bullshit, but it’s true.”
Denzel Curry has shared a new single called ‘Walkin’. The Kal Banx–produced track is the lead offering from the rapper’s upcoming album Melt My Eyez See Your Future, and it comes with an accompanying video directed by Adrian Villagomez. Check it out below.
“I like traditional hip-hop; I like drum and bass; I like trap; I like poetry, so a lot of that is going to be interwoven in this album including jazz and a lot of genres that I came up on as a kid and just being in my parents’ house,” Curry said of his new album in press materials. “This album is made up of everything that I couldn’t give you on Ta13oo or Imperial because I was going through depression anger issues.”
Melt My Eyez See Your Future will follow Curry’s 2019 solo LP Zuu, as well as the 2020 Kenny Beats collaboration Unlocked. It includes collaborations with T-Pain, 6lack, Rico Nasty, JID, slowthai, Thundercat, Kenny Beats, Robert Glasper, Karriem Riggins, JPEGMAFIA, and more.
Neal Grundy is an award-winning photographer from Brighton U.K. Grundy specialises in still life and freeze-motion photography and has created numerous succesful series, even working with brands such as Adidas.
In this series titled Floating Fabrics, Grundy uses his signature freeze frame technique to capture moving fabrics with a single shot that infuses them into the photo.
Here are some photos from the series.
Car insurance is an important expense to factor into the overall costs of motoring. But just because the prospect of comparing the different insurance packages out there might not be that exciting, doesn’t mean you can afford to stick with the same policy and provider year after year.
Here’s a look at the advantages that come with weighing up the cavalcade of car insurance deals before you make a commitment, to convince you that this is worthwhile.
As soon as you understand how to compare car insurance policies, you’ll quickly see that there can be a huge amount of variation in how much different providers will charge you for cover.
There are all sorts of variables at play here, and in certain cases you will find that specific vendors target your exact demographic, thus increasing your chances of getting a good price compared with the competition.
Another often-overlooked point in favor of comparing car insurance rates is that this is the only way you can work out whether your current provider is overcharging you when the time to renew rolls around.
Armed with a list of quotes from other insurers, you can then get in touch with the company you are already with and let them know the prices of policies elsewhere.
This could encourage them to give you a discount, which might convince you to stay. Equally they might say that they can’t do any better than their existing offer, which will of course incentivize you to make a switch.
Not all car insurance policies are created equal, and sometimes it’s not just about choosing the cheapest possible package, but picking the one which will deliver the best value for money.
This is where you need to look into the perks that are included, which is a breeze when using modern comparison tools online.
For example, you might want a policy that includes comprehensive protection against all sorts of calamities, from theft to weather damage and beyond.
You might also want a package that features breakdown cover, so you can get picked up if your vehicle gives up the ghost without having to pay extra for this from a separate vendor.
Whatever the case, car insurance comparison will let you make an informed decision, and will list the perks and features of competing policies clearly and unambiguously.
One of the reasons that so few people bothered to change car insurance packages regularly in the pre-internet era was that this took a lot of time and effort to do, to the point of impacting on productivity.
Today, comparing policies and rates can be done in a matter of minutes. Furthermore if you choose the right comparison tool, you can keep coming back when your policy is up for renewal further down the line, without needing to re-enter all of your personal information; you just need to change any details that are different from the last time you got a quote.
Last but not least, comparing car insurance rates should be a must for any motorist because it means you can enjoy access to bespoke packages that are perfectly tailored to your needs and budget.
Whether you are a new driver who is just getting their first insurance policy, or a seasoned motorist who has years of experience behind them, it is only with the help of comparison tools that you have the flexibility to choose cover which is right for you, without being in a pressured sales scenario.
he high street and retail areas, in general, are changing. Previously, shopping malls in the US, retail parks, and the high street in the UK were where all purchases were made.
Of course, there have been other options for retail such as mail order, or catalogs. However, most people did their purchases in person. Not so much anymore.
According to UNCTAD, global ecommerce has jumped to $26.7 trillion. This report shows that ecommerce accounted for 19% of total retail shares in 2020.
The pandemic had a large impact on ecommerce sales rising. Nevertheless, the trend was in place before Covid arrived.
Two things have contributed to the rise in ecommerce; the availability of mobile devices, and the ease of access to WiFi. According to Statista, most people use a mobile device when browsing now.
Another thing has occurred as well; a change in attitude. People feel more secure about making purchases online. The pandemic certainly helped push a few skeptics in that direction.
Lockdowns meant that many people had to seek out entertainment online, as well as make purchases for everyday items such as groceries.
Making purchases online may come down to convenience in many cases. Why trek around a number of stores when you can find what you want online in minutes?
People are using the internet in all manner of ways now. Musicians can use the net to get their music noticed on SoundCloud and to buy instruments. Why can’t you purchase components online to play this music too?
There are a number of advantages to making purchases of this type online. For a start, you can seek out technical advice for stereo systems from retailers or audiophiles.
If you want to purchase audio components then retailers such as SoundImports may offer advice, or you can use a forum to post questions.
There may be some other advantages such as discounts that you cannot get from a physical store. Ecommerce retailers may have fewer overheads, which can lead to savings being passed on.
There may also be some negatives to purchasing electronics online.
Entering an audio store means that you get to see the physical products on display. You can see the production values and materials used, and just how they look in reality.
You will also be able to get face-to-face assistance and listen to the components. These two benefits are very important to some people when making a purchase such as this.
You could also walk away with the audio components of your choice, straight away. If you purchase online you may be left waiting for your amp or turntable to arrive.
Although you may not see a representative face-to-face, you will very likely still be able to chat with someone knowledgeable.
Many ecommerce retailers will ship their goods the same day, so the delay might not be so bad when the online price tag is compared to that in the high street.
You can make all your purchases from your armchair, or the bathtub if you prefer. There is no reason to leave the home, and you can browse online anytime you like.
Purchasing stereo components online might not suit everyone. They can be bulky items that cost a lot to ship. However, there is a certain type of audio component purchaser who could benefit greatly from ecommerce; the DIY audio build fan.
While purchasing audio components means buying separates such as amps and CD players, for others it means making a DIY stereo build.
In the case of anyone wanting to build their own speakers, for instance, online retailers offer more choices.
Speaker DIY kits can be bought online, as can all the components to build fully customized ones. This allows a true audiophile to purchase tweeters, woofers, amplifier modules, and bass shakers, to put together one-of-a-kind speakers.
For anyone looking to get into building speakers with less stress, DIY kits with or without cabinets are also available.
With a huge number of audio specialists online, you are more likely to find what you require than in a physical store limited by space.
Retail stores may be limited to the brands they are allowed to stock, especially if they are under license. Ecommerce retailers are in abundance, making it easy to find brands such as Hypex, SEAS, and ICEpower when you want DIY components.
These types of audio component choices are not so easily found in shopping malls.
One of the biggest worries about making online purchases is faulty products.
Before making any purchase online, check the terms and conditions. Especially look for terms regarding returns and refunds.
You may also be protected from ecommerce purchases that are made through card payments. You may have a certain amount of protection from your credit card company or bank, depending on which region you live in.
When should you choose online retailers for audio components over traditional retailers?
Although the point of the article is to show that there are benefits to purchasing any type of electronic online, it has shown that there are negatives to consider.
A heavy amplifier may not be the best thing to order online, although there may be great savings to be had.
Perhaps what is clear, is that it is the DIY audio component fan that would most benefit. The nature of putting together speakers, for instance, means that it takes time. Therefore, a day or two in delivery times won’t matter too much.
It is far easier to find DIY audio components online than it is in the high street. And there may be technical advice available too.
Having said this, ecommerce has come a good way in the last few years. Retail giants such as Amazon have no problem listing, selling, and shipping fully realized sound systems. So, it may be that someone keen on purchasing an off-the-shelf sound system can enjoy the benefits of ecommerce too.
It should be noted though, that most sound systems online are of the micro-style. Smaller systems, and possibly with active speakers to reduce the number of components.
Ecommerce has transformed the way people make purchases. Groceries are now ordered online as a matter of routine. People browse for clothes too now. People’s fashion habits are changing, and clothes are being purchased online, so why not bigger purchases such as electronics
It is clear that anyone interested in DIY audio components could benefit greatly from online retailers. The picture is less clear for larger systems and off-the-shelf speakers.
When purchasing a sound system, or separate components, check how easy it is to return. If something goes wrong, you may find yourself with heavy speakers and no easy way to return them.
Big retailers such as Amazon have systems in place for such eventualities. Fortunately, many of the online audio specialists do so too. Another advantage of using an online audio store is that they are often run by audiophiles. They can therefore be a great source of advice.
Babeheaven, the London five-piece led by Nancy Andersen and Jamie Travis, have announced their second album. Sink Into Me will be released on March 18 via Believe. Today’s announcement comes with the release of the new single ‘Make Me Wanna’, featuring Brooklyn rapper Navy Blue. Check it out via the Noel Paul-directed video below, along with the album’s cover artwork (designed by British artist and model Kesewa Aboah) and tracklist.
”The verses and chorus from this song were taken from two really old demos,” Andersen said in a statement about ‘Make Me Wanna’. “Listening to it now I was obviously really heartbroken but I find it hard to be direct with my lyrics. The synth swells in this song really pull at my heartstrings and when we were writing the track for this it reminded me of those lyrics and how I felt at that time. I reached out to Navy to see if he wanted to be part of the album and he wrote a verse for this song it really feels like a direct and concise version of what I was trying to say in that moment.”
Sink Into Me will follow Babeheaven’s 2020 debut album, Home For Now. It includes the early tracks ‘The Hours’ and ‘Don’t Wake Me’.
Sink Into Me Cover Artwork:
Sink Into Me Tracklist:
1. French One
2. The Hours
3. Holding On
4. Make Me Wanna
5. Don’t Wake Me
6. Fading
7. No Breakfast
8. Sink Into Me
9. Erase
10. Open Your Eyes
Drag City has announced the release of Whirlybird (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), an album of new music by Ty Segall created for Matt Yoka’s documentary. The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival two years ago, tells the story of Zoey Tur and Marika Gerrard, the founders of the Los Angeles News Service, who pioneered the use of a helicopter to report on Los Angeles throughout the ’80s and ’90s. Listen to a new track from the score, the six-minute instrumental ‘Story of the Century’, below.
Whirlybird is currently available to stream on MUBI. The soundtrack, which marks Ty Segall’s first feature film score, will be out digitally on February 22. His last LP was last year’s Harmonizer.
Sally Shapiro have shared a new single from their upcoming album, ‘Down This Road’, which features Highway Superstar and a saxophone solo by Jorja Chalmers (of Bryan Ferry’s live band). The track comes with an accompanying video created by Orion. Check it out below.
“‘Down This Road’ is a melancholic, jazz-influenced synthpop song that we wrote together with Highway Superstar (Alex Karlinsky),” the Swedish duo said in a statement. “Alex sent us an idea for the first verse, which we really liked. We had also been messaging with Jorja Chalmers about a collaboration, because we love the way she plays the saxophone. So Jorja recorded a great saxophone solo for it.”
Highway Superstar added: “When I started thinking about ‘Down This Road’, the setting and atmosphere was pretty clear to me. I’ve known Johan and Sally for quite a while now, and I’m a big fan of their music. Naturally, I was quite nervous but I am thrilled with the outcome, and so happy and proud to be a part of Johan and Sally’s new album. This song took me on a journey, and I hope it takes you to a place you haven’t been to, as well.”
Commenting on the visuals, Sally Shapiro said: “We asked Orion to make a music video for the song, since we loved her music video for her track ‘Higher’. She made this really moody music video for it, animating all us musicians involved on the track, traveling in a space train.”
Sally Shapiro’s new album, Sad Cities, arrives February 18 via Italians Do It Better. It includes the previously shared songs ‘Christmas Escape’, ‘Forget About You’, and ‘Fading Away’.
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