The head-lining name of The Times newspaper's pick of 2009 pop stars in waiting futher cements my suspicion that this year will be a head long dive into the late 80s, pop culturally speaking. La Roux's synth tunes are fairly average for my tastes, although her forthcoming single "Quicksand" does merit the attention it's getting in the press - it's like a Human League song without the bloke belting for all he's worth. The song's video is exhibit A in what's becoming a long line of evidence supporting that what's "fresh" now is what was fresh in 1987, albeit shot and photographed with much better cameras :The Chromatics & Glass Candy have stripped back their music to expose the rather alluring darkness of the mighty synth. They've taken the 80s as an influence, no doubt, but unlike the perfectly studied karaoke of La Roux, they use that influence as a starting point for their musical trip, not as the road map.
The rather worrying implication of the ongoing cultural regurgitation of what each generation was weened on is that what's to come might not have the dandyish excess of the 80s electro as an excuse - please God spare us a Brit pop revival, in all it's glorification of lads and laddets! There wasn't an ounce of style in it. The karaoke school of worship tends to lack critical faculties which is what makes a night out at a karaoke bar so much fun, but doesn't translate so well into a cultural compass.
The article also name checks Florence and The Machine who, apart from her fabulous name, totally deserve to be embraced by everyone who hasn't heard her already. The music press has rushed to compare her to some sort of Siouxsie Sioux/Kate Bush love child but I think her music has a distinctive feel all of it's own, something that sounds like a sensuous riot of youth.
Her song "Dog Days" is a heart-felt beauty. I leave you with its opulent video set in a woodland copse.
Here's to all the 2009 mix c.ds to come!
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