Jesse Ware - "Save a Kiss"

Finally, Jesse Ware is embracing her dance diva side based on all the singles she's released in anticipation of her upcoming album What's Your Pleasure? On "Save a Kiss" she basks in the Donna Summer/Georgio Moroder bed of throbbing synths and swirling disco strings. It's pure heaven.

Live: Disclosure ft. Jessie Ware - "Confess To Me"

Watch Disclosure perform their amazing track "Confess To Me" with the incomparable Jessie Ware.

Later....With Jools Holland: Disclosure ft. Jesse Ware - "Confess To Me"

Awesome live version of this stellar track from Disclosure's album Settle. The bass line line in this track is sick.

Album Review: Disclosure - Settle

Disclosure
Settle
Rating: Woof Daddy

UK production duo Disclosure, brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence, occupy a strange position in dance music. They aren't a straight up dance act, their strengths definitely lie more in the pop song area, however, they aren't necessarily solidly in the traditional pop song structure world either, letting things go on occasion with straight up house tracks. It's this tension and flirtation between the two areas that makes them so fascinating. Not to mention, they know how to come up with some killer hooks. Before the release of their debut album Settle, Disclosure release a torrent of hot singles, the slamming club track "White Noise" with AlunaGeorge, R&B leaning "Latch" with Sam Smith, and kooky UK garage referencing "You & Me" with Eliza Dolittle. My fear was that the album would be these singles plus a lot of filler, but Settle actually goes beyond that, revealing itself to be a surprisingly cohesive journey from the duo, flowing like a good DJ set, with lots of highs mixed in with different styles.

Of course, most of the highlights come in the form of more traditional song structures. "White Noise" is still as fresh and slamming as it was when it was first released, its liquid bassline and fierce vocal turn from AlunaGeorge catchy as hell.



"You & Me" grabs from the get-go with its two-step beat, frenetic keyboards, and lovely vocals from Eliza Doolittle.



But new vocal collaborations also feature as highlights. Probably the best track they have done yet, "Confess To Me" with the gorgeous voice of Jesse Ware, is a stunning bass heavy track that would be sure to get any dancefloor pumping.



Ed Macfarlane of Friendly Fires adds vocals to the lush mid-tempo track "Defeated No More," R&B/two-step practitioner Jamie Woon provides his velvety voice to the sleek jam "January," while up and coming UK buzz act London Grammar take things out on a heavenly note with the gorgeous album closing track "Help Me Lose My Mind."

The good thing about all these collaborations is that they all work seamlessly, with no one showboating or distracting from Disclosure's basic aesthetic. If the whole album had been all collaborations it might have grown tiresome, however, the duo seem aware of that and mixed in several more dance-oriented tracks. Fresh new single "When A Fire Starts To Burn" brings some tent-revival-esque samples to life with a thumping beat and funky house keyboards,




"F For U" powers forward on a J Dilla sample and infectious garage beat,



and the percolating "Grab Her" slams bouncy basslines around with crisp drum programming.

Settle is a remarkably assured debut from this very young production duo (Guy is the eldest at 21) and foretells major things from them going forward. After the relatively disappointing new record from Daft Punk, Disclosure sets the bar very high for any other dance-oriented act this year. Settle is by far the best dance record of the year to date.

Rating Scale:

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and piques one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.

Non-Sequiturs

He's just a little bit perfect.

Yeah, I would be transfixed too.

Nice chest.

Love the salty chest.

Yummy.

Bow down before the one you serve.

Nice furry belly.

Dapper.

Woof.

Papa Bear!

Silver Daddy.

Sexy profile.

I need to unzip that.

Drool.

Double drool.

Beautiful belly.

Ripped.

Lovely.

Damn those abs.

Adorabear.

Slurp.

Yum.

Nice and fuzzy.

I cannot explain how sexy that stomach is.

Wet.

Delicious fur.

Sexy grin.

Cleans up nice.

Cub belly.

Hipster bear with an MPC.  Grrrrr.

Beefy.

Lol.

I'm done.

Damn.

Oink.

Double oink.

Hmmmmm.

Lovely.

Why do short work weeks seem longer than regular work weeks?

I loved the last album from These New Puritans, however, their new one just grates on my nerves and I have no real idea why.

When is another truly great Sci-Fi movie going to come out?

I need these.

A friend had an interesting comment to me the other day, saying that he said in chatting with him I seemed very happy with my life and where I was, but that these posts seemed like I worried and fretted about a lot of things and came across as being unhappy. Looking back, I agree it's a valid point, but honestly, I don't think of me being down all the time. Honestly, with any social media I use, you are really only seeing about 10% of who/what I am. I really see this as being sort of mental dumping ground of just minor things and some major things. I do try to sort of balance things out, but I guess sometimes it leans more to the negative things. It is always interesting getting someone else's viewpoint of yourself. I guess I need to to a better job of how I portray myself on here.

It appears that everyone I know owns a Nasty Pig jock.

My gym (that I love) is upping its rates in July. It was already ridiculously expensive but I have been there for years and just like how it is. With that said, $3 more a month, which doesn't really seem like a lot, struck a nerve with me and I immediately put in my cancellation notice.

Paris is always a good idea.

Janet manages her time wisely.

I'm an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, drizzled in ranch dressing.

Weird thought: would you be attracted to you if you met you?

Midtown Atlanta is not Downtown Atlanta.

I'm not good at censoring myself.

Calvin & Hobbes as assassins.  I kind of like it.

It's nearing almost 13 years since The Avalanches released their phenomenal debut record Since I Left You, and still there are no signs of a follow-up. I guess, like DJ Shadow's album ...Entroducing, there is just no way to actually follow it up. It will only end up disappointing too many people.

I miss having Pride in Atlanta in June.

Somehow I don't think there are going to be a lot of Game of Thrones-themed weddings this year.

Never do leg workouts twice in one week.

Might need to check this place out.

Dear Tricky, you cannot claim your own album to be your masterpiece. While False Idols is a very good Tricky record, it is nowhere near the brilliance of Maxinquaye.

Favorite quote of the week: Rhinos are just fat unicorns.

I'm just not a convertible person.

It is a very very small world at times.

Someone told me the other day that I looked well preserved. Not sure how to take that statement.

Hi there!

If you have a problem with something I have written, or notice a mistake in spelling in grammar, it is less douchey to contact me personally than to show what an ass you are in a comment that is broadcast to everyone.

If you do not own a copy of Tricky's Maxinquaye you are doing yourself a huge disservice.

Someone recently told me a friend of theirs looked exactly like me and that we could be twins. I looked at pictures of the guy and, aside from the fact we have same eye color, I didn't see the similarity. Just made me think about how others perceive us and that is always going to be different from how we see ourselves. Nothing wrong with that, but always interesting to note that if someone is not attracted to you, or harbors some grievance with you, that their perception is colored by factors that we have no control over.

Just so you know, there is nothing "straight acting" about you if you sleep with men.

Great pic.

Two music genre names that I thought amusing: baroque techno and death folk.

Best band name this week: Master Musicians Of Bukkake.

Bear Week in Provincetown is in about 5 weeks and I can't wait. I will need an Excel spreadsheet to keep up with all that we are supposed to be doing.

 Your cute of the day.

Lyrics Rattling Around My Brain

"Waiting for
My words to catch like I'm trying
To strike a match that's soaking wet
See through skull
See through skin
Leave all the lights on
Can't see out, but they see in

Stare down my nose, watching
The color drain from my eyes
Cold cereal and TV
Before I go to sleep

Breathing out, hoping to breathe in
I know nothing's wrong, but I'm not convinced

No, I know, I know how far it's gone myself
Maybe I'll believe it from somebody else
No, I know, I know how far it's gone myself
Maybe I'll believe it from somebody else

Breathing out
Hoping to breathe in
I know nothing's wrong, but I'm not convinced
I can let it happen, just let it happen
Just don't think so much, don't think so much."

Local Natives
"Breakers"

"We were in love for just a second
You leave me with all those questions
That lead me to no direction

Was it just me?
You're all that I'd ever wished
You decide what it is
And let my heart sink
You decide what it is
Left me no choice to speak

I didn't know that kiss meant good-bye
It's funny how things played out in your mind."

Tricky
"If Only I Knew"

"I can help you run away for good
All for take what you had understood
All it takes is a little understanding
After all, don't question if I would

Confess to me, make me feel it
Confide in me, don't resent it
'Cause I can't stop you from the fire
I'll fulfill your desires for you

Confess to me, make me feel it
Confide in me, don't resent it
'Cause I can't stop you from the fire
I'll fulfill your desires for you

I'll fulfill your desires for you
I'll fulfill your desires for you

I can take the lo out of lonely
I can stop the sense of slowing down
Don't get lost in if you only tell me
I will help you slip and turn it round

Only not to worry
No time left for me
Only not to worry
No time left for me."

Disclosure ft. Jesse Ware
"Confess to Me"

Appealing Things

Rudimental
Chase & Status returning with new music
Oven roasted pork loin
NIN back on tour
Disclosure coming to Atlanta
Planning a Friday night out at the movies
Staying and making dinner
Showing Andrew Auntie Mame for the first time and him loving it

Annoying Things

Rain at a pool party
The new Chase & Status song, which is kind of lame
People who can't keep their big mouths' shut
Being sick when the weather is nice
$70 tickets for New Order

Album Review: Dawn Richard - Goldenheart

Dawn Richard
Goldenheart
Rating: Grrrr

After learning that Dawn Richard, former member of Diddy-Dirty Money and Danity Kane, was launching a solo career, I was prepared for more in the same vein of former girl band singers striking out on their own; bland, soulless pop/R&B dreck that would disappear from view as quickly as possible. Despite her rather generic debut album, she soldiered on with a mixtape and a fascinating EP, Armor On, which showed she was more than some generic R&B diva, incorporating elements of EDM, dubstep, and house music into her mix. Her second album Goldenheart is a culmination of all this restless experimentation and is a frequently dazzling 16 song opus on love, viewed from the point of view of battle. Love in her world is not to be taken lightly, something to be strongly and fiercely protected and won; even the quiet moments are hard fought. Throughout this album, the songs run the gamut from traditional pop and R&B through forays into more experimental electronic territory. While not as distinctive as her EP, Goldenheart is a more focused effort that sticks to a more cohesive approach, which may at times seem safe, but ultimately serves her purpose.

From the opening track "Into the Hearts Tonight (Intro)" she repeats "Get ready for war" as a mantra, her voice blazing a trail for the journey ahead. "Return of a Queen" focuses on that wondrous instrument as even the rising tide of electronics cannot overtake her.



Goldenheart moves swiftly from future R&B ("Goliath") and David Guetta/Swedish House Mafia-esque house music ("Riot") before settling in for the amazing mid-section of the record which is the heart and soul of the album. "Gleaux" mixes glittering keyboards, handclaps, and intricate percussion while Richard's voice swoops and swoons around in multi-tracked heaven.



"Pretty Wicked Things" borrows its hook from dubstep, which beautifully matches the hard edged track's view of deception in love.



"Northern Lights" is a bass heavy wonderland of insistent handclaps and Richard's strong as nails voice.



While Richard shows off her soft side with the delicate electronic ballad "Frequency," her voice a soft, enveloping coo.



My one complaint with the record is that it tends to stick to a very muted palate that over the course of the record seems to weigh it down. A little more varoety of tempos might have made the album move at a faster clip. After the brilliant mid-section Goldenheart gets a little bogged down with too many mid-tempo ballads, but when they shine they shine brightly. "'86" is the perfect marriage of dense electronics and Richard's soulful voice,



"Break of Dawn" is a gorgeous, traditional pop/R&B ballad that, if there is a God, should rocket to the top of the charts,



and final and title track "Goldenheart (Outro)" is the odd marriage of Richard's voice and lyrics to Debussy, that is so bat shit crazy it works despite itself, and is one of the most raw and open songs on the record.

While Goldenheart is not the brilliant masterpiece I was expecting after her EP and other singles, it is still a record that cannot be ignored. It is both pop as well as future/forward thinking, adapting to trends but utilizing them for her own ends and not just to throw in for no reason. Along with Solange and Jesse Ware, Richard is reconfiguring what it means to be an independent singer in the modern age. No longer are these lovely voices a slave to record labels and their whims. They are free to be as adventurous as they like, and seeing their success, it is the right way to approach things.

Rating Scale:

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and piques one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.