It's been a long time since I've dedicated a post to music news, especially with Instagram around, but there's been a ridiculous amount of musical gems popping up over the past few weeks! So I thought, as a belated Valentine's Day treat I'd give you some new music to listen to for the rest of the month.

LITTLE DRAGON NEW MUSIC VIDEO "HIGH"
So very, very smooth. It's a breath of fresh air having new Little Dragon music in my life. As always this track is coated with their signature soulful sound with the added hazy undertones; it's got me buzzing for their next record. Nabuma Rubberband was a quality, classic record but if "High" is anything to go by, then Little Dragon haven't stopped growing, and the next record will be memorable to say the least.


THE STAVES NEW MUSIC VIDEO "TIRED AS FUCK"
I have to say I was a little surprised at this title coming from The Staves, but also super excited to see whether it brought with it a bit of a new sound. In regards to the video and the song, I love the minimalist feel to it. Those three part harmonies will never, ever get old to me. Not so much a new sound to it but the electric guitar definitely brings a fresher feel and a harder edge to it. "Tired As Fuck" is definitely a new favourite of mine.


SiR NEW MUSIC VIDEO "ALL IN MY HEAD"
I hadn't heard much about SiR up until recently with him featuring on Isaiah Rashad's and Little Simz's records, and after finding out that he was part of TDE he had my full attention. As soon as the beat kicked in on this track I thought of Anderson .Paak. That soulful bass has run throughout so many of my recent favourite songs, and I think it's time to add "All In My Head" to that list.


SEVDALIZA NEW MUSIC VIDEO "AMANDINE INSENSIBLE"
A shamefully fairly recent discovery for me - Sevadaliza has the potential to be a serious gamechanger and we have the pleasure coming into contact with her right now. Honestly, true artist. This new video for "Amandine Insensible" shows just that. Simple but mesmirising. The instrumental on this song reminded me of some of James Blake's material too.


CHAPEL NEW MUSIC VIDEO "FOOL'S GOLD"
I've been interested in Chapel ever since I found out that Kortney Grinwis was the drummer and when they dropped "Fool's Gold" it was my first chance to properly listen to their material. I love what I'm hearing on this single! The video is neither here nor there for me but it's a great song. Now that they're under Rise Records, I'm expecting something pretty exciting for their next release.


GRIMES FEAT. JANELLE MONAE NEW MUSIC VIDEO "VENUS FLY"
I'm not sure what I was expecting sound-wise from this collaboration but as soon as I saw Grimes and Janelle Monae in the same sentence I knew that aesthically this would be unforgettable. After watching, I stand by that 100% - this video is phenomenal. On the first few watches it was impossible to take my eyes off of it. In terms of the song, at first it was a little bit take-it-or-leave-it for me, but with the video so ingrained in my mind, I couldn't help but find the song there too.


WILD BEASTS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "ALPHA FEMALE" 
Okay! Again this is a video that I can get behind. I love this theme, I love these visuals. After listening to Wild Beasts' record Boy King last year I can't say that "Alpha Female" stuck out as a main highlight for me back then but after hearing it alongside this visual I might be listening a little bit differently from now on.


M.I.A. NEW SINGLE "P.O.W.A" 
After being dormant for quite a while now M.I.A. is back with this new release and I have to say, I'm not all that impressed. As a single it's really just not the most enjoyable in my opinion. The video definitely boosts its memorability - after all M.I.A. has always had a way with visuals but I just needed "P.O.W.A" to bring an audio to match and it did not in this case.


MAC DEMARCO NEW SINGLE "THIS OLD DOG"
Old man Mac - it's been a while. "This Old Dog" is the title track from his new album dropping on the 5th of May. This peaceful, Sunday afternoon, summer stroll track took me back to summer 2013 where I was listening to things like Bibio, Darwin Deez, Delphic, etc... It would have fit in perfectly back then and I have no doubts that this new album will be featured heavily in my summer 2017.


ARCANE ROOTS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "CURTAINS" 
This video for "Curtains" has actually been out for a while now and the single since last year but I had to say something about it because I like the song so much and the video is just as compelling. The video left me pretty speechless after first watch if I'm honest. It was almost exactly what I'd pictured (except, better) after listening to the single so many times before. Arcane Roots are not a band to overlook right now I'm telling you.


GRAMMY'S IN GENERAL... 
Well I'm sure by now everyone's heard about the Grammy's and all the "scandalous" events and wardrobe malfunctions. Aside from that - the performances. I'm just going to come out and say it - Beyoncé, Beyoncé, Beyoncé, wow. What a goddess. Chance the Rapper, again with a soulful and inspiring performance. To name drop a few others - Metallica and Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, ATCQ and Anderson .Paak, and Adele. All amongst stand out performances across the night. What a spectacle.


That's not even the half of it for music news over the past couple of weeks but it's just a few standouts and things that I found particularly exciting to tide you over into March. Keep your eyes peeled for more musical goodness over the rest of the month.

Now for the final part of January's music news and after this we can start off February on a clean slate and with glorious new music on our iTunes...

YEARS & YEARS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "KING"
So I've actually only just caught wind of Years & Years in 2015 but they're good... like really good! I saw them featuring on Tourist's newest track "Illuminate" and since then they've just continued to impress me. I'm interested to see what an entire record of theirs would be like but for now check out their new music video here.


NAO NEW SINGLE "IN THE MORNING"
After her stunning support performance on the Little Dragon tour last year I've been waiting for something new to come from Nao. January just seems to be granting all of my wishes. If you get the chance to see her live, don't pass it up - great performer. I mean, just listen to these vocals here.


THE STAVES NEW SINGLE "STEADY"
Speaking of spectacular vocals, the queens of harmonies are back with a new track from their upcoming album - If I Was. I really love the way that this track swells - this is going to be a brilliant sophomore record. The Staves are definitely ones to check out if you haven't already. I'd start with this new single here.


THE NIGHT VI NEW SINGLE "TOO LATE TO LIE"
I've been writing abut The Night VI's new singles for over a year and a bit now and I still haven't heard a whiff of a new full length album!! As good as this new single here is, I am just more than ready for a full record.


DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE NEW SINGLE "BLACK SUN"
I've never really listened to Death Cab religiously. I've heard quite a few of their songs and I've liked each one including this new single here. However, now I think it's time for me to play catch up - I've missed out on a lot of good music here it would seem.


KANYE WEST, PAUL MCCARTNEY & RIHANNA NEW SINGLE "FOURFIVESECONDS"
There has been so much press surrounding this collaboration that it'd be pretty difficult for anyone to get away from it but I thought I'd write about it anyway. Although this might seem like a strange mix of artists at first, each of them offers up something great to make it work. Have a listen here.


ST. VINCENT NEW SINGLE "BAD BELIEVER"
I'm not sure that I'll ever figure out for certain how I feel about St. Vincent's music to be honest. This song does not appeal to me at all, but I know that a bunch of people out there will really enjoy it. I guess it's just each to their own in this situation but as much as I like St. Vincent as a person and a performer, most of her music is just not enjoyable. Have a listen here.


GENGAHR NEW SINGLE "SHE'S A WITCH"
It's nice to see this band getting a bit more well deserved recognition. I'm expecting to see Gengahr on a few festival line-ups this year for sure. But sadly as we're a long way from summer, have a listen to this great new single to tide you over - here.


THE CRIBS NEW SINGLE "AN IVORY HAND"
The Cribs are finally blessing us with a new single from their upcoming record and as expected, it's a good'un. I'm really looking forward to seeing them do this track justice live later this month. I'm not sure how many more awesome tracks they have left in them but I hope that it's a lot because this is a gem. Check it out here.


FAKE LAUGH NEW SINGLE "DOPEY HEAD"
Another discovery that I made earlier this year on Twitter. It was nothing like what I expected it to sound like. In an age of electronics, often this isn't what you expect to click on on Twitter. I can't say that I like Fake Laugh much but maybe in a different time this would be a really great track. See for yourself here.


LIL' WAYNE NEW SINGLE "FINGERS HURTING"
I honestly didn't think that Lil' Wayne would be making anymore solo music. I'd expected that he would feature on a couple artists' tracks here and there but I hadn't expected another whole album. However, here it is! And here is a new single from it. Let's just say, in my opinion, he should've stopped a long while ago.


FKA TWIGS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "PENDULUM"
Still taking the world by storm. Even though most people will have heard this song a long while ago, having the new music video with it can definitely make you like it more. FKA Twigs is just as much as visual artist as she is a vocal one and this new music video here shows just that.


PETITE NOIR NEW SINGLE "SHADOWS"
Just after the release of his new EP -The King of Anxiety - Petite Noir releases this single from it to the world. I'm not sure - I really liked Petite Noir when I first heard about him last year and I was worried that the novelty would wear off a little bit. However, this new track here has definitely proven me wrong.


THE SUBWAYS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "TAKING ALL THE BLAME"
A name that I've heard around me countless times but have never really gotten into. When I saw this new music video pop up on my timeline I thought, no time like the present. I'm a little sad it took this long but yeah The Subways are a cool band. Not "my new favourite" or anything but a strong band nonetheless. Here's the new video.


DANGERKIDS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "WE'RE ALL IN DANGER"
I just sincerely want Dangerkids to get all of the recognition owed to them because they are amazing! Diligently waiting on a headline UK tour but until then, fans can enjoy this awesome new music video here, and maybe catch them supporting Crown The Empire on their EU/UK tour.


THE PRODIGY NEW SINGLE "THE DAY IS MY ENEMY"
If somehow you haven't already heard, The Prodigy have announced a relatively small venue UK tour commencing later this year AND they're releasing a new record - The Day Is My Enemy - out on the 30th of March. Check out the newly released title track here.


THE BOHICAS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "TO DIE FOR"
After seeing them at Field Day last year I knew that The Bohicas would be a strong studio band as they're each so technical gifted and precise. This new single (although fairly repetitive and predictable) proves me right. Have a watch of the slightly confusing but surprisingly entertaining new music video here.


DAVID GUETTA NEW LYRIC VIDEO "WHAT I DID FOR LOVE (FEAT. EMELI SANDE)"
It's been a long while since I've seen Emeli Sande feature on anything so I'm hoping this means that there'll be a sophomore album out any day now! Her voice still sounds fabulous and David Guetta is still making those annoyingly catchy pop beats. Have a listen here.


GALLOWS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "BONFIRE SEASON"
YEEEESSSSS! 2015 really is going to be an insane year for album releases. Gallows' new record - Desolation Sounds - comes out on the 13th of April. It will be big. It will be beefy. And if this new single is anything to go by, it's sounding a little different too! Have a listen to the new sound here.


CHILDISH GAMBINO NEW MUSIC VIDEO "SOBER"
From his latest EP - Kauai - Childish Gambino. He's a strange character for sure but his music is anything but. All of his tracks catch my attention in one way or another and this single here is no different. The mind of a true artist - I would love to see him live one day!

I came to this gig knowing very little about The Staves and if I'm honest, I turned up pretty tired and so wasn't excited for much... I was just hoping for some easy listening. So as I stood in the crowd waiting for someone to come up on stage and keep me awake I took a look at the fans to get an idea of what kind of people were into the band. On first glance I saw a lot of middle aged people and families, sprinkled with a few students here and there - so a seemingly mellow crowd.

After a while waiting, James Canty wasted no time with introductions and went straight in with his first song. However, because he did this, unaccompanied, a few people (myself included) were confused at first as to whether he was actually the support act or just a very confident sound check person. As the song continued I decided on the former and really started to listen. I'm a little conflicted about how I feel about his set. There were so many negative points but the few positive points he had were really good. I'll start off with the good... He was funny - his onstage banter and crowd interaction was enjoyable. He definitely wasn't lazy about the way that he performed and you could tell that he's enthusiastic about music. Also, he is a fantastic guitarist. However (here comes the bad), his voice was not great at all. At times it felt like karaoke or an open mic night and at some points I felt like he didn't even believe in his own songs! His song "Love" had some great lyrical parts and potential but his song "Debra" was not my cup of tea AT ALL. Part of the way through I was almost sure that it had to be a joke. Based on his set alone, the night hadn't started off as I'd hoped.

Whilst trying to figure out my feelings about what I'd just seen, I heard Wayne's World playing through the speakers before The Staves came on and that managed to put a smile on my face. Now it was up to The Staves to keep it there. They succeeded. Their first song "Blood I Bled" was absolutely mesmerising. Before they had even finished singing I was already writing down lyrics so that I could look up the song later on. Their harmonies were beautiful. I can't remember the last time I heard three voices mesh together that well - I mean Haim who?! Just that one song managed to catch my full attention. Also, James Canty had reappeared except now joining the ladies on guitar/synth and in my opinion, this fit him much better! Back to the girls though, from song to song it was a series of amazing vocals, interesting beats and instrumentals and clever lyrics. Some standouts were "Winter Trees", "Steady" and "Don't You Call Me". Aside from their music, the girls had a really awesome vibe, and they were hilarious. Between them and James Canty you could guess that there would be a lot of laughter backstage. The only criticism I have is that by the end of the set I was losing interest a bit. Although quality didn't drop, novelty did. Either way, I picked up a copy of their Blood I Bled EP outside afterwards and have been listening to it since! I'm expecting big things from these ladies.

Overall Rating - 7/10


Here are some pictures from the night...