I'd been excited for this show from the minute I booked the ticket. As soon as we got into the venue the vibes were heavy - so many beautiful people, so many great auras. It just felt like we were a huge collective... maybe it's because it was only my second show of the year, or maybe because it had been so long since I went to a show to watch a female lead, but something about the vibe at this show was different.

First up DJ-ing the night was LSDXOXO. I've never been the biggest fan of having DJs as support acts where the main act isn't also a DJ if I'm honest, but like I said, this night was different. The tracks he played slowly started grabbing my attention as people milled about finding their spots, then  I found myself bopping my head, and before long my friends and I were shacking out as he played banger after banger. It wasn't even the kind of set where you could guess the next few tracks just by listening to the bpm - every few songs he was hitting us with the unexpected. One minute we're getting down to Migos then the next we were throwing up arms and belting out Evanescence. Doors opened at 7; Princess Nokia didn't come on until around 9:30 and to be honest the crowd was entertained pretty much the entire time. 100% would love to catch a set again.

When Princess Nokia stepped on stage it seemed like everything just sped up. Before I knew it surprisingly she'd already charged through her biggest hits "Tomboy"and "Kitana" and my friends and I were left trying to recollect and to catch our breath. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't completely caught up but also a little sceptical about what she would now finish with. Silly me I guess - by the time the show was coming to an end she'd already won hearts and minds. Don't be fooled by her small silhouette; Ms Destiny boasts an overwhelming presence, on stage and off. This could've been a living room or an arena and her presence would have filled it all the same. As she made her way through tracks from her most recent release 1992, she managed to bring the crowd further into her world, speaking on her upbringing, heritage and even hair woes, and after talking to some people after the show it was obvious that energies were high all round. Everyone saw something that they could relate to at that show, whether it came from Nokia herself, or just from seeing themselves represented in the crowd at a rap show, everybody felt like they belonged to something even if only for those few hours. A true testament to the way Destiny prides herself on creating safe spaces for her audiences (women and women of colour in particular). I will most definitely be seeing her again in the future I'm sure and needless to say, I'm buzzing for whatever she drops next. It was a real celebration. 

Overall Rating - 8.5/10


Here are some pictures from the night...

Well, you know what they say, "good things come to those who wait" and that could not be truer of Sampha's debut. I'd like to say that I was cautiously optimistic on first listen but mostly I was just itching to have it on repeat. This came to us on a day of music release mayhem and it's made a point to standout...


1. Plastic 100°C
Out of the non-singles, this song is my current favourite. Sampha has one of the most distinct voices around at the moment and whilst rising to the top; when his voice chimes in on this track, the sound just washes over you. I remember thinking, "this is a song that I could wake up to for years to come". Every time I hear this, it sounds like a new beginning. Talk about starting as you mean to go on... 

2. Blood On Me
Prior to listening, this was my favourite single and one of my favourite songs and videos released last year. Now, having listened to it in the context of the album, more than ever, the feeling still stands. As familiar as it sounded, it was given a new lease of life on the album and although I didn't think that I could - I love it even more. So intricate and so simple.
 
3. Kora Sings 
I would love to hear a Hiatus Kaiyote remix of this one actually. The instrumental wins this song hands down for me; I was just immersed in the way that the beat transitions. So many influences held together with Sampha's signature sound. Strong track and early standout for me.
 
4. (No One Knows Me) Like The Piano
After listening to Sampha's Dual EP over the last 3/4 years, as soon as I heard the opening chords on this single it brought me back to those six tracks and how much they made me appreciate piano-centric music. Hearing his vocals on this song I could feel every word he sang, and finding out that he wrote this album and in particular this song, shortly after his mother died; only made me adore it even more. 
 
5. Take Me Inside
This was probably the least memorable song on the album for me after first listen. Although listening to it as I write this, I can say that it's good song, something about it just underwhelms me unfortunately. To me it felt a lot more like an interlude than a full length song. However, I love the way it seamlessly bleeds into the next...
  
6. Reverse Faults 
So I'll be spontaneously singing "took the breakpads out the car", for the next few weeks. The beat after this line is one of those 'close your eyes, lift your hands' kinds of beats. This track and the next might be the most different of the ten but here it fits in so, so perfectly; you almost don't notice the vibe change. This might turn out to be the dark horse that people refer to whenever you discuss the album. 

7. Under
My feelings towards this song change every time I listen to it. Occasionally it feels like a b-side, but then I listen again and it holds my attention and leaves me wanting more. Maybe after a few more listens I'll have a more committed feeling for this one.

8. Timmy's Prayer 
Here's the single that I'm waiting to listen to live. At first I didn't latch onto it as much as the general public did. Then I heard it after a while on 'Insecure' and gave it another chance. Since then, it's grown on me more. My head knows that this is probably one of the strongest songs all-round on the record, but whenever I've come back to the album, it's sadly not been near the top of my list to go to.

9. Incomplete Kisses 
Almost as soon as this track started, I had a visual in my head. A while ago I read a comment on YouTube where the person had written "this must be what colour sounds like". In a way, I feel that with this; like when you listen to a song and you imagine yourself in the video, here I see it as if watching a dream.

10. What Shouldn't I Be?  
What I think Sampha's managed to do beautifully with this album is create a clear journey. Every feeling that has brought me to this closer was vivid and distinct. Also, this is one of the most, dare I say it, exquisite songs of 2017 - and I know it's only February but I say that with the confidence that it will likely not be outdone by many. 


I think with this album I just have to remind myself that it's actually a debut record, because as a debut, it's near-on remarkable. After all of the anticipation, I have to say that I was a tiny bit disappointed with parts of the record. Some of the standouts made the "good-but-not-great" tracks easier to pick out and a little less memorable in my opinion, and I think that I prefer the first half to the second. However, this album lyrically is one of the most beautiful pieces I've come across in a while. I will definitely be returning to a lot of this for years to come, but whether or not I'll listen to it over and over again as a whole, remains to be seen. After I catch him live next month I'm sure that I'll return to the album and hear something completely different.  

Overall Rating - 8/10

I still can't believe how big a month January was for music! I mean there were new things happening left, right and centre. Now let's see what February has to offer us in terms of new records...




ALL WE ARE - ALL WE ARE
I've been hearing buzz about All We Are for a long while now I whenever I see their name pop up I just wonder to myself "why haven't I heard many of their songs yet though?" Now my question has been answered. They've only just released their debut record on the 2nd of February! So now it's time for me to see whether the tunes match the buzz - judging by "Stone", the record has real potential.






YEARS & YEARS - Y & Y EP
Years & Years are one of my favourite things about 2015 so far. I really like their sound. I don't think I actually expected myself to like them so much but here we are. They released their EP on the 3rd of February - only four songs but I know I'll probably have them on repeat as if there's 11 on there. Check it out.







KID INK - FULL SPEED
Most (myself included) will only know Kid Ink by his 2014 club hit "Show Me" or maybe simply because he looks very similar to Chris Brown but however you've heard of him, he released his fourth record on the 3rd of February. I think it's time for me to catch up on his material outside of just "Show Me". 


 



PEACE - HAPPY PEOPLE
I've been really excited about this record for a while actually. After hearing their debut record In Love a couple of years ago and hearing how much work had gone into that, I wondered whether their follow up would even be able to hold a candle to it. I'm soon to find out - album hits the shelves on the 9th of February.






KODALINE - COMING UP FOR AIR
Speaking of sophomore albums, here comes another follow-up for a great debut. YouTube cover artists worldwide are going to be ecstatic. I predict a lot of great singles from this record - I just hope that it doesn't simply sound like a bunch of great singles but instead an awesome album. Have a listen on the 9th of February.







THE SUBWAYS - THE SUBWAYS
After writing about their new music video here earlier this week, I now find out that they're releasing the actual record. This'll be the decider for me I think. Right now, I'm not sure that I like them enough to call myself a fan at all, so I suppose I've find out on the 9th of February.






HAWK EYES - EVERYTHING IS FINE
Another band I don't yet know enough about. I had a listen to a couple of their songs and their latest single "Die Trying" is cool but again, I wouldn't call myself a fan. I wonder if the album will be able to change my mind on the 10th of February. To be honest, I feel like I might actually end up liking this record more than The Subways'.






STICK TO YOUR GUNS - DISOBEDIENT
I only started listening to Stick To Your Guns after hearing their joint EP split with The Story So Far but they are good! In particular, their single "What Choice Did You Give Us?" from this record is awesome. I'll be excited to listen to a full length of theirs on the 10th of February instead of just listening to a few singles here and there.






CARL BARAT & THE JACKALS - LET IT REIGN
The Libertines' co-frontman is back and blessing us with some solo side-project action. This is his debut album with The Jackals and from the few singles I've heard, it's sounding really good. I particularly like "A Storm Is Coming". Get your hands on the album on the 16th of February.








IMAGINE DRAGONS - SMOKE + MIRRORS
After their enormous debut record Night Visions in 2012, they're back with what I can only assume will be another chart topper. Expect to see them on a lot of upcoming festival bills after this drops on the 17th of February. 








ESTELLE - TRUE ROMANCE
I really like Estelle as a person and I love her older material but I must admit that a lot of the new things that she's brought out really just haven't been catching my attention. I'd even thought that she was done releasing music until I heard about this record. Nonetheless, I will give this new album a chance when it hits the shelves on the 17th of February.






CHEATAHS - SUNNE EP
I've seen NME drop this name around a few times over the past couple of years and have been meaning to check them out. I never really got much further than liking their Facebook page but when the album comes out on the 23rd of February I'll definitely used that as my chance to get involved. 






BIG SEAN - DARK SKY PARADISE
I've heard more about his relationship with Ariana Grande than I have about his music but I know that this record has an impressive list of feature artists  and so I expect big things (no pun intended) from this album on the 24th of February.







DUTCH UNCLES - O SHUDDER
Last but certainly not least, the record I've been looking forward to since I found out about it late last year is finally here! I've just been listening through their singles and patiently waiting. I'll be first in line to get my hands on it on the 24th of February.

Well well well, Dutch Uncles are back with the first single and music video from their upcoming record O Shudder out on the 23rd of February. I don't know if I can even wait that long to be honest...

DUTCH UNCLES - In N Out

There aren't many new records coming out this week at all but there were a few good ones last week (here) and there is set to be quite a few good'uns next week. Either way, it's quality not quantity at the end of the day. Here's what you can get your hands on over the next few days...



WE ARE THE IN CROWD - WEIRD KIDS
I'm actually really excited to have a listen to this record. After listening to and ferociously overplaying their debut album Best Intentions it's been a long 3 years to wait for the follow up so I'm expecting good things when I listen to it on the 18th of February. Hopefully the wait until the next album won't feel like such a long one.


I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN - BELOVED
Of I Killed The Prom Queen's entire discography I only have their split record with Parkway Drive and I thought it was alright, maybe slightly underwhelming. Nonetheless, speaking as someone who has never actually heard a full record of theirs yet I can't really say how I feel about them yet. I'll just have to get my hands on the album on the 18th of February to finalise my opinion of them.