THE very talented Jack Garratt releases his debut album Phase in mid-February – that gives you plenty of time to prepare by immersing yourself in the excellent Jack tracks that are already out there.
Breathe Life, for example, is one of the stand-out tracks of the past 12 months, combining Garratt's indie coolness with sheer pop sensibility and boasting a relentless chorus. Worry is another shining light that displays this artist's desire to create something original and valid while at the same time understanding the need for just the right amount of commercial accessibility.
Garratt deploys elements of electronica, rock, hip hop, pop and alternative and seems very comfortable stylising each separate component.
Playing a host of instruments to a high standard also makes him a highly credible proposition. Investigate this guy now – it will save you playing catch-up in six months.
SITTING PRETTY
REALLY liking a new band called Pretty Vicious. They are definitely a name to watch out for in 2016. The Welsh band possess a real swagger and their music contains passion, abandon and a fair amount of anger. They deliver a 21st century punk sound (name origin – Pretty Vacant/Sid Vicious?) that is derivative of a hundred bands that already came, saw and conquered but the early signs are that Pretty Vicious deserve to be allowed to pull their chair up to the table too and share the spoils with their contemporaries and their foregone idols.
Top tracks include National Plastics, Cave Song and, best of all, the fabulous
Are You Ready For Me which sounds like a cross between Nirvana's Negative Creep and Headshrinker by Oasis.
GO WEST
KANYE West has finally announced the release date of his new album and it's title.
The record is called Swish (that was the original name which he apparently scrapped recently) and will see the light of day on February 11.
It's Kanye's seventh studio recording and is awash with producers – everyone from Paul McCartney and Rick Rubin to Q Tip and Puff Daddy is expected to get a nod on the credit roll.
JOG ON
To get in shape for 2016 Ministry of Sound have kindly and helpfully released a compilation of tunes that may just provide the perfect soundtrack for your jogging duties.
Running Trax is the name of this rather interfering collection and features energy-releasing front runners such as Sigala's Sweet Lovin', Turn The Music Louder from KDA and Allright With Me by Wretch 32.
Good luck and I hope it helps you shed any turkey sandwich remnants. Or perhaps, like me, you might be saving your money for a compilation that provides the soundtrack to sitting on the sofa eating pizza.
