It's Annie Mac in for Zane Lowe tonight and we've got two Hottest Records in the world from The Streets and PJ Harvey. Here's what we reckon...
There's been 4 albums and 7 years of the Streets in our lives and we've loved every second of Mike Skinner, so it's sad news that the album 'Computers and Blues' is his final body of work. 'Gone through hell' is the first offering from the final album and once again he hasn't let us down. As witty and sardonic as you would expect it makes us excited to hear the rest of the album.
And PJ Harvey has been away long enough. Recorded in a church, 'Written on the Forehead' sounds etherial and otherworldy, but for the first time she's looking outwards rather than her more introspective songs of old. It's a beautiful first song off an album we're very eager to hear more from.
Never a band to be pigeon-holed despite the considerable influence they've had on many of their peers, Noah & The Whale return with another wonderful, experimental journey into their creative process. This time, it really feels like a journey...across some vast expanse of American heartland where characters tell tales of lonely hearts and redemption. Their new album will astound and tonight's Hottest Record goes some towards proving that.
Tonight we round off an amazing week of Masterpiece albums with a rave up. Larging it with the Fatboy felt like an enormous international rave. It's 1998 and dance music is full of fun, unpretentious good time anthems. None more so than on an album that 'made all of our records seem more accessible' (Karl Hyde). It travelled the world with its creator and took dance music into the mainstream with the most credible set of influences. The Acid House, the Hip Hop, The Beatles. All present. And at the end of 18 months of touring and success, Fatboy Slim could rightfully say to himself, 'You've Come Along Way, Baby'
Find out loads more about the album at the Masterpieces minisite
An emotional journey for us all tonight. A Masterpiece played in full that many will remember as the soundtrack to turmultous times. Others will have heard it for the first time and instantly connected to its deep emotional resonance and knowing sense of humour. It is a wonderful record that stops the clock for one of the UK's greatest bands. Tonights Masterpiece is 'The Queen Is Dead'.
Find out loads more about the album at our Masterpieces minisite
Tonight's Masterpiece is an album of pure honesty and drive that simultaneously ended and revived this artist's career. Jay Z was an international superstar with a canon of hit records to his name, yet the routine of 'make a record', 'promote a record', 'tour a record' was getting him down. Deciding his next album would be his last, Jay put his heart and soul into recording sessions as did his collaborators. The result, whist not, as history would prove, his last album, it is certainly one of the best. It is tonight's Masterpiece. It is 'The Black Album'.
Find out loads more about the album at the Masterpieces minisite
Tonight we broadcast the first of this weeks Masterpiece albums in full. A record that took the New Rock Revolution on to the world's stage without sacrificing its original spirit. A spirit steeped in the blues of Son House, the power of Led Zeppelin, and the gritty street wisdom of Detroit. Jack and Meg White were already established as two of the brightest talents in rock in roll by 2003. Upon its release that same year, this album gave them heritage status. The reason is 'Elephant'.
Find out loads more about the album at the Masterpieces minisite
The wait for the debut album from Funeral Party has been long and arduous for no-one more than the band. So it's good news all round that we have a finished album and a first single proper for tonight's Hottest Record. 'Finale' is pop music done the Funeral Party way; sharp and full of energy. Look out for them in 2011.
Again, again & again. 'Chase & Status' keep giving us Hottest Records and this one's no exception... We heard it first on the Uni tour in Oxford as they closed their set to it with rapturous applause, and now it's an offical release from the forthcoming second album - 'No More Idols' Boom!
The promise of 'five choruses' was delivered upon this evening. Tonight's hottest record from White Lies is a ridiculous arena anthem that paves the way to their forthcoming ten song album.
Whilst not the most creative of second album titles, that looks likely to be the only let down on '21'. For the most part produced by Rick Rubin, this new single 'Rolling in the deep' is produced by Paul Epworth and it's a stomper and paves the way for an album with a few surprises according to Adele. Can't wait to hear it.
Having spoken to Chipmunk this week, it's clear the last few years have been as tough as successful for the artist. Showing strength in the face of adversity, he climbs back into the ring and drops tonight's hottest record 'flying high'. Job done.
Imagine what it must be like for Beady Eye to release their first piece of music in the face of so much anticipation. Bring the light is their first offering and its references to classic rock & roll and its dedication to groove would suggest that it's role is that of a depth charge as much as it is a first step. I like it's attitude. Let's wait with slightly less anticipation for more.
Part remix, part club edit, Steve Angello has tastefully and faithfully remixed this Pendulum banger, adding weight and an extended build. Benefits are primarily for the DJ but it breathes new life into the original none the less.
Ten songs recorded and mixed for the new Wombats record, so confidence is high enough for the band to give us something brand new online. 'Jump in the Fog' could be my favourite Wombats song ever i think. The transition from pranksters to craftsmen is complete.
Lykke Li returns with this fantastic new EP, #1 most searched up on the blogs... 'Get Some' is a taste of whats to come in the new year with a full album to follow in Feb 2011.
MCR follow their recent UK run of shows with another big anthem from the new album. 'Sing' is more thoughtful and dynamic than 'Na Na Na'. Hints of festivals next year by Frank. All is in order.
Feels like we've been waiting forever for music from Yuck, but now that we have 'The Wall' things are speeding up for us rapidly. First play last night, Hottest Record tonight and a self titled album due next year... put another one on the list for 2011.
So here we have it, the anticipated 'More Articulate' sound from The View. Went down a storm tonight judging by the text reaction. Seems The View are growing up gracefully. Who'd a thunk it.
