Bloc Party, slightly re-organised, is back with Hymns – their fifth album. After a hiatus starting in 2013, frontman Kele Okereke and guitarist Russell Lissack remain, together with Justin Harris and Louise Bartle (respectively the new bassist & drummer). It’s been four years since their last, more guitar-driven, album: Four.
A new year brings new films and character to fall in love with. Last year saw innovative pictures come to life. From an entire movie shot in a single take, shooting in the harshest conditions using only natural light, to George Miller’s masterpiece that is Mad Max: Fury Road. With cinema always pushing itself, it’s hard not to get excited about the new ideas coming to screen. So between all the reboots, comic book adaptions and indie features, here’s what I’m most looking forward to seeing in 2016.
After months of anticipation, Lucasfilm and Disney finally released the full trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. After hints at the plot in two teaser trailers, this final trailer finally reveals… more hints at the plot. I’m very impressed with how, in typical JJ Abrams style, the trailer retains the mystery surrounding the film. It shows a few character moments and a lot of action, but really nothing about the plot.
Releasing “Writing’s on the wall”, Sam Smith is now the first British male solo singer of a James Bond theme song since 1965. Stream the song’s debut on Britain’s Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw here.
Writing’s on the Wall was co-written by Smith and fellow Grammy Award winner Jimmy Nape. “It’s the quickest I’ve ever written a song,” says Smith. “It took 20 minutes – and they loved it. I love the song so much.”
As individuals, you’ve heard plently of songs from all of them. Now, the Blood Brothers released their first track and music video as a supergroup: People Gotta Know. The aim of the Blood Brothers is to spread awareness about, and raise funds for the fight against cancer. Together, they perform the major hits that made them famous plus songs from international bands that influenced their sound. They’re also finally bringing their 3 hour show to Cape Town this week.
Remember that time you were in an American High School and fell in love for the first time but then things didn’t work out because your life is a romantic comedy? Or maybe a horror movie? Shortstraw released a new music video, for the track Say Anything of their latest album Youthless. Maybe it’s one for the cinephiles.
Shortstraw is an indie rock band from Johannesburg, South Africa. They have released three albums – the latest being Youthless, released in January 2015.
It’s been 3 years, 9 months and 29 days since Philadelphia Grand Jury broke up. During their one quick visit to South Africa a few years ago, they established their firm, high position on my list of best live acts I’ve seen. They were exciting, dramatic, punk-rock, emo with a touch of shoegaze, all rock-and-rolled into one. Two years later, the band broke up, frontman Berkfinger moved to Berlin and started a side project called Feelings, and the “Philly Jays” were over. But now they’re back. And to celebrate their reunion and upcoming album, they dropped a new single titled “Crashing and Burning pt II”.
