Four people holding one rose each and yet there are six songs to choose from. Among them are some of the most eligible artists in the music world* with feisty females like Jessie J, arty types like FKA Twigs and the sentimental kind like Porter Robinson and #1 Dads. While some will be left brokenhearted, two artists in particular win the adoration of the interns.
*We can't guarantee all these artists are eligible but they sound like they're up for a good time.
Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj- Bang Bang
Sam: Ugh. I’m all for a big diva anthem but nothing sticks with this one. The hook is like something from a Michael Buble meets the songs of Hairspray album and throughout I hear a lot of screaming cats. Nicki’s verse is fire, of course, but it feels like Ariana knows it’s shit and Jessie is way too into it. 1
Bianca: Jessie, Ariana AND Nicki? As suspected, three wrongs do not make a right. Excuse me while I go bang bang into my head. 0
Lizzie: Although it pains me to say it, this song is going to be a hit. Ergh. 2
Hannah: Remember when Xtina jazzed up her sound in the most appropriate pop-diva way possible and released that killer cover of Car Wash with a verse from Missy Elliot...? Yeah that's not what's happening here as much as they wish it was. 0.5
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/dafrican/jessie-j-bang-bang-ft-ariana-grande-nicki-minaj-2014-world-premier[/soundcloud]
FKA Twigs- Pendulum
Sam: After the above song I feel like I’m back in my happy place. I already decided off Two Weeks that Twigs is my favourite artist of the year so all this is just a bonus. Pendulum undulates with intricacy and Twigs takes all the time she needs with the melody. She’s the queen of subtlety and yet also a master at theatrics. This is supreme. 4.5 Sam's Pick
Bianca: FKA Twigs is easily one of the most interesting artists right now. Pendulum is weirdly beautiful and manages to maintain power and intensity through the most delicate of nuances. It's her ability to make these contradictions, to gently oscillate between subtle and intense, that keeps me coming back for more. 3.5
Lizzie: Ain't no one going to rush FKA Twigs through this one. Not too dissimilar to Two Weeks, the soft pops of her to-die-for angelic voice, blended with the slow pattering back beat make for yet another mesmerising track. I have no idea what she is saying, but I'm ok with that. 4
Hannah: This is a heart melting lullaby sung out in the heart of industry. As the pendulum cranks and croons all around, FKA Twigs' melody is all centring and all soothing. She is simply undeniable. 4.5 Hannah's Pick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw6H9YsTLek
SOPHIE- Lemonade
Sam: Oh I love dem candy noises. The trickle at the beginning of this track is total ear candy, literally. From there it’s just full of runaway melodies, Eurotrash synths and popping beats. I guess the whole experience is all a bit like eating popping candy. It doesn’t match the expertise of Bipp, but it comes close. 4
Bianca: There just seems to be no substance to this song, apart from way too many colours and preservatives. It's a sickly-sweet, hands-rubbing-on-balloon headache of a song, although, admittedly, listening to this after I spent all day at a kids' birthday party probably hasn't worked in its favour. 2
Lizzie: Straight out of Willy Wonka washing machine! Please go back to Oompa Loompa Land, SOPHIE. Not even Veruca Salt wants you. 1
Hannah: This sounds like Alvin and The Chipmunks found on their way to a DDR machine and now can't decide if they want to battle it to the sounds of drum and bass or J-Pop. 2
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/msmsmsm/sophie-lemonade[/soundcloud]
Kate Boy- Self Control
Sam: I am pretty pissed that I had to wait almost two years after falling in love with Northern Lights for Self Control, but hey, I suppose it’s worse for fans of The Avalanches. That aside, Self Control has absolutely none of what its title suggests. It’s a big, bombastic pop song with a chorus that would make Dr. Luke salivate. From this point onwards pop music should only be made by the Swedish. 3.5
Bianca: I'm enjoying the tribal beat and poppy synths but the vocal melody, particularly in the chorus, leaves a lot to be desired. 3
Lizzie: Love the thump of the start. If only this was an instrumental version I could be left bopping awkwardly by myself for hours. There must be something in the water in Sweden, because they just keep churning out hit after hit! 3.5
Hannah: There really is something in the water over there in Sweden. Want to make a great pop record? Make like Kate Akhurst, hope a flight over and take one long glassy sip from the closest crystalline lake. This is exactly how all pop music should sound. 3
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/kateboy/self-control[/soundcloud]
#1 Dads- So Soldier
Sam: Right off the bat that guitar riff hits me right in the heart, then Ainslie Wills comes in with this Cat Power-esque vocals and continues to just chip away at me. Tom Iansek and Wills sound so perfect together on the chorus. 3.5
Bianca: What a combo! Iansek's strumming guitar has this essence of familiarity from the get-go, while Wills' dreamy voice manages to transport me somewhere, far, far away. 3.5
Lizzie: Definitely a Summer road trip kinda track - pack a picnic and set off! Ainslie's voice is broody and seductive, but what truly shines in this track is the guitar, it's just so floaty and nostalgic. 4
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/pieater/1-dads-so-soldier-feat-ainslie-wills-about-face-lp-2014[/soundcloud]
Porter Robinson- Flicker
Sam: Finally Porter just goes screw it with subtlety and includes the most explicit representation of his Japanese influences yet. This is a crescendoing, textural, dynamic soundtrack to an anime game that conveniently doubles as a great electronic track. 4
Bianca: ヽ(=´▽`=)ﾉ ♪♬ ☆*･゜ﾟ･*(^O^)/*･゜ﾟ･*☆ ♪♬ ヾ(。◕ฺ∀◕ฺ)ノ
I'm digging everything this song is throwing at me. It's so multi-layered and kept me enthralled the entire time, first with the funky, almost disco-inspired guitar riff, punctuated by anime-inspired spoken word, before dramatically reaching its glittery finale. I feel like I've just successfully completed the final level of a Sega game. 4 Bianca's Pick
Lizzie: I am a bit torn with this song. Half of it sounds like my Furby keeps turning on and off. The other second half however, in typical Porter style, opens up to be a grand, layered big room sound we I know and love. He drops the bass like no one else around the 2:50 sec mark, but with his Japanese twang - genius. Not my fav on the new Worlds album, but still pretty damn good. 4 Lizzie's Pick
Hannah: A novice when it comes to the world of EDM and its producers, I've been listening to this track all week on Hype Machine (what was that about first impressions?) unsure if admitting to this kind of Porter Robinson over all others would have me vilified by those in the know. That said, as long as Sam likes it, I'm happy to admit I do too. 3.5
