OLDIE: We Are Scientists - The Great Escape

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK20cYuFmbM

I've been holding off posting this song for a while because I wanted it's inclusion to be a worthwhile and significant one, coz I iz wewl sentimentawl, and on account of it's being my fave song from my all time fave band. With today marking the completion of my last ever piece of uni Medical Sciences work I thought this was worthy time. There's also a real deep and intellectual meaning behind the choice, let me take you through it, you may not be able to follow it the full way because it's so discrete and intelligent but we'll see how it goes: We Are SCIENTISTS are making a GREAT ESCAPE, ie. Me, a SCIENTIST, is making a GREAT ESCAPE from the world of science today...ok so it's not that deep or intellectual but still, there's some significance there. Plus, Keith Murray is a really attractive man and will forever be in my Top 3 mancrushes...Chris also has a real strong mustache...Andy Burrows is sound too.

NEW: Solange feat Kendrick Lamar - Looks Good With Trouble

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2mXgwGz5Ss

Heeey you guuuiz! So I've been out of the bloggingdick game for a while on account of my having to be a real life student and write a shitertation, and after realising very early on that I can't write like a scientist and like an idiot at the same time, the world of musical discovery had to take a back seat. Fear not though for I have returned and this blog is going to be just as average as ever, maybe even a little more so - hoooe, hold onto your hats people! Now I'm somewhat behind in the world of modern melody but don't stress I'm not about to big up a brand new track from two up and coming DJ's who wear helmets and like to invite unestablished rappers/singers to flow over their tracks about staying up late and having positive fortunes, no no, instead I'm going for a hot off the press release from Beyonce's cooler (I'm fully committing to this on account of Beyonce's recent pr stunts - aka oohi'mbringingoutanewsong,youshouldalllisten,ohwait,noi'mnot,i'mjustmakingsomedoughfromPepsi,peace) sister, Solange and her tap neeb Kendrick and the infinitely cool Dev Hynes on prodo - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Miguel feat Kendrick Lamar - How Many Drinks?

21st century RnB power houses Miguel and Kendrick Lamar have joined forces in this remix of Miguel's How Many Drinks?, from his Kaleidoscope Dream album last year. I feel that it's essential to point out, as a non-cool non-drinker, that my posting of this does not in any way indicate my condoning of the antics promoted in this song, although Mig and Ken may see the value in encouraging alcohol consumption to promote themselves as sexually appealing partners, I'm not sure that's a stance a T-total tool such as myself can vocally support - that's the kind of action that gets you in jail, and not the cool rap jail for drug smuggling and gun popping, the serious jail where fun is at a minimal and punishment is at a maximal - Peaks'n'Troughs

OLDIE: Justin Timberlake - Cry Me A River

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DksSPZTZES0

There are some things I miss about being 12: repping at The Common everyday, not being interested in social networking, having a general plan for my life, etc, etc, etc, but one thing I don't miss is being too kool to admit that this is one of the greatest songs of our generation. Top work JT, who knew stalking, breaking and entering and being a general sex pest pervert could be so socially acceptable? Certified gold - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: TNGHT - Acrylics

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/tnght/acrylics

THIS IS HEFTY: Tsars TNGHT are back with a typically tantalizing tune. True to form, Acrylics is pure power pill popping pleasure. I went to see TNGHT in Edinburgh last summer and it was one of the best nights I've experienced in the capital, filled with jaw crunching hipster kidz losing their shit and their snapbacks in fits of excitement. Lunice is probably one of the soundest of the sound, leaving Hud Mo to do all the work behind the decks while he jumped around the stage, just pretty much loving life, something I have a lot of time for in live shows, if you're not punching and breaking things on stage then you should be smiling, that's my view anyway, something I'm sure you're all very concerned with - Peaks'n'Troughs

OLDIE: Moby - Porcelain

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13EifDb4GYs

Remember Moby, the famous vegan and animal rights supporter? Well when not using his time to save the planet he used to put together some pretty amazing musical pieces, the kind that were ideal for sleepy Sunday vibes. For some reason this song makes me feel really sad, which doesn't often happen with me and music, I can't really explain it, there's just something kind of beautiful about it (woooah, I just used beautiful to describe a song that makes me feel like crying, god this whole blogging dick thing has gone waaay too far, what have I become? I better say something stupid quick before I start expressing myself through dancing and painting). Moby looks like an alien - phew, safe - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Kirk Spencer feat Safia May - Kukcu

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNd8JHV0aiw

I've got a lot of time for an Indian influence in music. I'm not really sure why, I don't know a great deal about the country or have a particularly strong opinion on it's culture for some reason a sitar or mandarin just sound really sweet. Most of my knowledge of India stems from a project I did in primary 5 where I learnt that cows were sacred and traffic is mental, pretty much everything else I know is from Slumdog Millionaire, which taught me that true love does exist and that "it is written", a message which makes me feel really good about life! Anyway, this track from Kirk Spencer has an Indian influence and therefore I like it - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Joe Goddard - Gabriel

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-GWKBe-u8Q

I hadn't heard this in ages and then it came on at an after-party at 5 o'clock this morning and reminded me how good good music is when it's playing at a good time, in a good place with good people - it's really good (good is a weird word, look at it for a minute - good - it doesn't even look like a word, it looks like a noise, which granted it is but even so, good. This may be the 4 and half hour sleep me talking but even so, good, it's just strange). But yeah, Joe Goddard dominates this, it's actually incredible, defs one of the top tracks of recent years,. All together now - GAAAAABRIEEEEELLLLL - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: James Blake - Every Day I Ran

Listen: http://james-blake.tumblr.com/post/47101884104/james-blake-every-day-i-ran-bouns-track

Despite critical acclaim and mass appreciation of magnificence from the muso's for his self-titled debut album, it seems James Blake was wholly unimpressed by condemnation from uncultured souls like myself that the whole thing was a bit monotone and could have potentially been one half hour long song. In a bid to silence such negativity, his new album, Retrograde, due out on Monday seems to be a much more expanded venture, as this bonus track Every Day I Ran proves. It features a sample from none other than hip-hop royalty Big Boi, with the Outkast olympian oozing over a classic Blake beat, definitely worth checking out for both present and potentially unknowing future fans - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: The Range - Promises (Ciara Edit)

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/sqwal/the-range-promises-edit

Fancy some soulful R&B over a lazy, relaxed back beat? Me too. Thankfully for us, Rhode Island boy The Range has stepped up and more than delivered with his rework of Ciara's track Promises. With an EP due for release on April 22 this taster is like a teasing carrot being dangled in front of a hopeful zebra - do zebras eat carrots? Horses eat carrots but I don't know if zebras do. Is my assumption borderline animalist? Am I slowly turning myself into a hate figure in the animal world? Is there a shetland pony putting my face on a picket fence as I type and you read? Will I ever be able to be a blogging dick again? Will I anyone be upset by that prospect - actually, I think I can probably answer that one straight out - Peaks'n'Troughs

OLDIE: Nirvana - Stay Away

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmSyvGrwPhE

"People think of life as being so sacred and they feel like this is their only chance and they have to do something with their life and make an impact. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a pitstop for the afterlife. It's just a little test to see how you can handle reality." - Kurt Cobain, Feb 20 1967 - April 5 1994.

OLDIE: All Saints - Pure Shores

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJxG2wBmqLA

Having been out last night and returning home with the birds at 4 o'clock this morning (the winged birds that is, disappointingly not the ladz ladz ladz kind) I sadly missed my highlight of the week, The NicksTape on Radio 1. In honour of said radio feature I'm kicking things off with an oldie this Friday, absolute gold from All Saints. I used to own this classic on actual physical CD, I'm pretty sure it was top of my wishlist for my 9th birthday - strong taste from an early age. The video is pretty decent too, some sweet action shots of a young Leo Dicaprio being more attractive than most people on the planet -   Peaks'n'Troughs

OLDIE: The Cribs - Our Bovine Public

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLKL6iUFSQQ

I'd forgotten just how good Wakefield wonder brothers Ryan, Gary and Ross Jarman, The Cribs classic Our Bovine Public was until I watched Ryan's appearance on Nevermind The Buzzcocks from a while back, compelling me to seek out this indie gold from my teen years. The song has a special meaning as it's the first one I listened to after powering my way through the seemingly endless hell that was my driving lessons. Hours of kangarooing away from junctions as opposed to stalling and just being grateful to be in motion, searching for the non-existent biting point and just generally being aware of how much of a danger I was on the road suddenly seemed worthwhile thanks to the dulcet tones of Ryan and family. Look how good the video is, a throw back to a time where it was us indie kids who wore the tight v-neck tees before they were cruelly taken from us by Geordie Shore buff boys. As an aside, BRING BACK AMSTELL - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Compton Chic - WERHAVUBEEN (Rihanna Edit)

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/compton-chic/werhavubeen 

Despite usually being hugely negative towards remixes of songs that are already dance songs, Danny Howard I'm looking right at you when I say this, in fact I'm not just looking, I'm pointing as well, I'm pointing and I'm wearing a giant foam finger as I do it, I know it's not promoted social protocol and my actions would probably be frowned up were they to be considered outwith context but I feel that it's wholly necessary to full enforce my viewpoint, but anyway yeah, this is one chart topper that's been given a makeover that I support. It's Rihanna's Where Have You Been, but because it's cool and edited the grammar has taken a serious hit in Compton Chic's version WERHAVUBEEN. Despite the bullet to the english language it's a strong remake - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Jamie xx - Beat For

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgX5ASrQT1s

Any track where the top comments on Youtube are: "This song sounds like when you're coming up on E, AMAZING!" and "Masturbation time!" is always going to be a winner. 2011 marked a massive turn for Jamie xx with the release of his Gil Scott-Heron remix album where he finally stepped out of Romy and Oliver's long casting shadows of minimalist depression and fully confirmed himself as one of the most talented producers on the scene. Before that there had been a few remixes and sets floating around from Sir xx, the real stand out being Mix For Colette, featuring everything from the hard hitting, no nonsense Street Score by The Streets to the uplifting, life promoting In The Morning from Egypt. Beat For offers a small taster for the full hour long set so if you rate this then it's fully worth the Google application to track down the extended mix - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Martin $ky - Polaroid

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/martinxsky/polaroid-prod-by-knxledge

Some relaxed old school style rap to start the day. At just 18 years old, spitting in a style so laid back it's horizontal, with a bored arrogance that almost encourages you to thank him for his time, Martin $ky's Polaroid is the first sample of what's to come on his debut album #timeLESS, due for release April 12th. Dollar signs and even now hashtags are featuring very heavily on this blog, so frequently in fact that I think it may be time to embrace me rap alter-ego H4M1$H KRUK - if we're being totally honest I'd actually prefer the "U" to be replaced with an infinity sign, you know, the sleeping number 8, that would be sweet, but again I've been defeated by technology and I definitely don't know how to embrace such extravagance, sad times, sad times - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Deerhunter - Monomania

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYUENZQ84-E

HEFTY GUITAR WARNING: Just a heads up for anyone who takes great care in maintaining their eardrums, this is loooud. The latest offering from Atlanta, Georgian rockers Deerhunter places itself right on the edge of being listenable and inspiring aggressive cross clicking action at the top of the page. In a style akin to Nirvana's Endless, Nameless hidden track, Monomania dices with tinnitus induction to the point where many will throw in the towel and not manage the 5minute20second marathon, but for those who are feeling brave and indie enough it's a very, very decent listen - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Jamie Grind - Something You Should Know

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/jamie-grind/something-you-should-know

I've got so much time for a progressive beat and a squeaky female computer generated voice, and it's for these reasons that Jamie Grind's new track Something You Should Know makes me feel really good about the world. The relaxed approach at the start will leave many in danger of a swift exit, but for those who keep the faith it's more than worth the wait. With the Disclosure boys and Duke Dumont currently flying the flag for previously underground UK dance, it's probably unlikely that Grind will be tearing up the charts in a similar manner for now but there's certainly bags of potential and if his claims of knowing "just what to do to get the best from you" are true, it maybe wouldn't be a clever move to rule him out just yet - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Leopard of Honour - Visions of Garuda

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/leopard-of-honour/leopard-of-honour-visions-of

This track is really cool, especially if you're in a place in the world where the sun in shining and the universe is almost threatening to snap out of it's month long fowler and accept that Spring (I was going to say Summer but that's probably asking a bit much) is actually upon us. I don't know much about the artist Leopard of Honour, other than that he's from Manchester, used to play guitar and write songs but has now switched to spinning disks and pressing buttons, and has chosen one of the coolest stage names I've heard in a long time. Leopards are pretty sound animals, I always forget about them when considering my favourite big cats - frequent past time of mine - but they definitely deserve a place in the top 10. If you're interested, the number 1 is of course a liger (that's right, liger, if you don't know what I'm talking about then Google it and thoroughly improve your day) - Peaks'n'Troughs

OLDIE: Cypress Hill - (Rock) Superstar

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4VpE-0zitU

Time for a daily dose of everyone's favourite music genre - rap metal. Despite Cypress Hill's hefty negativity towards the whole notion I think I'd be ok with being a Rock Superstar. I'd probably have to make a few lifestyle changes, swap tea for drugs, manners for aggression, self doubt for self assurance, just a couple of minor tweaks really, nothing too major, I'm pretty well known for my badass attitude, I've been chewed up and spat out by the mean streets of Lundin Links after all - Double L represent. Plus, if it'll get me immortalized in Simpson's cartoon form then I'm fully up for embracing any required lifestyle adaptations, I've been working the yellow skin tone for the last 22 years so I'm pretty much half way there already - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Float Fall - Someday

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/float-fall/someday

As someone who is willing to say in a public place that The xx are "just ok", this post comes as a bit of a contradiction. The similarities between them and Float Fall are clear to see, lyrics about broken hearts delivered in sweet harmony by a male and female vocal, however it's the progression in this track that causes it to rise up above the trademark minimalist melancholy xxness. I've got a lot of time for a rousing guitar and this debut single Someday more than delivers on that front. It's one of those tracks that's made for over indulging in yourself and imagining your life is a film where the world is waiting with baited breath hoping things work out well for you in your quest for true love, a strong choice for anyone feeling relatively emotionally fragile - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Hurts - The Road

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KwLYJVWYA8

Last night I went to see Hurts, they are the best. Theo is literally the coolest man on the planet. He wore leather gloves and managed to not look like a dick, a very impressive feat. His black eye was pretty much gone which was a bit of a shame, not because I like the thought of him being hurt or anything, just because I massively rated the contrast between the battered pupil and the suited perfection that is the rest of him. The only negative of the night was the Radio 2 crowd, they were old and disappointingly unattractive - I definitely thought Hurts would have an aesthetically pleasing following, not the case in Glasgow. When they played this gold, The Road, Theo went thoroughly mental, smashing his mic stand and everything, Me and Dayna, the pop princess I was with, were well up for some mildly aggressive pushing action with our fellow listeners, they however weren't so keen and remained arms folded in their state of a vertical coma. All in all though, an amazing night - I <3 Theo. Oh, and Adam is really socially awkward, but in a sound death-staring kind of way.

NEW: Malcolm Lyn - Save My Life

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/malcolmlyn/save-my-life

STOP, LISTEN TO THIS - If you only listen to one song on this at best bang average blog today, make it this one. Ever since hearing Ango's Daily Dose Mix on MistaJam's show last week I've been hunting the internet like a pothead sniffing out weed at a festival, catching whiffs of potential here and there, moments of positivity drifting by like smoke in the wind, only to finally stumble across the holy grail, not in this case a fat doobie but 5minutes45seconds of uplifting harmonious house. For someone with as much talent as he does, Malcolm Lyn has done an incredible job of staying invisible on the worldwideweb, granted Google's determination to adapt any search for his name doesn't help the cause but even so. This track Save My Life is absolute gold, it's reaking of summer sunsets and general positive vibes - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Travi$ Scott feat King Chip - Old English

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtdPyZSxw0o

Like most, Travi$ Scott was an unknown figure to my playlists last year, that is until a certain Mr West slipped him the opening verse on the track Sin City on Cruel Summer. Since then things have been very different for Travi$ who's currently keeping the world waiting with baited breath as he stalls the dropping of his debut EP, Owl Pharaoh (what is it with owls these days by the way? They're getting all kinds of airtime - hoooe, watch out, more witty word play, get it, because owls spend time flying, as in in the air!) which was due for release on February 22nd but as of yet is still being kept behind bars, caged like an owl you could say - heeeeey! All hilarious word wizardry aside, the beat on this track Old English is legitimately incredible, goes deep - Peaks'n'Troughs

OLDIE - Inme - Firefly

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKBsU8hZfG4

Remember when you were a teenager in the naughties and the only things in life that were cool were baggy jeans, axe shredding and drum demolishing? Good times, good times. If you missed this boat of "goff" glory then you more than likely haven't come across pioneers of teen trauma Inme. With inspirational lyrics such as "it's all over now, you've killed me" let's all stop what we're doing, put our pens down, throw away our notepads, turn this up loud and connect with our inner Cobains. As an aside, hailing from Brentwood, Essex, Inme are a shining light of the past, when life was about short sleeve t-shirts over long sleeve tops as opposed to low cut vests, pale skin over tango'd tans and greasy unkempt shoulder length hair dominating over a shavedbackandsideslongontop number. Rawk on Joey Essex - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: I Will, I Swear - Sleep

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/undayrecords/i-will-i-swear-sleep

If you're struggling through this Tuesday morning, calling out to be back in the warmth of your bed, take a leaf from I Will, I Swear's book. According to this Belgian indie-pop duo "sleep is for the weak". In a somewhat contradictory manner their latest offering, entitled "Sleep" (they're giving a great deal of promotion to something they apparently regard as an unnecessary bodily function) has a very chilled out vibe that will more than likely inspire connotations of pillow power, or at least that's what they want you to think! Keep your eyes and ears open to the post 2 minute mark and things royally kick off - out with the Daughter piano progression, in with the rousing guitar pick me up. I also have a lot of time for the name I Will, I Swear, it's very reassuring, I don't know these kids but I feel that I can trust them, maybe not with an important task but definitely with something minor, like being somewhere on time or remembering to buy milk on the way home. I rate security. - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Cashmere Cat - Kiss Kiss (Canblaster Remix)

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/pelicanfly/kiss-kiss-canblaster-remix

As a general rule, there are two things a song needs to maintain my attention - a strong beat and decent vocals, and despite leaving it late on both fronts Cashmere is one Cat who fully lands on his feet when it come to ticking those boxes. The Norwegian super producer has just released a fresh batch of remixes of his debut EP that hit the spot like a cool bowl of milk on a hot summers day. This stand out from Canblaster filled with all manner of form of bleeps and bops ensures that both survive the remake with all 9 lives in tact, no doubt leaving many purring for more. Katz - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Mykki Blanco - Haze.Boogie.Life

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSgVZEGpo6U

Have you heard the one about the cross-dressing bar spitting extraordinaire? Well if not your monotonous Tuesday is about to play a serious curveball. Mykki Blanco isn't your average rapper, choosing to swap guns for glam, bitches for boys and bling for, well brighter bling. Underneath all the painted nails and patterned leggings though there's no denying an abundance of talent. With flow over a beat badder than a hooker heel on a mid 20's male, Haze.Boogie.Life is the opening track to Blanco's Cosmic Angel: The Illuminati Prince/ss (strong punctuation word play) mixtape released last year. Like it or not, "queer rap" is here to stay, it's already set aside a private room in hip-hop hq and you can bet there's a strict high feshiun dress code to get in (Shout out to F£RGU$ for this gold) - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: James Blake - Voyeur

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/mrjackison/james-blake-voyeur-album

As someone who has minimal time for minimalist music I never really got the hype with James Blake and a couple of months ago Retrograde fully passed me by like a selfie from an averagely attractive person on an Instagram feed - or a below par music blog in the world of the internet - but his latest offering Voyeur features a cow bell and a hefty drop after the three minute mark, both of which rate very highly in my list of rhythmical appeals. This is ripped straight from Mary Anne Hobbs 6 Music show on Saturday mornings, definitely worth listening for an "eclectic" (Mike Crook, 2013) ensemble of old and current catches - Peaks'n'Trough

NEW: TACHES - Don't You Know

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-6ZcmZL7Yg

This latest offering from London born, Palma de Mallorca reared producer TACHES (there's supposed to be a fancy chinese hat accent thing above the A but sadly my keyboard skills don't stretch far enough to allow for such extravagances so we're going to have use the power of our imaginations here to plow on with this one...actually, give me a second...nope, that didn't work, maybeee...no, definitely not going to happen, strike out on that one I'm afraid. Apologies for any offense caused to any continental linguists out there, please excuse my crass lack of culture, I did try to embrace your beautiful language eccentricities but sadly you've been caught in the cross fire of my ongoing war with technology, it's a real shame and it's not your fault, but if we could maybe overlook the whole thing and get back to the music I'd be incredibly grateful, thanks very much). It's called Don't You Know and it's cool, even if you don't rate the first minute, hang in there because it is worth the wait - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: MNEK - That's The Way Love Goes (Janet Jackson Refix)

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/mnek-1/mnek-thats-the-way-love-goes?amp

If someone told me when I started this blogging dick thing 4 days ago that two Janet Jackson samples would feature in that time I'd tell them they cray. However though, this certainly seems to be the case as MNEK chooses to give her classic That's The Way Love Goes a fresh refix. MNEK is the same guy who featured on the Rudimental track Spoons and his vocals kill it once more. Despite only being 18 years old he's already been named one of the hottest producers in the world by NME but even more impressively and no doubt of more value, he featured in Nike's Air Lunar campaign alongside everyone's favourite footballing phenomenon Mario Balotelli, I would say big things to come for the young man but I'm really sure it gets much bigger than that, maybe just call it a day, quit while you're on top and all that - Peaks'n'Troughs

OLDIE: Underworld - Born Slippy

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iKFn8dlxX8

Just a little pick me up for any of the Monday afternoon 90's ravers out there. I watched a Danny Boyle documentary the other day and it showed the final clip of Trainspotting where Renton swaggers over Tower Bridge having just mugged everyone off and it reminded me just how amazing this track is. The version here definitely takes a hit on the sound quality front but the clips from Trainspotting fully make up for any musicality melancholiness - Peaks'n'Troughs

OLDIE: Kelis feat Andre 3000 - Millionaire

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qImH-0UCHI

Andre 3000 is The One - just look at that photo, there's nobody cooler! Getting him on your track may guarantee gold but it'll also secure your place in his shadow, as Kelis learns the hard way on this classic Millionaire. Since Big Boi tweeted last year on the topic of an Outkast return "Big Boi solo LP, then 3000 solo LP" and "Stay Tuned" the world has been patiently waiting, getting a tantalizing taster from the pair earlier in January with a remix of Frank Ocean's Pink Matter to feature a Big Boi verse. Also, I really like this video because the kids are cute and there's an innocent positivity to the whole thing with their pure young minds yet to be tainted by the cruel harshness of our world - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Craig David - Fill Me In (Ryan Hemsworth Bootleg)

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/factmag/fill-me-in-ryan-hemsworth

There's only two things in the world I'm certain of: Number 1 - Super Cristiano looks better in red, and Number 2 - Craig David is cool. Despite Leigh Francis' best attempts to convince me otherwise I'm fully committed to this stance. Anyone who can title a debut album Born To Do It and choose to cover it with a close up portrait of himself looking incredibly satisfied listening to what I can only assume is his own album must be doing something right. Also, look at those headphones, try and tell me Dre wasn't inspired by that image. Craig David pretty much is music. The goatee is a strong look too, definitely one we don't see enough of these days. Anyway, this is a remix by Ryan Hemsworth, although he seems intent to call it a bootleg, but hey let's not get dragged into lyrical lingo - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Haim - Send Me Down

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeuOh1TgmU

Since I first heard Haim's unbelievable Forever EP about this time last year I've embarked on a lone mission to avoid them as much as possible - a mission that is gloriously failing. Don't worry, I'm far from a Hating Haimer, quite the opposite, the underlying goal of this mission is to prevent overplaying of what will ultimately be one of the albums of 2013. Send Me Down was released as a B-side to the monumental Don't Save Me so I'm thinking it might not make the debut, meaning that aggressive repeat action is totally acceptable (although I have listened to every song I've mentioned so far as I type - abort mission, abort, abort!). Heralding from California the three sisters definitely have that you'reprobablynotreallythathotinthecoldlightofdaybutyourreallycoolandtalentedandinasoundbandsothereforeyou'rehot vibe going down, the one coined by the sax player in the Zutons, remember her? Of course you do. My only negative emotions towards Haim revolve around the spelling of their name. For me, Hamish, and my autopilot brain there's only one way to arrange the letters AHIM, and it goes Hami, not Haim, granted this is more than likely to be a very personal problem and one that many won't encounter but it's one that I feel should be highlighted - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Young Galaxy - New Summer

Listen: http://soundcloud.com/paper-bag-records/young-galaxy-new-summer

Summer's here! Or at least that's the excuse the universe gave for robbing me of an hours sleep this morning. The sun is definitely shining though and with Young Galaxy playing in the background things are looking rosy. This latest offering from Canadian indie dream poppers is taken from their forthcoming album Ultramarine, due for release April 23rd. It's one of those tracks that makes you feel dangerously happy and warm inside, the kind of happy that people in movies are only supposed to experience, the ones who've read ahead and know that everything works out, the kind that isn't usually reserved for normal humans but when it is makes you feel like maybe the world is a pretty sound place after all - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Shlohmo feat Jeremih - Bo Peep (Do U Right)

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrudElutfDc

This week I finally got round to downloading Jeremih's Late Night's mixtape, my appreciation for which is fully proportional to my disappointment in myself that it took so long. The tape is everything you'd expect it to be from a glance at the tracklist - That's My Bitch, Girls Go Wild, Rated R, Fuck You All The Time, to just name a few. There's more to Jeremih than just another sex-music hip-hop factory product though and following a remix of the aforementioned Fuck You All The Time he's teamed up with "night time back yard noise" hit machine Shlohmo in a Songs From Scratch session and come up with panties droppingly good Bo Peep. As a warning, listening to Jeremih can make you feel like a gansta casanova so bear that in mind before you start swaggin' down da street feelin' like da females want mo' from you than jus' yo' digits - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Rustie - Triadzz

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aUl3mVId3w

HEAVY HANGOVER WARNING - For any of you feral felines who were out last night and still have some lingering doubts over your will/general ability to live, you may want to sit this one out. For the rest of us though, feeling fresh as a Spring daisy, or should that be Easter daffodil? - hooooe, garden banter - everyone's favourite Glasgow gage Rustie is back with a trademark banger. Triadzz is the accompanying single to the equally heavy hitting Slasherr, both available to purchase on iTunes now. It's classic Rustie style - a non-parent friendly, arms in the air, jaw crunching floor-filler that's just generally really really good and really really loud. Also, just realised "hooooe" is even more garden banter, didn't even mean that, Alan Titchmarsh hit me up - Peaks'n'Troughs

OLDIE: The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lyu1KKwC74

This one goes out to anyone currently powering through a walk of shame - take a chapter from Mr Ashcroft's guide to life, steal that leather jacket from last night's romantic partner's cupboard, grease your hair down, turn that smile into an aggressive "and what?" frown, and dominate the stride of pride! Maybe don't jump on cars, push women with prams and bump into leather vest wearers though, Richard gets away with it here but I definitely can't guarantee his success rate is 100% - I've heard there's an alternate ending where the band members at the end are replaced by a gang of yewwwths who are none too impressed with Dickie's antics. Bring back Britpop! - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: The Dream - Tron

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJmgSibs3YI

Sexually suggestive album title - Check. Shamelessly self promotional lyrics - Check. Bold and gold dress code - Check. The Dream has more than lived up to the rap cliches set down by his bar spitting predecessors. This second track, Tron, from his fifth studio album, IV Play, is an in your face, look at me I'm rich and you're not, I do what I want when I want, middle finger to all those who pretend they're satisfied with their 9-5 office job but secretly bob their heads at their desks during lunch breaks envisaging themselves being big in the rap game - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Hudson Mohawke - Pleasure

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/nmbrs/hud-mo-pleasure-principle

In the run up to Pleasure Principle taking place in Cornwall this month the feral felines at Numbers have decided to give away Hud Mo's 2011 dancefloor classic Pleasure, featuring the samples of everyone's third favourite Jackson, Janet. In between spending his time making gold for Kanye and taking over the world with TNGHT, Hud Mo's follow up to debut album Butter is due this year, definitely one to keep an ear out for - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Rudimental feat MNEK and Syron - Spoons (Two Inch Punch Remix)

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk1G4atsOuY

Rudimental were responsible for what was without doubt one of the biggest tracks of last year, Not Giving In, however it's less known predecessor Spoons slipped under the radar of many a music fan. Unlike the floor filler it's more subtle and less in your face style meant it was never going to grab hold of the charts like it's follow up. Thankfully though it got the rerelease last January in the form of a remix EP. The stand out shakeup is courtesy of "mad maximalist" Two Inch Punch, the man who's accountable for the all mighty Love You Up. As an aside, I've no idea why it's called Spoons, I mean don't get me wrong I've nothing against spoons, they're probably one of the more underrated members of your kitchen drawer to be fair but I'm not sure I'd be compelled to write a song for them. Anyway, I've listened out for any cutlery related undertones but I'm yet to stumble across any clear cut ones - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Magic Man - Texas

Listen: Magic Man - Texas

This one's a proper indie kid track from Boston band Magic Man. Although claims of "You are about to embark on the most wonderful experience of your life" in the opening 15 seconds are a bit bold it's definitely a song uplifting enough to make you feel like seizing life - in a moment of madness it almost caused me to leave my flat, obviously I didn't because I'm a 22 year old student, but honestly, so close. Don't be surprised if this features at some point in the new Made in Chelsea series, providing a warming backing track for a switch up from one awkward silence to another - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - Letter From God To Man

Listen: Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - Letter From God To Man

"The last time I sent down a message you nailed it to the cross" - Happy Easter y'all from Scroobius Pip, the most underrated wordsmith of our time (Dan Le Sac does a solid on the beats front too) - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Tyler, The Creator - Wolf (Full Album)

Listen: Tyler, The Creator - Wolf

Tyler, The "Musical Marmite" Creator has pretty much set up camp in lyrical limbo, he's too hip for the out of touch teens but as far as the kool kidz are concerned anyone seen to be tweeting "FLOG GNAW" or using an upside down cross to represent the "T" in their name is guaranteed to earn themselves an unceremonious unfollow. Say what you want about him but there's no denying he's a talented young businessman, as he frequently reminds listeners he's only 22 years old and the face of one of the biggest brands of last year. Following the success of a certain Mr Ocean there's growing pressure on Tyler to again establish himself as Odd Future's number 1, Tyler's smart enough to know that there's no reason to take Frankie on though and you can be sure he'll use his honourary older brother's triumph to his favour, just take this lyric from Cowboy - "Darker than that closet that nigga Frankie was hidin' in", why fight what works? Here's a stream for Tyler's third studio album, Wolf, due for UK release on Monday, let's hope it won't make a howling April fool out of him! eh? eh? eh? That's some witty wordplay right there! - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW - The Cyclist - Mangel

Listen: The Cyclist - Mangel

I've just stumbled across this track in the last half an hour and it's been on repeat ever since. The Cyclist is a 20 year old Irish producer and Mangel is the second track from his debut album Bone's in Motion (look, actual research, I'm getting the hang of this whole blogging dick thing). It's a hefty synthy number that builds and builds, definitely capable of providing the pick me up you may or may not be seeking this Saturday morning - Peaks'n'Troughs

OLDIE: Destiny's Child - Jumpin', Jumpin'

Listen: Destiny's Child - Jumpin', Jumpin'

This one requires no intro, Queen Bey and her backing singers tipping the scales for anyone toying with the idea of heading out tonight, let's do it like they did in the naughties! - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Ecstasy - Exhale

Listen: Ecstasy - Exhale

It's Friday night, let's all get a slice of Ecstasy - musical kind obviously! According to their Twitter, Ecstasy are a band who dream indie, add a dose of synthy/drummy backbeats are you've got a pretty strong set up. Currently they're unsigned so if any of you feel so inspired maybe hit them up, feel free to tell them to change their name though, Ecstasy is literally the hardest word in the world to spell - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Jessie Ware - Imagine It Was Us

Listen: Jessie Ware - Imagine It Was Us

This is the latest track from Jessie, debuted on Annie Mac's show last Friday, in classic Maccer's style about 20% of the song plays second fiddle to sirens, name drops and reminders that it's Fridaaay Niiight! Julio Bashmore is on the production on this one, providing a Madonna-esque beat that Jessie more than lives up to - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Wild Heron - Genevieve

Listen: Wild Heron - Genevieve

Wild Heron's Facebook page describes their genre as "Hipster House/Electronica/Garage", I'm not really sure what that means but it sounds cool, and so does this track Genevieve. It's a pretty chilled out feshiun-type sound, plus the Youtube picture has a tiger drinking milk, like an actual domesticated cat, that's a pretty sweet thing to think about for the day, pet tigers - Peaks'n'Troughs