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

OLDIE: The Streets - OMG

Listen: The Streets - OMG

One of my biggest musical regrets in life is that I got into The Streets way too late, failing to see them at TITP 2009 and 2011 is definitely in my Top 5 music failures, just above buying Adam Rickitt's single as a 7 year old in my apparently never ending quest to support any music figure with a curtain cut hairstyle. OMG is a top track, the way Mike can put the general day to day trials and tribulations of social networking politics into a piece of music is too good - a modern day Shakespeare. I do feel it's important to point out that there's no subliminal message on my part in my posting of this, don't worry, it isn't a very convoluted emotional distress signal - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)

Listen: Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)

Like pretty much the entire world I spent the majority of 2012 swinging off of Born to Die and then wondering why Lana chose to sing like a cat that was born to die when performing live, peaks'n'troughs to a tee right there. This Ryan Hemsworth mix is really cool, he did an awesome set for LuckyMe and Rinse FM a few weeks back that's on their Soundcloud, definitely worth checking out if you've got an hour to kill - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Justin Timberlake - Suit & Tie (Four Tet Remix)

Listen: Justin Timberlake - Suit & Tie (Four Tet Remix)

Ok, so believe it or not, I know more about Justin Timberlake than his name! Granted I haven't listened to the full 20/20 Experience yet but from what I've heard it's a pretty enjoyable one. This is a sweet remix from Four Tet and thankfully, unlike much of his other stuff, he's managed to keep it under 6 minutes in length because lets face it, we're busy people with lives to lead, why else would we be sitting alone in the evening on the internet? Another massive benefit of this remix is that Four Tet has cut the "Get out your seat Hov" line, probably the worst thing in music since Louis off of 1D started chatting about tea before bed - Peaks'n'Troughs

NOT SO NEW: Jon Phonics - FX With the Life

Listen: Jon Phonics - FX with the Life

GANGTSA WARNING SIREN - Just a heads up, I'm getting pretty G on this one. Also, massive warning for the highly erotic video accompanied, probably not ideal for a family get together or an office party, but as far as pretty much any other social situation goes, you're pretty golden with this one. Again, I don't know much about Mr Phonics, I should probably start doing some research on these people but meh, we'll see - Peaks'n'Troughs

NEW: Rina Sawayama - Sleeping in Waking

Listen: Rina Sawayama - Sleeping in Waking

This is a cool new track I stumbled across the other day, it's by a girl called Rina Sawayama. I don't know a lot about her to be honest, she doesn't even have a Wiki page so any potential research has taken a pretty serious hit. What I can tell you though is she's put together 3minutes53seconds worth of very decent music - Peaks'n'Troughs

OLDIE: The Maccabees - Love You Better

Listen: The Maccabees - Love You Better

To start things off I've gone for one of my all time favourite bands - The Maccabees. Any group that can pull off names like Orlando, Felix and Hugo and still be as tight with indie kids as the jeans around their legs must be doing something right. I've chosen Love You Better because it makes me feel good about life, it's the kind of track that fools me into believing that good looking girls aren't going to break my heart and that, in a universe of infinite possibilities, the girl who I'm currently obsessing over wants to listen to The Maccabees and watch (500) Days of Summer with me on a cold March night. Granted it's kind of grim when the song ends and I return to this universe where she ignores my texts but hey-ho - Peaks'n'Troughs.

Premier Post

So here goes, my first post, my first blog, does this make me a trendy blogger now? I don't feel very trendy, I'm 22 years old and sitting in my parents living room wearing ill fitting pajamas in mid-afternoon (don't worry, it's joggers and a t-shirt, not like a set or anything, I'm not actually mental) trying to launch myself as a goal inspired individual. So far I'm feeling positive, granted I'm typing to nobody and there's a high probably nobody will ever see this, but hey-ho, peaks'n'troughs and all that.
I've decided to start "blogging" as a result of a pretty inspirational chat with my dad this morning. Like I said, I'm 22 now and am just about to finish at Edinburgh Uni, having spent 4 years studying Medical Sciences. Now I know what you're thinking - "Wow, that's pretty interesting", well maybe so, but it's not something that captures my attention. Don't get me wrong I'm grateful for the opportunity and all but if it's a toss up between reading about the proteins in Cristiano Ronaldo's hair follicles or the brand he chooses to tame that magnificent styled mullet with then there's no real contest.
Despite maybe not sharing in my appreciation of Super Cristiano's wet-look wonder, my dad has underlined his belief in the principle of enjoying life and as a result has encouraged me to do what I want to do (a bit cheesy I know but brace yourselves, it's going to get worse) and most importantly to believe in myself (ooooh, I did warn you, but hey, don't pretend you're not desperate to hear the same stuff from your guardian!).
So as a result I've decided to keep a blog of the things that interest me in the hope that someone somewhere will notice some potential, but because I appreciate that sadly some don't see that obvious attraction of former Manchester United Balon d'Or winners, my key focus will be on the world of music - original I know, I'm actually thinking about copywriting this groundbreaking idea. So yeah, if you fancy it then stick around, I'll be firing some music up as and when I find it, some will be old, some new, some cool, some less so, covering a pretty broad spectrum of genres and stuff so hopefully you'll be able to find something you at least don't hate, because lets face it, that's a positive.
Thanks for reading this (really, thank you, I meant that bit when I said that there was potential for nobody to ever see this so any eyes, even cruel soul destroying judgmental ones are a bonus). Stay safe - Peaks'n'Troughs!