Wookie

Nowadays, Wookie (a.k.a. Jason Chue... Chue. Wookie. Geddit?) is best known for the chart success that he's achieved with 'The Hype', a collaboration with singer Eliza Doolittle. Now this is all well and good and yeah, it's a catchy song, but it comes nowhere near the OLD Wookie we used to know. 

Whenever I'm craving some good, homegrown UK garage, my first point of reference will always be the 90's/early noughties (the golden era of the genre) and for me, Wookie's 'Battle ft. Lain' comes out on top every time. A bouncy 2-step composition released on the turn of the millennium, it marked a final triumph before the genre began to fall out of popularity and give way to darker strains of jungle and DnB. Wookie's shift from garage to house (genre of choice for many nowadays) is completely understandable, but let's not forget about this banger:

While we don't hear as much of it anymore, there are still many great DJs and producers out there keeping Garage alive. One such artist is Brighton-based Moony. Here's a brilliant rework of a Fugee's classic, 'Fu-Gee-La'. Enjoy!

Exmag - Proportions

Merry Christmas, from Slovenian beat-maestro Gramatik a.k.a. Denis Jasarevic!
At least I assume that was his message when he released Exmag's new album, Proportions, three days ago. The group, as well as Gramatik himself, includes Eric Mendelson, Tyler Dondero, Mike Iannatto, ILLUMINTR a.k.a. Bryn Bellomy. A seamless fusion of jazz, blues, funk, soul and electronic (and probably more), it's the ultimate feel-good formula to inject rhythm into even the cloudiest of days. The interlude 'Glasper The Friendly Ghost' makes it clear that the project's influences lie where there is only brilliance to be found, and '#SuperNicer' takes synth bending to a new level of jazzy. 'NuFunk Odyssey' is a personal favourite so far, with an infectious beat textured by syncopated funk licks on the bass and sassy electric guitar riffs. In fact, the whole album is downright SASSY. 

Take a listen to the whole album on SoundCloud and I guarantee your Christmas will be at least 50% more merry that it would have been before:

This Week's Soundtrack

These are the sounds of this week... This week has been a GOOD week.

1) Beyoncé - 'Yoncé/Partition'

Many people have been saying that Beyoncé's visual album is her worst to date, going so far as to say that it's 'terrible'. Well........ they're wrong.

Sneezed on the beat and the beat got sicker
Yoncé all on this mouth like liquor

2) Matthew Herbert - 'You Saw It All'

'You Saw It All' is just a mere rainbow refraction of light on the multi-faceted diamond of an album that is Bodily Functions. A master of both electronic and jazz, you can't go very far wrong with Matthew Herbert. I HEARTILY recommend that you listen to more of his stuff.

3) Yuna - 'Coffee'

Her voice is simply the SWEETEST.

4) Volor Flex - 'Spellbound'

Another great new album, released at the end of the last month, is Volor Flex's Sabo. This is not one to miss if you enjoy the dark, ambient dubstep that comes out of artists such as Burial or Nocow.

5) Kove - 'Love For You'

It's impossible to escape from this song if you're a regular at house club nights, or watch Misfits, or spend any time at all in Leeds. Expect a catchy, upbeat disco vibe and some next-level 'wobs' during the chorus.

6) Drake x Jhené Aiko - 'From Time' (Full Crate Remix)

Full Crate demonstrates yet again that he has the Midas touch.

7) Kraak & Smaak - 'Don't Let People' (Moods Remix)

Moods' Souncloud profile has been a goldmine recently, this remix of the (already brilliant) Kraak & Smaak followed today by a dreamy rework of Jordan Rakei's 'Imagine'. 

8) Dean Martin - 'Let It Snow!'

Oh come on, IT'S CHRISTMAS! And this is the best festive song of them all. Scrooges begone.

Beyonce's Visual Album

If you haven't already heard about Beyonce's new visual album then LISTEN TO IT, FOR GOD'S SAKE! WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING? DO YOU LIVE UNDER A ROCK?

Nah, not really. Actually, it's been pretty difficult to get a hold of it. Incredibly, she managed to release the entire album, 14 tracks and 17 videos long, with no warning or leaking whatsoever. Instead of flicking distractedly from track to track, she wanted listeners to experience the album as an exciting visual whole. By choosing to do this instead of releasing individual singles to create anticipation, she stirred the music world into a crazed buying frenzy, selling over 430,000 copies in just one day. Not only does this prove how business savvy her art is, but could it also inspire other artists to fight for the survival of the album instead of compromising their vision to the increasingly single-driven market?

This album seems to be one of her most hyper-sexualised yet. However, she makes several messages very clear - SHE is the owner of her sexuality and no one should ever put image over health and happiness. While she wants to cater to her husband, she is not 'just his little wife'. And finally, she loves her daughter but she will not let the fact that she is a mother get in the way of her right to have a career or be a sexual being. It is an unapologetic, fierce declaration of independence, balanced with a willingness to fulfil the needs of others out of love and respect (as long as it is mutual.) This is EXACTLY what feminism needs.