Katy B has shared new track ‘Honey’ from her forthcoming third studio album of the same name.
‘Honey’ serves up some smooth vibes with it’s elongated synths and Katy’s sultry vocals weaving in and out of Haitian-Canadian producer KAYTRANADA’s soulful, electronic textures.
Known for her creative collaborations in the past such as Tinie Tempah, Four Tet, Jessie Ware, Magnetic Man, Mark Ronson and Diplo, Honey looks set to be yet another ambitious record. The list of featured artists include a mix of mainstream and underground artists of all genres, from Craig David, Novelist, Hannah Wants, Major Lazer and more. Having already released the chart topping ‘Turn The Music Louder (Rumble)’ with KDA & Tinie Tempah, followed by the soothing sounds of ‘Calm Down’ with Four Tet and Floating points.
Honey is set for release April 29th via Rinse/Virgin EMI. Be sure to catch Katy at Brixton’s O2 Academy (May 14) and Bestival (Sept 8-11). Check out the full tracklist for Honey below.
KDA’s ‘Rumble‘ has been working the underground scene for a while now, with Shadow Child’s incredible re-edit and Toddla T’s recent Carnival remix giving it that extra push.
The reworked version, now titled ‘Turn The Music Louder (Rumble)’, features the dazzling vocals of Katy B and smooth stylings of Tinie Tempah. The track premiered with Annie Mac as her Hottest Record, with Katy commenting:
“When I hear a beat and I love it straight away, writing to it is so easy. It was just easy and natural. One of those things, the stars just aligned.”
Katy’s powerhouse vocals take centre stage in the middle 8 breakdown with Katy commenting how she channeled her inner Jennifer Hudson, having just watched the film ‘Dreamgirls’.
“I felt so inspired, I needed to go all gospel on it.”
While some might be cautious of the re-worked version, especially as the original has become such a favourite with its infectious melody and thrilling drop, Katy and Tiny enhance the track, without detracting from the original.
Expect new music from Katy B very shortly, but in the meantime, check out ‘Turn The Music Louder (Rumble)’, which is set for release October 16th via Ministry of Sound.
Last year delivered an impressive year of music with TNGHT’s ‘Higher Ground‘ topping my ‘Top 100 Tracks‘. With 2014 just hours away, it’s time to present my Top Tracks of 2013!
From Daft Punk’s infectious ‘Get Lucky‘ to brotherly duo Disclosure’s superior reign, it’s safe to say the future of music is in good hands – And with news that Justin Bieber has officially retired, it’s already a good start to the year! Roll on 2014 and here’s to another exciting year in music!
2013 delivered so many great albums and provided hours of listening pleasure. From California sisterly trio Haim to Mercury Prize winner James Blake, take a look at my Top 20 Albums:
Arcade Fire – Reflektor (Check out my full review on Glasswerk.)
Katy B has unveiled her latest single ‘Crying For No Reason‘ which serves as the follow up to ‘What Love Is Made Of‘ and ‘5AM‘.
The single featured as a ‘Special Delivery‘ for Annie Mac on Friday as well as Zane Lowe’s ‘Hottest Record‘ on Monday. The emotionally charged ballad opens with simple piano accompaniment before building euphorically to a bittersweet synth-laden track. Speaking with Zane, Katy commented:
“I got the idea from my friend – she was in tears on the phone. She didn’t know why she was crying, then she realised it was all these feeling that she tried to bury for months. She was just sitting at traffic lights and it just burst out. When she said that, I automatically knew how she felt about it. There comes a point where your body and mind can’t take it anymore and you need a release. I wanted to write songs with piano and chord structures rather than getting a beat from a producer. I wanted to start from scratch and this song allowed me to do that.”
Written with Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams/Miles Kane), ‘Crying For No Reason’ speaks to people on a personal level with its poignant lyrics:
“I never faced all the pain I caused/Now the pain is hitting me full force”
Katy B recently performed on the London eye as part of the Red Bull Revolutions in Sound, representing Rinse FM and was joined in the capsule by Skream and Artwork. You can catch Katy B on her forthcoming UK tour in March, with a London Koko gig set for March 26th.
‘Little Red’ is set for release February 3rd and is available to pre-order now.
So many great tracks dropped the past month, so here are some of my ‘September Selections‘.
First up is James Blake ft Chance The Rapper with ‘Life Round Here‘. The London based producer & singer/songwriter, has teamed up with rising Chicago based artist ‘Chance The Rapper‘ for a reworked version of ‘Life Round Here‘, taken from his Mercury Prize nominated album ‘Overgrown‘. The track featured as Zane Lowe’s Hottest record where Blake spoke about the collaboration: ‘I really liked his mix-tape (Acid Rap) and saw him at South by Southwest. I just thought his voice would work really well. I never felt the track was finished, even when it went on the album, I always thought there was space for something else’. Blake has certainly found that missing element and the duo deliver a fresh and exciting outlook with Chances’s raw energy and Blakes melodic and atmospheric vocals. Check back soon for their forthcoming video, set to feature ‘Everything from Somalian horses to pirates and Chevy Impalas‘.
A while back I posted about rising New Zealand songstress Lorde (Aka Ella Yellich-O’Connor) and her infectious track ‘Tennis Court’, from her free ‘Love Club‘ EP. Her latest offerings, taken from her debut LP ‘Pure Heroine’, is another exceptional track titled ‘Team , where the 16 year old presents a very mature sound with her upbeat yet bittersweet melodic vocals, that is captivating audiences worldwide. Having recently performed on ‘Later with Jools Holland‘ Lorde is set to embark upon a sold out Australian tour but will first play ‘Vevo’s 2013 Halloween Party’ in Oval Space, London. Lorde also features on the forthcoming ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘ Soundtrack with a cover of Tear For Fears 1985 hit song ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World‘.
Is it Gangsta (Yes yes yes) is the first single to be taken from South London rapper Giggs‘ forthcoming album ‘When WIll It Stop‘. Produced by Mark Ronson and Tone P, this is the first new material to surface since his 2010 album ‘Let Em Ave It‘ and delivers a strong return to form from the SN1 frontmnan. Be sure to check out the 9 minute short film video, directed by Reg Traviss, that even had it’s own trailer released. You can also catch Giggs perform at Londons ‘Under The Bridge‘ on October 15th, while ‘Is It Gangsta‘ drops October 6th.
LA singer Banks has unveiled her new single ‘The Is What It Feels Like‘, taken from her recent 4 track ‘London’ EP. Produced by Lil Silva and Jamie Woon, the single serves as the follow up to ‘Before I Ever Met You’ from the ‘Fall Over‘ EP and the recent Teed collaboration ‘Warm Water‘. Banks has such a unique sound and delivers haunting vocals amidst deep sultry beats and eerie electronic production. Currently supporting The Weeknd on tour in the US, Banks will also support The Weekend in London’s O2 on November 26th.
Danny Brown returns with a new single ‘Dip‘ taken from his highly anticipated album ‘Old’. Produced by Skywlkr, ‘Dip‘ samples Freak Nasty’s 1996 single ‘Da‘ as well as references to Jay Z and Kanye’s Paris‘ throughout. The MDMA fueled video, shot during his European tour, showcases Browns rapid rap skills with some trippy animations to match. ‘Old‘ is set for release Oct 8th through A-Trak’s Fools Gold Records and features artists such as A$AP Rocky, Purity Ring and Charlie XCX.
Sia’s new single ‘Elastic Heart‘ ft The Weeknd and Diplo, is set to feature on the forthcoming ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘ soundtrack, alongside previously announced artists such as Coldplay, Lorde, Of Monsters and Men and Ellie Goulding. The sombre synt-driven track, which featured as Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record, highlights Sia and Abel Tesfaye’s enthralling and haunting vocals with slick production as always from Diplo.
Having delivered one of the summers biggest anthems ‘Jack‘, Breach (aka Ben Westbeech) has unveiled his follow-up single ‘Everything You Never Had‘ featuring the infectious and soulful vocals from Andreya Triana. Sure to be a dance floor filler with it’s classic house vibes and 90’s rave influences, the Bristolian dj and producer is constantly raising him game with each new release. Be sure to check out the Joe Goddard remix, who once again works his magic on delivering a fresh new remix. ‘Everything You Never Had‘ is set for release October 20th.
Back in May, ‘What Love Is Made Of‘ provided us with the first look from Katy B’s highly anticipated sophomore album and follow up to 2011’s ‘On A Mission‘. Katy has since dropped her latest single ‘5AM‘, which serves as a worthy successor with it’s big room house vibes, infectious hooks and Katy’s smooth garage infused pop vocals. Set for release Oct 28th through Rinse and Columbia, expect her second album sometime in 2014.
‘Blood Runs Wild‘ is the latest release from Brotherly duo Ruen Brothers (Rupert and Henry Stansall). Having already released their retro inspired ‘Aces’ and ‘Walk Like A Man‘ to high praise, ‘Blood Runs Wild‘ follows the same suit with it’s vintage rock n roll vibes, sweeping vocals and upbeat melodies. The duo deliver such a mature and accomplished sound far beyond their years. With big support from Radio 1, Zane Lowe featured the track as his Hottest Record. Be sure to check out Ruen Brothers headline the Q Awards gig on Oct 19th at London’s Jazz Cafe, before supporting Tom Odell on his UK tour. Having signed a major record deal during the summer, ‘Blood Runs Wild‘ is set for release November 4th via Island Records (UK) and Universal/Republic (US).
Katy B has unveiled her brand new single ‘What Love Is Made Of’.
The track which premiered on BBC Radio 1 with Annie Mac, is the first single to be taken from Katy’s forthcoming second studio album and serves as the follow up to 2011’s ‘On A Mission’.
‘What Love Is Made Of’ is an up-tempo track filled with euphoric house piano, dynamic synths and Katy B’s unique and commanding vocals taking centre stage– the perfect rave pop track.
Last year’s free ‘Danger’ EP, featured collaborations from Jessie Ware, Wiley, Diplo and Geeneus. The new album continues in this form with some exciting collaborations from Jacques Greene, Joker, Skream and of course Geeneus, who Katy refers to as her Timbaland.
While 2011’s album ‘On A Mission’ bridged the gap between underground garage and mainstream music, Katy B’s second album will be in good company with artists such as Jessie Ware, Eliza Doolittle, AlunaGeorge and Disclosure, all championing underground music to wider audiences.
Since the release of her debut album ‘On A Mission’ in 2011, UK’s garage/pop artist Katy B, has left us eagerly anticipating new material. Well the wait is finally over, as Katy has dropped her free 4 track EP ‘Danger‘, as a taster of what’s to come in 2013. Having collaborated with the likes of Skream & Benga, Ms Dynamite and Mark Ronson in the past, Katy has enlisted yet another impressive crew, including the soulful sounds of Jessie Ware, Aussie rapper Iggy Azalea and Grime MC Wiley. The EP wouldn’t be complete without skilled production from Jacques Greene, Geeneus, Zinc and Producer extraordinaire Diplo.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity to work with people I always respected and wanted to work with, All of the tracks were written quite quickly because I was so inspired by the beats. It was important for me to give people new music before the end of the year, a taster and a warm up of what’s come.”
‘Aaliyah‘, produced by Geeneus, opens the EP in style and allows Katy to serve up a unique tribute to the late Aaliyah, with it’s bouncy synth driven beats and catchy hook. Combine this with the soulful sounds of Jessie Ware and you’re in for one exciting collaboration; the first of many we hope! ‘Got Paid‘, featuring vocals from Wiley and production from Zinc, is an upbeat chaotic tack filled with chiptune style sirens and an addictive bass line that makes you want to hit the dance floor. Superstar DJ & producer Diplo, produced ‘Light As A Feather’ and features the brief, albeit fierce skills of Aussie rapper Iggy Azalea. Katy’s vocals soar above with such ease and offers a nice contrast to Iggy’s edgy hip hop vibe. ‘Danger’, produced by Jacques Green, closes the EP with the defined beats and skittering synths as Katy’s RnB vocals seductively guide us through the mysterious and atmospheric track.
4 free tracks, 4 top-class producers and 3 massive artist collaborations; Not bad for a taster EP before the release of her highly anticipated album this Spring. Watch this space people .. Katy is back and means business! Download the free EP below.
RosieDTrax 