Jonsi GO

Go is the exhilarating, joyful and fearless solo album from Jón Thor Birgisson, known to the world as Jónsi, the lead singer of Sigur Rós. Featuring nine songs drawn from the large pool of material amassed by Jónsi during his many years as singer with Sigur Rós, and arranged in collaboration with classical wunderkind Nico Muhly (”one of the hottest composers on the planet” - Daily Telegraph), Go also features sleeve art conceptualised and realised by Jónsi’s sisters Inga and Lilja.

“The album kicks off with the more accessible songs that people who have come to Jónsi without going through the Sigur Rós route might appreciate. The songs (’Go Do’, ‘Animal Arithmetic’ and ‘Boy Lilikoi’) are the poppier ones on the album and are of course more immediate to those who haven’t approached this through their love of post rock. But if you liked the ‘poppier’ songs on the last Sigur Rós album then this is nothing more than you got there. So you post-rock diehards can relax. We also get the full range of Jonsi’s remarkable voice here. Check out ‘Kolniður’ - starts on low notes but the high pitched falsetto that appears towards the end of the song is breathtaking, it just soars…. The grandeur builds through the album as it gets steadily more soulful till the beautiful climax of ‘Grow Till Tall’ and ‘Hengilás’. This is wonderful ethereal stuff, and as good as anything Jónsi has written before.”

ED: This is a wonderful pop album which may become a classic in years to come. I played ‘Tornado’ and ‘Grow Till Tall’ but could have played the whole album (and probably will one day…). The orchestrations and production are incredible, and the artist and his band have a unique way of matching serious, deeply emotional messages with melodies that are so accessible. 4.5/5

Plan B THE DEFAMATION OF STRICKLAND BANKS

Arriving straight after his fantastic top 10 hit “End Credits” with Chase & Status and impressing Michael Caine with his acting chops in acclaimed British thriller Harry Brown, Plan B AKA 24 Year old Londoner Ben Drew is ready to release what is becoming one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Produced by Paul Epworth, the studio genius behind recent hits by Florence & the Machine, The Big Pink and Friendly Fires, The Defamation of Strickland Banks is the sound of Motown, Stax and Northern soul, filtered through the grit of contemporary East London.

“I’ve read that Plan B is planning on experimenting with other genres. This time round, he’s produced soul worthy of Atlantic, Stax or Motown - in fact, at times, listening to Strickland Banks is like listening to some of those lost gems from the Cellarful of Motown albums. Wonderful! Next time round, given his great voice - think John Holt, Derrick Morgan, Desmond Dekker - maybe he should tackle Trojan ska. Verses is half way there. Rocksteady rap. A new genre. On the evidence of the superb Defamation of Strickland Banks, if anyone can make it work, it’s Plan B.”

“When I first heard “She Said” I thought he had sold out. How wrong I was. What a fantastic album this is. The tracks once again tell a story of today. He has an amazing voice, even better when he adds the rapping to the songs. A motown vibe with current language. Really listen to this and enjoy.”

ED: This was a major surprise for me, because I never thought I would attach myself to Radio 1 fodder. However, this is an important and serious album from Plan B, and I suspect one of the best to be released by a British artist in 2010. This is progression of the major kind. I am playing three tracks over the next couple of weeks including ‘Darkest Place’ and ‘I Know A Song.’ 4.5/5

Soulsavers IT’S NOT HOW FAR YOU FALL, IT’S THE WAY YOU LAND

Soulsavers are a duo known for remixing acts like Doves who emanated from Stoke on Trent; ‘it’s not how far you fall, it’s the way you land’ is their second album and is notable as it features the great Mark Lanegan on eight of its eleven tracks. Lanegan is often cited as a tortured individual who has suffered addictions, it should be pointed out that he appeared to get over them around the time of ‘Scraps at Midnight/I’ll Take Care of You’ and has been a workaholic since, producing his own solo work plus collaborations with The Walkabouts, Martina Topley-Bird, Isobel Campbell, Desert Sessions, Queens of the Stone Age, Mondo Generator, Twilight Singers, Masters of Reality etc - he also has another project with Twilight Singer’ Greg Dulli, under the Gutter Twins moniker. So, what is effectively an unexpected solo album from Lanegan is very, very welcome.”

“I absolutely love the drive, the bounce, the cool reflectiveness, the soulful mourning, the twists and turns this album makes. It has a rich weave, darkly textured, sometimes sparse, but never wanting. Soul, blues, hip hop beats all demand your attention but never overwhelm, instead pick you up and take you places that are really rather nice places to be. It’s the perfect companion at 03:00 in the morning when there is only you and a bottle of vodka, and equally perfect the next morning whilst you are padding around the kitchen looking for something to line your innards with.”

“Every track brings something to delight about; musically, lyrically, the way different genres snuggle up to each other and effortlessly support and inspire. Worthy of note in my opinion are the backing vocals, used on many tracks not only to support Lanegan’s voice, but also to add emotive tones that are just done to perfection.”

ED: A re-release of the 2007 album, and I can understand why it’s been given a second life by the record company. Lanegan’s vocals are magical and the songs, whilst deadly serious, are highly accessible. I’m playing ‘Revival’, ‘Ghosts Of You And Me’ and ‘No Expectations’ in the coming weeks - for starters! 4.5/5