Jessie Ware - Strangest Feeling Review

From being a backing singer for Jack Peñate to collaborating with SBTRKT, you could argue that Jessie Ware has been a success already. However she has no intention of settling for a supporting role and is embarking on a solo career with her debut single "Strangest Feeling".

From the first second of the song you feel immersed within it rather than listening to it from the outside. You feel as if you are the only person listening to it, in your own swimming pool of warm and subtle bass. For the first verse and chorus you feel like somebody has dropped some headphones into you pool and started playing a nominee for the world's smoothest voice competition.

"A single tear just dropped into the ocean of your heart." suddenly your pool of solitude has been breached and Miss Ware is singing right at you, telling you "You are the echo, you were here only yesterday.". She melts back away, leaving just you and the headphones once again. You seem to realise that the melody has more intent this time, it is more forceful, egging you on to move some part of yourself at a similar frequency. Then after 222 seconds you are back to reality, eyes a bit blurry but none the less better for the intimate experience.

Jessie Ware's single "Strangest Feeling" is released on November 28th 2011 via PMR Records using the mediums of special edition 10" vinyl and digital formats. I imagine she will also be touring at some point in the near future. 4.75/5.

Charli XCX - Nuclear Seasons Single Review

The first time I listened to Charli XCX was the ridiculously dirty and bitchy in only the way teenage girls can be '!Franchesckaar!'. A couple of years later and she has a must more grown up sound with a vocal which is reminiscent of Marina and the Diamonds, and that is definitely not a bad thing I'm sure you'll all agree.

Although she's only 19 (the same age as me) she's no novice, she's been playing in bands at the age of 7 and recorded her first album at 14. There are of course many comparisons to be made; Robyn (who she has supported) and MIA amongst others.

At first I thought 'Nuclear Seasons' was slightly too repetitive, however after listening to it a few times I found my head moving like Churchill, and after a couple more times of pressing repeat I found myself mumbling "We survived nuclear seasons" and my cat looking at me with a confused expression. Despite all the comparisons for me this still feels unique and certainly a varied offering from all of the other strong women of pop.

The song could quite easily be mistaken for dream like with the smooth and soothing voice Charli XCX possesses. The dream is often punctuated with "Ooo ooo oo ahhhh"'s and a driving and pulsating rhythm which your head uncontrollably ends up undulating to. I would like her to maybe consider going back to her dirtier roots, but that's just my personal enjoyment of things fast and deep (music that is!).

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Based upon this offering I would definitely enjoy the album entitled 'Stay Away' which was released earlier this year. And you can currently get your paws on 'Nuclear Seasons' for free on Charli XCX's website. If you want to witness her in action in the flesh her tour dates and how to get tickets are here. 3.5/5