Music, What we're listening to

The Esquire Playlist | Best of 2011 (Part 1)

Click to playThe Esquire Playlist | Best of 2011 (Part 1)

As it’s the season when ‘Best of 2011′ lists start to come out in force, we thought we’d pick the 10 tracks that got the most airtime on the Esquire Office Stereo. Here are the first five, starting with French Electro DJ Yuksek’s Always On The Run at Number 10. We’ll post the second half tomorrow.

[Read more...]

Culture, Music, What we're listening to

What we’re listening to: AA Bondy

What we’re listening to: AA Bondy

Don’t get us wrong, we’re no saps, but it only takes the first few tentative ascending notes that open “Surfer King” from AA Bondy’s album Believers (listen below) to get our bottom lip wobbling (in a ultra-manly way, you understand). But then he starts to sing – a voice that’s a bit rugged, a bit bruised, a bit smoky, a bit pained – and we go to pieces (ultra-manly pieces, like we said). So ok, the former Verbena frontman’s new album, for which he cites Motown, Brian Eno and gospel as influences, is plenty dark – but sometimes that just the way we like it.  [Read more...]

Music, What we're listening to

What we’re listening to – Liz Green

Click to playWhat we’re listening to – Liz Green

To call Liz Green a one-off talent is something of a drastic under-statement. The 28-year-old singer-songwriter from the Wirral sounds like no one else – at least no one else from this day and age. Her voice has a fragility that recalls scratchy early Blues recordings, though the songs here are from an eccentric storytelling tradition that’s English all the way (Green’s ancestors apparently include rag-and-bone men and executioners, so no messing). [Read more...]

Culture, Music, What we're listening to

What we’re listening to – Noah And The Whale

Click to playWhat we’re listening to – Noah And The Whale

Noah And The Whale are all at sea in their new video for “Waiting For My Chance To Come”. OK, maybe not so much “at sea” as “on a boat moored on the Thames”, but at least they’re embracing their watery nomenclature. [Read more...]

Music, What we're listening to

Rob Da Bank’s track of the week – White Nights by Oh Land

Click to playRob Da Bank’s track of the week – White Nights by Oh Land

“A pretty girl in silk pyjama shorts wandering about a land of cardboard boxes before morphing into a glittery Tron-like world all sounds fairly surreal but what else would we get from a former ballerina for the Royal Danish and Royal Swedish Ballets, the daughter of an opera singer and owner of a small dog called Ujan? Oh Land has a great story and her songs are just as enthralling, not least this perky new number. No wonder after playing to about 4 people at SXSW two years ago she was snapped up by a major label boss who happened to be passing for a pee. Personally I think she should have stuck to her real name of Nanna Oland Fabricius. Other than that I have no complaints!”

Music, What we're listening to

Rob da Bank’s Track of the Week – Beat a Maxx Does Bestival

Click to playRob da Bank’s Track of the Week – Beat a Maxx Does Bestival

“More of a mini-mix than a track to be honest, but this mad scratchathonic video mash-up of acts playing at Bestival did tickle me, not least for the shot of my wife waggling her head. Whether you’re coming to Bestival or not this is a cracking video megamix from pioneering VJ Beat A Maxx.”

Music, What we're listening to

Rob da Bank’s Track of the Week – Harnessing the Tesla Coil by Björk

Click to playRob da Bank’s Track of the Week – Harnessing the Tesla Coil by Björk

“So yes I have a vested interest in this video, having just returned from seeing Bjork perform her new Biophilia show in Manchester and being completely blown away. And yes she is coming to Bestival in September to do it all over again but with added festi power – so here’s a glimpse into the inspired mind of the Icelandic queen as she harnesses the power of a Tesla Coil.”

What we're listening to

Rob da Bank’s Track of the Week – Pretty Lights

Click to playRob da Bank’s Track of the Week – Pretty Lights

“Taking his name from a Pink Floyd track, Derek Vincent Smith is an American artist using glitchy hip-hop beats, buzzing synth lines, vintage funk and soul samples and sometimes grime to make pretty futuristic mash-ups, re-edits and brand new tracks live and in the studio. This latest offering mixes Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and Nirvana in a seamless blend that just won’t leave my ears alone. Enjoy the bath.”