Under the Radar Obsessions: Jamie Woon's 'Lady Luck'

Jamie Woon. Better watch out for this musical force. Trust me. Fucking trust me. The first time I listen to this song I was mesmerized in a musical chemistry session where the mixture of soul, house, R&B, ambient pop and Michael Jackson inspired sounds just positively reacted together and create a new formula to a timeless classic record. You don’t really come across a raw talent these days since the music industry projects a more manufactured image, but with Woon, he’s on a fresh league of his own. I’ve been saying this countless time on my latest post entries that I truly believe 90’s music is making a comeback. With Woon I see it in his distinct god-like voice which reminiscent many simple divine voices in the 90’s such as Lighthouse Family, Jamiroquai and even Coldplay. Oh and yes, they are all British. British music are seen on the back-burner most of the time for being really awkward and really hard to get into since there’s an arrogant sophistication attached to it, but musically speaking, they create classy music. The musicality which goes into every beat and chord progression is crafted so finely and so differently. So I’m not surprised why British people are seen to have an eclectic taste in music.

The video itself is also a masterpiece for me in a subtle manner. I’ve clearly established my metropolitan aesthetic through this blog and this video elevates it with great motion effects, light flares and traveling montages. With the editing it looks complicated, but truthfully it’s simple cinematography. The director however twisted and milked the footage to create a greater synthesis urban imagery, which is awfully inspiring. Woon’s minimal presentation of himself I feel is a positive yet negative marketing tactic. I understand that he might want to be more understated and let the music shine through (it’s certainly did), but in today’s musical arena-every artist is glamorized to the highest saturated beauty level with costumes, stage theatrics and much more, which I don’t know if Woon will be lost in the shadow of it all. However, however, however, there’s a British singing sensation called Adele (if you don’t have her new 21 album than you’re a musical tasteless fool) and she also has a low-key demeanor, but her new album (go and get it) has sold over 4 million copies in less than four months and she is plain Jane. So there’s hope for Woon.

I think Woon’s artistry overall shines through greatly with this video. There’s something enchantingly mysterious about him that I think a bit more exposure for him would start a new hype. Just push it a bit more Woon. Artist like Woon can remain a single color, but it’s the shades of that color that you need to play to create the excitement.

Under the Radar Obsessions: Kay's 'My Name is Kay'

MY NAME IS KAY from Kaymusik on Vimeo.

Kay. My name is Kay. Got it? It’s Kay. Kay with a K. Lets start. This singer has been busting her ass for the past two years trying to break into the music scene, but it’s about the right time for her to make her mark now when early 90’s music are making a big comeback and this record defines that era. 90’s for me was all about empowerment lyrics mixed with hybrid of sounds from all genres. Like this song, it has a modern funk beat mixed with Beastie Boys inspired New York Hip-Hop along with rap meets pop singing with some gospel sounds playing the supporting role. Kay also has this "I’m Barbie, but I can be a bitch" attitude like what many of her contemporary competitions in this industry plays with. Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and even Gaga all has it. However, with this video, Kay shows to have more street credibility in her opting for Adidas tracksuits, plain silver jewelry, converse shoes and those iconic boombox as her accessory. Love it! But actually, Kay reminds me a lot of Fergie. I definitely see Fergie in Kay’s pop-rap breakdown. Listen to Fergie Ferg’s Fergalicious and you’ll get the picture. Tony Basil’s One Hit Wonder Hey Mickey also seems to be a huge influence on this song with the 80’s cheerleading chanting accents to the musical production of the song.

As for the video, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Actually not thoroughly. I fucking loved it. Firstly, I’m a sucker for Black and White videos. Secondly, I’m a sucker for 90’s street vibe videos. Thirdly, I’m a sucker for a New York city-feel video, even though this was shot in Chicago. So overall, I’m a sucker for this video. It’s a fantastic debut video for her and really showed how she differentiates from other musical acts dominating the charts right now. She’s much more clean-cut then how Ke$ha or Gaga represented themselves in their debut video, but with Kay there’s a bit more tough love meets bratty attitude about her, which I’m sure people will love her for it. I also enjoyed her extra vulnerable side to her which is shown below.



I have high hopes for this lady. I think she can really make it big if she pushes for it. I think people are ready to embrace 90’s feel good music once again and Kay has the soul for it. Just don’t be eaten up by coporate major music label tactics of changing her to become more of a blonde bimbo because when that happens then it’s only one word left for her- Goodbye.

Under the Radar Obsessions: The Naked And Famous' 'Young Blood'

The Naked And Famous. I discovered this band on Perez Hilton’s site and there fucking fucking fantastic. They have this smooth electronica trance teenage MGMT sound which I just love listening to late at night at my creative hour. There’s really nothing special about the song. It’s your straight up youthful electronic Brooklyn meets Gossip Girl sound cult movement which we have seen for quite sometime for the last few years. As for the video it’s also really plain. Young adults enjoying life prancing around like being inspired by the hippy age, but shot in fashion blog-esque manner. I don’t really see this band have a future commercially or breaking any chart records.  This genre has become too stereotyped and they really need to bring something to the table.

Under the Radar Obsessions: Japayork's 'Teenagers'

Japayork. I’ve known this tune for months now and have been obsessed with it since the first time I clicked play. It’s just a solid feel-good pop tune that brings you into the land of positivity. The song production for an artist not from a major label is inspiring. I’m sure if this song was submitted to Simon Cowell’s  Syco Music offices it would be released by one of his artist in no time. Not only in the UK, but I truly feel it could be a worldwide smash. As for the video, it’s using the lame ‘let’s get fucking hammered on Friday night at an frat house party-esque vibe’. Gaga did this with Just Dance and Ke$ha with Tik Tok. Still, what makes this video stands out is its fashion-blog style cinematography and art direction. Go to nearly every major fashion blog today and you’ll see this pale washed-out vintage color picture effects. By why hasn’t this song become a hit? Apart from not being pushed by a major label….it’s simple. It has everything a good pop song should have, but there’s a million more of this type of song. But I still got major hopes for this tune.

Under the Radar Obsessions: Neon Hitch's 'Get Over U'

Neon Hitch. I’ve been introduced to this artist for roughly a week and I’m starting to fall for her. She doesn’t offer you the forever classic pop-electronic records, but her sound judging from Get Over U is quite soothing and that’s a plus. A lot of these pop-electronic records on the radio right now are trying to be in the ‘I want to fucking rule the dance floor’ category, which is great, but when a song like this comes along it’s a nice groovy change and keeps you saner without needing to be in club ecstasy mode twenty four seven. As for her presented image in this video, I’m still a bit confused. I don’t know a great deal about her artistry so I’m not sure if she’s selling a made up character or whether she’s being herself. I’m only going to describe it as ‘Ke$ha gone royal folk meets a subtle nod to Adam Lambert’s psychedelic fetish for New Orleans tribal heritage with inspirations from Sia and Madonna’. Whether this song would be a big hit for her, I’m not so sure. She’s competing in a sound lane that it’s tough with so many acts, but it all depends on the future songs she put’s out. We’ve seen this kind of girl on and on again and failed to have a longevity career. My only suggestion is that her next record has to be more hard-hitting, faster and have a lamer mainstream quality. Even though I love love it, this song fits as a second or third single, but for a debut single it’s a bit hard to reach Top 40 listeners.

Under the Radar Obsessions: Ellie Goulding's 'Lights'

Ellie Goulding. In the UK she’s definitely not underrated, but for the rest of the world she falls into the category. Ellie is a pure musical gem. Her folk pop meets airy electronic sound just creates this floating flirtatious atmosphere. Winning the prestigious 2010 Critic’s Choice at the Brit Award and BBC’s Sound of 2010 Poll, Ellie is building a real name for herself. On the heels of releasing her debut album ‘Lights' (platinum in the UK already) in the USA on March 8^th 2011 by one of my favorite labels Cherrytree Records and Interscope Records (Robyn and Gaga), she releases this song and it’s fucking fab. Not to mention that the video completely embodies my artistic eye (doesn’t the video visuals match my blog’s background?). 80’s Bowie meets Warhol space galaxy saturated pop colors are surely my thing. What’s also special with the video is that Ellie is clever in making herself more accessible, not as niche sounding, but still has that special quality that sets her apart. She’s using the same formula as Jessie J (will soon review on her) and could actually break America but in a pop-cult movement sort of way. I’m going to predict that she’s going to have the same success level as La Roux, but her music might not have the longevity in America if she really doesn’t pull out all the stops. There are a lot of artists like her right now with this cute electronic sound on the radio and this minimalistic styled live show, which Ellie somehow has to musically play the electronic stereotype effects in her shows (just like what this video does), but let her magical rich English accent vocals and down simple British blonde girl image be the star because it’s great to see an artist who’s not focusing in the over-the-top image-factory making process.

Under the Radar Obsessions: James Blake's 'The Wilhelm Scream'

James Blake. He’s certainly one of the ones to watch in 2011. Even though I feel he’ll probably not break into America any time soon or even the rest of the world, but in the UK with their inspiring eclectic taste in music, I’m sure he’ll be everywhere and start this new wave early 90’s jazzy Tears For Fears vocal styling’s fused with hauntingly bombastic electronica sounds. He already won the runner-up price for BBC’s Sound of 2011 Poll for a start losing to only Jessie J (also my obsession) and his first single ‘Limit to Your Love’ already was a minor hit in Europe. I’m curious to see what his artistry has to offer next since this second single still doesn’t give too much away of his slightly underrated persona, but I’m sure in concert he’ll have some subtle theatrics. I’m also impressed on how he’s taking a page from Adele rise to music stardom in the sense that he’s not trying to be scandalous and instead he’s slowly using his universal praises from critics as a way to make a name for himself. As for the video, even though it looks like it was shot with a budget of a single can of Pepsi, but it works for me. It fits with vibe, has this minimalistic feel to it and has these modernistic washed out bright color effects which goes well with my blog’s color scheme 101 at the moment.