Miles Kane-Taking Over

2012 was a bit of a breakthrough year for Miles Kane. Even after appearing on that Last of the Shadow Puppets album with Alex Turner and releasing a debut solo album, he was only a sweetheart to many indie kids. However, his second album Don't Forget Who You Are is harder and not as innocent and naive as the first. The tunes have also matured in quality. Compare his new single Taking Over to Don't Forget Who You Are and Give Up and you have something else. Slower pace, not as much noise, but honestly, the track is just the best single on the album. Less is more in this situation and Kane has a real matured sound, with this song in particular, sounding like it could be an indie-rock classic. The man from The Wirral can only go up from here.

Rating: 9/10

How great do you think Miles Kane can be? What is your favourite work of his? Have your say by commenting below.

Listen to "Miles Kane-Taking Over" here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saPSlDlVmnk

For updates, follow me on Twitter: @ML0g

Arctic Monkeys-Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?

A lot of people have been ecstatic with the return of Sheffield's finest (sorry Pulp!) Arctic Monkeys - and they should be. The new album AM looks prosperous with all new fields being visited as the quartet continue to mix genres. After their single Do I Wanna Know? they release their second single Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High? For your typical Monkeys fan who praises I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor and state that they became "shit" when Humbug was released, they might as well leave now because Why'd You Only Call Me...is something different. Alex Turner sings in falsetto over some funky beats as Matt Helders contributes with his high pitch. It is a rock song that has been successfully fused with hip-hop to create something really really cool. The song isn't difficult to interpret as the title is a huge give away: Turner keeps calling/texting a girl who he's having bad relations with, but only when he is high or drunk. Simple lyrics, yet totally effective with genius, laidback instruments. Personally, I cannot wait for the new album.

Rating: 9/10

What is your favourite Arctic Monkeys album and are you looking forward to the new one? DO you think Arctic Monkeys' new album has too many question marks? Have your say by commenting below.

Listen to "Arctic Monkeys-Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?" here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6366dxFf-Os

For updates, follow me on Twitter: @ML0g

AlunaGeorge-You Know You Like It

To anyone in the UK who claims to have not heard of AlunaGeorge has either a) Been in music hibernation for the past 6 months or b) You're deaf. This is because their collaboration with garage newcomers Disclosure on the track White Noise was a superb summer anthem which was everywhere in the country, getting played just about everywhere. Now, AlunaGeorge have gained some mainstream attention, their new single You Know You Like It has became well played on the radio and it's easy to see why. The duo keep to their roots with their electro, yet add that fun pop sound that is still different from other pop artists, keeping both new and old fans happy. Aluna Francis has such a sweet voice. As she sings "What you wanna, what you gonna do?" you can't help but want to give her a big hug for being so damn cute. Anyway, I'm loving this and you should too. If you don't then you're a) Hibernating a lot without music or b) deaf.

Rating: 8/10

What is your favourite AlunaGeorge track? Who is your favourite electro artist around at the moment? Have your say by commenting below.

Listen to "AlunaGeorge-You Know You Like It" here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmXZuv5BaHg

For updates, follow me on Twitter: @ML0g

Swim Deep-King City

Before a swarm of bloggers hit me with a screech of  "this song has been out for ages", let me just explain. Since the release of their debut album Where the Heaven Are We, Swim Deep has decided to re-release their first single King City, probably due to the fact that in the past 6 months, the Birmingham band have started grabbing headlines and turning heads. Anyway, King City is a dreamy track with hints of britpop and a brilliant use of instruments - the drums are simple but are very important to the song and who can forget them keyboard synths? Adding a nice finishing touch to the chorus. Austin Williams groans through the first verse "I wanna be everything that I'm not/I wanna be rich, I wanna show off" showing his passion to be someone else and be successful. And with these words and this song, Williams might get one step closer to being rich and successful as his band of misfits grow better everyday.

Rating: 9/10

How do you compare Swim Deep with other Brummy bands? Has anyone heard their new album? What do you make of it? Have your say by commenting below.

Listen to "Swim Deep-King City" here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_dIYr1qI7I

For updates, follow me on Twitter: @ML0g

Kanye West-Black Skinhead

I run out of superlatives when I talk about this song. Kanye West is back with a new album called Yeezus and Black Skinhead is a prime example of the raw talent and originality coming from the rapper in recent times. He is carrying hip-hop with his new material which very often pushes boundaries, just like Black Skinhead. The new single is daring, starting with some tribal drums and - strange as it seems - the sound of someone hyperventilating as backing instrument. West spits through the hook like the icon that he has become "I keep it 300, like the Romans/300 bitches, where the Trojans?" as he keeps using humourous, but intelligent lyrics. He then screams down the mic "And you know it, and you know it!". Kanye really shows his anger and rage in this song and its message comes through in the song. The rest of Yeezus might not be as perfect as this, but that is because Black Skinhead is up there with West's best ever. LISTEN.

Rating: 10/10

What is your favourite Kanye West album? Do you prefer Kanye when he pushes the boundaries? Have your say by commenting below.

Listen to "Kanye West-Black Skinhead" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q604eed4ad0

For updates, follow me on Twitter: @ML0g

Nina Nesbitt-Way of the World

During 2013, Edinburgh singer/songwriter Nina Nesbitt has gained a bundle of fans and no wonder. Her fun, pop-folk songs hit the mainstream crowd with her sweet voice. Way of the World is more of this routine music which she perfects well. Compared to her previous single Stay Out, Way of the World is quicker, with a memorable chorus. The song is let down partially by the fact that everything other than the chorus is bland. Nonetheless, Nesbitt is great at making fun, throwaway music at the moment.

Rating: 7/10

Who is your favourite new artist of the year? Is Nina Nesbitt boring or brilliant? Have your say by commenting below. 

Listen to "Nina Nesbitt-Way of the World" here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fU0FgFNMYA

For updates, follow me on Twitter: @ML0g

Breach-Jack

Who is Breach? Who is Jack? Well, if you were on a clubbing holiday already this year, the song I'm about to mention will have played constantly in the nightclubs. With the artist called Breach, the song Jack probably won't ring any bells - until you hear the lyrics. It's so simple, it isn't even an intelligent song. It's just a totally addictive dance track that just works perfectly with the constant line "I want your body, everybody wants your body, so let's jack". It is definitely one of the club anthems of the year and don't be surprised if this takes the UK charts by storm.

Rating: 7/10

What is your favourite club anthem of the year? Do you find "Jack" annoying or brilliant? Have your say by commenting below.

Listen to "Breach-Jack" here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0EiujcV3Tg

For updates, follow me on Twitter: @ML0g

MØ-Waste of Time

Here's someone to get excited about. Danish singer MØ has finally hit the radio in the UK and she is being compared to the likes of Lana Del Rey. But unlike the Born To Die singer, she has a electro sound to her music, making her tunes both lovely and fun. Her breakthrough track is her newly-released single: Waste of Time. It's dreamy; the chorus has an addictive background sound; and MØ herself has a great voice. Overall, she looks promising for the future and Waste of Time is a good start in which may be a lengthy career for the Scandinavian pop singer.

Rating: 8/10

Who is your new favourite act of 2013? Is there any other new artists/bands from Scandinavia? Have your say by commenting below.

Listen to "MØ-Waste of Time" here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFrth4NFogc

For updates, follow me on Twitter: @ML0g

Kendrick Lamar-Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe

Well hasn't he been successful recently? Taking a different direction from poor hip-hop acts like Lil Wayne and J Cole, Kendrick Lamar is living the dream as hip-hop and rap's new prodigy. He wowed us with the unorthodox Backseat Freestyle and now, an old track from him is being released. Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe is very relaxed, yet, it doesn't stop Lamar from his usual style. He goes high-voiced in the chorus when he sings "I am a sinner, who's probably gonna sin again" and then keeps to the ordinary as he rolls through the verses in quick fashion. It's strange how he does it, but again Kendrick Lamar is the next big thing - and the next big thing doesn't stick to the rule book. Top stuff.

Rating: 9/10

Apart from Lamar himself, who do you think is the answer to the future of hip-hop? Do you know any unknown rappers who deserve recognition? Have your say by commenting below.

Listen to "Kendrick Lamar-Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF8aaTu2kg0

For updates, follow me on Twitter: @ML0g

Bruno Mars-Treasure

After hearing a pretty much bland first album from pop artist Bruno Mars in the form on Doo Wops and Hooligans, his second album Unorthodox Jukebox was expected to be some of the same music. Yet from what we heard from the first two singles, they were beefed up versions of songs from the debut album. Treasure is my guilty pleasure. It has a funky disco beat, a lot like Daft Punk's Get Lucky, maybe showing a disco resurrection is on the cards. But Mars looks cool as fuck, has made his music enjoyable and less sappy; and the track is neat and well-played all around. For some pop haters, this might not be your jam, but Bruno Mars has created a genuinely fun hit and one that can be universally liked, even by the hippiest of hipsters.

Rating: 7/10

Has Bruno Mars grown on you, if not already? Do you think that Unorthodox Jukebox is a lot more unique? Have your say by commenting below.

Listen to "Bruno Mars-Treasure" here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPvuNsRccVw

For updates, follow me on Twitter: @ML0g