Crystal Fighters - Cave Rave (Album Sampler)

Crystal Fighters will release their second studio album Cave Rave, on May 27th. Rather than wait for its release, you can listen to a preview of the album below. Cave Rave is also available to Pre-Order now on iTunes. Sounding good!

Wilsen - Dusk

"Dusk" is the beautiful new single from Wilsen and will be released on June 10th. The song is taken from Wilson's self released mini album Sirens which is out now on iTunes.

Previously: Wilsen - Anahita

Rubie Evans - It's Okay

New York based singer Rubie Evans has just released "It's Okay" as a free download. Having listened to the song I can assure you that the song is far better than Okay! The song is a taster for Rubie's forthcoming debut EP MISSunderstood, which should be good if this is anything to go by.

Bambooman - Hollowed EP

The Hollowed EP is the new release from Leeds based producer Bambooman. While he is a Hip Hop producer at heart Bambooman love for other genres is clear on the EP, mainly those that reside within Bass Music. Hollowed EP is a good'n and I recommend you have a listen if you haven't already. The EP is out now on iTunes via Sonic Router.

Lana Del Rey - Young and Beautiful (Video)

Lana Del Rey's visuals for "Young and Beautiful" from The Great Gatsby soundtrack which is out now on iTunes.

Video directed by Chris Sweeney.

Previously: The XX - Together

Album Review: Benga - Chapter II

Since Benga’s second solo album, Diary of an Afro Warrior, and now alot has changed. Dubstep (or Bass Music as some call it) is now bigger than it has ever been. In 2010 Dubstep mega group Magnetic Man released their self titled album which included two top 20 singles - "I Need Air" and "Perfect Stranger". The former of which featured Katy B for which Benga produced what is probably her most recognisable song “Katy On A Mission”. Benga now has a weekly slot on BBC Radio 1 with longtime friend and fellow Magnetic Man member Skream. This week Benga released his sophomore album Chapter II, read on to find out what this chapter holds in store. There’s a stream of the entire album at the end of the review too.

There isn’t an intro track to ease you into proceedings, instead Chapter II gets straight into the nitty gritty with “Yellow”. The bass line has a mean element to it which works well alongside the melody. There is a second slightly more mellower part to “Yellow” near the end, which came as a surprise but was interesting to hear. While I haven’t been to a Dubstep night, I’m sure that this is a song that would go down a storm when dropped.

The lyrics and vocals on “Smile” sound like they are targeted towards the Pop market. Whereas the instrumental is something that could easily fit into one of Benga’ sets and not sound out of place. It If I was going to listen to Pop music then I'd rather listen to something like this, but that is not a need I can say that I have to address very often.

It is funny that on hearing Diary of An Afro Warrior I had wanted to hear more vocal tracks from Benga and songs like “Higher”, “Choose 1” and “High Speed” have made me think the opposite. On this album it is the instrumental songs such as “Chapter II To Inspire” that stand out, as Benga’s creativity is allowed to shine. It is that which makes him an interesting producer and it is that which makes his music so good to listen to.

“Forefather” is a slight exception to that; it pits Grime legend Kano's trademark flow against Benga's banging production. This song is a mass of energy when it drops. It is only the chorus that lets this song down as it lacks the energy that Kano has builds up in the verses.