Recently, I have found myself becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of originality the so-called ‘breakthrough’ musical artists of 2011 were supposed to possess. I will not pretend to be a music expert, but like most people, I am overly fond of my iPod and enjoy a good dance in my pants, so to speak.
But 2011 seemed to bring with it an onslaught of predictable, bankable and risk-free music from top record labels in the form of Jessie J, Adele, Rihanna and co. Now, that is not to say I do not like any of these artist’s music, or agree of their talents to a certain extent (hey, I went to Riri’s tour, or sexshow if you will), but it does mean the airwaves were pumped full of ‘Price Tag’, ‘Rolling in the Deep’ etc so much that I find myself asking if I ever really liked these songs, or in fact was brainwashed in to doing so (some form of Stockholm Syndrome, perhaps?). Jessie, for instance, (and bless her, she is somewhat of a scapegoat for my torrid ramblings) has been dubbed Queen on the ‘Nu-Boring’. When her first single, ‘Do it like a Dude’ crashed on to the scene, she seemed like the UK’s answer to Nicki Minaj. Fast forward over her other releases and her music seems watered down, completely disjointed from her debut single and leaves it sticking out like a sore thumb, or rather, an empty promise of what could have been. I am sorry Jessie, but if it wasn’t for your trademark look, I am sure i would confuse you with Natasha Bedingfield.
Obviously, this links back, like EVERYTHING, to our disastrous economy, and record labels not being able to take as many risks for fear of complete ruin, but that isn’t my ears fault. But hopefully with the darkest economic days behind us, 2012 may be a game changer. Reading in the Evening Standard this week about Goyte’s single ‘Somebody I Used To Know’ having over 45 million views on youtube compared to Jessie J’s Domino (the current no.1 may I add) trailing behind with 17 million, it does beg the question have we become somewhat saturated with polished, perfected and down-right boring expensive videos and meaningless drivling lyrics such as ‘pull me like a base drum spark me like a rhythm’. Goyte, on the other hand, needs no bells or whistles, and rather engages the viewer with his eerie and cleverly executed video. And guess what, its working.
I do hope my dislike for Jessie J’s music doesn’t offend, and as always, personal opinions and all that. But if you, like me, you are starting to look for more thought-provoking and less empty musical-stylings this year, please do suggest away and share the love. Here are a few of my new top picks by the way:
This is a little older, but a new find for me: