The Cold Cut

Cajun Dance Party- The Race (Link 2) (Link 3)
Cajun Dance Party- The Hill, The View And The Lights (Link 2) (Link 3)

The break from blogging was a lot shorter than I imagined- let me briefly explain my absence. Over the weekend I spent some time in London- watched my sister destroying her previous time at the London Marathon. Basically, she was brilliant. On Monday I had an interview with IBM- it was super intense, but really enjoyable. All in all, the last couple of weeks have been some of the most crucial to come thus far- the revision for the last of the endless school exams, and trying desperately to secure a job for my gap year.

Anyway, intense, intense, blah, blah, blah. And as much as I'm feeling the pressure, there are some people my age who have much more weight placed on their shoulders. I am, of course, talking about Cajun Dance Party. In a recent interview, lead singer Daniel said:

“We’re very proud of our debut album. It’s taken a long time but now it’s done, we just want people to hear these songs as soon as possible. We understand a band has to do certain things to get music to as many as people as possible, but right now we’re finishing school and are well underway with the second record.”

These guys are in the same year as me... it makes you feel useless when you're struggling with exams, and yet people of the same age are busy becoming musical gods, whilst still holding back their album release until they've finished school. That idea was abandoned when the band already had more than two albums worth of material- therefore their debut, 'The Colourful Life' will be released on 28th April.

The thing is, Cajun Dance Party don't seem to be feeling the pressure at all. They've released three tracks, all of which have been incredible. And a second album is already in the works... recording will commence in the summer, when the band leave school.

In short, now is an exciting time- both for the band, and for us. The two latest tracks that have leaked are available above: third single 'The Race' and album closer 'The Hill, The View And The Lights'- kudos to Stereogum-, which sees Vicky Freund (I presume, as the only female band member!) stepping forward for vocal duties. And just like that, the band become a boy/girl duo... that sense of spontaneity is just one of the things that makes this band very special.

For news on the band, visit their website...

2008 is shaping up to be a huge year for music, and these are the best of the British bands releasing new material this year.

Cajun Dance Party- These 5 London teens are still at school and yet they've already released two spectacular singles, The Next Untouchable and Amylase. Which is pretty amazing given the time constraints of A-Levels (trust me, I'm in the same boat!). Their album will be amazing.

Cajun Dance Party- The Next Untouchable
Estelle- This West London born hip-hop artist is widely respected in the music world, and not without reason. At the age of 27 she already owns a record label, Stellar Ents, which allowed her to release her own album, 'The 18th Day', 3 years ago. If you haven't heard '1980', one of her singles, download it now. Her new album, 'Shine', is out on February 12th, and whilst she has the talent, Estelle has never hit the bigtime. Signing to John Legend's label can't hurt, and neither can production by Will.i.am, Kanye West and Wyclef Jean.

Estelle- 1980
Estelle- Wait A Minute (Just A Touch)

Glasvegas- Everyone compares them to The Jesus And Mary Chain; its a fair comparison, but why not relate them to something new? Purely because no-one sounds like Glasvegas any more. Alan McGee has been gushing about them for ages, but whereas this is generally unfounded, for once he is right. Destined for great things...

Glasvegas- Daddy's Gone

Foals- These guys are going places. 'Antidotes', the first album, is out March 2008, and already things are hotting up at the Foals camp. Not content with the production, they re-mixed the entire album themselves, to their specifications. Ballsy, but will it pay off? Yannis (centre above), the mop-topped lead singer of this Oxford based five-piece, obviously thinks so.

Foals- Hummer

The Courteeners?- The question mark isn't a typo. Liam Fray (closest in the pic), lead singer of The Courteeners, is following in the footsteps British frontmen by mouthing off about how his band are going to create one of the best British albums ever. Sometimes, this is the truth: see Oasis, Stone Roses etc. Sometimes, however, it isn't: take The Twang as a recent example. Which will he be? On the evidence of 'Cavorting', the latter. But that doesn't stop me wondering 2008 will be the year when we witness his fall from grace.

The Courteeners- Acrylic

The Ting Tings- I'm not even going to attempt to explain this one, other than that they're a boy-girl duo who make fun pop music. Oh, and they wont disappointed; they've been around for a while, signing to a major label 3 years ago, but the deal fell through due to creative 'differences'. A new deal is in the works, but just let their music speak for itself.

The Ting Tings- Great DJ

Those who will be big but I don't need to write about:
Adele- Possibly the voice of 2008?