02 February 2010 (Music Profile)

 

Every month, we select our top five new releases for the month ahead, letting you know exactly why we think they're worth a trip to your local record shop, or to splash out your hard earned cash online. This February, there's some interesting offerings in the electronic genre, as well as the last ever album from one of country music's finest | Words: Jenny Mulligan

 

 

Massive Attack – Heligoland (5th February)
It's a pretty big deal when one of the most important groups in trip hop music releases the first studio album in seven years. Especially since the Bristol duo don't do things by halves. The list of guest vocalists and contributors on Heligoland is nothing if not impressive. Damon Albarn, Elbow's Guy Garvey, TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe, Martina Topley-Bird, Horace Andy and Hope Sandoval all make appearances. Taking its name from the German island chain in the North Sea, Massive Attack's fifth album is set to be remixed in its entirety by acclaimed electronic/dubstep musician Burial, but we highly doubt it needs it.

Yeasayer – Odd Blood (5th February)
There's no denying it. Yeasayer are a bit weird. But that's what we love about the Brooklyn electro-psych outfit. One minute they're singing about the evils of the modern age, the next the producing freaky psychedelic videos complete with naked frolicking! Their 2007 debut 'All Hour Cymbals' was a refreshing mesh of folk, psychedelia, gospel and Indian traditional influences, with a slew of electronic beats thrown in for good measure. On its follow up, those influences are still flagrant, but the tone is altogether more joyous, more cheerful, and covered in pop overtones. Great fun all round.

Marina and The Diamonds - The Family Jewels (19th February)
The buzz about Marina Diamondis, the eccentric young Greco-Welsh singer better known as Marina and the Diamonds, has been palpable since the release of her debut EP, The Crown Jewels, in June of last year. Marina layers modern pop sounds on top of piano compositions, topping it all off with her deep and distinctive vocal style and candid lyrics. Grabbing attention with a series of imaginative and creative music videos, Marina has been tipped as one to watch in 2010, coming in second on the BBC's prestigious Sound of 2010 poll. Featuring the excellent singles 'Mowgli's Road', 'Obsessions' and 'Hollywood', let's hope The Family Jewels lives up to the hype.

Johnny Cash – American VI: Aint No Grave (26th February)
American VI: Aint No Grave is the sixth and final album of the late great Johnny Cash's American Recordings series. The album is the product of Cash's final recording sessions in 2002 and 2003, right before his death in September of 2003. It is the second post-humous release from the country legend, and is set for release on what would have been his 78th birthday. As with the previous five instalments of the series, American VI: Ain't No Grave was produced by Rick Rubin, and released by American Recordings and Lost Highway. It will feature covers of tracks of songs by Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson and more, as well as a new Cash song called 'I Corinthians: 15:55'.

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim  – Here Lies Love (Pushed back until 2nd April)
A collaboration between "Rockafeller Skank" DJ Fatboy Slim and Talking Heads legend David Byrne is a bit of an odd notion. It's even odder when you hear that the project in question is a two CD concept album chronicling the life the life of former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos. Still, on hearing free download track 'Please Don't' featuring the vocal talents of Santigold, it all suddenly makes sense. A quirky electro track speckled with offbeat rhythms, it ties together the varied style of Byrne with Norman Cook's dance influences and gives a persona to the female vocal. Other guest singers include Florence Welch, Tori Amos, Martha Wainwright, Roisin Murphy and Cyndi Lauper. Yes, this is going to be very interesting indeed.

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To see what other great music is lined up for 2010, click here. Some of our other top tips for February are listed below:

Peter Gabriel – Scratch My Back (12th Feb)
Efterklang – Magic Chairs (19th Feb)
Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me (19th Feb)
Owl City – Ocean Eyes (19th feb)
Frightened Rabbit – The Winter Of Mixed Drinks (26th February)
Ellie Goulding – Lights (26th Feb)
Jason Derulo – Jason Derulo (26th February)
Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History (26th Feb)
Groove Armada – Black Light (26th Feb)

 

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