After hits with Rudimental, the fresh-faced neo-soul sensation puts his smouldering voice to good use on a debut solo album bristling with relentless energy.
JOHN NEWMAN/ TRIBUTE
'I didn't see singing as creative,'' says John Newman of his former feelings about his craft. It's a strange revelation from the UK's latest rising soul sensation, whose voice gives ample life and emotion to Rudimental's No1 smash hit Feel the Love. Born and raised in a small town in North Yorkshire, Newman always wanted to work behind the scenes, aspiring to become either a producer or a songwriter.
Singing had never really taken his fancy until some friends died in a car accident; the event had a profound effect on the budding singer-songwriter. It wasn't long before he realised that singing gave him the much-needed outlet, helping him cope with situation. ''I found a reason to sing,'' he says.
And we're glad he did. After relocating to London, Newman became buddies with one of Rudimental's members, and together they collaborated on dancefloor anthems such as Feel the Love and Not Giving In. Gradually gaining recognition for his wonderfully raspy vocals that evoke Motown and Northern Soul influences, the 23-year-old artist proves he's an artist in his own right with his UK No1 single Love Me Again taken from his solo debut album, Tribute.
Largely fuelled by heartbreak, the record opens with the title track laced with a litany of inspirations from legends including Nina Simone, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley to latter-day icons such as Britney Spears, Jay Z and Kings of Leon. The track then morphs into a foot-tapping soul number with Newman crooning the chorus: ''It's all for you/For what you have made me, look how I grew/Here's my tribute.'' However it is the first single, Love Me Again, that really sets the tone and provides the musical template for the album. Think dance beats punctuated by horns, strings and dubstep breakdowns (Losing Sleep, Try, Cheating and Nothing to mention a few). In addition there are heartfelt piano ballads (Easy, Out of My Head, Down the Line) which make for a nice change from all the big, soaring numbers that dominate the record.
For someone who once claimed singing wasn't all that interesting, it's mighty impressive that John Newman has to come up with an album that relies on his ability to convey a range of emotions and passion through his voice. His bold, impassioned sound is definitely a force to be reckoned with, especially when compared to what's currently on offer in the music scene. Tribute proves that he has a tremendous amount of creative potential, and we can't wait to see what he'll bring to the table next time around.
THE PLAYLIST
Part Time Musicians/ The Haunted House
After leaving us wanting more with Vacation Time and Would You Mind? (featuring Chladni Chandi), local rising folk-trio Part Time Musicians reveal their gorgeous third single, The Haunted House. Contrary to the cheery vibe of Vacation Time, this track is a heart-wrenching ballad about the memories that keep haunting you. Listen closely and you'll mistake the guitar for human weeping, plus the songwriting is the band's finest yet: ''The house haunts me by the memory/All the past seems like my fantasy/I've lost some piece of me/Like my heart decides to leave my body.''
Eminem (featuring Kendrick Lamar)/ Love Game
Eminem revisits his flippant Slim Shady days on Love Game alongside fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar. Seamlessly sampling Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders' Game of Love, the track finds both MCs basically having a blast, exchanging tongue-twisting verses over a bouncy, infectious beat. Directed at exes, the lyrics are classic Eminem _ outrageously violent and misogynist. ''I have infinite hate in my blood and it's mainly because of the game of love,'' he confesses after a series of name-calling, revenge-seeking fantasies before finally revealing in the end that the whole thing was merely a dream. Some things never change, do they?
Lady Gaga/ Venus
So far, what we've heard from Lady Gaga's upcoming record ARTPOP has been a mixed bag (perhaps with the exception of Gaga-R Kelly collaboration Do What U Want). Unfortunately, with her latest retro-disco offering, Venus, the ''Mother Monster'' is not going to sway our opinion any time soon. Here, she casually rhymes ''Uranus'' with the line ''Don't you know my ass in famous?'' And aside from more asinine lyrics (''Aphrodite lady/seashell bikini/garden panty'' and ''Have an oyster, baby/It's Aphrod-isy/Act sleazy'') the song also recalls an earlier Madonna track, and she even sounds a bit like her.
Avril Lavigne/ Rock N Roll
With the release of her fifth studio effort, Here's To Never Growing Up, it's clear that the Canadian punk-pop queen still clings on to her bratty ''Sk8er Grrl'' sound and persona from a decade ago. Rock N Roll sees Lavigne claiming that she's a true rock star and how she doesn't care about her make-up or how she likes it better with her jeans all ripped up. However, for a song with the title Rock N Roll, it's rather ironic that it comes across as tame bubblegum pop-rock that lacks any authentic rock spirit.
Wilkinson/ Afterglow
Known for his knack for crafting killer bass, UK upcoming drum 'n' bass ''it'' boy Mark Wilkinson brings us the most addictive jam of this year with Afterglow, the lead single taken from his debut LP Lazers Not Included. ''Even though the dancing's done/Don't worry cause the night is young/Who cares where we go/We're ready for the afterglow,'' reassures guest vocalist Beck Hill alongside sparkling piano and skittering Drum and Bass melody. The bass line, too, is both sublime and dancefloor-friendly. Having previously worked with Professor Green, Example and Nero, we're more than positive that the South London DJ and producer is destined for great things.
