SZA has been added to the line-up for Longitude this year on Sunday July 15th she will be joined by the likes of Solange, Anderson .Paak, J.Cole, Travis Scott, Cardi B, Post Malone, Tyler, The Creator & Migos.
For full line up information check out the previous post here.
Posted on February 15th, 2018
My favourite songs of the past month – all in one place.
Berlin-based Peggy Gou is a DJ and producer who has been steadily building her profile over the last couple of years.
It was ‘Gou Talk’ and subsequent high-profile building DJ slots at the likes of Dekmantel that helped in that regard.
Gou has a new EP coming on Ninja Tune on March 2nd on Ninja Tune and ‘It Makes You Forget (Itgehane)’ is a polychromatic piece of electronic house music infused with summer shimmers and tropical vistas. Gou also sings quite capably in Korean.
The Once EP is released on March 2nd and she plays District 8 on February 23rd.
Dear Annie, Rejjie Snow’s long awaited debut album finally gets a release on February 16th and he’s released two EPs featuring 8 tracks from it so far (for some reason). ‘Egyptian Luvr is a smooth jam. He plays the Olympia on March 12th.
London-based eight-member pop crew Superorganism show off their off-kilter electronic pop with their second big single. An album comes out on Domino on March 2nd.
David Byrne will release his first solo album since 2004 on March 9th and it’s called American Utopia. He has made albums with Eno, St. Vincent and Karl Hyde, but it’s his first solo album. It’s produced by The xx cohort Rodaidh McDonald and features guests, Jack Peñate, Oneohtrix Point Never, Jam City and Thomas Bartlett, and its choreographed live shows to come, Byrne has suggested are “the most ambitious show I’ve done since the shows that were filmed for Stop Making Sense.”
Talk about expectations. ‘Everybody’s Coming To My House’ is Byrne at his best – melding acoustic textures, brass and Afrobeat textures with his trademark pop songwriting.
Kendrick is curating Marvel’s Black Panther movie soundtrack and ‘All The Stars’ is our first offering from it. So that’s both creators of album number 1 and 2 of 2017’s best albums collaborating (they are on the same label). SZA outshines Kendrick on this – her honey-dripped voice beholden with power is very suitable for a superhero movie. Kendrick can’t compete.
Cardi B adds some Salt’n’Pepa ’90s shake to a highlight from Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic. Bruno didn’t deserve to win all the Grammys but that and the incredulous statements from the President Neil Portnow after doesn’t affect this song’s jam status.
One of DFA Records’ new artists released one of the best tunes of 2016 with ‘Rocketship’, an electro-robot funk track that brought the Londoner to the attention of many a DJ. His recent single ‘High Times’ goes for a more minimal aesthetic, sounding like a French Touch Daft-Punk-esque house track trying to stay under the radar while remaining under the skin.
The Go! Team are back with a new album Semicircle, which is a return to their exuberant indie jams. And it works. The bandleader Ian Parton travelled across the US and recorded young choirs and brass bands and they add to the genuine schoolyard buzz of the record. ‘ If There’s One Thing You Should Know’ is a giddy highlight from it.
Lone releases Ambivert Tools Volume Three this month, the latest in series of EPs that have been worthy listens and ‘Temples’ is an abmivert jungle-tastic acid banger.
Young Fathers seem immune anyone outside their clique, operating as a gang who were more interested in offering genuine healing through music that crosses rap, gospel and lo-fi sonics. ‘In My View’ is another idiosyncratic uplifting gem from these outliers, but if there’s anything obvious from their new material, it’s an increasing softness and directness that wasn’t present on their first two records. Their new album Cocoa Sugar is out in March.
Posted on February 2nd, 2018
The most essential tracks of the last week handpicked by the Nialler9 team.
As suggested last week, David Byrne will release his first solo album since 2004 on March 9th and it’s called American Utopia. He has made albums with Eno, St. Vincent and Karl Hyde, it’s his first solo album. It’s produced by The xx cohort Rodaidh McDonald and features guests, Jack Peñate, Oneohtrix Point Never, Jam City and Thomas Bartlett, and its choreographed live shows to come, Byrne has suggested are “the most ambitious show I’ve done since the shows that were filmed for Stop Making Sense.”
Talk about expectations. ‘Everybody’s Coming To My House’ is Byrne at his best – melding acoustic textures, brass and Afrobeat textures with his trademark pop songwriting.
A highlight from Wolf Alice last year gets a reworked electro-pop version from pop auteur Charli XCX. The song’s ode to young love and it’s “what if he’s not meant for me?” hook is wisely reinforced with new tones here.
Kendrick is curating Marvel’s Black Panther movie soundtrack and ‘All The Stars’ is our first offering from it. So that’s both creators of album number 1 and 2 of 2017’s best albums collaborating (they are on the same label). SZA outshines Kendrick on this – her honey-dripped voice beholden with power is very suitable for a superhero movie. Kendrick can’t compete.
Cardi B adds some Salt’n’Pepa ’90s shake to a highlight from Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic. Props also for the 60fps video.
London-based eight-member pop crew Superorganism show off their off-kilter electronic pop with their second big single. An album comes out on Domino on March 2nd.
Donegal singer-songwriter Rosie Carney dropped a fine and faithful cover of a Cigarettes After Sex song written about lust and desire for a new partner on the Lower East Side.
Icelandic ice-queen rap collective Daughters of Reykjavík are always welcome around here, regardless of what they’re rapping about – the driinks menu? Either way, it bumps.
The wandering Electro-clash Casey Fischerspooner returns with a fine electronic pop song featuring former Chairlift singer.
Charli XCX strikes again. December is a terrible time to release anything but Charli doesn’t give a fuck and dropped Pop 2 mixtape that kicks off with this M83 style banger.
Posted on January 9th, 2018
Some notable TV music broadcasts from the last day?
LCD performed ‘Tonite’ on Jimmy Kimmel’s show from New York:
Jools Holland had a notable lineup this week with Grizzly Bear, SZA, King Krule and Wolf Alice among the performers.
The Ooz-loving songwriter slimed his way through ‘Dum Surfer’ live from Jools:
SZA did ‘Normal Girl’ from her excellent album (and one of 2017’s best CTRL)
Grizzly Bear did ‘Mourning Sound’ from their new album:
Wolf Alice performed ‘Just Delete The Kisses’ from their superb new album:
New band on the rise who are made up of seven friends from all over the globe – Superorganism played ‘Something For Your M.I.N.D.’ for the BBC :
Bonus? St Vincent covered ‘London Calling’ by The Clash for BBC Radio 1 along with new Masseduction songs ‘New York’ and ‘Los Ageless’.
Posted on October 18th, 2017
Last month, the US Top Dawg Entertainment-signed singer SZA finally released her debut album CTRL after a number of years languishing in the background of the industry. The SZA story looked like it was going to be one of those lost causes, a huge talent swallowed by the machinations of the industry A&R game. Not so, CTRL is one of this year’s best and SZA has already been building on that success with performances on late night TV like Fallon last week when she appeared with Travis Scott to sing album highlight ‘Love Galore’ and showcased a voice and poise that wasn’t evident in her a few years ago. Time taken is sometimes a good thing.
https://nialler9.com/sza-9/
Posted on July 25th, 2017
SZA is the special guest on Bryson Tiller’s European tour dates later this year which kicks off October 17 in Marseille, France and hits 23 cities and 13 countries before concluding in Dublin on November 30th at the 3Arena.
SZA’s CTRL is one of the albums of the year so far but would you consider going to Tiller’s gig to see the support alone? Tickets are on sale Friday from Ticketmaster at €44 + fees and presale begins Wednesday.
Posted on July 10th, 2017
Here’s a more in-depth look at 20 of my 75 already-revealed songs of 2017 so far. Get them in a playlist here.
It’s a testament to Maggie Rogers’ songwriting that I considered three of the four songs from her debut EP for this. ‘On + Off’ is the one I keep coming back to though. At her debut gig in London earlier this year, the crowd sang the chorus to this track prompting a flabbergasted Rogers to lose her momentum and train of thought. It was a cute moment but it was rooted in recognition of the song being a cracker that resonated more than she expected.
Grime 2017 belongs to Stormzy. ‘Cold’ is a standout on Gang Signs & Prayers and it’s the stabbing sinogrime beat and Stormzy’s energy that keeps this on repeat. It has grime’s first wave sound exemplified by Roll Deep in its DNA.
The most intense song of 2017 so far? The New Zealand artist’s debut was heralded by this sustained note torch song and its live performances only heightened its inherent drama.
It’s an absolute pleasure to hear the progress of Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell’s music as Overcoats. Two years ago, the New Yorkers spent the summer in Ireland and made a dent on the scene with their minimal harmonic-lead songs. Now with an Autre Ne Veut-produced album due on Arts & Crafts out, the duo have bolstered that folk harmony synergy with some technicolour magic. ‘Leave A Light On’ is indicative of the urgency they have brought to their craft.
A surprise, long overdue release from SZA, who spent years shining through guest features and once-off releases, and comes up trumps with CTRL, an album of conflicted lust, intimacy, self-worth and self-esteem issues. ‘Drew Barrymore’ is an easy in to the album as a whole, with SZA confronted with her ex-partner’s new girl and sees her insecurities and flaws back at her – ‘I’m sorry I’m not more attractive / I’m sorry I’m not more ladylike / I’m sorry I don’t shave my legs at night.” The chorus is both empowering and insecure at the same time.
One of those songs which stops you in your tracks. Irishman Kennedy’s ‘Glory’ grows from a dark folk tone, from a hush to a howl as the track grows in stature and sound, subtly bringing in electronic-tinged touches and vocal effects as the song builds to the chorus and crescendo with production alchemy. A headturner.
A highlight from the xx’s third album, that also works well while DJing. ‘Dangerous’ is I See You‘s opening track and embraces the textured sampled approach that Jamie xx utilised on solo album In Colour. ‘Dangerous’ arrives with sampled horns, percussive beats and an immediacy that ushers the xx mk III.
‘Yeah Right’, from Staples second album Big Fish Theory encapsulates how different this album is and how much of a sonic weapon Staples has deployed throughout. Producer Sophie’s clattering fizzling metallic production is like a vehicular juggernaut with some distorted bass tones, Kilo Kish provides otherworldy vocals and Kendrick Lamar kills the whole thing in a verse.
The sickest beat on RTJ3. ‘Call Ticketron’ is a 21st century take on ‘It Takes Two,’ a thrill ride with El-P and Killer Mike.
‘Tin’ is a euphoric reminder from Daphni’s upcoming Fabriclive mix of how good Dan Snaith aka Caribou is at creating warm and resonating dance music.
Posted on July 5th, 2017
SZA’s been all too quiet this year after last year’s glut of features on Isaiah Rashad’s TDE EP (he’s been quiet too) and the stonking single Julia. Not to mention one of my favourite tracks of last year, ‘Child’s Play‘ with Chance The Rapper.
She’s only posted about 5 times on Facebook this year too (though her Twitter game is strong). Anyhow, there is a new SZA-featuring track from D.R.A.M, an extended and reworked version of the track on the excellent Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment album. It’s nice to hear those tones again. A debut SZA album is forthcoming. Sigh.
https://soundcloud.com/only1dram/caretaker-feat-sza-extended-version
Posted on October 21st, 2015
The Nialler9 TXFM show airs every Thursday night at 10pm for two hours. You can listen on FM, online, the TXFM app or if you missed it, on the listen back function on the site. Here’s last night’s show…
Posted on July 4th, 2014
The Nialler9 TXFM show airs every Thursday night at 10pm for two hours. You can listen on FM, online, the TXFM app or if you missed it, on the listen back function on the site. Here is last night’s show, a best of 2014.5.
Posted on June 23rd, 2014
Posted on May 1st, 2014
Since signing to Top Dawg Entertainment, St Louis/New Jersey singer SZA’s own output has taken a backseat to contributions to other TDE artists – most recently on Isaiah Rashad’s Cilvia Demo mixtape and Schoolboy Q’s Oxymoron album.
But she’s back later in April with the Z EP and the first track ‘Babylon’, stays close to S EP’s M.O. of slow and swirling ambient R&B. The track was produced by DJ Dahi who was responsible for Drake’s ‘Worst Behaviour’ and Kendrick’s ‘Money Trees’.
Have a listen to SZA’s last great track ‘Julia’, one of my top 100 songs of 2013.
Posted on March 8th, 2014
Wow. SZA goes big.
I don’t know what happened in the last four months with SZA ever since the St Louis/New Jersey-based musician released the S EP. That EP was a good introduction to a singer’s slowed swaggy R&B vibe.
On new track ‘Julia’, SZA sounds like a pop star. One in the vein of Solange’s recent collaborations with Dev Hynes with a distinct ’80s slant (the track is tagged ‘80s‘ on Soundcloud too. This is an exciting development. It’ll appear on her Z EP coming later in the year.
Update: SZA’s signed to Top Dawg Entertainment according to the video below:
Posted on August 15th, 2013
Kicking your EP with a sample from one of the best songs ever – Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Everywhere’ is one way to get people on board. St Louis-born / New Jersey-based singer and Wu-Tang obsessive Solana Rowe aka SZA’s new EP just called S should slot in to the tastes of those of you who dig cloud rap and The Weeknd-style R&B. SZA is soulful rather than sleazy and prone to the odd eccentric line (“I apologise for waiting to tell you for so long that I am not human, I am made of bacon” – ‘Aftermath’) and employs the use of samples from Rosemary’s Baby and an Eartha Kitt documentary. Production is by Zodiac, Felix Snow, WNDRBRD and Patrick Lukens among others. The EP is a free download via Soundcloud DLs. Dig this:
Posted on April 16th, 2013
The best new music/artist picks of the last week. As published in today’s Day & Night Magazine. Follow Day & Night on Twitter or Facebook
Fact. Aftermath, a song from the St. Louis’ singer’s new EP starts with the line “I apologise for waiting to tell you for so long that I am not human, I am made of bacon.” Despite that odd sizzling nugget, SZA’s soulful alluring songs reel you in with warm swelling R&B sounds.
Posted on April 5th, 2013
Forbidden Fruit stage times & night parties are here
The Chemical Brothers announce Dublin show
BC Camplight for Dublin show
Nialler9 seeks summer interns
The best gigs and clubs in Dublin this week
Right Here Right Now festival announces #CorkLovesMusic start-up talk, premieres orchestral Anna Mitchell video
Parquet Courts for Dublin show
Why? announce 10th-anniversary Alopecia Dublin show
33 acts added to Longitude Festival including Sigrid, Playboi Carti, Rejjie Snow, Kojaque, Le Boom, Mango x Mathman…
Super Extra Bonus Party, Ships and more for Kildare show
