NOIZEMAKESENEMIES // MUSIC // NEW MUSIC

‘I Fink U Freeky’ screeches techno synths out at you, while the vocals rap twice as fast as the average person can take a breath. The video is shot in black and white and the audience is welcomed into (what looks like) Die Antwoord’s creepy basement of unearthly delights, where rats clamber over people, alien heads float in oily water, young boys look like a product of the Chapman Brothers and bountiful dance moves are constructed into uncontrollable leg-hopping fits.

With his trademark dredhive and finely tweaked mustache, this King Charles looked rather like some kind of sexy pantomime pirate. After a few casual drinks and what seemed like an hour of ‘getting the lighting right’, he was kind enough to sit down and chat about his plans for 2012, being ‘glam folk’ and how his heart constantly beats for music.

Chicago crew, Cold Blue Kid turns up the guitar effects, raises the drum beats and steps a couple of spaces away from the microphone. Voila, that emotional and slightly grungy 90s sound has made a come back. (“Dude, are you being sarcastic?” “Mehh-I don’t even know anymore…”)

By all means this is not some attack on the mainstream pop industry. Heck, I shouted out at a party recently that we’ll look back at Rhianna & Calvin Harris’ ‘We Found Love’ as the soundtrack to our youth! (And I was serious.) But honestly, this vague techno-beat (man, the wonders of GarageBand huh?) surrounding a mediocre singer with an attractive-yet-youthful look (yes, I like my 17 year olds filmed with numerous camera shots zooming up and down their bodies, just like the watchful eye of a PE teacher on the brink of loosing his job…), that becomes interjected with some new rap sensation (around the bridge, y’know the bit you can turn down when you order your double cheeseburger meal at the drive-thru) phase is clearly getting out of control.

Sleigh Bells are back, with aptly named single ‘Comeback Kid’.

Other Lives are a folk band brimming with musical talent. They excel in creating rhythmic drum patterns, haunting lead vocals, indulgent chanting backing vocals and a progressive folk sound.

No, it’s not another remix of MJ’s Billie Jean. However, from listening to the similar sounding ‘chikka-cha’ drum taps at the intro of Miracle Fortress’ Everything Works, you’d be forgiven for thinking so. Everything works’ ‘80s reference’ only last about a second, until kooky cyber sounds kick in, making the song all about futuristic fun.