A primer, or a snapshot, of bass music that’s cookin’ in 2010

London producer Brackles’ first release was less than two years ago, and he was still effectively a brand new face in the record racks when enlisted to remix Kid Cudi’s Day ‘n’ Nite – the original, blog-friendly 2008 release, rather than the one from last year which smashed the UK and US charts to bits, but still. An idea of exactly how much of a name he’s made for himself among consumers of the freshest electronic sounds can, however, be found in the very existence of Songs for Endless Cities, which is a 17-track mix released by the venerable and respected German label !K7 (actually a brand new sublabel, Cool in the Pool, if we’re being technical). They don’t let just anybody sling some tracks together for their imprint, and Brackles – real name Rob Kemp – justifies their trust with a fluid, zippy mix.

The Megaphonic Thrift are a Norwegian ‘supergroup’ of sorts, consisting of members from Casiokids, The Low Frequency In Stereo and Stereo21.  They hail from idyllic Bergen, on the west coast of Norway, that music-wise is probably one of the best known cities in Scandinavia for having given birth to bands like Røyksopp, Datarock, Casiokids, Kings Of Convenience and Ida Maria.

At 24 years old, Orianthi has already experienced what most aspiring musicians only dream of. She's opened for her hero (Steve Vai), backed an Idol (Carrie Underwood), traded solos with a legend (Carlos Santana) and shared the stage with the King of Pop (Michael Jackson). What's left to conquer? The world stage, for one, and this guitar wunderkind has her sights clearly set on the road ahead.

Her first ever single, Acording To You will be released in the UK on 6th September, taken from her hot new album Believe hitting the UK a week later on 13th September!

One lucky winner from the UK gets the chance to win a custom guitar designed signed by the lady herself. All you need to do is drop your details in to this form HERE. Make sure your entries are in by Sept 5th, when this competition will close.

Grinderman (Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey and Jim Sclavunos) have added a show at The Coronet, Elephant & Castle, SE1 on Saturday 2nd October.

Support acts have been confirmed as follows:

The Hunter Gracchus

OMD - If You Want It (French Horn Rebellion Remix) - download here

For the cream of the Eighties UK synthpop crop, '2010' must have seemed an aim: a distant dream sci-fi fans saw turning England's ailing industrial towns into Blade Runner cities. In such circumstances, fusty old guitar bands would surely only echo, defunct. But, alas, it's in this retro-fixated 2010 that OMD return with their first new material since 1996, and tracks like "If You Want It", torn from the group's new History Of Modern album —yearn desperately to cruise the star-riding sky walkways the Eighties and French Horn Rebellion must still only imagine.

Style Of Eye & Slagsmålsklubben - Homeless (Canblaster Remix) - download here

Fool's Gold's latest stun-gunning floor odyssey arrived the other day—"Homeless," a collab between Style Of Eye and Slagsmålsklubben. Rising French prodigy Canblaster contributed this remix that sounds like Sonic The Hedgehog barreling through a Detroit-themed bonus level, all soaring pads, rise and fall tempos, and a smiley, cheerleading announcer. Totally bonkers, totally great.

Exemplary of production, but tired of lyric

Sorry, I'm confused: is this the same The Like that 'burst' upon the scene a couple of years ago with a folksy, elfin look that borrowed extensively from Joanna Newsom? Now they come replete with polka dots, produced by Mark ‘Amy Winehouse’ Ronson with a handful of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings in their backing band, sounding for all the world like an over-pampered version of Brighton’s own Pipettes Mk I? Whoa. Even for a bunch of rich kids with from LA, the opportunism is shameless.

The Like headline tour starts tonight at King Tuts in Glasgow having released the single ‘Wishing He Was Dead’ this week. Taken from their new Mark Ronson produced album ‘Release Me’, which comes out this Monday Sept 6th, in the middle of their UK headline tour and ahead of their tour supporting The Strokes.

The tour dates are as follows:

Kanye West - Monster (feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver & Nicki Minaj) - download here

Intentional or not, Kanye West seems to be in the habit of getting guests on his songs that end up almost overshadowing his own contributions to the song. Case in point, Jay’s verse on that “Diamonds (Remix),” was just unfair. This latest track, “Monster,” is a closer call, Nicki Minaj grabs the Roc and runs off with it, but once again Jay makes ‘Ye look like the little brother of the family. Oh well, boys will be boys, We’re sure Mr. West will pay Jay back in spades on their alleged new EP, Watch The Throne.

Tiësto - I Will Be Here (feat. Sneaky Sound System) (Wolfgang Gartner Remix) - download here

Love him or hate him, Tiësto was already enormous when his Kaleidoscope album came out last year—that collab-heavy blowout just reasserted his status as the most bankable dance music artist in the world. Naturally, an adjoining set of remixes has been procured, including this perfectly sleek, totally cheeseless take of “I Will Be Here” from Wolfgang Gartner, who’s rubbed those ray-of-light trance synths into a more subdued, if no less effectively blood warming state.

Live recordings from Cohen’s acclaimed 2008-09 world tour

The nigh-universally rapturous acclaim that attended Leonard Cohen’s 84-date world tour of 2008-09 was motivated by two things. One was an entirely laudable desire to make some offering of thanks, in the twilight of Cohen’s career, for the work of one of the most intelligent and literate songwriters of any era. The other was a straightforward acknowledgement that Cohen, sauntering assuredly through his mid-70s, appeared to be in the form of his life.

The best, most versatile pop star currently at work

That five years passed between Robyn’s last album  and 2010’s Body Talk trilogy shouldn’t surprise anyone: Robin Carlsson’s career has always been wayward. By 18 she'd scored a Max Martin-produced international smash hit (accidentally inventing Britney Spears as a by-product), before a period of artistic experimentation which alienated her major label bosses. She promptly dumped them, set up her own label and unleashed an extraordinary, eclectic eponymous LP on the world. As she sings on Body Talk, Part 2’s standout track: "the whole industry knows not to f*** with me".

A groundbreaking new media concept has been launched that brings cutting-edge film and music together by offering up and coming bands and musicians the chance to have their music included in a major British independent movie.

Soundtraxs is the brainchild of British independent production company NyAC and is being hosted by leading music video site MUZU.TV. It is the world’s first global online competition, to create a feature film soundtrack. Winning tracks will feature on hotly anticipated new British movie Relative Desire by BAFTA award winning director Michael Baig Clifford.

December UK Tour - Tickets then go on general sale at 9am on Friday (September 3) Pre-Sale tomorrow (September 1) at 9am from here

Saturday Dec 4 - Leicester, O2 Academy
Sunday Dec 5 - Glasgow, Barrowland
Tuesday Dec 7 - London, HMV Forum
Wednesday Dec 8 - Leeds, O2 Academy
Friday Dec 10 - Manchester, MEN Arena

Old fashioned.... but far from past it

The Charlatans have been described as survivors since a remarkably early stage, the adjective applied in relation to both their bounce back after a flop second album and also their continued success in the wake of the sad death of original keyboardist Rob Collins.

Ra Ra Riot - Boy (RAC Mix) - download here

Those organized enough to have pre-ordered Ra Ra Riot’s sophomore effort were rewarded with this gleaming, Phoenix-like refit of lead single “Boy.” If you didn’t, don’t worry, we got your back! RAC’s spun the indie darlings aflutter, his effervescent beats simmering beneath “Boy”’s aching crescendos and luminous vocals.

Tamaryn -Love Fade - download here

This is perfect pool music in the sense that it sounds like floating aimlessly in water for hours—glacial, horizon-defying guitar sounds and Tamaryn singing like she’s never not worn sunglasses all the time. So yea, those enjoying the last bits of summer laziness: eat your hearts out. Come winter we will probably think it sounds like crouching next to a waning fire, but for now? Wonderfully faded.

Nottingham Rock City show announced - Dec 16th

Ian Brown has announced a one off show at Nottingham Rock City as part of the venue's 30th Anniversary celebrations,

The presale will be live for 24 hours from 9am Thursday 2nd September (General sale from 9am Friday 3rd September).

24hr Fan presale link here Tickets are £25

Support will come from special guests Detroit Social Club.