“Watch out for this (Bumaye)” – Major Lazer
Major Lazer’s new album Free The Universe seems to be perpetually delayed, with a final release date still to be officially announced. But in the meantime, producers Diplo and Switch released a new single to keep the masses entertained. “Watch out for this” is pure Major Lazer with a fun dancehall/house mashup with a beat that will transport you straight to a Jamaican party.
“Sacrilige” – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Karen O and the gang are back in full force with a new single off their upcoming album Mosquito. The track starts off with some great lo-fi effects and simple instrumentation, building up with backup singers and finishing off with an epic gospel chorus that will pump you right up. Mosquito is released April 15.
“Superstitious Heart” – Little Boots
British electro-pop singer Little Boots is not only totally adorable, but has a great way of making catchy, dance inspired pop music while showing off her amazing set of pipes. She recently released a four-song vinyl record under the name “LB,” which included her new track “Superstitious Heart.” It’s more ambient than some of her older music, but her voice still carries well and shows off her different side.
“I Was a Fool” – Tegan and Sara
Canadian indie-pop twins Tegan and Sara constantly surprise us with different twists to their sound. This time around, the girls venture into pop ballad territory with a song about a past relationship. Not to worry, you’ll still hear the electronic elements they’ve been infusing their tracks with lately, but the single is extremely radio friendly with a piano playing throughout. Their new album Heartthrob hits stores Jan. 29.
Victoria Abraham defines one up and coming artist each week so you can impress your friends with your musical brilliance. This week, she tackles Little Boots, the cutest UK electropop export from Lancashire, England.
Little Boots is like the British version of Debbie Harry, (if you don’t know who that is, shame on you: google Blondie immediately), with a super danceable electropop sound, punk sensibilities and killer style. Not only is she a multi-instrumentalist, with training in classical singing, but also her songs have appeared in a bunch of TV shows and commercials from The Vampire Diaries to a Victoria’s Secret commercial. Judging by her killer sound and success thus far, her second full length album, which should be released before the end of the year, will make your ears happy.
Origins: Lancashire, England
Full name: Victoria Christina Hesketh
Known for: Little Boots is known for her explosive dance-along electropop sound.
Used in a sentence: Little boots, massive talent.
File next to: Marina and the Diamonds, Blondie
Download now: “Headphones”
Five fun facts:
1. Her friend gave her the nickname, “Little Boots” in reference to her unusually small feet.
2. She can play the piano, keyboards, synthesizer, Stylophone and a Japanese instrument called Tenori-on.
Marina and the Diamonds – Starring Role
Two years after their debut album The Family Jewels, Marina and the Diamonds is finally back with Electra Heart. Their new single “Starring Role” has a different vibe than the upbeat tracks we’re used to. Lead singer Marina Diamandis’ powerful voice is easily comparable to Florence Welch’s and she gets to showcase her talent in this beautiful ballad, which features a haunting guitar. Electra Heart will be released on April 30.
Ingrid Michaelson – We Found Love
Let me start off by saying I was never a fan of Rihanna’s “We Found Love.” I’m a huge Calvin Harris fan and RiRi makes great music, but “We Found Love” sounded too contrived for my taste. Enter Ingrid Michaelson, who takes the generic club hit and creates a multi-tracked a capella version with just her voice. There are no backing instruments — just the beauty of one woman’s voice reconstructing a synth-pop hit into an indie-folk masterpiece. Finally, a version I can actually enjoy!
Little Boots — Every Night I Say A Prayer
Little Boots is moving to the dark dance side with “Every Night I Say A Prayer.” Her new track is a throwback tune that reminds me of Kylie Minogue. The release tied-in with Record Store Day and it’s a six minute hook-driven, new school club banger. Read more…
Forget the Gaga comparisons. Little Boots may be Britain’s reigning blonde synth-pop bombshell, but you won’t catch her hitting red carpets with Kermit the Frog or posing half nude on the cover of Rolling Stone. Plus, she’s not opposed to wearing pants.
To put it simply, Little Boots is just a little more low-key.
“All that sex stuff is really not me,” Boots says of the comparison. “We’re both blonde and we both have a lot of synth in our music [but] I don’t really pay attention to it. I’m not offended by it. I’m not annoyed. I’m just kind of like whatever.”
With the matching hair colours, the shared affinity for producing exhilarating electro-pop songs and corresponding friendships with Perez Hilton, it looks like it’s going to take this songstress from across the pond a little bit longer to shed the “UK’s Lady Gaga” tag, whether she pays attention to the pundits or not.
When andPOP caught up with Little Boots at the Cadillac Lounge on Queen Street West in Toronto, she was just Victoria Hesketh—her infamous platinum hair tied back in a messy ponytail, sipping on water, raving about all the nice Canadians she’d met and looking more like the girl you’d sit next to in Psych 101 than an international pop diva.
Hesketh entered the UK music scene back when she was actually a student at the University of Leeds with a little indie rock band called Dead Disco. But when Hesketh’s dreams of making funky, danceable pop tunes clashed with the band’s direction, she ditched the boys and took to YouTube to broadcast her talents. With that, she became a bit of a sensation.
