BEST SONGS OF 2016
With all this talk about 2016 being such a horrible year, at least the music didn’t suck.
Here’s my Top 50, built from my collection of monthly playlists. Listen, like and share.
See you in 2017,
Chris
—
With all this talk about 2016 being such a horrible year, at least the music didn’t suck.
Here’s my Top 50, built from my collection of monthly playlists. Listen, like and share.
See you in 2017,
Chris
—
Watch the official video to Jack Garratt ’s latest single “Surprise Yourself” shot on GoPro’s. Fans overcome their personal fears of skydiving, getting tattoos, rollercoasters & various other emotional situations. Explaining his creative process behind the track, Jack detailed “I wrote Surprise Yourself for a friend of mine who took the wrong train home once. I wanted them to have something uplifting to come home to.”
The release of debut album Phase continues a huge ascent to Jack Garratt, who in recent months has won BRITs Critics Choice for 2016, topped the BBC Music Sound of 2016 poll and drawn acclaim from fans and critics alike through his stunning sold out live shows around the UK, USA and Europe.
Follow Jack on Facebook
If you follow the site, you’ll know that I don’t do too many live reviews. If I had more time and resources, I’d love to step up that part of my game, although I’ve now become comfortable filtering you new tracks, videos and remixes, from the comfort of my own mobile office.
I did jump at the opportunity to see Jack Garratt perform last week in Toronto, who was playing a show at the Garrison on his incredibly successful tour of North America. Let’s start by saying I rarely seen talent like his. The term multi-instrumentalist gets thrown around a lot, but rarely can you find an artist that commands the mic, keys, guitar and drum pad, simultaneously.
Garratt was gracious with an incredibly pumped up crowd, flattered when realizing we all knew the words to his big songs, and inviting, asking us to sing along on chorus to songs like “Weathered”. It was great to hear live versions of album favourites from Phase such as “Fire”, “Breathe Life” and “Worry”, but I was totally in awe of “Surprise Yourself”. Late in the set, he stood feet back from the mic and dampened the rowdy crowd to a whisper with his stripped down version of the song. Plus, hearing “The Love You’re Given” live has given me a new love for the song.
As if I wasn’t already telling everyone I know about Jack Garratt, now I’ll make sure to add that you should go see this guy live when he tours through your city. Just remember to get your tickets early, his shows tend to sell out quick.
Speaking of touring, Jack Garratt has just announced details of a UK tour for the Autumn, including a show at London’s Eventim Apollo. The extensive tour takes place throughout November, stretching over 13 nights, and kicking off at Glasgow’s O2 Academy on the 5th November. The tour will conclude at The Dome in Brighton on the 28th November.
Finally, knowing I’m both a Jack Garratt and CHINAH fan, check out this rework of his song “Worry”.
There’s no slowing down with great new music in 2016, with February putting up a strong answer to what was an incredible January. Take a listen to some new music from Gypsy & The Cat, Bravestation, Phoria, Miike Snow along with IMF newcomers Diskopunk and Coast Modern.
Something for everyone.
Best of February 2016: Playlist (Soundcloud) / Best of February 2016: Playlist (Spotify) / Best of February 2016: Playlist (Youtube)
Tomorrow marks the release of Jack Garratt’s debut album Phase, which I can’t wait to listen to in full. Ahead of the release you can now hear the live version of album track “Surprise Yourself” performed for VEVO Lift.
“Surprise Yourself” sees Garratt take his infectious, soulful harmonies to a new level while featuring Jack’s versatility as an artist, “remaining approachable but forward thinking”. Explaining his creative process behind the track, Jack detailed “I wrote Surprise Yourself for a friend of mine who took the wrong train home once. I wanted them to have something uplifting to come home to.”
Phase is released tomorrow via Island/Interscope, and is available for pre-order now.
Phase Tracklisting:
Coalesce (Synesthesia Pt. II)
Breathe Life
Far Cry
Weathered
Worry
The Love You’re Given, I Know All What I Do
Surprise Yourself
Chemical,
Fire
Synesthesia Pt. III
My House is Your Home