[Review] Josh Kumra Feat. K Koke - Helicopters & Planes

Burgeoning UK singer/songwriter Josh Kumra recently unveiled his official debut single, "Helicopters & Planes," featuring Roc Nation rapper K Koke and due out July 9th via RCA Records.  Admittedly, I'm growing a bit tired of singers who just throw random rappers on their track to drum up more sales but I don't think that's what's going on here.  21-year old Kumra just seems to naturally gravitate towards hip-hop, after all his breakthrough single was Wretch 32s #1 smash "Don't Go," which he co-wrote.  Could "Helicopters & Planes" have done without the rap bit? Absolutely. Does it take anything away from the overall quality of the track? Not in the slightest.

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Ones to Watch in 2012: Murray James

STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING. Listen to this song. This is Murray James, and he might just be my latest obsession.  "In The City" is the title track and first single taken from his upcoming debut album, due July 30th (UK iTunes) on Deconstruction/Sony Music.  It's hard to describe his vocal style because it's so unique and original, but I do hear little bits of James Blunt and James Morrison mixed with some Jamie Scott (Graffiti6), Maverick Sabre and Alex Clare.  Murray James' voice is chock-full of honey-coated soul and steeped in down & dirty, gritty folk/rock.  I don't know much about this guy, but if this is any indication of what the rest of the album sounds like, he's going to be HUGE.

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Ones to Watch in 2012: Aiden Grimshaw

Nearly two years after gracing television screens all over the UK as a contestant on The X-Factor: Series 7, Aiden Grimshaw has (finally) unveiled his debut single and it's a wonder to behold.  "Is This Love," due June 3rd via RCA Records, was written by the 20-year old Grimshaw, and serves as the first single off his debut album, Misty Eye, out August 13th in the UK.  Listen to the single BELOW.

At first listen, Aiden appears to be he heading in the right direction, musically speaking, following the lead of other more established "folktronica" artists like Alex Clare and Ellie Goulding.  This song is an exercise of both subtlety and strength, complete with a big, soaring chorus and booming drum & bass beats, utilizing Grimshaw's beautiful falsetto to absolute perfection.  This combination showcases, not only Grimshaw's vulnerability, but his impressive vocal chops as well.  Aiden's vocals rise triumphantly above the sleek, futuristic-sounding production, immediately slaying all those who listen.  What a debut!  Grimshaw's songwriting skills are also worth noting.  Gone, are the days when reality show contestants are thrust into the arms of a team of songwriters.  I love that this latest crop of burgeoning artists are allowed the opportunity to showcase their own skills as storytellers. 

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Ones to Watch in 2012: Alex Clare

Photo Credit: Jon Baker

If you've been anywhere near a television over the past couple of months, you've probably already heard the music of British singer/songwriter Alex Clare.  While Clare's song "Too Close" was originally released a year ago as a single, a recent ad for Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 helped push the song to new heights and  international success.  Since the ads started running this past March, "Too Close" entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of April 7th, peaking at #68 and at #37 on the UK Singles Chart.  Like Apple before it, this Internet Explorer advert further proves the potency of music in advertising today.  It's unfortunate that Clare didn't really take off on his own, but I'm sure he's not complaining one bit.

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