Hot Video Alert: James Blake - Lindisfarne

21 year electronic singer and BRIT Award nominee, James Blake is an artist I've talked about in passing on the blog but never properly spotlighted. What better way to bring him to your attention than with a "Hot Video Alert" for his new single, "Lindisfarne." "Lindisfarne" is the third single taken from Blake's self-titled debut album, following 2010's Feist cover, "Limit To Your Love" and his last single "The Wilhelm Scream," which came out in March. Signed to R&S Records/ATLAS (and Universal Republic in the U.S.), Blake is a promising young talent who's style is very reminiscent to fellow electronic-singer/songwriter Imogen Heap. It's that same sound that Imogen Heap produced on "Hide & Seek," using a harmonizer to create that cloudy, muffled, electronically-altered a capella sound and I have to say...it's kind of sexy to me. Am I alone in that?  I guess I should clarify that Blake's talent isn't completely masked by vocal effects. If you listen to his previous two singles, particularly "Limit To Your Love," you really start to get a sense of his chops.  The boy can SANG.

James Blake was announced as runner-up in BBC's Sound of 2011 poll, coming in second behind singer/songwriter Jessie J and listed alongside big names like Clare Maguire, The Vaccines and Jamie Woon. Before landing the big time, Blake received some early support from BBC Radio 1 DJs Gilles Peterson and Nick Grimshaw, both of whom played some of Blake's early, indie material on the air. Before even releasing his first official single, Blake was getting praised left and right by the DJ community. "Limit To Your Love" was named "Hottest Record In The World" by Radio 1's Zane Lowe, going on to peak at #47 on the UK Singles Chart when it was released in November. Blake's self-titled debut album was released in February where it debuted at #9 on the UK Albums chart, #1 in Belgium, #2 in Denmark and even #123 on the Billboard 200 chart. Pretty impressive for a debut, no?

Check out the dark and somewhat disturbing Martin de Thurah-directed video for "Lindisfarne" below. De Thurah also directed the video for Blake's first single, "Limit To Your Love." In the video we see a small group of friends performing some sort of a pact with one another. The pact involves strange ritualistic dancing, body painting and even some blood. Very odd but oddly intriguing. Blake briefly appears in the video singing, but for the most part the video focuses on the story of the children. "Lindisfarne," is due out June 20th. Download James Blake on U.S. iTunes HERE.

**FYI** Lindisfarne is the name of a small English island.

Check out James Blake on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

New Music Tuesday: VV Brown, Dan Black & More

And I wonder where all of my money goes...in addition to dropping just over $100 on that Girls Aloud Singles Boxed Set, I bought some full length albums as well this week. Here's the rundown...

Regina Spektor - Far: I love, love LOVE this album. I really got hooked on Regina Spektor with her commercially successful single "Fidelity" (another thank you owed to "Grey's Anatomy") but I went back and started listening to some of her older stuff as well. I liked it. While I still prefer Begin To Hope, to previous effort, Soviet Kitsch - Far may be my new favorite. I was surprised to read that Jacknife Lee produced a few tracks on the album. Why surprised? Because I knew Jacknife Lee as a remixer only! He did remixes for Christina Aguilera's "Can't Hold Us Down," Pink's "Just Like A Pill" and U2's "Vertigo" to name a few.

Top Tracks: "Laughing With," "Wallet," "One More Time With

Feeling," "Dance Anthem Of The 80's"

Check Out Regina Spektor on the web: Official Site//MySpace//YouTube

VV Brown - Travelling Like The Light: [SEE PREVIOUS POST FOR FULL REVIEW] I ordered the debut album from British artist VV Brown on Monday morning from CDWOW, in addition to two other CDs.

Top Tracks: "Shark In The Water," "Crying Blood," "L.O.V.E.," "I Love You"

Check Out VV Brown on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter

La Roux - Self Titled: As for La Roux, I don't know much about them, other than what I've read and what I've heard. I know I love singles "In For The Kill," "Quicksand," and "Bulletproof," as well as all of the associated remixes. I also know that I love Elly Jackson's vocals and personal style. Finally...I know that I'm disappointed that La Roux isn't coming to Boston as part of their small U.S. tour. My hope is that this tour is just a small teaser and that they will be back. Next single in the UK is "I'm Not Your Toy," and I'm looking forward to familiarizing myself with that track as well as the rest of the album.

Check out La Roux on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//YouTube

Dan Black - ((Un)): You've heard me rave about Dan Black as well. Well, truth be told, other than this online sampler that's been floating around (including the now defunct single "Hypntz" - a cover of Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize") and clips of his new single "Symphonies," I don't know the first thing about Dan Black! I know he's cute and talented. I also know that I like his style of electro-pop and that he has HUGE remix potential. He kind of reminds me of Sam Sparro, another electro-pop artist that I enjoy. Like La Roux, Dan Black is another artist I am looking forward to familiarizing myself with. Check out previous singles "Alone," "Yours" and the acoustic version of "U + Me =". Order the album HERE.

Check out Dan Black on the web: Official Site//MySpace//YouTube//Twitter

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AND THERE'S MORE...on iTunes today I purchased the new Shakira single "She Wolf," the long-awaited digital remix EP of "It's Your Love" from Melinda Doolittle, "First Train Home" from Imogen Heap and a couple "Love In July" remixes by Sally Shapiro.

What a week! And it's only Tuesday! Ha! I think I'm good for a little while...at least until the new Jordin Sparks album drops on July 21st.

Any other new music I should check out?