Disc-ussion: Radio City start to reveal the line-up for their summer concert at Liverpool's Echo Arena.



We're still waiting for that one stand out headliner but with loads more acts still to be announced, these lot serve as a very tasty warm-up. An ideal outing for the family, a good opportunity to take the kids to their first concert, and something that will have the mothers and brothers bopping away just as hard - Radio City Live brings an unrivaled buzz to the city. Pair all that with the summer sunshine and spectacular river front and it's hard to bypass.

Disc-ussion: Listen to Dreams a new track from the mysterious Beyoncé collaborator, BOOTS.


No one really knows who BOOTS is but he co-produced 80% of Beyoncé's latest record-breaking album, penned 4 of the tracks, and signed to Jay Z's Roc Nation. That makes him sound a lot more exciting than this track does however:

I wouldn't invest more than one listen. If it wasn't for the marketable Beyoncé feature you'd switch off before you'd even switched on. It's quite unusual to hear a man singing alongside Bey but it's almost preferential to the usual rap quicky that intrudes on most of her collaborations. That said, it's all a bit pointless - The pair have been dreaming about, well, you - Your luck's in - Repetitive dreaming. Monotonous dreaming. Yawning in your dream dreaming. If they think it's a hit they need to dream on..



   

Disc-ussion: Listen to a sample of Maverick Sabre's sophomore album with his new track, Breathe.

Disc-ussion: Bundi explores the effect child abuse can have on women in his new song, Trust Me.

Disc-ussion: Listen to LIPA taught Shell Delilah take on the flawed music industry with their new song, Here's Your Hook.



Taking a stance against a frivolous industry, Shell Deliah fortify their clever thinking with discerning lyrics and rousing music that warrants both applause and respect. With lyrical creativity bolstering a well constructed concept, the only thing left to desire is a more convincible conviction. More 'oomph' and less 'LIPA' would see the song grow freely.

With an impressive live show and some tantalising music tucked away in their vault, Shell Deliah should get your thumbs up.

Disc-ussion: Listen to the leading single from Rita Ora's sophomore album, the Calvin Harris produced I will Never Lever You Down.



Roc Nation team mates, boyfriend and girlfriend, both have dominated the UK charts..A collaboration made in heaven you would think - Kinda wrong. Rita and Calvin's personal involvement doesn't transfer to the track as it once did for their boss and Beyoncé on 03 Bonnie & Clyde. Calvin's trademark, anthem permissive beats aren't to be seen, with a more toned down approach leaving Rita's upbeat vocals to try and lift the track. It works for a while but it gradually wears off and all gets a bit boring after 2 minutes.

It should work, we want it to work, it could have been the soundtrack to our summer, but instead it's a bit like a firework that fizzes out before it reaches the highs of the skies:



That said, there's nothing out there to substitute it yet and Calvin's seemingly invincible when it comes to the sounds of summer, so everyone will still settle for this love affair - Even if it does let us down a little bit.

Released: May 11th 2014

Disc-ussion: Listen to the full version of It's On Again, from the soundtrack to Amazing Spider-Man 2. Alicia Keys is joined by Kendrick Lamar, with Pharrell Williams producing the track and Hans Zimmer lending his orchestra.



Alicia sings 'I sacrifice my ego, there ain't no room for selfish' and it must have been convincing back in the studio - Four stars combine harmoniously to create a disco inspired, string-heavy track that digresses from their individual norms. With Alicia opening on the keys, Kendrick spits fire over Hans Orchestra before passing on the Mic to Alicia as the song takes a turn towards an R&B, disco vibe synonymous with Pharrell's production.



With the lyrics divulging a higher calling, we cant help but conclude It's On Again serves as an instruction to get our shoulders shimmying. Spider-Man needs to get that lycra on the go.

Released: 1st April 2014

Disc-ussion: Listen to Tanika's newly released Fucking With My Heart EP.

Disc-ussion: Jay Electronica releases a We Made It remix in collaboration with Jay Z.


There's been a lot said about Jay Elect's Roc Nation efforts being missing in action, and the strength of the relationship between Hov's label and the elusive rapper has been much disputed  across all channels. Their alliance however can no longer be under fire as they silent the devil, the haters, the bloggers and the papers with a couple of elite verses.

We get new music, a Jay Z feature and a confirmation that Jay Elect is still on board - Could it get any better? Yes, and it does - Hov casually throws in a message to 'Mr. Drizzy' politely talking down the subversive star, it's no diss but it does serve as a light warning in response to Drake's comments in Rolling Stone.

Listen:

Drake: "It's like Hov can't drop bars these days without at least four art references, I would love to collect [art] at some point, but I think the whole Rap/art world thing is getting kind of corny."    

Vs. 

Jay Z: "Sorry Mrs. Drizzy for so much art talk, Silly me, rappin' 'bout shit that I really bought/ While these rappers rap about guns that they ain't shot/ And a bunch of other silly shit that they ain't got."

Is Drake clever enough to leave it at that?

Disc-ussion: Karima Francis debuts new song Believe In Love live in Paris, as she supports Skunk Anansie on their European Tour.

Disc-ussion: Little Mix flew back home to perform their Sport Relief single Word Up live at the BBC's event. 



Their cover of the 1980's cameo hit was paired with a light and fun performance for the well-wishers watching on.

Watch the video:


Buy the charity single, out now - 100% profits go to Sport Relief!

Disc-ussion: A Sicilian nun gets down with the cool kids, bopping her way through Alicia Keys' No One for her Voice of Italy blind audition.


A true sister act with boundless energy, Cristina Scuccia casually reveals she's awaiting a call from The Pope regarding her appearance on the show! The judges reaction is great but the team of clapping nuns are
 AMAZING!

 

Disc-ussion: The Saturdays have premiered new track Bigger, the B-Side from their next single Not Giving Up.

Disc-ussion: Kate Bush is to play 15 nights at London's Eventim Apollo for her first live shows since 1979.



The surprise announcement came in this short note posted on her website:

Kate 

It has been 35 years since she was last seen performing live as a timid 20 year old on her Lionheart European Tour, concluding at the Hammersmith Odeon. Picking up at the same venue she left off, can Kate's distinctive vocals and unparalleled style overcome the nerves and cobwebs left with her dormant mic stand? 3,500 odd people will decide on the following nights:

Disc-ussion: Lady Lykez explores the turbulence of relationships in her definitive video for Psycho.


The London femcee demonstrates her immense talent by depicting the ups and downs of love with a bit of humour and a lot of truth. Carrying through the concept into an effective video, there's bound to be a lot of guilty smiles from the female viewers - whilst it serves as the perfect ammunition for all the moany males.



Forget your love hate relationships for 4 minutes, it's all love for this.

Disc-ussion: Following from a fairly mundane collaboration with Rihanna, we finally hear something with more flair in Shakira's latest single - Dare  (La La La).


The Afrojack produced single has been left to stew for some time now but with summer on its way and dance music set to go strong in 2014 the timing might just be right. It wouldn't have proved too strong a competitor in 2012 when Rudimental and Swedish House Mafia were left to reign, but now that Don't You Worry Child and Feel The Love have been and gone Shakira can dare to be the lightweight champion.



UK release: March 24, Shakira.

Disc-ussion: My Ginger friend's hair wasn't the only thing on fire last night as Alicia Keys brought Liverpool's Echo Arena to life with the opening show to the UK leg of her Set The World On Fire Tour.

Delivering piano based ballads to a capacity arena crowd sounds rather farfetched from the offset but Alicia Keys is a woman who definitely knows her worth. With a confident assertiveness to her stage presence, AK seemingly transformed what is essentially a concrete pit, into a consensual cluster of both captivated and charmed individuals, embedding soul into even the furthest of walls. 

Alicia's hometown was encapsulated in most aspects of the show, and was ever so prominent as the concert opened to a New York medley. Savvy projections took us on a gliding tour of the city, flying by Brooklyn Bridge and into a block window where Alicia waited. When the transparent curtain lifted, Alicia stunned in a very NY esque get up, including a wide beamed hat and a smile to match.


There was a genuine sense of enjoyment in Alicia's performance, I don't think I've ever seen an artist so at home on the stage. Her voice soared effortlessly, the audience bearing witness to a natural gift being showcased most spectacularly. Classics such as 'You Don't Know My Name' and 'If I Ain't Got You' were a dream, phone call attached. The less known 101 proved a handy pit-stop loo break for half the audience, but they were damned if they missed the proceeding 'Fallin'. As Alicia sat at her piano for love laden ballads such as 'Tears Always Win' and 'Not Even The King', the crowd couldn't help but stand. 'Diary' was notably stunning, with a beautiful accompanying projection. 


The show didn't need any fancy staging or pyrotechnics, but 4 dancers and a drum brought the party to Liverpool and ensured everyone left happy. 'Un-Thinkable' perfected the vibe early on, and a vivacious 'New Day' had fist's pumping. Closing a sensational set, Alicia donned some drums and led into her infectious anthem 'Girl On Fire'. The audience's ecstasy hit as hard as AK's drumsticks, and the concrete pit was filled with echo's of 'This Girl Is On Fiyerrrr' / 'This ginge is on fiyerr', as excitement levels burst.