Gabriella Cilmi 'On a Mission'

This video rips off Little Boots' space aesthetics and geometric imagery in one sweeping, cheesy blow. The song itself is a stale power-pop number that doesn't really pack any punch. Innovation, people.

Rating: 1/10

'The Truth About Tanning'

Nicola rocked it tonight with her documentary on 'The Truth About Tanning'. She really did get to core of the problem of sunbeds and fake tanning. The show demonstrated the extreme measures people are taking such as injections and overexposure in sunbeds. The message was really emphasised when Nicola visited a woman with severe skin cancer caused by tanning and the operation she had to undertake. The only negative about the show was the radio presenter who tried to suggest she was bringing the issue to our attention for personal gain and that she was promoting her own paleness as a product. Roberts handled the situation gracefully but was evident that the ignorance of the presenter did upset her. Hopefully more people will reassess the risks and actuality of what they are doing to their bodies. Something tells me that a documentary isn't going to do the trick. But it is a good start.

On a side note, it has to be said that Nicola looked stunning in each scene. Her outfit choices were sleek and sophisticated and her make-up was immaculate. She really is becoming a fashion icon in her own right.

Rating: 8/10

Wanrudee Buranakorn 'Veil'

'Veil' deals with female experience and emotion. A woman is entrapped by her own surroundings; her interior world has now become threatening and perilous. We witness a female in several poses trying to cope with the material that is almost suffocating her. The viewer observes the woman in positions ranging from obvious struggle to submission. What is interesting about 'Veil' is that the entire picture is white. This furthers the concept of entrapment; as the woman cannot see past what confines her, she is unaware of what lies outside. Both the woman's interior and exterior environment are equal in appearance. The series poses a question; if woman breaks through the barrier will it be any different than what she was escaping from? In addition, it raises the matter whether the woman will be happier in new surroundings or does the issue exist within herself. The concept is simple but the message is penetrating.

Rating: 7/10

Ellie Goulding 'Lights' Artwork

Topped as BBC's Sound Of The Year, Ellie Goulding revealed the artwork to her debut album today. The designer was clearly inspired by the record's title and may have took it too literally. The image is a nice photo of Ellie with photoshopped speckled lights as a background and through locks of her hair. The final result looks amateur and the light effect looks like it was done at random, without any great effort. It's what's on the inside that counts. I hope.

Rating: 2.5/10

Joanna Newsom 'Have One On Me' Artwork

Feast your eyes on Joanna Newsom's artwork for her new record 'Have One On Me'. The painting depicts Newsom in full recline in a room set against the sky with animals and art. The whimsical image is quite colourful and detailed which makes you look closer. Just not too sure on the font used, which is a little overpowering and cartoonish.

Rating: 5.5/10

February Playlist

I've decided that I will create a playlist of songs at the start of each month. These compilations will incorporate a mixture of songs that I have been listening to a lot whilst acknowledging songs that I feel work well together. This month's selection is quite short seems to be very melancholic pop orientated with a few upbeat numbers. Without further ado here is February's playlist:

The Golden Filter 'Thunderbird'

Cheryl Cole 'Parachute'
Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'Softshock'
Kleerup 'Until We Bleed'
Corinne Bailey Rae 'Munich'
The Teenagers 'Homecoming'
Mini Viva 'I Wish'
Röyksopp 'You Don't Have A Clue'
Goldfrapp 'Let It Take You'

Shirley Manson Facebook Post

Shirley posted this on her Facebook page this morning:

"Anyway.......on a final note
Guess who I just spent a week in the studio with?
Would you be pleased if I said one of them was called Steve and one of them was called Duke and another was a grammy winning producer?"

This has gotten me extremely excited beyond belief. Whether or not they are breathing new life into the band or this is for her solo record, I cannot wait for the results. And Butch finally won Grammy yesterday. Well deserved.

The Golden Filter

On second thought maybe the mysterious 'Iamamiwhoami' videos are not from The Golden Filter. I am completely at odds with myself to figure out who the artist is behind them. The reason why I'm ruling out my second guess at the teasing entity is because The Golden Filter, who are due to release their 'Voluspa' record in the coming months, have released their own online video. The video ties in completely with the artwork for the record.

I have acquired two songs by The Golden Filter; 'Thunderbird' and 'Solid Gold'. They are disco-infused numbers that amalgamate electronic and synth foundations with pounding drums, basslines and mysterious lyrics. 'Thunderbird' is a disco-inspired song based on a mythical bird and purification rituals that contains pounding drums and a narrative about a "house made of the dawn". On the other hand, 'Solid Gold' is a five minute mystical synth journey with dreamy vocals that leads us into a magical world where everything is made of gold. It is clear that the band do not want to explore ideas such as nightlife or partying and opt to express larger concepts and bring the listener into another realm. A hint lies in the title of their album 'Voluspa' which is named after a poem from the Poetic Edda which is deeply rooted in Norse mythology. It is a wise-woman's prophecy that explores the creation of the world and its inevitable demise. After a year of electronic instruments being popularised and used to death (in some cases), it is refreshing to hear ambitious use of synths without trying to recreate past sounds. Both singles have the lyrical depth to capture your imagination and music that will command your body onto a dancefloor.

Cheryl Cole 'Parachute' Video

Here is the video for Cheryl's third single 'Parachute'. The videos for this single and '3 Words' are showing a more serious and mature side to what Cheryl can achieve as a solo artist. Both come as a relief after the dreadful first single 'Fight For This Love'. Cheryl plays the role of a modern senorita, complete with suitors and capes for one of the better songs on her debut.

Rating: 5/10

Vengeance And The Panther Queen

Florence has her 'Machine'. Marina has her 'Diamonds'. And now Vengeance has its own 'Panther Queen'. Composing of members of Republic Of Loose and fronted by Tara McCormack, Vengeance And The Panther Queen may be what 2010 needs. Citing their sound as "nothing human" and influences ranging from The Carpenters, Roxy Music, Missy Elliot to Britney Spears. The band are still in their early stages and haven't got any final recordings completed. However their demo for 'Keep It On The Phone' is worth noting for its raucous guitar riffs and catchy hooks. Even by judging by this raw effort, it's easy to see that there is definite talent and a personality that grabs you. There could be a diamond in the rough here, or should it be, a queen in the making?