So On A Mission‘s out this April. Who are you working with and what can we expect to hear?
“The main producer i’m working with is Geeneus, he runs Rinse FM and first heard me while I was singing over house tunes. He approached me to do some work with him along with DJ Zinc and thats how the process of Katy B started really. Geeneus produced most the album and in the past he’s made grime, Funky and dubstep. Zinc comes from a drum’n'bass and jungle background, but concentrates more on house now, so [there's] a lot of London underground influences in terms of sound, with my little vocals over the top.”
http://www.factmag.com/2011/02/16/five-minutes-with-katy-b/
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:36 (2 years ago) Permalink
the single so far, for those who haven't heard yet:
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:37 (2 years ago) Permalink
Was just thinking about starting this thread a couple of days ago. I'm ancitipating this more than pretty much any release this year. Glad to see Perfect Stranger is on there as well.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:40 (2 years ago) Permalink
I'm kind of looking forward to it. I've always loved her voice As I and Tell me are still all time funky vocal faves of mine so if anything even vaugly sounds that good on this or is at least kinda fun like the singles it'll be worth a listen I'm sure.
― jimitheexploder, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:41 (2 years ago) Permalink
Can't remember who did it, but there's a d'n'b remix of On A Mission which I prefer to the OG.
― dentarthurdent (dog latin), Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:47 (2 years ago) Permalink
Zinc as co-producer is a good move as well, he's great at doing updated twists on 90s house, which is kinda the vibe I expect from the album.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:50 (2 years ago) Permalink
In terms of artists I’d say Adele, she was in my class at school and she has an amazing voice so I can’t wait to hear her album. James Blake was in my class as well so I’m excited to hear what he’s made, i haven’t heard it either yet.
Is there some secret UK music school I don't know about?
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:50 (2 years ago) Permalink
Yes. 95% of all UK pop music now comes from the same school:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRIT_School
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:52 (2 years ago) Permalink
She went to BRIT school with Adele and Goldsmiths with James Blake - it's the double.
― DL, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:54 (2 years ago) Permalink
the triple - she was at RBMA with jackmaster, lunice, braiden and illum sphere too...
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:59 (2 years ago) Permalink
It's like the Bullingdon Club - everyone knows everyone else.
― DL, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 13:11 (2 years ago) Permalink
Wouldn't mind hearing a Katy B & P Money collab. On a beat like Airmiles by Swindle or DOK's remix of Terror Danjah's Sidechain. Something grimy and ravey with loads of colour. It could work well.
― jimitheexploder, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 13:31 (2 years ago) Permalink
I would prob just end up being on something Sweetshop by Doctor P though lol
― jimitheexploder, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 13:33 (2 years ago) Permalink
you know Four Tet, Hot Chip, Burial and the XX all went to the same (as each other) school too?
― basically just a 2/47 freak out (sic), Wednesday, 16 February 2011 13:38 (2 years ago) Permalink
Surely not at the same time? Four Tet feels like he's been around so much longer than the others.
This album's as exciting for the possible effect on British dance-pop as it is as a record in its own right. If it's both good and a success it might help kill off the shonky electro collaboration for good.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 13:40 (2 years ago) Permalink
not in the same year of course, no. let's think of it as a relay.
kinda amazed that the album is only happening now! when I was in London last year, approximately every single wall in the city had 4 KATY ON A MISSION posters plastered on it, surprising to now realise that promo spend was only for the single
― basically just a 2/47 freak out (sic), Wednesday, 16 February 2011 13:44 (2 years ago) Permalink
That school sounds a bit like an episode of Skins, all the older famous ones you vaguely recognise are the teachers/parents and the younger ones get up to high-jinx and try and bother the charts. No one ever leaves, they all live there.
― jimitheexploder, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 13:46 (2 years ago) Permalink
since its not on youtube, fave katy b track (since 'as i' at least)
http://soundcloud.com/dominorecordco/the-count-sinden-feat-katy-b-hold-me
― idgi fridays (blueski), Wednesday, 16 February 2011 13:49 (2 years ago) Permalink
It makes me really happy that all of the singles have been so successful so far, despite (squillions of posters aside, and in Glasgow I've not seen any) what I would perceive to be relatively minimal hype. It would be wonderful if the sound Katy B works in - distinctly UK urban pop - were to become a new template for pop in general. I could get behind Radio One if they were playing "As I" clones all afternoon instead of sexless r&b-tinged electropop.
― o0o00h really? (boxedjoy), Wednesday, 16 February 2011 18:43 (2 years ago) Permalink
Definitely. There's something intensely likable about her stuff - the raver next door. I'm not surprised she's a big Neneh Cherry fan.
― DL, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 18:51 (2 years ago) Permalink
Reassuringly creepy looking.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 19:09 (2 years ago) Permalink
Is that Katy B's house?
― DL, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 19:10 (2 years ago) Permalink
haha trying to imagine katy b recording her album in a church
it could work! that church in dalston that's been renovated as a rave venue
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 19:12 (2 years ago) Permalink
Hah, that was meant to go on the PJ Harvey thread, in case you hadn't guessed.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 19:27 (2 years ago) Permalink
Katy B - In A Mission
― seminal fuiud (NickB), Wednesday, 16 February 2011 19:31 (2 years ago) Permalink
I am laying the word-of-mouth groundwork in the U.S. (I got one person I work with to listen and she liked Katy B. I doubt she has her on her iPod yet though.)
― _Rudipherous_, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 20:01 (2 years ago) Permalink
Broken Record is good. Not sure if it's going to be an official single?
― abcfsk, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 20:47 (2 years ago) Permalink
i think i heard broken record was going to be next single, in which case i approve. so excited for this album!
― teledyldonix, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 20:50 (2 years ago) Permalink
<3 Katy B. Mucho excited for this.
― banjee trillness (The Reverend), Wednesday, 16 February 2011 23:17 (2 years ago) Permalink
very much looking forward to this.
― The Brainwasher, Thursday, 17 February 2011 00:17 (2 years ago) Permalink
Count me among the super-excited. Katy B is one of my favorite discoveries from the EOY polls. What was the name of "Mission"'s B-side? I wz kinda bummed that that had been left off the album's tracklist...
― kingkongvsbasedgodzilla (Drugs A. Money), Thursday, 17 February 2011 06:01 (2 years ago) Permalink
do you mean "louder"? yeah, i didn't even notice it isn't on the tracklist until you mentioned it :\
― teledyldonix, Thursday, 17 February 2011 06:30 (2 years ago) Permalink
^Why no "Louder"? That song is too good to be categorized as a buzz single.
Also, I'm glad people are anticipating her album on here. I've been wanting to listen to this more than Lady Gaga or Britney. I loved all the singles so far. I kinda like the idea she learned music in school too.
― Okay Pet Shop Boys Aren't That Bad. (lilsoulbrother), Friday, 18 February 2011 03:58 (2 years ago) Permalink
That song is too good to be categorized as a buzz single.
it's not categorised as a "buzz single," it's a b-side
― The Marquis de Sade Adu (sic), Friday, 18 February 2011 06:22 (2 years ago) Permalink
odd for b-sides to get videos, esp given that she can't have a huge budget (not that it looks like it cost much to shoot)
― lex pretend, Friday, 18 February 2011 07:38 (2 years ago) Permalink
― abcfsk, Wednesday, 2 March 2011 20:42 (2 years ago) Permalink
This is a really nice album!
― barieling cosder chout a fagh in a ballme thrantuman (dog latin), Thursday, 3 March 2011 23:13 (2 years ago) Permalink
Really nice as in... cheese pop with a load of dance signifiers that manages to not quite sound like shit? Cos that’s something I can get on board with!
― jimitheexploder, Thursday, 3 March 2011 23:34 (2 years ago) Permalink
Not feeling "Broken Record".
― banjee trillness (The Reverend), Thursday, 3 March 2011 23:37 (2 years ago) Permalink
Me either worst of the lot yet by far.
Lights On might be my fave so far and I wasn't that keen on it at first. It seems to have the most legs out of all the singles. On A Mission isn't really working for me anymore and Louder was a bit, well not there...
― jimitheexploder, Thursday, 3 March 2011 23:44 (2 years ago) Permalink
― jimitheexploder, Thursday, 3 March 2011 23:34 (Yesterday) Bookmark
Yes, exactly.
― barieling cosder chout a fagh in a ballme thrantuman (dog latin), Friday, 4 March 2011 14:41 (2 years ago) Permalink
Has this leaked?
― Matt DC, Friday, 4 March 2011 14:53 (2 years ago) Permalink
i am feeling "broken record"
― teledyldonix, Friday, 4 March 2011 16:30 (2 years ago) Permalink
I don't like it and I suddenly am expecting this album to disappoint me. (But if I expect it to disappoint me, can I still be disappointed?)
― _Rudipherous_, Friday, 4 March 2011 22:17 (2 years ago) Permalink
"Broken Record" is very much an album track rather than single. I'm still expecting this album to be great.
― Okay Pet Shop Boys Aren't That Bad. (lilsoulbrother), Saturday, 5 March 2011 02:49 (2 years ago) Permalink
Lots of remixes up of Broken Record on Rinse's youtube
Jacques Greene is my pick of the bunch so far and it isn't to hot, Todd Edwards is ok, Geeneus' funky remix doesn't really sound like funky... all a bit weak really. hmm...
― jimitheexploder, Monday, 7 March 2011 11:56 (2 years ago) Permalink
Love Broken Record. The remixes don't sound too hot, though.
― abcfsk, Monday, 7 March 2011 12:21 (2 years ago) Permalink
Quite like the JG. It's opened up the original for me a bit. Haven't heard the Geeneus mix yet but curious where he goes with it.
― Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill The Radio Star (Alex in Montreal), Monday, 7 March 2011 12:39 (2 years ago) Permalink
broken records not bad. sounds like something from the late 90s. im imagining the album will be like recent skream/magnetic man, just with songs.
― titchy (titchyschneiderMk2), Monday, 7 March 2011 12:48 (2 years ago) Permalink
Yes, although it is less horrible than those two albums.
― barieling cosder chout a fagh in a ballme thrantuman (dog latin), Monday, 7 March 2011 12:53 (2 years ago) Permalink
wiley always turns me into a grinning doofus when he jumps into "got paid"... what an amazing verse
― J0rdan S., Friday, 28 December 2012 05:35 (5 months ago) Permalink
getting jiggy with katy b is literally my sole goal in life
― J0rdan S., Friday, 28 December 2012 05:36 (5 months ago) Permalink
otm
― Rolling "2 chainz" draadje (The Reverend), Friday, 28 December 2012 07:42 (5 months ago) Permalink
have power on you
― the little prince of inane false binary hype (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 28 December 2012 13:17 (5 months ago) Permalink
Someone has probably already pointed this out but "Aaliyah" is at least the second time in a Katy B song where there is some issue of someone not letting someone else get by, although in "Aaliyah" you can take it simply as metaphor.
― _Rudipherous_, Thursday, 24 January 2013 05:29 (4 months ago) Permalink
Probably the earlier line makes me take the line in "Aaliyah" in a very physical way.
― _Rudipherous_, Thursday, 24 January 2013 05:32 (4 months ago) Permalink
One thing that seems notable about Katy's songs is that so often they feel very physically situated, like she's really trying to place the listener into the environment using her lyrics. It's like she's stageblocking social situations. So a physical reading of that line seems appropriate to me.
― Tim F, Thursday, 24 January 2013 05:38 (4 months ago) Permalink
standing at the bar with my friend oliviaaaa
― lex pretend, Thursday, 24 January 2013 08:26 (4 months ago) Permalink
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01qnwhd/clips
― r|t|c, Saturday, 23 February 2013 00:17 (3 months ago) Permalink
Listening to On a Mission now. I don't remember if I've ever actually heard the whole album before, but it reinforces my sense that "Broken Record" is the best thing on it. I mean, "Katy on a Mission" isn't too far behind -- it's probably a more interestingly constructed song -- but I really ~feel~ "Broken Record."
― jaymc, Saturday, 23 February 2013 03:34 (3 months ago) Permalink
"Easy Please Me"!
― the little prince of inane false binary hype (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 23 February 2013 03:42 (3 months ago) Permalink
I've said this before and quickly recanted for fear of getting the gasface, but the verses on Broken Record strongly remind me of the first part of Paranoid Android
― harvester of lols (Drugs A. Money), Saturday, 23 February 2013 05:49 (3 months ago) Permalink
Don't do it.
― Harlem vs Alabama (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Saturday, 23 February 2013 05:50 (3 months ago) Permalink
lol
― harvester of lols (Drugs A. Money), Saturday, 23 February 2013 05:51 (3 months ago) Permalink
"broken record" is ALL about the last twenty seconds or so. the way she rides that recOoOoOrd melody >>>>>>
― monotony, Saturday, 23 February 2013 08:23 (3 months ago) Permalink
katy's extra verse in the live version!!!
― lex pretend, Saturday, 23 February 2013 22:13 (3 months ago) Permalink
was all for "Broken Record" before, glad critical consensus coalesced around it (because that album had like seven fucking singles) but now I'd say "Disappear" is by far best
― katherine, Sunday, 24 February 2013 01:48 (3 months ago) Permalink
"witches' brew" is far and away the best single and album standout imo
― lex pretend, Sunday, 24 February 2013 08:53 (3 months ago) Permalink
also i think "louder" is better than 90% of the album
it's weird putting them in order because the quality is very consistent across the album, for the most part - there isn't much separating these at all
witches' brew > lights on > katy on a mission > (louder) > go away > easy please me > power on me > movement > broken record > water > why you always here > something new > disappear > hard to get
― lex pretend, Sunday, 24 February 2013 08:58 (3 months ago) Permalink
nobody linked to this? here, just in case anybody who might be interested missed it:
http://pitchfork.com/features/update/9075-katy-b/
― bride of lecherchaun (Drugs A. Money), Wednesday, 20 March 2013 15:11 (2 months ago) Permalink
lead single off new album debuting on annie mac in a minute
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/bbc_radio_one
song's called "what love is made of"
― buenos noches, do not approach us (uberweiss), Friday, 10 May 2013 18:59 (1 month ago) Permalink
KATIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEE
― J0rdan S., Friday, 10 May 2013 19:26 (1 month ago) Permalink
https://soundcloud.com/katyb/what-love-is-made-of-radio/s-6lw2L
― deeznuggz (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Friday, 10 May 2013 20:10 (1 month ago) Permalink
OMG SO GOOD.
I find this super-straight but mysterious house sound (e.g. this and "Aaliyah") such a good look for Katy.
― Tim F, Friday, 10 May 2013 20:41 (1 month ago) Permalink
Yeah that's great. She's got such a good ear for melody, that vocal line never goes to the obvious places the groove is trying to push it to.
'Aaliyah' had better be on the album.
― Matt DC, Friday, 10 May 2013 20:43 (1 month ago) Permalink
this song is really good
think "got paid" might be one my favorite songs by her, if not my favorite
― J0rdan S., Friday, 10 May 2013 21:10 (1 month ago) Permalink
WHOA
NICE
― A deeper shade of lol (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 10 May 2013 21:13 (1 month ago) Permalink
yeah this is a winner
'aaliyah' was a look but this is more like style, with the maturing confidence to not try to distinguish herself lyrically on every line and instead just let the house signifiers do the talking
but still the sheer quality of "and i can say life is for days / looking at your beautiful face"
― r|t|c, Friday, 10 May 2013 21:23 (1 month ago) Permalink
yeah that's great. i suppose it's noteworthy that the two most credible UK pop singers at the moment are both mining 80s sounds right now, kind of neat that they've taken complimentary approaches
― dschinghis kraan (NickB), Friday, 10 May 2013 21:26 (1 month ago) Permalink
isn't it 'and i can stay like this for days'
cool tune
― buenos noches, do not approach us (uberweiss), Friday, 10 May 2013 21:42 (1 month ago) Permalink
so so good
album not till october tho bleurghh :(
― prolego, Friday, 10 May 2013 21:42 (1 month ago) Permalink
this is a nice tune but i am surprised to hear it's the lead single. it doesn't sound that thrilling or instantly gratifying.
i also adore "got paid" -- wish "aaliyah" had had a different title so people would've stanned for "got paid" instead
― dyl, Friday, 10 May 2013 22:22 (1 month ago) Permalink
i should say tho that a lot of the other katy b material i love wasn't "instantly gratifying" either so maybe i am judging too early
― dyl, Friday, 10 May 2013 22:26 (1 month ago) Permalink
the two most credible UK pop singers at the moment are both mining 80s sounds right now
fuck it. i'll bite.
who is the other one then ?
― mark e, Friday, 10 May 2013 22:27 (1 month ago) Permalink
jake bugg
― prolego, Friday, 10 May 2013 22:29 (1 month ago) Permalink
jessie ware presumably?
― dyl, Friday, 10 May 2013 22:31 (1 month ago) Permalink
Charlotte CHurch
― deeznuggz (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Friday, 10 May 2013 22:31 (1 month ago) Permalink
i thought jessie w as well ..
if not her, then i really am stumped and need to be directed accordingly ..
(btw .. the jake answer made me proper choke on my beer and laugh out loud .. )
― mark e, Friday, 10 May 2013 22:33 (1 month ago) Permalink
Also assumed JW, though a world in which their approaches are to be contrasted is quite a narrow one imo.
― scintilla (seandalai), Saturday, 11 May 2013 02:08 (1 month ago) Permalink
Hmmm. Liked this on first listen and already liking it more on second listen.
― _Rudipherous_, Saturday, 11 May 2013 03:17 (1 month ago) Permalink
Also assumed JW, though a world in which their approaches are to be contrasted is quite a narrow one imo
It's an emotional contrast, you can really hear it on Aaliyah - Katy always sounds either exuberant or defiant and when Jessie comes in she sounds like the most mournful person in the world in comparison. Katy B doing 'Imagine It Was Us' would be a very different beast, determined rather than longing.
― Matt DC, Saturday, 11 May 2013 11:03 (1 month ago) Permalink
I mean Jessie can do strong and booming pretty well (Night Light, Taking In Water, the Rack & Ruin collab) but it's curious she's elected not to do so on house tracks. Maybe it's a register thing, but I like to think it's an emotional choice.
― Matt DC, Saturday, 11 May 2013 11:05 (1 month ago) Permalink
this is amazing <3
― flamenco drop (lex pretend), Saturday, 11 May 2013 23:25 (1 month ago) Permalink
― J0rdan S., Sunday, 26 May 2013 15:48 (3 weeks ago) Permalink
The video for "What Love Is Made Of". . . Has she been watching old reggaeton videos?
― _Rudipherous_, Saturday, 15 June 2013 17:22 (4 days ago) Permalink
haha yeah, it does have that vibe. I don't really care much for the song, sounds like a much weaker version of "Aaliyah". The sonic palette was the least interesting thing about that song to begin with.
― The Reverend, Saturday, 15 June 2013 23:22 (4 days ago) Permalink
I like the song a lot. I am turning into a fan of house 25 years after hearing house for the first time. It's weird. (I still don't like most of it really, but I like a whole lot more of it than I did just a few years ago.)
Does seem kind of limited sonically, but it still adds up to enough for me.
― _Rudipherous_, Sunday, 16 June 2013 00:40 (3 days ago) Permalink
I really hate all the drag race stuff in the middle of the video. Have more respect for your own song. Why interrupt and trash it that way? This is not a movie.
― _Rudipherous_, Monday, 17 June 2013 16:34 (2 days ago) Permalink
the song is boring, i have little respect for it
― dyl, Monday, 17 June 2013 22:12 (2 days ago) Permalink
it is a bit of a weak lemon drink of a track, but idk that's still quite nice sometimes. comfortingly insipid
― r|t|c, Monday, 17 June 2013 22:51 (2 days ago) Permalink