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Jamie T's New Album 'Kings & Queens' One For the Ages
- Author: Min-Q Kim
- Posted on: Friday October 9, 2009 at 11:00 AM
- Filed under: music, jamie t, exclusive, kings & queens
Jamie T: Remember the name. He makes songs for disillusioned misfits everywhere, trying to navigate their own patch of paved paradise. Anyone who has ever hopped a subway turnstyle, shouted from a 10-story rooftop, skateboarded under a bridge, or rolled a keg into an abandoned lot and made a night of it will find a kindred spirit in this kid from South London with the f*ck-all grin.
Jaime T's rise on the UK music scene was as quick as his lightning fast delivery. He wrote his debut album 'Panic Prevention' as a teenager, released his first single at 20, and by 21 he was winning major awards, including the NME award for Best Solo Act, beating out the likes of Thom Yorke and Jarvis Cocker.
Below is the video for Jamie T's new single 'Sticks N Stones' - from his new record 'Kings & Queens.'
I don't know how else to say this: "Kings & Queens" is a street-beat masterpiece. From beginning to end, the record does not let up: the sheer number of words per square inch will astound... It's a dizzying verbal assault, laid over beats so raw they sound like they were soldered together and are being held together with electrical tape. Fresh and modern, it's tailored for a generation raised on mix-tapes, the 24-hour news cycle and an incessant barrage of information.
From the plodding, industrial opener '368,' to the raucous 'Sticks N Stones,' to the folksy, tender closer 'Jilly Armeen,' Jamie establishes himself as the new voice for urban youth. 'Spider's Web' is full of mischief: smashing piñatas, spewing fits full of laughter, tumbling through rubble, Jamie and a bloke named Ben Skeleton mixing their own medicine...
'British Intelligence' is more defiant: a pulse-pounding track confronting the socio-economic plight of the proletariat. But anyone who knows him will tell you, Jamie is not one to preach. "As soon as I see the dust settle, let's go out and find some trouble," he cries out on 'Sticks N Stones' - and you can almost hear him smirking.
(photo: Alex Surrock)
Take the words on 'The Man's Machine': "Stone, glass, concrete, and gravel: all we got to keep us together." As I look out my window onto the New York City skyline, it occurs to me that he is singing about me too, and my New York -- to hell with the bright lights, Madison Avenue, bottle-service version. Suddenly, I am recounting all the bleary nights I've spent out among those buildings; the city has never felt closer.
Check out Jamie's MySpace.
And go here to see a bonus video: 'Chaka Demus,' also on 'Kings & Queens.'
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COMMENTS
“i love it - i fucking love it - wow - that was great thanks - going to download his music - xoxo - real - thats what i think - and perfect for those that cant stand status quo - ”
