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The Yorker presents this week's succinct guide to goings-on of the musical variety, both locally and nationally. Here you'll find previews of a selection of single and album releases from the week ahead, as well as a guide to the hottest tickets in town for live music.
This Wednesday sees the launch of the University of York's own concert series, international artists performing at the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, in the music department, bringing the finest in classical, jazz and world music right to your doorstep. Kicking off the term is world-renowned soprano and early music expert Emma Kirkby, finally performing once more in York following her unfortunate cancellation last year. She will perform a programme of Handel, Vivaldi and Corelli, accompanied by members of the Yorkshire Baroque Soloists in a concert dedicated to the memory of Emeritus Professor John Paynter, former head of the music department and long-term supporter of the concert series.
The Duchess presents a mellow affair on Thursday with the visit of Benjamin Francis Leftwich who brings his own brand of dreamy acoustic pop to the venue as part of a UK tour in support of his debut EP A Million Miles Out. The Duchess promises an evening of nothing but voice and acoustic guitar and the event will be seated on a first come, first served basis so get there early to avoid disappointment. Sample his new single 'Atlas Hands' here:
'I don't have to make pop records anymore' announced Elton John when speaking about his thirtieth studio album, Union, released tomorrow in the US and over here next Monday. The project is in fact a collaboration with legendary American singer-songwriter Leon Russell and it marks a departure in John's recording career in regards to the fact that it is his first record since 1979's Victim Of Love which he has made without any of his band members. Featuring guest appearances from Bono, Brian Wilson and Neil Young, it is hoped that the album will see Elton return to his musical roots in a similarly scintillating fashion to that of Tom Jones in his highly successful summer release Praise & Blame.
However, the big launch of the week comes from current alt-rock rulers Kings Of Leon who return with their fifth studio album Come Around Sundown. While taster single Radioactive indicates a refreshing step away from the angst-ridden hit-parade that was 2008's Only By The Night, the Followill's may have to produce more alienating stuff than this if they still want to rid themselves of their newly acquired two-song fans. Perhaps acid house is the way to go for number six, boys? While they think about that, watch them talk about the lead single:
Christina Aguilera - 'You Lost Me'
Based on 'You Lost Me', the third single from Christina Aguilera's mostly underwhelming recent album Bionic, it would appear that the songstress has wisely stopped trying to steal back her controversy-pop crown from Lady Gaga, instead presenting a back-to-basics ballad confronting the lyrical gold-mine of a partner's infidelity. Lyrically speaking, the gambit doesn't quite pay off; there are inane rhymes to be found left, right and centre, perhaps the worst offender being 'We had magic/And this is tragic'. Listeners may also struggle to make it past the first minute of the track, Aguilera's faux-folorn vocal resting atop an unforgivably generic piano line, a combination shamelessly designed to press an audiences' emotional buttons. However, if you do make it to the end, you'll be rewarded with some gorgeous string arrangements and Aguilera finally letting her trademark passionate vocals do the talking.
Eliza Doolittle - 'Rollerblades'
Hot on the heels of catchy singles 'Skinny Genes' and 'Pack Up', despite the success of the latter being primarily due to the chorus-contribution from gospel artist Lloyd Wade, Eliza Doolittle returns with another tune that you'll be singing all day regardless of how much you actually like it. 'Rollerblades', taken from the Camden-born singer-songwriter's self-titled debut album, presents a fluffy vocal melody strewn across feel-good chords but it's all a facade; listen closer and you'll find lyrics littered with bitter touches and descriptions of character flaws in what appears to be an imploding relationship. Or you could just choose to ignore that and enjoy the happy song! Either way, this is decent, honest pop that deserves just as much airplay as Eliza's previous singles.
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