Little Boots - 'New In Town'
Yes, yes, a very nice song. It's a little bit 'Take Me Out' by Franz Ferdinand and it's a little bit 'The World Should Revolve Around Me' by Little Jackie, only refracted through Booty's bassquake synthpop prism and suitably kaleidoscopic as a result. A slow, loping groove over which she softly tells a tale of an innocent arriving in a new place and becoming a target for con artists, looking to exploit her lack of local knowledge for a fast buck and a free sandwich.
So that's the music covered. Now, here's what I've been REALLY thinking about, since I first clapped eyes on the video...
It's a bit of spiralling brain-melt, so forgive me, but is it OK to make a video with dancing homeless people in? Really?
(. Don't worry, that's not a download glitch, the song actually begins like that.)
On the one hand, it's kind of cute, and a neat twist on the song title, and why shouldn't homeless people be depicted as dancing from time to time? It's clearly not a documentary, in any case.
On the other, could it be seen as mocking what is a pretty rough situation? Do the Little Boots camp assume that anyone who is homeless probably won't see the video, and even if they do, they probably won't buy the song? Are they therefore safe in having a pop (if that is what they are doing)?
On the third hand, why should anyone feel outraged on behalf of anyone else? I'm not homeless, chances are you're not either. Who are we to say what's offensive unless we've been in that position?
But that doesn't mean anyone can just put any socially disadvantaged group in any video, for effect, and expect to get away with it. The word 'edgy' just flashed across my mind. Urgh.
After a LOT of internal debate, I tend to think that a video which is this transparently daffy clearly has no malicious intent to it. Rather than make any serious point about sleeping rough, this is more like High School Musical 25 - The Poverty Years.
There's no mockery involved. Team Boots were clearly trying to find a way to illustrate what it feels like to arrive in a new place and find yourself a little out of step with everything.
Which, as I say, is what the song is about. Well done everyone.
Download: Out now
CD Released: June 1st
Â鶹Éç Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
"Little Boots finds a middle ground between Royksopp and the Ting Tings: Riosin Murphy!"
"Jake Nava perfectly captured the singer's illuminating beauty against a backdrop of a gray highway passover and dancing, strung out homeless people"
"It is a real catchy disco pop track thats soo easy on the ears."
Comment number 1.
At 22nd May 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:Haha on reading this I was worried that after the little debate about the video, that the song was going to get a poor rating. 4 stars is bang on, I am a big fan of this. She's got a lot of potential.
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Comment number 2.
At 22nd May 2009, spirit wrote:Well I have been liking this the ages, although not my favourite track on the album' but this acts as a good general introduction to Miss Boots.
Wait til you hear Meddle and Stuck on Repeat.
The album "Hands " is out on June 8TH.
I think 2009 will be a successful year for Little Boots !
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Comment number 3.
At 22nd May 2009, spirit wrote:Fraser I love your little signature / catchphrase where you write..
Here's the video.. ( then in these brackets are witty words that descibe the video. )
I have wondered what you will write for the Empire Of The Sun video, because having seen it ( about 50 times !)........ you are gonna be spoilt for choice for witty one liners !
Here's the video ( Two guests from Elton John's fancy dress party, get lost in the desert ! )
Looking forward to your witty way with words......
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Comment number 4.
At 22nd May 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:Well thank you very much, Spirit. We shall have to wait and see, won't we?
Not me of course, I already know...
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Comment number 5.
At 22nd May 2009, spirit wrote:Oh you tease !
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Comment number 6.
At 22nd May 2009, spirit wrote:Oh here I go again ... I want to share another song I like which sounds so much like a hit !
It's got a huge chorus and sounds fresh..
It's " Supernova " by Mr Hudson.... it features one of my favourite artists Kanye West who co-wrote it , and sings on it. (electronically enhanced like on Love Lockdown )
(The College School Dropout is one of my favourite albums ! )
Anyway "Supernova " is so infectious..
Another one I like is Rabbit Heart by Florence And The Machine... everyone in the know will tell you that this ladies star is about to go supernova in 2009... her album is immense.....
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Comment number 7.
At 22nd May 2009, spirit wrote:Supernova is out on June 22nd.... I hope it will be on the playlist soon.
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Comment number 8.
At 22nd May 2009, spirit wrote:OMG ....this supernova track gets better with each listen....
TOP 20 hit I RECKON !
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Comment number 9.
At 23rd May 2009, spirit wrote:Regarding your question of is it ok to depict homeless people dancing in a video ?
Of course it is ! Let 's see people having fun ,it's pop music , it can be seen as escapism , and it's challenging to see things out of the norm, that makes you think ... anyway here 's some strange things in videos that on paper should not work ....... but do !
1) Dancing zombies
Michael Jackson- Thriller
One of the most famous and iconic videos ever which played a huge part in shaping one of the most biggest selling albums ever !
2) A dancing Red Indian and a dancing Policeman and others.
Y.M.C.A - The Village People
This obviously should not have worked but did so gloriously helping the song to NUMBER 1 and still inspiring a dance routine 30 years later.
3)A naked green amphibian riding a motorbike and exposing his manhood..
Crazy Frog - Axel F
On paper this sounds like a catastrophe... and hey a lot of us probably hated it.. but you cannot deny the number 1 success of the single . (Famously kept Coldplay- Speed of Sound off NUMBER ONE ! )
On a pure business level the marketing team for this song pulled off nothing less than a masterstroke in marketing their "artist ".
Any way there 's probably loads of others, but hey I sometimes like escapism from rules and regulations and in pop music and videos I like to see new ideas and slight risk taking, it's what keeps music progressing.
Which (apart from naked frogs! ) is nearly always a good thing.
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Comment number 10.
At 24th May 2009, spirit wrote:Has anyone else noticed the sudden influx of quality solo female singers lately ?
Either in the charts , or on the edge of a little success...
Pink - Please don't leave me is a great song. Funhouse is doing really well.
Lily Allen- Crackin comeback album.
Katy Perry- A breath of new air... lovin the song and video of Wakin up in Vegas.
Britney Spears- Circus is a great comeback.
Lady Gaga- Quality songs and marketing.
Just dance and Poker face are the two biggest selling singles of 2009 so far.
She is now a global phenomenon !
La Roux - New single Bulletproof out soon.
Alesha Dixon - A good pop album is home to three excellent singles !
Beyonce - 3 great singles have raised her profile to an even greater degree.
I am ...Sasha Fierce will go on to be her biggest selling album in the U.K.
Miley Cyrus - An inspiration to a lot of young people.
She had two singles in the Top 20 last week.
Bat for lashes and Ladyhawke -2 strong albums.
A shout to Agnes, Ciara and Shontelle.
Kelly Clarkson - Topping the charts recently.
Taylor Swift _ Her album is just about to go platinum in the UK
Leona Lewis - Her album "Spirit " (nice title ) is still in the charts .
It has sold nearly 3 million copies in the U.K alone !
And now we have some new girls that will try to woo us with their songs....
Little Boots and Pixie Lott are now on the radar and will enjoy success.
You go girls !
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Comment number 11.
At 24th May 2009, spirit wrote:How could I forget ?
One of Fraser's favourites........
The gorgeous....
Florence and the Machine !
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Comment number 12.
At 24th May 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:Not forgetting Adele (my favourite solo artist of the last 2 years) and Duffy were strong last year.
For guys in the last couple of years we have had James Morrison, Paulo Nutini .. Sam Sparrow at a push .. Daniel Merriweather .. Im struggling.
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Comment number 13.
At 25th May 2009, spirit wrote:The return of Eminem.- number 1 album.
Calvin Harris- his star is rising !
Dizzee - reaching the peak of his powers !
Jason Mraz - His album is soon to go platinum.
Taio Cruz - Some really good singles.
Tinchy Stryder - This guy will get better and better.
Big up to T.I and Flo rida.
Dappy deserves a mention.
There is something about this guy that is so likeable , that you just want him to succeed.
He exudes a certain special quality, and tons of charisma .
His persona is so engaging.
Anyone got any others ?
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Comment number 14.
At 25th May 2009, spirit wrote:Going back to your earlier point Liam , regarding Adele.....
Chasing Pavements - Great , great song.
Hometown Glory - Both the original and the dance remix are very special indeed.
Great stuff !
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Comment number 15.
At 27th May 2009, hackerjack wrote:Has anyone else noticed the sudden influx of quality solo female singers lately ?
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Lately? Your list covers the whole of the last 10 years, surprised you didnt include Christiana, The Spice Girls, Kylie, Madonna and Shirley Bassey for good measure.
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Comment number 16.
At 27th May 2009, spirit wrote:Hi Hackerjack... I listed the females currently in todays chart 27 / 5 /09..
The other female hits I mentioned will be in the top 40 over the next few weeks..
Sorry if this was confusing.... which it obviously was.....
If you had to insist though my favourite Shirley Bassey song would have to be...
Diamonds are forever
I love the way this is sampled in Kanye West's
Diamonds from Sierra Leone
Brilliant lyric, brilliant song !
What's your favourite Shirley Bassey song ?
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Comment number 17.
At 27th May 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:Youtube the Artic Monkeys doing that at Glatonbury Spirit, its pretty cool.
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Comment number 18.
At 29th May 2009, spirit wrote:Sorry Liam... loads of songs on here... which one did the Monkey's do at Glasto ?
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Comment number 19.
At 31st May 2009, spirit wrote:Oh you guys Jax is gonna pass out !
Little Boots is number 13 with New in town.
I think we can safely say stardom beckons, and we will be seein a lot more of her !
Jax ! Jax ! Quick nurse !! .... smelling salts !!!
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Comment number 20.
At 31st May 2009, thranjax wrote:Yes Spirit, Congratulations to the lovely lady Little Boots.
Looking forward to the album Hands!
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