The Pop Corporation

IRAQ, NAPSTER, BOOMER KICKBACK, STEELY DAN VS BACKSTREET + WHAT?

It’s 2001 and the USA, UK and pals are carpet bombing the Middle East. January, George Dubya Bush is sworn in thanks to some hanging chads, Apple launches iTunes and, later that year, 9/11 would change everything forever. While US democracy looked shaky, while war saw people taking to the streets in protest, people set…
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HEAVY ’84 BOOGIE

When Mr Bongo say they’ve got a record in and describe it as “a heavy Boogie-Funk gem from 1984”, your ears should really prick up. That track is ‘Take A Chance’ by Marshall Titus (re-issued by Peoples Potential Unlimited), and it slaps. If you’re into super hot, sleazy ’80s disco that’s got a whiff of the…
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WRITING ABOUT THE NME WRITING ABOUT WORDLE

It’s tough out here in these music criticism streets. If you have staff that need paying, you need to get the clicks in so the ad revenue, revenues. Is writing reviews about up-and-coming artists who might be future superstars going to cut it? Well, you have to wait ’til they become famous, and then link…
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TEMPTED TO MAKE JOKES ABOUT LIL JOHN’S MEDITATION ALBUM

Lil John is a genius. Let’s first get that on record. His Miami Bass and Crunk work, huge club bangers and scene-stealing guest spots make him one of the most loved MCs. He’s also a super good sport, which only makes us love him more. When Chappelle sent him up with ‘AHWHUT?‘ and ‘OKAAAY‘, John…
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GET EXCITED FOR TIERRA WHACK’S NEW ONE

Tierra Whack is great, and she’s shared another new track – this one is called ’27 Club’, which is a bit grim, but you’re officially allowed to start getting excited about her imminent LP. All the tunes we’ve heard from ‘WORLD WIDE WHACK’ have been forward thinking, a load of fun and a high bar…
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AMBIENT JAZZ FROM PETE JOLLY’S SEASONS

With the internet, rolling news and 360 deals demanding so much of our attention currently, it seems there’s been a reevaluation of ambient music, new age, and pastoral jazz. Keeping that in mind, the lovely people over at Light In The Attic have reissued an absolute gem in Pete Jolly’s legendary ‘Seasons’ LP. This falls…
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KIM GORDON IS A MAN

Kim Gordon is cool and she’s making an unholy racket with her new single ‘I’m A Man’. If you’re looking for classic Sonic Youth, we don’t think you’re going to find it here – it reminds us a little of Atari Teenage Riot, in slo-mo. Lovely stuff. There’s going to be a new LP out…
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LAMBRINI GIRLS GO FOR BRITAIN’S JUGULAR

Lambrini Girls are one of the most popular grot punk bands around right now, and they have a new single out called ‘God’s Country’ which goes after the state of the place we call home, and while it’s about as subtle as a brick in the teeth, you have to admire them for not hiding…
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IRON MAIDEN VERSUS ASTHMA

Iron Maiden are funny aren’t they? They’re real ale metal. It’s all little England flirting with Satan rock ‘n’ roll. There’s a place for it, obviously, but did you know just how much lead singer Bruce Dickinson cares about asthma? Now, for the uninitiated, Brucie Baby is the kind of rock ‘n’ roller that a…
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NEW WARPAINT IS GREAT!

Warpaint are ace. They’re psychedelic and groovy and don’t make any bad records. To celebrate 20 years together, they’ve put out a new song called ‘Common Blue’ which is as wonderful as ever. This is classic Warpaint, if you’re wondering and being a bit of a drag. Sidenote: Warpaint have the best drummer on the planet…
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