Remixed: Alt-J - Dissolve Me (Marlais Remix)

Remixed is a column that will highlight remixes we actually think are worthy of praise, be they old or new. Because most remixes are rubbish. // Words: Saam Das

We know plenty about Alt-J now. But once upon a time, we didn't. Berlin's Marlais has/have picked up some tricks from the Leeds quartet's beginnings. I'm not even convinced that Marlais is from Berlin. I am convinced about the brilliance of this remix of 'Dissolve Me' however. Listen below.

Year In Review: Looking Back At 2012 Futuresounds

Words: Saam Das

When it comes to new year tips/ones to watch lists, there are generally three types of onlookers - the ones who eagerly proffer their own tips, ones who just don't care and those that consider such lists as an affront to music. At FADED GLAMOUR, we're very much in the first camp. But before looking forward, we're here to look back at last year's ones to watch.

Year In Review: Top 25 Albums Of 2012

Words: Alison Potter, Emily Solan, Howard Gorman, Rajan Lakhani, Raman K, Saam Das, and Simon Opie

2012. The year that guitar music died. The year that hip hop died. The year that dubstep died. No. None of these things happened. 2012 was as healthy a year for music as any. At FADED GLAMOUR, we picked some of our favourite albums of 2012 and put them together in a list of 25 below. Pop, R&B, hip hop and yes, even guitar music all seem to have thrived according to our top 25 albums of 2012.

Listen: Alt-J feat Mountain Man - Buffalo [New Track]

Words: Saam Das

Pugnacious director David O Russell returns to the big screen after 2010's boxing drama 'The Fighter'. His latest offering, 'Silver Linings Playbook' is a romantic comedy-drama, starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, out today in UK cinemas. Recent Mercury Music Prize victors Alt-J have slotted a new track into the film's soundtrack - listen to 'Buffalo' below.

Watch: Alt-J - Something Good [Official Video]

Words: Saam Das

We haven't passed much comment on the recent Mercury Music Prize nominations. Mainly because we haven't listened to pretty much any of the albums on the list. But one of the albums we can firmly lend our support to is Alt-J's terrific debut, 'An Awesome Wave'. It only came out in the US this week, and by way of celebration, a glossy new video for 'Something Good' has emerged.

#Blog6Music: Top Three Artists Of 2012 (Thus Far)

Words: Saam Das

I imagine most people are pretty glad that BBC 6Music managed to avoid being axed two years ago this month. We are more appreciative than most because the station have been extremely kind to bloggers, giving us a different medium to rave about our favourite artists. Once again, they've asked FG to get involved - this time sharing our top three artists of 2012.

Album Review: Alt-J - An Awesome Wave

∆ (Alt-J) - 'An Awesome Wave' (UK Release: 28 May '12) // Words: Jack Thomson

In 2005, The Maccabees released their debut single 'X-Ray', in 2006, Wild Beasts released their first single 'Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants', and in 2007, Foals released their debut single 'Hummer'. What excited me about all three of these bands was their ability to make every note count in writing very well thought out songs. It felt like a new breed of more intelligent music. A trend Alt-J are continuing in 2012.

Festival Preview: The Great Escape 2012 [Ten Bands To Watch]

The Great Escape (Brighton, 10-12 May '12) // Words: Saam Das

There are quite literally hundreds of bands playing at this year's The Great Escape, the self-confessed leading new music festival in Europe. With that in mind, we've narrowed down a list of just ten recommended acts to catch across the three days of the festival, as well as throwing in some more general tips seeing as this is the third time we've been down to Brighton. Keep reading, and come along.

Remixed: Alt-J - Fitzpleasure (BretonLABS Remix)

Remixed is a column that will highlight remixes we actually think are worthy of praise, be they old or new. Because most remixes are rubbish.// Words: Jack Thomson

Art pop architects Breton have released another brilliant remix under their BretonLABS incarnation, this time reworking FG 2012 tip Alt-J’s latest outing 'Fitzpleasure'. The original is a dark, brooding electronic track driven by a very heavy bass line with plenty of vocal harmonies, giving it an incredibly dense sound. It’s been one of my favourite tracks of the year so far and Breton’s reimagination doesn’t disappoint. Download below.

Listen: Alt-J - Matilda / Fitzpleasure [New Single]

Words: Jack Thomson

Being a big fan of Alt-J and having tipped them for big things in 2012, it won’t surprise many of you that I’m backing their latest AA release 'Matilda'/'Fitzpleasure'. That said, you’ve got to give credit where it’s due and this band is definitely something special. With a few demos online and one other AA 7” release of 'Bloodflood'/'Tessellate' already under their belt, it is 'Matilda'/'Fitzpleasure' that really shows the depth and variety Alt-J have to offer.

2012 Tips / Ones To Watch: Alabama Shakes, Alt-J + BASTILLE

Words: Saam Das (unless otherwise stated)

It's coming up to the end of February and I know what you're thinking - what's the point in doing your tips for 2012 now? Well, we'd like to think that this means that the hype has died down on certain bands while prominent others are emerging. We did much the same last year, although this time around, FG writers have chipped in too. To such an extent that I'll be splitting the tips up into four separate posts. Here be part one....

Playlist: Bloggers' Sound Of 2012 [Long List]

Words: Saam Das

By the time this post goes up, I believe the oft-criticised BBC Sound Of poll will have its 2012 longlist published. The bitching has probably already begun. We'll be adding our thoughts at some point. In the meantime, I have contributed to an alternative poll of "ones to watch" for 2012 with a selection of UK bloggers. Our 15 act longlist is below, featuring the likes of The Good Natured and and BASTILLE.

Singles: October 2011

Words: Saam Das

I've listened to at least 100 tracks to compile this list of my top ten singles of October. I could have saved myself the bother and simply declared Lana Del Rey the winner for her widely acclaimed 'Video Games' single. Except we were emailed about her last May and didn't think she was particularly amazing. And still don't. Yet. So instead check out ten other artists who we think are more worthy of your time below.