Remixed: 100 gecs - 'Ringtone' (Remix Feat. Charli XCX, Rico Nasty, Kero Kero Bonito)

Words: Saam Das

Having put out music together since the mid-2010s, Dylan Brady and Laura Les encountered a paradigm shift last year for their 100 gecs project. Their experimental pop delivered one of the best albums of 2019 in an exhilarating 23 minute ride. One of the masterpieces of the '1000 gecs' album was the particularly poppy 'Ringtone', which has had the remix treatment from a golden trio - Kero Kero Bonito, Rico Nasty, and Charli XCX.

Watch: Charli XCX's Weird And Wonderful New Video For Lizzo Collab 'Blame It On Your Love'

Words: Saam Das

"Modern love to me is limitless. And it's cute as fuck too." So says Charli XCX at the end of her weird and wonderful new video for her ace recent collab with Lizzo, 'Blame It On Your Love'. Check out the fertility nymph-filled official music video for the track below.

Pop Music Column #1: From Eurovision 2019 To Slipknot's Return

Words: Saam Das

The dawn of a new era. The birth of a nation. Nah, just the start of a new column dedicated to new pop music. Partly inspired by this weekend's Eurovision Song Contest, which was controversial for a number of reasons, but also new tracks from the likes of Charli XCX, Gryffin, and Halsey. Oh and Slipknot, obvs.

Listen: Charli XCX + Troye Sivan - 1999 [New Track]

Words: Saam Das

Pop royalty Charli XCX and South African actor-turned-musician Troye Sivan (he was young Wolverine in 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'!) have come together to not only deliver a bomb-ass piece of single artwork but a collaboration of considerable proportions. Check out the Britney Spears-referencing new single '1999' before the Millennium Bug hits below.

Year In Review: Saam Das' Top Tracks Of 2017

Words: Saam Das

How do you solve a problem like summing up the best songs of 2017 into an easily digestable list? Well, you take a while and then mercilessly cut it down to your top ten tracks of 2017. Showing my working, efforts like Mikey Me's advert-soundtracking 'Doin' Me' and Dan Black's dreamy return can count themselves unlucky to miss out. After much deliberation, here's my top ten of 2017:

Listen: Charli XCX & Simon Le Bon - Kingdom [Soundtrack Preview]

Words: Saam Das

'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay' (Part One) comes out in cinemas next week, and as part of the promo cycle, we've been hearing cuts from the Lorde-curated soundtrack - including efforts from CHVRCHES and Major Lazer. My favourite track thus far is the Charli XCX and Simon Le Bon piano-driven collab, 'Kingdom', which you can hear below.

Listen: Charli XCX - London Queen [Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

It was unfortunate to hear recently that Charli XCX's forthcoming album had been pushed back to early next year - December for the slightly luckier people Stateside - but perhaps understandable, considering the ongoing success of 'Boom Clap'. The feisty solo artist has followed that anthem with an altogether punkier vibe, in the form of 'London Queen'.

Glastonbury 2014: Our Festival Soundtrack [Playlist]

Words: Saam Das

I only decided that I'd make the trip to Glastonbury this year at about 11pm on the Thursday night of the festival. By which point, approximately 100,000 punters had already entered the site. It would have been a waste to have not used my fancy pants hospitality ticket (thanks to the good folk behind the Emerging Talent Competition) and ultimately, I had an excellent time - even with the occasional torrential rain showers.

Listen: Charli XCX - Boom Clap [Soundtrack Preview]

Words: Saam Das

A few Saturdays ago, you were probably watching Eurovision. I wasn't. I was watching Charli XCX in Brighton, as part of The Great Escape. Having missed much of her recent back catalogue, I was surprised to find not only a supremely confident performer but one backed up with a string of #bangerz. While I was throwing my freestyle dance moves, the anthemic 'Boom Clap' particularly caught my ear - and it now has a video.

Festival Review: The Great Escape 2014 (Day Three - Saturday)

The Great Escape (8-10 May '14) // Words: Saam Das

Battling the winds and late running schedules on day one and day two of Brighton's premiere new music festival, The Great Escape, could have broken us. But we were not to be defeated, returning for more exciting new acts including Honours and Fickle Friends, as well as more established fare such as Charli XCX.

Album Review: Charli XCX - True Romance

Charli XCX - 'True Romance' (UK Release: 12 April '13) // Words: Rajan Lakhani

Strangely, Charli XCX’s 'True Romance' feels like it’s been a long time coming, despite her being only 20 years of age. While the singer broke out with singles 'Stay Away' and 'Nuclear Seasons' in 2011, she had recorded a debut in 2006 which wasn’t released commercially - subsequently describing it as "terrible Myspace music". Since then, Charli XCX has built up a strong internet following, becoming something of a pop saviour for Tumblr and the blogosphere.

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.

Ones To Watch / Tips 2012: Charli XCX, Daughter + Friends

Words: Saam Das (unless otherwise stated)

Part two of our bands to watch for the next ten months or so. Or longer? Part three to follow shortly. Part one comprised of Alabama Shakes, Alt-J, and BASTILLE - tipped by Emily Solan, Jack Thomson and myself respectively. Here, Emily Arc and Rajan Lakhani get some choices in. And me.

Singles: May 2011

Words: Saam Das

Now that I'm in substantial employment, I have a reasonable excuse for the delayed collating of May's finest singles but I apologise nonetheless. The battle for Single Of The Month came down to Clock Opera and Charli XCX. To find who won and plenty of other brilliant singles, simply read on.

The Great Escape: 2011 Festival Preview [Thursday]

Words: Saam Das

Back in 2006, not long after this blog started, I ventured down to Brighton for the first ever Great Escape festival. With over 100 bands appearing over three days, I caught acts like The Spinto Band, The Young Knives and Tapes n Tapes all in relatively tiny venues. Now, the festival's much bigger and I'm heading back.