Alex Winston - King Con (debut album)

[Cactuar]

Alex Winston shuns love songs for debut album

Alex Winston has revealed that her forthcoming album does not feature any love songs.

The New York based singer-songwriter releases her debut 'King Con' early next year and she has told NME that she is not taking inspiration from the usual sources.

She said: "There are no love songs on the album. No hate songs either, most of the songs aren’t about me either. There’s a lot of social commentary. I’m really into documentaries and a lot of the songs are inspired by that. It wasn't a deep personal album about myself."

Of her choice of subject matter, she continued: "I wanted to focus on the drifters, the sleazy people who are always looking for the quick buck or want to manipulate you. I have a song called 'Velvet Elvis'. An Elvis Impersonator is the biggest con man, convincing you they’re something they’re not, so 'King Con' is like a false prophet. So on the cover I'm wearing an Elvis suit. It’s about the seedy people of America, the people you don’t really write songs about."

Based on the singles and B-sides she's put out so far, this is going to be one heck of an amazing album.



Videos
Locomotive (Feb 2011)
Sister Wife (May 2011)
Velvet Elvis (August 2011)

[Blondini]

^Right!

Odd title - don't really like it.

[Cactuar]

Tracklist is out!

1. 'Fire Ant'
2. 'Velvet Elvis'
3. 'Medicine'
4. 'Locomotive'
5. 'Host'
6. 'Sister Wife'
7. 'Choice Notes'
8. 'Shock Me'
9. 'Benny'
10. 'Run Rumspringa'
11. 'The Fold'

Sort of pleased/displeased that so many of the tracks we've heard made it onto the album. They're all amazing, but that means more than half of the album has been released before.

[Blondini]

Fire Ant is poo - i didn't bother with it as a b-side.

[Cactuar]

*le gasp*

[Cactuar]

Album cover. I personally love it and think it looks epic, but I'm biased and predisposed towards worshipping everything she puts out, so let me know.

[Blondini]

Nearly as bad as the title!

[Cactuar]

Reviews are coming in! Album out on the 5th by the way, that's like 4 days away!

The Owl Mag [Extremely Positive]
BBC [Extremely Negative]
Drowned In Sound [7/10]
Quenched Music [Very Positive]
MusicOMH [3.5/5]
Filter Magazine [8/10]
Alt Sounds [Mixed]

[Cactuar]

This is out now, I've got my copy! Listening OMG. I've waited for this for so... long...

Fire Ant has tiny adjustments here and there. Should it have been the opening track? Maybe, as I don't think it fits anywhere else but dear God what a racket.
Velvet Elvis ends differently now!
Medicine has new vocals and a slightly different mix which is ridiculously busy. I don't think this should have been given the pivotal position of Track 3 to be honest. It's also a bit of a commotion musically.
It's evident that Locomotive has been given a new mix once the first note escapes.
Host goes so well with the rest of the songs she's made, it fits the album musically so perfectly and it's SO BRILLIANT HELP ME the ending is one of the rare moments of audio clarity on the album.
OH MY GOD GUTS MY LIFE IS COMPLETE I DONT HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY

Album of the year, possibly the decade, unlikely to be dislodged from that spot anytime soon. Plus she liked my wall post so I'm biased. But seriously, what an amazing record. Almost everyone of the new tracks are just as phenomenal if not fifty times better (Guts, Benny, Host) than the ones already put out.

Also one last note: This is the true sequel to Florence + the machine's "Lungs". Guts is the new Cosmic Love. I can't believe she out-Florenced Florence in terms of magnificience and epicness.

[Blondini]

^Are you Deric Ect - iTunes user?

I have the reverse opinion on Florence (Lungs is over-rated and Ceremonials is fantastic) and i don't consider her to be anything like Florence in any way but...

I don't have it yet as the release date came quicker than i'd anticipated. iTunes clips sound great - Medicine is the most popular. Guts and Shock Me (funk! ) are also great (and "popular"). I say "popular" - album is 714 iTunes.

Our NME (the main place she's had exposure in UK) gave it 5 out of 10.

The general underappreciation and indifference is depressing. Zero airplay anywhere.

[Cactuar]

Yes, but gee my identity has been compromised! I was so overwhelmed by the album yesterday.

There's a song on the album which is my favourite called "Guts" and it sounds like the best song Florence never recorded. I think it's mainly the spooky, clanging, almost-ethnic arrangements and soaring chorus. It's very raw, unpolished and primal. It's the same reason I prefer Lungs! But I guess there are aspects of music some people prefer more than others.

NME can burn in hell. Surprised that the BBC gave such a vile review too when they've openly supported the likes of Kate Bush.

I was refreshing the iTunes 200 looking for signs on the album since it came out, and I can't believe its hanging around in the 700s. This is so sad, it's such an amazing record and it's getting so ignored!

[hugo]

Her voice is so adorable and captivating, definitely gives me some Kate Bush vibes Now (re)playing "Sister Wife"

[hugo]

Album of the year, possibly the decade, unlikely to be dislodged from that spot anytime soon. Plus she liked my wall post so I'm biased. But seriously, what an amazing record. Almost everyone of the new tracks are just as phenomenal if not fifty times better (Guts, Benny, Host) than the ones already put out.

This will definitely be one of my top albums this year, pop music at its best.

[Blondini]

It's really good - i even like Fire Ant now - works as an intro. Medicine, Guts and Shock Me are amazing - the latter would be a huge hit if Kylie did it. Why isn't Animal Baby on this - or any release?? It was the song that made me love her in the first place.