Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

Detroit born Alex Winston has announced news of her next release; the brand new ‘Velvet Elvis’ will be released as part of an EP on September 12th through Island Records. An enigmatic artist, at first glance Alex’s music appears upbeat, but on closer examination, her lyrics reveal subject matters brimming with strange and provoking subjects. ‘Velvet Elvis’ – the EP’s lead track examines the notion of objectum sexuality; where people have fallen in love with objects, often humanising them: “Ma said I ain’t right / Clutching on you all night / But you’re my, you’re my guy / Elvis”… “When I feel your velvet / I can’t help it / You don’t breathe / So you can’t leave me”. Backed by ‘Fire Ant’, another new song from Alex, it beckons at what untold surprises are in store for the multi-instrumentalist’s forthcoming January album. Traces of her motown influences can be felt in the track alongside stunning percussion, eerie harmonies and propelling drums culminating in a wall of sound in the la...

A talented multi-instrumentalist with a voice reminiscent of Joanna Newsom, Lykke Li and PJ Harvey, Detroit born Alex Winston is causing quite a stir in the pop world. Having recently headlined a NME Awards Show, signed to Island Records, Alex is now making serious waves in America – her video for last single ‘Locomotive’ was the number 1 most played video on Pitchfork TV. Taken from her critically acclaimed mini album (of the same name), new single ‘Sister Wife’ will be released as a digital download on May 16th through Island Records. Written by Alex and produced by New York whizz-kids The Knocks, ‘Sister Wife’ looks back at Winston’s upbringing in Detroit. The soulful chorus, “Hey there sister wife / Get the hell out / It’s my night / You don’t know they way to his heart like I do” is set against a wall of melody and muscular percussion. The defiant ‘Sister Wife’ highlights an impressive skill for crafting the perfect pop song and beckons at a talent we’re only just discovering. ...