Black and Blonde

Black and Blonde stylized as Black & Blonde is the debut extended play by British recording artist Rainy Milo, released on 22 April 2013 through Universal Music. The extended play is Milo's first body of work after signing a contract with Universal. The extended play was released after Milo released her mixtape Limey (2012) which gained universal acclaim.

Black & Blonde
EP by
Rainy Milo
Released26 April 2013 (2013-04-26)
Genre
Length9:34
LabelLimey Virgin EMI
Producer
  • Daje
  • Eldad Guetta
  • Cole M.G.N.
Rainy Milo chronology
Limey
(2012)		 Black & Blonde
(2013)		 This Thing of Ours
(2014)

Sonically the album featured hip hop, alternative and jazz genres. All of the songs from the extended play were written by Milo except "Bankrobber" which is a rendition of the 1980 song of the same name by English punk rock band The Clash, the EP also included "Don't Regret Me" from Milo's previous mixtape.

In order to promote the extended play Milo released a video for her cover of "Bankrobber", the video included two scenes one of Milo and a "mug shot" and the other sees Milo robbing a bank.[1] Rainy also performed at Cargo in London on 21 May and at Field Day Festival in London on 25 May, as well as shows in Brighton and Bristol in May 2013.[2]

Background
"There was so little of that where I lived; an area which gave little hope to anyone, it's almost like they were told that they had a crappy fate and were willing to just go along with it."

— Milo, speaking on surrounding herself with inspiring people.[3]

Milo started singing with local musicians and arts collectives when she was fourteen, During Milo's childhood she tried to surround herself with inspiring people.[3][4] Milo began surfing the internet for jazz-inspired hip-hop beats she could sing over, whilst surfing the internet she came across a beat by producer BLCK RSSN. Milo recorded over the beat and the track became her debut recording entitled "Bout You", the song caught the attention of Gilles Peterson for his Brownswood Bubblers compilation series. Milo received various offers from record labels but turned them down as she felt it was too early. Milo began working on first mixtape entitled Limey, produced by Cole MGN.[3] Milo released her mixape in October 2012 which gained large amounts of acclaim from critics who called the mixtape a "perfect soundtrack" and praising its "chilly atmospherics and lyrics." Critics also praised Milo's vocals noting them as "startling" and "smoking".[5][6] In March 2013 a signed recording contract with Mercury and Universal and began working on her debut EP.[7]

Composition

The EP's opening track "Bankrobber" last for three minutes and three seconds, the song is a cover of The Clash’s 1980 single of the same name. "Bankrobber contains "rough sultry vocals and R&B influences".[8] Critics praised the song praising the "rich honeyed tones" compliment the "super smooth interpretation of The Clash."[9] Milo commented on the composition of the song saying she added a "Milo twist."[10]

"Don't Regret Me" is the EP's final song and was also included as the second song on Milo's previous mixtape's, produced by Chet Faker, Eldad Guetta and Daje. The song contains "atmospheric styling" and lyrically revolves around Millo begging an "ex-lover to not regret her and not forget her."[11]

Reception

Critics praised the extended play and praised Milo's cover of "Bankrobber", commenting that Milo's music is soon to be on radio's saying "It’s likely, indeed, that her colourful sounds will be swirling through the airwaves before long".[12]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Bankrobber"
 3:03
2."Are You Sure"Rainy Milo 3:14
3."Don't Regret Me"Rainy Milo
  • Cole M.G.N.
  • Eldad Guetta
  • Daje
3:17

Personnel
  • Daje[13] - vocals and mixing
  • Eldad Guetta - vocal producer
  • Cole M.G.N. - music producer

Release history
Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom[14] 26 April 2013 Online/Digital Download Universal records

References
  1. "video: Rainy Milo - Bankrobber". Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  2. "Latest Music News, Charts, Playlists and Videos". Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  3. Cragg, Michael (5 October 2012). "New music: Rainy Milo – Limey". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  4. Patterson, Joseph (27 November 2012). "Rainy Milo's Trippy Soul Is Next!". MTV Iggy. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  5. Cragg, Michael (5 October 2012). "New music: Rainy Milo – Limey". Retrieved 12 March 2017 – via The Guardian.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2014-05-20.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. Simionescu-Marin, Caroline. "Rainy Milo Debuts At Private London Gig After Signing To Mercury Records". Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  8. "Rainy Milo - Bankrobber". Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  9. "Watch: Rainy Milo – Bankrobber [Best Fit Premiere]". Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  10. "Rainy Milo – "Bankrobber" - Music Video". 16 April 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  11. "VIDEO: Rainy Milo 'Don't Regret Me' - Music :: Dropout UK". Archived from the original on 2017-03-13. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  12. "OTW #509: Rainy Milo". Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  13. "The Other Way in Limey". Soundcloud. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-10-08. Retrieved 2013-09-02.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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