I was having a discussion on Twitter a few days ago about the state of dubstep and the scarcity of consistent artists. Electronic music is a funny business. And it seems anyone can luck up on a blippity hit. But what does the future hold for dubstep? James Blake’s genius cover of Feist – Limit To Your Love is one example.

James Blake is banking on a type of dubstep fusion, if you will. Well-sung soul lyrics that are often chopped up and scattered over a staccato dubstep beat.

Could be the future of pop music. Or could be a fluke. Either way, you’ll be hearing lot about James Blake in 2011. Check out the James Blake album sampler on YouTube. Debut album on eMusic and Amazon MP3.

Like a shotgun
needs an outcome
I’m your prostitute
You gon’ get some

Well, damn.

Lykke Li, that Swedish, alternative upstart, returns with “Get Some”, the catchy first single from her sophomore album Wounded Rhymes. I’m getting a strong Annabella Lwin/Bow Wow Wow vibe from this (Oops. I’m dating myself).

You should probably be dancing to “Get Some” already. If the original version doesn’t move you, the song has been remixed by Beck and Mike D.

Shaun explains:

My design choices were a direct reflection of the poem itself. To me Langston took the hardships of life and brought a sense of beauty to them both through his choice of words and through the characterization of strength through the mother. This was what I sought to do “beautify what most see as ugly”. This called for highlighting textures, the worn down, the broken things through shooting film and through my composition and color treatment bring more life beyond their natural visage to them so that they enhance and aid in the poem.

I’m very excited, nervous, eager, anxious but chuffed to announce my new album! It’s taken a while and it knocked me for six when writing it. It’s different from 19, it’s about the same things but in a different light. I deal with things differently now. I’m more patient, more honest, more forgiving and more aware of my own flaws, habits and principles. Something that comes with age I think. So fittingly this record is called 21.

If the rest of the album is anything like first single “Rolling In The Deep” (or her fantastic debut 19) we are in for a huge treat.

From his new album, Lasted. I agree with Pitchfork’s :

The music Thomas Meluch makes as Benoît Pioulard has always sounded cinematic. Using his deep, hushed voice, acoustic guitar, and smattering of electronic textures, his mix of dusky, introverted soft-focus indie-pop and ambient textures bring to mind flickering, aged film footage. This trend continues on Lasted, Meluch’s third full-length under the name. The songs here share sonic concerns, but have no specific or overriding theme connecting them. Lasted sounds like a well-curated collection of miniatures that Meluch had stored away for later use, dusting them off and presenting them together when they felt ready. But it also feels like it’s best experienced whole.

More here.