Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 28/09/2026As someone partial to a bit of wrestling (AEW in the post pub slot on a Friday is clever programming by ITV4), but also old and jaded, I was surprised to hear an involuntary “no” escape my lips when I heard about Pac’s death today. Cliche, but 40 is no age and seems he was loved backstage by many. 080
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Not to be the fanboy “the definitive version is the live version” but…the definitive version is the live version. Saw them do this with the extended techno section several times and it always, always,went off. 031
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 27/09/2026One more game to fit in before the season ends. 110
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 22/09/2026If you think my taste in music is bad now, you don’t want to know what I considered to be my favourite albums when I was 18, viral prompt or no. 010
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 09/09/2026I guess sending a shit load of players home from your original Test squad isn’t conducive to high performance cricket then. Good to have got the empirical evidence though - thanks Pakistan. 020
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Quietly amused that the Wikipedia entry for Beverley Craven’s Promise Me is about 1/3 populated with numerous citations of it being sampled in dance/techno/hardstyle tracks. 020
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 07/09/2026I am sure this will be regarded with suspicion by the innumerable nay-sayers. www.rogerebert.com/reviews/oasi...rogerebert.comOasis: Don't Look Back in Anger review: Great music doc is the one that saves youOne of the best music documentaries ever made. 000
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 02/09/2026I’m listening to Screamadelica for the first time in years… Jolly good. But sirs, why must you attempt to be the Rolling Stones every so often? 100
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 27/08/2026The first proper rain in months. Of course a Test match is due to start today. Still, maybe it means the England players who were out clubbing last night can get a lie in. 010
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 22/08/2026Optimist: The cup is half full. Pessimist: The cup is half empty. Manchester United fans: The cup is our only way back into Europe next season. 140
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 21/08/2026I’ve been off work today, been at The Oval for much of it, have come back and a very nice 4 CD reissue box set of Pills, Thrills and Bellyaches is sat waiting for me in the hall of the block - they’ve got the Lausanne Diamond League on the telly and I can listen to the Mondays. Decent day all told. 020
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Sky need to realise that, in rain breaks, if they want to talk through the Stokes Headingley innings, no documentary is better than just showing the last hour of the innings as live. 010
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 19/08/2026Some pretty dumb reviewing this morning. Welcome back Joe. 020
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 05/08/2026One day I will somehow wrestle with my own personal idiocy that there is no Stones record better than this, and yet, I always find myself listening to the Stones instead of Revolver. But maybe not today. Bloody busy. 010
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 02/08/2026At The Hundred at The Oval and they’re really trying to Burnham the music for Manchester Super Giants. Every time the women did, or the men do, anything it’s New Order, James, Oasis, etc. They’ve not wheeled out Marr/Rourke/Joyce yet, thankfully. 100
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 02/08/2026Bowie perhaps disqualified as not a band but I’d struggle to beat Station To Station/Low/Heroes - and I am not even that big a Bowie fan. Blue Lines/Protection/Mezzanine - Massive Attack also springs to mind. 250
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 30/07/2026My least liberal viewpoint is that, if I am inside my home, double glazed, windows shut, and listening to music or watching the tv, and the loudest noise I can hear is a motorbike going down the road outside, said motorbike should be fucking destroyed. 031
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Fucking FIFA getting me to cheer on UEFA, is there no end to these bastards’ irritating characteristics? 030
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 30/07/2026I’ve watched Joe Root captain the England test side. I’ve watched Joe Root bat since resigning the test captaincy. I wouldn’t put the latter at risk for the former. As Jim says in 28 Days Later: No, see-see, this is a really shit idea. You know why? Because it's really obviously a shit idea. 040
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 26/07/2026Every website that uses this company - whichever it is - to manage their cookie policy needs to fuck off into the sun until they change it. Reliably the one place where there’s no “deactivate all” or “only necessary” option. 030
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 25/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 And, as we draw to a close, thanks as ever to Arron for putting up with at least my entirely predictable picks, and good luck with the hard yards on the data compilation. Well done everyone, see you for Part IV. 0140
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 25/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 1) Outkast - B.O.B (2000) Having done most of these challenges now, I know no one cares what I pick or why. But if you have followed along previously, this will be no surprise. Throw Hendrix, PFunk, The Bomb Squad, Gospel and Atlanta in the air; get genius. youtu.be/lVehcuJXe6Iyoutu.beOutkast - B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad) (Official HD Video)YouTube video by OutkastVEVO 1240
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Enjoying the hot new album from one of the great female stars that was released today. A*Pop sounding very good to my ears. What? There’s another one? Oh… 010
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 24/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 2) Amerie - 1 Thing (2005) The power of saying No. Supposedly a note was passed saying add more music, to which Rich Harrison and Amerie gave two fingers. It’s sparseness is startling and gives everything else room to breath. Unlike much I have ever heard. youtu.be/bbqVg_23otgyoutu.beAmerie - 1 Thing (Official Video)YouTube video by AmerieVEVO 0270
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 23/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 3) Missy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On (2001) Riddling my list with tracks from the same producers is perhaps not quite in the spirit of the rules; after all, we’re limited by artist. But this is undeniable and Missy herself is pretty much perfect on it. youtu.be/FPoKiGQzbSQyoutu.beMissy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On [Official Music Video]YouTube video by Missy Elliott 0250
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 22/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 4) Mary J Blige - Family Affair (2001) I am not one of nature’s dancers but that doesn’t mean I don’t love a track exhorting people to do so. A real groove, the string stabs over it and Mary J herself riding it all, make this, I’d say, the best Dre production. youtu.be/znlFu_lemsUyoutu.beMary J. Blige - Family Affair (Official Music Video)YouTube video by MaryJBligeVEVO 0170
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 21/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 5) Massive Attack - Live With Me (2006) 5 days to go and this isn’t on the 2006 playlist, which means I am still the only person to have picked this. Sigh. There are days I think this their very best song, Terry Callier perfect over the weepy strings. youtu.be/AIIovpUQiroyoutu.beMassive Attack - Live With MeYouTube video by MassiveAttackVEVO 0150
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 20/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 6) Girls Aloud - Biology (2005) What is there left to say about this? Not a great deal to be honest. Still their peak I think, of invention, of playfulness, of craft. Appropriating a variant of the I’m A Man riff to underpin it all, strangely apposite. youtu.be/bBPtP4t2J1kyoutu.beGirls Aloud - Biology (Official Music Video)YouTube video by GirlsAloudVEVO 1241
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 19/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 7) Kelis - Milkshake (2003) An episode of the 60 Songs podcast educated me on the very likely exploitation of Kelis by The Neptunes. Horrendous. Because this is brilliant; a perfect marriage of performance and production. This high as it can beat the controversy youtu.be/6AwXKJoKJz4youtu.beKelis - Milkshake (Official Music Video)YouTube video by KelisVEVO 0260
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 18/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 8) Kelly Rowland - Work (Freemason’s Radio Edit) (2008) Riding along on its Bhangra beat, a dance floor filler with lyrics barely rising to the level of single entendre. And bangs like a door in the wind, as well as a key example of what a great remix can do. youtu.be/10PvTykHCOIyoutu.beKelly Rowland Work (HQ - Freemasons Edit)YouTube video by Juanka G 0170
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 17/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 9) Destiny’s Child - Jumpin’ Jumpin’ (2000) This broke walls down for me with its spare, relentless arrangement ratcheting tension up into the choruses. It’d take longer for the penny to really drop but the first clear marker what I listened to wasn’t doing it. youtu.be/Vjw92oUduEMyoutu.beDestiny's Child - Jumpin’ Jumpin’ (Official Music Video)YouTube video by DestinysChildVEVO 0200
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 16/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 10) Jay-Z - 99 Problems (2004) Yes, I am this basic - whacking great guitar riff and drum sample, and a few tricks to keep it fresh in each verse (the conversation with the cop, the chopping up of the beat in the 3rd verse) and you’ve got me. Huge. youtu.be/6dVdd3RsbSEyoutu.beJay-Z - 99 Problems (Uncensored) [Explicit Version] [Remastered In 4K] (Official Music Video)YouTube video by Enjoy it🤍 0160
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 15/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 11) Pulp - Sunrise (2001) Am I voting for this purely due to everything after the last lyric is sung? Yes, yes I am. Think there is a case for the coda being Pulp’s strongest purely musical moment, as it just lifts and lifts and then soars; the sound of optimism youtu.be/gcBDafhacogyoutu.beSunrise (Original Mix)YouTube video by Pulp - Topic 1230
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 14/07/2026A LOT of water to pass under the bridge yet but… When was the last time consecutive Women’s World Cup Finals and Men’s World Cup Finals (or vice versa) were contested between the same nations? 200
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 14/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 12) Sugababes - Freak Like Me (2002) I think there’s only one track I’ve picked I’ve barely seen, so no surprise this, a watershed moment for me in understanding savvily constructed pop that I had been resistant to up to then, is nice and high, as it should be. youtu.be/dSAGsiVSoeEyoutu.beSugababes - Freak Like Me (Official Video)YouTube video by SugababesVEVO 0260
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 13/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 13) Rihanna ft Jay-Z - Umbrella (2007) Hardly a deep cut and therefore not revolutionary to pick this but it’s totally warranted - perhaps the most indelible chorus of Rihanna’s career, alongside a huge hook and a spacious sound, allowing her free rein. youtu.be/CvBfHwUxHIkyoutu.beRihanna - Umbrella (Orange Version) (Official Music Video) ft. JAŸ-ZYouTube video by RihannaVEVO 0261
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 12/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 14) The Hives - Hate To Say I Told You So (2000) This stiff rhythm knocked most of their contemporaries into a cocked hat, and the playful self promotion they indulged in made sure you knew they knew it. All time bass break and killer split legged jumping. youtu.be/Uz1Jwyxd4tEyoutu.beThe Hives - Hate to Say I Told You So (Official Music Video)YouTube video by thehivestv 0210
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 11/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 15) Grace Jones - Williams Blood (2008) Not many clause fails left for me but this was always landing high. I suspect I’d get the Harty treatment for describing her as a veteran but Grace’s hard won experience and the push/pull of the music are a killer combo. youtu.be/4WW685BmDGkyoutu.beWilliams BloodYouTube video by Grace Jones - Topic 0160
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 10/07/2026This, re: Widdecombe, is absolutely on point. Don’t speak ill of the dead is utter rubbish. An honest account is necessary to prevent further manufacturing of consent around complete shit (see veneration of Reagan and what it has wrought in the US). When Blair goes Iraq must feature, long and loud 0277
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 10/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 16) Dr Dre ft Eminem - Forgot About Dre (2000) The trademark aural strut is well in place here, Dre producing something sounding cool af. But, while Stan is pretty much unimpeachable, for me, this is all about Eminem; my favourite minute or so of his career. youtu.be/QFcv5Ma8u8k?...youtu.beEminem, Dr. Dre - Forgot About Dre (Explicit) (Official Music Video) ft. HittmanYouTube video by DrDreVEVO 0172
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 09/07/2026Slightly disappointed by Morocco. Before this I thought they were probably the third best side left. I guess they still might be - and if we subsequently see France cuff everyone remaining aside, maybe this game can be re-evaluated - but they’re nowhere near France here really. 110
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 09/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 17) Missy Elliott - Work It (2002) A sense of fun shines through, the lyrics, the sound effects, the production, the rapping. I often think, if you can tell people had fun making something, it can feel flat. Not here; the focus is still you moving your arse. youtu.be/cjIvu7e6Wq8youtu.beMissy Elliott - Work It [Official Music Video]YouTube video by Missy Elliott 0210
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 08/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 18) Beyoncé ft Jay-Z - Crazy In Love (2003) It’s been a long time now, and I think Beyoncé has superseded this later in her career, but damn this still bangs. A fanfare for her career, jumping between that and the uh-oh hook, it just doesn’t let up. youtu.be/ViwtNLUqkMYyoutu.beBeyoncé - Crazy In Love ft. JAY ZYouTube video by BeyoncéVEVO 0230
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 07/07/2026One half of this draw has probably the best sides going in it. The other half has comedy defending trying to cope with Haaland, Messi and, I suppose in fairness, Kane. I know which half feels the more entertaining. I am not sure that half is going to produce the winner though. 110
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 07/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 19) Eminem - Stan (2000) So indelible, the title is now a by-word for obsessive fandom, it’s also a well drawn study of someone going off the rails in the most frightening way. Lives up to every claim made for Eminem, even if I might not listen to it every day. youtu.be/aSLZFdqwh7Eyoutu.beEminem - Stan (Short Version) ft. DidoYouTube video by EminemVEVO 0230
Matt Laycock @mattlaycock.bsky.social · 06/07/2026#TheN0ughtie5 20) Roots Manuva - Witness (1 Hope) (2001) Squelching beats, lyrics about bitter and jerk chicken and fish, the new Britain rising. The video is brilliant too. I live close to Woodmansterne Primary and this is also the sound of my adopted home. Never off my list youtu.be/ltP7L16A8Hsyoutu.beRoots Manuva - 'Witness (1 Hope)' Official VideoYouTube video by Big Dada 0220
