MAG: BANKS MAIDA VALE SESSION FOR BBC RADIO 1

After airing on Wednesday evening, BANKS' Maida Vale session for Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show is finally up for re-watching. She recorded two of her own tracks "Waiting Game" and "Change", finishing with the above cover of The Weeknd's "What You Need". That on top of a lengthy, in-depth chat with Zane, it was a meaty treat for BANKS fans everywhere.

On the back of touring with The Weeknd across America and Europe (also with Zane Lowe at that), the London show of which I was at last week, she's paid the ultimate tribute by covering a song of his with true personal flair. Watch the other two tracks too on the Radio 1 website, as she showcases her raw talent in volumes.

BLOG: IYES 'TIL INFINITY

New song from new artist, IYES, called "'Til Infinity". A confident-sounding debut track, they could very well be the next big thing to hit the internet. Sonically, it's again an electronica-infused indie number with lush vocal prowess and a sassy drum beat, not dissimilar to MS MR I'd say (although it's never fair to compare). This is the Brighton duo's first official release and is available for download right now, presumably with much more to come next year. It's always exciting to hear such inexperienced talent and to see how they blossom with time.

DIARY: THE WEEKND LIVE AT THE O2 ARENA

I've seen The Weeknd three times now, but watching him headline London's O2 Arena this week I was overwhelmed. He has come such a long way in such a short period of time and it was impressive to see him properly command the stage like a seasoned artist. His vision was so evidently brought to life, through both production and musicality, it was clearly the pinnacle of his ambitions as The Weeknd. I really felt the sense of accomplishment or achievement in his performance, and it was a real joy to be at, I had a wicked time. Treated to a setlist comprising mostly of tracks from "Kiss Land" and "House Of Balloons" – without a shadow of a doubt his best two records – and we had a real party on Tuesday night.

He was also supported by BANKS and Zane Lowe, both of whom I'm a huge fan of, so it was of real fortune that I got to witness them as well, really making my ticket worthwhile as if Abel alone wasn't enough. The former is a genuine talent in her own right, and with a debut album looming for the turn of the year, BANKS is a name to watch out for. She's had a fair share of entries on this Blog over the past year already, and I promise you there will be more from LA's latest stunner.

Great night, exactly what I needed.

MAG: LONDON GRAMMAR NIGHTCALL OFFICIAL VIDEO

"Nightcall" is the next single off the "If You Wait" album by London Grammar, due out on December 8. Its official video, above, has been unveiled today and there's something solemnly beautiful about it, portrayed in a smooth single take between scenes of eery stillness and mystical nature. It presents the haunting track fittingly, a song that sits cosy between "Strong" and "Metal & Dust", two of my favourites, in the band's recent LP.

DIARY: SIGUR ROS LIVE AT WEMBLEY ARENA

Two hours of heaven is how best to describe Sigur Rós' tour date. Performing at Wembley Arena last week, the second time I've seen them this year, the Icelandic band smashed through an epic repertoire hitting majestic climaxes, delicate warmth and of course the newly found aggression in "Kveikur" material. Just a real journey of emotion, it was a special experience that I enjoyed from the back of the venue, relaxed and moved.

MAG: JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE DRINK YOU AWAY LIVE

JT continues to set the standard for live performances. Kills it here at the AMAs.

MAG: BRITISH AIRWAYS MAGIC OF FLYING #LOOKUP

A digital billboard in Piccadilly Circus, this is British Airways' cute and clever new ad to promote their Magic Of Flying campaign. With basic GPS technology, the on-screen toddler points to the BA flight passing overhead in real-time with a child's typically innocent fascination, before revealing the actual flight number and destination of the plane in the sky. A cheeky reminder for passers-by weaving through the crowded streets and blocked-in traffic-strikken drivers that while they struggle with cold, repetitive, busy lives, some hundred people are on their way to Barcelona or Amsterdam – that's a fun sentiment, must have been a nice project (and good laugh) for the designers.

MAG: LANA DEL REY TROPICO TRAILER

She's been teasing us for some months now over what looks like a short film entitled "Tropico". The trailer has been unveiled today along with a date of December 5 to which we can now count down the days and look forward to. And further good news is that according to this minute cut, there's set to be a lot of Lana, who plays the biblical character of Eve.

The press notes state that this is closure for the "Born To Die" outing and all signs point to it being an epic finale. The album(s) are one of my favourites in recent years and she's an artist I'm thoroughly passionate for. I'm just itching to see what's she's prepared.

BLOG: OF MONSTERS AND MEN SILHOUETTES BEHIND THE SCENES

This is the kind of thing I watch that makes me full of envy, envious of their lifestyle and envious of their togetherness. Such a tight-knit band, a family, to watch them working with each other and helping each other, all the while gaining so much joy, is just fascinating and fills me with admiration.

It's a video of the recording process for Of Monsters And Men's "Silhouettes" toward The Hunger Games soundtrack, my favourite number on the tracklist.

MAG: SBTRKT UNTITLED DEMO

Another bit of unmastered, work-in-progress material by SBTRKT, following "IMO" earlier this autumn, this experimental piece gives us further excitement as he teases us with what could be a second record. Sonically experimental and chilling, I get the sense of something growing beneath and ready to burst. Accompanied again by slow, curious imagery, I'm left wanting more – probably exactly what he was going for.

BLOG: VICTATE MEETS BOXPARK PART TWO

MAG: GEMS MEDUSA EP EPHEMERA

Released this week was GEMS' new EP "Medusa", from which we'd previously heard the silky title track last month. The stream for another song "Ephemera" is now available to play and it's very  good. Sonically so atmospheric and wintry, with Lindsay Pott's soft, wholesome vocals effortlessly making magic, it's a gorgeous four minutes. The EP is available to download and I need to listen to the other two tracks asap. What a fitting artist name GEMS is.

MAG: LILY ALLEN NEW SINGLE HARD OUT HERE

Lol. I'm gonna side with Lily over Miley. And I like the auto-tune.

BLOG: VICTATE MEETS BOXPARK PART ONE

MAG: SAMPHA TOO MUCH / HAPPENS SINGLE

Sampha's new double-sided single features two stunning tracks – like, stunning. The Drake-less piano immersion of "Too Much" is just too much, so rich with emotion and talent also. (Don't mind my pun there, this is too good to waste our precious attention on my stupid wordplay.) Young Turks have a true asset in Sampha, who is fast showing signs of blossoming into one of the country's most gifted musicians. More please.

MAG: CHVRCHES LIES TOURIST REMIX

I post too much CHVRCHES? Haha fuck off it's my Blog. Announced as the next single by the Glaswegian outfit, to be released on December 2, "Lies" has undergone a mellow, progressive house makeover for this Tourist remix and it's absolutely insane, like so good!

DIARY: MØ LIVE AT XOYO

Tuesday evening was amazing, best night in ages. MØ headlined a show at East London's XOYO and (almost) literally tore the roof down. By far the most substantial set I've ever seen from her yet, she was explosive from start to finish, probably performing every song in her repertoire including unheard material from a looming album. The dance floor was rightly set alive and I can't remember the last gig I enjoyed so hard.

MAG: CHVRCHES LIES OFFICIAL VIDEO

I wanted to post this earlier as it was released on Monday, but here's the brand new video by CHVRCHES for "Lies" – their very first public song that set them on their way to success. Maintaining the subdued spotlit studio aesthetic, the Sing J Lee-directed film has some epic silhouettes of the trio, cut amongst a corporate tale of what we can only assume to be lies being told and secrets hidden, including some bizarre brain testing scenes. Very cool.

DIARY: VICTATE MEETS BOXPARK SETUP

Blog's been quiet yet again, but that's because this is a big week as we (Victate) are occupying a unit at BOXPARK Shoreditch until Sunday. So last weekend was a hectic couple of days as we turned a bland, empty unit into a fully kitted shop – the first physical space we've held ourselves so we're feeling quite proud at the minute.