Windsurfing’s not just about the sport, it’s about the lifestyle…

We’re sure most of you have heard that good old motto before and, cheesy as it is, we are inclined to agree. With that in mind we thought it was time to step a little outside of the windsurfing box and bring you some more lifestyle related pieces.

What to wear, what not to wear, the latest and coolest gadgets, we will bring it all to Boards, but first a review of the latest music to hit the ears of windsurfer and music lover, Jan Sleigh…

Music to unwind to, dance to and get yourself ready for an epic session to; take it away Jan….

Imagine Dragons

Night Visions

I stumbled upon Imagine Dragons by chance, while I doing a music search for Demon (80’s metal band) and came across the song “Demons” – and I was hooked on the uplifting beats and singalong vocals. Night Visions follows through with a menagerie of alternative pop anthems that are reminiscent of Coldplay yet they are as different, as they are familiar, and that makes it a pleasing album to consume. The opening track Radioactive has big beats and a bass heavy rhythm that makes you want to stomp your feet; what follows throughout is a chirpy uplifting blend of alternative rock and pop sing along melodies. Stand out tracks are Radioactive, Demons, On Top of the World, and It’s TIme.

6/10

Best for: Sing along on a summer windy day.

Myspace: myspace.com/imaginedragons

Jay Z

Magna Carta … Holy Grail

I’ve been a fan of Jay-Z since the Collision Course collaboration with Linkin Park, so I guess in that sense I am a late comer. I’ve seen him live and I was expecting great things, but on first listen I was underwhelmed and disappointed. It’s taken me a lot of back to back plays to try and get it under my skin, get into, try and enjoy it, and see how I felt about it, but in all honesty the only memorable track is the Holy Grail fusing Jay-Z’s lyrics and rap with Justin TImberlake’s vocals and sampling Nirvana’s Smells like teen spirit.

On reflection what comes over is an album with perhaps more attitude than the 2010’s The Blueprint. While it’s a very varied album, it blends together into one long track punctuated by Jay-Z’s tight, clever rap but consequently I found it a harder album to listen to. None bar Holy Grail have I been able to recall or sing along to inside my head. On the last listen I did kinda get into it – and it is good – so perhaps it will take a lot more listening to, or maybe I will just leave it.

4/10

Best for: Adding to your hip hop collection.

Myspace: myspace.com/jayz

American Head Charge

Shoot EP

The welcome return of American Head Charge. I won’t try and hide it – full disclosure – AHC are my all time favourite band, so this will not be an objective review. Shoot opens with the daring Writhe – quiet, simple, haunting, atmospheric, building to a familiar crescendo of AHC sonic powerful heaviness. Set Yourself On Fire blends melodic and rip out your spine vocals, heavy riffs, chugging guitars and subtle samples. Sugars Of Someday is a groove led track that will get you up out the of your seat and dancing. Sand is a sonic and vocal assault, heavy and menacing and full of emotion. The EP closes with a cover of Pati Smith’s Rock ‘n’ roll Nigger and seals the deal that AHC are back and unstoppable.

11/10

Best for: Charging to the beach.

Myspace: myspace.com/americanheadcharge

Jan will be back very soon with another music review, but what else would you like to see him review or test? Do you want to know the latest fashions? Gadgets? Van accessories?

And why not join in with the review? Do you agree with Jan? What do you think of the music he has reviewed?

Let us know in the comments below…

As well as being an amazing windsurfer and SUPer, riding Naish sails and boards, Jan also runs his own surf shop, check it out here.