Tracks of the Month – September

Hi everyone,

I know that it’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted a blog; I’ve really fallen off track with my blogging schedule this year in comparison to last, but there have been a lot of changes and a lot of things going on in my life so, while I would’ve liked to have kept on course and posted more this year, it’s just unfortunately not been possible.

However, I always round up my top tracks at the end/beginning of every month so I’m back to do that again today. These are the songs that I was totally obsessed with throughout September and, if I’m being honest, still am now! 🙂

 

Demi Lovato – Sorry, Not Sorry

If you’re an OG follower of my blog, then you’ll know that I’m kind of in love with Demi Lovato, and her newest offering ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ is no exception. The lead single from her recently released new album, ‘Tell Me You Love Me’, it’s a light-hearted, sassy pop/R’n’B track. Described by Lovato herself as a song for the “haters”, it’s about taking an unapologetic look at yourself and indulging in a little self-praise – which I think rarely happens these days.

Lovato’s powerhouse vocals are stellar as always; exuding confidence and sexiness, whilst always toeing the line between being self-assured and full on bragging. It’s an empowerment anthem, perfect for a break-up of any kind and, having cracked the top 10 in multiple countries, including the UK, ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ has definitely sparked a fire among listeners – and rightfully so.

 

Jax Jones ft. Demi Lovato and Stefflon Don – Instruction

I can’t stress enough that this isn’t usually the type of song I go in for at all, so, again if you’re an OG follower of my blog and you’re staring at your screen open-mouthed, don’t worry – so am I. This reggaeton number from producer Jax Jones features vocals from both American singer-songwriter Demi Lovato, and emerging Brit rapper Stefflon Don.

Included on the deluxe edition of Lovato’s newest album ‘Tell Me You Love Me’, ‘Instruction’ opens with major samba vibes and a booming drum beat that carries throughout the song. Along with a sprinkling of synths, elements of hip-hop and a total boss attitude, it’s a whirlwind of colour, sexiness and Caribbean carnival vibes that definitely ensures its place as a summer/club banger.

 

Taylor Swift – Look What You Made Me Do

What can I say about the newest offering from pop music golden-girl Taylor Swift? The lead single from her hotly anticipated new album ‘Reputation’, is undeniably a shade anthem exploding with cutting sass. ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ is darker than anything we’ve ever heard from Swift, and see’s the songstress shedding her former public personas and giving into the perception of herself as a ‘snake’.

This can be seen in both the brooding cynicism of the lyrics, as well as the darkly creepy – yet fairly fairytale-esque – opening. It does sounds slightly like something you’d hear in a Disney movie, but I think that’s also part of its charm. I’m aware that it has divided opinions across the internet and it’s either a love it or hate it scenario, but personally? I’m really enjoying this song and I can really relate. If ‘LWYMMD’ is anything to go by, I can’t wait for an absolutely savage album.

 

Gavin DeGraw – I Don’t Wanna Be

I’m not all that sure that I haven’t reviewed this song before, as it’s been a favourite of mine for years. If you read my ‘Top #5 Best TV Show Theme-Tunes Ever’, then you’ll know that this was the inspiration behind it, and was a complete re-discovery of a forgotten love. If you were a noughties teenager then you may also remember Gavin DeGraw’s ‘I Don’t Want To Be’ as the theme-tune to American drama series ‘One Tree Hill’, and being that I laughed (and cried!) along with the show throughout my teen years and into my early 20’s, I am very familiar with this track.

However, the album version has more of a pop-rock feel, with its funky guitar-led opening and explosive, epic-sounding chorus. This, coupled with the inspiring coming-of-age lyrics, works to create something that is entirely addictive. Every time I hear the chorus I can’t help but get major nostalgic vibes, but it also makes me feel confident and unapologetic; you don’t need to constantly justify who you are or where you’re going in life, you do what’s best for you in that moment. It’s one of the songs I find comfort in, like re-visiting an old friend you haven’t seen in a while, but all the same feels like you never really left.

If you fancy checking out my ‘Top #5 Best TV Show Theme-Tunes Ever’, featuring this very song, click here.

 

Rak-Su – I’m Feeling You

I don’t usually include X Factor contestants/auditions in these posts, but for these boys I had to make an exception. After failing to impress the judges with their, rather flat, rendition of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Senorita’, head honcho Simon Cowell asked if he could hear another song from hopefuls, Rak-Su. They chose to perform original track ‘I’m Feeling You’, and everyone was definitely feeling it.

The pop/R’n’B number combined rap verses with a smooth, soulful – not to mention insanely addictive – chorus. The infectious beat instantly makes you want to dance, or at the very least have a little groove in your seat (just ask Nicole Scherzinger.) After their less than stellar start, it was like the boys came alive – as did everyone around them. One thing’s for sure, if ‘I’m Feeling You’ doesn’t get released as an official single, the X Factor bosses have missed a trick there.

 

Grace Davies – Roots

Another X Factor hopeful that I couldn’t not mention is, the insanely talented, Grace Davies. The 20 year old singer-songwriter, who has been singing on the pub scene since her mid-teens, stunned the judges with her intensely emotional original song, ‘Roots’. The piano-led ballad is a defiant message to all the nay-sayers who tried to knock her confidence over the years.

Davies’s vocals are instantly distinctive and extremely powerful throughout, with slight Amy Winehouse/Duffy elements wrapped within a sound that is entirely her own. This, along with a sprinkling of high notes, ensures the whole song is executed flawlessly. Its delicately simple arrangement really allows the vocals and lyrics to shine; it’s not dressed up in fancy production, and it doesn’t need to be, its raw honesty packs a punch without gimmicks. It’s undeniable that ‘Roots’ is a beautiful song, and I’m crossing everything that it will be released as a single, because it’s too good to be forgotten.

 

Also…

I’ve also been listening to a lot of Ed Sheeran’s newest album ‘Divide’ lately. I had planned to review the album when it dropped but I had to push it back due to illness, and then I felt like I kind of ‘missed the boat.’ However, I will be posting a full album review to coincide with when Sheeran embarks on his 2018 tour. But for now, I’ve been totally obsessed with poignant love-song ‘Perfect’, the upbeat ‘Galway Girl’, heart-break ballad ‘Happier’, and total shade track, ‘New Man’.

 

As always, thank you for reading! I hope I inspired you to give these songs a listen, if you haven’t already. If you like what I do here and want to keep up to date with my upcoming posts, feel free to come and join me on:

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My Top 10 Interview Wish-List

Greetings readers,

Today’s post is one that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I originally planned to upload it as a video, but that proved to be a bit of a faff, so I decided to write it instead and…well, here we are.

I’ve always said that interviewing is my favourite aspect of what I do; it’s always exciting for me to interview an artist because I’m just little ol’ me who started a blog at university, I don’t have the added benefit of an established magazine behind me, it is just me. As a result, there are people I’d love to interview that I’ll probably never get the chance to, so I thought I’d compile a Top 10 wish-list of my dream interviewees.

Firstly though, I’d like to talk a bit about my interview style and what inspired my particular approach. The reason I interview anyone is because I admire their work, so when I get the opportunity to talk to an artist my goal is to make them feel as comfortable as possible. By doing this the interview becomes more conversational, which makes for a better experience; let’s face it, uber-formal, stilted interviews aren’t a comfortable watch, or read, and you’re less likely to get the best responses.

I watch a lot of interviews and the person that always sticks in my mind is Ellen DeGeneres. If you watch The Ellen Show, you’ll know that it looks like a hugely fun environment – from being in the audience to being a guest – and you can tell that there’s a genuine admiration or friendship between Ellen and the majority of her interviewees. The fact that the likes of Taylor Swift and Gwen Stefani have been on the show multiple times is testament to the warm and welcoming environment Ellen creates, and it always makes for a great watch. This down-to-earth, semi-informal, atmosphere is what I try to achieve with my own interviews.

‘So who’s in your Top 10?’ I hear you ask… continue reading to find out.

 

#1 Demi Lovato

I think Demi Lovato is an extremely inspiring young woman. I’ve reviewed many of her songs on this blog and I think, musically, she’s a powerhouse. Outside of her music, Lovato has been very vocal in regards to her struggles with mental health, including discovering she was bi-polar and conquering an eating disorder. She has since spoken out about the controversy’s that have surrounded her and has chosen to become a positive influence to others, stating that she wants to be the difference for people who think they have to look, or be, a certain way to be considered cool. I watched an MTV documentary on Lovato, ‘Staying Strong’, which gave an insight into her struggles and treatment, and it moved me to tears at points. I think often we forget that people in the public eye are just that – people, and it takes a strong person to be able to admit so publicly that they have done things they aren’t proud of, and change their ways. It’s for these reasons, and more, that I’d love to talk to Demi Lovato about her career, life, aspirations for the future and everything in between.

Click here to see my review of Lovato’s single ‘Confident.’

 

#2 Alex DeLeon

If you’ve read my blog before then you’ll definitely recognise this name. Alex DeLeon is the lead vocalist of The Cab – a band I was fortunate enough to interview back in 2012, via email, after contacting their manager. However, DeLeon has recently unveiled a brand new solo project under the moniker Bohnes. Having released a number of singles it’s clear that the singer’s newest venture is a world away from the pop-rock sounds of The Cab, favouring a more synth based, pop/dance sound. So, does this mean an uncertain future for the band? It’d be great to sit down with DeLeon to chat about this new project, the status of the band, and what he has coming up.

Click here to see my review of DeLeon’s debut single as Bohnes, ‘Guns and Roses.’

 

#3 Sketch & Stevie P

If you’re a fan of E4’s hugely popular TV show ‘Tattoo Fixers’ then you’ll already be familiar with half of this duo. Let’s be honest, I feel like I could talk to Sketch about tattooing (and a mutual love of Sloths) for ages, but outside of his work in tattooing, he also makes music. I first became aware of this after stumbling across a 30 second clip of a song called ‘I Walk With’, featuring Stevie P, that the tattooist shared on Twitter. With its heavy rock sound, complete with raw scream vocals, it came across as very Bring Me The Horizon-esque; I definitely wanted to hear the full track. Following this, the lads released a song called ‘Everything (Part 2)’, and what I was met with totally caught me off guard; it was rap, totally not what I was expecting. However, the song is undeniably beautiful, and you’d have to be made of stone not to be moved by it.

Five months on, the guys have yet to release a follow-up but have teased that new single ‘Street Lights’ is in the pipeline. Stevie has said via Twitter that the duo are currently facing ‘a few minor issues,’ and Sketch has also previously tweeted that he’s unable to release music at the moment, so there are obviously bigger things at play here. Having said that, it’d be great to chat to the pair about their music at some point and see what they have planned. I bet they’d be a really interesting pair to have a chat with too.

I’d also just like to say that I know ‘Tattoo Fixers’ has been getting a lot of negative press over the last few weeks, mainly over how the show is made, allegations of plagiarism concerning designs, and its implications on the tattooing industry as a whole. These aren’t things that I feel qualified to comment on, however, I can say that as a viewer I really enjoy the show and I like each of the artist’s different styles (I’ve actually emailed both Sketch and Alice about possibly getting pieces done by them.) Personally, I’d love to hang out on-set for a day to see for myself how things are done, so I could say from experience ‘this is what goes on’.

Click here to see my review of ‘Everything (Part 2)’.

 

#4 Vicky Pattison

I don’t know about you, but having never watched Geordie Shore, I had no idea who Vicky Pattison was until she appeared on last year’s ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.’ However, I see that as a good thing because I had no preconceived notions of her going in; as I’ve said elsewhere in this post, it’s all too easy to judge someone based on their media coverage. I thought she was absolutely brilliant, hilarious and a lovely, down-to-earth girl. She gave an interview on Loose Women following winning ‘I’m A Celeb’, and I was even more struck by how eloquent and candid she was. Again, it takes a strong person to hold their hands up and admit their wrong-doings and I have a lot of respect for her for doing that and changing her ways  – and with it the public’s perception of her. I think she’d be great fun to talk to about how she, and her career, have grown since Geordie Shore (and I daresay she’d be brilliant company on a night out as well!)

 

#5 Zoe Sugg & Gabriella Lindley

If you don’t know who Zoe Sugg and Gabriella Lindley (AKA Zoella and Velvet Gh0st) are, then to you I ask, where have you been? The two are huge hits on YouTube, with their beauty tips as well as follow-me-around style videos, having racked up millions of subscribers between them. One of the first videos I saw of Zoe’s was one about dealing with anxiety, and I had huge admiration for her taking on that subject because it takes guts to discuss that sort of thing so publicly. Similarly, Gabriella is also very candid and open about her struggles with the same issues, and knowing that both the girls suffer with anxiety is one of the reasons why I’d like to interview them together. I feel like they’d be more comfortable because they’d have each other for support, rather than it being a one-on-one situation which might make them feel more pressure – which totally isn’t what I’m going for. I watch both the girls’ videos regularly and I love their personalities and the way they come across onscreen, so it’d be awesome to chat to them about their internet presence and being in the public eye. Gabriella has also started posting covers among her video content, click here to check out my review of her most recent cover of Ariana Grande’s ‘Leave Me Lonely’, featuring fellow YouTuber Hobbie Stuart.

 

#6 Taylor Swift

As I said in my previous review of Swift’s fifth studio album, 1989: ‘whatever your opinion of the darling of pop music, you can’t deny that Taylor Swift is slaying the industry at the moment.’ From taking on the likes of Apple and Spotify, she seems to be everywhere. I’ve been a fan of Swift’s since the early days of ‘Love Story’ back in 2008, and since then we’ve seen her grow into the artist that she is today who looks set to take over the world. As with the majority of people in the public eye, everyone has an opinion on Swift, be it positive or negative there will always be one, and I think it would be great to be able to have an opinion based off of actual personal experience rather than media sensationalism.

Click here to see my review of Swift’s album ‘1989.’

 

#7 Ed Sheeran

There is one simple reason for this pick: I love Ed Sheeran. From his magnificent music to his endearingly down-to-earth nature, he comes across as a genuinely nice guy – and those are always the best kinds of people. He has said things in previous interviews that I whole-heartedly agree with, and his passion for what he does is undeniable. Sheeran is currently taking a break from social media, but has said that he’ll be back in the autumn with a brand-new album. It would be absolutely amazing to be one of the first to speak to him about his new music and what makes it “the best thing [he has] made thus far.”

Click here to see my review of Sheeran’s most recent album ‘X.’

 

#8 Simon Cowell

I know this will seem like a controversial choice, but that’s exactly my reasoning. Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ll know who Simon Cowell is and, whether you love him or loathe him, everyone has their own opinion of the music mogul. It’s safe to say that the majority of these opinions will be based on media perception and what we read – unless you’re a close personal friend of Mr. Cowell that is. Personally, I like to judge people based on my own experience of them as opposed to hearsay, (remember the old saying ‘don’t believe everything you read’?) and I would just love the chance to talk to Simon Cowell about the industry, and discover for myself what the big man in music is actually like.

 

#9 Gerard Way

The My Chemical Romance frontman was a huge inspiration to me growing up, aside from the fact that I loved the band’s music, I watched a lot of interviews with Way and I was always struck by his way with words. He would always put his points across eloquently and with such honesty; which I think is what gained him the unwavering respect of a generation of music fans, including me. A lot of people took Way to their hearts and revered him, almost like a hero, and I am proud to say that I grew up in a time when the band existed. They had their fair share of negative attention, but I have nothing but fond memories of their music and being inspired by them. I’m so glad I got to see them live before they split; it’d be a dream come true to catch up with Gerard Way and chat about his career after MCR and what he is up to at the moment.

 

#10 You Me At Six

Again, my teenage self wouldn’t be happy if this Surrey-based quintet didn’t make an appearance. You Me At Six have been one of my favourite bands since I was 17 and, now in my 20s, I feel as though I’ve grown up with them and their music. They have yet to make an album that I dislike, and they always put on a killer live show; I’ve seen them play 10 times and the last time I went I felt like one of the oldest people in the room (long gone are the days of me wearing brightly coloured fishnets, a tutu and home-made t-shirts.) Being that YMAS are one of my longest standing favourite bands it’d be great to speak to them about their career to date, and what their next move is.

Click here to see my live review of You Me At Six at Brixton Academy.

 

And there you have it, there are some artists I’ve interviewed before that I’d love to follow-up with, but for this list I decided to just include those that I’d probably have no chance of ever interviewing.

Who would be your dream person to interview? Are there any from my list that you wouldn’t mind having a good ol’ chin-wag with? Feel free to let me know in a comment :).

 

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My Top 5 Albums of 2015

Hello again, (as you can probably tell from the title) I’m going to share my Top 5 Albums of 2015 with you.

Now, if you’re a regular reader of my blog then you may notice that I have done full reviews of all-but-one of the following records. Be that as it may, I couldn’t not include them as these are all albums that were like the sound of 2015 to me. While some of them were released before 2015, I personally discovered them all during the course of the year and each of them really stuck out to me. (Please note: The albums are in order of my earliest to most recent finds.)

 

#1 Ed Sheeran – X

I was given a copy of ‘X’ for Christmas 2014, and upon receiving it I listened to it every day for pretty much six months. On the whole ‘X’ is a fantastic album that demonstrates Sheeran’s ability to capture his listeners entirely…every song is packed with emotion and demands your attention. I love the seamless mix of the hip-hop and acoustic sound, and no song disappoints – there are some absolute gems here that need to be heard. I’d recommend it to everyone.

To see the full review click here.

 

#2 Taylor Swift – 1989

Whatever your opinion of pop music’s darling, there’s no denying that Taylor Swift is slaying the music industry at the moment. I’ve been a fan of Swift’s music since the early days of ‘Love Story,’ and it’s awesome to see how far she’s come as an artist – deservedly so. I realise she is a little bit like Marmite; some people love her and some people love to hate her, but personally I think ‘1989’ marks a totally new stage in her career. It’s clear that Swift has found her place within the industry and is comfortable in her own skin – and she has every right to be.

To see the full review click here.

 

#3 Rogue Re Vera – Don’t Bet On It, Kid

‘Don’t Bet On It, Kid’ – the debut offering from New York based four-piece Rogue Re Vera – is a well rounded EP that works to showcase not only the band’s sound, but the diversity of it. Full of addictive tracks with insane hooks, the melodies are stunning and the lyrics, and vocals, are always brimming with passion and conviction. Whether it’s ballsy and raw or stripped-back and heartfelt, both are captivating – albeit in totally different ways. It’s clear that Rogue Re Vera are a force to be reckoned with.

To see the full review click here.

 

#4 Snowblind – Snowblind

As I’ve said in previous posts, Snowblind are a band I discovered whilst in Spain towards the end of the summer. I caught their set in a local bar and, after a brief chat with their vocalist, I was passed a copy of their debut self-titled offering – and the rest, as they say, is history. The album has fast become a firm favourite, as has the band. It’s definitely a case of ‘all killer, no filler’, each song bursting at the seams with emotion and passion that seems invariably deep rooted. With such a compelling sound not one track is flimsy or one-dimensional, it makes you wonder why these guys are not mainstream artists – I could definitely see them on the main stage at Reading Festival.

To see the full review click here.

 

#5 Bring Me The Horizon – That’s The Spirit

My most recent favourite; I’ve always known of Bring Me The Horizon but I couldn’t really deal with their hardcore/screamo sound of the early days, so my liking of their newer music kind of crept up on me. A far cry from their 2006 debut ‘Count Your Blessings’, ‘That’s The Spirit’ see’s BMTH shift away from their metalcore roots in favour of a more melodic, electronic sound. But die-hard fans need not fear, their trademark aggressive sound is still intact, complete with the gravelly, growl-like vocal tones from Mr. Sykes (but the upside is that you can actually understand it these days.) The result? An awesome album with some pretty anthemic tracks.

Keep an eye out for a full review of ‘That’s the Spirit’ in the next few weeks.

So, there you have it. What do you think of my Top 5 Albums of 2015? Do you agree with my choices? Are there any other albums you’ve been loving that I haven’t included? Feel free to let me know in a comment – I’m always on the lookout for new music.

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Up Next:

Tracks of the Month (January)

Taylor Swift: ‘1989’ Album Review

Whatever your opinion of pop music’s darling, there’s no denying that Taylor Swift is slaying the music industry at the moment. Between winning countless awards – including Best International Female Solo Artist at this year’s Brit’s – receiving no less than nine nominations at the upcoming MTV VMAs, notching up a number of sell-out tours worldwide, receiving critical acclaim for her newest offering ‘1989’, AND putting Spotify and Apple in their place over streaming, she seems to be everywhere at the moment.

Having helped propel her to the forefront of the industry, her fifth studio album ‘1989’ sees Swift make the bold move to shed her country roots and wholeheartedly embrace pop music. Driven by synths and drums rather than the guitar-led sound of her previous efforts, ‘1989’ incorporates an electro pop sound complete with a healthy dose of drum programming – giving it a slight 80’s edge.

Album opener ‘Welcome to New York’ is a perfect example of this, full of synths and 80’s style electro-keyboard chords, followed closely by ‘Blank Space,’ which contrastingly has more of a dark and moody feel. There is a good mix of up-tempo songs and slower ones; both providing stand-out moments in totally different ways.

Tracks like ‘All You Had To Do Was Stay’ and ‘How You Get The Girl’ are infectious enough to have you dancing in your desk chair, whereas – recently announced next single – ‘Wildest Dreams’ and ‘This Love’, are slowed down with a dreamy, romantic vibe. The album also features Swift’s four hit singles including – the undeniably fun and positive lead single – ‘Shake It Off’, ‘Style’, and ‘Bad Blood,’ (the only song on the album to incorporate a flavour of R’n’B.)

Swift also shows her sense of humour throughout as she pokes fun at the perception the media have of her, namely her ‘serial dater’ reputation. She also sheds some light on how hard it can be in the lime-light and the struggle to stay out of it – likening the situation to hunters chasing foxes – in ‘I Know Places’.

Lyrically, it’s easy to hear Swift’s growth – artistically and personally – as these are some of her most mature to date. Album closer ‘Clean’ is the only distinctive break-up song on the album, but in a way that’s unlike any she’s ever done. It seems gone are the days of boy-shaming and secret crushes, her recent songs centre on situations and happenings rather than pinpointing individuals, and this album is a perfect mark of that transition.

It’s clear to see that Taylor Swift has found her place within the industry and is comfortable in her own skin – and she has every right to be. ‘1989’ is a great pop album full of killer tracks, many of which show off swift’s fun side.

 

Overall verdict: I’ve been a fan of Swift’s music since the early days of ‘Love Story,’ and it’s awesome to see how far she’s come as an artist – deservedly so. Having said that, I realise she is a little bit like Marmite; some people love her and some people love to hate her, but personally I think ‘1989’ marks a totally new stage in her career that can’t really be compared to what came before it, as it is so different.

Favourite Tracks:

Style

All You Had To Do Was Stay

Wildest Dreams

How You Get The Girl

 

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Jammin’ In July: The VMAs Nominations Are Up (+ Who I’d Vote For!)

Hi everyone,

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the entertainment news, or the highly publicised Twitter spat between Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift, then chances are you’ve seen that the nominations for the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) were unveiled early last week.

Leading the nominations is pop music’s darling Taylor Swift – who is up for nine awards including Video of The Year and Best Female – and hot on her heels is Brit singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, who is up for six awards including Best Male and Best Cinematography for Thinking Out Loud.

Other notable nominations include Beyoncé with five – going head to head with Swift and Sheeran for Video of the Year – as well as Best Female Video for her track 7/11. Dynamic duo Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars are also nominated for five awards, for their much-loved number one hit Uptown Funk.

Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth are up for Best Hip Hop video with See you again – the poignant tribute to Fast and Furious actor Paul Walker – and VMA newbies Walk The Moon are up for Best Rock Video, alongside rock royalty Fall Out Boy.

It has also been announced that Miley Cyrus will be hosting this year’s awards, which many may think a controversial choice after THAT performance with Robin Thicke in 2013, so I’m excited to see what kooky antics will ensue.

So, seeing as I think the nominations are an alright bunch this year, I thought it’d be fun to tell you who I’d vote for and why. I’ve listed the nominations in full so you can see the competition, and maybe tell me in a comment who you’d vote for.

 

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Beyoncé – “7/11″

Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood”

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”

My winner:

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

Uptown Funk wins this category for me, hands down, because it’s so full of life. It has a zesty old-school quality – the choreography is reminiscent of something The Jackson Five would’ve done back in the day – but it’s been brought forward and somewhat modernised without losing it’s retro coolness. Likewise, the ending (in the New York night club kind of setting) with the neon lights and the smoke has a very 80’s feel that’s just cool. It’s quirky, it’s fun and it doesn’t take its self too seriously (Mars’ and Ronsons’ hair salon moment, I’m looking at you here.)

 

BEST MALE VIDEO

Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”

The Weeknd – “Earned It”

Nick Jonas – “Chains”

My winner:

Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”

I chose Thinking Out Loud because, when you watch it, you can see how much work Sheeran must’ve put in to perfect that dance; he didn’t just stand with a microphone and lip-sync while someone danced around him, he learned the routine and danced with her. I think it’s an incredible, beautiful, romantic video and personally I just prefer it.

 

BEST FEMALE VIDEO

Beyoncé – “7/11″

Taylor Swift – “Blank Space”

Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”

Sia – “Elastic Heart”

Ellie Goulding – “Love Me Like You Do”

My winner:

Taylor Swift – “Blank Space”

I know that Taylor Swift is up for a lot of awards this year, but you can’t deny that this video is extremely polished and well put together. It’s picturesque from the get-go, from the locations to the costumes, there’s a sense of old-school glamour and lavishness to the whole thing. It has a dream-like, fantasy quality throughout whilst still having a clear narrative and sense of story; demonstrating the lighter and darker sides to a relationship. It’s for this reason that I chose it as my winner for Best Female Video.

 

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO

Fetty Wap – “Trap Queen”

Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”

Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – “See You Again”

Big Sean ft. E-40 – “I Don’t F–k With You”

My winner:

Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – “See You Again”

Again, a very beautiful and picturesque video with some gorgeous view shots and sunset backdrops. There’s a good mix of performance and film footage, with a lot of shots of the late Paul Walker, making it very poignant and moving to watch.

 

BEST POP VIDEO

Beyoncé – “7/11″

Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”

Taylor Swift – “Blank Space”

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

Maroon 5 – “Sugar”

My winner:

Maroon 5 – “Sugar”

I love the whole ‘wedding crashers’ element to this, I think it’s a really original idea for a music video and they seem to have pulled it off very well. The surprise on people’s faces is brilliant to watch; from the chef in the kitchen as the band walk through, to one stunned bride who drops an F-bomb.  The feel good vibe is infectious – you can’t help but smile when you watch it.

 

BEST ROCK VIDEO

Hozier – “Take Me To Church”

Fall Out Boy – “Uma Thurman”

Florence + the Machine – “Ship To Wreck”

Walk the Moon – “Shut Up and Dance”

Arctic Monkeys – “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”

My winner:

Fall Out Boy – “Uma Thurman”

The concept for this video is unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. It centres on a fan winning a contest to be the band’s assistant for the day, but with no ‘ordinary’ tasks. Between walking a zebra, flying in a wind tunnel, playing paintball with Pete Wentz against Brendon Urie (P!ATD) and Brian Dales (The Summer Set), and covering Patrick in chicks and bunnies, it’s original, wildly inventive and a little bit bizarre. Looks like it was a lot of fun to be a part of!

 

ARTIST TO WATCH

Fetty Wap – “Trap Queen”

Vance Joy – “Riptide”

George Ezra – “Budapest”

James Bay – “Hold Back The River”

FKA Twigs – “Pendulum”

My winner(s):

George Ezra – “Budapest” 

Or, James Bay – “Hold Back The River”

Quite honestly I couldn’t choose between these two artists, I love both these tracks. Visually I think Ezra’s has more going on in the video, but I’d be happy for either of them to win.

 

BEST COLLABORATION

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood”

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – “See You Again”

Ariana Grande & The Weeknd – “Love Me Harder”

Jessie J + Ariana Grande + Nicki Minaj – “Bang Bang”

My winner:

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

Again, this one was a no-brainer for me. Click here to see my previous review of the track.

 

VIDEO WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE

Jennifer Hudson – “I Still Love You”

Colbie Caillat – “Try”

Big Sean ft. Kanye West and John Legend – “One Man Can Change the World”

Rihanna – “American Oxygen”

Wale – “The White Shoes”

My winner: ?!

To be honest, I’m really undecided on this category – which would you vote for?

 

BEST ART DIRECTION

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Charles Infante)

Snoop Dogg – “So Many Pros” (Jason Fijal)

Jack White – “Would You Fight For My Love” (Jeff Peterson)

The Chemical Brothers – “Go” (Michel Gondry)

Skrillex & Diplo – “Where Are U Now” with Justin Bieber (Brewer)

My winner:

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Charles Infante)

Another no-brainer in my opinion; the art direction in this video is fantastic. The concept really ties in with the superhero/villain genre, which is hugely popular at the moment, and it’s executed flawlessly. It’s high-end, glossy and has a very cinematic ‘movie-trailer’ feel to it.

 

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Beyoncé – “7/11″ (Beyoncé, Chris Grant, Additional choreography: Gabriel Valenciano)

OK Go – “I Won’t Let You Down” (OK Go, air:man and Mori Harano)

Chet Faker – “Gold” (Ryan Heffington)

Ed Sheeran – “Don’t” (Nappy Tabs)

Flying Lotus ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Never Catch Me” (Keone and Mari Madrid)

My winner:

Ed Sheeran – “Don’t” (Nappy Tabs)

I love this style of choreography and it doesn’t look an easy thing to master. The whole routine is very slick and really well stylised; some of things the dancer does with his body completely baffles me at times.

 

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Flying Lotus ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Never Catch Me” (Larkin Sieple)

Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud” (Daniel Pearl)

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Christopher Probst)

FKA Twigs – “Two Weeks” (Justin Brown)

Alt-J – “Left Hand Free” (Mike Simpson)

My winner:

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Christopher Probst)

As I mentioned previously, Bad Blood has a very cinematic feel to it. It’s so slick and high-quality that it’s almost as if you’re watching a mini-movie trailer – so a bit of a given that I’d choose it as my winner for ‘Best Cinematography.’

 

BEST DIRECTION

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Joseph Kahn)

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk” (Bruno Mars and Cameron Duddy)

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright” (Colin Tilley & The Little Homies)

Hozier – “Take Me To Church” (Brendan Canty and Conal Thomson of Feel Good Lost)

Childish Gambino – “Sober” (Hiro Murai)

My winner(s):

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Joseph Kahn)

Or, Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk” (Bruno Mars and Cameron Duddy)

Again, I couldn’t choose between these two, pretty much for the same reason that I picked them for Best Art Direction and Video of The Year, respectively.

 

BEST EDITING

Beyoncé – “7/11″ (Beyoncé, Ed Burke, Jonathan Wing)

Ed Sheeran – “Don’t” (Jacquelyn London)

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Chancler Haynes at Cosmo Street)

A$AP Rocky – “L$D” (Dexter Navy)

Skrillex & Diplo “Where Are U Now” with Justin Bieber (Brewer)

My winner:  

Ed Sheeran – “Don’t” (Jacquelyn London)

 

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Ingenuity Studios)

FKA Twigs – “Two Weeks” (Gloria FX, Tomash Kuzmytskyi, and Max Chyzhevskyy)

Childish Gambino – “Telegraph Ave.” (Gloria FX)

Skrillex & Diplo “Where Are U Now” with Justin Bieber (Brewer)

Tyler, The Creator – “F****** Young/Death Camp” (Gloria FX)

My winner:

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Ingenuity Studios)

 

And there you have it. What do you think of my choices? Would you vote differently? I always find it interesting to compare opinions as everybody is different so, as I said, feel free to leave a comment and tell me who you’d vote for.

Where Have I Been? + Tracks I’ve Been Loving.

Hola WordPress – long time no blog,

For the last few months my life has become rather hectic. Between taking over the Twitter account of the company I used to work for (I was their ‘Digital Marketing Assistant’ until Dec,) contributing their weekly ‘Weekend Top 21’ articles, as well as being invited onto a five day tech course, and being asked to speak at a business forum event –in front of 40/60 industry professionals – I’ve been being kept pretty busy. *Collapses in chair and fans face.*

If you follow me on social media, you may have also noticed that I dropped off there for a little bit too, and the simple reason for that is I’ve been on holiday. Amidst the whirlwind of freelance work and trying to find something more permanent, I took a total break from technology and, it was nice to take a step back and have some time to relax and reflect on things (and enjoy some proper sunshine!) sometimes it’s all too easy to get caught up in the rat race and forget to enjoy the here and now.

Speaking of the here and now, these reasons have all contributed to why I haven’t posted a blog in over a month. I didn’t post a ‘Tracks Of The Month’ back in March as I knew I’d be away for the end of April so I thought I’d roll it over and post one in mid-April, starting afresh in May. Though with everything I’ve had going on I didn’t get around to posting it in April either! So, I plan to rectify that right now. Here are the tracks I’ve been loving, from March – now.

 

Up – Olly Murs ft. Demi Lovato

I’ll be honest, I first heard this track when Murs and Lovato debuted it on the X Factor UK, and I wasn’t too crazy about it. I didn’t feel there was much chemistry between the two, which made the song fall a bit flat for me. However, I heard it a few more times in passing and it really grew on me. I also found an acoustic version online and it had the passion and emotion that I felt the X Factor performance lacked. Lovato’s powerhouse vocals and Murs’ smooth tone work together brilliantly, and while, lyrically, it’s not the most inventive, this folky/pop track is jaunty and catchy-as-hell.

 

Hold Back The River – James Bay

What’s not to love about this delicate, yet powerful, track from Brit-Award winning, singer-songwriter James Bay? From the gentle guitar-led opening, to the romanticism of the lyrics and the poignancy in the vocals, there is no denying that it’s beautiful. Bay’s soulful vocals are captivating and the track demonstrates his range excellently, as he powerfully hits both lower and higher notes effortlessly. I can’t stop listening to it!

 

Blank Space – Taylor Swift

It seems there’s no stopping Taylor Swift at the moment, everything she has put out recently is as good as – if not better – than what came before it. After the up-tempo nature of previous single Shake It Off, Blank Space is considerably more minimalist and moderate, but still has a beat you can groove to. Very cleverly written, the song see’s Swift poking fun at her ‘serial-dater’ reputation, with lyrics like: “got a long list of ex-lovers, they’ll tell you I’m insane,” her already-stellar vocals dripping with theatricality and sass. *High Five Taylor.

 

Afire Love – Ed Sheeran

After being given Ed Sheeran’s newest album ‘X’ for Christmas – and listening to it pretty much nonstop since – I found and fell in love with this emotional ballad. Afire Love details Sheeran’s late grandfather’s lengthy battle with dementia through his eyes, from six years old until his funeral. The piano-driven track is very poignant from the offset, documenting memories of his grandfather’s disease, and featuring a beautiful chorus detailing the love of his grandparents: “Put your open lips on mine and slowly let them shut, for they’re designed to be together oh. With your body next to mine our hearts will beat as one, and we set alight, we’re afire love.”

 

Cali – Rogue Re Vera

Surprise, surprise! If you’re a regular to my blog then you’ll know that I’ve written about this NY-based, alternative four-piece a fair bit since discovering them last November. Recently, vocalist, Brittany premiered an acoustic preview of new track ‘Cali’ on YouTube… and it’s pretty much a given that it was going to end up here. The guitar-led melody is beautiful and the sentimentality in the lyrics make it easy to identify with. As always, Brit’s pop-punk-esque vocals are full of emotion, complimenting, and fitting with, the instrumental backing like pieces of a puzzle. Can’t wait to hear the full-band version.

 

Style – Taylor Swift

Again, another entry from Taylor Swift but I couldn’t not include it. This Funk/Electro-pop track makes you want to dance from the get-go; with its funky guitar opening and synth-pop-esque 80’s vibe, it’s infectious. Swift’s vocals are full of power and conviction as always, and the higher notes at the end of each line of the chorus add even more dimension. Lyrically, the song details the blurred lines of a relationship as two people try to forget each other – a feeling that we’ve all experienced at one time or another – and so isn’t as cut and dry as some of her previous tracks. Being the third single from newest album 1989, I think it’s safe to say that Taylor Swift isn’t going out of style any time soon.

 

*As said, I’ve also been listening to Ed Sheeran’s ‘X’ non-stop, as well as Set It Off’s new singles from their sophomore album ‘Duality’. However, I didn’t want to review those tracks separately as there would have been 4 or 5 entries all from the same artist, so I thought it’d make more sense to do album reviews for them both. So, keep your eyes peeled – they’re coming!

If you made it this far, then to you I give the highest of high-fives! Thank you for reading.

For regular updates come & join me on: Facebook & Twitter

 

UP NEXT:

Tech Camp: 5 days, 5 leading technology companies

What’s Mine is Mine? (Intellectual property and live performance)

My Summer Playlist 2015

Track of the Month: June

Journaling In January: Tracks I’m Loving (Part Two)

Hi everyone,

As promised here is the 2nd part of my most recent ‘Tracks I’m Loving’, these all being from the tail end of 2014, namely November and December. Let me know what you think of the songs, if you’ve heard them or if you haven’t, and I hope I can inspire you to give them all a listen. Enjoy.

To read part one, click here.

 

#1 Empty Space (cover) – Rogue Re Vera

Ok, so I know I’ve been banging on about this band for the last few months, and you’re probably thinking ‘Soph, we get it, you like them’, but I’m not about to stop because the New York based three piece have done it again with this cover.

Originally by pop-punk outfit The Story So Far, this acoustic version turns the song on its head in a very good way. The instrumental – combined with the delicate vocals – adds a melancholic poignancy to the lyrics, as well as providing a contrast to the somewhat aggressive, and growl-like, vocals of the original. I love it.

 

 

#2 Like I Can – Sam Smith

Well what can I say about Sam Smith that I haven’t said already? This newest single from the MOBO award-winning artist’s debut album ‘In the Lonely Hour’, is everything you’d expect from the pop/soul, singer/songwriter in the best possible sense.

It showcases his soulful lower range, the falsetto that’s enough to make the hairs on your arm stand on end, and his ability to flip between the two seamlessly. Despite the lovelorn nature of the lyrics the song has a joyful, uplifting feel to it, with a beat that you can definitely groove to. Can this man do no wrong?

 

 

#3 Shake It Off – Taylor Swift

The lead single from Taylor Swift’s most recent offering, 1989, sees the 25 year-old songstress shed her county roots in favour of a straight pop sound. There isn’t a hint of ‘ex-shaming’ in sight, as Swift appears to address her critics in a tongue-in-cheek manner whilst totally making her point.

The song is up-tempo, fun and has a positive overarching message; ‘shake it off.’ Having reached number one in several countries as well as receiving multiple Grammy nominations – including Song of the Year – I don’t think anyone will be shaking it off anytime soon.

 

 

#4 Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars 

I’m sure this track needs no introduction because, unless you’ve been living under a rock, I think it’s safe to assume you’ve heard it. Reminiscent of artists like Prince and Michael Jackson, the song sounds like a fusion of a bunch of 80’s hits – which needn’t be a bad thing and in this case it’s a stroke of brilliance.

True to its name, it has an insanely funky and catchy beat that you can’t help but want to dance to, and despite missing out on Christmas number one, the song has held the top spot for a number of weeks in the UK singles chart, and broke the all-time streaming record. So go on, “dance, jump on it.”

 

And there you have it, the second half of my favourite songs of the moment, charting from, those from a good few months ago to the most recent. I’ve also been listening non-stop to Set It Off’s new album Duality and Ed Sheeran’s Multiply, but I decided not to include any tracks from those as they will be getting their own album reviews as part of ‘Journaling In January’.

If you got this far then thank you for reading, I’d love to know what songs/artists you’re into at the moment so feel free to leave me a comment, I’ll be back tomorrow.

Tracks I was Loving (March – April)

Justin Timberlake – Mirrors

 

Justin Timberlake is back. And this song is a tremendous example of his undeniable talent; proof that he is more than just another shiny pop star. After a four year break from the music scene JT is back with his new album The 2020 Experience, and Mirrors, the second single from the album is a reminder of what he does best. It’s a smooth and poignant love song brimming with emotion. It’s a track that has depth and soul and shows the reason for the longevity of Timberlake’s career. The vocals are a flawless, gliding effortlessly through the lower and higher notes, sounding fluid and utterly mesmerizing. It feels as though this is what we’ve been missing for so long, without perhaps even realising it, but once you listen to this song it definitely feels as though a thirst has been well and truly quenched.

 

The Lumineers – Ho Hey

 

Jumping on the recently popular folk-rock band wagon that has proved very successful for acts like Mumford and Sons and Of Monsters and Men, Colorado based five-some The Lumineers  are also proving to be a big hit with the mainstream. The first single from their debut album shows why. Their first top 5 hit in the US and top 10 in the UK, is a sweet and melodic track. Simple in style, there isn’t much going on; but that needn’t be a bad thing. The lack of complexity doesn’t over complicate the song and let’s it breathe, the result being that it can really shine as opposed to being a thumping assault on the senses. The Ho hey chant is sharp but catchy, with the drums accenting it, and will have audiences shouting along in unison.  The chorus is mellow and soothing and will no doubt lend to it being a massive summer hit on the festival circuit.       

 

Bastille – Pompeii

 

The fourth single from their number one debut album Bad Blood, London-based indie-synth pop quartet Bastille’s track Pompeii is funky, cheery and somewhat haunting. The opening ‘Eh eh oh’ tribal-esque chant is catchy and gives the song an arena-worthy anthemic feel. The lyrics and vocal style are simple, no-frills affairs that give the track more of a punch; it doesn’t need to decorate itself in octave jumping licks and warbling, it’s powerful as it is. The chorus is infectiously bright, and despite the contrasting lyrics like, “how am I going to be an optimist about this?” It’s a hopeful and uplifting track that will never fail to put a smile on your face. And after debuting on Radio One and gaining many airplays since, it doesn’t seem that the band have much to be pessimistic about either.

 

Bruno Mars – When I was your man

 

This sombre track shows that you don’t need a fancy production or countless computerised layers and effects to make great music. Sometimes there is power in simplicity. The second single from Mars’ newest album Unorthodox Jukebox, this melancholic ballad is stripped back and smooth. The accompaniment, comprising of just a piano, feels like a step back in time and lets Mars’ effortless and, as always, impeccable vocals, and the tender lyrics take centre stage. It doesn’t need anything else. There is an enchanting quality in its simplicity; a delicateness that makes you sit-up and pay attention from the moment you hit play. The lack of smoke and mirrors adds to the song’s beauty and showcases the absolute purity of Bruno Mars’ talent. The gentle piano and the pure emotion of the vocals flow together in harmony, and whilst ratcheting up the power at points, the latter never sounds forced. Romanticising the regret after a separation the track is an improbable love song, full of heart and soul and is, as we have come to expect from Bruno Mars: absolutely flawless.

 

The 1975 – Chocolate

 

The 1975 are an emerging alt rock band hailing from Manchester UK.  The band have released three EPs and have gained national airplay after landing the support of both Radio One’s Huw Stevens and Zane Lowe. Their 2013 offering Music For Cars see’s the completion of their EP trilogy, and lead single Chocolate is animated and bouncy with jaunty guitars and a great melody that will no doubt induce head bobbing and a mass clap-along from its listeners in no time. The playful energy and sparkle of this track adds to its catchiness and lends to it being a fun, upbeat ride of indie-pop music despite the lyrics painting a somewhat contrasting picture of outlaws who have “guns hidden under our petticoats.” Nonetheless, it’s a great song that will surely be a massive summer hit, and if this is a sign of things to come 2013 could be a very big year for The 1975.

 

Gabrielle Aplin – Panic Chord

 

Twenty year old Gabrielle Aplin became a chart smash after she sound-tracked last year’s John Lewis Christmas ad with her cover of The Power of Love. Aplin had built up an online following after posting cover videos of popular chart tracks on YouTube. Since her mainstream exposure, she has toured with the likes of Ed Sheeran and played her own sold out shows at London venues like Koko. Panic Chord is the third single from her debut album English Rain, and it’s a little bit more folky than her previous singles but it definitely works, though it does take a few listens to get used to. It’s a bittersweet track about doubts and unrequited love, ‘this meant more to you than it did to me’, which makes it relatable. Aplin’s vocals are melodic and dainty, but she also proves that she can amp up the power; never losing control of her voice. The vocals are just shy of haunting against the sunny sounding chords of the verses, and the chorus is really catchy despite the apologetic vibe to the lyrics. An all round bittersweet but great song, we’d definitely recommend it.

 

Taylor Swift – 22

 

After selling over a million copies in its first week of release, Taylor Swift’s fourth album Red became the fastest selling album in over a decade. The fourth single from the album, 22 see’s Swift well and truly cross over into pop territory. It’s a fun-filled pop smash that is about nothing else but having a good time. This playful track shows hints of conflicting emotions ‘we’re happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way’ but is ultimately carefree; an anthem for the joys of youth. It’s refreshing amongst all the songs about love and heartbreak, and it’s brilliant. Judging by the success of her previous singles Swift shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, and she can now add another great song to her catalogue of hits.

Tracks I’m Loving (February)

Hey everyone, so I know I haven’t done one of these in a while, my drafts folder is backed up with a few of these ‘Tracks I’m Loving’ posts, but I’ve been so busy that I’ve just not got around to posting them.

This one is from February, and I’m not going to go into individual explanations of why I like these tracks like I normally do, because I think you can pretty much tell from the tone of the songs how I was feeling at the time. However, I will say that they’re all beautiful songs and I personally think that they’re all worth a listen.

Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up

Keith Urban – Stupid boy

Gabrielle Aplin – The Liar and The Lighter

Taylor Swift – I knew you were trouble

Rascal Flatts – Stand

The one thing I will say about this song is that it’s a beyond beautiful song. I don’t think country music is as popular in the UK as it should be, and this song makes you wonder why not. Its delicate guitar driven verses leave the smooth vocals and poignant lyrics to be the main focus, and the chorus injects a heavy dose of emotion, the drums accentuating the uplifting lyrics. It’s emotive without ever over doing it, the music is never pushed too far and the vocals glide easily with no sign of force, it’s comfortable, and the lyrics are really inspiring and hopeful. Stand.

Elissa Franceschi – All Theese Days

This track is uplifting, and most of all empowering. It shows that even in the midst of a difficult situation there is hope, and shows that you can get through it.

Faith Hill – Cry

Tracks I was Loving. (Over the last two and a half months!)

I started writing this blog a while back but never got round to finishing it with all the other work I had to do. So here are some of the songs I’ve been playing non-stop over the last few months. (From oldest to newest.)

The Summer Set – Fuck U Over

http://www.altpress.com/aptv/video/video_premiere_the_summer_set_fk_u_over1

After seeing this song performed live I bought it as soon as it came out on ITunes. It’s from their, as yet untitled, upcoming album, and in true TSS style it’s upbeat, fun as hell, and wickedly catchy. The video premiered on Altpress.com and it’s like a slice of a TSS tour, it’s cheeky and laugh-out-loud-funny in places. As you can guess by the title, the song is rather explicit but it’s done in such a tasteful, playful way that it doesn’t make it sound undignified. And the la la la refrain won’t leave your head for days. I can’t wait for the new album to drop because if this song is any indication, it’s going to be great.

Demi Lovato – Skyscraper

I couldn’t stop listening to this song for a while. It’s absolutely beautiful. It showcases how talented an artist Demi Lovato actually is and that she’s more than just ‘another Disney girl’; she can really sing. I’ve caught a few live performances of her singing this online, and she sounds exactly the same live as she does on record; there are no gimmicks or effects there, she really has genuine talent. From the low notes to hitting the higher ones her voice doesn’t falter, and I think the song its self is so moving and heartfelt, it’s really inspirational. And I think that to be able to deliver a, sometimes deeply personal, message in such a way that can touch so many people and when a song can move an audience so strongly, that is a mark of great artistry. Which is exactly what Demi Lovato is, an extremely talented artist, and I think for all her problems and everything she’s been though she’s inspirational not just as an artist but as a person too. I’m also really loving her track ‘Catch Me’ so I’d recommend checking that one out too, it’s a very gentle and soft , almost, lovesong, and I just think it’s really sweet.

Natives – This Island

When I saw Natives (Ex Not Advised) supporting Mayday Parade a few months ago, this song really stood out to me, and I’ve been listening to it a lot since. This track  definitely has a summery, upbeat, fun feel despite the lyrics contradicting that. And the song’s insanely catchy chorus will undoubtedly have you singing and dancing along in no time. It translates amazingly well live too, the chorus whipping the crowd into a frenzy; jumping along to the beat. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on these guys to see what more their upcoming debut album has to offer.

Mayday Parade – Miserable at Best

Another song I’ve been listening to since seeing Mayday Parade in Camden a few months ago. This song is ridiculously beautiful, and incredibly moving. It’s a very slowed down track with a haunting piano accompaniment, that I think creates more room for the lyrics to be heard and be the main focus, without the distraction of drums and guitars. And frankly, this song doesn’t need any of that. When I saw it played live, I was immediately struck by how passionately the audience were singing along; it was to the point where the crowd took over and were screaming along with the words so clearly, and without sounding cheesy, you could feel the love in the room and how the audience had taken that song to their hearts so strongly and really believed in it, as well as in the band. It was really moving to see/hear how someone can write a song that they can personally be so wrapped up in, and how the audience are just as wrapped up in it as you are as an artist. How music has that ability to effect people on that level and create a sense of community, even if it’s just for however long that show is, is amazing to me. I think the song is worth a listen whether you’re a fan of the band or not, as it may just change your mind. Another track I would recommend by them is Oh Well, Oh Well which has a very haunting opening before the guitars and drums come crashing through. There’s still a slight melancholy to this it but the rock set-up and beat make it a track that will still get audiences bouncing – as I have witnessed.

The Cab – Crown

Do I even need to explain this?!?! haha. It’s been a long time coming, Alex DeLeon posted little snippets of this track, and its lyrics, on his blog a while back in the run up to Symphony Soldier and then it went quiet. Then after the song was cut from the album I started seeing things on Twitter about the track being produced, and I’m just sitting here thinking “when is this going to be released?” So every now and then I’d go on YouTube and see if there was anything, and then one day I came across this video. So naturally I gave it a listen and I instantly fell in love with it. The song is really different from The Cab’s pop/rock style, and you can hear that immediately. It’s slowed down and almost has an R’n’B-ish vibe to it, which kind of put me in mind of Timberland, particularly the chorus.
I really love the  production of the song, and the lyrics are really well written and, as par for the course with The Cab, absolutely beautiful. DeLeon’s vocals are nothing less than his usual voice-of-an-angel, and as in most songs, effortless as he switches between ranges and doesn’t falter. I can understand why the song didn’t make it to Symphony Soldier because it’s so different from all of the songs currently on there, but let’s hope that it’ll make its way to the new album, it’s too good to waste.

Bruno Mars – Talking to the Moon

Another slow one, but I really love this song despite the melancholia to it. Mainly just a guitar and Mars’s vocals, the track is simple but undoubtedly effective. I love the story of the song and I think the instrumental works to accentuate that. Mars’ vocals are flawless, showcasing his range with both lower and higher notes, which he hits effortlessly, and adds a healthy dose of emotion and honesty to the track, making it anything but flat. It’s a relatable, heartfelt song that could really be someone’s life.

Alex Goot – Pretty Eyes

I recently discovered Alex Goot’s music and I’m really glad I did. This is a really nice song, with a lovely vibe to it. It’s really well crafted and the tone of the piano, the vocals and the lyrics fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Goot has a great voice and range, which he uses very well in the track; there’s nothing scratchy or forced here, and the switching between low and high notes adds depth and works fantastically well. There is no denying that this guy is very talented and I’ll be keeping my eyes/ears open to hear more from him.

Taylor Swift – We are never getting back together.

I’ve always been a fan of Taylor Swift’s music, and I don’t think there’s a song of hers that I can really vehemently say I don’t like, so this is kind of a given.
But what surprises me is, unlike a lot of her songs which go down the heartbreak route, this song doesn’t dwell on the negative and actually turns it into a positive and has quite a happy vibe to it. It’s a really good pop song. It’s catchy, upbeat, and is a really good song to dance to on a night out with your girl friends.

Lady antebellum – need you now

This is a bit of a throwback because it is quite an old song, and honestly I don’t know what made me start listening to it. I wasn’t really a massive fan of it when it was released, I only ever heard it in passing on the radio in the car. But for some reason I had it in my head one morning and just really wanted to listen to it. I really like the country/pop crossover thing the song has going on, and the contrast of the two vocal styles and tones is great. I just think it’s a really good song.