Thursday 23 June 2011

love won't be leaving, it won't be gone until i find a way


I normally have very particular tastes when it comes to music. I know what I like and I definitely know what I dislike—but I found myself slightly taken aback on my first listen of Anna Calvi.

It’s not what you’d expect from her at all. Her slight figure and almost naïve charm are both decidedly deceptive, and give no clues to both the maturity and depth that her voice carries.

She’s becoming well known among critics for her lyrics openly referring to death, but this frank and candid approach to song-writing gives her music a whole other dynamic. She clearly has a vision and isn't afraid to set herself aside from the rest by producing something innovative and different.

Earlier this year, she was shortlisted for the prestigious Sound of 2011 award and is gaining numerous favourable reviews among music critics and journalists alike.

Playing the guitar like I’ve never quite seen, she's managing to prove herself not only as a singer but as a capable musician too—something which is becoming increasingly uncommon among the artists of today.

Find Anna Calvi on her website, MySpace and on Twitter.




Saturday 11 June 2011

when all of your flaws and all of my flaws are laid out one by one


Follow my blog with Bloglovin

You know you’re an actual loser when your only source of new artists and fresh music is in the dramatic bits of Made in Chelsea. Note to self: get a life, act normal, watch less trash.

I’m such a tool when it comes to music. I treat every new song I find like it’s the thing that’s been missing from my life. Until it gets to the point where I’ve played it so much I can’t bear to listen to it any longer! This definitely needs to stop.

In all seriousness, however, I love the song. The vocals are somewhat reminiscent of Foals—probably due to the unmistakably English accent, if nothing else—and I’m a sucker for synths and beating-about-the-bush style, cryptic lyricism, so it’s a winner with me.




I also advise you to check out Kate McGill's acoustic cover of the song.

You can find Bastille on their website, Twitter and also on Facebook.



Tuesday 7 June 2011

war is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength


Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Scrolling through the archives of my other blogs, I have come to realise that the vast majority of what I post is in fact complete and utter nonsense ~ which is entirely the opposite of what I had intended for this blog! So instead of posting a video or reviewing something, I shall give this post some substance.

I’m currently re-reading Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. I have always loved this book but until now I hadn’t actually realised its frightening relevance in our modern society. The fact that Orwell had predicted that 1984 would bring the rise of a totalitarian dictatorship resonates with such irony considering the current political strife, not just in the UK, but globally.

Granted, the novel oozes with hyperbole and over-exaggerates the state of affairs of the country ~ the infamous character of Big Brother evokes fear among the electorate and enforces a ludicrous set of rules and regulations, essentially restricting thousands - no, millions - of people from living their lives, and instead aims to control their every move.

But living in a world where politicians go back on their word as often as they have Sunday roasts means that we can certainly draw parallels between the 1949 novel and our modern day political system. Considering the promises that the likes of Nick Clegg and other Liberal Democrats made to students concerning University tuition fees, it seems that even the friendliest of faces and the most sincere professionals, can abandon their beliefs and transform into, fundamentally, power hungry, glorified Tories.

For the young voters of tomorrow, I feel that everything is becoming much more uncertain. In an almost post-modern sense, the distinction between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ (so to speak) is becoming ever more blurred and in essence, neither one is the better alternative. But in my opinion, it’s not the voters that should be worried but the politicians and the parties themselves.

With people becoming more educated, well informed and genuinely interested in politics, people are better positioned to make a clear, sensible and nonpartisan judgement, voting for the party which offers the best solutions for society and disregarding those that appear to propose otherwise.


Sunday 5 June 2011

make me understand your life-long master plan



He rose to critical acclaim in 2009 whilst competing in the T4 programme, Orange Unsigned Act. Now the newly renamed KLAUS is signed to regional record label Centurion Records, releasing EPs hither and thither and touring the length and breadth of the UK with his band in tow.

Personally, I always find that lesser known, up-and-coming artists are the ones that I get the most enjoyment from listening to. This song always manages to put a smile on my face and frankly, reminds me that there still is actually some honest, real music being produced and that it’s not all about commercial riff-raff.

I honestly don't know why this hasn’t got more views. It’s most definitely worth a listen!

Find KLAUS on MySpace and Twitter.

Saturday 4 June 2011

we're too blind to see what's really here in front of our eyes



Gabrielle Aplin’s original song Reverse.

I’ve loved her music for absolutely ages and was amazed when this was featured on Made In Chelsea last week. It’s beautifully simplistic- accompanied merely by an acoustic guitar, Aplin’s voice resonates with a maturity far beyond her years. The song evokes a sense of naïveté and, for me, symbolises an almost child-like innocence behind those mature lyrics. As always, a pleasure to listen to!

You can find Gabrielle on her website, YouTube, MySpace and on Twitter

my three favourite artists of the week

1. LYKKE LI as she has such a distinctive voice. Such a cliché but true.

2. METRIC who genuinely leave me speechless listening to them.

3. HOLLY CONLAN whose songs are some of the best I’ve ever heard. Genius.


You can find Lykke Li, Metric and Holly Conlan on MySpace.

Friday 3 June 2011

youtube cover of the week

Nick Gardner's imaginative cover of Coming Home by Diddy Dirty Money and Talking To The Moon by Bruno Mars. His covers, and voice, never cease to amaze me!



You can find Nick on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter

we're so close to something better left unknown

This is the one song I listen to that really triggers a memory for me; that feeling of being young, having no inhibitions and being completely free, with no constraints on what I can or can’t do. I must listen to this song probably at least twice a week. It reminds me I’m still young, I’m still alive, that I’ve got lots to look forward to in life, and that really nothing matters. Because nothing really matters.

The lyrics of the song are what really reaches out to me. Their depth and substance, but more so the endless interpretations one can take from them. There’s no one particular way to read this song, because to different people it will mean entirely different things.

The repetitively catchy guitar riffs and the pulsating rhythm of the drums makes this a truly memorable and catchy listen. Combine this with invigorating synth melodies and almost angelic harmonies, and you’re on to a winner. The infectious bass line continues throughout the entirety of the composition creating a, what one can only call, ‘dancey’ atmosphere.

From what I can see the song is sending out a clear and apparent message: don’t fret over mistakes made and don’t let anything hold you back, because something big is going to come along. After all “you’re gonna make mistakes, you’re young”.