Single Review: George Shelley - Prove me Wrong
After a quick Google search I can semi-confidently say that George Shelley made it to fame through his time with The X Factor fabricated band, Union J. I can confidently say, after having a listen to his latest single, that he probably should have stuck it out with his bandmates – because his solo sound is leaving something to be desired.
Shelley’s most recent single, Prove Me Wrong, was dropped on YouTube complete with an official video on Christmas Day and since then it has racked up an unimpressive 11,000 or so hits (at the time of writing), and it’s really no surprise. The instrumental are under-cooked, as are the vocals, and the chorus is so crammed together that it’s hard to know what lyrics are even being dribbled out at you. Overall, it’s a hugely underwhelming effort and a sorry start to the new year for the star’s solo career, as far as we can see. However, if you want to have a quick listen for yourselves then you can check out the single online just by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 5 January 2017 |
Single Review: Sia - Never Give Up
If you’re on the look-out for some stellar sounds to accompany the grizzly first week back at work following the Christmas period, then look no further than the wonderful Sia, because she has released a defiant new single and it is everything we need to get through January. Titled Never Give Up, the track is taken from the upcoming Lion movie and it’s a hugely enjoyable listen.
The instrumentals are rhythmic allowing for a subtle dance along quality – or at the very least, the odd shoulder shimmy. The sound is well put together and well-polished making for a brilliant accompaniment to the steadfast vocals delivered here by Sia herself. She throws an appropriate light and shade on the track which complements the lyrics brilliantly, and also allows for some real conviction to come through as she belts out the chorus. From start to finish this is a crackin’ little number and it bodes well for the rest of Lion’s soundtrack. For a quick listen to the single yourselves, you can find it online by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 5 January 2017 |
Single Review: Boyce Avenue - Say You Won't Let Go (Cover)
One of my favourite cover bands has covered one of my favourite songs from 2016, so this may well be the easiest review that I write up this year. The glorious Boyce Avenue have recently dropped their rendition of James Arthur's Say You Won't Let Go on YouTube and, as is often the case with Boyce Avenue's covers, the track is picking up hits like you wouldn't believe.
A softly structured acoustic number, the track, instrumentally speaking, is led by an acoustic guitar that makes for easy listening behind the well-controlled vocals here. There's a great light and shade on the track, and roughness to the vocals that adds a wonderful edge to the delivery. It's a quality cover of an endearing single and, whether it competes with the original or not, this is another brilliant addition to the Boyce Avenue back catalogue.
You can check out the single, and the official video, online now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 14 December 2016
A softly structured acoustic number, the track, instrumentally speaking, is led by an acoustic guitar that makes for easy listening behind the well-controlled vocals here. There's a great light and shade on the track, and roughness to the vocals that adds a wonderful edge to the delivery. It's a quality cover of an endearing single and, whether it competes with the original or not, this is another brilliant addition to the Boyce Avenue back catalogue.
You can check out the single, and the official video, online now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 14 December 2016
Single Review: Rebecca Ferguson - Superwoman
It feels like it's been some time since Rebecca Ferguson - famous for her stint on ITV's The X Factor several seasons back - made an appearance on the music scene. However, putting that silence behind her, the Liverpool based starlet as finally dropped something new for fans to feast on in the form of a live performance the Hard Rock Cafe where she can be heard revealing her comeback track, Superwoman.
While Ferguson may have been off the scene for a while, it's certainly done no harm to her vocal delivery. Her sound here is as steadfast and distinct as ever, bringing a great tone to the defiant lyrics that make up this track. It's an understated number with easy on the ears instrumentals, that feel quite pulled back at times - presumably to accommodate Ferguson's vocal delivery - but overall these individual elements are working well towards making something heartfelt and easy to enjoy.
You can check out the live delivery of the single now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 28 November 2016
While Ferguson may have been off the scene for a while, it's certainly done no harm to her vocal delivery. Her sound here is as steadfast and distinct as ever, bringing a great tone to the defiant lyrics that make up this track. It's an understated number with easy on the ears instrumentals, that feel quite pulled back at times - presumably to accommodate Ferguson's vocal delivery - but overall these individual elements are working well towards making something heartfelt and easy to enjoy.
You can check out the live delivery of the single now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 28 November 2016
Single Review: The Lumineers - Sleep on the Floor
The Lumineers have not only dropped some crackin' singles in recent months but they've also revealed a whole display of brilliant videos to go alongside them - and the recently revealed Sleep On The Floor is certainly continuing this trend. Released on YouTube a few days ago, the track is a happy go lucky number that's easy on the ears and likely to pull on the heartstrings, making it another quality release.
The video is as much a feature here as the song itself is, and you do have to stick with it as the video runs without music for the best part of a minute before the track actually appears - but it's so worth the wait. A defiant little love song, the track comes complete with deliciously lazy vocals that bring a crooning sound with them that is maintained brilliantly throughout the single, sitting over a medley of sounds that displays the capabilities of each musician here. It's a great listen, yes, but it's also a great reminder of the individual artists in this band and on this track in particular they are working together flawlessly.
A track worth adding to your winter playlist, Sleep On The Floor is another great addition to The Lumineers' catalogue and you can check out the single for yourselves by clicking here now.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 22 November 2016
The video is as much a feature here as the song itself is, and you do have to stick with it as the video runs without music for the best part of a minute before the track actually appears - but it's so worth the wait. A defiant little love song, the track comes complete with deliciously lazy vocals that bring a crooning sound with them that is maintained brilliantly throughout the single, sitting over a medley of sounds that displays the capabilities of each musician here. It's a great listen, yes, but it's also a great reminder of the individual artists in this band and on this track in particular they are working together flawlessly.
A track worth adding to your winter playlist, Sleep On The Floor is another great addition to The Lumineers' catalogue and you can check out the single for yourselves by clicking here now.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 22 November 2016
Album Review: James Arthur - Back From The Edge
I've been swooning over James Arthur's new music since he dropped Say You Won't Let Go a little earlier this year. The comeback album to follow this, titled Back From The Edge, appeared on shelves in late October and, after sampling one or two tracks on YouTube, this week I finally made some time to sit down with the full album - and I swooned some more.
Arthur has successfully completely the wonderful task of releasing an album that I can listen to from start to finish without skipping any of the tracks. Admittedly, some singles are better than others here, but as for a full length listen, Back From The Edge is certainly easy on the ears.
There is a great blend of sounds here with the likes of Can I Be Him and Let Me Love The Lonely catering to the crooning love songs tick box, while other singles, such as the title track Back From The Edge, which opens the album, delivers something a little more personal. Arthur makes no effort to hide his personal problems and goings-on in this album as a whole and Back From The Edge, the single, is the introduction to that; the likes of Remember Who I Was and Finally, both positioned at the close of the album, touch on this again with downplayed instrumentals and heartfelt lyrics that allow the focus to sit primarily on Arthur's touching delivery, and it's a wonderful note to finish the release on.
As comeback albums go, Back From The Edge is doing everything that Arthur needed it to do; there is a great variety in tone and pace on here, showing the various sides of Arthur as an artist these days, and there's a real maturity to these tracks that shows just how much sound-searching Arthur has done in his time away from the music scene. A crackin' little album release and certainly worth picking up if you're looking for some easy listening for the weekend.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 17 November 2016
Arthur has successfully completely the wonderful task of releasing an album that I can listen to from start to finish without skipping any of the tracks. Admittedly, some singles are better than others here, but as for a full length listen, Back From The Edge is certainly easy on the ears.
There is a great blend of sounds here with the likes of Can I Be Him and Let Me Love The Lonely catering to the crooning love songs tick box, while other singles, such as the title track Back From The Edge, which opens the album, delivers something a little more personal. Arthur makes no effort to hide his personal problems and goings-on in this album as a whole and Back From The Edge, the single, is the introduction to that; the likes of Remember Who I Was and Finally, both positioned at the close of the album, touch on this again with downplayed instrumentals and heartfelt lyrics that allow the focus to sit primarily on Arthur's touching delivery, and it's a wonderful note to finish the release on.
As comeback albums go, Back From The Edge is doing everything that Arthur needed it to do; there is a great variety in tone and pace on here, showing the various sides of Arthur as an artist these days, and there's a real maturity to these tracks that shows just how much sound-searching Arthur has done in his time away from the music scene. A crackin' little album release and certainly worth picking up if you're looking for some easy listening for the weekend.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 17 November 2016
Single Review: Emeli Sande - Breathing Underwater
If you’re in need of something uplifting for that final push into Friday then look no further than YouTube this morning because Emeli Sande has dropped a new track, complete with an official video, and it is everything we need to get us through the last leg of the week.
Breathing Underwater is a defiant and uplifting anthem with an emotionally provocative video attached – you can check that out by clicking here. A gospel infused the track, the instrumentals here set a steady and understated feel behind Sande’s vocal delivery, which is stellar from start to finish. The verses offer something intimate and downplayed while the chorus is forceful, polished, and empowering. Sande is clearly going for feel good with this single and she’s absolutely smashed that objective. Brilliantly written and beautifully delivered, Breathing Underwater is a track worth adding to this week’s playlist. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 10 November 2016 |
Single Review: Passenger - Ain't No Sunshine
When one of your favourite artists covers one of your favourite songs then you know you're in for something special. Earlier this week Passenger dropped a cover of Bill Withers' iconic Ain't No Sunshine on YouTube, and this is definitely one of my favourite things for this week.
Acoustic and understated, the single relies entirely on the talent of the musicians featured in the video and they certainly don't disappoint. Passenger's vocal throughout is raspy and crooning making for an appropriately intimate and somewhat tortured delivery, and the combination of this alongside the guitars, drum kit, and keyboard (the latter of which delivers a fantastic solo) makes for a deliciously organic track that is easy on the ears but hard on the heartstrings. An absolutely stellar cover, for me this is Passenger at his best and it goes a long way towards showing just how polished this artist has become. The single, and the official video, can be found now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 10 November 2016 |
Single Review: James Arthur - Can I Be Him
James Arthur has been winning back listeners since he dropped his first comeback single earlier this year, titled Say You Won't Let Go. The track was a brilliant taster of what was the come from the new album and now that new album is finally here, it seems that even more listeners are falling over themselves for the new tracks hitting the internet one by one. The single people are really talking about - that is, until they change the track - is the wonderfully sentimental Can I Be Him, which you can listen to by clicking here (but there isn't an official video just yet).
Continuing with the theme set by earlier singles, this is another romantic little number delivered with conviction through polished lyrics and a well-controlled vocal that holds well throughout. Arthur's range is stellar on this single, allowing for a great light and a shade to show throughout the track while the chorus is belting out at full force, to great effect. The instrumentals, likewise, pull back on the verse ahead of being ramped up for the chorus and, because of that, they play to Arthur's strengths as a vocalist.
Overall this is a wonderful little single that makes for easy listening - as well as emotional listening - and it's certainly worth giving the track a run through. A great indicator of how the album runs as a whole, and perhaps even what we can expect from Arthur from here on out, make sure you give this little number a listen.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 7 November 2016
Continuing with the theme set by earlier singles, this is another romantic little number delivered with conviction through polished lyrics and a well-controlled vocal that holds well throughout. Arthur's range is stellar on this single, allowing for a great light and a shade to show throughout the track while the chorus is belting out at full force, to great effect. The instrumentals, likewise, pull back on the verse ahead of being ramped up for the chorus and, because of that, they play to Arthur's strengths as a vocalist.
Overall this is a wonderful little single that makes for easy listening - as well as emotional listening - and it's certainly worth giving the track a run through. A great indicator of how the album runs as a whole, and perhaps even what we can expect from Arthur from here on out, make sure you give this little number a listen.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 7 November 2016
Single Review: Sia - Move your Body (alan Walker Remix)
What's better than a new song from Sia? Not much, if I'm honest; but a new song from Sia that's been remixed into one of the best dance tracks we've heard in the last month - well that's a pretty nice surprise for us! With a flood of new tracks hitting YouTube in recent days, Sia has also uploaded the official audio for the Alan Walker Remix of her Move Your Body - and this new single is making us want to do just that.
The instrumentals on this have been blown up massively by Walker who has incorporated classic club sounds alongside a distinct beat that carries neatly between the verse and instrumental-chorus, and this all sits brilliantly - of course - around the steadfast vocals from Sia, that come complete with a great variation of pace that fits well with the general energy of this. Overall this is a solid release for club-lovers up and down the country and it will make for a great addition to your 'getting ready' playlist ahead of this weekend. There's no official video (yet) but you can check out the audio here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 October 2016 |
Single Review: Michael Buble - God Only Knows
One of my favourite singers, singing one of my favourite songs - what's not to love, right? The marvellous Michael Buble has been drip-feeding tracks on to YouTube this month and one of the latest to make an appearance is his - frankly quite delicious - cover of God Only Knows, and if you're looking for a slow song for a soppy night in, this comes heartily recommended from us.
The instrumentals on this come with an appropriately slow pace, allowing Buble to take his time over the lyrics. The vocal delivery is well-paced, varied, and crooning at all the right moments allowing for a heartfelt delivery of a touching song. Whether this competes with other versions of this single, it's a hard one to call; Buble has certainly brought something intimate to this single, though, and it's definitely worth taking a listen. Sampled from the upcoming Buble album, this is one of many new tracks hovering around Buble's YouTube channel right now, and you can access this by clicking here now. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 October 2016 |
Single Review: Little Mix - Shout Out to My Ex
As is standard for Britain's favourite girl band of this decade, Little Mix have dropped a frustratingly catchy new single, complete with an official music video, titled Shout Out to My Ex.
Now, let's get one thing straight - there's nothing new about this song. When you pull the track back to its basic components, the ladies aren't really doing anything new here and I would go as far to suggest that some stretches of the instrumental have been lifted and appropriately edited from some of their other recent releases. However, if you can forgive them the same old sound, Shout Out to My Ex is a lively, colourful, and catchy little number that sees dance-along instrumentals played out behind steadfast vocals. It's easy, dance-about listening, and you can find the track online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 October 2016 |
Single Review: Calum Scott - Dancing on my Own
For anyone who didn't recognise Calum Scott when he came bumbling into the charts a few weeks back, Scott actually appeared on Britain's Got Talent back in 2015 - and now, by the grace of the musical Gods, he's finally making a solo appearance in the charts with the beautiful Dancing On My Own.
The track has been kicking around for a little while now (okay, we're a bit late to the party), but for anyone who has escaped the hype, this is a song worth tuning into. Scott's vocal is deliciously off-beat and appropriately fractured making for a wonderfully tortured feel on the track, that compounds the message behind the lyrics perfectly. Alongside this there is the organic piano-led instrumental that sits behind the vocal brilliantly as well, making for a truly touching release. A solid single release, Scott is opening with a great track here, and you can find it online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 October 2016 |
Single Review: Troye Sivan - Heaven Feat. Betty Who
The soft-sounding Troye Sivan has teamed up with Betty Who on a new track, Heaven, and this release is nothing shy of an LGBT anthem. Dealing with the sensitive area of religious faith and its interactions with members of the LGBT community, Heaven is a beautifully crafted exploration of the conflicts that people feel in this area, and it makes for a touching addition to Sivan's catalogue of tracks.
The instrumentals have a steady beat that runs throughout, setting up a measured rhythm from the off that sits wonderfully behind both vocal deliveries. Sivan and Who both deliver their stretches of the track with control and sincerity, making for a real intimate feel on this compounded further by the brilliantly penned lyrics. Overall this is just a great little single, and it's sure to reach out to listeners around the globe on its official release. Until then, though, you can find the audio for yourselves online by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 19 October 2016 |
Single Review: Tove Lo - True Disaster
Tove Lo has dropped some sultry singles so far this year, and while nothing will, for me at least, compete with her feisty Cool Girl that stormed the charts recently, Lo is certainly making a good effort at competing with that track with the recently revealed, True Disaster. Dropped on YouTube a matter of days ago, the single is yet to see an official video, but the official audio makes for some easy listening.
The track is mostly made up of a dirty-beat instrumental and crooning vocals - what else would you expect, though? There's a distinct beat throughout that adds an understated dance feel to the track, but the main focus really sits on Lo's vocal delivery here, which is steadfast as always. There's not a great variation in tone, or a huge display of range, admittedly, but this is another provocative single from the young artist that will surely do well for itself in the charts because of that. You can have a quick listen to the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 19 October 2016 |
Single Review: Maroon 5 - Don't Wanna Know
I have been a fan of Maroon 5 since their Harder to Breathe days. The Songs About Jane album is a much re-visited release in my CD collection (they're those shiny round discs that have music on them). They've gone through one or two changes since they first stumbled on to the music scene but mostly they've managed to pull tracks out of the bag that have really saved them - until now.
The recently revealed Don't Wanna Know, which comes with an absurd video that you can find now by clicking here, is an annoyingly catchy song that plays to absolutely none of the band's abilities. Overall, it's a weak release, and it doesn't spark much hope for the upcoming album. The instrumentals are bland and uninspired and the vocal delivery does nothing in terms of range of variations in pace. The whole single is just... beige. A disappointing release from the group, we have to hope now that this is just a blip and not really a sign of things to come. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 14 October 2016 |
Single Review: Emeli Sande - Garden
After a silence that lasted far too long, Emeli Sande is finally making her return to the music industry. And, after a guest spot on Radio One recently that saw her reveal her comeback track, Hurts, the singer-songwriter has now dropped the second stellar track in her comeback playlist, this one titled Garden.
The track itself is everything you could possibly want from an Emeli Sande song. It’s slick, it’s polished, it’s pretty sexy, as pop singles go, and Sande’s vocals are on point from start to finish. There’s a great blend of sound on the instrumentals themselves that throws a great light and shade behind the vocal delivery, and the intermittent voiceovers give a pleasing layered effect to the single as a whole. Another crackin’ release from the artist, Garden is a fine addition to the Sande line-up and I’m already eager to see what comes next. You can find the single yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 14 October 2016 |
Single Review: James Arthur - Sermon Feat. Shotty Horroh
James Arthur is back, and I am quietly delighted! After the tender and touching Say You Won't Let Go, Arthur has this week swooped back on to YouTube with another new track, this one titled Sermon, that sees him collaborate with Shotty Horroh for another neat little release.
Sermon and Say You Won't Let Go both have a wonderfully mature sound that holds great promise for the upcoming album. Sermon in particular, though, is a well polished and brooding track that has beat heavy instrumentals and distinct vocals from Arthur that make for easy listening, and the later interlude from Shotty Horroh makes for a great change of pace and sound in the close of the track. A crackin' little release, I'm genuinely excited to see what comes out next from James Arthur now. There's no official video for Sermon just yet, but you can check out the audio for the single by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 8 October 2016 |
Single Review: Barns Courtney - Glitter & Gold
Barns Courtney is a British singer-songwriter and, up until a little earlier this week, I'd never even heard of him. Then, through the magic of YouTube, a handy little preview video popped up of his new track - Glitter & Gold - and I've pretty much had the song on repeat since.
The track is deliciously gritty with a great edge to the guitar-led instrumentals, which works to complement Courtney's distinct vocal tone. This is the sort of vocal that, if you did a blind listen, you'd be able to pinpoint the artist, so recognisable is Courtney's delivery. It's rough around the edge but beautifully controlled allowing for a great variance in tone across the track as a whole. Also, it's worth noting that this is an absurdly catchy little number as well. The chorus - 'I am flesh and I am bone, Rise up, ting ting, like glitter and gold' - sticks with you long after the first listen, and has you singing along by the second, making for an unexpected feel good element on this too. Glitter & Gold is a great little number and, if you weren't a Barns Courtney fan before this, it seems likely that you will be after. You can check out the track now here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 8 October 2016 |
Single Review: The Chainsmokers - All We Know
Everything The Chainsmokers have dropped in recent months, I have enthusiastically loved from my first listen - until now. A recent collaboration with Phoebe Ryan has seen new track, All We Know, revealed on YouTube - you can find it now by clicking here - and, though it pains me to admit it, I'm not actually that keen.
The two elements of the track - vocals and instrumentals - are fine independently from each other. Together, though, and they make for something mismatch and sickeningly sweet, and, while The Chainsmokers usually pack quite a punch with their singles, All We Know just doesn't. This takes the producers out of their club space and catapults them into pop, mostly due to Ryan's too-sweet vocal delivery that makes the whole track a little too meek. In theory the single is fine, but to listen to it's certainly lacking the force that we've found in other stuff from these guys recently and, for that reason alone, this just doesn't live up to expectations. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 October 2016 |
Video Reveal: Kings of Leon drop Around the World video
Less than an hour ago - at the time of writing - Kings of Leon dropped the official video for their latest single release, Around The World, and what a video it is. The footage is a glorious spectacle of enthusiastic dancing, offering a blend of cultures, styles, and peoples, and it makes for excellent viewing alongside this unexpectedly energetic single.
While Kings of Leon may be masters of the crooning tracks, Around The World comes complete with a wonderful energy that is bounced around further in the video for it. The instrumentals are packed with edgy guitar solos between the verses and the chorus - what a chorus - makes for wonderful and undeniably catchy listening, with a simple lyric that you'll pick up after the first listen making this single a firm contender for the sing along playlist. The happy summertime vibes feel a little out of place on this grumpy October morning, but maybe that's what makes the track so appealing. Either way, it's a worthwhile listen and you can find it for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 October 2016 |
Throwback Thursday: V V Brown - Shark in the Water
During a recent clearout I stumbled across the V V Brown album. I hadn’t listened to – or even thought about – this release for a lengthy stretch but as soon as I saw that front cover this single snapped back to me. I can’t quite believe, though, that it was 2009 when this was released!
A frustratingly catchy number, Brown serves up a well-controlled although occasionally crooning vocal that is ramped up to full force for the memorable chorus on this and, if the vocals weren’t solid enough all by themselves, the track comes complete with a well-polished set of instrumentals as well. There are great plays on sound throughout and these two elements of the track work brilliantly together making for an easy listening track that you’re compelled to sing along to. An oldie but a goodie, this is a track worth going back to and you can check it out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 29 September 2016 |
Single Review: Chase and Status - All Goes Wrong
The last single that dropped from Chase and Status was hugely underwhelming for a lot of us. After a lengthy wait for the track it just failed to live up to our expectations; however, with the recently revealed All Goes Wrong, featuring Tom Grennan, the dream-team duo are certainly making up for their previous effort.
The single – which comes complete with an official video that you can check out here – comes absolutely packed with energy. Grennan’s vocals are deliciously raspy throughout giving the track a great edge, and the instrumentals reinforce this with their steadfast sound. The production on this is solid from start to finish making for a forceful feel that consistently packs a punch and makes for some seriously good listening. A major act of redemption, All Goes Wrong puts Chase and Status firmly back in the game and I’m already excited to see the singles that will follow this. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 29 September 2016 |
Single Review: JoJo - FAB Feat. Remy Ma
JoJo has taken some huge steps in recent months towards re-establishing herself in mainstream music. Whether it's worked or not, the jury hasn't quite decided, by the young starlet certainly isn't taking any changes and, just to make sure people don't forget that she's back, she's gone ahead and dropped another single.
FAB, which, it turns out, stands for fake ass bitches, was unleashed on YouTube earlier this week and sports not only a more mature vocal from JoJo herself, but also a great rap interlude from Remy Ma. The instrumentals on the track are well polished and beat heavy, making for a great sound that sits behind the vocal here and it's kicked up appropriately allowing for a stronger dance-feel at certain moments too. Overall, everything hangs together really well on this single and it's certainly a track worth checking out this week. There's no video just yet but you can find the official audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 September 2016 |
Single Review: Passenger - Beautiful Birds Feat. Birdy
Brace yourselves, because two of the most beautiful and gentle voices in mainstream music have teamed up here and the outcome is a killer collaboration. Beautiful Birds sees Passenger and Birdy carry the track for solo stretches and harmonies that will slay the majority of listeners, and if this single doesn't do well then it will be a huge surprise to us all.
The instrumentals, as you'd expect, are made up entirely by an acoustic guitar which sets up an intimate feel from the opening bars of the track. It offers a wonderfully organic sound that sits well behind the vocal delivery from both artists here, which is downplayed and sincere from their openers. And the lyrics, good grief, the lyrics will pluck at the heartstrings for sure as both singers work to tell the tale of a struggling relationship with absurdly well-put together lines here. A crackin' little single, this is a great addition to the back catalogue of both artists and it's definitely worth shutting down everything else for a minute or four to take a listen to this. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 September 2016 |
Single Review: Lady Gaga - Perfect Illusion
Lady Gaga, a matter of hours ago, dropped the official music video for her new single, Perfect Illusion, on YouTube. As you'd expect, the hits are already piling up, however, after my first listen to the track, I've already killed my excitement about the singer's return to music...
The video itself is a nice change of pace from Gaga's usual look. While the staging is fairly frantic, Gaga looks more organic here than we've seen her for a while and when you find her partying in amongst conventionally attractive dancers, it's clearly a comfortable state for the singer. The track as a whole, though, feels week. The sound on this has a touch of the Madonna's, that isn't heavily played on but rather so casually alluded to that it may be a complete accident that it's there at all, and Gaga's vocals throughout lack the force and range that previous singles have revealed her to be capable of bringing. Given the colour of her musical past, there's something disappointingly beige about this release, and it doesn't leave me particularly excited for what's to come. If, however, you are a die hard fan then you'll love the single! You can check out the track and the official video online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes published: 21 September 2016 |
Single Review: Tom Odell - Here I Am
Tom Odell is perhaps best known for his acoustic instrumentals and crooning vocals, so when he drops something that breaks that mould it's always a pleasant surprise for us listeners. The recently revealed Here I Am - with a video starring none other than Kevin Spacey - does just that, offering a more energetic sound that expands Odell's growing catalogue while offering a brilliant taste of what else the artist can bring to us.
The track opens with a jazz-inspired, piano-led instrumental that sets an unexpectedly upbeat tone, picked up wonderfully by Odell's distinct vocals that are strong from the off here. His steadfast crooning feel is still here, of course, as is the nature of the artist's voice, but it is carried differently by the accompanying music on the track that offers a great balance of sounds. The chorus gives way to a great shift in range that sees a more forceful vocal delivered too, which provides a much-needed change of pace to the track while also reminding us exactly what Odell can bring to it. A solid little release, this will do well with both new and die hard fans, and the music video - which you can check out by clicking here - just makes it that bit sweeter. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 September 2016 |
Single Review: Bastille - Blame
Remember what I said about Bastille dropping singles like they were going out of fashion? Well, well, Bastille have dropped another single! Released in another Vevo Presents performance, fans now have the edgy sounds of Blame to add to their growing Bastille catalogue.
I'm a little lukewarm about this single, if I'm honest, which doesn't mean that I don't like it - far from it, in fact - but I do have a gripe or two. The opening instrumentals are deliciously gritty, but I could have done with more of this throughout instead of the softened version that seems to take over (first gripe). My second wobbly point on the track is the low key of the vocals on the first verse; it feels uncomfortable by comparison to the vocal ease on the chorus and, for me, it could have been better polished than it is. Overall, though, it's another good release from the band and it continues with the mature sound that has been introduced on their more recent singles. You can check out the track, and the Vevo Presents footage of the band performing it, now by clicking here. Written by; Charlotte Barnes Published: 19 September 2016 |
Single Review: twenty one pilots - Cancer
The glorious Twenty One Pilots have released a cover of the not so glorious My Chemical Romance's track, Cancer. The single was dropped on YouTube, complete with a lyric video that's available here, a few days back now and the track has already pulled in close to six million plays (at the time of writing), so it seems safe to say that the boys have dropped quite the hit on this one.
The whole track is much more subtle than the original release. The vocal delivery here is downplayed and genuinely quite tender which further compounds the feel of the heartfelt lyrics and, somehow, the entire sound just has more of a pull than the original of this did - but then, I am horrendously bias on this one. It's hard hitting release that doesn't quite sit in the same ball pack at the recently released Heathens, taken from the Suicide Squad soundtrack, but there is something refreshing in hearing such a different tone from this duo. A single worth checking out, make sure you add this to the playlist for this week. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 19 September 2016 |
Single Review: Bastille - The Currents
Bastille are making publicity stars of themselves at the moment with one single after another dropping online in an orderly fashion, and, if that wasn't enough, they've been picked up for multiple Vevo Presents slots in recent weeks as well. The latest to bag one of these live coverage videos is Bastille's latest belter, The Currents, which has been floating around unofficially since Radio 1's Big Weekend, but now has a full, live rendition available online - you can find it yourselves by clicking here.
The single itself is nothing short of fierce. It's dark, it's gritty, and the vocals are - unsurprisingly - on point throughout the entire thing making for a mature and polished sound, only made more impressive by the fact that this is entirely live. The track has great light and shade on the instrumentals that plays around brilliantly with the vocal delivery while greatly complementing the heartfelt lyrics on the track. There's a chorus here that tugs neatly on the heartstrings - 'I'm swimming to the surface, I'm coming up for air, Cause you're making me feel nervous, I need to clear my head' - and it just begs to be sung along to by fans everywhere (give it a week and it probably will be).
Another crackin' release from the group, this shows a great amount of promise for the singles and albums to come, and it's definitely worth taking a listen.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 14 September 2016
The single itself is nothing short of fierce. It's dark, it's gritty, and the vocals are - unsurprisingly - on point throughout the entire thing making for a mature and polished sound, only made more impressive by the fact that this is entirely live. The track has great light and shade on the instrumentals that plays around brilliantly with the vocal delivery while greatly complementing the heartfelt lyrics on the track. There's a chorus here that tugs neatly on the heartstrings - 'I'm swimming to the surface, I'm coming up for air, Cause you're making me feel nervous, I need to clear my head' - and it just begs to be sung along to by fans everywhere (give it a week and it probably will be).
Another crackin' release from the group, this shows a great amount of promise for the singles and albums to come, and it's definitely worth taking a listen.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 14 September 2016
Single Review: James Arthur - Say You Won't Let Go
I like James Arthur - let's just get that out the way right now. His debut album off the back of his win on The X Factor had some brilliant tracks on and I was disappointed when he, like other winners, slipped entirely off the radar following that album. He is, however, now back, brandishing a brand new and unexpectedly tender track, Say You Won't Let Go.
The track is led by acoustic guitar instrumentals that carry a great intimacy throughout the single, compounded further by Arthur's vocal delivery here. There aren't any vocal acrobatics, so apologies if that's what you were hoping for, but the whole track has a wonderfully organic feel that allows the focus to rest on Arthur as a musician without any (unnecessary) technical interference. Say You Won't Let Go hangs together as a great reminder of what Arthur is capable of and because of that it's a brilliant track to re-introduce him to the music industry. Plus the single comes complete with a touching music video as well, which you can find now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 12 September 2016 |
Single Review: Kings of Leon - Waste A Moment
Perk up your ears, indie children, because Kings of Leon are back in our speakers with a delicious new single, titled Waste A Moment. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, Walls, and it's a great sample of what we can expect from the full release - I hope.
It's a medley of dirty guitar riffs and synth infused sounds strategically placed behind distinct and steadfast vocals making for a recognisable Kings of Leon sound. There's a quirky and catchy beat incorporated in making for a dance-about quality that I hadn't expected from the track, but the individual elements of this are certainly working together to make for a lively feel overall. It seems a fair assumption to make that this will be kicking around in indie clubs all over in a matter of weeks so you'd do well to familiarise yourself with the track now! There's no official video just yet but you can find the official audio release for the single now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 12 September 2016 |
Single Review: Skylar Grey - Come Up For Air
Skylar Grey has dropped an absolute sucker-punch of a track on YouTube - complete with an official music video, which you can view now by clicking here, the recently revealed Come Up For Air will pluck on the heartstrings like no Grey release ever has before. And that's a wonderful thing.
The track is introduced with distinct and beat heavy instrumentals that come to sit neatly behind Grey's crooning vocal delivery. There's something hugely organic about this track, with minimal technical interference it's a great opportunity to sit back and catch Grey's abilities as a vocalist without any extras. The singer's level of control here is a big part of what makes the track so heartfelt as well, and it's a wonderful single to add to the star's growing portfolio of music. Brace yourselves for some deep feels, but this is definitely a single worth tuning into this week. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 September 2016 |
Single Review: Kygo - Carry Me Feat. Julia Michaels
Kygo can do no wrong. It's a basic fact that I've come to terms with over the past twelve months or so, following one crazy good single after another, with some amazing collaborations on the books as well. And the latest offering - Carry Me, featuring Julia Michaels - is certainly another fine example.
The track may not be Kygo's best to date - there are certainly better singles kicking around in the back catalogue - but it is a light-hearted released with well-paced instrumentals and well-controlled vocals from Michaels, making for easy listening and a promising dance track. The sounds are pitted well against each other, allowing for the instrumentals to have intermittent solo stretches around Michaels pelting out the sing-a-long lyrics, and overall it's another neat collaboration - just in time for the end of the summer. You can check out the track and the accompanying video now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 September 2016 |
Single Review: Ellie Goulding - Still Falling For You
Ellie Goulding has not only dropped her new single – Still Falling For You – this week but she’s also dropped an official music video for the release, and as predicted her fans have gone suitably wild over the whole thing. The track, plus its video, were dropped three days ago now but the YouTube hits are stacking up more and more by the second – and, credit where credit is due, it’s actually quite a good little release.
Sporting snippets from the upcoming Bridget Jones flick in the official video, it’s not difficult to see where the track itself has been lifted from. With Goulding’s steadfast vocals making an appearance from the beginning, being appropriately ramped up ahead of the catchy chorus, it makes for easy listening complete with an understated club feel that boasts both a more mature and a better controlled sound that that we heard on the likes of On My Mind – thank goodness.
It’s a neat little addition to Goulding’s growing catalogue of tracks and it’s a well-put together single as well. If you’re looking for some easy-lazy-listening to recover with today, it’s worth throwing this one on your playlist.
You can find the track online now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 28 August 2016
Sporting snippets from the upcoming Bridget Jones flick in the official video, it’s not difficult to see where the track itself has been lifted from. With Goulding’s steadfast vocals making an appearance from the beginning, being appropriately ramped up ahead of the catchy chorus, it makes for easy listening complete with an understated club feel that boasts both a more mature and a better controlled sound that that we heard on the likes of On My Mind – thank goodness.
It’s a neat little addition to Goulding’s growing catalogue of tracks and it’s a well-put together single as well. If you’re looking for some easy-lazy-listening to recover with today, it’s worth throwing this one on your playlist.
You can find the track online now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 28 August 2016
Cher Lloyd Reveals Official Video for new Track
Cher Lloyd – of X Factor fame – has been flitting in and out of music since her appearance on the singing show. After a series of half-baked singles, the star recently went ahead and previewed the audio for her latest stab at the charts, Activated – and I’m not too proud to admit that as contemporary pop tracks go, this was actually a half-decent little single. Now alongside the audio Lloyd has dropped an official video for the track and, in true trying-to-make-a-statement pop style, it’s a little... odd.
The video is a mash up of fierce attitude (which fits wonderfully with the single itself) and semi-Cyborg like dancers – I’m not altogether sure where they fit in, if I’m honest. The absurdity of the official video alongside the polished feel on the track does do a lot for Lloyd here, though, offering a slightly more serious and promising attempt at establishing her name in the changing music scene. It’s an encouraging offering and definitely worth a quick listen; you can find Activated online for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 August 2016 |
Single Review: Tove lo - Cool Girl
Tove Lo has featured on some seriously hot tracks over the past six months or so, and now she’s continuing that theme with a fairly fiery number of her own in the form of the recently revealed Cool Girl. A free-love anthem, the track is likely to garner a fair few listeners in this final stretch of summer.
Lo’s vocals are steadfast and distinct from the opening bars, maintaining a great control through the verse before being appropriately ramped up for the feisty chorus that follows. A delicious nod to Gone Girl’s Cool Girl monologue, Lo belts out, ‘I’m a cool girl, Ice cold, I roll my eyes at you, boy’ in between lyrics that plead for sexual freedom and a non-exclusive relationship. All this is wrapped up neatly in a well-polished beat with instrumentals that carry that track half-into some dance territory making for a decent sound overall. A cracking little release, this is sitting firmly at the top of our playlist for this week and you can take a listen for yourselves by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 August 2016 |
Single Review: Mac Miller - Dang! Feat. Anderson .Paak
If you’re looking for a new slow jam inspired number for your weekend playlist then look no further, because Mac Miller has just teamed up with Anderson .Paak for a seriously slick collaboration and it’s the perfect lovechild of old style R&B coupled with a medley of beats worthy of a top chart position.
The track, titled Dang!, introduces Paak’s understated and whispy vocals over the beat-heavy instrumentals that introduce the track and hang steady throughout the whole single. Paak’s vocal delivery here is a perfect balance against Miller’s rap, which carries the verses admirably, and the two sounds work together to give the track a great layering and a solid variation of pace. The instrumentals throughout are steadfast, holding the beat consistently to ensure that the energy on this never drops making for a surprisingly lively single as well. A catchy little number, complete with an official music video as well, you can find Dang! online now by clicking here. |
Single Review: Jason Derulo - Kiss The Sky
Brace yourselves, folks, because Jason Derulo has only gone and dropped his catchy single for this summer – titled Kiss The Sky – and, whether you like it or not, we’re tipping this as a single that’s going to be making an appearance all over the place over the coming weeks and months.
True to Derulo’s form, the single kicks in with heavy beats from the beginning and Derulo’s distinct vocal kicks in quickly after this. The vocal on the verse itself is steadfast, despite not bringing in anything particularly note-worthy; the chorus, though, is a different story altogether as Derulo cuts in with an absurd range here showing the great range of sounds hidden away in his repertoire. The single is a get up and dance anthem if ever there was one, with great sounds on the instrumentals, lyrics that should – and most likely will – be chanted back, and hooks that will just grab you. However you look at it, Kiss The Sky is quite the summer smash. There’s no official video for the track just yet, but you can check out the audio on YouTube now. |
Single Review: Lindsey Stirling - Something Wild
Lindsey Stirling has won some new listeners recently with her latest solo single, The Arena. The track was an atmospheric release that showed a tense and theatrical side to the artist and now, to further that theatrical side, Stirling has revealed a new track, Something Wild featuring Andrew McMahon, which is featured on Disney’s upcoming Pete’s Dragon release.
The instrumentals on this are a stunning medley of Stirling on violin and McMahon on piano and the pair make for a deliciously organic sound, delivering the whole track without any sort of interference from external sounds. The simplicity of the music here sits wonderfully as well alongside McMahon’s raspy vocal that compounds the innocent feel of the track – heightened again by the lyrics here – and makes it a perfect little number for the film. Easy but beautiful listening, Something Wild is worth throwing on for some good musical company this weekend. The track also comes complete with an official video – made up of sample shots taken from the film – which you can find here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 August 2016 |
Single Review: Banks - Gemini Feed
Banks’ new single, Gemini Feed, dropped on YouTube earlier this week – bringing along with it details of a new album, so keep your eyes out for that – and the track is a beat-drenched, melancholic number that is bringing with it an unexpectedly (for me) brilliant sound.
Previously Banks has felt a little hit and miss for me, if I’m honest, falling firmly into the category of artists, ‘If they’re on, I’ll listen, but if they’re not then I’m not changing the track.’ Gemini Feed, though, has turned that around. Banks’ vocal delivery here is appropriately strained and well-paced delivering heartfelt lyrics as she discusses her time in a relationship with a man who doesn’t love her back, and the instrumentals are beat heavy enough to make this into quite the sway-along number in the right setting. Also – a little prediction here – it’s only a matter of time before producers start picking this single up for some slick and lively remixes as well. A neat and polished little number, Gemini Feed is definitely worth a listen this weekend and you can find the audio by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 August 2016 |
Single Review: Shawn Mendes - Three Empty Words
Shawn Mendes is completely cashing in on the summer months when it comes to churning out new music. With new singles dropping from the young singer every couple of weeks now, the latest to join the line-up is the official audio for Three Empty Words, which was dropped on YouTube just a few hours ago.
The track is an acoustic guitar led number which lends an innocence and vulnerability to the instrumental here, picked up greatly by Mendes' downplayed vocal delivery which, by comparison to some of his more recent singles, actually sounds particularly young on this track - which, again, only adds to endearing feel. The lyrics themselves are neat and well-crafted and while it isn't up there as a sing a long track, it's certainly going to make for some easy listening. There's no official video for the single just yet but you can check out the official audio for it now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 3 August 2016 |
Charlie Puth Drops Video For We Don't Talk Anymore
The Charlie Puth and Selena Gomez collaboration on We Don't Talk Anymore has been kicking around the internet for a while now, but it has had its ante upped this week with the arrival of a new music video for the track.
The single itself doesn't make for hugely impressive listening, if I'm honest. It's a generic pop single that, admittedly, has a good balance of sounds between the two vocal deliveries. But the hook of the track is, well, it's missing. There's nothing here that pulls me in or holds my attention, so while the track might make for semi-decent background music, as summer smash hits go this is certainly missing one or two key ingredients. The video, at least, is a neatly shot split perspective of a man and a woman who - wait for it - appear to not be in each other's life anymore (I bet you never saw that coming), and you can find it online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 3 August 2016 |
Single Review: Boyce Avenue - Don't Let Me DOwn
Boyce Avenue are wasting no time at all in throwing out new content this summer. After a recent cover of Shawn Mendes’ Treat You Better, the band dropped some original content in the shape of Your Biggest Fan, and now they’re back again with a cover of The Chainsmokers’ pre-summer smash hit, Don’t Let Me Down, and their acoustic spin on this is one of their finest so far this year.
The instrumentals on this certainly don’t suffer for the lack of technical interference, offering a beautifully organic sound throughout that is well-paced and perfectly controlled, bringing a new level of intimacy to the track. The vocal only compounds this further, particularly with the impressive range that we hear on this single with the high notes sitting brilliantly in Manzona’s comfort zone. It’s a heartfelt and hard-hitting cover – the two things that Boyce Avenue arguably do best – and it’s definitely worth a listen, particularly if you’re looking for something to soothe the Monday blues. You can find the track and the official music video for it on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 1 August 2016 |
Single Review: Broods - Heartlines
Broods is the stage name of Georgia and Caleb Nott, who have been kicking around the music scene under this guise since 2013. Their ever growing fan base is beginning to secure them some mainstream attention and, having recently dropped a new single that will lend itself oh so easily to the club scene this summer, the duo are likely to grab more attention with the beat-heavy Heartlines.
Georgia’s vocal on this is beautifully crooning and distinct, lending some real emotion to the well-crafted lyrics, on the chorus on particular, that makes for catchy listening – ‘We could fool the datelines, we could jump the statelines, I don’t always play nice, but I wanna feel your heartlines.’ The instrumentals here are beat-heavy throughout but they make great use of light and shade as they are pulled back on the stretches of verse before ramping up ahead of the chorus, adding a brilliant pace to the single as well. It’s a neat little release that definitely deserves a spot on the summer playlist, and you can check it out for yourselves by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 1 August 2016 |
Single Review: The Chainsmokers - Closer
The Chainsmokers have dropped quite a few tracks this year that could easily sweep in as summer smash hits, but, just to make sure they’re not missing any opportunities, this week that have dropped their actual summer smash – titled Closer, and featuring Halsey – and, if you weren’t in the mood for some time out in the summer sunshine before, then you certainly will be after this.
The instrumental cuts in with a beat heavy but light-hearted feel that sits well behind the two vocal deliveries, both of which are on point throughout. The male vocal that opens the track is distinct and rough sounding, but in an easy on the ears sort of way, and it balances out brilliantly with Halsey who appears, firstly for a collaborative vocal on the chorus, but then for a solo on the stretch of verse that follows. All of the sounds in this just fit together with a great ease that makes for not only a good balance on the track but also a good variety of sounds which lends itself well to the ever-increasing beat we feel as this single slowly ramps up. If you’re on the cusp of a Saturday afternoon/evening in the sun with some friends then this is definitely a track worth listening to this morning. You can find the single, and the official video, by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 30 July 2016 |
Single Review: Bastille - Fake It
Bastille have dropped a second single from their upcoming album and I am trying my level best not to lose my composure with excitement at the moment – it’s not working, but I really am trying. The second single to drop, Fake It brings yet another sound to the table but if you were expecting something similar to their Good Grief, then I’d tweak those expectations before you take a listen.
Fake It is heartfelt, tortured, and a definite slow build with crooning vocals and lazy instrumentals that build into a gorgeously gritty climax for the second stretch of the track. The influences that were fed into Bastille’s first album are back with a vengeance here so if you’re a fan of the band’s old sound then this is definitely a single for you. Dan’s vocal delivery is as distinct as ever and it sits beautifully around the rising instrumentals of the track making for something near-menacing, compounded further by the troubled-love lyrics that make up the single. A wonderful little release, Fake It shows massive promise for Bastille’s upcoming album and, after the last two singles, I know I can’t be alone in saying that I can’t wait to see what comes next from these guys. You can check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 30 July 2016 |
Single Review: Syklar Grey - Off Road
Skylar Grey has dropped some seriously hot singles for some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbluster films in recent years, but her later release, Off Road, is an entirely solo effort – and it’s not a single to be missed. It’s been picking up steam since it was dropped on Grey’s YouTube channel a couple of days back – you can find it now by clicking here – and it comes complete with a Samsung-fuelled video – you’ll see what we mean...
The track is rich in melancholic sounds throughout. While the instrumentals are well-produced and sharply polished making for a heavy and distinct beat throughout the single, Grey’s vocals bring it back to ground level with a great amount of control and little range, which actually works in the track’s favour here. The chorus cuts in with some ear-catching production as well which ticks the change of pace box and allows for an interlude of new sounds, giving the track a little more movement. Off Road is likely to be a decent seller on the club scene this summer – not only is it a good track as it stands, but it will lend itself well to remixes over the coming months, too. Make sure you have a listen. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 27 July 2016 |
Single Review: This Wild Life - Break Down
This Wild Life made their first appearance on my radar a little earlier this week and I’ve been binging on their back catalogue of music since then. So imagine my sheer delight at opening YouTube this morning and seeing that the pop-punk pair had dropped a video for an acoustic live session just sixteen hours ago. Cue more binge-listening.
Everything is peeled back for this single. As acoustics go there is a lot of instrumental work here which just goes to show what the pairing are capable of in terms of their musical abilities alone – their vocals abilities here are something else altogether. The range and control is absurdly good from both sides and they just make the lyrics on this single even more bittersweet. If you’re currently in the throes of a relationship crisis then this is a single worth dodging because these lines pack quite the punch. A well-crafted and heartfelt little release, Break Down is an impressive addition to the This Wild Life catalogue of tracks and it’s definitely worth a listen. You can find the track online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 27 July 2016 |
Single Review: Boyce Avenue - Your Biggest Fan
Boyce Avenue have just dropped an original single online – cue out of control squealing in an exceptionally girly tone. The band have been throwing out one brilliant cover after another recently – see our recent review of their take on Shawn Mendes hovering about below – so it’s wonderful to finally hear from original content again. And the track, titled Your Biggest Fan, is just every kind of lovely.
Generally speaking the trio bring to their tracks a great medley of instrumentals and vocal delivery, and this is certainly no exception. One element that shines in particular here as well, though, are the lyrics, which are stunning and heartfelt from the opening line and the vocal delivery of them just furthers adds to the sincerity of the track as a whole. The instrumentals have that great acoustic undercurrent – that we also expects from the boys – and as a whole package this single just makes for easy – albeit slightly mushy – Monday listening. There’s no official video for the single just yet but you can find the official lyric video online now by clicking here. |
Single Review: Die Antwoord - Banana Brain
Die Antwoord’s recently released Banana Brain is picking up some major steam on YouTube at the moment. However, if you’re mostly unfamiliar with what to expect from the rap-rave group, then this is quite the introduction to their sound!
As if rap-rave hadn’t given anything anyway, the sound on this single is an ear-catching mash up of well-controlled rap stretches and absurdly high-pitched, tech-infused vocals that make up the irritatingly catchy chorus – which I realise makes it sound like a bad thing. Truthfully, the technical ability on this track is actually superb and genuinely impressive at times, but as for whether it’s a decent listen, I’m completely undecided. If you’re a fan of the group then there’s a good chance this is everything you could want and expect from a Die Antwoord single. If you’re coming to them with fresh ears, it might be better to start elsewhere. Either way, you can find the track here. |
Troye Sivan Reveals Music Video For Wild
Cast your minds back a month or so ago to when Troye Sivan - one of our favourite young artists of the moment - teamed up with Alessia Cara - ahem, our other favourite young artist of the moment - for a collaboration. The track, titled Wild, made for wonderful listening and only further compounded our (growing) love for these two artists, and now we've got an official music video to get excited over as well.
Recently dropped on YouTube, the little release is a great accompaniment to the single itself, and you can find it now just below. Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 25 July 2016 |
Single Review: This Wild Life - Pull Me Out
This Wild Life are an acoustic pop-punk pairing who hail from sunny Long Beach and, if you happen to be a fan of City and Colour, this is definitely a band you’ll want to jump on board with. A string of successful singles follow these guys around and the latest to join that line up is the recently released Pull Me Out, which packs an almighty punch.
The track is a stunning display of acoustic sounds with the two band members playing their respective riffs like their lives depend on it at times. It makes for a wonderful sound that sits neatly behind the husky vocals that throw light and shade on the well-crafted lyrics, allowing for a great variation in sound across the vocal range alone, and the instrumentals further complement this with their solo stretches that carry the track beautifully. Pull Me Out is a sound little release and, if you weren’t a This Wild Life fan before this single, there’s a great possibility that you will be now. You can find the track, and the official video, by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 July 2016 |
Single Review: Major Lazer - Cold Water
Major Lazer has dropped a new track online, just in time for the summer sunshine weekend that we’re all looking forward to. Featuring Justin Bieber and MO, the track, titled Cold Water, was dropped on YouTube complete with an official lyric video – music video to follow shortly, no doubt – and it’s a cracking little listen to set you up for the weekend.
Bieber’s vocal takes the lead in the opening stretch of the track offering a surprisingly pure and unfiltered sound, giving us a great view into the catchy lyrics on the track. And, as Bieber pulls back, the instrumentals are ramped up into the lively and polished production that we’ve come to expect from Lazer in recent months. MO’s late interlude on the track offers a brilliant change of pace and sound and, despite my reservations on how these vocals would sit together, they actually blend perfectly making for a great sound that hangs over the beat heavy instrumentals on the track. Throw your shorts on, grab a cold beverage, and tune in, because this is a single for the weekend. You can find it online now by clicking here. |
Single Review: Cher Lloyd - Activated
Cher Lloyd is making a comeback, consider yourself warned. Following the announcement of an upcoming comeback album, the star has also talked extensively about the first single to be taken from the album and she has, conveniently, now dropped that single on YouTube. Titled Activated, the track has a determined sound that could hint at more mature things for the singer’s upcoming album drop, and it’s certainly a promising little listen.
Lloyd’s vocal has a more grown up feel here, although the autotuning habits of yester year certainly die hard and there are moments on the vocal where the sound is just being tinkered with too much for my liking. That being said, the construction of the track as a whole is neat and plays to Lloyd’s abilities greatly. There are near-rap interludes and beat-heavy instrumental hooks which adds another layer to the track, and it benefits greatly from that. It’s a well-polished little number, that's for sure. Old fans or new, it’s worth taking a listen because you’ll be hearing this track all over the place when it officially drops – you can find it now by clicking here. |
Single Review: Shawn Mendes - Ruin
I will, rightly or wrongly, unashamedly admit that I am a fan of Shawn Mendes. Stitches was a crackin’, catchy single, and Treat You Better made for some easy listening. The recently revealed Ruin, though, which was released on YouTube a couple of days back, complete with a dishy black and white video, well, Ruin just beats the lot.
The whole single is more mature and polished than we’ve heard Mendes on previous singles. The catchy sounds and gimmicky lyrics are long gone, and we’re left with an authentic vocal that hints at jazz/blues influences in the opening verse before breaking away into something more tortured and appropriately broken in the track that follows. The lyrics themselves are beautifully crafted, and the simple instrumental that sits behind this just makes the track allowing for something surprisingly intimate to come through. Less weekend on the town, more quiet night in, Ruin is a heartfelt little release that will do well over the coming months, and you can get a taste for the track now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 July 2016 |
Single Review: Boyce Avenue - Treat You Better
If Shawn Mendes made Treat You Better lively and catchy, Boyce Avenue are pulling it round to something heartfelt and touching – as is the Boyce Avenue way. If, by some miracle, you’ve got through life without hearing the unbelievably brilliant covers of Boyce Avenue, then their recently released cover of Shawn Mendes’ Treat You Better is a brilliant place to start.
The three-piece band have made a name for themselves by putting acoustic spins of some of pop's best known tracks, and this is another fine example of that. Everything is stripped away from this single, leaving a piano acoustic instrumental and a forceful vocal delivery from Alejandro Luis Manzona, who takes solo control of this cover release. By comparison to the original, the single is much more intimate and sincere, and while the Mendes original is a lively track that makes for easy listening, the Boyce Avenue cover just takes this to a more sincere place, and it works beautifully. If you're putting together a quiet night in playlist then this definitely deserves a spot on it - maybe you can team it up with Mendes' new single, to the left - and you can grab a first listen to the track by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 July 2016 |
Single Review: Gavin DeGraw - She Sets the City on Fire
If you’d written Gavin DeGraw off as some kind of throwback to the days of popular Country music, then your perception is about to be tweaked by the singer-songwriter’s latest single. Released on YouTube last week, the track, titled She Sets The City On Fire, is an absurdly catchy summer smash that’s ranking high on our playlist for this week.
The track opens with a delicious vocal delivery from DeGraw that sees him debut the chorus ahead of the first verse kicking in and the instrumentals livening up with a surprising beat. The lyrics themselves are catchy, as is the chorus – ‘Everybody knows she’s a perfect 10, and I’m hanging on tight till the whole thing ends’ – and the rhythm behind these lyrics only further compounds the heavy beat of the track as a whole. DeGraw’s vocal is consistent and confident throughout too, making for some seriously easy summertime listening. A cracking little single, this should liven up any mid-week blues you’re feeling and for that reason alone it’s definitely worth a listen. The track is available online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 July 2016 |
Single Review: Hailee Steinfield - Starving
The record needs to document that the Hailee Steinfield, Grey, Zedd mash-up that hit YouTube recently is far from being the best single that you’ll be introduced to this summer. That being said, this single is undoubtedly going to be a hit because it’s off-beat in that sickly sweet manner that mass audiences seem to love, so we’re predicting relatively big things for this over the summer months.
Steinfield’s vocal delivery here is sound throughout – although it’s worth bracing yourselves for some occasionally cringe-worthy lyrics – offering up a confident and polished sound, despite the obvious tuning that slips in now and then. The instrumentals on the track are the real treat – thank you, Grey and Zedd – as they pull back hugely during Steinfield’s vocal delivery only to then ramp up during their hooks, delivering a beautiful love-child of guitar riffs and club-inspired sounds that would actually sit well as a track on their own. A little good, a little bad, but certainly a single to look out for this summer as we’re predicting that this one will pick up steam quickly. You can find the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 July 2016 |
Single Review: Avicii - Feeling Good
Brace yourselves because Avicii’s annual summer smash is here and, with a fresh and incredibly funky remix being put on Nina Simone’s classic, Feeling Good, this is undoubtedly going to be a track that you can’t escape for a second over the coming months. Dropped late last week, complete with an official video already that you can find by clicking here, the track is pulling in hits from all over the globe and it’s easy to see why.
The track itself is a brilliant blend of vocal delivery and instrumental interludes allowing for the two elements to sit as separate entities on occasion, taking to the spotlight in turn. The vocal on this track is stellar with the iconic lyrics being belted out at full force, and the instrumental only adds bigger and better things to that. Avicii is throwing top production down here, allowing for light and shade to complement the vocal, ahead of slick sounds taking over the instrumental-only stretches. There is no pausing for breath on this single with things being ramped up early and staying there comfortably throughout making this a brilliant anthem for any summertime night out. You can find the single, and the official video, online now and it’s definitely worth taking a listen. |
Single Review: Grouplove - Welcome to your Life
Grouplove are a five piece indie rock band who hail from the States and, with seven years of sound music releases under their belt, the band are gearing up to drop a new album these days and they’ve started with indie anthem, Welcome To Your Life. The ear-catching number was dropped on YouTube a matter of days ago and, whether you’re a firm fan already or whether you’re coming to the band with new ears, it’s certainly a single that’s worth a listen.
Heavy on the indie sounds in the instrumentals, the guitar riffs here have a wonderfully dirty feel to them that gives a great grit to the track as a whole, and the deliciously off-beat vocals only add to that further. The vocal delivery is batted back and forth between a female and male sound which offers a great change in both pace and sound between the two singers on the track, and it’s worth noting that their lyrics are damn catchy as well – ‘We’re back in business, you’re such a big mess and I love you’ makes more than one appearance on the track and it’s certainly an easy lyric to latch on to. Easy indie listening, this is a promising single from the group and it bodes well for whatever the rest of the album has to offer. You can check out Welcome To Your Life, and its official video, online now by clicking here. |
Single Review: Olly Murs - You Don't know Love
Olly Murs isn’t exactly best known for his smash hit singles, but his tracks do tend to be fairly reliable if you’re after some easy listening with a reasonably catchy hook. In evidence of this, Murs has dropped a new single titled You Don’t Know Love, which comes complete with an official music video that you can find here, and the single is once again another decent sounding (albeit slightly vanilla) release.
You Don’t Know Love is at least well produced in terms of the instrumentals. The music itself is well put together here offering tangents that tread into a more club-inspired sound than Murs’ usual offerings, so that’s a welcome change of pace for the artist if nothing else. Murs is fortunate enough to have a fairly distinct voice, and that’s out in force on this single. He shows a great control and delivers an impressive enough range throughout the verse and chorus fluctuations, and so, once again, this track as a whole makes for easy listening. A worthy addition to a background music playlist, You Don’t Know Love probably isn’t going to be a number one for the singer, but it’s a decent enough track all the same. Make sure you check out the official video online now too. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 July 2016 |
single Review: Todrick Hall - Papi Feat. Nicole Scherzinger
I came to this single without knowing anything at all about Todrick Hall, but a quick Google search has answered all of my queries regarding the frustratingly catchy theatrical feel to this track. From the opening stretch of vocal from Scherzinger you are smack bang in the middle of a musical and I tried – I really, truly tried – to hate that about the song. But I’m one chorus in and singing along already and I can’t stop (so there’s your review, really).
If I’m honest this hardly feels like Hall’s song at all, so dominant is Scherzinger’s vocal delivery. She takes the lead in the opening verse and she runs with it until around the two minute mark – which is a fairly substantial appearance from the female star when you consider the tracks only runs for about four minutes in total. Hall does, however, make an unmistakably musical-theatre-style appearance for a brilliantly written interlude – ‘You’ve never touched a boob in your whole life and she’s got two of them’ – and in that stretch the singer really does shine. The pair work brilliantly together on this, batting amusing lyrics back and forth over instrumentals that make you want to get into the beat and dance along and – despite my best efforts to dislike this – it really is a catchy number. You can find the track, and the official video, for yourselves by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 July 2016 |
Single Review: Jon Bellion - iRobot
The problem with reviewing Jon Bellion is that these days I can't offer anything resembling an unbiased review. After raiding his back catalogue of tracks earlier this year, and hungrily skimming through album tracks as and when they were released, the singer has become one of the top artists for this year at Mad Hatter HQ and, with tracks like iRobot floating to the front page of YouTube, it seems unlikely that Bellion's status is about to change.
The track - taken from the singer's album, The Human Condition - is a quirky number that sports Bellion's distinct vocals and some major production props on the instrumentals that vary hugely in pace throughout, making for an unexpectedly lively sound at times. The lyrics, as always, are polished and poignant and so they offer some good sing-back quality as well. Overall the track is ticking all the boxes - surprise, surprise - and it's a great addition to the singer's growing YouTube collection. There's no official video for the release but you can find the audio for the track online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 15 July 2016 |
Single Review: Chase and Status - Spoken Word
Well, this is a tricky one to navigate. Chase and Status have dropped a new single, complete with an official video, on YouTube this week, titled Spoken Word and featuring the glorious George the Poet. Now the performance poet in me is jumping around the room in sheer delight that this sort of mash up is finally gaining some ground with more mainstream listeners. The reviewer in me thinks that George the Poet is on point here, but Chase and Status have missed some major tricks.
The spoken word element of the track is absurdly slick and well polished. George delivers concise and lyrics lines with a refrain that packs a great punch and acts as a make-believe chorus for the track as a whole. But, the rest of it... The instrumentals feels too recycled - far too recycled, given that Chase and Status are behind them - and while the sampling from other tracks thing is something that has never lost steam in the music industry, here it just feels a little - dare I say it - lazy? And perhaps even a little misplaced. Not completely disappointed, but, fairly underwhelmed; Spoken Word is not the comeback track I was expecting. You can find it for yourselves on YouTube now. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 15 July 2016 |
Single Review: Alessia Cara - Scars to your Beautiful
As if I needed another reason to love Alessia Cara – her previous single, Wild Things, became something of an anthem for me and many other fans – she has followed up her Wild Things’ success with another track that packs an even mightier punch, titled Scars To Your Beautiful.
Dropped on YouTube a matter of hours ago this single is a statement of self-love above anything else. With a touching video to accompany it, complete with great interaction played over the track, the whole release sits together to create something empowering, touching, and damn good to listen to. Feel good vibes aside, the track itself is very well put together. Cara’s vocals are strong and confident throughout and the light and shade on the track allows her to play around neatly with her range here as well, making for a great variation in sound. The beat heavy instrumental is as determined as the rest of this single and so sits great here as well. Another crackin’ single from Alessia Cara, we’re about to go to town on the replay button for this one. If you want to see what all the fuss is about, you can find the track for yourselves by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 11 July 2016 |
Single Review: Phoebe Ryan - Dollar Bill Feat. Kid Ink
Phoebe Ryan is building up a fairly decent fan base for herself these days and, admittedly, there are one or two tracks in her recent history that make for easy listening. The recently released Dollar Bill, which features Kid Ink, is, however, not one of these easy listening singles. At all.
If anything, it’s one of the frustratingly catchy singles that gets stuck in your head despite your best efforts to firmly knock it out of there. Dollar Bill is a track that is going to do well, though, so don’t expect it to go anywhere soon. Ryan’s vocals are uncomfortably auto-tuned here making for underwhelming listening at times; in fact, the only really redeemable element of the track is when Ink takes over for his rap interlude, which is perhaps the most polished segment here. Why will it do well, then? Because this auto-pop comes complete with catchy hooks and easy to remember lyrics and – particularly in the summer months – we can’t help but lap those things up. You can check out the catchy track and the official music video online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 11 July 2016 |
Single Review: James Vincent mcMorrow - Rising Water
James Vincent McMorrow was pitched to me as an Irish singer-songwriter with acoustic influences. Well, McMorrow’s recently released track Rising Water, which comes complete with a lyric video on YouTube as well, as is anything but acoustic. In fact, it’s quite the funky number, and behind McMorrow’s light vocal, that funk really works.
The opening bars of the instrumental are like a lovechild between blues and funk, and really this lovechild is carried well throughout the single making for an instrumental that really has some kick, and lends a great beat to sit behind the vocal delivery. McMorrow’s vocal here is quite understated, particularly considering the music that it is sitting over, but it works well in spite of this. The chorus offers some catchy lines and McMorrow’s delivery of this stretch is ramped up significantly as well, allowing for a neat display of his control and rage. Overall this is a solid single release – and it may go some way towards showing a different side to the singer as well. You can check out Rising Water by clicking here. |
Single Review: The Lumineers - Cleopatra
The Lumineers have released a new single this week, titled Cleopatra, and I have to admit that it’s quite the suckerpunch. An unexpectedly emotive single, while I was lukewarm at the beginning of the track I felt absolutely hooked by the end of the first run of the chorus – so if you’ve got four minutes, it’s definitely worth a listen.
The guitar-led instrumental offers up a catchy sound in itself – so much so that it would be worth just tracking down the instrumental of this. It’s well-polished and well-matched to the vocal delivery which is nothing shy of beautiful throughout. The vocal is fractured in all the right places and it delivers the lyrics with real conviction because of that. Oh, and on the topic of those lyrics, I’m sure I’m a little bit in love with the chorus on this too: ‘But I was late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life’ it starts and continues into something truly heartfelt. While many will still only know The Lumineers for their smash hit Hey Ho, Cleopatro is certainly going to be a crowd pleaser when it takes off with its official release. You can find the single yourselves by clicking here. |
Adam Lambert Reveals Welcome to the Show Video
The mighty Adam Lambert has finally released an official video for his anthem Welcome to the Show, featuring Laleh, who also features in the video. Despite the track being a forceful and defiant number, the official video release is actually much more restrained than I expected it to be – still, though, it’s a great release to accompany the track.
Lambert and Laleh work brilliantly together on this and while the majority of the track is led by Lambert’s vocal – rightly so – when Laleh takes over in the final third of the track she does so with great confidence and a great tone. Their sounds sit well alongside each other and between that and the easy on the ear instrumentals, this track is bound to pull in some new listeners for both artists. Another stunning addition to Lambert’s growing collection of tracks, you can check out Welcome to the Show, and the official video, by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 July 2016 |
Single Review: Of Monsters and Men - Backyard
Of Monsters and Men have just released their new single – complete with a beautifully simple lyric video – on YouTube and, if you’re looking for something with a rich taste of melancholy this weekend, then this single is just for you.
The track is absurdly atmospheric from the opening bars of the instrumentals, which don’t seem to develop into more than an accompanying beat that sits neatly behind the vocal delivery. And speaking of that vocal delivery, through a series of crooning solos it seems to make an instrumental of itself. The sound on this is haunting, downplayed, and appropriately tortured which adds a real depth to the heartfelt lyrics on the single as well. Backyard is undoubtedly one of the darker tracks that Of Monsters and Men have released on the singles market, but it’s a gorgeous addition to their back catalogue. You can find the single, and the video, online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 July 2016 |
Review: Young the Giant - Something to Believe in
Young The Giant are an American rock band who joined forces back in 2004 – so how they’ve only just flickered on my radar, I’ve no idea. Represented by the same folks behind the likes of Panic! At The Disco, Young The Giant have had a steadily growing fan base for some time now but with their new single, Something To Believe In, I’m predicting that they’ll quickly become more of a household name.
The track is oh so damn good! You’re carried in with catchy instrumentals that give way to include some dirty riffs and a distinct beat, and the vocal delivery that joins shortly after these opening bars is the love child of indie-pop and blues – I know on paper it’s enough to cause a raised eyebrow, but the vocal tone on this single is just delicious at points, particularly on the chorus. It’s slick, polished, and well-produced, and I’d bet money that it’s enough to get most of us dancing on a night out – and what more could you want than that? A quality single with a quirky music video attached to it, you can check out Something To Believe In on YouTube now by clicking here. |
Single Review: Tinie Tempah - Mamacita Feat. Wizkid
You know the summer months have officially arrived with Tinie Tempah swoops back on to the music scene with – you guessed it – a frustratingly catchy little number. This time titled Mamacita, the track features Wizkid alongside the British rapper and whether you’re a lifelong fan or not, you won’t be able to stop yourselves from at least (!) shoulder rolling along to this one.
The instrumentals on the track lend themselves to Salsa-style for a large part although this does give way to something more beat-heavy as the track progresses – don’t worry, though, you can Salsa your way through Wizkid’s chorus when it comes back later. Tempah’s rap is polished and cleverly penned on this and while his vocal delivery is sound, it actually further compounds the beat set by the instrumental as well because the pace of his raps is so pronounced. I’m already preparing myself for this to be one of those singles that you hear everywhere over the coming months, so it might be best to familiarise yourself with it now. You can find the single, and the official video, by clicking here. |
Single Review: Lukas Graham - Mama Said
Lukas Graham has absolutely smashed it out of the ballpark with the singles that he’s dropped on us in recent months. With one hit after another under his belt, he’s looking to line up another one with the official release of Mama Said which, despite being available on YouTube for some time now, is about to see the spotlight as Graham’s next single.
The track is unexpectedly lively, by comparison to other releases I’ve heard from the artist. The opening stretch brings in a brilliant rendition of the chorus before Graham’s distinct vocal kicks in over the understated instrumentals, sitting somewhere between a sing and a rap, so beat-infused is his delivery at times on this. The track feels hugely personal – as a lot of Graham’s work tends to – which makes the chorus all the more touching, with the lyrics: ‘Mama told us that we were good kids, And daddy told us never listen to the ones, Pointing nasty fingers and making fun’ lending themselves easily to a sing a long as well. Overall this is another solid release from Graham and, with a little extra kick than some of his other releases have brought with them, this is bound to be another hit. The track, and the official video, is available on YouTube now. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 7 July 2016 |
Single Review: Stooshe - Let It Go
Stooshe – the girl group that packs a major punch – have just dropped their summertime anthem, and what a single it is. After a short silence from the trio, they’ve come back fighting with their club-infused Let It Go and, if this doesn’t make it on to your summer playlist then you’re missing a trick.
The track boasts a catchy instrumental from the opening bars, introducing a distinct beat that establishes the single well before giving way to the three-way vocal delivery. A plus point for Stooshe has, for me, always been that each member is allowed their own time on the mic, and this single follows that theme brilliantly as each woman steps up to absolutely belt out their lines on the track, serving up a well-controlled and completely polished example of what’s so good about each of these individual members. The three come together for a collaborative sound on occasion as well and, while there’s light and shade on the track to allow for some vocal focus, the club feel is steadily ramped up through each outing from the chorus making for a brilliant build. Another solid single from Stooshe, you can check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 7 July 2016 |
Single Review: B.o.B - Roll Up Feat. Marko Penn
Brace yourselves because B.o.B has dropped a new single – titled Roll Up, featuring Marko Penn – and we’re tipping it as one of the smash hits for this summer. The track is an easy listening anthem for the summer months and, with an official music video dropping on YouTube late last week, B.o.B and Penn are already pulling in hits from all over the place ahead of the track's official release.
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that this song is absurdly repetitive but that is also part of its charm. The heavily leaned-on lyrical refrain that reappears intermittently throughout the track contributes massively to the beat, which the lazy-feel instrumentals only add to, and they make for a sound that will be bounced back from listeners after one or two runs of the single – if that. The rap interludes that appear throughout offer a great change of pace and they’re well-polished pieces on their own as well. Overall, Roll Up is actually a great single, particularly for this time of the year, and given that the official video is now making its move across the internet, it’s only a matter of time before this track picks up some serious steam. You can check out the single for yourselves now by clicking here. |
Single Review: Rihanna - Sledgehammer
Last week Rihanna announced that she is something of a Star Trek fan, which seemed to surprise a lot of people. However, given that she’s just dropped the single and the official video for her track which is due to be featured on the new film, perhaps now it all makes more sense. Titled Sledgehammer, the single is an interesting release – even by Rihanna’s recently set standards – but it’s a stunning vocal display all the same.
The instrumental on this – grand as it is at times – falls secondary to Rihanna’s vocal which is certainly up there with some of her best. Her range on this single is crazy good, in fact, and her control throughout is commendable. Gimmicks and good instrumentals aside, Sledgehammer is an excellent reminder of what this singer is capable of when she just stands and sings – don’t worry, though, the music video certainly has a few more eye-widening moments than the single itself offers. You can find the official video on YouTube now – and I sincerely recommend having a skim through the comments on this one because some of them are just golden – by clicking here. |
Single Review: Against the Current - wasteland
Against The Current aren’t exactly new to the music scene. In fact, the band has been kicking around since back in 2011 and they’ve got a string of decent singles in their back catalogue by this point. However their latest single, titled Wasteland, seems to be pulling in some new listeners – if the influx of YouTube comments is anything to go by.
The track, which was dropped on YouTube a few days ago complete with an official video, is a neat little number and, rightly so, listeners have flocked to its since its release. The instrumentals on this are brilliant blend of light and shade and they pull back appropriately to allow for Chrissy Costanza’s vocal delivery to take the lead, before ramping up again with a force when her vocal drops. Oh, and on the topic of Costanza’s vocal delivery, she has an incredibly sweet tone to her voice that sits brilliantly over the heavy guitar that appears for the closing stretch of the track. A cracking little single, Wasteland is right to be pulling in so many new listeners for the band and, if the sound itself wasn’t enough, it comes complete with an excellently produced music video as well which you can check out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 July 2016 |
Single Review: blink-182 - Home Is Such a Lonely Place
It feels very much like featuring blink-182 in one way or another has become a standard part of updating our Music section, so prolific is the band’s current musical output. Not that we mind, though. Following the release of their new album last week, the band have dropped lyric videos for their tracks all over YouTube and one of those that’s grabbed our ears this morning is the melancholic Home Is Such A Lonely Place.
I am fifteen years old again, staring at my ceiling while attempting to lip-sync to blink-182. That’s what this song is – and it’s wonderful for it. Pulling away from other tracks we’ve heard of late, Home Is Such A Lonely Place is an understated number that sees guitar-led, well-produced instrumentals carry two excellent vocal deliveries. The track is a tortured little number with brilliant lyrics – they’ll stick after the first listen, I promise – and the laid back feel introduced in the opening bars is carried well throughout. One of the calmer tracks that we’ve heard from the band in recent months, Home Is Such A Lonely Place is a lovely little release that shows the softer side to the boys and it’s definitely worth a listen. You can find the official – albeit slightly basic – lyric video online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 July 2016 |
Single Review: Lil Wayne (And Friends) - Sucker for Pain
First we had twenty-one pilots’ Heathens, now we have Sucker For Pain, stripped from the upcoming Suicide Squad movie release. Titled up as a Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, and Imagine Dragons single – which is quite the mash up in itself – the track also features Logic, Ty Dolla $ign, and X Ambassadors making for what can only be described as a furiously good mash up of sounds.
The raps are steadfast and well-polished while the vocals on the chorus are distinct and well-matched, meaning every artist on the single has their own time on the track too, and this just layers the whole thing perfectly. The instrumentals are secondary on a track like this – when the vocals are so pronounced that they could almost go it alone and still pack a punch – but the understated music sitting in the background does well to establish a distinct beat that is carried throughout and does perk up neatly for the chorus. Overall this is just an absurdly slick single, and another wonderfully rough addition to the Suicide Squad soundtrack. You can find the track for yourselves online now by clicking here. |
Single Review: X Ambassadors - Low Life
A mere three days away and in that time, X Ambassadors go and drop a new single – complete with an official video. The new track, Low Life, sees the band team up with Jamie Commons, not for the first time, and A$AP Ferg, making for one of their most gritty tracks to date and my word, that grit is glorious.
There’s something undeniably dirty about the instrumentals on this track, in the best way possible, with riffs and a heavy beat that set the tone perfectly for the blend of vocals on here. X Ambassadors’ vocal deliveries on the average track are pretty sweet but the three-part set of vocals dropped on here just tops everything. Commons’ brings in his usual bluesy feel range while Ferg’s rap interlude makes for a change of pace on the track which is certainly easy on the ears. Overall, this is a three-way collaboration that makes for quality listening and, she says somewhat optimistically, there’s definitely call for another team up like this in the future. You can check out the track, and the official video, online now by clicking here. |
Single Review: Sum 41 - Fake my own Death
This may or may not be news to you but it was certainly news to me: Sum 41 are still a thing. I know, I was a little surprised too! Nevertheless their latest track, Fake My Own Death, made an appearance on my recommended listening early this morning and I thought, for nostalgia if nothing else, it would be worth checking out.
The track is... interesting. With heavy instrumentals and, dare I say it, somewhat messy vocals on the opening stretch of the track, it seemed for a second like Sum 41 were trying to involve their sound into something more pop-metal (if such a thing exists?). Having said that, this tangle of sounds that makes up the verse gives way to something much better on the chorus; the instrumentals pull back, the vocals are more polished, and the sound is a much more comfortable area for the band to sit in. Regrettably, though, these brief interludes of chorus don’t quite compensate for the rest of the track which, for me, just feels a little lost in terms of sound. The guys are obviously going for something new on this, but it feels like they’ve made the track without a clear target in terms of genre, and the single suffers for it. You can, however, check the track out for yourselves by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 1 July 2016 |
Single review: The Veronicas - In My Blood
The Veronicas have often been pitched as something like a pop punk duo and, while there are times when that description is bang on the money, there are also times when they’re flirting shamelessly with other genres of music – such as now. Their recently released new single, In My Blood, sees a neat mash up of determined lyrics and steadfast vocals, but there’s a bit of a club mix thrown in for good measure.
The lyrics on this track are a real high point for me because they’re wonderfully menacing from the off, in a way that makes this a better-than-your-average fluffy love song – as far as I’m concerned. In this opening verse we’re treated to a steady vocal that is ramped up just ahead of the chorus, as is the instrumental – and this is where the club feel comes in. It kicks in at around the one minute mark on the track but in a typically teasing fashion, and we circle back around to it following the second run of the chorus. Overall it makes for a single that will find a home in many different markets over the coming months, and it makes for some decent listening too. An official music video has also dropped for the single so you can find both online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 1 July 2016 |
Single Review: fall Out Boy - Ghostbusters
Die hard Fall Out Boy fan, I am of the annoying they-can-do-no-wrong clan – on the average day, although Ghostbusters (I’m Not Afraid) featuring Missy Elliot has left me a little flummoxed. Dropped on YouTube, the track is clearly lifted from the upcoming Ghostbusters reboot and so, appropriately, this is essentially a reboot of the original theme song for the film. But I’m not sure how I feel about it.
While the instrumentals have some major production value rubbed on them throughout this, and the vocal delivery from Stump is as distinct and steadfast as ever, there’s still an undeniable sense of this being someone else’s song and as such, it just doesn’t fit the band. The gritty guitar riffs here give great edge to the track and Elliot’s rap interlude makes for an enjoyable change of pace, but for me, the track is just too iconic to have been tampered with this much. There’s no official music video for the single just yet, but you can check out the official audio release now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 26 June 2016 |
Single Review: Blink-182 - No Future
There has been some controversy around blink-182’s new/old sound and how well new vocalist, Matt Skiba, fits with the tone of the band. While Bored to Death was a quality track, the follow-up, Rabbit Hole, left me feeling lukewarm and so it really was all to play for with whatever they released next. The latest single to arrive on YouTube – complete with an official lyric video that you can find by clicking here – is No Future, and just like that, all my doubts about the band have gone.
The track is a fist shaking anthem that sees steadfast vocals from both Hoppus and Skiba who collaborate sounds on the chorus to great effect, adding an extra punch to the already catchy lyrical hooks that make up that middle stretch of track. The instrumentals are well put together and nicely polished with an absurdly good guitar-led instrumental hook sitting midway through the track; I’d say to keep an ear out for it, but it really is impossible to miss. And if that wasn’t enough, the latter chunks of the track give way to a chant-like vocal that just begs to be bounced by listeners. A cracking little release, No Future is an absurdly catchy, well-crafted track, and it’s definitely worth a listen. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 26 June 2016 |
Blink-182 Reveal
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Single Review: Troye Sivan - Wild Feat. Alessia Cara
Troye Sivan and Alessia Cara are two of my favourite young artists hitting the music scene at the moment, so a collaboration between the two of them could only ever result in something brilliant. And that’s exactly what Wild is. Released on YouTube just a matter of hours ago, the track doesn’t have an official video just yet but the official audio is something special.
The instrumentals have a distinct enough beat to make them catchy, but not so catchy that they’re intrusive on the vocals because really, that’s where the strength of this single sits. Sivan and Cara split their stretches on the track equally making for a great balance of sounds and it only further compounds the lyrics of the track to hear them singing back and forth as they are. It’s a click-along/sway-along single and it’s coming at just the right time of year because this absolutely deserves to be on your summertime playlist. A sweet and perfectly polished track, Wild is a brilliant effort from the two singers and I truly, truly hope that it’s the first of a few collaborations from the pair. You can find the single online for yourselves now by clicking here. |
Single Review: Fifth Harmony - All In My Head (Flex)
Fifth Harmony – Simon Cowell’s Stateside starlets – have dropped some cracking singles so far this year. Their fan base has spread like wildfire and with tracks like Work from Home in their recent history, it’s easy to see why. The girls specialise in catchy tracks that throw dance and pop music together, but, to my surprise, their recently released All In My Head (Flex) is actually leaving something to be desired.
Featuring Fetty Wap (doesn’t everything, these days?) the single is, admittedly, a lively number with a solid vocal delivery brought in by all involved. The problem is it doesn’t really go anywhere. It lacks the stick-with-you lyrics that their other tracks have had and while the instrumentals themselves are colourful here, bringing in a clear dance element, to me it constantly feels like they’re about to be ramped up but they never quite make it. For want of a better term, All In My Head feels like the early draft of something, and I can’t see it sitting well alongside the band’s recent hits. As you’d expect from the Fifth Harmony girls now, the track comes complete with a suitably provocative music video as well and you can check out both for yourselves by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 June 2016 |
Single Review: Birdy - Words
Birdy has intermittently taken the music world by storm with one successful and often poignant single after another. The latest to join this impressive and heartfelt collection of tracks from the young singer is Words, which was dropped on YouTube, complete with an official music video, earlier this week and it is in no uncertain terms, like a musical suckerpunch.
The track is made up of piano-led instrumentals that set the tone for something heartfelt from the opening bars, and one verse in Birdy absolutely delivers. The song is made up of well-crafted lyrics that weave a story of someone hurt by their partner and with touching lines thrown in there – ‘And you say they’ve said, That I’m the only one that needed to change’ – there is bound to be something here that will grab all listeners one way or another. A total slow jam, the track sets a steady pace in the opening and sticks to it, allowing the variation in sound to come completely from Birdy’s vocal, which is stunning, by the way, with a beautiful range that only adds further to the track’s punch. Nothing shy of beautiful, Words is definitely a track worth taking a listen to and you can find it by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 June 2016 |
Single Review: Timeflies - Once in a While Acoustic
Timeflies grabbed our attention a little earlier this month when they released their happy go lucky Once In A While on YouTube, complete with a snappy little video. Now, nearly three weeks after the release of that, the duo have dropped an acoustic cover of the same track and to me it feels like a complete game-changer.
It is Timesflies, on a beach, with a guitar – it doesn’t get more acoustic than that, I don’t think. The instrumentals are peeled back entirely, changing the techy-upbeat sound of the original into something a little more sincere sounding while the vocals here are pretty damn beautiful. Well-controlled and paced throughout, throwing a great light and shade on the lyrics that you won’t find in the original release, Once In A While on acoustic makes for a touching single rather than a lively one, and that change of pace is just wonderful. With an official release pencilled in for Friday (June 24), you can catch the single – and the video – ahead of release now by clicking here. |
Single Review: Twenty One Pilots - Heathens
Twenty one pilots – in one form or another – have been kicking around on the music scene since 2009 when the band was originally formed by Tyler Joseph (who is one of the current members, alongside Josh Dun). The band has been through one or two transformations but their fan base has remained sturdy so, with that fan base in mind, it’s hardly surprising that they’ve bagged themselves a spot on the Suicide Squad soundtrack.
In the recently revealed Heathens – complete with an official music video that you can access by clicking here – the band set a brilliantly menacing tone that fits perfectly alongside the snippets of the movie that make up stretches of the video. The vocals here are polished and on point throughout while the instrumental is perfectly produced, offering up a dark and gritty tone that fits with the misfit characters you’ll spot in the video release. A promising single, if Heathens is anything to go by then this is set to be a quality soundtrack as a whole. Make you sure you have a listen to the single online now! |
Fleur East Releases Sax in the City Music Video
So, Fleur East has dropped a new single... But, not really. Following on from the smash hit Sax that East released from her debut album, I for one have been desperate for another taster of what’s on that album and, after weeks upon weeks of waiting, we finally have something new – a new video, that is, with Sax (in the City) as the accompanying track to it.
Put it down to the early morning but when I saw Sax in the City I thought I was in for a new single. What the release actually is – and this may explain the underwhelming amount of hits it’s garnered on YouTube so far – is Sax, with a new music video, that sees East and her dancers hit the big city. The single itself is as solid now as when it was first released, but if you were expecting something new from the singer, then I’m afraid this release isn’t it. You can, however, check out Sax’s new video on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 June 2016 |
Single Review: The Girl & The Dreamcatcher - Make You Stay
The Girl and the Dreamcatcher – ranking high on my list of favourite band names now – have only been active on the music scene since last year. A duo made up of Dove Cameron and Ryan McCartan, the pair have collected a solid fan base so far and with tracks like their recently released Make You Stay, it’s easy to see why.
The track might not win any awards for the most impressive vocal, I’ll admit, but the release as a whole is frustratingly catchy and undeniably endearing, making for a single that I desperately want to throw on repeat and sing a long to – and maybe even dance a bit as well. Both Cameron and McCartan take their turn on vocals here making for a great balance of female to male sound, which fits neatly with the lyrics on track – serious warning, you will not shake the chorus after the first listen. A cute little release with an equally cute music video – which you can check out by clicking here – these two really could be ones to watch over the coming months. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 June 2016 |
Single Review: Hozier - Better Love
Hozier’s raw talent stopped being surprising about four singles ago and it came to be something I expected to hear from the singer-songwriter. However, with his recently dropped single, Better Love, that features on the upcoming Legend of Tarzan movie release, Hozier has excelled himself.
The single is introduced with a stunning slow build that sees Hozier’s vocals sit over piano-led instrumentals before a heavier beat picks up midway through the opening verse. From here the force of the single steadily builds throughout the chorus and this continues beautifully throughout the track. The lyrics – heartfelt as always – are delivered with great conviction making for a touching authenticity here. As Hozier bellows, ‘Some better love, but there’s no better love / Beckons above me and there’s no better love / That ever has loved me’ it lands like a musical suckerpunch and with this much emotion on the track, I can’t wait to see how it fits into the film. You can find both the single release and the official video for the track online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 June 2016 |
Single Review: Passenger - Somebody's Love
It may just be me, but it feels like it’s been a little while since we heard anything from Passenger. After a stream of successful tracks, the singer-songwriter seemed to take a small step back from the mainstream. Although, it might be that he was gearing up for his latest offering – Somebody’s Love – which has finally dropped on YouTube, complete with an official video that you can check out here.
Now, the difficulty with Passenger’s music, for me, is that many of his singles sound much the same, and Somebody’s Love neatly slots into that. If you can put a pin in that for a second, though, this single is actually another beautiful release. The instrumentals are understated throughout allowing much of the focus to rest on Passenger’s downplayed vocal delivery which is as beautifully fractured as it always has been, making for an appropriately intimate sound on the well-crafted lyrics. Admittedly, if you’re looking for something new, then this single isn’t for you; if, however, you’re a firm fan of Passenger and his steadfast sound, this will be another top single to add to your back catalogue of music. Don’t forget you can find the single – and the official video – online for yourselves now, too. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 June 2016 |
Single Review: Good Charlotte - Life Can't Get...
And just like that, I am a heavily made up pre-teen bopping around my bedroom to a bunch of boys who just totally get how I'm feeling... Good Charlotte have been creeping back into music for a little while now, their 40 oz. Dream being an early - and slightly disappointing - offering in this vein. However they're now back with a new single, Life Can't Get Much Better, and if you liked the band the first time round, then I'm afraid you're about to get a serious case of nostalgia.
There's an acoustic feel on the opening stretch of the track that sits neatly alongside the instantly recognisable vocal from Madden who, I'm pleased to say, doesn't seem to have changed in sound since the band's last album. The understated instrumentals are well maintained throughout the track allowing focus to sit partly on the vocals but also partly on the lyrics themselves. The lines on this are particularly polished and they add a sing a long feel to the track that will work in the band's favour when this single begins to pick up steam. A surprisingly promising offering from the group, Life Can't Get Much Better is a welcome wander down musical memory lane, and you can check it out for yourselves on YouTube now. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 16 June 2016 |
Single Review: Chvrches - Bury It Feat. Hayley Williams
In theory, this collaborative team-up should be one of the best singles to drop this year. Hayley Williams, of Paramore fame, is well known for her steadfast vocal and Chvrches have made a name for themselves in recent years for churning out distinct and vocally stunning singles. The track, though, titled Bury It, leaves something - well, a lot, actually - to be desired.
The instrumentals sound like an 80's throwback and, while that would often be a good thing, I know, here it just makes them sound unpolished and occasionally clunky. On an old video game they perhaps wouldn't be out of place, but here they set an off-beat tone for the track and I'm afraid the vocal delivery from both singers doesn't do much to improve it. There's just no substance here. The vocal is a little underwhelming, given what both artists are capable of, and the lyrics never go anywhere beyond repeating themselves which just leaves the whole thing falling a little flat... A missed opportunity, this single could have been so much more but even die-hard fans of both artists are finding fault with this release. You can, however, check out the audio for yourselves by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 16 June 2016 |
Single Review: Nick Jonas - Under You
Nick Jonas has been a force to be reckoned with so far this year. The young star has been dropping singles on YouTube like nobody's business and over the past couple of days he's revealed not one but two new tracks, one of which is his latest slow jam track, Under You.
The difficulty with this song, for me, is that the lyrics feel a little shoddy. As a slow track it's a good listen, though, so that pulls it back slightly. Jonas' vocals are well-controlled and steadfast throughout and the instrumentals make for a solid accompanying beat. The lyrics, though - 'I'll never get over not getting under you' - just leave me wide-eyed and a little embarrassed, if I'm honest... A mixed bag, particularly by comparison to his tracks from earlier in the year, it feels to me like Under You is one of the weaker singles we'll hear from Jonas this summer. Having said that, if you fancy a listen for yourselves, you can find the track and the official video online by clicking here. |
Single Review: usher -
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Single Review: Of Monsters and Men - Winter Sound
Of Monsters and Men, particularly following their recent singles, are arguably better known for their slow and somewhat crooning sound. However, the band have recently dropped a new single titled Winter Sound - complete with an official music video - and it's certainly a lot more lively than their other recent releases.
The track opens with a strong guitar-led instrumental that is well-maintained throughout the single. The vocals - male and female, as they usually are from the group - are alternated well over these instrumentals and while they maintain their usual fragility, there are also moments of force and range here that make for beautiful listening. The lyrics themselves bounce back this force, particularly on the chorus that sees: 'You and I will not be shaken, by the winter sound,' giving the trick both a sing- and dance-quality that I hadn't expected. A stunning little single, Winter Sound is another strong addition to the band's growing catalogue of music and it's definitely worth a listen. You can check out both the track and the music video online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 14 June 2016 |
Single Review: Nick Jonas - Bacon Feat. Ty Dolla $ign
Nick Jonas is having a bit of a week for revealing singles. Off the back of recent successes the star has dropped two new tracks, this here Bacon, and a slower number titled Under You (see above left for our thoughts on that). Now, while Bacon is a lively little number that people are undoubtedly going to love, it does seem to be following a trend of slightly absurd lyrics, with Jonas telling listeners to throw some bacon on things...
There's more to it than that, you'll be relieved to know. At its heart, Bacon is an anthem for the weekend that starts with a slow instrumental and ramps up ahead of a colourful chorus. Again Jonas' vocals are well-controlled throughout the track, and they take on a great tone for the chorus that sees Jonas sing: 'The one thing I love more than being with you, And that's late nights, doing what I wanna do... Feelin' like, aw sh!t, throw some bacon on it.' I can't make sense of this lyric myself, but the track is undeniably catchy all the same and it comes complete with an official video as well. So, if you need something to liven up your mid-week, you can check it out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 14 June 2016 |
Single Review: Selena Gomez - kill em with kindness
Selena Gomez, the 23-year-old singing sensation from the States has churned out some cracking singles over the last few months, and now she's dropping another one. Revealed on YouTube earlier this week, Kill Em With Kindness is the defiant new single from the starlet that comes complete with an official music video, that you can check out now by clicking here.
The whistle-led instrumental sets a light-hearted tone for the opening of the track that sees Gomez quickly take over with well-controlled vocals. As the instrumentals switch up, though, offering a beat that feels more club-infused, the original instrumentals reappear for a musical hook that sits neatly around Gomez's refrain of 'Next time you're fighting, kill em with kindness'. The track is... nice. It's a good listen, it's well produced, and Gomez's vocals are sound throughout, but the tendency to loop back to the opening instrumentals from the single left me feeling hungry for something a little more lively - which the track does occasionally promise to deliver, it just never seems to come good on it. A little underwhelming by comparison to other singles dropped recently, Kill Em With Kindness will probably do well given Gomez's fan base, but it certainly isn't her strongest release from this year. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 June 2016 |
Single Review: Alan Walker - Sing Me To Sleep
Alan Walker, the name behind the recently released hit single Faded, which has been heavily backed by the likes of Connor Maynard, has just dropped another track online. This one titled Sing Me To Sleep, the single is a heavily produced but well polished addition to Walker's catalogue of tracks, and it's definitely worth a listen.
With a similar vocal tone to Faded, Sing Me To Sleep boasts an unbelievably sweet tone from the opening vocal on the track and the instrumentals are carefully padded in around that, allowing the focus to sit on the vocal for the opening beats before everything is heightened ahead of the chorus arriving. The track is a slow burner with a good build that doesn't drop quite when you expect it to, meaning it neatly catches you off guard around the one minute and twenty second mark. It's lively and colourful, but the variation in pace on this allows for unexpected light and shade on the single too, which works in favour of the well-crafted lyrics. Another solid single release from Walker, Sing Me To Sleep is an endearing little number that will do well over the coming months. You can check out the track, and the official music video, by clicking here now. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 June 2019 |
Single Review: Lost Frequencies - Beautiful Life
Unless I'm mistaken, Lost Frequencies was responsible for one of the best summer smash hits that the charts had to boast of a couple of years back when he dropped Are You With Me? The song instantly became a hit straight across the country and now the Belgian-born DJ, Felix De Laet, is back for another stab at that same level of stardom with new track Beautiful Life, featuring Sandro Cavazza.
The track was dropped on YouTube a matter of hours ago - so there's no official music video for this one just yet - and it's already pulling in some big love from fans. A laid back listen initially, the track is introduced with whistle-led instrumentals before a click beat is established to sit neatly behind the beautifully strained vocals that enter from Cavazza. The individual components of this track hang together perfectly to make for a seriously relaxed sound - arguably, quite reminiscent of Are You With Me? - and that's maintained well throughout the whole single. Admittedly, I was waiting for something more lively to drop towards the end, but the track doesn't suffer at all in the absence of this; it's still a solid little release and Lost Frequencies is sure to do well from this one.
The audio for the release is available on YouTube now and - especially if you need a mid-week pick me up - it's well worth checking out.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 7 June 2016
The track was dropped on YouTube a matter of hours ago - so there's no official music video for this one just yet - and it's already pulling in some big love from fans. A laid back listen initially, the track is introduced with whistle-led instrumentals before a click beat is established to sit neatly behind the beautifully strained vocals that enter from Cavazza. The individual components of this track hang together perfectly to make for a seriously relaxed sound - arguably, quite reminiscent of Are You With Me? - and that's maintained well throughout the whole single. Admittedly, I was waiting for something more lively to drop towards the end, but the track doesn't suffer at all in the absence of this; it's still a solid little release and Lost Frequencies is sure to do well from this one.
The audio for the release is available on YouTube now and - especially if you need a mid-week pick me up - it's well worth checking out.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 7 June 2016
Single Review: Timeflies - Once in a While
If you're looking for a happy go lucky number to brighten up your weekend then buckle up, because Timeflies have dropped just the thing. Hailing from the States, the duo, formed back in 2010, is made up of producer Rob Resnick and singer Cal Shapiro. They're a YouTube hit due to their covers and their originals, and with the recently revealed Once In A While dropping this week, it's easy to see why.
The track is introduced with crisp instrumentals that give a nod to contemporary chart sounds that will sound familiar to many listeners. Establishing a distinct but understated beat for the track, the vocals that cut in shortly after this make for easy listening as well. Well controlled throughout, the pace varies on the vocal delivery here making for a neat display of singing and near-rap that only heightens the beat on the track. Plus, the lyrics here are massively catchy too. A quality single from the pair, Once In A While is a seriously happy little number with an equally chirpy video, and you can check out both online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 June 2016 |
Single review: Gwen Stefani - Misery
Gwen Stefani, best known through her time with successful band, No Doubt, has had a patchy solo career to say the least. The starlet tends to swoop in with an album now and then, make a decent success of it, and then disappear entirely for a while. With one or two new singles making a ripple on the music scene, it was about time we had something absurdly good from Stefani - there's always one single that steals the show - and for me, the recently revealed Misery is it.
Dropped on YouTube earlier this week complete with an official video, the track is an ear-catching listen that's got us reaching for the replay button. The instrumentals on the opening stretch of verse have a repeated clap that makes for a distinct beat and it all sits very neatly behind Stefani's vocal delivery, although both are ramped up considerably ahead of the catchy chorus - 'So put me outta my misery, hurry up, come see me' - that lends itself well to some serious sing a long action. A quality release from the singer, Misery is set to be a smash when it's officially dropped and, until then, you can find the track here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 June 2016 |
Single Review: Louisa Johnson - Tears Feat. Clean Bandit
When Louisa Johnson bagged The X Factor winner’s spot last year, she promised us a different type of popstar. Now, whether that will come to fruition still remains to be seen but for the young starlet’s first single since the show finished, she’s teamed up with none other than Clean Bandit on a new track titled Tears, and it certainly makes for some promising listening.
Tears starts off understated with Johnson’s vocal taking the lead on the track for the opening forty seconds or so, where we also see the instrumentals downplayed for a stretch. That is until Johnson’s vocal picks up steam and takes the rest of the track along for the ride as Clean Bandit cuts in with their beat heavy instrumental that sees some of their trademark sounds introduced as well, making for a lively listen. The two acts sit well alongside each other and it really does make for a solid club track that will do well over the coming months, and, after years of X Factor winners falling flat at early hurdles, such a big collaboration for Johnson’s first track is surely a good sign of things to come too. There’s no official video for the single just yet but you can check out the audio online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 1 June 2016 |
Single Review: Jon Bellion - 80's Films
I have binged on Jon Bellion over the past few weeks. With new singles arriving on YouTube and a hefty back catalogue to work through, there have been more tracks than I can even mention hitting my 'Most Played' list on iTunes and now there's another one to add to that in the form of Bellion's recently released, 80's Films.
The track makes for glorious listening! Beat infused from the off on the instrumentals, Bellion's vocals work alongside this to deliver a stellar range on the opening before things are brought back to ground level a little for the verse itself. The track is lively and lighthearted with an absurdly catchy chorus - 'Just like the 80's films, we'll hook up in my backseat and let my best friend drive' - which lends itself particularly well to a sing a long (a tried and tested theory, I promise you). The track is a welcome addition to any summer playlists that you're currently putting together. Colourful and cute, Bellion has delivered a brilliant mash-up of sounds on this and it's a great display of what this singer is capable of bringing to his genre. There's no official video just check but the audio is available here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 1 June 2016 |
Marc E. Bassy & G-Eazy
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Single Review: Sigma - Cry Feat. Take That
Sigma have done some stellar collaborations with mainstream artists over the past twelve months or so. They've bagged respectively high chart positions with these singles and pulled in a major fan base as well. So perhaps it's no real surprise that they've now teamed up with kings of the comeback track, Take That, for their recently revealed new single, Cry, which comes complete with an official video already.
The track as a whole is a bit of a mixed bag for me. The instrumentals are on point throughout, serving up a club-infused, beat heavy sound that will fit neatly into your clubmix playlist that you'll be putting together for the summer months. The part that feels a little shaky for me is - though it pains me to admit it - the majority of the vocal. The vocal appears to be led by Gary Barlow and while the stretches of verse here are fairly decent, the chorus feels a little too high for the singer to comfortably reach and, as such, it doesn't always sound as good as it could - particularly for a track with this much heavy production input on it. A take it or leave it single, Sigma may well end their streak with this one - unless the mash up of fan bases across the two musical acts can pull it around when the single is officially released. You can check out the track, and the video, for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 30 May 2016 |
Single Review: Bea Miller - Yes Girl
Bea Miller will be a familiar name to anyone who has managed to keep up with The X Factor USA. The young singer ranked ninth in season two of the hit show however, following that, she was quickly picked up by none other than Syco – shocker – and has since been making waves in mainstream music. While rumour has it that she’s currently working towards her second studio album, Miller is giving fans something to hold on to with her recently release single, Yes Girl, which is a musical force to be reckoned with.
The instrumentals throughout are actually consistently understated meaning the majority of the focus sits on Miller’s vocal delivery here – which is, thankfully, stunning. She exhibits great control and an impressive range, offering something shy and hushed on the verses ahead of ramping up her delivery for the chorus which packs a forceful punch. The lyrics themselves are well-crafted and the track is neatly produced making for a polished final product that goes a long way towards portraying Miller as a – dare I say it – slightly more credible artist than some of her more pop-inspired releases have done. There’s no official video for the single just yet but you can check out the audio by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 27 May 2016 |
Single review: Major Lazer & MOTi - Boom
A new track has dropped from Major Lazer and MOTi this week, but they're far from being the only two names putting sounds down on the single. This new track, titled Boom, actually features Ty Dollar $ign, Wizkid, and Kranium as well, and the track is all the better for it.
Rich in sounds from the second the bars on this open, the single is a lively and colourful medley of different music styles that have come together to make a smashing summertime hit. The production on the instrumentals here is flawless throughout allowing for a great variation in both sound and beat giving the track a layered effect that works well from one stretch to the next. Alongside this there is also the note-worthy changes in vocal tone thanks to the many artists who are featured here. The rap on the verses is tight while the chorus is catchy in a way that will allow listeners to sing back, before they're distracted by dancing to the instrumental hook that follows. An absolutely smashing release, Boom is the first of our favourite summer hits to drop for this year and, although there's no official music video for the track, it's worth checking out the audio here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 27 May 2016 |
Single Review: Anne-Marie - Alarm
Anne-Marie’s previous track, Do It Right, gathered up some serious attention when it was released earlier this year. Marie seemed to have instantly made a name for herself with the track, only to promptly go quiet immediately after. Although it looks like her quiet spell may have been time well spent given that she’s just dropped a new track, Alarm, complete with an official music video, and it’s a great little number.
From the off the track introduces a dance-inspired instrumental with a distinct beat that belongs in clubs up and down the country – and that’s exactly where it will be when it's officially released, I’m sure. Anne-Marie’s vocals on this are steadfast from the second they drop, sporting an impressive range and great control that allows her to throw light and shade on the well-crafted lyrics that lend themselves easily to a little sing a long. The track is a neat mash up of sounds that allows it to sit somewhere between pop and dance, so if you’re looking for something to add to your weekend playlist, then this is definitely it. The official video release for the track is also a quality little production as well, and it packs a much greater punch than Marie’s previous release did – that’s a compliment, I promise. You can check out both the track and the accompanying video on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 May 2016 |
Alessia Cara Teams up With
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Single Review: Black Coffee - Come With Me Feat. Mque
If, like me, you’re planning for a lazy rainy Saturday, then Black Coffee is the missing musical essential to complete this feel – more specifically, the recently dropped track Come With Me, featuring Mque, is what you’re missing. Hailing from South Africa, Black Coffee has bagged awards for his work as a producer and a DJ and on this single, it’s easy to see why.
Come With Me is certainly easy on the ears with an understated beat on the instrumental that builds into something more pronounced as the track moves forwards. The vocals here are deliciously rough with a husk that adds to the overall feel of the song and it fits perfectly alongside the guitar-led stretches that intermittently appear on the backing. It’s packed with well-crafted lyrics and a refrain that has you singing back after the first bout of it, making for a surprisingly catchy single with a beat that will get you moving too. An official music video for the track has also been released online this week so you can check out both video and audio on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 May 2016 |
Single Review: Flo Rida - Who DiD You Love
The summer months must be on the horizon because in the past couple of weeks we’ve had not one but two new singles from Flo Rida – and that surely must mean that summer is on the way. This time Rida has teamed up with Arianna to collaborate on new single, Who Did You Love, and it makes for surprisingly catchy listening.
The instrumentals on this are well produced but understated allowing the focus to rest primarily on the two sets of vocals here. In a similar strand to his previous single, At Night, Rida actually sounds a little more mature on this. His rap is polished and well-crafted incorporating a decent beat on the verses and they’re pulled back for lengthy stretches at a time allowing Arianna to feature much more on this single that I’d originally expected her to. And on the topic of Arianna, her vocal here makes for a brilliant balance against the rap stretches and the starlet is certainly bringing a chorus that fans will be bouncing back to her. A quality single that shows much promise for a change of pace from Flo Rida, Who Did You Love is a well-crafted track and it’s definitely worth a listen. You can find it online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 May 2016 |
Single Review: Nick Jonas - Chainsaw
I can’t tell you when exactly this happened, but Nick Jonas is firmly up there as one of Mad Hatter Reviews’ favourite male music artists for this year. With a string of quality singles following him everywhere he goes, Jonas has now added to that with his latest release, Chainshaw, that has been dropped on YouTube complete with an official music video.
The track is a tortured number with absurdly good lyrics, delivered brilliantly by Jonas who throws appropriate light and shade on the track allowing it to be both gentle and forceful as the song develops. The lyrics lend themselves to a sing a long as Jones belts out, ‘I’ll take a chainsaw to the sofa where I held your body close for so long’ on the chorus, which introduces the track too, and it is the perfect hook to sit between these understated verses. A quality single that is polished and well-produced, Chainsaw is another solid offering from Jonas that will go a long way towards pulling in further fans – and further compounding the love that his current ones already feel for him. You can check out the track, and the official music video, online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 May 2016 |
Single Review: Macklemore & Ryan LEwis - Dance Off
Brace yourselves because Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have just dropped a new single – featuring Idris Elba, if you can believe it – and it may well be their catchiest single to date to drop from their most recent album. The track, titled Dance Off, will lend itself easily to nightclubs up and down the country so it’s worth taking a listen to familiar yourself, because you’ll be hearing this a lot over the coming months.
The track kicks in with a voiceover from Elba that sits somewhere between amusing and menacing, with a touch of Michael Jackson’s Thriller about it. Here listeners are challenged to a dance off and this request appears as a refrain throughout the track acting as a solid section marker. Macklemore’s rap is quick to drop after this and it is as distinct and steadfast as ever on this single. The lyrics are polished and their delivery is flawless making for an infectious beat in the vocal delivery as well as the instrumentals themselves. A song that really will give itself over to drunken dance offs this summer, this is a solid release from the pair – or this case, trio – that will go down well with fans. Oh, and if the single itself wasn’t enough excitement, there’s an official music video that is pretty damn wonderful as well, and you can check out both by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 May 2016 |
Single Review: Grace - Hell of a Girl
The world went suitably wild for Grace’s collaboration with G-Eazy on her track You Don’t Own Me that was dropped last year. The single smashed charts everywhere and threw a glowing reputation on both artists from the second it was released. Well now – after a longer wait than I expected, if I’m honest – Grace is back with another single, this time a completely solo effort, and brace yourselves because I’d say she’s about to smash charts again.
The track, titled Hell Of A Girl, is an anthem for the heartbroken – and doesn’t pop music just love those? The instrumentals in the opening stretch of the track are appropriately understated allowing for a distinct beat but the real focus, rightly so, is all on Grace here. She chimes in with her distinctly bluesy vocals throwing light and shade on the well-crafted lyrics, serving up a slow verse and an empowered chorus that makes for a defiant-sounding track that listeners will – I’m sure of it – go wild for. The track is confident, polished, and a little too easy to sing a long to, which is surely everything you need for a hit summer single. Hell Of A Girl also has an official music video release so you can check out that, and the track, on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 16 May 2016 |
Single Review: OneRepublic - Wherever I Go
OneRepublic, of Counting Stars and Love Runs Out fame – don’t even try to tell me you don’t remember those songs – are gearing up for some new music releases, and they’ve started with Wherever I Go, which was dropped on YouTube last week. It’s an audio-only release as it stands, although that seems likely to change soon, and the track is actually coming in at just shy of three minutes. And that’s my only criticism for this single – it’s too damn short.
There’s no instrumental build up on this track with the vocals dropping immediately, introducing the distinct and steadfast sound we’re accustomed to hearing from Ryan Tedder. In fact, Tedder’s vocals carry the track for the first forty seconds or so with minimal instrumental input at all and, brave and bold as that decision may be, he completely handles it, setting a husky tone for the track that the instrumentals later pick up on adding a great additional layer to Tedder’s sound. There’s a solid beat that allows for a more lively sound on the second half the track and, between that and the understated opening, the single really does tick all the boxes for me. I just need there to be more of it. You can check out the audio release of Wherever I Go for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 16 May 2016 |
P!nk Reveals Official Music Video for Just Like Fire
We've had P!nk's Just Like Fire on repeat for a little while now, so you can only imagine our excitement at learning that she's now dropped an official music video for the single as well and it is suitably wonderful (but really, what else would you expect?).
In this official release we see P!nk take to the stage as various Alice in Wonderland inspired characters - hardly surprising given that this track has been dropped for the Through the Looking Glass soundtrack - while the latter chunk of the video actually features some familiar faces from the upcoming Alice film. There's acrobatics, tea parties, blue butterflies and more, and you can have a peak for yourselves just below. Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 11 May 2016 |
Single Review: Flo Rida - At Night Feat. Liz Elias & Akon
The wait is officially over! Summer is well and truly on its way - horrendous British downpours aside - and if you needed any more convincing of that, then Flo Rida has just dropped his latest in a long line of potential summer smashes to get you in the mood for dancing in the sunshine. Rida's new track, At Night, sees the rapper team up with Liz Elias and Akon to deliver something - dare I say it - a little less catchy, and a little more polished, than usual.
The instrumentals - in a completely un-Flo Rida like fashion - are consistently understated allowing for something that provides a decent beat on the track without being at all intrusive to the song as a whole. The production on this is well controlled and makes for easy listening, and the vocals from all three artists inspire much the same critique. For me, Elias is the star vocalist here as she introduces the track and carries us through multiple runs of an enjoyably catchy chorus. However, the male artists she features alongside certainly pull their weight as well making for a decent balance on sounds from the three different styles merging. Given that Flo Rida is, in theory, the star of this track, I'd expect a little more input (or maybe, a better input?) from him. As a whole, though, the single really works despite the vocal focus not resting on the main name behind the release. There's no official video for this just yet but you can - and definitely should, particularly if you're trying to combat the midweek blues - check out the audio release of the track on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 11 May 2016 |
Single Review: Ariana Grande - Into You
Ariana Grande is dropping one smash hit after another at the moment and we're a little bit in love with her for it. After the recent success of smash single Dangerous Woman, Grande has dropped the audio for another single online - although there's no official video just yet - this time titled Into You, and it's definitely worth a listen.
The song is a slow burner that kicks in with beat heavy instrumentals and a low vocal delivery from Grande which sets a seductive feel ahead of things being turned up appropriately for the pre-chorus. It's another sultry number from the young singer as she belts out, 'A little bit dangerous, but baby that's how I want it / A little less conversation and a little more touch my body' on the catchy chorus, compounding the beat on the instrumentals further making this a track that truly feels impossible to not dance to. It's another solid release that will undoubtedly do well over the summer months, and you can check out Into You for yourselves by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 May 2016 |
Single Review: Fifth Harmony - Write On Me
The recently released Work From Home made for a smash hit single for Fifth Harmony. It was catchy - frustratingly so - and it ranked impressively in the charts on its official release - and that's great and all, but there's something infinitely better about the track that they've just dropped.
Their latest single, titled Write On Me, feels much more mature as each individual member of the group absolutely smashes a solo vocal delivery at one point or another on this track, allowing us to see what they're actually made of with minimal production overworking their voices. They come together on the chorus making for a forceful delivery that's deliciously organic before breaking away again for stretches of the verse and it not only makes for easy listening, but it's also vocally impressive to hear the range and control on this track as well. Even the official video for this has been scaled back into something more simple and you can check that out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 May 2016 |
Single Review: Beyonce - 6 Inch Feat. The Weeknd
After avoiding Beyonce's recently released album, Lemonade, I've finally found myself drawn in chiefly by her collaboration with The Weeknd on 6 Inch, which has already managed to claw its way into the UK music charts. One of many collaborations dropped on this latest album - seriously, B seems to have gone a little collab-crazy for this - the mash-up of sounds on this single is well worth checking out, even if, like me, you're fairly determined to dodge the rest of the album.
The single itself is a perfect blend of vocals from both Beyonce and The Weeknd with scattered snippets of B doing a somewhat menacing voiceover which just adds to the determined feel of the track as a whole. The instrumentals are understated but beat heavy and well produced providing the perfect backdrop for these distinct vocalists to work in front of. I would go as far to brand this as a fierce release, only compounded further by some seriously sharp lyrics: 'Six inch heels, she walked in the club like nobody's business / Goddamn, she murdered everybody and I was her witness' and so, if you've heard a lot about Beyonce making a statement with this album, this may well be one of the singles that people are referring to. Finding the track online seems to be a tricky business at present, though. At the time of writing this, the single - and a less-than-impressive-quality music video - was available on YouTube but it has since been removed. So it may be a task to track down the single, but it's definitely worth a listen if you can. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 April 2016 |
Single Review: Yuna - Crush Feat. Usher
Yuna has been dropping quality tracks on the music industry for some time now. Since her debut back in 2008, the singer-songwriter has teamed up with a whole host of well-known names from the music industry as well as kick-starting an impressive solo career. Now, she's back with another collaboration, this time starring alongside Usher on Crush, and from the first listen these two have catapulted me back into a world of slow jamz.
The track is so slick and so soft from the instrumentals alone, and just when these instrumentals have lulled you into a surprisingly brilliant place that sits somewhere between RnB and jazz influences, Yuna appears with vocals that just pull these early sounds together completely. Her vocal is understated and well-controlled throughout and while they're stunning on their own, the later harmonies that Yuna drops with Usher truly are a thing of beauty as both artists sing alongside each other for the second run of the chorus and honestly, after this, I could listen to a whole album of these two working together. Crush is well-produced, clearly polished, and it is undoubtedly a quality addition to Yuna's catalogue of tracks. The slick single comes with an equally slick video starring both singers in a neat black and white-shot production and you can check that out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 April 2016 |
Single Review: Imagine dragons - Not Today
Imagine Dragons are breaking some hearts with their new single, Not Today, which was released on YouTube recently following the reveal of the latest Me Before You trailer (which features Not Today heavily, and to great effect). The single is a heartwarming number with a much slower pace than some of the more recent releases we’ve seen from the band, and it’s definitely worth a listen.
The track opens with piano led instrumentals before the rough-around-the-edges vocals make an early appearance, and while these vocals are steadfast and distinct throughout adding a gritty feel to the track, there’s still something deliciously organic about this whole thing. The instrumentals themselves remain fairly understated allowing the focus to rest on the appropriately tortured vocal delivery – deliberate breaks and all – and on the lyrics, which have been polished into a thing of beauty in their own right. The chorus, while simple, delivers the refrain ‘It’s gonna get easier, and easier, somehow’ and, particularly given the movie that this has been penned for, there’s just something wonderfully hard-hitting about the sentiments. There’s no official video just yet – although given the influx of Me Before You trailers we should probably expect one soon – but you can check out the official audio by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 April 2016 |
Single Review: Shakka - You Don't Know What You Do...
Shakka is a surprisingly unsung name in mainstream music given the popularity that the singer-songwriter has seen in recent years. The 26-year-old hails from Notting Hill and has, since his arrival on the music scene back in 2011, collected some major attention and developed an impressive fan base, helped, of course, by his work outside of music that has seen him perform at the likes of Tate Britain. Seriously, if you haven’t heard of this guy, then you need to start raiding his back catalogue. A mighty fine place to start, though, will be with his recently dropped new single, You Don’t Know What You Do to Me, featuring Chip.
The track makes for an unbelievably slick listen with a quality mixture of sounds nipping between gritty but polished rap, through to well-controlled vocals that throw an excellent range down on this. The instrumentals fluctuate appropriately throughout allowing for an intermittent dance feel on the track, thanks to some quality production, and the distinct beat just compounds that feeling further while making a nod to other genres - given Chip's appearance on this, it's not a far stretch to assume there'd be some Grime influences hidden in here somewhere as well. A quality little number for the summer months, you can check out both the track and the official video online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 April 2016 |
Single Review: Foxes - Cruel
Foxes has dropped some out and out stunning acoustic tracks on YouTube over the past couple of months. However, it seems that we’ve hit something of a turning point ahead of her new track being officially released because her latest single, Cruel, is much more lively and is much more heavy on production than some of her more recent tracks.
The single leads in with beat-infused instrumentals that have a touch of club production quality sitting alongside them, allowing this track to sit fairly comfortably in a dance genre – or at the very least, a shoulder-rolling one. The best feature of the track – although it’s hardly surprising – is Foxes’ vocal delivery which is on-point throughout the whole release. Her range is explored here while both her strengths and weaknesses are well played to, allowing for an occasional break in the vocal that sits well alongside the lyrics. The chorus is undoubtedly the catchiest stretch of the track where we see the instrumentals heightened and the lyrics tightened massively to serve up, ‘Baby you’re so cruel, because you got me bound to you’ with such a heavy beat that it sticks after just one listen. A quality little single, Cruel is showing a different side to Foxes that we haven’t been privy to for a while and it’s bound to do well when it’s officially released. Until then, you can check out the track and the official video by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 May 2016 |
Single Review: Zedd & Kesha - True Colours
Kesha has been grabbing headlines for some time now given her ongoing battle with Sony. However, now she’s teamed up with Zedd on new track, True Colours, I’m quietly confidently she’ll be grabbing headlines for an entirely different reason with her deliciously defiant and determined attitude that she’s dropping on this. And, at the risk of fan-girling over the whole thing, it’s pretty bloody marvellous.
In terms of the instrumentals here, Zedd’s input actually seems minimal by comparison to other collaborations that have been dropped under his name. The sound is turned up for the chorus, yes, but the primary focus here is on Kesha and she absolutely makes the most of the spotlight. The vocals here feel particularly organic – especially when compared to Kesha’s older sounds – and her range is well explored throughout the single allowing for light and shade to be thrown on the well-crafted lyrics, as and when appropriate. There’s a wonderful grit on the chorus that just adds to the determined feel and the lyrics themselves are going along way towards compounding that even further. A beautiful, dare I say ball-busting single, True Colours is a statement track if ever there was one and it’s definitely worth a listen. There’s no official video just yet but you can find the audio by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 May 2016 |
Blink 182 Reveal Lyric
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Single Review: Psycho Comedy - One
Heralding from Liverpool, the quintet Psycho Comedy have announced the release of their debut single One.
The intro starts off with a gentle psychedelic build up, until the groovy bass-line really kicks in, and we take off from there. The lyrics aren't especially captivating, but the singer's unique voice helps distinguish the track from the myriad of other alternative-rock tracks available by providing a slightly punk, Jagger-esq flavour to the mix. The gentle second guitar piece is nicely layered with the bass and lead guitar, keeping the tack mellow until around the 3 minute mark, when we get a bit more of an anarchistic, grungy feeling. Throughout the breakdown, we get some fragmented guitar soloing which could have been more fleshed out. The solid bass line that sticks throughout the whole song is really what keeps it together for me though. Throughout the song, we get a soft drum beat which really doesn't detract from the rest of the track and does just enough to keep itself interesting, while kicking it up when required in the breakdown. After listening to the radio edit of the track, I feel like it works better as a shorter piece, and am left wondering why exactly there is a version of the track that is two minute longer, yet adds so little to it. One is available to listen to on Soundcloud, and will be available to stream on Spotify or buy on iTunes on the 3rd of June. Written by: Daniel Tryner Published: 29 April 2016 |
Single Review: Phoebe Ryan - Chronic
Phoebe Ryan is a songwriter turned singer who, after dropping an impressive mix of R Kelly’s iconic Ignition, has established a sound fan base for herself in recent months. With a decent back catalogue piling up on YouTube now, the singer is moving to add to this stream of successful numbers with a new addition, Chronic, that was dropped earlier this week.
While I don’t for a second think I’m ticking the target listener box here, I still find something undeniably catchy about Ryan’s latest release. While the vocal delivery feels heavily tinkered with at times, it actually makes for a good sound throughout allowing Ryan to be appropriately off-beat and in line with the instrumentals. Oh, speaking of those instrumentals, they’re beat heavy throughout the verse and colourful on the chorus – which roughly translates to, ‘This is going to make you dance at your desk a little’. While the track may sound a little typical – young woman releases heavily produced, defiant-sounding number – it actually makes for an enjoyable listen. It’s catchy, it’s light-hearted, and it will make for some effective mid-week feel-goods. Plus it comes complete with an official video release, which you can check out by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 27 April 2016 |
Single Review: Alesso - I Wanna Know
Alesso has an established – and completely deserved – reputation for throwing out catchy songs, that are usually absurdly good collaborations as well. After the smash success of Cool, which saw Alesso team up with Roy English, another collaborative effort has arrived from the artist, just in time for the sunshine, that sees a team effort alongside Nico & Vinz on new track, I Wanna Know.
For fans of Alesso it will come as no surprise to hear that this is another solid release. The instrumentals have a finger-clicking quality to them as they sit neatly behind the opening vocal delivery, which is definitely the primary focus for the first stretch of the track and rightly so, because it’s an easy-on-the ears sound. Things become more lively just ahead of the chorus, carrying you through a lively and defiant sounding hook that is slow enough in pace for you to pick up the lyrics ahead of their second appearance on the track – honestly, you’re singing back before the track has even run its course. As a whole single this is a neat and polished release that makes for easy listening. The vocals are layered appropriately and both sets are steadfast while the instrumentals are well-paced to deliver something that becomes more forceful and dance-like the further you move into the track. A cracking little release, you can find this number for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 27 April 2016 |
Single Review: Kygo - I'm in Love Feat. James McMorrow
Kygo is dropping some cracking collaborations at the moment and, after only recently releasing one that featured Labrinth, the producer has now unleashed another single, this time featuring James Vincent McMorrow. And I'm pretty sure the track is my new favourite thing.
Admittedly, the track got off to a shaky start for me with a heavily produced 'I'm in love' refrain that didn't initially sit right. However when the track really picks up, and this line becomes better embedded in the instrumentals, it makes for an ear-catching beat, which is only bettered when McMorrow's vocals come in for their appearance on the single. They're steadfast throughout and - to my surprise and delight - they sit absurdly well alongside the instrumentals on this, despite both elements belonging to massively different genres of music. Another solid release from Kygo, I'm In Love sees an unexpected mash up of sounds pitted against each other to make some easy but beautiful listening. There's no official video for this just yet, but you can check out the audio for the track here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 April 2016 |
Single Review: The 1975 - A Change of Heart
The 1975 peaked their heads back on to the music scene a few weeks back with their brilliant track The Sound, and now they’re back with another release, this time titled A Change of Heart, that arrived on YouTube late last week. The single, which comes complete with an official video as well, is another solid release for the band that once again sees them wield control of synth sounds like no one else can.
The track is actually a beautifully paced number with 80s-throwback instrumentals that carry you through the opening hook with ease before understated, and endearingly off-beat, vocals appear on the first verse. The whole track actually feels quite restrained by comparison to some other mainstream releases from the group; nevertheless, it’s still a quality listen and they’re using this laid back feel to the best of their abilities. In fact – dare I say it – there’s something quite grown up about this release, which is offering up something more sincere than some of their other tracks. But don’t be put off by that, because it really works. You can check out the single – and the truly brilliant music video that accompanies it – online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 April 2016 |
Single Review: Flume - Say It Feat. Tove Lo
Flume have thrown out some quality collaborations over the past few months and now another one has appeared, this time with Tove Lo who only recently dropped a track with Nick Jonas (Close, amazing single, just by the by) so it seems that this may be the year for amazing collab efforts in music. Either way, Flume's latest release, Say It, which was dropped on YouTube this week, is another solid release and it's definitely worth having a listen if you need something to set you up for the weekend.
The instrumentals that lead you in on this are beautifully understated; they sit comfortably in the background and work as a decent accompaniment that allows the initial focus to fall on the vocal delivery here, which is appropriately tortured on the polished lyrics of the track. The hook ahead of the chorus is made up of lines such as: 'Don't doubt me babe, you make me wanna change... Bite me babe, you make me love the pain' and, while this is ridiculously catchy on its own on the single, it's sandwiched between unbelievably slick lines in the verses that make for a solid beat in the track, before the instrumentals have even properly kicked in. But don't worry, eventually they do kick in, making for a heavy club sound that will get you in the mood to dance - I promise. There's no official music video for the track just yet but you can - and definitely should - check out the official audio online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 April 2016 |
Single Review: Blonde & Craig David - Nothing Like This
Since Craig David came clattering back on to the music scene towards the close of last year, he's made some fairly staggering efforts towards re-establishing a name for himself. He's made more public appearances than I can even keep track of and he's worked with some fairly big names towards some reasonably popular collaborations, too. Now it's been a couple of weeks without David dropping a new track and so here we are, fresh with a new collaboration that sees him team up with Blonde on new single, Nothing Like This.
Now, I'm having some issues with the track. The lyrics really resonate with me and while there's nothing wrong with David's vocals, how the individual elements of the single are hanging together as a whole here just isn't working for me. Personally I think the instrumentals are the main issue because something about them just feels a little outdated; however, when you couple this with David's vocal performance belonging somewhere in the early 00's, the whole sound just becomes difficult to keep track of in terms of who its listener(s) is meant to be. Try as I might I just can't get to grips with the single, but for those of you who do fancy a listen - and a watch, given that there's an official video for the track available online already - you can find it now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 April 2016 |
Single Review: Kongos - Take It From Me
Up until recently, KONGOS was an entirely new name to me. A South African-born band that slots neatly into the alternative rock area of a music, the group is made up of four brothers who have by all accounts been making quite a name for themselves since their inception back in 2007. Why they've only just fallen into our line of listening is anyone's guess, but their latest track, Take It From Me, has quickly become a personal favourite for my playlist this week.
The songs kicks in with a distinct and electronic beat - plus, how can you hate anything that features an accordion? Yep, you read that right, an actual accordion, which is used to great effect, might I add. From the opening bars of this the instrumentals on their own are completely infectious, and things only get better with the deliciously off-beat vocals are introduced on the verse to carry us through to an absurdly catchy chorus, laden with a beat that - alternative rock or not - will definitely make you dance. There's a funk edge to the song as a whole which will allow this track some serious versatility in terms of where it's featured and, with the sunshine months edging in, this is definitely one that deserves to be on any road trip playlist that you're making right now. A solid and impressive single, Take It From Me is a mature and polished sound that makes for easy listening, and has left me reaching for the KONGOS back catalogue of tracks, too. You can check out the track, and the official video, online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 April 2016 |
Single Review: G-Eazy - Drifting
It seems like a massive understatement to say that G-Eazy has done well in recent months. What he's actually done is do absurdly well with singles that have smashed the charts and collaborations that have grabbed attention, and now he's done the latter again... So the former is probably just a matter of time. For his latest single, Drifting, G-Eazy has teamed up with Chris Brown and Tory Lanez and my, oh my, what a team up that's turned out to be.
The single is ridiculously slick and polished from start to finish. The instrumentals on the opening stretch are a welcome throwback to the days of smooth RnB that sees even smoother vocals dropped over the top of them on the first verse of the track. The chorus is kicked up into something more lively for Brown's appearance on the track and, a quality listen in its own right, the medley of different voices and tones dropped on this single is just superb. All three artists bring unique sounds to the single but the blend of them together just makes for slick listening. And then comes G-Eazy's rap interlude. Sharp lyrics and distinct vocals, you instantly know which stretch of the track belongs to Eazy, and if that isn't the mark of a quality artist then I don't know what is. The track has been pulling in attention since its appearance on YouTube earlier this week, complete with a official music video as well, so you can check it out for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 April 2016 |
Single Review: Pink - Just Like Fire
How are we spending Monday morning? Singing Pink's Just Like Fire from the tops of our lungs in front of our computer screens, that's how! Pink recently confirmed her return to music, thanks to the upcoming Alice in Wonderful sequel, the soundtrack for which Pink features heavily on. And now, following that exciting announcement, the star has dropped the full audio for her new single - also taken from the Alice OST - titled Just Like Fire.
The song falls in with a guitar-led instrumental that sets a gentle pace for Pink's vocals to pick up from, which they do wonderfully, as you'd expect. An understated beat appears just in time to inject extra life into the opening stretch of the verse, but the hook just ahead of the chorus is where things become really lively. Everything is neatly kicked up to carry listeners into a forceful and empowering chorus that not only sees a more lively side to the track as a whole, but it is also reintroduces Pink's absurdly good vocal range. Throughout the whole track she plays to this strength intermittently showing great control and ultimately making for a great comeback. There's no official video for the release as such, but you can check out the official audio for the single online now by clicking here. If anyone needs me, I'll be dancing around my office to this... Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 April 2016 |
Single Review: Mura Masa - What If I Go?
Mura Masa dropped the absurdly catchy What If I Go? on YouTube around a week ago now, and it's been slowly picking up steam with listeners since then. The latest in a line of a quality tracks from the relatively new artist, this is bound to be another success for the singer in the coming months.
The track is introduced by beat heavy instrumentals that set a solid pace for the vocals themselves to follow. And, on the topic of those vocals, there are steadfast throughout this whole track. There's a gorgeous tone to be found here that gives Masa an almost bluesy feel which gives way to something more forceful and controlled for the chorus of the track, revealing another layer to the singer's abilities. The instrumentals throughout also make for an interesting listen in their own right given the manipulation on production here. There's light and shade galore happening in the background on this track, making it an unexpected dance number that will likely land it a place in nightclubs all over the UK over the coming months (especially when the remixes start to roll in). A quality little number, you can check out both the track and the official video online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 April 2016 |
Single Review: Simple Plan - Singing in the Rain
I know, I was surprised to see this little number pop up on YouTube this week as well. I really did believe that we'd seen the last of Simple Plan. However it seems that while the band have been quiet for a short stint, they've certainly not given up making music just yet as they've just revealed their latest offering, Singing In The Rain.
While I was half-optimistic for a cover of the hit track, this is actually a Simple Plan original and, despite my initial reservations on loading the single, it's quite a catchy and polished little number from the group. The instrumentals are steadfast and distinct with a gritty beat that continues throughout and a cutesy whistle interlude that'll stick with you after the first listen. Alongside this the vocal delivery on the track, whilst not being the strongest, is certainly enjoyable, well-controlled, and appropriately off-beat - as you'd expect from Simple Plan, right? The band have actually dropped a neat little track here, complete with a memorable hook on the chorus through the lyrics: 'No matter what life wants to throw my way I'll be singing, I'll be singing in the rain.' A feel good happy track from Simple Plan, if Singing In The Rain is intended to mark a new wave of music from the band then I'm certainly looking forward to whatever comes next. You can check out the track, and the official video, online now by clicking here. |
Single Review: Lany - Where The Hell Are My Friends
Lany are a three-piece band who hail from LA, and up until last night I hadn't even heard of them. Their new track, though, titled Where The Hell Are My Friends, that was dropped on YouTube a little earlier this month, caught my ear after the first listen and I've barely turned it off long enough to listen to anything else since.
For me the single is a throwback to the days of indie music - before it was hijacked by every other genre - complete with synth sounds and off-beat vocals that make for a quality sounding track as a whole. Despite this off-beat comment, the vocals are also steadfast throughout and an impressive job is done of using them to great effect to communicate the lyrics, which are consistently catchy as well a little tortured, particularly the chorus which runs: 'Am I starting to hate California / Why am I in LA / 40 million in California / No one cares if I stay.' This is, without question, a killer offering from the band and whether they've garnered mainstream attention prior to this or not, they certainly will when this track picks up a little more steam. It's a quality single, despite the somewhat confusing single artwork, pictured above - with an equally good official video to accompany it, which you can access here - and it's definitely a track worth keeping your ears out for over the coming months. |
Single Review: Elliphant - Spoon Me Feat. Skrillex
I'll admit I clicked on Elliphant's track, Spoon Me, because I saw that Skrillex had collaborated on it, and, try as I might, I can't help but love Skrillex a little bit. However - harsh as it may seem - this turned out to be a dud move on my part because Spoon Me is definitely up there as one of the most unimpressive tracks I've heard so far this year.
The instrumentals are the redeeming factor on this single because they're infused with a medley of sounds that is explored and manipulated greatly throughout, with impressive effect. In fact, the instrumentals of the single are something that I would happily listen to independently of the vocals that soon swoop in to interrupt them. For such a rich instrumental track, both the vocals and the lyrics themselves are just so terribly underwhelming and, although I don't quite know what I was expecting from the single, Elliphant repeatedly asking to be spooned was certainly not it. I can imagine it making an appearance in a nightclub somewhere during the summer months, and maybe by then some clever producer somewhere will have remixed it to within an inch of its life until it resembles something slightly more substantial, however as it stands, the single just falls a little flat as a whole. If you've got some time to kill/waste, you can check out Spoon Me and its official music video on YouTube now. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 16 April 2016 |
Single Review: Tom Odell - Magnetised
Tom Odell never really grabbed me, despite the musical brilliance that was Another Love (the single that everyone knows, however if by some miracle you don't then you can find it here). There was always something missing that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Now, still unable to put my finger on it, I can at least tell you whatever that thing is, Odell's new track, Magnetised, definitely has it.
The track is harrowing and heartfelt with lyrics that pack a punch and instrumental interludes that make this something more than your average Odell song, as far as I'm concerned. Odell's vocals stand mostly alone throughout the verse although there's the murmur of a distinct beat brewing in the background which is brought to fruition for the chorus of the single. Oh, and speaking of the chorus, it's made up of some of the most beautiful lyrics that I've heard so far this year: 'Cause it's not right, I'm magnetised / To somebody that don't feel it / Love paralysed, she's never gonna need me' and the wit of the lyrics you'll find tucked inside the verses are worth keeping ears out for as well. Magnetised is a cracking little single from Odell which will undoubtedly pull the singer some attention when it's officially released. Until then though, you can check out both the audio and the official video for the track online by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 16 April 2016 |
Single Review: Troye Sivan - Talk Me Down
Troye Sivan has already received a rumble of attention from the UK music industry following his release of Youth, which ranked reasonably well in the charts. However that rumble could be about to grow as Sivan's track Talk Me Down, which sits as the third element of his Neighbourhood series, is about to see an official release. The track was revealed on YouTube late last year, but is reportedly on the cusp of hitting the music industry and, with a sound this beautiful, it's bound to be a hit.
Sivan's vocals are beautifully understated on the whole track making for an intimacy that's only compounded further by the stunning lyrics that make up this single. The instrumentals hover appropriately in the background as a secondary focus on the track, allowing us to fully appreciate the more beautiful nuggets on this, such as: 'I wanna sleep next to you / But that's all I wanna do right now / So come over now and talk me down'. A truly touching single, Talk Me Down is bound to cause something of a stir for Sivan when its officially dropped. You can check out both the track and the music video release for it online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 13 April 2016 |
Claire Guerreso & Deepend - I'm Just A Skipping Stone
Now we're well into April it's almost inevitable that the club tracks are going to start hitting the charts, and they'll be hitting them hard ahead of the summer months arriving. The latest one to arrive - one of the more promising ones, might I add - is Claire Guerreso's collaboration with Deepend which has resulted in their surprisingly mellow sounding, I'm Just A Skipping Stone.
As club tracks go this is certainly one of the calmer numbers you're likely to encounter over the coming months. The instrumentals on the track play off each other well to offer up a surprising balance between distinct beats and acoustic sounds that allow for a great layering on the track. Alongside this the vocal delivery throughout is perfect for this style of single as well; while there's a great range and control shown here, there isn't a massive amount when it comes to force, and the track benefits greatly from that. A future hit worth keeping your ear out for, I'm Just A Skipping Stone has already made its way on to our summer playlist and, to see why, you can check out the track and the official video for yourselves by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 13 April 2016 |
Single Review: Sigala - Give Me Your Love
Sigala have done absurdly well in recent months following a string of smash hit singles that have pretty much carved them their own special place in the mainstream music charts. Now, they're pushing to reach the dizzying heights of the top spot again with their latest single, Give Me Your Love, which sees them team up with John Newman and Nile Rogers - and what a dream team that's turned out to be.
The instrumentals grab you from the opening bars of the track, sitting on their own long enough to be established as a quality sounding featuring in their own right. Then, just when your shoulders start rolling - they will, I promise - John Newman chimes in with distinct and steadfast vocals that carry on with impressive range and consistency throughout the whole track. The lyrics and the instrumentals are catchy in equal measure, ultimately meaning that if one of them doesn't catch you, the other definitely will. Give Me Your Love is lively, colourful, and catchy, and because of that - and so much more - I'm sure it's going to be another smash hit for Sigala. We're yet to see the release of an official music video for this single, but you can check out the audio on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 11 April 2016 |
Single Review: Pitbull - Messin' Around
With the summer months creeping closer Pitbull has finally gone and done what Pitbull does best; he's teamed up with Enrique Iglesias for a frustratingly catchy single, titled Messin' Around.
The track is basically everything you'd expect from a Pitbull single. The instrumentals are beat heavy and designed to pull you on to the dance floor while the lyrics are so repetitive that it's impossible to not know them after the first listen - maybe the second, at a push. There's a lot of Iglesias saying that he's been messing around, occasionally giving way to Pitbull's distinct vocals that deliver deliberately provocative verses throughout. In terms of substance there isn't much happening here - but is that really what anyone is looking for when they throw on a Pitbull track? As summer singles go, this is certainly a good warm-up for the popular artist and it will undoubtedly do well on its official release. There's no music video for the track yet but you can check out the official audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 11 April 2016 |
Single Review: Of Monsters and Men - Black Water
Of Monsters and Men have a wonderful habit of throwing out beautiful and hard-hitting singles, and with their latest reveal, Black Water, dropped on YouTube earlier this week, they've gone and done it again. The official lyric video - there's no official music video just yet - packs an incredible punch on its own making for another will-be hit for the band.
The lead-in has an understated feel with instrumentals that sit neatly behind the downplayed vocals of the opening verse. That sees a quick change, though, in time for the chorus that not only turns the instrumentals up a notch but also sees a change in vocalist - we flip from male to female on the track - allowing for a different tone entirely to carry the song for a stretch, before the vocals change again. With each band mate taking to the spotlight for a stretch here, there's something really special about the skill that's gone into Black Water, and it makes for brilliant listening. You can check out the audio for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 8 April 2016 |
Single Review: American Authors - What We Live For
If you were beginning to wonder what tracks to throw on your summer playlist, American Authors have dropped just the single you're looking for. The band, who are fairly well-known for their upbeat numbers, have just revealed their new track, What We Live For, complete with an official music video, and it is exactly what we needed this week!
Everything about this track is deliciously off-beat, right down to the chant on the chorus that threw me back a decade or so in terms of the music I used to listen to. The instrumentals throughout are relatively simple, which works to the benefit of the track given that the vocals are steadfast and distinct, and the lyrics are absurdly catchy. The chorus, 'Baby you're my open road, You can take me anywhere the wind blows, Ride into the great unknown', is just begging to be echoed back by listeners and - once this single picks up a little steam - it inevitably will be. A lively number, American Authors are finding a place for themselves in music this summer - albeit a little earlier than usual - and you can check out this first offering now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 8 April 2016 |
Pink Confirms Release of New Single, Just Like Fire
Pink has just confirmed that she's about to drop her first official single since 2013, part in promotion for the upcoming Alice Through The Looking Glass movie release.
The single, which was co-penned by Pink herself, is a follow up release of sorts to her 'White Rabbit' which has already been featured on trailers for the soon-to-be-released Alice sequel. However this recently confirmed single, which will be titled Just Like Fire, will be the first track from Pink in some time to hit the digital music markets, which it is scheduled to do later on this month (April 15). Alongside the single release of Just Like Fire, it has also been confirmed that the track will feature in the Alice movie and therefore will be featured on the official soundtrack for the film as well. As yet there hasn't been a teaser for the single, but we're expecting/desperately hoping for one any day now... Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 April 2016 |
Single Review: Jason Derulo - If It Ain't Love
Jason Derulo, the King of frustratingly catchy singles, is clearly gearing up for the summer months because he's just dropped a new track on YouTube, titled If It Ain't Love, and let me tell you, guys, this one is going to stick for a while.
In a nutshell, this track is pretty much everything that mainstream music could demand from a pre-summer release. The instrumentals are beat-heavy and club-infused with a sound that you can - and inevitably will - dance along to while Derulo's vocals on the track are steadfast throughout. The chorus is a repetitive but enjoyable hook on the track, simple enough to bank and sing a long to after the first listen (I promise) and with the refrain 'If it ain't love, why does it feel so good?' this track is firmly setting itself up as something of an anthem for any summer romances you're already thinking about having... There's no official music video for the release just yet, although one is sure to arrive soon. Until then, though, you can check out the audio for the single by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 April 2016 |
Single Review: The Chainsmokers - Inside Out
It’s barely been one week since The Chainsmokers dropped what we thought was their introduction to a smash hit summer. Now they’ve dropped another track, this one titled Inside Out and featuring Charlee on vocals, and truthfully, it’s far surpassed the expectations I’d set for the group.
Charlee comes in early with distinct and deliciously off-beat vocals that are accompanied by understated instrumentals that hang back long enough for the singer to establish her own sound. The lyrics themselves are also a quality feature here: ‘Let me see the dark sides as well as the bright / I’m gonna love you inside out’ make up the chorus, with beautifully penned verses sitting around them. The Chainsmokers themselves allow for a decent stretch of vocals and lyrics before kicking the instrumentals up a gear and turning the track in a much more club-heavy direction; only to appropriately pull things back for another vocal appearance from Charlee. There’s so much light and a shade on this, with each individual element working independently and collaboratively for a quality sound. A brilliant little number, Inside Out is yet to drop an official video but you can check out the audio online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 April 2016 |
Single Review: Kygo - Raging Feat. Kodaline
Over the past twelve months or so Kygo has pulled some quality collaborations out of the bag, dropping tracks with the likes of Labrinth and Maty Noyes, amongst other mainstream names that have ensured the producer a decent amount of success. Well now he's dropped another track, the time featuring none other than Kodaline, and it's clear that Kygo is following the same trend set by his other recent releases with this latest one...
The track is introduced with an easy acoustic sound, befitting of Kodaline's usual music releases, and this is actually more or less maintained throughout the opening stretch of the track at least, with things becoming slightly more forceful for the run of the chorus. The instrumentals are intermittently ramped up to make for a more dance-inspired beat but, generally speaking, Kygo works well to downplay production here to allow the focus to sit elsewhere. And damn, it works really well. The vocals on the single are a quality feature in their own right, it's worth noting, given that Kodaline's appearance on this track adds a real delicacy to the single that sits unexpectedly well alongside Kygo's sound. You can check out the official audio for the track online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 April 2016 |
Single Review: Hein Cooper - Overflow
Hein Cooper is a singer-songwriter who hails from Sydney and, after supporting the likes of James Bay on tour and gathering up some attention from BBC Introducing, Cooper has now just dropped a brand new single, Overflow, for future fans to feast on.
Discussing the new single, Cooper commented: 'Overflow is a celebration of two bodies coming together in the physical world and transforming into something more spiritual rather than physical.' An unexpectedly sultry and mellow sound, Overflow sees Cooper dominate a whole range of instruments on this track (with a little help from producer Marcus Paquin) while providing steadfast vocals throughout. Taken from the upcoming album The Art of Escape, Overflow is a promising introduction to Cooper's sound that sets a high bar for future releases. You can check out the track on SoundCloud now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 April 2016 |
Review: Subculture Sage - Big Smoke Autumn Blues
Subculture Sage are on the cusp of releasing their new mixtape, titled Big Smoke Autumn Blues, and, ahead of that release (which is set for the later this month), the London-based hip hop duo have revealed the title track from the full release on their SoundCloud page.
The duo itself is made up by Subculture Sounds and MC Hypeman Sage and, since their first collaborative single a couple of years back now, the pair have carved a significant place for themselves on the UK hip hop scene. Big Smoke Autumn Blues, the single, offers up a smooth sound with slick instrumentals that sit neatly behind the steadfast vocals on the track. A surprisingly laid back feel, there's something relaxed about the sound but forceful behind the message here, making for easy but somehow thought-provoking listening. The full mixtape is due to drop on April 18 - stay tuned for our review of that - but until then you can familiarise yourself with a taster from the duo by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 April 2016 |
Single Review: WSTRN - COme Down
WSTRN made quite the impression on mainstream music charts with previous smash hit, in2, which you can check out by clicking here on the off chance you missed the single the first time around. Now, off the back of that success, they've dropped another track with an familiar hook that some listeners will recognise from Evelyn Champagne King's hit, Love Come Down.
The beat heavy single relies on King's Love Come Down lyric which acts as a refrain liberally scattered throughout the track, with steadfast rapping generously sandwiched around it. Come Down is more of a slow jam than WSTRN's previous single, but with the summer nights rolling in these lazy sounding beats will be back in fashion over the coming months, so this follow-up single may prove to be something of a success. As a whole, it's an enjoyable release that will probably have you shoulder-rolling in a club over the summer; in terms of depth though, nothing actually stands out on this track apart from the hook, which is borrowed from elsewhere. So while it may be easy summer-listening, there's not really much else on the table when it comes to this single, for me. An official music video for Come Down has also landed online which you can check out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 30 March 2016 |
Single Review: The chainsmokers - Roses
The Chainsmokers have crept back into the music charts over the past week or so with a new single, titled Roses, that features - wait for it - Rozes, and if this track doesn't get you in the mood for the summer months then nothing will.
The vocals on this are nothing short of delicious with a lazy-bluesy feel that carries well throughout the entire track. Rozes is distinct and steadfast here, bringing a brilliant sound that sits unexpectedly well alongside the club-inspired sounds of The Chainsmokers' instrumentals. As two separate elements of the track, the vocals and instrumentals throw great light and shade here with each allowing the other appropriate breathing space, intermittently coming together to ramp things up to a more lively level for several stretches on the single. It's a neat single with great production and, with collaborations this good behind them now, I'm personally hoping this isn't the last we've heard from The Chainsmokers and Rozes for this year. There's no official video for the single just yet but you can check out the official audio online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 30 March 2016 |
Single Review: Nick Jonas - Close Feat. Tove Lo
Nick Jonas has dropped an official video for his latest single release, Close, online this week that shows him alongside Tove Lo, who features on the track, and the pair are getting themselves into some fairly interesting positions...
The single itself is a neat number. Jonas' vocals are steadfast throughout and Lo's appearance makes for a welcome change of pace and tone on the track. The single itself is a really intimate number, for me; the two singers take a stretch of verse and chorus each before letting the track become completely collaborative as they play off each other's vocal performances, making an intimacy that's only heightened by the lyrics: 'Cause if I want you, I want you babe... Space was just a word made up by someone who's afraid to get too close.' Admittedly the instrumentals are a little underwhelming throughout, but given the punch packed by the lyrics and the vocal delivery that's hardly surprising. Now, cashing in on the intimacy of the track itself, the pair have dropped a video that sees some not-quite-close dancing in the beginning and some writhing in the end, which you can check out online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 28 March 2016 |
Single Review: Magnificence & Kerano - Breathing
The Spinnin' Records YouTube channel are dropping some outrageously good singles at present at the latest one to appear is Magnificence and Kerano's track, Breathing, which features vocals from Charles.
The track is a summertime anthem with steadfast club sounds scattered throughout making for an immediate dance feel from the opening bridge of the single. The sounds are pulled back appropriately allowing for attention to rest on the vocals for the verse before the instrumentals are fully ramped up, offering a chorus of sorts about a minute into the track. It's a bitesize single coming in just shy of three minutes but there's an absurd amount of good production packed in on this; I give it a month, at most, before the remixes are dropped as well. A lively little number, if you need something to blow away the Bank Holiday blues (or something to get you ready for the next weekend on the town), then it's worth checking this out. You can find the official video online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 28 March 2016 |
Single Review: Adam Lambert - Welcome to the Show
Given the outrageous success of his singing career in recent years, there's not much room for debate around Adam Lambert's ability to wow the majority of audiences with his vocal delivery. However, for those of you who still need to be convinced, his recently revealed Welcome to the Show, the audio for which is now available on YouTube, should do the trick.
This track is one of the most forceful releases I've heard from Lambert, with understated instrumentals that carry you through the opening verse alongside a delicate vocal from Lambert himself. The range and control on this opening stretch of track in itself is stunning and the chorus, while not showing a wealth more range, certainly packs a punch in terms of the force of the sound. Laleh's appearance on this single also makes for a welcome change of pace and tone as she delivers a beautiful hook towards the close of the track. It's not Lambert's usual lively number, but it's certainly something special. You can find Welcome to the Show online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 March 2016 |
Carly Rae Jepson Drops New Single, Boy Problems
Brace yourselves because another frustratingly catchy Carly Rae Jepson track is about to sweep across the nation, just in time for the summer months, so you need to get ready.
The track, titled Boy Problems, sees Jepson's trademark simple lyrics and catchy music and, for those of you who need to start acclimatising early, you can check out the track just below. Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 25 March 2016 |
Single Review: Tinie Tempah - Girls Like
Brace yourselves, folks, because Tinie Tempah has just dropped his first (presumably of many) summertime tracks just in time for the Bank Holiday weekend. The track, titled Girls Like, see the British rapper team up with recent singing sensation Zara Larsson, and they make for a good collaborative sound.
The single, as you'd expect, comes with a heavy dance beat that sits comfortably alongside well produced instrumentals. Tempah's rap is steadfast and distinct throughout, eventually giving way to Larsson's vocals on the chorus that makes for a welcome change of sound; the reappearance from her on the hook that appears later also adds a little something extra to the track. Overall it's a neat release; it will slip easily into the sunshine playlists that people are currently putting together and, as a first attempt for a pre-summer smash for this year, Tempah has undoubtedly dropped a track that will have people singing back at him. Girls Like comes complete with an official video as well, which you can check out online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 March 2016 |
Single Review: Conrad Sewell - Remind Me
As a counter-balance to the influx of summertime track hopefuls (see left), Conrad Sewell has dropped a new track, titled Remind Me, that relies heavily on decent vocals and understated acoustics, and it's kind of beautiful.
The track, which was dropped on YouTube earlier this month, sees a piano-led instrumental sit behind Sewell's steadfast vocals that, over the course of this track, illustrate what the singer is really made of in the vocal department. On the opening stretch of verse we're given a taste of Sewell's vocal range as he reaches higher notes with an apparent ease before pulling things into a more forceful place for the chorus. Gospel-infused, I'd go as to far to say, the lyrics: 'When I think about love, you are right beside me / I think about us, you will always find me... I think about all the little things that still remind me' certainly make for easy listening. Sewell has also dropped an official video for the track alongside the audio release, and you can check out both online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 March 2016 |
Single Review: DJ Snake - Middle Feat. Bipolar Sunshine
DJ Snake has caused a rumble or two in the charts over recent months from both solo singles and collaborative efforts with other artists. Now, ahead of the summer sunshine flooding in, another single has dropped from the popular artist and it's undoubtedly going to ensure some extra success for the star.
The track, title Middle, features Bipolar Sunshine, and the collaboration on this track is just all kinds of good. The verse itself maintains an understated instrumental that allows the focus to sit on the vocals, that feel appropriately broken for the touching lyrics of the track. Then the chorus - of sorts - kicks in as an unbelievably catchy instrumental hook that will, at the very least, get your shoulders going in time with the beat. The track as a whole sits as quite a laid back number, but it's certainly an enjoyable listen, and we should definitely expect some remixes of this release in the near future as well. You can check out the audio for the track online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 March 2016 |
Single Review: Kygo & Labrinth - Fragile
It's a happy day when two of your favourite artists in the music world right now come together for a collaboration, and that's exactly what Kygo and Labrinth have done on their recent single, Fragile, the audio for which was dropped on YouTube a few days back.
The track is surprisingly mellow for the opening stretch; the instrumentals have a clear and distinct beat to them but they're pulled back enough to allow Labrinth to establish his vocals on the track ahead of the instrumentals being ramped up a notch for the second appearance from the chorus. Admittedly, given Kygo's appearance on this track, I was expecting things to kick up another level at some point, which they didn't. However, that aside, it's a pretty beautiful single. It's soulful, catchy, and Labrinth's vocals are on-point throughout - as you'd expect. The audio for the single is available online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 March 2016 |
Single Review: Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman
Ariana Grande has thrown out a string of successful singles over the past twelve months or so and now, continuing that trend surely, she's drop another single that's bound to secure her another a top chart position. The track, Dangerous Woman, appeared on YouTube recently - minus an official video, unfortunately - and it's one of the most seductive tracks that the singer has ever revealed.
The instrumentals lead in with something that sounds fairly bluesy in terms of tone before Grande's vocals kick in with the absurd range that we're accustomed to hearing from her now. The verse sports this neat range before the chorus kicks things up a notch or two, with stronger vocals and frustratingly catchy lyrics: 'Something about you makes me feel like a dangerous woman / Something about you makes me wanna do things that I shouldn't'. Oh it's a sexy track, that's for sure, and Grande is likely to win some fans with this sultry number. You can check out the audio for yourselves now by clicking here, and standby for an official video in the near future. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 17 March 2016 |
Single Review: Justin Bieber - Company
Justin Bieber's track, Company, was dropped on YouTube some months back along with the rest of the album. However, given that the track is about to see an official release as the next single from that album, it's finally starting to pick up a little more steam. And for those of you who can't quite believe that you like Bieber's music: brace yourselves, because you're about to experience that again.
Although I'm half-ashamed to admit it - the other half of me is busy dancing around to this track, I'm afraid - Company is another solid release from the singer. The verse is a steady burn that introduces a slow-dance feel to the track before the chorus takes over and introduces some neatly provocative lyrics that carry the song through to a stronger beat in the instrumental hook that follows. It slows things down from What Do You Mean and brings a little something extra on from Love Yourself, and it's certainly a good middle ground between to the two here. The track comes complete with an official video which you can check out online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 17 March 2016 |
Single Review: Daughtry - Torches
Daughtry are about to drop a greatest hits album, which for many bands is something akin to a kiss of death. However, the cleverly titled 'It's Not Over... The Hits So Far' not only hints at a future for the group, but it also comes complete with new music; one track in particular, Torches, was even dropped on YouTube last week.
The track is a welcome reintroduction to the familiar sounds of Daughtry which haven't changed much in recent years, although that's hardly a bad thing. The instrumentals on the track are well paced throughout, pulling back appropriately to allow for the focus to sit on the vocals, which are stunning on the whole single. Daughtry throws light and shade on the vocal delivery here making for a heartfelt verse and a forceful chorus, belting the lyrics: 'Love is like a torch that's burning bright / carry it on...' Torches is an uplifting number that will be a gentle reminder to fans for why they've loved Daughtry for so long, and it offers a good amount of reassurance that we haven't seen the last from these boys yet. You can check out the track and the official video online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 15 March 2016 |
Single Review: R3hab & Quintino - Freak
As is the way with the music industry, certain songs have a habit of reappearing from one generation of listeners to the next, and the most recent track to see this treatment is the revamped Freak, recently dropped on YouTube by R3hab & Quintino, alongside a colourful music video that will leave you desperate for the summer.
Now, where you remember 'the original' of this release from will really depend on your age, although a lot of people will probably be reaching for the Sugababes' version after hearing this. This latest spin on the track sees things ramped up heavily with a club vibe that will make you dance - so it's just what you need to get over the midweek work slump. The track begins with understated instrumentals that are quickly kicked up in line with the vocals, and it builds on that sounds until it peaks, just ahead of the chorus, to introduce distinct beats and a well-produced club feel that is strongly established at around the minute mark on the track. A fairly decent nod to a classic track, Freak is surely the beginning of the summertime singles for this year and you can check out the track for yourselves by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 15 March 2016 |
Zayn Drops Audio for new single, Like I Would |
Single Review: James Morrison - I Need You Tonight |
Zayn, he of the One Direction fame, has released yet another song from his debut album, Mind of Mine. The song, Like I Would, follows Pillow Talk and oddly capitalised iT's YoU.
And you can check out the audio - there isn't an official video yet - just below. Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 13 March 2016 |
James Morrison is back and he's brewing up a storm with his new single, I Need You Tonight. I clicked on the track expecting something mellow and acoustic to carry me through my Sunday afternoon, but this comeback track actually sees Morrison rub some funk on his sound and it certainly makes for a lively single release.
The instrumentals are well-produced yet understated, allowing for Morrison's still-delicate vocals to hold their own weight on the single. Having said that, Morrison does kick the vocal delivery up several notches for the chorus on this which sees his voice crack and pull in all the right places allowing for conviction in his delivery of the lyrics: 'I need you tonight / I need you to come on and save my life / I'm trying to hold on / I kill every second since you've been gone.' Plus, the lyrics themselves make for a crackin' sing-a-long. I Need You Tonight has also had an official music video reveal which you can check out on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 13 March 2016 |
Single Review: Lukas Graham - You're Not There
It’s controversial – so forgive me – but I didn’t really ‘get’ Lukas Graham’s recent smash single, 7 Years. For one reason or another the track just didn’t strike a chord with me – see what I did there? – however his new single, titled You’re Not There, is proving to be a game-changer for my playlist.
The song appears with a bluesy but understated instrumental that is weaved throughout, allowing the focus to rest almost entirely on Graham’s vocal delivery – which is, by the by, faultless. The vocal here delivers a beautiful light and shade over the lyrics – some of which are just perfect little lines that really make something extra special on the track – allowing for some restraint on the verse before Graham’s range is tested on the chorus. Oh, and those lyrics I mentioned, the first stretch of the second verse just makes us melt a little: ‘Though I know that you’re not there, I still write you all these songs / It’s like you still got the right to know what’s going on.’ It’s a solid follow-up single for the recently-acknowledged artist and it will certainly pull an equal amount of attention – if not more attention – than 7 Years managed to bag earlier this year. There’s no official video for You’re Not There as yet, but you can check out the official audio online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 10 March 2016 |
Single Review: The Internet - Special Affair/Curse
Up until about an hour ago The Internet hadn’t even registered on my musical radar; despite the collective having been together since 2011 and having a successful discography behind them. However, if their latest single to drop on YouTube – Secret Affair/Curse – is anything to go by, then their back catalogue of music is certainly something worth looking into.
This track is, hands down, one of the slickest sounding things that I’ve heard so far this year. The instrumental sits like the lovechild of Jazz, blues, and RnB, with a little bit of soul thrown in throughout, making for a track that would be a worthy listen with or without the vocals. Although, that doesn’t mean that the vocals aren’t another top element of the track because they are; understated and deliberately delicate at times, they serve up the lyrics in such a way that they become a little seductive to the listener. In fact, the closer we head into RnB, with more pronounced beats appearing on the chorus, the seductive feel of the whole track is ramped up a notch. The track itself is just so polished that it makes for a beautifully easy listen, and it’s definitely worth checking out. Secret Affair/Curse also has an official music video so you can check out that, and the track, online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 10 March 2016 |
Single Review: 3Oh!3 - Mad At You
It feels like it’s been a while since we heard anything from 3OH!3 so naturally, after this silence, I was expecting something amazing from their new single, Mad At You, which was dropped last week. Now, I am amazed by this, but probably for all of the wrong reasons...
As far as I’m concerned the redeeming feature of this track is the chorus lead-in and the chorus itself that sees the vocals shift from rap to well-controlled singing, accompanied by tech-infused instrumentals that make for easy listening. It’s just unfortunate the these snippets of the chorus are sandwiched in between such cringe-worthy verses that see clumsy rapping and – I’m sorry to say it, but if you watch the official video you’ll see this anyway – some seriously awkward dad-dancing from the pair. The single peaks in the second half, admittedly, but there’s a fade amount of rapping to wade through before you get there, and it’s open for debate on how much people who aren’t familiar with the group will actually persist with this single. The track was released alongside an official video which you can check out online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 8 March 2016 |
Single Review: Alessia Cara - Wild Things
Alessia Cara, a relatively new name in the music industry, is causing up a stir with a string of singles at present, and the latest track added to that collection is her anthem, Wild Things, which was released on YouTube earlier this week.
The track comes complete with piano-led instrumentals that sit neatly behind Cara’s building vocal that is steadfast throughout, well-controlled, and particularly skilled at throwing light and shade into certain stretches of the single. The instrumentals themselves are ramped up for the run of the chorus that sees a stronger beat appear making for something more lively, and this provides a nice balance between verse and chorus throughout. The lyrics themselves are also a plus point of the track as the chorus - 'So aye, we brought our drum and this is how we dance' - builds them into a catchy refrain that will stick with you after the first listen. Overall it’s a neat little single that will undoubtedly do well in developing Cara’s already-growing fanbase. Wild Things comes complete with an official video as well so you can check that out online by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 8 March 2016 |
Single Review: Lost Kings - Marathon
The Lost Kings have made a welcome return to YouTube this week with their new single reveal, Marathon, which features Cosmos and Creature and is lifted straight from their upcoming EP titled The Good. The EP itself is set for release on March 11 and if this single is anything to go by, then it’s set to be a brilliant little release.
The track feels like a first brush with summer, complete with understated but well produced instrumentals that push a strong beat throughout making for the odd dance-breakout (yes, speaking from experience). The vocals themselves are steadfast throughout acting as a gentle accompaniment to the rest of the track and overall the two elements work well together for an easy-listening experience. Also – consider yourselves warned – the lyrics themselves on this track will make for an easy-singing experience as well because they come complete with a catchy line or two, particularly on the chorus. Alongside this new track the band released an official music video, so you can check out both now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 March 2016 |
Single Review: The Kills - Doing it to Death
The Kills are bringing in some major love from fans this week after their release of a new single – complete with a brilliant video – on their YouTube channel. The track, titled Doing It To Death, was released alongside the band’s announcement of a new album, which will be titled Ash & Ice, and that’s due for release in June of this year.
The single itself is packed with some serious funk throughout. The instrumentals on this are killer from the get-go with a dirty guitar sound taking the lead from the opening and making for a bluesy feel to the track ahead of the vocals kicking in, which go on to complement this completely. The track is like a lovechild of rock and roll and blues music delivering a deliciously gritty sound that grips you from the beginning and only tightens that grip when you arrive at the crooning vocals that make up the understated chorus. It’s a track worth listening to – and then listening to again, and again – and the video is perfectly geared towards the off-beat feel of the track as well. You can check out the official release online by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 March 2016 |
Single Review: James Bay - Best Fake Smile
Stop everything! James Bay has dropped a brand new track, complete with an outrageously adorable music video, and it’s everything you need to carry you through the Thursday slump and on to the weekend. The track, titled Best Fake Smile, is a medley of upbeat instrumentals and – despite being a far listen away from Hold Back The River – it’s certainly introducing a welcome, lively side to the singer.
There is no instrumental introduction on this track; from the starting line both Bay and the instrumentals kick in immediately with a quick introduction to the later chorus that sees Bay singing ‘No you don’t have to wear your best fake smile / Don’t have to stand there and burn inside’ ahead of the first verse. The guitar-led instrumentals are steadfast and upbeat throughout contributing to the lively feel of the track and, despite this being a Bay release, there is definitely a touch of get-up-and-dance in this single. Best Fake Smile now comes complete with an official music video which you can check out online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 3 March 2016 |
Frightened Rabbit Drop New Single Plus Official Video
Frightened Rabbit are a lesser known band hailing from Glasgow and, following the release of their latest single, Get Out, the group are garnering some serious attention on the music scene.
The single is taken from their upcoming album, Painting of a Panic Attack, and, according to lead singer Scott Hutchison, the single is geared towards that person who, try as you might, you just can’t get out of your system. The official video for Get Out – available just below – is designed to reflect that as well and, with such a powerful track attached, it’s definitely worth a watch. Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 3 March 2016 |
Single Review: Corinne Bailey Rae - Been To The Moon
Corinne Bailey Rae, the woman who brought us the smash hit Put Your Records On and then slipped off the radar? That’s the one, and now she’s back. Dropping a comeback track on YouTube last week, Rae is attempting to make a return to music with a new release titled Been To The Moon, but it might not be the sound that you’re expecting.
The singer’s vocals are still offering the deliciously-lazy, jazz-infused sound that there were the first time around, over much more psychedelic instrumentals than you’ll be familiar with. With hints of jazz throughout the instrumentals running behind her, Rae conjures up something quite different to what she’s done in previous years and, while there’s nothing wrong with the instrumentals and the vocals as individual components, something about them as a pair just isn’t gelling too well on this track. While there are moments where the track sounds unbelievably smooth, there are also moments when Rae’s vocal is trying way too hard to fit with the sound that accompanies them that just detracts from her own abilities. A sound effort that shows promise, but certainly not what we expected, Been To The Moon comes complete with an official video that you can check out online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 1 March 2016 |
Single Review: The 1975 - The Sound
Try as I might, I can’t stop loving The 1975. They’ve released a string of successful singles to date and as of last week they’re adding to that with a new track, titled The Sound, which they revealed on YouTube complete with an official video.
The track, as we’ve come to expect from The 1975’s singles, offers up a medley of feel-good sounds and sing-a-long lyrics that will ensure some success for this latest release. The opening instrumentals introduced synth-infused, get-up-and-dance sounds that are continued throughout the entire track with the chorus brought into the forefront by an early appearance; and, if that wasn’t enough, the lyrics themselves, ‘Well I know when you’re around ‘cuz I know the sound, I know the sound of your heart’ will stick with you long after the first listen. The video was dropped on YouTube on February 25 and since then it has gathered up over 1,000,000 views (!) making for a staggering success already, and surely another smash hit for the band. You can check out the track for yourselves, plus the official video, online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 1 March 2016 |
Demi Lovato Reveals Music Video for Stone Cold
Demi Lovato has just released a music video for Stone Cold, the latest single lifted off her album Confident, and it's basically Demi's version of The Revenant. Hello, icy weather and crying.
You can check out the track and the video now just below. Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 28 February 2016 |
Single Review: Craig David x Jack Garratt - Breathe Life
Craig David is pulling out every possible stop he can think of in order to make a success of his comeback; Jack Garratt is currently surging his way through charts around the globe, making a name for himself as one of the best British breakthrough acts that we've seen in years. So naturally, these two have come together for a single.
The track, titled Breathe Life, sees Garratt-led production over David's steadfast vocals and between those two elements, something pretty impressive happens. The track is actually a cover of a Garratt original - which you can check out by clicking here - but David does a complete do-over of the single taking it to a much more urban, RnB area of music (as you'd probably expect from the singer) and it really does work. There's big potential here for these two to be the next dream team to hit the charts if Breathe Life is anything to go by. You can check out the track and the video online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 28 February 2016 |
Single Review: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Kevin
We're on the cusp of a new Macklemore and Ryan Lewis album - This Unruly Mess I've Made is due to drop this month - and in one last push for publicity, the pair have dropped a new single, complete with an official video, on YouTube. The track, titled Kevin, features Leon Bridges, and it certainly hints at a more serious side to the album (so if you're hoping for a release made up completely of Downtowns, you'll be disappointed, folks).
The instrumentals themselves open the track with a level of funk that is dialled down significantly when the lyrics kick in, delivering a rap performance from Macklemore that is steadfast as ever. While the track is easy on the ear, the lyrics themselves actually pack quite a punch so they're worth listening to with care. Macklemore carries the verse through to Leon Bridges in the chorus who is - there's no other word for it - just marvellous on this single; he croons 'Doctor, please, give me a dose of the American dream' in a delicious tone that is a definite high point for the track. Overall this is another solid release from the Macklemore-Lewis dream team and it is - I hope - a good indicator of what we can expect from the album. You can check out the track, and the video, for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 February 2016 |
Single Review: Awolnation - Woman Woman
Awolnation are, disappointingly, primarily known for their smash hit Sail, which reappears every few months or so as a new wave of listeners stumble across it. However, the collective do have an impressive back catalogue of music besides this and they've just added to that catalogue with their latest track, Woman Woman.
The track is a force to be reckoned with! It opens with understated, synth-infused instrumentals that are quickly joined by forceful vocals, disjointed by breaks in all the right places giving the lyrics an appropriately tortured feel at times. The chorus takes this up another level as the vocal delivery becomes even more powerful to belt out the lyrics: 'I may be worthless without you / I'll never decide to replace you / Amen, the worst is behind us now'. It's a sing-a-long track that fans will immediately fall a little bit in love with - if my immediate adoration of the track is anything to go by - and it's certainly another solid release for the group. Woman Woman comes complete with an official video as well, which you can check out online by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 25 February 2016 |
Rihanna Reveals Work Video
Rihanna's Anti might be the most anti-Rihanna album Rihanna ever made but it still has a single out right now. Work, featuring Drake, is the most Rihanna song on the most non-Rihanna album and she's released a video for it... and another video at the end of the first video.
The eight minute music video sees the two dancing in what seems to be an intimate party for the first video and then fades into the second (which has also been directed by another person) which sees the two of them alone in a room. You can check out the video now by clicking here. Taylor Swift Donates Funds in Support of Kesha
Taylor Swift has just donated a quarter of a million to Kesha after a New York judge rejected an injuction that would have allowed Kesha to record new music without Sony or Dr. Luke.
For those of you who don't know, Kesha has been engaged in a legal battle with Sony and Dr. Luke since 2014, when she sued the producer for sexual assault and battery. Dr. Luke has denied the allegations and filed a countersuit against Kesha for breach of contract and defamation. Kesha than filed a preliminary injection motion in 2015 that would have allowed her to create music without Sony or Dr. Luke involved but her motion was denied. Swift is only one of several pop stars that have publicly stood up for the singer. Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Lorde, Lily Allen, Kelly Clarkson, and Grimes have all voiced support for the singer on Twitter, where her fans have rallied under the hashtag #FreeKesha. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 23 February 2016 |
Single Review: Vaults - Midnight River
Vaults have been on the music scene for a while now with a steady fan base that's keeping them going strong; you may even recognise their sound from the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. However, now they've dropped their new single, titled Midnight River, they must surely be on the cusp of pulling in major amounts of attention because this latest track is a real gem.
The track is introduced with piano-led instrumentals that cleverly incorporate rhythmic backing vocals before the real vocal delivery arrives at around twenty second mark. The vocals themselves are restrained for the opening stretch of the track while the instrumentals maintain an understated beat behind them. The first run of the chorus shows a slight increase in vocal power but generally speaking it's something that builds over the whole track, rather than just across the verses, allowing for a staggering finale in the close of the track which makes it worth hitting the replay button. The track is a must-listen to blow away any mid-week blues that may brewing and you can find the single, plus the official video, just below. Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 23 February 2016 |
Single Review: Disclosure - Nocturnal feat. The Weeknd
Disclosure have (finally) reappeared with some new music for their adoring fans and, just in case we needed extra encouragement to fall in love with their sound all over again, they've even brought in The Weeknd for a collaboration on their latest track, Nocturnal.
The track comes with a trippy, synth-style opener that sees The Weeknd kick in almost immediately for a vocal performance that delivers commendably throughout. The vocal range that's featured on this track is absurdly good, allowing for much more variation that we're accustomed to seeing from the singer's solo efforts. Behind this the instrumentals offer a slow-burn sound that remains fairly understated for the opening stretch of the single only to - as you'd expect - be ramped up completely for the chorus lead-in. Throughout the lively chorus and the understated verses Disclosure have created unexpected light and shade to the track that's really adding something special to the overall sound here. However, as you'd expect from a track that's coming in at well over five minutes, there is a massive instrumental turn midway through this single that completely changes the focus of the track and catapults Disclosure back into their comfort zones, so it's well worth hanging out for that drop to appear. The single doesn't have an official video just yet but you can check out the full audio for the track online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 February 2016 |
Single Review: 50 Cent - I'm The Man Feat. Sonny Digital
I'm just going to come out and say it: I'm a (now not so secret) fan of 50 Cent. There was a time when Curtis Jackson was smashing out one hit single after another with the likes of Candy Shop catapulting him into some major mainstream charts that had previously avoided his tracks. However - and I believe some personal finance issues may have been happening here - 50 Cent has been silent for an absurd stretch of time now. Until earlier this year that is when he dropped a short film titled 'I'm The Man' which signalled a comeback from the rapper. The I'm The Man single has been knocking about online since then however it's only now seeing an official release, so I've tentatively taken a listen...
And I'm not impressed. As comeback singles go, I'm The Man is missing something major. It's dark, brooding, mono-tonal and monosyllabic in parts and while the lyrics are obviously intended to push a certain message, the only message that I'm getting from this is that The Massacre album may well have been a complete fluke. Much as I want to enjoy his intermittent recitals of 'Bitch, I'm the man', the single, for me, just doesn't go anywhere. Although, having said that, the long-time 50 Cent fans out there have already flocked to YouTube to praise the rapper's efforts on this track so maybe there is hope for a successful comeback yet. If you've got four minutes knocking around this afternoon, you can check out the track by clicking here, but you'll have to wait a little longer for the release of an official video. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 February 2016 |
Single Review: Aurora - Conqueror
Aurora, in the lead up to her full length album which is due to drop early next month, is on an impressive publicity campaign to say the least. And what do publicity campaigns need? New music, of course! Aurora is ticking that box with her recent YouTube reveal that sees her single Conqueror alongside an official video, which you can check out now by clicking here.
The single leads in with a distinct beat surrounded by understated instrumentals that allow Aurora’s vocals to sit at the forefront of the single – and what vocals they are! With a Sia sort of style, Aurora brings deliciously off-beat vocals with a distinct tone to the track here and while they are well-paced throughout this opening verse, they are certainly ramped up a notch or three for the chorus. Both instrumentals and vocals become more forceful throughout making for a catchy sound and a welcome change of pace as the singer belts out: ‘I’ve been looking for the conqueror / But you don’t seem to come my way.’ Now, some of you may recognise this track already from oh, a little game called Fifa, I believe? However for those amongst you not familiar with the track, it’s definitely one worth checking out. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 February 2016 |
Single Review: Walk The Moon - Work This Body
Walk The Moon – who you’ll no doubt remember from their recent smash hit, Shut Up And Dance – are making a name for themselves in the market of catchy singles. Their previous release saw them secure a long-standing position in the singles charts and it looks like they’re going for the same effect with their equally catchy new release, Work This Body.
The track comes with some with techno-retro-infused instrumentals that give way to frantic vocals throughout the verses, only to be replaced by something frustratingly catchy on the chorus. Walk The Moon are striving to create another pop-meets-dance track here and with their sing-a-long lyrics – ‘And I will work this body, I will burn this flame / Oh in the dead of night, and in the pouring rain’ – and their lively instrumentals, I’d say that they’ve done just that. The song even gives way to some pretty neat solos in the instrumentals in the latter half of the track, if you’re looking for something that you can really get lively to. The cutesy track comes complete with an equally cutesy video as well, and you can check out both online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 February 2016 |
Single Review: Mark Ronson - Summer Breaking / Daffodils
Mark Ronson’s releases over recent years – whether they are his own or his work on music dropped by other artists – have left us with high expectations. The smash hit Uptown Funk did wonders for the producer although he does seem to have shied away from the frontline since then; that is, until now. Late last week Ronson dropped a new single, complete with a music video, on YouTube and it doesn’t seem to be quite what people were expecting.
The track, titled Summer Breaking / Daffodils, features Kevin Parker and it is without question one of the most laid back things that you will hear this week. The track is deliciously lazy with understated vocals and instrumentals that calmly hum away in the background, with the occasional interlude from something more heavily produced that nods to Ronson’s usual style. There’s an old style feel to the guitar instrumentals that intermittently appear; although, an old style feel might be the best way to assess to the track as a whole. There’s a real nod to older sounds here and, although it might not be what people were expecting of Ronson, he and Parker are certainly making it work for them. Summer Breaking / Daffodils is set up here as the first track on your summertime road trip playlist. You can check out the single, and the official video release, now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 16 February 2016 |
Single Review: Jack Garratt - Fire (Live)
Vevo threw Jack Garratt on my radar this morning – whilst I was waiting for the latest Mark Ronson track to load – and in the fifteen second preview I decided that Garratt’s back catalogue of music was one worth looking into. More specifically, the track that popped up on my screen was a live rendition of a single called Fire, and it’s a seriously impressive display.
The opening stretch of the single has a deliciously organic feel to it with Garratt’s vocals taking the lead with sparse instrumental intrusions. The minute mark sees everything kicked up a gear, vocals included, as Garratt delivers heightened instrumentals as well through gear that we can actually see on the set. The first minute and a half of the track is absurdly well paced and successful in lulling you into a false sense of what this song is before Garratt absolutely smashes through on to the chorus, ramping his vocal delivery into something much more forceful that fits neatly over well-produced instrumentals. Once we’ve seen this Garratt isn’t shy about introducing it again, allowing the following stretch to pack a much more forceful punch whilst demonstrating just how good Garratt’s vocal range is as well. It’s only Tuesday, but Fire may already be my favourite single for this week. The track has a little bit of everything – including an absurdly catchy keyboard interlude that you really need to keep your ears out for – and it’s definitely worth checking out. The performance is available on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 16 February 2016 |
Single Review: Hozier - Cherry Wine
It’s Valentine’s Day. And what does everyone need for Valentine’s Day? That’s right, we all need a mushy new track from Hozier. And yesterday Hozier delivered just that with his track Cherry Wine, complete with a new music video that was revealed on YouTube. Long time Hozier fans will be familiar with this number already given that it’s been floating around as part of the artist’s back catalogue for some time. However, whether you’re familiar with the track or not, it’s still worth a listen.
As we’ve come to expect from Hozier, Cherry Wine serves up a slice of understated acoustic instrumentals and crooning vocals that are designed to make you melt a little. The entire track is made up of an acoustic guitar allowing for an endearingly organic sound that contributes massively to the overall delicacy of the single. The vocals are a perfect blend of rasp and force as Hozier uses the lyrics to explore his range, allowing for light and shade in the track as appropriate. The tortured feel of the track is only hammered home further by the chorus – ‘The way she tells me I’m hers and she is mine / Open hand or closed fist would be fine’ – that catches your ear on the first listen, along with some killers lines littered throughout. Cherry Wine is another solid offering from the singer-songwriter, and if you’re looking for something to add this week’s playlist then this track is definitely it. Make sure that you check out the official video for the single as well by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 14 February 2016 |
Single Review: Danny L Harle - Broken Flowers
Danny L Harle was a totally unfamiliar name to me at the beginning of this weekend; then I heard Broken Flowers. The track was revealed on YouTube a month or so ago, complete with an official video, and it’s slowly picking up some steam on the dance and club scenes; understandably so given the pristine production on the track.
The song is cleverly paced with opening instrumentals that hint at club influences but they remain understated enough for the initial focus of the track to sit with the vocal delivery. Although there’s no mention of who provides the vocals, the delivery deserves commendation anyway as there’s a great control throughout and the vocal-instrumental combination here is a truly enjoyable mash-up. Then, as we become accustomed to the relatively understated instrumental, just ahead of the minute mark things are really kicked up. Harle introduces a distinct beat before tumbling into well-produced instrumentals that move to fit the vocals around them and he alternates this pattern throughout the whole track. We have stretches of vocals sandwiched around stretches of absurdly good production before the two eventually come together in the final stretch of the track, making for a sing-and-dance single that’s sure to take off this summer. Broken Flowers is definitely a track to keep your ears open for in the coming months. Make sure you head over to YouTube (you can find the track here) to have a listen for yourselves. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 14 February 2016 |
Single Review: OMI - Drop In The Ocean
The world has, somewhat unexpectedly, fallen a little bit in love with OMI thanks to the smash release that Cheerleader became last year. Now, in an understandable bid to duplicate that success, OMI has another frustratingly catchy single for us to feast upon, this one titled Drop In The Ocean.
The single, complete with an official video, appeared on YouTube last month but its official release is scheduled for the coming weeks and, just from our first listen to the track, it seems that OMI is trying to bring the summer months around even quicker here. The single sees OMI collaborate with AronChupa and the pair do a fairly spectacular job of creating light-hearted instrumentals that fit well alongside catchy albeit overly-repetitive lyrics. Drop In The Ocean is yet another example of a track that we shouldn't really like, but still can't stop ourselves from hitting the replay button. It's rich with a mash-up of sounds that makes for a summertime and, while this is unlikely to do as well as Cheerleader, it's certainly set to be another success. You can check out the track, and the official video, online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 11 February 2016 |
Single Review: Foxes - Devil Side
If you needed further evidence of Foxes' amazing vocal abilities then fear not, because she's served up a definitive display of this with her latest YouTube release: an acoustic version of Devil Side. And it's too beautiful to even explain.
The track sees everything pulled back with a piano-led instrumental that sits neatly behind Foxes' vocal delivery, which is consistently stunning throughout. The release is packed with light and shade, and not only does it highlight the strength of the singer's vocal abilities but also the stunning range she has a well. The release seems to be specifically designed to show a more organic side to the singer, and indeed what she's capable of as an artist, and as acoustic releases go this one is certainly likely to turn a few heads over the coming weeks. You can check out the track, complete with a suitably simple official video, on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 11 February 2016 |
Single Review: Craid David, Katy B, Major Lazer - Who Am i
Craig David has smashed his way back on to the music scene recently and has made every effort to make sure every old fan, and every potential new one, has heard that he’s back. That promotion has reached a new level now with the news that he’s actually teamed up with Katy B and Major Lazer on a new track, Who Am I, to push his comeback a little further. Unfortunately though, despite my absurd love for Major Lazer, I’m not completely sold on the track.
There’s nothing at all wrong with the individual components of the single. Katy B’s vocals are instantly recognisable on the opening lyrics, her control and range are as impressive as always, and Craig David’s intrusion shortly after this is actually a welcome one. The two vocalists make for a good display and range of sounds, it’s just unfortunate that these sounds sometimes feel like they belong on a different song altogether. There’s no doubt at all that Major Lazer has brought massive production skills to the music industry in recent months, but the way Lazer’s sound hangs in the background of this track just doesn’t sit right with the vocals that appear alongside it. In fact throughout the majority of the single I get the feeling that either the vocals or the instrumentals are just out of time, making for a noticeable lag. While it works on paper, for me certain elements of this track need a rework before it will work in practice. There’s no official video for this yet, but you can check out the audio for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 February 2016 |
Single Review: Sigala - Say You Do
Sigala is up there as one of our top acts to emerge in recent months. Previously released singles such as Easy Love and Sweet Lovin’ have absolutely smashed the charts and it looks like Sigala are going for a streak with their latest release, titled Say You Do, which sees them team up with Imani and DJ Fresh for something that is sure to blow away any winter blues you might still be suffering from.
The single is everything that we’ve come to expect from Sigala: lively, colourful, and designed to make you dance. While the instrumentals are undeniably club infused there’s some clever use of alternative sounds on this track as well, as the club feel intermittently gives way to the likes of steel drums and some more organic sounds that are really the things bringing a summer feel to this. Imani’s vocals are steadfast throughout allowing for a good range and control to come through; she’s the perfect artist for this track, actually, and the overall good-vibe feel to the single is owed massively to her vocal delivery. The track already has an official video which is picking up steam all over YouTube and you can check it out for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 February 2016 |
Single Review: Hozier - Work Song
It didn’t take the mainstream music industry long to fall a little bit in love with Hozier and, since then, the singer-songwriter has been moving through his back catalogue of music in order to introduce older sounds to his newer fans. After a string of successful releases Hozier is now back with another single – set to drop this month – titled Work Song. And it’s about as lovely as you’d expect it to be.
The instrumentals of the track are beautifully simple with heavy beats and folk-infusions that layer the sound throughout. From the first vocal appearance on this track we’re reminded of his absurdly impressive range which he uses to his strength throughout allowing for light and shade that complements the punch of the track. This release is deliciously sentimental and heartfelt – if you’re looking for a Valentine’s anthem for this year then look no further – and after the success of Jackie and Wilson, Hozier’s previous single, Work Song does a brilliant job of pulling things back around to a more acoustic feel, just in case we needed a reminder of how good Hozier is at that as well... The official audio for the track, and an official video, can both be found online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 7 February 2016 |
Single Review: Sigma - Stay
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Album Review: VIMES - Nights In Limbo
VIMES are an electronic two-piece where pop, electro, and one or two other sounds come together to make something unexpectedly attractive to the ears. The group itself is made up of pop-loving Azhar Syed and club-friendly Julian Stetter who decided to bring their respective music interests together to make something themselves. And what they made is finally here in the form of their debut album, Nights In Limbo.
The opening track of the album, Harpoon, sets the tone with a beautiful mash-up of instrumentals that sees electronic sounds laid over something that sounds much more acoustic at times; whatever the pair are doing here, it sets the bar high for tracks that follow. Fortunately the track that follows, Mind, just happens to be one of my favourite songs on the album. Syed’s vocals on this track are understated and crooning throughout, and Stetter’s unexpected kick on instrumentals that picks up around the chorus is a welcome interlude. Celestial breaks up the melancholy even further with a more lively sound and here we really see Stetter come into his own with techno-infused instrumentals that will leave you wanting to dance – I promise. Rudal is a stunning instrumental interlude here where the vocals fall out of focus in favour of the sounds happening behind the scenes, and it’s a welcome change of pace again for the album; a change of pace, incidentally, that’s carried through to Tuem, which is another track that allows for a considerable instrumental build up before Syed’s haunting vocals kick in making for a heartfelt track (and another personal favourite). Later tracks allow for another sound from the pair, such as the seemingly piano-led Balance that allows for a stronger vocal delivery from Syed before giving way to a more contemporary club sound from Stetter. This track in particular would easily find a home for itself in clubs throughout the UK. Ential continues the club feel brilliantly with a heavy beat based track that would – and most likely will – lend itself well to remixes in the future. VIMES are masters of balance with the latter half of the album offering up a mix of club-influenced instrumentals and brooding vocals that alternate perfectly in the track layout. House of Deer, the final track of the release, is a decent blend of the two and a strong sound on which to close the album. The track comes in at nearly 8 minutes with a heavy instrumental lead in that becomes much more energetic behind the wispy vocals that eventually make an appearance. In fact, if one track on this album sums up the capabilities of VIMES as a band, it may well be this one. Nights In Limbo is a seriously impressive debut album, due to drop officially on February 12, and it’s definitely a release worth keeping an ear out for. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 February 2016 |
Single Review: Of Monsters & Men - Wolves Without Teeth
Of Monsters and Men took the mainstream music industry by storm a little while ago with their hit single, Little Talks, that collected in fans around the globe. And then, as is often the case, they disappeared for a while - from the mainstream radar at least. However, it seems that during that disappearance they've been working on new sounds and a week or so ago - as a follow up to their recent lyric video - they dropped the official music video for their new track Wolves Without Teeth.
Now, if you're expecting a lively follow-up to Little Talks then you're likely to be disappointed from the off, so before you read on it might be best to put a pin in those expectations. Wolves Without Teeth is something else entirely with crooning vocals and understated instrumentals, both of which are kicked up into an appropriate gear for a chorus that packs a considerable punch. Both sets of vocals on the track are steadfast throughout with a stunning range and control while the instrumentals are built up with light and shade throughout making for quite an emotional little single. Wolves Without Teeth probably won't be as successful as Little Talks was, if we're honest with ourselves, but it's certainly a sound release from the band that will do well amongst the more committed fans. You can check out the audio and the official video for the track just below. Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 4 February 2016 |
Single Review: Snakehips - All My Friends
Snakehips' All My Friends, with featured artists Tinashe and Chance The Rapper, has been on the music circuit for a while now. It gathered up enough attention to catapult it into the official charts and now its hit the mainstream it's slowly making its way up to being one of this year's earliest hot tracks. And it's easy to see why.
When it comes to mainstream music, All My Friends is ticking a lot of boxes. It opens with a relatively lazy instrumental that steadily picks up an understated beat, and the vocals that break into this introduction are set to match that. The track plays it clever here with a slow verse, a gradual bridge, and a chorus that comes complete with memorable lyrics - it took about two listens to have singing it back. Chance The Rapper breaks in for his appearance in the second verse adding another layer to the track and ensuring the energy of the chorus is continued to the second leg of the track. Overall it's a catchy single with a clever construction and we're sure that this track will stick around for a while. All My Friends comes complete with an official video that you can check out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 February 2016 |
Single Review: David Guetta - Bang My Head
The dream team that is Sia and David Guetta have teamed up for another collaboration, this time titled Bang My Head, and they've even brought Fetty Wap in on the action as well. The single was dropped recently, complete with an official video (that was actually unveiled late last year), and, as you'd expect, it's picking up steam all over the place.
The track comes with brilliant instrumentals and production work from Guetta allowing for a distinct beat from the off and a heavy dance feel that will prove popular in venues. Sia comes in, as always, with crooning vocals on the verse that feel fairly understated until things are kicked up a gear for the chorus, which is decidedly more lively in terms of instrumentals as well. There are, of course, instrumental-led bridges throughout the track that allow Guetta to flaunt his own musical abilities before Fetty Wap makes appearance in the final third of the release allowing for a welcome interlude. On paper, it might all sound like an odd combination, but somehow the three have really made it work. You can check out the track, and the official video, now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 February 2016 |
Zayn Malik Drops Debut Track
Zayn Malik's first live interview since he left One Direction was just released on Apple Music's Beats One radio, where the singer speaks about how his debut album, called Mind of Mine, is mostly finished.
Zayn also released his first single from the album, named Pillow Talk, and the accompanying music video, which you can view here. Amazon Are Working Towards Their Own Music Service
Amazon is reportedly working on building a music service that will challenge Spotify, Apple Music, and other music services. The new service will be different from Prime Music, which is already bundled in with the company's yearly Prime subscription.
Prime Music itself is a nice thing to have but it rarely has the newest songs, due to the fact that it's not really a service that stands on its own but is part of a package. This new standalone service will be completely separate from Prime Music and offer a larger variety of music, akin to Spotify and others. Reports have stated that the plan is still in the early stage but the company seems to be toying around with an interesting idea. Those of us that buy the company's speaker, Echo, will pay a lower monthly fee than those who don't. Whether this plan works depends on how much money Amazon is willing to lose through Echo but it seems like an interesting idea regardless. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 31 January 2016 |
Album Review: Rihanna - Anti
Think of Rihanna. No doubt, a lot of thoughts come to your mind to accompany that name: Pop queen, model, attractive, clothes, Dior, Instagram. Some of those thoughts might even be about her music but I want you to get rid of those thoughts, because her eighth album, Anti, is nothing like what we've come to expect from Rihanna. The pop queen who would release five singles from her album, which would all storm the charts, before releasing the album every November for the past few years is not here. Anti is very much anti-Rihanna. And maybe that's good.
First of, there are no singles here folks. The closest thing we have to a single is Work, which features Drake. And even then, it's not a great single in terms of what makes a single "work" these days. There's a catchy hook, sure, and you have a popular featured artist, and you have Rihanna. But it just doesn't work well (as a single), there really isn't any commercial music here. James Joint sees the singer singing an ode to 4/20, Higher is more of the same, Love on the Brain sees Rihanna inexplicably performing some doo-wops. Close to You seems like a successor to Stay but it's not part of the norm here. One thing that does seem to pin all these songs together is Rihanna's voice or, rather, the strength of it. She really has never sounded better, something that was evidenced on FourFiveSeconds, a song she released last year (though it's not on this album, along with Bitch Better Have My Money and American Oxygen which seem to float in between old Rihanna and new Rihanna). Her voice is powerful when she needs it to be but can also be light, delicate, and even mousey. Her voice has never been better and that's a good strength for Anti. It's hard to review this album because I'm pretty sure it needs more than just a few days to truly understand what's at work here. If you're looking for a "Rihanna" album, this is not it. But if you're interested in listening to an artist who doesn't really need to make music anymore and is using that financial freedom to experiment with her voice, than this is the album for you. If anything, Anti feels like a transitional phase for Rihanna and I can't wait to see which of the many routes she's explored in this album to take. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 31 January 2016 |
Single Review: High Highs - How COuld You Know
High Highs are a two-piece operation made up of Jack Milas and Oli Chang who have been hitting the music scene – with great success – for several years now. The duo dropped their debut album, Open Season, two years ago and from that they received high praise from reviewers around the globe, and they even managed to place one or two of their tracks on soundtracks for the likes of Grey’s Anatomy and Pitch Perfect. Since then the band have been working towards their second album, Cascades, which is due for release on February 5 this year, and in promotion for that they’ve just dropped a brand new single as well.
The track, titled How Could You Know, is nothing short of dreamy. There’s tech-in fused synth-work throughout making for an indie-pop feel and the lazy – in the best way possible – vocals only adds to this hazy feel that the track has overall. The track occasionally gives way to stronger beats that kick the instrumentals up for a stretch before winding things back down; don’t get too comfortable, though, because things change up again for a delicious hook strategically placed towards the closing of the track. Overall it’s a promising single; it illustrates a good sound and an impressive ability from the pair and, if this is any indicator of what we should expect from their albu, then that release is sure to garner up yet more high praise for High Highs. How Could You Know is officially released on March 11, but you can check out the audio online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 28 January 2016 |
Single Review: Oh Wonder - Lose It
I’ll hold my hands up and admit that I hadn’t actually heard of Oh Wonder, at all, before this morning when YouTube decided to throw them into the mix of my recommended listening. Nine times out of ten I’ll trust YouTube’s recommendation for something and when it suggested Oh Wonder’s recently revealed Lose It, it was bang on the money.
The track may have rapidly evolved into being my favourite thing this week. It has a good pace, good instrumentals, sound vocals, and it’s not afraid to change around with its sound at every available opportunity. The single opens with piano-led instrumentals that eventually give way to click-infused sounds that linger in the background for the vocals to make their first appearance; the closer we get to the chorus the more this is all ramped up eventually kicking in for heavier instrumentals as Oh Wonder repeatedly tell us we’ve got to lose it – and I think anyone who hears this track whilst hitting the town this weekend most probably will (if you need any pointers, though, there are some people throwing some shapes in the video to set an example). Lose It is a top quality track that features a clever mash up sounds and it will – unexpectedly – make you get up on your feet, I’m sure of it. The track comes complete with an official video which you can check out alongside the audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 28 January 2016 |
Single Review: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - White PRIVILEGE II
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have teamed up for another track, with Jamila Woods as a featured artist, and we're predicting that it's going to go down as something of an anthem. Unexpectedly, Macklemore has decided to discuss white privilege. And the internet are falling in love with him over it. The audio for the track was dropped on YouTube last week and it's already collected up over 1.5 million views, and some seriously complimentary comments from fans.
The instrumentals on this track barely register when they're pitted against the lyrics so let me quickly tell you how pleasant and appropriately understated they are before we move on to the important stuff. Macklemore, for some time now, has been hailed as a brilliant lyricist and on this track he pulls out every stop. With the same level of linguistic intricacy that you'll find in his other fast-paced tracks, Macklemore pulls punches at the end of every line here with comments like: 'It seems like we're more concerned with being called racist / Than we actually are with racism.' There are so many too-accurate soundbites in this track and people are falling over themselves to quote it already. White Privilege II is going to be a controversial track to drop on the music world, but it's certainly one worth listening out for. The official audio is available on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 26 January 2016 |
Single Review: The Chemical Brothers - Wide Open
Above and beyond anything else The Chemical Brothers are consistent. They've been on the music scene for more years than I can even remember, their music has never failed to generate excitement from fans, and for their latest track, Wide Open, which sees them team up for a collaboration with Beck, fans are certainly in for another treat.
Somewhat unexpectedly, the track is actually deliciously understated compared to some previous releases making for a reasonably mellow sound on the single. The instrumentals themselves are beat heavy - in a way that will, perhaps unfortunately, lend this track easily to remixes - and the vocals on here are steadfast throughout, although it's clear from the off that the vocals are a secondary concern of the single. With a laid back feel littered throughout the first half of the single, this is definitely one of the calmer tracks to emerge from The Chemical Brothers in recent years; however, if you were hoping for something more lively then fear not, because the track comes alive with heavy effects and hooks at steady intervals too. If you need something to wind you down on a mid-week afternoon, this could well the track for you. Wide Open also comes complete with a suitably arty - and mostly nonsensical - official video that you can check out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 26 January 2016 |
Single Review: Sia - Unstoppable
Sia just can't help herself because, with her full album release just a matter of days away now, the star has still gone ahead and dropped another single from it anyway. This latest track, titled Unstoppable, is one of many to be revealed in recent weeks and, following the trend set by its predecessors, this is bound to be another hit.
Honestly, I'm actually running out of nice things to say about Sia. Unstoppable is another stellar vocal performance with intricate and understated instrumentals that allow the focus to rest on Sia throughout the opening verse. Following this we get a steady build up to a more lively chorus that sees both instrumentals and vocals kicked up into something more forceful, with Sia belting out defiant lyrics like: 'I'm unstoppable / I'm a Porsche with no brakes / I'm invincible / Yeah, I win every single game.' It's a genuine challenge to stop ourselves from singing along with this track in a Bridget Jones fashion. As is often the case with Sia, there's no official video for the single - and no word on whether there will be one in the future - but you can check out the official audio over on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 January 2016 |
Single Review: Major Lazer - Be Together Feat. Wild Belle
Major Lazer has dropped some game-changing tracks over the past couple of months. The staggering success of Lean On, which saw Lazer collaborate with DJ Snake, not only smashed the UK music charts but it also stayed there for an impressive amount of time, while the follow up single to that, titled Powerful, saw a collab effort with Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley that topped out as one of favourite tracks for last year. Now, with the new year setting in, Major Lazer has dropped another single and it's certainly continuing the trend of top tracks.
The single, titled Be Together, is a beautifully produced track that is heavy with distinct beats and unexpected instrumentals that move the track from light, easy-on-the-ears music to something much deeper for the chorus, which sits perfectly alongside Wild Belle, the featured artist on this track. Belle's vocals work wonders with Lazer's production here as she brings to the track a higher, much more delicate sound that balances out the instrumentals. It's another hard-hitting release and, if this string of singles is anything to go by, any upcoming album that may be on the horizon from Lazer is set to be a smash. The single, and the official video, are both available online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 January 2016 |
Single Review: Anne-Marie - Do It Right
Anne-Marie is one of those unsung names in pop music - no pun intended - who has spent an impressive amount of time collaborating with people ahead of launching her solo attempt. The young singer has done two world tours with none other than Rudimental, and makes an appearance on their second album, whilst also featuring alongside the likes of Gorgon City and Magnetic Man. After a debut solo single dropped last year, receiving high praise from critics, Anne-Marie is now back with another single, titled Do It Right, and it's definitely worth a listen.
From the opening instrumentals of the track you can hear the dance influences present here; the opening beats are slick and polished to perfection, carrying you perfectly into the rap-style verse that sees distinct vocals from Anne-Marie. The vocal tone of this artist will certainly work in her favour when this music hits mainstream because her voice is one of the instantly recognisable ones of the music business. This great vocal work feeds into a laid back chorus that sees production take over on the instrumental while Anne-Marie breaks off on lyrics that are, admittedly, a little too repetitive for our liking. Nevertheless, it doesn't dent the overall impact of the track. A promising offering from a rising star, Do It Right will certainly win Anne-Marie some listeners over the coming months. The single comes complete with an official video, too, which you can check out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 January 2016 |
Review: Tiggs Da Author - Run Feat. lady Leshurr
If you haven't heard of Tiggs Da Author yet then don't worry, we hadn't either until this single was dropped in our inbox. Whether you're already a fan or whether you're coming to this with fresh ears, you should brace yourself for more tracks of this style because Tiggs is set to blow up on the music scene over the next few months. After being featured on various BBC channels late last year, we found that Tiggs is in the process of making his debut album and his latest single, Run, is a follow up to the highly praised Georgia, which you can find by clicking here.
As for Run, well, it's one of the catchiest singles you're going to hear dropped this month - perhaps even this year. With a touch of Pharrell Williams' Happy in the instrumentals, Run is a beat-heavy, culture-infused track that brings a mess of sounds together into something lively and colourful. Tiggs' vocals on the track are steadfast throughout and the late appearance from Lady Leshurr only adds further to the lively feel of this. The rap interlude brought in by Leshurr is an unexpected change of pace where things are ramped up heavily around her quick-witted lyrics before being brought around for a final appearance from Tiggs, but not before a catchy instrumental sequence that will - I promise - getting you dancing. There's no official video for the single just yet but you can check out the track, complete with a lyric video, online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 January 2016 |
Album Review: Daughter - Not to Disappear
There's something morbidly beautiful about the songs that the band Daughter creates. Guitar twangs and solemn vocals from the lead singer, Elena Tonra, their music claws out melancholy from every human soul. Their debut album, If You Leave, was all about heartbreak. Their sophomore album stretches their grief out to other aspects of human life and is better for it.
Doing The Right Thing is the third track on the album but was the first single, and for good reason. It's the strongest track on the entire album and it gives us an unflinching view of dementia. Tonra's words are incredibly powerful in their simplicity. "I'll call out in the night for my mother," she sings. "But she isn't coming back for me/ Cos she's already gone." There's a hush of silence and then "But you will not tell me that/ Because you know it hurts me every time you say it/ And you know you are doing the right thing." And it strikes a dagger into your heart every time you hear it. Elsewhere, Tonra is entirely numb on Numbers (I feel numb make me better/ I feel numb in this kingdom), How deals with love gone wrong (How long/ Before the last dance/ How comes he's the one/ To let me down), whilst Mothers deals with the motherhood with a very melancholic view (You will grow all you need to grow inside my spine/ And then take what you need to take/ What's yours is mine/ And then just give all you want of it to some new thing/ I'll stay here/ The provider of that constant sting they call love). No Care switches up the beat a little, propelled with rage, but Daughter relies on their familiar strings more than anything. Not that that's a bad thing - it might just get a little wearisome to the more happier folk out there. But if you feel melancholy dancing on your heart, this album is for you. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 19 January 2016 |
Album Review: Panic! At The Disco - Death of a Bachelor
There have been some high, and some catastrophically low, moments for Panic! At The Disco since they released their first full length album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, back in 2005 (and yes, it really was that long ago). Their fourth studio album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!, was dropped back in 2013 and it left a lot of listeners feeling under-whelmed and, frankly, after that release I had pretty much written them off myself. However, in an outrageous effort to reinvent themselves - minus two band-members - Panic! At The Disco have now dropped Death of a Bachelor, released on January 15 this year, and much to my total surprise the band have really pulled things around with this one.
It’s a rare occasion when I find a song that I can listen to the whole way through, so when I say that I can listen to Death of a Bachelor from start to finish without skipping a single, it really is the highest compliment I can give. Victorious leads us in with tech-infused instrumentals that set the bar neatly for many of the tracks that follow; Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time is another fine example of this mash-up of instrumentals that sees an irresistible hook around the chorus (and the chorus itself, well, you just need to listen and appreciate). As with all albums there are highs and dips, although in this instance even the dips come over pretty well. Hallelujah’s ‘All you sinners stand up, sing up hallelujah’ is a lyric that I just can’t get out of my head, while Emperor’s New Clothes never ceases to grab me with the misleading This Is Gospel sample that introduces it. Later tracks such as Crazy=Genius might sound a little forced, while the meant-to-be-emotional Impossible Year is a track that I could actually live without, not that there’s anything wrong with it, as such, but it does sit uncomfortably alongside the forceful kicks and hooks that you’ll find in the rest of the album. Death of a Bachelor may well be a game-changer for Panic! At The Disco. The album is a mess of sounds - there are tech-infused instrumentals and jazz-style riffs where you least expect them, and Urie’s vocals range never fails to astound/terrify me - but somehow it works, and it works damn well. A solid release from the band, this album will go a long way towards establishing the new Panic! Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 19 January 2016 |
Single Review: Tobtok - Fast Car Feat. River
Tracy Chapman's Fast Car has become an iconic track for a certain age group of music-lovers, so it's surprising that the single hasn't attracted more covers over the years. However, Tobtok is now changing that with the recent team up with River that sees Chapman's Fast Car brought to a new age band of listeners and, quite predictably, it's nowhere near as good as the original.
Inverting the usual 'This will grow on me' feeling, the more I listen to this rendition of Fast Car the less I like it. There's nothing wrong with the track, as such, the original instrumentals have been maintained although they are much heavier in this than in the acoustic sounds that Chapman relied on, and the vocals themselves are also okay, albeit slightly auto-tuned at times. If this were the first time this song was released, Tobtok would have done a crackin' job; as a cover, the heavily produced feel of what is essentially a simple track just doesn't work as well as it could. The track has been dropped on YouTube complete with an official video that you can access by clicking here (or you can check out the original by clicking here instead). Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 17 January 2016 |
Single Review: Hailee Steinfeld - You're Such A
If there's one thing that the music industry has pushed massively in recent years, it's frustratingly catchy songs that get completely stuck in your head regardless of whether you like the single or not. Enter Hailee Steinfeld with You're Such A...
From the opening instrumentals it's clear that this will be a pop-infused, overly-bubbly, Meghan Trainor type track and it isn't long before Steinfeld's vocals appear to reinforce that. There's nothing spectacular about the vocal delivery on the single; it's neither good nor bad truthfully, it's actually the lyrics themselves that carry the song from beginning to end. The frustratingly catchy: 'Damn you're such a did you think that I would let you, crawl right back into my bedroom...' will stick with you long after the first listen and, while the lyrics aren't exactly the work of genius, they do pull on a mildly amusing wordplay that the target audience for the track will surely find amusing. It's a light-hearted little number that will undoubtedly do well over the next couple of months. There's no official video for the single yet but you can check out the lyric video now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 17 January 2016 |
One Direction Deny Rumours about a permanent Split
One Direction fans and haters alike can't quite work out their feelings this week given the fluctuations in reports on whether the band will actually make a return or not. It was recently announced that the group were taking a hiatus from music to work on individual projects, only to then be announced that they would actually be disbanding completely after this break. But now, the band have intervened on the rumours themselves...
A source close to the group has spoken to Billboard on this recent developed and stated: 'Nothing has changed regarding hiatus plans for the group, and all will be revealed in due time from the band members' own mouths.' So the Directioners can breathe easy for a little while longer at least, while the rest of us can still dream... Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 14 January 2016 |
Passenger Reveals Tribute to David Bowie
Earlier this week it was announced that music icon David Bowie had passed away following an 18-month battle with cancer. And the world completely fell apart. Bowie spanned decades of musical eras and contributed to them all with style, skill, and more talent that we can even comprehend. And so it was inevitable that following the loss of a music icon, the music world would pay its respects.
Singer-songwriter Passenger has spoken out, in a fashion, with a touching cover of Bowie's well-known and much-loved track Space Oddity. The track is downplayed and heaped with emotion and, for those of you mourning the musical legend, you can check out Passenger's tribute to the man by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 14 January 2016 |
Single Review: Jidenna - Knickers
Now, as an uncool British listener, this song is most definitely not what I thought it was going to be about when I saw the title. So if you're thinking what I was thinking then let me stop you: This is not about ladies' undergarments. On a serious note, the track actually does wonders with this title and uses it to create one of the best plays on words that you're likely to find in music this year, so listen carefully.
Knickers is the latest single to emerge from Jidenna and, quite rightly so, it's causing something of a stir. The track is infectiously catchy and, while I fell compelled to listen to it on repeat, it is actually boasting a bit of a mess of sounds when it comes to the genre it falls into. There's a toe-tapping jazz infusion to the opening bars of the track before it breaks away into something more pop-based but don't get comfortable there, because it will change again for the chorus. Jidenna's vocal appearance here is steadfast and reliable throughout with the chorus being the real hook of the track where things become much smoother before being kicked up by the instrumentals again. Truthfully, Knickers is a total mess of sounds that have been thrown together but, somehow, they work. The track comes complete with an official video as well, which you can check out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 12 January 2016 |
Single review: Panic! At the Disco - Death of a Bachelor
As if we weren't already quietly in love with Brendon Urie's vocal abilities, he's now pulled Panic! At The Disco into sultry territory and we are absolutely melting over their new track, Death of a Bachelor.
The track was dropped on YouTube late last year, and comes complete with an official video that you can check out now by clicking here, and it's definitely worth a watch/listen. The track clearly has massive jazz influences here and because of that the instrumentals are unbelievably slick from the introduction, and Urie's vocals only add to that feel. The vocal delivery on this track is pulled back from what we've come to expect from Panic! and yet it's still exceptional, with Urie's range really showing on the chorus where the whole track is kicked up a notch in terms of energy. It might not be the standard single that we were expecting, but Panic! At The Disco are really working wonders for themselves with this release and, if this is a sign of things to come, then sign us up for the next single because it's set to be a cracker... Make sure you check out the track on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 12 January 2016 |
Single Review: Fall Out Boy - Irresistible Feat. Demi Lovato
Fall Out Boy haven't been far from musical headlines since their latest album and the stream of singles that have been released from it. However they're bagging headlines for a totally unexpected reason this week following the news that for their latest release, Irresistible, they've teamed up with none other than Demi Lovato, and we don't know how we feel about it...
Lovato started out on pop-rock and as popstars go she's certainly one of the more edgy artists to feature in the charts these days, so perhaps for Fall Out Boy it was an obvious choice; for us it's less obvious and more 'Maybe this will grow on us'. The track itself, which many fans will be familiar with from the album, is a sound release that comes complete with catchy hooks and lyrics that stick, and while there's nothing wrong with Lovato's vocals on the track, it's just a little jarring - on the first ten listens at least - to hear them alongside Stump's. The single has been released complete with an official video so you can check out both now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 10 January 2016 |
Single Review: JoJo - Save my Soul
JoJo smashed her way back on to the music scene last year with not one but three new singles that were dropped at the same time. There was a low rumble of publicity about the return of the star with the promise of more information to come in the near future, and now it seems that the near future is here because not only do we have new music, but we've got an official video as well.
One of the tracks to be released last year was JoJo's hard-hitting Save My Soul and that's the first of the three to drop a video. The single itself is a slow-burner that introduces understated, piano-led instrumentals and moody vocals from the starlet, only for things to be ramped up massively just ahead of the chorus which offers a fierce example of JoJo's vocal range these days. Overall the track is a really touching number and it's a sound release for re-establishing the star on the music scene. You can check out the track and the official now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 10 January 2016 |
Single Review: Sia -
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Single Review: Ed Sheeran - Touch and Go
Somehow Ed Sheeran's Touch and Go from the Wembley Edition of x dropped online late last year without me completely fan-girling over it. But fear not, because I'm about to make up for lost time. The audio for the track arrived on YouTube following the official release of the updated album and, as you'd expect from Sheeran, it really is quite lovely.
The track is an upbeat medley of familiar sounds and sounds that feel a tad more shiny and new. The acoustic guitar that makes up the instrumentals is catchy enough to make you move a little but downplayed enough for the focus to rest on Sheeran's vocal delivery, which is on-point, as it always is. The lyrics themselves also go far in creating the feel-good aspect of the track as Sheeran belts out 'If you say go, I would stop everything oh / My heart would play the role now / And act like it's never been broke' to the delight of swooning fans across the globe. Overall, Touch and Go is track that will get you tapping along and eventually singing along too, and it's the perfect remedy for any niggling January blues. You can check out the audio for the track now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 7 January 2016 |
Single Review: Passenger - Everything
Passenger created a massive musical hype when he dropped hit single Let Her Go, which the world went wild for. The singles that followed were a little more understated in the world of mainstream music, but for those who have stuck with the singer-songwriter since then there's another new single on the horizon, and it's another cracker.
The track, titled Everything, was dropped on YouTube in December complete with an official video as well. The track is the steadfast and organic sound that we've come to expect from Passenger with an acoustic guitar making up the instrumentals entirely, accompanied by the singer's raspy vocals that belt out heartfelt lyrics (okay, that sentence could describe pretty much every Passenger song ever, but I promise this one is worth a listen). The track is simple and beautiful and it's definitely what you need to clear away any mid-week blues. You can check out the track and the official video now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 5 January 2016 |
Single Review: Kanye West - Facts
With all of the excitement of Christmas and bringing in the New Year, it may have escaped your attention that Kanye West has just dropped a new single. But don't worry, you certainly haven't missed out...
The track, title Facts, was dropped on YouTube on December 31st and it marks the first musical offering from West in around a year, so I was expecting something fairly fine-tuned. The instrumentals and voice-overs that lead in the first thirty seconds of the track are surprisingly catchy and they make for a promising introduction, only for things to totally fall apart when the rap arrives. The instrumental drops for the focus to rest on West's vocal delivery here but, for me, the whole track from here on is just underwhelming, and at times it even feels a little messy on the production front. An unexpectedly disappointing offering from West after a year of silence, Facts doesn't seem likely to catapult Kanye back into the mainstream industry, nevertheless you can check it out online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 5 January 2016 |
Taylor Swift Reveals Video for Out of the Woods Single
Taylor Swift wants to help you usher in the new year by releasing a music video for her single Out of the Woods which sees Swift in a literal wood attempting to run away from wolves. It's not clear yet if the wolves are a representation of her haters or if they are actual wolves. Either way, there's a lot of running and there's a lot of woods.
You can check out the video just below. Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 3 January 2016 |
Coldplay Reveal Official Audio & Video for Birds
Coldplay went a little off the deep end last year in terms of what they were releasing; namely, the official video for Adventure of a Lifetime, which saw dancing apes. Like, a lot of dancing of apes. Now they're following this trend with their latest release, titled Birds, and the video is already causing one or two raised eyebrows from viewers.
There aren't any dancing apes in this one, sorry to disappoint you, but it is an exceptionally psychedelic music video with an unexpectedly chilled feel to it. Now, on to the single itself... It's actually kind of lovely. I haven't been a fan of Coldplay in forever but there's something special about Birds. An upbeat instrumental that belongs somewhere in the summer and understated vocals that just add to the chilled feel of the track, Birds is certainly one worth keeping your ears out for. You can check out both the audio and the official video for the single online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 3 January 2016 |
Spotify Facing Lawsuit Following Unpaid Royalties
There's been a huge conversation over online music streaming sites and whether or not they're actually worth it for the people who are making the music. Musician David Lowery thinks not because he has just filed a class action lawsuit against Spotify claiming that the company has not paid him royalties for his songs. Lowery is seeking at least $150 million in damages.
Lowery's main complaint is that Spotify has caused "substantial harm and injury to the copyright holders" by failing to gain the copyright of some of his songs and illegally hosting them on its website for users to listen to. Lowery is not alone in this: he will represent a group of over 100 members who feel the same way about the service. This is not the first time that Spotify has become tangled in a lawsuit. The company was sued by the Ministry of Sound in 2013 for refusing to delete playlists that mimicked its albums. Just this autumn, Victory Records, a small label in Chicago, claimed that Spotify wasn't paying its artists what they deserved. And currently, Spotify is in the middle of a settlement with the National Music Publishers Association after they sued the company with a claim that it was failing to keep accurate records of royalty payments, something that the company has admitted in a blog post last week. So it seems that despite the new year gearing up, Spotify are already stuck battling the same old problems. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 31 December 2015 |
Single Review: Jason Derulo - Get Ugly
When it comes to dropping catchy singles Jason Derulo knows what he's doing, given that his back-catalogue is mostly made up of songs about nothing in particular that happen to have a good hook. And now he's got another track to add to that, this time titled Get Ugly.
I wish, I really do wish, that I could tell you what the song is about, but I'm on my third listen and I still haven't quite worked it out myself. What I can tell you, however, is that this song is going to be big in pubs and clubs over the coming months as it boasts catchy albeit slightly nonsensical lyrics and a beat that will make people move. The main appeal of the song rests on the instrumentals and auto-tuning rather than the vocals themselves, which is a shame, but for the purpose of this track it's certainly effective. Whether Get Ugly will compete with the likes of Talk Dirty, it's too soon to say, but the track will undoubtedly do well with anyone looking for a musical boost in the gloomy January ahead. The track is available, complete with an official video, online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 31 December 2015 |
Single Review: Stooshe - Lock Down
Stooshe have been quiet for a little while now, so fans across the globe were both excited and relieved to hear that the girls are planning a comeback for early 2016 with their new single, Lock Down, which was dropped on YouTube recently.
The girls are going for catchy with this release, and it works. The vocals are on-point throughout but it's the instrumentals that really carry you through the verses with a heavy beat that feeds into the lively chorus (which is already being compared to Jessie J's Bang Bang, although we don't really see it). Lock Down thrives on repetition in both the lyrics and the instrumentals, so it's inevitable that this song will be stuck in your head for a while after the first listen. A sound comeback, Lock Down could be just what Stooshe needs to catapult themselves back into mainstream music. The single comes complete with an official video as well, and you can check out both by clicking here. Oh and stay tuned for the end of the video for a snippet of what happens next... Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 28 December 2015 |
Single Review: Zara Larsson - Lush Life
The most amazing thing about Zara Larsson's track Lush Life is that its taken it this long to garner some attention. Seriously, where was this song all summer when we needed it? The track arrived on YouTube back in July but, allegedly, isn't seeing its official release until January 2016. Either way, it's a track that you need to listen to.
Larsson's vocals here are leading to comparisons between her and - believe it or not - Rihanna, and after one listen it's easy to see why. There's such a distinct edge to the vocal delivery here and that really adds a feisty feel to the single; the chorus 'I live my day as if it were the last / Live my day as if there was no past' also lends itself well to the catchy nature. Overall it's just a neat little number that really should have got more attention over the summer months; however, failing as a summertime single, it's certainly worth adding to your New Year playlist. You can check out the track and the official video on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 28 December 2015 |
Single Review: The 1975 - UGH!
The 1975 are making a slow and steady comeback with their frustratingly catchy singles, the latest of which to emerge is UGH! which arrived on YouTube, complete with an official video, just a few days ago.
The track is a blend of unexpected sounds that mix retro funk with modern pop and yet somehow, it really works. The chorus makes for a catchy hook with lyrics that are all too easy to pick up and the vocal performance itself brings the familiar off-beat sound that we've become accustomed to from this group. UGH! isn't going to be the single to put these guys back on the music map, but it's certainly going to reignite some love for the band.
You can check out both the track and the music video now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 21 December 2015
The track is a blend of unexpected sounds that mix retro funk with modern pop and yet somehow, it really works. The chorus makes for a catchy hook with lyrics that are all too easy to pick up and the vocal performance itself brings the familiar off-beat sound that we've become accustomed to from this group. UGH! isn't going to be the single to put these guys back on the music map, but it's certainly going to reignite some love for the band.
You can check out both the track and the music video now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 21 December 2015
Single Review: Sia - Cheap Thrills
Earlier in the week Sia teased fans with a snippet from her upcoming single release, Cheap Thrills, and now she's dropped the audio for the whole single - just in time for the weekend.
The instrumentals of the track are beat-heavy in a way that Sia's music usually isn't, but it's certainly a welcome change of pace. As always, Sia's vocals are on-point throughout but rather than this being a song that displays her range, Cheap Thrills is a song that displays her abilities as a popstar; don't worry, though, the latter is equally impressive. The single is much more club-dance friendly than her more recent releases but, with Christmas parties just around the corner, this may well be the perfect time for Sia to drop this single. There's no official video just yet but you can check out the official audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 December 2015 |
Single Review: Scouting for Girls - Christmas in the Air
A few years back Scouting For Girls were everyone's favourite off-beat British band; after slipping off the radar for some time the boys are now back, with a Christmas song no less, and honestly, we're a little bit in love with it.
With typical Scouting For Girls lyrics, 'Your smile warms me, like central heating', and deliciously off-beat vocals, Christmas in the Air is easily one of the sweetest song to drop this season. The track comes complete with acoustic instrumentals that pull the sound back into some organic and beautifully simple, and the chorus, as you'd expect, is frustratingly catchy and cute. One listen and it sticks, Christmas in the Air is a sound comeback track for the British three-piece. The sweet single comes complete with an equally sweet music video and you can check out both now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 December 2015 |
Single Review: A3 - Stay
It's the middle of the week, you're daydreaming about Christmas, and the weekend seems a little too far away for everyone's liking. Brace yourselves, though, because this week A3 have dropped just the thing to get you through to the weekend. Their track, Stay, has now been officially released and it's a lively number for the holiday season!
The funk-infused instrumentals feel like a clear nod to older club sounds, as do the vocals that have a hint of a techno-sound to them at moments. The chorus/hook of the track is infectious and, for us at least, it's actually impossible to not dance around a little bit (c'mon, you know you want to as well), while the lyrics themselves are simple and catchy enough to have clubbers singing along. It's a colourful number that is sure to make its way into clubs over the coming season so it's definitely worth keeping your eyes out for it.
If you need a kick to carry you through to the weekend then A3's Stay is definitely it. The track is available online now and it comes complete with an official video which you can check out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 16 December 2015
The funk-infused instrumentals feel like a clear nod to older club sounds, as do the vocals that have a hint of a techno-sound to them at moments. The chorus/hook of the track is infectious and, for us at least, it's actually impossible to not dance around a little bit (c'mon, you know you want to as well), while the lyrics themselves are simple and catchy enough to have clubbers singing along. It's a colourful number that is sure to make its way into clubs over the coming season so it's definitely worth keeping your eyes out for it.
If you need a kick to carry you through to the weekend then A3's Stay is definitely it. The track is available online now and it comes complete with an official video which you can check out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 16 December 2015
Single Review: Louisa Johnson - Forever Young
Louisa Johnson, your winner of The X Factor 2015, is about ready to drop her Winner's Single, a cover of Bob Dylan's iconic Forever Young. And, despite controversy surrounding the choice of track, the young singer serves it up pretty damn well.
The official audio for the track is yet to make it online so we'll reserve our final judgement for that moment. However last night's performance of Johnson's rendition was certainly something special. The vocals packed into this are unbelievable; Johnson's range here is stunning and she delivers the lyrics themselves with conviction and emotion making for a hard-hitting performance. We're quietly confident that this will find an impressive place for itself in the official charts over the coming weeks. You can check out Lousia's performance of the track now by clicking here, and standby for an official video over the next couple of days. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 14 December 2015 |
Single Review: Olly Murs - Stevie Knows
It's that time of year where mainstream popstars start dropping their tracks with the hope of bagging a high-ranking Christmas chart position, so we can't blame Olly Murs for throwing his hat into the ring with another track off the back of Kiss Me. But, we're not seeing much of a chart-topper in Stevie Knows.
The track is actually a little random-sounding. There's nothing wrong, as such, with the individual components, but when they're compiled together they just don't work. The instrumentals are upbeat and funk-infused, Murs' vocal delivery is a little underwhelming but in terms of ability it's as okay as it always is, but the lyrics... 'Stevie don't wonder / Stevie knows', I mean, really? The whole track just feels like a too-obvious attempt at making something catchy, and we're not keen. Stevie Knows comes complete with an official video which you can check out online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 14 December 2015 |
Single Review: Flo Rida - Dirty Mind Feat. Sam Martin
Flo Rida dropped a new track earlier this month, Dirty Mind, that sees him collaborate with Sam Martin. Despite the track being available on YouTube for nearly a week now, it seems to be suffering from an under-whelming amount of hits, and it's easy to see why...
Flo Rida is well-known by now for his provocative tracks and, naturally, with something titled Dirty Mind I had certainly psyched myself up for something upbeat, suggestive, and impossible to not dance to. But Dirty Mind is none of the above. The track isn't downbeat but the instrumentals are massively downplayed and severely lacking in terms of a beat that will make people dance and, while there's nothing wrong as such with Flo Rida's rap delivery here, there's also nothing distinctive, making it difficult to stick with from one beat to the next. As for Sam Martin's appearance, well, keep your ears out because it's easy to miss. A surprisingly understated single, Dirty Mind doesn't yet have an official video but you can check out the audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 10 December 2015 |
Single Review: Kygo - Stay Feat. Maty Noyes
Kygo smashed the charts earlier this year with Firestone and now it seems that we've got a similar future chart hit to finish the year on in the form of Stay, featuring Maty Noyes.
For such a simple track, Stay is actually surprisingly catchy. The instrumentals are beat-infused but understated allowing a heavy focus to rest on Noyes' vocal appearance here, and what a vocal appearance it is. Noyes' vocals fit perfectly with the feel of the track, she delivers the lyrics with conviction and when she pulls back Kygo really kicks in. The two complement either other massively on this with one ramping up their sound as the other tones down their own making for a great balance throughout. Stay is a brilliant blend of singable lyrics and dance-able instrumentals and it is sure to be another successful release for Kygo when it's officially dropped this month. There's no official video available just yet but you can check out the audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 10 December 2015 |
Single review: Grace - You Don't Own Me feat. G-Eazy |
Single Review: Sia - Alive
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Grace's track, You Don't Own Me, has gathered up listeners from around the globe already this year, despite the track only just seeing its official release. The slick-sounding single, which features a rap interlude from G-Eazy, has shot to stardom after featuring on a number of television advertisements and, let's not forget, after Lauren Murray dropped her rendition on The X Factor recently.
So, is it all it's cracked up to be? For me, no. The single is unbelievably slick and Grace's vocals are stunning throughout the entire thing, yes. G-Eazy's rap is professional, polished, and will undoubtedly go some way towards making him a mainstream name, yes. However the big issue for me is when the chorus drops; everything is ramped up far too dramatically and it's almost a little jarring to hear how this fits with the rest of the track. Production missed a track with this chorus, as far as I'm concerned. You Don't Own Me is already collecting massive hits online and it comes complete with an official video which you can check out by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 7 December 2015 |
Sia is going from strength to strength these days and, with the release of her new album, This Is Acting, set for January 2016, she's missing no tricks when it comes to dropping singles and publicising this upcoming release. Which goes some way towards explaining her appearance on The X Factor yesterday evening...
Sia appeared in all her anonymous glory to deliver up a live performance of her most recent track, Alive, and in the space of five minutes I fell a little bit in love with this single. The emphasis here rests on Sia's vocal abilities and they are consistently stunning from one verse to the next with things being particularly powerful on the choruses that sit between, which even the slight breaks in Sia's vocal sound deliberate. The instrumentals themselves feel understated, but deliberately so, and with great effect. If you need a kick of motivation for Monday then this is definitely the song you should be listening to. The single comes complete with an official video which you can check out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 7 December 2015 |
Single Review: Fleur East - More and More
Fleur East is out and out smashing the music industry these days, dropping one track after another, and the latest one to arrive, More and More, seems to be another sure success for the star.
The instrumentals for the track are deliciously dated in a way that throws it up alongside classic Whitney singles; you know, the type that always make you want to dance, which More and More is also likely to do. The vocals are steadfast as ever and the lyrics themselves are massively catchy, a running theme in East's music at the moment. There's no official video for the track yet but you can check out the audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 December 2015 |
Spotify confirms Top Artists for the Year
Spotify has just released its annual year in review and the results aren't that surprising if you're aware of pop culture in general. Drake scored the most streams with 1.8 billion, Justin Bieber had the most streams in one day, The Weeknd's Beauty Behind the Madness was the most streamed album but the most surprising result was that Rihanna was the most streamed female artist this year with 1 billion streams... yet she hasn't released much new music.
Scoring a billion streams is impressive in itself but Rihanna has only released a few new songs this year (namely three) with her eighth album "coming soon". However, the Rihanna buzz is constantly hovering around and the fact that this album has taken so long to come (in Rihanna's timeframe anyway), it's likely that fans couldn't stop themselves from listening to old songs in wait for the new. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 4 December 2015 |
Single Review: Justin Bieber - Love Yourself
Justin Bieber is putting in a commendable effort these days to change the public opinion of him, and given the amount of singles he has in the official charts right now it's obviously working. The latest track to the join the ranks of singles dropped from his Purpose album is Love Yourself, and the internet has gone a little crazy for it.
Despite my best efforts not to, I can't help but like this. Everything is pulled back with an understated instrumental that features just music, minus techie interruptions, and Bieber's vocals here are actually okay - not the strongest in the music business by a long shot, although, that's probably not what many people are looking for in Bieber, so he gets away with it. In amongst all this simplicity you'll find the equally simple lyrics, yet somehow they're absurdly catchy. The chorus kicks off with 'My mama don't like you and she likes everyone' and everything that follows that is just an irresistible hook for the whole track. It really does seem like Bieber is doing some good for his career with this latest stream of tracks and Love Yourself is only going to push that further. You can check out the single and the official video for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 December 2015 |
Single Review: Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
Coldplay, after what feels like a lengthy silence, have finally dropped a new single titled Adventure of a Lifetime and, for one reason or another, it's certainly got people talking...
The track itself brings the mellow sound that we've come to expect from the band over the years with some instrumental effects thrown in to ensure listeners will get up and dance along - which, granted, they probably will. The vocals on the track are steadfast throughout and there are undoubtedly one or two catchy hooks in the track that will make it a solid and successful release when its officially dropped. However, it's the video for this single that really has people hooked. In the special-effect-heavy video we are transported to a brilliant albeit totally unexpected world of dancing... well, we won't ruin it for you. The track and the official video are both available now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 December 2015 |
Adele's 25 Blasts
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Single Review: Sia - One Million Bullets
Sia has stirred up excitement with fans this weekend following the online reveal of her latest track, One Million Bullets. The audio for the song was dropped on YouTube a handful of days ago and, as you'd expect from Sia, the single is all kinds of beautiful.
Sia delivers a moody but steadfast vocal throughout accompanied by a beat-heavy yet understated instrumental that allows the focus to fall on the vocals here. Everything is ramped up heavily for the chorus providing a heartfelt hook for the track with lyrics - as always - that are completely beautiful and touching. There's no official video for the track as of yet but you can check out the official audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 30 November 2015 |
Single Review: Drones Club - Soul of a Spaceman
We’re all about up and coming artists making an appearance in our inbox, and this week the band that has grabbed our attention is Drones Club with their upcoming track, Soul of a Spaceman.
The track itself is a melancholic number littered with space-disco sounds that make for an eerie feel. There’s a laid back sound scattered throughout with understated instrumentals that allow the focus to be on the well-controlled vocals that add massively to the moody sound of the track. Midway through the track a distinct beats appears adding an extra layer to the sound that will have audiences swaying along and singing back vocals as soon as the single picks up some steam. Soul of a Spaceman is a promising offering from the band that sets a high bar for future singles and it’s definitely worth checking out this sound (which you can do now by clicking here). Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 27 November 2015 |
Single Review: Fleur East - bReakfast
Fleur East is still basking in the success of her debut single, Sax, but she’s wasting absolutely no time whatsoever in dropping another single in time for the Christmas charts and her latest offering, Breakfast, is just as punchy at the last track.
A little neater than Sax, Breakfast has a fine-tuned sound with slick instrumentals and understated vocals that give way to something a little more fierce midway through the track. The lyrics themselves will be a hit with everyone, we’re sure of that much; after the second listen of the track it’s almost impossible to stop yourself from singing along with ‘I don’t know no body, ‘cause they’re all your friends / but a couple look nice, nice enough to buy my breakfast’. The single brings both a sophisticated and provocative sound and it’s sure to be another hit for the star. The audio is being teased across the internet now - just as it was with Sax - with one or two leaks already appearing on YouTube, but we’ve still got a little wait before the official audio and video are actually dropped. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 27 November 2015 |
Album Review: Adele - 25
Four years ago, an album took the world by storm. It had several Number 1 singles, sold over 30 million units across the world, and had crowds of people singing along, swaying to the beat of their heartbreak. That album was, of course, 21 by Adele, the woman who sung her way into our broken hearts and stayed there. A year later, she sang what I consider to be the best James Bond song ever which won an Oscar. And then she disappeared for three years. There was no word from her, no new music, nothing at all. After all, 21 was so great that perhaps she didn't need to. Until, of course, she released a small teaser that went viral and suddenly, the world is singing to Adele's heartbreak once more. To say that there is a lot riding on this album is an understatement. Not only does Adele need to make music just as good (or better) than 21, but the music industry is hoping that her album revives it. I think it does both those things and a lot more.
First of all, let's get the elephant out of the room. Hello is an amazing song. It's simple and beautiful, much like Adele herself. It showcases her voice, which is as brilliant as it's always been, and its simple chorus cuts right to the heart. And the rest of the album follows in its footsteps...
River Lea is a pretty dark song which sees Adele as a demanding lover who might just be impossible to satisfy, whilst When We Were Young is a nostalgic look-back at youth. All I Ask sees the singer placed against a piano and is absolutely heartbreaking to listen to. That's not to say that there aren't some uplifting songs here (Sweetest Devotion is a little happy but it seems more aimed at her son than her lover) but they're rare. This is very much a sad album but by now, we know that this is what Adele does best. Take the tissues out and keep them there. 25 is set to take the music world by storm and it'll drag your heart along with it.
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 25 November 2015
First of all, let's get the elephant out of the room. Hello is an amazing song. It's simple and beautiful, much like Adele herself. It showcases her voice, which is as brilliant as it's always been, and its simple chorus cuts right to the heart. And the rest of the album follows in its footsteps...
River Lea is a pretty dark song which sees Adele as a demanding lover who might just be impossible to satisfy, whilst When We Were Young is a nostalgic look-back at youth. All I Ask sees the singer placed against a piano and is absolutely heartbreaking to listen to. That's not to say that there aren't some uplifting songs here (Sweetest Devotion is a little happy but it seems more aimed at her son than her lover) but they're rare. This is very much a sad album but by now, we know that this is what Adele does best. Take the tissues out and keep them there. 25 is set to take the music world by storm and it'll drag your heart along with it.
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 25 November 2015
Single Review: James Bay - If You Ever Want to be In Love
James Bay has gone from an unknown artist to a household name for anyone who listens to the charts these days, and rightly so, he's an amazing singer! However, because of that, some of his 'new' singles will be all too familiar for listeners who have been following Bay for a while, and the latest track set to drop, If You Ever Want To Be In Love, is a fine example of this.
The official video for the track was released a handful of weeks ago but, for those who are already familiar with the single, it's definitely worth checking it out again because it comes complete with a slightly different version of the track. Bay's vocals are still are understated and seductive as ever but the instrumentals have been turned up a touch allowing for a richer sound on the whole. The chorus, perfect as it was, has also received a little makeover that makes it stand out massively here, for all the right reasons. You can check out the track and the official video on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 23 November 2015 |
Single Review: Kelly Clarkson - Piece by Piece
Kelly Clarkson has become a little flaky with her singles, I think. One minute she's dropping them all over the place and the next minute she's nowhere to be found, and right now - surprise, surprise, on the run up to Christmas - she's going with the former. Following on from her recent track with Ben Haenow, Clarkson is now ready to drop another track, title Piece by Piece, and you really should brace yourselves, because there's a good chance it will make you cry...
Everything about the track is fairly simple in terms of sound; the instrumentals are understated allowing for the focus to rest mainly on Clarkson's vocal delivery, which is on-point throughout and displays great control and range from the singer. Where the force really lies is in the lyrics themselves and as Clarkson belts out 'Piece by piece he restored my faith / That a man can be kind and a father could stay' all the heartstrings are plucked and the track, in that split second, packs the biggest punch you can imagine. An unexpectedly hard-hitting single, Piece by Piece is available online now - complete with an official video - by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 23 November 2015 |
Single Review: DJ Fresh - How Love Begins
DJ Fresh has got a decent reputation now for churning out crazy good club anthems and this latest offering, that sees Fresh collaborate with High Contract and Dizzee Rascal, is certainly no exception to the rule.
The first minute of the track runs on club-infused instrumentals and over-baked vocals that catapult you back around ten years or so - but it's certainly a welcome jump back in time. This song is only just being released and it already belongs on a Classic Club Anthems playlist! Dizzee Rascal cuts in after the first verse with a on-point delivery of a fast-paced rap that not only reminds listeners of what he's capable of as an individual artist, but it also pulls the track into a more modern sound, if only for a short stretch. A must-listen for anyone gearing up for the weekend, there's no official video for this track just yet but it's definitely worth checking out the audio by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 November 2015 |
Single Review: R. City - Make up
R. City dropped a track with Maroon 5's Adam Levine recently and they hit a fair amount of success with it so, naturally, off the back off that success they've dropped another one, this one titled Make Up, that features Chloe Angelides.
There's nothing wrong with the track, as such, but I can't help but feel that it's being released a few months too late. The instrumentals offer up a lazy, Reggae-infused beat with off-beat vocals that fit perfectly alongside each other, delivering a good build up to Angelides' vocal appearance on the chorus which certain adds a welcome change of sound and pace to the track. Make Up is catchy, colourful, and worth having a dance to, even it should be played on a beach somewhere, rather than in the gloomy November weather... The track comes with an equally colourful video which you can check out as well by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 November 2015 |
Single Review: Nathan Sykes - Over and Over Again
Since announcing his plans for a solo career last year, The Wanted's Nathan Sykes has been releasing a slow and steady stream of tracks to showcase his solo abilities. Now, on the cusp of cold weather and Christmas, Sykes has not only dropped another single, but it may well be one of the most romantic ones that has been revealed this year.
Over and Over Again is a fairly simple track with piano-led instrumentals and well-controlled vocals that offer up lyrics that, stereotypically speaking, every young woman wants to hear at some point or another. The beauty of the track really is the simplicity of it because there aren't any gimmicks here; there are just great vocals and a great instrumental, and if any track out there was going to show Sykes as a worthy solo artist, Over and Over Again may well be it. The single comes complete with an equally cute video as well and you can check that out online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 November 2015 |
Single Review: Sigma & Rita Ora - Coming Home
Sigma have absolutely smashed the UK music charts with their collaborations this year. With one hit singlee after another to their name, it's no surprise that they're taking one more shot - with one more collaboration - before the year runs out, and this time they've teamed up with Rita Ora.
The instrumentals for the track are, as we've come to expect over the last twelve months, completely on-point. There's a deliberately slow build up to give way to Ora's vocals before things are ramped up steadily throughout the track giving this potential for another classic dance hit. The vocals on the track are also a welcome addition but, it has to be said, if I didn't know that it was Rita Ora on this track, then I would have guessed it as being absolutely anyone. The sound of the vocals are fine but they've been tuned and tinkered with beyond recognition at some points during the verses, leaving the chorus itself - with its gospel-infused build-up - as a definite high-point in the track. An official video for the single has also been released now so you can check it out by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 November 2015 |
Album Review: Justin Bieber - Purpose
Justin Bieber. The very name calls to mind spoilt narcissistic behaviour and a lot of monkeys. For a while now, Bieber has been the very epitome of what is wrong with making children into worldwide stars but 2015 brought about a change. Not only did the Biebs release some good music (What Do You Mean, Sorry, I'll Show You) but his behaviour seemed to be changing as well. He cried whilst performing, he did a lot of Ellen shows, and he did a Comedy Central roast. It seemed that perhaps the spoilt boy was dead and in his place was someone who could make good music and have the behaviour to go along with it. That's why so much rides on Bieber's fourth studio album, titled Purpose, but does it do the trick?
About five minutes into his album, Bieber says "don't forget that I'm human" and perhaps we shouldn't. It's not the fame-teardown that we all want to hear but I'll Show You does a great job of showing that there's more to Bieber than ever before as well as making a good track. No Pressure sees Bieber admitting that he's made some mistakes (I'm the only one to blame) and Sorry asks whether it's too late for him to apologise (never, Bieber, never).
However, even though the album shows Bieber at his most humble, it's still a banger. Just listen to What Do You Mean and tell me it doesn't make you want to dance along. The Halsey-featured The Feeling (which is currently on repeat thanks to my love for Halsey) is fantastic (look to prior parentheses for bias) and overall, the album is a good release from the young act.
Although Bieber does get a little bit too much on tracks such as the Ed Sheeran team-up Love Yourself (which sees Bieber do his best British impression ever) and on Children, a song that sees Bieber telling us to think of the children. A little much, yes, but on the whole, Purpose is a good comeback for Bieber, one that might turn the naysayers into diehards once more...
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 16 November 2015
About five minutes into his album, Bieber says "don't forget that I'm human" and perhaps we shouldn't. It's not the fame-teardown that we all want to hear but I'll Show You does a great job of showing that there's more to Bieber than ever before as well as making a good track. No Pressure sees Bieber admitting that he's made some mistakes (I'm the only one to blame) and Sorry asks whether it's too late for him to apologise (never, Bieber, never).
However, even though the album shows Bieber at his most humble, it's still a banger. Just listen to What Do You Mean and tell me it doesn't make you want to dance along. The Halsey-featured The Feeling (which is currently on repeat thanks to my love for Halsey) is fantastic (look to prior parentheses for bias) and overall, the album is a good release from the young act.
Although Bieber does get a little bit too much on tracks such as the Ed Sheeran team-up Love Yourself (which sees Bieber do his best British impression ever) and on Children, a song that sees Bieber telling us to think of the children. A little much, yes, but on the whole, Purpose is a good comeback for Bieber, one that might turn the naysayers into diehards once more...
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 16 November 2015
Luka State Drops New Video!
Remember that track, Bring This All Together, from The Luka State? Of course you do! How could you have forgotten it? That release had us dancing about in our seats and now there's an official music video for the release which you can check out by clicking here.
Busted Set to Release NEw Music Without Record Label!
Busted are back and fans around the globe are delighted by the news that they're planning a tour for the near future, that will even feature some new music alongside their classic tracks. However it has also emerged this week that the band are doing all of this without a record label behind them.
In an exclusive interview with Digital Spy this week, Charlie Simpson revealed that: 'That's still up in the air - we haven't really thought that far ahead.' They've thought far enough ahead to release their tour dates, though, and tickets are available for purchase now! Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 13 November 2015 |
Single Review: Missy Elliott - WTF Feat. Pharrell Williams
There is a whole generation of music lovers from this genre who won't understand the excitement of Missy Elliott dropping a new single, but I for one am delighted. It's been far too long since we heard from this artist but her latest track, titled WTF (Where They From), shows that the time away from the music scene has done no damage at all to her sound.
The instrumentals of this track, or more specifically their distinct beat, is absolutely infectious; you won't be able to stop yourselves from dancing, I promise. Elliott drops in with a rap that's on-point from the beginning carrying you through to a chorus that's frustratingly catchy and Williams' vocals appearance on this is well-received too, showing a different side to his vocals than that seen in his more recent solo releases. The track is lively, catchy, colourful and, like many of Elliott's best tracks - for those who can remember them all from the first time around - it's a rap track infused with beats designed to make you dance, and this track is sure to take off massively when it drops later this year. You can check out the audio, and the official video for the release, by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 13 November 2015 |
Single Review: CeeLo Green - Music to my Soul
CeeLo Green certainly raised some eyebrows with his colourful appearance on The X Factor's live results show last weekend. The singer appeared on stage to drop his new track covered in flowers, alongside dancers who were covered in flowers, and while the display was certainly interesting, no one seems to have quite worked out what on earth it had to do with the single...
That aside, Green's new track, titled Music To My Soul, is actually a cracking release - so don't let the crazy performance put you off the track itself! The track is packed with a laid back feel; the instrumentals are understated throughout and that certainly contributes to the easy-listening quality of the release. Green's vocals themselves are completely on-point and, for me, this delivery shows him as a serious singer - flower performance aside - because there's a great amount of control and range present. There are hooks throughout this that are almost Gospel-infused making for a unique pop sound that will not only have you swaying about in your seats but surely singing along as well.
The single comes complete with an official video that you can check out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 11 November 2015
That aside, Green's new track, titled Music To My Soul, is actually a cracking release - so don't let the crazy performance put you off the track itself! The track is packed with a laid back feel; the instrumentals are understated throughout and that certainly contributes to the easy-listening quality of the release. Green's vocals themselves are completely on-point and, for me, this delivery shows him as a serious singer - flower performance aside - because there's a great amount of control and range present. There are hooks throughout this that are almost Gospel-infused making for a unique pop sound that will not only have you swaying about in your seats but surely singing along as well.
The single comes complete with an official video that you can check out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 11 November 2015
Single Review: Fleur East - Sax
As history goes it seems that when it comes to The X Factor, the runners-up are usually more likely to succeed than the winners; a theory that has gained even more support after last night’s live results show that saw Fleur East return to the stage to drop her frustratingly catchy new single, Sax.
The track is catchy, colourful, and massively energetic, and Fleur’s performance of it last night - complete with some crazy-lively dancing - was not only commendable, but downright impressive. Sax is designed to get you moving with the instrumentals and singing along with the vocals which, throughout this live performance, were completely on-point, despite the potentially disruptive dancing. Fleur rubs a massive amount of attitude on the track and in performing this live on the cusp of its official release, the up and coming starlet has certainly done herself a lot of favours. The recorded audio for the track doesn’t seem to have dropped just yet but you can check out last night’s live performance now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 November 2015 |
Single Review: Anastacia - Army of Me
Anastacia is a musical force to be reckoned with and after twenty-plus years on the music scene, she’s finally dropping a new single - and it’s everything we knew it would be. The track, Army of Me, is powerful, optimistic, and shows that this singer-songwriter’s vocal abilities are just getting better by the decade.
As you’d expect from the title of the track, the lyrics are pretty damn defiant as Anastacia belts out her determination to overcome certain obstacles: ‘When you broke me into pieces / but I gave each piece a name / One of me is Wiser / one of me is Stronger’. The instrumentals themselves feel fairly understated throughout with piano-led sounds hovering somewhere behind the vocals, which works incredibly well here; Anastacia certainly has a voice that warrants being at the forefront of the track. The range that’s worked through in this is just stunning all over; the light and shade of the track reinforces the punch packed by the lyrics and this is, above all else, a song that you will be singing along to soon. The official video for the track hasn’t been released yet but you can check out the official audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 November 2015 |
Single Review: Adele - Hello (Paul Damixie Remix)
When a big track, like Adele's Hello, is dropped on to the music scene, it never usually takes much time for floods of people around the globe to start remixing it. Enter, Paul Damixie. While I had sworn off remixes of Adele's track completely, this one somehow ended up in my inbox anyway, and I'm actually sort of glad it did.
Adele's vocals are accelerated for this change-up of the track, which, okay, many people will probably find fault with, but the remix as a whole actually works quite well. The track goes from something sombre to something that sounds surprisingly upbeat, and miraculously manages to do so without detracting from a) the vocals or b) the lyrics. Damixie has essentially added some dance-ability to this track and it's definitely worth checking out his take on the single. There's no official video available but you can check out the official audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 5 November 2015 |
Single Review: Jacob Plant - Reflections Feat. Example
It feels like a little while since we heard from Example, so fans around the globe will be pleased to know that a new single will be dropping in the not-too-distant future the features his vocals on the latest track from Jacob Plant.
The track, title Reflections, is, for me, a bit of a slow burner to begin with. The introductory instrumentals don't do a massive amount to grab my attention and they go on a little too long for my liking as well; however, Example quickly sweeps in to redeem things! The vocals on this track are completely on-point and they will definitely be the things that hook listeners long enough to carry them through to the lively hook that drops just over a minute in, which is definitely a high-point in the track as a whole. Reflections is set to drop later this year and you can check out the audio for the track now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 5 November 2015 |
Single Review: Ellie Goulding - Army
The recently released Lost and Found left me feeling a little shaky on what we should expect from this latest batch of Goulding tracks. However another track has now been dropped, titled Army, and after her reliance on autotuned numbers recently, this track could actually turn out to be something of a game-changer.
The instrumentals are understated with a distinct beat that fits neatly behind Goulding's vocals which, thankfully, appear to be the main focus in this track. The lyrics themselves are simple and relate-able, and Goulding delivers them perfectly with her impressive range. The repeated line 'When I'm with you I'm standing with an army' is sure to pull in listeners and, especially in comparison to her other recent singles, Army is set to be a sure success as the winter months roll in. There's no official video for the track just yet but you can check out the official audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 3 November 2015 |
Single Review: The Weeknd - In The Night
The Weeknd's track In The Night was dropped on YouTube earlier this year but rumour has it that we're on the cusp of its official release, so we thought it was finally worth taking a listen.
The track is a weird mash up of upbeat sounds but seriously dark lyrics and somehow, it kind of works brilliantly. The vocal range on this track is crazy good as the verses sound relatively mellow and controlled, but the pitch is impressively kicked up for the chorus which works as a catchy hook for the song as a whole. The instrumentals themselves follow a similar suit to the vocals with understated verses and distinct beats for the chorus making this an all-round solid release. There's no official video for this track as of yet but you can check the audio out online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 3 November 2015 |
Single Review: Pia Mia - Touch
It seems a fair assessment to make that Pia Mia completely smashed the charts with her recent single, Do It Again, and now she's back for a second swing with her new track, Touch, the audio for which was dropped on YouTube earlier this week.
The track is a little less jazzy than her previous single with instrumentals that are appropriately understated and ramped up throughout the track as required. Pia's vocal range comes through clearer in this, demonstrating that there really is something to shout about when it comes to Pia as a singer as well as just a performer. The lyrics are simple but provocative - what more would you expect? - and they'll certainly have you singing them back after the first listen. The lyrics of the chorus are catchy and they give way to equally catchy instrumentals making for a decent hook midway through the track as well. A solid release from the young starlet, Touch shows what Pia Mia is capable of without the support of other artists and it's sure to be another successful release for this relative newcomer. There's no official video for the track just yet but you can find the audio for the single now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 1 November 2015 |
Ariana Drops New Music Video
Pray for those who are about to release their albums from now until the end of the year for they will be doing so in the shadow of Adele's third studio album, 25. Ariana Grande is one of those artists and she's just released a music video for her single Focus from her upcoming album.
You can check out the video now by clicking here. Adele Appears in BBC Special
Adele has been making news headlines and here's another one: The singer-songwriter is set to make her first television performance since 2013 this November in a hour-long special for the BBC.
The show, Adele at the BBC, will air in November and will see Adele perform tracks from her entire discography, as well as new ones from her forthcoming album. She'll also be chatting to Graham Norton about her life and career. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 1 November 2015 |
Single Review: Ellie goudling - Lost and Found
Ellie Goulding is allegedly going back to where she started with her music; for the past month and a half, that’s all I’ve heard from everyone. Well now more and more singles are appearing from the starlet that apparently reflect her earlier sounds and I’ve been forced to come to the conclusion that I must have been listening to the wrong singer altogether, because none of this seems too familiar to me. On My Mind was okay, I can begrudgingly admit, but Lost And Found has since arrived and I’m severely unimpressed.
The instrumentals sit uncomfortably somewhere inside the bracket of techno-pop and they fit alongside Goulding’s vocals in a way that just doesn’t sound right. And speaking of Goulding’s vocals, where are they? She’s capable of so much more than this track has to offer and between that and the sometimes horrendous auto-tuned sound of the track as a whole, I’m left feeling a little under-whelmed by the whole release. There’s not a video available for the track as yet but if you want to take a listen - and allegedly travel back to Goulding’s sound of yester years - you can check out the track by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 29 October 2015 |
Single Review: Walk The moon - Different Colours
Walk The Moon hit unexpected success with their recent release Shut Up And Dance which not only landed a respectable spot in the UK music charts, but it also maintained it for some time. So it’s no massive surprise that they’re on the cusp of dropping another single, this time titled Different Colours, however the content of the track is a little surprising itself - in the best way possible.
If we think of Shut Up And Dance as a little more mainstream, then we can consider Different Colours as a little bit more organic for the band. It’s somewhere in the realm of indie-pop with deliberately messy sounds, catchy hooks littered throughout, and instrumentals that make you want to dance - one quality that has certainly translated well from their previous release to this. Different Colours offers a new edge to the band, showing a slightly rougher sound that, alright, may not smash the charts this time around, but it will certainly do well in showing what this up and coming group are capable of. The track comes complete with an equally enjoyable music video and you can check them both out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 29 October 2015 |
Adele is Back and we can Hardly Contain Ourselves...
Let's face it, Adele rocked our world when she released that teaser and she's been rocking it ever since with the full release of her new track, Hello, that she's also released a music video for.
It's also been confirmed that the album, 25, will be made available on November 20th so mark that day and prepare to cry your hearts out... And so, if you do one thing today, do this: Click here and join me in crying because Adele has done what only Adele can do - release a song that makes me sad about things that haven't happened to me yet... She's back. She's back. Hold yourselves. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 27 October 2015 |
Single Review: Emmi - 60 Minutes
Emmi has wowed us more than once over the past six months with her stream of new and promising singles, and the latest track to join that batch is certainly no exception. The track, titled 60 Minutes, has been revealed on YouTube complete with a new music video, and it's definitely worth a listen.
The track revolves around the idea of a couple breaking down their relationship in the space of 60 minutes and Emmi's jazzy and sometimes tortured vocals communicate this beautifully. The lyrics themselves are stunning and they certainly pack an endearing message while the instrumentals throughout are understated enough to allow the focus to really rest on the artist here. Another promising release from this rising star, 60 Minutes is a heartfelt track that really showcases Emmi's abilities, and you can check it out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 27 October 2015 |
Single Review: The Watermelons - Silver
The Watermelons are a four-piece band who hail from the sunny shores of Brighton and this month they've dropped a brand new single, titled Silver.
The melancholy track has rock influences that make for a dark sound running throughout with haunting vocals that just add to this feel. The guitar and drum work on this track lead into a musically rich hook a minute or so into the release that shows The Watermelons as not only versatile musicians but also individually talented ones. Not only is Silver a solid release for the band, but it's also a stunning addition to their growing portfolio that demonstrates the range of sounds this band really has to offer. Silver was officially released earlier this month for download and you can check out it online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 October 2015 |
Single Review: The Luka State - Bring All This Together
The Luka State are back after their massive success over the summer that saw them touring their way from one festival to the next. The band have just dropped their latest track, Bring All This Together, on SoundCloud ahead of the official release next month and the upbeat track is already pulling in even more listeners for this up and coming group.
The track has been remixed by Tarek Musa from the Spring Kings, who was chosen by the band mainly due to his DIY ethic for production - and whatever that involves, it's certainly worked on this. The lead in is packed with a chant that screams summer leaving us nostalgic for the sunshine, while the vocals themselves that kick in shortly after are completely on-point with endearing lyrics to match. The whole track is neatly wrapped up with a good sound, a good beat, and dance-ability galore! You can check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 October 2015 |
The 1975 Hit the Charts
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Ben haenow & Kelly Clarkson Team up for new single
Remember Ben Haenow? The chap who won The X Factor last year, dropped one single, and then disappeared into the ether of other X Factor winners? Well now he's back - a marvellous achievement in itself - and he's teamed up with Kelly Clarkson for a collaborative effort on a single titled Second Hand Heart.
As publicity grows for the release more clips are appearing that show the two singing alongside each other and from what we've heard, they're quite a well-matched pair. A snippet of both the track and the video is available now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 19 October 2015 |
Single Review: Flo Rida - My House
Flo Rida is the King of Catchy! The majority of his tracks that make it into the mainstream music charts are designed to stick with you after a listen or two, and his new track, My House, seems to be following suit with this theme.
The track opens with laid-back and unexpectedly understated instrumentals that are kicked up into a stronger beat when the verse itself arrives. This laid-back feel continues into the vocal delivery throughout the first verse but is cranked up massively for a lively chorus that sees Flo Rida belting: ‘Welcome to my house, baby take control now, we can’t even slow down, we don’t have to go out’. The track itself is upbeat, fun, and will certainly get people in the mood for a weekend on the town - and what more can you expect from a Flo Rida single? The audio for the track is available online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 15 October 2015 |
Spotify confirms Most
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Rudimental Reveal full Audio For Lay It All On Me
It was recently announced that the ultimate dream team, Ed Sheeran and Rudimental, were teaming up for a musical collaboration. A teaser was released and since then the full track has appeared and, quite rightly, smashed the UK music charts - and it’s easy to see why.
Rudimental have peeled back their brash instrumentals here into something a little more delicate and appropriate to what Sheeran is bringing to this track (a quality vocal, as always). The whole single is an absolute delight and it’s definitely worth checking out the full release now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 13 October 2015 |
Single Review: The Weeknd - The Hills
The Weeknd has smashed music charts around the globe over the course of the last twelve months or so. However I’ve managed to stay mostly neutral when it comes to his music; contrary to popular opinion, nothing has really grabbed me - particularly the enigmatic Can’t Feel My Face, which I still don’t even understand. Having said that, The Weeknd’s latest track, The Hills, was recently dropped, and despite my better judgement, I’ve had it on repeat for the last two days.
There’s something catchy about this track, from the aggressive instrumentals that open the single right through to the eerie and understated vocals that appear immediately afterwards. Laden with auto-tuning and audio effects, the track still sounds completely on-point and even comes with a brash chorus that sticks with you after the first lesson (and well into the twentieth listen as well, just in case you were wondering). A solid release from the popular artist, The Hills will no doubt be another successful track in The Weeknd’s growing catalogue, and you can check it out online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 13 October 2015 |
Single Review: Sigma - Redemption
In recent months I’ve become quite the Sigma fan. Their repeated efforts to team up with other artists never fail to deliver and their work alongside the likes of Paloma Faith and Ella Henderson have done wonders for our summer-time playlist. However, now they’re back with another collaboration - this time they’ve teamed up with Diztortion and Jacob Banks - and, although it pains me to say it, I have a tiny criticism…
From the first six seconds alone you can pin this as a Sigma track, or at least I could; that’s how repetitive their instrumentals are becoming - they’re almost a trademark. The track itself, titled Redemption, I actually really like; it’s catchy, the instrumentals are strong - albeit overly familiar - and the vocals from Banks are beautifully on-point throughout the whole song. It’s just that the sound itself, as a whole, is a little too familiar for a track that only emerged a matter of weeks ago. And I can only put that down to the instrumentals from Sigma that just seem to be being transferred from one track to the next. Will the track do well? Probably. Previous singles with the same sound have done remarkably well so there’s no reason why Redemption won’t follow suit. But for me, it could have done with something a little different. You can check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 8 October 2015 |
Little Mix Reveal New
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Lana Del Rey Reveals
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Single Review: KDA - Turn The Music Louder (Rumble)
KDA meets Tinie Tempah, meets Katy B. Has there been a more beat-infused weekend anthem than this so far this year? I'm inclined to say no. This new collaborative track, titled Turn The Music Louder (Rumble), was dropped on YouTube late last month, it's slowly building up steam, and it's oh so easy to see why.
The instrumentals of the track are heavy on the beat but relatively understated around it which allows the vocals from both Tinie Tempah and Katy B to actually be heard on this track, which feels like a novelty in itself. Tempah's rap is on-point as ever in this appearance with slick lyrics that feed perfectly into Katy B's well-controlled vocals that appear just in time to catch the chorus. Overall this is a truly slick number that will undoubtedly do well when it's officially released later this year. Until then, you can check out the track online now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 October 2015 |
Sia Reveals New Track, Alive
Sia might have had a great time with her last album, 1000 Forms of Fear (which is a fantastic album), but she's not sitting down yet. The singer/songerwriter is working on her next album, named This Is Acting, and has just released the first song from it.
The song, titled Alive, was co-written with Adele and is a perfect blend of both women's talents. You can check it out now by clicking here. Sam Smith's Spectre Track!
With every James Bond film comes the Bond tune. Skyfall had the excellent Adele and Spectre has Sam Smith, dubbed the male Adele, with Writing's on the Wall. The audio has been released onto the internet and make what you will of it here.
Little Mix Reveal New single
Little Mix seem to be the gift that keep on giving. The girl-band have just released another song from their upcoming third studio album, called Love Me Like You (not to be confused with Ellie Goulding's song Love Me Like You Do). You can listen to the song by clicking here.
Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 29 September 2015 |
Ed Sheeran & Rudimental Reveal snippet of new Track
Rudimental and Ed Sheeran hit the big time earlier this year with their collaboration on Sheeran’s album track, Bloodstream. Rudimental stepped in and gave the track an extra kick that landed it in the charts, and now it seems that Sheeran is trying to return the favour with another team effort, titled Lay It All On Me.
A snippet of the track was released on YouTube last weekend and although we’ve only been given a minute-long sample of the single, it’s certainly enough to get us hungry for the rest. From what we’ve been given of the track so far, it’s much less lively than we were expecting it to be - but there’s undoubtedly more to come from this (there always is with Rudimental). Sheeran’s vocals are understated, well-controlled, and stunning as always as they fit neatly alongside the restrained instrumentals that hold the promise of a strong beat somewhere in the chorus of the track. Essentially this track, and in particular the lyrics, is the delicacy of Sheeran with the instrumentals of Rudimental’s controlled club sound, and it’s definitely worth a listen. You can check out the snippet now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 29 September 2015 |
Single Review: Melissa Steel - You Love Me
When I saw that Wretch 32 was featuring on Melissa Steel’s new track, You Love Me, I had reasonably high hopes for the pair. Unfortunately, the high hopes barely lasted the first ten seconds of the track which sees fairly basic vocals intertwined with one of the most frustrating and repetitive sounds in music that I think I’ve heard this year.
Steel’s vocals feel overwhelmed by the instrumentals at many points throughout the track, and the self-assured cockiness of the lyrics really isn’t doing anything for us either. The chorus - the prime opportunity to turn things around for the track - only succeeds in cementing the disappointment further at the repetitive sampling of a high-pitched voice repeating ‘You love me, you know that you love me’ that grates after the first minute and a half of the song. Admittedly, Wretch 32 might redeem things a little; perhaps if he’d been given more than a short segment in the back half of the track then it would have shaped up into something a little more impressive. The cutesy track comes complete with an equally cutesy video and you can check out both by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 September 2015 |
Single Review: Hozier - Jackie and Wilson
Hozier has hit the big time in the mainstream music charts recently. Despite having been floating around in the ether for some time now, it seems that the singer-songwriter has only recently been picked up by the rest of the world following the absolutely epic success of his track, Take Me To Church. Since then his back catalogue of music has been pulled apart by hungry fans and it seems that before the end of the year we’ll be given at least one more track to feast on in the form of Jackie and Wilson.
This track will be an instant hit; we’re predicting it already! The opening instrumentals of the release come complete with a little more edge than we’re used to from Hozier; nevertheless when his vocals kick in shortly afterwards they’re as distinct and recognisable as ever. The chorus itself is light-hearted and catchy, and Hozier’s vocals remain consistently strong and bluesy throughout. There’s no official video for the single just yet but you can, and definitely should, check out a live recording of the single now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 September 2015 |
Lady Gaga Releases Hard- Hitting new Track
Lady Gaga has just released some new music that comes with a harrowing message (and video) about sexual assault on college campuses. The song, titled 'Till It Happens To You, was written for The Hunting Ground, a documentary released back in February.
The video, which you can access by clicking here, is a pretty hard watch as well. Beyonce Reveals New Track
Naughty Boy has just released what might be his next huge song because it's a collaboration with Beyonce. Yeah, that's right, the queen of music has decided to make music with the British producer, resulting in Runnin' (Lose It All) which you can listen to here.
Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 22 September 2015 |
Single Review: The Chainsmokers & Tritonal - Until You Were Gone
The Chainsmokers and Tritonal made an understated entrance into the world of YouTube with their new single a few days ago, and while the track might not be demanding your attention just yet, we think there's a good chance that it will in the near future.
The single, titled Until You Were Gone, features the vocals of Emily Warren while the instrumentals themselves just scream get up and dance. The track sounds relatively low key for the first few beats with every building in pace towards the upbeat chorus that sees the instrumentals hit their peak with such a techno sound that I almost felt like the days of Happy Hardcore were back - but don't let that put you off. Until You Were Gone is sure to be a successful release when it officially arrives later this year, and until then you can check out the audio for the track by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 September 2015 |
Single Review: Ellie Goulding - On My Mind
Earlier this week Ellie Goulding dropped a teaser announcement for her new single; fans were treated to some artwork and a thirty-second snippet of the track, titled On My Mind, with the promise that the whole song would be revealed later in the week. And now it's here.
The track is perhaps a little more pop/club-infused than some were expecting. Goudling is going for catchy and light-hearted with this, that much is clear from the beat-driven instrumentals that are geared to get you dancing. Admittedly, we don't see as much of Goudling's well-controlled vocals as we'd like, but that's perhaps the nature of the beast when it comes to this style of single. In recent interviews regarding the track, Goulding claimed that On My Mind was intended to be a fun single, and she certainly ticks that box if nothing else. Alongside the generally fun sound of the track, Goulding also has some cutting lyrics in this - none of which are aimed at Ed Sheeran; Goudling has already squashed those rumours. As she belts out 'You were talking deep like it was mad love to you / You wanted my heart but I just liked your tattoos' listeners are compelled to sing along (which is surely the mark of a high-ranking pop track). The single is currently making its way on to the internet so keep your ears out for this latest track, and sit tight for the official video. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 September 2015 |
Album Review: Halsey - Badlands
Here is an artist that literally sends shivers down my spine, an artist who has made me fall in love with her from the moment her songs begin, an artist who makes me feel the way music should make you feel. Here is Halsey with her debut album, Badlands, and let me tell you, it is a fantastic album and everyone should listen to it immediately. And then maybe never listen to anything else ever again.
I knew nothing of Halsey before listening to this album, which might have been a good thing because reading about her makes me like her even more (she is an incredibly cool person) and perhaps that information might have biased me towards the album. Not that I need to be - it's brilliant. I don't really know how to describe Badlands as an album so I will just say this - each song has managed to rile me up in different ways. Halsey has this grit to her voice that I can't find anywhere else and I absolutely love it. It lends a sense of realism to the songs and makes them hit that much harder. This album is about heartbreak, about relationships, about escaping, about religion, about Generation Y. And Halsey sings about all these with pain and raw emotion. I dare you to listen to Hold Me Down and not be affected in the slightest. Halsey might only be 20 years old but what she's created here is something that even those twice her age might not be able to, even if they tried really hard. Badlands is simply amazing and I cannot stop listening to it. I implore you to do the same. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 18 September 2015 |
Album Review: Ella Eyre - Feline
Ella Eyre reminds me of Amy Winehouse, if only a little. She has a great voice and that bluesy heartbreak that lives just under her pop songs, giving her songs some depth that might be lacking in other avenues of pop. Her debut album Feline is filled with these songs but the problem might just be in the fact that, unlike Winehouse, Eyre might just fade into air.
As an album, Feline is great to listen to on the treadmill but each song fades fast after you listen to it. Comeback might have you screaming the chorus when it's on but when it's finished, you might be wondering what the chorus was. The songs are all pretty much perfectly manufactured (which is a good thing considering that the album took so long to be released) but it does leave the listener wanting a little more of that raw talent rather than some manufactured pop. Feline might not make it into the history books but I'll put it on my gym playlist for sure. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 16 September 2015 |
Single Review: Love For Zero - Aligned
Love For Zero have appeared in the Mad Hatter inbox a lot lately, whether it's a new single or a new music video that's landed. Now, in the midst of their growing success for recent track Step Into The Light, the band have dropped another single and it's just as good - if not even better.
The track, titled Aligned, sounds a little more organic; the vocals are neat and controlled throughout the track and the instrumentals themselves cater to all tastes as each segment of the song shows a different strength of this group. The chorus itself is incredibly catchy with memorable lyrics that provide a good hook, and there's a genuine feel of sincerity to be found in the lyrics: 'The more I think of you the more I know the truth, I will never let you down.' Aligned doesn't have an official video just yet, but you can check out the single now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 16 September 2015 |
Album Review: Jess Glynne - I Cry When I Laugh
Jess Glynne is a name that you might not be aware of (yet) but her voice is something that you are undoubtedly familiar with. For a while now, Glynne has been making waves in the music industry by featuring on popular tracks, such as Rather Be by Clean Bandit. The popularity of such songs has led Glynne to release her own album, I Cry When I Laugh, and it's pretty good, if a little uncentred.
Glynne's voice is pretty great and unique. It's got soul to it with a little bit of grit and it makes for some great pop songs, of which this album has many. Hold My Hand has a great hook, Don't Be So Hard On Yourself is insanely catchy and has a great message, Gave Me Something is simply fantastic to sing along to. But this album isn't just pop - Home is a brooding track that lets Glynne's voice shine, as does Take Me Home, a stirring ballad. However, for every song that shines with Glynne's unique voice and vision, there is a song that falls flat. Saddest Vanilla is a little boring, Ain't Got Far To Go can be considered to be mediocre at best, and Love Me is alright as far as love songs go. For a debut album, it's a good one and Glynne does have a fantastic voice but I'm looking forward to her second album, one that hopefully won't suffer from a lack of coherency or vision. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 11 September 2015 |
Review: Marlon Roudette - Everybody Feeling Something
Marlon Roudette made a mainstream name for himself earlier this year with his hit single When The Beat Drops Out, and it looks like he’s taking a stab at recreating that success with his latest offering, Everybody Feeling Something, featuring K Stewart.
The track itself is absurdly and commendably catchy. The instrumentals are a light-hearted medley of sounds that will sit easy on the ears and come complete with a beat that will make you get up and move - which is surely was Roudette is going for with a single like this. The vocals themselves fit neatly over the track with authentic tones throughout the verses and something a little more pop-infused for the chorus. Everybody Feeling Something is sure to be one the last summer-inspired tracks of this year (right?) and given how colourful the track is, we’re expecting it to be an instant hit when it’s officially released in the near future. You can check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 11 September 2015 |
Single Review: Kygo - Here For You Feat. Ella Henderson
Ella Henderson has stormed the charts in recent months, whether it’s through her solo releases or through her work with other artists, and let’s face it, there’s been plenty of both over the past year. And now, continuing with that trend, Henderson has teamed up for a collaboration on Kygo’s latest track, Here For You.
The official audio for the release arrived on YouTube some four days ago, although there’s no official video to speak of as yet.
The track itself is surprisingly laid back; admittedly, I was expecting something more lively from Kygo. However, as laid back tracks go, Here For You certainly works. The instrumentals are understated and simple during Henderson’s vocal appearances and they’re steadily turned into something notably more intricate and perhaps even a little catchy as the song progresses. Henderson’s vocals are, as always, flawless and steadfast, despite not being given much of an opportunity to flaunt her range here. Everything about this track just feels much more contained and restrained that I expected it to be, but it nevertheless works as quite a catchy number.
You can check out the official audio for yourselves now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 8 September 2015
The official audio for the release arrived on YouTube some four days ago, although there’s no official video to speak of as yet.
The track itself is surprisingly laid back; admittedly, I was expecting something more lively from Kygo. However, as laid back tracks go, Here For You certainly works. The instrumentals are understated and simple during Henderson’s vocal appearances and they’re steadily turned into something notably more intricate and perhaps even a little catchy as the song progresses. Henderson’s vocals are, as always, flawless and steadfast, despite not being given much of an opportunity to flaunt her range here. Everything about this track just feels much more contained and restrained that I expected it to be, but it nevertheless works as quite a catchy number.
You can check out the official audio for yourselves now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 8 September 2015
Single Review: Macklemore And Ryan Lewis - Growing Up & Downtown
Macklemore has been a little too quiet for our liking recently. After a string of successful singles the rapper seemed to slipped off the radar for a while there; however, fear not, fans, because he’s made his return and he’s brought with him not one but two new tracks.
The first of these tracks is Growing Up, which features Ed Sheeran. The track isn’t quite the upbeat number you’d expect from the rapper, but rather something that you’d expect to hear tucked away as an unreleased track from his album - either way, though, this is certainly an easy listen. Macklemore’s lyrics are unexpectedly heartfelt as he discusses the details of fatherhood with sincerity, and Sheeran’s understated chorus only adds to the reflective feel of the track. The instrumentals themselves are incredibly simplistic in comparison to previous releases from the rapper, but somehow, this just adds further credence to the message here.
The second single, titled Downtown, doesn’t do any of this. It’s bold, it’s brash, and it’s of the same standing as Thrift Shop, although perhaps slightly less catchy. Here, Macklemore’s lyrics are amusing, witty, and occasionally over-baked, while the chorus - which appears much less frequently than you might expect it to - introduces some vocals that will stick with you, whether you want them to or not.
A medley of sounds, to say the least, Macklemore is clearly hoping to remind the music industry of what he’s capable of, and with these latest tracks he’s definitely done that and more. You can check out Downtown (by clicking here) and Growing Up (by clicking here) online now.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 4 September 2015
The first of these tracks is Growing Up, which features Ed Sheeran. The track isn’t quite the upbeat number you’d expect from the rapper, but rather something that you’d expect to hear tucked away as an unreleased track from his album - either way, though, this is certainly an easy listen. Macklemore’s lyrics are unexpectedly heartfelt as he discusses the details of fatherhood with sincerity, and Sheeran’s understated chorus only adds to the reflective feel of the track. The instrumentals themselves are incredibly simplistic in comparison to previous releases from the rapper, but somehow, this just adds further credence to the message here.
The second single, titled Downtown, doesn’t do any of this. It’s bold, it’s brash, and it’s of the same standing as Thrift Shop, although perhaps slightly less catchy. Here, Macklemore’s lyrics are amusing, witty, and occasionally over-baked, while the chorus - which appears much less frequently than you might expect it to - introduces some vocals that will stick with you, whether you want them to or not.
A medley of sounds, to say the least, Macklemore is clearly hoping to remind the music industry of what he’s capable of, and with these latest tracks he’s definitely done that and more. You can check out Downtown (by clicking here) and Growing Up (by clicking here) online now.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 4 September 2015
single Review: U.R.i - Black Flag
U.R.I, or Uri Sade, might be a familiar name to anyone who keeps up with The Shure Songwriting contest; for anyone who doesn't, Uri is a fresh new talent who moved to London a couple of years back to pursue his dreams. And now, he's about to drop his first single.
Black Flag pulls everything back into a basic sound that still manages to impress the listener. Uri’s vocal range is stunning on this release; his control over and manipulation of varying notes is consistently beautiful throughout and serves to illustrate the technical skill held here. Admittedly the track is a little downbeat and deep, but that’s certainly no bad thing as it ensures that Black Flag offers something much more substantial than the auto-tuned sounds of contemporary pop music. The lyrics themselves are heartfelt and the instrumentals, led by an acoustic guitar, are well-constructed enough to be enjoyable but simple enough to leave the focus on the vocals here. It’s a promising release from this singer-songwriter and, with the vocal range spread out on this track, I’m honestly already looking forward to hearing what else Uri can do. You can check out Black Flag for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 September 2015 |
Miley Cyrus Releases NEw Music video And Album!
Miley Cyrus is probably the worst MTV Music Video Awards host ever but that's not stopping her. After singing her new song live at the show, she's now released an incredibly bizarre music video for it and has made her new album available for streaming online for free.
You can watch the video here and access the album here. Justin Bieber Reveals
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Album Review: Melanie Martinez - Cry Baby
I first came across Melanie Martinez last September when American Horror Story used her song Carousel for a trailer for its fourth season, Freak Show. The song was perfect for the show, with its creeping imagery and Martinez's bittersweet voice. That led me to download her EP, which contained one other standout track: Dollhouse. Now Martinez is back with her debut album, that houses both those tracks and many more, and boy, Cry Baby is one of the best albums I've listened to in a while.
The entire album is one concept turned into 13 songs - that Melanie Martinez is the eponymous Cry Baby and her life is detailed through these strange songs that combine traditional instruments with strange toy-like sounds. Soap has the effective sound of a tap dripping, Carousel uses fair-type sounds, and many others use sounds as those described in her songs to make music. That brilliant production really goes well with the songs themselves, all of which are impressively dark and don't hold anything back from their messages.
Dollhouse tells the tale of a perfect family holding their perfect image together whilst things go on in the background (Mum, wake up, Dad's with a slut and your son is smoking cannabis). Carousel sees Martinez enter a world not unlike the show that her song was used for (And it's all fun and games/ 'Til somebody falls in love/ But you already bought a ticket/ And there's no turning back). Sippy Cup is just dark (Blood still stains when the sheets are washed/ Sex don't sleep when the lights are off). One of the best songs on the album is titled Mrs. Potato Head which sees Martinez effectively cut up the world of plastic surgery (Oh Mrs. Potato Head tell me/ Is it true that pain is beauty?/ Does a new face come with a warranty?/ Will a pretty face make it better?). I could go on and on with all the ways in which these songs cut through our society, show off dark messages, and explore childhood in smart ways, but I'd rather you just listened to this insanely good album for yourselves.
Admittedly, Martinez's dark sound isn't for everyone. Some people might be put off by the expletives that she uses in her songs or the dark themes but for those of you that want more from your pop songs, Martinez is absolutely fantastic. Her talent in lyrics alone is enough but her voice carries the lyrics brilliantly. Watch out for this one because she's utterly amazing.
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 31 August 2015
The entire album is one concept turned into 13 songs - that Melanie Martinez is the eponymous Cry Baby and her life is detailed through these strange songs that combine traditional instruments with strange toy-like sounds. Soap has the effective sound of a tap dripping, Carousel uses fair-type sounds, and many others use sounds as those described in her songs to make music. That brilliant production really goes well with the songs themselves, all of which are impressively dark and don't hold anything back from their messages.
Dollhouse tells the tale of a perfect family holding their perfect image together whilst things go on in the background (Mum, wake up, Dad's with a slut and your son is smoking cannabis). Carousel sees Martinez enter a world not unlike the show that her song was used for (And it's all fun and games/ 'Til somebody falls in love/ But you already bought a ticket/ And there's no turning back). Sippy Cup is just dark (Blood still stains when the sheets are washed/ Sex don't sleep when the lights are off). One of the best songs on the album is titled Mrs. Potato Head which sees Martinez effectively cut up the world of plastic surgery (Oh Mrs. Potato Head tell me/ Is it true that pain is beauty?/ Does a new face come with a warranty?/ Will a pretty face make it better?). I could go on and on with all the ways in which these songs cut through our society, show off dark messages, and explore childhood in smart ways, but I'd rather you just listened to this insanely good album for yourselves.
Admittedly, Martinez's dark sound isn't for everyone. Some people might be put off by the expletives that she uses in her songs or the dark themes but for those of you that want more from your pop songs, Martinez is absolutely fantastic. Her talent in lyrics alone is enough but her voice carries the lyrics brilliantly. Watch out for this one because she's utterly amazing.
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 31 August 2015
Lovato Confirms new album!
Demi Lovato has announced her newest album, Confident, which will be arriving later this year in October. And she announced it with some help from her very famous friends, including Kim Kardashian, Perez Hilton, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Lopez, and others, who all tweeted out the songlist for her album.
With all this trouble, Confident better be good, though her first single from it, Cool For The Summer, seems to suggest that Demi will have another success on her hands with this release. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 28 August 2015 Love For Zero reveal video!
Avid readers of our music section will remember that we recently reviewed the promising new single from Love For Zero titled Step Into The Light. The song has hit mainstream charts in the States already and now, as it makes its way into the UK music market, the band have finally released an official video for the track, which you can check out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 28 August 2015 |
Single Review: Pia Mia - Do it Again
Pia Mia seems to have hit on some heavy criticisms with her latest single, Do It Again which features Chris Brown and Tyga. Despite the song being dropped earlier this summer it’s only just about managing to gather some mainstream attention, with many fans taking grievance with Mia’s adoption of the chorus from another iconic track (which you can listen to here). However, if you can forgive her for sampling someone else’s song - oh because no one has ever done that before, have they? - then it’s definitely worth checking out the single.
The instrumentals are heavily club-infused making this release a pop/dance track hybrid that will certainly sit well in clubs across the country. The first vocal of the track is actually Tyga’s rap which sets a decent tone for Mia’s vocals that appear some thirty seconds into the song. Admittedly it might not be the most original track, and the chorus is sampled from elsewhere, but the track itself is undeniably catchy, the chorus in particular, and it’s that’s catchiness that will secure success for this release. The racy single comes complete with a lively official video which you can check out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 28 August 2015 |
Single Review: Gorgon City - Saving My Life
Gorgon City might not be the most well-known or mainstream masters of club music, but when they drop a single you can bet good money on it being something pretty damn good. Their latest single, titled Saving My Life, was dropped on YouTube earlier this month, complete with a new music video, and it’s just yet more evidence of how fine-tuned and outright loveable Gorgon City’s actually tracks are.
The single, which features Romans, is so on-point that we’ve got no doubts about it hitting the top of the charts on its official release. The lyrics are simple but catchy while the vocals are strong enough to deliver them with a punch, and the instrumentals, with a heavy beat and a brilliant drop for the chorus, just make this release the whole club-sound package. It’s lively, catchy, and it certainly makes you want to dance - what more do you want? You can check out the track and the official video now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 26 August 2015 |
Single Review: Robin Thicke - Back together
I’m of the school of thought that Robin Thicke needs to slowly back away from pop music. Potentially harsh but nevertheless true, the most redeeming element of many of Thicke’s recent releases is the artists that feature alongside him on them, and his latest single, which features an appearance from Nicki Minaj, is certainly no exception to this.
The track, titled Back Together, just sounds so unbelievably dated. Thicke doesn’t deliver anything impressive in terms of vocals and there are even occasions when he seems to be fighting against the instrumentals which, in comparison with other tracks topping the charts, could certainly do with a little facelift themselves. Minaj wins back some brownie points with her rap appearance in the latter part of the track, but after the dated disco sounds set up by Thicke, even the trendy rap suffers to really make an impact here. A disappointing effort, Back Together is far from being Thicke’s best effort, and the video (available here) which sees him suited up and surrounded by scantily clad women - shocker! - isn’t winning him many points either. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 26 August 2015 |
Single Review: Sigala - Easy Love
Modern spins of classic singles have generally been done to death; in fact, if I hear one more techno rendition of Show Me Love then I may well give up on mainstream music altogether. However, having said that, Sigala have managed to churn out something quite catchy with their track Easy Love, much of which you’ll recognise from a particularly popular Jackson Five track…
Easy Love is essentially a new version of ABC, so I’m not entirely sure where the title itself has come from. Either way, it’s a catchy reboot of a classic Jackson single that sees a techno film placed over the vocals that fit neatly over the top of some extremely lively instrumentals allowing this to first and foremost come over as a dance track, and we’re tipping it as a dance track that will do well over the coming weeks. The single comes complete with a cute music video that you can check out now by clicking here. Written by; Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 August 2015 |
Single Review: R. City - Locked Away Feat. Adam Levine
R. City dropped the official video for their new single, Locked Away which features Adam Levine, on YouTube just ten days ago and the video has already collected up over 2,500,000 views - which is surely a glowing review in itself!
Given the tone of the lyrics, it’s surprising that the track has been infused with such a distinctive and pronounced beat that seems to rank it in with the likes of ODG Fuse and comrades. The unexpected beat in the main body of the track leads neatly into the chorus, which is when Levine appears with steadfast and sincere vocals that work well alongside the raps of R. City. Overall it’s an unexpectedly rhythmic and upbeat single that could well catapult R. City into a more mainstream market - although only time will tell. You can check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 August 2015 |
JoJo Releases Trio of New Singles via YouTube
Do you remember JoJo? Of course you do! Her tracks Get Out (Leave) and Too Little Too Late were absurdly popular once upon a time; the starlet did remarkably well out of these two tracks but then, like so many young artists, she completely slipped off the radar. Well, after quite a lengthy absence, it seems like JoJo is trying to make her way back on that radar and she’s doing so by dropping not one but three new singles.
Two days ago the singer revealed the official audio for three new singles via her YouTube account and, based on the internet’s reaction, these tracks are going to do pretty well. Save My Soul and Say Love are, admittedly, fairly similar sounding singles; they’re both ballad-infused tracks that allow JoJo to boast her new vocal range, which has certainly developed impressively since her last string of musical offerings. When Love Hurts is also another solid single, although it’s notably more upbeat than the two tracks that it sits beside. Essentially what JoJo has really done in releasing these three tracks together is deliver a small sample of what she’s bringing to the table these days and, much to the relief of old fans, it’s definitely a massive step up from the tracks she churned out the first time around. You can check out these new singles by clicking on the links just above! Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 August 2015 |
Del Rey Releases New Music!
Lana Del Rey's new studio album, titled Honeymoon, is set for release later this year and the queen of moody songs has gifted us with a brand new song lifted from that album. The song, titled Terrence Loves You, is a more retro-sounding song than her recent effort, High By The Beach, and you can check out the audio now by clicking here.
The Neighbourhood Confirm Release OF New Album
You might only know The Neighbourhood by Sweater Weather, the song that took them to the top, but the band's debut album was pretty good and now they're back with a sophomore album titled Wiped Out!.
The album is set for release on October 30th and the band have released their first single, titled R.I.P. 2 My Youth, which you can listen to here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 22 August 2015 |
Lana Del Rey Releases Music Video for New Track
Lana Del Rey is slowly releasing new music from her upcoming third album and her latest single, High By The Beach, now has an explosive video to go with it. The video sees Del Rey collapsing onto beds in her solitary home, running through curtains that are blowing in the wind, and taking down a helicopter filled with papparazzi with a machine gun.
You can check out the video now by clicking here. Rita Ora Reveals new video!
Rita Ora has just released a music video for her song Body On Me which features Chris Brown. The video sees Ora and Brown as neighbours who want to be a lot more than just neighbours. Oh, and Ora wraps herself in a Union Jack flag as well, because why not, right.
You can watch the video now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 19 August 2015 |
Single Review: Blonde - Feel Good (It's Alright)
Blonde and Karen Harding have done particularly well in their respective musical endeavours this summer, so it just makes good sense that they should choose to team up for a track before the summer comes to a close. The single, titled Feel Good (It’s Alright), dropped its official video on You Tube a few days ago, and although the single hasn’t officially been released yet, it’s already setting up as a chart topper.
The instrumentals on this track are completely infectious; they’re so well put together with a relatively steady build up that peaks just in time for the chorus. Harding’s vocals are, as always, on point for this single as well and she absolutely belts out the lyrics at every available opportunity; her range and control here is so impressive that this track really could do a lot for her in terms of competing with other female artists in the charts right now. The whole single is a dance track through and through; it’s catchy, it’s colourful, and it is surely (hopefully!) just the first in a long line of collaborations between these artists. Feel Good (It’s Alright) comes complete with an equally colourful video and you can check that out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 19 August 2015 |
Single Review: Sia - Fire Meet gasoline
Sia has become a firm favourite with music listeners across the globe in recent months. With a string of successful singles and an album that has stormed the charts on more than one occasion, it’s given us a Monday happy to know that another single will soon be seeing an official release from the artist.
The track, titled Fire Meet Gasoline, is everything that you’d expect from a Sia single. The instrumentals are big, dramatic, and hit with a force appropriate for the level of emotion in this track. And, speaking of emotion, Sia never fails to deliver it. The single tells the story of a destructive relationship through clever lyrics and a beautiful vocal delivery; by the time the chorus rolls around to Sia belting out ‘Fire meet gasoline / I’m burning alive / I can barely breathe / When you’re here loving me’ you’ll already be a little bit in love with this song.
The dramatic sounding single comes complete with an equally dramatic and completely beautiful music video - honestly, would you expect anything less? - which you can check out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 17 August 2015
The track, titled Fire Meet Gasoline, is everything that you’d expect from a Sia single. The instrumentals are big, dramatic, and hit with a force appropriate for the level of emotion in this track. And, speaking of emotion, Sia never fails to deliver it. The single tells the story of a destructive relationship through clever lyrics and a beautiful vocal delivery; by the time the chorus rolls around to Sia belting out ‘Fire meet gasoline / I’m burning alive / I can barely breathe / When you’re here loving me’ you’ll already be a little bit in love with this song.
The dramatic sounding single comes complete with an equally dramatic and completely beautiful music video - honestly, would you expect anything less? - which you can check out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 17 August 2015
Single Review: Lost Frequencies - Reality
Lost Frequencies smashed the charts earlier this summer with their slightly solemn sounding single, Are You With Me. The track topped the charts and, despite this position slipping in recent weeks, its still keeping up an impression amount of sales on a week by week basis this summer. So it’s no surprise that off the back off this recent success, Lost Frequencies are now back with another single.
The track, titled Reality, is much more upbeat than I was expecting after their previous release. The instrumentals themselves come with a much more light-hearted and almost airy tone to them whilst maintaining a strong enough beat to get you moving. The song also features a welcome vocal from Janieck Davy who delivers a consistently strong sound throughout the single; admittedly there isn’t a massive amount of range to brag about here, but in-keeping with the laid back instrumentals, the vocals are certainly only adding good things to this. You can check out the track, and the official video, on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 13 August 2015 |
Rita Ora Releases NEw track!
Rita Ora has just released a new song online, titled Body On Me. The song, which features Chris Brown, might just be the singer's return to the limelight after previous attempts at singles from her new album have failed to set the world on fire.
Check out the audio now by clicking here. Lana Del Rey Releases new single, High By The Beach
Lana Del Rey might have just released a new album last year but that's not stopping her from releasing more music. Come this September, we'll be getting a brand new album from her and she's released a new song from it, titled High By The Beach.
You can listen to the new song now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 13 August 2015 |
Single Review: Emmi - Sleep on it
Emmi’s recent single, My Kinda Swag, was dropped in our inbox some weeks back and we instantly fell in love with the sultry tones of her vocals and the general smooth feel of the track (which you can still check out here, if you missed it the first time around). Now, wasting no time at all, Emmi is back with another new single, titled Sleep On It, and it’s safe to say that this is another top quality number to emerge from this upcoming artist.
While My Kinda Swag showed off blues-inspired vocals from Emmi, there’s certainly something more pop sounding to be found in Sleep On It, and it’s a treat for the ears to hear the different sides of this artist. The instrumentals are more upbeat here with a brilliant blend of piano and percussions that fit alongside Emmi’s vocals perfectly. Overall the track is more in-keeping with the pop sounds that you’d find in any mainstream music chart, and Emmi certainly brings enough vocal skill to this track to compete with the likes of Jess Glynne and Ella Henderson. You can - and definitely should - check out the track now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 8 August 2015 |
Single Review: X Ambassadors - Renegades
X Ambassadors dropped the lyric video for their single Renegades on YouTube earlier this year, so it’s hard to say why a single this good is only just picking up steam but, whatever the reason, it is.
Renegades admittedly feels like a blend of genres, somewhere between folk, indie, and perhaps even pop, this tracks sits alongside recent music you’ll have heard from Imagine Dragons and other artists of that ilk. The vocal delivery here is understated but fine-tuned as it belts out lyrics that are so repetitive that it’s impossible to have not memorised at least a few of them after the first listen, and be singing them back by the third (I have tried and tested this theory myself, by the way). The instrumentals are equipped with a strong beat but some beautifully lazy sounds that makes for a laid back track that certainly belongs in your collection of summer music. You can check out the track, and the lyric video, now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 8 August 2015 |
Throwback Thursday: Chase & Status - Blind Faith
I’ll hold my hands up and admit that I’m cheating a little bit with this sudden Throwback Thursday, because the track is actually four years old, not five. However, I’m quietly confident you’ll forgive me for that when you’re reminded of how outright amazing this single is, was, probably always will be.
Chase and Status may have gone quiet on us these days but there was a time when their music dominated every chart you could find. While they have a host of successful tracks to choose from for this throwback, for me nothing quite compares to their hit single Blind Faith. The single is a party anthem is ever one existed! The instrumentals are slick and the vocals themselves are well-controlled with a perfect range throughout the track, making for a chorus that’s almost iconic in the world of this music genre. Okay, the official video might be a little disruptive if you just want to sit and listen to the song, but it’s still definitely worth refreshing your memory (and you can do that by clicking here!). Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 August 2015 |
Single Review: Love For Zero - Step Into The Light
Love For Zero are a four-piece band that hail from Manchester and they’ve recently seen their first burst of stardom is their upcoming single, Step Into The Light, has seen some major attention from American audiences after being featured in season two of Finding Carter. The single isn’t officially released until later this year, but we’ve been lucky enough to grab a sneaky listen already and we can tell you, it’s a pretty decent track.
Step Into The Light is an electric mix of euphoric sounds and more serious instrumentals that sit well alongside the vocal performance here, provided by Chris Niebel (lead vocals). The track certainly packs a punch that makes it particularly memorable, and also sort of moving in a way that I hadn’t expected it to be. Each member of the group works towards the sound here, and there are some truly beautiful moments where you can actually each member doing their own thing - and doing it exceptionally well. A promising single taken from the band’s upcoming album, which is due to be released next year, Step Into The Light will see its official release in September. However, if you can’t wait until then, you can check it out on SoundCloud now. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 August 2015 |
Music News: One Direction Storm to Number One Spot!
One Direction are usually the talk of the town, so there’s nothing unusual about the fact that they’re making headlines recently (particularly given the exit of a certain bitter band-member - but we won’t go into specifics on that). The internet fell into a state of excited - and perhaps a little disgusted - uproar last week when the band dropped their new single, Drag Me Down, online, and the track has come under some heavy criticisms since.
Drag Me Down is the first single to emerge from the band since the departure of Zayn Malik, and there was a fair amount of controversy about how well the single would do without him. However now - two days in to the new week of singles sales - it seems that the controversy has been eradicated entirely with the news that Drag Me Down has already firmly kicked Little Mix’s Black Magic out of the number one spot in the official charts. This latest single from the popular boy band has already seen over double the amount of combined sales that Black Magic can boast of from previous weeks. So it seems that with the rest of the week still to go, One Direction have already secured their first number without Malik. Well done, lads! Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 August 2015 |
Single Review: George Ezra - Barcelona
George Ezra is, hands down, one of my favourite musicians to emerge in recent years. With a string of successful singles behind him, and an album that has been on repeat in my car for more months than I can remember, it was only a matter of time before the popular singer-songwriter released something new, and now that’s finally here.
Last week Ezra released not only a new single, titled Barcelona, but also an official music video to accompany the track. The single is exactly what we’ve come to expect from Ezra, which is certainly no bad thing. His vocals are as reliable and as distinct as they’ve always been; the vocal delivery on this track comes with complete ease - there’s no showing off, no highs or lows, it’s just Ezra doing his thing, and his thing is certainly as good as it was in his last singles, I can assure you. The easy vocals sit alongside a set of understated instrumentals that are catchy enough to add some sway to the track, but not so catchy that you lose sight of the simple lyrics here. A promising new offering from this popular artist, you can check out this new track now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 August 2015 |
Single Review: Major Lazer - Powerful Feat. Ellie Goulding And Tarrus Riley
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not massively familiar with Major Lazer’s back catalogue of music. However, when I heard new collaboration between this artist, Ellie Goulding, and Tarrus Riley, I suddenly found myself thinking, damn, where has Major Lazer been all my life?
About a week ago Major Lazer dropped the official video for this collaboration on YouTube, it’s been gathering steam since this release, and after just one listen it’s easy to see why. The instrumentals on this are slick from the get-go with an eerie beginning that slowly descends into something that sounds like the love-child of jazz, drum and base, and maybe - just maybe - classic club sounds. Whatever has gone into this track, it works, and the vocals of the featured artists only serve to make it better. Goulding’s distinct vocals are steadfast as ever on this trick delivering a neat performance that sits brilliantly alongside the gruff vocals of Riley who certainly brings a rough-around-the-edges element to this single. Their combined vocals on the chorus makes for a really special sound - and it’s left me hoping for more collaborations from these two in the future.
The slick single comes with an equally slick music video that sees Goulding and Riley manipulating their surroundings with superhero like powers, and you can check that out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 2 July 2015
About a week ago Major Lazer dropped the official video for this collaboration on YouTube, it’s been gathering steam since this release, and after just one listen it’s easy to see why. The instrumentals on this are slick from the get-go with an eerie beginning that slowly descends into something that sounds like the love-child of jazz, drum and base, and maybe - just maybe - classic club sounds. Whatever has gone into this track, it works, and the vocals of the featured artists only serve to make it better. Goulding’s distinct vocals are steadfast as ever on this trick delivering a neat performance that sits brilliantly alongside the gruff vocals of Riley who certainly brings a rough-around-the-edges element to this single. Their combined vocals on the chorus makes for a really special sound - and it’s left me hoping for more collaborations from these two in the future.
The slick single comes with an equally slick music video that sees Goulding and Riley manipulating their surroundings with superhero like powers, and you can check that out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 2 July 2015
Single Review: Philip George - Afraid To Love
Philip George made a rumble on the mainstream music scene earlier this year with smash hit Wish You Were Mine which found its way onto the charts in record time. While Wish You Were Mine might have been a hit single for the earlier part of the summer, Philip George is wasting no time in dropping another sunshine single while the summer months are still around, and this release is even more club-infused than his last.
This new track, titled Afraid To Love, comes complete with fine-tuned instrumentals that belong in a nightclub. This is tipped as a chart-topping dance track and after our first listen, it’s easy to see why. George is going for something much more get-up-and-move worthy with this release in comparison to his previous single; plus, if that wasn’t enough to ensure some level of success, the lyrics and vocals on this track have seen a massive improvement. The refrain ‘It’s like I’ve been afraid to love again / But I’m not holding back no more’ will have crowds chanting it back in no time giving this track an extra edge over other club releases this year (seriously, we like to dance and sing, why is the club industry forgetting this?). Overall this is another solid release from George and we’re tipping this as a chart-topper for when it’s officially released later this summer. Unfortunately there isn’t an official video for the single just yet, but you can check out the audio on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 31 July 2015 |
Disclosure & Sam Smith drop new collaboration, Omen
Disclosure and Sam Smith are back with a new single called Omen, a moody song that sees Smith singing in that soulful voice of his over a club-friendly beat. The song comes with a music video, the second in a series of four that tells the story of Mariella, a rebel in the near-future. And who says music videos aren't good anymore.
You can check out the track now by clicking here. Florence + The Machine Reveal New Music Video
Florence + The Machine have just released a ten minute long music video which features songs Queen of Peace and Long and Lost, both of which are lifted from the band's latest album, How Big How Blue How Beautiful.
The video sees Florence Welch, lead singer of the band, suffer in a war of love and locals before leaving across the sea for her own safety and you can watch the video now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 31 July 2015 |
Single Review: Pharrell Williams - Freedom
It feels like Pharrell Williams has been relatively quiet
since his last hit single stormed the charts, and what a hit single it was!
Happy hit the charts and stayed there for a record amount of time; you know it,
and you’ve definitely danced along to it at one time or another. However, with
his latest single, Williams seems to be taking a more serious turn than that
present in his previous track.
The track, titled Freedom, comes complete with some seriously slick instrumentals that would be a joy to listen to on their own. In fact there are even times when the instrumentals feel like the main focus of the song, so understated is the vocal delivery from Williams. However, if you can persist in digging through these understated vocals, you’ll find some fine-tuned lyrics that are actually quite hard-hitting at times: ‘Your first name is Free / Last name is Dom / Cause you still believe / In where we’re from’.
Admittedly this isn’t what I expected from Williams, but I can’t deny that I’m already quite hooked on this single. There’s something unexpectedly catchy about it that manages to push a poignant message at the same time, and I commend Williams for that. You can check out the single now, complete with official video, by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 27 July 2015
The track, titled Freedom, comes complete with some seriously slick instrumentals that would be a joy to listen to on their own. In fact there are even times when the instrumentals feel like the main focus of the song, so understated is the vocal delivery from Williams. However, if you can persist in digging through these understated vocals, you’ll find some fine-tuned lyrics that are actually quite hard-hitting at times: ‘Your first name is Free / Last name is Dom / Cause you still believe / In where we’re from’.
Admittedly this isn’t what I expected from Williams, but I can’t deny that I’m already quite hooked on this single. There’s something unexpectedly catchy about it that manages to push a poignant message at the same time, and I commend Williams for that. You can check out the single now, complete with official video, by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 27 July 2015
Demi Lovato reveals music video for new trackDemi Lovato has just released a music video for her song Cool For The Summer and the video is pretty risque, with provocative dancing, same-sex kissing, and revealing outfits. But would we really expect anything else from Lovato?
You can watch the video just below. Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 24 July 2015 |
Single Review: Ciara - Dance Like We're Making love
Ciara has been edging back into the music scene for some time with tentative singles arriving on YouTube and now, she’s released another one. The sultry Dance Like We’re Making Love is a laid-back offering from the popular artist that comes complete with provocative lyrics and an official video that leaves little to the imagination.
The track itself feels fairly simplistic with a lot of the focus resting on Ciara’s vocal ability, which she perhaps doesn’t flex as much as she could, but she nevertheless still gives up a good delivery on this. The instrumentals themselves are clearly designed to be subtle and understated, and perhaps even add to the sexy tone that the track is clearly pushing for, making for a track that will certainly set the mood... if that’s what you’re looking for in your music. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 July 2015 |
Single Review: SRTW - We Were Young
SRTW’s single, We Were Young, has been floating around online for some time, complete with a load of impressive-sounding remixes that have attached themselves to the track. However, the original single is seeing an official release this week and we’re tipping this laid back dance track as one to keep your ears out for over the coming weeks.
The track is a kick back and relax sort of single; this is definitely a sound that you sit and take in, rather than get up and bust a move to. However, given the influx of same-sounding tracks that have hit the charts this summer, this could actually give We Were Young a musical USP. The vocals themselves don’t deliver a massive amount to talk about, and the lyrics are fairly repetitive, but with a track like this it’s really a common assumption that you’re here for the instrumentals - which, in this instance, are on-point throughout with impeccable production that certainly gives the track a distinct sound. There’s no official video for this release just yet, but you can check out the audio for the track now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 July 2015 |
Single Review: Kieran Alleyne - Be Around
Kieran Alleyne dropped the official video for his new single, Be Around, on YouTube back in June, and while the single has been gathering steam online, I can’t help but feel sceptical about whether it will garner the same amount of listeners when it’s officially released this week.
There’s nothing wrong with the single, as such, but given the strength of tracks from male solo artists hitting the charts this year, Be Around could well leave something to be desired. The verse sees an understated instrumental that allows Alleyne’s vocals to come through, however, for the opening minute or so of the track the vocals themselves seem so over-controlled that it’s almost like they’re being held back. The instrumentals are - as always - ramped up for the chorus but, regrettably, these held-back vocals seem to deliver the same punch as they did during the verse, which leaves Alleyne sounding a little swamped by the music around him. Truthfully, the track sort of sounds like it needs a boy-band behind it rather than a young solo artist… You can check out the single and the official video now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 July 2015 |
Review: Meghan Trainor - Like I'm Gonna Lose You
I can only assume that it’s because of previous hits - such as All About That Bass and Dear Future Husband - that I have this inability to take Meghan Trainor seriously. The majority of music that I’ve heard from her has been bubbly, light-hearted, and sometimes a little ridiculous and that music history left me sceptical about the potential success with her latest single, Like I’m Gonna Lose You, which features John Legend. However, I stand corrected on my initial cynicism because the track is actually sort of lovely.
Trainor is bringing some serious vocals to this track that just sees her singing - rather than engaging in some over-baked half-rap, which you’ll find on her other tracks. There’s a sincerity to her voice here that I hadn’t heard before, and it certainly worked towards making this a more serious track. The instrumentals have contributed greatly here, as well; there’s no brash beat, just an understated accompaniment that allows Trainor’s vocals to do their thing without the track becoming embarrassingly gimmicky. Legend’s vocals kick in for the second verse and, as always, they’re completely flawless and they also work well alongside Trainor’s own to make a really pleasant collaboration - which, I’ll admit, I didn’t expect. The song is currently making its way through the charts and the official video is available on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 July 2015 |
Single Review: Petite Meller - Baby Love
Petite Meller’s Baby Love has been on YouTube - complete with an official video - since January of this year, so I’m not sure why the single is only just doing the rounds, particularly given how summer-infused the track is. It sees some seriously sweet vocals from Meller and if - unfortunately this seems like a big if - it can pick up some more mainstream attention in the next few weeks, it really could be a breakthrough single for the young artist.
Now, there’s a bit of good and a bit of bad with this single. The chorus itself and the last minute or so of the song are quite brilliant. The lyrics are on-point, the instrumentals are insanely catchy, and Meller delivers her vocals in a truly unique sounding-way making this a decent single for any summer playlist. Unfortunately, the bad bit - and it seems pretty bad to me - is that I can’t for the life of me decipher the lyrics of the verses. Maybe it’s a translation issue but there’s a lack of clarity in the opening verses of this single that makes it really hard to click with, and if it weren’t for the saving grace of the instrumentals, the opening forty-seconds may be something of a wash out - so thank God for those instrumentals, eh… The track and official video are both available on YouTube now by clicking here, and this is definitely worth a listen if you’re after a musical pick-me-up. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 July 2015 |
Single Review: Ella Eyre - Good Times
Ella Eyre may well be one of my favourite artists to hit the charts hard this year. Knocking out one successful single after the next, Eyre has certainly made a name for herself in music and it looks like new single, Good Times, is about to continue that trend.
The single isn’t set to be released for another week or two yet (although thanks to a generous YouTube-user, you can listen to it now by clicking here), but it will certainly be another summertime hit when it does. Eyre’s steadfast vocals are reliable as ever on this track coming through with their usual blues-infused tones that makes her work so distinctive. Alongside that there are some fine-tuned instrumentals that will undoubtedly pull you out of your seat and get you dancing - or at the very least, get you jigging about in your seat. The verses keep a steady pace that carries you through to the chorus where things are heavily ramped up, taking the song into dance track territory. Good Times is another solid release from the young starlet and fans certainly won’t be disappointed when this track arrives. Make sure you check it out on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 July 2015 |
Single Review: Jeremih - Tonight Belongs to You
Jeremih has been making more and more appearances in the chart lately, however, nine times out of ten it seems to have been as a featured artist on someone else’s track. So it’s a refreshing change to see a single emerge from the artist that comes completely from him - well, near as damn it, there is a small appearance from Flo Rida (blink and you might actually miss it, though).
Generally speaking the track actually feels quite laid back. Jeremih’s vocals are fine-tuned but effortless here; he doesn’t even sound like he’s breaking a sweat with this track, and it’s good to hear his vocals over a prolonged period rather than in a quick sound-bite or two. The instrumentals themselves follow this laid back feel for the majority of the track, straight through into the understated chorus, with the most noticeable kick occurring later in the track when Flo Rida arrives and things certainly become more club-infused for twenty seconds or so (again I say, blink and you might miss it). While I doubt this will rank as a chart-topper, it’s certainly a good effort from Jeremih! You can check out the track on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 18 July 2015 |
Lana Del Rey Releases new single, Honeymoon
Lana Del Rey's Born To Die album was a complete and utter success, forgetting that weird controversy (she renamed herself and became a commercial success - some fans complained of her selling out) and that live performance (her first live performance went very, very badly). The album was loved by nearly everyone (it stands as one of my all-time favourites) and her follow-up, Ultraviolence, released last year, lived a similar success but some complained that the sophomore album was too Lana Del Rey, as meta as that might sound.
However, it seems that that criticism forced Del Rey to go back to her Born To Die roots, which is exactly what her first single, Honeymoon, does. The song is lifted from her third album, Honeymoon, which is set for release later this year and even references a Mr. Born To Die, as subtle as that might be. Check out the new song now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 16 July 2015 |
Fuse ODg drop new summertime track, only
Try as I might, I can't see a massive difference between all the recent singles released by Fuse ODG. They all have an undeniably similar sound which has become something like a trademark for the popular act, however, whatever this sound is, it always succeeds in bagging a high-ranking chart position - so it's obviously working for the general public.
The latest single to emerge online, titled Only, doesn't exactly deviate from the set standard that we're all accustomed to at this point. So while it might not offer anything new from Fuse ODG, it does manage to offer yet another get-up-and-dance track to get you in the mood for the weekend. Check out the track and the official video now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 16 July 2015 |
EP Review: The Watermelons - Best Of You
The Watermelons (is that not just a brilliant name for a band?) are a four piece, indie-pop group who hail from Brighton. The band, who are currently promoting their latest single, churn out upbeat numbers with on-point vocals and general happy vibes, and they’re about to drop their debut EP. The EP takes its title from their current single, Best Of You, and we’ve been lucky enough to have a listen ahead of the official release.
Title track Best Of You kicks off the EP with some serious sunshine sounds. The Watermelons are just an amalgamation of my favourite indie-pop bands, and that makes it impossible for me to not love this song. The single itself comes complete with heart-warming lyrics that I’m already singing along to, and the off-beat vocals fit perfectly alongside the message of this track. Alongside that the instrumentals are also worth keeping a special listen out for because they’re clearly designed to give every band member their own time in the spotlight, and it makes for quality listening to hear each member doing their own thing. (You can actually check out this track, plus the official video, by clicking here!)
To Be In Love follows the upbeat theme set by the opening track but there’s definitely something more note-worthy happening with the instrumentals here. It’s a short and sweet track that fits well alongside the others, and my only real criticism is that I’d like the track to be a little longer - and that’s hardly a criticism at all! This Time might actually come in as my favourite song on this release; the sounds are little heavier here and the vocals come through with a much more mature sound. However, while This Time shows a different side to the band, closing track If You Want To Love Me shows another side again. I can already hear this on the soundtrack for a romantic comedy somewhere! It’s a perfect track for a lazy, sunny, coupley afternoon as the band certainly succeeds in capturing some romance in this last track.
As a debut EP, Best Of You is incredibly strong and not only manages to deliver four decent tracks, but it does this in a way that shows the musical variety that you’re getting with this band. It’s definitely a promising start and this EP is certainly one to look out for when it arrives for download later this month.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 14 July 2015
Title track Best Of You kicks off the EP with some serious sunshine sounds. The Watermelons are just an amalgamation of my favourite indie-pop bands, and that makes it impossible for me to not love this song. The single itself comes complete with heart-warming lyrics that I’m already singing along to, and the off-beat vocals fit perfectly alongside the message of this track. Alongside that the instrumentals are also worth keeping a special listen out for because they’re clearly designed to give every band member their own time in the spotlight, and it makes for quality listening to hear each member doing their own thing. (You can actually check out this track, plus the official video, by clicking here!)
To Be In Love follows the upbeat theme set by the opening track but there’s definitely something more note-worthy happening with the instrumentals here. It’s a short and sweet track that fits well alongside the others, and my only real criticism is that I’d like the track to be a little longer - and that’s hardly a criticism at all! This Time might actually come in as my favourite song on this release; the sounds are little heavier here and the vocals come through with a much more mature sound. However, while This Time shows a different side to the band, closing track If You Want To Love Me shows another side again. I can already hear this on the soundtrack for a romantic comedy somewhere! It’s a perfect track for a lazy, sunny, coupley afternoon as the band certainly succeeds in capturing some romance in this last track.
As a debut EP, Best Of You is incredibly strong and not only manages to deliver four decent tracks, but it does this in a way that shows the musical variety that you’re getting with this band. It’s definitely a promising start and this EP is certainly one to look out for when it arrives for download later this month.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 14 July 2015
Single RevieW: Natalie La Rose - Around the World
Natalie La Rose bagged a decent amount of her success with her last single, Somebody, which featured Jeremih. The track became a high-ranking hit in the charts and it seems she’s trying to replicate that success with her latest catchy number, Around The World.
The track, which appeared on YouTube recently, features an understated rap from Fetty Wap and overall shows a surprisingly mellow side to La Rose in comparison to her last release. There’s something much more moody and sultry about the track, which works particularly well given the nature of the lyrics. The verses feel deliberately restrained allowing for a more laidback feel which in turn allows the lively chorus to pack even more of a punch when it finally arrives. Impressively catchy with deliberately lazy beats throughout, Around The World may well be another hot release for the artist. There’s no official video as of yet, but you can check out the audio for the release now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 12 July 2015 |
Single Review: Years & Years - Foundation
Since the beginning of this year I’ve developed quite a soft spot for Years & Years. I’ve been through their lesser-known back catalogue of music, I’ve played both Kings and Shine to death, and I’ve waited eagerly for the album (which is available to purchase now). However, the latest video to arrive on YouTube from them, sporting their latest single, Foundation, has left me feeling a little disappointed.
Foundation sees the band pull back the upbeat sounds from their previous singles to produce something much more dark and brooding and, for me, it just doesn’t work. The vocals themselves are beautiful, as always, and there is a great amount of skill and control in terms of how the lyrics are delivered throughout this but there’s just something missing from the thing as a whole. The track, plus official video, is available on YouTube now by clicking here, but personally I’m hoping that whatever the next track is will see a return to their usual sound and bring some livelier beats along with it. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 12 July 2015 |
Single Review: Jess Glynne - Don't Be So hard on yourself
In an impressively short period of time Jess Glynne has transformed from an unheard artist to one of the hottest singers we’ve seen in years. After featuring on some of the highest selling tracks in the last 18 months, Glynne is now taking repeated stabs at a solo career and so far every single has only added her back catalogue in a positive way. Now she’s revealed latest track, Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself, and it seems like she’s successfully managed to churn out another high-ranking single here.
The track comes complete with lively instrumentals that are initially piano-led with accompanying clapping that almost sets a gospel tone for the opening thirty seconds of the single. However, it’s the chorus of this track that everyone is going to be talking about - and singing along to - as soon as the release picks up some more steam. It is crammed with upbeat and powerful lyrics that are only given an even greater punch by Glynne’s ever-expanding vocal range that allows her to pelt out the lines, ‘Don’t be so hard on yourself / Learn to forgive, learn to go / Everyone trips, everyone falls / So don’t be so hard on yourself’. It’s only a matter of time before you’ll be hearing this single everywhere, I’m convinced of it, so you better familiarise yourself with it now by clicking here! Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 July 2015 |
Single review: Sarah Harding - threads
If you’ve checked our homepage in the last week or so, you’ll have seen the latest (sort of) Girls Aloud update regarding Sarah Harding, yet another member of the band attempting to go solo. It was promised that the single reveal was just around the corner and now it’s been officially dropped on You Tube (and it’s safe to say, Cheryl has absolutely nothing to worry about).
The track, titled Threads, is so auto-tuned at times that it’s left me wondering whether Harding was ever even in Girls Aloud, because there is nothing familiar about her vocal performance here. The opening instrumentals are momentarily enjoyable but they’re quickly undercut by the over-production of the track which, for me, stifles the majority of vocal talent that could be here. For a first attempt at a solo thing, the track is neither catchy nor distinct/original enough for Harding to make her stamp on the charts as a solo act with this release (unless, of course, the remaining Girls Aloud fans insist on getting behind her, which seems a likely possibility if the comments on YouTube are anything to go by). There’s no official video for the release as yet but you can check out the audio on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 July 2015 |
Single Review: Only the young - I Do
Only The Young made a name for themselves, as so many acts seem to these days, by featuring on the most recent season of The X Factor. They were undoubtedly one of the more energetic acts featured and their modern takes on classic tracks won them fans up and down the country, so it probably isn’t a massive surprise to learn that they’ve landed themselves a record deal and their first single, I Do, is about to be released.
The track itself is okay; there’s nothing specifically wrong with it. Each member of the band is allowed their respective time to shine in terms of vocals, and they all do this reasonably well. The chorus of the track is frustratingly catchy, albeit notably simple with the repetition of ‘I do’ dominating much of the song. My main issue is that, for such a distinctive band who appeared to have a clear sense of musical style during their X Factor stint, the track just feels so generic; there’s a hint of artists like One Direction, and other X Factor products, but ultimately it’s an upbeat, simple, and heavily sweetened track for teenagers, and the band have lost some of their potential in there somewhere. I Do comes complete with an official video that you can watch now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 July 2015 |
Single Review: lost Frequencies - are you with me
It’s a sure sign that the summer officially arrived last week (despite the rain tumbling down outside my window as I write) given that Lost Frequencies’ summer track, Are You With Me, has catapulted itself up the official charts over the last week and has even managed to bag the number one spot, despite being the official charts for around ten weeks before this.
The track comes complete with laidback and understated instrumentals that bring a strong beat throughout with certain segments of the song being notably club-infused, meaning that it comes complete with a hint of get-up-and-dance. The lyrics themselves continue this understated theme; they aren’t the most elaborate lyrics in the world but when they’re paired with these instrumentals, something special happens. Are You With Me is definitely a solid release and frankly, I’m just surprised that it’s taken this long for it to storm the charts. You can check out the audio for the track on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 July 2015 |
Single of the Week: Arches - New Love feat. Karen Harding
Summer time sound alert! After the amazing heat wave that we’ve been having this week, nothing is going to put you in the mood for the weekend like the amazing new track from Arches which is so upbeat, you’ll be dancing at your desk before Friday afternoon is over.
The track comes complete with on-point instrumentals that would make you want to get up and dance irrespective of the amazing vocals that kick in on this. A blend of club beats that are pulled back at all the right moments to allow Karen Harding’s amazing vocals to smash out the catchy lyrics, accompanied occasionally by some techno-sounding backing vocals that add an extra splash of something clubby to the single. Harding’s vocals are nothing short of amazing on this track and her performance here is catapulting her up into the leagues of Ella Eyre and Jess Glynne as far as we’re concerned. Okay, as club tracks go this single might not be doing anything outrageously original, but it’s upbeat, it’s happy, and it will go perfectly with this weekend’s good weather, so it’s definitely worth a listen. You can check out the track and the official video by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 3 July 2015 |
Rihanna DÉBUTS new video
Rihanna has just debuted a pretty wild music video for her latest single Bitch Better Have My Money. The music video, which had a trailer released for it a few days ago, sees Rihanna take a woman hostage for torture in order to get money out of the woman's partner. Don't look for logic here; just enjoy the journey.
The music video, which you can watch here, comes just after news hit that Rihanna is the most successful artist in terms of single downloads and streams. According to new figures from the Recording Industry Association of America, Rihanna has accumulated more than 100 million gold and platinum song certifications, making her the only artist to do so, though Taylor Swift (88 million) and Katy Perry (78 million) are not far behind. Lovato releases summer hit!
Demi Lovato is known for making hit songs, as well as making any song that she features in better, and now she's back with another summer hit, entitled Cool for the Summer. The song commands its listeners to take hold of life and never let go.
Check out the audio now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 3 July 2015 |
Taylor Swift's album will arrive with Apple Music
Taylor Swift's latest album, titled 1989 after the year of her birth, is coming to Apple Music when it launches on the 30th June this year. The singer announced the news on Twitter, officially ending a dramatic epic battle between her and Apple, which began with an open letter from the pop star on her personal Tumblr earlier this month.
Apple had planned to hold back payments for any music streamed in the first three months for any user of Apple Music, as those first three months would be free to users. Swift disagreed, Apple changed its mind, and now Swift is putting her album on their streaming service. Though the deal isn't exclusive, it does mean that Apple gets to say it's one of the two streaming services that has Swift's latest album, the other being Tidal, which has sold millions of copies around the world since its release last year. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 29 June 2015 |
Single Review: Chicane - Oxygen
Chicane’s track, Oxygen, which features the easy-on-the-ear vocals of Paul Aiden is fast-becoming my favourite track of this week. Admittedly, the introduction to this makes it feel like a slow-burner, although I am willing to put that down to the length of the track - apparently Chicane is trying to bring back the days of five-minutes-or-longer dance tracks, with this single coming in at nearly six and a half minutes.
The track comes in with a simple instrumental that allows Aiden’s vocal to establish themselves quickly in this opening; there’s a great level of control here in terms of range, although I did feel very aware that something was being held back (which just meant there were even better things to come). The vocals are fairly extended here, rather than the usual sound-bites you seem to get from featured artists on club tracks. We’re treated to just over a minute and a half of touching lyrics and well-controlled vocals before the club element kicks in and urges you to get up on your feet. The track might be a little longer than your average, but it’s certainly allowed for a better balance here making this song brilliant to sing-a-long to and just as good to dance-a-long to without either aspect having to give way to the other. Oxygen is a catchy number that will undoubtedly pick up further steam now the summer sunshine is finally making an appearance. We’re yet to receive an official music video for the track, but you can find the audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 29 June 2015 |
Single Review: Emmi - My Kinda Swag
It’s only Wednesday and I’m already marking up Emmi’s debut single, My Kinda Swag, as my favourite new single for this week. Emmi is a relative newcomer to the music scene, however, if you take a listen to this single - which is available on YouTube now - you’ll see a confidence and a skill that says she’s been doing this for years.
This track may be one of the slickest sounds that I’ve heard so far this year. Emmi’s voice is a blend of pop and soul with a splash of jazz that allows for a deep and moody vocal performance over understated instrumentals. The focus here is entirely on Emmi’s voice and, fortunately for her, she has a strong enough vocal to not be at all phased by that. The chorus has a fair serving of swag itself that sees the vocal range kicked up while the lyrics become even more catchy. Try as I might this whole track is just so well put together, it feels impossible to dislike it. My Kinda Swag comes with a self-choreographed video that’s available, alongside the audio for the track, on Emmi’s YouTube channel which you can access here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 June 2015 |
Single Review: theo Altieri - Tainted Love
Theo Altieri, a recent newcomer to the music scene, is causing a stir at the moment with not one but two exciting releases! Theo’s recent track, Little Fun, arrived on YouTube back in May this year and the track itself sports some major sunshine sounds, complete with Theo’s endearingly off-beat vocals that left me hungry for some old-school indie music.
Now, alongside this upbeat little number, Theo has also dropped a cover of Gloria Jones’ Tainted Love on SoundCloud, and it is all kinds of good. Continuing with the sunshine sounds attached to his earlier release, Theo brings something unexpected but enjoyable to this track by turning it into quite an upbeat song. The vocals on the track are strong and distinctive throughout, but the instrumentals are also doing something special here, bringing the song into an entirely new genre - and perhaps even making it appeal to entirely new range of listeners. Theo is tipped as a big talent for this year so it’s definitely worth keeping an ear open for future releases. You can also check out his current releases, Little Fun, by clicking here, and Tainted Love, by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 June 2015 |
Single Review: Aston Merrygold - get stupid
When JLS announced they were breaking up - breaking hearts around the globe - it was only a matter of time before they started kicking off solo careers. It seems that Aston Merrygold has got the ball rolling with his effort, Get Stupid, and frankly, I wish he hadn’t bothered.
Above all else, the song is actually a little irritating; the chorus, which sees Merrygold repeat the instruction for everyone to ‘get stupid’ is quite catchy, but in a frustrating way - there is no sing-a-long element here, despite the obvious funk that producers think they’ve rubbed on the track. There’s also something undeniably old about the track; perhaps with the vast amount of fresh talent hitting the charts at the minute, Merrygold’s basic and repetitive lyrics, complete with whoops and cheers from background singers has left him ranking second fiddle to the likes of Derulo and Ronson who are smashing singles into the spotlight these days. A weak offering as far as I’m concerned, Merrygold dropped Get Stupid and the official video on YouTube recently and you can check that out for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 June 2015 |
Single Review: Sam Feldt - Show Me Love
It looks like the world of music is quickly adopting the creative genius/laziness that the world of film and visual media has adopted in recent years given that instead of making new music, people are just ‘re-visioning’ old tracks. The latest track to suffer this trend is Show Me Love, which has been done to death a hundred times over, but now it’s being released again by Sam Feldt.
Admittedly my only real grievance with this track is that it’s yet another remix of yet another song that I’ve heard a hundred times by a hundred different people. This version in itself is actually quite pleasant; everything feels pulled back here to something that sounds surprisingly vulnerable, but in an enjoyable way. The vocals are understated and steady throughout, allowing much of the movement in this track to come from the instrumentals themselves, and it works. Yet another old spin on yet another classic, Show Me Love will certainly draw in some new listeners on its official release later this summer. Until then, you can check out the track on YouTube now. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 June 2015 |
Single Review: Andrea Faustini - give a little love
You remember Andrea Faustini from X Factor? How could you not; the man was an absolute powerhouse of a singer and he won the hearts of viewers and listeners up and down the country during his time on the show. So it probably won’t surprise many to know that he’s got a record deal and he’s about to storm the charts with a number of new singles, one of which is Give a Little Love, which was dropped on YouTube recently (and you can check it out now by clicking here).
The ballad - of course it’s a ballad, what else could it possibly be? - is fairly simple in terms of instrumentals, which is fine because if nothing else it allows Faustini’s voice to come through properly here. It’s clear that he hasn’t lost any of that admirable vocal force since we last heard from him, however, it has been toned down massively for this single. I was kept waiting for the powerhouse vocals to appear and, unfortunately, they just didn’t. It’s a fine single as singles go and I’m sure it will do well, particularly given Faustini’s X Factor fan base. However, after being introduced to what this singer is capable of, I can’t help but feel this single falls short of expectations. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 15 June 2015 |
Single Review: Avicii - waiting For Love
It seems to be general consensus that Avicii can do no musical wrong. Each and every single that arrives is a top quality track that, typically, storms through the charts immediately after its official release. The latest single to emerge, titled Waiting For Love, is certainly no exception, that much I know already.
There’s something particularly catchy about the instrumentals here that sound almost reminiscent of old arcade game soundtracks at times - on paper it sounds a little quirky but in practice it certainly brings a little upbeat feel to the track that allows it to pack more of a punch. The lyrics themselves, as always, are simple and definitely of a sing-a-long quality, and there’s even an official video floating around online already that matches the adorable nature of the single with an equally adorable little cartoon. Make sure you check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 15 June 2015 |
Single Review: Gospel - Ain't Gonna Let You In
Gospel is a London-based three piece who are about to drop their new, and entirely self-produced, single, Ain’t Gonna Let You In. The track has received a fair amount of attention in recent weeks in the lead up to the official release later this month, and it’s easy to see why.
Ain’t Gonna Let You In is a dreamy single, there’s no other way to define it. It has lazy instrumentals that add something like a haze to the track allowing it to be fairly dark at times, but that’s clearly deliberate, and it definitely works. The vocals on this just hammer the eerie sound home completely! Beth, the band member behind the vocals, demonstrates clear and impressive control here, pulling back her voice at all the right moments and allowing the instrumentals to take over when necessary, allowing for a beautiful collaboration of sounds. The track isn’t officially released until the end of June, you can however check out the song and the accompanying music video on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 June 2015 |
Single Review: Sigma - Glitterball
The last Sigma collaboration that I heard was their work with Labrinth on Higher; well, now they’ve teamed up with yet another artist: Ella Henderson. And boy, this is a musical dream team if ever I heard one.
The track, titled Glitterball, was no doubt written and produced with the summer months in mind, because it just screams sunshine, road trips, and dancing. Henderson’s vocals, as always, are completely on-point in this single and it makes a really pleasant change to hear her alongside such upbeat and forceful instrumental. The chorus itself is worth a mention here as well because - and this is a Mad Hatter Reviews’ guarantee - it’s a total earworm. I’ve listened to the track twice and the chorus is now all I can hear as I’m writing this - it’s definitely catchy, and it will definitely stick with you. There isn’t an official music video for the track just yet, but you can check out the audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 9 June 2015 |
Album Review: Florence + The Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
And so she returns! The red-haired songstress, Florence Welch, has finally returned with new music for us to digest. The singer-songwriter has built her entire career on drama; everything that happens to her is more painful than when it occurs to us mere mortals, as evidenced by her spectacular voice (I can bet you everyone still remembers that long note in No Light, No Light). Her previous albums, Lungs and Ceremonials, are absolutely brilliant and How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful follows in those footsteps in the sand.
Though Welch herself has stated that Markus Dravs, the producer of this album, said that she wasn't allowed to 'write any more songs about water', she still manages to sneak in those water references from time to time. Anyone who has listened to Ceremonials knows that Welch has an obsession with water. From the Virginia Woolf inspired What The Water Gave Me to the beautifully melancholic Never Let Me Go, Welch not only goes to water to sustain herself but to sustain her creativity. So it's no surprise that this album starts with Ship to Wreck, a song which manages to go from sleeping pills to great whites in the first two lines. Right from the get go, Welch is right there, pulling at your heartstrings; 'What was it that I said?/ I can't help but pull the earth around me to make my bed' she cries, and we believe her.
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is said to be Welch's attempt to take things back. Lungs had harps and violins, Ceremonials had melancholy (some might say too much - I am not in that camp. More melancholy!). Here, Welch's voice is definitely on show and what a voice it is. Songs Long & Lost and Caught give her a showcase for her voice, letting the background music fade away until it feels like it's just her. That's not to say that she doesn't return to the heart-pounding songs of yore; What Kind of Man sees Welch starting off slow and then exploding into one of the most memorable melodies ever; 'What kind of man loves like this?" she bellows.
And that's what Welch is best at. Creating melodies which stay in your heart. No matter how heart wrenching these songs are, no matter how loud or quiet they are, each song has a fantastic melody which sees her bellowing in that stupendous voice of hers. This is a huge album, made to fill stadiums, to fill the world, and it's fantastic. I almost believe that I can never feel the range of emotion Welch does; there's no question that I can't match her vocal range.
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 6 June 2015
Though Welch herself has stated that Markus Dravs, the producer of this album, said that she wasn't allowed to 'write any more songs about water', she still manages to sneak in those water references from time to time. Anyone who has listened to Ceremonials knows that Welch has an obsession with water. From the Virginia Woolf inspired What The Water Gave Me to the beautifully melancholic Never Let Me Go, Welch not only goes to water to sustain herself but to sustain her creativity. So it's no surprise that this album starts with Ship to Wreck, a song which manages to go from sleeping pills to great whites in the first two lines. Right from the get go, Welch is right there, pulling at your heartstrings; 'What was it that I said?/ I can't help but pull the earth around me to make my bed' she cries, and we believe her.
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is said to be Welch's attempt to take things back. Lungs had harps and violins, Ceremonials had melancholy (some might say too much - I am not in that camp. More melancholy!). Here, Welch's voice is definitely on show and what a voice it is. Songs Long & Lost and Caught give her a showcase for her voice, letting the background music fade away until it feels like it's just her. That's not to say that she doesn't return to the heart-pounding songs of yore; What Kind of Man sees Welch starting off slow and then exploding into one of the most memorable melodies ever; 'What kind of man loves like this?" she bellows.
And that's what Welch is best at. Creating melodies which stay in your heart. No matter how heart wrenching these songs are, no matter how loud or quiet they are, each song has a fantastic melody which sees her bellowing in that stupendous voice of hers. This is a huge album, made to fill stadiums, to fill the world, and it's fantastic. I almost believe that I can never feel the range of emotion Welch does; there's no question that I can't match her vocal range.
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 6 June 2015
Rita Ora Releases Music video for Poison
Rita Ora has released the music video for her latest single, Poison, lifted from her upcoming sophomore album. The video for the song sees the singer enter a modelling career before things come to a fiery end.
Check out the video now just below. Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 4 June 2015 |
Single Review: I Am Harlequin - Dance With Anyone
There’s something undeniably cool about I Am Harlequin’s music. The singer-songerwiter, who is based in London is bringing something slick and notably funky to the music scene, and her latest single, Dance With Anyone, is another fine example of this.
The track itself is like a musical blast from the past, and I think that’s what makes it work so well. The instrumentals themselves have some old style funk rubbed on them giving them a true disco sound that will get your feet moving. I Am Harlequin’s vocals are beautiful throughout this track, as well; the instrumentals complement her tone perfectly and the chorus offers some standout moments in the track - think early Whitney Houston for the chorus instrumentals if nothing else. Showing impressive range and control throughout, I Am Harlequin is certainly bringing everything she has to this track and it’s all the better for it. While the single isn’t officially released until later this month, you can check it out for yourselves on SoundCloud now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 4 June 2015 |
Emeli Sande Releases video featuring new music!
Emeli Sande is a name that everyone recognises yet for such a famous musician, Sande only has one album and a handful of songs on other albums belonging to people such as Naughty Boy or David Guetta. Her debut album was released in 2012 and since then, we haven't heard anything new from the singer-songewriter, until now.
Sande has released a video online of her singing a new song, entitled Don't Fight The Bullet. The singer has stated that this means nothing, in terms of new music, but it is a pretty great song. Check out the video now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 2 June 2015 |
Single Review: John Newman - Come and Get it
Oh, John Newman, it has been far too long! You’ll remember Newman from his golden first album and his stunning vocals that featured alongside a fair number of other popular artists on collaborations a little while ago. And now, he’s back with his very own new single.
The track, titled Come And Get It, shows that despite the little break from music, Newman’s vocals are as slick and fine-tuned as ever. The catchy introduction leads you into understated and well-suited instrumentals that compliment the rough tones of Newman’s vocal here, eventually leading you into a chorus that, despite being ridiculously repetitive, still somehow manages to work quite well. Come And Get It comes complete with an official video that you can check out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 June 2015 |
Nicki Minaj Releases New Music Video
Though Nicki Minaj is still a part of Tidal and is still releasing exclusive videos on the site, such as Feeling Myself with Beyonce, it seems that she's still using VEVO to get her videos across to people.
The Night Is Still Young is her latest, which aired on Tidal a few days ago and has now made it to the rest of the internet. The video is pretty generic, as is the song. Check out the track now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 31 May 2015 |
Little Mix Reveal music Video for Black Magic
Little Mix released their first single from their upcoming third studio album, Black Magic, and now they've released the music video for the single, showing off the girl band as school goers with magic powers.
You can watch the music video now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 31 May 2015 |
Single Review: Years & Years - Shine
Years & Years have absolutely smashed the UK music industry and the official music charts in recent weeks with their hit single, King. The track was amazing and it catapulted the group into instant stardom, so it only makes sense for them to release another single straight off the back of their recent success. Their latest track, titled Shine, was released on YouTube a week or two ago and, unsurprisingly, it’s proving to be just as popular as their last release.
The track itself sounds a little more pop to me, but that’s certainly no bad thing. There are more upbeat things happening in this single, but the pace at which these things are introduced is flawless. The verses themselves are delicate and understated with vocals that are almost - almost, but not quite - lost inside the instrumentals somewhere. Then, we reach the chorus. Everything is kicked up a gear for this catchy chorus packed with cute and memorable lyrics making for a brilliant hook in the track. It’s an endearing single that is a brilliant follow-up to Kings, and I have no doubt that this will be another smash hit for the group. There isn’t an official video for the track just yet, but you can check out the official audio now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 28 May 2015 |
Single Review: alesha Dixon - The Way We Are
Admittedly, I wasn’t aware until last night - thanks to her live performance on the Britain’s Got Talent Results show - that Alesha Dixon was actually still in the music making business. However it seems that not only is she still in the game, but she’s back and brandishing a new single, titled The Way We Are.
The track itself sounds very Dixon. If you’re existing fan of the singer, or you’re at least a fan of her older work, then you’ll know exactly what I mean by that. Dixon has fairly distinct-sounding vocals, and they’re decent on this track; it’s certainly recognisable and the rap edition that was aired on BGT last night undoubtedly wielded the Dixon stamp. Truthfully, I think it’s the instrumentals that are bothering me a little here. They’re far too familiar, and not because of the charts but because of Dixon’s back catalogue of music - it sounds dated and I feel over-familiar with the sounds (in a song that I’ve only actually listened to three times). The upbeat aspect of it serves its purpose and it’s sure to get people dancing a little throughout the summer, but as a new sound, this music sounds decidedly older than it should. You can check out the track for yourselves, plus the official video, by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 28 May 2015 |
Single Review: David Guetta - Hey Mama
David Guetta is world famous for his chart-topping tracks that monopolise speakers across the globe on their release, and his latest single is obviously going to be another example of this. The track, titled Hey Mama, sports the additional input of Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha and Afrojack, making for a star-studded and frustratingly catchy single.
The instrumentals for the track are typical Guetta. The track is beat heavy for the opening bars until things are kicked up with a hint of classic club and yet more beats that appear in the lead-up to the chorus itself, immediately making this track a popular number for nightclubs this summer. The artists featured on this single - as is the case with most of Guetta’s music - are really what make the track special. Frustrating as I find Minaj’s tone, this song was actually sort of made for a vocal tone like hers; the lyrics fit with her general swag and attitude and she does admittedly bring a lot more life to the track. The single comes complete with an official video that sees a host of people dancing and biking their way through the desert, a holographic Nicki Minaj, and some ladies trying to dance in bathtubs. Yep. Check out the track and the video now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 26 May 2015 |
Little Mix Release Official Audio for new single!
Little Mix have released their first single for their upcoming third studio album. The single, titled Black Magic, is a pretty great pop song and has a catchy hook.
Listen to the audio here and watch out for the music video which is said to be coming sometime in the next week. Florence + The Machine Release Audio for new track!
Florence and the Machine have unveiled a new song as we creep ever closer to the release of their third studio album, titled How Big How Blue How Beautiful which will be out in just two weeks. The new song, Delilah, is a pretty upbeat song from the group, continuing their trend of releasing songs that sound quite different from one another.
Check out the audio now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 26 May 2015 |
Rita Ora Releases
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Single Review: Rudimental - Never Let You Go
Apparently it’s been two years since Rudimental last graced our speakers with any new music. However, after a long (long, long) wait, they’re finally back with a new track, titled Never Let You Go. The big question seems to be, was it worth the wait?
The big answer? Well, the jury still seems to be out on that. There’s nothing wrong with the track, as such. It’s a perfectly decent single with fine-tuned vocals - provided by Foy Vance, if internet sources are to be believed - and the instrumentals themselves are incredibly slick. It’s a kick up the backside for drum and bass style music, which has seen a mainstream lull in recent months, so if nothing else then the track should definitely be commended for that. The main - albeit slightly obvious - criticism of this track is that it sounds like Rudimental… I know, I didn’t get it at first but hear me out. After keeping fans waiting for two years, Rudimental seem to have blundered back on to the music scene with something that could actually be taken from their 2013 album. So, if you wanted to see Rudimental return exactly as they were two years with no sound development and no obvious changes to their music, then you’re in for a treat. If you were hoping for a fresh spin on their old sound, well then, we’ve got some bad news… Check out the track now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 May 2015 |
Music News: taylor Swift drops high budget bad blood video!
Taylor Swift has been teasing fans for some time now regarding not only her new single, Bad Blood, but also the official music video that was set to come along with the release. As recently as last week it was confirmed that the likes of Ellie Goulding had signed up to feature in the star-studded music video, that was allegedly set for official release at the recent Billboard Music Awards. Well now the awards have been and gone, and the internet is in uproar about the Swift video that it brought along with it.
The track itself, which features a rapping interlude or two from featured artist Kendrick Lamar, will do well in the charts - there’s absolutely no room for doubt about that. With Lamar’s on-point rap making more than one appearance throughout the single, and the steadfast catchy chorus that we’ve come to expect from Taylor Swift making yet another appearance here, it’s only a matter of time before it climbs the top ten. And now, on to the video that everyone has been waiting for…
The official music video is essentially a small, seemingly high-budget film that sees a bunch of beautiful and provocatively dressed ladies strolling about the place and kicking/punching/slapping each other. There are so many effects and so many famous faces here that you almost need to watch the production for yourself to really appreciate the thousands of things that are happening!
At the time of writing this review the internet has blown up so much over the single/video that YouTube hasn’t actually been able to verify the amount of views it’s had yet! Make sure you check it out for yourselves now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 18 May 2015
The track itself, which features a rapping interlude or two from featured artist Kendrick Lamar, will do well in the charts - there’s absolutely no room for doubt about that. With Lamar’s on-point rap making more than one appearance throughout the single, and the steadfast catchy chorus that we’ve come to expect from Taylor Swift making yet another appearance here, it’s only a matter of time before it climbs the top ten. And now, on to the video that everyone has been waiting for…
The official music video is essentially a small, seemingly high-budget film that sees a bunch of beautiful and provocatively dressed ladies strolling about the place and kicking/punching/slapping each other. There are so many effects and so many famous faces here that you almost need to watch the production for yourself to really appreciate the thousands of things that are happening!
At the time of writing this review the internet has blown up so much over the single/video that YouTube hasn’t actually been able to verify the amount of views it’s had yet! Make sure you check it out for yourselves now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 18 May 2015
Sia Covers
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Review: Tinie Tempah - Not letting Go feat. Jess Glynne
Jess Glynne has quickly turned into a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. The starlet is hiding out in all corners of the chart these days not only with her solo work but also with a growing number of collaborations, and now it seems she’s adding another artist to her CV given her recent work alongside British rapper, Tinie Tempah.
The two have teamed up for new track, Not Letting Go, which was dropped on YouTube this week. The single is an archetypal summertime track, laden with lazy beats and dance-along (or maybe sway-along) instrumentals that are so understated that it’s easy to forget that they’re there behind the powerhouse vocals of Glynne on this track. Tempah’s rap feels fine-tuned and slick, and it serves to show that while the rapper might have been silent for a short while, he certainly hasn’t lost any of his abilities. The chorus kicks up with Glynne’s vocals and - perhaps unfortunately for Tinie Tempah - this is the part of the track that people will remember after the first listen (and you‘ll be singing along after the third). Not Letting Go doesn’t have an official music video yet, but you can check out the lyric video on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 15 May 2015 |
Single Review: Lucy Spraggan - Unsinkable
Lucy Spraggan has been one to watch for a while now. Since her appearance on X Factor a few seasons back, Spraggan has had a stirring of fans following her career and a steady release on top quality singles to boast of as well, and it seems that her latest track, Unsinkable, is causing yet more praise from fans - and rightly so.
The track is slow-paced and hard-hitting offering a more emotional side to Spraggan. Her endearingly off-beat tone of voice allows for a distinctive vocal performance that perfectly delivers the heartfelt and defiant lyrics of the track. The instrumentals themselves are pulled back in all the right places, allowing for a delicate piano accompaniment during the verses and a more forceful beat that appears alongside the empowering chorus that sees Spraggan repeating the refrain ‘We are unsinkable’. Overall, it’s another strong track from the young singer-songwriter and it’s definitely a worthy addition to her growing collection of singles. You can find the track - and the official video - on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 12 May 2015 |
Single Review: Leona Lewis - Fire Under My Feet
Leona Lewis released a teaser a little while ago that had fans across the globe in excited uproar regarding the singer’s new release, and as of yesterday, the whole track is now available online - complete with a new music video.
There is absolutely no denying that Lewis’s vocal range is insanely good, and you get that a lot from this new track, titled Fire Under My Feet. The track opens with an impressive a cappella that introduces the strength of Lewis’s voice before the instrumentals themselves arrive with an equally strong and distinctive beat that certainly adds a little something extra to the track. The instrumentals themselves allow this to be a much more upbeat number, which isn’t necessarily what I was expecting after the opening seconds of unaccompanied vocals. It’s a strong release from the artist and, judging by the comments that are already flooding in on YouTube, it seems a safe assumption to make that this will be another high-ranking track from the British singer. Check out the song for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 12 May 2015 |
Single Review: Natalie la Rose - Somebody feat. Jeremih
This is one of those songs that I’ve heard a hundred times over the past few weeks without really knowing what it is. Now, it could be down to the amount of times I’ve heard the track played now, but I’ve actually grown quite fond of the song. There’s something about this release that reminds me of older music - think Cassie’s first appearance on the music scene - and I really appreciate that.
The track, titled Somebody, above all else has brilliant instrumentals that are actually quite understated - not something that this genre has done much of in recent months. La Rose’s vocals on the track are on point, although her attempt at rap at the two minute mark (is it rap? Is that what she’s trying to do?) leaves something to be desired. Jeremih’s contribution to the chorus offers a welcome change of pace, sound, and certainly adds a little something extra to the track overall. Ultimately, it’s a catchy little single that will probably do well over the summer months, and you can check it out for yourself by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 10 May 2015 |
Single Review: Fifth Harmony - Worth it Feat. Kid Ink
Unlike most, I found myself quite fond of Fifth Harmony’s last single, Boss. It was slick, catchy, and felt relatively fresh, so I was expecting brilliant things from whatever single would follow. Unfortunately the new track, Worth It, seems to have fallen drastically short of the mark.
The instrumentals for the track are now so over-used by other artists that not only are they slightly generic in terms of modern music, but they’re actually becoming a little irritating. The vocals themselves would be better if they weren’t doing so many ‘technical’ things, presumably designed to show what the girls are capable of; unfortunately at some points during the verses of the track, the elongated ‘oooo’ sounds that seem to follow every line ending just becomes tedious. There are high and low points in the track but, as a follow-up to Boss, I think there are surely stronger singles in the Fifth Harmony backlog than this one. The track comes complete with a music video which you can check out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 10 May 2015 |
Single Review: james Bay - Let It Go
I’m just going to come out and a say it: I love James Bay. Hold Back The River, which seems to have catapulted the young artist into mainstream stardom, had me from the first beat, and I’ve been raiding Bay’s backlog of music (available all over YouTube) since that release. And now, he’s unveiled something new for me to fan-girl over.
The new track, titled Let It Go, was dropped on YouTube - complete with an official video - at the end of last month and, as you’d expect from Bay, it’s another beautiful addition. Bay relies on nothing more than simple instrumentals and stunning lyrics in this heartfelt release that details the failing relationship of two people who are just better off without each other. It’s an old story, but one that Bay tells well. The instrumentals are held back in all the right places allowing for Bay’s vocal delicacy to really come through the verses, before things are ramped up ever so slightly for the chorus: ‘So come on let it go, just let it be, why don’t you be you? And I’ll be me.’ It’s a beautiful track with an equally brilliant video, which you can check out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 7 May 2015 |
Single Review: Mary Lambert - Sum of our Parts
Most people will know Mary Lambert due to her having featured on Mackelmore’s iconic Same Love single that was released a little while ago. Lambert provided the touching chorus for the track which actually snowballed into her own release, She Keeps Me Warm. They aren’t the only songs this singer-songwriter can boast of, however, given that she’s released a string of other singles and a number of full-length releases, as well.
Taken from the new album, Sum Of Our Parts is a stand-out single for me that succeeds in showing what a quality artist Lambert actually is - and it’s definitely worth a listen. The track boasts piano-led instrumentals with an unobtrusive beat that’s cranked up for the chorus, working well alongside the force of Lambert’s lyrics: ‘We are more than our scars, we are more than the sum of our parts.’ Lambert also shows incredible vocal range and control in this track, hitting beautifully high notes before returning to her usual tone. It’s a fine example of what this singer is capable of. There’s a full review of her album coming up next week but until then, make sure you check out Sum Of Our Parts now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 7 May 2015 |
Armin Van Buuren - Another you feat. Mr Probz
In recent months I’ve become quite a fan of Mr Probz, along with a shed load of other listeners who have fallen for the rough-in-the-right-places vocals that he boasts. So given his sudden burst of popularity, it was only a matter of time before we started to see more appearances from the relatively new artist. And in this latest appearance, we can hear him alongside Armin Van Buuren.
This musical dream team have combined their efforts to make new single, Another You, which is really quite brilliant. Probz’s vocals have become distinctive through his previous releases and they continue with their recognisable qualities on this track. The rough tones on the vocals add a little something to the lyrics of the track, as well - that are, of course, focussed around the idea of finding a new partner that stands a chance of competing with your old one. The instrumentals themselves pack a neat punch on this release too. They’re clean, crisp, and provocative enough to make you dance at your desk - or, at the very least, bop along a little. The official audio is available to listen to on YouTube now, and you can find it by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 5 May 2015 |
Single Review: Britney Spears & IGGY AZALEA - Pretty Girls
It seems that a lot of people have been waiting for the Britney Spears/Iggy Azalea collaboration for a while now; so listeners around the globe will be delighted to learn that the single is now available in full on YouTube. Unfortunately, the track itself is absolutely terrible.
I’m a closest fan of Iggy Azalea (and by that I mean that there are one or two tracks in her recent history that I am embarrassingly fond of - see Trouble and Black Widow) so I went into this with a relatively open mind, but it’s just not good. The instrumentals of the track are unoriginal - in fact, certain segments may have been taken straight from Fancy. However, the instrumentals might actually be one of the best parts of the track... Spears insists on singing in a sickeningly sweet and over-baked tone that makes her sound like a stereotypically stupid teenage girl - although, this might have been the point? Admittedly, Azalea has a semi-decent rap towards the close of the song, however, by that stage so much damage has been done that it almost doesn’t matter how good the rap is - I just want the song to stop. Harsh but true, the track is overdone and ultimately disappointing. However, don’t just take my word for it, you can check out the single now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 5 May 2015 |
Single Review: Adam Lambert - Ghost Town
There’s something quite deceptive about the beginning of this track; for the first minute or so I thought that Adam Lambert had broken his usual upbeat pattern and released something truly sad. Fear not, though, the beat that kicks in at about the 50-second mark will rapidly change your opinion.
The track, titled Ghost Town, has strong lyrics, decent vocals, and a beat that makes you want to get up and move - so really, Lambert is ticking a massive amount of boxes with this release. The instrumentals are pulled back for the verses of the track allowing Lambert’s vocal range to shine on its own entirely, before the beat kicks in once again for the chorus creating something dance-like behind the repetitions of ‘My heart is a ghost town’ that makes up most of the chorus breaks for the song.
Ultimately, it’s a promising little release, and when it starts collecting up more mainstream steam then I’ve got no doubt that you’ll start hearing this track in clubs up and down the country - just in time for the summer months.
You can check out the track now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 1 May 2015
The track, titled Ghost Town, has strong lyrics, decent vocals, and a beat that makes you want to get up and move - so really, Lambert is ticking a massive amount of boxes with this release. The instrumentals are pulled back for the verses of the track allowing Lambert’s vocal range to shine on its own entirely, before the beat kicks in once again for the chorus creating something dance-like behind the repetitions of ‘My heart is a ghost town’ that makes up most of the chorus breaks for the song.
Ultimately, it’s a promising little release, and when it starts collecting up more mainstream steam then I’ve got no doubt that you’ll start hearing this track in clubs up and down the country - just in time for the summer months.
You can check out the track now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 1 May 2015
Single Review: Jessie J - Flashlight
Truthfully, I don’t know what I’m more excited about: the fact that the release of Pitch Perfect 2 is just around the corner, or the fact that they’ve started to release music from the soundtrack. With a film like Pitch Perfect 2 - the inevitable sequel to the outrageously successful first film - it’s only natural to expect big and brilliant songs, sung by many brilliant artists. And Jessie J’s Flashlight, which will be featured in the film, is certainly ticking both of those boxes!
Released a matter of days ago, the track is steadily collecting YouTube hits, and with good reason - it is, perhaps unsurprisingly, quite an enjoyable little number.
Jessie J’s vocals are flawless here; the lyrics are beautiful, touching, and clearly appropriate for a lot of things going on in the film that it’s taken from - oh, incidentally, the official video also features a number of promising clips from the upcoming film as well. With an amazing vocal range and an undeniably upbeat feel, this is certainly a promising release both for Jessie J and for the Pitch Perfect soundtrack.
You can check out the track and the official video now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 29 April 2015
Released a matter of days ago, the track is steadily collecting YouTube hits, and with good reason - it is, perhaps unsurprisingly, quite an enjoyable little number.
Jessie J’s vocals are flawless here; the lyrics are beautiful, touching, and clearly appropriate for a lot of things going on in the film that it’s taken from - oh, incidentally, the official video also features a number of promising clips from the upcoming film as well. With an amazing vocal range and an undeniably upbeat feel, this is certainly a promising release both for Jessie J and for the Pitch Perfect soundtrack.
You can check out the track and the official video now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 29 April 2015
Single Review: Ne-Yo - She Knows Feat. Juicy J
I was quite a fan of Ne-Yo when he trundled on to the music scene many moons ago. He was a decent addition to the RnB genre; however, over the years it seems that we’ve heard less and less from him, with a sparse display of singles appearing in the charts every now and then. Well, now he’s back with another one of these rare singles, and it’s not at all what I expected.
In my mind, I was about to listen to the something upbeat and dance-like. She Knows, featuring Juicy J, is actually unbelievably slick, and it ranks up there with some of the more sultry and suggestive tracks to emerge from this genre in recent months. The instrumentals themselves have been pulled back into something slow and suggestive, which obviously works incredibly well alongside Ne-Yo’s fine-tuned vocals that allow this track to run a little smoother. I’m not entirely convinced that Juicy J is adding anything to this beyond providing a tiny break in the vocals - which actually isn’t something that feels necessary. Either way, the track works well, with or without the rap intrusion. The sultry track comes complete with a saucy video that sees women pole-dancing all over the place - I still haven’t worked out what this has to do with the track? - and you can check that out for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 27 April 2015 |
Single Review: Robin Schulz - Sun Goes Down
Yes, it’s another sunshine, summery song that’s made its way on to our playlist, and it’s far from being the last. However, Robin Schulz’s track, Sun Goes Down, which features Jasmine Thompson, is quite a lovely addition to this growing collection of summer music - even if some of the instrumentals sound a touch generic.
I suppose the problem here is that - as we’ve said a thousand times before - the sunshine brings out a collection of similar tracks that people will spend the summer dancing about to. Now, in terms of instrumentals, Sun Goes Down is just another one of those tracks. In fact, there are some instrumentals in the ‘chorus’ of this track that I would swear blind have been taken from another track and just tweaked slightly - they sound so familiar. Beyond that, the single is actually quite enjoyable. Thompson’s vocals are beautiful here, and the lyrics themselves are lovely as well, as we’re told ‘All we’re chasing in the sunset’, amongst a load of other sweet one-liners. So it’s not massively different from other tracks in the charts right now, but it’s still definitely worth a listen. You can find the track, and its official video, by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 27 April 2015 |
Single of the Week: Ella eyre - Comeback
Whilst skimming through YouTube to try and find the new Ella Eyre single (titled Together, and available to listen to by clicking here for those interested), I actually stumbled across a release from last year and, bending the rules a little, I thought it warranted Single of the Week status just this once.
The track, titled Comeback, is a feisty number that sees Eyre’s steadfast vocals belting out cutting lyrics about a break-up, where she reassures her listeners ‘In time you, you will find, they always come back’. The single comes with a few explicit lyrics - consider this your warning before you listen to it yourselves - and it packs a greater punch than a lot of her other singles seem to. The track might be slightly older than the average featured on the site, but if by some chance you missed this single the first time around then it’s definitely worth having a listen to now.
You can find the track, and lyric video, on YouTube now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 25 April 2015
The track, titled Comeback, is a feisty number that sees Eyre’s steadfast vocals belting out cutting lyrics about a break-up, where she reassures her listeners ‘In time you, you will find, they always come back’. The single comes with a few explicit lyrics - consider this your warning before you listen to it yourselves - and it packs a greater punch than a lot of her other singles seem to. The track might be slightly older than the average featured on the site, but if by some chance you missed this single the first time around then it’s definitely worth having a listen to now.
You can find the track, and lyric video, on YouTube now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 25 April 2015
Single Review: lawson - Roads
Lawson are something like the unsung heroes of the charts, in my opinion. They occasionally sweep in with a single that catches on, but then they seem to disappear again (until another single goes mainstream). Given this turbulence in their appearance in the charts, it’s no surprise that some of their back catalogue of music has gone unnoticed, and one track that stands out from this collection is Roads, released on YouTube earlier this year.
The track is unexpectedly upbeat - not only are there organic instrumentals making an appearance here as the band continues to deliver a promising performance on their respective musical instrumentals, however, there’s also an occasional pinch of something more tech-tuned here, complete with chant-like intrusions that certainly bring the track into a more contemporary sound. The vocals are on point here, kicking in impressively during the chorus - a chorus, by the way, that you’ll be at least humming along to after your first listen, if not singing along entirely (I promise). Roads also has an official video available for viewing, so make sure you check the single and video now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 April 2015 |
Single Review: Oliver Heldens - Melody
In recent months Oliver Heldens has become a popular name through chart releases and lesser known club remixes, of which there are plenty for the young artist to boast of. However, it seems with this latest track that rather than teaming up for yet another collaboration, Heldens is making a tactical move and releasing a solo track. And it’s certainly paid off.
The track is titled Melody and, as you can probably guess from that name, the entire thing is instrumentals; but what brilliant instrumentals they are. The track is not only sporting some brilliant sounds but it’s also doing something totally unique in abandoning vocals. However, if nothing else, this goes to prove what a good artist Heldens is in his own right, and we’re just hoping that this is the start of more tracks in this vein over the summer. The song is available online now, complete with a music video, which you can access by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 22 April 2015 |
Rihanna Releases Music Video for American Oxygen
Rihanna's third single from her upcoming eighth studio album, American Oxygen, had a music video that premiered on Tidal a while ago. Tidal is a music streaming service that users have to pay for to access. However, Rihanna has now returned to the model that we're all used to and has released the politically charged video on Vevo.
The song talks about the changing state of America and how it is different because of the different people who live there from all over the world. Rihanna herself comes from Barbados. The video is a bit more charged as it shows images from protests against racial hatred as well as symbols of American ideology. Check out the video now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 20 April 2015 |
Single Review: Martin Garrix - Don't look Down Feat. Usher
Okay, I’ll admit it, I was sceptical when I saw Usher on this track. These days I can’t help but feel like Usher is one of those artists who kind of can’t let go, which might explain his intermittent appearances on the charts with usually below-par singles (Good Kisser, I’m looking at you). However, Usher’s collaboration on this track with Martin Garrix is surprisingly good and, dare I say it, it makes for another track that will be added to the growing sunshine playlists that we’re all putting together.
It’s clubby - there’s no two ways of saying it, and you probably aren’t all that surprised by the description anyway. This single is designed for nightclubs, and maybe the occasional remix. Usher’s vocals on the track are welcome, fine-tuned, and quite lovely at times, and the lyrics themselves (the chorus in particular) will have dancing, semi-drunk folk singing along in no time. However the instrumentals that kick in at around the minute-mark do leave a little something to be desired, simply because they’re so familiar from other tracks in the charts right now. Overall, it’s a decent little number that will probably do quite well on its official release later this year. To check out the single now, and its official video, you can click here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 April 2015 |
Single Review: Charles Hamilton - New York Raining Featuring Rita Ora
Charles Hamilton isn’t a musician who I’m particularly familiar with. In fact, the first I heard of him was when he made his recent appearance on The Voice UK for a live performance with Rita Ora. However, hearing that single was enough to make me at least an honorary fan (until the next single from the rapper comes out) and now we’re edging closer to the official release of the track, it seems there are a lot of other new fans crawling out of the woodwork.
For those who missed the performance a couple of weeks back, the track is titled New York Raining and not only features a steady, strong rap from Hamilton, but also features an ear-catching chorus from Ora. There’s something unexpectedly lovely about this single - probably not a description you’d often associate with rap, but I promise you, it is actually sort of lovely. Hamilton establishes himself as a decent rapper here, so much so that I’m even wondering how I’ve gone so long without hearing him before.
However, the chorus stands out a little more than the verse. Ora’s vocals are brilliant here! It feels like it’s been a while since the young starlet made an appearance in the charts, but this single will reassurance fans that she’s still as good as she was in her last batch of singles (and hopefully this is the beginning of another batch, just in time for the summer).
The track comes complete with a music video and you can check that out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 16 April 2015
For those who missed the performance a couple of weeks back, the track is titled New York Raining and not only features a steady, strong rap from Hamilton, but also features an ear-catching chorus from Ora. There’s something unexpectedly lovely about this single - probably not a description you’d often associate with rap, but I promise you, it is actually sort of lovely. Hamilton establishes himself as a decent rapper here, so much so that I’m even wondering how I’ve gone so long without hearing him before.
However, the chorus stands out a little more than the verse. Ora’s vocals are brilliant here! It feels like it’s been a while since the young starlet made an appearance in the charts, but this single will reassurance fans that she’s still as good as she was in her last batch of singles (and hopefully this is the beginning of another batch, just in time for the summer).
The track comes complete with a music video and you can check that out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 16 April 2015
Single review: Wiz Khalifa - See you again Feat. Charlie Puth
It’s almost inevitable that when a big Box Office hit arrives at the cinema, it’s only a matter of time before the music taken from the soundtrack of the film arrives in the charts. The Fast and the Furious franchise has been guilty of this in the past and now, a week or so after the release of the latest film, the first track from the film has arrived.
Wiz Khalifa has made an appearance in the charts with new track, See You Again, that features Charlie Puth, and I have to admit, there’s something pretty lovely about the single.
For anyone particularly familiar with the Fast and the Furious franchise, it will be fairly clear what this release is about. As Puth sings ‘It’s been a long day without you my friend / And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again’, you can already feel that this is an emotion-packed number, and when Wiz Khalifa jumps in with his lyrics it (surprisingly) becomes even more poignant. The line ‘How can we not talk about family when family’s all that we got?’ will ring bells for Fast and the Furious fans and, I think, given the poignancy of this track it’s probably not much of a surprise to learn that this is the first single to jump into the charts from the movie.
Even the video feels a little hard-hitting (for me, a die hard Fast and the Furious fan, I’ll admit), so make sure you check it out for yourselves by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 13 April 2015
Wiz Khalifa has made an appearance in the charts with new track, See You Again, that features Charlie Puth, and I have to admit, there’s something pretty lovely about the single.
For anyone particularly familiar with the Fast and the Furious franchise, it will be fairly clear what this release is about. As Puth sings ‘It’s been a long day without you my friend / And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again’, you can already feel that this is an emotion-packed number, and when Wiz Khalifa jumps in with his lyrics it (surprisingly) becomes even more poignant. The line ‘How can we not talk about family when family’s all that we got?’ will ring bells for Fast and the Furious fans and, I think, given the poignancy of this track it’s probably not much of a surprise to learn that this is the first single to jump into the charts from the movie.
Even the video feels a little hard-hitting (for me, a die hard Fast and the Furious fan, I’ll admit), so make sure you check it out for yourselves by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 13 April 2015
Single Review: Nicki Minaj - The Night is still Young
Despite my best efforts not to be, I still occasionally find myself partial to a bit of Nicki Minaj. After an influx of recent tracks that I wasn’t particularly impressed by, the starlet has now dropped a more promising track from her latest album, titled The Night Is Still Young, and I’m officially predicting some big things for this single over the summer months.
The track itself is actually quite relaxed. Minaj’s reliable rapping abilities kick in within a matter of seconds as she begins encouraging us all to aim for the stars - surely, you know the drill by now - which eventually leads us into a well-constructed chorus that sees some understated singing from the artist. The refrain ‘The night is still young, and so are we’ is probably what will make this track memorable for people - everyone loves a good chorus and something that they can dance along to, and this track ticks both boxes. The official lyric video was released to YouTube recently, so you can check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 11 April 2015 |
Florence + The Machine release new single!
Florence + the Machine have a new album coming out this June and they do not want you to forget that. The band have released a new song, Ship to Wreck, lifted from How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful.
The song is a lot happier than two other songs that the band has put out but it also has that Florence sound to it, thanks to Florence Welch, the lead singer of the band. Check out the song just below. Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 11 April 2015 |
Single Review: Meghan Trainor - Dear Future Husband
It’s starting to seem like Meghan Trainor isn’t capable of releasing a downbeat song - however, that’s certainly not a criticism. The string of get-up-and-dance tracks to emerge from the young starlet has had another single added to it recently, titled Dear Future Husband, and boy, it’s an upbeat little number alright.
The track sees Trainor singing/half-rapping her way through some lyrics about what her future husband needs to do to keep her happy, with the occasional mention of her being a good wife: ‘Don’t forget the flowers every anniversary / ‘Cause if you treat me right, I’ll be the perfect wife.’ From anyone else, it might sound a little crazy; from Trainor, it just sounds like something that I want to dance to. Seriously, I can’t stop myself.
The on-point instrumentals on this track add a little funk to it, and it also comes complete with a reasonably cute video which you can check out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 9 April 2015
The track sees Trainor singing/half-rapping her way through some lyrics about what her future husband needs to do to keep her happy, with the occasional mention of her being a good wife: ‘Don’t forget the flowers every anniversary / ‘Cause if you treat me right, I’ll be the perfect wife.’ From anyone else, it might sound a little crazy; from Trainor, it just sounds like something that I want to dance to. Seriously, I can’t stop myself.
The on-point instrumentals on this track add a little funk to it, and it also comes complete with a reasonably cute video which you can check out now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 9 April 2015
Sia Releases Video for Big Girls Cry single
It was a move of genius for Sia to bring in Maddie Ziegler, the star of Dance Moms, for her music video for Chandelier and it only got better with Elastic Heart. Now, the pair are back for Big Girls Cry, the latest single lifted from Sia's latest album, 1000 Forms of Fear, though this is said to be the last time the two are to be together.
In the video, Maddie takes the centre spot and shows off an array of emotions that fit perfectly alongside this latest track. Check out the video now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 7 April 2015 |
Single Review: Martin Solveig & GTA - Intoxicated
Okay, this is far from being the most sophisticated single that has been dropped on YouTube this year, but you definitely need to listen to it anyway. Martin Solveig released the music video for this track back in January and the official release date is set for later this month, so you should probably brace yourselves to hear this everywhere in the near future!
Lyrically, there isn’t anything particularly impressive happening here. Instrumentally, people will go crazy for this track when it becomes more mainstream in a matter of weeks. It’s a get-up-and-dance track, which is exactly what we expect from singles released at this time of year, and Solveig, alongside collaborators GTA, are certainly delivering something that will get people on their feet. Check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 7 April 2015 |
Single Review: Clean Bandit - Stronger
One cannot be sad when one listens to a Clean Bandit song. It’s a fact, and their latest single, Stronger, is just further evidence of that fact. The single arrived on YouTube, complete with an official video, in mid-March and the steadily rising number of hits it has received since speaks volumes about the popularity of this track already.
The introduction to this track is simply stunning; it’s simple, it’s elegant, and it lulls you into a tiny false sense of security that Clean Bandit might be scaling things back for this single. However, rest easy, the single is cranked up within the first minute with trademark Clean Bandit instrumentals - and this time, we get to see the band demonstrating their impressive skills in the video, too. Not only will the instrumentals get you on your feet but the stead-fast vocals on this track will have you singing along after your first listen as well, as the lyrics push the idea of being better and strong enough to love someone properly. It’s an upbeat number that has been released at exactly the right time to cause a stir on the pre-Summer music scene! An absolute must-listen (particularly if you’re gearing up for your Bank Holiday weekend of partying), the track is available now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 April 2015 |
Single Review: Alesso - Cool Feat. Roy English
You can tell the Summer months are just around the corner simply by looking at the music that’s set to be released over the next month or two. Alesso is also gearing up for some sunshine with Heroes follow-up, Cool, which features Roy English.
It’s unfortunate that this track doesn’t quite seem to rise to the standard set by Alesso’s previous single. Heroes, I liked; Cool, I feel a little lukewarm about if I’m totally honest. The instrumentals aren’t too bad, although they’re cranked up a little too much for my liking when the ‘chorus’ kicks in. Alongside this there’s the fact that Roy English’s role in this track seems surprisingly downplayed to me - I would actually like more lyrics, more vocals - basically, I want something I can sing and dance to. I mean, is that so much to ask? However, despite me not being totally sold on the single, it has achieved quite a lot of positive attention on YouTube in recent weeks. So make sure you check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 2 April 2015 |
Single Review: Madeon - Pay no mind feat. Passion Pit
We’re getting into the sunshine season so, naturally, there will be an influx of summertime tracks over the next few months. However, the very first one to make it on to the Mad Hatter Reviews’ play list for this summer has to be Madeon’s Pay No Mind, which popped up for me on YouTube this morning (thanks for the recommendation, YouTube).
The single, featuring Passion Pit, is a bit of a mash-up of music genres with some funky instrumentals that make this song quite flexible. There are sounds here reminiscent of something a little more indie - particularly in the vocals - but when the chorus kicks in, I instantly envisage this track creeping into nightclubs over the summer, or least, remixes of this track (of which I’m sure there will be plenty). The instrumentals throughout are just as exciting as the vocals themselves, and this single just goes to show that we should expect some special things from Madeon over the coming months. Pay No Mind isn’t released until later this year, but the track and the official video are available on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 30 March 2015 |
Review: Iggy Azalea - Trouble feat. Jennifer Hudson
On an average day, I don’t really like Iggy Azalea. However, her new track, titled Trouble, has pretty much been on repeat since my first listen, so maybe I’ve turned a corner here…
There’s just something I can’t help but like about this single! The instrumentals are unbelievably catchy, meaning that you’re already feeling a little groove within five seconds of the track starting. Azalea’s rap is steady and recognisable to her previous style, although I’m not fully convinced that she’s doing anything here that she hasn’t been doing for the past year or so. However, the track is cranked up a notch when Jennifer Hudson makes her vocal appearance for the chorus! Hudson’s vocals are as good here as they’ve always been, adding some serious strength to the overall sound of this release. The last minute of the track sees the starlets combine their sounds for the big finale of the single and, to my surprise, it actually works quite well. This is actually a pretty decent single and I’m quietly confident that it will do well when it’s officially released later this year. Until then, you can check out the track now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 30 March 2015 |
Single Review: Mark Ronson - I Can't Lose Feat. Keyone Starr
Mark Ronson certainly set himself a mammoth task when it came to dropping a single that could compete with his previous release, Uptown Funk. The track completely took over the charts for a while and now, several weeks later, it’s still being played on every music channel, radio show, you name it! So, has Ronson released a single with the potential to compete with Uptown Funk?
In short, no. However, this latest track is pretty funky in its own right. The single, titled I Can’t Lose, made its way on to YouTube recently and it’s gaining a fair amount of positive feedback on there via comments already. The single features Keyone Starr who provides some quality vocals here, but it’s really the instrumentals of the track that pop for me. It’s like Ronson is revisiting with 80s with every track he releases these days, and I Can’t Lose is no exception. There’s been some serious funk rubbed on this release that leaves it sounding reminiscent of some of the more familiar and much-loved music from a couple of decades ago, allowing Ronson to carve a special little place for himself in the charts.
The track is sure to set you up for the weekend so make sure you check it out for yourselves now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 28 March 2015
In short, no. However, this latest track is pretty funky in its own right. The single, titled I Can’t Lose, made its way on to YouTube recently and it’s gaining a fair amount of positive feedback on there via comments already. The single features Keyone Starr who provides some quality vocals here, but it’s really the instrumentals of the track that pop for me. It’s like Ronson is revisiting with 80s with every track he releases these days, and I Can’t Lose is no exception. There’s been some serious funk rubbed on this release that leaves it sounding reminiscent of some of the more familiar and much-loved music from a couple of decades ago, allowing Ronson to carve a special little place for himself in the charts.
The track is sure to set you up for the weekend so make sure you check it out for yourselves now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 28 March 2015
Single Review: Blonde - All Cried Out Feat. Alex Newell
There’s something a little deceptive about the opening fifty-seconds or so of this single. Just as I was beginning to think Blonde had sunk to a slow-paced, almost generic-sounding track about breaking up with your significant other, things were suddenly kicked up a notch…
The opening of the single feels fairly bare. The instrumentals are slow and understated and the vocals on the track match this, which made me think that I should brace myself for something potentially disappointing. However, forty-five seconds in, things take a promising turn, ahead of the club-soaked beat that kicks in ten seconds later and completely changes this track into something you actually can’t help but dance to. Everything is cranked up after this point; the beat becomes much stronger and the vocals have a little ferocity to them which is entirely appropriate for the lyrics of the track.
Truthfully, despite my initial reservations, I’m actually predicting that this will be a big club hit over the next few months.
You can check out the track, and the official video, now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 23 March 2015
The opening of the single feels fairly bare. The instrumentals are slow and understated and the vocals on the track match this, which made me think that I should brace myself for something potentially disappointing. However, forty-five seconds in, things take a promising turn, ahead of the club-soaked beat that kicks in ten seconds later and completely changes this track into something you actually can’t help but dance to. Everything is cranked up after this point; the beat becomes much stronger and the vocals have a little ferocity to them which is entirely appropriate for the lyrics of the track.
Truthfully, despite my initial reservations, I’m actually predicting that this will be a big club hit over the next few months.
You can check out the track, and the official video, now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 23 March 2015
Single of the Week: Sam Smith - Lay me Down Feat. John Legend
Sam Smith and John Legend singing together. Need I say more? That opening chunk of information explains exactly why this track has made our Single of the Week spot, but, if you need a little more justification then read on…
This dream team came together for the purpose of putting a new spin on Sam Smith’s own single, Lay Me Down, which fans will recognise from his album. Now between Smith and Legend, they’ve turned an already brilliant track into something truly stunning for Red Nose Day 2015, which this single is released in aid of. The vocals of these two different artists work perfectly together on this single, with Legend’s skills on the piano providing everything this pair need to make this not only a solid single release, but also an extremely elegant track. There’s something really special here and, while the two may have only teamed up for the purpose of their Red Nose Day release, we’re certainly hoping that there might me more collaborations here in the future. The track is available, complete with a touching music video, on YouTube now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 March 2015 |
Single Review: Flo Rida - GDFR Feat. Sage the Gemini and Lookas
It feels like a while since we had something with real potential from Flo Rida, and while his new track doesn’t exactly make for highbrow listening, there is certainly something frustratingly catchy about it.
The new track, titled GDFR, comes complete with collaborators such as Sage The Gemini and Lookas who also make an appearance on this release. It’s mostly the instrumentals that leave an impact here because there is something insanely catchy about them - I can’t talk for you guys, but I literally can’t stop myself from having a little dance whenever I hear this song. Flo Rida has edged his way back into the UK charts with his solid rap here, and it’s certainly a single worth keeping an ear out for if you haven’t heard it already because, despite not bagging the number one spot in the charts just yet, it seems safe to say that this single will blow up again when the summer arrives. If you need a little boost to get you through to the weekend, then you definitely need to check out this single (by clicking here). Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 20 March 2015 |
Single Review: The Script - Paint the town Green
On account of it being St Patrick’s Day, it seemed wildly appropriate to introduce you all to one of the finer singles from The Script’s latest album. A track that was surely written and produced for this very day, Paint The Town Green is one of the best tracks on my playlist at the moment, and it’s definitely worth a listen.
The instrumentals of the track are lively, energetic, dare I say even slightly patriotic? Although, that could be said about the whole track! It’s littered with Irish-markers and place references, as the lyrics bide their time in the lead-up to the exciting chorus that sees the band belt out, ‘Just like home / Let’s colour the streets like our own / Let’s make this place feel like our home’ before the concluding line, ‘It’s alright, ‘cause tonight, we’re gonna paint the town green.’
It’s lovely, it’s catchy, and it’s totally appropriate. For me, this is definitely one of the musical highlights from the latest album from these guys and, if nothing else, it will certainly help you feel a little St Patrick’s cheer.
Check the track out for yourselves now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 17 march 2015
The instrumentals of the track are lively, energetic, dare I say even slightly patriotic? Although, that could be said about the whole track! It’s littered with Irish-markers and place references, as the lyrics bide their time in the lead-up to the exciting chorus that sees the band belt out, ‘Just like home / Let’s colour the streets like our own / Let’s make this place feel like our home’ before the concluding line, ‘It’s alright, ‘cause tonight, we’re gonna paint the town green.’
It’s lovely, it’s catchy, and it’s totally appropriate. For me, this is definitely one of the musical highlights from the latest album from these guys and, if nothing else, it will certainly help you feel a little St Patrick’s cheer.
Check the track out for yourselves now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 17 march 2015
Jason Derulo Drops new single, Want to Want Me
It seems like only last week that Jason Derulo released a new album yet here he is again, working on releasing another one with a new single, titled Want To Want Me, which will be officially released on May 24th as the first single from his fourth studio album.
The song is as catchy as his others and you can check it out now by clicking here. Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 13 March 2015 |
Ella Henderson Reveals
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Single Review: Olly Murs - Seasons
Olly Murs has become something remarkably close to being the nation’s sweetheart. It seems that over the years he’s provided a steady release of singles that have gained him a steady amount of success, making him one of the few artists that people can guarantee to hear from every few months or so. Well now, keeping with the tradition of steady singles, Murs has released another track, titled Seasons, and it’s quite lovely.
The track is an upbeat little number - as if you’d expect anything else from Murs - and there’s something undeniably catchy about the whole thing. The lyrics are simple, repetitive, but they completely work here, and they will definitely have listeners singing them back after the first or second play. The instrumentals themselves lend to this catchiness with some understated backing vocals adding another depth to the track. Overall, this is definitely another strong single from the artist and I’m predicting positive things for this when it’s officially released later this year.
Unfortunately we don’t have an official video to offer you yet! However, there is a lyric video available on YouTube, where you can also find the audio for the track, by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 9 March 2015
The track is an upbeat little number - as if you’d expect anything else from Murs - and there’s something undeniably catchy about the whole thing. The lyrics are simple, repetitive, but they completely work here, and they will definitely have listeners singing them back after the first or second play. The instrumentals themselves lend to this catchiness with some understated backing vocals adding another depth to the track. Overall, this is definitely another strong single from the artist and I’m predicting positive things for this when it’s officially released later this year.
Unfortunately we don’t have an official video to offer you yet! However, there is a lyric video available on YouTube, where you can also find the audio for the track, by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 9 March 2015
I'm sorry, but Carly Rae Jepson is back...
That's right, the Call Me Maybe singer has finally released new music, just when everyone started to think that they might never hear from her again. And her new song seems to be just as catchy as that single was.
I Really Like You is the singer's first single from her upcoming album and you can listen to it below. Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 6 March 2015 |
Single of the Week: Marlon Roudette - When the beat drops out
I’ve had this song stuck in my head for the majority of this week and I’ve only just worked out what it is - so, naturally, I’m going to have to make it our Single of the Week! The track has been causing a stir on the music scene in recent months and it seems to be catapulting into the mainstream now, so if you haven’t heard this already, then it’s definitely worth checking out.
Marlon Roudette, the man behind this infectious track, has succeeded in blending together something that sounds mellow but something that would also feel quite well-placed in a nightclub - on that note, I see many remixes on the horizon for this single. The repetitive lyrics and simplistic beat makes it a solid single that will surely do will in the next few weeks, and will definitely set you up for your weekend. Make sure you check out the track for yourselves by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 March 2015 |
Single Review: Ed Sheeran & Rudimental - Bloodstream
What happens when you smash an Ed Sheeran single together with a Rudimental beat? Something pretty flippin’ brilliant, that’s what!
It seems that in a bid to spice up his latest single release, Bloodstream, Sheeran has opted to team up with Rudimental for the track rather than release the album version. The track, in its own right, is a strong release from the singer-songwriter, but there’s something extra special about this collaboration. The acoustics have been blended perfectly alongside the simple beat set by Rudimental (which is really ramped up for the chorus!) allowing for the trademark sounds of both artists to come through here. There’s something much more moody and emotive about the track, and while a lot of people seem to be criticising Sheeran for this move, I think actually think it’s a pretty smart one.
The single is available to listen to on YouTube now by clicking here. Take a listen and let us know what you think!
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 3 March 2015
It seems that in a bid to spice up his latest single release, Bloodstream, Sheeran has opted to team up with Rudimental for the track rather than release the album version. The track, in its own right, is a strong release from the singer-songwriter, but there’s something extra special about this collaboration. The acoustics have been blended perfectly alongside the simple beat set by Rudimental (which is really ramped up for the chorus!) allowing for the trademark sounds of both artists to come through here. There’s something much more moody and emotive about the track, and while a lot of people seem to be criticising Sheeran for this move, I think actually think it’s a pretty smart one.
The single is available to listen to on YouTube now by clicking here. Take a listen and let us know what you think!
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 3 March 2015
Single Review: James Bay - Hear Your Heart
James Bay hit mainstream success recently with his beautiful track, Hold Back The River. It’s a brilliant track that many listeners have fallen in love with, and it seems to have done him a massive favour with securing some mainstream success. However, Bay has an equally impressive back catalogue of less known music, and on this gloomy Thursday, that beautiful back catalogue is exactly what we need coming from our speakers.
Hear Your Heart is a simply stunning track and yet, it seems to have gone quite unnoticed! Much like Hold Back The River, we are treated to wonderful acoustics, understated accompanying vocals, and a beautiful vocal delivery from Bay himself. There’s something so delicate but hard-hitting about the track, I’m amazed that this hasn’t come under more scrutiny given the singer’s recent step into the spotlight. It’s an emotional, understated, and truly touching track, and you can check it out for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 26 February 2015 |
Rihanna Reveals New Track for upcoming animation
And so it begins. Rihanna has released a new track, titled Towards the Sun, for the upcoming animated film Home, in which Rihanna voices the character Gratuity "Tip" Tucci.
Alongside working on her eighth album set for release sometime this year, Rihanna has also been curating the album for Home, which apparently included recording some songs for it. Towards the Sun is now available to purchase via iTunes (and you can access that by clicking here). Written by: Kasim Kaey Published: 26 February 2015 |
Ariana Grande Drops new music video for new single
Ariana Grande has just released another music video, this one for her latest single, One Last Time, taken from her second studio album, My Everything.
The visual sees Grande running around in a sci-fi setting where the world appears to be coming to an end. The camera is held by another person who appears to have nothing better to do than follow Grande through houses and up to rooftops. Watch the visual now just below. Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 24 February 2015 |
Single Review: Imagine Dragons - Shots
Imagine Dragons have released some pretty promising music lately. Their comeback track, of sorts, I Bet My Life won them instant love from listeners across the country and, after having that song on repeat for about three weeks, I’m personally quite happy that I’ve got a new track from them to fall in love with.
Shots, which had an official video uploaded to YouTube around a week ago, is another solid track from the band and, while it sort of has a similar message to I Bet My Life, it’s showing quite a different tone. The vocal tones in this track are quite wonderful, well-controlled and refreshingly different to previous singles, this shows the potential of a promising new side to the group. There’s something sort of techno-funky about the track which I’m also a massive fan of, and this leads you neatly into the insanely catchy chorus of: ‘I’m sorry for everything / Oh everything I’ve done / From the second that I was born it seems I had a loaded gun / And then I shot, shot, shot…’ It’s quirky, it’s catchy, and it’s yet another clear indicator that these guys have evolved their sound for the better. To check out the track for yourselves, and the equally quirky video that comes with it, you can find it on YouTube by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 24 February 2015 |
Single Review: AronChupa - I'm an Albatroz
I have a terrible feeling that I’ve just heard what will be this year’s most ridiculous song, and it felt worthy of alerting our readers to. There’s always one track - cast your minds back to Gangnam Style, and you’ll know exactly what sort of song I’m talking about - that is outright terrible but somehow people fall head over heels for it and becomes a massive hit. Well, I think AronChupa might be trying to cash in on that phenomena.
Admittedly, the track emerged on YouTube at the end of last year, but it seems to be gaining steam this month, with various websites reporting that the official release for the track is nearly upon on. The track, titled I’m an Albatroz, has absurd music, nonsensical lyrics, and some serious mispronunciation of words throughout - the latter of which seems reason enough in itself to dislike the single. Having said all that, I think people might go suitably crazy for the song when and if it eventually hits the mainstream music scene. So, in the interest of arming you for what’s to come, you can check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 February 2015 |
Single Review: Years & Years - King
This track has been on the radar for a little while now, and it doesn’t seem like there are any plans for it to move out of the musical spotlight. Years & Years released the single on YouTube about a month ago, conjuring an instant whirlwind of praise for the track - and now we’re jumping on that bandwagon.
The single, titled King, is a stunning song with reliable vocals and enticing lyrics that have, undoubtedly, made their way into the lyric-banks of listeners up and down the country by now. There seems to be a question mark hovering over this track in terms of what genre this fits into and, while I can’t actually offer an answer to that, I can say that there’s something simultaneously chilled but emotion-packed about the track, and I kind of love that. The instrumentals fade in and out at the most appropriate moments, offering an amalgamation of indie, techno, synths - do I hear synths? Whatever is going on here, it’s certainly a decent track and it’s certainly left us hungry for another release in the future. If by some miracle you’ve escaped hearing this release, then you can head over to YouTube and check it out now by clicking here. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 21 February 2015 |
Single Review: I Am Harlequin - Kill The Night
In amongst the flurry of new music landing in our inbox this week, we’ve been introduced to the wonderful I Am Harlequin (Anne Freier, to her friends) who is about to drop her latest single, Kill the Night, which will be digitally released later this month.
There’s something undeniably infectious about Kill the Night. The track sounds like the result of Florence + The Machine meeting classic disco, because this single is nothing short of disco-heavy, and it uses that quality to its advantage. Anne’s vocals are stunning on this single too, exhibiting an impressive range covering everything from outstanding pitches to unexpected power that appears repeatedly. In Anne’s own words this track is ‘a tribute to the end of the (work) day and a joyous welcoming of the night’, and that message shines throughout this catchy number.
The official release date of the single is February 23rd, and that will come complete with a number of remixes attached also. However, if you can’t wait until then, then you can head over to YouTube and check out the track and its official video now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 19 February 2015
There’s something undeniably infectious about Kill the Night. The track sounds like the result of Florence + The Machine meeting classic disco, because this single is nothing short of disco-heavy, and it uses that quality to its advantage. Anne’s vocals are stunning on this single too, exhibiting an impressive range covering everything from outstanding pitches to unexpected power that appears repeatedly. In Anne’s own words this track is ‘a tribute to the end of the (work) day and a joyous welcoming of the night’, and that message shines throughout this catchy number.
The official release date of the single is February 23rd, and that will come complete with a number of remixes attached also. However, if you can’t wait until then, then you can head over to YouTube and check out the track and its official video now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 19 February 2015
Taylor Swift Releases Music video for Style
After releasing the music video for Blank Space, which was a smart satire of how the world perceives Taylor Swift, the world has looked to see what she would bring out next. However, the music video for her latest single from album 1989, Style, doesn't bear the sharp wit or smarts Blank Space had. Instead, it's a combination of smoke, mirrors, a beach, and a white guy.
Check out the music video below. Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 16 February 2015 |
Single Review: Alesso - Heroes (We COuld Be)
This track has been doing the circuit for a while now and it seems to have won over an awful lot of listeners in recent weeks. Alesso has some quality tracks to his name already, however it seems that with Heroes he’s made it into the mainstream music scene big time, and I can completely see why.
The track, featuring Tove Lo, is a healthy mixture of good vocals and club music - aren’t most tracks nowadays? Nevertheless, there’s something undeniably upbeat and sort of contagious about the track, and as the lyrics ‘We could be heroes, me and you’ are belted out repeatedly, it seems we can’t help but find ourselves being drawn into this. The club-sounds that cut through the chorus are also a welcome injection of life for the track, ensuring its place in nightclubs up and down the country as we edge a tiny, teenie, bit closer to the Summer months. If nothing else, this track is sure to brighten up your Monday a little bit, so make sure you head over to YouTube, by clicking here, and have a listen. Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 16 February 2015 |
Music News: Florence + The Machine reveal new music!
Florence + The Machine, one of my all time favourite bands, have just released a new song onto the internet after literally years of silence. Apart from a song on The Great Gatsby soundtrack (which is excellent by the way), the band have released nothing new for a while now but they're back with a brand new album.
The album, which is called How Big How Blue How Beautiful, is to be released on June 1st and will feature eleven tracks on the standard edition:
1) Ship to Wreck
2) What Kind of Man
3) How Big How Blue How Beautiful
4) Queen of Peace
5) Various Storms & Saints
6) Delilah
7) Long & Lost
8) Caught
9) Third Eye
10) St Jude
11) Mother
And to celebrate the announcement of their new album, the band decided to drop the first single, What Kind of Man, alongside the music video for the single, which you can access now by clicking here.
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 14 February 2015
The album, which is called How Big How Blue How Beautiful, is to be released on June 1st and will feature eleven tracks on the standard edition:
1) Ship to Wreck
2) What Kind of Man
3) How Big How Blue How Beautiful
4) Queen of Peace
5) Various Storms & Saints
6) Delilah
7) Long & Lost
8) Caught
9) Third Eye
10) St Jude
11) Mother
And to celebrate the announcement of their new album, the band decided to drop the first single, What Kind of Man, alongside the music video for the single, which you can access now by clicking here.
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 14 February 2015
Album Review: Kodaline - Coming up for air
When I first stumbled onto Kodaline in 2013, when they released their début album In A Perfect World, I loved them instantly, though I didn't like their singles as much as the songs that remained in the dark shrouds of the album cover. So, when I heard that they were set to release another album this year I was pretty excited, and Kodaline has not let me down.
The album was led by single Honest, which seems to be the perfect bridge between the two albums, an evolution of their sound. It has a soaring chorus that allows the band to fill stadiums, whilst its softer choruses are still Kodaline. This familiarity of sound is continued throughout the album, where songs like The One and Unclear have choruses that you want to shout and scream along with whilst the softer verses allow for more vulnerable moments.
However, it's where Coming Up For Air departs from In A Perfect World that the best things happen. Human Again sees lead singer Garrigan transformed over a stomping chorus and electronic bassline stabs, whilst Play The Game is harder still, packing an electric guitar into the mix.
Coming Up For Air is still Kodaline but it's a new Kodaline and fans of their music will surely appreciate the new sound as well as the fact that the band is only just hitting their stride.
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 12 February 2015
The album was led by single Honest, which seems to be the perfect bridge between the two albums, an evolution of their sound. It has a soaring chorus that allows the band to fill stadiums, whilst its softer choruses are still Kodaline. This familiarity of sound is continued throughout the album, where songs like The One and Unclear have choruses that you want to shout and scream along with whilst the softer verses allow for more vulnerable moments.
However, it's where Coming Up For Air departs from In A Perfect World that the best things happen. Human Again sees lead singer Garrigan transformed over a stomping chorus and electronic bassline stabs, whilst Play The Game is harder still, packing an electric guitar into the mix.
Coming Up For Air is still Kodaline but it's a new Kodaline and fans of their music will surely appreciate the new sound as well as the fact that the band is only just hitting their stride.
Written by: Kasim Kaey
Published: 12 February 2015
Single Review: Avicii - The Nights
Brace yourselves, Avicii is back with another hit single. Okay, it might not be a hit single just yet, but given the sound of the track coupled with Avicii’s recent history for storming the charts, it seems like it’s probably only a matter of time.
The track, titled The Nights, has been steadily collecting hits on YouTube since it was released in the back end of last year, and now there is an official video available for the track it seems to be gaining even more steam. With endearing albeit slightly quirky vocals, the sing-a-long lyrics are bound to pull in listeners in nightclubs up and down the country. The instrumentals on the track even sound like Avicii, fine-tuned, bubbly, and undoubtedly provocative enough to make anyone get up and have a little dance (which is definitely what you need on a Monday).
I might be hedging my bets a little here, but I can’t help but feel like we are hearing the first in a long line of summer singles from Avicii that will be appearing over the next few months. However, if The Nights is anything to go by, it’s certainly going to be a string of singles that we all want to hear, and potentially dance around to…
Make sure you check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 9 February 2015
The track, titled The Nights, has been steadily collecting hits on YouTube since it was released in the back end of last year, and now there is an official video available for the track it seems to be gaining even more steam. With endearing albeit slightly quirky vocals, the sing-a-long lyrics are bound to pull in listeners in nightclubs up and down the country. The instrumentals on the track even sound like Avicii, fine-tuned, bubbly, and undoubtedly provocative enough to make anyone get up and have a little dance (which is definitely what you need on a Monday).
I might be hedging my bets a little here, but I can’t help but feel like we are hearing the first in a long line of summer singles from Avicii that will be appearing over the next few months. However, if The Nights is anything to go by, it’s certainly going to be a string of singles that we all want to hear, and potentially dance around to…
Make sure you check out the track for yourselves now by clicking here.
Written by: Charlotte Barnes
Published: 9 February 2015
Single of the Week: The Luka State - The Believer
There is some pretty brilliant music landing in the MHR email inbox on a weekly basis, however, my personal favourite from this week is The Luka State’s latest track, titled The Believer. You can find the single now by accessing the band’s SoundCloud page, and, if you’re looking to add a little cheer to your Friday, I heartily recommend having a listen.
The track has something endearingly old-school about it, which may be delivered by the synths that appear throughout. The vocals are understated but steady, and the instrumentals themselves are definitely worthy of a little dance around your office/bedroom/dance floor (select as appropriate). The track is upbeat, simple, happy-go-lucky, and just quite lovely, with each member of this three-piece working in perfect sync towards this end sound. It’s an undoubtedly mature track with the capabilities to rival other rock/pop ensembles that are on the music scene right now - and this trio from Cheshire should be exceptionally pleased about the promise they‘ve shown here. Alongside promoting this new single, The Luka State are also playing a number of live shows in the near future. So, if The Believer leaves you wanting more (don’t forget you can hear the track by clicking here), you can check them out on their upcoming tour with One Night Only, the dates for which are just below. Fri 6th Feb - Rescue Rooms - Nottingham Sat 7th Feb - Institute - Birmingham Sun 8th Feb - Belgrave Music Hall - Leeds Mon 9th Feb - Deaf Institute - Manchester Tue 10th Feb - Stereo - Glasgow Wed 11th Feb - Sneaky Petes - Edinburgh Thur 12th Feb - Helmsley Arts Centre - Helmsley Written by: Charlotte Barnes Published: 6 February 2015 |