Author Archives: Olivia

Scroobius Pip-Broken Promise.

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You don’t have to have known me years (I pity you if you do, I’m sorry) to know that lyrics are vital to me. For me, they’re just the most powerful part of a song. I don’t care much for key changes. I adore a drum that sounds so big it shatters my skull or a guitar riff that makes every part of me just tremble in a state of awe. It’s always going to be lyrics that blow my mind and leave me feeling something I struggle to put into words.

This is probably going to get personal, but I’m going to try my best to not go into too much detail. I don’t need you to know and you don’t need to know do you? No. Of course you don’t.

On Monday night, I saw Scroobius Pip. I was already aware that he’s a fantastic lyricist, but he did a song and…wow. This song just felt like someone had got inside of my mind and written everything I have been thinking and feeling since the start of the year. I’m not a great person. I mess up royally at times, no issues with admitting I’m wrong because I rarely know when I’m right. When he was stood right in front of me doing this song, something took over every single part of me. Something that I guess you can only get from a live show. Everyone has moments in their lives when something just clicks- one of my moments happened then.

This song made me realise that, as a person, you just cannot live your life in order to make others happy. You cannot please everyone. Fuck it. You’ve GOT to do things for you. You’ve got to keep good people around you, that make you feel of worth. You’ve got to be true to yourself in order to escape other peoples lies. I listen to this song, and it just makes me glad that I haven’t given up on what I want. This song gave me hope. This song made me realise that I’m not as bad as most make me out to be. This song has fast become one of the most important things I’ve EVER heard.

I find the honesty in Pip’s lyrics to be so inspirational, and sadly underrated. His way with words just makes me wish I had the guts and talent to do something with all the songs I’ve written. However, I don’t want to be painfully open with strangers. I’m content with my mum and two close friends knowing me inside out. I read the lyrics to Broken Promise, and I feel like writing them on walls or shouting it from a rooftop. It just pours out all the frustration I contain towards myself and others. It’s such a brutally accurate song that anyone can relate to.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t who you thought I was,
Fuck it– I’m sorry I wasn’t who I thought I was.
I said no matter what, I’d always be there, but that wasn’t honest,
Because I’m not.”

If you’ve never felt this way, you must be a robot. Heck..I reckon robots must feel something like this at some point. You must have been made to fee like shit by people you know all the time for not being the way the way you want them to be. Thing is, why should you be how they want you to be? If you do that, you’re living a lie. You’re not being true to yourself. I was ALWAYS raised with the strong belief that I should always be true to myself. My mum always put that moral to me, just always. It doesn’t matter what kind of person you turn out to be- just be you, and be honest. You can’t always be there for people. You can only hold another person together for so long before you fall apart yourself. It’s hard, but when you have a song like this- you start to feel less and less bad for not meeting expectations. I expect nothing from anyone, it means I don’t have to face that dreaded disappointment another person can give you, and it’s hard to shake off.

“I wasn’t cursed with a dark side, I was just normal,
Average, regular, nothing special, I’m telling you.
Just being human makes you both God and the Devil’s clear replica.”

I’m not ashamed to admit to how much I can relate to this certain part of the song. People are quick to make you feel bad for the feelings to carry around with you. I’ve learnt that it’s okay to feel bad, it’s okay to be happy. There was a time this year where I hated myself so much. I hated everything about me and the person I was. But you’ve GOT to keep yourself close to things and people that give you worth. People are always quick to take and take from you. You need that equal balance. I also learnt a while back that, if you keep yourself surrounded by people who are always projecting how bad they feel onto you, and their insecurities- you start to feel low about yourself. We all have good days and we all have bad days. I can relate to this part so much. I’m nothing special at all. Far from it, I’m just another person on this planet who’s contributed nothing to the Universe.

“I’ve had my emotions crushed and maybe crushed a few along the way,
And at the time, I meant every single word I would say.
Every word of love, and every word of hate,
Every time I would adore, and every time I’d berate.
But time passes, and sometimes those emotions fade,
Making liars of both the threats and the promises made.”

We’ve all been hurt and we’ve all hurt people. I used to think that I could never hurt anyone. I know exactly who I’ve hurt and what I did to hurt them. Some I feel bad for, some I don’t. The ones I don’t-well, I’ve got my reasons. Not because of hate, I don’t hate anyone. I can’t physically hate someone. I know what it’s like to care for someone, but as time passes you stop caring. You stop feeling things you thought you felt. When you accept you don’t feel anything towards them, you’ve got to go. You’ve got to leave it behind. There is always strength in letting go and moving on. You have to find it in order to carry on. Time drags or you can let yourself go freely with it and do something.

“You’ve lost both that loving and that loathing feeling.
Turns out, hell does have a bottom.
And heaven, a ceiling.
Both love and hate become opaque in time’s wake.
A face that once summons rage now summons nothing.
Whether it’s emotions tethered, nerve endings severed,
Or just the outlook you acquire when you’re a little more weathered.”

The last verse is so powerful. So bloody powerful. It makes you feel so crippled and riddled with so much emotion that you don’t know what to do. There comes a point where you hit your lowest point, and you know that you are right there. You know that you cannot get any lower. You also know that there is a limit to your highs. There is a limit to all feelings. You can only feel so shit for so long. You can only be happy for so long. Feelings last, but they are not always consistent. You look at someone who used to make you angry, now you realise they’re not worthy of even your negative vibes. Even if you’ve sorted it all out or forgotten about them- they’re just not worth the hassle any more. Bad feelings aren’t worth it. You struggle to gain the good feelings in life, but that’s why it is important you treasure them and hold onto them.

“But is a lie really a lie if you mean it at the time?
How can a lie be a lie if you mean it?”

So true. So very,very true. We say things sometimes that we believe- but later on; we realise we don’t feel it anymore.

I’ll leave it there. I’m sorry for how long it is (doubt anyone read this silly thing anyway) but I’m not sorry for what I’ve said.

Be kind to others, and to yourself.

The Cure-4:13 Dream.

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I thought I’d finished my silly idea of writing about every studio album by The Cure. Turns out, as usual, I was wrong. This is the last one. I’ll try not to ramble, I can’t promise though. I don’t make promises. Nobody should. They’re like certain rules aren’t they- just made to be broken.

Everything I love about The Cure is pretty much summed up in the opening track to the album. Before I carry on, I do hope you have this record and you’re not one of these people who claim to be a HUGE FAN OF THE CURE! Yet you only have their Greatest Hits. Come on now. That’s like saying you love strawberries but the closest you’ve had to a strawberry is a nasty strawberry sweet from a pick ‘n’ mix.

The album opens with Underneath The Stars. Obviously this is a song that you have to just lay underneath the stars and listen to. However as it’s bloody freezing out- just stay indoors with the lights off and listen to it. Create your own surroundings to listen to this, but make sure you take every single detail in. This song is so wonderfully haunting and so so painfully delicate. You quiver and tremble with every note, every symbal crash and every word that just trickles so flawlessly out of Robert Smith’s red lipstick stained mouth. You cling onto this as if your life depends on it. Fuck it, you cling onto every single word Robert Smith sings because it is your life. I listen to this album, this song in particular and all those years I’ve clinged onto The Cure are combined into this song. It just makes me realise that I can’t hold a band as dear to me as I do with The Cure. I suppose how I love The Cure is probably how a person loves another. I never claimed to be normal but hey- who is.

I’m not someone who spends their days thinking, “Oh why can’t someone love me. Why does no one want me.” I suppose there are people in the world that think that. I must say that The Cure are the only band that make me want to be in love. They make love feel like something that you cannot touch, something you cannot explain. There’s a song on this album that just defines what love is- what it’s like to want someone and to just be next to them. You don’t have to do anything, just sit with them and watch Countdown and drink a lot of tea. That’s ideal right? Damn right. The Cure are the band that are the reason behind a lot of things, for a lot of things. Their song, The Only One just, for me- defines love, lust- all that stuff. The Only One just defines every postive feeling about being with someone. It makes you want that. Even if you’re like me, and you never really think about it. It makes you think about it. It makes you dizzy and warm inside. Ity just fills you with such loving and gentle feelings. Is it The Cure at their best? No doubt.

4:13 Dream has been hailed as a masterpiece to being bland. Each to their own and all that, but seriousl; this is The Cure at their best. It was released nearly 4 years ago (a new album needs to happen) but it just sounds so instantly timeless. When I hit 40, this will be one of the albums by the band that I mention with fond memories and good words. I never thought I could love a record by The Cure as much as Seventeen Seconds and Faith, but I just love this record so much. Everything about it sums up why I have loved them since I was 8 years old. That’s a long time, obviously it isn’t as long as most- but I’ve grown up with this band. Their words got me through the horrendous teenage years and through the trying times of being an adult.

I’ve loved going through all their records and listening to them older but probably not wiser. I love how I still feel the same as I did when I was 8 years old. I had heard their music before then due to constantly being glued to MTV you know, when it still showed videos and YO! MTV Raps. I remember seeing the video to Close To Me and being in awe. Then when I turned 8 years old, my stepdad gave me a copy of Wild Mood Swings to listen to. It changed everything. When I listen to The Cure now, I go back to how felt the first time round. 4:13 Dream gives me the same feeling as all their records. That sense of wanting to feel something more than I do. That desire to just find something worthy of…well, I don’t know what. Maybe I’ll never get there, maybe I’ll find out. I have no idea. Robert Smith’s words have saved lives, fixed problems, eased the feeling of self-loathing, desperation and angst for so many; myself included. I’m not ashamed to say that The Cure saved a part of me that I didn’t think was worth saving, but something clicked. It’s all a blur now- but I know what songs played a part in it all.

4:13 Dream just shows that The Cure still have it. But let’s be real here, they never lost it.

Doll And The Kicks.

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I’m not happy, not happy at all. Heart-broken is an understatement. For the past 2 and a half years I have frequently mentioned Doll And The Kicks on my site. I’ve been a massive fan for so long, I just loved everything about them. They had this amazing raw vibe to their music that was lacking in so many artists. The band had been together around 7 years and were never signed. It was announced a few days ago that they had split up. I am now going to unapologetically rant about this.

What occurs every weekend on television for a few weeks this time of year? X-Factor. A show where people all over the country watch this utter bullshit. People are placed on a stage to prance around and sing OTHER PEOPLE’S SONGS and told if they are good or bad. They don’t work themselves stupid or play show after show for 7 years in order to just get signed. They just go on a television show where a bunch of fuckwits tell them if they are good or not. Don’t get me started on the twits of social networking sites who bang on about this over the weekend. Oh it’s unfair that so and so got kicked out? FUCK OFF. Unfair is working hard at something for 7 years, touring the world with one of the world’s greatest singers (Morrissey), self-funding your LPss/EPs because you don’t haver a record deal- then splitting up because you just can’t get signed. THAT IS FUCKING UNFAIR.

Doll And The Kicks blew me away when I first saw them live in May 2009. Doll/Hannah performed a song that broke my broken heart even more so but also healed it slightly. I remember hearing If You Care live then and just being reduced to tears. It was too raw to listen to, it ripped right through me. I saw them support Morrissey again in October that year. I was lucky enough to meet the band both times. I had a conversation with Hannah the first time I met them, you could easily tell that this band were everything to her and how happy they were to be on tour with Morrissey. Imagine that! They have achieved more than most, it is just a shame it had to end.

DATK were easily one of the best band’s that has come out of this country. With all my heart I wanted them to get signed and blow people away with their music. They deserve to be heard by so many. They had this sound that was like no one else around. I remember how I felt when The Long Blondes split up. I was gutted. I cried, actual tears fell from my eyes as I found out they were no more.

It’s just a shame that untalented twats are handed out record deals and last about 2 years because nobody cares about them anymore. DATK were around for 7 years and had a solid fanbase. It’s not fair, nothing in life is. It’s about time that record companies stopped seeing pound signs and making gimmicks out of wankers and paid attention to the real, raw talent is around.

Oh and DATK are the only band to have ever covered Morrissey and not fucked it up. I think that alone proves how amazing and talented they are/were.

 

B.Dolan.

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Have you ever seen something or someone, and after witnessing it you realise your life has changed? Like, you’re just in total awe of what you have just seen. As someone who is occasionally riddled with self doubt and doesn’t see why I attempt to go for certain goals I have, I use music as a means to give myself that kick up the rear that I seem to need. A lot. Recently, I’ve been wanting to just chuck in the whole Music Writer thing I’ve been working my arse off over the past 5 years- you’d think I’d have gotten somewhere by now, but alas- I haven’t. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. So giving up was starting to become an option recently. Something inside of me was just starting to fade. I don’t think it was love of music, I think it was words. Words were starting to become a pain for me. I felt (and still do) that everything I wrote just sounded awful. I can only ever write from the heart, that’s all I’ve ever known. I used to get told off by teachers in lessons because I used to ramble on and put too much into essays. I think a lot and I love writing. I get mad at the world, then I get mad at the fact that I can’t change anything. I’m annoyed at how personal this has now become and I now feel like a massive idiot. My point is, I was ready to give up. Maybe I should. You’re probably reading this and thinking, “Just fucking give up. You’re shit.” That’s okay, that’s cool. Anyway, I witnessed something last night that just changed EVERYTHING.

I’m a huge Rap fan. I mean the good stuff that has meaning and heart such as Mos Def, Rakim, Talib Kweli, Jurassic 5 etc. Last night I saw a man on stage that just made me think “Fuck….I can’t give this up.” I love words too much to stop. If I don’t write, I get arsey and annoyed. If I’m not writing about something-I feel like I’m not being useful. It’s better to be useful than be used. I believe that, most should.

I was lucky enough to shake B.Dolan’s hand after the gig. There’s no doubt in my mind that last night I met two of the music industry’s most powerful artists- Scroobius Pip and B.Dolan. I got B.Dolan’s autograph, but it fell out of my pocket.If anyone finds it, keep it- it will be worth a lot one day. Soon. He also gave me someones packet of fags. I don’t smoke so I’ll give them to my best friend. See, always thinking about others. I wish I could’ve told B.Dolan what he did, he’s changed everything for me. His music just opened me up to what I have to do and what I need to do to get there. He won’t see this, but if he does- I just want him to know that it was more than an honour to shake your hand and meet you last night. You are truly one of the most inspirational artists around. For someone like you to play somewhere like Stoke, it was just unbelivable. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart- just thank you.

Ceremonials-track by track.

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I have no idea why I’m doing this. I think it’s because I’m bored and a bit ill. So, I’ll write it then probably delete it straight away because I’ll have written something more shite than usual. I probably shouldn’t be allowed access to anything I can write on because shit just pours out. on’t worry, I’ll quit soon. I think my days of wanting to be a Music Writer are slowly disppearing. Maybe. I don’t know.

It’s obvious Ceremonials is the best album of this year. Disagree and you probably wath X-Factor or some shit. It’s usually the case isn’t it. They have no talent. Florence does. A hell of a lot. Ceremonials is creepy and ghoulish (if that isn’t a word, I’ve now decided it is.) It’s darker than Lungs, a lot darker. Is it better? I cannot answer that. If I tried to, I’d probably have some kind of break-down and cry down the phone to my mum. She’d tell me to go for a walk. However I’m in no fit state to go for a walk because I am ill. It’s the flu or something, I’ll go out tomorrow and infect people with germs. Potter around a supermarket and cough over some soup tins. Stay classy.

Only If For A Night: FUCK ME WHAT AN AMAZING OPENER TO AN ALBUM. I think I cried when I heard it for the first time. It’s just this outrageously brilliant song that, when you read the lyrics you see just how awfully sad it is. If I’m not mistake (which I probably could be) it seems to be about her dead Grandma. When you look at the lyrics, you really do see just how much of a poet Florence really is. It’s all well and good when a singer can make you leap up in the air with joy from a song, but for them to paint images in your mind the way Florence does- it’s a massive talent to have. The imagery she creates on this song (and on the record in general) is much more grander and mysterious than on Lungs. It’s just a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to a loved one, and shows the comfort you can have in death knowing that the person is okay on the other side.

Shake It Out: I’m still unsure about how I feel about this song. I feel I should love it, but I don’t know. I mean, I love every track but I guess if I had to pick one I wasn’t a huge fan of- I’d pick this one. However, I love the lyrics. Maybe it feels to anthemic to me. I don’t hate it or anything, but you know what I mean, right? No? Oh….okay then. I love that she does write bloody good songs when hung-over. I’ve only been hung-over once and I just wanted to sit in a dark room and cry. I adore the line, “And I am done with my graceless heart.” YES! Just fucking YES to that bloody wonderful line. It’s so bollocking (real word, shush) true. It’s unreal.

What The Water Gave Me: I love how the guitar sounds creeky throughout the voices and the HARP!!! Always the harp. I want to be able to play the harp, and do it by candle-light. Just because really. I have no reasons why. Anyway. This song is so motherfriggin’ euphoric. It makes you want to slap someone around out of utter joy. It just makes you want to stand in a lot of water..maybe a bath? A bath would be the safest option, I can’t swim so a bath would be my best bet. It makes you want to frolick about in some water and sing this song so loudly you turn blue and fall over. Or, you could be sensible and play it loudly in your home with no water around and just scream a lot. You can turn blue if you want to, that’s your decision. Spin yourself around a few times and sing “SO LAY ME DOWWWWWWWWN!” It’s just a bloody good song that makes your soul feel like all the bad vibes have gone away. Although, it’s about drowning isn’t it? I can’t swim and this song should give me the fear. Instead, it just makes me so happy. It does something to my head and heart. Like, I want to grab someone and shake them and sing this right in their face. I think this is why I don’t have many friends….

Never Let Me Go: For some reason, the chorus to this just makes me cry. A lot. It could be because I am ill and I want a hug. But this is so beautiful. Her voice is so powerful on this one, as usual. I adore this so much. “I’m not giving up, I’m just giving in.” Hello story of my life! This is quite an emotionallystrong song. You know, a lot of people assume giving up and/or giving in is a sign of weakness. I personally don’t think it is. It takes a hell of a lot of strength to give yourself over to something or even someone. If anything, it’s a quality that should be admired and not frowned upon. I think I’ll reserve a bit of emotional attachment for this song.

Breaking Down: I love how Florence sings on this one. It’s like a gentle whisper in your ear, like providing comfort to you if you feel like you are breaking down. I love how this song can really make you feel so creeped out, that you can sense some demon approaching you- causing you to feel like you are about to lose your shit. It makes you feel like you are in a whirlwind of torment with Florence. You can sense yourself just falling deeper and deeper. It’s such a beautiful song, and because it’s so beautiful; it will touch you in so many ways. You feel like she has made this song for YOU, so you feel less alone when you’re about to fall apart. If this was on Lungs I probably would’ve had a mild seizure!

Lover To Lover: Anytime I have spoken about this song, I have said how it has such a Motown feel to it. Mainly reference to I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. There is something so wonderfully soulful about this record. It just oozes despair and fury- but there is so much romanticism in the pain of all of this. If you can make feeling like this feel quite romantic, then well, that’s what you want. It takes the fear out of being alone or being a nervous wreck. I love how big her voice sounds. I love the quiet followed by the massive notes she holds. It feels like a massive euphoric moment- similar to the one in What The Water Gave Me. This is the song that you can lose all sensibilty in, you just have. Totally emerse yourself in this record. You don’t need to be saved, just lose yourself. It’s the only way.

No Light, No Light: Menacing, dark frightening- a stroke of utter genius. One of my many favourites on the records. The verses are absolutely incredible. If you’ve never had your heart broken, then you’re a lucky sod. If you’d like to experience that overwhelming and painful feeling- then listen to this song. This song will make you feel as if you have hurt the person that you loved with all that you possible had. You feel like you have to get to them somehow to make it all right, but then you see them- they look at you. They give you this look that just reeks of disgust; you’re dead to them. Nothing you do or say can salvage what you once had. Then you have to carry on without them. It kills you, or so you think. Everything is dark and bleak; no point in anything. It’s a horrible feeling to experience, however when you get through it- you become a cautious and careful person. You’re more aware and thoughtful with what you say and do. “Would you leave me, if I told you what I’ve done? Would you leave me, if I told you what I’ve become?” It’s hard to accept you can be loved when you feel so terrible inside, but it goes. Eventually. This song is so big, and it feels so personal- you feel like you are intruding as you listen to it. It’s such a beautiful song that will break your wee heart.

Seven Devils: THIS IS THE ONE!!!! This is my favourite off the record, seriously. It’s out of the world. I remember when I heard Blinding and it just left me feeling like, I was possessed by something. I don’t know. This is like the darker version of it. I love how it sounds like Florence is staring at you singing this through gritted teeth in the chorus to try and freak you out. This song is extremely dark, twisted and scary. It has a wonderful haunting and corrupting vibe to it. It makes you think of all the bad you have done, and devils are fast approaching you- take you away or to take you on. Who knows. It has such a big sound to it, but it doesn’t have that positive feel to it. It is so heavy. The whole album is very heay but this song is in a completely different level. It makes you feel all the good has been drained out of you, and what is now left of you are devilish qualities that you cannot control. You cannot do anything about it. The lyrics are so morbid. It feels like an Edgar Allan Poe tale;“I’ll be dead before the day is done.” So dark, and the way she sings it is so menacing and eerie. All these reasons and more are why it’s such a strong song.

Heartlines: What I adore about Heartlines is that it feels like a ritualistic chant all the way through. The drums in the intro and throughout just have this amazing tribal feel. Most of the tracks on Ceremonials feel very Church-like. Very grand, very delicate. Heartlines feels so so different. It is such a positive song, it’s like the Ceremonials version of Dog Days- that massive build up that makes you believe that you’re going to be alright. Heartlines is a lifeline. Seriously. It’s like a reassurance that everything is going to be alright. If you feel like shit, play this motherfriggin’ song. It will make you feel like you can take anything and anyone on. You feel like Florence is right next to you guiding you through all your troubles making sure you get to the place you need to be. It makes you want to throw your limbs about in a mental fashion. It makes you want to do some kind of tribal/stomping dance routine around a camp fire. It is such a big song that oozes positive vibes. I just love it so much. You just want to yell “JUST KEEP FOLLOWING THE HEARTLINES ON YOUR HAND!!!!” with Flo all the way through. Just have that line echoe in your head every time you face something challenging, and you’ll be okay.

Spectrum: There are so many things that I love about Florence. One being she can make a loving subject seem really dark and demonic. I adore the way she sings, “Say my name” on this track. It is so spooky in a way. It also feels like she is trying to possess you. Is that a bad thing? Oh hell no it isn’t. It’s like, she’s showing you that side of love and relationships that’s very rarely expressed in songs. Like, you’ll take each other over in a way that nothing has done before. Dragging up bodies? Awesome. I don’t know, maybe I’ve got it all wrong. I probably have- but it’s just my take on it. There’s a lot of possession creeping around in this track and it’s just brilliant.

All This And Heaven Too: This track, lyrically shows how amazing Flo is. She’s a poet, I will keep saying it until someone actually listens to me. SHE’S A POET. The lyrics to this song are beautiful. It’s just a gorgeous song that makes you feel less alone with not understanding things around you. Life, as a rule, can be quite a confusing thing and daunting at times. I guess that is why so many of us use music to get through- or why so many of use various forms of art to help others understand. The most interesting people are those who are creative with their minds- film makers, musicians, writers. Creative people make the world a better place. We all play a part. All This And Heaven Too is just a magnificent song. My favourite part is this:“Words, poor language. Doesn’t deserve such treatment. And all my stumbling phases never amounted, to anything worth this feeling.” Sometimes words aren’t enough, sometimes they cannot explain anything at all.

Leave My Body: THIS ONE!!! Holy hell. This is THE ONE. I’ve said that already but shush. I like to declare my love a lot, but only if I mean it. Leave My Body gives me the same feeling as Seven Devils. It has that exquisite deviant vibe surrounding it. It’s so harsh and cruel- I love how she makes going mental within to be extremely romantic. It’s such a gripping song. You don’t want it to let you go, you can’t let it happen. As it drags you down, whatever it is- you’ll have this song ringing in your ears. The drums- OH MY LORD! The drums are amazing. It’s amazing how such a dark song can have such a magical and almost religious feel to it. By religious, I mean it has that wonderful Gospel feel to it. You could imagine it being sung in a Church, if it was religious of course. It’s just such a stunning song. If this doesn’t make you lose your mind, then you’ve gone about listening to this record the wrong way. It again, feels like a outer body experience. When you listen to it- you really do feel like you are leaving your body. But where are you going? Are you still there? Don’t let it end. “And I don’t want your heart it leaves me cold.” Why take another’s heart when it will more than likely harm you? This is the perfect end to the album, but it leaves you wanting more. Is album number 3 ready? 😉

So there you have it. Me stupidly pouring out well over 2000 words about this year’s best album and one of the most highly anticipated releases. If you don’t buy it, you are well and truly missing out on a record that will probably change a lot of things for you. If you want your soul to be saved ,i you want to just feel something, if you want to be in some kind of euphoric state and constantly feeling like you are in a trance because you have been possessed in a pleasurable way by a piece of music; then trust me, you need Ceremonials. Thing is, you probably know this and me writing this article is probably the daftest thing I’ve done.

Dum Dum Girls-Coming Down.

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Only In Dreams is an amazing album, and with every album you find one song that you always have on repeat. You love the album a hell of a lot, but there is always one song that you favour a bit more than most. This one song is one you have to ALWAYS play. If you go a day without hearing, your day just seems a bit pointless. Maybe not that extreme, but I have no idea. Whatever works I guess.

Most of their songs are about 3 minutes long and have this brilliant garage rock feel to it. However, on their new record Dum Dum Girls have a song that lasts over 6 minutes- and it still doesn’t feel long enough. Coming Down is one of the best songs I’ve heard in a long time. There’s something about it that just breaks you, but at the same time makes you feel like you’re not where you are. Basically, think of someone who just annoys you or has broken a bit of your trust. You want to leave them behind, but something stops you from doing so. Listen to this song, it’ll pretty much help you realise a lot of people are a waste of time. You’ll meet more people that will fuck you over rather than appreciate the good in you. Personal experience, but I think I’m right.

There’s a point in this, about 3 and a half minutes in where Dee Dee hits this note. It just hits you- not in the heart but right in the pit of your gut. You feel it so much. When she hits that note, it is such a euphoric moment. The build up to that part is so grand and beautiful. The sleepy guitar at the start of the song just builds and builds until this point, and when she hits that note you have some kind of epiphany. It’s almost like the fog in your mind clears and you see things differently. From that point on in the song, you just let it take you.

The lyrics are beautiful. So beautiful. What I adore about Dum Dum Girls is that they (like a lot of a bands I love) don’t use ridiculous phrases or use pretentious sounding words to make a point; to make you feel the song. The bluntness of honesty and hurt and angst at times makes it so easy to connect with. A true band/singer can make the listener connect in such simple ways rather than having to create grand imagery to gain your attention. The way Dee Dee sings, “I think I’m coming down” is so precious, you want to catch her or something. I don’t know. You just feel like you are coming down too. From what? That’s entirely up to you.

After she hits that note, there’s a verse that just…it just means a hell of a lot: “You abuse the ones who love you. You abuse the ones who won’t. If you ever had a real heart, I don’t think you’d know where to start.” It just covers me in goose bumps. You can easily pin-point this lyric to someone you know, probably someone who doesn’t actually deserve to be associated with such a beautiful song.

I could quite happily just have this song on a loop for a long long time. I’ve got the time. It’s just such a chilling and heartbreaking song. If they had songs that lasted as long as this; I think my love for them would just be out of control. Although it does shy away from that garage rock/lo-fi vibe they have in their music, it has such a 60s girl group influence- like the big drums (Wall Of Sound style.) It’s just a perfet song to shut the world off, create your own place in your mind and escape to. It’s pretty much 6 and a half minutes of bliss.

Albums Of 2011-Part 5.

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I have no idea if this is even part 5. Probably my last one about albums of this year. Unless I wake up in the middle of the night and think of more albums and this just takes over my life- and ruins it. I clearly have too much free time. I need to start my job ASAP so I can save whatever is left of my sanity. I think months of a shit sleep pattern has destroyed any ounce of sanity I had left. It’s fine. Makes life more interesting, I’m a boring soul you see. I’ve not written this in any order, I basically just threw a list of albums down on a bit of paper in my lyric book because I’ve lost my other notebooks. There’s no structure to this- or to anything I do. It’s okay, because nobody knows that this is exists. Probably the safest option. I’ve wasted words on this toss introduction.

Dum Dum Girls-Only In Dreams: It’s no surprise that I have big love for Dum Dum Girls. They mix my favourite styles of music and create this indescribable sound that owns a large fraction of my ears and heart. They merge lo-fi, garage rock and 60s girl groups sound to make this euphoric feel. I love Dum Dum Girls for so many reasons, I can’t possibly list them all. I’d be here all day and night- for weeks, months. I wouldn’t shut up, and I rant too much anyway. I Will Be was a fantastic debut album, it justshook me to the very core. It was simply divine and is still one of my favourite records. What I love about their second record is that it still maintains that raw and unpolished sound that makes you want to just close your eyes and listen over and over again. I’m probably not the only one who adores Coming Down. It’s over 6 minutes long and it is the most enthralling song that Dum Dum Girls have done (so far) when Dee Dee hits that note, you know the one I mean, buggering hell…it just goes through you. You shiver and your body becomes entirely covered in goose bumps. Coming Down moves you in a way no other song this year will. It’s just so beautiful, it means so much to me. I honestly wish I could put it into words how much Dum Dum Girls mean to me, I really really do. I’ve not felt like this over a record in a long time, it fucking hit me like a truck when I played this album. It just catapulted me into something I have yet to come back from. I’ve realised I won’t be coming back from it any time soon. I’m okay with that, I really am. Basically, this band mean the world to me and this record is easily one of the most important records in my life. I honestly have no idea what I’d do without it. I don’t care if it makes me sound soppy, it’s really changed a lot of things for me personally.

Cat’s Eyes-Cat’s Eyes: Sticking with my love for 60s girl groups, Cat’s Eyes are another duo that warmed my wee heart this year. Those who thought that The Horrors were just 5 rowdy lads who made a lot of noise were proven wrong with Skying this year. Before that, Faris teamed up with the everso talented Rachel Zeffira and formed Cat’s Eyes. Gonna blow your mind- they performed I Know It’s Over at the Vatican. You need to watch the video to it, it’ll move you in a weird way. It’s quite eerie, I loved it. Then again, I love anything a bit creepy. Faris is a huge fan of 60s girl groups, and this is so evident in this record. They’ve captured that fascinating Wall Of Sound feel on this record. Rachel’s Soprano tone goes so well with this sound. It’s just such a bloody glorious record. I also think, even though awards aren’t important, it should’ve been nominated for a Mercury Prize- and won too, but hey. Whatever. If you’re expecting it to sound like a record by The Horrors, then you will be surprised. I was going to say it sounds vintage, but I fucking hate the concept of vintage. Why do you want to wear the cardigan of someone who probably spilt soup on it and died in it? I don’t get it. Anyway, the record has so much going on- but not in a way that just makes your brain turn to mush. It’s soulful in a way, you really feel this music. It’s an underrated album, and it shows that Faris isn’t this screaming fellow that many make him out to be. If anything, it shows how much of a genius the guy is. Rachel’s voice is so angelic and pure, it really delves deep into your soul as you listen to it. A flawless record. There are songs on it that will break your heart. Tracks like I’m Not Stupid and the track dedicated to Charles HaddoN (Ou Est Le Swimming Pool) The Lull will break you. I still can’t listen to The Lull at all. Also, check out their EP Broken Glass which was released a few months before their full length record.

The Drums-Portamento: Alright, here’s the thing- this whole myth that the second album can be a bitch to make needs to seriously be considered because this year, a few second albums have dropped and have been bloody amazing. The Drums are one of the many bands that have released their second album this year. Is it perfect? Ah…go on then, yes it bloody well is. I love that they mix a surfer pop feel to their music. Think Beach Boys meets The Smiths with a touch of Orange Juice (the Scottish band silly!) Jonny has such a delicate voice that just oozes innocence and so much purity in it too. What I adore about their lyrics is that that are so heartbreaking and honest. I don’t want to hear about the joys of seeing a puppy in the street or how brightly the sun is in the sky- I can see that anytime. I want to hear lyrics that make my heart ache or my thoughts to go towards something I’ve not thought about in a long time. Music can make you lose yourself and also discover things about yourself. It can open you up and cause you to sort shit out once and for all. I get that from The rums. They make you feel at ease with how you feel about yourself and others. The lyrical content on this album is much darker than last year’s awesome debut record. They have so much charisma on stage and on record. There’s nothing else around like it. I love the single, Money.I can relate to being broke and wanting to buy someone something. Maybe I should stop being so caring and kind? Anyway, Portamento is again, another brilliant work of art by The Drums. Oh and next time you’re out- make sure you dance like Jonny.

Florence And The Machine-Ceremonials: I simply cannot write about this record without wanting to have a massive fangirl moment. Good job nobody’s about really. Let’s be honest, we all knew Flo was going to create an AMAZING album. But did we expect it to be as big as this? Come on now Flo, stop blowing my mind. My heart cannot take it. Ceremonials is the perfect follow up to 2009’s Lungs. Ceremonials is the album that you will crawl to at 2am when the demons fill your head and you cannot sleep. You will play this record and those demons will slowly escape you as you listen to every song- they creep away as you give yourself over to this record. I’ve been so bloody excited about Ceremonials. Now I’m excited for a tour. I think I need to curb my excitement don’t I. It’s alright, I need something to keep me going. If Ceremonials doesn’t move you, then you clearly don’t have a heart. This record just…I can’t even put it into words. My review of it was over a thousands words and it was all over the place. I lose my mind when I listen to Florence, and I think Ceremonials has blown whatever was left of my mind. Seriously. I honestly cannot deal with how amazing this record is. I love how dark it is, how creepy it is. You feel yourself being possessed by something truly amazing as you listen to it. Tracks like Breaking Down just make you cave in. I won’t lie, I’ve cried listening to this. I’ve cried to it because it is so perfect. I cannot get my head around it. When I heard Seven Devils, I felt this weird sensation go from my heart to…lord only knows where. It just woke up something inside. What I love about this record is how euphorically dark it is- but at the same time it makes you want to just throw your hands up and embrace freedom. Like, all that bad shit in your life- fuck it, just let it go. You don’t need it. You really don’t. Let it go and listen to Ceremonials. There are songs that make you picture a demon trying to crawl into your head, and you just fight it off- because this record makes you feel/believe you can. Oh you can, we all can. I know I’m going to get far too emotionally attached to this record. Lungs was my life for so long, it was my crutch. I think Ceremonials is going to just be the only thing I listen to for a long long time. I’ve got 5 copies of Lungs. Pretty sure I’m going to need 5 copies of Ceremonials too. Songs like Lover To Lover have this amazing soulful feel. I said it befoe, it reminds me of Marvin Gaye’s I Heard It Through The Grapevine and has such an Aretha Franklin feel to it. So Motown, so bloody good. You cannot deny that Florence has such a powerful and soulful voice. If it doesn’t cause your heart to beat double time and skip along the way- where the hell is your heart?! On Monday, go out and buy this album. Then come home and play it so bloody loud. Disturb the peace, cause a friggin’ riot. Make everyone on your street hear this record. Play it over and over until you fall asleep. Just play it so loud. Have some kind of revelation whilst listening to it. Have a damn epiphany to it. You probably will. Album of the year? Oh you know it. You can’t deny it. I love this record like I should probably love a person, I’m not ashamed of my love (it’s more than love, I know) for Florence. I’ve been a fan since 2007 and to see her do all she has, and make records like this- it’s just amazing. So inspiring. Everything about this record is what I want. It’s dark, intense, romantic, eerie, haunting, chilling, devilish, beautiful. Anything anyone says about this record (in a good way) is not enough to describe just how vital this record is and how perfect is. If I end up doing a track by track review of this- I’m saying sorry now. I honestly think Ceremonials is going to take over my life. I AM NOT EVEN SORRY. 🙂

If I end up adding more to this list and posting more albums that have blown my mind this year, I am going to throw my laptop out the window so I cant write anymore. Or, I’ll just go to sleep. Maybe both. I’ve mentioned 20 albums. That’s more than enough, right?!

 

 

 

Albums Of 2011-Part 4.

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I’m starting to think I’ve stupidly create more work for myself, but then again- I’ve got sod all else to do but write so I’ll stop whinging and carry on. This year, a lot of dark, menacing records have come out. I’m going to mention a few of my favourites in this next piece. As much I love music that makes me feel like I’ve collapsed into some kind of trance like state; I adore anything that is dark, bold, cruel and brutal. Maybe it makes up for the fact that I’m stupidly laid back and a semi decent person (I don’t want to say I’m a good/gentle person because I’ll sound like an egotistical twerp.) Right, pointless introduction out of the way.

Anna Calvi-Anna Calvi: I’ve been a fan of Anna Calvi since 2009, so I’ve been waiting for this debut record for a long time. When I first heard her voice, I immediately felt exactly how I felt when I first heard Florence in 2007. That massive dark, grand sound with such a powerful voice just shattered my soul and caused a riot. I had to find anything and everything to do with Anna’s music. Her cover of Jezebel is mind-blowing. The drums at the start followed by the echoes of JEZEBEL!!! It’s so haunting. What I cherish the most about Anna Calvi’s music is how it makes you feel like you are in some warped kind of film. It fucks with your mind and rules your body. Think David Lynch but with a more romantic feel to it. Her music is like being chased through a dark forest, stumbling over scattered twigs and stones. You run and run, but sooner or later whatever is chasing you will probably get you. It’s okay. Her music is so bold and atmospheric. This is music to take a walk in the dark as the fog rules the night sky and you cannot see where you are going. Walking into the unknown whilst listening to something so beautiful yet sinister at the same time. It’s so spooky and eerie. Her voice, when whispered into your ear, causes your body to just shake. You tremble and just turn to mush. Then her huge powerful voice kicks in and your jaw drops. Her guitar playing, oh shit. She is a beast on the guitar. Her music makes you feel like you are on a film set, lurking in the shadows- standing where you shouldn’t be. Seeing things you shouldn’t be seeing. It’s an incredible record and as far as debut records go- Anna really did raise the bar at the start of the year with this one.

CocknBullKid-Adulthood: Another debut album I had been waiting so long for. Worth the wait? Of course. I’ve been a huge fan of Anita’s work for years. I remember first hearing On My Own and just being in awe of her. She was offering something that was so badly needed in the music industry. She cites Morrissey as one of her influences, and it is so clear in her music. She has these wonderful dark lyrics that are cleverly hidden over a cheery beat. I adore Adulthood so much. It touches on the angst and fury of growing up. They say being a teenager is hard- they don’t tell you that being an adult is even harder. This album lets you embrace all the mistakes you may have made in your life. It allows you to be a mess and in a vulnerable state. All of these things are totally okay to feel. Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you HAVE to be secure or stable. People’s high expectations can cause tremendously low self esteem. It’s probably the reason why we sometimes do the things that we do. Hold Onto Your Misery has some gorgeous lyrics, a particular favourite of mine is: “A little cynicism will do you good.”  I had the pleasure of interviewing her last Halloween, it was one of the best interviews I’ve done- she’s just a fantastic person who is so charming, smart and passionate about what is doing. Oh and she’s a fan of Seinfeld, that itself makes her amazing. I remember when Anita was starting out and stupid publications (also ignorant too) were calling her a Grime artist just because of the colour of her skin. The same happened with Santigold when she started out, people were quick to assume she was a rapper just because she’s black. Skin colour doesn’t play a part in the music an artist creates. Fuck, your skin colour isn’t important at all. What I love about Anita is that her lyrics are honest and vulnerable. She doesn’t used pretentious vocabulary in order to make you feel what she is saying. As it comes from the heart, you feel it in yours.

Kurt Vile-Smoke Ring For My Halo: Sticking with dark albums, Kurt Vile put out an exquisite and haunting album this year. Smoke Ring For My Halo has got to be one of the most underrated albums of the year. It just oozes a fuck load of fragilty. The lyrics shoot right into your heart and just make you fall over through sheer pain of feeling every word he sings to you. Baby’s Arms is one of the most gorgeous love songs. It isn’t your traditional love songs though. It’s basically Kurt saying he can’t stand anything or anyone- but the person he loves. We’ve all felt that way. You just feel so disappointed in the world and you want to turn your back on it. Then you fall into the arms and eyes of the one that you adore, and nothing else matters. To some it sounds a bit too much and sickly, but the way Kurt does it is almost in a Tom Waits kind of way. Kurt has this distinctive deep tone that reminds you of artists such as Lou Reeds. He has a bluesy and traditional rock & roll feel to his music. It’s an album that will make you want to throw some clothes and books in the back of car, and make you just drive off somewhere. Pretty much how Blood Pressures by The Kills should make you feel. Just drive on a dusty, desolate road and off into the unknown. Who knows where you’ll end up, the journey will change your life. Kurt Vile is an astounding artist who just tugs and tugs at your heartstrings with his music, but it doesn’t feel forced. It’s a natural thing, and that is why it is easy to embrace this record. It’s exceptional.

Dirty Beaches-Badlands: CANADA! If you were a woman, I would kiss you. Canada, this year you’ve given us some treats. The Weeknd, Feist’s new album and of course- Dirty Beaches. Badlands is a gritty, creepy, passionate record. Lord Knows Best was one of the songs at the start of the year to have truly gripped my heart and kept a secure place there throughout the year. Everything about Badlands is everything I want in a record. Take the track Horses, it sounds like a 60s garage rock track. It’s so amazing. I love this record because it does something to your brain. A lot of records I have loved this year are ones that you play by yourself with no interruptions; Badlands is one of them. I find listening to music a private thing. I wouldn’t ask a bunch of people to come round and listen to the new record by..I don’t know with me. Mainly because everyone I know hates the stuff I listen to. I’m fine with it to be honest. Badlands sends you off into a different place entirely. You feel like you are in the 60s, then you feel you’re back in 2011. It fucks your brain up, seriously but you love it. It is done in a good way- trust me, that can happen. It has a lo-fi feel to it mixed with hints of garage rock. It just merges everything I love into one. This record just makes you want to drink some Whiskey (I’ve never tried Whiskey) and listen to this album whilst sat in a huge, comfy chair. First listen I fell in love with this record- many more listens later, I’m still in love. A solid record that you should probably open your heart and ears to.

 

 

Albums Of 2011-Part 3.

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So far, I’ve not wanted to change my mind with the albums I have written down in my notebook. I’ve written them down because I’ll probably forget, or mention the same album 6 times. Old age, what a bitch you are to me!

This year the sub-genre of Chillwave took over. Well, it took over a few websites and blogs. I don’t think the outside world really cared about it to be honest. Unless you were aware of acts such as Teen Daze or Blackbird Blackbird- Chillwave probably went over your head and you didn’t care for it. A lot seem to also have ripped it apart and just dismissed it. I don’t get why or how they can do this. But, I guess some people think it is “cool” to rip an artist to pieces. Thing is, they just sound like a bitter twat and have nothing better to do but to be negative about others. Projecting their own insecurities I suppose. Brief rant out of the way, I’ll start blabbing on about some records. Two of which are probably labelled as Chillwave. Fuck labels. They are musicians, not a food.

Youth Lagoon-Year Of Hibernation: Year Of Hibernation is probably my favourite album title this year. It is also one of the year’s best debut albums. For me, I love music that makes me feel like I am in some kind of trance. Something that makes me feel like I am having an outer body experience. As someone who has never taken drugs (or even wanted t) the high that people talk about from taking acid or whatever- I get from music. Music puts me on some kind of high that nothing or no one could ever make me feel. Certain bands/singers just make my head spin and cause my body to just tremble, in a good way of course. Last year The Fool by Warpaint was THE album that made me constantly feel like I was in a different universe. I don’t know where I was. Every single time I listen to the record, I feel like I am floating on water towards something. Towards what? I honestly have no idea. With this record, Trevor Powers has created something that makes me feel exactly the same as Warpaint’s album does. That’s what I consntatly look for in the music I listen to. Music should make you feel something do deep and intense- good or bad; that’s how it should make you feel. Year Of Hibernation is just a beautifully put together record. Every single track just perfectly glides into the other, you have to listen to it in full with the lights out and our headphones in. It’s the kind of record you need to play by yourself with no interruptions. You don’t want anyone talking over this. I guess you could hold someone whilst listening to it if you feel the need. Do what you want, but give it your complete attention.

Washed Out-Within And Without: Ernest Greene, you beautiful bugger you! Within And Without has been a debut record that I’ve been waiting for over the past year and a bit since I first heard Washed Out. Everything I said above about Youth Lagoon is EXACTLY how I feel about Washed Out. His music just makes you want to sit on a beacj and let the waves gently wrap themselves around you and just causes you to drift off out into a different world. Probably a better one than this, I’m sure it exist. It has to. Eyes Be Closed is one of the most grand and ethereal songs I’ve heard all year, the build up in this track just blows you away. It’s a gentle album, and you immediately know it will be based on the cover artwork. There’s a couple on the front cover and most would just think “OH GOD THEY ARE EVIDENTLY HAVING SEX I AM NOT BUYING THIS RECORD! COVER MY EYES! SAVE MY CHILDREN!” Or something equally dramatic. If you have any ounce of common sense, you will see it is an intimate, gentle and loving front cover- you get this vibe on the record. It is a tender record that just eases your bones and tends to your soul. It is clearly one of the best things you will hear all year, there’s no doubt about it. If you want to call it Chillwave, go right ahead. Personally I’m calling it a euphoric piece of art.

Blood Orange-Coastal Grooves: I’ve been a MASSIVE fan of everything Dev Hynes has done ever since Test Icicles. I was so obsessed with that trio. I loved the unapologetic noise that they created, then they split up. Then Dev created Lightspeed Champion. Falling Off The Lavender Bridge was such a phenomenal record, Dry Lips still remains to be one of the most stunning songs I’ve ever heard. Midnight Surprise is basically 10 minutes of pure bliss- a total masterpiece. Life Is Sweet, Nice To Meet You! was so underrated- just as brilliant as his debut. Anyway, this is about his new project- Blood Orange. Coastal Grooves makes you think you are wandering around New York City in the 1980s. Now, this 80s feel to some music ia getting tiresome isn’t it. There are a few that can well and truly pull it off an make it look so effortless and natural to them. Summer Camp, Friend and Blood Orange are the 3 that do exactly that. Dev Hynes is a genius, there’s no denying that. He has this wonderful talent and I don’t know if he even realises it- I guess that it was makes you love him so much. He’s so unaware of how inspirational and amazing he is. When someone doesn’t realise how amazing they are, it’s an attractive quality to have. Coastal Grooves is a record I won’t ever get tired of, easily one of the stand out records of the year. The production is just brilliant. Dev is one of the best musicians around. Have you seen him live? I’ve seen him when he was performing as Lightspeed Champion, and every single time I saw him I was just in awe of this talented his possesed. He also came onto the stage to the Star Wars theme, then started a jam to it. Coastal Grooves shows just how thrilling his musicianship is, especially on tracks like Are You Sure You’re Really Busy? The riff at the end, my lord. Dev just bloody well KILLS it. It’s a stunning record and one that you need to own.

Cities Aviv-Digital Lows: I love rap, the real kind, The kind that makes you think. The kind that’s raw but in a none brutal way. Cities Aviv is to rap what The Weeknd is to R&B right now. Both have created this sound that no one has ever heard before. They’re taking both genres to a different level. A level it should’ve been at ages ago, but is only just getting there. Hopefully Cities Aviv can keep this up and start a trend, make rappers approach music the way he does. He doesn’t need to degrade women or brag about what he has in order for you to listen to him. Coastin’ is my favourite rap song of the year, It’s so chilled out and relaxing. You listen to it, and all your worries just escape you. Nothing matters when you listen to his music, you just let yourself fall into his world. You take on his troubles and you see the world the way he does. This is one of the best rap records I’ve heard in a long long time. I want a rap record to make me feel the way Big L’s album, The Big Picture made me feel when I first heard it. They are entirely different, but the feeling I get is exactly the same. The words Citites Aviv uses and how he uses them are just so bloody magnificent. You just want to be part of what he is talking about. To me, this is what rap should be about. This is how it should be done. Is it the best rap record of the year? For sure. You’re not going to find anything else as stunning as this. Die Young is may favourite off the album. It sounds like something Afrika Bambaataa would’ve made or something. Electro meets rap in a way that doesn’t sound like over-produced and hyped up nonsense. I don’t care if you’re not a fan of rap, this record is vital. Get it in your collection.

Albums Of 2011-Part 2.

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I’ve spent my morning writing songs. One of which is about being with someone who you then discover is a murderer. Lack of sleep may have brought this on. Maybe I should stop listening to Charles Manson’s music? I’ve had to make a list of the albums I want to write about. I’ve only got 20 and I’m pretty sure I’ve missed some out, or I’ll end up disliking one or two of the ones I’ll end up mentioning. Hopefully I won’t, but I do like to make life difficult for myself sometimes. I’ve not had much sleep so this is again, going to be some kind of strange rant.

This year, again, duos have seem to have blown my mind with their records from The Kills (already mentioned) to Uh Huh Her. Unintentionally this part is going to be about a few albums that duos have put out that I loved (and still do) far too much (maybe.) I’ll start before I get carried away AGAIN!

Uh Huh Her-Nocturnes: Not because I’m a bit (a lot) in love with them, but because it is actually a fucking amazing second album. When I heard Common Reaction I instantly fell in love with it, a perfect debut album. I honestly didn’t expect their second album to be as good- or even better than their first. It’s less synthy (not even a word but I don’t care!) than their debut. It’s got a more raw sound, the lyrics are a lot darker. I’m borderline obsessed with Another Case. Mainly the video. For obvious reasons 😉 But it’s quite a menacing song in a way, I don’t know. I probably think Bambi is a menace right now due to lack of sleep. Personally I feel that Leisha and Camila should be massive, like the whole world should know about them; their music is so euphoric. You put their records on, and you just want to fail your limbs about and call it dancing. You just want to emerse yourself in it over and over again. The lyrics are gorgeous and the actual music just makes you want to throw your body around in mental ways. I adore the song Disdain far too much. I love how their voices merge together in such a beautiful way. You have Camila’s strong voice that is tamed with Leisha’s delicate tones. This is what you want in a duo. This is why duos in my mind, are so brilliant. They put more work into their sound, there’s more chemistry. I just love this album a hell of a lot.

Big Deal-Lights Out: My love for this duo is ridiculous. What I adore about them is how fragile and utterly vulnerable their music is. The way they sing just absolutely rips you apart so badly. You can be the most stable person ever, but if you listen to tracks like Talk or Chair, you will want to just weep. You will want to cry and you will feel so sad. I know a lot try to avoid feeling sad, but Big Deal do it in such a delicate and careful way. It’s just their voices and guitars. They are a brilliant duo who well and truly tug at your heartstrings. Talk, for me is the most heartbreaking song I’ve heard in a long time. It’s on a par with The Last Goodbye by The Kills. The line, “All I wanna do is talk, but seeing you fucks me up.” It just makes you ache everywhere. You feel it in your heart and it sinks so deep into the pit of your tummy. It cripples you with such strong emotion. It is an emotionally charged album that will easily break the hardest of hearts. The sheer vulnerabilty in their music makes them easy to fall in love with and relate to. There’s sod all wrong with being a delicate person. You can be fragile but unafraid of the world- you can be that person. This album is a stunning debut, and honestly if they are making music like this on their debut record- they are more than likely going to blow you away with their next records. It’s so full of raw emotion that most of us try to shy away from. The slightly distorted electric guitar mixed with the acoustic guitar is just perfect. Truly, truly stunning.

Cults-Cults: One of  my greatest loves in music is 1960s girl groups such as The Shirelles, The Girlfriends etc. I love the big drum sound and angelic voices that just ooze so much feeling. I love how it can make you want to dance but if you pay attention to the lyrics, it’d just destroy you. I love how they can mask the pain of love and relationships with an amazing sound- such as the Wall Of Sound. I just think it’s genius, truly wonderful. What I love about Cults is that they have managed to do this. They’ve done it, an it doesn’t seem intentional at all. It’s just like, how they are. A lot of bands seem to want to have a specific sound and relate to certain kins of people. The music that Cults create isn’t like that at all. They’ve got this lovely Pop sound that is quite soulful. If you didn’t know they were from now, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was from the 60s. Songs such as You Know What I Mean just pour out so much- I don’t know what. There’s just a lot going on. I remember playing the record in full and just being amazed as to what I was hearing. The drums just blew me away. I have a thing for drums, the louder and more agressive they sound- the more I’ll probably enjoy it. The drums are bold in their music, but the soft vocals ease it and just make you feel the music even more. I adore Never Saw The Point a hell of a lot. I think I went through a stage where all I did was just play this song over and over. The line, “I never saw the point in trying, ’cause I would only let you down.” is just one of the many in this song that I felt a lot. Towards things and people, but now it’s alright and none of it matters anymore 🙂 If you want a record that is going to make you want to just get lost in the world and its surroundings, then you more than likely need this one. And if you don’t want that? Well, you still need the record.

Summer Camp-Welcome To Condale: I don’t think there’s anything I can say about this record or the band that I haven’t said already. It’s bloody obvious how much this band mean to me. I do think my love for this record is spirling way out of control. You all know my love for I Want You, song of the year no doubt. It’s just a brilliant piece of 80s influenced music. Don’t let the 80s influence out you off. Unlike a lot of bands, Summer Camp actually do it in a way that doesn’t leave you with an awful headache. Think, eating too many Freddo bars in one go- that horrible sickly feeling you get. Go with that…..Summer Camp don’t make you feel that way at all. Elizabeth and Jeremy have easily created the best debut album this year. Deny that, and I’ll make you eat Freddo bars until puke fills your face. I clearly won’t, I’m just trying to create some dramatic tension between us. I know that a lot of amazing albums have been released this year, but I reckon Welcome To Condale is going to be one of the few that in like 10 years time- I am still going to be going on about. Oh don’t get me started on I Want You, I’ll probably be on my deathbed asking to hear it then try to dance to it. The album is just amazing, start to finish- it is an instant work of art. If it doesn’t blow you away, then you’re daft. I’m joking, slightly. We’re all allowed our own opinion but seriously, if you can’t love this record GET OUT. You can sense the love, time, effort, passion and work that went into the record. That alone makes it stand out from a lot of records around.