I hate remixes. Okay, maybe hate is a bit harsh. I dislike greatly. Keep the song as it is, do not mess with it. However, if you feel the need to do so- you better make sure it’s bloody good.
This year, one of my favourite artists has EASILY been The Weeknd. He’s taken R&B to a different level. He’s doing something that’s not been done before, and I’m still in awe of his sample of Siouxsie & The Banshees on House Of Balloons.
He’s recently remixed Florence & The Machine’s Shake It Out. If I wasn’t a fan of The Weeknd, I’d probably dislike this. But, I’m a huge fan of him and of course, a massive fan of Florence. It doesn’t have the same hymn/Church feel to it, but that’s okay. The whole pont of a remix is to make it different, and that’s exactly what The Weeknd has done.
I’ve seen a lot of websites and blogs bang on about how Lana Del Rey is just a gimmick and has no talent. Shall we assume that those saying these things are just hipsters that think listening to really obscure music makes them so different and better than us all? Probably safer if we do.
I really cannot bring myself to care about any other female solo artist right now apart from Lana Del Rey. She has this thing about her that just draws you in. Regardless of gender or sexual orientation, you are drawn in and you become so attracted to her. Her voice makes you weak at the knees and you feel you’d do anything she told you to do. She has such power over you. You know when you’re really into someone, and all you see is them. All you want to hear and see is them; that’s EXACTLY what Lana Del Rey does to you. She has the grip over you, and you fucking beg with all you have that she doesn’t let you go.
You know what? I don’t care if it’s an act, if it is just a gimmick. I love her. I love her an unhealthy amount and I really don’t care. No female singer has EVER has this affect on me. I feel far too much towards her music. It’s insane, no singer should do this to you. She is so striking. You get lost in her huge eyes and powerful voice. You look at her and think, “You’d probably shoot me but I don’t care.” She has this danger vibe about her. She’s said she’s like Nancy Sinatra but gangster. It’s so true. I wouldn’t care if she backed me into a wall and beat me black and blue. So long as she was singing Blue Jeans or Video Games at me whilst she did it.
This is more than a music based crush. This is something to give your heart over to. This is something to give everything else up in order to believe in. I’ve honestly never felt this way about a singer before. I cannot but it into words. It’s mental, well and truly mental. I’ve never heard a voice like this before, and I never will. I don’t care if everyone rips her because of her “botox lips.” Fuck your shallow vibes. Have you heard what comes out of those lips? It is HEAVEN. It is a voice that breaks your heart into pieces. It is a voice that makes you want to fall in love with someone your shouldn’t and just ride off into the sunser; just leaving everything and everyone behind. There is so much pain,longing, aching, soul and passion in her voice.
I honestly would slap someone if they couldn’t see how truly remarkable her voice is. She’s like an enigma, she has something about her that makes you want to get close. But at the same time, stay away from her. She’s a no and a yes. She’s everything you want to have. She’s someone who would probably love you even if you were an awful human being because she’d probably see the good in you. Anyone who doesn’t seek for that in another is lying. When you listen to Blue Jeans, you want to find someone who’s good for you; but be bad for them. Because you want that uncoditional love that one rarely experiences. I never have, and I never will. But this song makes you want it. This song makes you want so much that the heart cannot handle. She makes you to go on the run with someone. Lay on a hotel bed with them, watching some awful Western film and every so often; you reasurre them that you won’t get caught. That you’ll protect them. She’s got such an overwhelming talent. If she doesn’t move you, then you are made of stone. You’re also missing out.
It’s nearly 3am and I’ve just come home from a night out. I will still feel the same tomorrow with a sober mind and heavy heart.
There’s one thing I really really fucking hate with regards to music. It’s when cretins dismiss music because it’s “Mainstream.” Now, I listen to music that is never going to be placed on Radio 1’s play list. I don’t do it to be difficult; I do it because I like different stuff. SHOCK FUCKING HORROR. Y’know, god forbid ANY of us doesn’t take NME or Radio 1 as Gospel. Holy shit no! Fuck off. I’ve sworn a lot, I’m not sorry.
This has all stemmed from a conversation from an extremely good friend of mine; he knows who he is. He won’t read this though.
As you know, I admire/love/respect/adore Marina Diamandis SO much. Meeting her last year was the highlight of my year. So obviously, I’m going to feel a bit protective when I see wankers slag her off. So I guess this is an open letter to those twits.
Dear dickheads of the Internet,
It has come to my attention that many of you are slagging off Marina’s new track Radioactive because she seems to have gone a bit “Mainstream.” If Mainstream means making a record that sounds different to the last, then damn near every single fucking artist out there is Mainstream. If being Mainstream means everyone gets to hear the artist’s music, then how the hell is that a bad thing? If you start a band, you want people to hear your music. Am I right? Of course I bloody well am. Yes Marina has had songs play listed on Radio 1, how is that a bad thing? It bloody well isn’t.
The Family Jewels is a pop record, has she ever stated that it wasn’t? No. It’s a pop record, but it has depth and substance to it. Hollywood and Oh No are catchy tracks and have a pop feel to them. Read the lyrics and you will see there is depth to them. Have you heard Numb? Guilty? Rootless? Nah, bet you haven’t you dumb shit. The meaning on those 3 songs is heartbreaking. Especially on Guilty, I say this because I identify with it more than I wish to. I hate it, but I love it. I hate I can identify with it but I love it because it says everything I wish I could.
Marina doesn’t give a fuck if you think she has sold out or not. Are you on stage every night singing your insecurities? NO. Have you toured the world on the back of one record? NO. You’re just some B.O. smelling, cheese and onion crisp eating, shit stain of society that feels the need to hate on others to mask your own insecurities and jealousy. I don’t pity you nor do I feel sorry for you. You’re pathetic.
My problem is that I care too much, but this is getting on my left one (and right one to be honest.) Mainstream isn’t bad, pop music doesn’t always mean bad. Talent is talent, you cannot deny that. So go on, go listen to your obscure music that only YOU care about and cry to your mum that you’ve ran out of Diet Coke even though you cannot move because you’re too lazy and chubby to do so. You’re riddled with hate because you are idle. Leave the house, read a book. Put your hate and disappointment into something worthwhile. You know, like how the Government screw us all over. Surely that is worth more angst than Marina making a record that has synths and drum machines.
Never yours,
Olivia.
Now, with that out the way; I shall continue.
I know I’ve written about Marina’s new stuff recently but I guess I feel the need to elaborate. I usually do. I’ve got a lot to say, but nobody ever listens to me when I talk so I write it down. Not that anyone reads what I have to say.
Radioactive is a pop song. OH MY JESUS HOW WILL WE COPE. Grow up. Yes it is a pop song, but if you listen to the lyrics you will hear so much going on. The lyrics are fucking amazing. Marina is a bloody clever human being. By rights, she should be massive. But as the media only supports brain-dead singers with nothing to say- she goes ignored. The Family Jewels should’ve sold a shitload of units, but it didn’t. That doesn’t mean she has failed in any way. The REAL Marina fans know this. Her music has evidently touched many people’s lives, myself included. Surely having that kind of impact means more than going Gold.
What I love about Marina is that her lyrics just ooze the frustrations of being insecure and pissed off. How many other pop artists do that? NONE. The lyrics to Fear And Loathing are beautiful, “Got different people inside my head, I wonder which one that they like best. I’m done with trying to have it all, and ending up with not much at all.” People expect far too much from others, so you develop these different personas to please everyone. However sometimes you just have to give it up. We’ve all done it, and it takes courage to give it up and just be who YOU want to be. If that isn’t inspiring, then I have no idea what the hell is anymore.
Radioactive is STILL very much a Marina song. She hasn’t changed with her lyrical content at all, it’s still extremely her. Do you want artists to make the same record over and over? If you do, then you’re pretty much a small minded fool. Take The Horrors for instance. Skying sounds NOTHING like Strange House. I adore Strange House but I also adore Skying. I love that they have changed, what’s the point in making the same record over and over? It’s bland and isn’t daring. Music should be challenging. A real artist challenges themselves and breaks boundaries to do so. The Horrors have done it, and so has Marina.
If Marina being “Mainstream” bothers you that much, then you have only one solution- don’t listen to her. It’s your loss though. You’d be shying yourself away from this county’s greatest pop artist that we have seen in years. She goes where no other artist dares to go. She says things you wish you could say. She’s inside your head. Maybe that’s why you don’t like her new stuff, because she is inside your head saying all the things you wish oh so badly you wish you could say. You’re going to have to give in sooner or later. She’s the music industry’s wild card, and you’d be a fool to not invest in her.
If you look hard enough, you will find your new favourite band. You will also discover that next to nobody has heard of them. However, when you do this a lot of twerps call you “pretentious” don’t they. Oh how AWFUL you are as a person for finding something different and unknown. How awful you are for wanting something more. Fuck ’em. You don’t need them, they may need you. Who knows. Never need anyone, that just causes problems.
Got a problem? I’ve got you a solution. His name is Ryan Mandelbaum, but you’ll end up knowing him as Young Waves.
If you’re a fan of Blackbird Blackbird, Teen Daze and Youth Lagoon; you’re going to fall ever so in love with Young Waves. This wonderful influx of bedroom musicians is highly inspiring. Maybe it’ll stop people from assuming one is a recluse when they spend their time cooped up indoors- they could be creating a masterpiece; much like the folks I’ve just mentioned.
As I like to mention, Music should really make you feel something. Like….really REALLY make you feel something, y’know? All Music is emotional. It should launch you into a different world. You should be able to escape the coldness of reality and fall into a comforting dream whilst listening to Music. I got this feeling instantly when I listened to Young Waves. I felt at peace. Nothing even mattered; that’s the feeling I strive for whilst listening to Music. If I don’t feel it, I don’t enjoy it.
This is the kind of Music you fall into when you are all alone. Probably at 3am when the world is asleep and you can’t. I’m going to spend a lot of time listening to Young Waves, probably at 3am. It’s also the kind of Music you’d probably play whilst holding someone as the Sun goes down. I’ll stick to being alone at 3am drifting in and out of a dreaming state with Young Waves’ sounds flowing through my headphones.
After brief thought, I think I know exactly where my love for anything that people may regard as “odd” may come from. They call it odd, I call it genius. I’m right; they are wrong.
It all comes from one artist, specifically one artist. Captain Beefheart. The guy was an absolute genius. Everything he did was a work of art. Offbeat, out of sync- who cares? The guy created one of the most distinctive sounds EVER. He also released one of the greatest debut albums ever in 1967. If I was around when this first came out, I reckon nothing in my world would have ever been the same. Nothing would mean anything.
I listen to it now as often as I can (yeah, I listen to it a lot) and I wish I was around back then. Those times seem much better for music. It had true substance then. Now? Well, there’s a severe lack of it. You have to look much harder for it, not that I mind spending my days finding music that blows my mind. It’s the best feeling ever.
Safe As Milk was released in 1967. It mixes blues with a highly psychedelic feel. It’s got this brutal tone to it that I have only ever found in one other band since. It’s no surprise that this band is influenced by Captain Beefheart. Of course, it is The Kills. The brutal beats and vicious vocals that Captain aka Don Van Vliet posses stay with you forever. You listen to Safe As Milk and damn near nothing will be the same again. I don’t care if this kind of music isn’t your thing, with one listen; your world will change. It’s always best to be an outsider because nobody ever expects us underdogs to do anything of worth. Oh how wrong you are Society, how very wrong you are. You see, if you leave someone to their own devices and they are highly creative- they will make something you fear. Fear is good in music; it’s a very good thing. If a band can scare you shitless or provoke ugly feelings then it is a job well done.
Safe As Milk is on the same level as the Velvet Underground’s debut album- extremely bluesy and just takes you off elsewhere. It’s beautiful, it’s poetic and best of all; Safe As Milk is scattered. It’s everywhere. Those that don’t get Music will just say it’s a mess. Those who can see the genius within it know it is a masterpiece. Don wasn’t exactly known for being the sanest man in the world. But they knew he was a genius. His vocals stay with you and his words are instantly etched upon your heart. Some of the frustrations that fall out of his songs jus tug at your heartstrings. This is what it is like to have your mind well and truly blown. Safe As Milk takes you on an unforgettable journey when you first listen to it. When you come to listen to it again and again (REPEAT!) you will be taken to that place straight away. It must be highly acknowledged that the album features THE greatest slide-guitarists of all time, Ry Cooder. He was only 20 years old when the album was recorded.
The arrangement on the album and the sharp yet strange lyrics on the album became Captain Beefheart’s sound; this is what he was known for. Now, a lot that knew of him probably listened. They probably just saw him as some oddball and didn’t pay him any attention. Oh I hope you feel foolish for your errors. Safe As Milk is a dirty, raw record. Typically, when it was released hardly anyone gave a damn about it. I don’t understand how an album like this could not be greeted with welcoming ears. It’s everything you want. You rant blues? This record has it. You want obscurity? This album oozes it. You want something that bamboozles you? Safe As Milk will do that to you, with every single listen.
Grown So Ugly, Call On Me, Dropout Boogie; seriously, these are tracks you need in your life. Safe As Milk is an album you need oh so urgently in your life. You know how life can be tedious and mundane? People like Captain Beefheart existed so we could escape all of that. He’s given us music that fucks with our heads (in a good way) and sends us off into a lucid dream. That’s needed, it really is.
The album opens with Sure ‘Nuff ‘n Yes I Do which is heavily influenced by the Delta blues sound. Gradually the album becomes more and more strange; but it doesn’t deter you at all. It keeps you locked in. that’s what happens with every record by Captain Beefheart. Starts quite bluesy then just mashes up your head, you wouldn’t have it any other way. Why settle for something sane and boring when you can have this. The psychotic sound here is something that cannot be replicated, just admired.
It takes a lot for me to be truly moved by a piece of music, for me to fully love an artist. Nobody wants to hear the same thing they have heard a billion times before. Some do, but I guess they are the ones who think that BBC Radio 1 is the truth and is different. Maybe 20 years ago, not now.
I love Hip Hop, it’s just an honest genre of music that for stupid reasons is slapped with a load of negativity constantly. I think the saviour is here. No trust me on this, please. I believe in this guy because he’s a fan of My Bloody Valentine- one of the best bands ever. Honestly, most that love this band create stunning music. Oh it’s unheard of for a hip hop artist to love a band like My Bloody Valentine? Fuck off, please. Go take your small-minded thoughts elsewhere.
Cities Aviv is THE ONE. Trust me. This guy is the truth, he’s everything. He’s mind-blowing. When I first listened to him, I stopped what I was doing. I had to give him my full attention. It’d be highly rude if I didn’t. I don’t give all my attention to much, but for Cities Aviv; I gave him all my attention. There’s something about him that I’ve, hand on heart, never ever heard before- regardless of the genres of music. He has SOMETHING and I’m probably going to spend months trying to work out what it is.
His sound makes you feel like you are stuck in that Summer mood with tracks such as Float On and Coastin’. Seriously, Coastin’ is just a killer track. You fall in love with it instantly. He’s extremely gifted. When I listened to Dev Hynes’ new project, Blood Orange I felt like I was in the 80s. Specifically New York in the 80s. I listen to Cities Aviv and I get exactly the same feeling. When a current artist can transport you back in time, like they can create that kind offeeling in their music- you know that you’ve quite frankly, found a genius.
His album Digital Lows is incredible. It well and truly is. I remember that feeling I got when I first heard The Weeknd. I couldn’t believe something like this could exist. I get that EXACT same feeling when I listen to Cities Aviv. He’s talent is crazy. Will the UK catch on? I have no idea, all I know is that I’m glad I found his music- please give him a listen. You will not be disappointed.
It’s no secret that I love Warpaint, it goes beyond love. Its admiration and respect. It’s being in constant awe of 4 people who have created a sound that owns a large chunk of my heart. I’ve got a big heart, but I think it’s reserved mainly for music. It’s good and bad thing, maybe. I doubt it’s a bad thing to be honest.
As sleep is a foreign concept to me, I’m going to write about a song by Warpaint that is easily the most beautiful acoustic ensemble I have heard in a very long time. I compare anything that can be deemed as beautiful to this song.
I cannot pick a favourite song by Warpaint, that’s ridiculous. Even if a gun was pointed to my head- I couldn’t choose. I’d spend hours, and I’d change my mind 20 times. So I guess an awful, bloody end would actually cause me less trauma. That’s wrong, I know. Fuck it, I’d choose Lissie’s Heart Murmur. NO! I’d choose Krimson. No! Fuck…shit! I can’t. This is going to give me a migraine if I continue with this.
Right, so there’s a song by Warpaint that breaks a fraction of my heart because it is so beautiful. Majesty hurt to listen to because of how honest it was, and I heard it at a time where it was frightfully apt. This isn’t about Majesty, this is about Baby.
When I first heard Baby, I’m pretty sure I cried. Let’s be honest, I probably cried listening to The Fool in full because of how perfect it was. Baby just broke my heart a bit. It is quite sad, but it is so bare. So stripped and vulnerable. It’s just Emily Kokal and a guitar. Her voice is extremely delicate, even if she was to scream it’d sound so pure and innocent. She has this tone to it that just makes you feel so tranquil.
If there came a time where Baby was apt, I’d be utterly petrified. Imagine letting someone mean that much to you? Bloody hell, that’s powerful. However, I’ve made a vow to myself to never let anyone be associated with a Warpaint song. I couldn’t cope if someone ruined them for me. I’d probably shut the world off and never listen to music again. My love for Warpaint is that deep. You know how Lester Bangs was with Lou Reed? Pretty much me with Warpaint. Except, I’ve met them and they weren’t arseholes to me.
The lyrics to Baby, you cannot deny how stunning they are. It gives the same feeling as Billie Holiday does- the clarity in the vocals and simple sounds. The fact that it is so stripped down makes it that much fragile. You’ve basically got someone throwing their feelings out there saying, “Don’t you call anybody else baby, ‘cause I’m your baby still.” When I heard that line, I wanted to know what being in complete and utter love was like. The proper kind, not the kind that makes you stupid and unaware y’know? When I listen to it now, that feeling has gone. Instead I just take in the vulnerability of it and a wave of respect for the band comes through. I mean, I already respect them so much, but Baby just does something. Its like, how can you allow yourself to be that open? It’s scary but gorgeous.
“It took a long time to make it, but I never changed my mind.” Some things take time don’t they? The things you want, the person you want- it takes a while to get there. If you stick to it, and remain dedicated; you’ll get there. You have to; fate is sometimes on your side. Is it fate? Who knows? The way Emily sings this line isn’t in a pleading or in a desperate manner. It’s just owning up to that she stuck with it. It’s so beautiful. When I hear it, I just want to hug her and say thank you. Thank her for singing such a fragile song that many would be afraid to touch.
With most of their songs, they send you off into a different world. With this song, you stay exactly where you are, you face everything. It’s very up close and extremely personal. It’s intrusive but in a gentle way. Maybe when you listen to this, you think of someone you don’t want to think of. Maybe you think of nothing or no one in particular; you can just hear how pure this song is. That’s what I take from it. I think of nobody when I hear it; I just fall in love with what I am hearing. Its 5 minutes of perfection.
“You speak your fears. Thinking in circles and checking what mirrors don’t see. You live your life like a page from the book of my fantasy.” I wish I could write something as beautiful as that. There is really no other word but beautiful that one could use to describe this song. To me, this part of the song just sums up exactly what love is. Its noticing things about the one you love that they try to hide- but you don’t judge them for it. You don’t judge them for trying to hide what they fear another to find out. They tell you their fears, but make sure nobody else finds out. That’s how it should be. You love them and even their faults are perfect to you. You look at them and you think it’s a dream, a fantasy that you have created; but it’s real. So very real and all yours. Even someone like me would appreciate that! The way Emily sings this, you just feel it. You feel it in every part of you. It moves you from your soul outwards.
When she sings, “How I love you” you can feel this admiration and loyalty just trickles out from her voice, it’s so haunting and perfect. When I can’t sleep, I usually play Warpaint. Mainly because their sound makes me feel like I am floating on water and it’s just the most relaxing atmosphere a piece of music can create for the listener.
How I’ve managed to write over 1000 on one song at ten past one in the morning is just weird. I just love this song so much, and I guess I just had to let this out. I know, I’m strange and the only ones who will get what I’m on about are those who truly love Warpaint as much as I do. They are the ones that GET them. They see past that they are 4 beautiful females. They see the talent, they feel the depths to the music and they get lost in it.
In their live shows, Emily plays this on her own. I’d probably stand and weep if I witnessed this and my life would never be the same again. You just have certain songs that if you saw live, your life would change forever. Nothing would or could ever compare to that moment. It’d complete you; you’d be in awe of what you were witnessing.
For me, Baby is more than a love song. It’s a dedication. It shows how one person is dedicated to another, unconditionally. It’s innocent and undemanding. It’s perfect and everything you wish to feel. It makes you cry because it is so honest and real. It’s not raw or brutal. It’s gentle. You feel like you are being swayed and loved in a simple way. You are theirs, and they are yours; simple as. No complications. You can take what you want from it. If you want it to be about the one you are in love with; go for it. It can be about anything, but it stems from love. This song rips my heart out, but in a good way. Yes, that is possible. It’s easily one of the most gorgeous songs I have ever heard. It’s a lullaby, it’s comforting. Just like Warpaint, it is everything.
I’ve never really been a fan of Feist. When I first heard 1,2,3,4 I disliked it greatly. I didn’t want to hear anything else because I couldn’t handle it. There was something about it that just annoyed me.
Fast forward a few years, and she’s back with a newlbum called Metals. There’s a song that’s been floating about called How Come You Never Go There. I take back all my dislike for Feist. This track is pretty damn good. It’s even made me go listen to her older stuff. Well, we all make mistakes don’t we? I’m mature enough to admit when I’m wrong (which is often) and I was totally wrong about Feist. I like her, and I’ll probably buy Metals when it comes out.
Ten years ago, Nas put out the album Stillmatic. Is it his best work? Well, that’s a personal call. Does it posses the greatest song he’s ever written? Of course. There’s a song on this album, that when I first heard it- I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I didn’t think anything this raw could exist. It has evoked so much imagery and feelings, even someone who hates hip hop would love this song.
One Mic, in my mind, is the best track Nas has ever recorded. I know a lot of rappers get a lot of shit for being accused of being like this, and like that. Listen to One Mic and you’ll get what Nas is about. His way with words on this track is just stunning. The way the track builds and builds grips you so tightly, you feel your frustration and eagerness boil over with him. The tension is so great, you feel it too. You feel every single word. There’s no way you actually couldn’t- unless you are made of stone and uneducated.
This isn’t a comparison because you cannot compare the two, but like Tupac; Nas is a true poet. There aren’t many of them about in Hip Hop anymore.
One Mic is a work of art. It’s a film in song form, there is so much going on. It is a whirlwind of sheer intensity. There’s anger, love, tension, violence within the song. The song empowers you in a way that no other can. So many turn to break-up songs for empowerment, why? Why would you do that? It’s shallow. You don’t need a song to tell you that you are better off without another. You should know that instinctively. With One Mic, you feel like you can take on the world, that you are unstoppable. That feeling is far greater than realising you are better off without another person. Sadly, not many see this. Oh well.
My favourite piece of imagery in the song comes in the first verse, “One knee I ducked, could it be my time is up. But my luck, I got up, the cop shot again. Bus stop glass bursts, a fiend drops his Heineken. Ricocheting between the spots that I’m hidin’ in. Blackin’ out as I shoot back, fuck getting’ hit!” This dear reader is utterly powerful. You can picture all of this in your mind. You can picture Nas or whoever ducking down as shots are being fired. You can sense the panic he is feeling- then the relief comes when you know he’s alright. You can see the bullets hitting the glass pane on a bus stop, and a drunkard dropping their beer on the ground in shock. It’s such fantastic imagery but sadly- happens every single day. But does anyone raise awareness and report on it? No, they don’t. They ignore it. Well done Society, I hope you’re fucking proud.
The second verse is full of religious imagery, and as someone who isn’t religious it isn’t my place to say anything on it. If you’re religious, you’ll feel what Nas is saying in your gut. If you’re not religious, you can somewhat understand how much it means to Nas and how powerful it is.
The last verse, for me, is the greatest. It’s just the best thing Nas has written. Certain lines means a lot to, certain lines just make you feel so much. I don’t get how anyone could hear this and not be moved in any way at all; it’s just so bloody powerful.
“What I stand for speaks for itself.” Something so simple is just so powerful. He doesn’t need to justify himself, all he says and does sums that up. That’s how it should be, always. One should never ever feel the need to justify themselves. Go against what is expected of you. Fuck what anyone tells you to do, be your own person and grow a backbone. You have to; it’s the only way to survive. I love that line so much. It’s so dominating.
“What you call an infinite brawl, eternal souls clashing. War gets deep, some beef is everlasting. Complete with thick scars, brothers knifing each other up in prison yards, drama, where does it start?” Favourite part of the song, no doubt. I love “eternal souls clashing” there’s something about those three words that have some hold over you like nothing else in the song.
It’s quite simply one of the greatest Hip Hop songs ever written. Now, Hip Hop has been around for quite some time and yes there have been some amazing tracks- but there is nothing of this calibre. Obviously I’d always favour a Tupac or Eric B & Rakim track, but One Mic is on a completely different level. The way it builds and builds, the sound effects, the Phil Collins sample- everything about this track is mind-blowing. The video captures every single detail in a way that you may not get in the song. It’s total brilliance and I’m not entirely sure if anything has been as inspiring since.
I love finding new music. I distract myself from what I should be doing all the time by looking for new music. There is so much out there, and if you think about how much is out there it will probably blow your mind and you’ll fall to the floor. Collapse into some kind of trance because you cannot handle the concept of how much is out there. Is there enough time to hear it all? Well that depends doesn’t it. I want to hear as much as possible, I want to find new bands to write about and fall in love with. This is why I don’t sleep, this is why I go to bed at 3am. I know it isn’t healthy or wise, but I do fit in a nap in the afternoon so it’s fine.
Apart from finding new music on my own, I love it when a band gets in touch with me and asks me to check their music out. This happened a few days with Automatic Writing.
I love anything that sounds brutal and menacing. I love music that can frighten you but at the same time, grips you in a way that makes you never ever want to let go. I felt all of this within first listen on Continuous by Automatic Writing. I don’t feel like I am listening to a band from 2011 when I listen to them. I feel like I’ve raided my stepdad’s New Romantic/80’s Goth synth based music collection again. So for me, this is perfect. Everything about what I am hearing here from Automatic Writing just oozes nostalgia, something most fear. I welcome it. I love the deep vocals and the dark synths.
If you want music that is going to mess with your mind and break your heart, then you need Automatic Writing in your collection. Crystal Visions and Control throttle you within secinds with its dark and romantic sound. Don’t believe me? Check out their Souncloud page.
I love Depeche Mode and Cold Cave, mix them together and what do you have? Automatic Writing. Whilst everyone fell in love with the supposed darkness of Hurts- the brothers in Automatic Writing were digging a hell of a lot deeper and creating something bigger and better.
So if you love music that is sort of pop but quite dark and mysterious, then get to know the handsome brothers that make up Automatic Writing.
Beat In My Bones. 