Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lana Del Rey(again..I know, I know.)

Posted on by

I HATE LANA DEL REY.

Now I’ve got your attention, I’m going to attempt to put into words just how much it pisses me off all this slagging off and playground behaviour towards someone with genuine talent.

As you all know, before she was Lana Del Rey- she was Lizzy Grant. OH FUCK ME HOW DARE SHE CHANGE HER NAME. I mean, Iggy Pop is clearly his real name. Ziggy Stardust was NEVER a made up persona. Lady Gaga was actually christened with that name, Pink is actually called Pink and Snoop Dog was also born with that name.

Get over it.

I watched a documentary about the Blues recently, and this old guy (very wise and interesting, I’m shit with names though..so….) said this or similar : “They are called performing artists. The clue is there. It’s ART. Artifical. It’s an act, they don’t have to be themselves.” Like I said, that was basically what he said. And let’s face it; it’s true. Most singers create a persona. Some are a gimmick for the right or wrong reasons. So why on Earth is Lana fucking crucified for not going by her real name?

Are you mad because her dad is rich? Give a shit. That’s personal business. I care about Lana’s music. I don’t care about her personal life or what her family gets up to. I just love her music. You go on about how she’s had “work” done on her lips? So fucking what? Who cares if she has or hasn’t. I don’t think she has. I think she’s just got a wonderful pout. Some people pout (we’ve all got that annoying friend who has photos of themselves pouting on Facebook, pricks.) and I reckon Lana is a pouter. Again, who cares. Lana isn’t a singer because she wants you to pull her apart at every single chance. She’s a singer (and a signed one) because she has…GASP! HORROR! TALENT! Which is more than can be said for half the shit that pollutes the airwaves and the like.

Let’s mention SNL briefly. Have you ever had to do something, and you were so fucking nervous, and you just crumbled? Have you ever wanted to ask someone out? You build yourself up to it, and as you approach the person- with the words you want to say on the tip of your tongue and your heart racing, and you come out with “Hey..I err… I dig your elbows.” Then they laugh at you, and that’s it. You never want to speak your emotions ever again. It’s happened to us all. We’ve ALL folded under pressure. Lana is a human being; she’s not a robot who can just block out the fact she was being broacasted to millions of people. If it was me, I probably would’ve ran into a corner, pissed myself and cried for my mother. With no record out, she was the first to do this. That shit is nerve-wracking. Some were saying, “Oh if she was nervous, she shouldn’t have bothered.” Fuck off maaaan. Maybe she was fine, but as soon as the camera hit her- she fell apart. It happens. Let it go.

I read recently that she says people seem fascinated with her failing. She’s not wrong. People are expecting her to fail, but why? Why would you wish for somone to fail? You don’t go to school or whatever and think, “I hope my teacher balls up teaching us Science today!” or “I hope the taxi driver goes the wrong way or breaks down.” Fuck your bad vibes man. There’s so much suffering and shitness in the world, why would you waste your time on hating a person you do not know?

What drew me to Lana in May last year was how vulnerable she seemed. Her honest lyrics haunted you, and her frail presence just lured me in. I knew I was watching something so precious and perfect. It was Diet Mtn Dew that I first heard. Then I read up about Video Games. Her voice on Video Games always ALWAYS flaws me. I’ve never heard anything so pure. However, for me- it was Blue Jeans that did it. Personally, I love it more than Video Games. I can take or leave Video Games. It’s Blue Jeans that I adore. Now, some twerp has leaked the album. I haven’t downloaded it because I don’t want to be one of the tits that kill music. I listened to about 3 songs- then just stopped. I stopped because I wanted to have the record in my hands on Monday. I heard Dark Paradise, and I was internally freaking out. It is perfect. It is one of the best things I will hear all year, that I am sure of.

She has easily put out the best debut album of the year. EASILY. I know I change my mind a lot, but I’ll be sticking to this statement.

It just, I guess it upsets me because I love music. It is my life. And to see awful things such as the X-Factor being praised and artists with genuine talent being shot down. I just don’t get it at all. So what if how Lana dresses seems “manufactured.” I don’t think it does. I’ve seen her wear a leather jacket, jeans and trainers- how the fuck is that manufactured? It isn’t. She’s being true to herself. I’d take her over Gaga and Adele ANY day. I cannot relate to them at all. I can relate to Lana’s dark tales and vulnerable stories.

I kow the whole blogging scene (fucks sake) seem to LOVE to rip anything apart that gets a whiff of popularity. Just grow up and shut up. You’re not the one on stage singing songs from the heart. You’re not the one being pulled apart from what you say/do and how you look. You’re just sat behind a screen eating Wotsits- you probably don’t wash your hands after you pee. You vile, vile creature. I’ve written about Lana before- and I got hate for it- so I deleted it because I couldn’t be arsed. I’m just sick of people being so negative and ripping a person apart. There’s no need for it.

If you don’t like it- don’t listen to it. You don’t need to be a harsh, cold, cruel idiot. It just makes you look like a pretentious twit who has nothing better to do other than hate. What’s the point? I’m not saying you should like Lana, far from it. I just don’t understand why there is so much hate for a person who’s not even put her record out (Monday, it’s out on Monday FINALLY!)

I could go all Chris Crocker on this and just say..LEEEEEEEEEEAVE LANA ALONEEEE!!!! But, I’m trying to tame my madness.

So whatever, big deal she’s made up a name. She wanted to create a name that’s as beautiful as the music- which she has done. She’s not the first person to have gone by a different name. Life is all about changing and finding out who you are. Lana is just another 25 year old like myself trying to find her voice. She isn’t the only one; she’s doing it in a public way. That takes guts and heart.

I adore the line, “Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain.” from Born To Die. There’s something about it that just makes you feel and think as if you are in love. Her music and her lyrics are truthful; so beautiful. There’s more to Lana than people realise. They seem to be blinded by her past. We’ve all got a past. It’s not like she was a robber or mugging old people every Thursday just for kicks. All she did was put out a record under her real name. It’s not big deal.

Like I said, if you don’t like it- don’t listen to it.

Swim Deep.

Posted on by

Forget what you’ve been told about who is going to be big this. Just forget it, because in comparison to Swim Deep- they are shite. I’m all for outrageous and outlandish statements. This is one I’m going to stand by. Regardless of what happens, I’m sticking with this one.

I do believe I have also heard the best song of the year ALREADY. You know how I Want You By Summer Camp made me feel last year? I’ve already got that feeling. In my bones, body, mind, heart and soul. This song makes me feel so alive. That nothing matters. This song feels like Summer, and it’s fucking freezing outside. King City is THE song I am talking about.

Swim Deep come from Birmingham. I know what you’re thinking, has anything good come from the Midlands? Of course! Nobody seems to talk about it though. I don’t know why. So, forget anything you have heard or been told- this is THE ONE. This is where it is at.

Of course I feel strongly towards the track King City because it makes reference to THE best bassist around, Jenny Lee Lindberg. The line, “..and Jenny Lee Lindberg is my girlfriend.” is just so lovely. I know a few people who will be singing this line with a huge smile on their face. I’ll be one of them. I mean, who wouldn’t want Jenny (or any of the Warpaint girls) to be their girlfriend. King City just makes you want to lay in the sun and fall in love with something, or someone. It’s just beautiful.

Check out their Soundcloud account for a couple of stunning tracks : http://soundcloud.com/swimdeep

If you don’t love them, you’re missing the point. If you do love them, then I love YOU.

“And if I only could, I’d make a deal with God. And I’d get Him to swap our places….”

Posted on by

As you know, I’m not exactly articulate or clever with my words. I don’t try to be, I wouldn’t know how. I know that my biggest problem is that I write from the heart and possibly with too much feeling. I guess it’s because the music I love is like that. If I don’t write this way, then there’s really no point. I suppose that is why I know I will never ever be paid to do this for a living. That being a Music Writer is just some childhood dream that has followed me into adulthood- but it just stays a dream. I’m just another twerp with a Journalism degree who’s trying to be heard (I don’t want to be seen.) But anyway, that isn’t about that right now. This is going to be another post with a lot of feeling. I have no idea why I’m even doing this. Maybe it’s beause I have a awful cold, and I’ve had too much cough medicine. You don’t have to read this. And why should you anyway.

I have no idea how to approach this at all. I never do. You see, I can pour everything I feel about a song or band so easily here. It seems to be the easiest thing in the world. Ask me to tell you how I feel about certain people or whatever- I seem to lose words and the ability to function. I guess it’s why I’m always writing something. Whether it be here, in my poetry notebook or my lyric notebook. I’m always writing something, about something- or someone. I’m not an emotionally challenged person. I just lose the ability to make sense a lot of the time. Nor do I need to be drunk to tell you that I love you, or to ask you for 10p. I’ll start this for real now.

Something happened very close to a year ago. Something which every single person on this planet fears. I’ve never spoken about in great detail with anyone. I didn’t see the need. I didn’t see why I should or why anyone would give a shit. I spoke about it with one friend. In fact, we both cried about it. This is why she’s my best friend and rock. She’s one of the very very few people who changed me for the better. She won’t see this, so there’s no point in me praising her too much 😉 Last year my mother flew over to England to tell me she had Breast Cancer. My reaction was typical. I cried like a fucking baby and clung onto her like an ape. I think my heart and world stopped. I wanted to swear, but I respect my mother too much to use the word FUCK in front of her. Buggery and twat is fine though. It was something I never ever imagined I would hear. It wasn’t something I ever thought about. How I felt from that moment from then on is something I wouldn’t wish upon anyone- even someone I disliked. People say having your heartbroken by a lover is awful. Whatever. That’s nothing. This feeling is a trillion times worse. It makes the romantic kind of heartbreak seem like nothing. However, we’re all different and deal with life’s obstacles in different ways. If you’re anything like me, you do the whole “if I ignore it, it’ll go away but I know it will creep up and bite me in the arse.” Oh, and it did. It did.

I’m not writing this for anyone to think or feel, “You poor thing.” No. I’m doing this because I want to show how music, how a song can pull you through anything. Even something as horrific as this. My mum is one of the lucky ones. She is still here. However, when she tells me she’s in pain or doesn’t feel well- I panic so much internally. All I can do is offer a hug or a cup of tea. I know, I’m useless. When she was undergoing Radiotherapy she still managed to look amazing. I think she’s one of these people who cannot leave the house without make-up. She had her treatment in Sheffield, so I’d go up and see her a few times a week. She didn’t want me to go to the place where she was being treated, which I fully understood. Instead we’d wander around York, Manchester and Sheffield. I’d be lugged around clothes shops and in return, I’d make her go to record shops with me.

My mum is the most strongest and loving human beings I know. I saw how strong she was through all of this, and it just inspired me in ways that I didn’t know how. I never really sat down and spoke about this with her. I didn’t see how me talking about how I felt about her being ill would help. It wouldn’t rid her of cancer. It wouldn’t make this less real. My way was to just act like normal. In front of my friends, I would remain the joker doing my best to make them laugh- doing my best to make sure nobody ever caught onto how awful I felt. For a month or so, I just cried myself to sleep. There were times when leaving the house was seen as the most impossible thing ever. I just wanted to sleep, and when I woke up- I wanted none of this to have ever happened. I always thought, “Fucks sake Olivia. You have NO right to feel so bad. You’re not the one with cancer.” I told myself this all the time until I snapped out of it. I guess I had to trick myself into living again so I wouldn’t be a mess. Thing is, to everyone and anyone- I was totally fine. I was strong and together. I was told a few times that it was okay to break or whatever. But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t physically go to a friend and just have an outburst. When my mum told me she was sick, I left her for an hour and I went to my best friend’s house. I sat on her bed. And just bawled. She did too. That was the first and last time I did that. I hate crying. It gives me a migraine.

I’m not writing this to make anyone feel sorry for me, or for anyone to praise me or anything. I’m doing this for one reason. I’m writing this to make someone else see that…it’s fucking okay to be a mess you know? Just because you reach rock bottom doesn’t mean you cannot get up again. Use Music as your fucking crutch. I did. Certain songs (which I will link you to in a bit) pulled me through. When I couldn’t sleep or when I didn’t feel too great- these songs gave me something. I’m not exactly the poster-child for bravery. I think the cowardly lion is possibly my spirit animal sometimes. I think I’ve got better. Who knows.

You’ve got to put your faith in something or someone. A place, a person or a sound. Just something. Give yourself to something. I don’t like bothering anyone with anything that gets to me. I’m more likely to just play a song I love to find comfort and answers. And so, that is exactly what I did. The songs I’m going to link you to ALL played an important role in making sure I didn’t become a selfish wanker wallowing in self pity. These songs stopped me from going under and into something shit.

My mum’s okay now. Well, mentally- she will always be tapped in the head. I think that’s genetic. I’ve got no fucking chance of being normal. Not that I’d ever want to be 😉 I remember when she was undergoing treatment she kept saying to me, “I don’t care if I’m on a fucking drip-we ARE going to see Morrissey.” And we did. Twice. I refuse to ever EVER go watch Morrissey live with anyone but my mum. I don’t care who you are- I can only go with her. When we saw him in York we stood for an hour at the end of the gig waiting for him to come out. He came out. As he got into his car, waved and nodded at us. For me, that was perfect. We’ve seen Morrissey 4 times, each time it just makes me feel so alive. However seeing him twice last year meant so much more, for the obvious reasons. It was just perfect.

I think I’ve written far too much. I’ll probably delete this because, when I re-read this I will see how much of an idiot I am. I’m sorry. If you’ve read this- thank you, and I’m sorry you put yourself through this. Anyway, go listen to these songs. They sum up what I’ve been trying to say better than I ever could, especially Kate Bush and Brand New. Running Up That Hill..the chorus just sums up everything I felt and feel. I would give anything to have swapped with my mum so she didn’t have to go through any of this :

Warpaint- Burgundy vs Krimson.

Posted on by

I’m ill and I’ve had more cough medicine than I probably should have had. I feel like a less wild version of Lester Bangs right now. None of this will make any sense, but then again- when does it ever? When does anything in life ever make sense? See, I told you.

Exquisite Corpse by Warpaint is one of my favourite EPs ever. I love EPs but at the same time, I guess I think they’re silly. Just put out a full album, stop being difficult. Then again, it’s more records for your collection. There’s no right or wrong view on this really. It just depends on how difficult you want to be. I’m writing this because I need to distract myself from acknowledging the fact that Lana Del Rey’s album has leaked. Obviously I won’t delete it. I’m not that much of a dick. I’ve heard a few songs. Dark Paradise caused an internal breakdown last night. How something, how someone can be that beautiful just baffles me. Anyway. This is about Warpaint, so….

As I was saying, I really love their debut EP. I love everything about it. You name it, I love it. There’s two songs on the album, that when I heard them I thought THEY ARE THE SAME SONGS….but a bit different.

On one hand you’ve got the delicate lullaby feel of Burgundy. Then on the other, you’ve got Krimson which makes you want to sway your body in a careless fashion falling into someone. Both songs are equally as beautiful as each other, if I had to choose a favourite- I would go with Burgundy. I love how sleepy Emily sounds on this. You just become so in awe of her voice. I will never deny my love for Warpaint, ever. They’re just a band that I feel this connection with. A connection that seems to be deeper than any I’ve had with any band, and possibly some people I know. I don’t care if that makes me a bad person at all. Warpaint put me in my own world that’s just free of anything awful and negative. You should try it. Lighten up.

I have no idea how I’m going to do this, so if it all goes wrong-I am slightly sorry.

Burgundy

There is so much that I love about Burgundy. I love the way the bas creeps up on you. I don’t care what you think, Jenny Lee Lindberg is THE best bassist around. I mean, just watch this live version of Burgundy or any of their songs. She is a beast on that bass, the way she sways and just totally digs the music is so inspiring. I’ve said it before, so I’ll say it again- Warpaint make me wish I could play an instrument so badly. I just love the way they make me feel. I think I compare everything in life to how they make me feel.  The sheer innocence of this song is so beautiful. If anyone else sung it, they would strip away the whole meaning and essence of this song. My favourite part of the song, is where Emily sings:

“I am a lion, a tigers sleeping under my skin,
A tiger sleeping under your skin.”

If I could explain to you what it was about that line that makes me crazy, I would. I just can’t. Maybe it’s the fact that the song is so peaceful, and her comparing herself to something as majestic as a lion just utterly flaws me. It is so beautiful. This is a perfect song to just do nothing to. Hold someone if you feel the need, but personally? Listen to it through headphones. Allow yourself to be transported into another world with the company of Emily, Stella (I know she doesn’t play on these tracks but still), Theresa and Jenny.

Krimson

Okay, so with this one- it’s slightly different. With Burgundy, the bass creeps up on you in a seductive manner. On this song, it feels like you are being chased. It hypnotises you. Pretty much like the bassline from A Forest by The Cure (if you cannot see how that song is one of the best songs of all time, I won’t like you. That’s just how it is. I won’t apologise.) It’s the kind of song that makes you feel like you’re running from someone/something- but you really don’t want to be. You’re being chased, but you slow down because you want them to catch you. Or, you are the one doing the chasing. I just adore this song. You can tell, right?

“And if I ever turned away,
Only was I trying to find out the words to say,
All my life where I can’t take you on my own.”

Ever really liked someone, but you had to turn away from them because you don’t know what to say? We all know how that feels. The wanting, the longing in this song is so so beautiful. This is a more, I guess, fiesty version of Burgundy- but there are still vulnerable elements to it.

So there, you have it. Both songs are similar (titles referencing shades of red) yet at the same time totally different (the pace and how they are sung.) For me, I think both of these songs sum up why I love Warpaint and the whole style of their music. At times it makes you feel like you are being cradled so gently to the sounds of a lullaby, whereas at other times- you feel as if you just want to shake all your limbs and just lose yourself (and your mind) to the music.

However it makes you feel, keep hold of that feeling. I firmly believe Warpaint are one of the few bands that cannot make you feel anything negative. Sure songs like Baby may make you cry- but it is so beautiful, you see past that. You see that it is a gorgeous dedication. Even their songs about frustration (Beetles) make you feel so alive. I love Warpaint because they gave me back my faith in music. They gave me that feeling that I first got when I heard certain bands. Warpaint for me, are more than just a band. I don’t expect anyone to ever understand it. Or maybe they can. Just think of YOUR favourite band and how they make you feel; then I suppose you can relate.

They are more than just 4 females making music. They are 4 best friends who have this incredible bond, and passion that makes you feel part of what they are creating. It oozes freedom and the desire to express yourself in ways no other could. I know they say perfection doesn’t exist, but I believe it does; in their music.

Ladyhawke-Black,White & Blue.

Posted on by

They do say that good things come to those who waited. I (and others) have been waiting a LONG time for some new material from Ladyhawke. Her debut album is one I hold very dear to me, reminding me off my time at University. Thinking about it, I now feel very old. But that’s the past and it doesn’t need thinking about right now because we FINALLY have some brand new Ladyhawke music.

Her new single Black, White & Blue- in my humble and biased opinion is incredible. I’m directing all my love right now towards this song. I’m a huge huge fan of Ladyhawke, and I knew her new stuff was going to be amazing. If the whole album sounds like this, then I’m sure we have a contender for Album of the Year. Easily.

Birdeatsbaby.

Posted on by

I love music that just has this feel about it that is different to anything you’ve ever heard before. You know what it’s like when you hear something so powerful and raw for the first time? It just stays with you. You compare it to anything and everything, because you want to feel that way again. You want that sense of, “My god what is this? What am I feeling!?” It’s like some kind of outer-body experience. I’ve felt this with a few bands. More recently, I felt it when I had the honour of listening to Birdeatsbaby. Before I even listened to them, I knew I would love them because of the name. If you’re one of these people who judges bands based on their name- listen to Birdeatsbaby. Their insane name matches their insane sound.

If you love bands that have a stunning frontwoman that hypnotises you and makes you want more, and more. You know like Garbage, No Doubt, Doll And The Kicks (why did they have to split..I’m still hurting over this)- then you again, will love Birdeatsbaby. If you’re a fan of Dredsen Dolls, you will also love this band.

They come from the best place in England- Brighton. Okay, maybe Manchester is, but still- both are amazing cities. Which, as you know, Doll And The Kicks were pretty much from Brighton. I’m trying my best to not mention DATK but, I’m not over the split at all.

Frontwoman, Mishkin is stunning. I’m only going by the music videos that I seem to have ritualistically watched over the past 24 hours, but she is so stunning. Her voice is strange, but in a good way. I don’t mean that she warbles like a cat being stood on. Oh no, far from it. She has such a powerful voice that you just want to hear again and again. Which is why, I’ve been listening to their music non-stop.

They have an album that is out next month, that obviously I am going to advise you all to purchase. I reckon they’d be amazing to see live. I’m sick and tired of seeing bands that have so much talent being forced to call it quits because Society is so fucked up- they buy into gimmicks such as the X-Factor. Bands that work hard are overlooked just so some twat can have a Number 1 single then go back to being a cleaner. It’s not fair nor is it right. It needs to be stopped. Hopefully, and maybe Birdeatsbaby are one of the many bands that could change this. I don’t have much faith in people anymore, but I do have faith that music can be saved. Especially when bands like Birdeatsbaby exist.

It’s dark, twisted, creepy and just strange; and I love it. I absolutley love them. Everything I look for in a band is what I have found in Birdeatsbaby.

Warpaint-Beetles.

Posted on by

Any proper Warpaint fan I’ve spoken to (I mean the ones that have heard Exquisite Corpse, and own it) has always said that Beetles is one of their favourite songs by the band. It is one of those songs you have to listen to when you feel a bit pissed off or just so disheartend about something, or someone. If you’re feeling constantly trapped by something, this song will help. It’s why I have it on repeat at the moment.

Theresa takes the lead on the vocals with this song. Her voice lures you in and just keeps you in a trance throughout the duration of the song. You can feel her frustrations and fury in this song, you feel it to. She makes you want to sing every single word with her- as you should.

“I am not prepared, I just gotta gotta get there,
Where am I, why can’t I just get it together?
Fuck it, where’s my shit?
Oh my God I’m mad at it.
Oh my God I’m mad at it.
Oh my God I’m mad at it.
I wanna throw it out the window.”

Sounds lke pretty basic songwriting, right? Sure but the way in which it is presented just makes it so passionate. It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. The rage in which Theresa is feeling in this song, fuck man, you feel it too. Think of the one thing that’s really pissing you off right now. Think of it, play this song- then just let it go. You’ve got to let it go. I should probably listen to what I’m saying to you. Or, I should just keep on listening to Warpaint. That’ll sort it all out.

There’s a live clip of this song that lasts around 15 minutes. The jam at the end of the song just shows, for me, why Warpaint are THE best band around. Even if these so called critics were to attempt to demolish their second album when it comes out- I will still love them. My love for Warpaint is not just for the music. It’s what they stand for. You can tell they love each other and just love music. They really LOVE it, and for me, that’s what makes them easy to connect with. If you can connect with a band like that, you know you’re going to be a fan for life. I sure as Hell know I’m going to be a Warpaint fan for life.

Back to that sense of feeling trapped. This song feels like a huge release, you can just lay there and let all those angst ridden feelings pour out of you. You’re never too old to feel sheer angst. Or, you can listen to it and lose your mind to it. Trash your room, tear shit to shreds. Just go absolutely crazy. Just be totally free.

“Let’s get naked and rip down the wall that makes me crazy.
Tell me how.
Someone hold my hand and give me lessons ‘cos I wanna,
Melt the knot inside of it.”

Staring at four walls constantly is enough to drive the most stable person to the brink of insanity. You just want to rip things up, tear pictures from the wall, drive fast (not too fast, stay safe.) Just basically, this song makes you want to lose your shit. The scattered drumming (I mean that in a good way, don’t worry) makes you flail your limbs about and shake your head until you are about to pass out from making yourself dizzy. It just allows you to be so free and rid yourself of all these horrific bad vibes you have right now.

There’s a come down in the song where Emily’s vocals enter. What I love about Warpaint, from a vocal perspective is how well Theresa and Emily’s voices work with each other. Emily’s voice is a bit more delicate than Theresa’s, and this is truly shown on this song.

Everything about this song just makes you want to feel free and release your mind, body and soul from anything negative you are feeling. I’ve never seen Warpaint live (I’m still waiting) but I know that seeing this live would probably be one of the most electrifying and stunning things my eyes will ever see.

Just watch this. If you want, ignore everything I’ve written- but watch this clip. It is 15 minutes well worth investing in.

 

Beck Goldsmith-Hollows For Sorrows.

Posted on by

I planned on having a nice nap (or a 5 hour sleep, it depends on how you look at it) when I came home from the gym this morning. Instead, I’ve played Beck Goldsmith’s album on repeating. Constantly getting lost in this beautiful piece of art.

I know it’s only January and not many records have come out- but on 5th March, Beck’s amazing album Hollows For Sorrows comes out. You know how Anna Calvi’s record was one of the best records of 2011, and many stupidly didn’t give it the credit it deserved? This will probably happen with Beck Goldsmith. This isn’t a bad thing. It’s not all bad because this record is perfect. It doesn’t need to be pulled apart by these pretentious music “experts” and up for pointless awards. It is perfect in every single way. I honestly cannot praise this record enough.

As someone who likes music that is noisy and would probably scare people half to death sometimes (I like to play Bring Me The Horizon every morning to piss off my neighbour because her dog never ever shuts up. The dog is cute but after a while it annoys you with its noise!) I’ve also grown to dislike what people call Folk now. I don’t care for a certain blonde singer who stands frail on a stage with just a guitar, you know who I mean. The one who everyone thinks is the saviour of Folk. Folk never needed saving, they ruined it. Awful. Thing is, I wouldn’t call Beck’s music Folk. I honestly wouldn’t know what to call it, so I won’t. I don’t like it when music is ruled by its genre. It’s pointless.

Hollows For Sorrows is eerie, dark, creepy, powerful and beautiful. This is why I love it. I love music that can scare you with its powerful imagery in the lyrics. I love music that makes you feel like you are being chased in a forest with no chance of getting out. If it is dark and twisted, chances are I will probably love it.

The lyrics to this album read like poetry. Think..Ted Hughes mixed with a bit of Edgar Allan Poe (two of the greatest writers EVER.) It is so pure and heartfelt. All you can do whilst listening to this record, is just that. You sit and listen. Take in every single word sung, every single chord played. Let it consume your heart and soul. This is an album that just oozes so much heart, passion, darkness- so many feelings emerge whilst listening to this record.

My main concern is, how on Earth is Beck’s not a huge star? Why isn’t she being hailed as the best singer in this country right now? Why are certain “pop stars” being glorified for prancing about half-naked in videos, with no talent? Yet people such as Beck Goldsmith are overlooked? Dear music industry, please sort yourself out.

The record was recorded in bedrooms and backrooms in England, Scotland and France. Maybe you wanted to know that, maybe you didn’t. Wherever this was recorded, it is still so bloody beautiful.

Stella’s Telescope has some amazing lyrics :

“Dig a hollow for your sorrows. Bury all you’ve lost. What’s forgiven is forgotten , now the stars have crossed.”

It’s just a beautiful line, so comforting.

My favourite track off the record has to be Shards. I love the lyrics. Lyrics are a huge thing for me, and Shards is just full of gorgeous lyrics. They go beyond being songs. They’re just a body of art, a masterpiece. You want it with you all the time. Like I said earlier, I really really cannot praise Hollows For Sorrows enough.

I’ve clearly rambled on too much as usual. I’m going to be even more annoying briefly and say, if you are a fan of Bat For Lashes and/or Beth Gibbons (Portishead) then you will love this record. If you don’t like them (what is wrong with you?!) then you will still love this record. Basically, just go buy the album when it comes out on the 5th March. If you don’t, you’ll be another fool who has overlooked one of the year’s best record.

Happy Birthday Aaliyah.

Posted on by

No matter how may times I have done this, it never feels right writing it in past tense. By rights, Aaliyah should still be here making groundbreaking music. You cannot deny that her second album, One In A Million just changed R&B music. It gave the contempary side of this genre the kick up the arse it rightly needed. Who do we have now? Nobody really.Well, we’ve got The Weeknd. He’s no Aaliyah, obviously but he has that futeristic style that Aaliyah had. That style we all loved and adored her for.

She was the first singer I remember being left in awe by. I remember seeing the video to Back & Forth on MTV in 1995. I was 9 years old. This, and Garbage fuelled my obsession with music. I’d study the video to Back & Forth religiously. She made me feel okay with being a tomboy. I loved how secure she was with herself, at such a young age. She just seemed like a beautiful person- not just on the outside, but inside too. This is a rare quality, and Aaliyah Dana Haughton sure had it.

She would’ve been 33 years old today. I recently had an Aaliyah tattoo done, designed by my very best friend/sister. We became friends over the passing of Aaliyah. I guess this proved that through every negative, there is a positive. Again, she has that same rare quality Aaliyah had- beautiful both inside and out.

Aaliyah’s music means so much to me, I cannot explain. It doesn’t seem right that she is gone, it never will. But we have the music. I wear my tattoo with utter pride, and I listen to her music thankful that such a person existed and taught me so much in such a short space of time.

Happy Birthday Aaliyah xxx

~/.\~