tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57771625343141500952024-03-08T09:16:04.358+00:00musing + lyrics.Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-8500039346008232112023-01-10T19:34:00.007+00:002023-01-31T18:51:58.794+00:00best of 2022: years & years, foxes, kim petras, charli xcx, MUNA, mabel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ4QffyQPAhrOMPkl3_GM_HGy3W9AMQPh8cOKgeLGLCVFa2vP58hbn3OjbC6AlV9fuB-fLsRt6cZ8709D2rljLXtWTA2t06KkgFjCReGWwWZspb3lcFftDT4WHvAqxVkxKxO5RNVnLYaBnLfxCmtInqzJ5pA5x0OYgblO_hoIgNS9PZc8NsKvj4Fs/s529/16-ahs-suprise-btch.w529.h352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="529" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ4QffyQPAhrOMPkl3_GM_HGy3W9AMQPh8cOKgeLGLCVFa2vP58hbn3OjbC6AlV9fuB-fLsRt6cZ8709D2rljLXtWTA2t06KkgFjCReGWwWZspb3lcFftDT4WHvAqxVkxKxO5RNVnLYaBnLfxCmtInqzJ5pA5x0OYgblO_hoIgNS9PZc8NsKvj4Fs/w400-h265/16-ahs-suprise-btch.w529.h352.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">in a plot twist that no-one saw coming, i have decided to resurrect <i>musing and lyrics</i>... partly because i got an email last month telling me that my domain was about to expire, so if i'm paying £10 to renew it for the year, i may as well create some ~content~ for this severely neglected blog. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">in my defence though, i have genuinely been Very Busy over the last year, so in order to justify my extended absence for the three people who actually read this nonsense, let us go back to <a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2021/05/new-and-old-music-friday-57-tia-kofi.html" target="_blank">may 2021</a> when i last posted. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">back then, the world was still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown that meant we were trapped in our houses and forced to socialise via <i>zoom </i>for the majority of 2020. at the time of writing, the UK was just about to relax its guidance on the number of people who could meet up and socialise indoors, so i was mentally preparing to be in The Club again and actually see my friends in real life. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">once the restrictions ended, i certainly made up for all the time spent indoors and had an iconic summer of attending gigs (my personal highlight was seeing little mix twice in one day in may 2021) and making weekly trips to our favourite bars and clubs. we also got to attend <i><a href="https://www.manchesterpride.com/" target="_blank">manchester pride</a> </i>again and <i>zara larsson's</i> headline performance was literally one of the best moments of my life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">i also decided to make the foray into ~dating~ after years of Being Alone, and while i haven't found The One (if such a thing does exist), it definitely showed me what i do and don't want in a potential partner. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">finally, despite my fear of commitment re: dating, i've actually continued to engage with the therapy techniques i first encountered during lockdown, and am very much in a self-help book era; seeing things written down is the only way i can retain information, and it's good to have a book to hand so i can look at it whenever i feel bad and stop myself spiralling. if you too have ever struggled with self-esteem and/or struggling to sleep, i would recommend <i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Low-Self-Esteem-2nd-behavioural/dp/1472119290/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3PMXSXMWY5MOY&keywords=overcoming+low+self+esteem&qid=1673361753&sprefix=overcoming%2520low%2520self%2520esteem%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-1" target="_blank">overcoming low self esteem </a></i>by <i>dr melaine fenell </i>and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Will-Through-This-Night/dp/B08HZFLP34/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CJWM3TJXT8QL&keywords=you+will+get+through+this+night&qid=1673361822&sprefix=you+will+get+through+this+night%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1" target="_blank">you will get through this night</a> </i>by <i>daniel howell </i>(yes, the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@danielhowell/videos" target="_blank">y<i>outuber</i></a>). i'm now</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> 1% more able to cope with distressing feelings/situations and for the first time in my life, can talk about my feelings instead of letting them build up and resulting in a Huge Breakdown. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">on a less serious note, if you're simply looking for some <i>new years resolutions </i>that aren't just body-shaming and pressuring you to lose half a stone by the end of january, this <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkg4vk/new-year-resolutions-2023-ideas" target="_blank">list</a> is incredibly helpful. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span>so that brings us to september 2021, when i managed to find a part time job i don't hate and began my full-time studies at <i>the university of manchester</i>. </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;">for those who don't know, this is not a university where creativity is encouraged; the majority of people study <a href="https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2023/00521/bsc-biochemistry/" target="_blank">biochemistry</a> or <a href="https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2023/00614/bsc-molecular-biology/" target="_blank">molecular biology</a>, and even within the music department, most </span><span style="font-family: courier;">people are more familiar with mozart than madonna (the only </span><i style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aatr_2MstrI" target="_blank">symphony</a> </i><span style="font-family: courier;">i know is by </span><i style="font-family: courier;">zara larsson</i><span style="font-family: courier;">), so i assumed that my decision to write about </span><i style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperpop" target="_blank">hyperpop</a> </i><span style="font-family: courier;">wouldn't be well received by my fellow peers and tutors. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">surprisingly though, people were actually quite interested in my research area, probably because it's something that nobody has ever written about. during my dissertation research, i could only find three other academic articles or essays that mentioned hyperpop, so as far as i'm aware, mine is the first masters dissertation on this topic</span><i style="font-family: courier;">.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdUWBQm0DOW0OBtuOzFuCQ990Wq80tP4V01vnUhw22I6f7iVdReMY8CLxE_M3mVmmCPntGXn82n7xfTudYDsUYgHZ-RNd1z1x6zua3DRIUWZPDR2PkxCPrfEqStrjsA8Om-G8C45J6CEG1_p6Ppj_Yrw2vTfH9OTrY1TRVHyZn9EME9e1rOsWXWfx/s500/DvNuWwhVYAEL234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdUWBQm0DOW0OBtuOzFuCQ990Wq80tP4V01vnUhw22I6f7iVdReMY8CLxE_M3mVmmCPntGXn82n7xfTudYDsUYgHZ-RNd1z1x6zua3DRIUWZPDR2PkxCPrfEqStrjsA8Om-G8C45J6CEG1_p6Ppj_Yrw2vTfH9OTrY1TRVHyZn9EME9e1rOsWXWfx/s320/DvNuWwhVYAEL234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></i><span>looking at my dissertation feedback now, i agree with my supervisor that i could've ~refined~ my writing and made it more coherent, </span><span>but my lack of ~academic~ experience - i've never officially studied music before, never mind at such a High Level - combined with my desire to write down literally every thought i've ever had about hyperpop (many of which were actually formed through a </span><a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2016/02/pc-music-pop-parody-or-just-pure-genius.html" target="_blank">post</a><span> on this very blog in 2016) meant it was slightly disjointed. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">despite this, i still managed to pass, and graduated last month on what was literally one of the coldest days of the year. the weather didn't dampen my spirits though, and i found myself trying to hold back tears at various points during the ceremony, because 15 year old me wouldn't have believed i'd get into this university, never mind graduate with a masters degree. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">but now that it's actually sunk in that i've just graduated from the </span><a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/choosing-university/worlds-top-100-universities" style="font-family: courier;" target="_blank">28th best university</a><span style="font-family: courier;"> in the world, my full time job search has officially begun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">in the meantime however, i really want to get back into writing about music, so i'm going to start with the best albums of 2022.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>1. years & years - night call </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">the first album to be released in 2022 that i really enjoyed was <i>night call </i>by <i>years & years</i>, formerly a trio but now the solo project of <i>olly alexander</i>. their previous album <i>palo santo </i>contained a couple of bops, but for the most part was missing the euphoria that made their debut <i>communion </i>such a hit. an NME <a href="https://www.nme.com/news/music/olly-alexander-on-why-years-years-became-a-solo-project-we-grew-apart-musically-2916558" target="_blank">interview</a> from april 2021 suggested that <i>alexander </i>felt creatively stifled while the trio worked together and he wanted to make more upbeat pop music than his bandmates. as a lover of Huge Pop Songs - and more recently dance music - i hate to say it, but i was low-key excited for him to become a solo artist if it meant the bops would return, and they definitely did. the first single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGfaYTIYh40" target="_blank">starstruck</a> </i>was released in march 2021, and i remember breathing a sigh of relief as it was everything i'd been hoping for. he also released a version featuring <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-yS1DMyoNk" target="_blank">kylie minogue</a>, </i>which is the epitome of Gay Rights. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">the rest of the album was <a href="https://www.nme.com/news/music/years-years-announces-details-of-third-album-night-call-3056805" target="_blank">inspired</a> by lockdown and the desire to go out and party, which seems to be a common theme throughout many of the albums released in 2022. obviously the pandemic was an incredibly stressful and traumatic time for many people - i too lost a relative to the virus and was unable to attend the funeral - but creatively it had a positive impact on the music being made, so at least something good came from it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">speaking of losing a relative, i knew there was a reason why my favourite track on <i>night call </i>is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfk75myuSbE" target="_blank">see you again</a>. </i>at first glance, the lyrics may simply be referring to someone struggling to let an ex-partner go, but <i>alexander </i>told <i><a href="https://music.apple.com/nz/album/night-call-deluxe/1586653480" target="_blank">apple music</a></i> that they're actually about his grandma who passed away and how he wishes he could see her again and spend more time with her. as someone who was incredibly close to my own grandma who i lost in 2019, the song took on a new meaning and perfectly encompasses the Sad Banger genre; catch me simultaneously bopping and shedding a tear to this song. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">elsewhere, the album draws on what has now become a staple of </span><i style="font-family: courier;">alexander's </i><span style="font-family: courier;">song writing; Being Queer. songs such as </span><i style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UDqwqbWXzs" target="_blank">muscle</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOTrfki7Ai4" target="_blank">immaculate</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VpEoS1a4yY" target="_blank">intimacy</a> </i><span style="font-family: courier;">and title track </span><i style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPyrb8LNeEc" target="_blank">night call</a> </i><span style="font-family: courier;">document the highs and lows of his past relationships. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">the album also sees alexander collaborate with dance producers and DJs such as <i>regard </i>and <i>galantis, </i>and as i mentioned in a previous <a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2020/12/the-winds-of-change-are-comin-over-me.html" target="_blank">post</a>, i'm now a huge fan of Basic Bops, i.e. songs that wouldn't sound out of place at a hen party or bottomless brunch in a regional branch of <i><a href="https://www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/" target="_blank">slug and lettuce</a>.</i> a far cry from the Deep and Meaningful (and incredibly depressing) songs by <i>the smiths </i>and <i>joy division</i> i devoured as a teenager, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BvlO9oStfw" target="_blank">sweet talker</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ymkGZITYvw" target="_blank">hallucination</a> </i>contain simple lyrics and melodies that don't leave you with an emotional hangover. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">the only disappointing thing about the <i>night call </i>era was the accompanying tour. my friend and i went to see <i>years & years </i>at <a href="https://www.resortsworldarena.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i>resorts world arena</i></a> in birmingham, which had all the charisma and warmth of an airport terminal. part of the problem was that the venue was only half-full, and there were no big screens, so from our position at the back - our preferred spot as we are simply too old to be pushed and shoved in a crowd full of 19-year-olds - it was hard to see what was taking place on stage. luckily the bottle of wine i consumed throughout the show meant i didn't care too much, but i was expecting much more of a Stage Presence from <i>alexander </i>based on TV performances i'd seen. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: courier;">2. foxes - the kick</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: courier;">another album that was inspired by the constraints of <a href="https://twitter.com/iamfoxes/status/1372895223982923776" target="_blank">lockdown</a> was <i>the kick </i>by <i>foxes. </i>prior to this album, i'd always been a casual listener of foxes - real name <i>louisa allen - </i>but her first two albums never quite packed the same punch as singles such as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pecj5GGjQi8" target="_blank">let go for tonight</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAerYplzZUE" target="_blank">body talk</a>. </i>luckily this changed with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cqddw9iUDE" target="_blank">sister ray</a>, </i>the first single from <i>the kick. </i>the title references the 1968 <i>velvet underground </i>song of the same name, which describes "<span>an insane debaucherous party with heroin abuse, violence and an orgy, with sister ray being a drag queen heroin dealer" (thanks <i><a href="https://genius.com/27326486" target="_blank">genius</a></i>) and while <i>foxes' </i>version is a lot less explicit, the ethos of <a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2016/02/in-defence-of-night-chaos-celebration.html" target="_blank">Going Out</a> and Having A Good Time is very much the same, and i can confirm that when played in a gay bar, it absolutely goes off. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span>the rest of the album contains the usual themes of heartbreak and the beginnings of a new relationship, but there's nothing typical about <i>the kick</i>. this is one of those rare albums that doesn't contain a bad song, so picking a favourite is hard, but my most-played tracks are <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqYKKBI1XTE" target="_blank">potential</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD6cQI9K5dc" target="_blank">two kinds of silence</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pXIdYNvDI8" target="_blank">dance magic</a></i>. i also found myself drawn to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxiaFiioUdk" target="_blank">too much colour</a>, </i>which surprised me as i've always said that no album has ever benefitted from a Sad Piano Ballad. despite this, as someone who has always felt things Very Intensely and often feels like i'm Too Much for the people around me, its lyrics really resonated with me. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white;">however, there were no tears when i saw foxes live at <i><a href="https://nightnday.org/" target="_blank">night and day</a> </i>in february 2022. my friend and i arrived 60 seconds before she took to the stage, so we were right at the back and could barely see a thing, but i actually prefer this as it gives me more room to dance, and that's what this album was designed for. i was hesitant about going to <i>night and day </i>as it's the place i broke up with my first girlfriend when i was younger and i'd never returned since, but this gig was so good that any negative feelings have been replaced by an iconic gig that i would love to experience again. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: courier;">3. kim petras - slut pop/</span><span style="font-family: courier;">problématique</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">as a long-time fan of <i>kim petras, </i>i could barely contain my excitement when her EP <i>slut pop </i>was released on the same day as <i>foxes' the kick. </i>inspired by <a href="https://popcrush.com/kim-petras-slut-pop-ep/" target="_blank">sex workers</a>, the album contains <i>the</i> most explicit lyrics i've ever heard, most of which are far too graphic to repeat here, but if you love dance-pop and <i>german</i> techno (an ode to <i>petras' </i>native <i>cologne</i>) then you'll be bopping all night. again, every song is impeccable but my favourite is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXcaEyZop3g" target="_blank">treat me like a slut</a>, </i>followed closely by <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-nKqXfhyIk" target="_blank">superpower bitch</a>. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">as someone who has had a difficult time with ~intimacy~, the irony of singing these lyrics at the top of my lungs isn't lost on me, but as this <i><a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/epz34a/just-because-were-in-our-slut-era-doesnt-mean" target="_blank">vice</a> </i>article says, these days being A Slut is more about the aesthetic of sex than actually engaging in it, which could also be due to the pandemic when sending nudes was the only way to feel close to someone. it's also weirdly empowering; to quote the author: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><span>"t</span><span style="background-color: white;">he new slut era is all about self objectification: the knowledge and the power that you hold in knowing that you are hot. you’re a slut because of the way you posture yourself; because of the way you dress yourself; because of the way you interact with others. the power of self objectification is owning the light in which you are seen, rather than having another’s gaze imprinted on you. it’s redefining sex as a public expression, rather than a private act."</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">an honourable mention must also be given to our fallen comrade </span><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: courier;"><i><u><a href="problématique" target="_blank">problématique</a></u></i></span><span style="font-family: courier;">, an album that was shelved by <i>petras'</i> label <i><a href="https://www.republicrecords.com/" target="_blank">republic records</a></i>. much like <i>slut pop</i>, it pays homage to her love of <i>german</i> techno and has already become a cult classic. my favourite tracks include <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV-i6sxWSGQ" target="_blank">deeper</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoKOoZAkZd4" target="_blank">hit it from the back</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya_QNA3Sxf0&list=PLpBnkcKr3h8bbgJNqCVB7IK7ZhmfraMFH&index=5" target="_blank">your time to cry</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX_59CbMOdc&list=PLpBnkcKr3h8bbgJNqCVB7IK7ZhmfraMFH&index=4" target="_blank">je t'adore</a>. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">petras herself has encouraged fans to stream the album and expressed her frustration at working so hard on music that never saw the light of day. there may be a ray of hope though; a few weeks ago she posted a snippet of <i><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/KimPetras/comments/z6cs9j/revelations_20_are_they_finally_letting_her/" target="_blank">revelations</a></i> - objectively the best song on the album - on her instagram, which many fans have taken as a sign that she might release it as a single or part of her upcoming album. if the Gay Gods are real, it will happen and the song can be played at full volume in the clubs, as it so deserves. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: courier;"> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>4. charli xcx - CRASH </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">the bops start coming and they don't stop coming, and nowhere is this more true than on <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crash_(Charli_XCX_album)" target="_blank">CRASH</a>, </i>the fifth album from <i>charli xcx </i>and her final release with <i>atlantic records. </i>charli's <a href="https://www.nme.com/news/music/charli-xcx-stormed-out-of-meeting-with-label-bosses-after-authenticity-argument-2930319" target="_blank">struggle</a> with her record label has been well documented over the years, and while she previously chose to reject the "major label" approach to song-writing and production with her mixtapes <i>pop 2 </i>and <i>number 1 angel, </i>she decided to embrace it on <i>CRASH, </i>and while <a href="https://www.nme.com/reviews/charli-xcx-crash-review-3183846" target="_blank">critics</a> <a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/charli-xcx/crash-album-review/" target="_blank">were</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/17/charli-xcx-crash-review-atlantic" target="_blank">divided</a>, it contains some of her best songs yet. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">leaning into the Basic Bop style of music making, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhYM5zMvFQk" target="_blank">used to know me</a> </i>samples the absolute banger that is <i>show me love </i>by <i>robin s, </i>and i'm embarrassed at the number of times i have requested it in the club over the past year. the <i>rina sawayama</i>-assisted <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw_Gtwdnp1Q" target="_blank">beg for you</a> </i>brings a more subdued, garage feel to the dancefloor classic<i> </i>by <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnrRVa-cn2I" target="_blank">september</a>, </i>though part of me wishes she'd used the original sample. <i>good ones </i>also falls into Basic Bop territory - it even received the remix treatment from <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC7BihBck1c" target="_blank">joel corry</a> </i>- and is accompanied by one of the best <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjAuUXdSFaM" target="_blank">music videos</a> of the last five years. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">album tracks of note include <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPQCIRdGAJ0" target="_blank">constant repeat</a> </i>(potentially my favourite song of 2022), <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZcO0YIehUk" target="_blank">yuck</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8nsbqc1EoE" target="_blank">twice</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJTv1KZrbuQ" target="_blank">lightning</a>, </i>another standout that reminds me why 80s music is still my all time favourite. then there's the bonus tracks, produced by <i>george daniel </i>of <i>the 1975 </i>who also happens to be charli's partner. <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeQYpJirG1U" target="_blank">selfish girl</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R87zyyWkoDg" target="_blank">what you think about me</a> </i>are fun tracks that see charli shrugging off criticisms from her fans, but the real highlight is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1dU92EEUrU" target="_blank">sorry if i hurt you</a>, </i>another 80s-inspired synth fest that made me ugly cry when i saw <i>charli </i>sing it live at <i><a href="https://www.pryzm.co.uk/club/kingston-upon-thames/" target="_blank">pryzm</a> </i>in <i>kingston</i> in june last year </span><span style="font-family: courier;">(a truly surreal moment, as i used to go out there most wednesday nights when i was a student)</span><span style="font-family: courier;">. i also saw the </span><i style="font-family: courier;">CRASH </i><span style="font-family: courier;">tour in may, but as it was the sweatiest gig i've ever attended, it did make it difficult to fully enjoy myself as i was just desperate to get out of the venue for some air. luckily the afterparty was one of the best nights i've ever had, and it was only a tuesday. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>CRASH</i> reached <a href="https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/charli-xcxs-crash-slams-straight-into-the-official-albums-chart-at-number-1__35575/#:~:text=Charli%20XCX%20claims%20her%20first,m%20Feeling%20Now%20(33)." target="_blank">number 1</a> in the UK, so whether charli intended for it to be a mainstream hit or not, it clearly resonated with fans and cemented her as one of the best pop stars in the business. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>5. MUNA - MUNA </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">nobody does Trauma Bangers better than LA-based trio MUNA, and their 2019 album <i>saves the world </i>was always going to be hard to beat. as feared, their latest self-titled release didn't quite hit the mark, but they still retained the 80s-inspired sound that made songs like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHnrwoQlCp8" target="_blank">pink light</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jdyjsdNd50" target="_blank">hands off</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RmzK32-Wj0" target="_blank">never</a> </i>so powerful. their self-titled album sees the group settle into a much more ~positive~ mindset, focusing on the personal growth and healthy relationships they've cultivated in the last three years. highlights include lead single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysQl74R_Tog" target="_blank">what i want</a>, </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O38S8D2O1oA" target="_blank">no idea</a>, </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMusdCCvfGo" target="_blank">solid</a> - </i>all of which echo the sentiments of <a href="https://exclaim.ca/music/article/muna_self-titled_album_review" target="_blank">Queer Joy</a> celebrated on <i>night call - </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfFd5MARrKM" target="_blank">runner's high</a></i><i>. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">i saw MUNA live in december last year and while they were excellent, i can't help but feel like they were slightly upstaged by their support act, <i>drag race UK </i>alum <i>bimini, </i>who performed several of their own original (iconic) songs and covers of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-wGMlSuX_c" target="_blank">the fear</a> </i>by <i>lily allen </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYH8DsU2WCk" target="_blank">blue monday</a> </i>by <i>new order</i>. nevertheless, it felt great to be in a room full of fellow queers at a time when <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63993302" target="_blank">controversy</a> over the <i>world cup</i> being hosted in <i>qatar </i>was at an all time high.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>6. mabel - about last night... </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">the final album to be featured in this post is <i>about last night... </i>by <i>mabel. </i>i've had a long and complicated relationship with mabel's music, which began when she supported <i>harry styles </i>in april 2018, something that made no sense to me as her RnB inspired songs was totally at odds with harry's rock-pop sound. fast forward to 2020 however, and i found myself unironically enjoying her singles such as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TQKyDD9Yig" target="_blank">don't call me up</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXanlLjOFh0" target="_blank">ring ring</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi3c-9qzrPY" target="_blank">boyfriend</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnwDkVo6DxA" target="_blank">god is a dancer</a>,</i> so when <i>about last night... </i>was released in july 2022, i was primed to become the mabel stan my past self never could have predicted.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">it all began with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehcRu2xPXHU" target="_blank">let them know</a>, </i>the first single which saw her sample <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nTl4Rmf6AI" target="_blank">supermodel</a> </i>by <i>rupaul. </i>once again, her foray into dance-pop was inspired by watching <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pose_(TV_series)" target="_blank">pose</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_Race_(franchise)" target="_blank">drag race</a> </i>and the documentary <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Is_Burning_(film)" target="_blank">paris is burning</a> </i>during lockdown, and while it may have alienated the largely heterosexual fanbase she amassed via her early singles - <i>let them know </i>peaked at number 19 on the UK charts last august compared to <i>don't call me up </i>at number 3 and <i>mad love </i>at number 8 - my friends and i were instantly obsessed. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">unwilling to totally abandon her RnB roots, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0--9PAp1tA" target="_blank">let love go</a> </i>featured a cameo from <i>lil tecca (?) </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAZaDm-6jBI" target="_blank">overthinking</a> </i>saw her collaborate with <i>24kgoldn</i>. i've personally never been a fan of verses from Inane Male Rappers as they add nothing to what is otherwise an excellent pop song (<i>little mix </i>are the worst offenders: did the superb Getting Over You anthem <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHCC4ndeJyE&t=81s" target="_blank">no more sad songs</a> </i>really need <i>machine gun kelly </i>on it? what value did <i>ty dolla $ign </i>bring to the otherwise sublime <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygiz-CPVrcM" target="_blank">think about us</a></i>? why was <i>stormzy </i>intruding on the already brilliant <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw8B1q1tKgs" target="_blank">power</a>?</i>), but the disco-heavy sound of <i>let love go </i>and <i>stargate's </i>devastatingly good production on <i>overthinking </i>still shine brightly. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">also amongst my most-played tracks are <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lwb3pQTLWM" target="_blank">animal</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QltCrPCX8t8" target="_blank">shy</a> - </i>which manage to blend mabel's love of RnB grooves with more conventional pop production - as well as<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXI-YCrbDFY" target="_blank">crying on the dancefloor</a></i> - another <i>stargate </i>masterpiece<i> </i>that makes me even more grateful for nights out in a post-COVID world - and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxbLWY9N-IM" target="_blank">i love your girl</a>, </i>which is about mabel "losing her mind" during a break-up and becoming infatuated with her ex's new girlfriend, though it could also serve as a queer anthem of sorts. <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOw_6uTY_LI" target="_blank">good luck</a> </i>is also a fun party moment, but the spirit of the album is best encapsulated on <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkIrEmLa3H0" target="_blank">definition</a>, which</i> never fails to make me feel like That Bitch. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">i'm furious that i didn't get to see <i>mabel </i>tour this album, which is ironic given my confusion at her supporting harry styles; i'm now at the point where i'd actually prefer to see her instead. if only i could <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n3A_-HRFfc" target="_blank">turn back time</a><i> </i>to that show in 2018 and hear her Basic Bops in all their glory. </span></div><p></p>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-21577880801596733982021-05-14T18:29:00.005+01:002023-01-11T17:22:44.240+00:00new (and old) music friday #57: tia kofi, VINCINT, years & years, addison rae, tinashe<p><span style="font-family: courier;">i was incredibly alarmed to see that it's been two (2) months since my last post, but a combination of lockdown-induced depression and a lack of good music to write about means i've taken yet another shamefully long hiatus (apologies to the three (3) people who actually read this blog). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">but since then, more restrictions have been eased in the UK and we've been able to meet up to 6 people outside, so despite the torrential rain that continues to engulf <i>manchester, </i>i've spent the last few weeks freezing to death outside our favourite gay bar and regret nothing. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">from monday we'll be allowed to eat and drink inside and i couldn't be more excited, and i'm hoping some of these songs will be played. </span><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">this edition of <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/search/label/new%20music%20friday" target="_blank">new music friday</a> </i>will see several songs go head to head in a battle to be crowned Song Of The Summer (SOTS for short). </span><span style="font-family: courier;">i know it's only may and the temperature shows no sign of increasing, but after completely missing out on any kind of summer last year, i wanted to get a head start.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">so in no particular order, here are the contenders. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: courier;">1. tia kofi</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">first up is <i>rupaul's drag race UK </i>alumnus <i>tia kofi, </i>who appeared on series two and was declared <i>baroness basic </i>by her fellow queens thanks to her bargain bin outfits, so naturally i didn't lose sleep over her elimination. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">like many queens, she began releasing music after leaving the show and i was pleasantly surprised by her first single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKSIjZsrCg4" target="_blank">outside in</a>, </i>co-written by <i><a href="https://twitter.com/tom_aspaul/status/1361342723068993539" target="_blank">tom aspaul</a> </i>of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31Tx83QhtgM" target="_blank">black country disco</a> </i>excellence and <i>victoria hesketh, </i>aka <i>little boots, </i>responsible for the Absolute Banger that is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McdqerXrwXE" target="_blank">remedy</a>. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">it's been stuck in my head since february, and just when i thought the melody was fading, she released another single with dance producers <i>cahill, </i>who have remixed tracks by <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5VE-sTjaXQ" target="_blank">selena gomez</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UJ2xziSvnQ" target="_blank">demi lovato</a> </i>and Gay Icon<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgMRxzS7_Ms" target="_blank">cheryl</a>, </i>so i knew that <i>tia's </i>track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSmiC8G4cxE" target="_blank">look what you've done</a> </i>would be a bop, and of course i was right. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">the Incredibly Camp production means it would fit right in at any <i>canal street </i>venue and providing the clubs open as planned in june, i can't wait to yell along to this song at 3am, watermelon VK in hand.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">she's also booked to appear at <i>manchester pride </i>so hopefully i'll get to hear them live as well. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: courier;">2. addison rae</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">at 25, i consider myself far too old for <i>tik tok </i>and only made an <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@limegreensunset?lang=en" target="_blank">account</a> a few weeks ago, where i follow a grand total of 3 people. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">but try as i might, i haven't been able to avoid hearing about <i>addison rae, </i>best known for her <i><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@addisonre?lang=en" target="_blank">tik tok</a> </i>dance routines and unlikely friendship with <i><a href="https://www.insider.com/kourtney-kardashian-addison-rae-friendship-relationship-timeline-photos" target="_blank">kourtney kardashian</a>. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">like tia kofi, she's also embarking on a singing career, and when i first heard her debut single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHr72DM762k" target="_blank">obsessed</a>, </i>i found myself hate-listening to it occasionally, until i eventually came to the realisation that it's a low-key summer smash in the making. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">the internet has not been kind to ms <i>rae </i>since the song's release, with cries of "too much autotune" and criticisms of the song's lyrics flooding her instagram posts promoting the song. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">however, when it comes to pop songs i don't discriminate, and i couldn't care less who wrote the song or how edited the vocals are if i can play it at full volume ten times a day and not get bored of it, so for this reason <i>obsessed </i>has the potential to become an inescapable SOTS.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: courier;">3. years and years</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">when <i>olly alexander </i>of the band <i>years & years </i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMjy6YTq3Gd/" target="_blank">announced</a> that it would become his solo project, i was hardly surprised, as he's always been the face of the group and wrote the majority of their second album <i>palo santo </i>himself. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i was praying for more songs that echoed the dance-pop production of <i>palo santo </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGfaYTIYh40" target="_blank">starstruck</a> </i>definitely didn't disappoint.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">it feels far more euphoric and upbeat than previous <i>years & years </i>releases, and i know it will be A Moment when we can finally hear it in Tha Club. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: courier;">4. troye/regard/tate mcrae </span><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">by far my most played song on this list, i was obsessed with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JENkMJGN2Wk" target="_blank">you</a> </i>the second <i>troye sivan </i>began teasing it on <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNI909Bnw42/" target="_blank">instagram</a>, </i>playing the five second snippet an embarrassing amount of times until it was finally released in full last month.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">a collaboration with dance producer <i>regard </i>and <i>canadian </i>singer-songwriter <i>tate mcrae, </i>the song is incredibly versatile and could be played in the background of a low-key, <a href="https://e3.365dm.com/21/03/1600x900/skynews-coronavirus-advice-advert_5322492.jpg?bypass-service-worker&20210329015649" target="_blank">government approved</a>, garden gathering or at full volume in a club once such things are allowed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">it also has the potential to bring <i>troye </i>into a more ~mainstream~ space as <i>regard </i>is best known for his work with rising star <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPLN5HXsq04" target="_blank">raye</a> </i>and his mega hit <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucVUEmjKsko" target="_blank">ride it</a>, </i>a remix of <i>jay sean's </i>2008 song which, like many things, went viral on <i>tik tok. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">but regardless of the new audiences <i>troye </i>might reach, he'll always have the support of The Gays, no matter which producers he works with. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>5. VINCINT </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">another song i was obsessed with from the get go was <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3E7LFzwHEM" target="_blank">higher</a> </i>by VINCINT, whose 80s-inspired bops have been firm favourites of mine since 2019. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">when it comes to Huge Bangers, it's definitely on a par with his impeccable 2020 single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDaR52Kwhb0" target="_blank">hard 2 forget</a></i> and i find it hard to believe that there are people who wouldn't rush to the dancefloor if either of these songs came on. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>6. shift K3Y/tinashe</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i've always been somewhat underwhelmed by <i>tinashe's </i>muted R&B-inspired pop - though i think we can all agree that <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s7TCuCpB5c" target="_blank">2 on</a> </i>was A Moment - so when she teamed up with house producer <i>shift K3Y </i>for <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrsgiZLFdp8" target="_blank">love line</a>, </i>i was hooked straight away<i>. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">hopefully this won't be a one-off and she'll fully embrace the dance-pop sound that made both the <i>MAKJ </i>remix of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlKM8tzvN_g" target="_blank">just save room for us</a> </i>and the alarmingly catchy <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc5FxAGX6nk" target="_blank">dance like nobody's watching</a> </i>some of my favourite songs of 2020. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">much like <i>troye sivan, </i><i>tinashe </i>can simultaneously appeal to gay and straight audiences, with <i>love line </i>being appreciated equally by the pornstar martini-sipping <a href="https://www.instagram.com/loveofhuns/" target="_blank">huns</a> at <i><a href="https://www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/" target="_blank">slug and lettuce</a> </i>and the gays who've supported her since her 2016 album <i>nightride </i>and her struggles with RCA records; we do love an <a href="https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/ne8x77/stanning-trash-music-the-frock-destroyers-ashley-o-peppa-pig" target="_blank">underdog</a> after all. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i also just discovered that she came out as <a href="https://www.pride.com/comingout/2020/8/28/tinashe-opens-about-her-bisexuality" target="_blank">bisexual</a> last year, so we can officially claim her as a Gay Icon. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>7. becky hill </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">one of the most unexpected things to happen during last year's lockdown was that i became an all-out <i>becky hill </i>stan, something i wrote more about <i><a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2020/12/the-winds-of-change-are-comin-over-me.html" target="_blank">here</a></i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">her newest single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX-ZYNlC8fg" target="_blank">last time</a> </i>doesn't deviate too far from the formula that made her previous releases so successful - </span><span style="font-family: courier;">this usually involves collaborating with</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> producers and remixers like </span><i style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OK1OqA-En4" target="_blank">sigala</a> </i><span style="font-family: courier;">and</span><i style="font-family: courier;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t867nz_OQos" target="_blank">MK</a></i><i style="font-family: courier;"> -</i><i style="font-family: courier;"> </i><span style="font-family: courier;">but there's something about </span><i style="font-family: courier;">last time </i><span style="font-family: courier;">that i can't get enough of. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">it has that same carefree, euphoric feel as the other songs competing for SOTS, and her recent announcement that she's </span><i style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/british-singer-songwriter-becky-hill-comes-out-as-queer/" target="_blank">queer</a> </i><span style="font-family: courier;">will hopefully attract legions of dance-loving gay fans; i'm already manifesting her being the final mystery headliner for </span><i style="font-family: courier;">manchester pride </i><span style="font-family: courier;">this year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>8. bebe rexha </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i've already <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2021/03/new-and-old-music-friday-56-slayyyter.html" target="_blank">professed</a> my love for <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66g5BI-JJfg" target="_blank">sacrifice</a> - </i>which as i feared was the only good single on yet another new album full of underwhelming tracks - but then two new remixes appeared that have moved me to tears imagining how good they'd sound in Tha Club. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">first is the <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JgxWE7ZK0g" target="_blank">niiko x SWAEE</a></i> version, which features the typical house production employed by so many remixers and would be a nice addition to a pre-drinks playlist. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">then there's the <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE3xrRuWkI8" target="_blank">gorgon city</a> </i>edit that demands to be played before a sweat-drenched crowd at 4am. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">with its thumping bassline and trance-like feel, it makes the original seem tame in comparison. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">shamefully it only has 78,000 spotify plays - most of which are probably from me playing it at full volume in my room after drinking a bottle of ros<span style="background-color: white;">é</span><span style="background-color: white;"> every weekend - but as i said before, sometimes the most underrated tracks are the best.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>9. joel corry/RAYE/david guetta</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white;">i couldn't name a more iconic trio when it comes to Basic Bops, aka my new favourite genre of music. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white;">david guetta has been releasing music since the beginning of the millennium and is responsible for some of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zudbz4hOcbc" target="_blank">most</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4kVWCSzfK4" target="_blank">iconic</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAc4zHEDd7o" target="_blank">bangers</a> of all time, while RAYE has been gradually establishing herself as a mainstay of the pop and dance world, appearing on tracks with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ4MQ_uhBSs" target="_blank">jonas blue</a> </i>and<i> </i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKkj8AeRPus" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">jax jones</a><i>. </i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white;">then there's <i>joel corry, </i>who rose to fame on <i><a href="https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tv/joel-corry-brits-geordie-shore-20571272" target="_blank">geordie shore</a> </i>before turning his hand to music. it's a gamble that paid off as his singles <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2SlSVr8184" target="_blank">lonely</a> </i>and<i> </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRuOOxF-ENQ" target="_blank">head & heart</a> </i>both reached the top 10 in the UK charts and he was nominated for 3 <i><a href="https://planetradio.co.uk/hits-radio/entertainment/award-shows/joel-corry-brits-nominated/" target="_blank">BRIT awards</a></i> this year. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white;">their collaboration <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mOPFGfJ5WQ" target="_blank"><i>BED</i></a> was released back in febuary and the <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8iASFZFBSc" target="_blank">chloe wilson</a> </i>remix was released at the beginning of may, and i've had both on repeat.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">much like <i>addison rae</i>, i found myself "ironically" listening to him for a while - not like i had much choice as his songs received so much radio play - before realising how much i genuinely enjoyed it, and a few weeks ago i managed to convince my friend to come and see him with me in <i>november </i>at <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Warehouse" target="_blank">victoria warehouse</a></i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i'm hoping i'll be able to recapture the energy of the dance room at <i>PRYZM</i>, a club i attended most weeks at uni, but until then i'll settle for playing his songs in my room and hopefully hearing them in Tha Club. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>10. GRACEY/billen ted </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i wrote about <i>GRACEY </i>back in <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2021/02/new-and-old-music-friday-55-slayyyter.html" target="_blank">february</a>, extolling the virtues of her low-key pop sound, but her latest release <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXo7jhnBO4Y" target="_blank">got you covered</a> </i>sees her heading straight to the (metaphorical) club with production duo <i>billen ted</i>, giving us a garage-inspired dance track that i can imagine blasting from every car radio this summer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i especially love the fact the song is <a href="https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/discovery/gracey-got-you-covered" target="_blank">dedicated</a> to one of her closest friends as i've always believed that friendships are just as important as ~romantic~ relationships but never seem to be discussed in the same way in pop music. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">with so many of us being unable to see our friends in person over the last year, this song couldn't have come at a better time as we're finally able to socialise again, reminding us how important friendships are during tough times. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>~the results~</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">so now that we've discussed all the contenders, it's time to crown the Song Of The Summer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i feel it's always best to go with my gut when it comes to such important matters, but i've also taken into account the number of times i've played the song on spotify, how easy it is to sing along to, and the number of different situations it can be played in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">and the winner is... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JENkMJGN2Wk" target="_blank">you</a> </i>by <i>troye sivan, tate mcrae </i>and <i>regard. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i was instantly hooked by the infectious melody, highly memorable chorus, the fact it can be played at both low-key and upbeat social events, plus its ability to appeal to both gay and straight audiences, so i'll continue to play it on repeat throughout the summer months. </span></p>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-64082210861903093622021-03-12T18:41:00.002+00:002021-03-12T18:54:47.775+00:00new (and old) music friday #56: slayyyter, rita ora, mette, bebe rexha, boy sim <p style="height: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">i have <a href="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/31/6b/4d/316b4d84db88723951553533ac88a4cb.jpg" target="_blank">once again</a>
taken an unintentional month-long break from posting on this blog, but since my
last <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2021/02/new-and-old-music-friday-55-slayyyter.html" target="_blank">new music friday</a>, </i>the UK's lockdown has finally begun to
<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52530518" target="_blank">ease</a>, with all pupils now back at school and the ability to meet one (1) person
outside to "socialise". </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">however,
after weeks of springtime sunshine and temperatures finally starting to rise,
this week we've been hit with 27mph winds and torrential rainstorms, so any plans to
meet up will have to be shelved for now. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">luckily
there's been several bops and bangers making things bearable, and now that
my favourite club night </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/girlsnightoutuk/" target="_blank">girls night out</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">has announced its
return in june this year - following the announcement that <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/4admpn/what-to-expect-from-your-first-post-lockdown-big-night-out" target="_blank">nightclubs</a> could be
open by the 21st - i'm even more excited to finally hear them on the
dancefloor.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: Courier;">1.
rita ora</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">o</span><span style="font-family: Courier;">ne
person who hasn't had the best time during The Pandemic is </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">rita ora, </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">who
broke lockdown rules by hosting a 30th birthday party in london back in </span><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-55133313" style="font-family: Courier;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">november</span></a><span style="font-family: Courier;">, </span><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-55840764" style="font-family: Courier;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">paying</span></a><span style="font-family: Courier;"> the venue £5000 to host the celebration
and turn off the CCTV cameras.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">so
when she released her </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">bang </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">EP in february this year, it's safe to say
she wasn't the most popular artist around.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">i've
never been a huge fan of her myself - with the exception of </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50GQjUZ4P3M" target="_blank">i will never let you down</a></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> and </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksdAs4LBRq8" target="_blank">anywhere</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">- but as soon as i heard the </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx2gvHjNhQ0" target="_blank">axel f</a>/<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k85mRPqvMbE" target="_blank">crazy frog</a></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> (!) sample on </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veD7euSEvqc" target="_blank">bang bang</a>, </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">i was instantly obsessed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">i've
also had </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRneEjcGeaE" target="_blank">the one</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">and </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe-GrSOrg1o" target="_blank">big</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">on repeat too, the latter of which is
actually my favourite song from the EP as it makes my Daily Walk around the
block feel like i'm walking the runway at </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2021-ready-to-wear/versace?utm_campaign=likeshopme&client_service_id=31207&utm_social_type=owned&utm_brand=vogue&service_user_id=1.78e+16&utm_content=instagram-bio-link&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&client_service_name=vogue%20runway&supported_service_name=instagram_publishing" target="_blank">versace</a>.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">i
will admit that i liked it slightly less when i saw </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">ed sheeran </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">has a
writing credit on it, but now that my days of being a Music Snob are far behind
me, i'm prepared to overlook this as </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/arts/music/saint-jhn-roses-imanbek.html" target="_blank">imanbek's</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">production is too good to
resist.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier;">2<i>.
</i>dua lipa</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier;">dua
lipa </span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;">caused uproar when the <a href="https://twitter.com/DUALIPA/status/1357751129854066695" target="_blank">track list</a> for the <i>moonlight
edition </i>of <i>future nostalgia </i>was released and <i>normani </i>wouldn't
be featured on <i>if it ain't me, </i>a leaked track that she was most likely
bullied into releasing by hordes of angry gays.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">while
it's true that the track feels like it's lacking something, i'm just glad it finally
got an official release and i know it will be A Moment when we can finally hear
it in the club. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">i've
also been loving </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcgFZNlB5lM" target="_blank">that kind of woman</a></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> - another previously leaked track -
with its 80s-inspired sound, and the slightly more subdued </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs61OHs2g-w" target="_blank">fever</a>, </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">which
i wasn't a huge fan of when it was first released. if you're looking for a more
upbeat version, i'd highly recommend the disco-tinged </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoWaG5H2RCs" target="_blank">vantage </a></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoWaG5H2RCs" target="_blank">remix</a>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: Courier;">3.
boy sim</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier;">boy
sim's </span></i><span style="font-family: Courier;">debut album <i>pink noise </i>will always have a
special place in my heart as it was pretty much the only thing i listened to
back in 2018.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">i've
been waiting not-so-patiently for his return to the music world and he finally
came through with the surprise release of </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaXjiM1wzm8" target="_blank">fire</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">last month.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">with
a stomping bassline and his signature synth-driven sound, the self-produced
track sees him seeking revenge by burning down the house of his ex-lover...
metaphorically of course.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">he
told </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.papermag.com/boy-sim-fire-single-2650614777.html?rebelltitem=6#rebelltitem6" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">paper magazine</span></a></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> that the track is his </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">"<span style="background: rgb(254, 254, 254);">first step into a new sound i haven't done
before"</span></i><span style="background: rgb(254, 254, 254); font-family: Courier;"> and it's clear
that he's embracing a new direction, taking the electro-pop melodies found
on <i>pink noise </i>to new heights. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier;">4.
slayyyter</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">while
i was still recovering from the emotional rollercoaster of </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">slayyyter's </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">single
</span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4re72YUPXI" target="_blank">troubled paradise</a>, </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">she went and dropped </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/5777162534314150095/6408221086190309362?hl=en" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">clouds</span></a>, </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">a textbook example of a Sad Banger
and quite possibly her best song yet.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">combining
a thumping bassline with lyrics about feeling
like she </span><a href="https://twitter.com/slayyyter/status/1365177988900298757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1365177988900298757%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.papermag.com%2Fslayyyter-clouds-2650815125.html" style="font-family: Courier;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">"didn't belong"</span></a><span style="font-family: Courier;"> in the music industry,
she manages to create a song that's deeply personal yet extremely relatable for
anyone who has struggled with their mental health.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">she
also delivered another iconic music video, paying homage to </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">katy perry's
teenage dream </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">album cover and giving dorothy's </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">wizard of oz </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">a
fashion forward twist.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">while
we eagerly await the release of </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">troubled paradise, </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">it seems </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">slayyyter
</i><span style="font-family: Courier;">is already <i>"putting the pedal to the metal for my next album"</i>, as
she revealed in an interview with </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://enfntsterribles.com/slayyyter-i-dont-like-to-be-told-what-to-do/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">enfnts terribles</span></a></i><span style="font-family: Courier;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="font-family: Courier;">heidi montag </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">recently posted a <a href="https://twitter.com/heidimontag/status/1368315786616442881" target="_blank">video</a> of her and <i>slayyyter </i></span><span style="font-family: Courier;">in the studio, so
hopefully they were recording the </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">y2k </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">hyperpop collaboration we deserve.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier;">5.
zara larsson</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">another
person i've never been a Massive Fan of is </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">swedish </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">singer </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">zara
larsson, </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">though her 2019 single </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMKtzB7zNrg" target="_blank">all the time</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">is an absolute banger.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">so
when she released the disco-inspired banger </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVkBS7PFUcA" target="_blank">look what you’ve done</a>, i</i><span style="font-family: Courier;">t
definitely took me by surprise.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">i'm
delighted to see that the sound <i>kylie and dua lipa </i></span><span style="font-family: Courier;">have
brought back to the forefront of pop shows no sign of stopping, though i still
found myself disappointed with the majority of her third album <i>poster girl.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">naturally
i favoured the more upbeat tracks such as title track </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53SEd8390AA" target="_blank">poster girl</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">-
which she <a href="https://theforumist.com/crazy-in-love/" target="_blank">says</a> is about her love of smoking weed (?) - along with </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV4f8H_A7Z8" target="_blank">right here</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdCSouthWww" target="_blank">fff</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">and previously released singles </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPPhb49rrRk" target="_blank">love me land</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">and </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5r_uCRY-V4" target="_blank">WOW</a>.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">the
rest of the album sticks to the </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">ariana grande,</i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> RnB-inspired sound she's
favoured for most of her career so far, and i wish she would just fully embrace
the disco-pop sound.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">i
will say that watching her live-streamed <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjMG8lTxS_o&t=778s" target="_blank">concert</a> on monday - a collaboration
with </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/campaigns/fiftyfifty-the-card-game-for-everyday-equality-pub7b826150" target="_blank">IKEA</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">that i'm living for - gave me a newfound appreciation for her
vocal range and ability to command a stage, but i still don't think we've seen
the best of zara yet.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier;">6.
mette</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">one
artist who seems to have found their signature sound after just one release is </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.papermag.com/paper-people-mette-towley-2600763180.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">mette</span></a>, </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">who i came across thanks to an </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">instagram
</i><span style="font-family: Courier;">story posted by </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ldevinemusic/" target="_blank">l devine</a>.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">born
mette towley, the 29 year old has had an incredibly varied career as a model
and actress.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">she
spent four years as a backing dancer for pharrell, appearing in rihanna's music
video for </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/5777162534314150095/6408221086190309362?hl=en"><span style="color: blue;">lemon</span></a></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> and the 2019 film hustlers, as well as
revlon's </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://drugstorenews.com/beauty/revlon-mette-towley-global-brand-ambassador" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">live boldly</span></a></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> campaign along with </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">gal gadot</i><span style="font-family: Courier;">
and </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">ashley graham</i><span style="font-family: Courier;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">however,
she describes music as her "first love" in this </span><a href="https://www.papermag.com/mette-petrified-2650862659.html" style="font-family: Courier;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">interview</span></a><span style="font-family: Courier;"> and it's clear that she's poured all
her passion into debut single </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cm5YdIZO7Q" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">petrified</span></a>.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">drawing
from a range of sonic influences, it combines RnB-style beats with a flurry of
delicate synths and a huge piano-driven chorus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://genius.com/Mette-petrified-lyrics" style="font-family: Courier;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">lyrically</span></a><span style="font-family: Courier;"> the song might seem like your typical
Break Up Song, but </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">mette </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">has </span><span style="font-family: courier;">described</span><span style="font-family: Courier;"> it as an ode to </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">"my oldest
friend... my inner child".</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">when
looked at through this lens, the song takes on a new meaning, with a powerful
message about learning to trust your instincts and push past any rejections and
self-doubt that might have stopped you following your dreams.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">but
if this is an indication of what to expect from </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">mette, </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">she's got nothing
to worry about.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier;">7.
the 1975/charli xcx/no rome</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">after
what feels like an eternity, </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">the 1975 </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">and </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">charli xcx </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">finally
teamed up for a </span><a href="https://twitter.com/charli_xcx/status/1368625655806451714" style="font-family: Courier;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">long-awaited</span></a><span style="font-family: Courier;"> collaboration, and they
brought </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">no rome </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">along for the ride too.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">while their </span><a href="https://twitter.com/charli_xcx/status/1366125290305454081" style="font-family: Courier;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">"supergroup"</span></a><span style="font-family: Courier;"> still doesn't have a
name, their song </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wlz9tc5UQA" target="_blank">spinning</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">sent their collective fan bases into
a frenzy. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;"><i>charli </i><a href="https://twitter.com/charli_xcx/status/1367256813037449217" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">described</span></a> it as <i>"</i></span><i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: Courier;">stunning/exquisite/tasteful and chic"</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: Courier;"> and i couldn't have said it better myself.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">with plenty of autotuned vocals and the
house-inspired production favoured by </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">the 1975's george daniel, </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">it's
a testament to their shared vision.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">my only complaint is that i would have liked to hear more of <i>matty's </i>vocals,
but hopefully <i>the 1975 </i>will add the song to their set list for
future shows.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">8. armin van buuren/alesso </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">in the last year i've found myself becoming
obsessed with ~dance~ music, to the point that "dance pop" was my
most-played genre on <i><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EoPE-npXcAAA9vH?format=jpg&name=large" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">spotify</span></a> </i>last year. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">i'm fairly certain the origin of this is the
student night i attended most wednesday nights at </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">PRYZM </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">in </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.pryzm.co.uk/club/kingston-upon-thames/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">kingston</span></a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">between 2014-2017</span><i style="font-family: Courier;">. </i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">the venue features several different floors and
rooms playing different music, and though i complained every time we weren't in the 80s room<i>, </i>i think i sub-consciously
began to enjoy the songs played in the main "dance room", all of
which seem to have the exact same beat and synths in the background. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">it's reached the point where my brain automatically
classifies them as "PRYZM bops", and now i'm back from uni, i've been
able to fully embrace my love of these songs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">a classic example of this is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGtlP0Vzuq4" target="_blank">leave a little love</a> </i>by <i>alesso </i>and <i>armin van buuren, </i>but
there's something that sets it apart from every other "PRZYM bop"
currently sitting in my spotify playlists, and it begins at 2:29.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">that thing is A Key Change, a facet of pop music
i've loved ever since i heard <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3giaIzONA" target="_blank">i wanna dance with somebody</a>, </i>but
the one place i never expected to hear it is the middle of a dance track by two
of the world's biggest DJs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">i've been secretly praying that mainstream pop
would one day embrace The Key Change, and now my wishes might finally be coming
true.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">if <i>armin van buuren </i>and <i>alesso </i>can
embrace it, here's hoping other artists and producers will too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier;">9.
nick jonas </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">i know it's only march, but </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiS0LDroi3w" target="_blank">this is heaven</a></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> is already a strong contender for best song of the year, thanks to its
impeccable 80s-inspired sound. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">while it sadly doesn't feature a key change, it has an excellent saxophone solo
to rival <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYYQpTbBSBM" target="_blank">if you're too shy</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzfKn-hlZwo" target="_blank">it's not living</a> </i>by <i>the
1975, </i>a band who have always been open about their love of the 80s.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">
it also contains vocals from a gospel choir, another feature of some of my all
time favourite songs including <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79fzeNUqQbQ" target="_blank">like a prayer</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjhZMH42vzI" target="_blank">if i believe you</a> </i>and
the <i>thirty seconds to mars </i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4Kd3hs5KrU" target="_blank">cover</a> of <i>U2's where the
streets have no name</i>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">i recently made a </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4opvKzjUMkHRgJMYWu5kZP?si=Ct5HddOCRim2ooBYVNxhFA" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">power ballads</span></a></i><span style="font-family: Courier;"> playlist to collate all of
my favourite dramatic 80s songs in one place, and while most of the songs are
specific to that decade, i also added </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">this is heaven </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">to
it. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">much like the key change, i'm praying this song and the recently released </span><i style="font-family: Courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5-C_wwiKkA" target="_blank">supernatural</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">by </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">paloma
faith </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">will kickstart what i'm calling The Michael Bolton
Resurgence. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">as the true king of power ballads, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0frA_0MjW8" target="_blank">how can we be lovers</a> </i>is a
staple of my playlist, featuring a key change and dramatic guitar solo. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">
it's clear that younger artists are now starting to take inspiration from this
once-derided genre, so hopefully there's more to come. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier;">10.
bebe rexha</span></b><span style="font-family: Courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">much like </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">becky hill </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">- who i discussed in <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2020/12/the-winds-of-change-are-comin-over-me.html" target="_blank">this</a> post - </span><i style="font-family: Courier;">bebe
rexha </i><span style="font-family: Courier;">is one of those artists who is everywhere and nowhere at the
same time. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">
despite starting her solo career in 2014 and collaborating with artists such
as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoiEkEuCWog" target="_blank">nicki minaj</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6xvHG8nd5U" target="_blank">lil wayne</a> </i>and more recently <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PznMpRASjAg" target="_blank">doja cat</a>, </i>i struggle to think of any song of hers that i really love, but
that all changed with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTAOh1ARBOI" target="_blank">sacrifice</a>. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Courier;">a marked departure from the RnB and hip-hop
inspired sound she's become known for, this is an absolutely Huge Banger that
will no doubt be played in every single gay club at full volume once venues
reopen, and i'm praying she will continue to embrace this sound on future
releases.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: Courier;">11.
ultra naté/mila jam/angelica ross</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">i discovered this song after my friend suggested
that i listen to <i><a href="https://www.gaydio.co.uk/manchester/" target="_blank">gaydio</a>, </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QGywnCs0gc" target="_blank">fierce</a> </i>was one of the first songs i
heard when i tuned in to the station. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">i've always been aware of it and used to listen to it during my endless days
steaming and organising clothes at a fashion showroom back in 2018, but they've
definitely improved the playlists since then and i'm living for the mix of
"basic" club bangers and songs such as this, which are pretty
specific to the gay community. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">i quickly added it to my spotify but didn't listen again until a few days ago,
and i haven't stopped since. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">much like <i>sacrifice, </i>this song would be right at home in a sweaty
basement club, though i fear it might be too ~niche~ to ever be played in a
mainstream venue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Courier;">the collaboration between <i>ultra naté - </i>best known for her 1997 hit <i>free
- and </i>transgender actresses <i>mila jam </i>and <i>angelica ross </i>is a
clear homage to the ballroom scene of the 1980s/90s and is guaranteed to make
you feel like That Bitch each and every time you press play.</span></p><p></p>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-81964692242520870702021-02-12T15:05:00.002+00:002021-02-12T15:10:05.868+00:00 new (and old) music friday #55: slayyyter, allie x, daya, GRACEY, cascada, rebecca black<p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">as the 34658th week of the UK's national lockdown draws to a close, it's hard to think of anything to be excited about beyond the fact that it now goes dark at 5pm instead of 4 and <i>drag race UK </i>every thursday. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the last few weeks haven't been good for new music either, and i've struggled to find songs that i've wanted to write about, hence why i haven't uploaded anything here since the end of december. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">last month i joined <i><a href="https://vocal.media/" target="_blank">vocal</a> </i>after weeks of being bombarded with <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/vocal_creators/" target="_blank">instagram</a></i> adverts, where creators can earn money for each post they publish, and while i was sent an email about a guy who made <a href="https://vocal.media/resources/how-i-started-averaging-over-2000-a-month-writing-on-vocal" target="_blank">$2000</a> a month from just one article, my total earnings are currently $0.03, which is roughly 22p. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">nevertheless, it gives me an outlet to write more in-depth album reviews, and my first post was dedicated to <i>miley cyrus' </i>long awaited and somewhat lacklustre album <i>plastic hearts, </i>which can be read <i><a href="https://vocal.media/beat/miley-s-search-for-meaning" target="_blank">here</a></i>. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">then just two weeks later, producer <i>SOPHIE</i> died in an accident at her home in <i>athens, </i>and while <a href="https://crackmagazine.net/article/profiles/remembering-sophie/" target="_blank">other</a> <a href="https://www.nme.com/features/sophie-producer-death-tribute-your-music-helped-me-find-sanctuary-2869473" target="_blank">people</a> have written about her impact on pop music far more eloquently than i ever could, it's something i still have to mention as it's the first time i've felt the loss of an artist so intensely since <i>david bowie </i>died in 2016. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">it wasn't just her musical output that will be sorely missed, but the sense of community that she and the other artists from <i>PC music</i> have cultivated over the last few years, giving anyone who felt alone or misunderstood access to a group of likeminded people, and i know i would never have discovered <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/girlsnightoutuk/" target="_blank">girls night out</a> </i>and the friends i have today if it wasn't for them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">luckily her legacy will continue through the genre that is now widely known as <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvx85v/this-is-hyperpop-a-genre-tag-for-genre-less-music" target="_blank">"hyperpop"</a> and artists such as <i>100 gecs, dorian electra </i>and of course <i>charli xcx, </i>whose total sonic overhaul wouldn't have been possible without SOPHIE's input on the <i>vroom vroom </i>EP, which i still believe is her best work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">so apart from playing <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv3yIv9nwf8" target="_blank">immaterial</a> </i>on repeat, these are the other artists that i've been enjoying recently. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>1. </b><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;">slayyyter </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">i usually save my favourite song till last, but i just had to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABhDiXbUaBE" target="_blank">break the rules</a> today and mention </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWv8gt9oBwI" target="_blank">troubled paradise</a> </i>first, as i'm fairly certain this will remain my favourite song of 2021, even though it's only february. </span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">as is often the case with <i>slayyyter, </i>she began teasing the song via <a href="https://twitter.com/slayyyter/status/1351270261295702016" target="_blank">twitter</a> on the 18th january and i instantly knew it would be her best song yet. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">i was slightly disappointed with the singles she'd released before <i>troubled paradise, </i>and feared she was moving away from the pop sound that made me love her early singles such as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBhZpiSIEvc" target="_blank">i'm high</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfvxIHUyWOg" target="_blank">platform shoes</a>, </i>but luckily she has returned to her electro-pop roots and i'm all for it. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">she also <a href="https://twitter.com/slayyyter/status/1352681888553390081" target="_blank">announced</a> her debut album of the same name will be released on june 11th, and i'm praying for more Huge Bops and iconic <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4re72YUPXI&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">music videos</a>. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>2. allie x </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span>another Absolute Banger i've had on repeat is </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm0mj3wqr_8" target="_blank"><i>GLAM!</i></a> by <i>allie x. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">much like <i>slayyyter, </i>i adored her early releases like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlpZCfIM33w" target="_blank">catch</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ugUFWr8jS0" target="_blank">prime</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_xw1JDLN_A" target="_blank">bitch</a> </i>as well as the excellent album <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/52266yLMFfzAry9Xp0r9IK?si=981f12b116804db0" target="_blank">super sunset</a>, </i>all of which featured an 80s-inspired sound. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">but when she released <i>cape god </i>last february, i just couldn't get into the more ~experimental~ sound she'd chosen to explore, lamenting the lack of bops. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">so imagine my joy when she released <i>GLAM! </i>last week, a demo from 2013 that never made it onto her debut album <i>collXtion I. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">as she explained in this <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLAByQEh_lV/" target="_blank">instagram</a> </i>post, she wanted the track to sound like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-WP6POdTgY" target="_blank">heaven is a place on earth</a>, </i>and the 80s sound that made me fall in love with her can be heard all over the track.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>3. daya</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span>i'd never paid much attention to <i>daya </i>until she released <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGu-yDffnQ8" target="_blank">b</a></i></span><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGu-yDffnQ8" target="_blank">ad girl</a>, </i>a mid-tempo synth-driven bop that could only have been written by a <i>scorpio. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">it seems that the bisexual community is finally getting the representation it deserves, first with <i>rina sawayama's </i>excellent single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVTr3GRy5g8" target="_blank">LUCID</a> </i>and now this. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>daya </i><a href="https://www.pride.com/comingout/2018/10/16/daya-just-came-out-bisexual" target="_blank">came out</a> in 2018 and <i>bad girl </i>is an ode to her girlfriend that sees her turning her back on the male gaze, declaring <i>"i already know just what i like"</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">it's a sentiment i really appreciate after years of people - both in and out of the LGBT community - not taking my sexuality seriously and assuming i must be straight because i don't look stereotypically "gay" - whatever <i>that </i>means - and i hope it provides a similar sense of reassurance to other people who have also experienced this. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>4. GRACEY </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">now for something slightly more subdued, something that rarely happens on this blog. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">as a long time lover of Big Pop Songs - the origins of this obsession can probably be traced back to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3giaIzONA" target="_blank">i wanna dance with somebody</a> </i>by <i>whitney houston - </i>i was surprised that i enjoyed <i>GRACEY's EP</i> <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1uVSiPRSZMowsV2ZbbX4NW?si=0HSz5klhSluQ3U1hvUlp2A" target="_blank">the art of closure</a> </i>so much. <b> </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">she first made it big when she appeared on<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKZS894hWuU" target="_blank">don't need love</a> </i>with producer and DJ <i>220 kid</i>; the song charted at number 9 in the UK. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span>this was followed by <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ss3adhx9wQ" target="_blank">alone in my room (gone)</a>, </i>which was one of the songs in the <i>popjustice twenty quid </i>music prize. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span>i'd always enjoyed the track and found myself listening to it more and more after the judging, so when the full EP arrived, i was instantly obsessed with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Db7UW0S9t4" target="_blank">don't</a>, </i>another mid-tempo track about someone who just won't commit, and </span><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4ztqyqKe3Q" target="_blank">99%</a></i>, a far more upbeat song that's one of my favourites from the last year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">hopefully a full length album will follow and her postponed headline tour will finally take place at some point in the future so i can scream along to <i>alone in my room </i>after half a bottle of (overpriced) wine. </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>5. ally brooke </b></span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">the pandemic has resulted in me becoming a Huge Fan of several ~mainstream~ artists i'd previously ignored, and one of them was <i>ally brooke, </i>who rose to fame as part of girl group <i>fifth harmony </i>(i've never been an avid listener of theirs, but i still maintain that <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCJ3rmiZFr8" target="_blank">sledgehammer</a> </i>is one of the best songs of the last decade). </span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">following the group's "indefinite hiatus" in 2018, she released a string of solo singles, the first of which was <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNlHLoiB6GA" target="_blank">low key</a>, </i>an RnB inspired track featuring <i>tyga</i> that i didn't really pay much attention to. </span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">the next few singles were a bit hit and miss, but naturally i found myself drawn to the disco-pop sound of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wPugYWzqOI" target="_blank">no good</a>, </i>as well as her forays into the world of dance such as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbDdgQjiLjI" target="_blank">feeling dynamite</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evuKQ7J2PEQ" target="_blank">all night</a></i><i>. </i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the disco-pop sound can also be found on <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdZtIvLkfJI" target="_blank">what are we waiting for?</a></i> - also with <i>afrojack - </i></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5e3L8GZRkg" target="_blank">dance it off</a>, </i>her latest collaboration with <i>laidback luke, </i>as well as<i> </i>the <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR4VtOZUqVc" target="_blank">dannic</a> </i>remix of said song. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i'm glad to see she's embracing the pop sound that made her so successful rather than distancing herself from it - as so many artists who were part of a girl or boy band often do - and hopefully a bop-filled full length album will follow sometime in the future. </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>6. troye sivan/kacey musgraves/mark ronson </b></span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">when <i>troye sivan </i>released <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCHqIhiFmEY" target="_blank">easy</a>, </i>i felt like it was definitely one of his best songs, and just when i thought it couldn't get any better, he blessed us with a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOurtuEKB5g" target="_blank">new version</a> featuring vocals from country star <i>kacey musgraves </i>and production by <i>mark ronson.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">initially i wasn't sure what to make of it as i've always despised country music and found <i>kacey's </i>texan drawl mildly annoying, but the <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GMjH1nR0ds" target="_blank">new order</a>-</i>inspired production gives the song a bit of a ~kick~ that the original was missing.
</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">as a result, i now find myself favouring the new version and have even made peace with <i>kacey's </i>vocals, as lyrically her verse adds a new level of devastation to the break-up-in-progress song.</span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>7. leann rimes </b></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">recently i've been getting Really Into Remixes, often preferring them to the original version of a track as they can provide more of a dancefloor feel. </span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">nowhere is this more evident than on the<b> </b><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXiR4qOafkY" target="_blank">dave aud<span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;">é</span></a></i> remix of <i>leann rimes'</i> classic track </span></span></span><span style="font-family: courier; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx3s99FNXzI" target="_blank">can't fight the moonlight</a></i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; white-space: pre-wrap;">i vividly remember being obsessed with the original when it was first released in 2000 (!) as part of the <i>coyote ugly </i>soundtrack. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">much like </span></span><i style="font-family: courier; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mGBaXPlri8" target="_blank">all the things she said</a>, </i><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the music video definitely contributed to my bisexuality, as the scantily clad barmaids awakened a feeling in me i couldn't explain as a child. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">nowadays it's a mix of attraction and envy as i would love nothing more than to perform an iconic bar-based dance routine for a crowd of drunken strangers, but while going to Tha Club is still not an option, this club-ready remix of <i>can't fight the moonlight </i>has been making lockdown 1% more bearable. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">it takes the already dramatic power ballad and gives it a disco-inspired twist, and the key change is somehow made even more dramatic, meaning it will be a classic in my Getting Ready To Go Out <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6EyC4a4ZeS1j1L9NHNMrb6?si=ggRq3YEgSvma1f7K9Hidtg" target="_blank">playlist</a> for years to come. </span></span></p><p><b style="font-family: courier;">8. nicole scherzinger </b></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">always on the lookout for what most people would consider "trashy" pop music, i was overjoyed when my friend sent me a spotify link to <i>nicole scherzinger's </i>song </span><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajiXpoYqEw0" target="_blank">killer love</a>, </i>from the album of the same name. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">released in 2011, it's what i call <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4aFMZlFXwVPORAtwz3Use5?si=YC3NIWMWTa-cr732rqKasw" target="_blank">Peak Pop</a> production, featuring plenty of Huge Choruses and the synth-driven sound that made <i>lady gaga </i>such a huge star back in 2008. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">so naturally once i'd played <i>killer love </i>300 times, i listened to the rest of the album, which is definitely a Mixed Bag. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">the first half is absolutely iconic, partly because it contains <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9joqPp3peLg" target="_blank">poison</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4nKOzk8qbw" target="_blank">don't hold your breath</a>, </i>both of which were released as singles and reached the top 10 in the UK charts. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">another highlight is of course <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9CjviJ5jsc" target="_blank">wet</a>, </i>which never fails to make me Lose My Shit every time i hear it, but there were also a few other songs i'm now obsessed with. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">as the name suggests, </span><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erw-Ztt2NRY" target="_blank">club banger nation</a> </i>deserves to be played at full volume<i> </i>to a heaving crowd at 3am, while </span><i style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g2-yARTK2k" target="_blank">say yes</a> </i><span style="font-family: courier;">is another Huge Bop and my personal favourite from the album.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">after </span><i style="font-family: courier;">club banger nation </i><span style="font-family: courier;">however, things veer into Sad Piano Ballad territory, made bearable only by low-key bop </span><i style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVk4vENObiI" target="_blank">heartbeat</a>, </i><span style="font-family: courier;">featuring <i>enrique iglesias</i></span><i style="font-family: courier;">. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">there's also collaborations with both</span><i style="font-family: courier;"> 50 cent and sting, </i><span style="font-family: courier;">neither of which really add anything to the album, but luckily <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7sYiTyBjTY" target="_blank">try with me</a> </i>stops the second half of <i>killer love </i>being a total snooze fest. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">reminiscent of <i>katy perry's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuwfgXD8qV8" target="_blank">part of me</a>, </i>the track starts out slowly with a piano-driven verse before launching into an absolutely Huge Chorus that would make it an excellent karaoke song. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">overall the album serves as a time capsule to the glory days of pop and while i was too ashamed to embrace my love of it at the time, i now play it proudly at full blast, probably to the annoyance of my family.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>9. cascada</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i found myself listening to <i>cascada </i>the other day and while i've <a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2018/07/new-and-old-music-friday-27-folly-rae.html" target="_blank">previously</a> written about them, i uncovered a whole album that i'd never heard of, despite it being released in 2011. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">while most people know the eurodance group for their Massive Hits like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G6QDNC4jPs" target="_blank">everytime we touch</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCzz4_FPbug" target="_blank">miracle</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A68j28KQaik" target="_blank">evacuate the dancefloor</a>, </i>their album <i>original me </i>didn't receive the same critical acclaim. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">marking a departure from their trademark <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurodance" target="_blank">eurodance</a> </i>sound, it was their least commercially successful release as none of the singles received airplay on UK radio and they were dropped from <i>robbins entertainment, </i>their US label. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">this could explain why i wasn't familiar with it, as i only discovered the first track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arf4TNMUyJI" target="_blank">san fransisco</a> </i>in 2018. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">listening to the rest of the album however, i was instantly obsessed with the production, which is reminiscent of <i>heidi montag's </i>impeccable debut <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0MHyAAVcnhmU76kko43Cax?si=gGkD4bpiRsyHH8SwjE__zQ" target="_blank">superficial</a>, </i>another 2010 classic. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">highlights include <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K91gfJhhiAk" target="_blank">sinner on the dancefloor</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD3OC-xmo-4" target="_blank">au revior</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsDWj2NhInc" target="_blank">night nurse</a> </i>and<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsdXPPp8dNk" target="_blank">pyromania</a> - reminiscent of lady gaga's </i>track<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mZb6pvUNmk" target="_blank">the fame</a> - </i>but my favourite has to be <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE2fb8Zaozs" target="_blank">stalker</a></i>, a bop so powerful it literally brought me to tears. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">whether it was a change of musical direction or lack of promotion, it's a crime that this album didn't get the recognition it deserved </span><span style="font-family: courier;">as it showed the group's willingness to experiment with a different sound, perhaps as a result of critics calling their <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1Fb9o5YHukN8tkoagDSnCG?si=vLIMSiNXTiuHC2S1EVZ1ag" target="_blank">debut album</a> "repetitive" and "unoriginal". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">nevertheless, i'll be playing it on repeat and dreaming of the days when we can return to the dancefloor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>10. rebecca black </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">wednesday marked the tenth anniversary of <i>rebecca black's </i>viral hit <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfVsfOSbJY0" target="_blank">friday</a>, </i>which did <i>not </i>go down well with critics and listeners alike, though she didn't let this deter her and has continued releasing music over the years, most recently the excellent <i><a href="big freedia" target="_blank">girlfriend</a></i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i'd completely forgotten about her and the <i>friday </i>debacle until she appeared on <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsjqnYbsDO4" target="_blank">edgelord</a> </i>with <i>dorian electra, </i>and it seems she's found a solid fanbase in the world of hyperpop. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">the joy of this rapidly growing musical movement is its ability to embrace artists who might not be accepted in mainstream circles, and </span><span style="font-family: courier;">so comfortable is </span><i style="font-family: courier;">black </i><span style="font-family: courier;">in this arena that she recruited </span><i style="font-family: courier;">dorian electra,</i><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><i style="font-family: courier;">big freedia</i><span style="font-family: courier;"> and </span><i style="font-family: courier;">3OH!3</i><i style="font-family: courier;"> </i><span style="font-family: courier;">for a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCFOcqsnc9Y" target="_blank">remix</a> of the track. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">the result is a hyperpop classic that will no doubt be passed down through generations, featuring production from none other than <i>dylan brady. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">while the original lyrics were heavily criticised, in a post-ironic world where anything goes - so much so that <i>black </i>released <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/7F4szzhfJYIfK8fdKSJj9C?si=48544475af564284" target="_blank">saturday</a> - </i>a "sequel" to her first single - in 2013 - the song has reaffirmed its status as something of a cult classic and will no doubt introduce <i>black </i>to a whole new fan base that were too young to experience the hysteria of <i>friday </i>the first time around. </span></p>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-65541565540988126692020-12-31T19:05:00.006+00:002020-12-31T19:06:16.198+00:00the winds of change are comin' over me: on being present, pursuing a passion and making peace with yourself <p><span style="font-family: courier;"><em style="border: 0px; color: #262626; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“in every work of art something appears that does not previously exist, and so, by default, you work from what you know to what you don’t know" - </em><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">ann hamilton (<a href="https://sites.evergreen.edu/making2015/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2014/12/Hamilton-Making-Not-Knowing.pdf" target="_blank">m</a></span><span style="color: #262626;"><a href="https://sites.evergreen.edu/making2015/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2014/12/Hamilton-Making-Not-Knowing.pdf" target="_blank">aking not knowing</a>) </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span face="ff-tisa-web-pro, serif, Georgia" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I9uietTqkU" target="_blank">pale waves</a> </i>once sang, <i>i don't wanna be alone on new year's eve, </i>and this sentiment has never been more apt. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">this will be the first time i've spent new year's eve at home since 2016, when both a temp job in retail and the fact that all my uni friends had gone home for <i>christmas</i> prevented me from going out and celebrating.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">i spent the night completely alone, which isn't something i'd recommend, but sadly this year that was the reality for many people who were unable to go home for christmas due to the coronavirus pandemic. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">i've always been An Introvert</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">™</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">, so part of me was relieved to skip what has historically been a stressful and somewhat cursed event, with drunken arguments and losing my most valuable possessions in a park (?) just some of the wonderful things that have happened to me on new year's eve. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">of course this year is different; no longer trapped in my draughty university house with its erratic central heating system and housemates i had nothing in common with, i would love nothing more than to be stressing about my outfit and haphazardly applying fake tan in preparation for The Big Night. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span face="ff-tisa-web-pro, serif, Georgia" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">but covid put a stop to all that, as 90% of the UK is now in the newly created <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55489932" target="_blank">"tier 4"</a>, the conditions of which are essentially the same as the initial Full Lockdown we experienced back in march, with the "stay at home" order rearing its ugly (but necessary) head once again. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span face="ff-tisa-web-pro, serif, Georgia" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">it's true that you only really appreciate something once it's gone, and despite previously approaching NYE celebrations with some hesitation, i would gladly take my chances and fully embrace the celebration this year. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">i've come to realise that new year's eve is <i>supposed </i>to be terrible, as we strain under the weight of not only the excess calories consumed over the festive season, but all the resolutions we make knowing full well they won't last beyond january 2nd. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">much like the muffin tops that hang over our new year's outfits, so too does the pressure to have The Best Night Ever as a precursor to The Best Year Ever, in which we will finally start running/stop smoking/drinking/having any kind of fun and Get Our Shit Together. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">while i'm all for self improvement, this amount of pressure only leads to spilled drinks and ridiculously expensive ubers home, not to mention the hangover from hell the next day. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">but of course, now all that has been stripped away and i'll be forced to stay indoors, i take some comfort in this <i><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/31/defence-new-years-eve-unfairly-maligned-nye" target="_blank">guardian</a> </i>article by <i>james greig</i> in support of <i>new year's eve </i>celebrations. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">as the cost of Going Out has risen over the last few years, part of me can understand why people would be reluctant to spend the night at a bar that charges £20 entry, but as <i>greig </i>says, <i>"i <span style="color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">have been locked in a one-man culture war against homebodies, irrationally furious that someone, somewhere, might be enjoying having more time to spend curled up under the duvet with a peppermint tea and a page-turner, or whatever it is that </span>introverts like to do<span style="color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">."</span></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: courier;">you may notice that this contradicts what i previously said about being An Introvert, but Going Out is perhaps the one time where i can shed my nervous exterior (largely thanks to copious amounts of alcohol) and fully Be Myself, so i too have become irritated by this ever-growing swathe of people for whom Staying In is an innate part of their personality, and who seem to look down on people who, god forbid, actually like to leave the house. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;"><span style="color: #121212;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">but for those of us who don't co-exist in perfect harmony with whoever we live with, <i>greig </i>rightfully describes NYE as <i>"</i></span></span><span style="color: #121212;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><i>a pressure release after the tensions of a domestic christmas, a way of reasserting adulthood after the infantilization of spending time with your family and slipping into historic roles"</i>, especially as many people who once lived alone and enjoyed their independence have now been forced to move back home full time. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #121212; font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">of course, not going out for one more night after months of lockdown and national restrictions probably won't make a huge difference to our already frayed mental states, but i can't help feel slightly sad that i won't get to put some glitter on my face and make questionable decisions in a nightclub. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">so what to do with all our free time? that article led me to another piece by <i><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/30/this-year-work-burnout-misery" target="_blank">elle hunt</a>, </i>who like many people this year, realised that she was suffering from work-related <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/annehelenpetersen/millennials-burnout-generation-debt-work" target="_blank">burnout</a> and wanted to make a change. i had a similar moment of realisation in <i><a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2020/07/the-future-can-be-rearranged-music.html" target="_blank">july</a>, </i>as it ocurred to me that my ambitions to move to london and become a magazine editor by age 25 were not only a) wildly unrealistic, but b) a cover for various Mental Health issues i'd been experiencing before and during my time at uni. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">while my struggle to find a Full Time Job doing something i don't hate is something i've been experiencing for the last three (!) years, many people who previously had a 9-5 job now find themselves in a position not too dissimilar to my own, trying desperately to fill the seemingly endless hours of Free Time that lie ahead. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">in a culture that equates self-worth with productivity and glamourizes working 50+ hours a week, it's no surprise that so many of us are now realising that this way of living is no longer sustainable, nor good for our mental well-being. it might be a cliché, but once i realised that i'm not defined by what i do for work and i should prioritise other areas of my life, i began to feel better. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">one of those things was to surround myself with people i could fully Be Myself around, and of course once i'd found them, my entire social life was put on hold at the start of the year, then resumed briefly during the ill-advised "eat out to help out" scheme of this past summer, and is now firmly back on hold with the return of the "stay at home" order. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">at first it was incredibly frustrating, but around the beginning of november, right after my scaled back birthday celebrations, i began to realise that all this free time wasn't a problem to be solved, but something to be enjoyed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">after years of ignoring the advice of various counsellors and therapists to try Being Present, it was only during the last few weeks in which all outdoor activities were prohibited, that i started to follow the advice of roman philosopher <i>seneca </i>and "hold every hour in your grasp". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">another detour here: i became aware of <i><a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2019/04/17/seneca-letter-1-time/" target="_blank">seneca</a> </i>and his book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Letters-Stoic-Epistulae-Lucilium-Classics/dp/0140442103" target="_blank">letters from a stoic</a> </i>after reading this article about <i><a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2020/08/13/zadie-smith-intimations-something-to-do/" target="_blank">zadie smith</a>.</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">her latest book <i>intonations</i> is a collection of essays which she began writing at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and finished soon after the murder of <i>george floyd</i>.<span face="ff-tisa-web-pro, serif, Georgia" style="color: #262626;"> </span></span></p><p><span face="ff-tisa-web-pro, serif, Georgia" style="color: #262626; font-family: courier;">this article includes several quotes from one essay called <i>something to do, </i>which mirrors my own experiences of trying to see free time as a gift and a privilege rather than something that must be constantly filled with meaningless tasks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span face="ff-tisa-web-pro, serif, Georgia" style="color: #262626;">in the absence of these tasks, one of which being the <i>banana bread </i>craze that swept across the world mid-pandemic, she writes that <i>"l</i></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><i>ove is not something to do, but something to be experienced, and something to go through — that must be why it frightens so many of us and why we so often approach it indirectly".</i></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: courier;">at a time where human connection has become more important than ever, it's a sentiment that resonates deeply with me, and an idea i hope to hang onto when life eventually returns to "normal" and our lives are once again filled with work and social engagements. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">she also appears to come to terms with her fear of the unknown (something i've always struggled with) when she says, <i>"i</i></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><i>’m not the only person on this earth who has no idea what life is for, nor what is to be done with all this time aside from filling it."</i></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: courier;">it was once believed that only ~creative~ people like artists and writers had the time to contemplate such intense ideas, but more and more people who would have previously been "too busy" for that kind of thinking are now pondering this question, and working out how to fill their time without the constraints of work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">going back to <i>seneca's </i>idea of holding every hour in my grasp, i've been trying to focus on things from one hour to the next, rather than worrying about what will happen in the next few days/weeks/months. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">even something as simple as going for a walk felt like a task i had to complete in a hurry until the other day, when the snow and ice that appeared overnight meant i had no choice but to walk at a slower pace to avoid slipping and/or falling over. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">at first it was slightly annoying, but once i realised i didn't have anything i needed to rush home for, i was able to actually focus on and, dare i say, enjoy my surroundings. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">to quote <i>seneca </i>once again, </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><i>"nothing is ours, except time"</i> and i'm now much more at ease with this idea, finding enjoyment in simple things like reading a book and of course, listening to music. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white;">after coming across this <a href="https://theface.com/audio/matty-healy-stevie-nicks-podcast-intervew-the-1975-fleetwood-mac" target="_blank">interview</a> of <i>stevie nicks </i>by <i>matt healy, </i>i found myself listening to <i>buckingham nicks, </i>the 1973 album created by a pre-<i>fleetwood mac stevie </i>and <i>lindsay buckingham. </i>for reasons i'll never understand, the album wasn't a commercial success and the duo were dropped from their label due to "poor sales". as a result, it was never given an official release - though the odd copy can be found on amazon - and was never added to streaming platforms. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">luckily a full version can be found on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1kHeix-55c" target="_blank">youtube</a>, and while every track is excellent - especially lindsay's solos <i>without a leg to stand on, don't let me down again </i>and <i>lola (my love), </i>all of which reminded me why i made a disastrous attempt to learn the guitar between the ages of 14-17 - my favourite has to be <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m94Xpx91w2E" target="_blank">frozen love</a>.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">a glorious seven minute long track, the real magic begins at precisely 3:45, when the guitar-based melody gives way to a glorious orchestral backing track that flows seamlessly into <i>buckingham's </i>picking technique.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">special mention must also be given to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPgTKYZVyjM" target="_blank">that's alright</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLr74U0xNiU" target="_blank">without you</a>, </i>two demos from <i>the coffee plant sessions </i>which showcase <i>nick's </i>incredible vocals long before <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM7-PYtXtJM" target="_blank">landslide</a></i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i've long been fascinated by the idea of Real Music and what makes a song or album have that "timeless" quality so revered by critics, most of which are balding, middle-class white men. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i'm not denying the existence of such things; as soon as i heard the <i>buckingham nicks </i>album, my mind instantly categorised it as a Forever Album, i.e. something i'll listen to in 5 years that will still make me Feel Things. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">while there's the classics like <i>goodbye yellow brick road, avalon and ziggy stardust and the spiders from mars, </i>some more recent albums such as <i>lorde's </i>magnum opus <i>melodrama </i>and <i>the 1975's </i>sophomore release <i>i like it when you sleep... </i>can also be considered Forever Albums, and the newest addition to this exclusive club is <i>imploding the mirage </i>by <i>the killers. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">while i've always considered myself a fan of the band since their <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIZdjT1472Y" target="_blank">human</a> </i>era, i had no idea they'd released this album until months later when one of my ~internet friends~ tweeted me about it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">naturally i listened straight away and wasn't disappointed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">since their debut album <i>hot fuss </i>was released to critical acclaim in<i> </i>2004<i>, </i>the band have created what can now be described as their Signature Sound, which encompasses inspirations such as <i>the smiths, new order </i>and <i>depeche mode</i> as well as a classic rock and roll sound, and nowhere is this more apparent than on <i>imploding the mirage. </i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">after watching an episode of </span><i style="color: #1a1a1a;"><a href="https://songexploder.net/" target="_blank">song exploder</a> </i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">that sees the killers discussing how their 2006 single </span><i style="color: #1a1a1a;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff0oWESdmH0" target="_blank">when you were young</a> </i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">was created, i re-listened to the new album and realised that their "stadium ambition" - to create a big sound regardless of the the setting - has never left them. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: courier;">it's a shame they won't be headlining <i>reading and leeds </i>next year as the first track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE7jCzWwbxw" target="_blank">my own soul's warning</a> </i>would make an excellent set opener. i also appreciate the lyrics, which remind me of all the times where i went against my ~intuition~ despite knowing something was wrong. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOeV-efObZY" target="_blank">dying breed</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU6PLP0PX2g" target="_blank">caution</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdoopHVTdUA" target="_blank">running towards a place</a> </i>wouldn't look <i>out </i>of place next to classics like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc8hbSM1zVo" target="_blank">read my mind</a> </i>(probably my favourite <i>killers </i>song)<i>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5fBdpreJiU" target="_blank">somebody told me</a> </i>and of course <i><a href="mr brightside" target="_blank">mr. brightside</a>.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="background-color: white;">much like their early work, <i>imploding the mirage </i>also </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">draws from the band's personal experiences of living in </span><i style="color: #1a1a1a;">las vegas, </i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">far away from the bright lights of </span><i style="color: #1a1a1a;">sin city. </i><i style="color: #1a1a1a;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vftnkHjTxs4" target="_blank">blowback</a> </i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">is a perfect example of this. veering in a slightly country direction, the track tells the story of a small town "white trash" girl longing for more. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="background-color: white;">the title track is reminiscent of lead singer <i>brandon flowers' </i>solo releases, particularly <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUBOadQZYR4" target="_blank">diggin' up the heart</a> </i>from <i>2015's the desired effect, </i>while </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fCzAzNq0e8" target="_blank">when the dreams run dry</a> </i>pays homage to their love of 80s synth-pop acts like <i>depeche mode.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white;">but my favourite song, and the one which best evokes that feeling of a Forever Song is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nx24VAjK6Q" target="_blank">fire in bone</a>. </i>a dead ringer for <i>talking heads </i>with a hint of <i>U2, </i>there's just <i>something </i>about this song that i love but can't fully put into words. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><a href="https://genius.com/The-killers-fire-in-bone-lyrics" target="_blank">genius</a> </i>describes the song as <i>"l</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><i>argely a retelling of the story of the prodigal son from luke 15:11-32 in the christian bible"</i>, and its themes of guilt, shame and redemption are probably why the song stirs something inside me that i've long tried to keep hidden. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">overall it's one of their best albums to date, and i know i'll still be having these same feelings when i press play on it in years to come. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">but what about those songs that don't have a sense of Forever about them? my teenage self would have dismissed them as disposable, throwaway pop songs, but now i realise that not every piece of music needs to be deep and profound to be enjoyed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i'm referring to artists such as <i>becky hill, </i>who i now have a newfound appreciation for thanks to one of my friends sending me several of her songs recently. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>hill </i>is an artist that is everywhere and nowhere at the same time; her songs have soundtracked the Big Nights Out of anyone who non-ironically attended a <i>slug and lettuce </i>or <i>revolution </i>in the last six years (speaking of which, <i>please </i>read <i><a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3g3vv/the-top-50-greatest-high-street-club-bangers-of-all-time" target="_blank">this</a></i> impeccable piece of journalism from <i>vice</i>), and yet i couldn't name a single song until recently. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">it's a strange feeling, to be so familiar with a song (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcZMCMI24gs" target="_blank"><i>gecko</i> (</a><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcZMCMI24gs" target="_blank">overdrive)</a> </i>in particular gives me war flashbacks to every club i attended between 2014-2016) and yet keep discovering new things about it with each listen. i now find myself unashamedly enjoying bops such as <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHHGdz_okBs" target="_blank">space</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaGFLOA_9jk" target="_blank">heaven on my mind</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OK1OqA-En4" target="_blank">wish you well</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfSU-w0uX2s" target="_blank">better off without you</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3P2USPFDcE" target="_blank">lose control</a></i>. i'd also recommend watching her </span><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvBhgaWHCsw" target="_blank"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">radio 1 dance </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">weekend</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> mashup</span></a> </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">if you're missing The Club as much as i am. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the final artist i've been enjoying without a trace of irony is <i>RAYE. </i>much like <i>becky hill, </i>she was someone i'd always been aware of but never really listened to beyond <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqEIiwnJXUI" target="_blank">dreamer</a>, </i>her iconic collaboration with <i>charli xcx </i>and <i>starrah. </i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">then her song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-R6vC5bxCA" target="_blank">please don't touch</a> </i>was one of the contenders for <i>popjustice's <a href="https://www.popjustice.com/twentyquidmusicprize/" target="_blank">twenty quid music prize</a> </i>this year, and while it didn't win, i found myself listening to the low-key bop on repeat, along with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sskdh-ZBm5U" target="_blank">love me again</a>, </i>another track that's far more subdued than my usual tastes.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">luckily she upped the energy levels with the release of her EP <i>euphoric sad songs </i>in november this year. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">it contained the aforementioned singles as well as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6soSrZBI78c" target="_blank">secrets</a>, </i>her collaboration with <i>regard </i>that is a Mild Banger/excellent Walking Song.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzxEIgLlrlI" target="_blank">natalie don't</a> </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oygENMJ-vlo" target="_blank">love of your life</a> </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">both feature the disco-inspired sound that made </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">kylie minogue's disco</i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">dua lipa's future nostalgia </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">two of the year's finest albums, while <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCuRPo8mh70" target="_blank">regardless</a> </i>brings a club-ready feel to the proceedings and feels like a distant cousin of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_66jPJVS4JE" target="_blank">waiting for tonight</a> </i>by <i>jennifer lopez. </i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and yet my most-played track is </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnosYLW9vhY" target="_blank">walk on by</a></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, which sits somewhere between ballad and disco bop, never fully committing to either sound. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">however there's no confusion about the direction of her latest offering, as this month she blessed us with a <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1HUdjbxBHCTYwqxNGlcdYp?si=gvCPvCQlQEaVOJKkRPJzvw" target="_blank">"dance edition"</a> of the EP, featuring remixes by <i>joel corry, punctual </i>and <i>MOTi. </i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">i'd also highly recommend her <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5OaY05jlgA" target="_blank">radio 1 dance weekend mashup</a> </i></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">which features an exquisite reworking of </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXRgxWU97BA" target="_blank">by your side</a>, </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">a collaboration with </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">jonas blue </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">released in 2016</span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">sonically, <i>RAYE and becky hill </i>couldn't be further away from the "classic" sound of <i>buckingham nicks </i>and <i>the killers, </i>but my enjoyment of all these artists is what unites them, regardless (SORRY) of whether they could be categorised as Forever Songs or not. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">i've always hated Music Snobs (having been one myself), and this exploration of "real music" is something i cannot <i>wait </i>to explore further when i start my masters in <i><a href="https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/courses/list/10158/musm-music-musicology/#course-profile" target="_blank">musicology</a> </i>at the <i><a href="https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/history-heritage/history/" target="_blank">university of manchester</a> (!) </i>next september. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">told you i always save the best till last.</span></p>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-81824175930831138282020-11-27T14:45:00.004+00:002021-03-11T15:36:37.954+00:00new (and old) music friday #54: tom aspaul, MARINA, pale waves, betta lemme, kylie minogue <span style="font-family: courier;">since my last post, not much has changed, as the minute england's month-long lockdown ended, most of the country - including <i>manchester </i>- has been put straight back into <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/54250626" target="_blank">tier 3</a>, meaning we still can't meet people indoors and pubs and restaurants must remain closed. </span><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">while my mental health is generally Not Great, for some reason i found it even more difficult to deal with the effects of the lockdown over the last two weeks.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">maybe it's because the days are getting increasingly shorter and the sun now sets at 4pm; i had no idea that the lack of sunlight could have such a big impact on how i feel. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">the only other significant thing was that i turned 25 (!) on halloween, and celebrated my birthday with just one (1) close friend in an outdoor space with only a bluetooth speaker and several bottles of wine, but weirdly it ended up being The Best birthday i've ever had, despite the fact we couldn't go to Tha Club. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i'll spare you the clich<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">é</span>d bullshit about how it's the people you surround yourself with that makes Life Events like birthdays more enjoyable, but it's one thing i've realised as a result of this incredibly stressful year, and something i hope to hold onto once we're all <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55096434" target="_blank">vaccicnated</a> and can return to a vague sense of normality. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">that's enough of the Fake Deep stuff for now though - below are the artists and albums that have been keeping me (slightly) sane during this <a href="https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/402/192/398.jpg" target="_blank">trying time</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;">1. tom aspaul</b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">i first became aware of <i>tom aspaul </i>when he released the excellent single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qga4ElzqEU" target="_blank">back 2 earth</a> </i>in 2019, and he recently followed it up with his debut album, <i>black country disco</i>. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the theme of ~home~ is one i've explored at length since this blog began 5 (!) years ago and it was screaming about the music that most reminded me of <i>manchester </i>that led me to where i am now, so when i heard that his album was an ode to his hometown of b<i>irmingham, </i>i was instantly intrigued before i'd even heard a single song. </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">by combining the disco sound that has slowly been creeping back into the pop landscape with lyrics exploring the end of a relationship, difficulties in his music career and returning to b<i>irmingham </i>after living in <i>london </i>for several years, <i>aspaul </i>has created a collection of impeccably catchy tracks that i can't get enough of. </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">highlights include <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPjDLyteTSk" target="_blank">tender</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeHRKA2e_mw" target="_blank">traces</a>, </i>title track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31Tx83QhtgM" target="_blank">black country disco</a> </i>and my personal favourite <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sQGDrOSKUw" target="_blank">W.M.</a>, </i>which makes birmingham sound like a neon-drenched paradise, something i never though any artist could achieve. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2. astrid s </b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the norwegian singer released her long-awaited debut album <i>leave it beautiful </i>last month, and though it's a lot more ~muted~ than i was hoping for, the <i>tove lo</i>-esque tracks still have that satisfying synth-driven sound i love, even if the choruses are slightly less dramatic than i would have liked. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">title track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otvVdzNjEvg" target="_blank">leave it beautiful</a> </i>is an ode to possibly the most amicable break-up ever, as she pledges to end things on a positive note with her ex, while quite literally singing the praises of a new love on <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG_swL6UVFs" target="_blank">can't forget</a>.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">there's also<i> </i>some Self Reflection, which can often seem trite, but astrid avoids this by sprinkling in some of her personal experiences on <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWN9dtyd4GY" target="_blank">good choices</a> </i>- who hasn't stayed out late when they know they're <i>up at eight</i> the next day? </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">with the exclusion of singles <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dSDy4Oe80E" target="_blank">dance dance dance</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asCR6W_vBSA" target="_blank">marilyn monroe</a>, </i>my favourite track has to be <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e54idYzcQJw" target="_blank">hits different</a>, </i>an ode to ~self love~ that makes an excellent Walking Song, whether you're newly single or not. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">sadly i didn't get to hear any of these songs live as her UK tour - scheduled to start this month - was postponed due to COVID, but hopefully next year i'll be able to yell along to the words at full volume like nothing ever happened. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;">3. kylie minogue</b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">as i said before, disco has well and truly made a return to the world of pop, and naturally <i>kylie minogue's </i>15th (!) studio album is the best of a good bunch. </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">after the disappointment of her cliché country album <i>golden </i>in 2018, i was nervous that her first new music in two years would be disappointing, and while her first few singles didn't thrill me, the rest of <i>DISCO </i>definitely exceeded my expectations.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">a filler-free album is hard to find, but of course kylie delivered on this front, and while i naturally favour certain songs over others, there's not a Bad Song in sight (or sound). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">speaking of favourites, my number one track is the <i>daft punk</i>-inspired <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9uWRz1-eAk" target="_blank">dance floor darling</a>, </i>which deserves a <i>grammy </i>purely for the middle part which speeds up slightly like that bit in <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbpnAGajyMc" target="_blank">come on eileen</a> </i>before erupting into a final Dramatic Chorus, and i'm <i>dreaming </i>of the day when i can finally hear it, five drinks deep and covered in a light sheen of sweat, on an actual dance floor. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">coming in as a close second is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwYPqbTrcPs" target="_blank">real groove</a>, </i>an impeccable track that sees kylie green-eyed with jealousy over her ex's new lover; resentment never sounded so sweet. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">it wouldn't be a disco album without at least one reference to ABBA, and this comes in the form of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8NGewrMAY4" target="_blank">last chance</a>, </i>with a chorus that borrows heavily from the <i>aha! </i>refrain that makes the chorus of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za05HBtGsgU" target="_blank">voulez-vous</a> </i>so joyous. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">giving <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfAqtFuGjWM" target="_blank">vroom vroom</a> </i>a run for its money, <i>kylie </i>implores listeners to <i>jump in my ride </i>at the start of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtyCDOmgCic" target="_blank">fine wine</a>, </i>a divine <i>CHIC-esque </i>track, and there's more of the same sound on <i>spotlight,</i> <i>hey lonely </i>and <i>supernova</i><i>. </i></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i adore the drama of <i>where does the DJ go? </i>which sees kylie trying to <i>chance another dance before morning</i>. if anyone knows the feeling of not wanting the party to end, it has to be me; i've been known to stay in Tha Club alone long after my friends have called it a night, and this song would be a superb soundtrack to my solo discos. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i also discovered a new appreciation of those aforementioned singles after watching her live-streamed concert, <i>infinite disco, </i>which can only be described as a religious experience. while <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNz1dE6BIIc" target="_blank">i love it</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzZn31gd_Jc" target="_blank">magic</a> </i>still aren't my favourite tracks from <i>DISCO, </i>i can imagine them going down an absolute treat when she can perform in front of a packed-out arena once again. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;">4. fraxoim/gupi </b></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">from classic pop to <i><a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvx85v/this-is-hyperpop-a-genre-tag-for-genre-less-music" target="_blank">hyperpop's</a> </i>most weird and wonderful, i've been obsessed with <i>fraxiom's </i>blend of synth-pop and mid-2000s pop punk, and would even go as far as to say that <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khmjbZtMrJQ" target="_blank">thos moser</a> </i>is the best representation of what "pop" music can - and should - sound like in 2020.</span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">they've been releasing music at an alarmingly fast pace and while i was still processing this song, i discovered the <i>feeling cool and normal </i>EP.</span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">naturally my favourite is </span><i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HldiPxY7YxA" target="_blank">fly with ü</a>, </span></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">which samples the Absolute Banger </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w15oWDh02K4" target="_blank">l'amour toujours</a>, </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">but i also love how </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lnatOLh6x0" target="_blank">this guitar</a> </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">interpolates lyrics from </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">ed sheeran's </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">song </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-EO5I60KA" target="_blank">thinking out loud</a> </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and making them bearable, while </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUs9O4W6d18" target="_blank">cishets (i don't want it at all)</a> </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">deserves a mention for the title alone.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">hailing from boston, </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">fraxiom </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">is also one half of the duo </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">food house </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">along with </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">gupi </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(who produced </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">slayyyer's </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">most recent single, the chaotic NSFW banger </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA58CwFWY2E" target="_blank">throatzillaaa</a>). </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">their debut album arrived at the end of october and while it probably won't make (m)any end of year lists, it's definitely one of my favourite releases this year. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">choosing a favourite track is near impossible as they're all so good, pulling from more contemporary artists such as SOPHIE and <i>100 gecs </i>along with the iconic sound of scene artists like <i>metro station and cash cash. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LluBWyXztvQ" target="_blank">ride</a> </i>appears to be a fan favourite, and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-7qbdxIPWc" target="_blank">8 now</a> </i>is a lyrical highlight, urging listeners to <i>"get your ass off twitter cause it gives you fucking mental illness"</i>. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">also worthy of a mention is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsT7C4paVb4" target="_blank">clown nose</a>, </i>which sees them put their own spin on <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVhJ_A8XUgc" target="_blank">circus</a> </i>by <i>britney spears, </i>along with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_AKHYkatlI" target="_blank">51129</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAhq05W7Gzc" target="_blank">one you know</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sy0C55ryXc" target="_blank">mos thoser</a>, </i>a reworked version of my beloved <i>thos moser. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">5. 3OH!3/100 gecs </span></span></b></div><div><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">when i first heard about this collaboration, i was sure it had to be a joke, so imagine my joy when it turned out to be real. </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">i must admit that i found <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMi4dpXbqak" target="_blank">lonely machines</a> </i>slightly underwhelming; given the combined power that <i>3OH!3 </i>and <i>100 gecs </i>could possess, there was something a little subdued about the track.</span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">hopefully this won't be the last time they collaborate, as i'm praying for a banger on par with 3OH!3's biggest hits <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdB3Oyd5HtU" target="_blank">don't trust me</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvf--10EYXw" target="_blank">starstrukk</a>. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">after waiting over a decade to see 3OH!3 in january this year, it became one of many gigs to be rescheduled for 2021, and i'm manifesting <i>100 gecs </i>being announced as the support act when they finally travel across the pond. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">6. paloma faith </span></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">this is one artist i never expected to be writing about, as i've always found <i>paloma faith's </i>voice somewhat grating, and she doesn't even have the bops to back it up. </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">however, i stumbled across <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5-C_wwiKkA" target="_blank">supernatural</a></i></span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">from her latest album </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">infinite things, </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and was blown away by this </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0frA_0MjW8" target="_blank">michael bolton</a>-</i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">esque <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4opvKzjUMkHRgJMYWu5kZP?si=SNjoch4hQTOUrN6XbjEEog" target="_blank">power ballad</a> with one of the most dramatic choruses of any song released this year (or maybe ever). </span></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">sadly it seemed to be a one off, as the rest of the album veered into her usual Sad Piano Ballad territory - with the exception of Mild Bops <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYla6pBtT14" target="_blank">monster</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UchMfQeYR-M" target="_blank">living with a stranger</a> -</i> but i'll be yelling along to this impeccable track until further notice. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">7. MARINA </span><br /><br />i have a somewhat tumultuous relationship with <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2017/09/aint-no-time-for-regret-learning-to.html" target="_blank">MARINA's</a></i> music; once upon a time i was a Huge Fan, but everything post-<i>FROOT</i> failed to thrill me, and the less said about <i>love + fear</i> the better. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">so when she announced her new single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obxFWNeGDOg" target="_blank">man's world</a>, </i>it prompted an in-depth speculation between one of my friends and i, as we feared it would be another disappointment. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">luckily the track retained the electro-pop sound that defined <i>FROOT</i>, with similarly ~political~ lyrics that reference the <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hassanal_Bolkiah" target="_blank">sultan of brunei</a> </i>of all things. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">only marina could get away with such a specific reference and make it work in the context of a pop song, and it's this talent that makes her such a strong songwriter. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">she also made the decision to produce the song herself, working with just one producer, <i>jennifer decilveo, </i>best known for her work with <i>anne-marie and NCT 127. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">if this largely piano-driven track is anything to go by, it looks like marina's upcoming fifth album will have a similar sound to FROOT, and my dreams of another <i>radioactive </i>level banger probably won't come true any time soon. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">while <i>man's world </i>definitely isn't my favourite track she's ever released, her lyrical talent is compelling enough to keep me interested, and hopefully there'll be some slightly more upbeat songs on her eagerly anticipated album. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">8. pale waves</span></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">another band who made a musical comeback recently is <i>manchester </i>four-piece <i>pale waves, </i>who i've been a massive fan of ever since their first single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfPZ6hukcw8" target="_blank">there's a honey</a>. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">their work with <i>the 1975's matty healy </i>and <i>george daniel </i>helped build their fanbase and debut album <i>my mind makes noises</i> had their signature 80s-inspired synths all over it. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">however this probably won't be the case for their upcoming album <i>who am i? </i>which has a release date of february 12th 2021. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">new single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6mIMJuKQ6c" target="_blank">change</a> </i>certainly marks a turning point in their sound, and lead singer <i>heather baron-gracie </i>has cited <i>avril lavigne </i>as a huge influence for both the single and the accompanying album.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">as someone who grew up screaming along to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NPBIwQyPWE" target="_blank">complicated</a> </i>and trying my best to hit the high notes of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGR65RWwzg8" target="_blank">i'm with you</a>, </i>i'm not mad about this sonic shift, but will definitely miss the synth-pop sound that made their first album one of my most played in 2018. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">this <a href="https://www.nme.com/big-reads/pale-waves-cover-interview-2020-change-who-am-i-2821221" target="_blank"><i>NME</i></a> interview provides some context for their decision to move away from the sound of their debut album, and it's hard not to be sympathetic towards the band and everything they've been through personally and professionally. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">with heather now taking sole responsibility for the song-writing on <i>who am i? </i>and drummer <i>ciara doran </i>in charge of production, it must have been quite an adjustment, but already there's a new found sense of confidence that radiates from <i>change, </i>and i can't wait to see what comes next. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">9. betta lemme</span></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">my most played song this week has to be <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk1utjwKi_0" target="_blank">mommy</a> </i>by <i>better lemme. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">i found it through my <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZEVXcJHsz857RCmn?si=uTy9RHCpTieHuYhh4mAulw" target="_blank">discover weekly</a> </i>playlist which is essentially spotify putting together a selection of songs it thinks you'll like, and so far they've been pretty spot on. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">i first became aware of <i>better lemme </i>through <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/leland/" target="_blank">leland</a>, </i>a long-time collaborator of <i>troye sivan </i>who co-wrote her 2019 single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZDLXlOrXzs" target="_blank">play</a>, </i>which has a Big Eurovision Energy. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">this has been replaced with something slightly more ~edgy~ as <i>mommy </i>was produced by <i>PC music's danny harle, </i>hence why it's such a Huge Banger</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">here's hoping this won't be a one-off collaboration, as i can't get enough of this club-ready bop, even if i can only dance to it in my room right now.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">10. rina sawayama </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">as usual i saved the best till last, and <a href="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/31/6b/4d/316b4d84db88723951553533ac88a4cb.jpg" target="_blank">i am once again</a> extolling the virtues of <i>rina sawayama. </i></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i first became acquainted with her music <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2020/08/new-and-old-music-friday-51-allie-x.html" target="_blank">earlier this year</a> and while i still wouldn't consider myself a Big Fan, i'm obsessed with her new single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3kSOYzWpf4" target="_blank">lucid</a>, </i>which has sent Gay Twitter into meltdown thanks to the club-ready production, though i do think it sounds eerily similar to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyP_JyP1QJg" target="_blank">now that i found you</a> </i>by <i>carly rae jepsen, </i>another absolute banger.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i also appreciate the use of the same-sex pronouns throughout - still very much a rarity in pop music and beyond - and her <a href="https://twitter.com/AppleMusic/status/1331706810198335492" target="_blank">description</a> of the song,<span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;"> which she says is about <i>"living a different life through dreaming, whether it's to be with the dream girl or to be the dream girl"</i>. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">she also <a href="https://twitter.com/rinasawayama/status/1331655556726202368" target="_blank">tweeted</a> that the song is "maybe" about masturbating, but as far as i'm concerned, it's the Bisexual Bop we've been missing since halsey dropped <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3hjpNuvapQ" target="_blank">strangers</a> </i>with <i>fifth harmony's lauren jauregui </i>back in 2017 (!). </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>lucid</i> is the first song to be released from the <a href="https://twitter.com/rinasawayama/status/1331675360048582656" target="_blank">deluxe</a> edition of her album <i>XS</i>, which also includes two new bonus tracks and a cover of <i>love it if we made it </i>by <i>the 1975 </i>(!).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">the album will be released on december 4th, and i'm praying these new tracks could be enough to turn me into a full-fledged rina stan, but only time will tell if she delivers more bops. </span></div></div>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-25308324304050487082020-10-16T15:14:00.002+01:002020-10-16T15:16:50.346+01:00 new (and old) music friday #53: ava max, gregory dillon, dagny, mel c <div><span style="font-family: courier;">another week, same global pandemic, this time with the added confusion of england's new <a href="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/0E1C/production/_114921630_covid_tier_alert_system_england_v6_640_4x-nc.png" target="_blank">3 tier</a> system. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">currently <i><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54568657" target="_blank">lancashire</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/54523313" target="_blank">liverpool</a></i> are the only areas that have been added to "tier 3", which means all bars and restaurants must close and mixing with people outside your household isn't allowed. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i've been on edge waiting to see if <i>greater manchester </i>will be joining them, but mayor <i><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54557823" target="_blank">andy burnham</a> </i>is doing his best to stop this from happening, arguing that it will lead to (even more) <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54571072" target="_blank">job losses</a> and business closures.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">however i'm trying not to get all misty-eyed at the thought of our mayor actually doing something good for the area because knowing how this hideously incompetent government works, i'm fully expecting us to end up in tier 3 despite all his efforts. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">so while we wait for a decision to be made, here are some of the bops that have been keeping me (slightly) sane over the last few weeks. </span></div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></b></div>1. ava max </span></b><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i must confess i've never been a big fan of <i>ava max. </i>after hearing her first single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXBHCQYxwr0" target="_blank">sweet but psycho</a> </i>one night in G-A-Y of all places, it soon took on a life of its own, becoming a monster hit that received more radio plays than i've had hot meals. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">the last time i wrote about her was <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/08/new-and-old-music-friday-43-ava-max.html" target="_blank">august 2019</a>, where i was extolling the virtues of her song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AKPaq0IaDk" target="_blank">freaking me out</a>, </i>while being somewhat dismissive of her single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBmWvvTV0P4" target="_blank">torn</a>. </i></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">in the words of the <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gne8o_hfPuQ" target="_blank">jonas brothers</a>, oh how the tables have turned.</i></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>torn, </i>along with the rest of her recently released album <i>heaven and hell, </i>has become one of my most played songs over the last few weeks. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i've also been obsessed with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jmRC2dKOhw" target="_blank">tattoo</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMBE_hcSDTI" target="_blank">naked</a> </i>and the uber-dramatic <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riP6j7SZ04s" target="_blank">born to the night</a>, </i>which reminds me of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf72ljWJqAY" target="_blank">the queen</a>, </i>aka one of <i>lady gaga's </i>best songs. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">with the</span><i style="font-family: courier;"> </i><span style="font-family: courier;">current collection of synth-laden, 80s-leaning music being released by </span><i style="font-family: courier;">lady gaga, dua lipa </i><span style="font-family: courier;">and even </span><i style="font-family: courier;">BTS, </i><span style="font-family: courier;">it feels like Pop Music as we knew it during the glory days of <i>gaga </i>and <i>katy perry </i>could be making a return, so i was dismayed to see this article which claimed that this was the <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/09/katy-perry-and-end-pop-smile-album/615757/" target="_blank">"end of pop"</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">sitting somewhere between a review of <i>katy perry's </i>lacklustre sixth album <i>smile </i>and a commentary about the ever-changing music landscape we now find ourselves in, it made many valid points, but i must respectfully disagree with the somewhat misleading title. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i came across the article via a <i><a href="https://www.popjustice.com/articles/ava-max-interview-i-cant-believe-ive-come-this-far/" target="_blank">popjustice</a> </i>interview with <i>ava max </i>herself, in which she praises the saccharine sound that dominates much of her debut album; <i>"i</i><span style="background-color: white;"><i> love this album: it’s anthemic, it’s empowering, and i enjoyed making it,"</i> she says. </span></span></div><div><i style="font-family: courier;"><br /></i></div><div><i style="font-family: courier;">heaven and hell </i><span style="font-family: courier;">now fits seamlessly into this collection of pro-pop releases, but back when </span><i style="font-family: courier;">sweet but psycho </i><span style="font-family: courier;">appeared, we were still wading through the swamp of downbeat, melancholic R&B and "soundcloud rap", which is perhaps why max's single</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> made such an impact on the charts. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">for anyone who claims that the good old days of pop are behind us, <i>max's</i> album proves that there's still a hankering for a Huge Chorus, and i can only hope more artists will follow suit. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">despite various news outlets comparing her sound to lady gaga's 2008 single </span><i style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bESGLojNYSo" target="_blank">poker face</a></i><span style="font-family: courier;">, it remains to be seen whether max will reach such dizzying heights of superstardom, but her rise to fame (sorry) is certainly impressive for a newcomer. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>2. mel c </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">from a newcomer to an established star, i've been excitedly awaiting the arrival of <i>melanie c's </i>eighth studio album <i>who i am, </i>ever since she released <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUedP6NUyj0" target="_blank">high heels</a> </i>last year. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">the song - a joyful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and an ode to my favourite activity, Getting Ready To Go Out - heralded the beginning of a new dance-pop sound for <i>sporty spice, </i>who captivated audiences worldwide as part of the <i>spice girls. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">she followed it up with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzk44YbqOz0" target="_blank">who i am</a>, </i>an excellent <i>robyn-</i>esque track, and two more strong singles; <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SQcsGbRNYY" target="_blank">blame it on me</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z89z6syErqY" target="_blank">in and out of love</a></i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">however, when i finally listened to the full album i found myself incredibly disappointed, not just with the songs but also the somewhat empty sentiment behind the album itself. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">despite repeated proclamations about fully ~embracing~ herself , the song-writing still felt impersonal and vague, and while i'm not expecting her to go into extreme detail about her struggles with the tabloids or her eating disorder, i was expecting something a bit more personal, especially considering she co-wrote every song on <i>who i am. </i></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">many of the interviews she's done for the album's promotion promise a deeper look at <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/melanie-chisholm-on-her-new-album?utm_brand=vogue&utm_medium=social&mbid=social_twitter&utm_source=twitter&utm_social-type=owned" target="_blank">"the real mel c"</a> and her journey towards <a href="https://people.com/music/melanie-c-empowering-self-titled-album-represents-new-chapter-exclusive/?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_content=new&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_term=5f748527d07f4900012b4716" target="_blank">"self acceptance"</a>, but after reading them i still don't feel like i've learned anything new about the singer. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i only wish she'd taken some of the topics raised in this <i><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/sep/26/this-much-i-know-melanie-c-the-tabloids-were-cruel-and-heartless" target="_blank">guardian</a></i> article and incorporated them into the album's content, but at least she blessed us with some bangers. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>3. </b><b>forever the sickest kids </b><b> </b></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">by far one of my most played artists over the last few weeks has been pop-punk pioneers <i>forever the sickest kids. </i>i first started listening to them back in 2007 (!) but this time last year i re-listened to their debut album <i>underdog alma mater, </i>which hasn't aged a day. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">choosing a favourite is hard as i love <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhZ0-KcNpvo" target="_blank">catastrophe</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv79WAI4tto" target="_blank">coffee break</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Yi15yo7zk" target="_blank">my worst nightmare</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G356yG-Pom4" target="_blank">believe me i'm lying</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDvkgkxcYU8" target="_blank">woah oh! (me vs everyone)</a> </i>equally, though <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8KSQUh1To4" target="_blank">breakdown</a> </i>has a slight edge as it features what i would consider a Key Change halfway though. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">then a few weeks ago i felt compelled to revisit their third self-titled album, which i remember enjoying as a teenager but not having a strong emotional attachment to like i did with their first release.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">it's safe to say i wasn't disappointed, and i actually think i'm enjoying it more this time around. i instantly rediscovered my love for <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WsCkq18GaU" target="_blank">same dumb excuse</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLAJEK_76ks" target="_blank">crossroads</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjbS6PgAGpE" target="_blank">summer song</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66i9qekg5OA" target="_blank">bipolar baby!</a> </i>(though i doubt any artist would get away with such a song title these days) but also found new favourites in the form of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1N4w0drIQA" target="_blank">king for a day</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KT2JL5f_NU" target="_blank">good life</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWlPuzj7r-0" target="_blank">life of the party</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwOdurib5Ms" target="_blank">keep on bringing me down</a>, </i>which feels especially ~relatable~ during these stressful times. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">they released a fourth album in 2013, which in itself seemed like a risky move as the pop-punk scene i'd loved in my early teens had mostly dried up, and while they tried their hardest to recapture the magic of <i>underdog alma mater, </i>something about this collection of songs fell a little flat. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">luckily music lasts forever, so i can press play on my favourite songs any time and bask in the band's glory days. </span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>4. </b><b>dagny </b></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">my next most played artist has to be <i>dagny, </i>who released her long awaited <i>strangers/lovers EP </i>at the start of october. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i adored <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQiGNAeEv7c" target="_blank">come over</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO-U2WlgroQ" target="_blank">somebody</a>, </i>the first two singles released from the project, and naturally was praying for more of the same high octane bops. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">fast forward to this month and i found some of the songs a little disappointing, especially <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efTX4Uq4NnY" target="_blank"><i>track 9</i></a> which was dubbed an "interlude"*; a one minute track verging into Sad Piano Ballad territory which for me feels like a complete waste, and i only wish she'd put another Huge Banger in its place. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">luckily there's <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2oC_vLF63E" target="_blank">bye bye baby</a>, </i>which is shoved near the bottom of the album - a deliberate move as the album tells the story of a relationship from start to finish - when it really should have received a full single release. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">while i've started to tire slightly of the seemingly endless barrage of <i>robyn-</i>inspired tracks being released lately, this one is a definite stand out and i've taken great pleasure in yelling along to it full blast most nights, probably to the annoyance of my family. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i also enjoyed <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NB5YKAa4V8" target="_blank">paris</a>, </i>a more subdued track than i'd usually gravitate towards, and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=327FmGbZgaE" target="_blank">let me cry</a>, </i>which i've also been playing at full volume in an attempt to become word perfect for whenever <i>dagny </i>can eventually tour the UK and i can scream along to it in a live setting. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">while i find some artists' attempts to show their "vulnerability" somewhat cliché (see: mel c above), there was something about <i>let me cry </i>that hit me right where it hurts. it's almost like she took the words right out of my diary and repurposed them in a much more eloquent way, perfectly encapsulating the feeling of wanting to Open Up to somebody and having them do the same with you. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">it's definitely a work in progress for me, and seeing as the <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/" target="_blank">NHS</a> is terrible when it comes to getting help for one's ~mental health~ i've essentially become my own therapist, and i finally feel like i'm starting to trust new people. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">every time i listen to it, the feelings are just as strong as the first time i pressed play, and i admire <i>dagny </i>for her ability to be so open and honest in her song-writing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">(*i've noticed several of my favourite artists adding these "interludes" to their recent releases, and it's a trend that shows no sign of stopping. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">the most prolific offender has to be <i>troye sivan, </i>who included the 52 second <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcnKG9-ANuU" target="_blank">"could cry just thinkin about you"</a></i> on his <i>in a dream </i>EP<i>. </i>maybe it's an artist's attempt to show a more Real side of themselves, as interludes are often rough, unfinished demos or voice notes, but i'd much prefer it if they just added a fully produced track to the album.) </span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>5. </b><b>ella henderson </b></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i've never been the biggest fan of <i>ella henderson, </i>and i still have war flashbacks of her song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA8AfQaUnXM" target="_blank">ghost</a> </i>being played in G-A-Y literally every time i went out in 2014, and it seems i'm not the only one. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i was honoured to take part in this year's <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popjustice_%C2%A320_Music_Prize" target="_blank">popjustice twenty quid music prize</a>* </i>via <i>zoom</i> - something i was grateful for as it saved me an expensive trip down to london where the judging usually takes place - and one of the contenders was <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynu-scMGUh4" target="_blank">take care of you</a>, </i><i>henderson's </i>most recent single at the time. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">an incredibly mediocre song with a whiff of <i>clean bandit </i>about it, i wasn't expecting it to get very far, and i was proved right, as when the song went up against another contender (i forget which one), it was swiftly kicked out by the panel of judges. the only problem with this was that ella's manager was actually part of the panel, and hearing everyone slate the song in front of her was one of the most surreal and awkward experiences i've ever had. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">fast forward a couple of weeks and she released <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBd1tO-jP9U" target="_blank">dream on me</a>, </i>a collaboration with DJ <i>roger sanchez, </i>who scored a Huge Hit with his song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdlvPe959Ck" target="_blank">another chance</a> </i>back in 2001 (!)<i>. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i listened to it whilst getting ready, my attention mostly elsewhere as i attempted to tame the mass of unruly hair atop my head, but when it came to the first chorus i had to drop everything and turn it up louder, such was the power of this bop. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">much of its strength lies in the fact that <i>roger sanchez co-wrote - </i>and i suspect produced - it, as i instantly recognised the sound that made <i>another chance </i>such a big success, so i'm praying henderson will continue to work with other dance producers and give us the bops we deserve. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i can only dream (help) of the post-covid day i can request this song incessantly at my favourite bar and properly dance to it, but until then i'll be playing it on repeat in my bedroom as loud as the speakers will allow. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">(*the song that came out on top was <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HDEHj2yzew" target="_blank">physcial</a> </i>by <i>dua lipa, </i>a worthy if not incredibly predictable winner, if you ask me. i was of course <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqWMNYSu1-4" target="_blank">rooting for</a> <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYYQpTbBSBM" target="_blank">if you're too shy</a> </i>by <i>the 1975 </i>but despite my impassioned pleas to the other judges, the song was knocked out halfway through.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>6. julia michaels </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">another unexpected addition to this week's post comes from <i>julia michaels. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">the singer-songwriter scored a huge hit<i> with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ke4480MicU" target="_blank">issues</a> </i>back in 2017, an incredibly mediocre song that somehow went triple-platinum in the US, and has released a string of similarly underwhelming songs ever since. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">this could be set to change with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaullvI094I" target="_blank">lie like this</a>, </i>a far more up-tempo track than i'm used to hearing from <i>michaels. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">it's a shame it was released in october<i> </i>as it has a breezy, summer air about it, and i can confirm it's an excellent soundtrack for being drunk in the back of an uber <a href="https://twitter.com/igzrap/status/1307528944938254338" target="_blank">admiring the city</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>7. FLETCHER</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">last time i wrote about <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2020/04/new-and-old-music-friday-48-1975-doja.html" target="_blank">FLETCHER</a>,</i> she'd just released her excellent track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPe5iAE9qww" target="_blank">forever</a>, </i>and now she's got a whole new EP of bangers. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">much like <i>dagny, </i>she uses the seven tracks which make up <i>the s(ex) tapes </i>to chronicle the highs and lows of a relationship that deteriorated during quarantine, and even <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4u9OLBp-mk" target="_blank">feel</a>, </i>the prerequisite Sad Piano Ballad, is still a joy to listen to. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">my favourite song is constantly changing, but i always find myself gravitating back to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-13TTvZDFo" target="_blank">silence</a> </i>or <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOQgGQKi-n4" target="_blank">if i hated you</a>, </i>though every track of this slick electro-pop masterpiece is a standout. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">in total contrast to the impersonal lyrics found on <i>mel c's </i>album, FLETCHER delves deep into the intricacies of her relationship with <i>shannon beveridge, </i>who also serves as the album's creative director and shot many of the music videos for the EP. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">it's a dynamic that seems exclusive to queer women; the ability to not only remain friends with an ex but work creatively with them, and in <i><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41858738" target="_blank">MUNA's</a></i> case, start a band together. there seems to be little awkwardness between the pair, which is surprising given how personal and at times intimate the songs and music videos are.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">she delves into the making of the project - and addresses her privilege as a white cisgender woman - in this <i>teen vogue </i><a href="https://www.teenvogue.com/story/fletcher-new-album-sex-tape?mbid=social_twitter&utm_brand=tv&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social" target="_blank">interview</a>, a particular highlight being <span style="background-color: white;"><i>"i</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i> have so much of my own emotional baggage right now that it’s overweight at the airport"</i>, which feels like a pretty good summary of the EP<i>. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: courier;">whilst we await a full length release from FLETCHER, i'll be keeping <i>the s(ex) tapes</i> on repeat, no doubt discovering something new every time i listen.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>8. booty luv </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">one of the most difficult parts of dealing with COVID-19 has been the closure of live music venues, with all the concerts i'd planned to attend now rescheduled for sometime next year, though the ability to attend a gig - socially distanced of course - still feels like a million years away. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">as someone who would attend at least five or six gigs a year, i've realised how much i rely on live events to give me something to look forward to throughout the year, so imagine my delight when last month we went to <i><a href="https://www.escapetofreightisland.com/" target="_blank">freight island</a> </i>- a new development at manchester's disused <i>mayfield </i>railway station - to see a drag show, and a performance from <i>bradley mcintosh, </i>best known for being a member of <i>s club 7, </i>who soundtracked many a school disco back in the early 2000s. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">while the group spilt up in 2003, three of the members - <i>jo o'mera, paul cattermole </i>and <i>bradley mcintosh - </i>formed <i>s club 3, </i>performing at venues across the UK over the last few years, occasionally joined by other members including <i>hannah spearritt </i>and <i>tina barrett. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">it was <i>s club 3 </i>who had originally been scheduled to perform at <i>freight island, </i>but by the day of the show, only bradley took to the stage after <i>o'meara </i>announced in august that she was taking time away from the group to work on a solo project. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">nevertheless, it was a moment my 6 year old self could only dream of, getting to see him perform <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50kP4S0peAs" target="_blank">reach</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm262cXxRrU" target="_blank">don't stop movin'</a> </i>live. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">another unexpected addition to the line-up was <i>booty luv, </i>who i can only describe as <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4aFMZlFXwVPORAtwz3Use5?si=90CxpmYmS6WpvhCAG6VBuw" target="_blank">Trashy Pop</a>, once scoring five top-20 hits in the UK but now largely forgotten.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i've always been a huge fan both then and now, and my friends were equally ecstatic when we found out they'd be appearing at <i>freight island</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">it wasn't exactly a roaring crowd that greeted <i>cherise </i>and <i>nadia that night</i>, but when they played <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNqDtlY62Tk" target="_blank">some kinda rush</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ1xIp_z7PY" target="_blank">boogie 2nite</a>, </i>we were by far the loudest audience members. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">i only wish they'd been able to play a longer set including my favourite song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg5hitGqfZ8" target="_blank">say it</a>, </i>but i've been listening to them at home ever since and was overjoyed to discover two songs they'd released in 2012 and 2013 respectively.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">both fit comfortably into the Trash Pop category that i've come to know and love ever since fully embracing my love of pop music, and while <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ety-AKw6e2I" target="_blank">black widow</a> </i>is a solid bop, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an1-5YArWD0" target="_blank">this night</a> </i>is an Absolute Banger that wouldn't sound out of place in any gay bar.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">while i continue to dream of the day i can set foot in a club, i feel satisfied - if not slightly bemused - about the fact they were one of the first artists i saw live post-lockdown. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;">9. gregory dillon </span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">as i <a href="https://twitter.com/limegreensunset/status/1314571601317441537" target="_blank">tweeted</a> the other day, i'm slightly concerned about the number of times i've played <i>lovely </i>by <i>gregory dillon </i>over the past week. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">there's something about this track - which dillon <a href="https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/music/premiere-gregory-dillon-drops-a-suspenseful-video-for-his-brand-new-track-lovely/" target="_blank">describes</a> as <i>"</i><span style="color: #121212;"><i>my attempt to outrun a fear that i destroyed the beginnings of a new relationship"</i> - i truly can't get enough of, and with halloween right around the corner, he's dropped a super-spooky <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd_674eQlDw" target="_blank">video</a> that pays homage to the horror film genre. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="color: #121212;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #121212; font-family: courier;">i'd also highly recommend his other singles from 2020, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBELRDk97hk" target="_blank">screenshots</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo6iezg_ONU" target="_blank">plastic ferrari</a>, </i>as well as his earlier releases<i> </i>including <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V60YSun-R_4" target="_blank">alien boyfriend</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUcb4VL56TU" target="_blank">vacuum</a> </i>and<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShVxlRBvR5g" target="_blank">painted blue</a>.</i> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>10. </b><b>brooke </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">as always i've saved the best till last, a song by <i>northern irish </i>singer <i>brooke scullion </i>who was set to appear on the 2020 series of BBC's <i>the voice </i>and be mentored by</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><i style="font-family: courier;">meghan trainor</i><i style="font-family: courier;"> </i><span style="font-family: courier;">before it was postponed due to the pandemic</span><span style="font-family: courier;">. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">determined not to let this stop her, she began working on new music in april and has just released her first single, a frighteningly catchy bop called <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u13iRQDPcdc" target="_blank">attention</a>, </i>which is inspired by her friends' experiences with</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> "an obsessive ex", according to this interview with <i><a href="https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/voice-star-brooke-scullion-shares-19017870?cmpredirect=" target="_blank">belfast live</a>. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">in all the years of <i>the voice</i> being broadcast, i've never heard of anyone becoming a Huge Star as a result of appearing on the show, and unlike <i>the x factor</i>, it's yet to birth an incredibly successful act, so here's hoping<i> brooke </i>could be the one to buck the trend. </span></div>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-77765214814268785282020-09-17T08:35:00.000+01:002020-09-17T08:35:33.242+01:00throwback thursday #2: katy perry - teenage dream <p><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>katy perry</i><span> recently released her sixth album <i>smile, </i>and</span><i> </i><span>m</span><span>uch like her previous release</span><span> </span><i>witness, </i><span>it was incredibly underwhelming, apart from a few tracks which have grown on me in the last few weeks. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span>the only Major Bop on the album is </span><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54nu59EZwF8" target="_blank">teary eyes</a> - </i><span>inspired by the ultimate Sad Banger, <i>robyn's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcNo07Xp8aQ" target="_blank">dancing on my own</a> -</i></span><span> and i'm also partial to a few listens of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjmXERieW9s" target="_blank">cry about it later</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qFBUUN9N34" target="_blank">tucked</a></i>. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;">however, i still maintain that <i>perry </i>hit her peak with <i>teenage dream, </i>and it's a statement i've made in various <a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/10/new-and-old-music-friday-45-harry.html" target="_blank">blog</a> <a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/05/new-and-old-music-friday-39-katy-perry.html" target="_blank">posts</a>, yet never fully elaborated on. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;">i was all set to change this and do a whole post on the album to revive my <i>throwback thursday </i>series which i started last year, so imagine my surprise when i discovered a whole review i'd written for <i>VIBBIDI </i>in june last year<i> </i>that was never published on the site. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;">i've been trying to figure out why this is - the article was finished and ready to go, but after searching through my emails from around that time, i couldn't find any evidence that i'd actually sent it to my editor for him to upload onto the site, and it's nowhere to be found on my <a href="https://www.vibbidi.net/lobrien95/narratives" target="_blank">profile</a> or <i>perry's <a href="https://www.vibbidi.net/artist/katy-perry" target="_blank">artist page</a>. </i></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;">i didn't stop writing for <i>VIBBIDI </i>until october last year, so either i never sent the article, or i did and it was never published.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;">either way, i've decided to post it here so i can finally put all these feelings i've been storing up about this album out into the world. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: courier;">On Teenage Dream, Katy Perry Harnesses
The Power Of Nostalgia to Create A Timeless Classic</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">For an album
that spawned five number one singles, it’s hard to believe that Katy Perry’s
magnum opus Teenage Dream received a mixed critical reception. On reflection,
the male-dominated music industry was never going to take too kindly to a grown
woman skipping through a brightly coloured candy land and shooting whipped
cream from her bra, but if they’d actually taken time to listen to the lyrics,
they might have seen a more vulnerable side to Perry hidden away behind the
layers of artifice that came to define her second album. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">While </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">“California
Gurls”</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"> and </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Last Friday
Night (T.G.I.F.)”</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"> topped the charts, critics seemed quick to dismiss them as frivolous party
tracks and criticised her move away from the pop-rock inflections found on her
debut album </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">“One of The Boys”</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;">, but in hindsight,
the electro-pop gem </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Hot N Cold”</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"> should have served as a sign of things to come. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">Looking
back, the internalised misogyny from the largely male pool of reviewers is
glaringly obvious as they criticised her lyrics that concerned partying and casual
hook-ups, themes that have been rehashed countless times by male musicians
without anybody batting an eyelid. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">But
by judging this album (literally) on face value, blinkered by their narrow
definitions of what “real” music is, they failed to realise that these songs were
created for not just teenagers but the dreamers and hopeless romantics of the
world who seek solace in the safety of a carefully constructed chorus. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">It was
this complete and total disdain for pop music that meant I kept my love of
albums such as “Teenage Dream” hidden, only embracing it some seven years after
its release, but luckily those days are long gone.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Pure Bubblegum Pop?</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">It would
seem that even the brightest stars aren’t above enjoying Teenage Dream; in a 2017
New York Times profile, New </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">Zealander <b>Lorde
</b>professed her love for the title track and pop music in general.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">“There’s this sadness about it, where
you feel young listening to it, but you feel impermanence at the same time”,
she said, before continuing,</span></span></span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: courier;">“When I put that song on, I’m as moved as I am by
anything by David Bowie, by Fleetwood Mac, by Neil Young. It lets you feel
something you didn’t know you needed to feel… There’s something holy about it.” </i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Those same critics who decried the brilliance of Teenage Dream would no doubt
recoil in horror upon hearing her compare it to<b> David</b> <b>Bowie </b>and <b>Fleetwood
Mac</b>, but that’s precisely how I’ve always approached music. No genre is off
limits and I despise the phrase “guilty pleasure”. Why should I feel shame over
something that’s brought me so much joy in so many dark moments? </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">It’s this line
between euphoria and tragedy that Perry tows so well, bringing to mind another
ode to eternal youth, the hauntingly beautiful immortality of <b>ABBA</b>’s <b>“Dancing
Queen”. </b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">On the latter, the song’s subject is “young and sweet, only 17”, in
the prime of her life, yet the song’s melody also has a touch of the melancholy,
its joyful sound at odds with the personal turmoil experienced by ABBA at the
height of their fame. Listening to the song from their perspective, it takes on
a whole new meaning as they know that feeling won’t last forever. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">“Teenage Dream”</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;"> evokes a similar sense of sadness because
despite Perry’s proclamation that “you and I, we’ll be young forever”, she later
went on to divorce Russell Brand, who inspired the song. Footage of the fallout
from their split was included in <i>Part of Me, </i>the documentary concert
film released in 2012. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">It showed a whole new side to Perry, who seems
immobilised by the pain of their separation ahead of a performance as part of
the California Dreams Tour. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">A world away from the elaborate wigs and costumes,
her vulnerability is on full display, and despite breaking down moments before
she’s due on stage, she still manages to deliver an incredible performance, her
fans none the wiser. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">The criminally overlooked <b>“Hummingbird Heartbeat”</b> also
evokes fond memories of a first love and being inspired by her relationship
with Brand, it retains the youthful optimism of “Teenage Dream” while incorporating
the same pop-rock sound found on <b>“Waking Up In Vegas”</b> and <b>“Thinking
Of You”</b> from One Of The Boys. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: courier;">Nevertheless, it’s impossible not to be drawn
in by these tales of a love that has the potential to last forever and while it
might be a rose-tinted view of the highs and lows that plague one’s
adolescence, “Teenage Dream” and “Dancing Queen” serve as a reminder that it’s
important to enjoy the good times while they last.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Leaving A Legacy</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">One of
Perry’s greatest gifts is her ability to channel such heartbreak into a
universal experience that resonates with everyone the world over, as all good
music should. Whether a lover or a hater of pop music, I find it hard to
believe that those who were quick to dismiss Teenage Dream wouldn’t have felt
at least a shred of compassion as they watched her desperately try to keep her
marriage alive in <i>Part of Me. </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Songs such as </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Not Like The Movies”</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"> and </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">“The One
That Got Away” </span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;">still tug at my heartstrings nearly ten years after the album’s release,
even though I’ve never experienced that all-encompassing love she speaks
of. What makes Teenage Dream so
brilliant is Perry’s ability to keep believing in it despite the breakups she’s
experienced, and nowhere is this more apparent than on “Not Like The Movies”,
which urges the listener to never accept second best and wait for that fairy-tale
ending, while </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Wide Awake”</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"> sees her “crashing from the high” of her
relationship with Brand, but also finding the strength to carry on as she’s
“born again”. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">She emerges from the ashes, bright and triumphant with the
undeniably catchy </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Firework” </span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;">and </span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Part of Me”</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;">, a Female Empowerment anthem long before
conversations around feminism and #MeToo became a part of everyday life, and
they still pack the same emotional punch nearly a decade later. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Writing for
Entertainment Weekly, Leah Greenblatt - one of the few women to <a href="https://ew.com/article/2010/08/11/teenage-dream/" target="_blank">review</a> Teenage
Dream - criticised its lack of cohesion, but for me it was an expertly crafted
collection of songs that blended seamlessly into one another, all retaining the
electro-pop sound first heard on “Hot N Cold” and translating it into one chart
topping smash after another. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Not many albums will stand the test of time, but I
can guarantee I’ll press play on Teenage Dream in another twenty years and feel
that familiar rush of endorphins that made me fall in love with it in the first
place, because all the big emotions that encompass the human experience - love
and loss, heartbreak and hopefulness - never go out of style. </span></span></p>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-31686832322333166912020-09-11T18:39:00.004+01:002020-09-12T18:24:21.294+01:00new (and old) music friday #52: steps, moistbreezy, grace davies, troye sivan <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">sadly little has changed since my last post; i'm still dealing with Work Stress, driving lesson-induced panic and my skin is breaking out so much that i now resemble my 15-year-old self, minus the badly drawn black eyeliner and alarmingly orange shade of <i>maybelline's dream matte mousse </i>(which shockingly <a href="https://www.boots.com/maybelline-dream-matte-mousse-foundation" target="_blank">still exists</a>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i'm also still recovering from this year's pride<i> </i>celebrations, which saw me going out three days in a row. however, despite the actual <i>manchester pride </i>festival being cancelled, it was actually the best pride weekend i've ever had, and as someone whose <a href="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/5583373be4b0329e2479273c/1481999494992-WVWDWGBBLC0ADDSXMFH8/anxiety.png?content-type=image%2Fpng" target="_blank">anxiety has anxieties</a>, it was a relief not to have to push my way through the heaving crowds which usually clog up canal street every august bank holiday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i've always been of the belief that having several Close Friends is better than lots of random acquaintances, and i much preferred spending the weekend with a few people i actually care about at a smaller - socially distanced - gathering than fighting my way to the bar at a sweaty club and waiting half an hour to be served. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">however, it does mean that we won't be going out-out for a few weeks, so these bops will have to tide me over until then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>1. julie bergan</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i usually save the best till last, but i simply couldn't wait to scream about the new EP from this <i>norwegian </i>pop starlet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the last time i wrote about her was in july, but since then she's released her best song yet, which goes by the name of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWnvjZ3F4W0" target="_blank">one touch</a>. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">forming part of her <i>hard feelings: ventricle 2</i> EP - which includes previously released singles <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZd2R2mzKSs" target="_blank">kiss somebody</a> </i>and<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvDWsoYSaLM" target="_blank">commando</a> - </i>it gave me goosebumps instantly and i know i'll be playing it on repeat for days/weeks/months to come. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">also worthy of a mention is the other new track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeTK6-wfA20" target="_blank">all of them</a>; </i>the synth-heavy chorus gives it a ~eurovision~ feel, reminding me of <i>tamta's </i>song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPFUZswe_zw" target="_blank">replay</a>, </i>which the 2019 entry for cyprus<i>. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>2. dua lipa</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the megastar set Gay Twitter alight once again with <i>club future nostalgia, </i>which gave her 80s-inspired sophomore album a - you guessed it - more club-ready ~vibe~. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i must admit i was somewhat disappointed with the majority of it and i feel like the only way to fully appreciate it would be whilst Highly Intoxicated in The Club at 3am, which sadly isn't an option right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">however, i was overjoyed to see <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tixwDHy4U78" target="_blank">love is religion</a> </i>make an appearance, which i still maintain is her best song and much like <i>carly rae jepsen's love again, </i>deserved an official release. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">if i'm being really picky - which i am - i would have preferred if she just released the original track as opposed to the <i>blessed madonna </i>remix, but at this point i'll take what i can get. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the other standout was the <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ-vSW_cnwM" target="_blank">love again</a> </i>remix by <i>horse meat disco </i>(?) which takes the 80s sound to a whole new level, reminiscent of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3-hY-hlhBg" target="_blank">how will i know</a></i>-era <i>whitney houston. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i was also disappointed that <i>if it ain't me </i>wasn't included, but there's still hope that she'll follow in carly's footsteps and release <i><a href="https://www.nme.com/news/music/dua-lipa-teases-possible-future-nostalgia-b-sides-release-2717970" target="_blank">side b</a> </i>of <i>future nostalgia, </i>featuring the much-loved (and leaked) collaboration with <i>normani </i>and <i>love is religion. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>3. VINCINT </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">as the end of the year hurtles towards us at an alarming pace, i'm reflecting on the songs that have had the biggest ~impact~ on me in 2020, and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDaR52Kwhb0" target="_blank">hard 2 forget</a> </i>by <i>VINCINT </i>sits pretty high at the top of my list. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i've been extolling the virtues of his impeccable 80s-inspired bangers since <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/06/new-and-old-music-friday-40-muna-chloe.html" target="_blank">last year</a>, a particular highlight being <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWrxWSvck1o" target="_blank">say</a>, </i>which - as i said at the time - features one of the best key changes in pop since <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGq7eI7Y9Gw" target="_blank">greedy</a> </i>by <i>ariana grande. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">however, <i>VINCINT </i>has truly outdone himself with <i>hard 2 forget, </i>which features both an impeccable Big Chorus <i>and </i>a spectacular Key Change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">he recently announced via <i><a href="https://twitter.com/VINCINT_/status/1302408718009597952" target="_blank">twitter</a> </i>that he's planning to release a few more songs over the remainder of this year, so hopefully there's more where that came from. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4. BTS</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">speaking of Key Changes, it seems like the world of Mainstream Pop might finally be taking them seriously, as evidenced by <i>BTS </i>on their latest single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdZLi9oWNZg" target="_blank">dynamite</a>. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">while i'm not a huge <i>k-pop </i>fan, i adored <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsX3ATc3FbA" target="_blank">boy with luv</a> </i>and hoped they would one day release another Huge Banger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">my prayers have now been answered with their first song to be sung completely in english that also happens to be a <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLTDpewIpfw" target="_blank">chic</a>-</i>inspired bop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and then there's The Key Change; a moment so powerful it gave me full-body goosebumps the first time i heard it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">hopefully this signals the start of the Pop Resurgence i've been praying for over the last three years, and other artists will follow suit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>5. grace davies</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">on paper, this should <i>not </i>work; a former <i>x factor </i>contestant releasing a song about Female Empowerment</span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px;">™</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">, a now-tired trope that has become increasingly commodified in recent years - both in pop music and society overall - along with the entire</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><a href="https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/8xyxqb/mainstream-feminism-arguments-jameela-jamil-julie-bindel-girlboss" style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;" target="_blank">feminist movement</a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">itself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">but for those who remember <i>grace davies' </i>performances on the 14th series of the singing competition, she was anything but ordinary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the now 23-year-old wowed viewers week after week with her original songs and distinctive voice, and her version of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RncvL6KYqk" target="_blank">life on mars?</a> </i>is still one of the best performances i've seen on the show. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">sadly she didn't win, but<i> </i>securing the top spot isn't always necessary for an artist to succeed post-<i>x factor. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">she proved this by signing with <i>simon cowell's </i>record label in 2018 and releasing her debut single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK7h6p7qFNo" target="_blank">invisible</a> </i>in january this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">several more singles followed, and all four were released as part of her <i>friends with the tragic </i>EP in june. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">this brings us to <i>not <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uizfMtg7Kn0" target="_blank">just a girl</a>, </i>which is definitely the most ~upbeat~ of the EP's largely piano-driven tracks, and her take on the aforementioned Female Empowerment <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m1EFMoRFvY" target="_blank">"anthems"</a> that have dominated hen parties over the last decade). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">but what sets this track apart is the incredibly personal yet still ~relatable~ songwriting that has become somewhat of a trademark for <i>davies, </i>and while she's signed to a major label, she's managed to retain her independence and find her own sound. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">it's also a Huge Banger that i never get tired of screaming at the top of my voice, which also helps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i've long been fascinated with the effect <i>x factor </i>has had on the world of pop music, and while it could be argued that it's no longer relevant in a world where artists can reach millions of would-be fans without the backing of a big label, it's still beneficial for artists like grace who sit somewhere in-between; think bedroom pop on an arena-size stage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">gone are the days where artists are tightly controlled by record executives and put in a room with whatever producers a group of old white men have decided will sell the most records - stars who emerged via the reality TV route have now gone on to forge their own unique sound, and grace is no exception. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">6. troye sivan </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i really had a hard time getting into <i>troye's </i>latest EP <i>in a dream, </i>despite loving the first two singles, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LniYWYmNXiM" target="_blank">take yourself home</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCHqIhiFmEY" target="_blank">easy</a>. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">third single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1pGPgQPAG8" target="_blank">rager teenager!</a> </i>failed to thrill me, and the 52 second <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcnKG9-ANuU" target="_blank">could cry just thinkin about you</a> </i>feels like a waste of valuable album space that could have been filled with either a full length version of the melodramatic snippet, or a huge <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5TqNsr6YuQ" target="_blank">my my my!</a> </i>style banger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i even struggled with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cHHnj3xWnw" target="_blank">in a dream</a> - i </i>read about the song prior to its release in a <i><a href="https://www.vulture.com/article/troye-sivan-profile-in-a-dream.html" target="_blank">vulture</a> </i>interview, where its sound was described as <i>"maximalist percussion that would fit a wham! song and grinding synths that take precedence over sivan’s echoing, angelic vocals and gentle guitar interludes", </i>so naturally i was expecting this to be the <i>my my my!-</i>esque bop needed to pep up the more subdued sounding songs he'd already released. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">sadly it didn't live up to this incredible description, and i certainly didn't get a whiff of <i>wham! </i>at any point during those 3 minutes and 50 seconds, but after a few days of non-stop listening in a bid to make myself fall in love it, something finally clicked and i've had this <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGnxucdfX1E" target="_blank">easy, breezy</a> </i>track on repeat in the last few days before the summer draws to a close. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">however, my favourite track has got to be <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83sVDIeEroI" target="_blank">STUD</a> </i>- the production and lyrical content far ~edgier~ than the emotional break-up themed tracks which make up the majority of the EP. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">both a personal exploration of body dysmorphia and self esteem issues and a Huge Banger, it's like the dance break which closes out <i>take yourself home </i>turned up to a thousand, and troye himself summed it best when he <a href="https://www.nme.com/en_au/big-reads/troye-sivan-cover-interview-2020-in-a-dream-2737164" target="_blank">described</a> it as<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">starting off<i> "super introspective, in my head, and then takes you to this club scene, where you meet this hunky guy who’s there to save you from all of your body image issues.”</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">it's escapism at its finest, and while it's not quite the polished pop sensibility he explored on <i>bloom, </i>the track provides a much needed boost of energy which contrasts perfectly with the rest of the EP. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">i'd even go as far as to say it's one of his best songs, and i'm hoping his next release will contain more of these Introspective Club Bangers (a new sub genre perhaps?). </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">7. miley cyrus</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">speaking of <i>bangerz, </i>i can't get enough of miley's latest offering, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS1no1myeTM" target="_blank">midnight sky</a>. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">it's distinctly disco while reminiscent of <i><a href="https://retropopmagazine.com/stevie-nicks-coolest-letter-midnight-sky/" target="_blank">stevie nicks</a></i>, and<i> </i>it's the Break Up Bop i was hoping troye would bless us with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i also very much appreciate the line "see my lips on her mouth", because despite the huge increase in LGBTQ artists in recent years, many of them still shy away from using any pronouns in their songs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the last time i recall such a ~high profile~ female singer discussing a same-sex relationship was <i>halsey </i>in <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVd_71ZdRd4" target="_blank">strangers</a>,</i> her collaboration with <i>lauren jauregui, </i>and i can only hope hearing someone as famous as miley being open about it will encourage others to do the same. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">much like <i>in a dream, </i>it took me a few listens to really Get Into It, but once i did, i couldn't stop and was word perfect in about two days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">she followed up the excellent music video with an iconic <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pNZIvhiBjY" target="_blank">VMA</a> performance which culminated in her riding atop a disco ball in true </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My2FRPA3Gf8" target="_blank">wrecking ball</a> </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">style; we love a self-referential queen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">much like <i>lady gaga </i>and <i>madonna </i>before her, miley has cycled through a range of different genres since the start of her music career, with varying degrees of success. her "hip hop" era was widely criticised as she was constantly accused of <a href="https://www.complex.com/music/2017/05/miley-cyrus-appropriating-hip-hop-culture" target="_blank">cultural appropriation</a> and her 2013 VMA performance with <i>robin thicke </i>was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/aug/27/miley-cyrus-mtv-video-music-awards-criticism" target="_blank">criticised</a> for what some deemed "sexually provocative" content. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">her last album <i>younger now </i>saw her return to the country roots of her father <i>billy ray cyrus </i>and godmother <i>dolly parton, </i>but it received a <a href="https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/miley-cyrus-younger-now/" target="_blank">lukewarm</a> reception and just two weeks after its release, she <a href="https://people.com/music/miley-cyrus-already-over-new-album/" target="_blank">stated</a> she was "over it" and "already two songs deep on the next one". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">a collaboration with <i>mark ronson </i>followed in november 2018, and for a while the disco-tinged <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9hcJgtnm6Q" target="_blank">nothing breaks like a heart</a> </i>was inescapable, receiving its fair share of radio play. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">on reflection, the song bears many similarities to <i>midnight sky, </i>so i'm hopeful that her new album <i>she is miley cyrus </i>will continue in the same vein, and according to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/She_Is_Miley_Cyrus" target="_blank">wikipedia</a>, she's collaborated with pop heavyweight <i>max martin, </i>producer <i>andrew watt - </i>responsible for bops by <i>rita ora, justin bieber, dua lipa </i>and <i>charli xcx - </i>and <i><a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8547830/miley-cyrus-billy-idol-andrew-watt-share-raised-fist-moment-in-the-studio-see-the" target="_blank">billy idol</a>, </i>who is one of my favourite 80s artists of all time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">if that's anything to go by, i'm expecting a bop-filled album when it's released sometime in the future, but like everything else it's been <a href="https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/miley-cyrus-isnt-planning-to-release-an-album-any-time-soon-it-doesnt-make-sense-for-me__30761/" target="_blank">delayed</a> by the <i>covid-19 </i>pandemic, a vocal chord surgery and her divorce from actor <i>liam hemsworth</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>8. m<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">oistbreezy </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">i first became aware of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9r7py5Db4s" target="_blank">moistbreezy</a> </i>when she collaborated with <i>boy sim </i>on his excellent track <i>criminal </i>in 2018. she also contributed vocals to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksBSi14Th2M" target="_blank">arcade</a>, </i>a <a href="https://aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Hyperpop" target="_blank">hyperpop</a> dream released by <i>that kid </i>in march last year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">then in august she released <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tYhwqv5jE" target="_blank">contact</a>, </i>a truly impeccable bop that appears on her somewhat underwhelming new EP <i>breezy. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">for me there's nothing more frustrating than this; how can an artist release one good song and the rest of the tracks are so mediocre??</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">while i fear that <i>contact</i> might be a one-off, i know i'll still be playing it on loop in the coming months. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">9. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">sia and david guetta </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">another artist who has consistently frustrated me with a string of underwhelming songs is </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">sia. </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">at her "peak", she experienced huge success with tracks such as </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWZGAExj-es" target="_blank">elastic heart</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vjPBrBU-TM" target="_blank">chandelier</a> </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYh-n7EOtMA" target="_blank">cheap thrills</a>, </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">a song so irritating it still makes me irrationally angry whenever i hear it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">as i mentioned in <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/05/new-and-old-music-friday-38-carly-rae.html" target="_blank">this</a> post, her talent as a songwriter is undeniable, and she penned a series of outstanding tracks for <i>vox lux, </i>which featured <i>natalie portman </i>as a fading pop star struggling to keep her life together, and i still love listening to <i>private girl, EKG </i>and <i>blinded by love. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">i just couldn't understand why she would give away all these excellent songs to other people and release such disappointing ones under her own name, but this could be set to change with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBsPNEVt0SM" target="_blank">let's love</a>, </i>a brand new collaboration with <i>david guetta. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">while it's nothing particularly groundbreaking - sounding like a cross between <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrvVQm6kKZ4" target="_blank">boys of summer </a></i>and 2013-era <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mTRvJ9fugM" target="_blank">CHVRCHES</a></i> - i'm hopeful that another household name is climbing aboard the SS Pop Resurgence, joining artists like <i>dua lipa, lady gaga </i>and <i>little mix </i>as they bring back the <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glory_Days_(Little_Mix_album)" target="_blank">glory days</a> </i>(i had to) of pop music, filling the charts with 80s-inspired synths, key changes and of course, one Big Chorus after another. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">10. s</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">teps </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">it would be wrong to talk about the Peak of Pop without mentioning <i>steps, </i>who enjoyed a glorious run of success in the 90s and early 2000s with singles such as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NO-h9PFum4" target="_blank">5, 6, 7, 8</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMblBLQQ-O0" target="_blank">stomp</a> </i>(my personal favourite), <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RtjfvK7rXw" target="_blank">deeper shade of blue</a>, </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG_-m-mBn-g" target="_blank">love's got a hold on my heart</a>.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">their first three albums were all produced by <i>pete waterman, </i>who remains my absolute favourite producer, responsible for bangers such as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASeXesFm3MI" target="_blank">hand on your heart</a> </i>and the legendary <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ" target="_blank">never gonna give you up</a>. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">they also hold the honour of being the only band to successfully cover <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiwDHHcHPh0" target="_blank">tragedy</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsuRgxsd6bk" target="_blank">chain reaction</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl-deXhe1-0" target="_blank">better the devil you know</a>, </i>three songs that are so iconic they really shouldn't be messed with. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">while everything steps touched during this time seemed to turn to <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold:_Greatest_Hits_(Steps_album)" target="_blank">gold</a> </i>(i am SORRY), they split on boxing day 2001 and <i>h and claire </i>went on to form a duo, though they were dropped after just one album due to poor sales. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the group reunited in 2011 and their next full-length album arrived in 2017 after the release of their incredible single </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRb4xqFpOvY" target="_blank">scared of the dark</a>, </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">which features a stupendous Key Change and provided a much needed rush of euphoria when it came on during my post-uni nights out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">released to <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/794604/Steps-Tears-on-the-Dancefloor-album-review" target="_blank">rave</a> <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/steps-tears-on-the-dancefloor-review-track-by-track_uk_58f88c51e4b0cb086d7e41dd?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAI12ndSvlMg9BfckOmiHfR9rCevdxPvNVgbcZ9TNz0uv-ajRyOqCChl5nmlVrAYchc52u2BaVRXWrzbDJSlaeID9EiMYdQdOohLR4wOwjN6F7Lqq-N15sI8hMeDJJPeTX4swxjDtWJr1RHMFBLAvmuL5GEVhqVS7QQ_r_ldp0Bny" target="_blank">reviews</a>, <i>tears on the dancefloor </i>instantly became one of my favourite albums that year and there's not a single bad song to be found. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">so naturally i had high expectations for their new single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5dMSAVaORY" target="_blank">what the future holds</a>, </i>which the group have been <a href="https://retropopmagazine.com/steps-tease-new-music-zen-before-the-storm-post/" target="_blank">teasing</a> on social media all week. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">on first impression, it's Classic Steps</span></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px;">™</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; white-space: pre-wrap;">, i.e. the perfect addition to the playlist of any respectable gay bar, and has the potential to be a winning Eurovision Banger, but i didn't feel that same elation as the first time i heard </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; white-space: pre-wrap;">scared of the dark. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">interestingly, it was written by <i>sia, </i>once again proving my hypothesis that she gives away her best songs to other artists, but if it means we're blessed with bops like this, i'm not mad about it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">as for steps, their sixth album of the same name will be released on november 27th, and i'm hoping for some club-ready bangers that will put it on par with <i>tears on the dancefloor. </i></span></span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-82370548548399729932020-08-21T17:23:00.001+01:002020-09-11T14:51:51.157+01:00new (and old) music friday #51: allie x, robyn, kiesza, griff, rina sawayama<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">honestly, i couldn't be more relieved to see this week come to an end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">a combination of Work Stress, hormones and driving lesson-induced panic has just about finished me off, so i decided to do the one thing that consistently brings me joy in times of trouble; write about some of my favourite songs from the last few weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">but before we begin, i <i>must</i> draw attention to the fact that <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNsDcNwr3Qc" target="_blank">love again</a> </i>- one of my top three <i>carly rae jepsen </i>songs - is finally on spotify after five! long! years!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">originally a bonus track from jepsen's seminal sophomore album <i>emotion, </i>i fell in love with it instantly and was always mystified as to why it never appeared on the album, even just as a bonus track (though it did appear on the japanese edition). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">however my days of wondering are no longer as she announced via <a href="https://twitter.com/carlyraejepsen/status/1296659155927916545" target="_blank">twitter</a> that <i>love again </i>and <i>never get to hold you </i>would be available on spotify.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the Queen of The Gays delivered once again, dropping a <i>"deluxe expanded edition"</i> of her finest work on the streaming platform today, so that's my plans sorted for the next 48 hours. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. allie x</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">another pop icon whose debut EP has been receiving a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CECcqVhB84V/" target="_blank">new wave</a> of adoration from fans since the queens from <i>canada's drag race </i>lip-synced to her song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdLzJa_CJsg" target="_blank">hello</a> </i>is <i>allie x</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i still remember being captivated by <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_xw1JDLN_A" target="_blank">bitch</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ugUFWr8jS0" target="_blank">prime</a></i> back in 2014, but re-listening to the EP the other day literally brought me to tears, so in awe i was over the impeccable synth-driven production. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i've struggled to listen to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRO4_lyZHzo" target="_blank">good</a> </i>as its lyrics have always been a bit too Close To Home, but i managed to push my feelings aside and appreciate the song and its super dramatic outro, along with the CHVRCHES-inspired sound of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPwEqEuJI7g" target="_blank">catch</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM3fECkzkEM" target="_blank">tumour</a>. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">but my favourite has got to be <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y53iHNHdnA" target="_blank">sanctuary</a>, </i>with production so intense i couldn't contain my tears, and have played it endlessly since.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i hate to admit it, but i found her most recent album <i>cape god </i>a bit too subdued for my liking, so i'm glad to have <i>coxlltion I </i>to tide me over until her next release. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. astrid s </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">another artist i've been obsessing over in the last few months is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asCR6W_vBSA" target="_blank">astrid s</a>, </i>whose uber-catchy bops have been a mainstay in my most played songs, and her latest single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asCR6W_vBSA" target="_blank">marilyn monroe</a> </i>doesn't disappoint.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i hate to use the word "sassy" but that's exactly what this song is, a defiant statement to anyone who dares to judge not only <i>astrid </i>but women in general. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">it sometimes feels like whatever decision we make is open to criticism, whether that's wearing make-up or going bare-faced, dating casually or settling down with one person, and dressing in a ~revealing~ way as opposed to covering up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">but none of that matters as soon as i press play on this absolute banger, which i can't wait to blast at full volume on my Daily Walks (literally the only vaguely good habit i've developed during lockdown). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>3. </b></span><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">robyn </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i've always felt that <i>robyn </i>hit her peak with 2010's <i>body talk, </i>the album which spawned the original Sad Banger, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcNo07Xp8aQ" target="_blank">dancing on my own</a> - </i>and a diabolical <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q31tGyBJhRY" target="_blank">cover</a> that somehow reached number 2 in the UK charts a few years later - along with hits like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6ImxY6hnfA" target="_blank">call your girlfriend</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3a2qoyONVA" target="_blank">hang with me</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueI8HU1cmNE" target="_blank">indestructible</a> </i>and the sorely underrated <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNrtGhjc7XA" target="_blank">stars 4-ever</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">that all changed with her latest track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzZRABmvfjM" target="_blank">impact</a>, </i>a collaboration with producer <i>SG lewis </i>and <i>channel tres. </i>it's the high <i>impact </i>(i am SORRY) production <i>robyn's </i>more recent releases have been lacking and i can't wait for this song to be played at full volume in Tha Club once we're allowed back on the dancefloor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>4. </b></span><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">kiesza </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Gay Twitter has been buzzing about the release of <i>kiesza's </i>latest offerings for the last few months, and with their 80s-inspired production and a Big Chorus or two, it's easy to see why. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">she first became known for her song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnoz5uBEWOA" target="_blank">hideaway</a> </i>back in 2014, which brings back somewhat distressing memories of nights out at uni as the song was played on loop in every single bar, so naturally i'm delighted she's moved towards a more pop sound. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i'd highly recommend <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVISqHw5DSM" target="_blank">all of the feelings</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LbYboehA3Y" target="_blank">crave</a>,</i> <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN0XLBKp3DE" target="_blank">run renegade</a>, </i>and my favourite track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmmEV9BE4DQ" target="_blank">love me with your lie</a>,</i> along with the <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKd3516tGbI" target="_blank">MEDUN</a></i><i> </i>remix<i>. </i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">5. FLETCHER </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i last wrote about <i><a href="https://www.clashmusic.com/next-wave/i-dont-belong-in-a-box-fletcher-is-speaking-her-truth" target="_blank">FLETCHER</a> </i>when she released the alarmingly catchy track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPe5iAE9qww" target="_blank">forever</a> </i>back in <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2020/04/new-and-old-music-friday-48-1975-doja.html" target="_blank">april</a>, and her latest single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOQgGQKi-n4" target="_blank">if i hated you</a> </i>is another excellent break-up bop i've been playing non-stop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">featuring a similar synth-laden chorus to <i>forever,</i> the track forms part of her upcoming EP <i><a href="https://genius.com/albums/Fletcher/The-s-ex-tapes" target="_blank">t</a></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #231f20;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><a href="https://genius.com/albums/Fletcher/The-s-ex-tapes" target="_blank">he s(ex) tapes</a>, </i>set to be released on september 18th, which hopefully contains more of the same. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">6. the japanese house </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">as someone who's always loved Big Pop Songs, i've found my enjoyment of <i>the japanese house's </i>low-key sound<i> </i>to be somewhat of an anomaly in my music taste, but ever since i first heard the <i>pools to bathe in EP </i>back in 2015, i've been a huge fan of <i>amber bain. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">her latest EP <i>chewing cotton wool </i>follows her long-awaited full-length album <i>good at falling, </i>which was released last year and easily became one of my all-time favourite albums. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">upon first listen, i didn't love the EP's first single <i>chewing cotton wool, </i>but having re-listened, it's perfect for those times where i just need to be In My Feelings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">opening track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y8JNwIEkQc" target="_blank">sharing beds</a> </i>harks back to amber's early days where her vocals were so distorted it was hard to tell if it was a man or woman singing, retaining that sharp electronic sound which had been missing from her more recent EPs, <i>swim against the tide </i>and <i>3/3. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">after taking what felt like a slightly more ~pop~ direction and stripping back the autotune on songs like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRj-OMuCKa0" target="_blank">you seemed so happy</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqm9rS_TvE8" target="_blank">somebody you found</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1doI1XAWZC0" target="_blank">good side in</a>, </i>i'm glad she's returned to her roots, as i still get the same goosebumps when i hear early tracks like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LPNesOJ9KQ" target="_blank">still</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh7qikFginI" target="_blank">clean</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h9M61iW-zU" target="_blank">teeth</a>, </i>though that might just be the nostalgia talking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i instantly loved </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoLwyWi7Z4c" target="_blank">something has to change</a> </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">when it was released last september </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but my favourite track has to be </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZdyMVTAMEA" target="_blank">dionne</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a collaboration with </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">justin vernon </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">- aka </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">bon iver - </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">which no doubt sent Real Music fans (aka men who use beard oil non-ironically) into auto-drive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i could talk at length about how the use of autotune is praised when used by male artists like <i>bon iver </i>and <i>francis and the lights </i>but women such as <i>charli xcx </i>and amber herself face criticism for hiding their "real" voices with it, but i'd much rather talk about what an incredible track <i>dionne is</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">sonically it harks back to her earlier releases, but lyrically the track - and the EP as a whole - see amber exploring the aftermath of a breakup. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">on <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CD1jzr8lpm5/" target="_blank">instagram</a> </i>she said these songs <i>"</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><i>punctuate the stages of coming out of a relationship and entering into a new phase"</i>, and her eloquent self-reflection is reflected in the <a href="https://genius.com/The-japanese-house-dionne-lyrics" target="_blank">lyrics</a> of <i>dionne, </i>particularly <i>"your past becomes your present</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><i> if it's always on your mind"</i>, a feeling i know all too well as i've struggled to let certain people go in the past. </span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">7. griff</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">speaking of which, another artist who has been extolling the virtue of being kinder to yourself and Letting Go is <i>griff. </i>her track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtBEC305HtY" target="_blank">forgive myself</a> </i>hit me right where it hurts, so much so that i can't even choose a particular line that resonated the most. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">like <i>the japanese house, </i>it's a much more mellow sound than i generally gravitate towards, but as long as there's some synths thrown in i can get on board, particularly as she wrote and produced the whole track herself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">her latest track </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5MtXXxXYm0" target="_blank">say it again</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">is slightly more upbeat in context, and i can feel myself developing a mild obsession with it in the coming weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">think of it as a Dual Purpose Bop; perfect for playing in the background whilst working or doing a mundane task but transforming into a bit of a banger when played full volume with a hairbrush microphone in hand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>8. </b></span><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">rina sawayama</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i must admit, when i saw <i>rina sawayama </i>support <i>charli xcx </i>in october last year, i wasn't particularly impressed, despite everyone on my twitter timeline professing their love for her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">but during lockdown i became a regular attendee of <i>queerantine, </i>the virtual equivalent of <i>girls night out, </i>and one of the songs played was <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sip8XPehfdc" target="_blank">who's gonna save u now?</a> </i>by rina. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">this would make an excellent Karaoke Song, and i'm living for the day i can drunkenly scream along to it in a booth at my favourite bar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">featuring a euphoric guitar solo and KEY CHANGE, it sounds like a modern day mash up of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWcASV2sey0" target="_blank">holding out for a hero</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOxhH8N3Bo" target="_blank">total eclipse of the heart</a> </i>by <i>bonnie tyler, </i>two of the most dramatic and iconic songs of all time, an honour i don't hand out to present day pop stars without good reason. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i also really enjoy </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLXtc2OSrLQ" target="_blank">bad friend</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a 1975-esque, auto-tuned Sad Bop that sees rina address her tendency to lose touch with once close friends. again, it's a familiar feeling, forcing me to accept that i too could have made more effort with friends i no longer speak to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">finally there's the <i>brabo </i>and<i> pablo vittar </i>remix of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI0CuqOXcZc" target="_blank">comme des gar</a></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI0CuqOXcZc" target="_blank">ç</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI0CuqOXcZc" target="_blank">ons (like the boys)</a> </i>which i also discovered during one of the <i>queerantine zoom</i> nights and is an excellent song to make you feel like That Bitch. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">9. lesley roy</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">it wouldn't be a <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/search/label/new%20music%20friday" target="_blank">new music friday</a></i> without a <i>eurovision </i>bop, and while this year's contest was cancelled due to coronavirus, i've been playing <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLgE0Ayl5Hc" target="_blank">story of my life</a> </i>by <i>lesley roy </i>on repeat over the last couple of months. had the show gone ahead as planned, she would have represented <i>ireland </i>in the competition, and it's a travesty that we won't get to see it performed live. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">my only requirement for a eurovision song is that it's as "cheesy" as possible. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">while most people would consider this a bad thing, i gave up caring about what they think a long time ago, and this song fits the criteria</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> perfectly with a Huge Chorus that wouldn't sound out of place on an early </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_v9MY_FMcw" target="_blank">one direction</a> </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">song. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>10. the toppers</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">though not released this year, during one of the BBC's many <i>eurovision</i>-themed programmes they showed to try and compensate for the cancelled contest, i became aware of what is by <i>far</i> one of the cheesiest entries ever. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">representing <i>the netherlands </i>in 2009, the song is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te1w81E8L5A" target="_blank">shine</a> </i>by a group called <i>the toppers, </i>which features alarmingly positive lyrics, a Big Chorus and <i>multiple</i> key changes, a winning formula that means i never get tired of hearing it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">clearly the majority of people don't share my enthusiasm for the song as it failed to qualify for the <i>eurovision </i>final, but luckily we were blessed with a semi-final performance that includes a woman with an eerily resemblance to <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gemmacollins1/" target="_blank">gemma collins</a> </i>on backing vocals and pretending to DJ, so if you need a serotonin boost, i'd highly recommend watching it <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mR3W2fm7_E" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">11. samantha harvey</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i can only assume it was <i>popjustice </i>who introduced me to british singer-songrwriter <i>samantha harvey. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">she began posting covers on youtube back in 2017 before releasing her first EP in 2018, and while these generic, top-40 filler songs failed to thrill me, it was her 2019 single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv-Ml8s2arw" target="_blank">get to know you</a> </i>which caught my attention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">gone were the Sad Piano Ballads and in their place, a much more 80s-inspired sound. </span><br />
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<i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">get to know you </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">is as catchy as they come, and she followed it up with a remix by </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27PRf_Vc26Y" target="_blank">ekko city</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">which gives the bubblegum pop masterpiece a club-ready edge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">then in june this year she released <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwXkHj679ko" target="_blank">hard to get</a>, </i>a slice of pop perfection with a chorus so good it still gives me chills every time i hear it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">hopefully there's more where that came from, and maybe she'll even sneak in a Key Change or two. </span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-42374003788215093702020-07-24T17:04:00.000+01:002020-07-27T21:20:13.604+01:00new (and old) music friday #50: kylie minogue, nasty cherry, isac elliot, jodie connor, bryce bowyn <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it's hard to be believe this is my 50th (!) <i>new music friday </i>post, but here we are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i've said it before, but when i first started this blog in august 2015 (!!) i never thought it would still be going almost five years later, but here's to another five. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>1. kylie</b> <b>minogue </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">when <i>kylie </i>announced her new single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRzwD2LLXSI" target="_blank">say something</a> </i>earlier this week, it sent Gay Twitter into meltdown as it had been nearly 2 years since her country-inspired album <i>golden </i>was released (the less said about that the better). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">like every Pop Lover, i've been a fan of kylie since i was about six years old, so i was excited for her long-awaited return to the world of pop, or more specifically disco. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">while <i>say something </i>was described by various <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/9423111/kylie-minogue-say-something" target="_blank">news</a> <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/12177187/kylie-minogue-disco-comeback-say-something/" target="_blank">outlets</a> as a <i>"disco inspired"</i> track - probably because her upcoming album is literally titled <i>disco </i>- it has a more 80s-inspired sound thanks to the backing track which sounds eerily similar to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azdwsXLmrHE" target="_blank">radio ga ga</a> </i>by <i>queen. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">though it's certainly not a bad thing, i definitely felt a bit misled when i listened to it for the first time, so hopefully the rest of <i>disco </i>will actually sound like, you know, disco. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">yesterday i also discovered the incredibly chaotic banger </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsKBuR11Cvw" target="_blank">skirt</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">from 2013 and </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnOHPzNEX5k" target="_blank">if i can't have you</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">a collaboration with <i>sam sparro </i>(of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHuebHTD-lY" target="_blank">black and gold</a> </i>fame) and producer <i>garibay, </i>which <i>spotify</i> was kind enough to automatically play once i'd finished my 67th consecutive listen of <i>say something. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>2. call me loop</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">when </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8-Mh_MA-5I" target="_blank">strike</a></i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> was first released in may, i <a href="https://twitter.com/limegreensunset/status/1263828814909468674" target="_blank">declared</a> it one of the best songs of the year and it's a statement i still stand by. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this frighteningly catchy bop has an excellent Big Chorus, but then again i'd expect nothing less from <i>call me loop, </i>who co-wrote <i>the pussycat dolls' </i>comeback single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM3j_TXeqfc" target="_blank">react</a> </i>and has released a string of impeccable bops over the last four years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>3. nasty cherry </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my most played song this week has to be <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2C02mzV5xA" target="_blank">better run</a> run </i>by <i>nasty cherry, </i>from their latest EP, <i>season 2. </i>after being put together by <i>charli xcx </i>- who documented the whole thing in the form of a <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdGlR3nvgmc" target="_blank">netflix</a> </i>documentary series - the group have formed what appears to be a genuine bond and their passion for the music they've been making is obvious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i adored their earlier singles <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vZt2SICKlM" target="_blank">win</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhvB4EDLqUU" target="_blank">live forever</a></i>, but this new EP shows them moving in a more experimental direction, building on their super nostalgic 90s sound with the <i>dylan brady-</i>produced <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmVv4hdCZWg" target="_blank">i am king</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66LjmXqxIKM" target="_blank">cardamom december</a></i></span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">which has a moodier <i>cocteau twins</i> feel. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">4. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">isac elliot </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">another song i've played to death is </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL5zJ2T-k5s" target="_blank">weekend</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">by </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">finnish </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">singer </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">isac elliot. </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">from the moment i pressed play and felt goosebumps all over my arms, i knew this was a special song. i can't explain how or why certain songs make me feel this way, but i truly can't get enough of the synth-driven production of this banger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">naturally i had to delve into his discography </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and discovered a whole host of bops including </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbF6Wd3rc8c" target="_blank">glitter</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGzoOQGg4DQ" target="_blank">engine</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtMq7RGwyOQ" target="_blank">tired of missing you</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">from his 2014 album <i>follow me</i>. they all went straight into my <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4aFMZlFXwVPORAtwz3Use5?si=fLSgbYKsS6S38dERzwdHiQ" target="_blank">glory days</a> </i>playlist, which celebrates the golden era of pop production from roughly 2008-2016, and there was more of the same with </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-vjs0uqc1w" target="_blank">paper plane</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6xZ7D0UW3c" target="_blank">are you gonna be my girl</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Ykor-8MAM" target="_blank">new way home</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">which all appeared on his debut album,<i> new way home. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">both albums are reminiscent of <i>up all night </i>and <i>take me home </i>by <i>one direction - </i>which would make sense as <i>elliot </i>was just 12 (!) when his first album was released - but as a lover of what most people would deem "trashy" pop, i firmly believe all of these albums still sound excellent to this day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>5 vardaan arora</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i've been a fan of <i>vardaan arora </i>for just over a year now, and he just keeps getting better with every release. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">back in june he gave us <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtvt3vZlXNc" target="_blank">imposter syndrome</a>, </i>an incredibly ~relatable~ bop which encourages listeners to <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0gDExhkAl/" target="_blank">"embrace their anxieties"</a></i> and it definitely reassures me that i'm not the only person prone to overthinking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">his latest single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1X3tMU8woo" target="_blank">i don't wanna know</a> - a </i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">collaboration</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> with <i>korea's </i>first openly queer artist </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">MRSHLL </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">is a total 180, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/vardaanarora/status/1286427459202813959" style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;" target="_blank">described</a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> as a <i>"confident no strings hookup anthem"</i>, and i am </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">here </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">for it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">with his <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDB98S7B9Ja/" target="_blank">debut EP</a> <i>heartbreak on the dancefloor </i>arriving on <i>august 21st</i>, i'm hoping for even more bops that manage to encapsulate the full spectrum of millennial<i> </i>struggles we're all going through during this challenging time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>6. dorian electra</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the last year has been incredibly busy for <i>dorian electra; </i>in 2019 they released their debut album <i>flamboyant, </i>which i recently re-listened to and basically haven't stopped playing since. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">along with singles <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDDukLyXY-M" target="_blank">career boy</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk4BZ3uOSHI" target="_blank">daddy like</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3K6_89Ee4U" target="_blank">man to man</a> </i>and of course <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDb1oTfcmCI" target="_blank">flamboyant</a>, </i>the rest of the album is impeccable. highlights include <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GkLpu2kSOU" target="_blank">mr. to you</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpetK7aGGjo" target="_blank">live by the sword</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyThMuOzAuM" target="_blank">emasculate</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3cwUbeQgCo" target="_blank">fReAkY 4 life</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggsdEsk6tNY" target="_blank">guyliner</a>, </i>which is one of the biggest bangers of recent memory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InwwkaoUBeg" target="_blank">sorry bro (i love you)</a> </i>was released in may this year, featuring production from longtime collaborator <i>dylan brady, </i>along with a remix album in june. a particular standout was the<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUWhq68-d4s" target="_blank">bronze avery remix</a>, </i>which brings his signature pop sound<i> - </i>best heard on his outstanding single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW1YO2h8IBQ" target="_blank">boys!</a> - </i>to the track; my only complaint is that it's just 1 minute and 15 seconds long. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">then yesterday <i>dorian </i>released <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbhE8sEqKqc" target="_blank">give great thanks</a>, </i>another <i>dylan brady</i>-produced masterpiece that is most definitely <i>not </i>safe for work, and sees them moving in an even more experimental direction, if such a thing is possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>7. dagny</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my introduction to <i>dagny </i>came with her 2017 single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gT6k8VhDeA" target="_blank">love you like that</a>,</i> a song that still sounds incredible every time i listen to it. clearly i'm not the only one who thinks so, as <i>katy perry </i>interpolated it into her 2019 single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEb5gNsmGJ8" target="_blank">never really over</a></i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this year <i>dagny </i>has also blessed us with more bops, including <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQiGNAeEv7c" target="_blank">come over</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO-U2WlgroQ" target="_blank">somebody</a>, </i>which <i>peter robinson </i>of <i>popjustice </i>recently <a href="https://twitter.com/Popjustice/status/1285593450184941568" target="_blank">tweeted</a> about, bringing it back to my attention and reminding me to give it a long overdue write-up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">while i do agree that the "<i>middle eight could work a bit harder"</i>, the song captures the same feel-good energy as <i>love you like that</i>, and for that reason it's back on repeat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>8. jodie connor</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">a few weeks ago i put my <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6EyC4a4ZeS1j1L9NHNMrb6?si=I5SiQpkiTymEvpwvcU1JtQ" target="_blank">party</a> </i>playlist on shuffle and rediscovered </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEGnYyKib9E" target="_blank">good times</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">by <i>roll deep, </i>which features vocals from <i>jodie connor. </i>released in 2010, the song instantly brought back (somewhat traumatic) memories of my Teenage Years, and i felt compelled to investigate <i>jodie connor</i>'s spotify page in case she too had released some bops of her own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i was definitely not disappointed as i unearthed the masterpiece which is </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avd-ME0sFrs" target="_blank">bring it</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">a 2011 collaboration with <i>tinchy stryder </i>that i wish i'd been aware of ten years ago. there was also </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yq97TB2yz4" target="_blank">take you there</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">which would have made an excellent <i>eurovision </i>entry, and her most recent release, 2016's </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2LgWpJuEXaTyfTUlo5cbJE?si=yD5s2Y5DSgmYCZslZ5SUeg" target="_blank">good lovin</a>, </i>which manages to merge the sound of </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>elena foureira </i>and <i>PC music, </i>a combination that on paper sounds terrible but somehow works. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>9. bryce bowyn</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i became aware of <i>bryce bowyn </i>when he followed me on twitter a few months ago, so i listened to his music and instantly became obsessed with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc88Ntnh1Qk" target="_blank">nostalgic</a>,</i> which - as the title suggests - finds him reminiscing about a past relationship. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it's a feeling i know all too well; just when you think you've fully moved on, the tiniest thing can remind you of that person and bring you right back to a certain time, good or bad. starting out as a electro-pop bop, it crescendos into an incredibly dramatic middle section before descending into a full on Club Banger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this same theatrical~ energy can be found on his most recent song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdnhjx1uOGI" target="_blank">just love me</a>, </i>which has a touch of <i>artpop</i>-era <i>lady gaga </i>about it, and i can't get enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>10. GIRLI/rony rex</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my obsession with <i>girli </i>shows no signs of slowing down thanks to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjQcXm1sWio" target="_blank">cold feet</a>, </i>her recent collaboration with <i>rony rex. </i>this is a dancefloor-ready banger that makes a walk to the corner shop feel like you're on the <i>drag race </i>runway, and now that the <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v57OKURhreA" target="_blank">odd one out</a> </i>era is over, i can't wait to see what's next for the rising star.</span><br />
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Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-3096298802621487442020-07-17T02:33:00.000+01:002020-07-17T02:33:24.834+01:00new (and old) music friday #49: heidi montag, CXLOE, astrid s, julie bergan, loviet <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">after yet another shamefully long absence, <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/search/label/new%20music%20friday" target="_blank">new music friday</a> </i>is back as i attempt to work through the huge list of bops and bangers i've been listening to since the coronavirus pandemic begin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>1. troye sivan </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">of course i had to begin with the newest tracks from <i>troye sivan. </i>during lockdown he gave us <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LniYWYmNXiM" target="_blank">take yourself home</a>, </i>a low-key track that builds to an excellent dance break.<i> </i>as the first single from his upcoming <i>in a dream EP </i>- arriving <i>august 21st - </i>it marks the beginning of an incredibly personal songwriting journey for the singer as he finds himself questioning everything about his life; he provides a more detailed explanation of the lyrics <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66k5fFNCBYc&list=TLPQMDQwNTIwMjAUyB7JUeb8zw&index=1" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">then yesterday - after teasing the song and video on social media for several days - he released <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCHqIhiFmEY">easy</a>, </i>though the song's subject matter is anything but, as it chronicles a crumbling relationship where one of the parties has cheated on the other and is begging for forgiveness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it immediately brought to mind the early/mid-2000s production of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT42R4WxEKs" target="_blank">hellogoodbye</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjcpI_3XsAk" target="_blank">metro station</a> </i>with its synth-driven sound and heavily auto tuned vocals, while the video - directed by <i>troye </i>himself- pays homage to 70s-era <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7atHoLxow9k" target="_blank">david bowie</a>, </i>as troye sports a bright red wig, colourful make-up and a perfectly tailored vintage suit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">as well as these new tracks, i also discovered <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odkCHs2ikyA">this this</a>, </i>a bonus track from the <i>target </i>version of his album <i>bloom, </i>and i've had it on repeat non-stop, as well as the album itself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>2. CXLOE</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">australian artist <i>CXLOE </i>can do no wrong; i've been following her career which began with the release of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elbwWE-CQ3Q" target="_blank">i can't have nice things</a> </i>last year, and she hasn't put a foot wrong since. tracks like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-nw-bdh97w" target="_blank">SICK</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3OPks8i3LU" target="_blank">show you</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Po7AWqYuKY" target="_blank">low blow</a> </i>have been on constant rotation and i can now add <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ExcizsL850" target="_blank">12 steps</a> </i>to the mix. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">featuring her signature dark-pop sound and a Huge Chorus, she revealed via an <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCnR361gnns/" target="_blank">instagram</a> </i>post that the song is about addiction and <i>"mirrors the steps of the program through the eyes of a toxic relationship"</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">as someone who indulged in my fair share of destructive behaviour throughout my late teens/early 20s, it's a sentiment that resonates with me, and like all good songwriting, hits me right where it hurts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>3. heidi montag </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">for anyone that loves Trashy Pop Music, <i>heidi montag</i>'s album <i><a href="https://www.idolator.com/7351112/heidi-montag-superficial-defense?chrome=1" target="_blank">superficial</a> </i>should be essential listening, and while i've had <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTEbGJwyR9U" target="_blank">turn ya head</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VEG5I2BRzo" target="_blank">one more drink</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nd1-sIlfyk" target="_blank">my parade</a></i> on repeat for some time now, the other day i found myself re-listening to the tracks i didn't love first time around and can't see myself stopping any time soon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">highlights include <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVliUwFxiSE" target="_blank">i'll do it</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DJxsQFQoDQ" target="_blank">superficial</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne0IlO0nKqM" target="_blank">twisted</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muVR_Gh0v9s" target="_blank">more is more</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99YZv5rAID0" target="_blank">look how i'm doing</a></i>, all of which could have easily been a smash had they been released by <i>blackout-</i>era <i>britney </i>(there's even a song called <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxGu8sAP49M" target="_blank">blackout</a> </i>on heidi's album) or <i>lady gaga's </i>debut album <i>the fame</i>, but it seems that heidi's reputation as The Villain on MTV's reality show <i>the hills </i>and her decision to undergo 10 (!) plastic surgeries just before the album's release meant it didn't get the promotion or acclaim it deserves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">despite being signed to a major label at the time, heidi shelled out $2 million of her own money to assemble a team of high profile writers and producers including <i>steve morales, laura pergolizzi </i>and <i>cathy dennis, </i>who wrote <i>kylie's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c18441Eh_WE" target="_blank">can't get out of my head</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOZuxwVk7TU" target="_blank">toxic</a> </i>by <i>britney. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">luckily the album has gained somewhat of a cult following in the last few years and <i><a href="https://www.papermag.com/slayyyter-heidi-montag-interview-2629503215.html" target="_blank">slayyyter</a> </i>proclaimed <i>heidi montag </i>one of her biggest musical inspirations; several of the tracks on <i>superifical </i>could have easily appeared on <i>slayyter's</i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> debut mixtape, released last september. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">annoyingly my favourite <i>heidi </i>track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKcXiR8qUkI" target="_blank">body language</a> </i>wasn't included on the album, though it was released as a single in 2009, presumably to generate interest for the album. maybe it's the sample of <i>yazoo's </i>1982 single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmVlaw36L0" target="_blank">situation</a> </i>- also used by <i>the saturdays </i>in their debut single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBA2NFgw2ko" target="_blank">if this is love</a> - </i>which makes it stand out, but i never get tired of hearing the song. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>4. khalid/victoria monet</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">with everything going on in the world right now, it's understandable that we might not get a Song Of The Summer to soundtrack what remains of the warmer months, but may i propose <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yeohq-Fapks" target="_blank">experience</a> </i>by <i>khalid </i>and <i>victoria monet? </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this<i> </i>disco-inspired bop evokes a similar feeling to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObcKHQop2nA" target="_blank">heatstroke</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ee4QjCEHHc" target="_blank">slide</a> </i>by <i>calvin harris, </i>two songs i played to death during my last summer at uni in 2017. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">a</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">nother Big Song that year was </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">drake's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COz9lDCFHjw" target="_blank">passionfruit</a></i><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and it seemed like every car that drove past my bedroom window was blasting it from the speakers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it was also played every time i went to Tha Club, and i can't help but feel like </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">experience </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">could have had the same response had we been allowed to go out and ~socialise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">while that's not an option for many places still under quarantine, i'd highly recommend blasting <i>experience </i>at full volume, margarita in hand, and dreaming of a hopefully not-so-distant future when this song can be played on car stereos and at pool parties the world over. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>5. astrid s</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">prior to this year, i was aware of <i>norwegian</i> singer <i>astrid s </i>thanks to her collaborations with artists including <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Ex_vru4SU" target="_blank">JP cooper</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRsQbTmHYSE" target="_blank">frank walker</a>, </i>but never paid much attention to her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">that all changed with the release of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DQQF88p-nw" target="_blank">i don't know why</a>. </i>there's something much more light and summery about the production compared to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP-zZnptsI8" target="_blank">previous</a> <i>NOTD </i>tracks, and i simply can't get enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">then she dropped <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dSDy4Oe80E" target="_blank">dance dance dance</a>, </i>which gave me goosebumps from the first listen. this is pure pop perfection, and i'm living for the day i can hear it live in <i>november, </i>assuming her tour goes ahead as planned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i've also been enjoying her more ~acoustic songs, particularly </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ru7Zu76_p4" target="_blank">down low</a>, </i><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGHL_HkLJ4U" target="_blank">sidelove</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and</span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy_qsf7nPtA" target="_blank">years</a></i><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">from her 2019 EP </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">down low, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and her foray into ~reggae~ as a featured artist on </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G_2TIbh-wY" target="_blank">contigo tengo feeling</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">by </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">GABIFUEGO, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">which came as a surprise to me as i did my best to avoid the earworm that was </span><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72UO0v5ESUo">despacito</a>. </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>6. julie bergan</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">another norwegian star i've had on repeat is <i>julie bergan, </i>who - like most new artists i write about - i became aware of thanks to <i><a href="https://www.popjustice.com/" target="_blank">popjustice</a>. </i>the first song i became obsessed with was <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fspGAPxcAA" target="_blank">bored</a> - </i>released last october - and ever since she's been releasing a steady stream of bangers into the world, including <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT3HgXsv1PE" target="_blank">STFU</a> - </i>this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F12pEpx7cuo" target="_blank">live</a> performance is really Something Else... <i>dua lipa</i>'s <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHQ0F2Aa7Oc" target="_blank">MTV</a> </i>performance could <i>never</i> -<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UPi8yIFCoc" target="_blank">outline</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYupJq1M1Do" target="_blank">commando</a> </i>and her latest hit, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAY78M-Ayos" target="_blank">don't you wanna play?</a> </i>with <i>seeb. </i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">7. loviet </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">if you're ever in need of a drinking game, i'd highly recommend going back through all my old posts and taking a sip/shot every time i say <i>"80s inspired"</i>. i can guarantee that this post will appear as <i><a href="https://exclaim.ca/music/article/torontos_loviet_already_sounds_like_an_established_pop_star_on_debut_ep_everyone_knows_the_thrill_when_its_over" target="_blank">loviet</a> </i>takes the phrase to a whole new level. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">while <i>the 1975 </i>continue to move in weird and wonderful musical directions - see: <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notes_on_a_Conditional_Form" target="_blank">notes on a conditional form</a> - </i>it's always good to see artists be inspired by the - you guessed it - 80s-inspired sound they cultivated on their first two albums; their <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_1975_(album)" target="_blank">self titled</a> </i>2013 debut and <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Like_It_When_You_Sleep,_for_You_Are_So_Beautiful_yet_So_Unaware_of_It" target="_blank">i like it when you sleep..</a>. </i>three years later. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>toronto-based </i><i>loviet </i>- real name <i>natalie lynn - </i>is one of those artists, who i first became aware of her thanks to an <i>instagram</i> advert for her latest single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttcagm7fK0U" target="_blank">when it's over</a></i>. i also love <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdCaVbtPDSg" target="_blank">the thrill</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr8igJTWwik" target="_blank">everyone knows</a> </i>- perhaps the most <i>1975-</i>esque song of hers - which is an ode to the Bad Boy we all love to hate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">with her first EP officially out in the world, i'm excited to see what the future holds for </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">loviet - </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">hopefully a full-length album is in the works. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>8. alexzone </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">one of my favourite things about twitter is the community of independent artists who have been inspired by the sound of <i>charli xcx </i>and <i>PC music. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">first it was <i>slayyyter, </i>then <i>boy sim, </i>and most recently <i>alexzone, </i>who collaborated with <i>boy sim</i> on the absolute banger that is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnF6lC_cwO8" target="_blank">permission</a></i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">as a solo artist, <i>alex </i>has been releasing bop after bop, including <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB5wiyIvoy8" target="_blank">wish u well</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBeFe_gsrE8" target="_blank">control</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLipeeYk2hU" target="_blank">tie me down!</a>, </i>which is my favourite song thanks to its early 2000s-inspired production and autotuned vocals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i also have to thank him for making me aware of <i>girls night out, </i>a club night that has introduced me to a real-life community of pop lovers and literally Changed My Life in just over a year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>9. 100 gecs </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i've said it before and i'll say it again; <i>100 gecs </i>are truly the future of music, not just pop but everything in-between, whether it's trance, emo or pop-punk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">much like <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2016/02/pc-music-pop-parody-or-just-pure-genius.html" target="_blank">PC music</a> </i>back in 2016, when the duo first emerged, critics weren't sure what to make of their genre-hopping sound, but as their fan base steadily grew thanks to features with <i>charli xcx </i>and <i>dorian electra, </i>it seems like they're finally being taken seriously. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">since i discovered them <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/07/new-and-old-music-friday-41-zara.html">last july</a>, they've put out a remix album called <i>the tree of clues </i>which has taken the internet by storm. somehow they've managed to make their already unique sound even weirder and i'm all for it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my favourite track is naturally </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih7YEC8A53w" target="_blank">xXXi_wud_nvrstøp_ÜXXx</a>, </span></i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">scooter</i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">-inspired</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> collaboration between </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">hannah diamond </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">tommy cash, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">though </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/iamtommycash/hakken" target="_blank">tommy's</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">version should have also been included on the album in my humble opinion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">if you're looking for a pop-punk fix, i'd highly recommend the <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKwkcJ1lQdE" target="_blank">black dresses</a> </i>remix of <i>745 sticky </i>and the incredibly chaotic reworking of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlH3fqSxWWU" target="_blank">hand crushed by a mallet</a>, </i>which features actual <i>fall out boy </i>and canadian artist <i>nicole dollanganger</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>gec 2 u </i>also receives two remixes, one featuring vocals from </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">longtime collaborator </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW97jmVauvM" target="_blank">dorian electra</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and the other by </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">PC music's </i><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ27phB9rsQ" target="_blank">danny l harle</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">which goes heavy on both distortion and club-ready synths</span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">finally there's the <i>a.g. cook </i>remix of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU4g5DRnKdI" target="_blank">money machine</a> </i>and an updated version of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmX4UPiVS-w" target="_blank">ringtone</a>, </i>featuring <i>charli xcx, rico nasty </i>- who just released the impeccable <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gew3tIPSbOA" target="_blank">girl crush</a> - </i>and <i>kero kero bonito, </i>who once played a gig at my university in my first year, which i regret not going to now they're starting to Make It Big. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the duo also included two new ~original tracks, including <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgICI0gn1a0" target="_blank">came to my show</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bDZNzMqf2M" target="_blank">toothless</a>, </i>which fit in seamlessly with the rest of the original album. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">hopefully more new tracks will follow, but they've certainly given us more than enough to tide us over until then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>10. aly & aj</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it's hard to believe that sisters <i>aly </i>and <i>aj m</i><span style="background-color: white;"><i>ichalka </i>were once two of the <i>disney channel's </i>biggest stars - never forget their iconic 2006 film <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrE7tJ7WEVk" target="_blank">cow belles</a>, </i>which is apparently getting a <a href="https://www.etonline.com/aly-and-aj-michalka-reveal-theyre-developing-cow-belles-sequel-exclusive-125057">sequel</a> - as they've since gone on to release some of the best pop music i've heard in the last few years and i saw them in <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/07/i-need-little-church-aly-aj-at.html">manchester</a> </i>this time last year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">following their second EP in 2019, the girls released two impeccable singles during lockdown, firstly <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-BTl6y0iEU" target="_blank">attack of panic</a> - </i>a sleek electro-pop bop which perfectly describes the collective and individual anxiety we've all been feeling lately - and <i>joan of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rpG34Y92mg" target="_blank">arc on the dancefloor</a>, </i>possibly their best song yet.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">this is pure 80s floorfiller with a political twist, inspired by the historical figure herself who was burned at the stake in 143l aged just 19 after being accused of witchcraft.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">aly described the song as </span><span style="background-color: white;"><i>"super relevant in this moment that we're going through, especially with these protests, and the fact that people need to have a voice"</i>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">she hoped the song would feel <i>"very anthemic"</i> while hoping it would <i>"lift people up, make them feel like they could be warriors, in whatever way that is — whether that's standing up for their religious beliefs, their sexuality, their rights"</i>, and they've definitely succeeded in all these areas. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">the video is definitely the best quarantine creation i've seen; inspired by the 1928 silent film </span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Passion_of_Joan_of_Arc">the passion of joan of arc</a>, </i><span style="background-color: white;">it was filmed in </span><i style="background-color: white;">aly's </i><span style="background-color: white;">living room on </span><a href="https://ascmag.com/videos/caleb-deschanel-asc-donates-his-1940s-toy-film-set/roger-deakins-asc-bsc-on-his-eclair-npr-camera" style="background-color: white;">ro</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://ascmag.com/videos/caleb-deschanel-asc-donates-his-1940s-toy-film-set/roger-deakins-asc-bsc-on-his-eclair-npr-camera"><i>ger deakins</i>'</a> e<i>clair NPR</i> camera and </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> <i>george s. barnes'</i> m<i>itchell no. 5</i> camera - used in several silent-era film - and includes footage from the sexual assault trials of<i> a<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Hill">nita hill</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Blasey_Ford">dr. christine blasey ford</a>. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">these small details demonstrate the passion they have for the music they create and with recording for their second album underway, i'm eager to see what they do next. </span></span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-80049952910380626742020-07-10T18:53:00.006+01:002023-01-10T20:29:03.415+00:00the future can be rearranged: music, mental health and momentum <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">when i was a teenager, it seemed unlikely that my generation (millennial, if you will) would ever live through any significant Historical Events, and within a matter of months we've ended up with a <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/coronavirus" target="_blank">global health pandemic</a> and a burgeoning civil rights movement sparked by the killing of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_George_Floyd" target="_blank">george floyd</a> </i>by police officers in <i>minnesota </i>on may 25th. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">to say i was both horrified and devastated was an understatement, as i first became aware of the <i><a href="https://blacklivesmatter.com/" target="_blank">black lives matter</a> </i>movement in 2014 following the death of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Michael_Brown" target="_blank">michael brown</a> </i>in <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferguson_unrest" target="_blank">ferguson</a>, missouri. </i>i still remember watching the harrowing video of his arrest and the protests which followed, feeling powerless to do anything to help the community. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">fast forward to 2020 and supporters far and wide have been able to use <i>change.org </i>and <i>go fund me </i>to help raise awareness of the injustices faced by black communities and donate to the families affected. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">finally it feels like real change is taking place, with the introduction of <i>breonna's law - </i>named after <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Breonna_Taylor" target="_blank">breonna taylor</a> </i>who was killed in her own home during a police raid - which will <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/502391-louisville-passes-breonnas-law-banning-no-knock-warrants" target="_blank">ban</a> no-knock search warrants, and a new <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/25/elijah-mcclain-colorado-governor-police-killing" target="_blank">investigation</a> into e<i>lijah mcclain's </i>case taking place after he was killed walking home from a convenience store in <i>colorado </i>last year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to black people being killed and disrespected by law enforcement, and i've spent the last few months educating myself about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institutional_racism" target="_blank">systematic racism</a>, signing petitions and donating to various causes, all of which can be found <i><a href="https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/" target="_blank">here</a>, </i>or in the <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Cjpq4f6R0QJ8YlVyYiiqePOs7hrw9n3YDGiXlpIpcUQ/htmlview#" target="_blank">link</a> on my <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/p/about.html" target="_blank">about</a> </i>page. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i'd highly recommend watching documentaries such as <i><a href="https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/traffic-stop" target="_blank">traffic stop</a>, <a href="https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/baltimore-rising" target="_blank">baltimore rising</a>, </i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122;"><i><a href="https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/traffic-stop" target="_blank">3 1/2 minutes</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80091741" target="_blank">13th</a>, </i>which might just be the most important documentary i've ever watched, </span><span style="color: #202122;">providing an unflinching look at how racial inequality continues to destroy communities across america. </span><span style="color: #202122;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122;">there have also been incredibly uncomfortable conversations with my parents, particularly my dad, who continues to insist that "all lives matter" and is still clinging to tired racial stereotypes that have no basis in reality. though frustrating at times, i continue to express my views in the hope that maybe one day it could help change his mind. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">so with all this going on, it just didn't seem right to be writing and posting 2000 words about my favourite new songs, and i'm still trying to find a balance between sharing information about the ongoing protests while also making time for my own interests. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">i've been putting off this post for weeks as i wasn't sure how to launch back into writing about pop music during such a stressful time, and have worried about appearing insensitive, but i also appreciate the value of music and the creative arts. at a time when the world feels more divided than ever, that sense of community is vital, so even if this post helps just one person feel slightly more positive, it's better than nothing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">my decision to start posting again was triggered mostly by a <i>netflix</i> documentary called <i><a href="https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81274609" target="_blank">the show must go on</a>, </i>which explores <i>adam lambert's </i>collaboration with glam rock band <i>queen, </i>and how the remaining members dealt with life after singer <i>freddie mercury</i> died from AIDS complications in 1991. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">i've never been the biggest <i>queen </i>fan - though the <i>live aid </i>performance of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-0ygW-B_gI" target="_blank">radio ga ga</a> </i>remains one of my all time favourite </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">song</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">s - but i was obsessed with </span><i style="color: #202122; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">adam lambert's </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">debut album </span><i style="color: #202122; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">for your entertainment, </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">released just a few months after he became the runner-up on </span><i style="color: #202122; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">american idol </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in 2009 (!) and have been listening to it non-stop for the last few weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">title track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsPFDzAGb4A" target="_blank">for your entertainment</a> </i>is a gloriously camp bop, and the party keeps going with the <i>max martin </i>produced <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmXQFwlD7vk" target="_blank">if i had you</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iXKdV14k_Q" target="_blank">fever</a>, </i>which was originally written and recorded by <i><a href="https://ladygaga.fandom.com/wiki/Fever_(song)" target="_blank">lady gaga</a> </i>in 2006<i>. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">i've also recently revisited <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1Fqn9du7xo" target="_blank">whataya want from me</a>, </i>an angst-filled pop/rock bop originally intended for <i>p!nk's </i>fifth album <i>funhouse. </i>adam's version received a <i>gr</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>ammy</i> nomination for <i>"best male pop vocal performance"</i> and it's not hard to see why. he also shows off his impressive vocal prowess on <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_ttAS2V7YA" target="_blank">aftermath</a> </i>and my current favourite <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ8jqkzho5k" target="_blank">pick u up</a>, </i>which contains a key change so spectacular it gave me goosebumps upon hearing it for the first time in years last week. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">the addition of <i>adam lambert </i>to <i>queen's </i>lineup might have seemed odd to some, but seeing him sing with the group on stage in the documentary makes it clear that he has not only the vocal range but the charisma and iconic stage outfits required to front a glam rock band. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">there's also the fact that he's been openly gay ever since his time on <i>american idol, </i>and even now, seeing his casual response to leaked pictures of him and his boyfriend at the time gives me hope that one day the rest of the world will follow suit and accept everyone regardless of their sexuality. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">seeing him on stage also made me desperately miss the escape afforded to me by <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/wxq58y/coronavirus-i-miss-live-music-essay?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">live music</a> and going to Tha Club, though i've definitely appreciated smaller social gatherings with a few close friends since the lockdown was lifted in the UK. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">it's not just my social life that i've been reassessing while being in quarantine generally; the BLM movement has reignited my desire for a world where everyone is truly and fully equal. i've become much less focused on my own <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/y3zg9b/maybe-your-big-dream-life-goal-ambition-is-making-you-unhappy?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">Big Dreams</a> and would rather do something that will make a difference for marginalised communities, though i'm still trying to figure out how i can use my existing writing ~skills~ to do so.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">with so many of us that aren't classed as key workers either working from home, furloughed or being made redundant, it's now clear to me that the majority of jobs are in fact <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_uk/topic/bullshit-job-diary" target="_blank">bullshit</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCD5oPtnAc_/" target="_blank">capitalism</a> is really fucking ugly. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">it's also highlighted what i realised a few months ago, which that the majority of my ~ambitions~ to move to london and work In Fashion were based on a desire to run away from whatever problems i was dealing with at home rather than actually seek help for them, and since i've prioritised other areas of my life, including my own Mental Health and acquiring a group of friends who truly appreciate me as i am, i've definitely felt better. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">while i've had plenty of time to appreciate the music my teenage self loved, i've also been playing newer albums from long-term favourites such as <i>the 1975, charli xcx </i>and <i>lady gaga. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">i took to <i>chromatica </i>like a duck to water; an impeccable album with no filler in sight. gaga has well and truly returned to pop and i couldn't be happier about it. my favourite songs have chopped and changed since its release, but i constantly find myself coming back to mega-banger <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYLZq390IHg" target="_blank">alice</a>, </i>her ode to anti-psychotic medication <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oI4_shsYnE" target="_blank">911</a>, </i>and her take on the Don't Need No Man bop, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_cIs0_C6nA" target="_blank">free woman</a> </i>(though i still maintain that the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzHqrbLgGDU" target="_blank">demo version</a> is better). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">if i'm In My Feelings then i'll play <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHtdG2M_W3M" target="_blank">plastic doll</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIq6lpdO-Bw" target="_blank">1000 doves</a>, target</i> bonus track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDsb1A1ExJs" target="_blank">love me right</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9GUJ7Wqy3A" target="_blank">sine from above</a>, </i>her collaboration with <i>elton john. </i>a special shoutout must also be given to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOuuMmlf_DE" target="_blank">babylon</a>, </i>a perfect Walking Song if i ever did hear one, and i'm LIVING for the day i get to hear it in a club at 3am. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">it wasn't so easy for me to get into <i>how i'm feeling now</i>, <i>charli xcx's </i>fourth studio album recorded in lockdown, but i'm delighted to say that i now adore every single song. they perfectly capture the emotions i've experienced over the last four months and the sound created by <i>BJ burton, a.g. cook, danny harle </i>and <i>dylan brady </i>of <i>100 gecs </i>is second to none. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">album opener <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FU8xyVC-tk" target="_blank">pink diamond</a> </i>wouldn't look out of place on charli's seminal <i>vroom vroom EP </i>(<i>"in real life could the club even handle us"</i> is now one of my favourite lyrics ever)<i>, </i>while <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAo8X-rIt8k" target="_blank">claws</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-NS9hnmWN4" target="_blank">detonate</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE4_dtz8u28" target="_blank">7 years</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQKiFbDKLlE" target="_blank">enemy</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYBIHkcu680" target="_blank">i finally understand</a> </i>are a continuation of the sound explored on her third album, <i>charli. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">fan favourite/<i><a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/horoscopes-monthly/a28208924/leo-traits/" target="_blank">leo</a> </i>anthem <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaC0DFzcFc8" target="_blank">party 4 u</a> </i>finally received the studio treatment, while <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK3mbxs7IOU">click</a> </i>was re imagined as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38EmWxkXS0E">c2.0</a>,</i> an ode to charli's friends that has <i>100 gecs </i>quite literally written all over it, and of course there are two Absolute Bangers to close out the album, which incidentally are my favourite tracks. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">it was a joy to watch charli's live instagram video where she wrote <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6oq5HCzG4c">anthems</a> </i>with the input of several fans who had a way with words, and i hope she'll continue this collaborative process in her future projects. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">then there's <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRza3wDl9pM">visions</a>, </i>which starts out super-emo and ascends into a chaotic mix of synths and hardcore beats that could only have come from the mind of <i>a.g. cook</i>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">one of my favourite moments of the last few months was Losing My Shit when this song was played during a <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/queerantinelive/?ref=br_rs">queerantine</a> </i>live stream - the online version of my beloved <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/girlsnightoutuk/">girls night out</a> </i>- which has been taking place via <i>zoom </i>every saturday for the last couple of months, and i'm genuinely afraid of how i'll react when i actually hear it in Tha Club. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">the final album that took a while to work its magic on me was <i>notes on a conditional form</i> by <i>the 1975. </i>to say this album was long awaited is an understatement, as the release was delayed several times, and upon first listen i was disappointed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">hoping for some more of the 80s-adjacent bops the band have made their trademark since 2013, or the "heavier" sound of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKdPxXWm7Jg">people</a> </i>that frontman <i>matty healy </i>promised would make up more of the album, i felt it was lacking... something. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">i tried several times to really Get Into It, and just as i was about to give up, something clicked and i fell in love with its super-nostalgic sound. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">having previously cited 90's garage and ambient music as influences for the album, healy described it as an ode to <i>"british nighttime culture"</i> and told <i>annie mac </i>in a <i>radio 1 </i>interview that it paid homage to </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">"the beauty of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M25_motorway" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="M25 motorway">M25</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> and all those lights and going to m</span>cdonald's<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> and listening to garage records in a haze in a p</span>eugeot 206</i><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>"</i>, and once i understood this reference, the sound totally made sense. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="background-color: white;">while i would have been too young to partake in the teenage culture of healy's youth, i do have vivid memories from the early 2000s of long car drives back from various family holidays in northern seaside towns across the UK, and tracks like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp1KIaOfWeo">having no head</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTK9N7n8Wcg">yeah i know</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOkUE0OB7V0">frail state of mind</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzyH1r-jya4">i think there's something you should know</a></i> bring them right to the forefront of my mind. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">the indie influences of the band's early years are strong on <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcoFDAujHgo">then because she goes</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do7B74dyEVs">the birthday party</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0mzMd17jG0">guys</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj3n-8OK-gA">roadkill</a>. </i>clearly inspired by the super-confessional<i> </i>lyrical style of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyHr-4SeILI">the streets</a>, healy</i> weaves together stories of his own life experiences that manage to be both comical and vulnerable at the same time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">it's this gift which elevates it from yet another <i>brian eno-</i>inspired ambient album to something only they could create, and they continue to evolve sonically on my absolute favourite tracks <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXj4XcZBwK4">shiny collarbone</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHbKsi3Plys">what should i say</a>.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202122; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">many fans were caught off guard by the contribution of dancehall artist <i>cutty ranks </i>on <i>shiny collarbone, </i>who provides vocals for the track. however i personally love it, probably because - combined with <i>george daniel's </i>impeccable production - it's reminiscent of <i>jamie xx's </i>2015 album <i>in colour, </i>which i've also been re-listening to as a result. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="background-color: white;">both <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMueRXuSS3Y">bagsy not in net</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjxR5_rLFQo">don't worry</a> </i>never fail to break my heart; the former made all the more devastating by an orchestral sample from <i>c</i></span></span><i>hristopher cross's</i><span style="background-color: white;"> 1979 song </span><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEO6gYCFbr0">sailing</a></i><span style="background-color: white;">. healy told <i>beats 1</i> that the chorus is about </span><span style="background-color: white;"><i>"wanting to die with your partner"</i> and not wanting to <i>"lose someone that i love"</i>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it's not a break-up album per se, but there's definitely the sense of an ending running throughout </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">notes</i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">, maybe because this album</span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; font-size: 16px;"> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">marks the end of the band's </span><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"music for cars"</span> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">era and a possible break for the group, who have been touring non-stop for the last six years. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it's also the first time the group have invited collaborators into their creative process, as both <i>FKA twigs</i> and <i>phoebe bridgers </i>add their vocals to the album, but <i>don't worry </i>is by far my favourite as it features matty's dad, actor <i>tim healy, </i>who wrote the song when matty was just two years old. father and son sing the vocals together and it's given the 1975 treatment with their signature production that evokes the synth-driven, autotuned sound of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wScYn10D2vo">francis and the lights</a>. </i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">overall, <i>notes</i> provides plenty of opportunities to laugh, (ugly) cry and bop, exploring the full range of Human Emotion. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">while it's not my favourite album they've ever released, i appreciate their efforts to continue creating music that makes them happy, regardless of what their critics may say. </span><div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it's an attitude i'm trying to retain myself as everything i once thought was set in stone is now very much up in the air, but i do feel some sense of comfort knowing that we're all in this together and hope that a fairer society could be on the horizon. </span></div>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-65622365846079190032020-04-24T18:07:00.002+01:002020-04-24T18:09:09.124+01:00new (and old) music friday #48: the 1975, doja cat, nadia oh, ashnikko, FLETCHER <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>1. the 1975</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it's hard to believe that the last time i wrote about my favourite band was <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/08/new-and-old-music-friday-43-ava-max.html" target="_blank">august 2019</a>, when <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKdPxXWm7Jg" target="_blank">people</a> </i>had just been released and they were days away from headlining <i>reading and leeds festival. </i>the releases that followed failed to thrill me, and it's taken me a long time to really appreciate the slightly more subdued <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOkUE0OB7V0" target="_blank">frail state of mind</a>, </i>the <i>britpop</i>-inspired <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF47oaT6qzc" target="_blank">me & you together song</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0kbllNyEO0" target="_blank">jesus christ 2005 god bless america</a>, </i>both of which belong in a ~coming of age~ film <span style="background-color: white;">à la </span><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o2xteiJt94&t=1s" target="_blank">beats</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsrZk99s9LY" target="_blank">spike island</a>. </i>there's something fabulously nostalgic about these songs, but they still manage to sound fresh, something the band has always excelled at. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">as previously mentioned, i saw the 1975 in february and one of the songs i was most excited to hear was the unreleased <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYYQpTbBSBM" target="_blank">if you're too shy (let me know)</a></i>, and clearly i wasn't the only one as the crowd were already word perfect. as a longtime lover of 80s-adjacent sounds, this felt like an instant classic and one of the most "1975" songs they've ever produced, rivalled only by <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bVJFgvUZHg" target="_blank">it's not living (if it's not with you)</a>. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the track was finally released yesterday, receiving its world premiere on <i>radio 1, </i>and it sounded better than i could have ever imagined, particularly the saxophone solo which has made <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG67P9CtBdg" target="_blank">several</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d32VfZ5Pf0w" target="_blank">appearances</a> throughout their career. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it also fully reignited my love of the band after those underwhelming singles, though my joy might be short lived as <i>matty healy </i>told <i>annie mac </i>that the rest of <i>notes on a conditional form </i>- now expected on 22nd may - will have a "heavier" sound, harking back to their <i>drive like i do </i>days. i'm not mad about this as i'm fully embracing the emo and pop-punk music my teenage self loved, but i can't help hoping they'll reconsider and add a few more synth-driven bops to the album. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">perfectly capturing ~the zeitgeist~ as always, <i>if you're too shy </i>reflects the ways technology has changed the way we form and maintain relationships, particularly in this period of lockdown - now extended for a further three weeks in the UK. it's their ability to capture our anxieties about Modern Life combined with a delightfully nostalgic sound that makes the band stand out among their contemporaries, and i might even go as far as to say that <i>too shy </i>is my all time favourite 1975 song, dethroning <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bimd2nZirT4" target="_blank">somebody else </a></i>after four long years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>2. the weeknd</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i've long been a fan of <i>abel tesfaye's </i>more pop-leaning tracks, and <i>starboy </i>quickly became one of my favourite albums back in 2016. he's clearly shares my love for the 80s, and nowhere is this more apparent than on his new album, <i>after hours. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i became obsessed with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHI8X4OXluQ" target="_blank">blinding lights</a> </i>after hearing it in Tha Club pre-lockdown, and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3QiD99jPAg" target="_blank">in your eyes</a> </i>is currently topping the <a href="https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/" target="_blank">UK charts</a>. the alarmingly catchy synth-led bop also contains an excellent sax solo that gives me goosebumps every time i hear it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">seeing this song at number one gives me faith that the 80s Resurgence is finally taking place, further cemented with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfJxRwQvou0" target="_blank">break up song</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HDEHj2yzew" target="_blank">physical</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L6xyaeiV58" target="_blank">stupid love</a> </i>also charting highly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">another noteworthy track from <i>after hours </i>is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6lihZAcy4s" target="_blank">save your tears</a>, </i>with its <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ahU-x-4Gxw" target="_blank">new order</a>-</i>inspired bassline and delicate synths, but sadly the rest of the album falls somewhat flat. nevertheless, i'll be playing this holy trinity of bops on repeat in the coming weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>3. ashnikko</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i'm amazed that <i>ashnikko </i>hasn't made an appearance in my <i>new music friday </i>posts as i've been obsessed with her <i>hi, it's me </i>EP ever since i saw her support <i><a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/04/odd-one-out-girli-at-band-on-wall.html" target="_blank">girli</a> </i>last year. an ode to fuckboys everywhere, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82YiZVIxcyQ" target="_blank">manners</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBfuM27T1eM" target="_blank">special</a> </i>and title track <i><a href="https://www.nme.com/features/nme-radar-breakout-ashnikko-interview-stupid-2650847" target="_blank">hi, it's me</a> </i>never fail to make me feel like That Bitch. she's recently had a moment of viral fame when <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbQrhOWkonk" target="_blank">STUPID</a> </i>(also from the EP) began appearing in the <i>tik tok</i>s of teens everywhere, and <i><a href="https://www.nme.com/features/nme-radar-breakout-ashnikko-interview-stupid-2650847" target="_blank">NME</a> </i>just published an interview with the rising rapper, complete with a glossy photoshoot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">since the lockdown began, i've actually been doing a vague form of "exercise", going for a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do" target="_blank">government-approved</a> walk every other day, and as someone who hates <a href="https://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcbonb3CF11riiw1do1_500.png" target="_blank">exerting energy</a>, i do find myself looking forward to it now. to make the whole thing slightly more pleasurable, i've created a playlist of songs to soundtrack my walks, and <i>ashnikko</i>'s EP was one of the first things i added. if you too need a boost of motivation to get moving, you can listen to it <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Ewlnw2iIKw6VOIaidC0Nf?si=I4cumQFpSwWL6cDhXb-i2A" target="_blank">here</a>. </i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>4. doja cat</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">another artist who went straight into my walking playlist (it really needs a better name) was <i>doja cat, </i>who has also experienced a sudden jolt of success thanks to <i>tik tok. </i>her song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pok8H_KF1FA" target="_blank">say so</a> </i>quickly took hold of the platform a few months ago and even i couldn't escape it every time i opened twitter or instagram. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">despite having never been a huge fan of ~hip hop~ and rap - with the exception of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fddz7vN9wA" target="_blank">pink friday</a>-</i>era <i>nicki minaj - </i>i soon found myself obsessed with the track's ridiculously catchy melody, though it took a shamefully long time for me to realise that i loved it so much because it samples the iconic disco bop <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLTDpewIpfw" target="_blank">good times</a> </i>by <i>CHIC</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">then came <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsW66teC0BQ" target="_blank">boss bitch</a>, </i>which is by far one of my favourite songs of this year, reminiscent of nicki's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeIJmciN8mo" target="_blank">pop phase</a>, and i don't think it's a stretch to crown <i>doja cat </i>the new queen of rap, breathing new life into a sound<i> </i>pioneered by <i>nicki minaj</i> in the early 2010s. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">also worth a mention is the low-key emo-inspired banger <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik0qg-O_2DM" target="_blank">bottom bitch</a>, </i>which included a slowed-down sample of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7l5ZeVVoCA" target="_blank">what's my age again?</a> </i>by <i>blink-182, </i>showcasing the diverse range of inspirations scattered throughout <i>doja cat</i>'s discography. as someone who's always appreciated everything from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=god7hAPv8f0" target="_blank">70s disco</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPudE8nDog0" target="_blank">80s synth pop</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcH2ERSw-CE" target="_blank">90s indie</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhZTNgAs4Fc" target="_blank">00s pop punk</a>, i admire her unconventional approach to the still male-dominated genre and eagerly await her next release. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">5. nadia oh</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i first became aware of <i>nadia oh </i>back in september when <i><a href="https://www.papermag.com/liz-lottery-premiere-2640598695.html?rebelltitem=14#rebelltitem14" target="_blank">paper magazine</a> </i>did an interview with <i>LIZ </i>ahead of the release of her<i> </i>single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I-RxcxPOE8" target="_blank">lottery</a></i>, and in it she professed her love for <i>nadia oh, </i>one of the main inspirations for the song. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"i wanted to make a track as an ode to </i>nadia oh<i>. i feel like her work with </i>space cowboy<i> really paved the way for a lot of future pop girls today,"</i> she said. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">listening to the hordes of iconic tracks released by PC music stars such as <i>hannah diamond </i>and <i>SOPHIE, </i>along with <i>slayyyter, charli xcx </i>and <i>LIZ </i>herself, <i>nadia's </i>influence can be heard all over their hyper-real blend of synth-laden autouned masterpieces. it's just a shame she never got the recognition she deserved and her work with producer <i>space cowboy </i>went largely unnoticed, though he went on to work with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHi_BnVkJn0" target="_blank">lady gaga</a> </i>on her<i> </i>debut album <i>the fame. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my absolute favourite tracks <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLUSxcrcpzc" target="_blank">colours</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxGfaRAe_RY" target="_blank">DJ's girlfriend</a> </i>wouldn't look out of place on <i>pop 2, </i>while <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDv87d2dDRA" target="_blank">hot like wow</a>,</i> <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4TC5C2p9Xw" target="_blank">my egyptian lover</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gbw44Q47Dg" target="_blank">that kind of girl</a> </i>would fit perfectly with anything <i>slayyyter </i>put her name to. other highlights include the party-ready bops <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxfvtt-D8FU" target="_blank">no bueno</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP3wKVCPT1g" target="_blank">hocus pocus</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyXZ_DyzRlQ" target="_blank">beauty & a beast</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHI4M19r_ws" target="_blank">soopermodel</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">sadly <i>nadia oh </i>disappeared from the music scene in 2012 and hasn't released anything since, but her continued influence on the world of underground pop proves her music was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0xTwT0z6hA" target="_blank">too ahead of its time for certain people</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>6. call me loop</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">now for something slightly less left-field but still excellent in the form of <i>call me loop</i>'s recent releases, including latest single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q903ChvQSzk" target="_blank">downhill from here</a> - </i>which would make an excellent <i>eurovision </i>entry - along with<i> </i>catchy kiss-off <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upIywacmWA4" target="_blank">association</a></i> and the<i> </i>super sassy floor filler <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHMgGnFCJaY" target="_blank">c<i>ry like kim k</i></a><i>.</i> she recently delighted fans with a surprise release called <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/B_QBD5bgpEr/?igshid=fdyzzkjgl3qb" target="_blank">hot thru the winter</a>, </i>a demo dedicated to female friendship perfect for the warmer months, even if we're all stuck inside for the time being. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>7. vardaan arora </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in an excellent show of self-love, <i>vardaan arora </i>released his take on the <i>selena gomez </i>smash <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hebif-ykHbU" target="_blank">rare</a> </i>on his birthday this wednesday, and i've had it on repeat ever since. while the original is slightly lacklustre, he's infused it with an 80s-inspired kick that still stays true to his trademark sound, and though i'm not a full-on <i>selena </i>stan yet, it's given me a new-found appreciation for her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia1iuXbEaYQ" target="_blank">version</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>8. FLETCHER </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">best known for her breakthrough hit <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhY_ZPzz5JU" target="_blank">undrunk</a>, FLETCHER </i>got her start on the US version of <i>x factor </i>back in <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/x-factor-simon-cowell-lakoda-rayne-265525" target="_blank">2011</a> and has since become a vocal supporter of the <i>#METOO </i>movement, releasing the track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfXZieB7zEg" target="_blank">i believe you</a> </i>in 2018, penning a letter for <i><a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8236612/fletcher-new-song-i-believe-you-me-too-open-letter" target="_blank">billboard</a>, </i>and joining a growing list of LGBT+ women making impeccable pop music (see: <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb046l2A92I" target="_blank">gia woods</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QIqBuScDRQ" target="_blank">l devine</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoLwyWi7Z4c" target="_blank">the japanese house</a> </i>and<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy-WhOVbKZ8" target="_blank">pale waves</a></i><i>). </i>her latest track <i>forever </i>sees her torn between committing to a serious relationship and her desire to "be young and party" over a truly exquisite synth-driven hook. hopefully there's more where that came from, but until then i'll be watching the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPe5iAE9qww" target="_blank">music video</a> on repeat, mesmerised by the frighteningly attractive plethora of extras. </span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-18359023639954877712020-04-17T17:21:00.004+01:002020-04-17T17:21:54.214+01:00new (and old) music friday #47: dua lipa, little mix, michael medrano, breathe carolina <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">after a shamefully long absence, <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/search/label/new%20music%20friday" target="_blank">new music friday</a> </i>is back with all the music i've been loving pre-lockdown. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. dua lipa</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">when historians look back at the 2020s (?), they will no doubt categorise our existence on this planet as pre and post <i>future nostalgia</i>, the long-awaited second album from <i>dua lipa </i>(aka <i>dula peep). </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">before we were blessed with this disco-tinged, pop masterpiece, the world of pop was a sad and barren place, full of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumble_rap" target="_blank">"soundcloud rappers"</a> and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJQP7kiw5Fk" target="_blank">despacito</a>, </i>something i wrote about at length <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2018/05/everything-is-brighter-now-whats-next.html" target="_blank">here</a>. (</i>in that post, i lamented the fact that some of the industry's biggest stars had already reached their peak, but more on that later.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the last few years have seen me praying for a pop revival that would deliver us iconic bops on a par with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrO4YZeyl0I" target="_blank">bad romance</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98WtmW-lfeE" target="_blank">teenage dream</a>, </i>and it would seem <i>dua lipa </i>answered my prayers with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oygrmJFKYZY" target="_blank">don't start now</a>, </i>the first single from <i>future nostalgia. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">prior to this, i'd never been a huge fan of hers, halfheartedly bopping along to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2qgadSvNyU" target="_blank">new rules</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEOyePhElr4" target="_blank">hotter than hell</a> </i>if they appeared on my spotify shuffle, but as soon as i heard <i>don't start now, </i>it felt like a new era for the singer, who already had a string of hit singles and a (highly underwhelming) <a href="https://diymag.com/2017/06/02/dua-lipa-self-titled-album-review" target="_blank">debut album</a> under her belt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>dua's </i>second album<i> </i>was inspired by both break ups and new love, and the bops kept coming with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HDEHj2yzew" target="_blank">physical</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EJ-vZyBzOQ" target="_blank">future nostalgia</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj2U6rhnucI" target="_blank">break my heart</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">this slew of flawless singles sent Gay Twitter into meltdown, and i found myself taking back any criticisms i may have levelled at dua over the years, but of course i still had high hopes for the full album. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">my friend kindly sent me a link to the album a few days before it was released - i.e. leaked - which i did feel slightly guilty about, but there was no way i wasn't going to give it a listen. the album tracks feature that same disco-inspired sound as her singles, but for some reason they felt slightly lacklustre in comparison to those songs, which i'd taken great joy in screaming along to in Tha Club every weekend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">now i've had a few weeks to process the album and listen to it all, i do like the majority of tracks - though the less said about <i>good in bed </i>and <i>boys will be boys </i>the better - but i find myself returning back to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY8tAKDVxK8" target="_blank">cool</a>, </i>an impeccable synth-driven bop and one of the few that doesn't contain any disco elements. perhaps that's why it stands out amongst the rest, or maybe it's the work of <i>pet shop boys </i>producer <i>stuart price </i>which gives it a more refined sound. either way, i can't get enough of the track and i only wish the rest of the album measured up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">then soon after the release of <i>future nostalgia, </i>i saw several people tweeting about "side b" of the album, which after a quick search i discovered was a series of unreleased songs that didn't make the cut, and i hate to say it but they were all iconic, particularly <i>if it ain't me, </i>a collaboration with <i>normani </i>that should have been a lead single. again, i feel slightly bad about sharing ~leaked~ songs but if you can get access to them, i'd highly recommend <i>love is religion - </i>an ode to 80s-era <i>madonna -, </i>the euphoric <i>i'm free, </i>along with <i>berlin summer, bad idea, 258 </i>and<i> ball and chain</i>. it's a travesty that these songs won't see the light of day, but that won't stop me playing them on repeat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">so that brings us to post <i>future nostalgia, </i>and already i'm seeing more and more artists embracing a traditionally pop sound, some of which i'll discuss in this post. i'd like to think it's dua's influence seeing as she's now a global superstar, and hopefully it will herald the start of a new era of Huge Bangers from her fellow pop girls. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. lady gaga</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">one of those artists is <i>lady gaga, </i>who made her return to the music world with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L6xyaeiV58" target="_blank">stupid love</a></i> in february. as i said in this <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2018/05/everything-is-brighter-now-whats-next.html" target="_blank">post</a>, i felt she'd hit her peak with <i>the fame monster </i>(though i adored <i><a href="https://www.papermag.com/defense-lady-gaga-artpop-2641327606.html" target="_blank">artpop</a> </i>and still do) so this slice of pop perfection couldn't have come at a better time after the country-inspired sound of <i>joanne. </i>once again, Gay Twitter were unstoppable when it came to leaking the song, and i actually heard it in Tha Club several times before it was released, but unlike <i>charli xcx, </i>who scrapped her album <i>xcx world </i>when the entire project leaked, gaga <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8548801/lady-gaga-song-allegedly-leaks-tweet" target="_blank">embraced</a> the situation and gave fans what they wanted with an official release. while the release of her fifth album <i>chromatica </i>has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, i'll be playing this on loop while we await what will hopefully be another bop-filled masterpiece.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>3. harry styles </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">as much as i love harry, i found it hard to really get into his second album <i>fine line, </i>which arrived in december last year. in an all too common phenomenon, the singles were excellent, particularly <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF-r5TtlT9w" target="_blank">adore you</a>, </i>which i think is by far his best song, but the rest of the album felt slightly more subdued than his <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2017/05/were-not-who-we-used-to-be-harry-styles.html" target="_blank">self-titled</a> debut, despite his <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/harry-styles-cover-interview-album-871568/" target="_blank">revelation</a> that he'd taken magic mushrooms during the album's creation and wanted to have "more fun" with his songwriting second time around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">lacking a high energy bop like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wg3v-01yKQ" target="_blank">kiwi</a>, </i>the album centres around his most recent Break Up and finds styles in a more reflective mood, something i initially found boring. but i was determined to love the album, so i continued playing it every few days and then suddenly in february, something clicked and i found myself <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olGSAVOkkTI" target="_blank">falling</a> </i>(sorry) for every song, even <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi2Gy7DG75g" target="_blank">treat people with kindness</a>, </i>which i'd once found insufferable as it reminded me of something from a <i>broadway </i>musical.</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">tracks like </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGeJ73yAAhQ" target="_blank">cherry</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PPK-6FeJ9A" target="_blank">to be so lonely</a> </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">falling </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">all deal with the aforementioned Break Up, but there are some moments of joy too, seen with the </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">fleetwood mac</i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> inspired </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enuYFtMHgfU" target="_blank">golden</a> </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">- which would make an exceptional driving song if i ever overcome my fear of getting behind the wheel and actually learn to drive - along with the super summery bops </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-x3uD5z1bQ" target="_blank">watermelon sugar</a> </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUUElxEGo0U" target="_blank">sunflower, vol. 6</a>. </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">there's plenty of drama too, best heard on </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ3PeDGswz4" target="_blank">she</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a sumptuous six minute gem chock full of heady guitar solos, and closing track </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojp71GGm-LQ" target="_blank">fine line</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">which never fails to make me tear up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i can't figure out why i suddenly changed my mind about this album, but i'm glad it was able to work some kind of magic on me. sadly harry's tour has been postponed until next year, so the outfit i'd planned in homage to his look at this year's <i><a href="https://twitter.com/marcjacobs/status/1229901861458718721" target="_blank">brit awards</a> </i>won't see the light of day until then, but at least it gives me more time to become word perfect. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>4. little mix</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">another example of 80s-inspired brilliance comes in the form of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa3C3blayWo" target="_blank">break up song</a> </i>(i'm sensing a theme here), the newest single from <i>little mix. </i>much like <i>dua lipa, </i>i've always felt they've never released any major bops over the nine (!) years they've been together, and i prayed they would come through one day. that day has finally arrived and i get goosebumps every time i listen to <i>break up song</i>. with a Huge Chorus that <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGVZOLV9SPo" target="_blank">pat benatar</a> </i>would be proud of, i'm hoping their next album will contain more of the same, and am envisioning a world tour with pat as the support, bringing her power ballads to the younger portion of the group's fan base and kick starting the 80s pop revival once and for all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>5. mel c</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">each member of the <i>spice girls </i>has had varying success with their respective solo careers, but lately i've been paying special attention to <i>mel c </i>and her super camp bangers. she kicked things off with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUedP6NUyj0" target="_blank">high heels</a> </i>last november, a collaboration with drag act <i>sink the pink </i>that quickly became a regular fixture in my Getting Ready playlist, and her latest single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzk44YbqOz0" target="_blank">who i am</a> </i>contains traces of <i>robyn</i>'s club-ready sound. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">typically the song was released just days before the UK went into lockdown, so i'm living for the day when the clubs will re-open and i can request the song incessantly. according to a recent guardian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/27/melanie-c-had-incredible-career-time-i-accepted-myself" target="_blank">interview</a>, mel c has been working on music with <i>shura </i>and <i>little boots, </i>best known for her iconic bangers <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUs9YzY7t-8" target="_blank">new in town</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McdqerXrwXE" target="_blank">remedy</a></i>, so hopefully by the time we're allowed outside, she might have blessed us with some more new songs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>6. michael medrano </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i first became aware of <i>michael medrano </i>when he released the uber dramatic <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWzWkvH0f70" target="_blank">love somebody else</a> </i>back in 2018, and he continues to produce exquisite bops such as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtKdd7N-Vqg" target="_blank">fluids</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1uXF_QSR70" target="_blank">do your thing!</a>, </i>his newest track that features a key change (!), something i've been hoping will return to mainstream pop music one day. but until the rest of the world catches up to his brilliance i'll be playing all these songs at full volume while dreaming of being in Tha Club. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>7. breathe carolina </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">a few months before i stopped posting, i started a new series called <i><a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/search/label/throwback%20thursday" target="_blank">throwback thursday</a>, </i>where i planned to discuss albums that my <a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/07/nostalgia-news-associates-and-new.html" target="_blank">teenage self</a> loved, and though i've not been writing much, i've still been re-listening to said albums. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">one of those is <i>hello fascination </i>by pop punk/electronic duo <i>breathe carolina, </i>the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3GZzMIltMc" target="_blank">title track</a> of which still Goes Off. so imagine my joy when i discovered they were still making music and released an album last year. the pop punk influences have been stripped back but their new electro-pop sound is one i can't get enough of. i'd highly recommend <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo-pOF5_enw" target="_blank">too good</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpy00B4UgO4" target="_blank">july</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHFACWGa6NM" target="_blank">think about you</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVgNEsyrOmA" target="_blank">dead</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK8TkYldvoo" target="_blank">drive</a>, </i>and am eagerly awaiting the day they'll tour the UK. </span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-6335482114933056452020-04-10T19:06:00.000+01:002020-04-17T17:52:00.360+01:00got everything and nothing in my life: the return of musing + lyrics <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">due to unforeseen circumstances, i.e. a global pandemic, i find myself making a return to this poorly neglected blog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">originally it wasn't my intention to stop writing altogether; i've gone weeks without writing and always come back to it eventually, but after yet more job-related frustrations following my <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/12/its-gonna-be-okay-baby-muna-at-club.html" target="_blank">last post</a> in december, it seemed like a waste of time to spend hours writing about pop music knowing it (probably) won't ever become a full time thing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">then in january i had yet another disastrous phone interview, but the incredibly nice woman i spoke to told me about a digital marketing training course i could complete online which would later lead to a work placement and hopefully a full time job at the company or somewhere similar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it didn't take me long to decide this is what i needed, as i was tired of being told by numerous employers that i lacked the relevant digital marketing ~skills~ at each and every interview i attended (though it does beg the question; why ask me to go to an interview if they already feel i don't have enough experience??), so i signed up, paid for the course out of the savings that have been a life raft the last two years and ploughed through the course, anxiously awaiting the final test.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i've notoriously been terrible at any kind of exam but luckily this was multiple choice, and when i took the test in march i managed to get 93% - not bad when the pass rate was 80%. i then received a congratulatory email and was told the "careers team" would contact me about a placement within ten days, and that was when corona hit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">of course the moment i was about to get my life together, the entire country (and the world) went into lockdown to try and control the spread of the virus, so naturally my placement has been delayed until further notice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">a few months ago, this would have felt like The End of the World, but thanks to my (now) beloved <i>sertraline</i>, the well-being course i completed in january and the one-on-one therapy i finished just yesterday, i feel slightly more equipped to handle my fear of the unknown, both for my own future and that of the planet too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">if anything, this is the best i've felt in a long time as my years of Being Depressed have prepared me for the last few weeks of isolation and "social distancing", something i've been practising on and off since i was a teenager. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">while the more mentally stable among us struggle with the lack of human contact and fear of the unknown when it comes to job security and health-related issues, i've managed to relax slightly as i realised that all the things i used to worry about are now out of my control and i no longer feel the need to blame myself for any of these circumstances. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i'm clearly not the only one who feels this way, as this article from the <i><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/coronavirus-is-making-a-lot-of-people-anxious-and-depressed-but-some-sufferers-actually-feel-better-now" target="_blank">daily beast</a></i> showed when it went ~viral~ on twitter a few days ago, racking up thousands of likes and retweets while hopefully providing an insight into what living with mental illness is like for those who've never experienced it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">for those who are used to having a stable 9-5 job, this abundance of free time is probably quite distressing as all the structures of their daily routines have drastically changed, but for me it's provided an opportunity to get back to doing what i really love, which is writing about music. at the risk of sounding incredibly clich<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">é</span>, life really is too short to not do what makes you happy, even if you're not getting a paycheck from it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i'm incredibly aware how lucky i am to be able to stay at home and pursue my passion, and like everyone else i have immense respect for those whose work is still deemed essential, particularly the NHS. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">as a result, the sweet release of pop music now feels more important than ever as several gigs i was looking forward to - including <i>harry styles</i>, <i>pet shop boys</i>, <i>litany</i> and the long-awaited return of <a href="https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/3oh3-have-announced-their-first-uk-tour-in-eight-years" target="_blank"><i>3OH!3</i> </a>(!) - have all been postponed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">luckily i got to see <i>the 1975</i> for the fifth (!) time in february and it might just have been their best show yet, partly because of how close we were to the stage - i'm certain matty made eye contact with me for most of <i>frail state of mind</i>, though in my cow print denim jacket i was probably quite hard to miss - and the live debut of their <a href="https://twitter.com/Truman_Black/status/1232993860470628353" target="_blank">soon-to-be-released</a> next single, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sXicZl6HdM" target="_blank">if you're too shy (let me know)</a></i>, which is all my 80s dreams come to life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">then in february i experienced what was eventually dubbed "winter pride" as the gay population of manchester turned out to see <i>carly rae jepsen</i> and <i>kim petras</i> over three nights, followed by after parties put on by <i><a href="https://twitter.com/PopCuriousClub" target="_blank">pop curious?</a></i> and <i><a href="https://twitter.com/GirlsNightOutUK" target="_blank">girls night out</a></i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it was a slightly chaotic time, but finally hearing <i>run away with me </i>live after so many years and getting to scream the words to every kim petras song - particularly the surprise inclusion of <i>do me</i> on the sunday night - were some of the highlights of my entire life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my last foray outside was to see <i>hannah diamond</i> for the third time in march (mainly to hear <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb8cQwPUD0U" target="_blank">concrete angel</a></i> again) and thinking about it now feels like travelling back in time to an alternate universe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i'm intrigued to see how we'll all cope once we're let back out into the pubs, clubs and live venues we love. will we be more conscious of those in close proximity to us, or will we carry on like nothing ever happened?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i can guarantee i'll never take going out for granted ever again, and am counting down the seconds until i can throw some glitter on my face and dance with all my favourite people, though i just hope our beloved <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/3a8m99/lgbt-clubs-coronavirus-closure-uk" target="_blank">LGBT venues</a> across the UK will survive the lockdown and come back even stronger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in the meantime, i've been eagerly following <i>charli xcx's</i> every move as she continues to be pop's leading pioneer when it comes to releasing music in the digital age. she already helped bring the mixtape format into the pop world with <i>number 1 angel</i> and <i>pop 2,</i> before dropping her full-length self titled debut <a href="https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/wjwxdz/charli-xcx-new-album-review" target="_blank">album</a> in september last year, and this week she announced her next project would be released on may 15th. with a working title of <i><a href="https://twitter.com/charli_xcx/status/1247240506901442561" target="_blank">how i'm feeling now</a></i>, charli has been sharing the entire creative process of the album via twitter, instagram and zoom, including lyric ideas, <a href="https://twitter.com/charli_xcx/status/1247642123186421760" target="_blank">demos</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/charli_xcx/status/1247917168974585862" target="_blank">album artwork</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the first song was released yesterday, and i continue to be amazed at charli's ability to take what was just a few snippets of a song scribbled on paper with a <a href="https://twitter.com/charli_xcx/status/1247664753821925376" target="_blank">sharpie</a> into a synth-laden, super-emo banger titled <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O9xP4g8zfU" target="_blank">forever</a></i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">written just before quarantine began, this track details the highs and lows of a long-distance relationship, but charli has said the rest of the songs will deal with all the emotions that arise from living in isolation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">working with her long-time collaborator <i>a.g. cook</i> and producer <i>BJ burton</i>, the track wouldn't look out of place on a <i>100 gecs</i> album, and i'm praying a collaboration with the weird and wonderful twosome (who i wrote more about <i><a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/07/new-and-old-music-friday-41-zara.html" target="_blank">here</a></i>) will also feature on the album. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">while this innovative way of working is nothing new for charli, who has always loved collaborating with and elevating her fellow artists to <i><a href="https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/ne8x77/stanning-trash-music-the-frock-destroyers-ashley-o-peppa-pig" target="_blank">stan twitter</a></i> status, i'm curious to see if others will follow suit and create new projects entirely from the comfort of their own home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">one of her contemporaries has already jumped on board; <i>troye sivan</i> took a <a href="https://twitter.com/troyesivan/status/1245896443640102912" target="_blank">DIY</a> approach to his latest release <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ep_ej77h8s" target="_blank">take yourself home</a></i>, enlisting the help of his friends and online followers to create the <a href="https://twitter.com/troyesivan/status/1244408282044747777" target="_blank">album artwork</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LniYWYmNXiM" target="_blank">lyric video</a> all from his home in <i>australia</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i'm sure it won't be long before <i><a href="https://pitchfork.com/" target="_blank">pitchfork</a></i> and the like begin declaring this way of working <i>"the future of music"</i>, confirming what charli's devoted fans have always known; she's ahead of her time, and everyone else's too. </span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-61606485152256293692019-12-06T17:35:00.002+00:002020-04-09T20:06:04.331+01:00it's gonna be okay, baby: MUNA at club academy <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">fresh from my latest Existential Crisis - brought on by another exhausting round of job interviews that included my third trip to london in two months - my motivation appears to have returned from war long enough for me to write about <i>muna'</i>s incredible gig at manchester's <i>club academy</i> last night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in such a tiny venue it was easy to make my way to the barrier where i had what i consider the perfect view; slightly off to the left so i'm not facing anybody head on, as the pressure to be word perfect in front of the person singing some of my favourite songs can get a bit much sometimes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">after an agonising few minutes, the trio took to the stage to rapturous applause before they'd even played a single note, a true sign of devotion from the loyal crowd who've waited what feels like an eternity to see the band live (me included). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">they launched straight into <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqf-U_fibV0" target="_blank">number one fan</a>, </i>the first single from their second album <i>saves the world, </i>and as always it was a joy to sing every word of this bouncy bop back at singer katie, whose blunt red bob shone under the spotlights, perfectly complementing her red lipstick and equally blinding smile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it was followed by <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdCSmdJYKGY" target="_blank">stayway</a>, </i>a synth-driven Trauma Banger that hits a little too close to home every time i hear it. the next few songs felt a little unfamiliar until i realised they were from their debut album <i>about u, </i>which i haven't listened to for a shamefully long time. that will definitely change though, as i re-discovered my love for songs such as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTrDk0lfG3E" target="_blank">crying on the bathroom floor</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt1ayYj_qcE" target="_blank">around u</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSb7c0sG2s" target="_blank">promise</a>. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">next up were a couple of songs from <i>saves the world </i>that i didn't love when i first listened to the album, but hearing them live changed my mind, and i know i'll be playing <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51lQkpyjnzE" target="_blank">navy</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RmzK32-Wj0" target="_blank">never</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTreaPqgrPQ" target="_blank">taken</a> </i>on repeat in the next few days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i found myself in my feelings as they played Sad Bops <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95NPwi05Fjc" target="_blank">everything</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnps91BM-cs" target="_blank">winterbreak</a> </i>before changing gear and encouraging everyone to dance to the next few songs, which included<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHnrwoQlCp8" target="_blank">pink light</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jdyjsdNd50" target="_blank">hands off</a> - </i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my favourites from </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">saves the world - </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEVVDJdHeQo" target="_blank">good news (ya-ya song)</a></i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">; yelling the chorus at the top of my lungs was another highlight, especially considering this was one of my least favourite songs before the gig. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">after taking a moment to thank the crowd and declare <i>manchester</i> their "favourite city" of the UK tour, they played <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fidPIcruCro" target="_blank">loudspeaker</a> </i>- another song with a deeply personal meaning for me - and self-acceptance anthem <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t5gGm3NWU4" target="_blank">i know a place</a>, </i>the first song of theirs i fell in love with and played endlessly after seeing them support <i>harry styles </i>back in 2017. it'd been some time since i'd listened to it so i definitely wasn't word perfect, but it provided the perfect moment for some self-reflection as i thought about everything that's happened since then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i expected to be an emotional wreck for their final song, as i've cried every time i've dared to listen to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGkMQc308wY" target="_blank">it's gonna be okay, baby</a> - </i>katie's ode to her younger self - but possibly thanks to my new antidepressants (!) i didn't shed a single tear. this newfound emotional stability still feels strange to me but i realised that this is probably how most people feel on a day-to-day basis. however, it meant that i could fully be ~present~ in the moment and as the lights went up, something strange happened; a sense of calm washed over me, i realised that it <i>is </i>going to be okay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">a world away from the glitz and glamour of <i>cher's </i>elaborate stage show i saw a few weeks ago, <i>muna's </i>stripped back approach relied heavily on their free-flowing on-stage banter and of course, their blend of euphoric melodies and deeply personal lyrics which filled the tiny venue with hope. as the future becomes more uncertain every day, the healing power of pop music can never be underestimated, and <i>muna's </i>live show is testament to that. </span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-88871381768217744862019-11-01T19:41:00.002+00:002019-11-01T19:41:16.755+00:00new (and old) music friday #46: dua lipa, cher, vardaan arora, kitten <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">at the time of writing my last <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/search/label/new%20music%20friday" target="_blank">post</a> i was preparing for a city break to <i>malaga, </i>which mostly involved drinking copious amounts of lemon fanta and trying not to sweat off all my foundation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">since then, several exciting things have happened, including:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">a) the arrival of <b>cher</b><i style="font-weight: bold;">'s </i>world<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>tour in<i> manchester</i>: twenty years (!) after i first heard <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZXRV4MezEw" target="_blank">believe</a> </i>via one of the cassette tapes that came with my much-loved <i>barbie </i>karaoke machine, i finally got to hear it live and as predicted, it was a life changing experience. it was a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/oct/21/cher-o2-arena-london-review" target="_blank">Proper Show</a> which included dancers, several (excellent) costume changes, the <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tusk-tusk-cher-73-rides-mechanical-elephant-into-row-with-hindus-05c9lws73" target="_blank">infamous</a> elephant and a speech about the "two times" she turned 40 which ended with the already-iconic quote <i>"what's your granny doing tonight?"</i>. highlights included the slept-on club banger <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjPWL-23w-w" target="_blank">woman's world</a>, </i>the disco-inspired <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eij6Vs7FGo" target="_blank">strong enough</a>,</i> incredible power ballad </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwjj5bkRdGc" target="_blank">i found someone</a></i><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and karaoke classic </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsKbwR7WXN4" target="_blank">if i could turn back time</a>. </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">there was also her tribute to </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">ABBA, </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">where she reprised her role as </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">sophie's </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">grandma in the second </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.dazeddigital.com/film-tv/article/40777/1/cher-review-mamma-mia-2-here-we-go-again" target="_blank">mamma mia</a> </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">film, donning a blonde wig to perform </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRoO7MBpv-4" target="_blank">fernando</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkKSvAW13aE" target="_blank">waterloo</a> </i><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T4rz4NsYjk" target="_blank">SOS</a>. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">b) <b>charli xcx</b><i style="font-weight: bold;">'s </i>gig at the <i>albert hall </i>- it goes without saying that she was incredible and a full review will follow soon - followed by my second pilgrimage to <i><a href="https://www.tickettailor.com/events/popcuriousclub/317637?fbclid=IwAR0ko2E_Xy8nC2UIzQ75gncup7E69Do9clO4JO2Swv7SaKBcqPI0pz8jQ20#" target="_blank">girls night out</a>, </i>which was by far the best pre-birthday celebration i've ever had. i've already bought my ticket for their final event of 2019 which includes entry to a <i>lady gaga </i>club night in the venue upstairs; this is truly <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyxoY1V3wbo" target="_blank">what dreams are made of</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">c) speaking of which, i turned <b>24 </b>(!!) the day after and remarkably didn't feel bad at all, despite all the horror stories i've heard about how hangovers become even more unbearable as one enters their mid 20s (help). seeing as 24 isn't a particularly significant age, it was a fairly low-key occasion, made a tad more exciting by...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">d) the news that <b>my chemical romance </b>are performing in LA this december, which sent the entire internet into meltdown. if more tour dates don't follow i'll be devastated, as i can barely remember any of the gig when i saw them in <a href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/my-chemical-romance/2011/manchester-evening-news-arena-manchester-england-3d22547.html" target="_blank">2011</a>. my glow in the dark band t-shirt has been sitting in a drawer patiently waiting for this moment, though if my reaction to yesterday's news was anything to go by, i'm not sure i'll be able to handle hearing their back catalogue again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i'd also like to take this opportunity to remind you that i wrote about my love of <i><a href="https://www.vibbidi.net/narrative/_4LQgV51Z" target="_blank">danger days</a> </i>for <i>vibbidi </i>a few months ago and have started writing for them again, making my return with a review of <i>charli's </i>latest self-titled <a href="https://www.vibbidi.net/narrative/80EEBC92786740B1A1B32FE34BB32A47" target="_blank">album</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">it's safe to say i've had a wild few weeks but any fears i had about getting older have vanished and been replaced with a sense of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgYcXRnAOGc" target="_blank">clarity</a> about where my life is heading. i'm still hesitant to talk about Good Things after the dreadful year i've had, but for the first time in months i feel excited about life again and this week's new releases definitely reflect that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>1. dua lipa</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">ever since she made her debut with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz-dPOjK1gQ" target="_blank">new love</a> </i>back in 2015, i've been largely underwhelmed by <i><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/wendy-williams-dua-lipa-name_uk_5b053e98e4b0784cd2afed3a?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABitg5lZ0mgs8hcIJ7dzhoFEQTFeTW-9Sq8cAt2WBoQZJHmLtWNNyxOtm63eB0pRqyC9-oCWcNjFPeHUuX2PdRkcm87DpCMej5lz5o4mWbrbuxfT3tlifdrpmbbwFUw4Y8ED_4mEB4mjRIZ-c_W1t9zn67RBvPWPYv1-SrPy41Gl" target="_blank">dula peep's</a> </i>musical outputs, but today she finally blessed us with a decent banger by the name of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oygrmJFKYZY" target="_blank">don't start now</a>.</i> a departure from the subdued electro-pop she cut her teeth on, <i>dua </i>began teasing the song a few weeks ago, sporting a newly blonde bob in the promotional images, and as soon as i heard the disco-tinged, ten second <a href="https://twitter.com/DUALIPA/status/1186689093335433216" target="_blank">teaser</a> i knew we had a banger on our hands. the full track doesn't disappoint and i'm prepared to hear it at least twice when i go out later. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>2. vardaan arora</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">i've been keeping tabs on this LA-based newcomer for a few months after i fell in love with his song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1BV8EqEBT4" target="_blank">dance like you</a> </i>last year. his latest release <i><a href="http://vardaan%20arora/" target="_blank">famous</a> </i>perfectly <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8541559/vardaan-arora-famous?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social" target="_blank">captures</a> the pressure we all feel to cultivate an engaging internet presence, but he takes it one step further as he ponders whether his friends <i>"would like me more if i get famous"</i>, bringing to mind <i>lily allen's </i>iconic track <i><a href="https://genius.com/Lily-allen-the-fear-lyrics" target="_blank">the fear</a>. </i>released in 2009, the song undoubtedly foreshadowed our obsession with fame and celebrity culture. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">in a 2008 interview with the <i>observer, </i>she said the track was about <i>"b</i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><i>eing scared that there’s never going to be anything real anymore that isn’t sponsored"</i> and with instagram scrambling to establish new guidelines which force <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/reports/a23577731/influencer-rules-instagram-asa/" target="_blank">influencers</a> to disclose whether the products they're promoting are paid for advertisements and trips to the <i>maldives</i> "gifted" by a brand, it would seem her fears have become our day-to-day reality. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">this isn't the first time <i>arora </i>has been so <a href="https://genius.com/Vardaan-arora-thirty-under-thirty-lyrics" target="_blank">candid</a> about the pressure millennials feel to have our shit together; the electro-pop bop <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1B6rfwoyh8" target="_blank">thirty under thirty</a> </i>vocalises those worries we all experience while scrolling through social media in the middle of the night, bombarded by yet another <a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0300/7401/files/Engagement_Announcement_Ideas4_c8be0916-e1bc-439b-ad54-c52a8148ef8d_grande.jpg?4702735561653255481" target="_blank">"i said yes"</a> announcement and smug-looking soon-to-be homeowners posing with the keys to a house that their parents no doubt helped them buy. luckily social media has allowed us to be more open about our fears and while there are some terrifying <a href="https://theconversation.com/millennials-are-us-1-trillion-in-debt-but-theyre-better-at-saving-than-previous-generations-112206" target="_blank">statistics</a> floating around the web about how much worse off we are than our parents, at least we know <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbrbUfYSt0E" target="_blank">we're all in this together</a>. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b>3. HAIM</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">the last time i wrote about haim was in <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2017/04/new-and-old-music-friday-18-haim-angie.html" target="_blank">2017</a> following the release of their single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1LLWHroWgA" target="_blank">right now</a>, </i>which i was incredibly disappointed with<i>. </i>things continued on a downward slope with the lacklustre <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPQfcG-eimk" target="_blank">want you back</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NJYWgb6dQM" target="_blank">little of your love</a>, </i>so by the time they returned with the jazz (?) inspired <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjuA_o6Jzyo" target="_blank">summer girl</a>, </i>i feared their glory days might be over. luckily they've redeemed themselves with new single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-UnzRM24IM" target="_blank">now i'm in it</a>, </i>which features a thudding bassline and frenetic lyrics detailing the sisters' struggle with depression; they took to <a href="https://twitter.com/HAIMtheband/status/1188897753432313856" target="_blank">twitter</a> to elaborate further, urging fans to "take care of yourself". there's nothing i love more than a Sad Banger, so this message has been much appreciated and i can only hope their next album will prove that <i>days are gone </i>wasn't just a flash in the pan.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b>4. kitten</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">if there's one track i've been yelling along to at the top of my voice this week, it's <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf7WwM956Ms" target="_blank">ME</a> </i>by the alt-rock LA band <i>kitten. </i>sitting somewhere between <i>MUNA, pale waves </i>and <i>the 1975, </i>the track combines an 80s-inspired synth refrain with a huge guitar-led chorus and a smattering of autotuned vocals to create something new that still manages to pay homage to the past. lyrically it speaks to that part of me which still feels ~misunderstood~ as i attempt to justify my life choices and desire to pursue my dreams to family, friends and total strangers on a regular basis, but with songs like this blasting through my speakers it reassures me that i'm on the right path.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>5. NCT 127</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">my foray into <i>k-pop </i>began with <i>BTS </i>and their alarmingly catchy track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsX3ATc3FbA" target="_blank">boy with luv</a>, </i>and i now have another obsession thanks to <i>NCT 127 </i>and their track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFoqGyWhMws" target="_blank">highway to heaven</a>. </i>forget all the heavy stuff, this is pure pop perfection featuring a Huge Chorus and lyrics about a blossoming love affair. they were also kind enough to record an english version of the song, so i can yell along to it at full volume. the ten-member (!) group has collaborations with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFvQsWT9gYM" target="_blank">ava max</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBWgqb3KIeA" target="_blank">jason derulo</a> </i>under their belt and have appeared on <i><a href="https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/04/nct-127-announces-we-are-superhuman-ep-debut-superhuman-on-good-morning-america-watch/" target="_blank">good morning america</a>, </i>so <i>BTS</i>-style world domination could be on the cards. </span></span><br />
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">6. MOODY</b><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">once again i have <i><a href="https://www.popjustice.com/" target="_blank">popjustice</a> </i>to thank for my introduction to this <i>danish</i> pop sensation. her latest track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_BKzA52UoQ" target="_blank">leave</a> </i>is pure 80s pleasure, with one of the best choruses i've heard in a long time, and after bemoaning the lack of same-sex pronouns in pop music in my last post, it's so exciting to hear MOODY sing them with pride. elsewhere, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-JSU6KTHTA" target="_blank">taboo</a> </i>is a crying-in-the-club banger in the making (<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlrYn_dZdqk" target="_blank">camila cabello</a></i>? <a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkgcaLkQqPXfZq0pmAeW0B-5lutzNrnTmEID_Jm-y_OFs_GR3a&s" target="_blank">i don't know her</a>). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>7. CHAV</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">as well hitting the road as a backing dancer on <i>dorian electra's </i>latest tour, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chav.pop/" target="_blank">CHAV</a> is establishing themselves as an artist in their own right with the release of two impeccable tracks; <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxy5RYwE_iY" target="_blank">kickin' on the floor</a> </i>and the super-spooky <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcCgW-axQBA" target="_blank">patient zero</a>. </i>while i'm not sure how well their stage name will translate to UK audiences - "chav" has historically been a <a href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Chav" target="_blank">derogatory</a> term for working class people - this rising star might just be the one to reclaim it. </span></span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-16561953761106266102019-10-23T00:59:00.005+01:002019-11-01T01:24:12.905+00:00dreaming, disappointments and desire: swim deep find their feet on emerald classics <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">as <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/08/new-and-old-music-friday-43-ava-max.html" target="_blank">previously</a> mentioned, i was lucky enough to hear <i>emerald classics </i>two months early and as soon as i pressed play i knew it was special. somehow the <i>birmingham</i> band have managed to create an idyllic blend of </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">modern indie-pop that still pays homage to their debut album and the </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">psychedelic sound of their second release, <i>mothers</i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">. the ten tracks - a perfect number for a full-length album if you ask me - all have their own unique backstory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">though the band hail from <a href="https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Brummy" target="_blank">brummy</a>, they've clearly taken inspiration from the rich musical history of my native <i>manchester. </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLM9eDBOCBY" target="_blank">world i share</a></i><b> </b>is a <i>happy mondays</i>-inspired track that could have been the official world cup song for england back in the 90s, capturing that sense of infectious optimism which swept across the nation, much like <i>new order </i>did with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re4aDJL3heA" target="_blank">world in motion</a> </i>in 1991. interestingly enough, </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHZaTZuiPhs" target="_blank">0121 desire</a></i></span><b style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"> </b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">also evokes the sound of </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>new order</i>. musically this was my favourite track straight out of the gate, but a closer look at the lyrics further cements this as the band wrestle with conflicting feelings about their hometown. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the album is named after a pub called <i>the emerald, </i>which frontman <i>austin williams </i>describes as <i>"</i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>a classic irish pub"</i> with a jukebox in the corner, and <i>"everyone knows each other by their first name"</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">. it's the epicentre of an album that sees the band reconcile their teenage desires for success with the reality of life in a suburban town, something i know all too well. my </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">conflicted feelings about home are perfectly summed up by the line <i>"</i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>you wouldn't wanna leave here / you wouldn't wanna stay". </i>though i feel like it holds me back at times, i truly can't imagine being anywhere else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this theme of home and family is explored further on </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90XK_hfK420" target="_blank">never stop pinching myself</a></i><b>. </b>a dead ringer for oasis' 1998 track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdT8ixdxPX4" target="_blank">all around the world</a>, </i>it serves as a reality check of sorts. when the band took a break from touring in 2017, they struggled to balance part time jobs and making an album without the support from a major label, losing two of their original members in the process. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">nevertheless, they're able to look back on their success in a much more measured way than their teenage selves; <i>"i'm not there but i got out / i ain't rich but i left town" </i>muses <i>williams</i>. they also reflect on how much the world has changed since they first made it big in 2012, and the line <i>"o</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>ur technology is more important / o</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>ur feelings are digital"</i> perfectly sums up how our lives are now lived online.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">though it seems like an upbeat 80s-inspired bop at first glance, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xphiXVRTQNw" target="_blank">sail away, say goodbye</a> </i>contrasts a euphoric melody with lyrics about <i>williams' </i>grandma losing her memory as dementia takes hold. having lost my own grandma to the disease this year, it's refreshing to hear it being spoken about in such positive terms. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"y</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ou see life much differently / a</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>nd you see things people don't see" </i>goes the second verse, proof that it's not all doom and gloom. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">there's more of the same with</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFM0J2xrgok" target="_blank">top of the pops</a></i><b>, </b>an ode to the families they left behind when world tours came calling. it's obvious they still have more they want to accomplish though, as <i>williams </i>makes a pledge to his mother:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"i</i></span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> wanna show you new york city in the snow / i</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> wanna buy you a brand new car that just goes"</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-style: inherit;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">emotions run high on </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIWHRWmuY4M" target="_blank">happy as larrie</a>,<b> </b></i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the opening lines - <i>"here you are, you've arrived / there's nothing</i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i> </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>here that you should fear now, you're alive" </i>- bringing tears to my eyes as i realise that i have everything i need right here and running away to another city won't solve anything (been there, done that). this sentiment is echoed in the</span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> chorus, which reminds me that <i>"y</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>ou don't have to swim forever / c</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>ause everything is gonna be okay", </i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">while</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "programme" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the bridge urges me to <i>"put your arms around this house"</i> and fully embrace the place i call home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">lead single </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ZhE_6wklg" target="_blank">to feel good</a></i></span><b style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"> </b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">is a trip down memory lane as <i>williams </i>recounts his teenage years, which much like mine, included many trips to the job centre. the spoken word verses remind me of </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">the streets, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">a garage group whose songs </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEIRNj0EmH0" target="_blank">fit but don't you know it</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyHr-4SeILI" target="_blank">dry your eyes</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">were major hits in the UK in 2004, with the latter reaching number one on the charts, while the backing vocals from the </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">margate social singing choir </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">give it an almost reverential feel.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">lyrically it hits far too close to home, the chorus in particular - <i>"it's the only reason that i do this / it's the only reason that i'm here"</i> - serving as an ongoing reminder that it's not about the money and doing what makes me feel good will always be my number one priority.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">this album has allowed me to see home in a completely new way and given me a new-found appreciation for it all over again</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">,as i continue to grapple with the idea of leaving for a job in <i>london,</i> should such an opportunity arise. coupled with my new-found positivity, it reassures me that there's nothing wrong with continuing to pursue what i really want. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the optimism of </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">swim deep's </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">early releases has been given a</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> much needed reality check that fame and success don't protect you from life's ups and downs, but a little dreaming never hurt anyone. </span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-91332197235660940552019-10-18T19:01:00.004+01:002020-04-19T13:22:50.110+01:00new (and old) music friday #45: harry styles, LIZ, miley cyrus, mabel <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this week i've experienced everything from almost getting a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amiciidogrescue.uk/" target="_blank">rescue</a> dog to yet another frustrating almost-interview, in which i arrived only to be told the digital marketing position i'd applied for had been filled and my CV had somehow been mixed up with the people who were applying for another job that involved assisting the receptionists and answering phones, i.e. my worst nightmare. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i also returned to the job centre, something that would have devastated me a few months ago, but with my new-found attitude of Not Having A Breakdown About Every Tiny Thing, i'm trying not to let it bother me. luckily i'm heading to <i>malaga</i> tomorrow until tuesday, and though i'm not someone who cares about going on holiday regularly, i think some time away is definitely needed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">but before that i have a backlog of bangers that need to be discussed.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">1. </b><b style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">harry styles </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">it's hard to believe that two years have gone by since <i>harry styles </i>released his incredible self-titled debut album, but new single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NZvM1918_E" target="_blank">lights up</a> </i>picks up where he left off, albeit </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">slightly more mellow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">his <i>"step into the light"</i> could have many meanings. first, the literal feeling of stepping into the morning light when a party ends, still slightly drunk. secondly, it could be seen as an opportunity to tell the world who he really is after years of speculation about his sexuality.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">fans took this idea and ran with it after the song and its (excellent) </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">video were released on <a href="https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/harry-styles/lights-up-national-coming-out-day-bisexual/" target="_blank">national coming out day</a>, but by this point we really should know better than to expect a straightforward answer from him. either way, it's definitely helped me to be more comfortable with my own sexuality, and when he asks </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>"do you know who you are?"</i> i feel like i'm edging ever closer to an answer*. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">(*this could also be thanks to <i>tegan and sara's </i>newly-released memoir <i><a href="https://www.autostraddle.com/tegan-and-saras-high-school-will-fill-you-with-90s-nostalgia-heal-your-teenage-heart/" target="_blank">high school</a>, </i>which i read cover to cover in just two days. it's easy to think of successful artists as just that, any struggles they've previously experienced erased once they sign their names on the dotted line of a recording contract, so reading about sara's ongoing struggles with her sexuality reassures me that Coming Out isn't a singular moment that solves all of one's problems but a lifelong process. it also lead to several revelations about my own high school experiences as i realise that i actually did have feelings for all the girls i simply "admired" and "wanted to be friends with".) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>miley cyrus </i>has been making headlines lately thanks to her divorce from <i><a href="https://people.com/music/liam-hemsworth-files-divorce-miley-cyrus/" target="_blank">liam hemsworth</a></i> and rebound relationships with both <i><a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a29018744/miley-cyrus-kaitlynn-carter-relationship-timeline/" target="_blank">kaitlynn carter</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.papermag.com/miley-cyrus-cody-simpson-official-2640901736.html" target="_blank">cody simpson</a>, </i>all of which coincided with the release of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrvFv6j3-sM" target="_blank">slide away</a></i><b>. </b>the song was largely unmemorable, but when i saw a youtube comment about how it was like the<b> </b>modern equivalent of her 2008 track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uIo3k68aYc" target="_blank">bottom of the ocean</a></i><b>, </b>i immediately felt compelled to re-listen to the accompanying album, <i>b</i></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>reakout</i><b>.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">my 13-year-old self played this on repeat, and i'll always be of the opinion that it's miley's best work to date. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">there's something for everyone, from karaoke-friendly bops such as her c</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">ountry take on </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxNclCX5MM8" target="_blank">girls just wanna have fun</a></i><b>, </b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">title track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KsZHh8qxS8" target="_blank">breakout</a></i> and of course the iconic <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr0Wv5DJhuk" target="_blank"><i>7 things</i></a>.<b> </b>there's also a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">largely unchanged remix of </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbecSxl6Dg4" target="_blank">see you again</a></i><b>, </b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">which is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">undoubtedly the best song from the <i>hannah montana 2/meet miley cyrus</i> album, which i owned on CD (!). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">forget <i>greta thunberg, </i>as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jp9C2-9uI8" target="_blank">wake up america</a></i> proves that miley was the true inventor of climate change protests. the inspiration for the song came from an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCJEmCHfhco" target="_blank">episode</a> of the<i> miley and mandy show</i>, a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/mileymandy/videos" target="_blank">youtube</a> series created by cyrus and her friend <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandyjiroux/?hl=en" target="_blank">mandy jiroux</a>, </i>which i vividly remember watching as a teenager and being devastated about its ending. in this particular episode, the duo encourage everyone to recycle, save and reuse plastic bottles, and use organic products with no harsh chemicals. perhaps if more people had followed their advice back in 2008, we wouldn't be in such a <a href="https://www.economist.com/international/2018/03/03/the-known-unknowns-of-plastic-pollution" target="_blank">predicament</a> now. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">most <i>millennials</i> have become well acquainted with the idea of "burnout" thanks to an <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/annehelenpetersen/millennials-burnout-generation-debt-work" target="_blank">article</a> by buzzfeed writer <i>anne helen petersen</i><b>, </b>but miley was once again ahead of her time as this concept is explored on the track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET7OROuY1rc" target="_blank">simple song</a></i><b>. </b>the constant pressure cyrus experienced during her<i> hannah montana</i> heyday forms the basis of this <a href="https://genius.com/Miley-cyrus-simple-song-lyrics" target="_blank">track</a>, which also features a piano backing to rival <i>elton john </i>(yes, really). <i> </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">there are still plenty of classic break-up songs though; highlights include<b> </b><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh-NKArGU6Y" target="_blank">these four walls</a></i><b>, </b><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epagenIHADk" target="_blank">goodbye</a></i> and my personal favourites, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3FE8il6Dpk" target="_blank">the driveway</a> -</i><b> </b>with its <i>avril lavigne</i>-inspired electric guitar and fantastically dramatic chorus - and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPUQnE_DR2Q" target="_blank">full circle</a>, </i>which was written about her on again/off again relationship with <i>nick jonas</i>. <b> </b></span></span><br />
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">3. SOPHIE/starrah</b><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">by far my most played this week, <i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_57027575"></span>lock it up<span id="goog_57027576"></span></a> </i>is yet </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">another unreleased SOPHIE bop from 2016 which resurfaced online after being played on <i>BBC radio 1</i>'s <i><a href="https://www.1001tracklists.com/tracklist/1tybdzc1/tnght-bbc-radio-1-essential-mix-2019-10-12.html#tr_528418" target="_blank">TNGNT</a></i> show last week. why she refuses to release such bangers is beyond me, and several <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCll0t9aJFKgJlTsm0AW0Svg/videos" target="_blank">youtube</a> channels have been set up as a place to find all of her unreleased songs in one place. perhaps she wants to be seen as a more ~serious~ artist as her debut album <i><a href="https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/sophie-oil-of-every-pearls-un-insides/" target="_blank">oil of every pearl's un-insides</a> </i>had a far more experimental feel and was nominated for a <i>grammy</i> this year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it's a world away from the carefully crafted bubblegum pop that sends fans into meltdown every time she unveils a new track, and this is no exception. featuring <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqEIiwnJXUI" target="_blank">charli xcx</a> </i>collaborator <i>starrah </i>on vocals, my favourite thing about <i>lock it up </i>is the fact she uses female <a href="https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/1472-breaking-the-last-taboo-in-queer-music-same-sex-pronouns-in-pop/" target="_blank">pronouns</a> to describe her ~love interest~, something still rarely heard in pop music despite all the <a href="https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/sam-smith/poem-national-pronouns-day-aunty-screenshot/" target="_blank">progress</a> being made. whether we'll ever be blessed with an official version of this track remains to be seen, but for now i'll be playing it on loop and keeping my fingers crossed. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>4. kim petras </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">miss petras came THROUGH with some more spooky bops with the release of <i>turn off the light. </i>rather than release it as volume 2, she decided to combine the songs from volume 1 to create a full length album, and i'm living for it. it's about as much enjoyment as i'll ever get from halloween, which is also my birthday, but to most people's amazement i despise dressing up and any kind of themed party. luckily<i> </i></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-GYVApMqtg" target="_blank">death by sex</a></i><b>, </b><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lufe_OjG4OU" target="_blank">wrong turn</a></i> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and my favourite track </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nBQ8xv2oLY" target="_blank">there will be blood</a></i><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>will make the occasion slightly more bearable this year, and i'm praying they'll be played at <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/376441719972868/" target="_blank">girls night out</a>, </i>the unofficial after party of <i>charli xcx's manchester </i>gig t</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">he night before halloween. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">i must also give an honourable mention to the impeccable video for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8UNJDjygk0" target="_blank"><i>icy</i></a>, which is quite possibly my favourite song of the year so far, and after getting a ticket to see kim live next year i have a feeling this track will be the highlight of her set. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>5. mabel</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">i've never paid much attention to <i>mabel </i>as she's been releasing incredibly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/aug/01/mabel-high-expectations-review" target="_blank">mediocre</a> songs since 2015, and am </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">still baffled as to why she supported <i>harry styles</i> on tour in 2017. her rather dull mix of pop and R&B felt totally at odds with the glam rock sound of <i>david bowie </i>and <i>marc bolan</i> which he channelled on his album. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">but everything changed with </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnwDkVo6DxA" target="_blank">god is a dancer</a></i><b>, </b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">a recent collaboration with <i>tiesto. </i>as soon as i heard this i knew it had potential to be a Huge Banger, and i can confirm that it Fucking Slaps, though that could have been thanks to the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> three (3) drinks i'd consumed before it was played in Tha Club. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it's also an excellent walking-around-town song, guaranteed to make you feel like That Bitch, so i'm </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">praying her next album will contain more of the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>6. LIZ</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">last but not least it's <i>LIZ, </i>who i never fully got into until i heard <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g30jqAkgKXw" target="_blank">sunscreen</a></i> a few weeks ago. it's yet another unreleased bop with SOPHIE on production, but that could be set to change as LIZ <a href="https://twitter.com/LIZ_Y2K/status/1184907323526901761" target="_blank">replied</a> to <i>charli xcx's </i>already infamous tweet asking if anyone had a link to <i>taxi </i>(part of me wants to believe she could be gearing up to release it but i'm trying not to get my hopes up) saying <i>"</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #14171a;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>it’s with sunscreen in PC purgatory"</i>. she later </span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/LIZ_Y2K/status/1184917129331531776" style="color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">tweeted</a><span style="color: #14171a;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> herself that she was </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"just kidding"</i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> as the song is </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"thriving"</i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"getting ready for its debut"</i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. this seems like a far more sincere statement than that of miss XCX, who has always enjoyed trolling her fans, so hopefully </span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">sunscreen </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">will actually be released soon. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in the meantime i've been loving a)<span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I-RxcxPOE8" target="_blank">lottery</a></span><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>- which is inspired by <i>s</i><i>layyyter</i> and <i>blackout</i>-era<i> britney spears </i>in equal measure and features a flawless cameo from <i>drag race </i>alumni </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>aja</i></span><b style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"> </b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">-</span><b style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"> </b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and b) her latest release <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYxJD2EGiKw" target="_blank">laguna nights</a></i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> which she <a href="http://officemagazine.net/premiere-liz-laguna-nights" target="_blank">described</a> as</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> "<i>teenage dream</i> <i>and</i> <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahha3Cqe_fk" target="_blank">the one that got away</a></i> <i>mashed up together</i>" (anyone with taste knows <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98WtmW-lfeE" target="_blank">teenage dream</a></i> is one of the best songs from the last decade) and was inspired by <i>"the idea of lost and rekindled love, on the beach, and for one night only"</i>, while</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> sonically it reminds me of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj-nQYB_vj0" target="_blank"><i>fame</i>-era</a> <i>lady gaga</i>. </span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-1734877719296271402019-09-27T15:43:00.001+01:002019-09-27T15:43:24.245+01:00new (and old) music friday #44: slayyyter, hannah diamond, VINCINT, charli xcx <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">why i decided to make another anchor "podcast" when my throat feels like it's closing up is beyond me, but nevertheless, i'm (sort of) pleased to present 38 minutes of me rambling on about the new albums from <i>charli xcx*, slayyyter </i>and <i>MUNA, </i>as well as two (2) tangents about ticket prices and why <i>bridesmaids </i>is still one of the best films ever made.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">listen to it <i><a href="https://anchor.fm/lorna-obrien/episodes/Charli-XCX--VINCINT--Hannah-Diamond--Slayyyter-e5i8cf" target="_blank">here</a></i>, but maybe read my last <a href="https://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2019/09/rollercoaster-ride-in-fast-lane.html" target="_blank">post</a> first for some ~context~ about why these songs have been important to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">(*i'm horrified that in the podcast i neglected to mention <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mhfE_vzwjo" target="_blank">next level charli</a>, </i>the impeccable opener of <i>charli xcx's </i>third album that could easily be considered one of her best songs. think of it as Classic Charli: plenty of references to partying and fast cars over a beat that absolutely BANGS.)</span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-60812538983220067222019-09-23T20:56:00.001+01:002019-09-28T18:41:36.363+01:00rollercoaster ride, in the fast lane: rejections, reflections and the healing power of pop <i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">disclaimer: this post contains very little
in the way of music and is instead an accumulation of my thoughts and feelings
over the past two weeks that i needed to get out of my system in the
only way i know how; an unnecessarily long blog post. usual service will resume next time as i talk about the mix of Bops and Bangers i had
on repeat while all this was taking place.</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i’ve been obsessive for as long as i can remember:
perhaps it’s the taurus in me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">famous for being <i>“creatures of habit”</i>, once we like
something, we tend to stick with it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">obsession has taken on various guises throughout my almost
24 (!) years on earth, be it music, fashion, unrequited crushes, and of course
My Career. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">in my birth chart, the earth sign <i>taurus</i> represents my <a href="https://cafeastrology.com/midheaven.html" target="_blank"><i>midheaven</i> sign,</a> which according to wikipedia </span><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">represents <i>“career, status, aim in life,
aspirations and public reputation”</i> and could explain why i</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">t’s
a topic i’ve covered at length on this blog. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">after an incredibly stressful two weeks, one of my <i><a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-us" target="_blank">refinery29</a> </i>horoscopes for this week asked me to <i>“w</i><span style="background: white;"><i>rite your career goals and
accomplishments down to get perspective on what you’ve accomplished this year”</i>, so here i am attempting to
do just that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i started out the year struggling to complete my <i>news associates</i> course and writing for <i><a href="https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/author/lornaobrien/" target="_blank">about manchester</a></i>,
before being offered the job at <i><a href="https://www.vibbidi.net/lobrien95" target="_blank">VIBBIDI</a></i> in april and later writing for
<i><a href="https://conversationsabouther.net/author/lornaobrien/" target="_blank">conversations about her</a></i>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in the meantime, i’ve
also been attempting to find a Proper (i.e. paid) Job, and it dawned on me that
in the last two months i’ve had six (!) interviews, none of which have led to
said job. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">two weeks ago, one of
these interviews saw me travelling to london for the first time in two years (!!)
after applying for a copywriting job at a fashion brand and completing a
written test which they seemed to like the look of. i</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">n the words of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyxoY1V3wbo" target="_blank">lizzie mcguire</a></i>,
this is what dreams – specifically those of my 15-year-old self – are made of…
or so i thought.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i boarded the train to <i>euston</i>
filled with a mixture of dread and excitement, which upon arrival at <i>brick lane</i>
- an area that has remained largely unchanged since i first set foot in this slightly
pretentious section of east london aged 16 - descended into full on disassociation
as i browsed the excellent <a href="http://www.vintage-market.co.uk/" target="_blank">vintage market</a>, sat in the window of a <i>pret a manger</i>
pretending to enjoy an overpriced salad and tried not to die from the 26 degree
heat. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">after so many rejections, i couldn’t quite process the idea that the
Dream Job my teenage self once envisioned could be in my grasp if i didn’t fuck
up the interview; no pressure then.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">overall i think it went
okay, but i couldn’t help feel intimidated by the CEO of the company - who also happened
to be interviewing me - and found her incredibly hard to read. despite reassuring
myself that there was nothing more i could have done, it was impossible to shake
the nauseous feeling that descended on me once i left the building and it
followed me around for the rest of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">sadly, i never heard
back from them, and if it had been any other job, i would have brushed it off
and continued to scour <i><a href="https://www.indeed.co.uk/?r=us" target="_blank">indeed</a></i> for more positions, but this was the one job i could
seriously imagine myself doing, despite the slightly frosty reaction i received.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">over the last year, i’ve
been following a self-prescribed course of binge-reading <i><a href="https://www.thecut.com/tags/ask-polly/" target="_blank">ask polly</a></i> letters and absorbing
every word of <i><a href="https://twitter.com/thejessicadore?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">jessica dore’s</a></i> daily tarot card readings to try and force
myself to become more ~positive~ and see the good in all of these rejections, but though</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> i now accept that failure, embarrassment and rejection are normal parts of life, i still find it incredibly hard to apply these pearls
of wisdom to my own predicaments and continue to assume the worst in 99.9% of
situations.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in fact, it was a recent <i><a href="https://www.thecut.com/2019/09/ask-polly-im-constantly-worried-my-boyfriend-will-leave-me.html?utm_medium=s1&utm_campaign=thecut&utm_source=tw" target="_blank">ask polly</a></i> letter that truly had me In My Feelings. despite describing herself as <i>“successful
in my creative career”</i> and <i>“social and hardworking”,</i> the letter writer was obsessed
with the idea that her boyfriend would eventually leave her, despite there
being no obvious problems in their relationship. w</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">hile i’m none of the
things described above and have been single for approximately 350 years, her
fears instantly resonated with me, and when i read polly’s response, i felt
both attacked and validated.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">there were a few paragraphs
that really resonated with me but particularly this one:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">“working very hard and being focused on
your career can be a way of trying to feel whole. people who are successful at
creative careers often have a long history of funnelling their obsessive energy
toward some goal: they socialise with a vengeance, they work hard, and they
channel their insecurities and longings into figuring out how to be persuasive
and entertaining. their intense emotional insecurity drives them to crack the
code: this is how you entertain people and win their love. this is how you
charm people and convince them to put their confidence in you. this is how you
seduce new friends and new lovers. this is how you squeeze every last ounce of
love out of this broken world.</span>”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it pretty much sums up how i’ve lived my
life for the last eight years; trying desperately to achieve my dream of
working in fashion and moving to london as i was convinced that it would fix
all my problems. however, reading letters such as this one has made it clear
that achieving these particular goals doesn’t stop you from being anxious and
obsessing over things out of your control, and the interview made me realise that perhaps the ultra-competitive world of fashion isn't something i truly want. </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">nevertheless</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">, the day after the interview, i felt like i was
on a comedown of sorts. having seen what’s possible made it even harder to return
to my small bedroom in a small suburban town and i found myself in the midst of
yet <i>another </i>existential crisis.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it was then that i stumbled across an article from <i><a href="https://www.thecut.com/2019/09/the-stone-dragon-theory-of-ambition.html#_ga=2.234020766.105142699.1568828502-493919888.1548187687" target="_blank">the cut</a></i>, titled <i>“what makes ambition come and go?”</i> where the author
reflected on how her ambitions have changed since her early 20s. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this
paragraph about her <i>“job ambitions”</i> felt particularly significant: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">“i wanted recognition, to earn a spot at a
particular table, to impress a certain segment of people. at one point when i was 27, i had a blog post go viral, and watching its traffic numbers rise on chartbeat, i felt like i was high. i remember thinking that everything in the
world could go wrong from then on out, but no one could take this one thing
away from me. it seemed like the beginning of something, but also felt like an
ending — an item i was subconsciously crossing off my list.</span>”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i had an extremely similar feeling last
year when one of my posts was retweeted by <i><a href="https://twitter.com/lilyallen/status/1001901771583905792" target="_blank">lily allen</a></i>. seeing the endless
stream of likes, retweets and messages from people telling me how much they
liked my writing was a feeling unlike any other, but i also knew it wouldn’t last
forever. a few days later, my moment of ~viral fame~ came skidding to a halt
and i was left thinking <i>“what now?” </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">thanks to my positivity crusade, i now
have the emotional intelligence to realise that a moment is just that; it
happens and life goes on. h</span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">owever, it feels like my life has been an
endless roller coaster of dizzying highs (see: the work-related achievements i’ve had this year) and devastating lows (see: the various rejections and jobs
that felt like they were in touching distance, only to escape my grasp).</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this brings me to my final <a href="https://www.manrepeller.com/2019/09/growing-up-twice.html" target="_blank">article</a>, which i read last week. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>man repeller’s</i> <i>nora taylor</i> wrote about drastically
overhauling her life in her late 20s by leaving a job she wasn’t happy in and the
joy of feeling <i>“regular” </i>once she'd found it, her life no longer dictated by the extreme highs and
lows of trying to Follow Your Dreams. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">once again i found myself relating to her
story of running from one job to the next, making and breaking friendships and
leaving one big city for another, all in the hopes that it would fix
everything. like me, she spent several years pressing the self-destruct button
before realising that the only person who can change things is you, and the answers
can’t be found at the bottom of a shot glass or on the lips of strangers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">picking a favourite paragraph is hard, but i went with this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 251); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">“growing
up the second time, where my desires and my life are layered on top of each
other and not on parallel tracks, has been a thrilling type of puberty. i am
finally free to live my life instead of observe it. how nice it is to revel in
the mundane. to sit with a friend over coffee and pause to be thankful for
where we are, for the life we live.</span>”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 251); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it
gives me something to aspire to, but something about this particular dream
feels different. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 251); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">for
so long i believed those highs and lows were completely normal and almost
enjoyable; who wants to live a boring life? but as i find myself on the cusp of
25 (help me), all i really want is a sense of stability. this desire has always
been there, and it’s probably what prompted me to take various antidepressants during
my time at uni, only to be horrified by their ability to completely dull any
and every emotion i attempted to experience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 251); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">so i stopped taking them, choosing the sambuca-soaked nights and questionable
decisions that everyone in their late teens chooses to make while away from
home for the first time over that sense of stability. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 251); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">while i can </span></span><span style="background-color: #fffefb; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">no
longer deal with the hangovers and that delightful cocktail of shame and
<a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/hangover-anxiety-after-drinking-alcohol-causes" target="_blank">anxiety</a> i often feel the day after a big night out, </span><span style="background-color: #fffefb;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.133333px;">ironically</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> last saturday
turned out to be the best night out i’ve ever had.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 251); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">following
my second time seeing <i>hannah diamond</i> at <i><a href="https://soupkitchenmcr.co.uk/" target="_blank">soup kitchen</a></i>, i experienced an exhilarating
high that can only be achieved with the music of <i>charli xcx</i>, <i>kim petras</i>,
<i>slayyyter</i> and <i>SOPHIE</i>, courtesy of <i><a href="https://aatmavenue.co.uk/event/girls-night-out-charli-slayyyter-lana-spesh-in-mcr/" target="_blank">girls night out</a></i>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 251); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the
club night first started in london and made its way up north for the unofficial <i>hannah diamond</i> after party, and it was there in the company of some very kind
strangers who danced with me all night that i felt a semblance of peace. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 251); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">when
used in the right way, alcohol can enhance my experiences and give me that
slight boost of confidence i lack in my everyday life, and that night was a
perfect example. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 251); line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">yelling the words to </span><i style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP0r5LSbWL4" target="_blank">unlock it</a></i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> at the top of my lungs, it was
a world away from how i used alcohol at university to take the edge off my emotions and deal with various
traumatic experiences which </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.133333px;">occurred</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> around that time. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 251); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i’m
not sure if time <i>does</i> heal all wounds; while some of them have started to form
a scar, an ever-present reminder of a particular pain i’ve experienced, others
very much still feel like a gaping hole. these are the ones i’m trying to repair, while acknowledging that it’s not something that can happen overnight.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 254, 251); letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in
summary: the last two weeks have been a wild ride and though everything feels uncertain
right now, i now know that i can use all the knowledge i’ve acquired this year and the
series of rejections i’ve endured to Keep Going and create the life i truly
want, without compromising my own boundaries and integrity. </span></span></div>
Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-77329411248368239872019-08-29T13:55:00.000+01:002019-09-19T16:40:12.521+01:00throwback thursday #1: sky ferreria - night time, my time <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">nobody asked for it but here it is: a brand new series called <i>throwback thursday, </i>in which i discuss some of my favourite albums from years gone by. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">as time is hurtling by at a disturbingly rapid pace, i find myself reminiscing about the albums my teenage self loved between 2007 (!) and 2014, and after re-discovering some of them on my old ipod (!!) i felt compelled to take a break from my usual new music focused posts and write about them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>*peter dickson voice*</i> in no particular order, the first album i've chosen to write about is <i>sky ferreria's </i>iconic 2013 debut, <i>night time, my time. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this was inspired partly by her recent collaboration with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cxwTtfXG0c" target="_blank">charli xcx</a></i><i> </i>and an ongoing sense of frustration that her follow-up album has yet to materialise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">but first, some background: ferreira first came to public attention as a model sometime around 2010, and her single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waohWwQk4l0" target="_blank">one</a> </i>was released in august of that year with a fresh-faced, brunette sky on the cover. a fan of all things electronic - bearing in mind this is when <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bESGLojNYSo" target="_blank">lady gaga</a> </i>was revolutionising pop as we know it - i instantly downloaded it to my ipod. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo6vchoMY3o" target="_blank">obsession</a> </i>followed in september, accompanied by an incredibly homemade looking video; this one also made it onto my ipod and i remember playing it endlessly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">from there, sky's career trajectory was anything but smooth. a series of disputes with her record label and frustration over her creative direction meant her debut album wasn't released in january 2011 as planned and an EP called <i>as if! </i>was released in march that year instead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i was totally unfamiliar with it before i started writing this post, but listening back to the tracks, it's clear why sky hated her early work, something she talks about in one of her early interviews for <i><a href="http://www.planetnotion.com/2013/05/24/notion-063-feature-cover-star-sky-ferreira/" target="_blank">notion</a>. </i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">though it retains the electro-pop sound favoured by <i>gaga</i>, <i>robyn</i> and <i>marina </i>around that time, the lyrics feel like they were written by a 45-year-old man trying and miserably failing to conjure up that same magic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">according to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_Ferreira" target="_blank">wikipedia</a>, ferreria's label <i>EMI</i> retained complete creative control over her, but it seems their efforts to mould her into a <i>"perfect little pop robot"</i> were unsuccessful and after they lost money trying to promote <i>obsession, </i>the budget for her debut album was cut. on reflection, that seems like the best possible outcome for sky, who clearly wanted to cultivate a more alternative sound. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">after a few more stops and starts, she released a second EP in 2012, titled <i>ghost. </i>immediately i gravitated towards <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dyeFalOjw0" target="_blank">sad dream</a>, </i>a stripped back acoustic track that sees sky reminisce about the strained relationship with her father. i remember playing it on repeat in the middle of the night, dreaming about crushes who didn't even know i existed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">another highlight was <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jtTeMgWNhA" target="_blank">everything is embarrassing</a>, </i>a sentiment that definitely resonated with my teenage self in my clumsy interactions with said crushes. though still very much in the realm of electro-pop, there's something much cooler about the <i>dev hynes</i>-produced track<i>. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTJ2XkX7YRQ" target="_blank">lost in my bedroom</a> </i>is also backed by a heavier electronic beat that wouldn't look out of place on <i>robyn's </i>album <i>body talk</i></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">, while </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oerL8sd4TGA" target="_blank">ghost</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">sees sky at her most melancholic, channelling </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">born to die</i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">-era </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">lana del rey</i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">not keen to stop experimenting there, </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoCqCrH8aBM" target="_blank">red lips</a></i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> embraces the grunge sound of </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">garbage </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">frontwoman </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">shirley manson, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">who was a songwriter for the track. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">while the overall direction of the EP was unclear, there was definitely something for everyone and it was a much-needed departure from the sickly sweet pop being pushed onto sky by her label. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it would be another year before her debut album finally made its way into the world, but it was well worth the wait. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">lead single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFCZP1Nz3Ds" target="_blank">you're not the one</a> </i>remains one of my all-time favourite songs, yet another one which soundtracked the endless hours i spent dreaming about unrequited crushes. production-wise, things had definitely evolved from her early releases, featuring <i>the</i> <i>cure</i>-esque guitar riffs and a thumping bassline. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">sky described <i>you're not the one as a </i><span style="background-color: white;"><i>"super-poppy version"</i></span> of <i>david bowie's </i>excellent 1977 album <i>low</i> and upon reflection i can certainly hear traces of his work in the song; anyone who references bowie - especially his early albums - is instantly in my good books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">elsewhere, the album sees sky processing the public's <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5740656/sky-ferreira-talks-drug-arrest-perils-of-pop-stardom-i-know-im-not" target="_blank">perception</a> of her, particularly on the track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWo7SC-tG4U" target="_blank">i blame myself</a>. </i>as someone who's had anxiety pretty much my whole life, this track hit a bit too close to home, especially the line <i>"how could you know what it feels like to be outside yourself?" </i>because when i'm in an incredibly anxiety-inducing situation, i tend to disassociate, my thoughts in another place entirely. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfx3fC9F3Ww" target="_blank">nobody asked me (if i was okay)</a> </i>also resonated with me for similar reasons as i've always struggled to ask for help and on the rare occasions when i did it felt like nobody was really listening, quick to dismiss my worries and tell me to "get over it". the third verse feels especially poignant as sky complains that <i>"you don't seem to care if i'm feeling lost"</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in times of uncertainty - of which there were many - this album felt like one of the only constants in my life, and the title couldn't be more spot on, as it's one that just begs to be played through headphones in the dark of night while everyone around you sleeps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">while there are some lighter moments on the album - see: <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFZCyoHfI7Q" target="_blank">boys</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbYHJowFMS8" target="_blank">24 hours</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbqWL9BPphE" target="_blank">love in stereo</a> </i>- my favourite track has always been <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg4S9zoQ1KQ" target="_blank">heavy metal heart</a>, </i>arguably one of its most dramatic moments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">flawless from start to finish, it's actually a fairly heartfelt song underneath the heavy production, as sky tells her lover how much they <i>"make me feel the pulse of my heavy metal heart"</i>. she also speaks of how she loves <i>"losing myself in the dark"</i>; exactly what this album was designed for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in the impeccable bridge, sky declares that <i>"the way i was before, i'm not her anymore"</i>, which could be a reference to how much her image had evolved from her very first release, both musically and aesthetically. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the cover of <i>night time, my time </i>featured an image of sky in the shower, and while her decision to appear topless was a defiant one that demonstrated her lack of innocence, there's still a sense of fear in her eyes, perhaps about how this radical new look and sound would be received by fans and critics alike. having been shelved by her label numerous times, the youthful naivety was all but gone, her long wavy hair replaced with a short peroxide cut. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">while ferreria isn't the only artist who's faced difficulty conveying her creative vision, her unwillingness to conform to what was expected of her - both as a young woman and a pop star - at a time when super-polished stars like </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F57P9C4SAW4" target="_blank">katy perry</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m1EFMoRFvY" target="_blank">b<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">eyoncé</span></a></i></span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">dominated the charts certainly reflects the way independent artists were treated in the mid-2000s. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">with social media still in its infancy and years before having a "personal brand" was considered important, sky's struggles with her label seem a world away from the hordes of artists who now have the freedom to release music independently, such as <i>dorian electra </i>and <i>kim petras, </i>who have amassed huge fan bases through social media and without relying on a major label. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">sky's defiant streak shone though on <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YZG9SYo_DE" target="_blank">i will</a>, </i>as she warns anyone who ever doubted her that <i>"i'm gonna teach you a lesson", </i>a sentiment i also tried to embody as i left school and attempted to embark on my own career away from everyone who asked me why i "didn't talk". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this track really is the best of both worlds; the electro-pop from her early songs merges perfectly with the scuzzy guitar riffs that came to define <i>night time, my time, </i>resulting in yet another exquisite bridge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">sadly it wasn't all plain sailing for sky after the album's release. while she received critical acclaim for her efforts and supported <i>miley cyrus </i>on her 2014 <i>bangerz </i>tour, she was also arrested alongside her now ex-boyfriend - <i>DIIV </i>frontman <i>zachary cole smith - </i>for drug possession. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the following years saw her star in a couple of films and become the face of <i>jimmy choo's illicit </i>fragrance, but she continued to reassure fans that her second, "more aggressive" album <i>masochism </i>was on its way in this <i><a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6327424/sky-ferreira-interview-new-album-primal-scream-troy-carter" target="_blank">billboard</a> </i>interview. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">fast forward to 2019 and it's yet to materialise, leaving hordes of twitter stans in a perpetual state of disappointment and anticipation. the blow was softened slightly with the release of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8x55qS3chA" target="_blank">downhill lullaby</a> </i>back in march, a super dark string-led track that, </span><span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">according to ferreria, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">aimed to capture the sound of <i>"the birds in </i>s</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">now white</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><i>, singing underwater, while slowly being suffocated by plastic"</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">bubblegum pop it is not, but sky's unwillingness to stick to one genre and compromise her creative vision has always been incredibly inspiring to me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the climate of pop music has changed so dramatically that when it eventually arrives, <i>masochism </i>will be received a thousand times more positively in an era where soundcloud and streaming has allowed both artists and listeners the freedom to create and consume in whatever way they want. </span></span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-1846036536540474982019-08-27T13:30:00.000+01:002019-08-27T13:30:27.464+01:00i let the seasons change my mind: musing + lyrics turns four<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">today marks four years since my first <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2015/08/take-me-to-feeling-ode-to-freedom.html" target="_blank">post</a> on this blog and with every year that passes, part of me is i'm amazed that i've managed to keep it up for so long. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my ambitions and future aims have waxed and waned in the two years since i graduated and moved back to manchester, but one thing remains the same, and it's best summed up by this quote from my review of <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/search?q=stevie+nicks" target="_blank"><i>lorde</i>'s</a> gig in 2017 that i stumbled across while trying to find some ~inspiration~ for this post (yes i re-read my old blog posts, the truest sign that i really need to Get A Life):</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<span style="background-color: white;">i wouldn't wish it on anyone, but i think to truly understand music in the way i do, to love it with your whole entire being, to have nothing else to live for, tying your sense of identity to a particular band or artist, you have to reach the point of no return. when i feel like i won't make it through the night, music is my only escape."</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">to say the last two years have been testing is an understatement. in no particular order, i lost my best friend, my nana - who always encouraged me to follow my dream of becoming a writer - and have endured more job rejections than i can count, which is why that quote continues to resonate with me while i'm Going Thru It. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">while it's true that in the last few months, something shifted - perhaps due to my work with <i>vibbidi</i>, which was essentially my Dream Job - and i found myself imbued with a sense of self belief i've never had before, i'm back in that dark place where i start doubting my own abilities and wondering if writing is really what i'm Meant To Do. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">however, after a string of dreadful interviews for digital marketing apprenticeships that my heart truly wasn't in, i've found myself with a renewed sense of purpose and will continue to pursue as many writing jobs as possible. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">i also made the somewhat drastic decision to move back to london at the start of next year, assuming i don't find a Proper Job in the next four months. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it wasn't an easy decision to make, but it's no longer about choice; if i'm serious about making this happen, i have to go where the jobs are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">i first pitched the idea to my parents back in june and though they initially seemed reluctant, once i explained that i'd have more chance of finding an internship or freelance work in the capital, they seemed to understand why i wanted to make such a big move for the second time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">i'm looking at it as the absolute last resort, but providing they're still on board with the idea, i really think the prospect of a ~new beginning~ and having to fend for myself again will motivate me to find whatever work i can to make my dream of a full-time, paid writing job a reality. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">in the meantime though, i've been taking a moment to reflect on all the success this blog has brought me, from all the positive responses to my writing from rising artists like <i><a href="https://twitter.com/PaigeCavell" target="_blank">paige cavell</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://twitter.com/iamcxloe" target="_blank">cxloe</a> </i>to actual <i><a href="https://twitter.com/lilyallen/status/1001901771583905792" target="_blank">lily allen</a> </i>re-tweeting me, and of course <i><a href="https://www.vibbidi.net/" target="_blank">vibbidi</a>. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">as i said earlier, the night i skyped with them and got offered the job might just be the happiest moment of my ~professional~ life and something i'll never forget, so losing that was a devastating blow. however, it cemented that writing about music is the only thing i'm truly passionate about, though i realise now that doing it in my own way is crucial for me to enjoy it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">of course every online publication has a certain tone of voice that writers are expected to stick to but i'm determined to make whatever i write sound more like me from now on. i spent too long worrying about what prospective employers and editors would think of me, whether i was too intense and passionate or not enthusiastic enough, but the reality is that if they don't like how i write, there <i>will </i>be others out there who do. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">it's not all bad though; </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">seeing one of my favourite youtube people </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><a href="https://blog.influencer.uk/creator-insights-lucy-jane-wood-a198e4d19aa7" target="_blank">lucy wood</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">go from losing her job at the iconic teen magazine <i><a href="https://twitter.com/sugarscape?lang=en" target="_blank">sugarscape</a> - </i>their <i>one direction </i>coverage is <a href="https://twitter.com/louis_tomlinson/status/120620074301267968?lang=en" target="_blank">always in my heart</a> - to making a living from creating videos online shows that redundancy isn't the end of the world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">though i'm still terrified about not just my own future but that of the planet as a whole, this blog has remained one of the only consistent features in my life. it shouldn't really come as a surprise that i've kept it up for so long because it's the one thing that's kept me alive, and that has to count for something, right? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">so while my peers are buying houses and popping out babies like there's no tomorrow, i'm finally at peace with the fact that i've never wanted these things and don't feel the need to compare myself just because i haven't achieved any of the traditional markers of Adulthood. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">my goals and ambitions are just as valid as a someone who dreams of owning a four-bed new build and putting a </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">pavé diamond on their ring finger, and i won't stop until i achieve them, even if it takes me another five, ten or fifteen years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">one thing is for certain though: this blog will always be important to me as it serves as a reminder of how far i've come and where i'm going next. </span>Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777162534314150095.post-53464442055330775632019-08-23T17:31:00.000+01:002019-08-24T17:19:43.887+01:00new (and old) music friday #43: ava max, SOPHIE, lina hedlund, swim deep <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">today marks the start of the august bank holiday, which means two things are underway: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">1) <i>manchester pride</i>: a celebration which has always had a slightly cursed energy both times i've attended. last year i took a gamble and bought a ticket for the first time in five years, only to end up spending most of the weekend with people i hardly knew as my new <i><a href="https://www.meetup.com/apps/" target="_blank">meetup</a> </i>friend was horrendously flaky and failed to let me know exactly what our plans were for each day. by sunday i decided to skip the festivities altogether and bad weather meant i missed out on seeing <i>rita ora, </i>something i'm still low-key mad about. this year i'll be watching the celebrations unfold via social media and i couldn't be happier, even though i'll be missing out on performances from <i>kim petras </i>and actual <i>ariana grande. </i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">2) <i>reading and leeds festival</i>, which i also had the misfortune of attending in <a href="http://www.musing-and-lyrics.com/2016/09/leeds-2016.html" target="_blank">2016</a>. the onslaught of rain which didn't let up until the final day quite literally put a dampener on things, and as someone who already hated spending more than 5 seconds outside at a time, it put me off camping for life, and the smell of the toilets - which got gradually worse as the weekend unfolded - still haunts me to this day. so for the last three years i've watched highlights of the festival from the comfort of my own living room, and this year will be no exception. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">this brings us nicely to this week's selection of new music, which includes two artists on the bill for reading and leeds this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>1. the 1975 </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">of course i had to start with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKdPxXWm7Jg" target="_blank">people</a>, </i>the long awaited new single from my all-time favourite band. the manchester four piece took to <i><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0007rn9" target="_blank">radio 1</a></i> last night to get fans excited before the premiere of the song, and i thoroughly enjoyed their chat with annie mac, which saw them reminiscing about their own experiences at leeds festival as teenagers, and now headliners (!). as always, i had no idea what to expect, but it seems like the inevitable Emo Revival has officially begun. with a screamo vocal to rival <i>oli sykes </i>and guitar riffs straight out of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjZ0dNCHR5U" target="_blank">danger days</a>, </i>it sounds like something my 14-year-old self would have devoured, and though i'm an out and proud pop lover these days, <i>people </i>still speaks to that part of me which always felt slightly ~misunderstood~. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in keeping with title track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWcfzAfuFyE" target="_blank">the 1975</a>, </i>it's another call to arms which urges the powers that be to <i>"stop fucking with the kids"</i> and do something about the already <a href="https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/ne8bkx/amazon-rainforest-fires-action?utm_source=idtwitter&utm_medium=socialflow" target="_blank">devastating</a> effects of climate change. i also particularly enjoy the pre-chorus, with its demands to <i>"bring me everything here"</i>. as i mentioned earlier, i'm someone who definitely doesn't like going outside, so i feel both attacked and vindicated. i'm fairly certain the song will cause one of the biggest mosh pits reading and leeds have ever seen, and a few broken bones too, making me even more relieved that i can watch it all at home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>2. charli xcx/sky ferreira </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">another artist appearing at reading and leeds this weekend, <i>charli xcx </i>has continued her impeccable run of singles in the lead up to her third album with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cxwTtfXG0c" target="_blank">cross you out</a>, </i>which features the iconic <i>sky ferreira. </i>i have a <i>lot </i>of feelings about her debut album <i>night time, my time </i>that i'm going to be putting into words in a post next week, so when i heard she was collaborating with charli i was ecstatic. the track certainly doesn't disappoint; as always it's super synth-heavy and provides a cathartic release for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1O1Im-HG98/" target="_blank">charli</a> as it's about <i>"leaving someone toxic behind and finally feeling free"</i>, something i can definitely ~relate~ to. i've already spent the last few days blasting it at full volume and would highly recommend you do the same. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>3. swim deep</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">though i find myself feeling frustrated with my current "work" situation (for reasons i obviously won't elaborate on here), i'm eternally grateful that i'm able to listen to albums that won't be released for a few months, and one of them is <i>emerald classics </i>by birmingham indie rock/pop/psychedelic band <i>swim deep. </i>i first became aware of them in my teens and played tracks like <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATxs0N_DFTw" target="_blank">king city</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P49qiSnA_nw" target="_blank">honey</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHVygW_Ac0c" target="_blank">orange county</a> </i>endlessly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">very few ~indie~ bands have survived the initial mid-2000s boom and continue to make excellent music, but along with <i>peace </i>and <i>the wombats, swim deep </i>can definitely</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> be added to the list. when i saw the link to listen to </span><i style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">emerald classics </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i had mixed feelings, wondering if it was purely nostalgia that has kept me interested in the band, but all my doubts fell away once i pressed play. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">the album won't be released until october 4th so i don't want to risk sharing anything i probably shouldn't, but i was pleased to see one of my favourite songs <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xphiXVRTQNw" target="_blank">sail away, wave goodbye</a> </i>is on spotify, along with the anthemic lead single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ZhE_6wklg" target="_blank">to feel g</a></i></span><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ZhE_6wklg" target="_blank">ood</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">which has received a seal of approval from </span><i><a href="https://twitter.com/Truman_Black/status/1133738389025579008" target="_blank">matty healy</a> </i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">himself. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>4. MUNA</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">everyone's favourite sad-pop pioneers came through with a self-described <i><a href="https://twitter.com/whereisMUNA/status/1161347379003445248" target="_blank">"trauma banger"</a></i> that had me in tears just a few seconds in. <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdCSmdJYKGY" target="_blank">stayaway</a> </i>follows a similar train of thought as charli's <i>cross you out </i>as it <a href="https://twitter.com/whereisMUNA/status/1162363766656393217" target="_blank">encompasses</a> that feeling of not only trying to distance yourself from a toxic person or situation, but actually staying away for good. of course, it wouldn't be a MUNA track without their 80s-leaning production which is what i like to think <i>wilson phillips </i>would have embraced if they were part of the millennial generation, and i'm hoping their upcoming album <i>saves the world </i>will contain more depression-curing bangers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>5. SOPHIE</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i became aware of <i><a href="https://soundcloud.com/shopfacing/reason-why-hq-leak" target="_blank">reason why</a> </i>via twitter and as soon as i saw the track included vocals from <i>kim petras </i>i knew it would be a banger to rival her best track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u22rJTHQiVk" target="_blank">1, 2, 3 dayz up,</a> </i>also featuring SOPHIE. i've no idea if this song will ever see the light of day via an official release or whether it will suffer the same fate as <i><a href="https://xcx-world.fandom.com/wiki/Taxi_(song)" target="_blank">taxi</a>, </i>but i'm praying SOPHIE will bless us with a studio version. seeing as it's a leak, i fear this song could be deleted from soundcloud at any minute so i want to get in as many listens as i can just in case that happens and would highly recommend everyone else do the same.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">6. cxloe </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">it's incredibly rare for an artist to release an impeccable string of songs, but australian pop sensation <i>cxloe </i>has managed to achieve this since she began releasing music last year. i've had tracks such as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3OPks8i3LU" target="_blank">show you</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Po7AWqYuKY" target="_blank">low blow</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CIoR_LBxk0" target="_blank">tough love</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elbwWE-CQ3Q" target="_blank">i can't have nice things</a> </i>on repeat over the last few months and her latest single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf7LUMPwHj4" target="_blank">SICK</a> </i>might just be her best yet. the stupidly catchy track has cemented her admittance into<i> <a href="https://www.popjustice.com/briefing/the-gold-zone-is-where-all-new-popstars-need-to-be-and-cxloes-just-entered-it/" target="_blank">"the gold zone"</a>, </i>a term coined by <i>popjustice </i>editor <i>peter robinson, </i>in which an artist releases three excellent singles in a row. other major pop stars should absolutely take note, as <i>cxloe</i>'s unsigned status proves that an artist doesn't need a huge team behind them to propel them into the open arms of stan twitter. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">7. ava max</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">speaking of major pop stars, i'm absolutely bemused at the rapid ascension of <i>ava max. </i>it seems like out of nowhere her single <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXBHCQYxwr0" target="_blank">sweet but psycho</a> </i>was all over the radio and blaring out of the speakers every time i went out, and i quickly tired of hearing the sub-par song. she then followed it up with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxGLPVvNjvY" target="_blank">so am i</a>, </i>which i'm fairly sure uses the exact same structure and melody, just with different lyrics. her latest offering <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPyQRtd7hNU" target="_blank">torn</a> </i>didn't excite me either, but after perusing her spotify page i came across <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leSnRg-Vlxk" target="_blank">freaking me out</a></i>. this song seems to have slipped through the cracks somewhat as i'd never heard it before, but the largely acoustic track features an incredibly pleasing synth-tinged chorus that for some reason left me with goosebumps. it doesn't really morph into anything huge, but i can't stop playing it and feeling that it hasn't had the promotion it deserves. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">8. client liason</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i suspect popjustice were also responsible for my introduction to this track by another australian artist called <i>client liaison. </i>though i was unfamiliar with them, they're clearly famous enough to have a <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Client_Liaison" target="_blank">wikipedia</a> </i>page, which describes them as an "indie pop" duo signed to parlophone. the song in question is <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd752VnoWZI" target="_blank">the real thing</a>, </i>which is exactly what <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSnAllHtG70" target="_blank">the sound</a> </i>by <i>the 1975 </i>would have sounded (ha) like if it had been released in 1987. i can also imagine <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPYZpwSpKmA" target="_blank">rick astley</a> </i>adding his silky smooth vocals to the track and it would fit right in with anything <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzQQgrqFZHc" target="_blank">stock aitken waterman</a> </i>produced at the time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">put simply, it's an Absolute Tune that makes me ridiculously happy every time i hear it. australia has a reputation for being somewhat behind the rest of the world in terms of fashion and music, but in this case i'm totally not mad about it; their debut album <i>diplomatic immunity </i>is the best of <i>wham!, duran duran, depeche mode </i>and <i>abc </i>repackaged for a younger set of music lovers and i <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6FBfAQ-NDE" target="_blank">just can't get enough</a>. </i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">9. lina hedlund </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2BHneMo2ro" target="_blank">deeper love</a> </i>is another <i>popjustice </i>find that i'm obsessed with. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">a quick google search of <i>lina hedlund </i>reveals she was a member of <i>alcazar, </i>one of sweden's biggest disco groups; their 1999 song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CiOWcUVGJM" target="_blank">crying at the discotheque</a> </i>apparently charted in the US, japan and brazil. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">she made her solo debut with the song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETsl01l5y8k" target="_blank">victorious</a> </i>(also a bit of a banger)<i>, </i>which she performed at <i>"melodifestivalen"</i> earlier this year, which appears to be the swedish equivalent of <i>x factor</i>. she reached the final with the song but was beaten by <i>john lundvik, </i>whose phenomenal track <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP7j3efiCsE" target="_blank">too late for love</a> </i>ended up representing sweden at this year's eurovision; </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">i knew there had to be a connection somehow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">if they have any sense, she should be representing the country at next year's competition as i can imagine <i>deeper love </i>being a crowd favourite. but whether she makes it to <i>the netherlands</i> or not, i'll still be playing this track every time i get ready to go out. </span></div>
Lorna O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587692878718158649noreply@blogger.com0