New finds for a new week! I've divided this post into new songs, new artists and new albums so go ahead and see what you can find in the treasure trove I have composed just for you...
NEW MUSIC...
1) For Baltimore by All Time Low
The Baltimore boys are back and they've re-harnessed the sound that was missing from 2011's 'Dirty Work'. The music from newest album 'Don't Panic', which was released on October 9th, is a mix of earlier albums 'Nothing Personal' and 'So Wrong, It's Right' and I can confirm that this is the sound of the All Time Low that we all know and love.
As an ATL fan, I feel that the band lost their way on their last record; it seemed like they were trying to conform to the mold, what with radio friendly hits like 'I Feel Like Dancing' among others that lacked substance. They were great for a rock out in your bedroom or a sing along in the car but the meaning and the genius wasn't there and it was a shame because in previous albums, they had fantastic songs with deep meanings, a spark, a life, a fire, and the talent of the band practically burst out of every song whenever it was played. You'd listen to songs like 'Stella', 'Weightless', 'Stay Awake', and your one lasting thought would be that this band was
good, this band had
talent, this band had that
spark.
So I'm ever so happy that All Time Low have left the empty shelled pop songs behind and focused on what they do best. 'For Baltimore' is catchy, it's got a life of its own and it is a song that seems to say "we're back, and my lord we are better than
ever!".
LISTEN TO IT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME5s2ohpm9U
2) Wonder by Naughty Boy ft Emeli Sande
LOVE THIS SONG. What more can I say?
It's just incredible. Five stars across the board. The vocals, provided by Emeli Sande are what really carries the song and gives it a rush of meaning and ignites the fire, the life, the power. British producer Naughty Boy then matches those hybrid honey sweet, powerhouse vocals to a beat and piano melody and manages to create an upwards spiral of upbeat joy and celebration that makes you want to dance around the room because you love life
that much.
'Wonder' reminds me of a modern day disco, dance floor anthem. It takes the ingredients of a classic floorfiller and puts a modern day spin on it to produce a sound that is full of so much energy and feeling. 'Wonder', if compared to people, would be that person who goes happily dancing down the street, completely care free, gloriously happy and so self assured that everyone else feels like they're missing out on something here.
'Wonder' is the song that has everyone following in it's wake, desperate to be infected by the irresistible optimism, joy and celebration that it radiates. If you don't believe me, I urge you to let this sweet music enlighten your soul.
GO NOW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5bNRXBgF5c
3) Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth ft Emeli Sande
Proving that she has well and truly cemented herself into the superstar stratosphere, Emeli Sande has only gone and pulled a Rihanna and secured that her vocals are on
two up and coming singles that seem well on their way to chart success.
This next collaboration with the very talented singer/ songwriter/ producer/ furthest thing from a one trick pony
Labrinth, is one that seems to have been concocted in the realms of musical heaven.
'Beneath Your Beautiful' is achingly sweet and romantic yet with a slight electro edge which is brought to the table by Labrinth. When listening to the song on YouTube, I saw a comment by someone who mentioned that this song had been the first song they danced to at their wedding, and from then on every time I hear it, I can't help but think of that person and how perfect this song is for a romantic token of love.
It's like a love song for the new era and I hope this song receives the recognition it deserves and not the excessive radio play that seems to strip a song of its life and soul. I also hope that the message of this song, seeing beneath a person's exterior and appreciating the beauty of the person inside, is relayed to all the young people in this world who are seemingly taught to believe that looks are everything when they really aren't.
If that message can filter through the music into the minds of the young, I believe that Emeli and Lab will have done a very important thing for today's society. A very important thing indeed....
A TREAT FOR YOUR EARS AND YOUR HEART:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqIxCtEveG8
4) Ride by Lana Del Rey
People moan that Lana del Rey can only do depressing, melancholy rich songs. Well to all those people, take a listen to Lana's newest song 'Ride' that is actually an upbeat number with only the slightest hint of melancholy. I for one am impressed with this newest offering by Miss Del Rey because it shows that versatility of which some people were certain she lacked.
'Ride' makes me think of just hopping into a chevy truck and riding somewhere, anywhere; it makes me want to keep on going, keep on moving forward and take my life somewhere further than where it is right now. All in all, it gives me something along the lines of hope and determination and it seems to be doing the same for most people who listen to the song (judging by the positive comments on YouTube that is...)
It's sultry and smooth and has the typical Lana stamp, but this song is a little different to the others like 'Born To Die' and 'Videogames', it has positve connotations and an uplifting grace to it, it's in a slightly different vein to all her other wonderfully crafted hits. Something about Lana's work to me spells
genious and I can't quite work out what that is, but there is just something about the way she chooses to construct her music that really separates it out from anything else on the music scene and I'm always amazed at her craftsmanship.
BE SWEPT AWAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE6wxDqdOV0
NEW ARTISTS:
Okay, so these artists have been around for the last couple of years, meaning they can't exactly be defined as
new, however they haven't quite reached chart domination and radio bombardment yet...
So here's a few of the less known artists whose music I have been raving about the last couple of weeks:
1) PASSION PIT
This stunning electro pop band, formed in 2007 (so they're not exactly
new), are a band I really believe you should take note of. I am yet to hear a band quite like this and I think that is why I am so taken by them.
Their songs are ridiculously upbeat, electro, passion filled masterpieces that all exist so strongly on their own and form a magnificent music army when combined together, like on the latest album 'Gossamer'. Within each song is a message that becomes clear when you manage to break the hypnotism of the music and actually listen to what the lyrics are saying.
Passion Pit create such vibrant, colourful, powerful songs and they seem to have perfected their own brand of electro pop so much so that it's almost like listening to another genre entirely. This band is practically the definition of
passion.
BRIGHTEN YOUR LIFE: http://passionpitmusic.com/
-TAKE A WALK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZX6Q-Bj_xg
-IT'S NOT MY FAULT I'M HAPPY:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmtsXAmKSkA
2) THE PAPER KITES
If you were to describe The Paper Kites in one word, I believe that word would be
beautiful, because that is exactly what their music is. A softly sung, folk/ indie mash up that is
achingly beautiful and I don't think any description of mine could do this music justice or truly give it the representation it deserves.
Each and every song gives me goose bumps and seems to set my imagination alight. In some respects, the only way I could even attempt to try and convey this music through words is by the mental images provoked in my mind upon hearing it.
So imagine either of these: Sunday morning in a white washed, driftwood beach house,
glorious sunny, spring day, running across the golden sand, feeling blissfully happy, care free and
good.
Running through beautiful, enchanted, magical woodland, sun shining way up high or the stars twinkling in the twilight hour, surrounded by flowers, trees, animals and a dozen or so of your loved one running alongside you.
Sitting beneath or on the branch of an oak tree with someone you love, peaceful autumn day, sun setting in the distance, fields of green and yellow surrounding you, wrapped in a cosy jumper and feeling so content.
PICTURE IT FOR YOURSELF: http://www.myspace.com/thepaperkitesband
-BLOOM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8inJtTG_DuU
-FEATHERSTONE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0IDiVQxZYg
3) INGRID MICHAELSON
Ingrid is another artist who has been around for a number of years, ten to be precise, as music has been her rightly chosen career choice since 2002. However the fact that this wonderfully talented lady has been on the music scene for
ten whole years and hasn't seen the same success as fellow talented female artists, such as Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Katy Perry etcetera, really does blow my mind. You may have heard her music on TV shows or adverts but chances are that like me, you had no idea
whatsoever.
In some respects, the fact that she isn't that well known almost attributes to her likability as an artist because you know she isn't a fame hungry, provocative, pop fuelled product who has been designed to reign supreme on Top 40 Charts, radio stations and music channels alike.
Ingrid is different to all of that. Ingrid is like being clued in on the world's best kept secret. Ingrid is like knowing something that no-one else knows. Her music doesn't find you or try desperately to catch your attention and weekly pay, oh no,
you find the music and once you've discovered her little treasure box of gems, all you have to do is sit back and let her gorgeously sweet, infectious, upbeat melodies do their job of enlightening you.
Trust me, once you've heard a song by Ingrid Michaelson, you will most probably bare a smug little smile as you walk around because
you've found something that
no-one else knows about...
ENJOY!:
http://www.ingridmichaelson.com/
BE OK-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpMI8Qu5fsc
YOU AND I-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvMVCHhwTPs
NEW ALBUM:
Now this is actually a soundtrack, and it's for the absolutely brilliant new film 'The Perks of Being A Wallflower', which is based on the
amazing book Stephen Chbosky. If you haven't read it before, I'd strongly advise you to pick up a copy because this book is one of the best I have ever read- and trust me, I have read
a lot of books in my time.
For once, the movie does the book complete justice and the soundtrack actually does the
movie justice as well. Many people are hailing this soundtrack as one of the best
ever, and that's a pretty bold statement.
However when you listen to each of the twelve tracks, you can see why.
You've got The Smiths on there with their lesser known song 'Asleep', 'Heroes' by David Bowie is the gloriously perfect ultimate song, 'Come On Eileen' by Dexy's Midnight Runners just to add a splash of upbeat happiness and 'It Could Be Another Change' by The Samples which I personally love.
This soundtrack has all you could ever want and I felt that it deserved a mention because this soundtrack is just perfect. So go ahead and listen to it and see if it makes
you feel infinite....
BUY IT: http://www.amazon.com/Perks-Being-Wallflower-Various-Artists/dp/B008KL4KB6
.jpg)
