GET LISTENING JUNE 2013

Sorry I haven't written in a while... in all honesty I've been lacking inspiration lately, but today I have a list of some good songs that will get you through this week very nicely indeed.

To make up for my absence I have also included paragraphs, not just sentences- I'm flexing my musical fingers and joints especially for you alright?

Now like always, it is quite a mix up of songs to say the least, but I hope you like the contrasts because after all, contrast is what makes life curiously interesting and anyway, who doesn't like to see hip hop and rock alongside each other every once in a while? 

So with the waffling done, I'll get you started on some seriously fab tunes...

1) STICKS AND STONES BY JAMIE T 

'This is one of those incredibly good yet underrated classics, simply a fantastically made song.

Although little has been released mainstream from Jamie, since 'Sticks & Stones' was released in 2009, he is still making music and hats off to Jamie because this is easily one of the best songs of the last decade.

If you didn't catch this number back in the day, I assure you that once you cross paths with it you will love it forever. Trust me. '

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9APEZMeH0o

2) PARTY ON FIFTH AVE BY MAC MILLER

'Already big in America, Mac is only just making his transatlantic debut with his appearance on the soon to be released 'The Way' by Ariana Grande. So if you want a good taster of what he's about and the music he makes, 'Party on Fifth Ave' is a brilliant introduction to Mac's refreshing style of hip hop. Whack it on at a party and you will probably gain a new found appreciation from all your fellow party-goers.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3GGN51_pjE

3) LIGHTHOUSE BY LUCY SPRAGGAN

'Although you would be in your right to snub Lucy for her tainted X Factor history and beginnings, I would advise you not to because you would be missing out on a seriously talented songstress and her witty, unique and refreshing approach to music. The writer of the perfectly true 'Beer Fear', which gives an unedited insight into the realities of getting wasted, Lucy is extremely talented in her ability to write truthful, catchy and engaging songs, and new tune 'Lighthouse' is no exception. It's a beautiful little song and definitley worth four minutes of your time (at the very least)'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9FCIyDh6_o

4) HERE'S TO NEVER GROWING UP BY AVRIL LAVIGNE

'I really didn't want to like this but I do! I can't fight it any longer. Although Avril will probably never regain the incredibly popularity that tracks like 'Skater Boy' and 'Girlfriend' brought her, with more recent tracks such as 'What The Hell' and newbie 'Here's To Never Growing Up', she's certainly heading in the right direction and there's no denying that Miss Lavigne can make damn good pop music.

This isn't an incredible song, but it's catchy, relatable, fresh and has the ability to go down as the official ode for teenagers everywhere.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXd2WxoOP5g

5) EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED BY TAYLOR SWIFT FT ED SHEERAN

'This is one of my favourite  tracks off Taylor's 2012 release 'Red'. Ed and Taylor's voice meld wonderfully together and their brilliant songwriting abilities combined  makes for a truly beautiful and sweet little number that is sure to do well worldwide. Both are hugely respected and adored artists who write songs that resonate with millions of people and both have the ability to address numerous issues in honest, beautiful and unique ways. 'Everything Has Changed' is simply adorable in every sense and if that wasn't enough, the music video is easily the cutest thing I have ever seen in my whole life.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1oM3kQpXRo

6) THE OTHER SIDE BY JASON DERULO

'Normally, I find Jason's music to be the perfect accompaniment to a party and whilst I believe he is a great singer, I find his music to be good but mostly for a dance and a nice old sing along. 

Now I honestly do not know why, but 'The Other Side' is the one exception for me. It has somehow found it's way on to my i-pod and that never happens. But it has, and I'm not ashamed either, because this is a great comeback and it's definitely one of Jason's best tunes. I hope you can avoid the self provoked shame (because I'm not judging if you're not!) and listen, maybe dance, to this cracking party tune.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byp94CCWKSI

7) TURN TO STONE BY ELO

'I know this one in particular is completely unexpected, and I'll be first to admit that although my playlists can be rather quirky and mismatched, this is pushing the boat out a bit for me. 

But before you throw your hands up in a 'quel suprise!' fashion, trust me alright? ELO are ruddy fantastic and that's musically proven because they are the masters that made the legend that is, 'Mr Blue Sky', and you just cannot argue with that. 

Aside from 'Mr Blue Sky', which I adore, 'Turn To Stone' is another of my all time favourites and you need to believe me when I say that ELO's music is literally out of this world. It's just amazing and  I thoroughly urge you to listen to them.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFljpJdYRKM

8) MURDA BIZNESS BY IGGY AZALEA FT T.I

'Ay, ay, ay, can Iggy do no wrong? This girl is simply perfection. With monster tunes like 'Work' and 'Bounce', Iggy's already demonstrated that she is certainly not 'the white Nicki Minaj', no sir, this girl has her own brand of music. Althought there are comparions between Iggy and Nicki, Iggy's music certainly has a life of it's own and she's got some talent when it comes to melding beats, raps and melodies together. 

'Murda Bizness' is an example of that. Insanely catchy, it will make you feel so bad ass you might actually consider swagging around town with a fake gold tooth and luxuriously grand gold chain around your neck.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzI9VQUHJkU

9) TALK THROUGH THE NIGHT BY DOG IS DEAD

'I know I've mentioned Dog Is Dead and quite possibly this song before, but recently I've been listening to a lot of their music again and that my friend, is because it is magically wonderful and simply stunning.

These guys are going to be so good when they hit all the festivals this summer, because their music catalogue contains all the right records to get the crowd feeling alive, enamored, united.

 'Talk Through The Night' is just one of Dog Is Dead's fabulous creations along with others such as 'Glockenspiel Song' and 'Teenage Daughter', and you really don't want to miss out on these guys because they're just too good to miss. Go listen!'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZTLJP74bLg

10) FAT BOTTOMED GIRLS BY QUEEN

'Now just to mix things up even more, if that was possible, my last selection is the infamous and spectacularly good Queen tune, 'Fat Bottomed Girls'. Practically everyone knows this song, in fact, it could probably be our nations' anthem, instead of 'God Save The Queen', it's that well known.

And stumbling across this beauty the other day reminded me just how good the song is, how amazing Queen were and how great music is supposed to sound. 

This is an epic song in every sense.

 The way the drum beats instill a thumping through your veins and your body, the way Freddie's voice soars and dances as it guides the song and not to forget the hilarious yet touching lyrics. You need to remember how incredible this song really is, and when better than right now?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMnjF1O4eH0

I hope you've enjoy the eclectic playlist I've composed for you today.

I want you to be off checking out some amazing new tunes whilst simultaneously shaking your bootie and dancing round the room to some fabulous old classics. 

Enjoy my lovelies. 

THE FORGOTTEN BEAUTIES

So I gave you a brand new playlist update yesterday, oh yes, and I think it's safe to say there were some corkers on there. Personally, I have been quite taken by Haim- what beautiful music!- and I think I'll be departing on a voyage of Haim's back catalogue within the next coming days and you're all free to join me.

Now the reason for this next post is because in the 24 hour period between this post and the last post, I have discovered a few more beauties/ corkers/ whatever adjective floats your rowing boat and I just couldn't wait till my usual update day to tell you about them.

I have the patience of an atomic bomb. ie, it really isn't that long.

So I'm going to get stuck in there....

1) FOREVER BY HAIM 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEwM6ERq0gc

I really don't know how it's possible not to like this song. It's so simple and laid back  constructed using a classic formula and yet it sounds so unique, new, original. 'Forever' has you questioning why there is such a strong force pushing music into dubstep/ electronica, why does a song need a dubstep influence in order for it to make an impact, in order for it to be classed as 'good', in order for it to sell. I understand that for some artists, it enhances their music and they have the ability to use dubstep and electronic mavericks well, but when it's used by a pop artist, on a pop song, you can't help question why? Was there any need?

Because the Haim sisters are showing that there's still life in the stripped back approach to music, where all you need are a guitar, a beat and a voice.

I for one am happy that somewhere out there, we have a complete polar opposite to the current dubstep/ electro/ techno reign. I fully support the new approach to music where we can achieve all these wonderful, unique, extra terrestrial sounds and mash them all together to create music that seems to be delivered from another stratosphere or existence. 

But deep down I'm a guitar and vocals kind of girl; I love the 'sit down with a guitar and let yourself go' approach, and that's what Haim embrace, it's what they're about, and they do it so well.

It's a familiar, nostalgic kind of pull and yet it's so new and refreshing.

So jump on the Haim bandwagon now because I promise you, you won't regret it.

2) STAY BY RIHANNA FT MIKKY EKKO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq6hKc2SHlo

Following on from what I said above, can you understand how excited and relieved  I was when I heard Rihanna's new song, 'Stay'? In this day and age, we are inclined to expect a new Rihanna track once a month, every month and I don't know about you but I can only take so many 'Only Girl In The World's or 'We Found Love's before I want to tear my hair out in frustration. It all sounds the same, it has no meaning, no soul, just manufactured pop that follows the same formula every single time. 

As Rihanna's success evolved to meteoric heights, her approach to music changed along with it.

We used to get a mixture of pop, soul, R & B, hits like 'Unfaithful', 'Umbrella', 'Take A Bow' and the pop records only dabbled in electronica and to great effect, as seen in records like 'Disturbia'.

But somewhere along the line, Rihanna lost the soul and R & B and embraced pop and that was when Rihanna the artist became Rihanna the brand. An individual to a creation that is shoved in front of your face wherever you may go, or blasted into your ear drums on an all too regular basis.
I missed the old Rihanna, the Rihanna with soul, self-respect, innocence, the Rihanna who didn't need the provocative clothing or over produced dance tracks to be successful.
Where did she go?
Well I'm pleased to say she's wasn't erased completely, no, that Rihanna was still there and I don't know if this is a one off but anyhow, we finally have that Rihanna back, at least for now.
Her new song 'Stay' is the epitome of soul, emotion, feeling, passion; a slow ballad with vocals that ache of experience, longing, truth. Each line has meaning and the slow tempo means the message is delivered to the full extent. This is a record you can take something away from, it strikes a chord within, it resonates with you.
Unlike 'SNM' where one can't really relate to being whipped with a chain, 'Stay' relates to anyone who has ever loved another, and I think almost everyone can hold their hand high to that.
  This is a song worth hearing.

3) KARMAGEDDON BY DOT ROTTEN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4RHabjap-s

Now here is an example of when dubstep and electronic/ techno is used properly.
In 'Karmageddon', artist Dot Rotten uses those beats as they were meant to be used, he adds to his vocals so that the message they are singing translates, he mixes in swirls and waves of electronic riffs to add power to the song. It just works so well. And it's refreshing to hear a rapper with vocals about world peace and honest love instead of the many Jag's and Lamborghini's in his crib or the 'hoes' he's got falling at his feet because he's just that cool, standing there with wearing a thick, luminous gold chain, trousers sliding down past his designer knick knacks.
'Karmageddon' is a fantastic song firstly for the musical technicality and the way it's used to build up the song in to something magnificent and secondly, for the lyrics that actually mean something.
Combine them together and you have a real corker of a song.
Dot Rotten isn't a well known rapper, he's best known for hits like 'Overload' and 'Are You Not Entertained' that were taken on board and broadcast by Radio One to successful acclaim, namely being hailed one of the best new artists in 2011.
He's talented in the way he can create a catchy hookline, match it with the perfect beats and accompany the two with lyrics of substance. Plus he has a name that plays on the infamous and beloved 'Dot Cotten' from classic soap EastEnders.
Dot Rotten hasn't had his true breakthrough moment yet, but with songs so good, surely it can only be just around the corner? Every song he releases is snapped up by Radio One, winning him a series of new fans every time, and each song is slightly different but with the same Dot Rotten blue print re-worked into something new. I for one don't know why he hasn't made the big time yet, but with every song being such a corker ( it's the word of the day), it can only be a matter of time before one of his fabulous creations blasts onto the bigger scene and sends seismic rolls across the land.
And like the title suggests, I think karma just might play in his favour.