Our Lorde and master

I'm obsessed with this kiwi schoolgirl gone pop royalty, Lorde. She is an amazing artist and she's 16! When i was 16 i was getting drunk in parks but this girl is debuting at number 1 on the New Zealand top 40 chart, reaching the top 3 in the US chats and having a cover of the Tears For Fears well known song 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' on the soundtrack of the film Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

I have had her 'The Love Club EP' on repeat, and this EP has such tracks as Bravado, the hit song Royals, Million Dollar Bills, The Love Club, Biting Down and Bravado Remix.

Lorde has a debut album out 'Pure Heroine' which was realised on the 27th of September 2013. The track list is Tennis Court, 400 Lux, Royals, Ribs, Buzzcut Season, Team, Glory and Gore, Still sane, White Teeth Teens and A World Alone.  

It's pretty clear that the girl is talented and has a fresh sounding voice and look. This album is very grown up but has teen topics throughout it which makes it relate able to her fans. If you like good pop music, you should check this album out.

Cover to cover

The HAIM sisters are on all magazine covers this week including LA Weekly and NME.

Generally so happy that these girls are getting recognised for being so talented, they are amazing and their songs are well made and well played.
Their new album 'Days Are Gone' and you can get it here.

Layers of brilliance

So a magical human being created the layered version of the Arctic Monkeys track 'Why you'd only call me when you're high' and it's amazing.

That's about it really. This is layered so that the right ear plays before the left to make a round.

And here is the link to it!

Take aim at Evil Action

So in NME this week, they were generous enough to give us a free Franz Ferdinand CD as the band are back and with a bang!

The exclusive tracks on the album has remixes from Daft Punk and Todd Terje, also live performances from Konk. The band are back from a break and are back to present to their fans different sides and sounds of the band.

There are 8 tunes on the CD and here is a track by track guide by lead singer and guitarist Alex Kapranos.

1.Right Action- 'Right thoughts, right words, right action.'
So according to Kapranos, this song is about emotional paradoxes.  For this track Franz Ferdinand had the help of Hot chip members Taylor and Joe Goddard so you will hear a more electronic vibe then the band's normal sound. However, it's clear in the video that the band have stuck with the same production ideas as the video is nearly identical to the video of their hit 'Take me out'. In Alex's words, "The best way you can do this is the four of you playing it live."

2. Love Illumination- 'Sweet love illumination, sweet, sweet love elevation.'
So this is Kapranons favourite song to play live currently. It's got a huge riff and has a great surfboard vibe by still has the band's distinctive sound.

3. Evil Eye (Todd Terje Extended mix)- 'I don't believe in God but believe in this shit, not me.'
Todd Terje has allowed each idea of this detailed song to develop. He has a made this song a dance floor song. Alex identifies that Franz Ferdinand 'usually write three minute songs but he'll take seven minutes to build a track up.'

4. Stand On The Horizon (Todd Terje Extended mix)- 'The proudest man ever born I stand on the horizon.'
According to Alex, 'This is a true collaboration with Todd Terje because it sounds nothing like what either of us would do on our own.' This track sounds like pastoral disco and had built up the choral section at the end, i really love this song!

5. Bullet (Live from Konk)- It's clear that after listening to both the album and live version there's very little difference. Both Nick and Alex wrote it whilst trying to recreate and replicate the sense of being on a rollercoaster.... interesting.

6. Fresh Strawberries (Live from Konk)- 'Wouldn't it be easy with something to believe in.'
This is a cute, delicate song and it's good for the band to have that kind of range on a record and jump from one to the other. Alex sums up the song with this, 'This is more a song for your soul, not just your adrenal glands.'

7. Do You Want To (Live from Konk)- 'You're lucky, lucky, you're so lucky.'
If you don't know this tune then you must be very confused to who Franz Ferdinand are, and for the record, it's not an archduke from Austria who's assassination precipitated the war against Serbia (thank you history gcse). This great track is one of the band's most known and is incredibly catchy. Alex confesses that 'when we play it live we like to play it in a much dirtier way... it's got that feel about it: a little more intense than the record.'

8. Take Me Out (Daft Punk Remix)-  'So if you're lonely, you know i'm here waiting for you.'
So the legendary Daft Punk remix the legendary tune and it is amazing! It's clear that Kapranos loves it, 'I always love getting a remix back because i'm fascinated by what people do with a song... they beefed up the bottom end and a couple of sections were extended.' According to the band, it seems they got the thumbs up from the dynamic duo, 'Ach, you got it more or less right.' It's basically a rock funk tune.

God bless Kanye West

This man is a legend. Controversial, yes, but a legend.

His Radio 1 interview with Zane Lowe was incredibly powerful and full of genius ideas and thoughts coming from the man himself. His idea that affected me the most was his ideas on creativity and the way it's been restricted. Creativity is infinite and shouldn't and cannot be confined or constricted, and i feel his idea on this will be analysed and studied by future generations, and in my opinion, Kanye West will be seen as a postmodernist philosopher to philosophy students of the future, and i really hope he is viewed like that.

He is also been very vocal on twitter recently, blasting Jimmy Kimmel for spoffing the interview. The spoff interview itself was funny, but only because of the children performing it, not because it was a funny interview, it was interesting and initiative conversation between West and Lowe and to take the mick out of it is ignorant and close minded.

I'm a big fan of Kanye and always have and will be. He is not simple minded and whether you like him or hate him, you can't deny that he speaks truth and is very clever.

If you've been living under a rock and haven't heard Yeezus, then you can listen here.

Europe's biggest dance festival reaches to the US.

Tomorrowland, the biggest and the best dance festival in Europe and some (me) would say it's the world's best is brunching off to America with Tomorrowworld.

Tomorrowworld will be in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia America and is starting in 3 days. It's a three day festival, September 27,28 and 29th. However, you may decide to camp in Dreamville, then the festival will be 4 days.

You can watch the live stream on the Tomorrowland Channel.

To all those going, you're incredible lucky and coming from someone who has been to tomorrowland, it will be the best few days of your life!

New music video

Sky Ferreira finally released the video for her '80s beach vibe' track, You're Not The One.

Sky Ferreira- You're Not The One

Who doesn't like Disclosure?

Looks like these two English brothers have a following from a celebrity fan base. From Azealia Banks to Elton John,  everyone loves Disclosure!

The most recent fan to come forward is the slightly controversial, Leonardo Dicaprio look a like Avicii. The swedish DJ made his feelings clear about the bros when making a playlist for Rdio, which had tunes by the boys and hits from Jay Z.

I wonder who will be next to come forward and declare their love for Disclosure...  Lady Gaga? Paul McCartney? Could be anyone.

Breaking new musical ground

I'm pretty confident that at least 98% of the population will know what Breaking Bad is. It's possibly the biggest, most controversial and addictive programme to hit television and everyone is talking about it! It's been praised by stars such as Matt Lucas, Ellen Degeneres, Rihanna, P Diddy and the screenwriter of Anchorman Adam Mckay.

And now the Arctic Monkeys pay tribute to the Emmy winning show. Matt Helders brings his thoughts on how the season finale and last ever episode will end, 'I think Breaking Bad will end as a dream.' However, Alex Turner brings his ideas about the finale episode, suggesting Walter White will redeem himself and win back the hearts of the audiences who have seen his turn or be 'consummed by something' as Turner describes into this monster.

Either way, i'm buzzing for the finale episode and even happier about a breaking bad birthday themed present i got yesterday!...



To watch the interview, go onto nme.com or click the link!

Track of the day

White Noise/Another Brick On The Wall cover- Peace

When an electric duo, a legendary English progressive and psychedelic rock band and a indie rock quartet collide, we get an absolutely massive tune. The band consisting of brothers Harry and Samuel Koisser, Douglas Castle and Dominic Boyce from Worchester, England bring a unique twist with wah pedals and hot fuzz laden guitar strings on them to this cover of White Noise, song made famous by Disclosure and Another Brick On The Wall by the critically acclaimed, internationally known band Pink Floyd.

A massive highlight from this year's Reading and Leeds festival came from this band when they first performed this cover. Then the band took to the BBC Live lounge studio to record a proper version of the anthem.

Peace are not strangers to pushing unbreakable boundaries and this cover proves it. It's funky, big and one of my favourite covers of 2013.

The band are currently touring around the UK and America, so it's well worth going to see them!

Links below to hear the cover.
White Noise/Another Brick On The Wall- Peace
Peace at Reading Festival 2013

Track of the day

HAIM- The Wire

My track of the day is a huge tune by the coolest sisters on the planet Este, Danielle and Alana Haim also known as HAIM, who i’ve seen at Itunes Festival and Gentlemen of the road festival (lucky me, i know).

It’s barely been 12 months since the trio exploded onto the music scene and it seems they’re already breaking hearts. Whether it’s their flawless Hipstamatic image or their knack for a subtle groove, the three sisters have certainly made the masses stop in their tracks.

This song is perfect if you’re going through a break up or have broken up with someone, it shows women empowerment and finally it’s a song where the girl isn’t getting soppy and sad over a guy, it’s fab role reversal.  It’s also shows the girls talent with their voices and their ability to play guitar/bass.  Power pop is the best way to sum up this song and this band.

If you haven’t heard this song or are unaware of this band, then check the link below.

HAIM-The Wire

Track of the day

Vampire Weekend- Ottoman

The American indie rock band from New York City consisting of four members, Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson, and Chris Baio also known as Vampire Weekend are the band responsible for my track of the day.

I’ve loved this song ever since i heard it in my favourite film ‘Nick and Norah’s infinite playlist’. This song may not be one of the band’s most known songs but it’s definitely one of the best.

The lyrics and instrumental together bring across the nineteenth century feel.’ Lovelier now, but dressed for a funeral’ , the line drawn from A.E. Housman’s poem ‘Loveliest of trees, the cherry now’. Most of Vampire Weekend’s literary references come from the early British modernists and the post colonial writers who imagined themselves in conversation with (or against) them which links with the title of the song ‘Ottoman’. There is also references to the English singer, musician, songwriter and activist, Peter Gabriel who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the progressive rock band Genesis which clearly shows their influences as the high register is a clear attempt to imitate Peter Gabriel’s voice.

Vampire Weekend currently have a new(ish) album out called ‘Modern Vampires Of The City’ and are currently touring around American and Europe with support act Sky Ferreira. I was lucky enough to see this incredible band play at the Olympic park London at Gentlemen Of The Road festival and they’re amazing live as they’re on their albums.

If you haven’t heard this song, i’ll leave it below.

Vampire Weekend- Ottoman

Track of the day

Lana Del Rey- Dark Paradise (demo)

Well i’m pretty sure we all know who this beauty is, Elizabeth Woolridge Grant also known as Lizzie Grant but most famous for being called Lana Del Rey. This vocalist mixes 60’s retro pop with haunting orchestral atmosphere sensual singing style which gave us such amazing and passionate songs like Born To Die, Summertime Sadness and Blue Jeans.

I’ve always loved Lana ever since i heard a demo of National Anthem and from then on I’ve been obsessed with her. This woman is a genius, her songs make me nostalgic for things I’ve never felt and her voice is a mixer of Elvis Presley and Nancy Sinatra but has a hint of hip hop twist.

Today my track of the day is her demo of dark paradise because it’s wonderful and a lot more lively but tragically romantic compared to the new updated album released version.

Lana Del Rey- Dark Paradise (Demo)

Track of the day

Kodaline- All I Want

I’ve picked this song because it’s great to listen to if you’ve had a hard day, in the mood to feel sorry for yourself or whether you’d like a song that relates to your broken heart.

Kodaline are a Dublin-based Irish alternative rock quartet who have hit the big time with this song and many others such as ‘High Hopes’ and ‘Love like this’. For Kodaline, music isn’t just music. “It’s therapy,” says singer Steve Garrigan. Music should have a purpose,  you know, - says Steve, Our purpose is honesty.

Kodaline have been playing festivals and gigs all over the country this summer, including festivals like Reading and Leeds. This band are perfect to listen to at your lowest points and your highest, they are great song writers and each one of their songs are well made and heart felt. If you want to check them out, there are doing an American, European and UK tours, i highly recommend it!

Kodaline- All I want

Check out my vine of Kodaline performing at Reading festival 2013 (excuse my singing)

Track of the day

Do I Wanna Know?- Arctic Monkeys

So my track of the day has come off one of the greatest albums this year AM from the ever brilliant Arctic monkeys.

This song brings out the deeper, darker lyrics sung by Alex Turner and has a smooth sultry sense which can be related to Presley and Bowie. Over a dusty guitar riff and a drum beat that starts out almost like a glam stomp, Alex Turner proves that years spent living in America haven’t completely smoothed out his Sheffield accent, relishing the line “summat in your teeth” in the first verse giving us evidence against the people who have said ‘Arctic Monkeys have forgotten their roots.’

Safe to say this song will be one of my favourite this year, and let’s face it… who hasn’t listened to this song and imagined Alex Turner telling you to ‘Simmer down and pucker up’. 

Do I Wanna Know?- Arctic Monkeys

The start

So this is my first post on my new blog and it's all very confusing so bear with me on this. In this blog I'll be discussing music, whether that be reviews, new albums coming out or playlists that I've made.
Hope you enjoy and make sure you share!
Grace.