Just like every adolescent female in the world I imagine, I used to be an embarrassingly over-obsessed fangirl with late 90s/early 00s pop. However, long gone are the days where McFly and Busted dominate our charts and television screens. Instead, 2014 has birthed a few baby-faced guitar boy bands onto our scene. And my inner-pop-10-year-old-self has gone wild. Currently on the scene are:
The Vamps
Originally, The Vamps were a trio. Since posting many covers on YouTube and adopting a bass player, the boys have conquered thousands of female hearts across the country with their singles: Can We Dance, Wild Heart and more recently Last Night.
5SOS, again, developed from YouTube as a trio. Supporting 1D has definitely constructed a pathway for their success, yet the boys reject any hint that they are in any way similar to 1D. Debut single She Looks So Perfect went to #1 and their next single Don't Stop is under development.
Unearthing Rixton has been one of my finest discoveries so far. Debut single Make Out was accompanied by a video which was an incandescent pastiche. Second single Me And My Broken Heart is the better of the two - it's more meaningful.
Unbelievable but true, February is nearly over. Many videos have been released this month, with both Vevo and YouTube throwing 3 minute wonders at us all throughout. I have chosen a few videos in which I particularly feel are the best videos of this month. Videos in which are anthemic and cutting-edge.
First of all.. The Strypes - Hard To Say No
I am a huge lover of these boys and after Alex Turners now-famous speech at the BRIT awards last week, rock and roll definitely isn't dead and these boys prove it.
Haim - If I Could Change Your Mind
If it was possible to become a Haim sister, there's no doubt that I would. These 3 ladies are sensational, and their choreography? Not so much.
George Ezra - Cassy O'
After impatiently waiting for this since images of recording were released, the video was finally birthed. Incredibly good use of the letter O in this video.
The Pierces - Believe In Me
The girls' video for Believe In Me is very psychedelic. Mesmerizing.
The Pretty Reckless - Heaven Knows
With banging drums and rhythmic guitars, Taylor Momsen and co are back. Cast your mind back to 2010 and you may remember You Make Me Wanna Die. Creative and diverse video - remarkable.
Don't forget to check out Youtube and Vevo for more recent releases!
How many more songs does Flo Rida want to sample and recreate as his 'own'? Why does he feel the need to ruin perfectly good songs and make them into some shitty 'dance pop'? Why are we allowing him to do this? WHY WHY WHY? Yet again Flo Rida has used minimal creativity in 'his' songs. I must emphasis the use of the word 'his' in that sentence, because apart from adding a dance-like backing track and a couple of rap verses (if you can even call it rap), the songs are not his own. He has in fact just created his own version of the song - a remix if you like. This is evident in most of Flo Rida's work. Hold on, I shall prove it. Flo Rida's first work was pretty good, well pre-indie Paige loved it - SHAWTY HAD THEM APPLE BOTTOM JEANS, BOOTS WITH THE FURRRRR. Songs,from both Mail On Sunday and R.O.O.T.S, showed Flo Rida at his best. Okay, so yes I did rush out on the day of release to buy R.O.O.T.S, and I pretty much wore the album out. HOWEVER.. even on R.O.O.T.S Flo Rida sampled other songs! You all remember Right Round feat. Ke$ha, right? Original version being You Spin Me Round by Dead Or Alive.
More examples include:
Elevator;
Prove It All Night by Bruce Springsteen
In The Ayer; Jam The Box by Pretty Tony
Sugar;
Blue (Da Ba Dee) by Eiffel 65
Available;
Boom Boom Pow by The Black Eyed Peas
Take Your Time (Do It Right) by The S.O.S Band
Run;
Run To You by Bryan Adams
Good Feeling;
Etta James' Something's Got A Hold Of Me
(inspired by Levels by Avicii, which also samples Etta James' song.)
I Cry;
Cry (Just A Little) by Bingo Players
Let It Roll;
Let The Good Time Roll by Freddie King
And more recently
How I Feel;
Feeling Good by Nina Simone
(incorporates the Bassnectar remix of Feeling Good)
Crazy right!?
Gimmicky. Yet catchy. Annoying. Yet clever. Flo Rida is not a stupid person though. Obviously, his songs are catchy, and by using samples from songs which are clearly popular, he draws people in, brainwashing them to like his songs. And I guarantee he has made tonnes of money from them. But in no way is this right. Fair enough, if you've done it in one song it could be seen to be acceptable, BUT 10? (There may be more if you analyse each song critically.) I understand that Flo Rida isn't the only artist to sample other songs, Pitbull is also frequently guilty of this. Not forgetting the argument between Directioners and The Who fans for the debate whether Best Song Ever was in fact copying Baba O'Riley.
But whatever, if you're going to sample songs from other people, at least do it some justice. PLEASE.
After purchasing tickets to see him live after hearing one song, I was fully determined to see George Ezra live.
First up was the brilliant singer-songwriter Dan Cook. It's understandable that Cook would be pretty nervous opening for Ezra - predicted one of my 2014's biggest stars - on the first night of his headline tour, but surprisingly nerves were not at all evident. Instead, Cook surprised us with his eerie, hackney-sounding vocals. Hartlepool's very own Maverick Sabre. Brilliant.
With Ezra's outrageously superb performance on Thursday, there is no reason whatsoever for his career not to blow up this year. At 9.30 the presence of Ezra graced us all. With a 10-track set list - which was originally 9, but Angry Hill was added by request from a crowd member - Ezra didn't disappoint at all. His bluesy deep vocals cascaded into the room filling it with pride and resulting in silence from the crowd who admired him from start to finish.
Cassy O' and Budapest were seriously sexy live. (Can I call them sexy?) Cassy O' was performed brilliantly, even though Ezra claimed that it's a "bastard" to play.
(I'm still wondering whether the 'clock' Ezra refers to is in fact a Casio or not. Hmm.)
Luckily, we were all able to experience some tracks from his up and coming album which sounded superb. The album, we were told, should be out later this year.. Watch this space!
Each song Ezra performed was beautifully crafted and I would definitely see him again. However, with his popularity quickly increasing and with decently priced tickets, I am more than happy to have seen him so early on in his career before he sells out venues much more bigger than The Waterfront. I doubt I would get a front row viewing of Ezra again what with The Waterfront being a very intimate venue. Luckily I was able to get within touching distance, so close in fact I could see Ezra's blonde eyelashes. If you get the chance to see George Ezra live, I would whole-heartedly suggest that you most definitely should, he's down-to-earth and easily makes you smile.
2013 brought us many outstanding and disastrous things. Yet I feel 2014 will bring us so many more fantastic artists. Below is my prediction of 2014's biggest stars.
Chlöe Howl
My current girl crush, Howl is a perfect example of under-the-radar talent. I'm hoping this year, Howl will burst into the mainstream music charts and fly to the top, she's more than worthy of it.
Listen to: No Strings; Paper Heart; Rumour
George Ezra.
Believe me when I say you that you will not be expecting the voice from Ezra. Bluesy and unique, Ezra will knock you off your feet.
Listen to: Budapest; Did You Hear The Rain?
Saint Raymond
A phenomenal singer-songwriter. Check out one of my older posts on him here.
Listen to: Bonfire; Everything She Wants; Fall At Your Feet
Lewis Watson
After seeing Lewis live last June in fact, I cannot express how much you will instantly fall in love with him. Listen to: Lamplight; Sink or Swim; Into The Wild
Dan Croll
Simply beautiful. These are the only words I can find to describe Dan Croll. If you like San Cisco, you'll definitely love this. Listen to: In/Out; Compliment Your Soul; Home
Orla Gartland Linked to some of the coolest people: Lewis Watson, Saint Raymond, Gabrielle Aplin, Lauren Aquilina, Frank Hamilton and Hudson Taylor, Orla Gartland is the girl-next-door with a powerful voice. Listen to: Clueless; Down The Drain; Roots
2014 will be the year of Drenge and Toy; hold me to it.
Drenge
After touring with Peace and Arctic Monkeys, Drenge are definitely the ones to watch this year. Also, their self-titled album is. to. die. for.
Listen to: Backwaters; Bloodsports; Nothing
Toy
With their recent album Join The Dots becoming hugely popular and with an up and coming tour ahead of them, Toy will sail through 2014 with no problem at all!
Listen to: Left Myself Behind; You Won't Be The Same; Join The Dots
Temples
Psychedelic is the only way to describe Temples. With a fan base increasing throughout 2013, I feel Temples will finally make a large impact in the industry this year.
Listen to: Colours To Life; Shelter Song; Keep In The Dark
Wolf Alice
Again like Temples, Wolf Alice have increased in popularity in 2013. With their Blush EP being supported and promoted many times by NME, Wolf Alice are sure to enlighten your souls with pedigree-indie tracks.
Listen to: Fluffy; She; Blush
Hudson Taylor I've loved these boys since they were iTunes Single Of The Week quite a while ago. They've supported Jake Bugg. Enough said. Listen to: Drop of Smoke; Chasing Rubies; Care
Neon Jungle
Welcome, feisty new girlband Neon Junlge who have already made appearances on the Victoria's Secret 2013 show alongside Fall Out Boy and Taylor Swift, nifty huh!?
Listen to: Trouble; Braveheart
And lastly The Vamps A very cute 4-piece-pop-boyband. Adorable. Listen to: Can We Dance; Wild Heart
Prepare to see these artists throughout 2014. And if you do, remember you saw them here first!
I leave you with the first number one of 2014, enjoy!
Gig wise, this year has been my favourite! Here's my year in gigs..
Tuesday 15th March 2013
Jake Bugg
Southend Cliffs Pavillion
Tuesday 2nd April 2013 King Charles Colchester Arts Centre
Friday 21st June Lewis Watson Colchester Arts Centre
Monday 7th October 2013
Miles Kane
Norwich UEA
Friday 25th October 2013
Arctic Monkeys
Earls Court
Monday 4th November
Bastille
Southend Cliffs Pavillion
For me, this year has been amazing. I've been able to see my favourite artists: Jake Bugg and Miles Kane, and I've been able see to all these superb artists in incredible venues. Venues that should not be dismissed and forgotten about!
I hope that 2014 brings many more gigs in many more incredible venues. I cannot wait to be doing this again next year and showing you all the amazing artists I have seen, I'm quite excited! My top 13 albums of 2013 blogpost can be seen here. Check it out! And once again, see you all in 2014!!
So it's come to the end of the year and I can't seriously believe how quick it's flown by! 2013 has been a very productive and somewhat wild year for the music world. And obviously, a year within the music industry does not come without controversy. *cough* Robin Thicke *cough* Miley Cyrus *cough* Kanye West *cough*
With the amount of album releases we've had this year, I have found it sooooo hard to decide my top 13. Also, they are not ordered from 1 to 13 simply because I couldn't find my absolute favourite within these 13 - however, they are chronologically ordered by month of release. Here it goes:
Arc - Everything Everything
(January)
Holy Fire - Foals
(February) The Messenger - Johnny Marr (February)
In Love - Peace
(March) If You Leave - Daughter (March)
Don't Forget Who You Are - Miles Kane
(June)
Sistrionix - Deap Vally (June)
BE - Beady Eye (June)
Where The Heaven Are We - Swim Deep
(August)
Snapshot - The Strypes
(September)
The 1975 - The 1975 (September)
Days Are Gone - Haim
(September)
Shangri La - Jake Bugg
(November)
And there you go, my top 13 albums of this year! There have been so many other fantastic albums this year such as London Grammar's If You Wait, Toy's Join The Dots and Gabrielle Aplin's English Rain, the list is endless.. I all hope you have a fabulous NYE!! And I'll see you all in 2014!
