For what felt like an eternity, waiting for Ezra's much anticipated debut album was harder than expected. Did You Hear The Rain? was the song which introduced myself to Ezra and it lead to me falling in love with his voice and instantaneously buying tickets for a nearby gig.
Wanted On Voyage is a journey of sincerity and jocularity. The album itself boasts Ezra's trademark bluesy and soulful vocals which sound outstanding as always. All twelve mature and perfectly rendered tracks effuse around my room profoundly.
I must admit, it's somewhat odd to eventually have the album in my hands after enduring a endless wait for its release. It's also strange to have an album from an artist, who only a few months ago was first being aired to thousands by Radio 1. However, Ezra is not a victim of quick success. Experiencing, writing and performing has lead this cheeky, down-to-earth lad to earn himself plenty of dedicated fans, therefore developing him further as an incredible artist.
Wanted On Voyage is a grand showcase of state-of-the-art talent. Owning a copy of this album may just make you wholeheartedly happier.
"Are you stoned?" The very question posed to me by a 15-year-old whilst I was somewhat admiring the intensity of Ultraviolence.
Ultraviolence is an entire world away from Born To Die. It's atramentous yet exhilarating unlike Born To Die's virginal sound.
A cornucopia of pain, exploitation, lust and devotion; Ultraviolence reminds us why we originally fell in love with Del Rey. It's that haunting voice which provokes a hypnotic aftermath along with a feeling of emotional tenderness across the eleven tracks.
Indeed the album proceeds at a somnambulant pace, which some listeners may find monotonous. But this euphoric sound complements and enhances the eerie, ghoulish vocals of Del Rey consistently.
As I'm sat on my bed in almost silence attempting to revise for the exams which determine my future success, I notice that Temples are in fact carrying me through this tedious period with gentle hands. Music as a whole, usually distracts me from revision, resulting in my attention being cut short due to a catchy chorus or some well deserved air guitar. But for a change, which surprised me, I am being accompanied by an album so calming that I am actually focused on the tasks which lay ahead of me. Sun Structures, the one and only, is aiding me through revision. Wow. Bought for me for my birthday by one of my best friends, Sun Structures is the perfect gift. A gift from God if you like. It's psychedelic melodies are captivating and easily soothe the stresses which I am under, whilst intriguing lyrics such as 'paradise is allowed in the conscious of the brave' (Mesmerise) encompass my room.
From start to finish, Sun Structures is incredible. The sixties psychedelic vibes omitted from this album make it one of the best albums of the year so far. I, for one, am ecstatic to finally hold this album in my hands and caress it as if it is my own offspring. Throughout this period of crisis in my life where I am studying for exam after exam after exam and so on, Sun Structures will act as my Bible, my comfort blanket, my support. And I am more that confident that it will not let me down..
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.
