Royal Blood

Probably the most anticipated album of the year has finally been released. Of course, I am talking about Royal Blood's debut album. Receiving incredibly huge crowds at this year's top festivals - such as Glastonbury and Reading&Leeds - has proven that even before an album release, the boys from Royal Blood have made a catastrophic impact.

Heavy yet superbly crafted, the album is definitely not just for a target audience. After the first listen of the completed album, it's so hard to remember that this is the debut album from the power duo. They're up to a standard which some bands struggle to reach even after their third album; which is even more astonishing when you are made aware that the boys only became Royal Blood circa 2012.

Textured primal rock & roll with class and originality.

Self-titled, August 2014

Everybody Wants

The debut album from The Struts was dropped today. And it's impact is deadly.

Opening track Roll Up engages your inner rock god/goddess immediately. It's on this beginning track that we are first acquainted with the Freddie Mercury-like vocals from front man Luke Spiller.

The Kiss This EP first introduced me to The Struts, in which I rapidly grew to admire the band. It's heavy guitar riffs contributes to it's aggressive attitude, briskly enabling the band to collect a generous number of fans.

Meaningful and often humorous lyrics define this album as visionary and audible art. The Struts effuse an effortlessly cool sound, a sound which will be extremely hard to imitate.

After a few listens already - which is considerably easy as the whole album is only thirty-nine minutes and eight seconds long - I am certain that I am excessively in love with this album. So much so that it may even be one of my favourites of this year already.

As a whole, Everything Wants appears to draw on influences from The Rolling Stones with hints of Queens of the Stone Age and maybe even The Darkness.

To put it simply this album consists of loud and cocky glam rock. The type of rock which will make you want to get your nose pierced, dye your hair a number of colours and wear that black leather jacket and super skinny jeans everywhere, easily transforming yourself into a die-hard rocker.

Everything Wants, July 2014

Wanted On Voyage

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.

Wanted On Voyage, June 2014

Ultraviolence

"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.

The damaged beauty queen is back.

Ultraviolence, June 2014

psychedelic revision

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.. 

Sun Structures, Feb 2013

are guitar boy bands making a comeback?

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. 

Source: @TheVampsBand

5 Seconds Of Summer

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.

Source: @5SOS

Rixton

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.

Source: @RixtonOfficial

As it appears, pop guitar-boy-bands are making a comeback. 
But have they actually ever gone?
Blinded by dance music, we most certainly are.

february's best

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!