When I was growing up, Lizzie McGuire was always on my TV so it's fair to say that I am a pretty big fan of Hilary Duff's. She's always made that sort of cute music that just made me happy (up until Dignity (2007) which was edgier and made me want to dance). On Tuesday, she released her music video for her comeback single 'Chasing The Sun'. I was looking around online before writing this to see what other people thought, and there seems to be mixed reviews.
The song was penned by Colbie Caillat, which is where the more folky sound comes from, I like that it's guitar driven, rather than dance and hip hop like a lot of chart music at the moment. If you're looking for a big powerful 'WOW' vocal, you're not going to find that here. However, that being said I like the song. It has a slightly different approach, we've always seen her doing pop-rock and dance whereas now we can see her going for a slightly more folk alternative pop sound and I think it's worked well in this song.
It's the sort of song that makes you smile and it's so catchy. I listened to this once and was singing it all day at work. It's definitely the sort of song that grows on you. I must admit that I probably wouldn't have picked it for a comeback single, however, I think it shows off her new more mature sound whilst keeping to her roots of Metamorphosis. I think the release of the song now is perfect though, it's definitely a summer song as the title would suggest. The music video is pretty cool too. I will admit I have laughed each time I've watched the (spoiler alert) scene of her going to play volley ball with her hamster - classic. Hilary also looks stunning in this video.
Check out Hilary Duff's new music video for 'Chasing the Sun' below:
Are you a fan of Hilary's? What did you make of her comeback single?
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For me, there is nothing better than discovering a new artist, especially if it means that you can introduce them to your friends. I discovered Josh Record watching Fun For Louis vlogs and through Nina Nesbitt recommending him on Twitter. I had heard snippets of his songs through the vlogs and thought that he had a nice vibe to his music so when he released his album,'Pillars' two weeks ago now, I gave it a chance.
I wasn't really expecting to like it, I don't know why I just didn't think I would. However, I was pleasantly surprised and a little blown away by the album. It's unique and Josh Record has clearly worked on creating his own sound that has a lot of atmosphere to it. Listening to the album you can tell that a lot of time and hard work as gone into creating this album. It's a very beautiful sounding album, I find that it's really great to listen to when you're trying to relax, such as before bed, or in the bath or laying in the sun. I've definitely learnt from listening to this album not to judge something before listening to it. Personally, I think that from this, Josh Record should get his big break.
I adore the opening track 'Bones' I just think it's so beautiful and it has a sort of alternative pop sound to it (along with the entire of his album), the song is also available for free download at the moment on the UK iTunes, so check it out if you haven't already. I haven't heard anything like it before, it builds into a crescendo with the music, but Josh's voice stays smooth and simple before singing out the final line which stays with you.
The second track is 'Pictures in the Dark' which is another of my favourites. It has the same sort of alternative sound to it, but the sound is a little more optimistic, and the easiest song to dance too (I imagine Mark Foster - of Foster The People - dancing here, look it up) if that's what you like in your music. 'Alaska' is another gorgeous sounding song. Its slightly haunting and it gives me shivers (that's not just me thinking of Alaska), it's quite a breathy song if that makes sense. It's hard to describe but its completely beautiful.
'For Your Love' has a bit more of a blues vibe to it. Its one of the stand outs for me, it's a little bit different to the rest of the album. 'I would do anything for your love' is a lyric in the chorus, I just think it makes you think about the people in your life and who you would do anything for them. I think on twitter I said that I was obsessed with 'Find Her Way To Me' it just reminds me exactly where I am in my life at the moment. It's that in-between time before you start dating someone and when you're wondering if they care about you as much as you care for them. 'Wonder', I think is very similar to 'Find Her Way To Me'. It's telling a similar story about wanting someone so much. I like the contrast between his higher register for the majority of the song and then the lower sound he uses for the bridge. It's the first time we see this side of his voice.
'Wide Awake' I've been playing non-stop (I've probably said that about all the songs so far, but honestly if you listen to it, there's not a bad song at all). I particularly love the chorus of this song, and I think it's a easy song to relate to. Whether you're the person who hurt someone you didn't mean to or you're the person who has been hurt. I think it's a great song for closure. The music for 'The War' is gorgeous. If I could I would listen to the opening of the song over and over, it's beautiful.
'Winter Comes' tends to be the track that as soon as it comes on, I click on my iPod to find out the title every time that I listen to it. Just because I wanted to remember what it was for this post. I love the end of the song it sounds much more acoustic to the rest of the album. It, also, follows on nicely to 'Belief' which is another one that I constantly check to remember the name of the track. I think this is probably my favourite song on the album (it really is hard to pick, I'm sorry). I like the mix of Record's falsetto and the lower 'oooh's'. I don't know what it is, I just love this song, it makes me think and relax and puts me in a good mood all in one.
'The Beggar In My Heart' the story is what I love. It tells the story of doing anything to keep that person you love in your life and 'not giving up on this love'. It's romantic and beautiful. Finally, 'Dead Tree' completes the album, the song-writing on this album is incredible and this definitely demonstrates that. Again, it has quite a haunting sound to it, but I've been listening to this track an awful lot too.
I cannot recommend this album enough. It makes you think an awful lot about the people who are in your life - at least it did for me. It's haunting and romantic and I can only imagine what I would be like if I ever manage to go to one of his concerts. I would probably be wreck afterwards going through an emotional journey. It's been a while since an album has made me think and completely changed my view on music altogether. There are still a few really good songwriters and musicians out there and Josh Record is definitely one of them.
Check out Josh Record's music video for 'Wide Awake' below:
Have you listened to 'Pillars' yet? What's your favourite track?
How many posts can I write about Tim Schou or you see him featured/mentioned in a post? Probably a lot more but I feel like if something is really good you should keep repeating yourself to get your message across. This week Tim Schou released his music video for Supernova in celebration of his birthday. (If you watched his Birthday Stage It show, hi guys.) You all know how much I love the song (if you haven't seen my blog post here then where have you been...I kid). But today I wanted to share the actual music video.
First off, it's absolutely stunning, it's shot really well and captures some beautiful moments. Surprisingly, I like the use of black and white footage, I like how it separates the dramatised sections of the music video to the performance parts. I also love how the music video relates to the song, there's nothing worse when the two don't fit together, in my opinion. It's cute and makes me fall in love with the song all over again.
Check out Tim Schou's Official Music Video for Supernova below:
What's your favourite part of the music video?
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At the beginning of the year one of my favourite duos, Lilygreen and Maguire, announced that they were splitting up. I was upset but could see where they were coming from, if you're not with a major label it's difficult to get yourself out there and get a buzz going. However, earlier this week, the guys announced that they will be working together in writing and creating a new album. I am incredibly excited, so I thought I'd give them some appreciation and love on here for those of you who haven't checked out the Welsh duo.
I first discovered Jon Lilygreen when he performed on Eurovision and I liked his voice so decided to keep an eye out for future projects, which is when I came across Lilygreen and Maguire. They're an acoustic pop duo, which is my favourite. They released a couple of EP's before releasing their debut album 'Have a Good Time All the Time' at the end of 2013. There songs are fun and optimistic and sweet. They're relatable about falling in love, falling out of love and being in love with people who don't love you back. Their personalities shine through their music, in particular in 'For Real' which is more of a spoken song but I love it. I find the song quite funny and cheeky.
I saw the guys on my 18th Birthday, last year (one of the best nights ever). They were fun and have a lot of character, especially Lilygreen. I was lucky enough to meet Jon Maguire, however, and he just seemed like the nicest guy ever. If you're new to their music, I would definitely check out their singles 'Ain't Love Crazy', and 'Given Up, Giving Up'. Other favourites of mine are 'I Won't Let It Happen', 'She's So Hard to Please' and 'Got What It Takes to Love You'. But all of their songs are absolutely beautiful, I don't think there is a single one that I don't like (which is very unusual for me).
I'm really looking forward to seeing what's up next for the guys. They've been working on solo projects recently, but for them to be back together makes me (a huge fan) very happy. I definitely cannot wait for them to start touring again (just a hint) as they're one of my favourite gigs I've been to.
Check out Lilygreen and Maguire's music video for 'Given Up, Giving Up' below:
Are you a fan of Lilygreen and Maguire? Are you as excited as I am about their reunion?
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I recently purchased this gorgeous smock dress from River Island (I think it's now on sale guys, so check it out). It's one of the comfiest dresses I've ever worn and looks absolutely stunning on, I saw a lady wearing this dress the other day and she looked stunning in it. It's just a really pretty summer dress.
It's a gorgeous pattern,and described as an Abstract Floral Print with pinks, mints and purples within it. I've honestly never bought such a pretty dress before for myself. In the picture above I just wore it with some leggings which if I was to wear this to work I would probably wear leggings or tights (I've had far too many wardrobe malfunctions including flashing the store manager oops to not wear leggings or tights). I just thought that this would be perfect for the summer and so I ordered my normal size from the River Island site. There wasn't much difference in the sizes to be honest.
I cannot wait for some warmer weather so I can take this dress out for a spin without the leggings. I'll either wear a cardigan or a my mint or pale pink blazer with it if it's a little cooler.
(casually using my brothers bedroom because the lighting is better than my own room what is that piece of hair doing?)
I've been loving River Island at the moment, what shops are you liking?
Today I saw an announcement from Wakey!Wakey! with there UK tour dates and was so pleased to see that Nottingham was on the list (even though I don't live there it's still easy to get buses there and back). I've been a fan of Wakey!Wakey! for a few years now and each time they've played in the UK I've wanted to go but unfortunately for me none of my friends listen to them. I, personally, don't understand why not. They've got a bloody good singer, the songs are amazing, catchy but meaningful and their sound is amazing. They've also got a new album to be released later this month 'Salvation', so be sure to check back and read my review on the album but for now I want to focus on their previous work.
I first heard of Wakey!Wakey! when the lead singer (Michael Grubbs) appeared on the TV Show One Tree Hill as the character of 'Grubbs'. I fell in love with his voice and his songs which were taken from his album Almost Everything I Wish I Said the Last Time I Saw You. This album was one of my favourites in 2010/2011. I had listened to it on repeat all the time, and when I wasn't listening to the album I was always singing the songs. I can remember walking into my local Topshop and freaking out to my mum saying 'they're playing Wakey!Wakey! Oh my God, they're playing Wakey!Wakey!' it wasn't one of my finest moments but I was so proud of them and so excited about the whole thing.
My favourite song of Wakey!Wakey!'s is '1876 - The Brooklyn Theatre Fire'. This is one of my all time favourite songs, it's just incredibly intense and powerful and beautiful. Its been a while since I've listened to the band properly but I still know every word to this song, it's just one of those songs when you listen to it you're left thinking WOW. At least, I was, it just fills me with so many emotions and a whole movie and story is told in such a short amount of time. It's absolutely amazing in my opinion.
Other favourites are 'Square Peg Round Hole' this is what I heard in Topshop, it's got an incredibly fun vibe to it which I love. 'Light Outside' is a more recent favourite, just because I relate to it much more these days, it's a definitely a pick me up song and gave me a different outlook on life and people around me. It also reminds me of the boy that my family told me to stay away from. Finally, 'Take It Like a Man' is another favourite. It's a little different to what you normally hear with violins and it sounds like a chase at the beginning, the music reminds me of something out of a silent movie. Its different and I love the chorus which features a more modern approach.
Michael Grubbs has such an incredibly and unique voice and his songs previously have been so different to what you normally hear now. I'm really looking forward to 'Salvation' in a few weeks and honestly do not what to expect. I really hope that I do get to see them in October too, that would make my day.
Check out Wakey!Wakey!'s music video for 'Light Outside' below:
Also check out this live in the studio performance of '1876 - Brooklyn Theatre Fire' simply amazing
What did you think? If you have any recommendations for me, leave them below.
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I have a lot of time and respect for Demi Lovato, she has turned her life around so much in the last few years and by talking about her own issues as helped an awful lot of people accept who they are and even help them with their own issues. On Thursday she released the music video for her latest sing 'Really Don't Care' which features Cher Lloyd.
When she released her album DEMI which the single is taken from this song was one of my favourites, so I was happy that it has been released as a single. It's sassy and fun and is a song for the haters and the people who try to drag you down. There comes a time in your life when you've been put down so many times or people keep talking about you or whatever it is where you just have to tell yourself that you don't care. When you do that, you're a hundred times happier and this song will help you get there. I also love the song because it's perfect to listen to if you're going through a break up (just saying ;) )
I like how in the music video Demi Lovato focuses on acceptance of gay rights. I still don't think that a lot of people are brave enough to put minorities such as gay people into their work for fear about how they will react. But this music video is absolutely brilliant for this, and trying to get people's sexuality. It's fun and a little quirky but I wouldn't want the music video to be any different. It's fitting for the song about not caring what people think about you and just having the confidence to be yourself. It's perfect in my eyes.
Check out Demi Lovato featuring Cher Lloyd - 'Really Don't Care' music video below:
What did you think? Do you like the music video?
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