MUSIC: Maroon 5 - Maps

I am a massive Maroon 5 right from 'Songs About Jane'. I didn't really start listening to them properly until a couple of years ago where I bought all their albums and became well and truly obsessed with their music (healthy obsessed, I promise ;) ) . Anyway, last week (16th June) they released their new single 'Maps'. As to be expected I listened to it straight away.

On first listen, I wasn't that impressed, especially when I knew that Ryan Tedder had worked on the song too (we all know how much I love Mr. Tedder). It just seemed mediocre to me and I didn't fall in love with it like I do most of their songs. For me, I just thought that Adam Levine as a vocalist could do so much better than what the song allowed him to and that the band was better than the song.

This is the reason why I didn't post my thoughts immediately. I wanted to make sure that my first impression was my real and firm thoughts, so I gave the song a chance. I still believe that Maroon 5 can do a lot better. However, the song has grown on me and I do really like 'Maps'.The song is about searching for a past flame. I like the slightly reggae sound and relaxed approach the song starts with. It has that effortlessly California cool aspect to it, which I really love as it reminds me of summer. The song then builds into this chorus which is much more uptempo adding another dimension which just makes you want to dance, and sometimes that's all you want from a song, right? Despite the dance sound of the chorus, I also think that 'Maps' is quite unique in that there isn't a lot out at the moment that is similar.

It's hardly surprising that Maroon 5 have gone down a more reggae and relaxed sound as I get the feeling that Adam was hinting at this for the last few seasons of The Voice. It's still a good continuation from 'Overexposed' (the bands previous album) as it still contains that dance element which the album had. Overall, I think the song takes a different approach for Maroon 5 and its taking them in a new direction, which is probably why it was so surprising. Every band has to grow and experiment, right? So, why can't Maroon 5? Its not my favourite release of theirs but I still think that its a good track and better than a lot of songs in the charts. I'm incredibly excited for their 'V' album and still think there is lots of potential for the album to be incredible. There's no doubt that 'Maps' is a great summer anthem.

Check out the lyric video for Maroon 5's Maps below:

Are you surprised by Maroon 5's latest single? Leave a comment below.
Also, follow me on Bloglovin' for all my posts.

MUSIC: Ella Henderson - Ghost

When Ella Henderson appeared on The X Factor  (UK) a couple of years ago, it was obvious that she had an amazing voice, however, the style of music that she often performed wasn't really for me. I don't listen to a lot of powerhouse singers and tend to chose lyrics over the power of a singer (does that make sense?) Anyway, I was curious as to what she would release as her debut single as I'd read a few interviews that she had done and she had come across as really nice and the magazines seemed genuinely excited.

(Source)

I'd heard 'Ghost' while back when I saw her music video for the song and I was literally hooked on the song from the minute I heard it. It's incredibly catchy and when taking a little look as to who wrote and produced the song it's no surprise that this was bound to be a hit. The song was co-written by Ella Henderson with Ryan Tedder and Noel Zancanella. I am a massive fan of Ryan Tedder and think he's completely underrated and so when I saw that he helped write this song I wasn't surprised by how much I love the song.

It's a dark and broody song about losing someone. Ella's voice sounds absolutely incredible, I love how it starts very slow with a strong low voice and then turns into a faster pace which reminds me a little bit of blues meets a very current pop sound. The sound of the song sort of reminds a little of Paloma Faith meets Adele. Despite the lyrics describing someone who is suffering and is in a lot of emotional pain, the music to me is very upbeat and so contradicts the lyrics. For me it shows someone who's strong enough to walk away from a relationship that isn't working.

This is a great debut for Ella Henderson. Despite being eliminated from the X Factor early into the live shows, she's come back and absolutely nailed it. Clearly, she didn't let that affect her or knock her confidence because, she went straight to no. 1 in the UK charts. In my opinion, this is one of the best debuts from an previous X Factor contestant. I'm really looking forward to seeing more from this girl because she clearly has an amazing voice and it sounds like she's found her own style of music.

Check out Ella Henderson's Music Video for 'Ghost' below:

Are you a fan of Ella's?
Follow me on Bloglovin' for all my updates.

MUSIC: OneRepublic Love Runs Out Preview

I've been obsessed with OneRepublic for years now, and I would just like to say that I called 'Counting Stars' as a massive hit before they even announced it as a single (*flips hair*). Anyway, today, the guys have released a snippet of their new single Love Runs Out, which will be available on the 14th of April (I don't know if this is just an American release date though *cries*).

(Source)

Either way, you can still listen to the preview of the song. It's different to what we've heard from OneRepublic before, but I think it's a good progression from what you hear on the clip. It sounds like a good movement from their 'Native' album, which experimented more with their overall sound and made it a little more electronic and dance than anything they've done before with the likes of singles 'If I Lose Myself' and 'Feel Again'.

Anyway the song, to me sounds like a hunt or almost like a fight. Which makes sense about fighting until the love runs out. Is it just me who thinks that Ryan Tedder has a sexier tone in his voice in this song, too? (Just  me? Okay, I'll sit in the corner and pretend I don't find him incredibly attractive). There's a heavier beat and bass sound to the song, which doesn't too overpowering or like it's been created on a computer to me (it may have done, I'm not a music expert) but when it sounds completely computer generated that really annoys me. Overall, I like the sound of this song. I think it's a good move and I like how the band aren't waiting months without releasing any new material, as I feel like that has been their downfall previously. Check out the song below:


What do you think of the song? Leave a comment below.
Follow me on Bloglovin'.