Bellman - Morphology (Album Review)

Norwegian electro dream-pop artist 'Bellman' is back with a new 8-track album and a tour! He currently has some dates in Norway coming up, and a small tour in Russia in May; as well as working on some Japan/Korea and China dates as well in the Autumn.  Bellman made his debut album in 2009, amongst the album were the songs "Spaceship, Move Slow" and "Celestine", the first of which, originally released in 2008, proved especially popular and reached Number 6 on the Norwegian albums chart the first week.

Curiosity comes into question as soon as you hear his opening track 'Coloured By You' - it is nothing like I have ever heard before, and it is rather indescribable. I feel like if a DJ remixed this song it would be a brilliant house tune, and would fit right in the clubs. The songs within the album are all very peculiar, although it is refreshing listening to something that isn't the mainstream. 'Bellman' or otherwise known as Arne-Johan Rauan has a very versatile vocal range within his dream-pop voice. Although, classified as 'pop' music I beg to differ as the album has a darker atmosphere and sound to it whilst simultaneously sounding uplifting... This is why the album is completely indescribable. You just have to listen to it.

The repetitive chorus' work well within the album as there is only 8-tracks so you learn to catch on to the lyrics very quickly, which I'm sure is great for fans! The title of  'Morphology' is a rather abstract name to call an album or song, as it means the study or the structure of something. The correlation between the actual album and the title is unclear; although perhaps the album title is self-explanatory, and it could just be to do with the structure of the album?

'We Are The Guns' particularly stood out for me, as did 'Golden Drain'. The intro to 'We Are Guns' captivates you the whole way through and Bellman also gets your attention with the opening verse and chorus combo of...

"She is burning in the way that we are, chasing pavements, hoping to get far. See the people trading dreamers for dreams, painting sidewalks, at least that's what it seems. We are the guns that's blowing holes in what you see. We are the drugs that somehow alters you and me, we are the ones that slowly fades into the other side, we are the guns..."

All in all, the album is very easy-listening, however simultaneously it is very peculiar. You wouldn't necessarily have to have an acquired music taste to listen to this album, but you would have to have an open-mind. This will be very different to most things that you have listened to before and if I have intrigued you enough with my review to listen to it, then do it; because I do not want to give too much away. The closest thing I can describe it to, is imagine The XX came about in the 80's.

You can listen to the album here:
Spotify: http://bit.do/spotify_morph
Tidal: http://bit.do/tidal_morph
iTunes: http://bit.do/itunes_morph
Google Play: http://bit.do/gp_morph
Amazon: http://bit.do/amazon_morph

2 Year Blog Anniversary!

So for my two year blog anniversary I have decided to pick 100 of my favourite songs from 100 different artists! Each song reminisces me back to a certain nostalgic time, whether it reminds me of a friend, a family member or even just a fucking good time. There is a reason as to why I have picked each, and every one of these songs. The songs are in no particular order, they are just all absolute bangers and if you think otherwise then in my opinion, you are wrong and deluded. Enjoy!

1. Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody
2. Candi Staton - You Got The Love
3. Shirley Ellis - Soul Time
4. The Salvadors - Stick By Me Baby
5. The Marvelettes - Please Mr.Postman
6. Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
7. Adele - Hometown Glory
8. James Morrison - Slave To The Music
9. Oasis - Talk Tonight
10. The Stone Roses - One Love
11. Richard Ashcroft - Music Is Power
12. The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up
13. Faithless - Insomnia
14. Shed Seven - Chasing Rainbows
15. Friend Within - The Renegade
16. Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
17. Leon Bridges - Smooth Sailin'
18.  James Blunt - 1973 (Acoustic)
19. Frankie Vali - Grease
20. Wham - Club Tropicana
21. The Who - Pinball Wizard
22. The Beatles - 8 Days A Week
23. Paul Weller - Broken Stones
24. Matisyahu - King Without A Crown
25. The Temptations - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
26. The Rolling Stones - I Can't Get No Satisfaction (Kinks Cover)
27. The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset
28. Kula Shaker - Start All Over
29. Tiggs Da Author - Swear Down
30. Gloria Jones - Tainted Love
31. Anthony Hamilton - Soul On Fire
32. ACDC - Thunderstruck
33. Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child 'O' Mine
34. Bon Jovi - It's My Life
35. Happy Monday's - Hallelujah
36. The Smiths - Ask
37. The Cure - Close To Me
38. The Coral - Dreaming Of You
39. Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine
40. Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own
41. Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon
42. The Clash - Rock The Casbah
43. New Order - Blue Monday
44. Kate Bush - This Woman's Work
45. Maverick Sabre - I Need
46. Childish Gambino - Redbone
47. Tupac - Ghetto Gospel
48. Notorious BIG - Juicy
49. Human League - Don't You Want Me
50. Arctic Monkeys - Black Treacle
51. Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
52. Whitney Houston - I Have Nothing
53. Bryan Adams - Summer Of '69
54. The Stranglers - Golden Brown
55. Kasabian - Treat
56. Stevie Nicks - Edge Of Seventeen
57. Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms
58. Elvis - Hound Dog
59. Catfish & The Bottlemen - Hourglass
60. Little Richard - Tutti Frutti
61. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen
62. Don McLean - American Pie
63. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
64. Frank Sinatra - Mrs Robinson
65. Blur - Song 2
66. The La's - There She Goes
67. The Specials - Too Much, Too Young
68. Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves A Woman
69. Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion - The Prayer
70. The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army
71. The Black Keys - Lonely Boy
72. Pulp - Common People
73. Kings Of Leon - Supersoaker
74. Aretha Franklin - I Say A Little Prayer
75. Justin Bieber - Yellow Raincoat (Acoustic)
76. Sister Act - Oh Happy Days
77. Jamie T - Love Is Only A Heartbeat Away
78. Ne-Yo - So Sick
79. Rihanna - Unfaithful
80. Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten
81. Taylor Swift - Back To December
82. UB40 - Red Red Wine
83. David Bowie - Heroes
84. Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl
85. Elton John - Tiny Dancer
86. Duffy - Syrup & Honey
87. Toploader - Dancing In The Moonlight
88. Dusty Springfield - Son Of A Preacher Man
89. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
90. Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks
91. The Drifters - Kissin In The Back Row Of The Movies
92. Ray Charles - Hit The Road Jack
93. Stevie Wonder - Superstition
94. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under The Bridge
95. Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made For Walking
96. Lady Gaga - Sexxx Dreams
97. Rusted Roots - Send Me On My Way
98. The Music - The People
99. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama
100. Toto - Africa

So there it is ! You have just read an incredibly large insight to my life; the friends I have had and friends I have now, my family, my relationship and most of all you have learnt about me! Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, and thanks to you lot I am now living the dream studying Music Journalism at university! Without my blog I would not be where I am at now, I advise anyone to start a blog as it is a fantastic hobby and career starter. My music taste is ridiculously eclectic, so in all honesty you probably aren't going to agree with all one hundred of them; but if you do then that is fantastic! Thank you again, and I hope that you have enjoyed this blog post and you all get absolutely baggaged (drunk) tonight! It is a Saturday after all!

Jean Rouch - Racketeer (Single Review)

Formerly known as Toby Simcock, but otherwise known as Jean Rouch, caught my eye with a rather political animated music video that he released on his Facebook page last night. The music and the story has all been written by the solo artist himself.

The video opens up with slow and intricate repetitive guitar riff, shortly followed by a tiring hit on the symbol of his drums. The music is correlated to the video as the guitar riff is repetitive to show the working class doing the same thing day in, day out. The drums are showing that the hard-work is tiring and progressively, throughout the video you see how they can't get out of the working class poverty-stricken trap that they are in.

Visually you see a builder in his overalls and hard cap at the beginning, going home to his upset wife; clearly they don't spend enough time with each-other, as he is too busy at work. As the video progresses you see the income of one man amounts to the income of many men who only ever fall in his pocket. The builders never make it to the top to meet the man either.

The animation makes you think about the distinction between social class in society and the unequal distribution of income all across the UK, as Richard Ashcroft once said - "You're a slave to money then you die."

The instrumental really builds tension to the animation; and it allows you to intensively watch the animation whilst simultaneously hear the music in sync with the video, as you're eagerly sitting there awaiting to see what is going to happen next. This is a short, yet effective two minute instrumental animated video showing you the life of a working class person just trying to earn a living, and I am so pleased that this has been created by someone from Stoke-On-Trent.

Please watch it on the link below, many thanks and enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ievNrC7I5E

Stormzy - Big For Your Boots (Single Review)

It's been a good few years for the grime scene, and particularly for Michael Omari (Stormzy). Stormzy has done incredibly well for himself as a DIY artist from South London, he announced last week on Twitter that his brand '#MERKY' is now officially an independent record label. Hopefully the underground grime talent comes out of it's shell, and Stormzy manages to give some of the hard-working grime/hip-hop artists the chance they've all been waiting for. He won Best Grime Act at the 2014 and 2015 MOBO Awards, and quite rightly so. After nine months of radio silence and deleted social media accounts, Stormzy has released the albums lead single called 'Big For Your Boots' from his debut album GSAP: (Gang Signs And Prayer), which will be released tomorrow on the 24th of February 2017.

Commonly known for creating a campaign to get his track called 'Shut Up' as the UK's Christmas number 1, Stormzy is creating a name for himself all over the UK and overseas, but not in a bad way. Even though the track didn't quite reach number 1 over the Christmas period, Stormzy's track managed to climb it's way to number 8.

The repetitive chorus of the track 'Big For Your Boots' constantly refers to somebody being 'too big for their boots' and Stormzy belittles them by saying "I've got the big size twelves on my feet, your face ain't too big for my boot". Then throughout the track he constantly rips this person another arsehole, re-assuring them they they aren't hard or tough, they're just all talk - "Never had a MAC-10 or a try pound you were never bad then, you ain't bad now."

However this track isn't just about cussing people out it's also reminding you to stay humble and say true to who you are.

"I was in the O2 singing my lungs out, rudeboy, you're never too big for Adele. Leave my yard, blow a kiss to my girl, salute to my sister as well. Gotta keep trophies down at my mum's bit, man, I'm getting way too big for my shelf."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFOErVWlsxg 

8/10

Rag 'n' Bone Man - Human (Single Review)

Soul singer Rag 'n' Bone man got me excited for 2017, as his new album 'Human' is to be released in February. In case you have not already come across his fantastic track on the radio I am here writing a review for you to make you more aware of him. His single 'Human' has hit number 1 on iTunes in 25 countries, and is currently the number one trending track in the UK. Formerly and originally known as Rory Graham, he has been performing since he was 19; now 31 - back in 2013 he signed a publishing deal to pursue a full-time career in the music industry. Just 3 years later would he be shocked to find that one of his songs would, quite rightly, blow up this much in the eye of the media.

With his powerful and raw soul voice you can't help but sing along, finally we have a chart artist who speaks the truth. Rory constantly re-assures himself and the listener throughout the track that we all make mistakes, and nobody is perfect because at the end of the day - we are only human, after all. However there is a point within the song that Rory really does speak the truth and gives you goosebumps, as he hits those soulful notes that revive you with a rush and blow you back, as he hits the note with rawness and powerfully expresses throughout the last verse -

"I'm no prophet or Messiah, should go looking somewhere higher.."

I feel blessed to have been able to come across this wonderful song, the inevitability of me bumping into this track is uncanny, because of how popular the song has become - but nevertheless I am still grateful. New music is a wonderful thing and anybody who knocks chart music needs re-evaluating, because it isn't always stereo-typically lip-syncing, auto-tuned and talent-less morons. I look forward to hearing more of his work and I just wanted to spread the word about him, even though he is doing a pretty good job himself. You can listen to the track on Youtube, by clicking on the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3wKzyIN1yk

10/10

Exposing My Ears To New & Wonderful Music

As an eclectic listener there simply is not enough time in the day to listen to every album or every song; new or old - that I would like my ears to endure. Therefore I've decided to dedicate 5 out of 7 days a week to listen to music I haven't listened to before; for educational reasons as well as for fun. Old music will always be a deeper love of mine but there is nothing more satisfying than finding a little band on YouTube, Spotify or Soundcloud and watching them blow up in the eye of the media and hearing them on the radio.

 As a music journalist I have to have an eye for good music or else I would simply get nowhere with my job; therefore I am writing this blog post to hopefully inspire you to listen to some new music; whether it be a new release or just an album or band you have never listened to before. Recently I've been getting really into The Cure; I've always liked them and their main tunes; Boys Don't Cry, Friday I'm in Love, Close To Me etc... But I've never really put time aside to give them a real listen. I'm going to write down a months worth of artists and their albums with their genre and release date alongside it; so you can see the range of music I am indulging in.

Week 1

Day 1. Tiggs Da Author - Glenville Grove (EP)

Release Date: 11th of November 2016
Genre: Rap

Day 2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Getaway (Album)

Release Date: 17th of June 2016
Genre: Funk-Rock

Day 3. Soul Clap - Soul Clap (Album)

Release Date: 14th of October 2016
Genre: EDM

Day 4. Jones - New Skin (Album)

Release Date: 7th of October 2016
Genre: Alternative-Pop/ RnB

 

Day 5. Hooton Tennis Club - Big Box Of Chocolates (Album)

Release Date: 21st of October 2016
Genre: Alternative Rock

(2 day break)

Week 2

Day 8. Jimmy Eat World - Integrity Blues (Album)

Release Date: 21st of October 2016
Genre: Rock

Day 9. Childish Gambino - "Awaken, My Love" (Album)

Release Date: 2nd of December 2016
Genre: Hip-Hip/ Rap

Day 10. The Bluetones - Luxembourg

Release Date: 12th of May 2003
Genre: Britpop/ Indie-Rock

Day 11. James Arthur - Back From The Edge (Album)

Release Date: 28th of October 2016

Genre: Pop/Soul

Day 12. Soft Hair - Soft Hair (Album)

Release Date: 28th of October 2016

Genre: Alternative/Indie-Rock

(2 day break)

Week 3

Day 15. Swet Shop Boys - Cashmere (Album)

Release Date: 14th of October 2016
Genre: Hip-Hop

Day 16. Radiohead - In Rainbows (Album)

Release Date: 10th of October 2007

Genre: Art-Rock

Day 17. Kings Of Leon - WALLS (Album)

Release Date: 14th of October 2016

Genre: Rock

Day 18. Last Shadow Puppets - Everything You've Come To Expect (Album)

Release Date: 1st of April 2016
Genre: Indie/Alternative Rock

Day 19. Alpines - Another River (Album)

Release Date: 28th of October 2016

Genre: Synth-pop/Soul

(2 day break)

Week 4

Day 22. 808INK - Hungry (Album)

Release Date : 10th of November 2016

Genre: Hip-Hop

 

Day 23. Cast - All Change (Album)

Release Date: 16th of October 1995
Genre: Britpop/ Indie-Rock

Day 24. Vaults - Caught In Still Life (Album)

Release Date:  2nd of December 2016

Genre: Electronic/Synth-pop

Day 25. Rolling Stones - Blue & Lonesome (Album)

Release Date: 2nd of December 2016

Genre: Rock

FINAL DAY! Manic Street Preachers - GOLD AGAINST THE SOUL (Album)

Release Date: 14th of June 1993
Genre: Alternative Rock

Once I have completed the month I'm going to pick out the albums/EPs which I thought were the most easy-listening/ most influential. Excited doesn't begin to describe this challenge! If you have any requests; any artists/albums you think I may have not listened to before, who are worth listening to contact me and I will try to give them a listen! Also it would be nice to hear what you have to say about my choices! Don't be afraid to contact me; here are my details -

Facebook - Lucy Wynne
Twitter - lw_mj89
Instagram: lucywynne89

The Rising - Olympus/ I Want You ( I Need You)

The Rising are an incredibly versatile 7-piece band from Southampton; and they recently released a double A-Side single with the songs; 'Olympus' / 'I Want You ( I Need You)' on it. The double A-Side was released on the 4th of November 2016.

The first track is called 'Olympus' and it opens with a very Britpop vibe; however you can also hear hints of The Kinks and The Beatles as it simultaneously brings out a very 60's vibe; especially when the backing vocals begin to kick in. Tommy Overington on lead vocals has a very distinctive voice and he uses it to his advantage as he passionately sings the closing line of;

"And now I do believe.."

The only thing about this song is that some of it is very lyrically inapt; and for a song with a length of almost six minutes you want six minutes of pure genius. On the other hand all of the instruments are on point from start to finish and the tension built throughout the track really solidifies it.

The last song 'I Want You (I Need You)' is my favourite of the two. This is a real rock'n'roll tune; it's jam-packed with heavy guitars, head banging drums, tension built instrumentals and catchy chorus'. There's a lot of symbolism created within this song which is correlated to freedom which I like because the title contradicts the meaning of the song as it creates a realisation between a need and want - and when you distinguish the difference you're free. There are symbolisms to the clouds, rainbows and the ocean which refers to infinity and also birds which are a key sign of freedom. Overington goes on to sing this line within the last verse which implies that somebody is holding him back and preventing him from being freed;

"Please release me, free me from these chains."

I particularly liked the keyboard dominated solo making the track a bit techno and futuristic as it switches the rock'n'roll track up a bit. Also; not only does this song have deeper intensions than the surface level; it has a proper head banging catchy chorus of;

"Cus I want you and I need you. Just wanna touch you, just wanna feel you."

In conclusion the Double A-Side has impressed me; especially the last track - resulting in me buying their 7" record! This is a band to watch out for and I hope to see them progress throughout their career;  definitely worth a listen f you haven't already.

You can listen to 'Olympus' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9rjJNh8Kwc
You can listen to 'I Want You ( I Need You)' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mgj2DIpY4I
You can buy their 7" Double A-Side here: http://shop.detourrecords.co.uk/epages/es785745.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=%2FShops%2Fes785745%2FProducts%2FRISOLY-7&Locale=en_GB