What's All the Fuss About? Halsey Releases New Album - Manic

Singer/songwriter Halsey's new album Manic is not to be overlooked. A pop masterpiece. Within this album she uses compelling lyrics to express her drama in a lyrically fluid way which flaunts her songwriting capabilities. The album was released on January 17, 2020 and is available to stream/download and buy on all music platforms NOW.


Halsey has won many awards for her music, and she recently won the award for 'Favourite Pop/Rock Song' at the American Music Awards for a track called 'Without Me'. This song was released through Capitol Records on October 4, 2018 as the lead single from Halsey’s third studio album, Manic. 

Having had finished recording the album in 2018-2019, Halsey held back on the release of the album. She released 'Without Me' teasing fans in 2018 and then went quiet again until she brought out 'Graveyard' on September 25, 2019, 'Clementine', on her birthday, September 29, 2019 and announced a double release with 'Finally // beautiful stranger' and 'Suga's Interlude' on December 3, 2019. Then, 'You Should Be Sad' was released just before the album, on January 8, 2020. 

'Without Me' went on to spend 29 weeks in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, making it the third longest-running top ten song by a female artist, and it became her third song to spend over a year on the Billboard Hot 100 - she is the only female artist in history to achieve this.

Manic has debuted in the top 10 of several countries since it's been out, including the UK, US, Australia, and New Zealand amongst other countries. So, what's all the fuss about?

'Ashley' is the opener and is Halsey's real name, instantly making the track a bit more personal - almost like a diary. Having used her real name for the song title, expresses something deeper. Is she going to let us know about the real Ashley, and not just the Halsey we see and hear of? With it's crackly radio intro it sounds as though you're about to tune into Ashley's life...

The 16-track album has many standouts for a variety of reasons, however one of the album favorites has to be, 'Finally// beautiful stranger'. A beautiful country melody about ex boyfriend YUNGBLUD, The inspiration was built on Halsey writing in her living room with a dire need to write a first dance wedding song, as she nostalgically reminisced back on the first time they both met.

"Oh, we're dancing in my living room, and up come my fists, and I say I'm only playing, but the truth is this, I've never seen a mouth that I would kill to kiss."

There are three songs within the album, 'Forever... (is a long time)' , 'Dominic's Interlude' and 'I HATE EVERYBODY' that are supposed to be listened to in succession. Within this sequence she is self sabotaging the love that she is falling into. 'Forever...(is a long time)' is about her realising that she is falling in love, the opening line being "I spent a long time watering a plant made out of plastic." 'Dominic's Interlude' has a dream-like vision to it, and Dominic Fike's contribution to the song brings in a reassurance to Halsey's emotional turmoil. 'I HATE EVERYBODY' is where the self-doubt and self sabotaging comes in. Halsey feels as though she doesn't deserve to be loved, but tries to distract herself from her own crushing thoughts, "I'm my own biggest enemy, yeah, all my empathy's a disaster."

Halsey says, "The interludes represent different relationships in my life: Dom represents brotherly love and Alanis represents sexual and professional empowerment." Halsey is bisexual, and Alanis is a role model of Halsey's which is why she has chosen her to feature on the album, on 'Alanis' Interlude'. The track is about falling in love with a woman and all of their escapades, whilst it also expresses that she loves whomever she loves, indifferent of gender.

"And my girl, she always wore a skirt in the classroom, eating my dessert in the bathroom. Can't get caught, so we stiller than a statue."

'929' is the song title, and the time and date Halsey was born. '929' is where she reflects back on her life and realises she can't remember half of it. She explains how you shouldn't meet your heroes because they're all fucking weirdos, and don't let men manipulate you into you having sex with them. The song is about everything she has realised and done up to the age of 25. Forgetting the amount of people she's had in her bed, picking out clumps from her hair in the shower, and quitting smoking, you know... the usual.

'More' is about Halsey's struggles with reproductive health and her wanting to have her eggs frozen, and finding out the news that its looking more likely she will be able to have children. It's a really personal and inspiring track. As she expresses in depth how she has never wanted anything more (than motherhood), she perfects the track even more by adding in the sound of a sonogram at the end, so it's like you're hearing the sounds from inside of the womb.

The album is about all of the manic episodes within Halsey's life. The good and the bad, the ugly, but nonetheless, the manic.There's hope, love, loss, faith and admiration all expressed within Manic, through Halsey's incredible pop songwriting skills. This album really shows a sense of vulnerability, and versatility... her life expressed in different ways, with different emotions and different songs. You really do go through a whirlwind of emotions whilst listening to the whole story that is being portrayed via the album.

You don't come across many pop artists nowadays that are skilled songwriters and can communicate the story they're trying to portray throughout their pop music. Halsey is one of few pop artists that can actually do that. Every track is to be listened to on this album, a real strong album to start a new decade. 

Oh... and '3am'  - a country pop BOP. Just listen to it.  

9/10

Katie O'Malley - 'Wasting Time' OUT NOW (Single Review)

Katie O'Malley is an up and coming country and blues singer/ songwriter from Manchester who tours with her five piece Americana band. Katie and the band most recently released their second E.P Never Be The Same on 31st May 2019. Due for release today on Friday the 13th of December is their new track 'Wasting Time'.

'Wasting Time' is a cutting blues track with somewhat of a country twang. The slightly Tarantino-esque track is about somebody not only wasting their own time, but other people's too, a love triangle that's falling apart.

O'Malley's voice has a great vocal range which allows her to have a distinctive edge similar to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Florence Welch and Regina Spektor. 'Wasting Time' is a catchy track that captures O'Malley's talents in both singing and songwriting, her best song yet.

You can listen to WASTING TIME on Spotify here

The song is also available to listen to on Apple Music and various other platforms, you can follow Katie here on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram and YouTube to keep updated with her future endeavors.

Ten Influential Albums Turning 25 in 2020

The nineties was a huge decade for music, in particular for British music as the post-rave era morphed into a Britpop bonanza. Below are ten influential albums that will be turning a quarter of a century old in 2020, all of these albums have had a lasting impression on music in general, still to this date.

Elastica, Elastica 

A totally iconic year for Britpop, 1995, when the motion began. Elastica and Supergrass released their debuts, and Oasis, Blur, and Pulp were all releasing chart topping albums in 1995. Parkas were out, Adidas trainers were on, polo's were firmly worn and alcohol and narcotics were flowing freely in the bloodstream - Britpop had BEGUN. Elastica hit number one with this album in the UK Charts, and their debut became the fastest selling debut since Oasis' 1994 Definitely Maybe.





Tupac Shakur,  Me Against The World

A strong album from Pac, containing classics like 'Me Against the World' and 'Dear Mama', this was the album that began getting Pac some sort of recognition on a commercial scale and shortly after the release of Me Against The World followed his best album All Eyez On Me (1996), turning Pac into a global phenomenon and an absolute legend in the rap and hip-hop world. Pacs posthumous albums are also some of the best work he has ever done like, Pac's Life (2006) and Loyal to the Game (2004). Baring in mind the UK was dominating the music scene at this point, and grunge was dominating the American scene, Pac obviously created a lasting impression with this album as it went on to become platinum - not once - but three times.


Paul Weller, Stanley Road 


Noel Gallagher (of Oasis) is credited as guest guitarist on the Stanley Road album track 'I Walk on Gilded Splinters', so Weller returned the favour, appearing as a guest guitarist and backing vocalist on Oasis' hit song 'Champagne Supernova' (1995). Weller's solo work hit a real peak when Stanley Road was released, with 'The Changing Man', 'Porcelain Gods', 'You Do Something to Me', and 'Broken Stones' among the albums track listing - arguably Weller's best known solo songs. His debut, Paul Weller and second release, Wild Wood just don't hit like Stanley Road does. 'Woodcutters Son', 'Wings of Speed', 'Whirlpool's End', 'Out of the Sinking' and self-titled track 'Stanley Road' are also standouts on this classic 1995 Weller album.

Supergrass, I Should CoCo


Supergrass couldn't have released this album at a better time, at the height of Britpop, record companies were creaming in their pants when they heard this album. The album containing hit single 'Alright' received critical acclaim and went platinum, as well as reaching Number One in the UK Albums Chart. With their definitive Southern accents, heavy guitars, and 60s inspired backing vocals they made for perfect competition within the North Vs South Britpop divide. 'Caught by the Fuzz' and 'Mansize Rooster' are quite punk tracks, but they also had their slow songs like 'Time to Go' which is rather akin to The Beatles and The Kinks which seals the album off smoothly.

The Verve, A Northern Soul

After not receiving an amazing reception from their first studio album A Storm In Heaven. A Northern Soul is just what The Verve needed to get their foot in the door, and the albums just kept getting better. After A Northern Soul, The Verve released Urban Hymns which is obviously their most notorious album, and then lastly The Forth, which again is a phenomenal album. With 'This is Music', 'Life's an Ocean', 'Stormy Clouds' and self titled track 'A Northern Soul' the album really exploits Ashcroft's writing talents that have come to the forefront more so later in his career, but even as a young musician his song writing skills were that of poetry and meticulous vocabulary, much to be admired.

 The Chemical Brothers, Exit Planet Dust


Keeping dance music alive, The Chemical Brothers released their debut continuing the hedonistic rave lifestyle into the mid 90s, and refusing to let Britpop be the only voice for the younger people of their generation. In this post rave era, they were up against The Prodigy and the likes of Fat Boy Slim but they made their voice heard, breaking into the scene with their groovy dance anthems.






Black Grape, It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah


Shaun Ryder's debut release with (new) group Black Grape is somewhat a continuum of Happy Monday's Thrills Pills and Bellyaches but with more of a hip-hop edge, still containing Ryder's distinctive Mancunian accent. The tracks are full of life and high with energy, 'Reverend Black Grape' sounds exactly as you would expect, even having a Reverend at the end of the track saying "Can you feel it? Can you feel the spirit of the Lord?" and 'In the Name of Father' also seems somewhat a mockery to sobriety and Christianity? 'Yeah Yeah Brother' and 'Submarine' are both favourite's, lyrically and rhythmically the whole album is just bursting with energy and oozing with groove, it's packed full with bangers which led to it topping the UK Albums Charts for two weeks straight.

Blur, The Great Escape

Earlier on in the year both Oasis and Blur made the headlines with their same day release, Blur were releasing 'Country House' and Oasis were releasing 'Roll With It' - both on 14th August 1995. This was the fight for the reigning champion of Britpop, the Kings of Britpop, North Vs South. 'Roll With It' reached Number 2 and Blur's 'Country House' reached Number 1, making Blur come out on top.

After the release of their first album Leisure (1991) the band didn't receive the critical acclaim they aimed to, and once Suede released their self titled debut on 29th March 1993, the competition was increasing, but the intimidation didn't fear Blur and they released Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993) shortly after Suede's release, on 10th May 1993 and Parklife (1994) - due to the albums' success it helped to heighten Blur's popularity. The Great Escape is an influential album because it built up high expectations post-dual release, but Oasis somewhat dominated the market once they released (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, despite Blur's initial efforts.

Oasis, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

Containing the majority of Oasis' classics, 'Wonderwall', 'Champagne Supernova', 'Don't Look Back in Anger', 'Morning Glory', and 'Some Might Say'. This was the year for Oasis, pretty much every single song on this album went commercial and blew up all over the world, and their hooligan antics were giving them the press coverage they needed alongside the album. Other songs off (What's the Story) Morning Glory? like, 'Cast No Shadow', 'Bonehead's Bank Holiday', 'Hey Now', 'She's Electric', 'Roll With It' and 'Hello' were also big commercial successes, their most well known album by far. A faultless second release.


Pulp, Different Class


Pulp's fifth, yet most effective album, Different Class speaks of the British social class system which is just the sort of working-class nationalism that New Labour wanted to introduce into the Britpop market at the time of the emerging music scene. The album contains Pulp's arguably most popular song 'Common People' which was a staple tune of the Britpop scene in the 90s and as a result, the album had such an impact that it went on to win the 1996 Mercury Prize Award for best album released in the United Kingdom.

Don Elektron Release 'Go Go Getter' for New 2019 Charlie's Angels Film ft. Macha Kiddo, Sam Bruno, and AFSHEEN (Single Review)

Don Elektron clash a variety of cultures and music genres within their new project, creating a market for artists all across the globe. Jeff Antebi, the founder of Waxploitation Records, best known for developing and managing the careers of artists like Gnarls Barkley, and Danger Mouse has collaborated with ten time Latin Grammy nominated artist, Ulises Lozano to release track 'Go Go Getter' on 15th November from their new artist project called Don Elektron. The song is due to feature on the 2019 Charlie's Angels film, which is out the end of this month.

Uli is a part of the critically acclaimed Latin alternative/electronic band Kinky, who have reached a level of commercial success in their own right, starring on different films and TV shows such as Gossip Girl, The Rocker, Man on Fire and many more amongst also featuring on adverts, and video games like Little Big Planet and Fifa 06. Kinky have also played Coachella and toured with Cake and De La Soul in the US amongst other artists for the Unlimited Sunshine Tour back in 2002.

The track begins with a bit jungle edge before the electro and Hispanic aspect kicks in on the lyrics, "I'm a winner, my own bread winner, girl in the mirror, a go go getter." The track features artists, Macha Kiddo, Sam Bruno, and AFSHEEN, and the Latina twist adds a sexy kink to the track and creates an independent woman/bad bitch vibe which is perfect for a film like Charlie's Angels. If you would like to check out anymore of Don Elektrons collabs, their social media links are attached below,

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Giving You a Plethora of Genres, Thirsty Curses Release Self-Titled Debut (Album Review)

Thirsty Curses are a garage rock band that originate from North Carolina, comprising of singer/songwriter Wilson Getchell who also plays guitar and piano, Kelley Otwell on lead guitar, Phillip Harrington on the drums, and Clayton Herring on bass. The band cover a vast array of rock sub genres within their self-titled debut album, which is out on November 8th.

The opening track 'VHS Release' is very pop punk, with sounds akin to Blink 182 and Greenday, it proves to be very different to the rest of the tracks on the album. There's a few indie/ alternative tracks on the ten track debut, like 'Smash Hit', 'Racing Through the Daze', 'You Don't Have to Tell Me' and 'I Want to Wreck Your Car' and there is also some tracks with a country rock twang like, 'Bruises on Your Shoulder' and 'Slice of Paradise'. However the stand off on the album has to be 'Cold Black Ink' an old school blues track, Getchell's vocals compliment the blues genre wonderfully, the only fault about the track, (which isn't really) is that I think what would really give this track that extra edge would be a brass instrument.

'Bruises on Your Shoulders' is a rather raw track, with piano accompanying Getchell's voice which allows you to hear the vocals more clearly, exposing Getchell's wide vocal range as he hits the high notes. Country track, 'Slice of Paradise' talks about life on the road, and not wanting to return back to the reality of a manual day job. "I'm feeling blue, got in an existential mood saying every day is ordinary I can't find the will to to tie my shoes. It was a good week on the road, but now it's back to digging holes." Meanwhile 'You Don't Have to Tell Me' is a fun, upbeat song with an indie jive to it, but with a more somber meaning, "I don't know how to explain it, there's not much I can say yeah, I'm a total mess and I'm all over the place."

There is a few songs on the album that do stand out like, 'Smash Hit', 'You Don't Have to Tell Me', 'Slice of Paradise' and 'Cold Black Ink' and the vast array of genres do show off different skills, however I think Thirsty Curses sound needs to be more cemented. Instead of recording a plethora of genres, find a few that really work for the band and stick with it. The blues track 'Cold Black Ink' is by far the best on the album, and I would like to hear more music that sounds like that - it sounds strong, and that is what should be aimed for every song.

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OUT NOVEMBER 8TH

Face to Face with Rex Orange County (Single Review)

Alexander O'Connor, or Rex Orange County as you may know him, has been announcing songs ahead of the release of his third album, Pony, out October 25th. The most recent released track is his third track, 'Face to Face' which he announced yesterday on October 23rd via Twitter describing the track as, "This song is about being away from home, feeling trapped in an undesirable situation and finding it difficult to trust people."

After releasing his breakthrough album Apricot Princess in 2017, Rex began to receive attention from the likes of  American artists, such as Frank Ocean and Tyler the Creator. So much so, he featured on Tyler the Creator's album Flower Boy; and co-wrote and contributed vocals to the songs 'Boredom' and 'Foreword' off the album, just three months after the release of Apricot Princess, and he also had the privilege to play for Frank Ocean on tour.

The first song off the album that Rex released was '10/10' on September 12th, a song about feeling unsuccessful and depleted with his accomplishments, but pulling himself back together despite it all. The other release is 'Pluto Projector' which was released on October 17th, another track based on self-reflection, reflecting on relationships, romances and emotions.

However, new track 'Face to Face' is more focused on the bittersweet reality of having shot to stardom so fast, and the sacrifices you have to make that come with it, the stresses and loneliness of being away from home, in a brand new world, and away from comfort and familiarity. The effervescent R&B/ pop song begins with some melodic harmonies before he starts to tell his story, opening with "I grew up, you grew down, we found out everything matters now. We grew up while you let yourself down - I want out."

Underlying the track is Rex expressing how stardom can take its toll on your emotions, and how difficult it is being isolated from loved ones, and the doubt as to whether the sacrifices are ultimately 'worth it' as he states "I want out" and “I wish I could be with her instead” coming to the terms with the heartbreaking nature of having little time to talk to his partner whilst on tour due to the eight hour time difference and poor connection on video call, as well as the busy schedule that comes with the life of fame.

TRACKLIST

01. 10/10
02. Always
03. Laser Lights
04. Face to Face
05. Stressed Out
06. Never Had the Balls
07. Pluto Projector
08. Every Way
09. It Gets Better
10. It’s Not the Same Anymore

Let's Talk About How Post Grad Depression Is REAL

You've used up all of your student loan, you have probably maxed out your overdraft; whether you're paying for a place to rent or living back at home, you're practically clutching at straws just to get by. Now if you're an adult reading this who hasn't been to university, you might be relating right now - or even thinking you're in a 'worse' position. But, the difference between you and us is that having stuck with education and not got ourselves into an industry or trade, where we can earn money, we had to invest our time into education and other activities surrounding it. So not having that stable foreground financially and in job security, especially in the creative industries, makes it all the more that bit terrifying having come out of education. Yes, some people have a job lined up once they have got their degree, but it's not quite that simple for other graduates.

When you finish university you usually go back home (if you lived away) and if you haven't already got a job set in stone, you start to worry because at what point am I going to start my life? I have been at school since I was four years old, I've stuck with education right the way through to twenty-one, I've had about eight jobs I've worked since I was sixteen, to earn my own money to be able to buy new clothes, go out, or to save up for a holiday. Now it's time to get in to the real world and I'm running out of money, I'm struggling to get a job, ANY kind of job, living away from home, and struggling to make ends meet.

University was a great experience, it showed and taught me things I didn't even think were possible. Like how to write a 2500 word assignment on a question I don't even understand in under twelve hours and actually pass it, how to go out and not spend a penny, and how pesto apparently sticks to the ceiling. You make amazing friends out of people you never in a million years thought you would be friends with, you go to the most insane house parties with literally hundreds of people there, and because its usually the prime time in your life (18-24) you experience all of your heartbreaks and tragedies, as well as some of your best times, with the people that you live with, and that you are friends with at university.

You're so used to constantly being around people and always having something to do, so when you come out of that reality it's quite mind-boggling. All of a sudden you're just in like a grey space, where you're not really doing anything with your life and you don't know when you will. You're trying, but your efforts just aren't paying off, resilience in the mind is weakening and you just don't.know.what.to.do.

University forces you to make decisions, forces you to work with people you might not like and most of all it forces you to grow up. It gives you a new found sense of independence, and going from that free to being thrown in to the deep end with a brick tied to your ankle is a big change, and not a nice one as you can imagine.

 Some courses, more than others are more difficult to be employed in after graduation, like Journalism, and especially Music Journalism (like me). But regardless, if you haven't got a job lined up by the time you have graduated, no matter what your field, the consistent rejection from job applications and interviews can take a serious toll on one’s self esteem.

According to The Independent, "Statistics state that one in four students suffers from depression during their studies, but no official figures exist for graduates in the post-university transition." This is quite scary because its evidently shows that there's no welfare or help available for post graduates struggling with their mental health since leaving university.

The point of this article was to make those other graduates out there realise that they're not alone in feeling a discombobulated way since leaving university, and to reach out for help if needs be. If you can't talk to family or friends about how you are feeling, these helplines are fantastic and will listen to every word. Things will get better.

Anxiety UK - Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
- Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
Men's Health Forum: 24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Mental Health Foundation
Mind - Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
No Panic - Support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.
- Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm)
OCD Action - Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm)
OCD UK - Phone: 0845 120 3778 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
PAPYRUS - Young suicide prevention society. Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm, and 2pm to 5pm on weekends)
Rethink Mental Illness - Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Samaritans - Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
SANE - SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm). Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare