I like to make a monthly habit of refreshing my blog with a little playlist that's, at the time, getting a lot of lurvin' from my speakers. However, as it's nearing to the end of this great great GREAT year (yes, it truly has been so fabulous - Jubilee, Olympics etc - that it's completely necessary to over use the word GREAT) I thought it would be fitting to create a little post highlighting those 'diamond in the rough' tracks that sincerely stuck in my head for all the right reasons throughout 2012.
Alas, my top twelve of twenty twelve (no particular order)...
1. The Weeknd - High For This
2. ASAP Rocky - Gouldie
3. Steve Aoki feat Iggy Azalea - Beat Down
4. Friendly Fires - Blue Cassette (Tiga Remix)
5. Frank Ocean - Pyramids
6. The Maccabees - Went Away
7. Tom Odell - Another Love
8. TNGHT - Higher Ground
9. Ellie Goulding - Hanging On (Active Child cover)
10. Angel Haze - Werkin' Girls
11. Solange Knowles - Losing You
12. Major Lazer (Andy C Remix) - Get Free
With this little track right here, it's like some genius took a scoop of Daft Punk, a sprinkle of Digitalism, added essence of Crystal Castles, and meshed it all together in one great big electro blender to create a mass electro smoothie. SLURP.
So here we are.
The varsity bomber jackets and over-sized bleached denim jackets have taken a back seat and the trenches, boyfriend coats and fur gilets are at the forefront of our wardrobes. X Factor is back on our UK screens and with that the predictions as to who will bag the UK crimbo number one begin to emerge. 'Over-sized knit wear' has become the personal favourite phrase that I've typed into the Zara, UO, and Reiss online search bars over the past week. Recently I felt obliged to buy a pair of black leather heeled chelsea boots. Heck, I've even begun to contemplate what on earth I'm going to do for NYE this year.
Yes - Autumn is upon us...except for those of us that live in the UK, what sounds like an Autumn feels a lot more like a Winter. But it's not just our wardrobes and social schedules that change, there's a change in music too. Less vids are shot on alluring beach locations (with the exception of Tulisa), instead locations within the countryside and mountainous areas become preferable and the Ibiza dance anthems start to die down (which, in some cases, is for the best).
So without further ado, as we have now reached October aka new month/new music, this is my pick of the best newbies around to ease us into them chilly months ahead of us...
I absolutely adore this little track! It's playful and colourful and adventurous. I instantly want to perform some mad free dance whenever and wherever I hear this played. The loud, eccentric vid is utter genius. 3:08 in - I want them shoes.
Attempting to avoid the inevitable aka the end of summer, I recently spent 14 nights interrailing around France. I touched base in Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier, Cannes, Nice and Limoges. This was the outcome...
The current little playlist created that I've had on repeat consists of a few new releases, but mainly it's crammed with stuff I'm struggling to get sick of (take Frank Oceans 'thinkin bout you' for instance). There's a slight mercury nominated theme running through the list too, it's only appropriate.
Alt J - Tessellate
Delilah - Shades of Grey
Jakwob - Blinding
Kanye West - Clique Ft. Big Sean & Jay-Z
Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You
Ellie Goulding - Anything Could Happen (acoustic)
TNGHT - Higher Ground
No Doubt - Settle Down (Major Lazer Remix)
Jessie Ware - Wildest Moments
Frank Ocean - Bad Religion
The Maccabees - Grew up at Midnight
There's no bragging involved, simply informing, when I tell you I've been to my fair share of festivals over the past 6 to 7 years. When you've spent a fair few of your summers in a tent, or more suitably in front of a stage, you begin to identify the good from the bad, or what particular events acquire to your taste. So it's always pretty exciting to visit a festival that you've never 'done' before. As the UK festival market is so heavily saturated and the British summer weather takes a turn for worst year on year, it made sense to kill two birds with one stone and go to a festival abroad this year - the heat, the music, the camping, the beach, all in one.
This was my first festival away from the UK scene, and I'm not sure if it was the 40 degree heat or the company that did it, but dare I say this really was the best of the best. Usually those at the top of the bill really make a festival for me, those Radiohead, Prodigy, Kasabian and Killers sets create the festival highs and highlights. Sure this time round we saw some good'uns; Example surprised me as a fab crowd entertainer, Chase and Status killed it as they ALWAYS do, Crystal Castles were mad (I'm not entirely sure Alice knew which planet she was on...), as was Dizzee Rascal (to the guy who's shoulders I spent the entire set dancing on, I can only apologise, you know who you are!), and the Maccabees and Miles Kane just rained sheds of talent. My personal musical highlight was Little Dragon, a band fronted by Swedish-Japanese singer Yukimi Nagano. Our Benicassim festival crew originally introduced us to Little Dragon as I was shameful to admit I wasn't familiar with them at all pre Benicassim...however they are a band that I have since gone MAD for. Everyone and anyone who isn't familiar...LITTLE DRAGON! Youtube immediately. Nagano has mad good stage presence, showing off her crazy dance moves refusing to stop for the entire duration of their set, setting the crowd off into this total frenzy. Everyone was just performing the ultimate dance off for a good hour.
So all in all, yes the music was fab but, unlike so many other festivals I've attended, it wasn't the music alone that did it for me. I'm going to pull out one of the more finer clichés by telling you it was the ENTIRE atmosphere and experience that really made this festival a bit of a masterpiece, I think the sun had a big part to play in this, It's true what they say - good weather creates good vibes, and all in all everyone was loving life and happily bouncing off each other.
The atmosphere was so chill but that had a lot to do with the lack of sleep had by all as the sets began from 6pm and refused to finish until about 7am the next morning, so consequently everyone would sleep on the beach during the day, which is probably one of the more desirable places to be nursing a hangover and a worn out figure. My only criticism would be that the festival site itself was quite small, which in some ways bodes well for drunken festival go-ers because everything is super easy to find, but it would have been nice to have a few more sites to explore? A couple more stages to dance in front of perhaps? Oh, and be warned, thieving is BIG at Benicassim (R.I.P. wallet, id, cards etc). Find below some of my favourite memories from the festival, and the nearest and dearest that I shared the experience with, ultra fantastical!
Admittedly, I am a little late in hearing this track for the first time, as it got its first play with Zane on R1 just under a week ago...but as I have spent this past week in Madrid and this past weekend soaking up the good music, good weather and good company at Benicassim Festival I can therefore provide some pretty substantial reasons/excuses for jumping on the band wagon a little late.
From the first time I fixed Hot Fuss into my cd walkman eight years ago I have ever since declared The Killers as the all time favourite, the best of the best. Therefore it really wouldn't come as a surprise to say that I was eagerly anticipating their return. And what a return...they've cooked us up something fresh which also provides that classic Killers taste. Treat.
This weekend was one to remember. However, due to copious amounts of Bacardi, wine and V & RB consumed over the weekend, there is only a certain amount that can actually be remembered. I would no doubt be able to report on a whole lot more if less alcohol was consumed and I had more than 3 hours sleep over 3 nights...but hey ho, you work with what memories you've been left with, right? Of course I can provide the perfect excuse for the lack of sleep and alcohol consumption to reinstate the fact that I'm not this fucking rock & roll every weekend. It was my 21st birthday.
My actual birthday was on the 9th of June which, this year, came about on a Saturday, therefore the excuse to organise a long weekend was handed to me on a plate. On Friday night myself and a few of my closest ones spent the night showing off our most fabulous dance moves at Fabric nightclub in London. Andy C did a two hour set which was UNREAL. I'm keeping tabs on that man in order to see when he's next making an appearance in London because to see him once is just not enough. Anyone who was lucky enough to get their mitts on the gold dust tickets for Sundays helping of the BBC Radio One Hackney Weekender MUST take some time out to visit his set in the Dance Arena.
On Saturday myself and one of my nearest and dearest headed to Manchester for Parklife Festival...the less said about this festival the better (in fact, at some point this week I'm sure I'll create a quick post about the festival, but I don't want my criticism of the event to put a downer on what a fabulous weekend this one ended up to be, so I'll leave that review for a rainy day).
Saturday evening we geared up to explore Manchester's night life...we did the evening justice by getting back into the hotel at 7.30am. Job done.
...SUNDAY night was THE night. I'd seen Coldplay before on their Viva La Vida tour with Jay Z and White Lies supporting which was pretty spectacular so I knew that I had something fantastic to look forward to. But this show really did exceed all expectations. Anyone who's been lucky enough to get their mitts on the gold dust Coldplay tickets have been going mad over the tour boasting about it on all means of communication. SO many have claimed that this is the best live show they've ever seen, and you know what, they might be on to something.
The boys had the entire stadium showing their wildest moves beginning the night with Hurts Like Heaven accompanied by fireworks and showers of butterfly and heart shaped confetti. The crowd pleaser's were all there - In My Place, The Scientist, Viva la Vida, Clocks etc. Fabulous renditions of Fix You and Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall were performed, again accompanied by spectacular fireworks and rainfalls of confetti. The light show of the crowds wrist bands, or 'Xylo bands' as the band have appropriately labelled them, had the whole stadium glistening (YouTube 'Xylo bands' if I have completely lost you).
However, beyond all the fireworks and all the confetti and all the lights, a personal highlight had to simply be Chris Martin on his multicoloured piano performing 'Warning Sign' which had the entire stadium in silence. When one man brings a crowd of 70,000 people to a halt , in which you just find yourself watching someone of such talent in complete and utter awe of them, THAT's a special moment, right there.
I'll finish the post with, what Sunday's show at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester confirmed to be, my favourite Coldplay song of all time...
Now my life isn't bombarded with all things University (sob) I have a little more time on my hands that I can dedicate to seeking out new artists, music etc. Here are various songs that will soon find a place on my 'top 25 most played' playlist. Room No.66 by Park Bench Society is the personal favourite, a track that has much resemblance to Scotland's indie fave The View. As for Karma Kid, I just want to jump around in a tent at a festival all day and night to this track. Fab.
When it comes to updating the blog, as of late I've been POOR.
From January the schedule has been wracked with University deadlines but a
couple of weeks ago i was blessed with freedom and I spent a solid 14
days/nights celebrating that freedom. Yesterday (Sunday 27th May) I officially
moved out of Cheltenham for good and moved back home, rank. The silver lining
is, that whilst I eagerly await those dreaded degree results, I have time to
plan what will hopefully be a manic summer and I can finally get back into the
routine of blogging. As a typical student, throughout the duration of
uni I've been pretty restricted with funds and rinsed by nights out so I've not
been able to get involved with absolutely everything I would've liked to...this
summer I am EAGER to make up for lost time, and I plan to pretty much dedicate
my entire summer to music. Whereas the previous year I made it to three
festivals (Isle of Wight, Wakestock and V), last year I didn't make it to any
which HURT. This year I'm attracted to Beach Break, Wireless, Benicassim,
Global Gathering, and Bestival...I'm tempted to get involved with something a
little lower key too. Even though this will already damage the purse
strings I'm wanting to stretch my summer ideas even further and plan
on attending as many gigs as possible, as well as copious visits
to London - a place that I've neglected for far too long,
and perhaps a holiday? Ibiza is at the top of the to do list. We can only
dream.
In the mean
time I've been lounging out in the garden catching some rays
and I'm in the middle of creating a bit of a summer playlist, here's
the tracklist so far;
Benga Ft. Bebe
Black - Icon
Jammer Ft Viper -
Big Man
Sway - Level Up
Rude Kid feat
Skepta - Get Busy
Mac Miller - Frick
Park Market
Nneka - Shining Star
(Joe Goddard Remix)
Shameboy - Strobot
(Netsky Remix)
Netksy - Come
Alive
Netksy - Everyday
Leviticus - Burial
Danny Byrd Ft.
Liquid - Sweet Harmony
B. Traits - Fever
(Breakage Remix)
Sub Focus feat
Alice Gold - Out The Blue
Nas - The Don (Hot
City Hype Remix)
Friendly Fires -
Blue Cassette (Tiga Remix)
Jessie Ware - 110
Percent
Nicki Minaj - Come
on a Cone Kanye West feat Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz - Mercy
I've just been having a browse through my past posts, and as tempted as I am to create an entire new blog this summer due to the scatty, and at times cringe worthy, posts (I started this thing when I was 17 years old, can you blame!?) I've decided to keep going with this blog and hit it hard during the summer. This is purely down to the fact that a lot of my posts consist of song recommendations etc, some of which are still decent tracks and some of you might be interested in trekking through past blog posts to unveil some nifty little pieces I've shared on here in the past.
I've got a load of songs that I LOVE on my playlist this month, I thought rather than spending my time umm'ing and arr'ing over which I should post on here via youtube I'd simply list out the entire playlist. Most songs are available on youtube, although there are few you can only access via soundcloud. As you'll notice my neverending love for the XX has come back around and my questionable love for Kanye has also made a come back? I could not shout loud enough about Alex Clare hence including him twice. Some songs are two months old, others two years old, playlist incl. few niche artists with 500 youtube views and mainstream with 500,000 youtube views - I like my playlists to consist of a mixture of mainstream and underground, you shouldn't be afraid to love something because everyone else does and it's currently number 1 everywhere, and at the same time you shouldn't be afraid to explore other genres and artists that may never been seen on the UK top 40. ("Kanye vs. The XX v. Notorous BIG - Runaway' is by far the favourite on the list) Enjoy.
Alex Clare - Up All Night (Skream Remix) Band of Skulls - Bruises High Contrast - The Agony and the Ecstasy (Featuring Selah Corbin) Doctor P - Neon Javeon McCarthy - Lost Time Jess Mills - Pixelated People (produced by Sam Frank) Florence and the Machine - Take Care Maxwell D - Gone Away (Jamie XX Remix) YACHT - The Afterlife (The XX Remix) Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie XX - Take Care Jamie XX and Yasmin - Touch Me Jamie Sky vs The XX - Intro Nneaka - My Home The XX ft. Kanye West - Major Kanye vs. The XX v. Notorous BIG - Runaway Alex Clare - Damn Your Eyes (Etta James cover)
FINALLY M83 are getting the recognition they deserve, with their track 'Midnight City' frequently featuring in dramality favourite Made In Chelsea leading up to the records long awaited release and Radio 1 giving it a decent amount of air time, M83 are finally at the centre of attention, as they should be in my eyes.
A wise friend introduced me to their music about 3 years ago now, starting me off with 'We Own the Sky'...I've been adamant ever since that I'll get inked somewhere on my body 'we own the skies' because I love the title so much, saying that I haven't found the courage to do so yet and I'm not entirely sure I ever will!
Getting back on track, Zane Lowe played this remix of Midnight City thursday evening which I prefer to the original, it just gives the song a little more energy! Enjoy!
Azealia Banks - today announced 3rd place in BBC's Sound of 2012. Tipped to be the next Nicki Minaj - people who know and love me, know I love Nicki. So, naturally, Banks is an immediate fave. Familiarise yourself with this soon to be famous face...
