So just a catch up for those who have been following along my life (whether that be a social media stalker or good friends that I have seemingly dropped off the planet for), over the last year and a bit I have been a bit busy. First of all finishing my Honours degree (which I got first class for baby! yeah!) but also beginning my PhD and all the trials and tribulations that come along with that.
If you do know a bit about what that is like, you will know that academia involves a lot of writing. So much writing. So I have been a bit busy, as you can imagine, doing this and that and having a few mental health crisis' etc. This blog has been a bit vacant, but hopefully as I get more time here and there I can update more regularly.
The writing fatigue takes it out of you though, it's hard to keep both creative and academic writing energy levels up and so I do generally tend to drop the ball on things here and there. So as a bit of a welcome back I thought I would leave you a cute little song that has been stuck in my head for the past few months. Firstly cos it's catchy, but also because the music video was shot in Fremantle - a place where I spent much of my childhood and adolescence. So it has a definite warm place in my heart.
Sugar - Peking Duk ft. Jack River
So this song has a real gorgeous 90s feel to it, and that same fun jovial style that we expect of Peking Duk. Bring in some AQUA-esque 90s pop sounds and you have one hell of a summer hit. It's winter right now in Perth, so maybe it doesn't have quite the same charm to it for my good friends back home. But right now, I am soaking up the sun (and some of the rain) in Copenhagen, so here is a fun summer hit for the northern hemisphere to enjoy.
Thought I'd poke my head in and say hello to stay current and relevant. Unlike my gym membership, this blog doesn't seem to send reminders every few weeks telling me I should stop being lazy and hint towards my lack of commitment. When I say I've been a bit busy, I wish it was an exaggeration. anyone considering doing post graduate studies, please, I implore you to think seriously about your mental fortitude. Burn out is real, and I've been picking up random hobbies in the hopes that it enriches my outlook on life (usually quite melodramatic, as you know by now) and stops me from throwing myself in front of a bus (see what I mean).
So, without further ado, I thought this post would be about Vera Blue's second EP Fingertips.
Vera Blue - Fingertips
This is the first EP released by Vera Blue under this name, and she has previously released an EP under her birth name, Celia Pavey. I've previously gushed about how much of an actual darling this girl is. Her music is soulfully breathtaking. The mix of haunting melodies and beautiful lyricism in her voice translates across a vulnerability and realism that I wash over my soul. Let's forget about the fact that I pretty much put this album on in the car when I'm driving home after a bad day to belt out the lyrics. It's a really good coping mechanism, I would definitely recommend.
I really like the folksy element to her songs that's almost seamlessly mixed with this alternative grungy electronic sound (see 'Fingertips'). She's got a very unique sound that I adore, I'm constantly surprised by the way that her songs turn out differently to what you expect. She manages to find a way to straddle the line between two genres which is pretty impressive.
Also, as a side note. Her Like a Version from last year is pretty damn awesome. Jack Garrett is another red headed bae, but that aside. Just listen to her take on 'Breathe Life' and I'll let you make up your mind on how talented and beautiful this young woman is.
Anyway, just a short post from me this week. I hope you all are doing well :)
For those who aren't in Perth at the moment and aren't experiencing the cold blast of rain and depression that has hit us so suddenly I am considerably jealous. The weather this year has been something of note, especially with the conditions of the 2016-2017 summer being the most disappointing to date. I feel completely swindled out of the happiness that comes with healthy doses of vitamin D and searing heat. What's really been helping keep my mind off the fact that it's mid March and I'm thinking about putting my space heater on has been revisiting some of my favourite music videos over the recent years. I hope you get a kick out of them too.
Beware the Dog - The Griswolds
I think the thing I loved about this music video (apart from the dope-ass song by The Griswolds) was the whole werewolf trope. It was done so cleverly, with a tip of the hat to some old classic horror films that I love to watch (mainly because they aren't really that scary... I'm actually a big wuss with modern horror films). I loved the twist at the end, the gory arms and legs flying everywhere, and of course, just the rampant eating of people. This was my first taste of The Griswolds and the music that they made and I kind of fell in love. People say don't judge a book by its cover, but when you have a music video that is shot so artistically and with a sense of humour that clicks with you - what are you meant to do?
Pork Soda - The Glass Animals
Oh man. What can I say about the Glass Animals apart from I love them and that March 2017's playlist has been most of the ZABA album on repeat. I can never work out what the Glass Animals songs are about, but I think that's part of their charm. I love this video for the very talented puppy dog, who is a rescue named Princess. Princess (a boy) recently learned how to moonwalk which is more than I can say about myself. This song is actually really sweet, but I won't try to decipher the lyrics for you because I have no idea about what they mean at all.
Don't Stop (Colour on the Walls) - Foster the People
This song has a funny story actually. This song came out just as I got my learner's permit. Of course, it took me about 3 years from that time to actually start driving places, but I always would have this video playing in my head when I was going for driving lessons. Torches was such a good album, but I feel like Foster the People really came into their own in Supermodel. This music video is so fun, it was a real throwback trying to think of videos for this post.
Anyway, this is a shortish post because I've been super busy with uni stuff. Hopefully I'll have a longer more detailed post coming out soon, but right now I need to focus on my assignments and not dying for the next few months as uni ramps up once more in terms of intensity and the feeling of wanting to run in front of a moving car.
International Women's Day comes around once again and it becomes a time to not only celebrate women's achievements, but to bring some light to women who have fought against adversity and challenged expectations around them. For those of us lucky enough to grow up in Australia, I feel as though the present is probably the best it has ever been to be a woman. So many opportunities have been made available to step towards equality and to empower women to overcome gendered stereotypes and expectations to excel in whatever pathway that they choose. I feel as though we are so lucky to live here and to participate in a culture so celebratory of equality and the value of hard work.
Nevertheless, let's take today as an opportunity to talk about some women in music that I have loved and listen to some new tunes.
Green Light - Lorde
Absolutely been dying to hear some new stuff of her upcoming album Melodrama this new track was teased and taunted around the city of Auckland for a week before Lorde dropped it on us with all its big poppy sounds and soulful lyrics that she made famous. A beautiful transition from her debut album Pure Heroine that she made when she was 16. Now 20 she wows us once more with a new sound that is still throw hints back to her past.
Jungle - Tash Sultana
What an absolute killer track from a killer lady. I remember jamming out to that wicked guitar in the car whenever this song comes up on the radio. The absolutely jaw dropping instrumentals send shivers down your spine and made the hair on my arms rise the first time I heard this song. From her EP Notion, Tash Sultana is definitely someone to watch. Definitely would love to hear this track live.
In an additional note that I need to make hours after finishing writing this post, I found out she premiered a new song yesterday, would you believe that? Just feel your ears writhe in pure joy listening to this little track.
Check it out here:
The Boys - Lisa Mitchell
Can I just tell you how much I love this song. I don't know what it is, something about the innocence of Lisa's voice and how the youthful softness to her singing has a way of making you focus on the lyrics. This song fills me with such a sense of nostalgia for something I don't know if I ever had. I love the way that the lyrics flow like a cool mountain stream off the tongue. Definitely one of my favourites. Her album Warriors is a pleasure to listen to, especially when you're a little bit stressed and need Lisa's beautiful voice to tell you everything will be okay.
Anywho, I hope you enjoyed your International Women's Day, ladies and gentlemen. Looking forward to what the next year brings in regards to gender equality and progressive societal changes towards acceptance, tolerance, and respect for all individuals, regardless of gender, creed, or colour.
Hey guys, although I just posted a hot minute ago, this is breaking news.
Whilst I was farting around on a new post, my one true musical bae, the beautiful and talented Grimes released this kick ass music video for 'Venus Fly' off of the album Art Angels a week ago. This music video features the gorgeous Janelle Monáe in a kick ass music video with the killer futuristic aesthetic that Grimes is known for. The song is definitely one of my favourites off the album. Which you can read more about in my post here.
Directed and edited by Grimes itself. The music video follows again in the same arc as the other Art Angels' videos. It continues the story of Grimes' angel through her downfall from grace. Absolutely incredible, it is worth the 7 minute watch. There is so much production value and art that has gone into this music video. It's got this distinct Grimes feel to it that makes you want to kick ass. The song has a killer bass, some fire violin solos, and an experimental electronic feel to it. It's a reminder that Grimes isn't afraid to challenge expectations; she isn't afraid to make music the way she wants to. You can hear this vibe throughout the whole Art Angels album, its incredible just how well the album tells a story and how even though each song has its individual sound, they mesh together perfectly. The electronic soundscape she creates goes beyond everything we had expected from her at that point. I am hoping and praying she takes this album on a global tour. What I would give to hear this song live.
So here is the music video, watch it and tell me just how much you love it as well.
Well, after a 4 month hiatus to get my life back on track in the final death throes of university, a new semester starts, with me as a post graduate. Ridiculous, right? I can't believe after 4 years I'm going back to do more. So, you know what that means? More blogging probably, as I procrastinate myself into oblivion, avoiding responsibilities forever more. I continue to maintain the illusion of productivity by putting pen to paper (fingers to keyboard, perhaps?)
Truth be told, I've been on the hunt for new music, something interesting but still freshly baked stuff I could introduce people to. I didn't want to be producing stale work, and as I was writing and looking for new music, the opportunity for the music to appear still 'new' passed and I was stuck cursing that I hadn't been quicker. I was also not listening to music as much, the much, for simply lack of time and lack of ability to concentrate on assignments when I had bangers playing in the background. But life is back on track again, and I have no found myself with an inordinate amount of spare time, and much like this blog post's song, I can't wait anymore.
Anymore - Goldfrapp
Oh man, how I've missed Goldfrapp and that delicious bass that seems to permeate your very core in every song. Goldfrapp is a London electronic duo that first appeared on the scene in 2000. Although their first albums did not chart well, it wasn't until the addition of a glitzy glam rock vibe in Supernature, their third album, did they start see success. 'Anymore' is the first track off their new album Silver Eye that is to be released some time this year. Although I haven't really heard much from Goldfrapp since their iconic 2006 album Supernature, I tried to approach this song with an open mind and heart, waiting for my soul to be filled once more with that amazing synth.
I'm going to be honest with you, I was really excited for this and I'm feeling kind of underwhelmed right now. Compared to the likes if 'Strict Machine' and 'Ooh La La' that we heard in Supernature, 'Anymore' has me feeling kind of flat. I just don't really understand this new direction that they're taking. It lacks soul, quite frankly its a bit boring. I would have preferred a faster beat, some more melodics, perhaps some more enthusiasm and love in that song. I don't know what I wanted to hear, maybe I wanted to revisit a reimagined 2006 Goldfrapp. If 'Anymore' is a taste of what we're going to expect for Silver Eye then I can totally understand why I haven't listened to Goldfrapp in 11 years.
The music video, although artsy and definitely trying to explore some avant garde film making styles, was quite cliche and white washed for my taste. The stunning back drop and the use of contemporary dance wasn't quite enough to save this song, I'm afraid. It was this pseudo artsy hipster bullshit that I started this blog for, and quite frankly I'm still happy there's enough of it around that I can write a critical blog every now and again like I used to do way back when I started.
Oh well, maybe Silver Eye will be better than I hope. Although, I'm not really counting on it.
Sorry, I kinda fell off the face of the Earth for a while there. Uni has been hectic with my last semester and I've kinda had about 3 mental breakdowns and enough tears have been shed to probably fill at least 1/5th of an Olympic swimming pool.
Buuuuuuttttt life update y'all. I'm nearly at the end of this degree, the end of which has been the most tumultuous months of my entire life. Coupled with writing work I have been doing on the way to getting published and becoming a pseudo-DJ for some pretty banging parties this year I can definitely feel that this blog has been helpful in some regards (for some reason this gives me credibility to do that??? Seriously guys? Are you sure???)
Although I have been listening to music, I really haven't been doing much else in terms of this blogging business. Meanwhile, all my other friends who are blogging around the place have really taken off with their work with sponsors and offers of collaborations. Whilst this makes me really proud, I feel as though I kinda really need to get my act together. To be honest I don't really feel that this blog will take me anywhere, but it's fun. And I feel I need something to show for all the new people I've met and told that I run a blog.
So let's get started.
Today I bring to you...
Starboy by The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk
You guys really need to get on these jams ASAP. You know how I feel about colabs, and how I absolutely adore them to bits and pieces. So this is no different.
Abél Tesfaye, also known as The Weeknd's new hit collaboration with Daft Punk has literally been all I've been listening to for the past weekend or so. The music video was released late last month and already has more than 62 million views on YouTube, along with his recent performance of the song on Saturday Night Live has shot this song onto everyone's summer playlists for 2016.
It's got this catchy chorus and a hot beat to it that sticks with you for a while after the song finishes. I think what I love the most about it is how the lyrics and the music video interacts with each other. I don't often spend a lot of time watching music videos (contrary to popular belief, seeing as though I blog about them a lot), however, I can appreciate well thought out symbolism and an intriguing story line that plays some emphasis on the artist's own personal life. I think what shocked everyone was the absence of that weird pineapple hairdo thing that The Weeknd is so well known for. Although, the symbolic removal of that, the "death" and "destruction" of the old Weeknd is symbolised through not only his hair but this smash new hit (Literally as he is pictured smashing through and destroying his own house as well as killing the old The Weeknd, but like I didn't want to bash you over the head with that symbolism, y'know?).
And seriously, its a sexy song. It's got that distinct Daft Punk feeling underlying with that heavy beat and the bass is coming in softly but nicely enough to let you sink into it and move your body to. The lyrics are all about opulence, of excess. I mean, who doesn't like hearing about the lifestyles of the rich and famous. From P1's to doing lines of cocaine on ebony tables, The Weeknd isn't just talking about what he gets up to on his days off. This song is about power. It's about saying how much better he is than us. His main b***h out of your league too, ah. His side b***h out of your league too, ah.
So as far as loving this song goes, lets just say I'm really digging it for my late night driving playlist. Just hoping one day I'll be able to do that in a red lamb just to tease you, ah.Not a reality, I know, because I'm just finishing university and I literally make less in a week than what The Weeknd probably spends on a pair of socks. So whatever, a girl can dream, yeah?
