Recommended by Bex:
Who can resist Ariana shaking her thing in a Christmas onesie, anyway? Not me. Here's to a happy 2015.
Wednesday, 24 December 2014
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Azealia Banks - Broke with Expensive Taste
Recommended by Bex:
After some PR missteps and label shenanigans, Azealia's debut LP finally surfaced in November. It takes you on a weird (in a good way) journey through a spectrum of various sounds and genres - from Caribbean and Spanish flavors to deep house, from pop to hip hop.
She delves into many styles and is fearless when it comes to her versatility as an artist. People can hate on her all they want, but if Azealia Banks continues to put out music like this, she won't have to worry about what her critics say. The standout album of 2014.
After some PR missteps and label shenanigans, Azealia's debut LP finally surfaced in November. It takes you on a weird (in a good way) journey through a spectrum of various sounds and genres - from Caribbean and Spanish flavors to deep house, from pop to hip hop.
She delves into many styles and is fearless when it comes to her versatility as an artist. People can hate on her all they want, but if Azealia Banks continues to put out music like this, she won't have to worry about what her critics say. The standout album of 2014.
Sunday, 7 December 2014
Taylor Swift - 1989
Recommended by Bex:
The title of an Amazon review says it all for me: 'Will have to play this 1989 times before I get bored of it. Album of the year!'. Taylor has fully transitioned from country to pop, and is a force to be reckoned with.
She wrote and helped to produce all of the songs here, which makes it feel like you're reading her diary. The songs are insightful and fun. The voice memos on the deluxe ('Blank Space', 'I Wish You Would', 'I Know Places'), in particular, give a nice insight into her songwriting.
Here's Taylor, on what looks to be the same NY ferry I took:
The title of an Amazon review says it all for me: 'Will have to play this 1989 times before I get bored of it. Album of the year!'. Taylor has fully transitioned from country to pop, and is a force to be reckoned with.
She wrote and helped to produce all of the songs here, which makes it feel like you're reading her diary. The songs are insightful and fun. The voice memos on the deluxe ('Blank Space', 'I Wish You Would', 'I Know Places'), in particular, give a nice insight into her songwriting.
Here's Taylor, on what looks to be the same NY ferry I took:
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
Iggy Azalea - Reclassified
Recommended by Bex:
Iggy Azalea, whose real name I just discovered to be Amethyst Amelia Kelly, is a sweetheart when interviewed. For this reason, I've remained fascinated by how opposing her musical style is. Plus, 'Problem' was my summer anthem and really gained momentum here in the UK.
Reclassified is essentially a repackaging of the debut LP The New Classic. It features five new songs, a selection of tracks from the former release, and is substantially more cohesive than her first attempt.
Azalea was recently nominated for six American Music Awards – the most of anyone - including 'Artist of the Year' and 'Single of the Year'.
Iggy Azalea, whose real name I just discovered to be Amethyst Amelia Kelly, is a sweetheart when interviewed. For this reason, I've remained fascinated by how opposing her musical style is. Plus, 'Problem' was my summer anthem and really gained momentum here in the UK.
Reclassified is essentially a repackaging of the debut LP The New Classic. It features five new songs, a selection of tracks from the former release, and is substantially more cohesive than her first attempt.
Azalea was recently nominated for six American Music Awards – the most of anyone - including 'Artist of the Year' and 'Single of the Year'.
Friday, 29 August 2014
Ariana Grande - My Everything
Recommended by Bex:
Ariana Grande is a multi-talented, hard-working young girl, trying to find a place in the entertainment business. Critics compare her to greats like Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey, I agree such comparison is justified.
Pop stars have a tendency to shed their clean-cut image, and alienate in the process; the positive image that Ariana fostes seems proof of her good intentions. The follow-up to last year's Yours Truly mixes several genres, appealing to many listeners and showcasing her vocal range.
Ariana Grande is a multi-talented, hard-working young girl, trying to find a place in the entertainment business. Critics compare her to greats like Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey, I agree such comparison is justified.
Pop stars have a tendency to shed their clean-cut image, and alienate in the process; the positive image that Ariana fostes seems proof of her good intentions. The follow-up to last year's Yours Truly mixes several genres, appealing to many listeners and showcasing her vocal range.
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Ed Sheeran - x (Multiply)
Recommended by Bex:
Never an artist to stand still, Ed recorded x at various locations around the globe, drawing on the experiences and influences encountered. He worked with such luminary producers as Rick Rubin (Eminem, Red Hot Chilli Peppers), Pharrell Williams (Daft Punk, N.E.R.D), Benny Blanco (Rhianna, Wiz Khalifa) and Jeff Bhasker (Alicia Keys, Jay-Z).
This new work showcases Ed's growth as an artist, who at 23 exhibits the poise of a seasoned veteran. Ed says: 'I'm really proud of my new album and can't wait for people to hear it ... It's definitely my best work.'
Never an artist to stand still, Ed recorded x at various locations around the globe, drawing on the experiences and influences encountered. He worked with such luminary producers as Rick Rubin (Eminem, Red Hot Chilli Peppers), Pharrell Williams (Daft Punk, N.E.R.D), Benny Blanco (Rhianna, Wiz Khalifa) and Jeff Bhasker (Alicia Keys, Jay-Z).
This new work showcases Ed's growth as an artist, who at 23 exhibits the poise of a seasoned veteran. Ed says: 'I'm really proud of my new album and can't wait for people to hear it ... It's definitely my best work.'
Thursday, 14 August 2014
Post-Beatles - The Black Album
Recommended by Bex:
If you're at all a fan of the Beatles, or even contemporary pop music, chances are you've made this mixtape-like album on your own at some point in your life. The Beatles released twelve classic, must-own albums: almost everything from A Hard Day's Night through to Let It Be.
After their break-up in 1970, they also had a rich life of solo albums (admittedly some were patchy). The greatest of them all is probably George Harrison's amazing and undersung double album All Things Must Pass. Ringo Starr's Ringo (which features some great co-writing from Lennon and Harrison) has some classic cuts on it, while Paul McCartney has McCartney, Ram and a few notable albums with Wings.
One of the great things about Richard Linklater's film Boyhood is how it reflects many aspects of life and, in this case, passing down musical taste from generation to generation. The full tracklist is given on Buzzfeed.
If you're at all a fan of the Beatles, or even contemporary pop music, chances are you've made this mixtape-like album on your own at some point in your life. The Beatles released twelve classic, must-own albums: almost everything from A Hard Day's Night through to Let It Be.
After their break-up in 1970, they also had a rich life of solo albums (admittedly some were patchy). The greatest of them all is probably George Harrison's amazing and undersung double album All Things Must Pass. Ringo Starr's Ringo (which features some great co-writing from Lennon and Harrison) has some classic cuts on it, while Paul McCartney has McCartney, Ram and a few notable albums with Wings.
One of the great things about Richard Linklater's film Boyhood is how it reflects many aspects of life and, in this case, passing down musical taste from generation to generation. The full tracklist is given on Buzzfeed.
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