So I'm finally writing again as you have so smartly noticed! Quite a few albums as well as singles, have been released by a few of my favourite bands so I thought I would share them with you guys!
Okay, so first up is Swim Deep's 'Where the Heaven Are We?' released 5th August 2013. This album is rapidly becoming my top summer album simply because of the sedating tunes and Nirvana-esque appeal of the band. The Birmingham based indie band, having first formed in 2011 and releasing their first single 'King City', went on to perform with up-and-coming band from London who go by the name of Spector (we love 'em) and are now performing in festivals all across the UK. The album features sombre tones such as 'Soul Tripping', which is a perfect song to lie on a sandy beach and just click repeat. Swim Deep are great, but if you were like me a year ago and hadn't heard of them before, I would recommend listening to 'Honey', simply because it's a fun, bouncy tune to have a bit of a jive to. (I apologise for the use of the word 'jive') Their debut album is already set for a top 10 album in the Official Albums Chart. Bearing in mind, this is risky territory with the likes of Miley Cyrus and other mainstream artists. If this band reaches an influx in popularity, their old fans could drift away.
Music Bloggery Recommends: 'King City', 'Honey', 'Soul Trippin'
-x-
Next up, it's another British band, White Lies and their third studio album, 'Big TV', releasing just today in the UK! (12th August 2013) This band is one of my favourites and has been since the release of their first single 'To Lose My Life' (if you haven't listened to it, do so now!). White Lies have always reminded me of Joy Division, as they've got that depressing, eerie mood about them. After releasing their first single from the album via SoundCloud for a free download ('Getting Even), they released short clips of various songs being played by different members of the band on YouTube in order to promote the album. We can only wait and see if this will be as successful as the last. So far it has received mixed reviews. Ben Beaumont-Thomas says 'First Time Caller' uses 'overwrought metaphors' and that 'dumb lyrics can be mitigated by robust anthems' If you're interested in the band, have a listen to the album and tell us what you think!
Music Bloggery Recommends: 'Big TV', 'First Time Caller', 'There Goes Our Love Again' (if you want to listen to their older stuff, we recommend listening to 'To Lose My Life' and 'Farewell to the Fairground')
-x-
Next up is Panic! At
The Disco! This quirky band led by frontman Brendon Urie is back with a
fierce single called 'Miss Jackson'. I don't know if this is the same
Miss Jackson as Outcast sing about, but it's pretty good nonetheless.
When I first heard this track I was a bit confused as to what style the
band is now as they raked in the fans with their unique style but now they're becoming a little generic. If you have a look at most of the comments on their new videos (their newest release being 'This Is Gospel'), you'll see most people agree that they're sounding more like Fall Out Boy, and I'm afraid I have to agree. For me, Miss Jackson lacks the witty lyricism and fun style that I've come to love of the band.I think the fact that the other two band members left, they've become a little different. We've posted the video below, have a look and tell us what you think!
This page will be frequently updated throughout the summer to give you more updates so as much as I hate saying it, watch this space!
Coldplay are a Grammy award winning British indie band, forming in University College London by
lead guitarist Jonny Buckland and frontman Chris Martin in 1996. The band introduced themselves to the world with the release of their debut album 'Parachutes' (2000). It was in this album that they then released the song that would make them one of the most popular bands in the world - 'Yellow'.
Their new album however, Mylo Xyloto (pronounced my-low zye-low-toe) is anything far from yellow. Its colourful album art summarises the whole theme and tone of the album itself. Songs like 'Don't Let It Break Your Heart' and 'Hurts Like Heaven' feature beautiful melodies and hooks that are synonymous of Coldplay. Part of the reason I personally love this album is because a new story is unraveled for each new song. Chris Martin explained how he and the band wanted a more cheerful theme on this album, and despite a few exceptions, this is completely true. 'Up In Flames' is the only exception to this, and I believe that it just might be the new 'The Scientist'. The song has an extremely simplistic harmony yet it works ever so well, especially when combined with Martin's reassuring, calming voice.
My undeniable favourite song on this album HAS to be 'Paradise'. After listening to it just once, you're hooked and you want more. The chorus is incredibly catchy, and the background harmonies have you reaching for the play button once again. Another reason why this song is my personal favourite is because of the deep meaning - it can be interpreted in so many ways, and it's such a beautiful meaning. 'When she was just a girl, she expected the world, but it flew away from her reach, so she ran away in her sleep, and dreamed of para-para-paradise.' Like I said before, a new story is unraveled, and it's done in such a beautiful way. Mat Whitecross, the director of the 'Paradise' music video has created such a great concept and idea and constructed it so well. It is definitely a must watch! (See link below)
Now I know some of you may dislike Coldplay because they're TOO 'middle class' (by the term middle class, I mean they can come across quite posh, rich and snobby to some) and uppity since Martin married Paltrow, but haven't they always been middle class? If you watch the music video for 'Yellow' you'll see they are quite middle class, although they don't show it immediately. Many people hate Martin for his donations to society and helping the less fortunate as they see it as his way of being pretentious, but if you look deeper, you'll realise that Martin is so humble and genuinely helping the less fortunate. If a person is doing a good deed, why should they be judged for it?
Coming back from my tangent, although I may seem as if I worship this album, I do not. The reason I have awarded this album only 4/5 musicos is because it lacks something for me. There is some sort of void that is not being filled. Their previous 2008 release, 'Viva La Vida and Death To All His Friends' was a truly amazing album, which seemed to have perfected and mastered all aspects of music. Mylo Xyloto however, seems to lack the Coldplay touch whatever 'it' is. It seems somewhat of an experimental album. Of course, that is no crime, but if you're leaving your fans waiting for the best part of 3 years, you should give them a little more worth waiting for. Songs such as 'Princess of China' are good, but the fact that they've featured Rhianna in the song speaks for itself. They're not content with having their worldwide indie fanbase and being one of the most popular bands in the world, they want to get even more of a mainstream fanbase. Yes, Coldplay have always been mainstream, but they weren't trying to be - the masses just loved their music! Now, it seems almost as if they know they are and don't really care. Correct me if I'm wrong - feel free to leave a comment.
If you're a new Coldplay-er I recommend listening to 'The Scientist', 'Viva La Vida', 'Yellow' and 'Fix You'.
Angeli recommends: 'Paradise', 'Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall', 'Hurts Like Heaven', 'Up In Flames', 'Don't Let It Break Your Heart'
