EXAMS ARE DONE. EXAMS ARE DONE.
EXAMS ARE DONE.
And thus...the summer playlist begins! I've been compiling this for around a month now, and I think it's pretty much ready for the summer.
Find the full playlist here, on Spotify.
So here are my top 20 songs on the playlist (there's currently almost 100 in total.) Some new, some old, some classic summer tracks...and slipped in some artists which I'll be viewing and reviewing this summer.
But they're all equally summery and perfect for roadtrips, lying back in the grass and pool parties. Here's to the sun, the sea, and the summer that lies ahead! I hope to be posting more summer groups of songs as time goes on.
1. The Barr Brothers ~ Come in the Water
As I reviewed it- a spectacularly calm and peaceful song. Listen to 'Love Ain't Enough' and 'Even the Darkness has Arms' too.
2. Empire of the Sun ~ We Are The People {Shazam Remix}
One of my favourite europop-sounding songs...as dancey as it gets. I only heard this mix for the first time in Forever 21 in April. Inexplicably loved it.
3. The Decemberists ~ Calvary Captain
Folk, motivation...
4. Looper ~ Mondo '77
As reviewed, motivational, driving, powerful.
5. Kendrick Lamar ~ For Free? {Interlude}
Usually I'm not a fan of this, but this really is fantastic. Sort of like modern day rap mixed with crazy bop. Heavy jazz influenced album overall.
6. Tame Impala ~ Let It Happen
Early electronic influence. The use of stops in the centre section is phenomenal! Lucky enough to see these guys at End of the Road this year.
7. Future Islands ~ Doves {Vince Clarke Remix}
Clean, bright piano, deep vocal...End of the Road bound!
8. Sugar ~ If I Can't Change Your Mind
Acoustic strumming heavy, harmony heavy, adoration heavy.
9. Talking Heads ~ This Must Be The Place
Forever the number one 'Good Day' track.
10. Tennyson ~ Lay By
A chilled track based off a car alarm.
11. Fleetwood Mac ~ Never Goin' Back Again
The Isle of Wight headliners!
12. Nadine Shah ~ Stealing Cars
What an incredibly deep, toned voice. Newly-added female idol.
13. Songhoy Blues ~ Soubour
Desert driving feel.
14. Rhye ~ The Fall
Piano line drives it. Sad, but hopeful.
15. R.E.M ~ Nightswimming
The song which talks about nothing BUT creating summer memories. Let's create an inception of memories created to the sound of this track.
16. The War On Drugs ~ Red Eyes
End of the Road headliners, happiest song.
17. Peter Broderick ~ And It's Alright
The ultimate song of peace and reassurance.
18. Young Fathers ~ GET UP
GET UP AND HAVE A PARTY.
19. Shuggie Otis ~ Strawberry Letter 23
Glockenspiel?
20. Bombay Bicycle Club ~ How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep
A Summer Playlist is not a Summer Playlist for me without this one magical track.
Who is READY for a summer full of music discovery, of live music, of sharing music...I definitely am.
And can I just say, to whoever at Edexcel who chose the tracks for the AS Music Technology exam...you are my GOD. What a way to exit my exams with a bang.
(Giorgio By Moroder by Daft Punk, Left to my Own Devices by Pet Shop Boys, Only You by Portishead, Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor by Arctic Monkeys, What's Goin On by Marvin Gaye, Flower People by Spinal Tap... INCREDIBLE. ON FIRE.)
Happy beginning of summer! We're far from the summer holidays but they're getting closer...
Have a good weekend!
-Ella
Friday, 22 May 2015
Monday, 27 April 2015
SOTW: Come in the Water ~ The Barr Brothers
There's chill- and then there's...
Song of the Week - Come in the Water by the Barr Brothers
I finally bought 'Sleeping Operator' last week after seeing the Barr Brothers at End of the Road last year and absolutely loving them and the ambiance they created so effortlessly on the Woods Stage. Listening through the album, I have three firm favourites, this being one of them.
Starting off with a very acoustic, light, very relaxed and gentle feel, this song does the 'Barr Brothers-y' develop into an atmospheric, ambient chorus with power and feeling. They've achieved successful use of a harp (this is rare, folks!) - so major kudos to Sarah Pagé who is 'harping' so beautifully.
The Barr Brothers' songs are often so atmospheric that you can't differentiate between the range of instruments they use- as they all work in perfect harmony, creating an enclosure of sound. It's hard to comment on specific things as with this band, it's all about the gorgeous sound and mood they create together. But still, I'm a massive fan of the added organ line, piano and guitar line (and its tone).
The Barr Brothers are a Canadian band who predominantly play folk- and yes, there are a set of brothers in the band. 'Sleeping Operator', which features this track, is their second album- and I can highly recommend it. Buy it here on Amazon.
I was so impressed when I stumbled across them last year- and they fitted the festival perfectly, particularly for an afternoon of basking in the sun. Seriously- if you see them on any of your line-ups this year, you should definitely check them out- they won't disappoint.
As always, hear it here, on YouTube (a live version!):
On Spotify here.
And on Soundcloud here.
Other great tracks on the album are 'Love Ain't Enough' and 'Even the Darkness has Arms'- give them a listen, too! I hope to perhaps review the album over the next few weeks.
Ciao!
-Ella
Song of the Week - Come in the Water by the Barr Brothers
I finally bought 'Sleeping Operator' last week after seeing the Barr Brothers at End of the Road last year and absolutely loving them and the ambiance they created so effortlessly on the Woods Stage. Listening through the album, I have three firm favourites, this being one of them.
Starting off with a very acoustic, light, very relaxed and gentle feel, this song does the 'Barr Brothers-y' develop into an atmospheric, ambient chorus with power and feeling. They've achieved successful use of a harp (this is rare, folks!) - so major kudos to Sarah Pagé who is 'harping' so beautifully.
The Barr Brothers' songs are often so atmospheric that you can't differentiate between the range of instruments they use- as they all work in perfect harmony, creating an enclosure of sound. It's hard to comment on specific things as with this band, it's all about the gorgeous sound and mood they create together. But still, I'm a massive fan of the added organ line, piano and guitar line (and its tone).
The Barr Brothers are a Canadian band who predominantly play folk- and yes, there are a set of brothers in the band. 'Sleeping Operator', which features this track, is their second album- and I can highly recommend it. Buy it here on Amazon.
I was so impressed when I stumbled across them last year- and they fitted the festival perfectly, particularly for an afternoon of basking in the sun. Seriously- if you see them on any of your line-ups this year, you should definitely check them out- they won't disappoint.
As always, hear it here, on YouTube (a live version!):
On Spotify here.
And on Soundcloud here.
Other great tracks on the album are 'Love Ain't Enough' and 'Even the Darkness has Arms'- give them a listen, too! I hope to perhaps review the album over the next few weeks.
Ciao!
-Ella
Sunday, 19 April 2015
SOTW (for exam time!) : Same Jeans ~ The View
Hello y'all-
So when you look in the mirror
Reflecting back at you someone that you don't know...
Life sometimes makes your head spin around
So get yourself together
Get your feet back on the ground...
Song of the Week ~ Same Jeans by the View
It's almost May. Exams are fast approaching. One by one, we're beginning to fall apart, resulting in each of us respectively experiencing the annual 'complete mental breakdown'. Mentally- it's fair to say we're feeling considerably less stable than usual.
If this sounds somehow relevant to you- this is the song for you.
Days upon days of revision often mean wearing the same clothes. I've been wearing the same pair of leggings for about 3 days. I would very much like like to hit the disco in the middle of town- and I probably would if there was a disco near me...I am the master procrastinator.
This song makes your life falling apart seem so much more positive- because in the end, all you can do is pick yourself back up and stabilise yourself, and then push on.
A great chord progression, fitting guitar tone and timbre. This song really does have an ongoing, limitless feel that seems to fit the lyrics perfectly. I can hardly believe it's three and a half minutes long because it feels like so much more (and in a good way.)
The View have been around a little while now, in their tenth year. Originating from Scotland, their biggest hit is arguably 'Same Jeans', which reached number 3 in the UK charts in 2007. Their most recent single is 'Marriage', released in March.
The View are at Isle of Wight festival this year, and I promise to view (ha) and review (ha) the gig, with some luck. I'll also try to get a bit on camera. Whilst they play this song though, I'll probably be in an extremely happy place beyond anything or any limits.
Listen to the song here:
On Spotify here.
And no Soundcloud link this week...unfortunately there is no sign of it on there (apart from covers of it.)
'My mind's not perfect but it's sincere.'
I'm going to go change my leggings.
Have a good week!
-Ella
So when you look in the mirror
Reflecting back at you someone that you don't know...
Life sometimes makes your head spin around
So get yourself together
Get your feet back on the ground...
Song of the Week ~ Same Jeans by the View
It's almost May. Exams are fast approaching. One by one, we're beginning to fall apart, resulting in each of us respectively experiencing the annual 'complete mental breakdown'. Mentally- it's fair to say we're feeling considerably less stable than usual.
If this sounds somehow relevant to you- this is the song for you.
Days upon days of revision often mean wearing the same clothes. I've been wearing the same pair of leggings for about 3 days. I would very much like like to hit the disco in the middle of town- and I probably would if there was a disco near me...I am the master procrastinator.
This song makes your life falling apart seem so much more positive- because in the end, all you can do is pick yourself back up and stabilise yourself, and then push on.
A great chord progression, fitting guitar tone and timbre. This song really does have an ongoing, limitless feel that seems to fit the lyrics perfectly. I can hardly believe it's three and a half minutes long because it feels like so much more (and in a good way.)
The View have been around a little while now, in their tenth year. Originating from Scotland, their biggest hit is arguably 'Same Jeans', which reached number 3 in the UK charts in 2007. Their most recent single is 'Marriage', released in March.
The View are at Isle of Wight festival this year, and I promise to view (ha) and review (ha) the gig, with some luck. I'll also try to get a bit on camera. Whilst they play this song though, I'll probably be in an extremely happy place beyond anything or any limits.
Listen to the song here:
On Spotify here.
And no Soundcloud link this week...unfortunately there is no sign of it on there (apart from covers of it.)
'My mind's not perfect but it's sincere.'
I'm going to go change my leggings.
Have a good week!
-Ella
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)