New Music: Paramore

   3 years after the Farro brothers' departure, and Paramore are firmly back on the music scene. 

   Following 'The Singles' in 2011, the band continually dropped hints towards the progress of the new album which was finally announced in December 2012. The fourth album from the band, self titled 'Paramore', is due to land in April this year and will be the first record from Hayley, Taylor and Jeremy as a trio. With much anticipation from all the fans (myself included), the band's first single off the album was released today and certainly did not disappoint.

   Admittedly, I was expecting something completely different from the three of them. After all, the band's dynamic has changed and they've recently hinted at more of a pop sound in an interview. The introduction sounded like just this, so I was a little uncertain of the rest. However, the moment the song kicks into the first verse there's no question this is still Paramore. Yes, the song does sound a little more pop than, say, the days of All We Know Is Falling, but it still has the punk-rock edge Paramore have harnessed over the years. 

   The chorus, without a doubt, is simple yet incredibly catchy, appealing to a wider audience. However, the song as a whole to any avid fan shows how the band have returned from their time off and are certainly here to stay, only building on anticipation to see how the video has turned out, and for the album's release.

   It's still Paramore, just newer with a recognisable bass part. They've grown as a band, and personally I can't wait for all 17 tracks of the album.

The '2 4 6 8' Menu: Possibly the Best Concept Since Wetherspoons

   Everyone likes value for money. That is, especially students. Since College, Wetherspoons has been the number one calling place for food when I'm either eating out with friends or family (feeding a family of 5 cheaply is not easy). However, as much as you can appreciate the value of somewhere, going there too much gets repetitive to such a point where I can honestly say I am fed up of Wetherspoons.

   So, in order to vary it up, you try somewhere new, right? But all the while you don't think anywhere will be as cheap as 'Spoons. Or at least, that's what I thought, until I ran into the 2 4 6 8 concept at The Booth Hall in Hereford. To break it down, it is exactly how it sounds: 4 menus, each priced at either £2, £4, £6 or £8 for any item off that menu. Admittedly, I saw this and had low expectations - it just seemed too good to be true, but I was wrong. The 4, 6 and 8 menus all come with chips, a portion of which being only £1.50 so chips plus a £2 menu meal still comes to a very affordable price. The whole thing is packed full of value, and the portion sizes match that of Wetherspoons, sometimes even bigger.

   How this idea has not yet caught on and become as big as 'Spoons is a mystery. Reasonably priced, good food and a menu with a lot of variety? Yes, please. This is value for money at its finest.