New music, and music news!

**for the original post on my wordpress go here**

Admittedly, its been a while since my last post, but during that time I’ve been launching my other project Unsigned Cardiff so please do give it a follow if you’re a fan of unsigned/independent music.

A lot has happened on my music radar this week, so I’ll start with some new songs:

Walk the Moon – Different Colors

Walk the Moon made their comeback in September with Shut Up + Dance, along with a new album announcement. Now, they’ve released a second song. Gloriously upbeat and insanely catchy, Different Colors strengthens the path Shut Up + Dance has set up – if you’re not excited for the release of Talking is Hard, then there is something wrong.

Charli XCX – Gold Coins

After pushing back the release of her second album, Sucker, Charli isn’t leaving her fans completely high and dry and is instead dripping the album to us slowly. It’s certainly a different direction to True Romance, less synth pop, but no less catchy.

Taylor Swift – Blank Space

So not as recently as the other tracks, but in Taylor’s most recent release she gets, well, a bit crazy – and everyone loves it. Taylor’s venture into pop music really suits her. Even crying mascara face suits her. Some people are just fortunate (and good musicians).

Now moving on to music news:

• Band Aid 30 got released in aid of ebola. It’s not terrible, but perhaps a new song should have been written. Some of the lyric swaps are questionable to say the least.
• Paramore announced they’ll be re-releasing Paramore as a deluxe album, which will include a collab with Joy Williams (Civil Wars). I was hoping for a new album, but I’ll happily take what I’m given…
• and finally, Muse are set to headline Download Fest. Bit weird – I expected to see them at somewhere like Reading and Leeds, but there you go

Absence

   I've had exams over the past few weeks, so I've been revising hard and didn't have any time to blog. But, now that they're over, I'm hoping to start posting 1 or 2 a week. I've also been considering moving to wordpress, because it seems to be a wider known blogging site and therefore might mean that my blog will reach a wider audience. If I do move, it'll be posted on here.

   Obviously, I've had little time to really write anything. So, instead, I'll give my top 10 songs I've been revising to over the past few weeks.

1. Death Cab for Cutie - A Lack of Color. This song is perfect for starting revision as it's so calming - the slow tempo and Ben Gibbard's soothing vocals are a sure fire remedy to revision stress and panic.
2. Cash Cash ft. Bebe Rexha - Take Me Home (acoustic). This song is so catchy and I love Bebe Rexha, but personally when I revise club tracks are a no. Solution? The acoustic version. It still carries the same energy but a little more subdued and not too distracting.
3. Panic! at the Disco - This is Gospel. I love revising to this song, because it's the perfect mixture of Vices & Virtues and their newer, more electronic sound. It's upbeat and shows off Brendon Urie's amazing vocal range.
4. VersaEmerge - Your Own Lov.e. As you can probably gather, I'm a real sucker for strong vocalists with a kick-ass range, and this song offer's just that in Sierra Kay's voice, but with the added softness of Blake Harnage's allowing the track to really balance out.
5. Paramore - Ain't It Fun. I'm not sure whether 'motivational' is exactly the right word for this song, but it certainly got me working. It's catchy without being obtrusive (i.e, I only caught myself singing along to it once or twice instead of revising...)
6. Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX - Fancy. I love this song. I find it strangely empowering and positive, perfect for getting into revision mode. Also Iggy Azalea is a really talented and diverse artist.
7. Lights - Peace Sign. Like 'Fancy', I find this song positive(ish) and it's upbeat. I can't get enough of Lights' sound as I find incredibly unique. I could happily listen to this song over and over and not get bored.
8. Deaf Havana - Boston Square. I find this song very familiar, and it brings back memories of seeing Deaf Havana live which I thoroughly enjoyed, so it automatically puts me in a happier and more positive place.
9. Chvrches - Mother We Share. I've only recently got into Chvrches, and their electronic, futuristic sound mixed with Lauren Mayberry's voice is a perfect combination. The verses build up to the chorus and keep me awake and engaged.
10. Charli XCX - Nuclear Seasons. Another oddly motivational one. Charli's sound is so unlike most other electronic artists which gives her a bit more of an edge. To be honest, all of True Romance is great for me to revise to, but this is my favourite track off the album.

   I think everyone revises to different things, so this isn't what you should revise to, just what I have found works for me. I owe a huge thanks to all of the artists that have made revision just that bit less tedious.

Ones To Watch: Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha

   You've heard chart chart hits 'The Monster' and 'I Love It', but what about the artists behind them?

   Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha have both taken the charts by storm recently - and a lot of people don't even know it. Both are credited writers on major hits originally meant for themselves, and now it's their time to shine.

   2013 saw a number 1 for Charli XCX and a support slot on Paramore's massive UK arena tour, playing to over around 50,000 fans in total. 2014 is certainly going to be her year to shine. After releasing her debut album True Romance a year ago, Charli XCX is no stranger to the music industry and has since been asked to write for Britney Spears and wrote a track with Marina and the Diamonds (listen here). She has been writing music since she was 14, and this year she's finding her place in music.

   This week, Iggy Azalea's new track 'Fancy' dropped, featuring Charli XCX, and reached number 5 in the midweek charts. The track is bound to be a huge success, and get Charli wider known ready for the release of her second album (due this year!). You can download SuperLove now for a taste of what's to come and listen to Boom Clap here - a track on The Fault in Our Stars soundtrack, where she'll be alongside the likes of Ed Sheeran and Birdy. Both tracks have all the good features of pop with an added electro twist, making them both catchy and refreshingly different. 

   Formerly lead vocals of Pete Wentz's project Black Cards, Bebe Rexha has since written for Selena Gomez and now Eminem. She has also worked with some huge names in music, and had a lot of experience touring and writing. Although Black Cards seems to be Rexha's big break into music, like Charli she's been passionate about it from a young age. Last year she posted a number of acoustic covers on her youtube and soundcloud, showing her diversity and amazing voice.

   It comes as no surprise, therefore, that Rexha is now embarking on her own solo project. After featuring on Cash Cash's single 'Take Me Home', which has since received a lot of airplay on the radio, she is due to release her first single 'I Can't Stop Drinking About You' which you can listen to here. With a catchy beat and a drop that'll make anyone move, this track is bound to make it huge. Rexha's unique vocals add new depth, not to mention her kick-ass range (I highly recommend watching some of her live performances on youtube). With the right promotion, I'm sure she'll be gracing the charts very soon.

   So what are you waiting for? Check these ladies out, as I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot more about them very soon!