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

Summer Songs

*original post on my wordpress here*

I find that there are always certain songs that remind me of summer, whether I associate them with a memory, or just because they're feel-good. These are my top 10 I listen to pretty much every summer. Why? Because I do.

1. JET - Are You Gonna Be My Girl. This is certainly a favourite in my family. I can't count the amount of journeys we've made when this has been on the playlist. It's catchy, upbeat and great to sing along to.
2. Belle Histoire - Stay Awhile. I discovered Belle Histoire a good few years ago now, and this has to be my favourite of their songs. It's sweet and chirpy, just like summer should be, which is why I always listen to it to get myself in a good mood.
3. Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent. Although I'm a firm believer that their first album is their best, this track is perfect for summer. Dangerously close to being a little poppy, very few people have never heard this track, so it's great for groups of people.
4. Paramore - For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic. My favourite track off Riot! by far. Despite the seemingly negative subject matter, the track itself is super upbeat with a pop beat that's great for summer dancing (or, if you're me, jumping around like someone possessed. What can I say. I was gifted with two left feet).
5. You Me at Six - Save It For The Bedroom. This song makes me feel 15 again, and reminds me of all the summers I'd sit in my best friend's room and waste time on youtube or trying to get our friends together for a barbecue that never happened. Nostalgia in a song.
6. Muse - Starlight. To be honest, almost anything off Black Holes & Revelations I associate with summer, but this is probably the one track I can put on at a barbecue that everyone will know. Off what is arguably Muse's best album, it a perfectly positive summer track.
7. Hey Monday - How You Love Me Now. Another song that reminds me of my teenage years. It was one of the first songs I tried learning on guitar and I always play it in summer. It just about defines pop rock, with Cassadee Pope's vocals suiting the genre down to a T.
8. Away We Go! - City of Sin, With a Twist of Tulips. I could never really place my finger on what I liked about Away We Go! They're definitely strong pop rock, but Ray's unique vocals always brought something different to the table for me.
9. The Killers - Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll. Does what it says in the title - I suppose Mr Brightside would have been a more obvious choice, but this song is both relaxing and very summery.
10. Razorlight - Stumble and Fall. Another car playlist appearance. Or, if you're my Dad, you put on Up All Night but only end up playing this song on repeat. It's upbeat, positive, and (take it from me) very catchy indeed!

**next week's blog will be Thursday**

REVIEW: Muse – The 2nd Law

   13 years after their first album, Showbiz, and Muse have just dropped their eagerly anticipated 6^th studio album.

   It has definitely been a long journey for the Devonshire rock band, who have been recording for almost a year. Following the slight over-ambitiousness of The Resistance, which failed to meet expectations due to its seeming over experimentation, it seemed the trio would have their work cut out to produce something new and exciting, but still most importantly them. Although, it seems they’ve succeeded in conquering any fears of producing a low-achieving album.

   After the arguably disappointing release of the Olympic song Survival, which disappointed many fans, expectations of the new album were waning. However, after many teasers which seemed to include dubstep-esque guitar effects, Muse have certainly created a masterpiece which reflects both their growth as a band and their ability to keep with the times.

   Opening track, Supremacy, has echoes of previous albums, embodying the core of what Muse are about. Following tracks, however, especially Madness and Follow Me, clearly show the band’s new direction, so to speak, with a more modern edge which sets the album up for inevitable greatness.

   The most surprising tracks, however, disregarding the final two, are Save Me and Liquid State, which feature lead vocals from bassist, Chris Wolstenholme. Not only do these tracks offer variation from Matt Bellamy’s cutting vocals to the more mellow tones of Wolstenholme, but also re-affirm that this band is made purely of talent.

   The album closes with two very dubstep based tracks, which can only be listened to in one way: loudly. They successfully capture the energy of the album overall, bringing it firmly into 2012.