REVIEW: Coasts - Oceans EP

**Original post on my wordpress here**

   I came across Coasts after they followed me on twitter. Admittedly, I don’t normally check out many bands I get randomly followed by – mostly I don’t have the time – but this time I’m glad a did. A quick google told me the quintet hail from Bristol, and the EP itself was released at the end of May. It opens with ‘Oceans’ which starts deceptively slow, picking up pace until hitting the first chorus. There is certainly an indie vibe throughout the EP, and this track opens it perfectly. Deposited the changes in pace, the track flows without jarring and gives the vocals a chance to shine without distracting from the overall feel of all the instruments coming together.

   ‘Tonight’ has a sort of Two Door Cinema Club feel in the intro. Slightly more mellow than ‘Oceans’, this track is great for just chilling out to. In fact, the whole EP feels like it was written for festivals in the height of summer. The slightly more electronic sound adds another depth to it and gives the band a slight edge over a lot of indie bands with similar sounds. This diversity carries through to ‘Golden City’, another slow starter giving the keys a chance to shine this time as the guitars slightly more of a back seat until around the minute mark. The lyrics match the tempo of the song giving it a wholesome feel blending nicely as the track progresses. It also shows a slightly experimental side of the band with the effects used towards the end, implying that when Coasts release a full length it’ll have a lot to offer.

   The final song (excluding the two remixes) ‘See How’ gives way to softer vocals in the intro. Each track seems to emphasise different parts of the band, and altogether show a complete and rounded view of them. Despite the seemingly mellow lyrics, the track develops instrumentally into something deceptively upbeat. Though the EP works well in its studio form, it is definitely made for live performances. Even the slower tracks have an energy in them that’d be enough to win over any audience. I imagine their live shows would be well worth seeing – Coasts have a tour coming up in September which you can buy tickets for here, and you can get the EP here. It’s well worth the mere £2.99!

New Music: Pvris

**Original post over on my wordpress here.

   Massachusetts three piece are set to make their mark this year in the alternative rock genre. Their debut EP (available here) was released last year containing 5 songs from the band and giving listeners an idea of their sound. The EP opens with 'Demon Limbs', and show the bands solid sound and strong instrumental tones. The guitars show how skilled the band are with their instruments, giving the EP a more mainstream metal vibe that will appeal to a larger audience. Lynn Gunn's vocals are like a mixture between Mindy White (Lydia/States) with all the raw grittiness of Lzzy Hale (Halestorm). The instrumentals perfectly gel with Gunn's vocals, all providing a kick of their own. All five tracks have the same strong tones that give the band a fresh sound, separating them from the female fronted cliché that they must be 'like Paramore' for having a female lead.

   

   The thoroughness of their sound even hits the lyrics, too. The band shows a maturity in all aspects of their music. There's no hints of auto tune or that they've tried to clean around the edges of their sound, which makes them all the more appealing as it gives them a rawness found in few bands nowadays. However, this doesn't sound accidental - it sounds like the band wanted to keep their sound as 'real' as possible, by keeping Gunn's vocals untouched and allowing the band to keep their sound exactly as they intended. The changes in tempo in the guitars flow perfectly and everything seems to fit.

   This year, the band released an acoustic EP (available here) produced by Blake Harnage (of Versa). Featuring the first four tracks off their debut EP, the sound is much more subdued with the same vibes often found on an album from Lydia (especially Illuminate). The band shows more diversity in their sound, keeping the instrumentals strong yet taking on the same gentler tone as Gunn's vocals. However, this certainly doesn't diminish what they built in their previous EP, but instead adds to what they can achieve together across their genre.

   Gunn was featured in the most recent Glamour Kills line alongside Jess Bowen (drummer, The Summer Set) and Jenna McDougall (vocals, Tonight Alive). The band will also be playing Warped Tour in America this year alongside the likes of Neck Deep and The Summer Set, so they're certainly going the right away about getting their name out there. Their two EPs give a promising taster of their sound, so I'd certainly keep an eye out for their eventual release of a full length - if their music so far is anything to go on, it's going to sound pretty darn good. 

New blog and a ramble

   I made the decision to run a Wordpress site here alongside this blogger. I'll still post on both, same posts on both, at the same time, but hopefully I'll reach a wider audience this way.

   I’ve just completed a degree in English with Creative Writing, which involved a lot of writing (it also explains why I’m so behind on posting. These last few weeks have been busier than I’d anticipated). I’ve always loved to write – it’s something I really enjoy and for me offers a release (that’s why I have a blog). But sometimes when I tell people what I study, some people seem to think it’s a ‘doss’ subject. Not true. I’ve worked so hard these past three years because writing is hard.

   Everyone can write. Just like everyone can sing, or everyone can dance, just some are better than others. The most difficult thing about creative writing for me is that I don’t think it’s something you can learn – there’s no one way to write, and it’s purely subjective as to what is considered ‘good’, and what is considered ‘bad’. All you can do is read a lot and write a lot to improve; I’ve experimented with a lot of different techniques to find what suites me and I think that’s all you can do.

   The worst thing about doing a creative writing dissertation was knowing I had to write something, but being unable to. I find I have to write to suit my mood, which is hard when you’re suffering from intense writer’s block. The second hurdle is coming up with an idea. For my course, it can’t just be basic – you have to know your entire plot, even though you’re only writing a chapter. It’s incredibly hard if, like me, you prefer a basic direction then write and see what happens. There is always a fear of accidental plagiarism, which luckily I have yet to do, but hearing someone in your group pretty much state the plot of The Time Traveler’s Wife only with the woman time travelling instead of the man begins to make you doubt yourself.

   So when people tell me I took an easy course, they couldn’t be more wrong. The amount of thought and work I’ve put in is immense. Writing is really difficult; you have to think about making believable characters, an entertaining original plot appropriate for your audience, and writing well. On top of all the other literature essays and exams. I love writing, and the work is worth it to be able to do what I enjoy.

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.

RAMBLE: Moving

   Having been pretty much in the same place my entire life, the only time I've ever technically moved anywhere has been at university. I've 'lived' in a total of 4 different places during my 21 years so far on this planet. Being in my final year now, it's led me to consider the daunting prospect of life after uni, whereby I'll be expected to accept that yes, I am an adult and therefore responsible for myself.

   Granted, my worries are coming a year early (I have a conditional offer for a masters course), but they're still there. Although university has prepared me for some real life things - like bills, they're a real bummer - I still don't feel like I could enter the real world and think 'yeah, I am totally ready for this'. On the outside, I'll still have to pay rent and bills, but without that added security net of a student loan. Getting a job is a prospect that terrifies me beyond belief - what if, a year after graduation, I'm still struggling? Everyone desires independence to an extent, but what if I'm still leaning on my parents?

   I've accepted that eventually I won't be able to live in my hometown anymore (it's not exactly the forefront for music journalism). Although I've never feared new places, quite the opposite, I think it's the unfamiliarity of it that makes me nervous. Like when I moved to university in first year, and had to rely on maps. I like to know where I'm going, both literally and concerning my future, so now that my safety net is nearly gone everything has hit me at once.

   Like I say, although I (hopefully) still have another year to panic about getting a real job, I can't help but be concerned about it now. Sometimes I envy the people who have it all figured out, because I still don't seem to have a clue. I guess the best we can do in life is try, and keep trying, until we're happy with what we have become.  

Check Out: Echosmith

   With an average age of just 17, it may come as a surprise that Echosmith are signed to massive label Warner. But don't be perturbed by their age - the quartet have a lot more to offer than just their youth.

   California based siblings Sydney, Jamie, Noah and Graham Sierota first appeared online under the name 'Ready Set Go' in 2010 with a cover of Taylor Swift's 'Mine' on youtube (listen here). The band bring a new meaning to taking work home, as they seem to eat sleep breathe music, 24/7. Following their video of 'Mine' the band uploaded numerous other cover videos, showcasing their extensive talents, including tracks originally by Mumford and Sons and Coldplay (incidentally, one of their main influences). Two years and many covers later, the band were signed to Warner Bros. Records.

   After being signed, the band released debut single 'Tonight We're Making History' under new name Echosmith. The song had an electronic, pop vibe that wouldn't have sounded out of place amongst many other young artists currently in the charts. The band then went on to record an album, releasing singles 'Come Together' and 'Cool Kids'. The two songs showed a more refined sound for Echosmith, more indie yet still harnessing the same energy as their previous single. Sydney's vocals suit this style perfectly, reminiscent of vocalists in Of Monsters and Men, London Grammar and Chvrches. Her voice shines in every song, demonstrating both her strong chest voice and a beautiful falsetto in tracks such as 'Bright' and 'March Into the Sun', and Jamie and Noah (guitar and bass, respectively) harmonise perfectly with her. 

   The bands debut album Talking Dreams was released late 2013, showing a mature sound for the band that's consistent from song to song. One track, 'Surround You', was featured on the soundtrack for 2014 film Endless Love starring Alex Pettyfer. The band are clearly going places, having already toured with the likes of Owl City and Neon Trees and appeared on MTVs 2014 Artists to Watch. Talking Dreams is a strong debut album, with catchy tracks and it gives Echosmith their sound. For such a young band (Graham, drums, is just 15), they seem to have a firm grasp on their music and what they want to sound like, so it'll be all onwards and upwards for the band from here. I would highly recommend investing in the album and checking out their youtube for covers and acoustic performances. They seem like the kind of band that is only going to carry on growing and getting even better. 

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!