I'm having a bit of a thing with music. I go through little obsessions. Whether it be a tv show, a film, or a book but - I've caught up with all tv shows and can't wait for their new seasons to start, I'm bored with my dvd collection and I'm struggling to get into any book since holiday - so I turned to music, and I'm loving it. Maybe it's because I just came back from V or maybe its because new music artists have been emerging and are really upping their game. I've put together an 'End of summer' playlist because people are starting back at school, the weather is getting worse and autumnal clothes are being introduced - the end of summer is coming!
So have a listen if you fancy, and why not give me a follow over on Spotify because even though I don't update my spotify that regularly I might start! Also talking about following and all that, I made a Facebook page linked to my blog the other day I would really love it if you could like it here - I thought it would be a good way for people who don't have instagram of twitter to keep up with my blog. Hope your friday is going well, after spending most of the day yesterday in the pub (and not having one alcoholic drink because I was driving) and the night before on a boat party on the Thames I am having a quiet day at home doing admin and cleaning my room to recollect myself before an exciting weekend with friends!
After recently discovering the joys of having Spotify premium it has enabled me to find some pretty awesome new music. If you've been reading my blog for a while you will know that I have a soft spot for some country music, and that's the basis of my music playlist at the moment. So I thought, as I did back in June I would talk you through some of my favourite albums at the moment.
Striking Matches
'There's no music, no confetti Crowds don't cheer, and bells don't ringbut you'll know it, I can guaranteewhen the right one comes along'
I first came across Striking Matches a couple of months ago after being introduced to them through the programme Nashville. They are the songwriters of one of the popular Scarlett and Gunnar duets, 'When the right one comes along.' After listening to a few of their EP's I was eager to hear their debut album. Their sound focuses around the guitar and the mix of a male and female voice create a tone of soothing voices that match perfectly to create a country inspired vibe. I'm pretty sure their album will be on repeat for a long long time.
James Bay
'Everything's that's broke Leave it to the breeze Why don't you be you And I'll be me'
I have had James Bay's debut single 'Hold back the river' on repeat for goodness knows how long so I waited with baited breath, as I think a fair amount of the country did, for his debut album and it didn't disappointed! Yes, he does have a similar feel to Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith being a white male singer/songwriter but he has more of an edgy voice. Not only am I a fan of his hat, I love his chilled raspy voice, especially the fact the album has a range of slow songs like 'Need the sun to break' and more upbeat ones like 'collide.' It's the perfect Spring background music!
Nashville: On the Record Vol 2
'Got a pocket full of promise Got it if you want it Got a whole lot more to give If your heart can handle it'
Nashville is one of my favourite TV shows and this music based episode where the cast perform live on the Opry and pay tribute to the songwriters of the show was ideal. Not only did they sing some of my favourite songs from the show like 'If you heart can't handle it' and 'Fade into you' there were some new ones, like the awesome Stella sisters singing 'We got a love.' Whenever the cast of Nashville come out with new songs I listen to them on repeat and this definitely won't be an exception!
The Shires
'We can build our own Nashville Underneath these grey skies And people will come, they'll come from far and wide They'll leave their village greens and their big cities behind We can build our own Nashville It's about time' Another Nashville/country duo, however this time - their from England! The Shires seem to have such a melodic and beautiful sound to their music. Their album, Brave, is a mix of slow love songs and upbeat pop-infused country songs. It's my perfect cup of tea. The upbeat songs like 'Friday Night' and 'Nashville Grey Skies' sound perfect when driving along with my window down in the sun - then the slower songs like ' Brave' and 'All Over Again' fill the early Taylor Swift-esque hole in my life. The Shires is another music act that I'm very glad I've found!
I'm having a girly night in my sister and mum tonight, eating until we're stuffed and watching The Blind Side, and I couldn't be more excited! Hope your all having a good weekend!
Bit of a random post today but I've been at a dance competition all weekend (Dance Mums UK were filming - and yes, my dance school beat them *smug face*) so due to stage make-up and my general laziness I haven't shot any outfit photo's. But with an order form Boohoo and H&M in the works along with my Topshop buys, my summer wardrobe will be ready to shine soon! However because of blogger being very dodge I wrote this post on Sunday but have only been able to post it today, sorry for the 10 days unplanned break!
I love music. It is another form of escape for me. To be comforted by words that you can relate to, to have background music to stop you thinking, and just generally to cheer you up. And my (guilty?) pleasure is country music. I don't really know where this developed from but I always like 'soft' music, I think I have my sister to thank for her getting me into Taylor Swift's earlier songs a couple of years ago. But recently there has been a lot of new young country musicians that have been fueling my need for summery music. So I thought I would introduce them to you;
Lucy Hale
'I'm that girl you think that's got it figured out.
But I walk around, with a head full of doubt.' - Nervous Girls
Mostly known for her role in the tv series Pretty Little Liars as Aria, she has branched out from PLL and recently released her first album. Before she got into acting her main passion was country music, and you can totally see that in her album. It has a range of slow meaningful ballads like 'Nervous Girls' and 'Road Between' to upbeat happy songs like 'You Sound Good to Me' and 'Kiss Me.' It is going to be on replay all summer I think, I just wish I could have a sing-a-long with Madeleine to it!
Dan and Shay
'Shades on spinning in a summer rain
Dancing in the rain no music
Just the right kind of crazy' - Nothin' Like You
Relatively new to the country music scene, Dan and Shay are a duo who after meeting in December 2012 got a recording contract within two months and a year later had there first single 'You+Me' already playing on the country radio. I came across them through Scooter Braun and James Mcvey tweeting about them so looked them up and was incredibly surprised. Their album - Where it all Began - is full of summery songs with romantic lyrics and an upbeat feel. I can imagine listening to it in the sun with the roof down and singing at the top of my voice. My favourites would have to be 'You+Me' and 'I Heard Goodbye.'
Hunter Hayes
'There's so much more to life than what you're feeling now
Someday you'll look back on all these days
And all this pain is gonna be invisible' - Invisible
Around February/ March time I was obsessed with Hunter Hayes' first album then I was treated because in May, just when I was getting slightly bored of his songs, he released his second album - Storyline! I haven't decided which album I like best but they seem both on par with each other. Hunter is such an amazing musician, he can play the piano and guitar and by watching his #Fortheloveofmusic youtube series you can see that he is just striving to be the best he can be and loves nothing better than to perform on stage. My favourites on this album would have to be 'Wildcard' and 'Storyline' for their punchy lyrics and rhythm but I also love 'Tattoo' 'Invisible' and 'Still Fallin!' To be honest, I love them all! It has such a range of ballads to upbeat songs that it is also, a perfect country album!
So there you have it, my playlist for the beginning of these summer months is mainly country based. And although it's quite random and not popular music for girls like me ,I love it and I'm not going to hide my guilty pleasure! Now for the denim, checked shirts and cowboy boots...
Do you like country music?
Currently Reading - Maya Angelou's I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Such a thought=provoking, interesting and amazingly written book!
This is such an exciting post to write! When I was in Year 8 I bonded with a girl in my year called Chilli over our love for Taylor Swift. Which is pretty surreal looking back at it to how good friends we've become and...she has her debut single being released this week!
I knew back then that she was a good singer and have heard her a few rare time over the years but when I saw her music video for her debut single 'The Long Road' I was amazed. It's a catchy country song that has unique lyrics. The lyrics are what really struck me about this song, their so raw and unique (although I did think of Taylor Swift when she sung about 'dark ripped jeans' and 'dancing in the parking lot!') I'm a fan of country music and even if I wasn't god friends with Chilli this would definitely be on my ipod.
In the beautifully written 'About' section on her website she talks about how the concept of love interests her, along with poetry and letters. Her overall goal is for 'people to relate to [my] music and for it to become a sense of security.' I think Chilli is well on her way to achieving this!
So basically I'm writing this post amidst all the craziness of dancing, sixth form and a mass of homework to tell you to go and check out her music video, facebook page,
website, and to follow her on twitter!
