'Halcyon Days'is the repackaged edition of Ellie Goulding's second album 'Halcyon'. To do this review I will be reviewing the original album first and then a segment on what the additional songs add to the album.
Halcyon
After the poppy youth of debut album 'Lights', 'Halcyon' came as a shock to most people. 'Halcyon' exhibited a darker and certainly more mature side of Ellie Goulding. A lot of 'Halcyon' is songs that are very alternative to what you would find in mainstream pop. Much like Florence and the Machine's 'Ceremonials' there is a certain ethereal nature to songs like 'Don't Say A Word' or title track 'Halcyon'. Then there are songs like 'Explosions' and 'Figure 8' in which we can hear the hidden strength of Ellie Goulding's voice which in many ways continue to surprise us. The music is scant, but just enough to be able to support the wonderous vocal performances on the songs.
8/10
Then, there came 'Halcyon Days'. From lead single 'Burn' we immediately learned that the ever-changing nature of Ellie Goulding's musical direction had struck yet again. In this EP, Ellie returns to the exciting nature of 'Lights', but with the maturity of 'Halcyon'. Songs like 'Burn' and 'Goodness Gracious' are of the standard to put Ellie in the category of pop stars such as Rihanna and Madonna. 'Hearts Without Chains' grounds the album perfectly so that it doesn't seem too airy, and while the lyrics don't quite match the standard of 'Halcyon', they fit the music well.
All in all, Ellie made the right decision to repackage 'Halcyon'. This EP completes an album that though amazing and mature needed an extra something. Ellie's unique voice continues to astound me when I listen to her music and it's safe to say that I certainly will be listening to this repackaged album for a while to come.
'Waiting For Tomorrow' is the debut album from Maltan part time singer/doctor Gianluca Bezzina.
After having represented Malta at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, I knew that Bezzina's music was something to notice. His song 'Tomorrow' was the best selling Maltese Eurovision entry ever. This set him up very nicely for his debut album 'Waiting For Tomorrow' which continues on the same acoustic happy vibe that is much needed on today's music scene.
The album starts with the exciting piano chords at the beginning of 'Count Me In' and ends with the beautiful duet 'Perfectly In Tune'. The music and lyric work undertaken for the making of this album is stellar and Bezzina creates music that puts many singer/songwriter artists in the mainstream music world to shame.
The only tiny flaw with this album and something Bezzina can build on, is the structuring of the album into a story like other good albums. I have firm faith that Bezzina has the ability to make this leap with his music, to take his listeners on an exciting adventure. Bezzina generally deserves to be more successful than he is.
This album is the perfect accompaniment for those moments when you need a happy, cheerful lift. Those moments where all you want to do is listen to a voice that will give you hope for society and will make you excited about the diversity and excitement of life. Guaranteed smiles and good times come from buying this album. Gianluca Bezzina from Malta, I salute you!
Ok ladies and gents. It's time for the most ridiculous and simultaneously one of the most amusing awards shows out there, the MTV VMAs (Video Music Awards). This one is for the music videos of the past year. There's a list the size of my arm of ridiculous stunts that have taken place at these awards, for now though, let's talk about the actual awards.
BEST SONG OF THE SUMMER
'I Need Your Love' - Calvin Harris featuring Ellie Goulding
'Get Lucky' - Daft Punk featuring Pharrell
'We Can't Stop' - Miley Cyrus
'Best Song Ever' - One Direction
'Blurred Lines' - Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell and T.I.
'Come and Get It' - Selena Gomez
This award is a new one to the VMAs but is also unfortunately a public vote. Based on this, I am predicting that One Direction's frightening band of loyal followers will do enough to take it.
BEST POP VIDEO
'Locked Out Of Heaven' - Bruno Mars
'Carry On' - fun.
'Mirrors' - Justin Timberlake
'We Can't Stop' - Miley Cyrus
'Come and Get It' - Selena Gomez
Both 'Locked Out Of Heaven' and 'Mirrors' have enough to take this award. However, I am going to call this one on the fact that 'Mirrors' never hit number one on the US chart and Bruno Mars's present popularity should be enough to outdo Justin Timberlake.
'Can't Hold Us' - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have topped charts everywhere from the UK to Australia. Their international acclaim meant that they were able to create the epic 'Can't Hold Us' video and everybody could connect to it. Without a doubt, this award goes to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis for 'Can't Hold Us'.
BEST MALE VIDEO
'Locked Out Of Heaven' - Bruno Mars
'Lego House' - Ed Sheeran
'Mirrors' - Justin Timberlake
'Swimming Pools (Drank)' - Kendrick Lamar
'Blurred Lines' - Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell and T.I.
My favorite of these videos is Ed Sheeran's 'Lego House'. However I don't think he's popular enough in the US to win one of these awards. This again becomes a battle between 'Locked Out Of Heaven' and 'Mirrors' and as before, the winner should be Bruno Mars. I will display the 'Mirrors' video below, in case any readers believe differently
BEST FEMALE VIDEO
'Heart Attack' - Demi Lovato
'We Can't Stop' - Miley Cyrus
'Just Give Me A Reason' - P!nk featuring Nate Reuss
'Stay' - Rihanna
'I Knew You Were Trouble' - Taylor Swift
In a year when Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus all displayed themselves onto the pop scene, this was always going to be a bleak looking category. However Rihanna's 'Stay' is a shining jewel, a beautiful piece of work that fits a hauntingly gorgeous song by the biggest pop star on the planet. All hail Rihanna!
BEST VIDEO WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE
'I Was Here' - Beyonce
'People Like Us' - Kelly Clarkson
'Same Love' - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert
'Candles in the Sun' - Miguel
'No Guns Allowed' - Snoop Lion featuring Drake and Cori B
Many countries have recently legalised gay marriage. However, for many especially in the US, it is a very delicate topic. For somebody to make a song that gets the kind of airplay that 'Same Love' has received is nothing short of incredible. I will be behind this Seattle music duo all the way to take this award. I hope that their performance of this song will be enough to send it into the Billboard top 10 and put Macklemore and Ryan Lewis firmly in the status of music legends.
BEST COLLABORATION
'I Need Your Love' - Calvin Harris featuring Ellie Goulding
'Suit and Tie' - Justin Timberlake featuring Jay-Z
'Just Give Me A Reason' - P!nk featuring Nate Reuss
'Feel This Moment' - Pitbull featuring Christina Aguilera
'Blurred Lines' - Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell and T.I.
As much as I hate to say it, I think that 'Blurred Lines' is the obvious winner in this category. For the record, 'I Need Your Love' would be my favorite to win.
BEST ROCK VIDEO
'My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)' - Fall Out Boy
'Radioactive' - Imagine Dragons
'I Will Wait' - Mumford and Sons
'Up In The Air' - 30 Seconds To Mars
'Diane Young' - Vampire Weekend
'I Will Wait' is the video that actually represents the rock music feel, in contrast to the bizarre nature of these other videos.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
'Locked Out Of Heaven' - Bruno Mars
'Mirrors' - Justin Timberlake
'Thirft Shop' - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz
'Blurred Lines' - Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell and T.I.
'I Knew You Were Trouble' - Taylor Swift
It's a rather big ask having already given Macklemore and Ryan Lewis two big awards. However, the world comes to a sad state of affairs if 'Thirft Shop' walks from the VMAs with nothing. I'm going to predict MTV will give this one to 'Thirft Shop'. If you haven't seen this video yet, I'm not sure where you've been, but you missed a lot.
These awards take place on the 25th of August. I will be looking forward to seeing who wins, and seeing what strange things the artists get up to. BE PREPARED!
'TheCivil Wars' is the self-titled second album from male and female music duo The Civil Wars.
It is very clear from just listening to the first couple of songs that The Civil Wars have shed the frailty of their previous album 'Barton Hollow'. The electric guitars are a key sign that these two mean business. This isn't to say that there are none of their specialty delicate songs. In fact, there are many ('Dust to Dust', 'Sacred Heart'), but they have more of an upgraded, deeper and poignant sound than the songs on 'Barton Hollow'.
The amazing thing about the Civil Wars is that they write ultimate relationship songs and yet Joy Williams and John Paul White are not a couple. Their lyrics are beautiful and meaningful and seem so legitimate and real. It is a beautiful experience to listen to a man and a woman duet on relationship songs such as these two can.
'The Civil Wars' has poignant moments, exciting moments and despairing moments. It will take you through the emotional ringer and at the same time have a relaxing sound that is perfect for after a long day. Buy this album, you won't regret it, another excellent album from what has been an excellent year of music so far...
All People is the new album from multi-genre man Michael Franti and his band
Spearhead.
The great thing about a Michael Franti album is that you never know exactly
what to expect going in. In the past, Franti has made music with reggae sounds,
hip-hop sounds, jazzy stuff. With 'All People', the larger focus is making
happy music. He does this using many different instruments and no two songs
have exactly the same sound as a result. The amazing thing about 'All People'
is that it is a bubble of light, colorful music that you can escape into, even
if only for 40 minutes.
The lyrics match the music in terms of creating the happy world that you
know you are getting into simply from looking at the cover. Franti
does a combination of rapping, spoken word and amazing vocals over the course
of the album, and you can really feel the effort that has been put in. It's
easy to write sad songs, but to create 11 uplifting, feel good songs (albeit
some quicker than others) is something that some might call hippy, happy
songwriting. However I see it as a lot of hard work put into a masterpiece
album.
In 'All People', Franti has finally been able to bottle up memorable beats
with matching lyrics and turn it into a joyful, laid back piece of musical
genius. This album is only out in North America, but all those North American
readers that I may have, should go out and buy what is his best albums and
potentially one of the best of this year.
