Review: High Hopes

Happy 2014 to any readers out there. This is my first review of the year...

High Hopes

High Hopes is the latest studio album from American rock legend Bruce Springsteen.


The album is a collection of previously unreleased material and covers and so many people may think that Bruce doesn't put much effort into the creation of this album. They couldn't be proved more wrong. Similarly to the work on 'Wrecking Ball', Springsteen has painstakingly tried to make sure that the material despite being different tracks could be brought into a structure whereby he could tell a story through his lyrics. 'High Hopes' acts almost as a sequel to 2012's hit album 'Wrecking Ball' in that it manages to collect together the feelings of many people in the world a
t the moment with songs such as 'American Skin (41 Shots)' and 'Dream Baby Dream'. It's an album of the people, although  differently to 'Wrecking Ball' the songs are largely full of excitement with uplifting rock beats that are a joy to listen to while still managing to capture a certain poignancy always needed on an album.

In the album, there is a classic Bruce Springsteen blend of rock music, strings and folk sounds that infuse the album with an Americana that you would typically find on a Bruce Springsteen album. It makes the album fun to listen to the whole way through and will have people young and old jumping up and dancing to the rhythms.

The one thing that the album lacks however which would otherwise make it perfect is something to hold all the songs together. A spine that can hold the songs together not just through the lyrics but also the various musical style which Bruce uses but struggles to bring together. Note however, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise excellent album. Recommended to anybody ready for a twist of some good rock music.

9.5/10



Click here to listen to the title track off the album 'High Hopes'

 

Review: This Is... Icona Pop

This Is... Icona Pop

'This Is... Icona Pop' is the debut album by female Swedish electro-pop duo Icona Pop.

Ever since the release of global chart topper 'I Love It', there's been a large amount of buzz around these two Swedish women who have come out of nowhere to take over their world with their addictive beats and contagious sing along choruses. There was a bit of a worry about an album sounding like eleven different versions of the global chart hit. The amazing thing is, the haters could not be proved more wrong.

Above all, the album is a load of fun, filled with eleven tracks that will get you on your feet and some point or another. When listening to the album for the first time, you can't help but feel your age half, and all of a sudden you become lost in the youthful euphoria of the exciting and unique formula that Icona Pop have concocted. The sound of the album is that of an exciting and colorful wall with color and excitement bouncing around every corner. To quote their new single, 'All Night', they really do have "the keys to open paradise."

The lyrics are weak, but their weakness actually works to the advantage of the duo. The lyrics promote the fun loving attitude that Icona Pop are spreading through their music and so as flawed as the lyrics are, they fit the electronic beats and seductive synths to music production perfection.

In short, I recommend the album to any fun loving teenagers that want an album that they can listen to get away from the world and fall deeply entranced by the nightclub sounds that have taken the world in 2013 by absolute storm. Sit back, relax and enjoy with some energy packed fun.

9/10



 Click here to watch the video for their new single 'All Night'
   

Review: Demonstration

Demonstration

'Demonstration' is the second album by UK rap superstar Tinie Tempah.

After many delays and much buzz over the much anticipated second Tinie Tempah album, it has finally arrived and while it was very different to the first album, it managed to include the cheeky word play, top class guest appearances and endless references to "Disturbing London" that we just love to hear.

Tinie gets the ball rolling on the album from the first track 'Someday (Place in the Sun)' and it doesn't get let down all the way through the album. Highlights are the singles ('Trampoline' and 'Children of the Sun') for their extreme ability to catch on one's brain like thistles, and special shout outs are deserved to 'Don't Sell Out', 'Mosh Pit', 'Shape', 'A Heart Can Save The World' (which includes an excellent Emeli Sande guest placement) and 'Heroes' solely for the ability to successfully slot Laura Mvula into a rap song (something even I didn't think possible). In the second half of the album, we also see an emotional side of Tinie that was lacking in the first album. Tracks such as 'Tears Run Dry' and 'Lost Ones' portray a Tinie Tempah that is opening up more and more about his personal life. The album has a different, more serious attitude than the first did, however this is said in the best possible way, as the work really paid off.

The musical direction has also drastically changed. The first album, 'Disc-Overy' was full of skippy, upbeat music with light synths and comfortable electric guitar music. This time, Tinie ventures out into musical unknown where he tries out sounds that he has never used before. Tinie Tempah himself describes the album as dark and I think this is because the music takes a more macabre perspective.

All in all, 'Demonstration' is a new album with an awesome new sound, but still has all the perks of a Tinie Tempah album that make the songs infectious and enjoyable. A great album that could only be improved in Tinie had done a bit more work on structure. Otherwise, an awesome album that is perfect for all rap music lovers, hardcore and low key.

9/10


Click here to watch the video for his new single 'Children of the Sun'

Review: The Message, Moon Landing & Prism

On 22nd October 2013, a new record in my music purchasing career was set. Three amazing albums coming out on the same day by three different artists at three very different stages of their careers. Andrea Begley, James Blunt and Katy Perry are about as different musically as you can get and so I am going to compare these three albums. This is the first ever Media Wizard triple header!

The Message

'The Message' is the debut album by the winner of the UK edition of 'The Voice', Andrea Begley.

For many - myself included - Andrea was a surprise winner of a commercially huge show. No doubt, she has an excellent voice and an excellent arrangement of 'Ho Hey', however many doubters including judge will.i.am didn't think she would be able to sell records as well as the other contestants. Man were they wrong.

Though the album is largely covers, you can hear the work that Andrea has put into the arrangements which sound nothing like their originals. In the case of her version of 'Dancing in the Dark', she has even beaten Bruce Springsteen as to how to portray the lyrics the best. Her country music take on 'Lightning Bolt' or her jazzed up version of Disclosure's 'Latch' are other excellent examples of how to create an album largely of covers. These are versions that are not only unique and original but surprisingly catchy and really easy on the ears (perfect for relaxing).

That said, she also compliments her own music into the tracklist to great effect. The title track is one of the finest on the album and works very nicely with the vibe she is trying to set.

In conclusion, I'd like to point out that it's so easy to create a debut album of mediocre covers. Andrea has worked extremely hard to make this music sound original and she succeeds. The album is an excellent start and already I am looking forward to hearing a second album of more of her own music, because if this debut album is anything to go by, good times are ahead for this young, partially blind girl from Northern Ireland.


Click here to watch the video for her debut single 'Dancing in the Dark'    

Moon Landing

'Moon Landing' is the fourth studio album from Wiltshire crooner James Blunt.

James Blunt has had a pretty up-down progress line ever since the singer's debut album 'Back to Bedlam' came out in 2004. Here we are nine years later and a lot has happened to Blunt's image. In any case, 'Moon Landing' feels like a side of James Blunt that we've never seen before. On this album, he seems like more of a relaxed guy. Not worried about a record label or what the public would think, Blunt wrote and recorded in a year, without being concerned about any of that stuff. The result is a) jovial songs from a guy once known as the whiny British guy in popular music and b) a feeling of honest and original emotion which shows up in the songs.

The lyrics and the music represent this and the result is an album that is stripped away from the usual fanfare that one might find in a famous singer's album. Songs like the single 'Bonfire Heart' are a fresh and different perspective of the kind of music one might typically find in the charts and it works extremely well. Though the album is by no means entirely perfect, it is nice to see what Blunt has done with his music in giving it a fresh feeling.

While some songs are quite dull, there are also brightly shining stars on James Blunt's newest work. Listening to the album can be an invigorating experience, but if you don't have time, 'Bonfire Heart', 'Heart to Heart', 'Miss America' and 'Postcards' are all very good listens.






 Click here to watch the video for the lead single off the album, 'Bonfire Heart'

Prism

'Prism' is the much anticipated third studio album from global pop star Katy Perry.

Unless you have been living under some kind of rock for the past fiver years, the name Katy Perry will probably have crossed you at some point. Whether it be one of her outrageously silly music videos or a cameo on your favorite TV show, you will have heard from her at some point. Add in the fact that 'Prism' marks a change in the type of music that she has been making and you have one of the most anticipated albums of the year.

Amazingly however, despite the amount of hype around Katy Perry, the album doesn't quite match it. There are brightly shining gems of songs on the album that are light years ahead of her last album. 'By the Grace of God' is the song I use to talk about this because this is the first song I have ever heard by her that isn't drowning her voice out in pop synths. It is for the larger part, just her and her piano and her soulful lyrics about the end of a relationship (obviously written about her divorce from Russel Brand)

In songs like 'Walking On Air' and 'Dark Horse', we get another chance to see how much Katy Perry's music has matured since the previous collection. The lyrics are well written, the music takes good influence from the days of disco and Juicy J's guest appearance on the latter track, truly makes the song something special. This said, there are still many fillers on the album that will prevent it from being up for any major awards (e.g. album of the year), 'This is How We Do' and 'International Smile' are ones to look at avoiding if ever you find yourself listening to the album.

Nonetheless, Katy Perry has to be give some credit. Her 'Teenage Dream' days brought her much glory and fame and making another album full of that same kind of music would have been so easy. However, she decided to branch out and make her album a more grown-up affair, something more people would be able to connect with. At this, I think she succeeds, a brave decision on her part. She's "got the eye of the tiger" and on this album you are going to "hear her roar". 'Prism' isn't the best album ever, but it's a step in the right direction for Katy Perry making really good music. I look forward to seeing what the present day Princess of pop comes up with next.







Click here to watch the video for the lead single off the album, 'Roar'

Of all these albums, the winner is...

Andrea Begley. For me this is because Andrea Begley was the person that put the most thought into the tracklisting and sound of the album. It was full of covers, but that doesn't take away from the fact that the album is unique and original.

Review: Join The Club

Join The Club

'Join The Club' is the debut album by British singer/songwriter Lucy Spraggan.

The British public have been waiting for this album since Lucy Spraggan initially auditioned for the X Factor more than a year ago with her song 'Last Night (Beer Fear)'. Now, she has put out the album and it has soared above the expectations I had.

The winner on the album is the lyrics. Lucy Spraggan uses songs like 'Tea and Toast' and 'You're Too Young' to attempt to paint a picture and tell a story. The lyrics is so vivid and so realistic that you can picture everything that's happening almost as if it's a film. From listening to the words of the album, we get a really clear window into the musical mind of Lucy Spraggan, and I find references of road trips in the US, special somebodies being the lighthouses in the storm and "Photos on facebook of me doing the robot." The winner for best lyric on the whole album though comes from the title track of the album. You can see why she decided to name the album 'Join The Club', when she sings sweetly that "Life is just a gamble, so just enjoy the game."

The Lucy Spraggan image wouldn't be the same without a liberal drubbing of acoustic guitar music and she puts in a good amount of it without being too boring. Throughout the musical adventure of the album, she shakes everything up and tries different things, while staying true to who she is. Making an album littered with acoustic music and not making two songs sound the same is an extremely difficult balancing act. The music on the album is fun and uplifting, without being too hippy that it's not taken seriously.

Of all the music that has so far come out of last year's series of X Factor, this is most certainly the one that comes out tops. It is an album that takes the listener on an exciting adventure. It loses the opportunity of being perfect solely on the fact of not all the songs not being incredibly memorable. However, this is one flaw in what is otherwise a must-have album for lovers of singer-songwriter music. Good job Lucy!

 9.75/10



Click here to watch the video for her new single 'Last Night (Beer Fear)'

Review: The Fifth

The Fifth

'The Fifth' is the fifth studio album by the UK hip-hop legend from East London, Dizzee Rascal.

There is one main difference between UK hip-hop and US hip-hop. US hip-hop is much more of its own genre, whereas in the UK, it's cleverly mixed into pop music so that people will listen to it. This album consists of only pop/hip-hop music (with the exception of 'Baseline Junkie' at the end). People will have their tastes as to how they like their hip-hop, as for myself I really enjoy listening to Dizzee Rascal spitting sick rap phrases ("Life's a game of chess and all the girls wanna check me") alongside such artists as Jessie J, will.i.am and Angel. The album hasn't had a generally amazing critical reception, and I don't think that the quality is as good as it was on previous album 'Tongue N' Cheek', but nonetheless the album is a lot of fun to listen to.

The sound of the album is quite clear with it's steady electronic beats and lyrics like "Getting trippy under the strobe lights". This is clearly an album that Dizzee wanted to have fun with and his tone is very relaxed as he flows from song to song. Though the album has also not done commercially well as its predecessors, it's the only one I have bought because it's the only one that really connects with the universal theme of having a good time.

The album can be summed in one lyrics from the third track off the album, "I wanna show you what a good time looks like". This album is bound to give many exciting good times and is a must if you like reliable electronic pop beats, memorable guest appearances from many amazing musicians, and the slickest, most relaxed lyrics from the man who is the king of UK hip-hop.

8.75/10



Click here to watch the video for Dizzee Rascal's promotional single 'I Don't Need A Reason'

Review: Days Are Gone

Days Are Gone

'Days Are Gone' is the debut album by all-sister rock band 'HAIM'.

The first thing that knocks you right on the head about this album is the strange resemblance it has to the smooth, comfortable alternative rock that was so popular in the 80s. Listening to the album gave a strange throwback feel, and yet the band manage to make every song sound like a breath of fresh air. Though HAIM have quite a relaxed rock style, they manage to flex their musical variety across the board, from the mysterious feel of 'Falling' straight through to the almost peppy 'Forever' into exciting break up song 'The Wire'. Each song is something unique, but it is engraved with a trademark that includes comfortable electric guitar, echoed vocals and soft yet athletic baseline. There is a perfect balance between trying out many different musical ideas and giving the album a clear and precise direction.

Interestingly, the lyrics are particularly powerful in giving the album a direction/meaning. For the larger part, the songs contain lyrics of relationships between people, largely romantic("It's the hardest part that relationships can do through"-The Wire, "You know I'm nothing without your love"-Let Me Go). The voices of these three sisters are perfect and are excellent in displaying the strength of the lyrics. People will find it easy to compare with the emotions that are being expressed through these words, which are at times almost as wet (soppy) as a love letter (in a good way).

You may have heard about HAIM from the absolute shower of critical praise they have received. That praise is absolutely justified as the album gives off the feeling of a relaxed rock summer that is like lemonade on the front porch to some ears. I find it extremely difficult to punch a flaw in this album

10/10



Click here to watch the video for their new single 'The Wire'