iTunes Single of the week #13

Hi,

This week iTunes' free single was "Walk this way" by MØ.

MØ is a Danish soul, pop, electronica, R&B and alternative dance singer/songwriter who is rapidly making herself known for the right reasons. She is from Odense in Denmark and is 25 years old. She has one EP out called bikini daze and one LP called no mythologies to follow, which came out on March 10th this year.

Review:

This track is electronica but cleverly constructed with fast up-tempo choruses and slowed down more relaxing verses that are similar to '90s pop. MØ's voice is high pitched and a has youthful tone but the techniques she uses sound mature and skilled. Almost all the way through she has recorded at least one more track of her vocals on top of the main lyrics. This effect is often not used very well but MØ uses it to it's full potential in my opinion with great outcomes! The track starts straight away with street party like beats and her main vocals cushioned in the echoed effect which sounds great. This song is so catchy with quite simple and popp-y lyrics but with really effective hooks! 

Overall I think this song is really pretty good, so I will give it 8/10.

iTunes Single of the week #12

Hi,

So, it's that time of the week again. This week's free single was "Thinkin Aboutchu" by Dan Croll.

Dan Croll is a 23 year old indie-rock/pop, folktronica, pop-rock artist from Newcastle. He has one album out called Sweet Disarray which came out on March 10th this year.

Review:
So I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but my immediate response when I first saw the title was: this is either going to be an awful, generic electro-pop track or it's an ironic name and a really fun original piece of music. To be honest it's neither of these. This is indie-electro-pop with prominent but simple bass guitar at the beginning leaving space for the vocals to grow, but they really don't. The vocals are very simple and reserved which can be good, but in this case are boring. There are times when you feel the vocals should stretch out and show full potential but just stay on one level throughout. The backing music is quite catchy but nothing very special or unique.

Overall, this track has some good points but it's boring and not a song that you can listen to very often without wanting to rip off your headphones. I think it deserves 3/10!

iTunes Single of the week #10

Hi,

This week iTune's free single of the week was "Gone (feat. Mahut Mondino)" by Supreme Cuts.

Supreme Cuts are a pair of electronic, dubstep artists from Chicago. They have on album "Divine Ecstasy" and one EP "Trouble" on iTunes. Mahut Mondino is a singer/songwriter from Paris. She has two singles out on iTunes, not including this one.

Review:
This track is electronic-pop but has indie hints to it. The intro is so beautiful, a piano playing gorgeous moving chords over a simple twinkly melody is just unbelievably wonderful. I kept rewinding the song and listening to it again and again. Listening to it you think you're in for a gentle, beautiful piano ballad, but soon the singer and electro beats bursts through which I find ruins the moment. The piano is kept all the way through but overshadowed by electro-pop beats, which is a shame. The rest of the song is much the same, the singer is talented and the vocals are great but is high pitched all the way through and can get irritating. Her first note escapes through the soft piano with airy, light softness but we also hear the strength of her voice. Mahut Mondino is one to watch I think but this whole track is too electro-pop club beat-y for me!

Overall, purely for the piano and the vocals, I will give it 6/10.

Top 3 Songs of the week #8

Hi,

Click on the song title to have a listen!

This week I've been loving.....
Milk and Black Spiders by Foals
One Day by Kodaline
Riptide by Vance Joy

Milk and Black Spiders starts with open and echoing beats and then twinkly, tapping, acoustic beats that sound like spider's feet are added. I absolutely love this addition! When the vocalist starts singing it sounds electronic and a bit techno but still unmistakeably indie. I love that the spider footsteps are kept throughout it adds real depth. When they get to first chorus then it all gets heavier and less steppy, more long drawn out notes instead of fast moving ones. Then it moves back for the next verse. I really like this! At the end it starts to sound almost Turkish which is great. I love the way it builds before the last more indie-electro-pop end bit. I love the lyrics that "Foals" use in all their songs.

One Day is an unbelievably gorgeous song by Kodaline. It starts with just an acoustic guitar, small tapping beats and the singer which has a great effect. Piano is then added which brings more melody to the song, then drums are added which makes it feel fuller and more whole. Bass guitar is added which makes the track a whole and all come together. I love the message of the song, the lyrics are so good and just makes you want to sing along! When the electric guitar has some, rock-esque backing it adds a lot to the piece and now it sounds so more emotional and the whole thing builds for the last part. It ends with the chorus sung with only the acoustic guitar which leaves you feeling emotional and full. Just beautiful!

Riptide is an upbeat beachy sounding track. The first chords sound like you're sitting in a beach shack (in a good way). But his crackly, closed jaw, sometimes breathy vocals sound gorgeous and unexpected against everything else. I love that everything stops for a beat before the chorus. At the end the music stops and he is one beat behind singing "wrong", this is a gorgeous effect that makes you think. I love the chorus with only guitar chords and the tambourine, this whole track is so catchy and makes you tap your head and feet! I love the penultimate chorus where everything suddenly goes quiet and is thin texture again. It all suddenly gets loud again which I love! This song is exiting and gorgeous and needs a listen!