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 Review #6

Hi,

So the iTunes single this week is "Holding onto heaven" by Foxes.

Foxes is a 24 year old pop and electronic singer from Southampton. She has one EP out called Warrior that came out in May 2012.

Review:
The intro starts with electronic twinkly notes, then she starts singing and we hear breathy, gentle, girly vocals that sound slightly croaky and distressed. Her voice is poppy but she is quite talented. When the first chorus is played it starts to get a bit charty, sounding like the generic mainstream artists. She does sing with surprising emotion and you can't deny that she has talent even if that sort of singing isn't your cup of tea. I love the last part where she sings with just piano chords and strings, I don't think her voice needs to be weighed down with all the poppy texture that it was before. The last bit sounds lighter and more free. The track ends with the same twinkly notes it started with, which I like.

Overall, I think there are some really great elements to this song, so I'll give it 6/10.

iTunes Single of the week #5

Hi,

So this week's single was "3005" by Childish Gambino.

Childish Gambino is a 30 year old hip-hop rapper and musician from Los Angeles.

Review:
The intro is electronic abrupt beats which carry on all the way through. At the beginning he sings and the texture is thin, then he starts to rap and the backing stays as the simple beats. At the first chorus spacey drawn out notes are added and more percussion betas, that sound very wooden. This song is catchy and even if you don't like hip-hop or rap you have to admit that this guy has talent. This song is poppy, but not as much that makes it un-listenable, or so much that you can't appreciate the talent of the singer. At the end all other sound is suddenly stopped and there is a melody that sounds like it is being played from inside a room padded with cloth. I like this effect but it's not a revelation.

Overall I think this guy has talent but it is too hip-hoppy for me to listen to it for too long. So I'll give it 5/10.