Tag: Alt-J

Music Monday – Volume Thirty Nine

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1) Take That – Portrait

Incredible, euphoric pop song with a barber shop chorus. Find this quite Christmassy too! Like a Part 2 of ‘Hold Up A Light’ from The Circus album.

[No YouTube Video as of yet]

2) Take That – Higher than higher

Stunning ballad with insane production from the band’s latest album ‘III’. Can’t get enough of this right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zWJs7PHGaA

3) Take That – I like it

A blend between hit ‘Shine’ and Progress’ dark rock track ‘Underground Machine’. Mechanical and catchy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wnQ_uegZzc

4) Take That – Do it all for love

Haunting closing track to the deluxe version of ‘III’. Builds up into a dramatic power ballad.

[No YouTube video as of yet]

5) Take That – Let in the sun

Dance infused pop track reminiscent of something Calvin Harris would do. Uplifting and euphoric.

6) Alt-J – Left hand free

Something completely endearing about this track. Love the percussion on it – very catchy.

7) Sam Smith – I’ve told you now

News of Sam Smith being nominated for four Grammy’s this week was received exceptionally well by most of the general public. His talent is certainly to be admired – what a voice! Lots of amazing songs on his album but I really love this. Bitter yet soft too. Awesome song.

8) Robbie Williams – Heavy Entertainment Show

Can’t wait to listen to the rest of this album when I receive it! The amazing thing about Robbie Williams is he has a whole stash of amazing songs that haven’t heard seen the light of day yet simply because he’s a perfectionist. If the rest of latest album ‘Under the radar’ (an album of previously unreleased material) is like this, it’s going to be one heck of an album.

9) Matt Kivel – End of adventure

Found this on a random Spotify playlist and fell in love. So chilled out and a lovely little acoustic-based song.

10) Isbells – Dreamer

Another song I found on a random Spotify playlist and I love this! Low-key and a great, great song. Love this!

Music Monday – Volume Thirty Four

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1) Seal – Silence

Such an incredibly beautiful song. I once used this in a drama performance I did and so it gives me lots of fond memories. The acapella introduction proves how amazing Seal’s voice is and I just love the chord progression and the way it builds.

2) Seal – You get me

Pretty song off Seal’s amazing ‘Commitment’ album.

3) Alt-J – Hunger of the pine

One of the most haunting songs ever. Love the moody, melancholic feel to this song and the sample of Miley is genius.

4) Susan Boyle – Enjoy the Silence

Stunning cover of the song by Depeche Mode. I actually much prefer Su-Bo’s version. It imitates the approach Michael Andrews and Gary Jules took to covering Tears for Fears’ ‘Mad World’ by turning a 1980’s electronic/synthpop song into a stunning ballad. Amazing.

5) Nicole Scherzinger – Run

Beautiful ballad from Nicole’s new album.

6) Seal & Heidi Klum – Wedding Day

Catchy number from Seal’s ‘System’ album. Features vocals from then-wife Heidi Klum. Great song.

7) Union J – You got it all

This is one of few songs I’ve remotely liked by this boyband. It takes a few listens but it’s definitely a grower and it’s very pretty.

8) Phil Collins – Look Through My Eyes

I saw somebody mention the soundtrack for Brother Bear on Twitter the other day which reminded me of this song Phil Collins wrote and recorded for the soundtrack. Fantastic song.

9) Ryan Adams – Gimme something good

Heard this and loved it a while back but forgot about it until this past week. Ryan Adams is so talented and this is such an awesome song.

10) Stevie Nicks – Has anyone ever written anything for you?

Stunning ballad which closes Stevie’s ‘Rock a Little’ album. It’s very ’80’s’ but it’s also very beautiful. Love that long ending.

Music Monday – Volume Thirty

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1) Jason Segel & Peter Linz – Man or Muppet

Yes, it’s a song by The Muppets from their 2011 Disney movie. It’s comical but yet utterly beautiful at the same time. I think the reason I love it so much, besides the fact it involves The Muppets which I love, is that is reminds me of 1980’s power ballads and musically, it’s a little like Elton John’s ballads. Reminds me a little of one of my favourite songs by The Scissor Sisters (‘Mary’) too. Just a beautiful little song.

2) Simply Red – Fairground

One of the best pop-house  tracks from the 90’s. Such a feel-good, catchy song. Awesome drum track, sing-song melody and a bloody brilliant chorus. SO good.

3) The Script – No good in goodbye

The Script got mixed reviews for their previous album, ‘#3’ and so it seems they wanted to return to form with new album ‘No sound without silence’. And that, they have. This is the opening track and it’s unbelievably good. Great, well-written lyrics and I love the chord progression of the chorus, though it does sound rather like Duran Duran’s ‘Ordinary World’! Can’t get enough of this right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfahSzwCNHM

4) Paolo Nutini – Iron Sky

Incredibly haunting, beautiful and dark. Paolo’s vocal performance on this is insane. SO emotive.

5) Chris Brown – Add Me In

As much as I can’t stand Chris Brown as a human being, I do love a lot of his music. Latest album ‘X’ is great and this is my favourite track off it. A little like something that would have appeared on Michael Jackson’s ‘Off the wall’ album but with a modern twist. Great song.

[Not on YouTube yet]

6) Alt-J – Every other freckle

Another haunting song, this is a little creepy. Awesome record, though.

7) SecondCity featuring Ali Love – What can I do?

SO good. One of those rare new songs that I loved upon my first listen. Sounds a little like a 90’s house track which is part of what makes it so endearing. Summer hasn’t disappeared just yet!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmXTTwCNj6o

8) Jamie Cullum – Photograph

I love Jamie Cullum – he’s one of the most underrated artists in the UK. This is a beautiful little song I came across after reading an interview with him in which he discussed this song. Great lyrics and I love how the song builds and develops. Love this.

9) Simply Red – Your Eyes

Taken from one of Simply Red’s most underrated albums and one that happens to be my favourite by them; ‘Love and the Russian Winter’. Great, great song.

10) Ariana Grande & Nathan Sykes – Almost is never enough

I loved this when it came out but forgot all about it until reading about Nathan Skyes reportedly working on a solo album. A chilled, jazzy affair with incredible vocal performances by both artists. I’m expecting big things from Nathan – what a voice! One that wasn’t showcased enough in The Wanted. Just hope he gets with the right song-writers/musicians.