Reading Time: 8 minutes
And just like that, we’re at the end of another month! I have been devouring a huge amount of music this month, so it was hard to whittle it down to even this amount of tracks!
Short on time? My Essential 5 are featured at the top!
As always, I really appreciate every read, scan or visit and hope you find some new music you love.
Read More »It’s September which means it’s time for the September mixtape!
We’d have loved to have included some material from Frank Ocean’s ‘Blonde’ album but unfortunately it is not available to share. Still, here’s twenty tracks we have been loving listening to in this past month.
Here’s the mixtape for June! 20 songs old and new that we’re loving at The Music Box.
1) Kodaline – The One
Beautiful ballad. Simple but effective!
2) Jessie J – I need this
Powerful emotive song from Jessie’s debut album ‘Who You Are’. Originally written for Chris Brown and featured as a bonus track on his Graffiti album, Jessie sticks to his formula despite the key change and some extra nice little ad libs at the end. The piano arpeggios are pretty, the explosive guitar heavy chorus adds sheer power and the lyrics are fantastic. Awesome song.
3) Chris Brown – Don’t Judge Me
I prefer the David Aude remix of this, funnily enough, despite not usually being a fan of remixes. This past week, I have fallen in love with the original version however. Smooth, emotive and a great, great song. Very chilled. Haven’t been able to get enough of this over the past week.
4) Chris Brown – I Love U
There’s something impossibly endearing about this album track from Chris’ ‘Graffiti’ album. Whether it’s the use of an accordion, the incredibly catchy chorus or the sing-song melody, it’s just a great, great track.
5) London Grammar – If You Wait
Haunting, stunning, emotional; three things every London Grammar song tends to be. This is no exception. Absolutely gorgeous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyVuiZmxm18
6) Fleetwood Mac – Sara
It’s Fleetwood Mac, what’s not to love? Soft, rather haunting with catchy piano instrumentation. Stevie Nicks’ voice is one of the greatest in history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzKh9q7vvHY
7) John Mayer – Gravity
Perhaps his signature song and rightly so. Blues-y, chilled out and so simple but so damn good. I’ve been able to completely relate to these lyrics this past week. Very cleverly written. The man’s a musical genius. “Gravity is working against me, gravity wants to bring me down.”
8) Ryan O’Shaughnessy – Hold Me Now
Absolutely stunning song by 2012’s Britain’s Got Talent Finalist, Ryan O’Shaughnessy. Big fan of his work and songwriting.
9) Charles Hamilton & Rita Ora – New York Raining
Really liking this right now! Very catchy.
10) Disclosure & Eliza Dolittle – You & Me
LOVE Disclosure. Still an absolute tune. Catchy and house-infused but rather haunting and beautiful at the same time.
1) Rae Morris – Closer
SO good. Beautiful piano instrumentation and I love the beat.
2) Avicci and Robbie Williams – The Days
I usually can’t stand Avicci but this song is awesome. I’m not just saying that because Mr Robbie Williams is on it, it’s just a great track. Love the acoustic guitar with the electronic instrumental and Robbie sounds great on it! Got a very Autumn-y feel about it.
3) Ella Henderson – Rockets
Fantastic, catchy pop track on Ella Henderson’s amazing début ‘Chapter One’ album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CUBKFAeQPk
4) Ella Henderson – The First Time
Love the old-school feel to this song. Great track.
[Not on YouTube yet]
5) Ella Henderson – Five Tattoos
Stunning piano ballad. Beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgpsVkJb_yE
6) Jessie J – Seal me with a kiss (ft De La Soul)
Catchy number off Jessie’s fantastic ‘Sweet Talker’ album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCvPJR1n1BI
7) Jessie J – Keep us together
Have loved this ever since Jessie debuted this on the TV special ‘Live at Edinburgh Castle’ this summer. Such a catchy, great song. Glad she’s returned to form with her latest album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCvPJR1n1BI
8) Seal – Best of Me
Been loving Seal’s ‘Commitment’ album recently, especially this song. Love the concept and the acoustic-feel of this song. Can’t get enough of this right now.
9) Seal – All for love
Dramatic, beautiful song off Seal’s ‘Commitment’ album.
10) Spring Awakening OBC – Touch Me
Beautiful song from one of my favourite musicals: ‘Spring Awakening’. Love every song from this musical but this definitely one of the stand-outs for me. SO powerful.
1) George Ezra – Blame it on me
I’m still not quite sure what to make of George Ezra. I think he’s very talented and there’s certainly something about his songs that make them pretty enchanting. That said, ‘Budapest’ did get on my nerves a little bit. ‘Blame it on me’ has been growing on me with every listen, however and I think I can now conclude that I love it. Love the guitar sound in the chorus.
2) Maroon 5 –Sugar
I much prefer old Maroon 5 to their sound for the past three years. ‘Songs about Jane’ and ‘It won’t be soon before long’ were class albums. That’s not to say they’ve completely lost their way, however. The new album is a vast improvement on ‘Overexposed’. This is an incredibly catchy and addictive song. Really love this.
3) Maroon 5 – It was always you
Another track on their latest album ‘V’. Love the 80’s vibe on this and it’s a great sing-along tune.
4) Prince – Clouds
I love how Prince just randomly drops these songs onto Spotify/Itunes without a fuss! No idea if this will appear on any of his two new albums arriving later this month but if this song is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat! Classic Prince but still managing to sound fresh. Layered with a bit of auto-tune to add a bit more effect, this is a great song.
[Unfortunately this isn’t on YouTube so no link!]
5) Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj – Bang Bang
I loved Jessie J’s debut album and I do continue to admire her talent. Personality wise, she does irritate me a bit and her single choices can be a bit hit and miss. Something told me I should hate this song, most likely because of the fact Nicki Minaj has a role in it. That said, it’s a really catchy, great pop track. Really liking this.
6) 5SOS – Amnesia
Overall, I keep telling myself I’m not into this band. Then again, they must be doing something right at this is their second track in one of my Music Monday playlists! This is an incredibly beautiful, if rather predictable (chord-wise) ballad. Definitely my favourite song of right now. Gorgeous.
7) Chromeo – Jealous (I ain’t worth it)
So damn catchy, this is an irresistible song. There hasn’t been a dance-pop track as good as this in YEARS. Unique, with a disco vibe, this is awesome. Check it out!
8) Travi$ Scott & James Fauntleroy – Drive (The 1975 remix)
I didn’t know the original of this (before The 1975 remixed it) and only got to know it through The 1975’s remix. I’m not biased just because The 1975 are one of my favourite bands, I just think what they’ve done with the song is incredible. Awesome beat, so chilled and I love Matty’s verse. Cannot get enough of this at the moment.
9) Joel Compass – Girlfriends
Another catchy track. Really like this!
10) Gary Barlow – We like to love
Without a doubt one of Gary Barlow’s finest songs he’s ever written and definitely one of my all time favourite compositions by him. The squeak of the piano stool and click of the piano keys at the beginning if you turn the volume up loud enough through headphones shows how raw this song is. It’s rare for a real piano to be used in a song these days. It’s wonderful, the changes that occur in this song. The soft beginning with the choir, the verse and first chorus, the key change and then the Coldplay-styled soaring climax. Such an incredibly beautiful and emotive song.
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