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.
Gorgeous acoustic guitar version of the smash summer dance hit which almost surpasses the original.
Sweet Pop ballad with jittery synthesizers, thunderous percussion and Jepsen’s syrupy vocals. Taken from her new EP comprised of eight outtakes from her brilliant album ‘Emotion’.
American rapper Mac Miller teams up with Anderson . Paak on this subtle, chilled-out tropical-house influenced hip hop track. Buoyant yet laid back, this is a huge record.
Keane frontman Tom Chaplin goes it alone on this fantastic pop debut. Co-written by Matt Hales (better known as Aqualung), this triumphant pop track is the lead single from Tom’s forthcoming debut album ‘The Wave’. It doesn’t stray far from Keane’s sound (in fact, it is essentially a Keane song) but it works in Tom’s favour.
John Legend does what he does best on this schmaltzy piano ballad. A stunning love song, ‘Start’ is taken from the soundtrack of ‘Southside With You’ which utilises nothing but John’s gorgeous falsetto and tender piano chords.
1) Snow Patrol – Just Say Yes
Forgot what an incredible song this is. Been listening to it loads this week – so catchy, so honest and so different from what Snow Patrol normally do. Love it and I love them.
2) The Castro Family/The 1975 – Chocolate
Everyone knows Chocolate is one of my all time favourite songs. I usually hate YouTube covers as people tend to make it into a ballad which just doesn’t work. Part of its charm is the catchiness! LOVE this interpretation though! A little cheesy but love the harmonies and the arrangement.
3) Roxette – Wish I could fly
One of the most beautiful songs ever and one of my all time favourites. So underrated. Love the pairing of the orchestra and drum machine. Special song for me.
4) Genesis – Throwing it all away
This kept coming on during Shuffle and I love it so much! Love Genesis and Phil Collins anyway but I’m really enjoying this song at the moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45ZdlFKYd84
5) Prince – Purple Rain
Prince is one of my music heroes. This is so depressing and so long but sometimes it’s so necessary! It’s an incredible song, very emotive and powerful and the length is needed. I used to think it was perhaps too long but these days I appreciate the whole piece. Electric.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYUvCStLYJI
6) The Vamps – Another World
I dismissed The Vamps a while ago but I gave their album a listen and I really love it! The second half in particular. I can’t get enough of this song at the moment. Generic maybe but very beautiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7tNpUcxrFA
7) R. Kelly – Happy People
I remember hearing this on the car journey home from a theme park when I was around ten years old. It’s just such a smooth, happy song that always makes me feel great. R.Kelly is a musical genius.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Gmaurug0I
8) Coldplay – Oceans
SO in love with this and so excited for the album. Very beautiful and very reminiscent of the Parachutes era.
9) Keane – Bedshaped
So, so beautiful. Keane are one of my favourite bands and this song is just stunning. Love the video too.
10) George Michael – Kissing a fool
Only found this recently but I love it! So jazzy, so chilled. Definitely one of George’s more underrated songs.
1) The Blue Nile – The Downtown lights
I’ve loved this song for a while after discovering Annie Lennox’s cover. I love both versions equally and it’s an incredible song. Reminds me of an evening road trip. Very underrated track
2) Keane – She has no time
Been listening to a lot of Keane again recently. Tom Chaplin’s voice is absolutely gorgeous, as is this song. Very beautiful
3) Coldplay – We never change
I’m really addicted to this. I checked out the Parachutes album for the first time last week and have fallen in love with it. This song is just stunning. I really love the lyrics
4) Coldplay – Everything’s not lost
Another gorgeous track off Parachutes.
5) Coldplay – Trouble
Just gorgeous.
6) John Mayer – Speak for me
The melody for the verses is perhaps one of the best I have ever heard. It’s just such a sing-song melody. The gorgeous weather always makes me want to listen to John’s ‘Born and Raised’ and ‘Paradise Valley’ albums as they’re just so chilled out and happy.
7) John Mayer – A face to call home
This begins as another chilled-out country themed track like the rest of the Born & Raised album but in the last minute or so, it turns into a very Coldplay-inspired track. Love the lyrics to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cykEwT7JrUU
8) Disclosure – F for you
Love Disclosure so much. Add a bit of Mary J Blige and a masterpiece is created. Awesome track.
9) The 1975 – What makes you beautiful
I’m a big fan of the original too but The 1975 completely turned the track on its head and created something very beautiful.
10) Prince – Wherever u go, whatever u do
Very generic for a Prince song, I’ve seen these chords in many other pop tracks but I just think it’s a really sweet song.
*Can’t link this because it’s not on YouTube*
the-music-box.co.uk 