We’ve reached August which can only mean one thing… here’s the August mixtape!
This month’s is a hybrid of Pop and R&B with a few curveballs… enjoy!
Tag: Lawson
Music Monday – Volume Eighty Five
1) Nate Ruess – Brightside
Quirky yet utterly beautiful pop song which makes full use of Ruess’ idiosyncratic vocals over a backdrop of jazzy piano chords, squeaky string sections and eerie music box sounds. Dreamy and magical.
2) One Direction – History
Bittersweet Pop track which serves as a perfect ‘goodbye’ (at least for now) to fans. Considered by many as an update of Toy Story classic ‘You’ve Got A Friend In Me’, acoustic guitar strums and a sing-along Chorus make this a perfect Pop anthem.
3) Rihanna & Drake- Work
Rihanna returns with this laid-back reggae-pop track, aided by Drake. It’s rhythmic and catchy with Rihanna’s heavily auto-tuned vocals sliding effortlessly over clever production.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/clips#p03grqg5
4) Ellie Goulding – Army
Stunning synthpop track in the same vein as material on Goulding’s debut ‘Lights’. Over jittery guitar samples, crashing percussion and simmering synths, Goulding sings of her best friend.
5) Zayn – PILLOWTALK
Sexy and sultry alternative R&B track comprised of thunderous beats, eerie electro elements, broken vocal samples, wailing guitars and soaring melodies. It’s a far-cry from Zayn’s One Direction days and conveys a far greater depth of maturity, mostly through its sexual themes.
6) Lion Babe – Where Do We Go
Funky disco-themed neo soul track from New York City duo Lion Babe.
7) Taylor Swift – Out of the Woods
Dramatic synthpop track comprised of broken vocal samples, gated percussion and Swift’s almost whispered vocals. One of the highlights of Swift’s ‘1989’ album, it’s perhaps the best representation of the album, utilising scatty samples and ’80’s electro sounds.
8) Lawson – Money
Lawson return after a period of instability in terms of musical output. The release of the band’s second album has been repeatedly delayed but they are now preparing or its release in March. ‘Money’ is its lead single (excluding last year’s single ‘Roads’), a catchy pop-rock track in a similar vein to ‘When She Was Mine’ and ‘Brokenhearted’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGgFZufBB20
9) Dawin – Dessert
Catchy, jittery and squeaky pop track by American singer and producer Dawin featuring a rap from Silento.
10) Tom Parker – Lost In Your Love
Ex member of The Wanted Tom Parker impresses on this catchy house track which he has also produced.
Christmas Crackers – Day 21
1) CHRISTMAS CRACKER: Chris Rea – Driving Home for Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czhZbqpyBm8
2) CINNAMON COVER: Lawson – Driving Home for Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB-TmtAHVTA
3) WINTER WARMER: Coldplay – Christmas Lights
Check back everyday this month for more festive hits!
Music Monday Volume Seventy One
1) Birdy & Rhodes – Let It All Go
Gorgeous ballad by two highly talented artists from the UK. Utilising gentle piano tones, airy synths, crashing waves of percussion and rich layered harmonies, this is easily one of the most beautiful songs of recent years.
2) George Michael – I Can’t Make You Love Me
Perhaps one of the most covered songs in Pop history, this gorgeous and emotive ballad was originally bought to attention by Bonnie Raitt in 1992 who did a wonderful job. Since then, it has been covered by a multitude of artists from Boyz II Men to Adele. George Michael covered this during his incredible MTV Unplugged performance in 1997 to critical acclaim. It was later released as a b-side to his single ‘Older’. George’s interpretation captures a sincerity and anguish that others just seem to lack.
3) The Weeknd & Disclosure – Nocturnal
A rich fusion of The Weeknd’s dark R&B sound and slick falsetto vocals and Disclosure’s euphoric house sound. Awesome opener to Disclosure’s later album ‘Caracal’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E0bgxgncrE
4) Jack Garratt – The love you’re given
Eeerie, jittery and sophisticated, this is a gorgeous down-tempo trip-hop track. Garrat’s falsetto vocals echo endlessly into the minimalistic production.
5) Ryan O’Shaughnessy – Fingertips
You may remember Ryan as a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent a few years ago. ‘Fingertips’ is his first single after a lengthy break. Whilst maintaining his signature acoustic sound, ‘Fingertips’ adds eerie sounds and programmed percussion to create a more polished track.
6) Sonny J – Can’t Stop Moving
Whilst never a huge hit for little-known DJ Sonny J, this song has been used in multiple commercials and TV programmes since. With sweeping sixties strings, gospel tinged keyboards and huge soulful vocals, it’s irresistibly catchy.
7) Earth Wind & Fire – September
Another track which is irresistibly catchy. ’70’s disco at its best.
8) John Waugh – Flight
John Waugh is a saxophonist who has played for a variety of acts and bands. He is perhaps best known for his saxophone solos in music by The 1975. ‘Flight’ is his début EP – a gorgeous and sophisticated collection of lovingly made Jazz tracks with modern twists. The title track is perhaps the strongest track featuring funky piano, bass and guitar riffs and a gorgeous saxophone solo.
9) Lawson – Mountains
Epic power ballad from Lawson’s latest EP. Screaming guitars, heavy percussion and Andy Brown’s emotive vocals all blend to create a powerful pop-rock track.
10) Janet Jackson – Shoulda Known Better
Despite its slight disjointed nature, ‘Shoulda Known Better’ is one of the best tracks Miss Jackson has put her name to in YEARS. A follow up to her 80’s smash ‘Rhythm Nature’, this is a powerful and catchy EDM track which cries out for world peace.
Music Monday – Volume Fifty Four
1) S Club 7 – Discotek
Catchy disco track from the ‘Seeing Double’ era that never made it onto the album. Bit of a guilty pleasure, this!
2) Rachel Stevens – Heaven Has To Wait
Rachel Stevens had a great, if short, solo career. Debut album ‘Funky Dory’ contained lots of fantastic songs and was a wonderful pop album. This is an absolutely gorgeous ballad taken from it.
3) Rachel Stevens – Blue Afternoon
Love the chilled-out, jazz feel to this track.
4) S Club 7 – Show Me Your Colours
Underrated track from the ‘Sunshine’ album. A firm favourite of many fans and this should have been a single. It’s more mature than a lot of their other material and Miss Rachel Stevens sounds fantastic on it. Moody, sultry and catchy. Awesome song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjBcb1hGeJ8
5) Lawson – We are Kings (Acoustic)
Heard a full live performance of this and wasn’t as keen. This stripped back version is absolutely stunning, however. Andy Brown has such a great voice and his falsetto is just gorgeous. Love the message in this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3MAhlt41r0
6) Little Mix – Black Magic
One of the best pop tracks I have heard in ages. Staying loyal to the Little Mix sound but adding a little more guitar and 80’s into the mix, this is a massive step forward in the right direction for them. That guitar riff is SO nicked from ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’, however…
7) The 1975 (Drive Like I Do) – One Wish
This track by The 1975 from their Drive Like I Do era recently surfaced online and it’s awesome. Even their work prior to their fame is polished and faultless. You can hear the Ladysmith Black Mambazo influence on this and a bit of The Talking Heads too. It’s simple but dreamy and irresistible with great harmonies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l9P52K9ETs
8) Nathan Sykes – Kiss Me Quick
Cringey intro aside, this is incredibly catchy and really showcases Nathan’s incredible voice. Funky.
9) James Bay – Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher
I knew before even listening that James would do this classic justice and I was not wrong! It’s a very chilled out take in true James Bay style but it’s just so relaxing and beautiful. What a talent.
10) Victoria Beckham – IOU
Co-written by one of my favourite songwriters Chris Braide, I forgot all about this beautiful song until recently. Okay so it may lack credibility and may be slightly overloaded with cheese but that’s what great pop music is all about. Apparently written for husband David, this was an album track from Victoria’s debut album. Very pretty.
Music Monday – Volume Fifty One
1) Still Parade – Fields
Found this on a Spotify playlist. Rather haunting with soft vocals and a tinny guitar sound. Great song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltmv1L6BM1Y
2) Scarlet Pleasure – Windy
An irresistibly catchy, funky number by Danish band Scarlet Pleasure. The low-key chorus doesn’t make a big deal out of itself but it’s the scatty synths, driving bass and lead singer Emil Goll’s soaring falsetto that make it what it is. The synthesisers simulating the wind is also a clever trick. Can’t get enough of this right now.
3) Ryan O’Shaughnessy – Evergreen
Okay so this is apparently a Christmas song but it’s only loosely connected so I think I can just about get away with it! If you’ve read my previous Music Monday blogs, you’ll know how much I admire this guy’s talent. I really hope he goes onto good things. His début EP following his stint on Britain’s Got Talent fared well in the charts but I hope he’s able to experience a successful career. He deserves it, afterall. Very pretty song. This guy is so talented as a songwriter it’s unreal.
4) M.O – Preach
The UK’s hot new girl band. This is incredibly catchy. Absolutely love this.
5) Snoop Dogg – Peaches ‘n’ cream
You can hear Pharrell’s uncredited influence on this track with its retro production and old-school feel. Apparently he worked on the track but was uncredited afterwards. Charming! Love a bit of Snoop.
6) Hozier – Someone New
I know it’s an unpopular opinion but I never warmed to ‘Take Me To Church’ so I dismissed Hozier as an artist. How wrong I was. This is so soulful and uplifting it’s impossible not to enjoy listening to it.
7) Shura – 2Shy
I am unbelievably obsessed with this right now. SO chilled out, so late 80’s/early 90’s and SO Janet-esque. It’s like Janet Jackson herself has released an out-take from one of her first albums. It’s gentle, simplistic but pretty and really quite catchy.
8) OMI – Cheerleader
Just irresistibly catchy. Believe it or not, this was originally released back in 2012. The original version is good but it’s the Felix Jaehn Remix that makes it what it is and it’s this version that has shot into Number One all over the world.
9) Nickelback – Photograph
Love the chord progression in this. Great song.
10) Lawson – Royals
Not a fan of the original in the slightest (despite those pretty harmonies on ‘I rule’) but this chilled out, acoustic based version completely turns it on its head and completely revamps it. Lawson have an amazing talent in producing the most endearing, great covers and this is no exception. There’s a great summer vibe in this. Can’t get enough of this right now.
Music Monday – Volume Forty-Seven
1) Circa Waves – T Shirt Weather
Catchy, summery indie fun. Love this band at the moment and I love this song. Great to listen to in the Spring sunshine.
2) Circa Waves – My Love
Staying loyal to their fun sound, this song is a little more ballad-y and I love the chord progression in this. Probably my favourite from the album. Great tune.
[Only decent version on YouTube at the moment]
3) Circa Waves – Deserve This
Another slightly slower track from the band’s début album. Pretty little song with a gorgeous soft chorus.
[Not available on YouTube]
4) The 1975 – So Far (It’s Alright)
Still an absolute tune. Slightly repetitive, maybe but I love the feel of this track. So catchy.
5) Will Young – Love Revolution
SO glad Will’s back. Wasn’t sure about this at first but it grows on me more with every listen and it’s a great song. Looking forward to the album.
6) The Weeknd – Earned it
I’d heard this a fair but but hadn’t put 2 and 2 together to realise it was this song by The Weeknd that everyone keeps talking about. Dramatic, powerful and a great song. The 50 Shades soundtrack is definitely worth a listen. Awesome selection of music.
7) Brandon Flowers – Can’t deny my love
There’s something rather ambient and 80’s about this with its sweeping synths, tribal drums and squeaky guitars. Good song.
8) Lawson – I Got You
Whilst one of my favourite bands, their new single ‘Roads’ doesn’t do anything for me. After discovering this new song as a live performance on YouTube, my hope and faith in this band was restored, however. Catchy, uplifting and loyal to their sound. Awesome track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMfzCGzN_AM
9) One Direction/Zayn Malik – I Won’t Mind
There is still much confusion on if this is Zayn’s solo material or a demo for one of Zayn’s songs that would have been on One Direction’s ‘Four’ album. Whoever this song belongs to, the demo that has appeared online is stunning. Raw and simplistic as a demo should be, I just really, really love this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YULGc9Gmog
10) The Japanese House – Still
Smooth.
Music Monday – Volume Thirty Seven
1) John Mayer – Dreaming with a broken heart
Beautiful ballad from John’s 2005 ‘Continuum’ album. Great lyrics and I love the fact it’s piano based which makes it stand out from John’s usual guitar sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1dOE-oeLG0
2) Cage The Elephant – Lotus
Heard this when out the other day and really enjoyed it! Reminds me a bit of the Red Hot Chillipeppers.
3) London Grammar – Metal & Dust
I love London Grammar but only got round to checking out their album in its entirety this week. This is one of the stand-outs for me. Love that drum rhythm.
4) London Grammar – Interlude (Live)
Another beautiful song from London Grammar’s début album.
5) One Direction – Stockholm Syndrome
Yes, I know this was in one of the playlists a couple of weeks back and I tend to avoid including songs more than once but I had to include it again. I cannot get enough of this intense, incredibly catchy song. The lyrics are well-written, the drum rhythm is catchy as hell and I love that melody. One of the stand-outs from ‘Four’.
6) Robbie Williams – Deceptacon
A stunning song from ‘Reality Killed The Video Star’. Soft, dreamy and pretty spaced out, I just love the feel of this song. One of Robbie’s most underrated songs.
7) Taylor Swift- Blank Space
Taylor Swift is dominating the charts at the moment and rightly so. She’s delivered an incredible album full of killer songs. Great song.
8) Labrinth – Jealous
Dismissed by many as ‘boring’, I just think this is really quite beautiful. It may not be the best song I’ve heard but credit where it’s due. There’s some gorgeous chords in this, the lyrics are beautiful and Labrinth’s voice is fantastic.
9) Bing Crosby & David Bowie – Little Drummer Boy
When considering my favourite Christmas songs, I always manage to forget about this classic. Their voices just melt together and it’s a beautiful version of a gorgeous song. Perhaps one of the greatest duets in history.
10) Lawson – Driving Home For Christmas
‘Driving Home For Christmas’ is one of my top 3 favourite Christmas songs of all time. Lawson are one of my favourite bands. Put them both together and you get this level of perfection! Such an awesome version.
Music Monday – Volume Thirty Six
1) The Beatles – Across the Universe
Such a pretty little song. Love the lyrics and the melody in this one. “Nothing’s gonna change my world…”
2) The Beatles – Blackbird
I am obsessed with this song right now. It’s a song I’ve always been aware of but I’ve only grown to appreciate it fully this past week where I have checked out pretty much all of The Beatles’ discography. It’s an interesting song musically and simplistic instrumentation-wise. Love it!
3) The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour
Just an all round brilliant song!
4) John Mayer – Come back to bed
John refers this as an early version of his signature song ‘Gravity’ which makes sense rhythmically. I’m not sure I’m keen on that analogy however because it feels like John has therefore dismissed this beautiful and fantastic song because he wrote something similar and better a few years later. Awesome lyrics and a great chilled-out feel. Also love the way it builds. “Don’t hold your love over my head”.
5) Lawson – Taking over me
One of their best and it still sounds awesome two years later. SO catchy and such a feel-good song.
6) One Direction – Night Changes
Beautiful, low-key second single from new album ‘Four’. The below video is for a stunning live acoustic version.
7) S Club 7 – S Club Party
There ain’t no party like an S Club party! They received a mixed reaction when they reunited at BBC Children in Need on Friday night but overall they caused a lot of fuss and excitement. Still an irresistible pop track!
8) Take That – Patience
The song that had a massive contribution to Take That’s massively successful comeback, this song is still just as powerful eight years after its release. Amazing lyrics, an irresistible chorus and an awesome song.
9) Wild Beasts – Reach a bit further
Hauntingly beautiful song. Love the moody feel to this track.
10) Gabrielle – Dreams
One of the best songs from the 90’s, this is 90’s R&B at its best. Just an all round fantastic song and Gabrielle has one of my favourite female voices ever.
Music Monday – Volume Twenty Four
1) Mark Owen – Stars
Mark Owen’s solo career is massively underrated. All of his four solo albums have been fantastic but have achieved only moderate success. 2013’s ‘The Art of Doing Nothing’ is probably his best and lead single ‘Stars’ is a masterpiece. Unusual chord structure, electronic sounding, fantastic instrumentation, beautiful vocals and thoughtful lyrics. SO good.
2) Mark Owen – Giveaway
The opening track to ‘The Art of Doing Nothing’. Haunting introduction, Mark’s echoing vocals and a fine way to open the album, building into a catchy track.
3) Demi Lovato – World of chances
I discovered John Mayer had co-written this song with Demi for her 2009 album so decided to check it out. It’s a beautiful song and I can hear both artist’s influences stamped all over it. Such a great track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC3oCfh57BA
4) Republic of Loose – Comeback Girl
Catchy as hell with minimalistic instrumentation. Great summer track.
5) Take That – When we were young
Beautiful song that deserved to fare better in the UK singles chart. A song that returned Take That back to their pop-rock style after the whirlwind that was 2010’s ‘Progress’, it’s warm, heartfelt and beautifully performed.
6) Take That – Happy Now
One of my all time favourite Take That songs and one of the best from their career. An amazing backing track from Gary Barlow with paranoid, robotic and dark verses before a disco, Bee-Gee-esque chorus that’s catchy as hell. It’s an incredible piece of electro-pop with well-written lyrics and the blend of the dark verses with the optimistic, catchy chorus works fanatically and makes it stand out amongst other songs of a similar genre.
7) Take That – What do you want from me
Haunting, heartfelt and emotional. Mark Owen puts his heart and soul into this and Stuart Price’s production is incredible. Awesome song.
8) Michael Jackson – Scared of the moon
Out-take from the ‘Bad’ album which appeared on the 2005 box set; ‘The Ultimate Collection’. It’s simple with just Michael’s voice, a piano and strings but it is absolutely stunning. Michael & Quincy Jones were right to leave it off ‘Bad’ as it simply wouldn’t have fit but it’s an incredibly beautiful song nonetheless.
9) John Mayer/Lawson – Gravity
John Mayer’s signature tune, this is absolute perfection. Silky smooth, Blues-infused and with minimal but heartfelt lyrics. It’s a song John tried to write for a long time before finally getting it right. Lawson are one of my favourite bands who also admire John. They have performed a cover of this song a couple of times, both live in concert and on a live-stream. Their cover is absolutely beautiful so I am including it below too.
10) John Mayer – Wheel
Understated, soft closing track to 2003’s ‘Heavier Things’. It’s a beautiful song with fantastically written lyrics and it has the ability to leave you heartbroken. Gorgeous track and the perfect way to end an album.
the-music-box.co.uk 