Music Monday – Volume Sixty

1) Shania Twain – You’re Still The One

Hopelessly romantic, a little cheesy maybe but certainly very beautiful. One of the more successful Country-Pop crossover songs that enabled country music to be heard and appreciated by a wider audience. Shania’s vocals are distinctive and gorgeous, as are the harmony layered backing vocals in the chorus. One of the greatest love songs of all time.

2) En Vogue – Don’t Let Go

One of the best R&B tracks of the 90’s. Furious, whaling guitars, aggressive vocals, harsh piano chords with an awesome chorus. Those harmonies are fierce too! Girl power at its best.

3) Wolf Alice – Your Loves Whore

Wolf Alice have been my new discovery this week. Their album is definitely worth a listen, a collection of uniquely and innovatively arranged indie tracks. This is one of the most powerful songs from the album; love the sheer power of it and its slightly distorted feel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wadaoz94MXg

4) Wolf Alice – Freazy

SO good. Dreamy and smooth with fierce percussion, a rich bass line, silky  harmonies and squeaky guitars. Effortlessly catchy.

5) Wolf Alice – Swallowtail

Haunting and powerful with an explosive ending.

6) R. Kelly – I Believe I Can Fly

R. Kelly at his best with his signature song. An amalgamation of R&B, Soul and Gospel music, this beautiful ballad was featured in the 1996 film ‘Space Jam’ before being included on Kelly’s 1998 album ‘R’. It’s simple but very beautiful featuring the classic 90’s key change!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIQn8pab8Vc

7) Christina Perri – A Thousand Years

One of the most gorgeous love songs ever written. Perri’s voice is distinctively unique and drifts beautifully over minimal instrumentation. Don’t let the fact this was on the soundtrack to one of the Twilight movies influence your judgement; it’s a song that should be thought of entirely separate to the movie.

8) Joe Stone & Montell Jordan – The Party (This is how we do)

Nostalgia much?! Joe Stone gives Montell Jordan’s 90’s R&B classic ‘This is How We Do’ a makeover with thumping beats and bouncy synthesisers, resulting in a fun, updated version of the original.

9) Jose Gonzalez – Leaf off/The Cave

Stunning, soft folk-styled track. This is how music should be.

10) The Layabouts ft Portia Monique – Colours of Love

Soulful house track with funky guitar riffs, thumping percussion, a fierce bass line and soulful vocals. LOVE this!

Music Monday – Volume Nine

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RvANwJLZQ4