s u m m e r  m i x t a p e s

Wasps and fake tan stains are abundant over here in the UK! So you know what that means, right? Summer is getting closer! So, here is a few little mixtapes that will be sure to get you into the summer mood, featuring bands that will be blitzing the festival scene in the upcoming months and tracks which will get you right into the spirit for whatever it is you're doing this summer!

SUMMER #1
KING CITY // SWIM DEEP

BLOODSHAKE // PEACE

LAST NITE // THE STROKES

TECHNO FAN // THE WOMBATS

COME CLOSER // MILES KANE                    

R U MINE? // ARCTIC MONKEYS

FOLLOW BABY // PEACE

LUNA // BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB

IF YOU WANNA // THE VACCINES 

SWEATER WEATHER // THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

WEST COAST // LANA DEL REY

TURN DOWN FOR WHAT // DJ SNAKE & LIL JON

SEX // THE 1975

ROBBERS // THE 1975

CHILLING WITH FRIENDS?
GIRLS // THE 1975

DANCING SONG // LITTLE COMETS

GET UP TONIGHT // HIGH TYDE

SOMETHING GOOD CAN WORK // TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB

AWKWARD // SAN CISCO

IF YOU WANNA // THE VACCINES 

ADDICTED TO THE CURE // THE WOMBATS

TONGUE TIED // GROUPLOVE

SHABBA // ASAP FERG

SHE WAY OUT // THE 1975

BLOODSHAKE // PEACE

WATCHING THE SUNSET ON THE BEACH?

THE 1975 // THE 1975

TEE SHIRT // BIRDY

YOUNG & BEAUTIFUL // LANA DEL REY

FALLOUT // CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN

BUDAPEST // GEORGE EZRA

ALL I WANT // KODALINE

TAKE A FALL FOR ME // JAMES BLAKE

GIVE ME LOVE // ED SHEERAN

WOMAN // THE 1975

ANGELS // THE XX

ROAD TRIP, ANYONE?

THINK ABOUT IT // AMERICAN AUTHORS

FEVER // THE BLACK KEYS

HOW SOON IS NOW // THE SMITHS

WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG // THE KILLERS

TASTE IT // JAKE BUGG

KATHLEEN // CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN

ROBBERS // THE 1975

HEAD.CARS.BENDING // THE 1975

27 // PASSENGER 

PACKING FOR THAT RISQUE HOLIDAY YOUR MUM IS WORRIED ABOUT YOU GOING ON?

SHOT ME DOWN // DAVID GUETTA

MY LOVE // ROUTE 94

THE WIRE // HAIM

HABITS (STAY HIGH) // TOVE LO (REMIX)

TAKE ME HOME // CASH CASH

TURN DOWN FOR WHAT //DJ SNAKE & LIL JON

RATHER BE // CLEAN BANDIT

Meadowhall Light Switch On

Meadowhall Light Switch On
Every year Capital FM hold the 'Meadowhall Christmas Light Switch On' where 15,000 northerners huddle together, in the rain, to watch and listen to the best that Capital has to offer. This year the line up included the debut performance from the incredible The Brit School, and the  likes of Little Nikki,  Union J and The Vamps- including many more!

Who stole the show?

In my opinion The Vamps were the ones who really got me engaged and excited about the show. I was previously a fan before seeing them perform and they did not let me down. Now, normally in a crowd of pre-teen, angst-fueled girls I'd feel somewhat scared/out of place. However, when I saw swarms of twelve year olds chanting,
The foursome include Brad Simpson (lead vocals and rhythm guitar , Connor Ball (bass), James McVey (guitar) and Tristan Evans (drums). The four lads not only had teenage girls in swooning and screaming, but their parents singing along too. 
The band managed to mix pop and some reggae (yes, I know) qualities together to create a unique sound. I must admit, I really enjoyed their set.
Also, after listening to their covers of personal favourite songs  of mine I really appreciate what they're trying to do and their sound. (FYI Miley Cyrus' cover of 'why'd you only call me when you're high?' is impeccable) 

All the members performed to a high quality and, dressed in festive onesies, had the crowd singing all the lyrics back to them. I highly recommend seeing this band live! Or atleast give them a listen!


Who to look out for.
The three headlining acts (Little Nikki, Union J and The Vamps) were great performers and have great careers ahead of them. However, The Brit School were truly exceptional. Both the singers had outstanding vocal control and had everyone dancing. The covered Bruno Mars and Daft Punk beautifully, and in my opinion performed the songs better than the originals. 

Recommendations

Recommendations?

Here, there is something for pretty much everyone, I give you four recommendations to help vary your music taste!

1. The Smiths - if you haven't heard of them then you're missing out on so much! The music that The Smiths create can easily be compared to the feeling of a hug...from a giant, friendly polar bear. The Smiths will show you that you don't have to be alone, they can pick you right up (Hand in Glove) or calm you right down (Asleep). Do yourself a favour and have a listen!

2. Liberty Ship - Liberty Ship are an indie band originating from the good old Steel City! The band consists of four school friends who are passionate about the music they're creating. With just one listen, you can they are tell are going to be big! Think the next Arctic Monkeys.

3. King Charles - what is not to love? With amazing lyrics and music that is refreshing and easy to along with, but nothing far from perfection, give King Charles a listen! I recommend them if you The Gorgeous Chans, Grouplove or Dog is Dead.

4. The Wombats - this funky pop trio are for those of you who like to dance around with the biggest of smiles of your faces'. If you can listen to The Wombats without at least tapping your foot- then you have amazing restraint! I'd trust you to work in a bubble wrap factory! Enjoy!

Track by Track Album Review: The 1975

Album Review: 
The 1975 // The 1975

Well, well, well look who's here again! I just cannot get enough of the Manchester foursome, The 1975!
One thing admirable about The 1975 is the fact that they are so honest with the music that they create. They don't avoid 'touchy subjects' and they create music about real issues/adventures that life involves. Drugs. Love. Sex. So these topics are discussed on the album- which is so refreshing and charming that you can't help but love them! Then at the same time they can pair these lyrics with upbeat tunes of a high quality.
This album ticks ALL the boxes. So, here is my track by track view of the self-titled album!

Rating: *****

'The 1975'
The opening track is here to set the tone for the self-titled album- which it achieves perfectly! This track is short but builds to an epic crescendo which quickly cuts...leaving you excited for what's in store!

'The City'

This song perfectly captures the essence of The 1975. It has a catchy tune,  heavy drums and an infectious beat. The lyrics to this song are flawlessly sung by Matthew Healy who you can't help but sing along with. A round of applause to The 1975, we're already in love. 

'M.O.N.E.Y'

What a song! On only the third track The 1975 throw out some of their best work. 'M.O.N.E.Y' again give us their signature sound and robotic-style harmonies. I get the feeling of some Prince influences from this track- and I'm not complaining! 

'Chocolate'

This track is most likely the most well known song by The 1975- as you can't go a day without hearing it on the radio. The boys caress our ear drums with the amazing tune of this song and catchy guitar hooks. The lyrics tell us of the hinted drug-fueled adventures of the youthful band. It's truly exceptional, honest and a delight to hear. With such lyrics as, 'guns hidden under our petticoats', 'run, run away from the boys in the blue'- which show us how this songs has hints towards the police/law enforcement using their power to control youth. A youth which don't necessarily need controlling.

'Sex'

If you couldn't tell already The 1975 love to tell us a good story, and this song is no exception! You can hear the power in Matthew Healy's voice as he delivers perfect vocals and catchy lyrics. You can tell that this song would be great live- having everybody dancing and singing, 'She's got a boyfriend anyway!'. Awesome.

'Talk!'

'Why you talk so loud?'.This song perfectly showcases Ross McDonald's bass skills. This is a very easy song to get along with and changes from a choppy rhythm to a slow groove. 

'An Encounter'
This track is a very short, almost trippy, interlude. There isn't much to say about it except that it's a good pallet cleanser and refreshes you. 

'Heart Out'
I get a 'Prince-feeling' (if you will) from this track. After being refreshed by the previous track, I really like the song. 

'Settle Down'

Probably my favourite song by The 1975- this is much slower than tracks such as, 'Girls'. When Matty sings, 'For crying out loud, settle down', I cannot help but get chills and want sing with him. 

'Robbers'
'Robbers' is a much calmer song where we get to hear more of Healy's romantic vocals. This song, again, tells us a story which implies violence, drugs and trouble. For me, this is one of the best songs on the album. I adore it.

'Girls'

Wow. Wow. WOW. This song is complete pick me up and a definite favourite. I'm not sure if it's the handy work of Adam Hann or the catchy lyrics but this song is truly something else. It's a contrast with the previous calmer track, but this colourful injection is not one that would go without a miss. Whether or not it's intentional I can hear the sound of Cyndi Lauper in here, 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun', even though the lyrics hold the antheisis of Cyndi's hit.

'12'

Much like the opening track, '12' is short, but most definitly sweet. 

'Menswear'

Such a cool track. It really grabs your interest and I love the line, 'Why don't you talk to Matty about it?'.It makes you feel involved in the song which bursts into life after a synthesized introduction. Again, we get a mention of drugs in here- a running and refreshingly honest theme that The 1975 involve.

'Pressure'

I believe that this track could quite easily be about the pressure of suddenly being a band that has gone from playing together in Matty's bedroom to having a world tour. However, we are promised, 'There's a change in pressure, we're never gonna le to you'.
This is quite a laid-back song but with the same The 1975 beat. This track is very inspiring. This song is great to listen to when you're studying as it's not too 'dance-around-your-room-happy' but isn't 'sit-and-think-about-the-meaning-of-life-laidback'. A quality track.

'Is There Somebody Who Can Watch You'
This is the big finale for an exceptional album. You can really hear the emotion in Healy's voice and tell that the lyrics come from close to the heart. This song is almost a lullaby, a great send off to a great album.

BUY THE ALBUM HERE!

*********************
102
This is a beautiful song, you can hear the raw emotion in Healy's voice as he executes, 'you yapping on about him'. It is relatable to anyone who has ever been in the chokehold of unrequited love. Possibly my faovurite song of all time.

Song of the Week

Get Up Tonight // High Tyde

You can listen to the song here.

Or, buy the song here.

Who are they? High Tyde are an indie/rock band that have been graced to us from the lovely Brighton, England. They're pretty much everything that is good about music and if you haven't heard them yet- then please do yourself a favour!

Why is this song so good? 'Get Up Tonight' is a complete pick-me-up song, with the stress of this month it's defiantly in the September survival kit. The beat of the song and catchy lyrics make you feel dance-around-your-bedroom-singing-and-having-a-one-man-mosh happy! I recommend it if you like The 1975!

Also, this song, for me, sums up the gig/party lifestyle. So if you like gigs, then you'll really relate to this song! Plus, with a lot of gigs lined up for me (and hopefully you too!)this song gets me so excited! I'd love hear this song live- so let's see what 2014 brings!

Oh and guys...if that's not enough for you. They aren't exactly lacking in the looks department. Sssh!

Keep Smiling!