Hey Violet: This Is Why Review!

Hey guys!

Today I'm going to do a review of Hey Violet's new single 'This Is Why'. Hey Violet (formally Cherri Bomb) are a four piece rock band from LA. I actually saw Cherri Bomb perform at Leeds Fest in 2011 and I enjoyed their performance, but I never really heard any of their stuff after that, so it took me a while to recognise the band, especially seen as the band used to be all female (and their performance was super early in the day haha).

I got asked to do this review a couple of weeks ago, and I have been listening to the band ever since. I love how raw their sound is, and you can hear the potential oozing out of them.

This Is Why is a really cool track. It's full of drum sweeps and cool guitar riffs. As I said, you can literally hear the potential that this band have. They've combined classic rock with alt-rock, but with a pop-edge, creating radio ready music. They posted an acoustic cover of this song, which I actually heard before the studio version, and it is just as good as the original and shows how talented the band is.

All four members of this band are freakishly competent musicians, and smash the four part harmonies into the middle of next week. Nia's drumming is beat-by-beat PERFECTION, and I am crazy jealous that she can play that well at such a young age.
The same can be said for all members. They may be young, but don't let that deter you. Their youth brings a fresh feel to the pop/rock scene, and as I said, they're all crazy talented musicians.

With this track, they've also shown that they can write songs, not just sing them, something which is very important in the industry. They've done a couple of covers, but This Is Why is the track that's going to make them stars.

There is a huge space in the market for this band. They were recently signed to Hi or Hey Records, a record company run by 5 Seconds of Summer, so Hey Violet can no doubt count on the legions of fans that 5SOS have to help propel them into the music industry.

I'm very excited for the future of this band. They have oodles of potential, plenty of talent, and a sick look to make the perfect formula; I can't wait for new music!
I will leave all of their social media links below!
Until next time,
MG
xxx



http://www.heyviolet.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV_YtXxRY3Z38Fs1QG25Jxw/videos
https://twitter.com/HeyViolet
https://www.facebook.com/heyvioletofficial?fref=ts

The Veronica's Sanctified Tour; Review!

Hey guys!
Today I thought I would try something a little different.
I have been to lots of gigs and concerts in my life, and last night I went to see The Veronica's on their Sanctified Tour.
It wasn't the first time that I had seen the Veronicas, my grandma took me to see them 6 years ago, which was the last time that they were in the UK.
I can honestly say that last night was one of the best nights of my entire life.

Despite the HOUR delay of getting into the venue due to a technical difficulty, once we all got in there you could feel the excitement.
The support act was Bad Flower, and they were fantastic. They did such a good job of warming us up ready for the girls to take the stage. I'd never heard of the band before, and although I wasn't expecting much, I was surprised, and I went and downloaded a couple of their songs!

From the second that Jess and Lisa came on stage till the second they left after the encore, the crowd was going mental. The twins have grown up since the last time they were in the UK, which is reflected in their music and in their style.
They did both songs from their new album and from their previous albums. From the new record they performed Sanctified, Did you Miss Me, Line of Fire, Always, Teenage Millionaire, You Ruin Me, Cruel, and If You Love Someone, and then they also performed Take Me on The Floor, Hook Me Up, a stripped back version of Everything I'm Not, Untouched, This is How It Feels, 4ever, and then they did an impromptu version of Lolita.

I knew how good the girls were from seeing them live previously, but I was seriously blown away at exactly how good they were live. They can sing really well. I know a lot of people who only know who The Veronica's are from Untouched and thought the girls were a one hit wonder but if they would listen to a live version of one of their songs, then I know they would change their minds. 

These girls can SING. Really well. 

Both Jessica and Lisa both know how to work a crowd. You felt a connection with them instantly, and it's because they were looking at us all in the eye. They were putting on the show FOR US, they were performing FOR US, and they made us feel like we were special. The amount of eye contact at the concert was incredible, it's something I have never experienced at a gig before and I think it's one of the reasons why their gig was one of if not the best gig I have ever been too. 

It is hard to capture the atmosphere and electricity that was in the room with a picture. The way The Veronica's performed was captivating and inspiring. When they performed their newer music, it got the same reaction as their older music did. As mentioned earlier, they performed older tracks such as Hook Me Up, Untouched and Everything I'm Not. I must admit, when they sang Everything I'm Not, and then went straight into You Ruin Me, it made me cry. I just felt so emotional, I could feel every word they were singing, and it really hit me. Again, I've never cried at a concert before; no one has ever moved me so much with the words they speak and the lyrics they sing. 

I'm not sure why I'm writing this. I've never done a tour review before, but as I said, this one stood out to me. Of course I have the dreaded 'post-concert depression' which sucks, but to cure said depression, I have resorted to listening to The Veronica's on repeat, much to my house mates annoyance (sorry Ellie and Caroline :D)

The concert was brilliant. Everything about it was perfect, including when Jess dropped her mic. They not only performed well but they also made everyone there think about what is important in life, as well as supporting Sea Shepherd, which again shows they care. 

That's it I think. That's why I enjoyed the show so much. I felt cared for. I felt like The Veronica's cared about me, and I think everyone else who was there can say the same! 

Until next time, 

MG 

xx

Ben Hazlewood ft Mali Koa Hood: Paint Me Black Review!

Hey guys!
Today I am going to do a review of the song 'Paint Me Black' by Ben Hazlewood ft Mali Koa Hood.
Now I'm a sucker for a tall, dark, handsome singer with an accent, and I was expecting this song to be a normal generic 'pop' song that was catchy but wasn't really memorable.

Boy was I wrong.

Hazlewood is indeed a tall, dark, handsome singer with an accent, and this song is definitely catchy, but this song is more than just memorable; it is fantastic. Plus, with the addition of the gorgeous Mali Koa Hood, it puts the song in a completely different ballgame.

The production is cool and classy, the melody is incredible, the lyrics are clever and relateable; everything about this song is just right for me. The song has such emotion behind it, you can't help but feel something and get attached. Plus the synth beats beneath the track works so well; it's a killer song with a KILLER video. Seriously, you need to check it out > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zatc1HCokvU.

Furthermore, the vocals in this track literally blow me away. I had goosebumps from start to end. I knew that Hazlewood could sing, but I had never really heard Mali Koa Hood belt a song out like that before.
The harmonies are incredible, and the song shows off Mali Koa's beautiful voice perfectly. I get envious of singers all the time but I can honestly say I have never been more envious of a female's voice before. If I could sing like Hood, I would never stop singing.
I'm not even going to play it cool, this song is brilliant; it's the best song I've heard in a while. It will be a travesty if it doesn't get mainstream notice - the only way I could sum it up would be to say it's a beautiful song, sung by beautiful people.

There are also remixes of the song on iTunes which are worth a mention as they're also very good, and have more of a house/dub feel to them! You can buy the single here! https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/paint-me-black-single/id966632215?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
I will leave all the links below if you want to check out either artist.
Until next time,
MG
xx

Ben Hazlewood:
https://twitter.com/benhazlewood
https://www.facebook.com/benhazlewood
https://instagram.com/benhazlewood/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Benhazlewood

Mali Koa Hood
https://twitter.com/malikoa
https://www.facebook.com/malikhood
https://instagram.com/malikoahood
https://www.youtube.com/user/MaliHood

Out With The Old: Liar EP Review

Hi guys! Today I got this text from a friend, asking me to check out a relatively unknown but talented band, Out With The Old.

Harvii always has a good taste in music, so when he suggested them, I had to go and check them out. Out With The Old are pop-punk band from California. They have based their sound on a blend of old and new pop/punk music. Although I said they are relatively unknown where I live, the band does have popularity online, boasting an impressive 32.5 thousand followers on twitter collectively.  

They just released their official debut EP 'Liar' a few months ago, and I was pleasantly surprised when I decided to give it a listen. Within the first 30 seconds or so on the first song you can tell that these guys are talented, and have a knack for this style of music. They have managed to get the balance between pop and punk and alternative right, so that lots of different people with different tastes of music can enjoy the band. I'm not a huge fan of punk songs that are entirely screamo, so one of the main things I liked about this EP is that there is just the right amount, so I wasn't reaching to turn it off. You can also tell that the band are incredibly skilled at playing their instruments, with the songs being guitar and drums heavy.

Give this band a couple of years to perfect their craft and I see them playing in the big league. Their songs aren't the generic pop/punk sound, they bring something a bit different to the field. If you're a fan of punk, pop/punk or pop/rock music, I suggest you give this EP a try like I did, I guarantee you will enjoy it! 

I will leave some of their social media links below, plus a link to a YT video where you can listen to the EP in full. 

Until next time, 

MG xx

https://twitter.com/outwiththeoldca

https://www.facebook.com/OutWithTheOldMusic

http://instagram.com/outwiththeoldca/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uhiTcRqWO8&feature=youtu.be

Thomas McConnell - Crocodile Review!

Hi guys! 
Today I am going to do a review of a talented up and coming artist, Thomas McConnell. Thomas McConnell is a 21 year old singer/songwriter based in Liverpool. He has toured with Glenn Tilbrook, Ian McNabb and China Crisis. He has also supported Squeeze, Ian McCulloch & Ian Broudie and Steve Cradock. His piano cover of Paul McCartney's 'New' was released and shared online by McCartney himself in September 2013. Skip forward a year and McConnell has just released a new single 'Crocodile', which has received airplay on BBC Radio 6. 

McConnell wrote 'Crocodile' after being inspired by Paul McCartney's medley styled songs. He wanted to apply the twists and turns of that kind of songwriting to a jagged 70's-esque/Glam rock track, complete with hazy synths. It was produced by himself and Jon Lawton.

The song is extremely catchy and you can tell that McCartney influenced his sound, however there is a breath of fresh air with the track, and it doesn't feel like an imitation copy that we have heard several times before. The hook in this song is incredible, and the riff is appealing and very memorable. McConnell's vocals are to be noted as well, plus the lyrics are both relateable and clever. Plus, his talent and passion for playing his instruments shines throughout. The track also has a B-Side called 'Please Don't Slow Me Down' and after the first 10 seconds of listening to this track, I was hooked. 

There is no doubt that McConnell is musically gifted, and I think he has a bright future ahead of him. His retro sound, reminiscent of the 70's paired with his ability to write cool and agile lyrics is surely a winning success. I will leave all of his links below so you can check him out and give the single a listen to for yourself. 

Until next time, 

MG xx

https://www.facebook.com/thomasmcconnellmusic 

https://twitter.com/mcconnellsounds

https://soundcloud.com/thomasmcconnell

https://www.youtube.com/user/thomasmcconnellmusic

http://thomasmcconnellmusic.bandcamp.com/

Meghan Trainor: Title Album Review

Hi guys! Today I'm going to be doing a review of Meghan Trainor's debut album. It came out today, and I am a big fan of her style of music, so I couldn't wait to listen to all of the tracks.

After I listen to the first 5 songs I knew that I would love the rest of this album. Trainor has a very distinct style, and has managed to find a place in the music industry. Her music is refreshing from all of the other 'pop' music out these days; it's a breath or fresh air. The Intro showcases Trainor's talent beautifully. The album has a mix of slow and sultry ballads to fast and upbeat tunes. Bang Dem Sticks, Credit and Walkashame show her playful nature and personality perfectly whilst showing her impressive vocals and rapping skills at the same time. What If I, Close Your Eyes and Like I'm Gonna Lose You show that Trainor can nail the slow tempo numbers, with her silky smooth voice dancing across the melody.
Meghan has just got this right. Everything about this album is just right. The artwork is stunning, the tracks are brilliant, and her personality shines through. Trainor comes across as being a normal girl, she is likeable, and I feel like this album is the first of many for this talented young woman.
Until next time, MG xx

Who To Look Out For In 2015!

Hey guys!
With last year being such a good year for music, break out acts have a lord of hard work and catching up to do to make an impact, however here are a few people that I am tipping to take the music word by storm in 2015!

• James Bay > James Bay is a British singer songwriter, and his unique style of music has already bagged him this years Brit's Critics' Choice Award. I love his style of music, and I predict big things for him in 2015. 
  
• Years and Years > Years and Years are an electronica trio, and have already released an EP that hit number 1 on the iTunes charts. They were also in the running for 2015 Btit's Crtics' Choice Award. Their new track Desire is already hotly tipped to be a big tune, and I can't wait to see what this year will bring for them. 
  
• Little Sea > Little Sea are a four piece pop-rock band from Australia, and are signed to one of the biggest record labels around, Sony. The talented quartet are already nominated for Channel V's Oz artist of the year, and if there last EP is anything to go by, 2015 is going to be a brilliant year for this band. 
  
• Halsey > If you have read my blog before you will be aware that I am a huge fan of Halsey (http://musicglare.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/halsey-room-93-ep-review.html < check out my review of her latest EP Room 93 here), so of course I would be including her in this list. Her first EP did incredibly well, and she has just announced a headlining tour for 2015. 
  
• Troye Sivan > Troye Sivan is a popular Youtuber, however I think that in 2015, he is going to become well known for his music. His first EP TRXYE hit number one on iTunes, and his grungy sound is going to win everyone over. If you don't know who he is now, by the end if this year, you will. 
  
• Becky Hill > Becky Hill's voice has been featured in a number of huge tracks in 2014 like Overdrive, however 2015 is the year she is planning on making a break and doing it alone. She has a power house of a voice, and her unique sound makes her voice unforgettable. 
  
• Alexa Goddard > Alexa Goddard has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard, and this is why she is going to make her mark on the music industry in 2015. She has already signed a 5-album deal with Roc Nation, and managed to snag a number one in the UK Indie charts with her cover of Turn Your Swag On. 
  
• Saint Raymond > Saint Raymond is a massive talent. His new single Fall At Your Feet is bound to be a hit after receiving raving reviews from, well, everywhere. He has already managed to sell out his own headlining tour, and has just finished touring with Ed Sheeran. 2015 is going to be a bog year for this young man.  
  
• Kate Stewart > This incredibly talented young lady has already worked with the likes of Overdrive, and her single 'Speechless' was one of my favourite tunes of 2014. I predict big big things for her this year! 
  

And there we go! My predictions about who will make it big in the music industry this year! Feel free to agree/disagree/suggest anyone that I have missed out in the comments below. 

Until next time, 

MG xx