It's Sorta Been A While

When I thought about making this blog in September, I had no idea just how much work high school would require. I suppose that was more than a little naive, in hindsight. I have trouble keeping up with my regular blog, let alone this one, I'm afraid, which is why posts are becoming more irregular and more straightforward. I'm going to continue, of course, but I understand that this blog a little lackluster lately.

To make up for it? Here's ten awesome songs I'm listening to obsessively at the moment.



This seems appropriate, seeing as the entire UK/indie-dubstep-pop world is waiting anxiously for the release of Katy B's album in two days. I've got to be an indie cliche and say I, too, cannot wait. Forget Claire Maguire and Anna Calvi and Niki and the Dove(as much as I love the last two), this girl is the most interesting new face in pop music this year. This song is well-produced and super super super catchy. Plus, listening to this, Katy on a Mission, and Louder, one learns that she truly is the most diverse, genre-spanning singer in music right now.



Another new drop-dead-gorgeous female pop singer with a great voice and brilliant songs to boot? oh come on, you know you love it. I love the sounds on this. She's not exactly the first to do the twinkly keyboard thing, but it works really well. Also, she has one of my favorite female singing voices...like, move over, Ms. Welch. (sorta, maybe). Listen to Sun of a Gun, too. She could sing blues almost, it's wonderful.



I guess I'm gonna be taking an unpopular stance here, but I rather like this song, and I rather like Glasvegas in general. Okay, come and attack me Coldplay fans, why don't you. I like this song a thousand times more. And they're not copying Coldplay. Okay?



I like bands where they're at the awkward border between punk-revival and post-punk revival. I suppose that doesn't make much sense...this sound, I mean, like this, this is what I'm talking about. I could kinda sing and dance to it all day long. Every single day. Yes, I love it.



Trip-hop gold, is it not?



Oh my god, these guys define musical beauty...in pop music. Oh my effing god. It's trippy but it's pop and it'a acsessible but at the same time it's not and it's bright but it's also dark and there's a harmonica. Perfect.



Not exactly news this, but of course that doesn't make it any less brilliant. Lo-fi dubstep meets these brooding almost jazzy piano chords. Best cover ever? Um, yes. Dark but gorgeous. Listen to his voice...quite normal, but wonderful at the same time. And this is coming from someone who pays almost no attention to the singing voices of musicians, so that's saying something.



In a similar vein as the jj song, this is soaring and springlike and big and beautiful and fantastic.



'Datk', as far as pop music goes I suppose, and chilling and 'gothic' and all that stuff The Good Music Journalist is supposed to describe this song as. Regardless, the combination of trip-hop synth and breathy angsty lyrics is one I'm too weak to turn my nose up at.



Might as well end with something rather more popular, something that's been moving like a musical tornado through music blogs and Tumblr at the moment. Y'know, I was becoming a little worried about the future prospects of my beloved Arctic Monkeys. after that horrific Brick by Brick song came out, and it was announced that their album would be titled 'Suck It And See', I'd pretty much given up hope. I could deal with Humbug, and I can deal with the drugs and the long hair and the California-esque bullshit, but I'd pretty much reached my limit. This song kinda reminded me how extraordinarily talented the band's frontman is--as capable of writing beauty(this, 505, all of his Last Shadow Puppets stuff) as he is mind-blowing post-punk chaos(Brianstorm, The View from the Afternoon, This House is a Circus) coupled with witty, anecdotal lyrics far and above most of his Landfill Indie contemporaries, he truly is a brilliant, brilliant musician indeed.

So, that's basically my music tastes latey. I've noticed a change in my tastes, in that they're becoming more synth-pop, more pop in general. This could very well be a bad thing. Perhaps I'm somehow betraying my music snobbery tendancies by doing this, but I genuinely think the above music is good stuff. The question's been going about the internet lately--is guitar music dead? My opinion? maybe not dead, but certainly not terribly interesting at the current time. I'm sorry, but that new Strokes single did nothing for me...and I like the Strokes! In the UK, it's all these Oasis-wannabees. Their songs are supposed to be big, but they're flat and boring and they're huge egos aren't even appealing anymore, as they are when the musician is a Gallagher. I guess there's the Wombats, if they count...and, Biffy Clyro are good, and stuff. Guitar music is appaling in these US parts. Girls like All Time Low, guys like Seether, hipsters like Vampire Weekend. Meh. That's all I can say.

There's still Warpaint and kasabian and Manchester Orchestra and the National but yknow, it's not all that amazing.

Anyway, thanks for sticking around.

My Sort of Beauty in Late December.

Those pictures don't work that well together.


Christmas countdown; one week. Tree is up. Red lights and sappy songs. Vibrato. Piano. That pine tree smell. Christmas decorations. I bought a new one that looks like it's covered in frost. Tinsel in pieces on the floor of the hall. Baking. Eating. Begging for snow. Family. Movies. Freedom. Reading. Counting down the seconds. The vague sound I'm hearing of my sister trying to play Carol of the Bells(in our house it is known as 'Ding Fries Are Done'). Getting my camera out at every opportunity. Young again, if only for a week. Art. Beauty. Knowledge. Love.

Love love love. Love's love and more.

I discovered today almost all Christmas songs are written in G--you learn something new every day.

And these.











The more I wonder, the more I love.

And a merry early christmas to you, too.

Stuck Between London, Weezer, and Christmas today.

Due to the quite significant time spent doing a science project this week, I have been experiencing a quite substantial lack of new music. nonetheless, the weekend is here, and weekend means half hearted music posts! Naturally.

I'm basically obsessed with Sweeney Todd. My whole day has revolved around it. I don't know really know why. I mean yeah, Tim Burton + Johnny Depp + Victorian London + fake blood + urban mythology + melodrama + gothicness + mourning + super wonderful music. so yes, I do know why I like it. I'm not one for music theater, but the songs are my great. My favorite being Johanna Reprised.




Plus, it goes without saying that the combination of shyness + acting skills + singing skills + hotness is kinda lethal. obsession.

I'm seeing Weezer on Tuesday. There's no snow(which is kinda sad) so hopefully there will be no random bus crash this time. yay! So excited! You all know this, but I don't care, I'm posting anyway.



Lastly, yes, the Christmas vibes are here! I'm already learning some stuff on piano but it isn't enough. I love Christmas, absolutely adore it. No time of year can even compare. I've already made cookies and we have our light up reindeer things on outside. It's so warm and so friendly and lovely. It can't help but be adored.

my absolute favorite Christmas song is Walking in The Air. I realised this yesterday. Silent Night comes close, but isn't quite Walking in The Air. There's something about this song which is almost...painfully nostalgic for me. also, it's possibly the most beautiful kids films I've ever seen, so that must mean something too.




If this doesn't touch you, you're crazy.

Heart it all.

Gotta Stuff In Those Last Autumn 'Vibes'

I don't celebrate Thanksgiving but I live in the States. It's a very interesting time of year, I find Interesting watching from the outside. It kinda meets the end of autumn in some ways--yes, yes, hipsters, it's terrible I know. I've loved this autumn. I've felt super alive and creative and happy. Plus, recently, I've just been really enjoying...music. Like, I feel closer to music and am enjoying it more than I have in some time. 'tis really, really good stuff.

Anyway. here's some autumnal choons for you.













It's not much, but enjoy.