Ty Dolla $ign - Drop That Kitty feat. Charli XCX & Tinashe [Review]

Looking for a video that combines cats and music? Well, Ty Dolla $ign's latest, 'Drop That Kitty' (scroll down for video) might have just what you need - oh, and Charli XCX and Tinashe also feature on the track. With a title name like 'Drop That Kitty', there was only going to be a few ways for this video and song to go and it appears the trio have gone the route of the ridiculous for their video, which features super imposed cat faces on random people and well, basically, there's just a lot of cats (go figure). 

(gif; closertotheclouds on Tumblr)

Whilst we could talk about the video for hours, let's start off with the track itself. Charli XCX gets things going with the song's hook, with her usual vocal tang giving the opening a bit of an edge; so far so good. Then comes Ty's verses, which are just alright. At this point you sort of wonder if this is going to go a bit terrible (or if the track will ever reach it's climax). Fortunately, Tinashe is on hand to inject a much needed element of smooth r&b, using her powerful vocals to full effect. Tinashe has been making a name for herself recently and it is true, this woman is one to watch. 

(photo; thatrtlife on Tumblr)

Back in comes Ty Dolla $ign who breaks up the segments - and it's suitable - but we can't help but think that his element is sort of unnecessary - and considering it's his track, this is particularly worrying. It appears the trio is going for some sort of all-out street banger like Jessie J's 'Bang Bang' with Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande, but it doesn't quite achieve that effect. Although, this track does leave us dying for a Tinashe & Charli XCX song, as the two ladies do sound pretty rocking together (someone make it happen?). 

(gif; hopewereonthesamewavelength on tumblr)

Take-away thoughts: Charli XCX has a whole heap of confidence and we're loving it, it's almost infectious. The production on the video could have been better. Tinashe has some wicked dance skills (and those vocals!). Cat heads in videos are never good. The song is only about as half as catchy as it could have been, the hook is decent and some verses are substantial. 

Final Verdict: You probably want to 'drop that kitty' off somewhere and exchange it for a new one. 

You can watch the video here: 

Say Lou Lou - Lucid Dreaming [Album Review]

(For a TRACK-BY-TRACK review, scroll down) Say Lou who? Miranda and Elektra Kilbey-Jansson are twin sisters (appropriate for this site, no?) and together they form dream-pop duo Say Lou Lou. The daughters of Steve Kilbey (member of band The Church) and Karin Jansson, the two have been around in the music scene since 2012, but it is not until now that they have released their debut album Lucid Dreaming. Hotly anticipated, will their début album live up to expectations? We will be giving you a run-down of each track off the Deluxe version of the album, available worldwide now. 

Opening the album and the door into Say Lou Lou's mesmerizing world is ‘Everything We Touch’, a stand-out track in its own right. This one feels timeless and is probably quintessential Say Lou Lou; mid-tempo, full of hazy life. Easy to listen and get into. #2 is the disco-heavy ‘Glitter’, which has a distinct 80s feel (not surprising giving their upbringing) and is further proof that the 80s revival in happening and it's actually sounding pretty good. ‘Games for Girls’ is up next and is an upbeat, poppy addition with Lindstrøm. This can feel a little repetitive after a few listens but in a way that’s not a bad thing as the different acoustic makes for a bit of variety and opens up a whole new world. The chorus is truly addictive as well. A sweet and harmonious song, ‘Julian’ doesn't disappoint anyone with its very airy feel. Breathy vocals combined with enigmatic narrative make for happy ears all around. 

It seems to be going quite well until we hit ‘Angels (Above Me)’. Now that's not to say this isn't a perfectly pleasant song, but it’s a little too polished and bland. With the sister’s talent being so beautifully used on other tracks, we know this one could have been a lot better. #6 is ‘Peppermint’ which has an eccentric quality to it, differing itself from the other tracks. You might have to listen to it a few times to either love it or hate it. This is our ‘marmite’ track for this album. ‘Beloved’ follows and possesses one of the more captivating synth sounds and enticing beats. Its light and angelic vocals are truly memorable. ‘Hard for a Man’ is quite the opposite however. It's not particularly notable and follows the same generic pattern as some of the other songs, which is a bit disappointing. Say Lou Lou’s music is always easy to listen to, but sometimes come the end of the track you can forget what you have even listened to, and unfortunately this is the outcome of this track.

However this quickly changes when ‘Wilder Than the Wind’ plays in. Sweeping whimsical vocals combined with classic synths, this tracks lives up to its title; it can’t be tamed. Up next is our other stand-out track, ‘Nothing but a Heartbeat’, which is the duo's latest single. Whether it's the dreamy vocals, the addictive beat or the surreal nature of the song, this one is pure musical magic. We then switch to ‘Skylights’ - an anthem-esque sound, suitable for a strong ending track with appropriate lyrics: ‘We’ve gotta keep on moving to stay strong’. The bonus tracks come in the form of ‘Love Is the Loneliest Place’ and 'Electrify', the former of which is not half bad. It's got a very earthy nature to it. Romance + isolation can often be the best combination for a song and this pays off for the duo. This one's worth a listen. The latter however isn't particularly wow-factor material, but it's nice enough.

OVERALL VERDICT:

Say Lou Lou’s début album has been long overdue, and although the combined effort of Miranda and Elektra contains some blissfully hazy tracks there are a few that seem altogether too polished and pristine, so much so that they lack any sort of fibre or meaningfulness. That is not to say, however, that Lucid Dreaming isn’t dreamy for the most part, in fact there are notable additions to the dream-pop genre in the form of ‘Nothing but a Heartbeat’, ‘Everything We Touch’, ‘Julian’ and ‘Wilder Than the Wind’, all of which are equally enticing as they are breath-taking. For an album so reliant on the ethereal nature of the sister’s vocals and music, it can over-do it in some areas; a bit of variety wouldn’t go a miss. Nevertheless, this is the ultimate escapist record. (Serving suggestion: Wait until nightfall - or turn off the lights - grab your low-light candles and blissfully sway in the aura that is Say Lou Lou.) 

Shura - 2Shy [Review]

Manchester-born singer Shura is back with a new music video for her super peaceful track '2Shy'. Shura may or may not be a name you are familiar with, but the singer has already made quite an impact. Longlisted on the BBC Sound of Music Poll 2015, and her debut album set for release sometime this year by Polydor Records, Shura is rising among the ranks and making her mark on the lively industry with her angelic vocals and distinctive sound. The British music artist shows off her harmonious voice in this smooth song that focuses on potential relationships. 

The beautiful frozen visuals of the video compliment the audio perfectly, and it's not hard to see that Shura may soon become a fast-favourite with vevo-fans. The video itself features several still figures and people that eventually come alive and start performing intricate dance moves and contortion. It's an equally odd video for a suitably cool song. Sound like your type of music? Then check out the song and the video, below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments: 

NF - Mansion [Album Review]

(For a TRACK-BY-TRACK review, scroll down) NF. It may be a name you've heard of, it may not be. But the Christian hip hop music artist is making quite the impression on industry. His first EP earned him a place on the Billboard charts, peaking at #15 on the US Top Rap Albums. Less than a year later and he is back with his début studio album, Mansion, an ambitious and emotional introspective journey. 

The album starts off with the aptly named ‘Intro’, which welcomes us into the world of NF. It starts off with choir-esque sounds and erupts into an orchestral explosion of quick fire rapping and intense beats. NF is sure to open us up to his history, from getting signed by Capitol and his struggle with his music and progress within his passion, this is a 'this is me' type of track. A collab between whimsical singer Fleurie and NF is up next in the form of title track 'Mansion', where Fleurie sweetly sings the hook of the track: “My mind is a home I’m trapped in/ and it’s lonely inside this mansion”. NF is quick on her heels following with deeply emotive and raw lyrics, which are particularly hard-hitting against the varying slow to mid-tempo beat.

‘All I Have’ is #3, and was actually the first track from NF’s EP, aptly titled the rapper’s name, so although fans may have already heard it, it is still a strong track on the record. It's one that focuses on past flaws and visions as well as the struggles people can face with ‘making it’. The song really culminates at the chorus with the repetition of ‘Don’t tell me that this isn’t real/ this is all that I have’. The impressionable ‘Wait’ is next and it’s a far stretch from the beginning of the record, but it really does work. This type of hip-hop ballad allows NF to stretch his vocal chords, showing he can both sing the hook of a track and rap the verses. It’s an interesting blend of musical stylings with an addictive, smooth bassline. On ‘Wake Up’ verses come crashing down in a suitably alarming manner, with the hip-hop ballad switching between more immediate verses to some more subtle singing. This one’s all about waking up – in case you hadn’t guessed – to the world around you and living your life as it is now, not necessarily what you’re waiting for it to be.

‘Face It’ is track listing number 6, and you can really feel the gritty energy of this song, and combined with a slick production makes for a pretty compelling listen. ‘Motivated’ – You’re in for a surprise with this one. Starting off quite tame with a dialogue from NF, it then descends into madness and chaotic rapping from the singer in unmerciful fashion. It’s got the element of gospel choirs, rock beats and some of the most adrenaline fuelled vocals you’ll hear. ‘Notepad’ is next and it's a mixture of separate dialogue from NF and quick-spit verses. As personal as always. The only disappointing addition so far is ‘Turn The Music Up’ as this one seems a little bit out of place amongst the rest of the truly emotional additions; more like a party filler track. If that’s the type of thing you’re looking for, then this is it, but it seems a little misguided.

‘Paralyzed’ is quick to save the day though. A haunting addition with a distinctly spiritual aura, this one combines NF’s talents at singing and rapping. It's got the whole swaying in the breeze, staring at the world from a tall building vibe (that's a thing, right?). On ‘I’ll Keep On’ Jeremiah Carlson joins NF to get some strong old soul vibes going. The instrumentals on this are a little reminiscent of Ed Sheeran. The album closes with the mesmerizing ‘Can You Hold Me’, which is another duet with Britt Nicole. This piano-heavy track has a slower tempo which gives NF a chance to display his more sentimental, vulnerable side. The result is charming and unforgettable.

Overall Verdict: 

NF’s Mansion is an eminently impressive record, with a fluid mix of hip-hop, rap and smooth ballads. In an industry which is littered with budding singers, NF has carved out a spot specifically tailored to himself, one that fuses different stylings together and showcases his full musical potential. Mansion does what most albums fail to do; provide something that is worth listening to until the end. You’ll be so enthralled by the lyrical tales of struggle and the passionate emotion coming through that it’ll be difficult to stop listening for even a second. This is a really a gem amongst the current album market, and for hip-hop fans who perhaps are looking for something a bit different, a bit more ominous and truly ‘raw’ in every sense of the word, then this will surely not disappoint. However, the truly assaultive style of the record on all the senses means that this may be overwhelming to some people, and it is perhaps this essence of the record that may not ‘do it’ for some. This is always a risk, but it’s one that perhaps has the potential to pay off greatly for the upcoming Christian hip hop musician. 

Great Highway - Industrial Love Scene [Review]

Electro pop may be all the rage right now, but no one's doing it quite like Great Highway. Combining rhythmic guitar & piano beats with power-house vocals, they're making their mark on the San Francisco music scene. Industrial Love Scene is the group's fourth album, which relies heavily on gorgeous vocal harmonies that string together each track and allow the moody undertones of the lyrics to shine through. 

Great Highway currently consists of members Jason Hunter (the founder), Sarah Morgan, Sean McAllister and Meredith Whelan. The fantastic element of the group is that it doesn't let the electronic and indie beats overpower them, mixing effortlessly with the strong acoustics. Memorable tracks on Industrial Love Scene is the undeniably catchy 'Smoke', which is rather ominous in tone and has a haunting vocal delivery. 'Smoke' also doubles up as the first single off the album. 'Little Black Book' benefits from a crisp production and resonating vocals, and the quirky nature of the track will stick with you. 'The Venom in Me' has a deeply eerie undertone combined with sweeping harmonies and sultry guitar instrumentals. 

Industrial Love Scene is out now. You can check out more information on Great Highway, here.