Rihanna - American Oxygen [Review]

American Oxygen. Doesn't sound like a name for a song, right? Well you'd be wrong as it's the title of Rihanna's new track, which comes with a very emotional video (scroll down to watch). So it's all about patriotism and happy American people right? Wrong. Well, yes and no. Because the video combines old footage of happy things like family gatherings and people waving the American flag (because, you know, that's all they do in America) with rather serious footage of the Civil Rights Movement, the Moon Landing, The Twin Towers aftermath and 'Black Lives Matter', among many more. For those who think Rihanna didn't have it in her to make a thought-provoking track (with an equally striking video), she's clearly proving she's a woman of many talents. 

                                               (gif; rollingstone on Tumblr)
This one's pretty hard-hitting as singing about chasing the American dream contrasted with visual imagery about the sometimes harsh reality of that dream is as bold as it is upsetting (to say the least). The video evokes a whole array of emotions as the imagery changes from reports of Martin Luther King Jr being shot and killed to tiny children running around joyfully to immigrants trying to seek entry into the USA to live a 'better life'. 

                                              (photo; cultured-chaos on Tumblr)
Of course, the singer herself is present in the video, seen at various points outside City Hall and with a parachute on her back trying to run forward; contrasting the types of struggle she has in moving with the struggles that people go through in their every days lives. It's all very metaphoric. Props to the video's director and editor (and everyone else involved!). 

                                                (photo; teenlifething on Tumblr
In terms of the song, Rihanna has had some interesting releases as of late, joining up with Paul McCartney and Kanye West for 'FourFiveSeconds' (which we're not overly keen on) and kicking it on her own in 'Bitch Better Have My Money' (which we greatly prefer). Now with 'American Oxygen' it showcases a different side to the singer and the track is probably best watched with the video itself as it creates a whole new meaning for the song. The instrumentals are key to this, and opening with strong piano beats helps to create that 'classic' acoustic that sounds timeless. Switching it up when the song starts to some more experimental sounds creates the distinction between the 'old' and the 'new' and is appropriate for this style of song. It's an impressive effort on Rihanna's part, although there could have been more lyrical content.  

Watch the bold video below: 

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. 

Hannah Cohen - Pleasure Boy [Album Review]

(For a TRACK-BY-TRACK review, scroll down) Relatively unknown, Hannah Cohen is an American singer and model whose first album, Child Bride, was released in 2012. Pleasure Boy is an album with deep undertones of loss and pain, insulated with a mix of sweet melodies and looming darkness. But what does Pleasure Boy sound like and how do each tracks fare? The album starts off with ‘Keepsake’, an ominous and captivating opening to Cohen’s second album. First impressions would lead you to believe this is going to sound like a mix between Lana Del Rey (there are some similarities in vocals) and Florence and the Machine (in terms of instrumentals). There is a very ethereal feel with Cohen's sweeping vocals combining with solid beats, it's definitely one to get carried away with. It grabs your attention and it runs with it; you’ll be hard pressed to keep up.

#2 is ‘Lilacs’ which is a mixture of some sweet synths and jazz beats, with plenty of opportunity for Cohen to show off her varying vocal range; from her low and deep drawl on the opening verses to the higher, rich tones on the chorus, we get it all on this track. Piano-laden ballad ‘Watching You Fall’ is there to cradle us with its soothing sound and mellow, drawn back nature. This is something you could easily listen to on a lazy afternoon in the summertime or early spring. ‘I’ll Fake It’ is an interesting change in styles, with the solid bass-line not sounding out of place on an r&b or dubstep track. A little darker and sultry in tone, Cohen's vocal confidence shines through on this track and she's in her element in this intriguing mix of musical styles. 

Number 5's ‘Claremont Song’ is certainly a strange addition. The consistent underlying beat in this track always has the potential to accomplish more, but chooses not to – it’s a more understated song that feels like it is on its own never-ending journey to an uncertain future. You’ll be in a constant state of apprehension listening to this, we’re pinpointing this as our ‘marmite’ track; you’ll ever love it or hate it. ‘Queen of Ice’ follows this with some striking lyrics; ‘Trace your fingers down my spine/ watch me crumble before your eyes’. A dark beginning for a haunting song from Cohen. The vocals flit between the frenetic and the almost numbingly still, whilst Cohen experiments in a most alluring way with the pace and feel on ‘Queen of Ice’.

‘Take the Rest’ continues the dark theme in a more subtle and subdued way although it doesn’t pack the same kind of addictive punch as ‘Queen of Ice’ and it leaves you wanting a little bit more. ‘Baby’ rectifies this mixed feeling with a strong guitar opening, allowing for Cohen’s vocals to stand-out in the ending song. This one’s got an air of country charm to it. A suitable closing track, finishing the album on a high note.

Overall Verdict:

It’s a bit of a beguiling mix between old and new styles, with various musical influences trickling through, from country to dubstep to electro-synth sounds. For the most part, Pleasure Boy entices you in and successfully delivers, with only the casual misstep; which is understandable given its vastly experimental sound and feel. The production is crisp and coherent, each track flows with a haunting rhythm into the next and everything feels like it has been executed to a high standard. It’s bold, sultry and sweet and it’s likely to be your next favourite record.

Sia - Big Girls Cry (Official Video) [+ Review]

Sharp. Emotional. Intriguing. It can only be the music video for Sia's new track 'Big Girls Cry' (scroll for video), and if 'Chandelier' and 'Elastic Heart' have taught us anything it's that Maddie Ziegler is likely poised and prepared in the wings waiting for her third video performance. 'Big Girls Cry' is taken from Sia's recent album, 1000 Forms of Fear, which attracted mainstream attention due to the popularity of 'Chandelier'. Predictably, in this latest video, Maddie does make an appearance, in what is turning out to be a memorable series of conceptual pieces focusing around issues and emotional experiences in the singer's life - the most recent of which centres on mental illness. 

                                                (gif: SiaFurlerSource; tumblr)
With no big gimmicks or fancy sets it can be difficult to understand the stripped back, in-your-face style of video the singer and her team produce, which may make it difficult or uncomfortable to watch at first. But this is exactly what the essence of the song is all about, and the video makes a lasting impression on the multitude of emotions and actions a person can face and make, and what kind of effect this can leave on someone. Sia has never been an ordinary pop artist (in recent years she has made the decision not to face the camera during live performances and often opts for a paper bag or some other cover-up) and this video shows the type of aesthetic the singer prefers - one that is gritty, unusual and in some cases, unsettling. It's designed to provoke questions and stimulate answers. 

                                                 (gif: SiaFurlerSource; tumblr)
On the track itself, Furler teams up with Chris Braide, whose lyrics are as memorable and poignant as ever; 'And I don't care if I don't look pretty/ Big Girls Cry when their hearts are breaking'. The result of the pairing is a more vulnerable and introverted song, with Furler's rawness coming through in bounds, hitting the notes with utter simplicity and passion. 

If you want to be taken on a ride with Sia and Ziegler then check out the gritty video below: