Category: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

“We Are Your Friends”

by Blondie and the Beat2 Comments on “We Are Your Friends”
Image via: http://www.aceshowbiz.com
Image via: http://www.aceshowbiz.com

Zac Efron as a DJ trying to make it in the valley. What’s not to love? Maybe I’ve just been watching too many of director Max Joseph’s Snapchats (yes, he’s from Catfish), but the hype for this movie seems to be increasing by the minute. Powerful energetic trailers showing a group of guys banding together, following an incredible dream that is almost impossible to achieve- success.

From the second I heard what this movie was about, I knew it would be killer. In this generation’s need for dope music, 6 pack abs, and a rags to riches story- it has the trifecta and I haven’t even seen it yet. BONUS: a dope soundtrack with music that makes you wish you had a million dollars to go blow at every EDM fest in the world.

The soundtrack features some electronic/dance newcomers as well as other talented artists: Erin McCarly, Pusha T, AlunaGeorge etc. One standout track is the alt-turned dance song “Desire” by the band Years and Years. This band specializes in electronic pop, but the Gryffin Remix gives “Desire” the push it needs into the dance world. “Open your arms and pray, to the truth that you’re denying, give in to the game, to the sense that you’ve been hiding”; poem-like lyrics are sweetly sung as the song builds into a mega-pulsating chorus.

photo via: http://cinergetica.com
photo via: http://cinergetica.com

The opening track of the album, “I Can Be Somebody” features smooth pop vocals from Erin McCarley. A beautiful track starting off the soundtrack the right way. While “BlackOut” serves as the next “Shots” 2.0 featuring Lil Jon himself. The vibe is party, party, party. A re-work of “You Know You Like It” by AlunaGeorge is also featured, taking a more layered twist -vocally. The movie track is heard in all its glory on Justice & Simian’s song obviously titled “We Are Your Friends”. 80’s synths and shouty vocals coax this song into being one of the best off the soundtrack.

August 28th and I have a date and it’s to see “We Are Your Friends” in theatres.

-Abbey 🙂

Uncategorized

Music Monday’s: X

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on Music Monday’s: X

X

Key Item: Zanerobe jean joggers

Key Materials: Heathered lightweight soft cotton

Shoe Situation: All white Nike’s

Key Accessory: MCM backpack

image: hiphoplead.com
image: hiphoplead.com

Chris Brown’s album, X was released last year and further showed off his musical skill into the dance world, starting with the heavy track “X”. This song builds into something crazyyyyyy good. Brown sings low, “If you’re only as good as the company you keep, then imma blame you for what they say about me.” Quiet and calm verses tell a story of a broken relationship and the release comes during the chorus as Brown yells, “I swear to God I’m moving on, I ain’t go back no more.” With a hard hip-hop beat underlined with some dance/electro sounds-Brown has himself another banger. The beauty of the verses serve as the perfect contrast to the emotional and angry chorus. “X” is what music with meaning sounds like.

Uncategorized

“Run Away With Me”

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on “Run Away With Me”

carly

“Cause you make me feel like, I could be driving you all night, and I found your lips in the street lights, I wanna be there with you…” are the words sung by Ms. Carly Rae Jepsen on her new single “Run Away With Me” which is also the opening track to her new album EMOTION due Aug. 21. So far, I have been fairly impressed with this album. The singles are proving the 80’s style is coming back in a big way. Of course, the pop is pop and there’s not much depth but Jepsen does a good job at always keeping it lively and catchy all at the same time.

The lyrics are magical and drag the wanderlust right out of you. The music video features fun moments from what looks to be Carly in her natural habitat living life; jumping on hotel beds, trying on cool clothes, dancing with her friends in a club. “Run Away With Me” is your crush, it’s that feeling of fun love that you can’t get rid of. Bittersweet verses and a crazy catchy chorus – damn you Carly…you did it again…

Pop has never looked this good. Jepsen’s new album is bound to be our end of the summer soundtrack. I hate to say it but Carly is a guilty pleasure. She has shouty songs with youthful energy that people can’t resist. “Run Away With Me” could play on repeat for a long time in my car and I’ll still sing every word– that’s how you know you have a hit single.

Can’t wait to hear the rest of this album.

-Abbey 🙂

Uncategorized

Music Mondays: IV. Sweatpants

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on Music Mondays: IV. Sweatpants
IV. Sweatpants

Key Item: Paradise printed jacket

Key Materials: Destroyed soft knit cotton construction

Shoe Situation: Adidas

image via: www.okayplayer.com
image via: http://www.okayplayer.com

“IV. Sweatpants” comes off Gambino’s album titled, Because the Internet (2013). Clever jabs, arrogance, and swag are the main themes of this song. “I’m winnin’, yeah, yeah, I’m winnin’, rich kid, a**hole, paint me as a villain.” Gambino doesn’t care what you think about him, his upbringing, or anything he does for that matter. “Sweatpants” is the classic hip-hop song too thick and gnarly to not get addicted to. The music video features Gambino looking somewhat fed up with today’s society-stuck in the same routine everyday, walking into the same diner filled with the same people that were there before; “I got more tail than that PetCo, you faker than some Sweet’N Low, Yeah, you got some silverware, but really are you eating though?” This is Gambino’s attempt to break the mold and “do you”.

Uncategorized

Ariana Grande concert!

by Blondie and the Beat2 Comments on Ariana Grande concert!

ariiiii

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of seeing Ariana Grande LIVE and it was everything I hoped it would be and more! Not to mention the best early birthday present ever! My friends and I walked into the stadium through a flock of 10-13 year olds wearing their blinking Ariana cat ears (which were $40…no thanks…hello DIY). We grabbed a pretzel, tried to wait in the merch line…then decided to skip it and head to our seats. We were in the stands but had a perfect view of the stage in its entirety. The show start to finish is a massive production. Gorgeous lights, clear sound, fantastic choreography, and incredible visuals were everywhere during The Honeymoon World Tour. It’s easy to see that everyone on this team work day in and day out to make the show perfection every single time its done.

An almost 20-song setlist provided fans with the best Ariana playlist you could imagine, even playing her Major Lazer song from The Hunger Games, “All My Love”, her older unreleased track “Pink Champagne”, and a perfected cover/mashup of “I’m Every Woman/Vogue”. She talked to the crowd a couple times reminding everyone of how cute they are and expressed how thankful she is that everyone came to see her perform. There’s no doubt Ariana Grande will go down in history as a pop diva.

ag

Most of the time she was strutting across the stage in her white sparkly Louboutin’s as her thick flowing hair bopped around to her every move. She kept up with the choreography while belting out every note even better than you hear it coming out of your car speakers. It’s almost as if she downplays her singing on her CD’s and then blows the roof off every venue when she performs them live. Grande makes every song sound effortless in the most angelic way. I was almost waiting for her to grow wings and fly back to the magical place she must’ve come from, because a voice like hers is truly one in a million.

ari

Slower more sentimental songs like, “Honeymoon Avenue”, “Tattooed Heart”, and “My Everything” showcased her voice even more, and brought serious tears to my eyes. A sweet homage to her late grandfather brought the rest of the fans to tears as his voice was heard through the stadium giving Ariana words of encouragement for the rest of her life. Grande’s show start to finish was personal in the coolest ways.

Outfit changes, chandeliers, large clouds, sparks, confetti bombs-it’s safe to say Grande literally had it all. She was the epitome of a pop princess on a world tour. The bigger the better.

The spark-tastic finale feature the Queen herself.
The spark-tastic finale feature the Queen herself.

-Abbey 🙂