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Talking Is Hard, so just listen

December 7, 2014December 7, 2014by Blondie and the Beat1 Comment

Walk the Moon’s second full length album just dropped this week. It’s titled, Talking Is Hard and I couldn’t agree more. The guys take a musical journey on this album, venturing out of their usual beach-pop sound to a more sophisticated alt/rock band. There are so many new elements that were tested on this album and Walk the Moon prevailed.

Songs like “Sidekick,” “Shut Up and Dance,” and “Avalanche” are classic Walk the Moon sounds. This band has mastered the short guitar riffs and have let them infest these tracks in the coolest way. Lead singer, Nicholas Petricca’s vocals are unique, high-pitched at times, and shout-y but in the best way possible. If you’ve ever watched any of the bands Instagram videos you would know that every band member has a fantastic singing voice and they all harmonize together beautifully.

http://instagram.com/p/sLt_RyywRR/ -You’re welcome

This band has truly come into their own on this album. The song “Up 2 U” shows WTM fans that they can freaking rock. The song slowly builds up to an absolutely electric chorus, you can’t help but say “No way is that Walk the Moon?” Petricca takes a hint from The Black Keys and belts into a muffled microphone as guitar’s wail violently behind him. Near the end of the song, the band truly goes insane playing a massive guitar solo, including stop-time (an essential rock staple), and making fans drool to hear this song live.

Petricca and bassist Kevin Ray tear up a live performance. Image via bing.com — Petricca and bassist Kevin Ray tear up a live performance.
Image via bing.com

“Portugal,” delivers powerful lyrics highlighting the reality of growing up, losing friends, and losing love. Petricca backed by the other men, sings, “You grow up when you’re not looking, we grow up but without knowing, and all of a sudden I’m leaving.” Synthesizers layer on the edge of hidden haunting piano chords. This song in its entirety is trance-like, almost as if you could listen to it all day. The band harmonizes/chants different phrases from the song, which tie the song together to create what is an absolute stand-out track off the album.

Another new sound off this album is heard on, “Come Under the Covers” the boys bring back a solid guitar riff and show off their more alternative side. Petricca’s vocals are smooth to the point where he could melt you into a puddle. Verses seem reminiscent of a soaring guitar U2 vibe, that can make anyone feel enlightened. The song is a masterpiece start to finish. Walk the Moon knows how to use imagery in their lyrics to the point where it’s almost magical; “Tiptoe, down the hall from where you live, these floors are talkative.” “Come Under the Covers,” expresses a passionate love and the physical aspect that comes along with knowing and loving someone so much. The lyrics are modest without going overboard, but gives fans enough of a sultry taste into the story Walk the Moon is trying to tell; “Come under the cover, ’cause I wanna leave you satisfied tonight.” This song makes you want love.

Talking Is Hard is a true passion project. Walk the Moon makes you feel so much in only a matter of 12 songs. I am so proud of this album and the true artistry Walk the Moon has expressed.

-Abbey

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One Direction, and that’s UP!

November 17, 2014November 17, 2014by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment

One Direction is a boy band. It’s true. But you know what? IT DOESN’T MATTER.

Their new album “FOUR” is pure POP. You can’t deny it, they know exactly what they are doing and it’s working. Every song is guitar and drum heavy with a pounding shouty chorus saying “Baby, you’re the best, I’ve loved you since I saw you…” (just kidding, that’s not an actual lyric…maybe?)

The album is now available on iTunes and is having a nice group hug with Taylor Swift’s songs in the top ten. The sappy “Night Changes,” the beautiful easy-going “Fool’s Gold,” and the drum heavy “Girl Almighty,” are all littered in the top ten currently at 11:58 pm, Sunday night.

Songs like “Where Do Broken Hearts Go,” have that top secret pop potion in them that make them stink up your brain for days. You’ll find yourself scrolling the internet as you start yelling “WHERE DO BROKEN HEARTS GO?!?!” Then you’re like damn you, One Direction. Yeah, this one is doing that to me.

A lot of these songs deal with relationships and love, just kidding. All of them involve themes of love in some sort of way. “18” says “I have loved since we were 18, long before we both thought the same thing, to be loved and to be in love.” Every lyric seems to be a cliché we’ve all heard a million times, but when Harry Styles sings it, it becomes more beautiful. The shouty, but catchy, “No Control” shows the never ending pull of love on a young person, “I got no control, powerless, and I don’t care, it’s obvious, I just can’t get enough of you.” One of the first tracks I heard off this album is called “Fireproof.” I know this is going to sound crazy but this song gives off a Fleetwood Mac vibe, totally guitar/drum beat driven with simple verses and awesome harmonies and backup vocals. I love everything about it. “Fireproof” is also dipped in the famous One Direction love potion, “Nobody loves you baby, the way I do.”

gif via giphy.com Zayn blowing the love potion all over you. — gif via giphy.com
Zayn blowing the love potion all over you.

“Stockholm Syndrome” seems to be cut from a different cloth than the rest. One Direction ventures into some pop-electronica that works extremely well with their falsetto and effortless harmonies, of course.

“Clouds” is another track that has a very unique sound that stuck with me. The chorus almost sounds like something you would hear from an alternative band–very powerful. The pre-chorus moves up an octave every couple words and it’s really cool to listen to. These boys did a great job at expanding their expertise in the studio to create some songs that were different for them.

When I first heard the album would be named “FOUR” I was like that’s a weird title, then I remembered that this is their fourth album and I couldn’t believe it. I had completely forgotten about most of their other albums. But I think that’s kind of what is expected from a pop band. You grow after every album, and “FOUR” is relevant to right now, so for the moment this is going to be extremely successful and then when the next album comes out, the cycle will begin again.

-Abbey

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Praise the Lorde

November 9, 2014November 9, 2014by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment

Ever since the announcement that Lorde will be compiling The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 soundtrack, I knew it would be magic. Lorde’s keen ear for dark themes, visual appeal, and genius lyrics will lead Hunger Games fans into a full blown frenzy.

“I’m a princess cut from marble, smoother than a storm,” are the first words from her single titled “Yellow Flicker Beat.” The song serves as a powerful homage to the start of a revolution (as we see in The Hunger Games.) Mixing dramatic synths and Lorde’s classic unique vocals, this song is pure fire. The music video shows Lorde in several places; a retro motel room, a dark foggy street, sitting by a dimly lit pool, and surrounded by a glamorous crowd in a black room. Not to mention the video gives fans a full serving of Lorde’s weird yet always captivating dancing as she bops her loose curls to every beat.

Lorde recently told Rolling Stone that Kanye West reworked this single with her. Kanye freaking West. The song is called “Flicker” on the album and I’m sure it’s going to be massive.

Another single off this soundtrack is “This Is Not A Game,” by The Chemical Brothers featuring vocals by Miguel and three quick words from Lorde: “There It Is.” This song is unlike anything I’ve ever heard. Miguel’s sexy raspy voice glides effortlessly over the hip-hop beats, electronic synths, and spaceship beeps. The theme of revolution comes appears again as Miguel sings “you talk about a revolution,” then Lorde says “there it is.” This song is so dope, I am actually really angry that more people don’t know about it yet. The contrast between Miguel’s dreamy voice and the hard electronics in this song make it so incredibly unique.

Lorde is the absolute best person to give this project to. Her creativity with music is something young fans of The Hunger Games and of Lorde herself, will appreciate. The soundtrack is expected to be released Nov. 17. You can bet I’ll be listening.

-Abbey

All gifs from: giphy.com

Picture from: bing.com

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Taylor On Top

October 29, 2014October 29, 2014by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment

Want to know what pop domination looks like right now? Then you should be reading from Taylor Swift’s book, or maybe looking at her saturated personal Polaroids that litter every new album booklet representing her latest creative endeavor into the royal doors of the pop kingdom. The internet blew up last Sunday night/Monday morning with celebrity reactions, lists of favorite songs, and positivity towards Swift’s fourth album, titled “1989.”

taylor-swift-shake-it-off

taylor-swift-1989-album-polaroids_26

taylor-swift-1989-album-polaroids_59

Debuting at number one on the Top Albums chart on iTunes, this album flew up every list, not to mention six out of the top ten songs on iTunes also belonged to Ms. Swift.

“1989” seems to be home for Swift. She seems to be more in her element, even though this album is something completely different from anything you’ve ever heard from her. Pop beats are sprinkled on every track, along with late 80’s esque synths, drum beats, and trance-like vocals. “1989” is a pop dream dipped in emotions, honest lyrics, and a couple ex-boyfriends…[some things never change.]

Songs like: “Bad Blood” [supposedly about her beef with pop competition Katy Perry] “All You Had To Do Was Stay,” and “Out of the Woods” [possibly about Harry Styles] focus heavily on a constant drum beat and repetitive choruses that hook your ears from the first listen. Swift has an extreme talent for making songs what I call “radio ready,” you hear it a million times and you’re still going to sing every word while sitting in your car.

The closing track “Clean” features dream-like vocals, twinkling pop sounds, and a slower side of Swift providing raw lyrics: “and the butterflies turned to dust that covered my whole room.” Swift’s voice always sounds better when she slows down and sings in her natural key, which is what you hear on several tracks off this album, including the poetic “This Love” and the pretty, story-like “Wildest Dreams.”

Swift has admitted in several recent interviews that this album is her best yet, and possibly the most true to herself. Swift told Good Morning America, “I think you have to stay true to who you are, at the same time challenge who you are to explore all the different aspects of what you can create.” “1989” is a grown up project for Ms. Swift, she recently moved to New York [as you hear on the title track and electronic infused “Welcome To New York”] and is now a woman. Have a seat on the throne Taylor, I have a feeling you’ll be here awhile.

-Abbey

All photos via bing.com

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Evergreen is everlasting

October 19, 2014October 19, 2014by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment

You may have never heard of the band “Broods” but you are about to. This electro pop infused alternative band are unique in their own way. Made up of brother and sister duo Georgia and Caleb Nott, hailing from New Zealand. Georgia’s voice emulates other fantastic performers like Ellie Goulding and Lorde, while Caleb plays multiple instruments and provides back up vocals.

Their debut album “Evergreen” was recently released and it is fantastic (for lack of a better word.) Broods’ sound is infused with bass, electronic synths, and some piano chords. A darker vibe haunts the album as you hear on the title track “Evergreen”. The song talks about overcoming your fears, feeling infinite, and maybe going steady with someone?

Their lyrics are so genius that you wish you wrote them yourself:

-“Since we decided to be infinite, there’s no ending and there’s no fear.” (“Evergreen”)

-“It’s where my heart was made, and my feet will always land.” (“Mother & Father”)

-“I wanna make you feel how I feel when I’m listening to love songs, I wanna take you to the peak of everything that you are.” (“Four Walls”)

This album was created in five weeks…FIVE. Are you freaking kidding me? I wish I had that amount of focus and talent. To compile something so raw, powerful, and beautiful in that amount of time is mind blowing. Props to these two for really showing their work ethic.

One of the stand out tracks on the album is “Four Walls”. It’s a gorgeous and incredibly human homage to true love as Georgia’s voice sweetly sings “You’re everything I need tonight.” Piano chords and airy background harmonies tell the story of falling in love in a matter of three and a half minutes.

Maybe there’s something in the water abroad that is not on our American soil. It seems that some of the greatest talent comes from somewhere else. Well, I’m not complaining.

These siblings also have a knack for making the most visually appealing music videos. Combining compelling imagery, hipster vibes, and colorful backdrops in the most artistic way. They also show their simplistic side in the video for “Mother & Father”. The video is shot in black and white as we see Georgia dancing around to the beat wearing a classic black get up complete with bad ass 90’s chokers. The emotional impact this song has is felt through the simple video.

Broods are on a truly magnetic path to success, so go check them out!

-Abbey

Category: Uncategorized

Talking Is Hard, so just listen

One Direction, and that’s UP!

Praise the Lorde

Taylor On Top

Evergreen is everlasting

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