Category Archives: Music

Nelly Furtado is Back- with Big Hoops

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Six years, Nelly Furtado. Six whole years- where have you been?

And the grand return begins with the release of a song about the empowerment a pair of hoop earrings bring her.

It’s a little sexier than that, though, and a whole lot catchier than it sounds. Rather reminiscent of last year’s Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé- it’s all over the place, and it’s hard to pinpoint the chorus.

Nelly Furtado is one artist to whom the word predictable can not be applied. She shocked us all when she debuted Loose in 2006- a dance/hip hop/R&B album with sexy numbers like Promiscuous and Maneater- considering she had rose to fame with folksy numbers such as I’m Like a Bird and Força. After a three-year absence, Nelly released a new album…albeit in Spanish. 2010 saw the release of The Best of Nelly Furtado. 

In total, we’ve been waiting six years for the upcoming June 19 release of The Spirit Indestructible. To say we are eagerly anticipating what Nelly will bring us next is an understatement.

The bigger the better, Nelly.

Lana Del Rey, why so cool?

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She sings in sultry, rich tones that can best be described as spine-tingling. She’s a whole lot of retro, and a whole lot of cool.

Being a tad late on the uptake, I only discovered Lana Del Rey very recently. Now, she’s on repeat- and everywhere I go, it seems. Most recently I heard her crooning ballad “Born to Die” at a Mackage show.

A feature on Del Rey in the New York Times Style Magazine recently described her as thus: “the perfect antidote to Rihanna-Gaga overload- dare we say, a skinnier Adele, a more stable Amy Winehouse?”

She built her fan base on the internet, after a number of years trying to make it happen. Finally, it did. Now, Del Rey’s in hot demand, playing on the radio, on television soundtracks, and certainly on my iTunes.

The internet may be rampant with criticism of her lackluster live performances, but please. Take a listen. She may not tear up the stage, but her voice is enough to tear up your heart.

We don’t even care if those lips are real or not.

M.

A new tune, a new love

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There’s nothing I love more than that feeling of discovering a new and amazing song. And, on the tail of a recent crazy.classy.chic post concerning boy bands, I felt it was a good moment to introduce some new music.*

Recently, a lovely friend introduced me to the Avett Brothers- particularly, their beautiful melody, ‘If It’s The Beaches.”

The Avett Brothers have been around for a while- since 2000, to be precise. Why I haven’t heard of them before now is unknown to me, but certainly is a shame.

The band consists of two brothers (any guesses what their last name is?) and three others. Their sound is folksy, indie, and a little rock n’ roll.

Take a listen. Feel the love.

*Whether to replace your beloved Backstreet Boys because you are- and, let’s be honest, always will be- a boy band fan, or simply to bring some new sound into your music library.

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”

(Aldous Huxley)

M.

The Return of The Boy Band?

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As much as some of us want to cherish the memories we have dancing around our room as a teenager, singing our heart out to New Kids On The Block, Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC – it is time to move on.

Let’s face it, as legendary as these bands were – I stress the past tense – I don’t want to see middle-aged men in music videos with girls that are far too young for them make a comeback, or try to. Example: Summertime by NKOTB

I don’t know if I’m fond of the fact that new boy bands are forming.

I do know, however, that I am relieved to see fresh, botox-free faces take the spotlight instead – even if they resemble Justin Bieber wannabes.

One Direction – started out when Nicole Scherzinger suggested these contestants on the X Factor UK come together to form a band. I have to say I like this band in small doses. Their songs are catchy, with typical teenage-love lyrics.

Big Time Rush – their hit tv show Big Time Rush and record deal have this band on tour. Their all-white suits in this video ‘coincidentally’ resemble the Backstreet Boys in Millenium.


Mindless Behavior – I first discovered this boy band while watching Ellen. Whether you like their music or not, you can’t deny that their impressive dance moves. The next Jackson Four, possibly? They’re currently headlininig a tour with Diggy Simmons.

If you know any 13-year-olds, don’t be surprised if you find pictures of one (if not all) of these bands plastered throughout their bedroom. And who’s to judge? We did the same thing back in our day.

L.

Perfection at the Drake Underground

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What’s not to love about a musician with pure musical talent, a soulful voice- and killer good looks?

I was introduced to Craig Stickland‘s undeniable talent six years ago, when he was part of We Are The Take. His band was the opening act for Marianas Trench (my first concert), and yet it was a major highlight of the show.

Needless to say, when, six whole years later, I got the chance to see him perform live as a solo artist at Loki Lounge, I was excited.

After witnessing his talent live and listening to countless plays of his EP, I brought a few more friends to see him at the Drake Underground this past week. The Drake Underground, by the way, is the perfect intimate setting to appreciate live music.

His set list included songs from his EP (I was singing along like a groupie the entire time), as well as new ones that will be on the full length recording he is working on. Plus, he did an incredible cover of “What Ever Happened” by The Strokes.

Check out this awesome video of him performing live:

Also, listen to some of my favourite songs by him – Art of Conviction, Wasting Time, and Marilyn - on his YouTube channel.

Enjoy,

L.