The sun has been totally inspiring me lately; it's blown away the cobwebs and given me some much needed get-up-and-go in regards to life in general, and has proven slightly distracting in regards to getting my uni work done - I would much rather be hanging outside in the sun with my friends and boyfriend!
I find that there are some bands and artists that I can only listen to in summertime, bands whose music just encapsulates the essence of the season. In winter, I tend to listen to loud electronic or rock music - though I must say that Tame Impala's psychedelia seems to work just as well in snowy climes as it does in this heat! However, in summer, I just want to dance, sing and chill (and eat BBQ food!), and for that I need happy music; and this is where this playlist comes in! 'Summer Lovin' takes us through transitions of psychedelia, low-fi, electronic, ska and more and is pretty much what has been making the (slightly sluggish) cogs of my brain turn this week. The playlist includes bands such as Tame Impala, Best Coast, No Doubt, Grimes, Peace, Blondie, Queens of the Stone Age and Haim plus loads more, so if you're ready to embrace summer with your clammy mitts - check it out and tell me what you think!
Do you like the 'Summer Lovin' playlist? What music makes you think of summer? Would you like to see more features like this in future?
That's a lifetime, yet it only feels like yesterday! Is this how it is from now on? Because it genuinely feels like but a millisecond ago that I was rapping 'Bountykilla an' No Doubt! Jump on da stage coz we goin' crayzaay!' etc etc at the TV and going cross eyed at Gwen's outfit. However, despite the time leap, 'Hey Baby' has stayed with me, and I'm almost shocked at how I still love every ounce of the song just as much as I did when I was 8 to 9 years old!
Their 2001 album, Rock Steady, may actually be my favourite No Doubt album; as ska and new wave as the band were and are, dancehall and reggae really suit them, and it's a testament to them that the album still sounds fresh and current; I'd love to see the reaction to this song had it been released in 2013!
I also have an irrevocable love for Gwen Stefani; that woman neither ages, nor loses her energy! Can I have some of that juice, please!
Out with the old and in with the new as they say, and seeing as April is now behind us, I'd like to welcome you to the the first installment of my new feature - MONTHLY BUZZ!
In this feature I'll be highlighting some of the very best music that I've come across this month, amongst other things. So, to get the ball rolling.......
Peace @ The Kasbah, Coventry
I finally caught Peace live, and let me tell you they were brilliant - literally flawless! Whilst Superfood dropped out last minute, the support band JAWS were also very good and, as a whole, I have never seen a crowd so euphorically happy to be dancing and singing to their favourite band's songs! May the world be converted by the cult of Peace!
Swim Deep - 'She Changes The Weather'
This time, one month ago, I found myself pleasantly shocked by the first new song to be revealed to the world from their forthcoming debut album, Where The Heaven Are We. Even listening to it now, the song it still beautifully arranged and is easily their most mature effort; if you've missed it, it's a must listen! No Doubt - 'Just A Girl'
You'll be seeing more of this further on in the week because, as I'm sure we're all aware, there are only a certain amount of Fridays (and therefore Flashback's) in each month. But yes, it's that time of year when the sun finally shows its face and certain genres of music become absolutely essential - in this case, ska and No Doubt, and whilst I've mainly been listening to Rock Steady - the album from the 'Hey Baby' era - 'Just A Girl' is a classic song which encapsulates what the band is about.
Charli XCX - 'True Romance' Charli XCX finally dropped her debut album, 'True Romance', and whilst it may have felt somewhat overly familiar to certain fans who lap up every single snippet that she drops (ie. me), it was a really strong effort, replicating that seamless feel of a mixtape and is jam-packed with high quality alt.pop choons. 'Cloud Aura' feat. Brooke Candy is a grower! Daft Punk - 'Get Lucky'
Need I say more? It's the song that blew up April and threw everything else out of the water because, despite the retro disco makeover, Daft Punk are back and are back and milking the hype machine for everything that it is worth, they're going to be bigger than ever. 2013 is already their year. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ So there it is, the first MONTHLY BUZZ installment!
What do you think about April BUZZ? Do you like the installment? Do you think what I've posted above is BUZZworthy? What are your picks from April?
Slightly late on the ball, I admit, even after counting down the days, I still only manage to post this a week later!
But...
Finally! After teasing us all with pics and video clips for what feels like aeons, No Doubt FINALLY reveal their comeback single, 'Settle Down'!'
No Doubt are nothing if not catchy, and this is signature No Doubt, channeling their ska roots blended with catchy reggae beats, 'Settle Down' is a pleasing return and shows promise for their upcoming sixth album, Push and Shove.
Even though it connects on first listen (for me anyway!) it's somewhat of a grower, taking a few more rounds to really sink in. Stefani has a knack for vocal hooks, and the chorus 'Get, get, get in line and settle down!' rotates in the brain and will leave you humming and grooving away to yourself for hours.
On a different note, Stefani has somehow defied time and looks not a day older than the last No Doubt video for 'Running', made back in 2003! Consider me amazed and wishing that I get hit by such a kind age stick!
'Settle Down' is out now. Push and Shove will be released 25th September.
Gwen Stefani joined Ska band, No Doubt in 1986 as their vocalist, and the band signed to Interscope Records in 1991. Their sound was initially unsuccessful due to the early '90's grunge boom. In contrast to contemporaries at the time, such as Courtney Love, Stefani was influenced by Blondie singer, Debbie Harry, stating that Harry's combination of power and sex appeal contributed to her stage persona.
1995's Tragic Kingdom, which held their breakthrough single 'Don't Speak', as well as 'Just a Girl' and 'Spiderwebs', gained the band much exposure worldwide, and the intense touring schedule cause Stefani to take a gap year from her university course, to which she would not return due to two and a half years on the road supporting the album. 'Don't Speak' itself, was concerned with the break up of Stefani and bassist Tony Kanal's relationship.
Follow up, Return of Saturn, released in 2000, was more New Wave influenced than its ska predecessor, whilst 2001's Rock Steady incorporated dancehall and reggae sounds.
Stefani used to make all or most of her stage outfits for No Doubt, and this led her to create the L.A.M.B clothing line in 2004, being inspired by Harajuku fashion and Guatemalan and Caribbean style. She created a cheaper Harajuku Lovers line in 2005. Between 2004 and 2006, Stefani embarked on a solo musical career, releasing Love. Angel. Music. Baby and The Sweet Escape, both of which enjoyed commercial success (approx. $20 million in combined sales) and exposed her to a wider and younger audience.
As previously mentioned, I love Stefani's uniqueness! In her school days she was reportedly bullied at school, but this goes to show that it is better to be unique and yourself than to succumb to bullies, just look at how successful she has been! I also love how fearless she is in regards to fashion; some of her outfits I wouldn't dare to attempt to pull off. Her work ethic is also inspirational, she always seems to have her hands stuck into one project or another, and seems to be just a genuinely creative person.Also, Stefani and ex-Bush frontman, Gavin Rossdale, have two children, although their births did not prevent Stefani from continuing to work on her various projects, perhaps proving that you can, indeed have it all!
No Doubt are soon to make a comeback later in 2012.
Their sixth album, Push and Shove, is set to be released 25th September!
First single off the album, 'Settle Down' is released 16th July!
