It's been a little while since I've done a review, so I thought I'd write a little one for you all today :)
I've been fan of Emma Blackery for a little while now, but only recently have I started to get into her music.
Emma, 21, is also a 'YouTuber'. Since started her channel in May 2012, she has gained over 350, 000 subscribers, and almost 100, 000 Twitter followers - that's a lot of people interested in what she's doing!
I began watching her (I know it sounds creepy, but honest, it's not) in around August 2012, and I actually only just found out whilst writing this that her YouTube channel began only 4 months earlier! I thought she'd been doing it a long time, because I found myself wanting to watch more and more of her videos as she was that entertaining! Personally (and I know it sounds like I'm going to blow Emma's trumpet here, #noinnuendo) I think Emma is very funny. She's not like Grace Helbig / Mamrie Hart / Hannah Hart - they are naturally funny and PUNny people, like Emma, but Emma is hilarious in a whole different way. I don't mean that I laugh at her 'fails' or regrets in life (she's made many videos about these), but she's so sassy and.. well, she's herself, and she'll make you laugh.
Emma is very open with her audience, which makes you connect with her. Her openness has never hidden the fact that music is her passion, and this is such a good thing, as it means people have started listening to her music because they like IT, not just because they're fans of her vlogs.
Recently, in the July of this year, Emma released her EP called 'Distance'. I knew before this that she wrote songs and was a good singer, as I'd seen a few videos, but the release of this EP made me like her music ability even more.
The EP consists of 4 songs, which yes, could be seen as not that many, but for an artist writing, recording and producing songs takes time, so you have to bear that in mind. Emma's style and genre of music could be hard to pinpoint. Judging from what she's told us via YouTube/Twitter, she has many influences in music, one of which being Placebo, whom she got to interview this month. Watch the interview here:
However, for Emma's own music, I would say there was a Rock-Punk vibe, with a bit of pop thrown in there. After all, 'pop' just means popular, and that's what I can see her music being.
My favourite song of hers at the moment is 'Go The Distance'. I really like the lyrics, as they can relate to anyone, and the song itself is just really catchy. It's the kind of song you find yourself singing in the shower, or at least I do (I'm not sorry if you got any visuals from that, you're the one who's thinking about it!).
With the help of Luke Cutforth (LukeIsNotSexy), Emma shot a music video for the track and uploaded it to her channel. I'm very particular with what I like and don't like for music videos, but as I whole I really enjoyed her video. I know she didn't have a big team and lots of money behind it (we can't all be Katy Perry with tigers and selfie-taking monkeys), so considering that it was really good! For me, there were a few moments I didn't like, but that is just my opinion, and Emma knows that not everyone agrees with everyone else. Nethertheless I did like it, especially the shots with the water fountain, as I thought they especially suited the 'cute' element to the song. If you want to hear the song and see what I'm writing about, watch here! :
Overall I feel Emma has come a long way as an artist - it's a big thing to release your own EP into the world for everyone to hear! And not only that, she played a gig at the Half Moon in Putney, a place where the likes of U2, The Who and The Rolling Stones have played, so in terms of gig-location development, she's really on the up! She performed with a live band, not just her acoustic guitar this time, and if you want to see what went down, watch this:
Despite the fact she doesn't have a huge array of officially released tracks out at the moment, I'm really getting into her music, and I don't think it'll be long until she's releasing more stuff!
Emma is always up to something, whether it be writing/recording music, making a video, playing a gig, going to a YouTube gathering, and I think for someone so young, that is a relatively big achievement.
I think I would be right in saying that she knows what she wants to do with her life, which is great, and I am very happy to support her and to continue to be a loyal subscriber; I hope from what you've read/seen you might consider doing the same!
Emma Blackery's new EP? I'd give it 4.5/5. The songs are slick, the vocals are great, and the EP suits the image Emma has made for herself. When you buy music, you also buy into the artist, so with Emma also being a YouTuber it allows us guys to get more involved with her life AND enjoy her music- and I don't think £2.99 is too much for that, do you? ;)
SUBSCRIBE AND WATCH EMMA HERE (on YouTube, no creepy) FOLLOW EMMA HERE (on Twitter, no stalky) BUY EMMA HERE (her music, she ain't no prostitute) EMMA'S TUMBLR EMMA'S FACEBOOK EMMA'S BLOG/WEBSITE
A good friend of mine once told me to not apologise for not writing a blog, or making a video, and to just do it. Of course, someone else also told me not listen to other people and to do what I want- but I think I'm going to ignore the latter for the purposes of today's blog.
A few weeks ago, I went to see Paloma Faith.
I'd known of her since her first single/album, but I wasn't a 'fan'. Don't get me wrong- I LOVED a few of her songs, but I never desired the wish to see her in concert, or to physically buy her album. I guess I just wasn't into her that much when I was thirteen.
It's strange to think that 'Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?', her debut album, was released four years ago. So much has changed for Paloma since then. She's been in films, on TV, released another album and has toured the country many times. But she's still the same. Sure, her style or songs may have developed or changed slightly, but she is still as wacky and wonderful as she's ever been.
The biggest change for me though, has been in myself. I've grown up, and her songs really speak to me now. Not only do I enjoy them, but I fall in love with them.
It was her second album that really did it for me. She released 'Fall to Grace' in May 2012, and I loved every single song. I longed to be able to sing them as well as her - I still do. I wanted to buy the album. I'd find the songs any way I could, and listen over and over.
Now was finally the time for me to see her live.
My sister had already seen her in November 2012 in Birmingham on her 'Fall to Grace' tour, and she'd raved and raved about how good everything was - the overall show, the staging, her outfits, Paloma's chatty nature with the crowd. It sounded great. To tell the truth, I'd wanted to go to this show. However none of my friends wanted to go, and my sister didn't really want me tagging along, so I didn't buy a ticket.
Feeling like I'd missed out the last time, I was so excited when the chance came up for me to see her in June 2013.
Paloma was doing a tour of outside venues, including Westonbirt Arboretum which is very near to where two of my auntie's live. My mum wanted to see her, and so did my three aunts and cousin, so it was decided - we bought the tickets, and before we knew it the date of the show had rolled around already.
It being summer and all, we expected the sun to come out, and at first it did make an appearance. Armed with our fold-out chairs, picnic rugs and food, we headed to the venue. It was a beautiful place, full of trees and surrounded by gorgeous countryside. The landscape could have been one from a painting. We got there quite early- early enough to hear sound check. Paloma sounded great from the snippets we heard, and it was a sufficient teaser for the main show to follow later.
Unfortunately, the moment Paloma came on stage, the rain stared to tip it down. It poured and poured, but it didn't dampen our spirits (as cheesy as that may sound). Her support act Marques Toliver was lively and upbeat, and had got the crowd as excited as he could considering there were grey clouds that loomed above us the entire time he was on. The inevitability of rain was on everyone's minds, yet when Paloma came on, the screams were loud enough so you couldn't hear the rain.
Paloma was nice, chatty and funny - just as my sister said she was. Her outfit was amazing - a pink and orange creation. What could have easily been a disastrous outfit just worked for her. It was.. it was her. A reflection of her personality.
The back-up singers wore black and white sixties numbers, and the stage, with the piano, mirrors and retro decorations, all gave the show a Paloma Faith feel - and I'm sure everyone could sense it.
Paloma performed extremely well. She even sang in the rain (with an umbrella) for us. She wanted to connect with us all; we were bracing the weather for her, so she wanted to put on an even greater show for us.
Songs such as '30 Minute Love Affair' and 'Just Be' were particularly intimate, and she even performed one song on top of the piano. I could go on and on about how extraordinary her voice is, but she was just as good live as she is as a recorded artist. I'd even go as far as to say that she was better.
When she performed live, you could really see and feel the emotion, and that makes a song sound real.
I really, really enjoyed seeing Paloma Faith live in concert, and I'd give her 10/10. Everything about it was phenomenal (except the rain), and I'd really suggest you go and listen to her, because you won't regret it.
I saw Paloma Faith on her forest concert tour, as part of Forest Live of the Forestry Commission, where every venue is outside! Unfortunately, this tour is over, but she is performing in Bath and at V Festival - buy tickets here!
Thanks for reading! Please any comments about what you might like me to write in the future.
Here's another review for you, as I got a lot of feedback on my last one! I even got a follow and messages from Mike Dignam himself. Despite parts of my review causing a little misunderstanding, I think he was overall pleased with it, and I'm very happy he actually read it - so thank you Mike.
Today however, I'm reviewing a CD! Fall Out Boy's new album to be precise.
I heard a lot about the album when it first came out, on Facebook and Twitter and such, but I didn't actually start listening to it until about a month ago.
And the reason for this?
Well, I've always liked Fall Out Boy (my sister was indie before it was cool, therefore I was forced to listen to her music, thankfully FOB are actually good) but I was a little scared by this album.
1) It was everywhere. Everyone was talking about it, and it was almost becoming mainstream to like them. Not that I don't like 'mainstream' things, sometimes I do, but I didn't want to go and listen just because everyone on Twitter was raving.
And 2) This album was the first thing FOB had released as a group since 2008, so I was a bit sceptical; had they changed? If so, was it a positive change, or had they lost themselves in the five year 'rest'?
I was about to find out.
Then the day came when I decided I should dive in and find out what the new album was like, so using my trusty friend Spotify, I listened.
And 'Save Rock 'n' Roll' by Fall Out Boy was everything I heard it was... and more. It exceeded my expectations.
Yes, it was a slightly different sound, but it sounded AWESOME.
Of course I immediately wrote a status and/or tweet about how the good rumours were true.. oh, they were so true.
I am usually light-years behind everyone when it comes to music, this case being no exception, but I really wish I wasn't.
I think I hold myself back too much when it comes to opening up to new artists- I like to stick to what I know, and if I'm not familiar with it scares me.
I loved Fall Out Boys first album 'From Under The Cork Tree' (it is still one of my favourite, and in my opinion the best, albums I own), but even so the prospect of a new sound from one of my childhood bands scared me.
BUT FACE YOUR FEARS, BECAUSE THE ALBUM IS GREAT.
The first track of the album is called 'The Phoenix'. My immediate thought when the intro was playing was "This sounds like Plan B" and it does. The intro really does. But it stops there; the rest is aaaaaaall Fall Out Boy.
All. The. Way.
'Save Rock 'n' Roll' is packed with ace songs that are catchy, musically brilliant and typical of Fall Out Boy.. the old band and the newer version.
The songs will stick in your head. Seriously.
But worship that; at least it's not a Rebecca Black song stuck in there.. sorry.
But moving on...
It has songs that make you feel good. You will want to sing along. They are not screamy or shouty or depressing. They're just good.
It's great, well worth any of your time and money. So what are you waiting for?
Whether or not you've heard of FOB before, or any of their songs, you are guaranteed to like this album.
It obviously helps if you like Indie/Rock music, so I'd probably avoid it if you can only listen to Acoustic/Country & Western without your ears bleeding.. this album might not be your cup of tea.
That shouldn't stop you though. Go find it on iTunes or Spotify or YouTube. Broaden your horizons. I wish I'd done it sooner.
I give 'Save Rock 'n' Roll' by Fall Out Boy 9.5/10.
Fall Out Boy are BACK. They are back with a BANG. And gosh, we've missed you. But thankfully, you're here to save music once again. You're like a non-magical, musical, American Harry Potter..
Go listen to 'Save Rock 'n' Roll'! Follow the links below: Spotify (listen to the full album for free and/or buy) iTunes (listen to samples for free and/or buy) YouTube
