Here it is! The moment all of you (me) have been waiting for: my first blog post. It's simple really - as the year goes on the music journal evolves, as I catalogue my favourite tracks and albums of the month. Each month, alongside the playlist of tracks I’m loving and discovering, I accompany it with a photo I’ve taken and a lyric from the month that has really resonated with me. Please feel free to share not only the blog, but check the playlists out on Spotify too (massive apolls to Apple Music users) and gimme a follow. And of course, I'm new to this so any constructive feedback is welcomed too. Ok, disclaimer over, let's crack on.
This month I visited the wonderful city of Amsterdam for the first time, meaning the slightly PG photo I chose is from the Sex Museum, a thoroughly fascinating and bemusing place to visit in equal measure. ‘Have you seen the girl with a heart as big as the sea?’ comes from New York singer-songwriter Aisha Badru, with the song Mind On Fire. Badru’s ethereal and almost haunting voice on this Radical Face remix speaks of a girl with dreams and ambitions, which are lost when she gets trapped in the city. The song feels like a call out to this huge-hearted girl, a call to help get her back on her path. It comes from Badru’s album, Pendulum, released in 2018.
But what else have my ears been enjoying this month? Scroll down to find out!
Valley - There’s Still A Light In The House
The first track we delve into this month comes from Canadian alternative-pop group Valley. After forming in 2014 and dropping their first major EP This Room Is White in 2016, Rob, Michael, Alex, and Karah followed up with their first LP Maybe towards the end of last year. Track 2 on the aforementioned album is There’s Still A Light In The House, which is one of the first songs I discovered in 2020. The song talks of a romance which seems somewhat volatile and fleeting, yet still hopeful and tempting. The complimenting male and female vocals on this track, as well as the poetic lyrics and catchy melody, makes it no surprise that this is the band’s most streamed song on Spotify to date. (photo Becca Hamel)
Gabrielle Aplin – Like You Say You Do
This month Ms Aplin released her third studio album Dear Happy, marking her third UK top 40 LP. Aplin somewhat departs from her melancholic-yet-toe-tapping style seen in her preceding albums, making Dear Happy predominantly a pop record, with catchy hooks and synth-esque elements throughout. Like You Say You Do is a prime example of this, and is a song all about owning the love you have for someone and showing it, both to them, and the world.
Vampire Weekend – Rich Man
Admittedly I am very late to the party on this one, as Vampire Weekend’s Father of the Bride album was released nearly a year ago back at the start of 2019, and just this month managed to swoop a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album. Albeit belated, I was thrilled to discover Track 8 from this gargantuan 18-track LP: Rich Man. Sampling the late S. E. Rogie’s Please Go Easy With Me, this track talks about the balance between money and happiness, a balance which is oftentimes unjust or unattainable. The gorgeous strings in this song act as an interlude between verses, and harken back to an older, simpler time. A true January highlight.
Oh Wonder – Happy
After first discovering Oh Wonder in the Techinicolour Beat era right at the beginning of their commercial success, I have been a huge fan ever since. Next month the duo drop their eagerly awaited third album, No One Else Can Wear Your Crown, and Happy is the latest preview of what can be expected. The song is all about becoming at peace with an ex-relationship, and showcases Oh Wonder’s ability to provide the perfect wholesome, radio friendly pop song. (photo Olga De La Iglesia)
The 1975 – Me & You Together Song
I’m not ashamed to admit The 1975 are one of my favourite bands, and I’m hugely excited for the release of their fourth LP Notes on a Conditional Form, coming soon. Me & You Together Song is the latest taste of what to expect, and this feel-good ditty has reminiscence of the group’s earlier styles. The endearing thing about The 1975 is you never know quite what to expect, but again band members/writers Matty Healey and George Daniel take matter-of-fact, conversational lyrics to take us on their ever-changing journey, exploring ideas of unrequited love and a growing romance. Bring on the rest of the album!
*Special Mention – Halsey*
This month one of my favourite pop queens Halsey (who I’ve been a fan of since New Americana, circa. 2015) dropped her third studio album Manic, which debuted at No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart. As a fan of Halsey for a number of years, I am very excited to delve in to this album in full, however this month’s playlist sees TWO songs included in the line-up, new single You should be sad, as well as killing boys. Halsey’s distinctive voice, partnered with her no-holds-barred approach and somewhat savage lyrics, allows for not one but two gems of pop gold, the cherries on top of a rather satisfying cake.
