Sia - This Is Acting

You'd be forgiven for feeling that Sia's faceless campaign for her last behemoth album (first major commercial abum) 1000 Forms of Fear was a little bratty. Facing away from the crowd as your perform didn't seem like the best way to win new followers, however, somehow she nailed it. With incredible songs like 'Chandelier' and 'Elastic Heart' it would be impossible not to fall in love with the new, pop heavy version of the once odd ball, indy-pop artist. 

A leap has been made for new album 'This Is Acting', Sia now faces the crowd and reveals her mouth but covers the upper half of her face with a black and white wig. She's also flaunting some incredible pins but that's neither here nor there (they're really good legs!). I digress. This new album is even more commercial than its predecessor, but for good reason. The clue is in the title; this is Sia as 'Sia the Popstar'. This is Sia singing a collection of songs she'd never normally sing herself, ones she wrote for other major artists that either rejected them or in some cases she actually asked for the song back. This is the reverse of conventional musical experimentalism, where the likes of Beyoncé dabble in new noir sounds, Sia is striding on into the pop spectrum to fill her place.

Adele - 25

When the lyrics from the opening verse of Adele's behemoth new single 'Hello' were spoken atop a black screen in the commercial break for the 2015 X Factor, the internet went into cardiac arrest. The unmistakable voice of our greatest musical export was the Christmas present everyone wanted but didn't expect. Within a fortnight information was flowing out of Adele's camp and most notably that of a new album, following her timeline theme, titled 25.

The album sticks to what Adele does best, lovely, pain filled balladry about decimated relationships. There's a maturing in the sound though, so it doesn't ever feel like a rehash of 19 or 21, which is a relief. Where she's singing about craving a lost love it doesn't feel bitter and 'I Miss You' is a gorgeous example. Thumping percussion and haunting vocal flutters decorate an incredibly emotive performance. Then you have the Ryan Tedder collaboration 'Remedy', a radio friendly piano lead number with one of the most memorable melodies in Adele's catalogue of work.

Tedder isn't the only big name helping with this opus, Adele's also roped in the likes of Bruno Mars, Sia producer Greg Kurstin and Swedish pop wizard Max Martin (responsible for 'Baby One More Time'). Her store of musical talent is brimming and the results reflect the calibre of those penning the lyrics and twiddling the studio knobs. Kurstin produced Sia's massive 1000 Forms of Fear, his knack for haunting penmanship clear on colossal single 'Hello' which features one of Adele's most authentic and mind blowing vocal turns. He has input on the heartfelt and revealing 'Million Years Ago', soaring vocals above a stripped string arrangement that wouldn't have been out of place on 21. It's a stunning reflection on Adele's journey and the life she's lost in becoming the most successful artist on the planet. However, it's on 'Water Under the Bridge' that Kurstin's skills shine through most brightly. The tempo jumps and the synth clicks and blips explode on the euphoric chorus as Adele sings "Say our love ain't water under the bridge", on what may be one of the top five songs Adele's ever created.

Adele's voice is her instrument, it's what carries you through an entire album without skipping. When that's combined with incredible productions you have the recipe for perfection that so many artists can't get a grip on. 25 not only showcases how much her vocal range has expanded (the emotional 'When We Were Young'), it also showcases a slight change in direction or at least brief detour here and there. Max Martin's presence seems baffling at first but the result is the wonderfully infectious and bouncy 'Send My Love (To Your New Lover)', the most fun Adele has ever seemed to have on any of her three albums. It hops along with a reggae-pop bounce and the catchiest chorus on 25. Then you have 'River Lea', a collab with one half of Gnarls Barkley and what an effort it is. One of the year's most impressive songs and when she drops into the low octaves for the bridge you're engulfed completely.

With 30m copies sold, 21 was always going to be a tough album to beat. Well, it would be if you were anyone other than Adele. She is replicating the success of the likes of Madonna and Mariah Carey, artists who sold 10m copies per album consecutively, something few every achieve even once in their career in the 00s. Her general likability and the relatable material she continues to pour out into the world, a self exposé of sorts, plucking the heart strings of music lovers all over the world. 25 is a step forward enough to cement it as a body of work in its own right, with producers you'd never expect Adele to pair with and sounds you'd never think you'd hear on an Adele album. It was both expected and not expected, with her heartbreak ballad crutch still popping up here and there, but there's enough new here to make it a brilliant stage in her remarkable career.

5/5

Cloves - Frail Love

Being out of the loop for a lot of 2015 I’ve missed a lot of very good music. Now I’m in a pile up of gorgeous vocals, synths, FKA Twigs’ thrashing experimentalism and the cherry, or should that be the clove on top? 19 year old, Melbourne born, songstress Cloves (real name Kaity Dunstan) sits somewhere between the noir queen quirks of Lana Del Rey and the soulful serenades of Adele. Her debut single ‘Frail Love’ dropped on Soundcloud back in August and it’s breathtaking. Amidst the long flowing brunette locks and supermodel proportions, there’s a significant vocal force. Every lyric feels just as important and emotional as the last and Cloves performs atop sorrowful piano keys with a self assurance that sets her decades ahead of her actual experience.

New Single > Sinead Harnett > She Ain't Me

I'm a little ashamed of myself for not spotting the talents of London singer/songwriter Sinead Harnett sooner. She's been knocking around since 2013, releasing her own cuts like the gorgeous 'Got Me' and 'No Other Way', as well as making an appearance on Disclosure's Settle on the understated 'Boiling' and Rudimental's Home on the escalating 'Hide'.  She's been penned as the 'experimental Adele', but honestly I don't hear much vocal similarity and let's leave Adele as Adele. I hear echoes of Jessie Ware, the stripped and throbbing R&B inspired beats merged with a James Blake esque electronic experimentalism. 

Her voice hums with raw emotion and this is conveyed perfectly on new single 'She Ain't Me'. You'd  be forgiven for presuming this would be a run of the mill R&B assault on the upper echelons of the charts, but actually its reserved production and haunting vocal echo make this one of the most exciting tracks I've heard in 2015. I can only imagine when an album does surface that it will be glorious.

Adele - Flying High with 21

As if things weren't perfect enough in Adele's life right now. An album which is probably going to hit the 15 million sales mark in the coming months; tonnes of royalties pouring in from said album sales; 6 grammy awards; and now a 20th week at number 1 on the Billboard 200. If she hits this mark again next week, she'll break the record set by the late Whitney Houston with her BodyGuard Soundtrack in the early 90s.

'iyaaaaaaah'

21 is reviewed hyah

Rated MUSIC 2011

2011 was a great year for music! We got a sassy new album from Rihanna (surprise surprise), a baby Beyonce and her fourth album AND a stunning set at Glastonbury. We saw Coldplay light up Wembley for the Xfactor final, had news that rock Goddess Alanis Morissette will be dropping some new tunes in 2012, and got brilliant videos from the likes of Robyn, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. 


2011 was, as we all know and are unlikely to forget, the year of Adele. It was as if she was a brand new artist and her second album 21 has sold in excess of 12million copies in less than 12 months. A great feat for a British artist and regardless of how sick we get of hearing 'Someone Like You', she proved to be the saviour of British music in 2011, racking up millions of record sales in the U.S. Perhaps my favourite moment of 2011 though, was the rise of Lana Del Rey. I am completely obsessed with this lady right now and I can't express enough how excited I am for her in 2012!


Below are my top albums and top singles of 2011.


Let me know what you think? Opinions count, sort of. These aren't ranked.

Rated Albums of 2011 So Far...

2011 has proven to be quite the year for pop music. Adele's 21 has become the biggest selling digital album in history and her single 'Rolling in the Deep' leaped to the number one spot in the UK and the US billboard Hot 100, which is quite a feat for a British solo female artist. Beyonce released her fourth album, the aptly named 4, which gave us the dancefloor grinding 'Run the World (Girls)' and a sex war video. The album sold bucket loads in its first week of release and has remained at number one in the US for two consecutive weeks (watch this space). Britney released her seventh studio album Femme Fatale, and although it's got some brilliant pop moments on it, it has not made the cut for the top 3 so far... count down.

1: Beyonce - 4

Ok, so this was predictable and I cannot deny I am a HUGE Beyonce fan. However, I am honest and the one thing I am honest about is that I expected this album to be horrific going on the previews I experienced and the comments of others. Thankfully it is a brilliant collection of original sounding pop music. Mixing 80s synths, pop, rock and rnb and some weird, almost experimental, electronic sounds, this is a fantastic addition to the record collection of 2011. Well done B. Read my full review here.




2: Lady Gaga - Born This Way

There was so much critical dismay before this album came along. Title track 'Born This Way' divided fans, more than any song has done in this century I imagine, but proved itself a success becoming her fastest selling single in the US. The album is nothing like her debut. Her vocals are more raw, authentic and powerful and the songs are ridiculously catchy euro-pop thumpers. 'Marry the Night', 'Hair' and 'Scheibe' are all deserving of accolades for best pop song. Read my review here.







3. Adele - 21

I didn't review this album, mainly because I didn't have time and now it's a little too late. Maybe soon? We all know it's amazing though, considering it's been played to death in just about every home in the UK and now the US. Look out for 'Someone Like You', 'Rolling in the Deep' and my own favourite, 'If it hadn't been for love'.

Rated Someone Like You.

Adele is having quite a 2011. A number one single, a number one album that's about to notch up a sixth week at the top and her first number one album in the US. I imagine she is lying unconscious somewhere from the shock? Probably diving into a mattress spewing £100 notes actually. Anyway, back to the matter in hand. That Brits performance of new single 'Someone Like You' was tremendous. Stripped back instrumental and minimal stage lighting made the most gorgeous sounding/looking four minutes of the year. 

The song itself, a masterpiece? Oui. I would go as far as saying it's her best song to date (although 'Cold Shoulder' and 'Rolling in the Deep' are tough contenders) and it's from, so far, the album of the year. Adele's voice sounds more mature than on earlier singles and her charisma seems more potent. It's a song pretty much everyone can relate to and even if you can't, you'll still have it on your 'recently played' itunes playlist for years to come. Instant classic.

Rated Adele - 21.

Wait till you reach 24 love, then the shit really does throw itself into the fan.

It’s been exactly three years since Adele’s stunning debut 19. The album presented this new talent as a formidable player in the new wave of female singers climbing their way into the limelight. Her soft, soulful vocals sounded wonderful on debut single ‘Chasing Pavements’ and conveyed raw emotion on a cover of ‘Make You Feel My Love’. For myself, it was mid-tempo ‘Cold Shoulder’ that packed the biggest punch.

Now the British starlet is back with 21, a coming of age album in a not-so ironic manner. Packed with love songs and anti-love songs, the songs here sound far more mature than those of 19. Lead single ‘Rolling In The Deep’ is a wonderful bluesy ride and Adele’s vocals are, in one word, perfect. “We could have had it all, rolling in the deep, you had my heart in your hand, but you played it to the beat”, sings the country’s pride on a song about revenge.

The highlight of the album is the persistent beating of ‘Rumor Has It’, which glows with a country/blues inspired sound. The song is relentless and the repetition of the title in the chorus will stick in your mind for days. Although the album is clearly country inspired, there are moments more resonant of Adele’s debut, such as the violins of gorgeous ballad ‘Set Fire to the Rain’. ‘Take It All’ and the heartfelt melody of ‘Someone Like You’ are other potent moments in this collection; the former demonstrating a superb vocal performance and some damn lovely lyrics and the latter being, perhaps, the most melodious and lyrically charming song of Adele’s career.

There are no fillers here, which is no surprise considering that there has been such a significant gap between her two releases. Some may find the blues sound of ‘If It Hadn’t Been For Love’ a difficult adaptation, but that’s purely subjective. 21 is the definitive album of 2011, even though the year has only just begun. What it does most importantly, is cement Adele’s position as one of the most authentic artists of her generation and, probably, the most unique.