My Top Songs Of 2016

In today's final post of 2016, I thought I would show you guys what songs I have listened to most this year as Spotify have hooked me up with a playlist filled with those songs that I have listened to throughout the year (*disclaimer* : I have only chosen songs that were released this year and also only songs that I have listened to as other people use my Spotify account). Anyways, lets get into this 'top 10' of my most listened-to songs of this year.

10 = Alessia Cara - Stars
To start off this countdown we have someone who I only discovered at the beginning of this year but I am now a massive fan of her's. Alessia Cara has had a phenomenal year : releasing her debut album, having immense success with many of her songs and being nominated for several prestigious awards. My favourite of all of her songs though has to be "Stars", hence why it is the only one in this chart. To me, the song has such a powerful message which I feel like I really connect to. This song is an amazing one so listen to it below like I have been doing for this past year...

9 = MNEK - At Night (I Think About You)
Next up we have someone who you all know I love (especially if you read my last blogpost) and "At Night" is honestly one of MNEK's best songs. The reason why I love it so much is because it is just so catchy and one song that you will want to listen to over and over again. In addition to this, the beat accompanying it is one that will make you want to dance and with MNEK's insane vocals, it just makes the song an amazing track. MNEK has really started to emerge into the spotlight this year and I hope his progression as an artist never slows down as his music is incredible!

8 = Little Mix - Shout Out To My Ex

Little Mix are one of my favourite artists and this year has been better than ever for the four girls. "Shout Out To My Ex" went to number one for a whopping four weeks and it proves I have listened to the song a lot as the song only came out in October yet it has charted at eight when I have had the whole year to listen to many other songs. The song is so catchy and it will get you singing along whenever you listen to it. Little Mix's latest album "Glory Days" is incredible and I hope the rest of their singles from the album are as successful as this one.

7 = Ariana Grande - Into You

Ariana Grande has had a truly phenomenal year this year with her album "Dangerous Woman" having global success and having continuous awards throughout the year. I actually have two of the American singer's songs on this chart as I have been loving her so much this year. The first of which is "Into You" which I am sure you will have all heard of as it has been literally everywhere. The reason why I love the song is the fact that Ariana has such vocal control throughout the track which really amazes me. Have a listen below to see whether you agree...

6 = Selena Gomez - Me & The Rhythm 

2016 has been both an amazing and a terrible year for Selena Gomez with the singer releasing her most successful album to date but also checking into rehab after suffering depression. I am happy to now say that Selena has recovered and can now get back to performing her hits. "Me & The Rhythm" is one of my favourite Selena Gomez songs as it is so chilled out but it also makes you want to dance. When a beat like that is accompanied by great and catchy vocals, it makes for a great song which is why you should really listen to this infectious pop track; I have certainly been listening to it a lot this year!

5 = Mura Masa - What If I Go

In fifth place we have probably the most unknown artist on this countdown but "What If I Go" is a song that I have been listening to all year, hence why it is in this countdown and was actually featured on my very first "7 Songs That You Should Listen To" post. To me, the song is just so catchy and it will always have you bopping along, whatever mood your in! Mura Masa definitely deserves more recognition as he is one of my favourite DJs in the music industry right now. After reading this post, I would strongly recommend that you check his music out as it is honestly great! Listen to "What If I Go" below first though...

4 = Shawn Mendes - Mercy

Just missing out on the top three we have someone who at the beginning of the year was one of my favourite new artists; he is now one of my favourite artists in general. I cannot wait to see him in June next year as I know he will put on an immense show, especially when he sings "Mercy". The reason why I love "Mercy" is because it is so catchy and will have you singing along constantly! Also, when listening to the song, I realised that it really suits my vocals and my range which is probably why it is so high in this countdown. If you have been living under a rock for this year and have not heard this song before, please do below!

3 = Ariana Grande - Be Alright

Claiming the bronze medal we have the second Ariana Grande track in this chart. "Be Alright" is possibly my favourite Ariana Grande song of all time as it is so distinctive and different to any of her other songs. The song sounds very different as it goes down a slight EDM route as the beat drop is practically unforgettable once you've heard it. Ariana also has some incredible vocals in the song which I think really need to be recognised. Listen to the song below to somehow understand why I love it so much...

2 = Drake - One Dance

Just missing out on the top spot we have this year's bestselling song and the song that has been listened to more than any other song globally. "One Dance" is one of those songs that you cannot really criticise as it is so catchy and it will have you bopping along all the time. Drake has had a truly unbelievable year with his album "Views" being one of this year's best, receiving much critical acclaim and many awards, placing respectively high on Rolling Stones' "Best Albums of 2016" list. Listen to the track below if you somehow haven't as I can guarantee you will love it; it did have a whopping fifteen weeks at number one here in the UK, just one week away from equalling Bryan Adams' record for the longest reign at number one!

1 = Clean Bandit Ft. Louisa Johnson - Tears

Finally, in first place we have a song that I expected to be in this chart, but certainly not this high. However, I then remembered how I absolutely adored the song when it came out and then I remembered how many times I have seen Clean Bandit or Louisa Johnson this year (meaning the song was in my concert playlist) and then I totally understand why the song is number one. Ever since the song came out, it really showcased Louisa Johnson's truly insane vocals which was needed on what was her first single. This made me fall in love with the singer as her voice is undeniably brilliant. I then met the singer a month later in an ice cream parlour randomly and she was so wonderful and nice! It was things like these that made the song stay in my playlist for the majority of the year and get the top spot in this chart. Also, the song is so catchy and will have you constantly singing along! You need to give this song a listen below whenever you can...

Before I end this rather long post, I thought I would just recap on my top ten albums of the year. These are all albums that I have been singing along to all yer and they are all truly unforgettable. However, as I have done a blogpost very similar to this a while back, I will only be listing the albums as this post is already extremely long.

10 : Back From The Edge by James Arthur

9 : Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande

8 : Views by Drake

7 : 24k Magic by Bruno Mars

6 : Darkness & Light by John Legend

5 : Know It All by Alessia Cara

4 : Illuminate by Shawn Mendes

3 : Glory Days by Little Mix

2 : Blond by Frank Ocean

1 : Lemonade by Beyonce

So I hoped you enjoyed the very last blogpost of 2016 as it was a fun reflect upon my favourite songs and albums of this year. I hope to carry this on annually so hopefully I will see you this time next year!

Artist Showcase : MNEK

Hello and welcome to my third monthly "Artist Showcase" blogpost. Today the topic is someone who I have loved for a long time and has actually been featured on this blog a lot; his name is MNEK.

Uzoechi Emenike (professionally known as MNEK) is a British singer, songwriter and record-producer. In his lifetime the London-born songwriter has collaborated with people like Little Mix, Madonna and even Queen Bey which is truly incredible when you realise that he is just 22 years old. This year, MNEK received ASCAP Vanguard Award for songwriting as his lyrics have proved popular around the world, even if you may not have heard them. Anyways, I have been a fan of MNEK's originality and amazing vocals for a good few years now and his music never seems to unimpressed me. His voice is just so unique/distinctive that I could always recognise his material which I think every artist needs in todays music industry.

MNEK's first and only EP is one of my favourite EPs ever simply because it is so original and unlike any other. In particular, I love the song "Wrote A Song About You" as it it so honest and different. The song also shows what seriously low and high vocals the 22 year old can reach. Alongside what I consider as a catchy beat, the song is not one to disappoint and it is one that will be stuck in your head for ages with its infectious melody. Please listen to the song below so you can understand my feelings towards it...

Another thing that MNEK is brilliant at is writing songs for other artists, providing lyrics for other artists since 2011 where he wrote "All Fired Up" for The Saturdays, his first ever song. Over the years, the popularity has rapidly grown for the artist to help write songs and now he is collaborating with some of the biggest artists out there. My favourite song that he has written has to be "Hold Up" by Beyonce. The reasons for this is that the song is just so catchy and will have you singing along, it is the one and only Beyonce and lastly, it is a song that will get all of the crowd going. For MNEK, it must be a great achievement to feature on an album that has won an incredible amount of awards, considering he has only been writing for five years. The "Lemonade" album is revolutionary in my eyes so I can only imagine how ecstatic the artist must be!

Finally, something else that I love about MNEK is his ability to completely reinvent songs by doing covers of them, covering songs by artists such as Queen in the past. My favourite of his covers has to be the cover of Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" though. The song that was incredibly popular in the 2000's seemed like a new song after MNEK put his twist on it, adding samples of the infamous "Love Shack" in there as well. The main factor of why this cover was so great and unique though was the instrumental as it sounded absolutely nothing like the original. Listen to this song below as it really shows off what vocals MNEK is capable of whilst singing a song we all know and love!

Even though the singer has had success to a certain extent, it is nothing compared to the success and respect that he deserves. Whenever you have the time, listen to any of his music. Whether thats his own songs or songs that he has written, I would really appreciate you giving him the support. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this instalment of my "Artist Showcase" series, expect more every month as there are so many artists out there that need to be discovered.

7 Songs You Should Listen To Pt.9

Hello and welcome to what is my most popular post on this blog. Today I will be showing you seven more songs that I think are amazing in the hope that you will think the same. I hope you enjoy them!

Louis Tomlinson & Steve Aoki - Just Hold On
This first song is actually a song that is already at the top of the charts but I just had to put it in here as it means quite a lot to me. Throughout the song there are such emotional, personal and meaningful lyrics which I feel like I can really relate to. The factor that makes this song stand out though is the catchy beat alongside those lyrics as it transforms which should be a 'depressing' song into a slightly happier one. This song has really helped me (emotionally) so please give this a listen if you haven't already...

Empire Cast (Sierra McClain) - Black Girl Magic

Since I started watching it last year, I have been utterly in love with the show Empire and how its so thrilling yet musical. There are many songs from the show that I could put in here but I chose the song "Black Girl Magic" as it is both extremely catchy and very empowering. The track is one of those songs that you will always find yourself bopping along to and it also sounds almost identical to the artist Ciara who I am a massive fan of. So, listen to the track below and watch the show whenever you can!

Leon Bridges - Mississippi Kisses

Next up we have someone who I discussed in the last instalment of this series and I cannot express how much I love him and his music (especially his album "Coming Home" where I love every single track). Anyways, the song "Mississippi Kisses", just like "Brown Skin Girl", is just so catchy and will have you singing along. What makes this song stand out though is the fact that it is actually a little cheeky with youthemisms scattered all the way through it all. If you are interested in music like the Motown genre but want to stay current, try listening to Leon Bridges as he is incredible in my eyes!

Kiera Weathers - You Gotta Be

The next song is by an artist who you possibly may remember from the X Factor two years ago. Kiera Weathers made it to the live shows in X Factor not so long ago and now she is breaking into music with her debut single "You Gotta Be". The song has a very strong and powerful message about how you have got to be your own person and make your own decisions which I think is great. She has also managed to eke the song into one that will have you singing it for ages, let alone dancing along to the amazing instrumental. You should really all support this song as it is a great one!

Sinead Harnett - Rather Be With You

The fifth song in this blog is by someone who has never actually featured in a post before even though I have been a fan of her for a long time. Sinead Harnett is an artist who is so unique and independent which I think is why I love her so much. Her song "Rather Be With You" is categorised as 'dance' music but its so 'chilled out' that it sound like nothing that I have ever heard before. The song is also really calming and relaxing yet it will also get you singing along. You really need to start listening to Sinead Harnett's music.

John Legend - Darkness & Light

If you read last week's review you will know that I am completely obsessed with John Legend's new album and this song. The reason why I think "Darkness & Light" is so great is because it is so different to anything else I have heard in a long time! With elements of music genres like R&B and Rock involved, the song is really unique. In addition to this, the high falsetto throughout is truly unbelievable; really showcasing what vocals John Legend is capable of. Give this song a listen below as it would be highly appreciated.

Alessia Cara - Seventeen

Last but certainly not least we have one of my favourite artists who has actually been featured a lot in this series. Alessia Cara's latest song "Seventeen" is amazing because it really shows off her unique voice. The song also is completely honest with lyrics such as "I wish I could freeze the time at seventeen" and for once the instrumental is actually more catchy than the lyrics alongside it - I must say, the lyrics are definitely catchy too though. Lastly, something else that I love about the song is the new video to it, showing Alessia Cara 'ageing' from an adolescent to a pensioner whilst confessing about how she wishes she was seventeen. Have a look...

So I hoped you enjoyed the ninth edition of this series. For the next instalment I have decided to do a 'best of' showing my favourite songs that have been in this series so I hope you have fun reading that when it is posted in the new year.

Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball ~ 4/12/16

In todays blogpost I thought I would review a concert I went to a couple of weeks ago. This was the Jingle Bell Ball (which you may have seen me review before) and it was a great night and a great event. The concert is always one that gets you in the christmas spirit with all of its festivity and this year it sure did! Anyways, today I am going to be ranking the artists from ten to one based on how much I enjoyed them; I certainly hope you enjoy it too.

10 = Martin Garrix
In number ten we have Martin Garrix who actually headlined the concert. The only reason why he is in last is because I saw virtually none of his set as I had to head back home. However, from what I did see online, he did get everyone moving and the guest appearance from Bebe Rexha sounded great. Also, the pyrotechnics looked out of this world which makes me quite sad that I missed it. To conclude, I will attach part of the set down below for you to experience.

9 = The Vamps

In ninth place are The Vamps who, even though they put on quite a show, are not really my kind of music, hence why they're so low on the leaderboard. On the other hand, the drum and guitar solos in the set were great and it really showed everyone that they weren't just like every other boyband. It was also clear to see that all of the girls loved it. Also, unlike Martin Garrix, I did manage to take my own photos during all of the other acts, which you can see to your left. 

8 = DNCE

In eighth place are the band that I was actually looking forward to the least but they pleasantly surprised me. The reason for their placing in this chart is the fact that they really hyped up the crowd for the rest of the show, proving that they were the perfect act to open up. Like The Vamps, they also did a great guitar solo, probably better than The Vamps actually. They also did an amazing and unique cover of the classic that is No Scrubs (have a listen below).

7 = Years & Years

Next up is Years & Years who I have been a fan of for a long time. The reason why they are so low in this chart is because I have seen them so many times that I feel the performance lacked originality and uniqueness. I cannot deny that Olly (the lead singer) has such an incredible voice that I can never be bored of though. Also, I got to hear one of my favourite songs that I feel so connected to; that song is "Eyes Shut" which I will leave attached below, alongside what I think is a great photo.

6 = Jonas Blue

In sixth place is Jonas Blue who was surprisingly good, despite technically being the 'smallest' on the lineup. The reason why he was so good was because he got all of the 20,000 people dancing along to every one of his infectious songs. I would happily see the DJ again as I enjoyed every single song of his. The set was also filled with guest performances, including one with J.P Cooper (which you can watch below) who I think has a brilliant voice. Lastly, I managed to capture what I thought was a great photo to your left, showing Jonas Blue loving his job.

5 = Sigma

Making it into the top five we have Sigma who I have seen plenty of times before, always putting on an unbelievable show. The reason why they are always so good is because they always create such an immense atmosphere. I also loved how they performed one of my favourite ever songs "Coming Home" as it has such a strong message. Lastly, I loved the guest appearance from Birdy who is a sensational singer, hence why I will attach that song below (alongside a picture of the two collaborators).

4 = Ellie Goulding

In fourth place we have Ellie Goulding who is someone I think everyone knows and loves. Her set felt just like her own concert as she sang seven songs, more than any other artist which were all so amazing and energetic with her distinctive voice. The only reason why she is not higher on this chart is because I have seen her many times before. However, saying that, I hadn't seen her in a while meaning that I got to hear songs like "Still Falling For You" for the first time. Anyways, she put on a great show and you can watch part of it below...

3 = James Arthur

Claiming the bronze medal in this array of artists is James Arthur who you probably know I am a massive fan of from my "7 Songs" series. I can tell you now that this performance definitely did not let him down as he managed to make the O2 (a massive venue with 20,000+ people) feel very intimate with just him and his guitarist by his side. Also, the X Factor winner did what was possibly one of the best covers I have ever heard. He managed to completely switch up "Into You" by Ariana Grande whilst mashing it up with "Ignition". Have a listen below...

2 = Louisa Johnson

Just missing out on the top spot we have Louisa Johnson who you probably all know I am a big fan of , so much so that I have actually met her before. Her set was truly incredibly and it really implements her success : performing on a great lineup just one year after winning the X Factor. Her voice was unbelievable and I would happily see her again, hopefully on her own tour one day. Lastly, she put on an amazing performance and it was also my first time seeing "So Good" live which was out of this world.

1 = Shawn Mendes

Finally, in first place we have Shawn Mendes who I can happily say is 'up there' with some of the best people I have ever seen live! The Canadian-born singer is such an amazing performer, playing the piano and the guitar as well as singing. He put on an absolutely incredible atmosphere, especially on the song "Ruin" when everyone had their flashlights in the air. I cannot contain my excitement for June next year when I get to see him again on his "Illuminate World Tour" as I know it will be a night I will never forget!

So I hope you enjoyed this rather long post as it was a really fun night in London. Expect more reviews in the future as it is so much fun to reflect upon these fun memories of mine.

Album Review : Love & Darkness by John Legend

Hello and welcome to another post. Today I am going to be doing a long-awaited review of John Legend's latest album called "Love & Darkness". I will also be trying to attach as many of the songs from the album as I can, however, some videos are not allowed to be attached from YouTube. Anyways, I really hope you enjoy.

Track 1 = I Know Better

If you saw my most recent "7 Songs" post, you will know that I am already a big fan of this song. The reason for that is because the whole song is just so meaningful and emotional, being able to almost experience what John Legend was going through at the time of writing. The instrumental is also so calming and mellow with a low amount of instruments being used. In my opinion, "I Know Better" is the 'perfect' start to a great album.

Track 2 = Penthouse Floor

Just like the first track, "Penthouse Floor" was also featured in one of my previous posts because I am such a big fan of it! The main point as to why I like this song is because it is very upbeat for John Legend which is unusual but I love it. Also, you can really hear the huskiness of his voice throughout it. Chance The Rapper also adds to the greatness of this song with his relaxing rapping, something that no one else really has in today's industry. Sadly, I am not allowed to attach this song but it is really worth the listen.

Track 3 = Darkness & Light

"Darkness & Light" has to be one of my favourites on the album as it is completely different to anything I am used to by John Legend. The reason for this is that at the chorus of the song, you start to really feel the rock element of the track and it shows what I can only call as 'unbelievable falsetto' from the singer. This song really implements the idea that there is so much variety on the album.

Track 4 = Overload

If you ask me, "Overload" is a song that shows complete contrast when compared with the previous two as it just feels so tranquil and calming, whereas the past two were quite upbeat. This song just feels exactly like old-school John Legend to me (in particular, the "Get Lifted" album) which was my favourite thing to listen to at a certain point in time. I also feel like Miguel's vocals accompany the song really well, almost as if he was always meant to be there.

Track 5 = Love Me Now

Out of all of the songs on the album, this is probably the most infamous one as it was the lead single and has already had its peak in the chart. I have also featured this song in a "7 Songs" post as it just always makes you want to sing along. Also, you can tell that the song varies in the form of tempo throughout which also leads to John Legend really showcasing his vocal range. If you have been living under a rock and have not heard this yet, you need to listen to it down below.

Track 6 = What You Do To Me

"What You Do To Me" is another song that shows just how much musical diversity this album has! This is because there are clear elements of house/dance music within it. John Legend also manages to show so much attitude throughout the track as well, something which I personally think is always needed in music. Lastly, the song is very catchy and makes you want to sing or dance along all of the way through, so you should definitely listen to it!

Track 7 = Surefire

Even though it is quite a good song, I must say that "Surefire" is probably my least favourite song on the album. I, personally, just think that the song is a little too slow for me, even if it may be a little catchy. The strongest positive about this song though is the fact that is shows his deeper vocals as we do not really see it on any of the other songs scattered throughout the album.

Track 8 = Right By You (For Luna)

"Right By You" is such a personal and emotional song as it is written for John's baby daughter Luna; it really pulls at your heart strings! Another thing that works well on this song is the fact that is is very simplistic (which can sometimes be a bad thing) and it works for once. You can also really sense the jazz and soul elements of the song which certainly makes it stand out from the crowd!

Track 9 = Temporarily Painless
I must say that "Temporarily Painless" is another one of my favourites on the album. The reason for this is that the song is extremely catchy and it must be virtually impossible to not get it stuck in your head! It is also one of those songs where you always find yourself bobbing along to the chorus as it has that infectious affect on you. Have a listen below if you haven't already...

Track 10 = How Can I Blame You
Track ten is one of those songs that has such soulful vocals throughout that one-hundred percent compliment it. Putting a twist on your 'casual' ballad, this song is definitely the most unique out of the bunch and with truly unbelievable vocals in the middle eight, you cant really disapprove. I also love the uncredited female vocals throughout as they make the song so engaging and captivating.

Track 11 = Same Old Story
The penultimate track is yet again, very emotional and honest but I must say, its certainly not one of my favourites. The song is not a bad one though with great vocals from the American singer/songwriter, even if it is fairly repetitive. I am going to be honest, I have mixed opinions on this song; have a listen down below and see what you think...

Track 12 = Marching Into The Dark
Finally, we have "Marching Into The Dark" which is the last track on the album and also one of my favourites. I am a big fan of this song because it is extremely catchy and will have you singing along whenever you listen. Also, the vocals are accompanied by what in my eyes is an infectious, and sort of funky beat. This song is one of the best on the album so you need to have a listen...

Overall, I think the album is brilliant and possibly even one of the best of 2016. The main positive from this is the diversity of music genre throughout including themes such as rock, dance and jazz. I also love John Legend's vocal range all the way through the record and unlike Childish Gambino in the last review, John Legend has definitely lived up to the anticipation and hype. I have added many of the songs to my playlist and you all should too. With this in mind, here are the rankings...

1. John Legend - Love & Darkness

2. Bruno Mars - 24k Magic

3. Childish Gambino - Awaken My Love

So I hope you enjoyed yet another album review on this blog. Expect more of these in the new year as they are a lot of fun to create.

In Remembrance...

Hello everyone and welcome to another post on this blog. Today was meant to be an album review but there are much more important things to discuss that I feel like I need to get off of my chest. This post is also created as a thank you for having 1000 of you guys reading my blog every week; you have used up your precious time reading my blog so I thought I would take my time and inform you on a big part of my life...

Lets dive straight in at the deep end! 2016 has been the worst year of my life as on the 29th June this year, my dad passed away of oesophagus cancer. This is been the hardest possible thing I have ever had to go through and I would wish it upon anyone. The constant feel of sorrow and pain in your heart is unbearable and all I want is to speak to him one more time! Dad, if you are reading this from up in the sky, just know that I love you and everything I do is with you in my mind.

At first, I tried to bottle up all of my emotions to try and seem strong in front of my family but that did not work at all which led me to have what I think was an emotional breakdown where I spent three days straight just crying and not knowing what to do with myself. I would like to say I am better now but in all honesty, I don't know as I am one of those people that find it hard to express their emotions, hence why it has taken me so long to write this post. At this present moment in time, my main focus is my education as I know that is what my dad would've wanted rather than sit doing nothing whilst thinking about him. I have also become extremely engaged with the things he used to love of mine, such as singing and photography.

Singing in particular is something that I have done simply for my dad as he loved my voice ever so much. In fact, whenever I sing, I always have a little glass heart in my pocket; that little glass heart was what I held in my dad's hand when I last saw him so it really means a lot. Also, I always have him in mind when deciding what song to sing, whether its a song he loved or one that I feel is connected to our relationship e.g. I recently sang the song "Ain't No Sunshine" at school which I know was one of his favourites as we both love the Motown era. All he would ever want is for me to be happy and doing the things that he loved, they are the only things that can make me remotely happy as even though I may seem happy on the outside, that sorrow is always in my heart.

Someone else who is currently in my shoes and is experiencing these traumatic times is Louis Tomlinson, someone who I have grown extreme admiration for. If you didn't know on the 7th December Louis' mum Joanna passed away of leukaemia and all I can do is feel such love towards him and how strong he is being. On the 10th December, just a few days after his mother's tragic passing, Louis performed as a solo artist for the first time, an extremely courageous act. The reason why I am going into so much depth with this story is because Louis dedicated this song (which he had written) to his mum and instead of writing a slow-tempo and depressing song, Louis decided to write a up-tempo song embracing her life and his last memories of her, something which I think is truly incredible! Here is the song below...

Heartbreak is the worst possible drug. It lingers for years and years and all you want is for it to go away. It is like your heart is barricaded and no sad emotions can escape. Another important lesson is that grief is gradual and everyone grieves differently, I didn't really hit me for a couple of months but when it did, i felt like my whole world was crumbling down. Death is a tragic factor but at the end of the day, it sadly happens to everyone and some people just don't have as much time on this earth than people would like.

To dad,

If you are looking down on my right now, please just recognise my immense empathy for you. You were my everything and I wouldn't be the person I am today without you! Everything I will ever do, I will do for you and I hope to achieve for you as I know you wish for me to. Wherever you may be, you are always in my heart and I will never forget you! I love you more than words can express and you were the greatest man that anyone could ever meet,

Do not ever forget me because I will always have you deep in my mind.

7 Songs You Should Listen To Pt.8

Hello and welcome to another blogpost. Toady I am going to be guiding you on seven more songs that you really need to listen to! Please let me know if you enjoy them as they are some of my favourites...

Leon Bridges - Brown Skin Girl
To start off this blogpost, why not go with the song that is hands down my favourite song at the moment?! I only discovered Leon Bridges recently and now I am in love with his music. In particular, I love "Brown Skin Girl" because it sounds just like a Motown song (which you may know is my favourite music genre) by someone like Ben E King or The Temptations and you are always singing along to it! The track is extremely catchy and his album "Coming Home" is one of the best I have listened to in a while. If you are searching for a relatively new artist to fall in love with, I thoroughly recommend Leon Bridges.

Jess Glynne - Love Me
If you read my blog last week you will know that I recently went to see Jess Glynne on her "Take Me Home Tour" and I realised I have never actually put any of her songs in my blog even though I am such a big fan of her's. With this in mind, I decided to put my favourite song from the album "I Cry When I Laugh" in here. The reason why I admire "Love Me" is because it just has an element of sass and attitude which almost makes the song feel powerful. In my eyes, the song also sounds a lot like Jessie J, someone who I am a massive fan of (and features in this post later) so I am not surprised I love it so much. Have a listen below...

Childish Gambino - Zombies
In my most recent post, the topic was Childish Gambino's latest release and my favourite track off of that has to be "Zombies". I love this song in particular because it shows a different side to the rapper/singer's voice that I have never heard before; I guess you could say it is a little raspier than his usual material. The chorus is also a catchy one (something that I personally think is needed in every song) and you can really sense the elements of horror when listening, possibly something that was meant as it is a connotation to the word "Zombie". Anyways, although I cannot link the song below, please make sure you check the track out!

Kehlani - Distraction
You may have heard of Kehlani before as she has been featured in my blog many times with her song "Did I" and recently I discovered another one of her songs which I think is amazing. The track is titled "Distraction" and it is extremely catchy. It is one of those songs that will be stuck in your head for days! Do not let that put you off though as it shows a great set of vocal ability from the singer and I personally prefer it to "Did I". If you loved her previous songs, please check out this one as I know that you will 100% love it; you can have a listen below...

Noah Cyrus Ft. Labrinth - Make Me (Cry)

In my opinion, Timothy Mackensie (aka Labrinth) is one of the most talented people in today's industry so when I heard he was making a brief comeback alongside Noah Cyrus, I was thrilled! If you ask me, the song is emotional yet catchy which I think really makes it stand out. Also, it is nothing like I expected from someone who is the sister of Miley Cyrus, one of the wackiest people out there; the song sound like a mix between Miley herself and Lana Del Rey which is incredibly interesting. See whether you agree by listening below...

John Legend - I Know Better

This next song is from John Legend's latest release "Darkness & Light" (which I will be reviewing in the next post) and to be honest with you, there were about five different tracks from the album that I could've chosen to put in this post. The reason I decided to chose "I Know Better" out of all of the songs was just because the song was so simplistic, providing perfect vocals along with great acoustics. You can also really tell that the song is very meaningful when listening to it with lines such as "Legend is just a name" and "Some things I've done before I cannot justify". The song makes You feel so connected to his emotional rollercoaster so have a listen and see whether you have the same experiences.

Jessie J - Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Last but certainly not least, we have Jessie J who I think is my favourite vocalist to emerge from the UK. Her vocal range is unbelievable as still amazes me to this day so when I heard about her releasing a new single in partnership with Make-Up Forever, I was ecstatic! The song is a cover of the Frankie Valli song, which has been covered an endless amount of times yet this version seems to almost revolutionise it in my eyes. The song is very catchy like the original but the difference with this one is that it makes you want to dance along, unlike the original which is a track you'd just sway along to I guess. Anyways, check out this amazing song when you can!

So I hoped you enjoyed yet another 7 songs that you should listen to. Let me know if you did and please give me any feedback to make my blog better in the future.

Album Review : Awaken My Love by Childish Gambino

Hello everyone and welcome to yet another blog post. In today's post I am going to be reviewing Childish Gambino's heavily anticipated new album "Awaken My Love". Sadly, YouTube will not let me attach any of the songs from the album but I hope you enjoy the post anyways and listen to it in your spare time.

Track 1 = Me and Your Momma

When I first listened to the album, this song immediately made me become intrigued by the album as it has such a different sound to anything else I have heard this year. Childish Gambino is such an independent artist as well, doing just what he is interested by, and I really think this shows on the album. The main focus of this song though has to be the sudden mood switch about halfway through where it quickly switches from an angelic to a rough sound. Personally, I think this is amazing as it is completely unexpected but it works so well! 

Track 2 = Have Some Love

If you ask me, "Have Some Love" is a great song as you immediately get brought into the track with this gospel choir, getting you hyped up, before Childish Gambino does his extremely catchy solo. This song is catchy throughout and if I had to choose one part, I would have to choose the chorus as my favourite put simply because the gospel section works so well with the rest of the track. Who knew rap and gospel would work so well?! I would say this is one of my favourite songs on the album.

Track 3 = Boogieman

The reason why I like this song so much is because it is so different to any other song in the current music industry. Also, I am aware this may be really repetitive but the chorus is yet again ultra catchy! My favourite part has to be how the drums are louder than every other instrument. This is because it makes a rare twist on what we're used to in a 'normal' song nowadays; I think it works really well!

Track 4 = Zombies

I think "Zombies" has to be my favourite track from the entire album! I just love how catchy the chorus is and I also think the slight auto-tune works really well as it makes Childish Gambino sound completely different to anyone else out there. Another thing I am a big fan of is how you can distinctly hear the distortion of that electric guitar in the background as it almost puts a 'glam-rock' twist on a song that normally wouldn't be associated with that music genre.

Track 5 = Riot

To me, this song sound very 'rock' considering it's a Childish Gambino song. This is suggested by the overcompensation of instruments and the clear 'moaning' of the vocal chords. I don't quite know why but I'm not really a fan of this song; I think it may be because it's just a bit too much with the extremely complicated texture to the song. I certainly do not think it is a bad song though.

Track 6 = Redbone

If you read my latest "7 Songs You Should Listen To" post you'll know that I am already a massive fan of this song. The reason for this is because the song is so relaxing and tranquil to listen to and yet again, the auto-tune makes a positive effect on the song. Whenever I am doing any artwork, this is one of my 'go-to' songs as it literally soothes your mind, helping you focus on the task at hand. Overall, this is probably joint with "Zombies" for my favourite track on the album.

Track 7 = California

I really like California as it is just so catchy and once again, unlike anything else in today's music industry. I love how Childish Gambino has sang differently to what he would normally to as it makes him seen like a completely new artist. Another reason why this song is great though is because it is quite honest and cheeky, thats always a good factor to have in a song.

Track 8 = Terrified

"Terrified" is very unique out of the tracks on the record as its one of the only songs where Childish Gambino's vocals are really showcased. The song shows attitude as well which is sometimes what you need in a song. Also, another reason why the song is so unique is that it has masses of falsetto throughout which seems to really work. With its catchy tune, this song is definitely one of the better ones.

Track 9 = Baby Boy

This song is very soulful which I personally adore as it is my favourite style of music. I also think that the auto-tune has once again really benefitted this song as it makes him sound so diverse. My favourite part in the song would have to be the backing vocals added to the chorus though as it really makes the song sound like an old classic due to the (what I think are) three-piece harmonies.

Track 10 = The Night Me and Your Mama Met

What I love about this song is the gospel choir throughout as it almost gives the song a sense of heritage! Although this song may have no actually vocals in it, it sure does make for a great interlude with the choir and the electric guitar making great accompaniment. Yes I know, it could possibly be better with vocals but on the other hand sometimes its just nice to leave a song in its natural form. That natural form is what I would prefer to hear it in.

Track 11 = Stand Tall

Lastly we have "Stand Tall" which I must say, I am not really a fan of as it contains a bit too much of everything, just like "Riot". The main focus of this is the amount of auto-tune used - it is just a little too much and it actually sounds almost identical to Kanye West and his material. I do think that if the instruments were toned down a little, the song could possibly be a great one but it's not quite at that stage.

Overall, I think the album is great but it is nowhere near as good as his previous album "Because The Internet" in my opinion. Although some of the songs are brilliant and i'll be listening to them on repeat for a while, I cant help but feel like it didn't exactly live up to the hype. I still love the album and Childish Gambino as an artist though and it is certainly not a bad album.

The next element of this blog is a new one where I am going to rank the albums in which ones are best (in my opinion). This is to give guidance for any of those people who are looking for good albums to listen to. Here are the rankings, which you can probably guess by the previous paragraph...

1. Bruno Mars - 24k Magic

2. Childish Gambino - Awaken My Love

I hoped you enjoyed this post as i really enjoyed writing it. Expect more posts like this coming (really) soon!

Jess Glynne's Take Me Home Tour ~ 27/11/16

So last week I attended Jess Glynne's Take Me Home tour in my hometown of Brighton so I thought why not review it for everyone reading this post! The only downside to this review is the fact that the venue would sadly not let me take any photos so the photos in this post (if there are any) will eb from my fairly rubbish mobile phone. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the post.

Way back in June when the tickets got released, I immediately brought them as I knew that the concert would be one of a kind as Jess Glynne has always put on such immense shows when I have seen her at gig before. I can tell you now that I was not disappointed and the concert was incredible, with me getting to hear some of my favourite songs of hers.

We got to the concert at approximately half six and went straight to our seats before the support act came on. When Raye (the person supporting Jess Glynne) came on stage, I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I had heard of her before due to her constantly appearing on my "Discover Weekly" and now I have added some of her songs to my playlist. In my opinion her voice was just very unique but I also feel like I have heard elements of her voice before. Anyways I loved her song with Jonas Blue (who I am seeing on sunday at the Jingle Bell Ball) which is called "By Your Side" and as I cannot add photos to this post, I'll attach the song below...

After about half an hour of waiting after seeing Raye, It was finally time for Jess Glynne to come onto the stage. If you ask me she made an unbelievable entrance, with all of the band playing an extended piece before she popped up on stage. When she did come on though, she (literally) came out with a bang; confetti was everywhere and luckily I managed to capture it with my phone! She then started her, rather long, set with the extremely catchy "Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" which sounded incredible!

Although I loved all of her music on the night, there were a few songs that stood out for me so I thought it would only be right to mention them. Firstly, theres "You Can Find Me" which was amazing because it felt as if I was part of some gospel choir. Also, It made me just want to dance which is something that all of Jess Glynne's music does, showing signs of a great artist. Secondly, we have "Take Me Home" which is one of her most 'well-known' songs. The reason why I liked this song was because everyone had their flashlights on and it felt so tranquil and heartwarming to be in such an atmosphere. It was also her last song so she certainly ended on a high.

Finally, we have my favourite of her songs, "Love Me". I loved this song because it just showed so much feistiness and attitude whilst also being so empowering. The song got me singing along from start to finish and I think it might even be one of the best songs I have ever seen performed live - thats quite something considering the amount of events I have been to. I would attach the video here but I have decided to save it for my next "7 Songs You Should Listen To" as it is definitely one of my favourites. I would highly recommend you check it out before next week though as it is a brilliant track.

Overall, the concert and its atmosphere was electric. From start to finish I was singing along and Jess Glynne is certainly 'up there' with all of the great performers that I have seen live. I would happily see Jess Glynne again and you really should too! I hope you enjoyed this post, expect more reviews in the future (including one on the Jingle Bell Ball very soon).