Yesterday, and after an earlier heart attack she had on her flight, Carrie Fisher, our forever Prices Lila,
died.
Leaving everyone sad and mourning in the last few days of a sad and tragic year in which we lost some other legends like Bowie and Prince.
No words can describe how she will be forever missed. This post is a kind of an attribution and appreciation of her being so awesome, kind and giving </3
In the end, I'll just leave you with this heart-melting interview.
This album didn't contain much of innovation, almost the same good music we used to get. But to be fair he was few days ahead of his death and was like 83 years old. We'd take whatever we could get from this great man <3!
Highlights; You want it darker, Treaty, Traveling light.
Radiohead, A moon shaped Pool; (Art/Psychedelic Rock)
Highlights; Burn the witch, Daydreaming, Tinker taylor soldier.
Metallica, Hardwired...to self-destruct; (Heavy.Trash Metal) Highlights; Now we're dead, I am savage, Moth into flame.
Danny Brown, Atrocity Exhibition; (HipHop)
I've never been into HipHop, like at all. But this album is just plain dope! It reminds me of Kendrik Lamar's last year album, both made me listen to them and their super awesome lyrics! Highlights; Downward spiral, Rolling stones, Golddust.
The 1975, I like it when you sleep ...; (Synth/Art POP)
Hilights; Love me, She's American, The ballad of me and my brain.
Frank Ocean, Blond; (Alt R&B)
Well I'm not gonna lie, I prefer the two albums before this one, some songs here sound weird and silly and poorly-made. But even with a "mediocre" album he still is one great talented motherfu**er!
Highlights;Ivy, Godspeed, White Ferrari
Nick Cave & The Bad seeds, Skeleton Tree; (Art Rock, Singer-Songwriter) Highlights; Rings of Saturn, Jesus alone,
Bon Iver, 22 a million; (Art POP, Singer-Songwriter)
Highlights; ( I have no idea why they are titled this way)
Honorable Mentions:
Hamilton Mixtape; (Probably one of my really favorite albums but since it's a huge collaboration and not really an album, it was unfair to make it on the list above. I just love everything about it and everything it stands for! OUTSTANDING EFFORT!!!
Whitney, Light upon the lake; (Indie Rock)
Angle Olsen, My woman; (Indie Rock)
Beyonce, Lemonade; (POP, R&B)
Rihanna, Anti; (R&B, POP)
Kings of Leon, Wall;. (Alt Rock)
(I only mentioned them because they're like my favorite band, but I'm disappointed af by this album, probably more than how "Xmen, Superman v Batman, Mrs Peregrine" movies disappointed me this year.
Britney Spears, Glory; (Dance POP) (Because how could I not?!)
Bruno Mars, 24k Magic; (Funk, Synth POP)(Not really but the head song is awesome as usual and he's hot af, so yes)
John Legend, Darkness and light; (Neo-Soul)
The Weekend, Starboy; (Electronic POP, Alt R&B)
And Finally,
Lady Gaga, Joanne; (POP Rock)
I have so many mixed feelings about this one, I mean I've always been one of her loyal little monsters, but this like the second album that wasn't that good, after ARTFART, I know she's experiencing and like maturing which is good, but anyways I expected more after three years.
For full review: http://sollyelmasry.blogspot.com.eg/2016/10/lady-gagajoanne-album-review.html
And in the end of this sad year we can only say, RIP Prince </3 !
Guess who's back Little Monsters? The wait is over, only if you could make it and ignore the leaks, good luck with that! Our Mother Monster has finally graced us with new production, new music and HOPEFULLY new costumes.
I'm gonna say what I think of the whole album at the end, to not ruin us being psyched!
Also that's the inevitable collaboration with Mark Ronson that we've all been waiting for so LET'S DIG IN and see how his production made a "Raw and exposed" Gaga, as he said.
Diamond Heart
The only special thing about this song is the build up to the chorus, it's almost perfect. Though the music and the singing isn't that original or powerful and sometime they sound out of sync,
A-Yo
Yes I know what you're all saying, This funky tone and opening is all Madonna-ish! And I agree, that's the first thing that popped on to my head, but since I'm not the biggest fan of Madonna, I don't care!
The chorus and the build-up resemble a lot those of Diamond Heart, but her voice sounds more powerful and free and all out. And The music just gets you up and dancing.
Even that it sounds A LOT like Manicure and sometimes even Shake it off by TS.
But you forget everything on earth whenever you hear the "Get off of me..." she sounds powerful and sultry af! All hail Mother Monster!
Joanne
I knew I wasn't gonna be a fan of this song once I read it's headline, I'm sorry if you'll be offended, but having an aunt who died before you were born isn't one of the things that move me and make me give it extra credits in advance. So I'm sorry!
The song sounds so boring and no matter what you say it will always feel like a third wheel and you'll end up forwarding it whenever you're listening to the album on loop. The lyrics are just lame and too obvious, like she's not even trying and her voice is somewhat shaky!
But overall it was good listening to Gaga in a Ballad with something that's not a piano, that was something I didn't expect.
John Wayne
This is THE song of the album, The intro is just explosive and it keeps getting better and better till the outro.
The Electric/Rock bridge is just everything! Everything is on point, the production, the vocals, the music and even the lyrics are kind of fun,
Dancin' in circles
Another setback, a decent intro that all fades out to nothing but a weak song. The chorus would be fun to dance to though, I gotta admit.
It just sounds like a 2008 slayage song, which I have nothing against, but WOAH, DID SHE JUST GO AN OCTAVE HIGHER?
Perfect Illusion
This is all about the video, no matter what reasons you say, you'll always be listening and liking this song all because of the killer video <3
I can never get to make an opinion about this one, the Adrenaline-rush always takes over. But I'm sure that it needed more lyrics cause at some point it sounds repetitive. Also it stands out of the whole album, I don't think it fits in here at all.
But know what? We all don't really care, go check out her perfect little shorts RIGHT NOW *_*
Million Reasons
My second fav song of the album, she just sounds PERFECT! Her best BALLAD yet to come.
All shades of her vocals are present and all in sync with the simple instrumental and all come out beautiful and melancholic.
Sinner's Prayers
Too Johnny Cash maybe? Country pop obviously, Not complaining though. My third fav song anyways. The only complaint I have is it's just a bit too sleepy, needed somewhat stronger or higher chorus maybe. I'm not sure but I feel that it could've been better. But still it's beautiful.
Also, Thank you Father John Misty for this song! <3
Come to Mama
Are you kidding me? That's a Christmas Carol right?
The thing is you can't keep being angry at it as it grows on you and you feel somehow hugged and find yourself in the guilty pleasure of singing along with the catchy chorus.
Hey Girl (ft.Florence Welch)
I'm just super excited about this collaboration, I'm a huge fan of Florence and I have to say I never imagined them together.
Though I'd call it a VERY poor choice to be honest. The song is just flat, the music is boring and the music drags on for too long, Their voices surprisingly complete each other but the lyrics are just not that great too. Such a waste!
Angel Down
This sounds a lot like Father John Misty and Lana Del Rey mixed together, a decent and fitting political ending about the situation in America at the moment. Some really good production and lyrics and her voice sounds somewhat rawry!
Overall:
I would never hate that our Mother Monster is going experimental and trying new genres. Though I wouldn't really recommend another collaboration with Mark Ronson cause I feel he kind of contained her. But also I have to say that she sounds more mature and no matter how hard we hate to admit she, like everyone, is getting older and more of an adult, she will never be That wild forever.
This is my second least fav album of her, after Art Pop obviously, I know it's a lot better but I just miss the days when I used to listen to her full album and not skipping to the one or two songs that I loved.
So apparently 3 days ago -more or less, depending on your time zone- M83 dropped their New album, their seventh album to be specific, and it's just as messy as weird as goofy as the title, the album art, more even the video is.
Anthony Gonzales is all about experimenting, even more than before, also he's more French now! He explained the title that the album will confuse the media, That they will choose the tracks they like, one,two if lucky, and the rest will be junk. Do it
The opener song starts up with this weird pouncy 80's-like piano that sounds like it's trying its best to bug you and make your ears feel itchy, it gets better when the chorus hits you. But I can't help feeling like it looses rhythm at some point specially that the "do it, try it" sometimes overlap or like flip/flops. It gets better and even becomes more dancing earwarm.
Go
Possibly the best song of the whole album, it's super sonically indulgent, with it's electronic claps, funky guitar and simple catchy lyrics. It starts aimlessly specially with Singer Mari Lan's voice, then it all makes sense when the drums pick up after her countdown. The funk dream is all fun for the ears.
Bibi the dog
I can't quite make my opinion about whether the chipmunk voice was or not uncalled for.
After reaching this song, you gotta realize that serious changes have happened with the vocalists and that the band is not like we used to know, I't obvious that some got replaced, and it's kind of more Female centered now.
For the kids
Now we're officially back to the 80's era. No one would actually have expected this type of song to be within this befuddling mess but here we are! This saxophone ballad, this euphoria featuring some Norwegian singer and some kid ghost-whispering kicking at the end makes it the perfect dream-pop song to sleep to.
Solitude Yeah, we all said it, that's M83 from Midnight City, they're back! With this exotic epic track where Gonzales finally gets to sing again, backed up with some swelling string that overpowers the song eventually.
Lazer Gun
This opening is the best so far, it's super sassy and her voice is really sweet. And with the shouting chorus at the end, it just can't get better. I can't help but feel my body wanting to dance while listening to this song!
I can't help but feel like they're getting a lot to sound like Arcade Fire mixed with a bit of Daft Bunk, But as a devoted fan of the band, I know that they're all about experiencing, and I like the overall album, It's like what I always expect from them. I'd give it 8/10 :)
First album in 1969, died at the age of 69, David fuckin' Bowie still plays with our minds and hearts.
The world woke up yesterday on the sad news, One day or two after the final album release. I was still thinking about making my first video review about his album, but no way now, I know I'd get too emotional talking about him and I'll ruin it.
This genre-bending album blends Pop, free Jazz, Rock and some hip-hop for the first time in his career.
Le'ts get down to the tracks;
BlackStar:
This is a really fitting epitaph as Ctv wrote, He's a black star! He's the celebrity of all celebrities but still he's an outcast, doesn't fit a lot, or maybe too awesome and great to fit!
I need to write a separate review on the video itself -somehow Youtube won't allow me to add it here so go check it, NOW!-.
But it's like everything you'd expect from Mr Bowie, the dark elegance, the same nihilism, the blurry soundscapes, the so-called "Satanic rituals", the stylish dwelling, except this time with a vulnerable old man with a wider vocal range!
Tis a pity she was a whore:
Somehow as I heard it takes its title from a playwright from the 17th century.
The music here is all about the sax (screams specifically), drum and bass, mixed together in a pretty exotic way. The song winds up to the climax where you feel like Bowie is pushing the sax to play harder and scream higher!
Mr Bowie -like he always did- gives us some uncanny gender-bending lyrics like he always used to "she punched me like a dude".
Lazarus;
This melancholic haze of swirling saxophones and the Jazz-but-also-Rock buzz with lyrics that sound now like a farewell "look up here, I'm in heaven. I got scars that can't be seen" even the opening lyric itself would bring up tears to your eyes :/ When you watch the spooky video -that he shot a day before he died- and get his message, you then get the chills! I love and hate that piece of post-punk sorrow so freakin much!
Sue (or In a season of crime);
From the first few seconds it gets you attached to its hyperkinetic music and your ears demand for more even if it doesn't sound like studio-quality but these irregular beats don't need studios anyways!
Girl loves me;
Who the hell is Cheena? and also where the fuck did Monday go?
We shall never know! These cool layers of synth funky beats are so catchy and tight! And this song has a lot to do with the famous "A Clockwork orange" and not only using some of its slang!
I can't give everything;
Here and only here you can listen to the only guitar solo, the really farewell guitar solo! When the album reaches its climax and he himself sounds his most frustrated and fragile.
He finally dumps the complex rhythms to give us the steady electronic rhythm. I love the line "saying no but meaning yes, this is all I ever meant" though.
