Whoo boy, it's a loaded new music Friday review this week with Kelly Clarkson, U2, Sam Smith and a Sia and Zayn collaboration and I got to say the quality was pretty damn hot so let's start with the music old hands U2
Song: You're the Best Thing About Me
Artist: U2
U2 are back with the first taste of their new album entitled "Songs of Experience" and the first single is something that is oh so very U2. I love the guitars and the melody of this song the only issue is that it feels like Bono's vocals which are very strong and carry the song well feel like they are sort of swamped by the production and the lyrics are so-so but hey after their last album I'll take this!
Rating: 7/10. Just really does annoy me that Bono's vocals feel a little drowned out.
Song: Dusk til Dawn
Artist(s): Zayn, Sia
So Zayn is back with the lead off single from his second album and I think this may well be the best thing Zayn has done since he started out on the solo project, finally this feels like something that is his work and not just ripping Drake as per "Still Got Time". It's a pretty powerful ballad and he has some decent chemistry with Sia. Maybe the only issue is that Sia's voice actually seems to overpower Zayn's voice in parts of the choru, it's a pretty dramatic love ballad that yeah does somewhat work.
Rating: Best thing Zayn had done musically. I really like this. 8/10
Song: Love So Soft
Artist: Kelly Clarkson
It's the return of the first American Idol Kelly Clarkson with a very modern sounding gospel song and yeah, I do like this a lot even if I am not sold on the chorus and that weird vocal thing at the end of every line, it just sounds very out of place with the rest of the song but I'll give Kelly credit here, this song is very very good. Hopefully it's a hit.
Rating: Despite the odd vocal thing in the chorus...8.5/10
Song: Too Good at Goodbyes
Artists: Sam Smith
Oh speaking of gospel flavoured pop, Sam Smith returns with his new song and look...it's a pleasant enough listen but there's just not enough in the production to keep this song interesting. It really is kind of your stereotypical Sam Smith song but if it's going to be a huge hit, I'll take it over Taylor Swift that's for sure.
Rating: 6/10
Song: Tough Love
Artist: CXLOE
CXLOE is a Sydney singer-songwriter and seems to be another young lady that you can strike a comparison with Lorde and it'd almost stick (one of her influences is Lorde if you look at her Triple J Unearthed profile) so how does "Tough Love" pan out?
It's not all that bad quite frankly and in a year where we're struggling for an Australian artist to break the top 10 on the ARIA, I hope this song does become a hit because it quite frankly is pretty poptastic.
Rating: Light 8/10
Best of the week: Despite rating Kelly Clarkson's "Love So Soft" slightly higher, I am giving it to Zayn and Sia for "Dusk til Dawn" but both songs are great
Worst of the week: I opted not to review this because I really didn't want to have to listen to it again. Tove Lo's "Disco Tits" is everything you would expect a song with that title to sound like
New Music on Friday 15th September
"Find You" by Nick Jonas
"Heavy" by Anne-Marie
Also new stuff from Ball Park Music and Fall Out Boy
Thursday, 14 September 2017
Wednesday, 13 September 2017
ARIA Chart top ten/Chart review: September 11. Taylor remains number one
A lot changed and a lot stayed the same this week on the ARIA chart although we did lose two songs from the top ten this week but we did lose former number 1 "Despacito (Remix) by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber and "Praying" by Kesha from the top 10.
Remaining at number one for a second week is "Look What You Made Me" by Taylor Swift. It looks like her run at number one may well come to an end in the UK though where Sam Smith's new single is posing a challenge.
Pink stays at number 2 for another week with "What About Us?". I still think that has a chance at getting back to number one actually.
New entry at number 3 and it's Taylor Swift's "...You Ready for it?". This is purely a promotional single, nothing more or less and I would expect this too fall away pretty quick because of that and also the song is trash.
The arrival of "...You Ready for it?" saw Macklemore's "Glorious" drop to number 4 and "Friends" by Justin Bieber and Bloodpop to number 5.
Dua Lipa's "New Rules" momentum has halted as it remains at number 6.
"Thunder" by Imagine Dragons dropped two places to number 7 (I hope to see that song gone sooner rather than later)
Then we get to a new arrival in the top 10 with Demi Lovato at number 8 with "Sorry Not Sorry". Kind of surprising considering the song is very much a Meghan Trainor sound but it jumped from 11 to 8 so there must be a serious push behind it.
Then we reach two songs that are on their way out anyway "Feels" by Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean dropping a spot to number 9 and "Unforgettable" by French Montana feat. Swae Lee dropping from 7 to 10
Outside of the top 10, the biggest loser this week was "Malibu" by Miley Cyrus which dropped from 34 all the way back to number 50 and considering "Younger Now" hasn't returned to the top 50, the album release is going to feel a bit bare in a few weeks time.
"Pretty Girls" by Maggie Lindemann dropped 10 places to 30 and "Fallin'" by Jessica Mauboy dropped from 22 to 29
As for the drop outs, there were only two that being "Fetish" by Selena Gomez feat. Gucci Mane and "Know No Better" by Major Lazer feat. Travis Scott, Camila Cabello and Quavo. Good, cause both songs suck.
The gainers this week, the biggest gainer was "1800-273-8255" by Logic feat. Alessia Cara and Khalid which leapt 20 places to number 17 and speaking of Khalid, his single "Young Dumb and Broke" climbed from 28 to 21. Another big mover was Vance Joy's "Lay It On Me" which climbed from 40 to 25 (Great news as that song is absolutely brilliant)
As for new entries inside the ARIA top 50 apart from Taylor Swift?: Well the only other one was "What Lovers Do?" by Maroon 5 feat. SZA at 33. Outside the top 50, the best of them is Jason DeRulo's "If I'm Lucky" at 59, "High on Me" by Guy Sebastian at 73, "Not too Late" by Ricki-Lee at 83 and "Girls on Boys" by Galantis & Rozes at 96.
While for some reason Vance Joy's "Riptide" re-entered at 96.
That wraps up this week's chart review, New Music Friday review tomorrow, it's a beauty with U2, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Smith and a collaboration between Zayn Malik and Sia.
Remaining at number one for a second week is "Look What You Made Me" by Taylor Swift. It looks like her run at number one may well come to an end in the UK though where Sam Smith's new single is posing a challenge.
Pink stays at number 2 for another week with "What About Us?". I still think that has a chance at getting back to number one actually.
New entry at number 3 and it's Taylor Swift's "...You Ready for it?". This is purely a promotional single, nothing more or less and I would expect this too fall away pretty quick because of that and also the song is trash.
The arrival of "...You Ready for it?" saw Macklemore's "Glorious" drop to number 4 and "Friends" by Justin Bieber and Bloodpop to number 5.
Dua Lipa's "New Rules" momentum has halted as it remains at number 6.
"Thunder" by Imagine Dragons dropped two places to number 7 (I hope to see that song gone sooner rather than later)
Then we get to a new arrival in the top 10 with Demi Lovato at number 8 with "Sorry Not Sorry". Kind of surprising considering the song is very much a Meghan Trainor sound but it jumped from 11 to 8 so there must be a serious push behind it.
Then we reach two songs that are on their way out anyway "Feels" by Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean dropping a spot to number 9 and "Unforgettable" by French Montana feat. Swae Lee dropping from 7 to 10
Outside of the top 10, the biggest loser this week was "Malibu" by Miley Cyrus which dropped from 34 all the way back to number 50 and considering "Younger Now" hasn't returned to the top 50, the album release is going to feel a bit bare in a few weeks time.
"Pretty Girls" by Maggie Lindemann dropped 10 places to 30 and "Fallin'" by Jessica Mauboy dropped from 22 to 29
As for the drop outs, there were only two that being "Fetish" by Selena Gomez feat. Gucci Mane and "Know No Better" by Major Lazer feat. Travis Scott, Camila Cabello and Quavo. Good, cause both songs suck.
The gainers this week, the biggest gainer was "1800-273-8255" by Logic feat. Alessia Cara and Khalid which leapt 20 places to number 17 and speaking of Khalid, his single "Young Dumb and Broke" climbed from 28 to 21. Another big mover was Vance Joy's "Lay It On Me" which climbed from 40 to 25 (Great news as that song is absolutely brilliant)
As for new entries inside the ARIA top 50 apart from Taylor Swift?: Well the only other one was "What Lovers Do?" by Maroon 5 feat. SZA at 33. Outside the top 50, the best of them is Jason DeRulo's "If I'm Lucky" at 59, "High on Me" by Guy Sebastian at 73, "Not too Late" by Ricki-Lee at 83 and "Girls on Boys" by Galantis & Rozes at 96.
While for some reason Vance Joy's "Riptide" re-entered at 96.
That wraps up this week's chart review, New Music Friday review tomorrow, it's a beauty with U2, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Smith and a collaboration between Zayn Malik and Sia.
Thursday, 7 September 2017
New Music Friday Review: Taylor Swift drops another song, Maroon 5 team up with SZA
Another week and yet again we have to deal with Taylor Swift because she dropped another song in the last week while Jason DeRulo returns and a former Australian Idol alum makes her comeback.
But yes, although I sick of talking about her, I will start with Miss Taylor Swift.
Song: ...Ready for It
Artist: Taylor Swift
Oh I miss the days of the Taylor Swift sticky hook and melody that could be found on 1989 and I keep reverting to songs like "Style" because at least they showed 'old' Taylor Swift at her very best but this 'new' edgy Taylor Swift seems to have lost any kind of taste for any kind of melody and make generic rap/pop songs that wouldn't go astray on Young Thug's most recent album.
The song just has some weird sounds in it like the kind of static I hear on a portable radio when it's on the AM band and too close to the laptop computer but yeah this new angry Taylor era is not off too a good start,
This is not good and after the horror that was "Look What You Made Me Do", I really do not care about that "Reputation" album drop on November 10. Sorry not sorry, Taylor.
Rating: It's better than "Look What You Made Me Do" but not by much. 3/10
Song: If I'm Lucky
Artist: Jason Derulo
The return of Jason DeRulo. There was some talk about him opting for a more country sound but from the sound of this song he has opted for the currently very popular latin/reggaeton vibe and I am not going to deny that it works here. Derulo offers up plenty of personality on this track even with the rather sparse production but Derulo's voice carries the song well. I like this!
Rating: 7/10
Song: What Lovers Do
Artist(s): Maroon 5, SZA
This song will probably end up being a smash hit but for a band that is increasingly letting it's music become alarmingly sterile and predictable, Maroon 5 have repeated their mistakes with this song. This isn't anything I haven't heard before and done better. Also is anyone else reminded of Calvin Harris and Rihanna's "This is What You Came For?"
Rating: 4/10
Song: Not Too Late
Artist: Ricki Lee
She's baaack! Yes, Australian Idol alumni Ricki Lee returns with a brand new single and it doesn't let anyone down in terms of Ricki Lee. We all know she can really belt out a song vocally and with so much power the song does get to you, reminds me in a way of Jessica Mauboy's song "Fallin'" but in a good way because like Mauboy's song, this one is excellent.
Rating: 8/10
Song: High on Me
Artist: Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian returns with a new single and it sounds like he has been inspired by Eurovision or Australian 90s boyband CDB with this song. It's a quite the fun little track as the lead single from his forthcoming tenth album entitled "Conscious". It's got a bit of spunk and fun. Really for anyone looking for a modern old school sounding disco sound this would be the track to go for.
Rating: 7/10
Best: Ricki Lee for "Not Too Late"
Worst: Can't keep giving that to Taylor Swift so Maroon 5 and SZA get it for "What lovers Do"
New Music Friday 8th September
It's a loaded one with new tracks from Zayn/Sia, Kelly Clarkson, U2 and Sam Smith!
But yes, although I sick of talking about her, I will start with Miss Taylor Swift.
Song: ...Ready for It
Artist: Taylor Swift
Oh I miss the days of the Taylor Swift sticky hook and melody that could be found on 1989 and I keep reverting to songs like "Style" because at least they showed 'old' Taylor Swift at her very best but this 'new' edgy Taylor Swift seems to have lost any kind of taste for any kind of melody and make generic rap/pop songs that wouldn't go astray on Young Thug's most recent album.
The song just has some weird sounds in it like the kind of static I hear on a portable radio when it's on the AM band and too close to the laptop computer but yeah this new angry Taylor era is not off too a good start,
This is not good and after the horror that was "Look What You Made Me Do", I really do not care about that "Reputation" album drop on November 10. Sorry not sorry, Taylor.
Rating: It's better than "Look What You Made Me Do" but not by much. 3/10
Song: If I'm Lucky
Artist: Jason Derulo
The return of Jason DeRulo. There was some talk about him opting for a more country sound but from the sound of this song he has opted for the currently very popular latin/reggaeton vibe and I am not going to deny that it works here. Derulo offers up plenty of personality on this track even with the rather sparse production but Derulo's voice carries the song well. I like this!
Rating: 7/10
Song: What Lovers Do
Artist(s): Maroon 5, SZA
This song will probably end up being a smash hit but for a band that is increasingly letting it's music become alarmingly sterile and predictable, Maroon 5 have repeated their mistakes with this song. This isn't anything I haven't heard before and done better. Also is anyone else reminded of Calvin Harris and Rihanna's "This is What You Came For?"
Rating: 4/10
Song: Not Too Late
Artist: Ricki Lee
She's baaack! Yes, Australian Idol alumni Ricki Lee returns with a brand new single and it doesn't let anyone down in terms of Ricki Lee. We all know she can really belt out a song vocally and with so much power the song does get to you, reminds me in a way of Jessica Mauboy's song "Fallin'" but in a good way because like Mauboy's song, this one is excellent.
Rating: 8/10
Song: High on Me
Artist: Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian returns with a new single and it sounds like he has been inspired by Eurovision or Australian 90s boyband CDB with this song. It's a quite the fun little track as the lead single from his forthcoming tenth album entitled "Conscious". It's got a bit of spunk and fun. Really for anyone looking for a modern old school sounding disco sound this would be the track to go for.
Rating: 7/10
Best: Ricki Lee for "Not Too Late"
Worst: Can't keep giving that to Taylor Swift so Maroon 5 and SZA get it for "What lovers Do"
New Music Friday 8th September
It's a loaded one with new tracks from Zayn/Sia, Kelly Clarkson, U2 and Sam Smith!
Sunday, 3 September 2017
ARIA top ten/Chart Review: September 4. Look What You Made Number 1
This week was a week that I wasn't looking forward to, largely because I was expecting songs that had clearly peaked to come down and we were set for a new number 1 that I do not in any shape or form like but personal views aside.
Before we look the top 10, "Strip That down' by Liam Payne feat. Quavo exited the top 10 slipping 4 places to number 12.
Now to the top 10 and yes, despite it's extremely questionable quality,"Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift did debut in the top spot. How long it remains at number 1 is anyone's guess but it's numbers on Spotify streaming wise are excellent and it doesn't look like losing number one on sales at the moment.
Last week's number 1, "What About Us?" by Pink slipped to number 2 which is not surprising considering the Swift juggernaut that arrived on the chart, it was never really shot of hanging on to number 1.
At number 3 is Macklemore feat. Skylar Gray with "Glorious". Macklemore has been confirmed as the National Rugby League's Grand Final pre match entertainment headline act.
I said last week that "Friends" by Justin Bieber and Bloodpop wouldn't get to number one and based on the fact it fell two places to number 4.
"Thunder" by Imagine Dragons sits at number 5 dropping 1 place from last week. Looks as though it could be on the way out.
The song that could loom as a threat to Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do" is "New Rules" by Dua Lipa at number 6. This song has not stopped climbing the charts in the last few weeks with another 4 place climb this week, it's got real momentum behind it, it could be top 5 next week especially with "Thunder" fading.
"Unforgettable" by French Montana feat. Swae-Lee remains at number 7
The couple of songs are on their way out of the top 10 with "Feels" by Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean dropping 2 to number 8 and former chart topper "Despacito (Remix)" dropping 4 places to number 9.
"Praying" by Kesha slips from 9 to 10 to wrap up this week's ARIA Top 10
Outside of the top ten, the biggest gainer was Khalid's "Young, Dumb and Broke" which jumped from 44 last week to 28 this week. "Sorry not Sorry" by Demi Lovato climb three places to sit at the edge of the top 10 at number 11, Lauv's "I Like Me Better" climbed 5 places from 29 to 24
As for the biggest loser that dishonour went to former top 5 song "Something Just Like This" by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay which slipped from 33 to 48. It also was a bad week for Selena Gomez with "Bad Liar falling from 40 to 47 and "Fetish" (feat. Gucci Mane) falling 8 places to 49. "There for You" by Martin Garrix and Troye Sivan also dropped 8 places to 38.
One re entry this week and it's not that big a surprise with "1-800-273-8255" by Logic feat. Alessia Cara and Khalid re-entering at number 37.
As for the new entries outside of the new number one? Marshmello feat. Khalid entered the chart number 30 with "Silence", Camila Cabello might finally see some chart success with her latest single "Havana" feat. Young Thug entering at number 36, Portugal. the Man's "Feel It Still" finally debuted at number 43. Outside of the top 50: "Chateau" by Angus and Julia Stone at 90, "You Already Know" by Fergie feat. Nicki Minaj at 95 and "Rich Love" by One Republic feat. Seeb at 97 and the last of the new entries is "Walk on water' by Thirty Seconds to Mars at 99.
So with all the movement there were 5 songs that left the chart including two songs whose exits are really extremely premature. The three exits that aren't so surprising are the VMAs song of the summer "XO Tour Lif3" by Lil Uzi (how that got voted as song of the summer is one of the great mysteries), "Stay" by Zedd and Alessia Cara and"Now or Never" by Halsey. All of which had well and truly have outdone their time on the chart.
However the premature exits for "Get Low" by Zedd and Liam Payne after 5 weeks and "Younger Now" by Miley Cyrus after 1 week are something of a surprise and probably a concern for Miley given she's due to drop that album soon.
That rounds up ARIA Chart Review. See you for New Music Friday where there's new Jason DeRulo and Guy Sebastian to talk about. Joy...lol.
Before we look the top 10, "Strip That down' by Liam Payne feat. Quavo exited the top 10 slipping 4 places to number 12.
Now to the top 10 and yes, despite it's extremely questionable quality,"Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift did debut in the top spot. How long it remains at number 1 is anyone's guess but it's numbers on Spotify streaming wise are excellent and it doesn't look like losing number one on sales at the moment.
Last week's number 1, "What About Us?" by Pink slipped to number 2 which is not surprising considering the Swift juggernaut that arrived on the chart, it was never really shot of hanging on to number 1.
At number 3 is Macklemore feat. Skylar Gray with "Glorious". Macklemore has been confirmed as the National Rugby League's Grand Final pre match entertainment headline act.
I said last week that "Friends" by Justin Bieber and Bloodpop wouldn't get to number one and based on the fact it fell two places to number 4.
"Thunder" by Imagine Dragons sits at number 5 dropping 1 place from last week. Looks as though it could be on the way out.
The song that could loom as a threat to Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do" is "New Rules" by Dua Lipa at number 6. This song has not stopped climbing the charts in the last few weeks with another 4 place climb this week, it's got real momentum behind it, it could be top 5 next week especially with "Thunder" fading.
"Unforgettable" by French Montana feat. Swae-Lee remains at number 7
The couple of songs are on their way out of the top 10 with "Feels" by Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean dropping 2 to number 8 and former chart topper "Despacito (Remix)" dropping 4 places to number 9.
"Praying" by Kesha slips from 9 to 10 to wrap up this week's ARIA Top 10
Outside of the top ten, the biggest gainer was Khalid's "Young, Dumb and Broke" which jumped from 44 last week to 28 this week. "Sorry not Sorry" by Demi Lovato climb three places to sit at the edge of the top 10 at number 11, Lauv's "I Like Me Better" climbed 5 places from 29 to 24
As for the biggest loser that dishonour went to former top 5 song "Something Just Like This" by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay which slipped from 33 to 48. It also was a bad week for Selena Gomez with "Bad Liar falling from 40 to 47 and "Fetish" (feat. Gucci Mane) falling 8 places to 49. "There for You" by Martin Garrix and Troye Sivan also dropped 8 places to 38.
One re entry this week and it's not that big a surprise with "1-800-273-8255" by Logic feat. Alessia Cara and Khalid re-entering at number 37.
As for the new entries outside of the new number one? Marshmello feat. Khalid entered the chart number 30 with "Silence", Camila Cabello might finally see some chart success with her latest single "Havana" feat. Young Thug entering at number 36, Portugal. the Man's "Feel It Still" finally debuted at number 43. Outside of the top 50: "Chateau" by Angus and Julia Stone at 90, "You Already Know" by Fergie feat. Nicki Minaj at 95 and "Rich Love" by One Republic feat. Seeb at 97 and the last of the new entries is "Walk on water' by Thirty Seconds to Mars at 99.
So with all the movement there were 5 songs that left the chart including two songs whose exits are really extremely premature. The three exits that aren't so surprising are the VMAs song of the summer "XO Tour Lif3" by Lil Uzi (how that got voted as song of the summer is one of the great mysteries), "Stay" by Zedd and Alessia Cara and"Now or Never" by Halsey. All of which had well and truly have outdone their time on the chart.
However the premature exits for "Get Low" by Zedd and Liam Payne after 5 weeks and "Younger Now" by Miley Cyrus after 1 week are something of a surprise and probably a concern for Miley given she's due to drop that album soon.
That rounds up ARIA Chart Review. See you for New Music Friday where there's new Jason DeRulo and Guy Sebastian to talk about. Joy...lol.
Thursday, 31 August 2017
New Music Friday Review: Demi Lovato, Fergie/Nicki, Foo Fighters
So looking beyond the new Taylor Swift song which I will not review again as it's not a song worth wasting any more of my time over when in fact I think there are some much better songs that came out including the new songs from the Foo Fighters and Demi Lovato so let's focus on them.
Song: Tell Me You Love Me
Artist: Demi Lovato
So Demi Lovato has released the title track from her upcoming new album called "Tell Me You Love Me" and I have to say this song is so much better than her first single "Sorry Not Sorry" largely because "Tell Me You Love Me" connects in a way that "Sorry Not Sorry" didn't and the fact that this song isn't charting because it happened to be released as a certain other artist's single is somewhat unlucky or unfortunate because this song is a ballad pleading help and somebody's love in an emotional and powerful way that is reminiscent of a Jennifer Hudson song. Well done, Demi.
Rating: 8/10
Song: You Already Know
Artist(s): Fergie, Nicki Minaj
We've gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. Fergie dropped two tracks last New Music Friday, this song and a collaboration with Rick Ross entitled "Hungry" but because "You Already Know" featured on the New Music Friday playlist I'm going to review that and well really it's a whole lot of not much with Fergie sing/rapping about how life comes at you fast and how she has made her way in the music industry and then Nicki delivers a verse talking about money and references Seth Rogen in the middle. Gahh, it's good for a mindless blowout but that's about it.
Rating: 4/10
Song: The Sky is a Neighbourhood
Artist: Foo Fighters
I am not the biggest Foo Fighters fan but damn this song would go off at any festival the Foo Fighters played at. It's just a classic Foo Fighters track and it is awesome from the guitar lick to Dave Grohl's voice even the choir singing the chorus. It's rock done in a dramatic but well done way that brings back visions of rock in the 70s. Thumbs up for the Fooeys!
Rating: 9/10
Song: Wait
Artist: JP Cooper
A song in the indie-pop vein, "Wait" is one of those songs that is kind of oddly warm and reassuring. Cooper sings about sticking with a loved one through everything even though times may get rough. I am a sucker for this kind of sentiment, it's a beautiful song and deserves to be a hit.
Rating: 8/10
Best this week:
"The Sky is a Neighbourhood" by the Foo Fighters for being rock at its absolute most awesome.
Worst this week
Pretty obvious really. I reviewed it in a previous blog entry: "Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift
New Music Friday September 1st:
Maroon 5 have already released their collab with SZA called "What Lovers Do"
Apparently Jason DeRulo has something new on the way and he has hinted that he is going country...somehow I struggle to imagine it coming from a guy who dropped a song called "Wiggle" in 2014
Apart from that, it's all a big surprise.
Song: Tell Me You Love Me
Artist: Demi Lovato
So Demi Lovato has released the title track from her upcoming new album called "Tell Me You Love Me" and I have to say this song is so much better than her first single "Sorry Not Sorry" largely because "Tell Me You Love Me" connects in a way that "Sorry Not Sorry" didn't and the fact that this song isn't charting because it happened to be released as a certain other artist's single is somewhat unlucky or unfortunate because this song is a ballad pleading help and somebody's love in an emotional and powerful way that is reminiscent of a Jennifer Hudson song. Well done, Demi.
Rating: 8/10
Song: You Already Know
Artist(s): Fergie, Nicki Minaj
We've gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. Fergie dropped two tracks last New Music Friday, this song and a collaboration with Rick Ross entitled "Hungry" but because "You Already Know" featured on the New Music Friday playlist I'm going to review that and well really it's a whole lot of not much with Fergie sing/rapping about how life comes at you fast and how she has made her way in the music industry and then Nicki delivers a verse talking about money and references Seth Rogen in the middle. Gahh, it's good for a mindless blowout but that's about it.
Rating: 4/10
Song: The Sky is a Neighbourhood
Artist: Foo Fighters
I am not the biggest Foo Fighters fan but damn this song would go off at any festival the Foo Fighters played at. It's just a classic Foo Fighters track and it is awesome from the guitar lick to Dave Grohl's voice even the choir singing the chorus. It's rock done in a dramatic but well done way that brings back visions of rock in the 70s. Thumbs up for the Fooeys!
Rating: 9/10
Song: Wait
Artist: JP Cooper
A song in the indie-pop vein, "Wait" is one of those songs that is kind of oddly warm and reassuring. Cooper sings about sticking with a loved one through everything even though times may get rough. I am a sucker for this kind of sentiment, it's a beautiful song and deserves to be a hit.
Rating: 8/10
Best this week:
"The Sky is a Neighbourhood" by the Foo Fighters for being rock at its absolute most awesome.
Worst this week
Pretty obvious really. I reviewed it in a previous blog entry: "Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift
New Music Friday September 1st:
Maroon 5 have already released their collab with SZA called "What Lovers Do"
Apparently Jason DeRulo has something new on the way and he has hinted that he is going country...somehow I struggle to imagine it coming from a guy who dropped a song called "Wiggle" in 2014
Apart from that, it's all a big surprise.
Sunday, 27 August 2017
ARIA Chart top Ten/Chart Review: 2nd September: Chart Awaits Taylor Impact
This week really does feel like the calm before the storm in terms of the ARIA Singles Chart right now, well at least until Taylor Swift hits the chart big time next week and probably will debut at number 1.
Before we get to this week's top 10. Two songs did leave the top 10, those being "Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller and "Body Like a Back Road" by Sam Hunt (thank goodness...but it will probably make the year end list unfortunately).
So onto the top 10 and it's a second week at number one for Pink's "What About Us?". Whether or not Pink gets a third week is dependent on the numbers for Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me do"
Debuting at number two is "Friends" by Justin Bieber and Bloodpop, with Taylor Swift's impending arrival next week I don't see this song getting to number one. It might spend a good chunk of time at number 2 but we'll see.
Number 3 is New Zealand's new number 1 "Glorious" by Macklemore feat. Skylar Gray. Think this has missed it's opportunity for top spot but we'll see as it's still going strong on the streaming services despite dropping from number 2.
Imagine Dragons remain stable at number 4 with "Thunder" but it's not a challenger for number one now.
"Despacito (Remix)" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber dropped to number 5. Largely due to the song having lost a lot of steam in recent times but will definitely be in that top 5 on the year end list and it looks like it may break Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's chart record for amount of weeks at number one in the US.
At number 6 is former UK chart topper "Feels" by Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean which dropped one place this week.
"Unforgettable" by French Montana feat. Swae Lee climbed one place to number 7 and swapped with "Strip That Down" by Liam Payne feat. Quavo which dropped to number 8 (I suspect that song is on the way out)
Unfortunately what also suffered a drop was Kesha's "Praying" off the back of all the album release gains last week with it down 3 places to number 9. "Rainbow" is a magnificent album even if you aren't a Kesha fan, I highly recommend you buy the album.
A song to keep an eye on for a possible top 5 appearance is the current UK number one "New Rules' by Dua Lipa which climbed another 5 places to number 10. That song is doing big business in the UK so wouldn't be surprised if it stuck around in the top 10 awhile.
Biggest gainer on the chart went to Lauv's "I Like Me Better which rose from 40 to 29, Avicii's "Without You" with Sandro Cavazza also experienced an impressive rise from 33 to 26, "Sorry not Sorry" by Demi Lovato rose from 21 to 14 and for some inexplicable reason "Mi Gente" by J Balvin and Willy William climbed three places to 28.
There one re-entry at number 50 with Halsey's "Now or Never" returning,
As for losers, the biggest of them being Childish Gambino's "Redbone" which dropped 12 places to 39, "Fetish" by Selena Gomez feat. Gucci Mane, which has never really taken off a great deal in Australia, dropped from 30 to 40 and "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" by Shawn Mendes dropped from 17 to 21.
As for drop outs, no real surprises with "Believer" by Imagine Dragons, "Galway Girl" by Ed Sheeran, "Swalla" by Jason DeRulo feat. Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign and "Crying in the Club" by Camila Cabello. Both "Believer" and "Crying in the Club" departures seem a bit premature given both have spent just 9 weeks in the chart but Camila Cabello really hasn't captured the hearts and minds of Australians if we're to be honest
Outside of the top 10, there were two other new entries quite the way lower down with Khalid's "Young, Dumb and Broke" entering at 44 and rather surprisingly "Younger Now" by Miley Cyrus entering at 49 which is a bit worrying considering the album is not far away from being released!
There were four new entries to the top 100 this week with the best of those being "Questions" by Chris Brown (which interpolates the 2003 hit "Turn Me On" by Kevin Lyttle quite badly) at number 56, "Havana" by Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug at 62, "Reggaeton Lento (Remix)" by CNCO and Little Mix at number 68 and the song that is doing extremely well in the US is "Bodak Yellow" by Cardi B at 94.
So that's this week on the ARIA chart done and dusted, we now wait to see whether or not Pink can somehow stave off the juggernaut that is Taylor Swift for number 1 (I doubt she can). Don't forget you can check out my thoughts on the new single from Taylor Swift here and I'll have the rest of New Music Friday Review featuring Demi Lovato and Foo Fighters up sometime this week.
Before we get to this week's top 10. Two songs did leave the top 10, those being "Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller and "Body Like a Back Road" by Sam Hunt (thank goodness...but it will probably make the year end list unfortunately).
So onto the top 10 and it's a second week at number one for Pink's "What About Us?". Whether or not Pink gets a third week is dependent on the numbers for Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me do"
Debuting at number two is "Friends" by Justin Bieber and Bloodpop, with Taylor Swift's impending arrival next week I don't see this song getting to number one. It might spend a good chunk of time at number 2 but we'll see.
Number 3 is New Zealand's new number 1 "Glorious" by Macklemore feat. Skylar Gray. Think this has missed it's opportunity for top spot but we'll see as it's still going strong on the streaming services despite dropping from number 2.
Imagine Dragons remain stable at number 4 with "Thunder" but it's not a challenger for number one now.
"Despacito (Remix)" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber dropped to number 5. Largely due to the song having lost a lot of steam in recent times but will definitely be in that top 5 on the year end list and it looks like it may break Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's chart record for amount of weeks at number one in the US.
At number 6 is former UK chart topper "Feels" by Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean which dropped one place this week.
"Unforgettable" by French Montana feat. Swae Lee climbed one place to number 7 and swapped with "Strip That Down" by Liam Payne feat. Quavo which dropped to number 8 (I suspect that song is on the way out)
Unfortunately what also suffered a drop was Kesha's "Praying" off the back of all the album release gains last week with it down 3 places to number 9. "Rainbow" is a magnificent album even if you aren't a Kesha fan, I highly recommend you buy the album.
A song to keep an eye on for a possible top 5 appearance is the current UK number one "New Rules' by Dua Lipa which climbed another 5 places to number 10. That song is doing big business in the UK so wouldn't be surprised if it stuck around in the top 10 awhile.
Biggest gainer on the chart went to Lauv's "I Like Me Better which rose from 40 to 29, Avicii's "Without You" with Sandro Cavazza also experienced an impressive rise from 33 to 26, "Sorry not Sorry" by Demi Lovato rose from 21 to 14 and for some inexplicable reason "Mi Gente" by J Balvin and Willy William climbed three places to 28.
There one re-entry at number 50 with Halsey's "Now or Never" returning,
As for losers, the biggest of them being Childish Gambino's "Redbone" which dropped 12 places to 39, "Fetish" by Selena Gomez feat. Gucci Mane, which has never really taken off a great deal in Australia, dropped from 30 to 40 and "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" by Shawn Mendes dropped from 17 to 21.
As for drop outs, no real surprises with "Believer" by Imagine Dragons, "Galway Girl" by Ed Sheeran, "Swalla" by Jason DeRulo feat. Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign and "Crying in the Club" by Camila Cabello. Both "Believer" and "Crying in the Club" departures seem a bit premature given both have spent just 9 weeks in the chart but Camila Cabello really hasn't captured the hearts and minds of Australians if we're to be honest
Outside of the top 10, there were two other new entries quite the way lower down with Khalid's "Young, Dumb and Broke" entering at 44 and rather surprisingly "Younger Now" by Miley Cyrus entering at 49 which is a bit worrying considering the album is not far away from being released!
There were four new entries to the top 100 this week with the best of those being "Questions" by Chris Brown (which interpolates the 2003 hit "Turn Me On" by Kevin Lyttle quite badly) at number 56, "Havana" by Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug at 62, "Reggaeton Lento (Remix)" by CNCO and Little Mix at number 68 and the song that is doing extremely well in the US is "Bodak Yellow" by Cardi B at 94.
So that's this week on the ARIA chart done and dusted, we now wait to see whether or not Pink can somehow stave off the juggernaut that is Taylor Swift for number 1 (I doubt she can). Don't forget you can check out my thoughts on the new single from Taylor Swift here and I'll have the rest of New Music Friday Review featuring Demi Lovato and Foo Fighters up sometime this week.
Friday, 25 August 2017
New Music Friday Review Special: Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift
WARNING: What you are about to read is an opinion of Taylor Swift's new song that isn't likely to be at all positive, if you can't handle my view on this song than it's probably best you click away now before you read on and end up being triggered by reading what I have to say about "Look What You Made Me Do". At the end of the day, it probably doesn't matter what I write about the song, people are still going to buy it, download it and stream in their thousands.
After a couple of years away from the music scene post the release of her 5th album '1989', one of the most influential music stars on earth, Taylor Swift is back with the first single from her 6th album "Reputation" entitled 'Look What You Made Me Do". I know this is a bit early but wanted to make room to cover this song individually given it's such a massive release.
Now before I dig into 'Look What You made Me Do", I need to make it clear I have a on/off fan button as far as Taylor Swift goes, some of her songs are great eg: I loved "Love Story" even if it was rather cheesy, "Style" is actually quite catchy and yeah, I did enjoy a couple of songs from "Red", I do have four of the five albums she has released to date, (only one I don't have is '1989' because I am not an overt fan of the direction that album took) so I was kind of anticipating the new single's release today like a lot of bigger Taylor Swift fans and I was curious as to the direction she was heading in with the new material after starting in country, veering into pop country and then jumping totally head first into pop music but the buzz I was hearing was that Taylor was headed in a more hip hop direction and that apparently she was going to call out a few 'haters'.
Turns out Taylor is staying in pop but blending in many of the modern hip hop music trends which include minimalist melody on the chorus and almost trap beats with no melody or even a vague hook to the song, this is the case with "Look What Made Me Do" as Taylor tries to get a square up with those who dissed her publicly that being Kanye West (who wrote a lyric in his song "Famous" bragging that he made Taylor famous by interrupting her speech at an awards show and suggesting he could sleep with her) in the most recent past, this isn't the sweet, nice Taylor Swift, this is Taylor Swift looking for revenge
I wish she hadn't gone looking for revenge because between "Bad Blood" and this, I have had enough of Taylor Swift seeking retribution songs...its boring now and in all honesty, there's not a lot that I can find that is positive about "Look What You Made Me Do". The chorus for a start sounds like one of the worst hit songs of 2016 that being Meghan Trainor's "Me Too" with minimal music bar a bass drum (possibly drum machine) and Swift repeating "Look What You Made Me Do..oh!" over and over again, what did they make you do, Taylor? Write one of most unimaginative choruses (if you can even call it a chorus) in 2017? There's no information in that chorus to make me feel remotely sorry for you, Taylor.
The verses are barely much better as Swift lists every she apparently doesn't like about Kanye in the first verse about how she doesn't like Kanye's little games or his tilted stage or his laugh when he lies, it's all pretty pathetic stuff or in the second verse that she doesn't like his kingdom keys and then says that the world moves on but not her because she's thinking about karma against the haters, really, Taylor? For a woman who wrote a song called "Shake it Off" with these lyrics in the chorus '...And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate. Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake I shake it off, I shake it off"
What ever happened to the vow Taylor made in "Shake It Off"? She said she was going to shake off people like Kanye in 2014 who evidently don't like her but now she's trying to work out the best way she can enact karma against Kanye in "Look What you Made Me Do"? I just shake shake shake shake shake my head at the confusing nature of your lyrics, Miss Swift.
Oh and then there's the pre chorus where Swift claims that she got smarter...well honey, no you didn't because in this song you sunk to the exact same gutter level that your haters live in which isn't smart at all, the SMART thing to do would have been to release a fantastic song, watch the song go number one and watch your haters melt back into the primordial sludge where you think they belong not this back biting drivel that is "Look What you made me do" and yeah I am not even going to dignify the line where Taylor claims she rises from the dead all the time, that's just ridiculous.
All of that set against music that you'd almost think it sounded like some child being incredibly nasty to another in quite the sing songy fashion as children do.
The bridge of this song is where it gets even more laughably stupid and vindictive from Swift. Lines like "I'm the actress starring in your bad dreams". What the hell is with that? That is almost stalker level and I am almost tempted to wonder if Swift has actually been stalking Kanye and the bit where she's on the phone proclaiming the old Taylor can't come to the phone because old Taylor is dead is over playing it and being stupidly melodramatic.
So overall, "Look What You Made Me Do" is a vindictive load of absolute rubbish coming from a woman who is apparently 27 years of age but acts as though she is a teenage girl who thinks the world revolves around her and her melodrama which is not classy from Taylor and gives her absolutely no dignity whatsoever. I just hope this song isn't a sign of things to come from "Reputation".
Even worse, this is an opportunity wasted from Swift, she could have taken the opportunity to show some class and dignity by not giving rise to people like Kanye and releasing a great song but instead she chooses to get in the gutter with Kanye and show no class or dignity at all and that really is what makes me angry about this song and has lowered my opinion of Taylor Swift.
Please Taylor, act your age and actually use the advice from one of your own songs in regard to haters: instead of writing petulant and immature songs about them, shake the haters off for your own good and for the good of your music because this song is a TRAINWRECK.
Rating: 2/10
After a couple of years away from the music scene post the release of her 5th album '1989', one of the most influential music stars on earth, Taylor Swift is back with the first single from her 6th album "Reputation" entitled 'Look What You Made Me Do". I know this is a bit early but wanted to make room to cover this song individually given it's such a massive release.
Now before I dig into 'Look What You made Me Do", I need to make it clear I have a on/off fan button as far as Taylor Swift goes, some of her songs are great eg: I loved "Love Story" even if it was rather cheesy, "Style" is actually quite catchy and yeah, I did enjoy a couple of songs from "Red", I do have four of the five albums she has released to date, (only one I don't have is '1989' because I am not an overt fan of the direction that album took) so I was kind of anticipating the new single's release today like a lot of bigger Taylor Swift fans and I was curious as to the direction she was heading in with the new material after starting in country, veering into pop country and then jumping totally head first into pop music but the buzz I was hearing was that Taylor was headed in a more hip hop direction and that apparently she was going to call out a few 'haters'.
Turns out Taylor is staying in pop but blending in many of the modern hip hop music trends which include minimalist melody on the chorus and almost trap beats with no melody or even a vague hook to the song, this is the case with "Look What Made Me Do" as Taylor tries to get a square up with those who dissed her publicly that being Kanye West (who wrote a lyric in his song "Famous" bragging that he made Taylor famous by interrupting her speech at an awards show and suggesting he could sleep with her) in the most recent past, this isn't the sweet, nice Taylor Swift, this is Taylor Swift looking for revenge
I wish she hadn't gone looking for revenge because between "Bad Blood" and this, I have had enough of Taylor Swift seeking retribution songs...its boring now and in all honesty, there's not a lot that I can find that is positive about "Look What You Made Me Do". The chorus for a start sounds like one of the worst hit songs of 2016 that being Meghan Trainor's "Me Too" with minimal music bar a bass drum (possibly drum machine) and Swift repeating "Look What You Made Me Do..oh!" over and over again, what did they make you do, Taylor? Write one of most unimaginative choruses (if you can even call it a chorus) in 2017? There's no information in that chorus to make me feel remotely sorry for you, Taylor.
The verses are barely much better as Swift lists every she apparently doesn't like about Kanye in the first verse about how she doesn't like Kanye's little games or his tilted stage or his laugh when he lies, it's all pretty pathetic stuff or in the second verse that she doesn't like his kingdom keys and then says that the world moves on but not her because she's thinking about karma against the haters, really, Taylor? For a woman who wrote a song called "Shake it Off" with these lyrics in the chorus '...And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate. Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake I shake it off, I shake it off"
What ever happened to the vow Taylor made in "Shake It Off"? She said she was going to shake off people like Kanye in 2014 who evidently don't like her but now she's trying to work out the best way she can enact karma against Kanye in "Look What you Made Me Do"? I just shake shake shake shake shake my head at the confusing nature of your lyrics, Miss Swift.
Oh and then there's the pre chorus where Swift claims that she got smarter...well honey, no you didn't because in this song you sunk to the exact same gutter level that your haters live in which isn't smart at all, the SMART thing to do would have been to release a fantastic song, watch the song go number one and watch your haters melt back into the primordial sludge where you think they belong not this back biting drivel that is "Look What you made me do" and yeah I am not even going to dignify the line where Taylor claims she rises from the dead all the time, that's just ridiculous.
All of that set against music that you'd almost think it sounded like some child being incredibly nasty to another in quite the sing songy fashion as children do.
The bridge of this song is where it gets even more laughably stupid and vindictive from Swift. Lines like "I'm the actress starring in your bad dreams". What the hell is with that? That is almost stalker level and I am almost tempted to wonder if Swift has actually been stalking Kanye and the bit where she's on the phone proclaiming the old Taylor can't come to the phone because old Taylor is dead is over playing it and being stupidly melodramatic.
So overall, "Look What You Made Me Do" is a vindictive load of absolute rubbish coming from a woman who is apparently 27 years of age but acts as though she is a teenage girl who thinks the world revolves around her and her melodrama which is not classy from Taylor and gives her absolutely no dignity whatsoever. I just hope this song isn't a sign of things to come from "Reputation".
Even worse, this is an opportunity wasted from Swift, she could have taken the opportunity to show some class and dignity by not giving rise to people like Kanye and releasing a great song but instead she chooses to get in the gutter with Kanye and show no class or dignity at all and that really is what makes me angry about this song and has lowered my opinion of Taylor Swift.
Please Taylor, act your age and actually use the advice from one of your own songs in regard to haters: instead of writing petulant and immature songs about them, shake the haters off for your own good and for the good of your music because this song is a TRAINWRECK.
Rating: 2/10
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