Yet again a shorter than usual New Music Friday in the holiday season but I will post several songs to give a chance to.
Song: Him & I
Artist: G-Eazy, Halsey
So we have G-Eazy and his girlfriend Halsey releasing a song that Halsey described as being a "Bonnie and Clyde" song between two lovers cause there's nothing more amazing or original in pop rap than comparing your relationship to a pair of lovebird murderers.
As for the song, Halsey does well on the hook but wow, the lyrics are generic as all get out and G-Eazy jokes about if he was ever to be caught cheating, Halsey would cut his "hahahaha" off (we all know what he means though) and then goes on about dying and doing drugs. Meh, this song is forgettable, guaranteed I won't remember it unless radio picks it up
Rating: 4/10
Song; Miss You
Artist: Louis Tomlinson
So this might well be one of Louis Tomlinson's better songs, mainly because he has shed the EDM producers which I thought hamstrung the messages of his previous songs but "Miss You" takes a very pop rock feel rather than EDM and it works well with the guitar plus the stadium rock feel of the chorus. I actually like this a lot more than when I first heard it. Maybe Louis should shed the likes of Steve Aoki and Digital Farm Animals permanently.
Rating: 6/10
Songs to check out
"Stand Up Tragedy" by The Fratellis
"Broken People" by Logic feat. Rag 'n' Bone Man
"Fireworks" by First Aid Kit.
Best of the week: It's going to a song called "Swing" by Josiah and the Bonnevilles. It's actually pretty excellent.
Worst: Ugh. "Him & I" by G-Eazy and Halsey gets it for being forgettable.
Next week's New Music Friday:
Camila Cabello is releasing TWO new songs
Dinah Jane of 5th Harmony fame and Leona Lewis are releasing something tomorrow
So that wraps it up for this week. Don't forget you and check out the songs that I have been listening to this year via my playlist on Spotify. ARIA Chart out on Saturday, something tells me we're in for a
"perfect" new number one so stay tuned for my review of all that craziness.
Thursday, 7 December 2017
Tuesday, 5 December 2017
ARIA top ten/Chart Review: 4th December: Top 10 barely got moves
I considered not bothering with this week's chart because barely anything happened inside the top 10 apart from a few moves lower down the top ten.
So yes, for a third week "Havana" by Camila Cabello remains at number one because it's had a pretty damn good sales week.
"Rockstar" by Post Malone and 21 Savage remains at number 2 but I see this song falling away a bit now especially with competition moving in behind it.
Post Malone's 2nd song inside the top 5 "I Fall Apart" remains at number 3 but yet again I really don't see this as a threat to "Havana"
Perhaps the biggest threat to "Havana" lies at number 4 with "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran and with a remix featuring Beyonce dropping on Friday, there is a very big chance that this song will make a serious play for the number one spot,
"Wolves" by Marshmello and Selena Gomez couldn't bridge the margins so remained at number 5. Marshmello's collab with Khalid "Silence remains at number 6.
Khalid remains at number seven with his solo hit and one that keeps growing on me every time I hear it "Young, Dumb and Broke"
Then finally we get to some movement with "What Lovers Do" by Maroon 5 and SZA up one to number 8 and "New Rules" by Dua Lipa up to number 9 but both those moves up look to be based on the weakness "Too Good at Goodbyes" by Sam Smith slipping to number 10.
Now where things get interesting is the moves outside of the top 10, biggest gainer of the week where "Anywhere" by Rita Ora which moved from 23 to break into the top 20 at number 16 while NF's "Let You Down" jumped to the cusp of the top 10 at number 11 up from 17 last week. Pink's "Beautiful Trauma" jumped from 32 to 25 probably more based on the fact some people can't get enough of Channing Tatum.
As for the biggest losers? The biggest loser this week was "Walk on Water" by Eminem and Beyonce which continued it's downward momentum 24 from 15 last week. "1-800-273-8255" by Logic feat. Alessia Cara and Khalid slipped to number 22 from 16. A song that continues not to catch on whatsoever is "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)" by Cardi B which slipped to number 45 from 38 last week.
So what dropped out?, There were three drop outs most surprisingly two of them from Taylor Swift with both "..Ready For It?" and "Look What You Made Me do" falling out of the chart, would expect "Look What You Made Me Do" will make the year end ARIA singles chart though. The other drop out is "Location" by Khalid.
As for the new entries inside the top 50: the highest debut this week was "Meant to be" by Bebe Rexha feat. country music (although in light of recent songs by Florida Georgia Line I guess that 'country' label can be questioned) duo Florida Georgia Line at number 26. "I Miss You" by Clean Bandit feat. Julia Michaels at number 46 and "Mic Drop (Stve Aoki Remix" by BTS and Desiigner entered the top 50 at number 50.
Outside of the top 50, the best of the new entries was "Deja-Vu" by Timmy Trumpet and Savage at number 55, "Cola" by CamelPhat and Elderbrook (this song is blowing up huge in the UK) at number 89 and "Kiwi by Harry Styles at number 97.
Would expect the ARIAs to have much more of an impact on this week's chart but before I go I want to alert you all to a song that could well be about to blow up big time on the charts, I mentioned Post Malone earlier, well he has a song on the Billboard Hot 100 right now called "Candy Paint" from the Fate of the Furious soundtrack and there are signs that this song is headed for the ARIA singles chart big time.
See you all soon for New Music Friday Review!
So yes, for a third week "Havana" by Camila Cabello remains at number one because it's had a pretty damn good sales week.
"Rockstar" by Post Malone and 21 Savage remains at number 2 but I see this song falling away a bit now especially with competition moving in behind it.
Post Malone's 2nd song inside the top 5 "I Fall Apart" remains at number 3 but yet again I really don't see this as a threat to "Havana"
Perhaps the biggest threat to "Havana" lies at number 4 with "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran and with a remix featuring Beyonce dropping on Friday, there is a very big chance that this song will make a serious play for the number one spot,
"Wolves" by Marshmello and Selena Gomez couldn't bridge the margins so remained at number 5. Marshmello's collab with Khalid "Silence remains at number 6.
Khalid remains at number seven with his solo hit and one that keeps growing on me every time I hear it "Young, Dumb and Broke"
Then finally we get to some movement with "What Lovers Do" by Maroon 5 and SZA up one to number 8 and "New Rules" by Dua Lipa up to number 9 but both those moves up look to be based on the weakness "Too Good at Goodbyes" by Sam Smith slipping to number 10.
Now where things get interesting is the moves outside of the top 10, biggest gainer of the week where "Anywhere" by Rita Ora which moved from 23 to break into the top 20 at number 16 while NF's "Let You Down" jumped to the cusp of the top 10 at number 11 up from 17 last week. Pink's "Beautiful Trauma" jumped from 32 to 25 probably more based on the fact some people can't get enough of Channing Tatum.
As for the biggest losers? The biggest loser this week was "Walk on Water" by Eminem and Beyonce which continued it's downward momentum 24 from 15 last week. "1-800-273-8255" by Logic feat. Alessia Cara and Khalid slipped to number 22 from 16. A song that continues not to catch on whatsoever is "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)" by Cardi B which slipped to number 45 from 38 last week.
So what dropped out?, There were three drop outs most surprisingly two of them from Taylor Swift with both "..Ready For It?" and "Look What You Made Me do" falling out of the chart, would expect "Look What You Made Me Do" will make the year end ARIA singles chart though. The other drop out is "Location" by Khalid.
As for the new entries inside the top 50: the highest debut this week was "Meant to be" by Bebe Rexha feat. country music (although in light of recent songs by Florida Georgia Line I guess that 'country' label can be questioned) duo Florida Georgia Line at number 26. "I Miss You" by Clean Bandit feat. Julia Michaels at number 46 and "Mic Drop (Stve Aoki Remix" by BTS and Desiigner entered the top 50 at number 50.
Outside of the top 50, the best of the new entries was "Deja-Vu" by Timmy Trumpet and Savage at number 55, "Cola" by CamelPhat and Elderbrook (this song is blowing up huge in the UK) at number 89 and "Kiwi by Harry Styles at number 97.
Would expect the ARIAs to have much more of an impact on this week's chart but before I go I want to alert you all to a song that could well be about to blow up big time on the charts, I mentioned Post Malone earlier, well he has a song on the Billboard Hot 100 right now called "Candy Paint" from the Fate of the Furious soundtrack and there are signs that this song is headed for the ARIA singles chart big time.
See you all soon for New Music Friday Review!
Thursday, 30 November 2017
New Music Friday: Little Mix, James Arthur
Short New Music Friday this week because there's not a great deal around that is quite worth writing about this week and quite frankly I would rather work on some year end stuff and also...there wasn't a lot of music that would be deemed worth writing about but Little Mix released the dueluxe edition of Glory |Days and a new James Arthur song so it can't be all that bad.
Song: Is Your Love Enough?
Artist: Little Mix
New songs that come off dulux editions of albums tend not to be good, they usually feel like songs that have been left on the cutting room floor of the recording studio for whatever reason so I was dubious when going into listen to this song however this song is actually pretty damn good, that said you can tell that Little Mix have spent a lot of time around Latin music after their collaboration with CNCO because there is a serious latin flavour to "Is Your Love Enough?" but hey it works so I'll take it!
Rating: 8/10
Song: Naked
Artist: James Arthur
Oh James, no. If this song is about sex then this is about the furthrest thing from sexy what with the piano and jarring percussion with a chorus that features James Arthur declaring he is standing in a room naked for this girl, after all maybe it's the fact he is standing in the room naked that is putting the girl off. Just no. Ewwww. Maybe stop blaming her and put some clothes on, James.
4/10
Song: This is How We Roll
Artist: Cole Swindell
Pretty simple, a bro country sontg complete with all the cliches and Cole Swindell thinking singing out of tune on the chorus is an option. This is awful, fast forward this! Sooner Cole Swindell works out bro country has sputtered out the better.
Rating: 2/10
Best: Easily "Is your Love Enough" by Little Mix. Easily!
Worst: For terrible bro-country at the end of 2017, Cole Swindell gets it.
New Music Friday 1st December
Louis Tomlinson is releasing a song called "Miss You"
There's talk of a G-Eazy and Halsey collaboration being released (or as some may think) escaping.
Song: Is Your Love Enough?
Artist: Little Mix
New songs that come off dulux editions of albums tend not to be good, they usually feel like songs that have been left on the cutting room floor of the recording studio for whatever reason so I was dubious when going into listen to this song however this song is actually pretty damn good, that said you can tell that Little Mix have spent a lot of time around Latin music after their collaboration with CNCO because there is a serious latin flavour to "Is Your Love Enough?" but hey it works so I'll take it!
Rating: 8/10
Song: Naked
Artist: James Arthur
Oh James, no. If this song is about sex then this is about the furthrest thing from sexy what with the piano and jarring percussion with a chorus that features James Arthur declaring he is standing in a room naked for this girl, after all maybe it's the fact he is standing in the room naked that is putting the girl off. Just no. Ewwww. Maybe stop blaming her and put some clothes on, James.
4/10
Song: This is How We Roll
Artist: Cole Swindell
Pretty simple, a bro country sontg complete with all the cliches and Cole Swindell thinking singing out of tune on the chorus is an option. This is awful, fast forward this! Sooner Cole Swindell works out bro country has sputtered out the better.
Rating: 2/10
Best: Easily "Is your Love Enough" by Little Mix. Easily!
Worst: For terrible bro-country at the end of 2017, Cole Swindell gets it.
New Music Friday 1st December
Louis Tomlinson is releasing a song called "Miss You"
There's talk of a G-Eazy and Halsey collaboration being released (or as some may think) escaping.
Sunday, 26 November 2017
ARIA Top ten/Chart Review: November 27. Havana remains number 1 as Anywhere climbs
I wasn't expecting a lot of change this week, largely because the big releases have finally slowed down and we usually don't get much in the way of big names dropping new music especially in December when there's an onslaught of artists desperate to cash in Christmas by releasing Christmas music eg: Sia amongst others.
But enough of all that, the only song to leave the top ten was "Walk on Water" by Eminem feat. Beyonce which fell 5 places to number 15.
For a second week, Camila Cabello remains number 1 for a second week with "Havana" because she's ruling sales and Youtube, she's not quite there yet on streaming. Could well be a long term number 1 if those streams pick up some steam all of a sudden.
"Rockstar" by Post Malone and 21 Savage stays at number 2, it gained ground on sales but not enough to return to number 1 as it is absolutely crushing streaming at the moment.
What is looking like being a threat for number one is Post Malone's second song inside the top 10 and the new number 1 in New Zealand, "I Fall Apart", this song has found a swell of momentum of the back of "Rockstar" going number one with people checking out Post Malone's other work. Just a pity that the song isn't all that good.
"Perfect" by Ed Sheeran slips back to number 4. I don't see this being a player for the number one spot right now. Streaming is letting down this song, it's streaming numbers are not good even though sales are impressive.
Biggest mover inside the top 10 sits at number 5 and I suspect this is because of the performance and subsequent controversy over said performance, "Wolves" by Marshmello and Selena Gomez climbed 4 places this week, it could very make a play for top spot in a week or two if this momentum keeps up, streaming and sales numbers are decent.
"Silence" by Marshmello and Khalid climbed one place to number 6. It's going alright sales wise but not as strongly as "Wolves" is.
The pushes for both "Wolves" and "Silence" saw Khalid's "Young, Dumb and Broke" fall to number 7. I still don't know what to think about this song if I am quite honest but I am glad it's here over some of the songs bubbling up below it.
Sam Smith's "Too Good at Goodbyes" continues to fall, this week down two spots to number 8 because momentum for this song is sputtering out. Should still make the year end list.
Maroon 5's probable lone hit from "Red Pill Blues" called "What Lovers Do" feat. SZA dropped from 8 to 9 this week.
Rounding out the top ten is the surprise return of Dua Lipa's "New Rules" which jumped one place this week.
Biggest gainer this week was Rita Ora's excellent song "Anywhere" which climbed from 37 to 23. Looking likely that this song could make a run for the top ten.
What's not so excellent is the gains for Lil Pump's "Gucci Gang" which climbed from 26 to 21, I really still do not see the appeal of that song. NF's "Let You Down" (a song I am ambivalent on) broke into the top 20 at number 17. The title track from Pink's album "Beautiful Trauma" climbed to 32 off the back of the release of the video.
Biggest loser was "...Ready for it" by Taylor Swift which slipped ten to number 45 (the sooner that song is gone the better for all concerned, I can't believe they gave that song a video), "Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift slipped from 43 to 49 but apart from those two there were no real major losers this week. Still surprising "Bodak Yellow" by Cardi B continues not to catch on.
No re-entries this week and we got three new entries to the top 50, the highest debut went to "Dirty Sexy Money" by David Guetta feat. Afrojack, Charli XCX and French Montana at number 37, "Go Bang" by Pnau at number 48 and "Whatever It Takes" by Imagine Dragons at number 50.
New entries to the top 100 is a long list this week, starting at number 64 with "You Are the Reason" by Calum Scott, "Home" by Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors and Bebe Rexha arrived at 74, "Get it Right" by Diplo feat Mo at number 77, "Plain Jane" by A$AP Ferg at 79, "Echame La Culpa" by Luis Fonsi and Demi Lovato at number 80 (Disappointing as that song is awesome), "Hola" by Flo Rida and Maluma at 81 and finally "All Falls Down" by Alan Walker feat. Noah Cyrus and Digital Farm Animals.
As for the drop outs, there were three with "Gorgeous" by Taylor Swift, "Praying" by Kesha and "Feels" by Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean. Both should in all likelihood make the year end list.
So that rounds out the chart review, I am expecting a chart slow down to kick in so "Havana" could well remain at number one unless something comes along unexpectedly to topple it. See you soon for ARIA Awards predictions and New Music Friday review
But enough of all that, the only song to leave the top ten was "Walk on Water" by Eminem feat. Beyonce which fell 5 places to number 15.
For a second week, Camila Cabello remains number 1 for a second week with "Havana" because she's ruling sales and Youtube, she's not quite there yet on streaming. Could well be a long term number 1 if those streams pick up some steam all of a sudden.
"Rockstar" by Post Malone and 21 Savage stays at number 2, it gained ground on sales but not enough to return to number 1 as it is absolutely crushing streaming at the moment.
What is looking like being a threat for number one is Post Malone's second song inside the top 10 and the new number 1 in New Zealand, "I Fall Apart", this song has found a swell of momentum of the back of "Rockstar" going number one with people checking out Post Malone's other work. Just a pity that the song isn't all that good.
"Perfect" by Ed Sheeran slips back to number 4. I don't see this being a player for the number one spot right now. Streaming is letting down this song, it's streaming numbers are not good even though sales are impressive.
Biggest mover inside the top 10 sits at number 5 and I suspect this is because of the performance and subsequent controversy over said performance, "Wolves" by Marshmello and Selena Gomez climbed 4 places this week, it could very make a play for top spot in a week or two if this momentum keeps up, streaming and sales numbers are decent.
"Silence" by Marshmello and Khalid climbed one place to number 6. It's going alright sales wise but not as strongly as "Wolves" is.
The pushes for both "Wolves" and "Silence" saw Khalid's "Young, Dumb and Broke" fall to number 7. I still don't know what to think about this song if I am quite honest but I am glad it's here over some of the songs bubbling up below it.
Sam Smith's "Too Good at Goodbyes" continues to fall, this week down two spots to number 8 because momentum for this song is sputtering out. Should still make the year end list.
Maroon 5's probable lone hit from "Red Pill Blues" called "What Lovers Do" feat. SZA dropped from 8 to 9 this week.
Rounding out the top ten is the surprise return of Dua Lipa's "New Rules" which jumped one place this week.
Biggest gainer this week was Rita Ora's excellent song "Anywhere" which climbed from 37 to 23. Looking likely that this song could make a run for the top ten.
What's not so excellent is the gains for Lil Pump's "Gucci Gang" which climbed from 26 to 21, I really still do not see the appeal of that song. NF's "Let You Down" (a song I am ambivalent on) broke into the top 20 at number 17. The title track from Pink's album "Beautiful Trauma" climbed to 32 off the back of the release of the video.
Biggest loser was "...Ready for it" by Taylor Swift which slipped ten to number 45 (the sooner that song is gone the better for all concerned, I can't believe they gave that song a video), "Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift slipped from 43 to 49 but apart from those two there were no real major losers this week. Still surprising "Bodak Yellow" by Cardi B continues not to catch on.
No re-entries this week and we got three new entries to the top 50, the highest debut went to "Dirty Sexy Money" by David Guetta feat. Afrojack, Charli XCX and French Montana at number 37, "Go Bang" by Pnau at number 48 and "Whatever It Takes" by Imagine Dragons at number 50.
New entries to the top 100 is a long list this week, starting at number 64 with "You Are the Reason" by Calum Scott, "Home" by Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors and Bebe Rexha arrived at 74, "Get it Right" by Diplo feat Mo at number 77, "Plain Jane" by A$AP Ferg at 79, "Echame La Culpa" by Luis Fonsi and Demi Lovato at number 80 (Disappointing as that song is awesome), "Hola" by Flo Rida and Maluma at 81 and finally "All Falls Down" by Alan Walker feat. Noah Cyrus and Digital Farm Animals.
As for the drop outs, there were three with "Gorgeous" by Taylor Swift, "Praying" by Kesha and "Feels" by Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean. Both should in all likelihood make the year end list.
So that rounds out the chart review, I am expecting a chart slow down to kick in so "Havana" could well remain at number one unless something comes along unexpectedly to topple it. See you soon for ARIA Awards predictions and New Music Friday review
Thursday, 23 November 2017
New Music Friday Review: Luis Fonsi/Demi Lovato,
After last week's massive amount of quality that arrived, I was really looking forward to what this week provided and what we got was...interesting...a song by Luis Fonsi and Demi Lovato that's already being described by some as the new 'Despacito' by some media, Maggie Lindemann has released a follow up to "Pretty Girl" and Lauv also arrives with a new song.
Song: Echame La Culpa (Not On You)
Artist: Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato
So this song is the one that some are suggesting is the new "Despacito" and while I can see that, I do think this song is better than "Despacito" in that it isn't playing the sleazy vibe but rather a song where they are sick of fighting and want the other person to place the blame on them, it's an interesting tangent the song goes on mentioning The Beatles hit Let It Be in the chorus. The framing is interesting and is kind of a perfect Australian summer song and compared to some of the other trash coming, I'll take it!
Rating: 8/10
Song: All Night
Artists: Steve Aoki, Lauren Jauregui
Ohh boy, I wish I could say I liked this song more. Aoki's brand of EDM has never impressed me (check re: Louis Tomlinson) and it's really not great here either and Lauren sounds totally checked out on the track, no enthusiasm or noise about going all night, it just lacks the energy it would need for an anthem about partying all night. Pass.
Rating: It's not the worst thing I've heard (believe me). we'll get to it) 4/10
Song: The Opener
Artist: Camp Cope
So Camp Cope are back and this song seems to hail from the early nineties in terms of it's sound, it reminds me very much of a mix between Pearl Jam and Semisonic especially when you combine it with the lead vocals of Georgia MacDonald, it's not all that bad, would love to see this song chart.
Rating: 7/10
Song: I'll Make You Happy
Artist: The Bamboos, Montaigne
I was pleasantly surprised to hear a song that sounds very much like it could come straight out of a 60s soul studio rather than a modern recording studio cause yeah this is pretty darn great and Montaigne sounds absolutely fantastic on this. I love it.
Rating: 9/10. Best song I have heard in a long time. Definitely a late player for the best overall songs of 2017 list!
Song: Hola
Artists: Flo Rida, Maluma
The second of the Spanglish songs and definitely the catchiest song of the week right here, this is a sticky one. A song full of Latin vibes that I can definitely see becoming a hit, Flo Rida brings a lot of cheeky charisma to this track, sure some the lyrics are a bit borderline but once you hear that chorus, it is going to get stuck in your head for several days at a time\
Rating: I like this somehow...7/10
Song: Obsessed
Artist: Maggie Lindemann
I have been kind to Maggie Lindemann's first single "Pretty Girl" because it was her debut song but man oh man the lyrics in the chorus pissed me off re: drinking and smoking to keep up with the guys, that's just ridiculous, I get its a feministic song but surely something better than health hazards like drinking and smoking could have been used.
So what about the follow up single "Obsessed"? Well I am not sure production wise, it's much better than "Pretty Girl", sparse piano and heavily reliant on percussion that seems to rely on Lindemann to provide what melody there is while the lyrics deal with a boyfriend who is an apparent narcissist in love with himself. Yeah I really not got much time for this. Sorry.
Rating: 4/10
Song: Paris in the Rain
Artist: Lauv
Lauv made a splash with his song "I Like Me Better" everywhere bar the United States of America which isn't a surprise given how heavily America is into their trap music so is his follow up "Paris in the Rain" as good? Not really, it's not quite as catchy and really I am not impressed by the lack of melody within the production and the ooh ooh in the first verse drove me crazy!
Rating 5/10
Best of the week: "I'll Make You Happy" by The Bamboos featuring Montaigne. I'm a sucker for a good guitar and reminds me a bit of "Don't Hesitate" by The Meltdown (if you haveb't checked that song out yet, do it now, it is AWESOME)
Worst of the week: It's not going to any of the songs I have reviewed here so don't worry Fifth Harmony/Lauren Jauregui fans, worst this week is going to a song called "Salad Dressing" by Borgore feat. Bella Thorne, this is the worst 'song' of the year and maybe of all time, only click play if you think your ears are up to it.
New Music Friday 24th November
James Arthur is releasing a song called "Naked"
Song: Echame La Culpa (Not On You)
Artist: Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato
So this song is the one that some are suggesting is the new "Despacito" and while I can see that, I do think this song is better than "Despacito" in that it isn't playing the sleazy vibe but rather a song where they are sick of fighting and want the other person to place the blame on them, it's an interesting tangent the song goes on mentioning The Beatles hit Let It Be in the chorus. The framing is interesting and is kind of a perfect Australian summer song and compared to some of the other trash coming, I'll take it!
Rating: 8/10
Song: All Night
Artists: Steve Aoki, Lauren Jauregui
Ohh boy, I wish I could say I liked this song more. Aoki's brand of EDM has never impressed me (check re: Louis Tomlinson) and it's really not great here either and Lauren sounds totally checked out on the track, no enthusiasm or noise about going all night, it just lacks the energy it would need for an anthem about partying all night. Pass.
Rating: It's not the worst thing I've heard (believe me). we'll get to it) 4/10
Song: The Opener
Artist: Camp Cope
So Camp Cope are back and this song seems to hail from the early nineties in terms of it's sound, it reminds me very much of a mix between Pearl Jam and Semisonic especially when you combine it with the lead vocals of Georgia MacDonald, it's not all that bad, would love to see this song chart.
Rating: 7/10
Song: I'll Make You Happy
Artist: The Bamboos, Montaigne
I was pleasantly surprised to hear a song that sounds very much like it could come straight out of a 60s soul studio rather than a modern recording studio cause yeah this is pretty darn great and Montaigne sounds absolutely fantastic on this. I love it.
Rating: 9/10. Best song I have heard in a long time. Definitely a late player for the best overall songs of 2017 list!
Song: Hola
Artists: Flo Rida, Maluma
The second of the Spanglish songs and definitely the catchiest song of the week right here, this is a sticky one. A song full of Latin vibes that I can definitely see becoming a hit, Flo Rida brings a lot of cheeky charisma to this track, sure some the lyrics are a bit borderline but once you hear that chorus, it is going to get stuck in your head for several days at a time\
Rating: I like this somehow...7/10
Song: Obsessed
Artist: Maggie Lindemann
I have been kind to Maggie Lindemann's first single "Pretty Girl" because it was her debut song but man oh man the lyrics in the chorus pissed me off re: drinking and smoking to keep up with the guys, that's just ridiculous, I get its a feministic song but surely something better than health hazards like drinking and smoking could have been used.
So what about the follow up single "Obsessed"? Well I am not sure production wise, it's much better than "Pretty Girl", sparse piano and heavily reliant on percussion that seems to rely on Lindemann to provide what melody there is while the lyrics deal with a boyfriend who is an apparent narcissist in love with himself. Yeah I really not got much time for this. Sorry.
Rating: 4/10
Song: Paris in the Rain
Artist: Lauv
Lauv made a splash with his song "I Like Me Better" everywhere bar the United States of America which isn't a surprise given how heavily America is into their trap music so is his follow up "Paris in the Rain" as good? Not really, it's not quite as catchy and really I am not impressed by the lack of melody within the production and the ooh ooh in the first verse drove me crazy!
Rating 5/10
Best of the week: "I'll Make You Happy" by The Bamboos featuring Montaigne. I'm a sucker for a good guitar and reminds me a bit of "Don't Hesitate" by The Meltdown (if you haveb't checked that song out yet, do it now, it is AWESOME)
Worst of the week: It's not going to any of the songs I have reviewed here so don't worry Fifth Harmony/Lauren Jauregui fans, worst this week is going to a song called "Salad Dressing" by Borgore feat. Bella Thorne, this is the worst 'song' of the year and maybe of all time, only click play if you think your ears are up to it.
New Music Friday 24th November
James Arthur is releasing a song called "Naked"
Monday, 20 November 2017
2017 American Music Awards winners.
Lifetime Achievement: Diana Ross
Artist of the Year: Bruno Mars
Favourite new Artist: Niall Horan
Favourite Adult Contempory Artist: Shawn Mendes
Collaboration of the Year: "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
Video of the year: "That's What I Like" by Bruno Mars
Favourite Tour of the Year: Coldplay
Top Soundtrack: Moana
Pop/Rock
Male Artist: Bruno Mars
Female Artist: Lady Gaga
Duo or Group: Imagine Dragons
Album: 24k Magic by Bruno Mars
Song: "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
Soul/R&B
Male Artist: Bruno Mars
Female Artist: Beyonce
Album: "24k Magic" by Bruno Mars
Song: "That's What I Like" by Bruno Mars
Favourite Rap/hip hop
Artist: Drake
Album: "DAMN" by Kendrick Lamar
Song: "I'm The One" by DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper and Lil Wayne
Favourite Country
Male Artist: Keith Urban
Female Artist: Carrie Underwood
Duo or Group: Little Big Town
Album: "Ripcord" by Keith Urban
Song: "Blue Ain't Your Colour" by Keith Urban
Favourite EDM
Artist: The Chainsmokers
Favourite Alternative rock
Artist: Linkin Park
Favourite Latin
Artist: Shakira
Favourite Contemporary Inspirational
Artist: Lauren Daigle
Artist of the Year: Bruno Mars
Favourite new Artist: Niall Horan
Favourite Adult Contempory Artist: Shawn Mendes
Collaboration of the Year: "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
Video of the year: "That's What I Like" by Bruno Mars
Favourite Tour of the Year: Coldplay
Top Soundtrack: Moana
Pop/Rock
Male Artist: Bruno Mars
Female Artist: Lady Gaga
Duo or Group: Imagine Dragons
Album: 24k Magic by Bruno Mars
Song: "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
Soul/R&B
Male Artist: Bruno Mars
Female Artist: Beyonce
Album: "24k Magic" by Bruno Mars
Song: "That's What I Like" by Bruno Mars
Favourite Rap/hip hop
Artist: Drake
Album: "DAMN" by Kendrick Lamar
Song: "I'm The One" by DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper and Lil Wayne
Favourite Country
Male Artist: Keith Urban
Female Artist: Carrie Underwood
Duo or Group: Little Big Town
Album: "Ripcord" by Keith Urban
Song: "Blue Ain't Your Colour" by Keith Urban
Favourite EDM
Artist: The Chainsmokers
Favourite Alternative rock
Artist: Linkin Park
Favourite Latin
Artist: Shakira
Favourite Contemporary Inspirational
Artist: Lauren Daigle
Saturday, 18 November 2017
ARIA Top Ten/Chart Review: 20th November: Australia's heart is in Camila's Havana na na na
This week, I expected a Taylor Swift album bomb with the release of Reputation last Friday and the chart would be like my bedroom...messy to a massive degree
However what I got was anything but a Taylor Swift everywhere chart and no real album bomb to speak of, in fact we got a new number one and two new songs in the top ten. I'll explain why there has been no real Taylor Swift album bomb this week a bit later.
First, the issue of the top ten, where both "New Rules" by Dua Lipa and "Feel It Still" by Portugal, the Man left the top ten.
It also brings us to the fact that we have a new number one and my god, it has been coming for some time, it's her first number one and its also first time a member or ex-member of Fifth Harmony has hit number one, yes, "Havana" by Camila Cabello is Australia's new number one 1, this is despite not ruling streaming but is ruling sales and Youtube.
All this meant that despite ruling streaming, "rockstar" by Post Malone and 21 Savage slipped back to number 2. I still see it as a player to get back to number 1 but needs sales to get there rather than just being reliant on streaming.
Ed Sheeran's "Perfect" got a boost off weakness of "Too Good at Goodbyes" by Sam Smith to jump one place to number 3.
Now at number 4 is "I Fall Apart" by Post Malone, this was a sales and streaming giant through the week so could still make a play for number one as it has some serious momentum behind it.
Australia is loving Khalid at the moment with the first of two songs in the top ten is "Young, Dumb and Broke" remaining at number 5, he should be a massive favourite for Best New Artist at the Grammys next year.
As mentioned "Too Good at Goodbyes" by Sam Smith slipped off it's album boost this week to drop 3 places to number 6.
"Silence" by Marshmello feat. Khalid jumps two places to number 7. The first of two songs inside the top ten for Marshmello and Khalid's second song inside the top 10.
"What Lovers Do" by Maroon 5 and SZA drops a place to number 8. Think it's largely in top 10 right now because it's very radio friendly.
I predicted this on Twitter last week, Marshmello's second song inside the top 10 is "Wolves" with Selena Gomez which climbed four places to number 9 this week.
Rounding out the top 10 is a new entry with "Walk on Water" by Eminem feat. Beyonce at number 10 and was the highest debuting new entry this week.
As for other new entries? Avicii's "Lonely together" with Rita Ora debuted at number 32 and "Feels Great" by Cheat Codes feat, Fetty Wap and CVBZ at number 45.
As for new entries outside the top 50, the best of those was Keith Urban's "Female" at number 55, "Coming Home" by Sheppard at 79, "No Limit" by G-Eazy, A$AP Rocky and Cardi B at number 96 (that song is absolutely huge in the US, predicted to crack the top ten soon) and the terrible "Tip toe" by Jason Derulo and French Montana at number 99.
There were also two re-entries with "Location" by Khalid at 46 and for some inexplicable reason "Bad at Love" by Halsey re-entered at number 48.
As for the drop outs? The only real notable drop out was "Attention" by Charlie Puth but you'd expect that will make the year end list.
The other drop outs being "Lemon" by N.E.R.D and Rihanna, "Pray" by Sam Smith, "Without You" by Avici and Sandro Cavazza, and "Call It What you want" by Taylor Swift.
Speaking of Taylor Swift, she was one of the big gainers this week with "...Ready for it" climbing 10 places to 35 however that was it as far as her gains went with "Gorgeous" falling 11 to number 49 and "Look What You Made Me Do" falling one place to 43, no album tracks entered the ARIA chart this week largely due to Swift preferencing physical album sales ie: making people go out and buy the album which has meant people haven't been able to listen to "Reputation" on their favoured streaming service and the album bomb, that we saw for Ed Sheeran earlier this year where physical sales + streaming saw "Divide" just tear the ARIA Singles Chart apart, didn't happen for Taylor. Seems a bit of a dumb decision but I am sure she's not regretting it considering how well the album has sold in Australia and worldwide.
Outside of that the biggest gainer this week was "Man's Not Hot" by Big Shaq which climbed from 47 to 34, "Gucci Gang" by Lil Pump climbed 6 places to number 26 because people can't get enough of drug references, brand names and referring women in unpleasant ways. "Let You Down" by NF went up to 22 from 27. the other big mover was Rita Ora's "Anywhere" which climbed 12 places to 37 (now top 5 in the UK this week).
As for the biggest loser, that went to "Feels" by Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell, Katy Perry and Big Sean which dropped 25 places to number 50, already mentioned "Gorgeous, Kesha's "Praying" slipped 8 to 42 and former US number 1 "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)" by Cardi B really isn't catching on in Australia, it slipped from 33 to 36 this week.
So that completes this week and to be honest, I won't deny I am kind of happy we didn't get a Taylor Swift album bomb, she's probably done me a favour by not releasing "Reputation simultaneously as a physical release and a streaming release but the chart was interesting enough, can Havana stay at number one? All those questions and more to be answered next week!.
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