Thursday 18 August 2016

The Jadelist: JUL 16

Hey hey lovely people!



I'm actually writing this post in the month it's meant to be wrote in.

That's right, I've actually found time in-between a thrilling life of playing Pokemon Go, listening to "dem dank tunes" and eating all the carbs to write a post. MVP!

I mean, fine, it's not on the first of the month, but y'know, credit where credit's due!

Now, I am probably being biased and, let's face it, still caught up in the music, but I really think this months music selection is the best of this year so far. A lot of indie pop style songs to jam to

So, let's not wait any longer. Without further ado, here's this months Jadelist:




1.

Electric Feel by MGMT




This song is nearly 10 years old. 

That's right. Just let it sink in.

I mean, that just seems outrageous, especially because I've never heard this song until this year. I mean, of course I know a few tracks from Oracular Spectacular, namely Time To Pretend and Kids, but I've definitely found a new top dog in this.

Like, lets just start the Electric Feel challenge now: Try to listen to the whole song without nodding your head to the rhythm.

It has that indie pop vibe that, of course, I'm obsessed with, but I particularly love the last 40-odd seconds where everything kinda amalgamates together, but still gels. 


2.

O Children by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds




Second song in and we're already at 'Jade is trash' territory.

So, Jade, where did you find such a distinct song from a band I can't recall hearing before?

Harry Potter.

That's right, I found this when I was rewatching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. 

I thought it'd be a great idea to rewatch the Harry Potter series, including watching Deathly Hallows part 2 for the first time in like five years, which ultimately ended in all the tears (RIP Snape), but also finding this little gem.

Now, this song is what I like to refer to as a gentle anthem. By that, I mean it has that feel and the lyrics that a classic anthem would have, but at a much slower, softer pace. 

So don't be underestimated by this song. It may start out as quiet, but quickly builds to epic when the chorus kicks in. 



3. 

Final Song by




Let's be honest, I just think MØ is the bee's knees.

Is that because of the special Ø? Maybe...

But I think we can all agree that MØ's sound is incredibly fitting in today's music.

So, after the hit that was Kamikaze, she's back with Final Song.

Now, at first, the song takes a calm route, with quieter vocals, but a build up looming around the corner, until you go into brief acapella and the beat drops, going into the MØ that we know and love.

I think what makes her popular is this style of northern European dance that she channels, along the lines of Kygo and Avicii.



4.

Hold Me Down by Halsey




Is it too much of a stretch to say I found Halsey because of feminism?

I help present a radio show called The Girl Power Hour, and I was on the hunt for some girl anthems to play.

So after searching through a couple of Spotify 'girl power' playlist, I happened to stumble across Halsey for the first time.

Yeah, this led to me falling in love with her sound in I'd say a solid 10 seconds.

It's funny because the name Halsey seems very familiar, but never had I actually listened to her before.

I like to think of her as maybe a bit more of a darker Melanie Martinez sound, considering their vocals are pretty similar.

Definitely worth a listen for a different kind of sound. 


5.

Sleepyhead by Passion Pit




Now, this is definitely not the first time I've heard this song.

Throwback to nerdy Jade circa 2009-2010, when this song was actually used to advertise Little Big Planet 2. Y'know, that cutie game with the sack boy. Cheeky bit of nostalgia there.

The first time I heard this song play (On PS Home, because the cheesy level was real), I instantly fell in love with it.

Now, I'm struggling to remember why I started to listen to this again in July. I think it really might've just been as simple as me leaving my main playlist on shuffle and it staying as an earworm.

It has such a magical, kooky and unique sound, like some kind of quirky alternative dance song, if it can even be described.

This one will definitely be a long time favourite, just like it has been for years.


6.

You Are The Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne




Now for another song that I knew long before the month of July.

Just like the song above, I believe that I heard this again after leaving my main playlist on shuffle.

I mean, my main playlist has over 1000 tracks on it, it's like finding a needle in a haystack!

Nevertheless, Ray LaMontagne creates a vintage jazzy soul vibe with this song, so much so that I can't believe it's actually from 2008.

It's just a classical love anthem really that you can just rock to. Big up Ray and the incredible trumpet!


7.

Promise I Do by Whyte Horses




The opening of this song feels like some kind of time vortex to me.

Now, I wasn't around during the time when Brit Punk was a big thing, but I like to think that the first few second of this song encapsulates what that was like.

Or maybe I'm just being a massive music saddo. Who knows?

What I do know is that this song has some kind of classic Brit pop-punk vibe to it, something that doesn't feel of this time.

But don't let this put you off. This sound is what makes them so special.

It's really so hard to put into words, but just give them a listen and I promise you will instantly feel more British.

You're welcome.



8.

Are We Ready? (Wreck) by Two Door Cinema Club




Can we all just take a moment to appreciate Two Door Cinema Club?

Rarely do I hear a song by them that I can't completely fall in love with. They've really been a band that I've loved since the beginning.

The verses of this song seem to be a lot more bass heavy and, dare I say, they slightly have a reggae vibe to them.

The pace dramatically quickens with the bridges and chorus, and yet, it still works.

It's a different sound to say, Tourist History, yet still familiar as them and still lovable.

I approve of this change.


9.

Say My Name by Olafur Arnalds & Arnor Dan




Okay, whoah, Olafur Arnalds is incredible.

As you all probably know, I'm pretty much addicted to Radio 6. Is it on in the background right now while I'm writing this? Maybe.

Well, Olafur has featured on 6 Music a lot recently, mainly because of his Island Songs project.

Now, I'm not gonna go into too much detail, but starting in June this year, over the course of seven weeks, he visited seven different locations in Iceland, collaborating with seven different artists and, ultimately, releasing seven tracks, one each week.

Now, I'm probably just soppy, but I think that's incredibly cute and unique.

What I love about his sound is how he can turn a song into something so delicate, calming, almost with an aura of melancholy, but still beautiful.

Give him and some of his other tracks a listen. I promise you won't be disappointed. 


10.

Go! by M83 & MAI LAN




Okay, I know it's bad to have favourites, but really, this has been my favourite song for the month of July.

I mean, the first few seconds of this song could be summed up in these two words: Techno Jazz.

Weird huh?

Then, techno-like vocals kick in, with a build up of a countdown and a sweet guitar riff until the beat drops.

This song is just so jam packed with happy feels that I really can't stop listening to it.

Like, true talk now, every time this comes on Radio 6, I have to pause anything on my laptop and just appreciate the next four minutes.

You wanna feel some modern happiness? Listen to this bad boy!




So that's it for this months Jadelist! What was your favourite song of this month? Let me know in the comments below! I always love to check out some new music



As always, thank you so much for reading & I hope you have a lovely day!





Lots of Love



Friday 12 August 2016

The Jadelist: JUN 16

Hey hey lovely people

First off, this months Jadelist has been a nightmare, but not in a bad way, don't get it twisted!

I had to cut so many songs from this months list because I found way too much good music. Trimming it to 10 was the real life struggle.

Unfortunately, so many good songs had to go, but think of this as a list of ten fab tracks now, silver lining people!

So without further ado, here's the Jadelist for June:


1.

Long For You by Mar



So lets start on a track that doesn't necessarily sound up beat and summery for once. Progress, right?

This track starts on a lamentable style, almost solidifying this atmosphere until we get to the chorus where it takes on more of a techno/autotune style, with the bass making the song a bit more gentle. 

The vocals almost have that drifting in and out, dream like style to them, which is helped by them being a bit more high pitched too. 

Not to mention that the guitar riff is so encapsulating. 

It's funny because a lot of the features of this song remind me of a scary game, or some kind of jumpscare, especially when the vocals travel from one ear to the other (headphones are key for this song!), like it should feel unsettling, but it still brings across calmness.


2.

Look at me (When I Rock Wichoo) by Black Kids



I believe I first heard this song on my radio show I do on Thursdays on Newport City Radio, The Culture Bunker (shameless plug, I know), so shout out to Adam for this.

I like how this song has a softer rock to it that mixes well with techno elements, like a pop-punk-rock style. 

Plus, the female vocals in the bridge give it a pumped up, cheer style too, kinda like Huddle Formation by The Go! Team.

Just a little coincidence, Black Kids are on the radio right now as I'm writing this with I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance. 

Just gonna sit happy here feeling all kinds of 2009 with this track. 


3.

All That I Need by Max Pope



I think I first heard this song after going on a Spotify search fest.

Now, I'm such a sucker for a jazz vibe, and the bass in this is just incredible

But when the bridge hits in and it mixes with the guitar, I completely lose it and jump into musical nirvana (not the band!)

But lets not forget about the vocals that compliment the waviness of the music so well. 

It's such a catchy, dreamy style 21st century swing style song that you can't help but tap your foot to



4.

I Keep Ticking On by The Harmaleighs 




First off, can we just appreciate the band name? The band is made of duo Hayley Grant and Kaylee Jasperson. HayLEY and KayLEE. HarmaLEIGHS. 10 points to these girls!

Pretty certain I first heard this song on an acoustic YouTube channel, and I fell in love with it.

I hate that a lot of people just expect all country/folk style songs to be slow and boring, because this disproves that assumption. 

This song is fast paced, lively, yet still grounded and lovely. 

But let's be honest, I'm biased when it comes to folk. Give me guitar and I'm hooked. 

The bass in the last bridge is something else. My foot can't keep still. Just putting a warning in here for when you listen!

5.

This Girl (Kungs Vs. Cookin' On 3 Burners) by Kungs 



Now, I thought this song was pretty popular by now. 

I found it not too long ago, but fangirled so much when I heard it on the radio, because all my favourite songs, especially instrumental heavy ones, never appear on the mainstream airwaves, so imagine my surprise when I heard this.

But every time I play this on radio, or in a car with someone, everyone is surprised and they immediately fall in love with it, asking what it's called. 

So much for mainstream, right?

But man, is it too much of me for calling this the summer song of 2016 already?

It has a fast paced summer beat, a tunnel style section, a heavy trumpet element. It looks like it's a winner!

Plus, you're never gonna forget a song that says Cookin' On 3 Burners now, are you? Talk about memorable. 


6.

Pretty Lights by Marvin Divine 



Whoah, now time for my nerdy side. 

I found this song because it was the outro song for leafyishere on YouTube. Already braces ready for the judgement. I am YouTube trash, this is fact.

But let's be honest, everyone's a sucker for what I like to call 'cute rap', y'know, when a rap has a beautiful backing to it.

Now, not to discredit Marvin, because his rapping isn't half bad (though, this is coming from me, who's clearly an expert in rap....), but man, he does get overshadowed by the chorus vocals.

This song is that weird combination of sadness, and cute music, but not gonna lie, I was addicted to this for a few days this month.


7.

17 (Feat. Packy) by Cyrus




Now for some more up tempo stuff.

This is one of those songs that you will lose it and just completely jam along to, but not tell a soul that you were dancing, or even listening.

Am I sat-down-dancing while writing this right now? Maybe...

I don't know, it just seems like that typical style of song that's made by a Vine star or something, but I'm shamefully in love with it, and I'm not even 17!


8.

Upside Down (Feat. Daniel James) by Jeremy Zucker




Moment of appreciation for this song.

Better yet, moment of appreciation for Jeremy Zucker as a whole, for being the perfect voice to accompany a trip at the beach

I mean, the guy has an album called Beach Island. Go figure.

So, considering I am pretty much addicted to the beach, this style of music is pretty much it for me.

So yeah, just gonna sit here and wish I was at the beach.


9.

Vitamin C by Clean Cut Kid




Well, this little gem was a product of me surfing through Spotify again.

Because I'm still not over Viola Beach, I thought it'd be a great idea to go through their related artists and hey presto, I found this.

Yep, this song was stuck in my head far too often in the month of June.

It has that indie-pop vibe that makes me very happy indeed.

Plus, who doesn't love a good beat to tap their foot to?


10.

Different by The Academic





The Academic, lol. I am not a student anymore. Haha, ha, ha... I have been triggered...

But on a more serious point, this song has that upbeat indie punk feel, almost like WALK THE MOON but with different vocals, a more British edge maybe, or should I say Irish, considering the group are from Mullingar (Big up Mullingar, I went to your Dunnes and bought some french fancies).

Either way, the guitar rhythm at the start of each verse, before all the other instruments build up is pretty infectious.

I'd keep an eye on these guys, especially if they keep making more music like this.





So that's it for this months Jadelist. What was your favourite song during the month of June? Let me know in the comments below!



As always, thank you so much for reading & I hope you have a lovely day!





Lots of Love