For those of you that have been living under a rock, Kylie has recently released her 12th studio album, Kiss Me Once, and all the gays are going wild. The day after the album’s release we got to see what she had in store for us with her second single from the album – which I found a little strange seeing as her first single was only released as a physical single ten days prior to this. Anyway, not one to question the world of Minogue, I watched the new video for her follow-up single “Sexercise”. And yes, it’s a bit raunchy. I have few words to describe it, as my jaw dropped open and my mind went pretty blank from the moment the video started. Congratulations, Ms. Minogue!
Kylie announced today that the music video for “Into The Blue” will be released in just three days – ah, the wonder of Instagram. So naturally I’ve decided that it will be this week’s ‘Song for the Weekend’. And why the hell not!
For now, I/ we will have to ‘make do’ with the lyric video she posted earlier in the week. Now if only we could have the tour announcements, pretty please!
That’s right pop lovers, Kylie has officially announced the title of her new album as, Kiss Me Once. For about a week now she’s been teasing us with daily updates to her Facebook cover image, gradually revealing more and more of her face. Then it was announced that the album title would take the following format: the first word with four letters, the second with two and the third with four. And that’s when all the gays hit fever pitch, and started trying to unravel the mystery; Kiss My Lips, Feel My Kiss and so on. I on the other hand have a life, so I read all about it and got on with other things.
I will say this; I really like the album artwork, very Sleeping Beauty-esque with Kylie posed with her eyes shut behind the glass. That said, she could’ve just fallen asleep in the shower. And I totally understand why everyone was guessing the album title would have something to do with the lips (if you can’t work it out, I’ll give you a clue; the big, bright red things).
If this wasn’t enough, the new single “Into The Blue” gets aired (officially) for the first time on Monday 27th, but naturally nobody could wait until then and we’ve seen all manner of poor and high quality leaks of the lead track over the last seven days. And no, I’m not going to post it on here, for I have a higher level of respect for Ms. Minogue and her artistry. I will however post any of her other previously released songs for your aural pleasure. In fact, I’ve chosen to post a classic in the form of “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” for this week’s ‘Song for the Weekend’, mainly because she was a bit of a saucy minx in this video too.
So 2014 is shaping up to be a great year for music and Kylie fans alike. Word is finally in that she will indeed be releasing her twelfth studio album (still to be named) later this year, and preceding this new venture with confirmed first single, “Into The Blue”. We’ve already had a little taster of what’s in store with a lyric video to “Skirt”, which was presumed at the time to be a new single. It was quite a different sound to what we’re used to, but this is good – it’s good to adapt and evolve.
The song will see a return to the dance floor for the pop princess, and her first new material since Aphrodite in 2010. She’s been busy last year with a whole host of writers and producers, Pharrell is just one of the big names she’s enlisted. I for one can’t wait to see what she’s been up to, and the inevitable tour can’t come quickly enough. Although the single isn’t due for a physical release until 16th March, the song itself is due to hit the radio waves within the coming weeks. For now, I’ve selected “Get Outta My Way” as my ‘Song for the Weekend’.
The third album is typically dangerous territory for most artists. Their sophomore just flows with ease, riding high on the crest of success from their debut, but every wave has to crash against the shore at some point. Some come down with thunderous rapture, and then there are those that peak too early and just come trickling in without even a care or anyone paying attention.
You might say that this is how my feelings translate towards Lady Gaga.
Admittedly, her debut album wasn’t really the best – other than those songs that made it as singles (obviously) – but it was still a great introduction into her wonderfully manic world of music. I started to pay more attention to her when she released Fame Monster. The 8 tracks that adorned this EP were near-perfect pop music; the tour that accompanied it was a feast of OTT camp. Then came Born This Way.
Before we all start to bitch about this album, you have to give her at least some credit for trying to change her musical direction almost entirely (and not sticking to the same script like most bands/ artists do for the majority of their careers) and it’s 80’s influences on tracks like its closer, “The Edge Of Glory”. I can’t and won’t comment on the tour as I skipped it, but it looked like a hot mess of regurgitated choreography and costumes from her preceding, Monster Ball Tour. And then it got cancelled – probably the best thing to happen to it.
So she takes a break and rides around in a 24 karat gold wheelchair for a while, and now she’s back with album number three, ARTPOP. Or as many have called it: ARTFLOP. Granted, it hasn’t exactly had the impact that she/ they were hoping for and it’s far from perfect, but once you’ve given it a listen (and feel free to delete “Jewels N’ Drugs”, which is completely misplaced rubbish), you see it for what it is: pure pop music. And for the most part, it is well-crafted pop music too. There are some real stand-out tracks like its lead single, “Applause” and “Do What U Want” which features R Kelly. Funnily enough, it was this song that I was most reserved about when I saw the whole track list for the album, and it’s this song that I like the most now since I’ve bought the album.
In fact, most of, if not all of the tracks she performed at the iTunes Festival show on 1st September are much better once you’ve listened to them in full on the album – again, “Jewels N’ Drugs” is NOT one of them! What the hell was she thinking with that song?
So now comes the real question; Do I want to give her live show another chance and buy tickets for artRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball? Probably.
Today has been a mixed bag of a day. Starting with a wonderfully lazy lay-in, followed by a somewhat emotional attempt at buying concert tickets, to an afternoon spent at the cinema. Less about the last item, but The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was great, and more about the ticket buying.
Tickets for Tori Amos’ latest tour, Unrepentant Geraldines went on sale today and obviously I searched for a pair. I got pretty lucky with the seats I was offered and yet I sadly I had to let them go. Fans will understand my frustration when I tell you that I had to let them go, for no other reason than because I will be on holiday at the same time she will be touring the UK. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not entirely a pouting, spoiled brat, but I can’t deny the fact that I am a little bit pissed off at the fact I can’t go to see this show.
Ms Amos has always been a favourite of mine, right from the time I heard Boys For Pele. If I had to pick one album from her back catalogue to take with me to a desert island, it would definitely be From The Choirgirl Hotel; every single song on the album has a special place in my heart. “Spark” was the first single to come from this gem of an album, and a definite favourite for me (my actual favourite song would be “Northern Lad”). “Spark” is this week’s choice for my ‘Song for the Weekend’; as for the holiday next year — all I can say is: I’d better get a bloody good tan.
Part of me thought this day would never come. Goldfrapp have announced several one-off shows this year, all of which I failed to get a ticket for. Then came the announcement and subsequent release of their latest album, Tales Of Us. The day the tickets went on sale for their London show, I was stricken with an enormous sense of panic – I was desperate to get a ticket or two.
Success!
The album is tragic and beautiful, sexual and sensual. All the things I’ve come to expect from Alison’s vocals over the years. The first thing you notice about this album, is fact that all the songs are named after someone (presumably someone she once knew, or in fact still knows). The second thing you notice is the simple style of the album; the music is so beautiful, laced with strings and bitter-sweet vocals, and makes me reminiscent of Seventh Tree and Felt Mountain.
“Drew” was the first single to come from the album, “Annabel” the second. Both have been paired with a black and white video, telling stories of love, lust and longing (I assume).
Well, tonight’s the night that I get to see this magnificent treat of an album be transformed into a live show at the Eventim Apollo (previously, and more commonly known as the Hammersmith Apollo), London. It’s only right that today I share both of these videos as today’s ‘Song(s) for the Weekend’.
Morcheeba captured my attention when they released their second album, Big Calm in 1996. I was 15 years-old. A time filled with angst, yet this album managed to calm it all down for me. The vocals of Skye Edwards are instantly recognisable – sultry, sensual and soothing. I never understood why she left the band in 2003, but I suppose it doesn’t matter now.
In 2010 she returned, and they released their seventh studio album, Blood Like Lemonade. And now they’re back again with their latest offering, Head Up High. “Gimme Your Love” is the lead single from their eighth album, and boy does it make me feel fifteen again. Normally my music blogs come at the weekend, but I couldn’t wait. I’ve just downloaded their new album, and I had to share this.
Whenever I hear word that Editors will be releasing new music, I get a little bit giddy, sort of like a 5 year-old boy the night before Christmas. Right now, I’m that little boy again.
Their fourth album, The Weight of Your Love will be released on July 1st and they’ve just given us the first single from the album, “A Ton of Love”. The single has B sides “The Weight” and “The Sting” which also feature as album tracks.
It seemed only fair to share two of the videos to accompany this post. After all, it’s been a long time since I’ve written anything on this blog. So here are my choices of ‘Song for the Weekend’, “A Ton of Love” and “The Weight”.
Eight days have gone by since I passed my driving test. Nine days ago I was a nervous wreck, and on the same day I watched this video. I know the two are in no way related but the song seemed somewhat appropriate as a way of describing the way I felt.
I’ve loved MUSE since day one, and I’ve always enjoyed the way their music has evolved. “Panic Station” from their latest album, The 2nd Law has proved to be something of a divider amongst their hardcore fans – a bit like Marmite, you might say. Well I like Marmite and I love this song.
I’m no longer a nervous wreck, I’m not much of a better driver at the same time either. One day I’ll be a capable, confident driver, this will always be a great song and is this week’s ‘Song for the Weekend’.
the world according to mincey strider 
