THE forteloud FAMILY'S
ALBUMS OF 2015
CHARLOTTE// "What I Kept In Hiding" By Foreign Fields
Although it was quite late in the year that I
heard this album (September), it has become my Album of 2015. The album itself has the familiar Foreign
Fields elements but shows the progression of their musical style (from
their first album, Anywhere But Where I
Am). Although the album is short in
length, only consisting of 6 tracks, in some ways, it expresses itself in a way
that is beyond their previous album – that pushes this album further. So that’s
why, for me, this album is my Album of
2015.
____________________________________________________________________
ALEX// "Saint Cecilia EP" By Foo Fighters
Technically this isn't an album but as I stated before I've been back tracking more in music than this year than been keeping up to date in current musical affairs. But that didn't stop me keep track of one of my all-time favourite bands and their release of what can only be described as yet another smashing EP. As smooth as ever, Grohl and the guys completely tear down the ceiling with so much incredible passion and energy that can only be expected from such skilful musicians. I find this EP completely thrilling and uplifting. There is nothing that puts me in a mood like the Foo’s do. I personally recommend the track ‘Saint Cecilia’ it has a sweet vibe reminiscent to that of ‘Walk’ from ‘Wasting Light’. To these gentlemen I personally I own a lot. They’re the band that inspired me to play bass in the first place. And I know that they will continue inspiring people throughout 2016. The world would truly be a darker place if it wasn't for the Foo Fighters!
Oh and the sweetest thing about this EP is that it’s completely free to download. They just don’t know when to stop giving!
_________________________________________________________________________________
LUKE// "Sylva" By Snarky Puppy and the Metropole Orchestra
There were so many good albums this year. Arcane Roots released a new EP, Press to Meco released their debut album Good Intent, to name just a couple. But to me, this album is so powerful, and it just needed some recognition. Snarky really grew to huge fame with their previous album We Like It Here, which featured the humongous 20-piece band, doing their thing. But, obviously, they had to go bigger, didn't they? Sylva is, as given away in the name of the artist in the title, a collaboration between Snarky and the phenomenal Metropole Orchestra from the Netherlands; it’s an incredible synergy of seemingly two styles of music. However, it doesn't feel like the genre-crossing music. Instead, it is almost a creation of a new sound entirely.
At no point does it feel like Snarky Puppy accompanied by the Orchestra, just as much as it never feels like an Orchestra backed by Snarky. The pieces on the album are flawlessly orchestrated to fuse all instruments together into one of the densest concoctions you may ever stumble upon. It truly is a staggering album. ‘The Curtain’ is a high-point for me personally, but everyone I know who is knowledgeable on the album seems to have a different favourite for equally defendable reasons. It’s something everyone should try to enjoy at some point in their lives, it’s a hell of an experience.
DAISY// "Pageant Material" By Kacey Musgraves
I really had difficultly picking an album of the year. I have listened to some fantastic albums this year but none really seemed to stick out to me as one I will look back on for 2015. So, weirdly enough my favourite was an album that I gave a second chance.
On first listen, I was disappointed as it was a follow up to the brilliant ‘Same Trailer, Different Park’. I didn’t like the lead single and for some reason, just did not give the album another chance when I first got it. It kinda just fell off my radar.
That was until about two months ago. George in my office went to see Kacey live and started to play the new album in the office. I was like “is this Kacey? This is amazing! Is this from the new album?” I wondered if I had listened to the wrong tracks the first time round because I instantly fell in love with the album the second time round. Pageant Material is every bit sassy, funny and easy listening as the first album but doubles her library of catchy country songs with meaningful modern and often emotive lyrics. I recently did a post about her song Pageant Material which is my favourite from the album. I think it’s a great example of how this songstress has many more albums in her yet.
It’s flow and captivating nature makes it an album I know I will listen too whenever I need a gentle pick me up or just something to have on when life is going my way.
_________________________________________________________________________________That was until about two months ago. George in my office went to see Kacey live and started to play the new album in the office. I was like “is this Kacey? This is amazing! Is this from the new album?” I wondered if I had listened to the wrong tracks the first time round because I instantly fell in love with the album the second time round. Pageant Material is every bit sassy, funny and easy listening as the first album but doubles her library of catchy country songs with meaningful modern and often emotive lyrics. I recently did a post about her song Pageant Material which is my favourite from the album. I think it’s a great example of how this songstress has many more albums in her yet.
It’s flow and captivating nature makes it an album I know I will listen too whenever I need a gentle pick me up or just something to have on when life is going my way.
JAMIE// "No Closer To Heaven" By The Wonder Years
Out of all the categories ‘Album of the year’ was by far the
hardest for me. SO many quality albums were released this year. Enter Shikari’s
Mindsweep stormed to number 1 in January, Foals returned with their long
awaited fourth album What Went Down, we received fantastic debuts from Saint
Raymond, Rhodes and Jess Glynne and dare I mention Taylor Swift’s 1989 and
Adele’s 25. Without a doubt 2015 was a great year for music. But believe it or
not my choice is a smaller, less well known band, the Wonder Years. The
majority of people I have mentioned them to as of late thought I was talking
about the ridiculously old American sitcom instead of a band. But in my opinion
they are one of the best modern songwriters I have had the pleasure to grace my
eardrums upon this year. Don’t get me wrong I’m not the only one in love with
them, they are absolutely giants in the rock scene. They have toured with the
likes of A Day to Remember, Yellowcard, New Found Glory and were even rumoured
to be upcoming band As It Is’ main influence.
In April this year they released their fifth studio album No
Closer to Heaven. The first song I came across was Cigarettes and Saints; in
all honesty I was weeping like a baby by the time I finished watching the video
for it and still well up every time I listen to it now. It talks of the horrible
experience of losing a loved one and the causes which led the person to take
their own life. The sound inside their head telling them to take their life is
personified in such a clever way ‘these wolves in their suits and ties, saying ‘kid
you can trust me’…they got fistfuls of pills, to make sure you don’t hurt no
more’. These haunting lyrics are so powerful and so scarily real. As the song
nears the end Dan almost yells back at these ‘wolves’ as he sings ‘You can’t
have my friends. You can’t have my brothers… You can’t have me.’ All the
instruments blast behind Dan’s vocals at this point creating a strong army of
sound fighting the suicidal urge.
Deep right? If you like chilled carefree music about rainbows,
ponies and happiness I wouldn’t listen to this album. I wouldn't say it’s
depressing but instead so incredibly powerful, discussing important issues like
loss, friendship and recovery. I have searched the internet from head to toe
trying to find interviews where Dan “Soupy” Campbell explains where he got his
inspiration for this album from. There are clearly some epic powerful stories behind
the song writing which I would love to have answers to. If I just had 10
minutes to sit down with Dan and chat about its background I would be eternally
grateful. But maybe this was the bands intention, to leave us wondering and in awe
of their masterful lyrics. Song writing geniuses like these guys wouldn't want to
give away their biggest secrets would they!
I highly recommend you check out Cardinals, Thanks for the
Ride and Stained Glass Ceilings in particular from the album. At 3.45 in
Stained Glass Ceilings is probably the best vocal performance you will ever
hear (I rewound the song to listen to this bit again and again). No Closer to
Heaven is truly incredible pulling the listener through a thrilling whirlwind
of emotion. Give yourself half hour to just sit down with a cuppa and have a
good listen to this. I guarantee it will leave you speechless.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ELLIE//MADE by Big Bang
My album of 2015 is kind of a weird one, as it hasn't actually been released yet…yeah, it sounds kind of weird but I’ll explain it for you. BIG BANG are incredible artists, and they made the brave but ultimately brilliant choice to create a unique musical project that would take place across 2015 after their 3 year hiatus. The album was divided into four parts called M, A, D, E which of course spells MADE. Each part consisted of two singles. The four parts were released on the first day of every month starting in May and finishing in August 2015. All of the songs were accompanied by music videos (with the exception of “If You”). And as of December, Big Bang's MADE album music videos have a total of over 354 million views. The most viewed K-Pop Music Video of 2015 was "Bang Bang Bang", while "Sober", "We Like 2 Party", "Let's Not Fall in Love" and "Zutter" took the 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th place. As of December the total sales of all 4 singles amounted to 13.3 million worldwide in just four months. THAT’S INSANE??! Honestly these guys blow me away! I respect them so much as not only performers but for their incredible artistry. You can tell so much thought goes into their music videos, as they are visually beautiful and full of deep and underlining meanings. They are without doubt the most influential artists in Asia. All of this is great, but none of it would matter if the songs weren't good, but they are good. SO GOOD. What I love most about the MADE project is how it shows how diverse and how many different genres the band can explore and master. Songs like “Bang Bang Bang” and “Sober” are great dance songs that show the bands production skills and how they just know how to make you get up and dance. There’s also songs like “Loser” and “If You” which both show the bands vocal talents, and also prove that they don’t always need to have heavily produced and crazy theatrics to make you really listen and feel emotion. They created king pop songs “Let’s Not Fall In Love”, “We Like 2 Party” and “Bae Bae” which slayed the charts. And even had a hip-hop/rap song “Zutter” by members G Dragon and T.O.P (they hadn't released any music together since 2010!!!). There really is something on this album for everyone, and if you’re a beginner to Kpop or just looking for something new and interesting to listen to then get behind these guys cause I can guarantee there will be something you like! I can’t wait for the full album to be released this year as there is rumours going around that a few brand new songs will be on it, I can’t wait!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Tell us what you think!