THE forteloud FAMILY'S
SONGS OF 2015
CHARLOTTE// "Dark Bird Is Home" - By The Tallest Man On Earth
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JAMIE// "Throne" - By Bring Me The Horizon
BMTH are the first band ever where I actually
prefer their newer albums to their older ones. This is very unusual for me as
with nearly every other artist I think their initial debut album is unbeatable.
I have tried time and time again to enjoy Bring Me's earlier music. I had seen
them live twice at Reading festival and now regret to say that I actually used
this time for a food/ toilet break rather than staying for their set. I found
Oli's vocals were too overpowering and not the sort of music I found I could
sing along to. With the exception of Sleepwalking I didn't enjoy their
sound.
Then everything changed when I heard their
much anticipated album That's the Spirit, released in September. The first
song I heard was Drown. It made me love the new direction the band had started
to head down. Although more mainstream I think it was a clever move in the
sense it appeals to a much wider audience spanning over the rock/indie genre
not just heavy metal. Not only was this a smart move but a hell of a lot safer
for Oli calming down his screams after suffering with some vocal problems as a
result of his first albums.
Throne was the next song I heard and my god it
blew my mind. This song is probably my idea of perfection. It starts with a
catchy almost dancey riff repeated throughout before smashing into a drum and
vocal montage. But what makes this song so special to me is its message. It
talks of being left and deserted, feeling initially lost and hurt before
storming into the forefront and taking charge of your life again. 'You can
throw me to the wolves, tomorrow I will come back leader of the whole pack'.
This is probably my favourite lyric of all time. Such a strong and feisty
message with some powerful animal imagery thrown in there. Throughout the song
it talks of how no matter how much a particular person can hurt you, you have
the power to come back 100 times stronger, building an empire and throne in
your wake. 'You can beat me black and blue.. but every sky will build my
throne', 'sticks and stones that you used to throw built me an empire'. Bring Me use a traditional saying, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words
will never hurt me" here, making it relatable and makes us at ease with the
familiarity. It also discusses the theme of forgiveness. After everything this
person has done you should still forgive them for 'being the reason I still
fight'.
After the second chorus I love the eerie
haunting echoes in the background almost as though you are looking back at the
past and what caused all this pain. This section interests me a lot as the
echoes sound like a female voice suggesting that maybe Oli was aiming
everything at a past relationship or a female who was initially a large part of
his life. I love how artists put in these subtle clues to tell their story, it
makes their songs much more personal and I find decrypting these messages
fascinating.
Continuing on with this 3rd verse Oli directs
all the lyrics at a particular person repeating the word 'you'. The lyrics at
this point sound a little threatening using terms such as 'choking' but still
comes across in a positive light discussing how you can 'rebuild all you've
broken'.
I have listened to Throne every single day
since its release. It never fails to wake me up on my early morning commute.
Its sassy message gives me strength and comfort first thing knowing someone
else has gone through the pain of losing someone close to you but how it's
entirely possible to come back stronger than ever. It gives me the courage to
start building my own throne in life and to take really take control of the day
I have ahead of me.
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LUKE// "Apprehension" - By Press To Meco
PTM came out with their first album this year; it was a massive deal to my close friends and me, who’d been unhealthily obsessing over their previous music like schoolchildren. The absolute best outcome appeared to present itself from this scenario – we now all adore all of their newest material, and find it superior to their earlier stuff. Things are starting to happen to Press to Meco - Those things that happen to bands who are growing; in fame, in comfort, in traction. And its entirely deserving; their songs represent a beautiful synergy of Pop and chaotic Progressive musics, which is absolutely impossible to dislike. It may not be your cup of tea, but its undeniably likeable.
Apprehension represents so much of this album. For all intensive purposes, it’s a straight-up Rock/Pop song, but as you’d expect if you know of this band, it’s so much more than that. And the fact that this banger of a tune is just an album track shows the incredible ability for Press to Meco to write songs that most would struggle to achieve in such an effortless fashion. Press to Meco are (hopefully) here to stay, and I couldn’t be happier. They’re the nicest, most talented and most innovative of bands, and you’ll be slowly hearing a lot more about them.
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Apprehension represents so much of this album. For all intensive purposes, it’s a straight-up Rock/Pop song, but as you’d expect if you know of this band, it’s so much more than that. And the fact that this banger of a tune is just an album track shows the incredible ability for Press to Meco to write songs that most would struggle to achieve in such an effortless fashion. Press to Meco are (hopefully) here to stay, and I couldn’t be happier. They’re the nicest, most talented and most innovative of bands, and you’ll be slowly hearing a lot more about them.
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ELLIE// "PARTY" - By Girls' Generation
When I think of 2015 there is one song that pops straight into my head, PARTY by Girl's Generation. It has been played in my household so many times. Me and Daisy still bang this out even though it came out 5 months ago, and although it's a summer themed song it can lift my spirits any time of year! It's a perfect pop song and it showcases pure KPOP at it's very best!
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ALEX// "Further" - By Don Broco
I’m going to be completely honest; 2015 has been the year for me where I delved further into the past with music so I haven’t been up to date at all. But there has been one band I couldn’t ignore and that’s Don Broco. I loved their 2012 album Priorities. There is something about them that I find so enticing, vulgar but sweet, rough, strong and so very addictive. They just feel so British and I love it!
And let me tell you now their 2015 album Automatic has to be the highlight of my year. The boys are back with a more polished feel which they work! And work well it does! The variation between tracks is still there and it is as vibrant and colourful as ever. From this album my favourite song has to be Further. This song is just so Don Broco. Energetic vocals, fluid bass, slick guitar, and thumping drums all come together to make quite the master piece. And it’s one I have had on repeat ever since I got my hands on this album. Rest assured this track will be constantly played on my record player until I wear the needle down at which I will go out, buy a new needle and then repeat this cycle another 6 times.
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DAISY// "Where Are U Now" - By Justin Bieber & Jack U (Diplo and Skrillex)
At first I winced when I saw this was my most streamed song
on Spotify this year. Looking back to when I met Justin Bieber back in
2010, I have since become less than a Bielber but actually ended up disliking
the singer. He lost all that flare and passion he had back when he first
started out. Yet, I believe 2015 will be marked as a pinnacle year for the
singer who through releasing his album Purpose has been able to garner a
respect from those in the music industry as well as the general public.
Where Are U Now ironically found Justin. It seemed to
fit him well. It was cool enough to satisfy his pride whilst still appealing to
the masses. I remember the aftermath of the success of that single was
what was going to happen next; would he sink again or rise?
I was instantly hooked; The butter like vocals from Justin,
which were airy but raspy enough at just the right time to hook the listener
with the words as well as the melody. I remember playing the track immediately
again (and again and again and again) and I knew that Justin had succeeded in
bringing himself back. There was a purpose for this next album. He had
something to prove and he was going to prove it.
I have to admit that as well as being a pop lover, I love a
great comeback story. I am glad to see Justin on the top of the charts and able
to create an album that he is proud off that people like to listen too. Well
done Justin. I look forward to seeing what he brings out next. Until then I
will continue to have his music and this track in particular on repeat!
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