Birdy 'Beautiful Lies' Review

Birdy's new album Beautiful Lies is out and it is wonderful.

Doctor Who: Christmas Specials Reviews

So far Whovians have been treated to 10 New-Who Christmas specials. 5 (or 6 if you count The End of Time P.1 & P.2 seperately) with David Tennant's Tenth Doctor, 4 with Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor and 1 with Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor, with the upcoming The Husbands of River Song adding another Christmas episode to Capaldi's tenure.

Adele '25' Review

Hello. It's me, I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to read... my review of ADELE'S NEW ALBUM. YES YES YES!

'Hello' is, of course, the best known track from the album, but in the context of the album's narrative it's an intense and moving introduction to the next stage of Adele's life and musical career. It sets the theme, this being reflection on relationships and the past in general, yet successfully re-establishes place in the music industry. The track itself is truly emotive and powerful, although the opening lines are tender and careful which provides a nice contrast when that develops into the aforementioned emotional power of the song. I do believe that 'Hello' will remain one of Adele's most popular songs for years to come, and rightly so, as it's a brilliant song. 

'Send My Love (To Your New Lover)' manages to combine sass and strength in the best possible way. Upon first hearing the track, I wasn't too sure if it worked. After a few more listens, I warmed to it. I was surprised at the musical direction, the initial indecisiveness being that I was expecting ballad after ballad on this album, yet 'Send My Love' is upbeat and fresh. This works in the songs favour, while it could have easily been a ballad, it seems Adele wanted to show strength in this song, and does so successfully by adding some funk and sass. It's a great song, and could very easily be successful, however I feel it may take a few listeners some time to warm to it. 

'I Miss You' also surprised me, in a sense that it's sultriness was completely unexpected. I genuinely thought I had somehow started listening to a Beyoncé song instead of Adele until the vocals kicked in. Yet, again, Adele manages to give an abundance of emotion and sense of connection in this song, or perhaps a desire for connection in the case of this song.

Check that high note though, because 'When We Were Young' is one of the most touching and magnificent songs Adele has released. Adele has a way of intriguing you with a simple 5 seconds of introduction, and with this song especially you know that it's going to be that Adele song that makes you tear up. This is the epitome of reflection in this album, focusing on the glamorisation of young relationships, when actually, it's broken and painful to experience. Adele's vocals are at an all time high in this song, and it's easy to disregard the emotion she puts into this song. Take some time to listen to the lyrics, listen to her voice. It's awe-inspiring.

When I first heard 'Remedy', this was the song that got to me the most. The story Adele tells in the song is heart-breaking, it resonates with everyone. "When the pain cuts you deep, when the night keeps you from sleeping, just look and you will see I will be your remedy". How vulnerable are those lyrics? She's giving her time to help somebody, she wants to 'cure them'. It's something we all experience. The song itself is wonderfully produced, a simple piano, no backing vocals, a stripped-back Adele song that still manages to be poignant and contemplative. Adele really hits the mark with this song.

'Water Under The Bridge' is my favourite song from '25'. I went for a walk earlier (writing this on the day of release) and had this song on repeat for the entire 40 minutes. The song is epic, production-wise, lyrically, vocally, it's simply epic. The lyrics are sincerly heart-breaking - "don't pretend that you don't want me" being a prime example. The production on 'Water Under The Bridge' is deceptive, disguising the sadness of the song behind a fun and hip stylised song. Dare I say it, but this is in fact my favourite Adele song of all time, and easily has potential to become my favourite song in general if I don't overplay it due to loving it so much. Would it be weird to say that I'm actually thankful for this song, because it really is stunning. 

'River Lea' is slightly gospel-like which works in the songs favour, because it makes the song much more easy and comforting to listen to. It's a fun song, 'River Lea' manages to be empowering and defining for Adele in her new artistic direction. It's definitely a song not to be missed.

Similar to 'When We Were Young' and 'Remedy', my first impression of this song was that it was going to be a heartbreaking song. Perhaps this song has the potential to be ignored when placed against songs such as 'Water Under The Bridge' and 'Remedy', but it does deserve recognition for remnants to Adele's past music.

'Million Years Ago' is another stripped-back track on the album, with Adele's vocals being tender and almost considerate. Similar to 'Love In The Dark', my initial thoughts were that this song could be pushed aside for the 'bigger' songs on the album, but the reaction to 'Million Years Ago' on social media, Twitter especially, has glorified the song, which I found interesting. Perhaps a song doesn't need huge production to be a hit with the listeners, sometimes it's nice to sit back and listen to a stripped-back song (it'll still make you cry though).

While 'All I Ask' is another stripped-back song, it stands out on the album because of it's story. One last night with her lover - "what if I never love again", perhaps something that resonates strongly with listeners. I wouldn't know, personally, yet it still gets to me. The heartbreak heard so clearly in Adele's vocals have a huge impact on the song. 

How do you end an album about reflection and heartbreak? With 'Sweetest Devotion' of course, a song about the present. Adele's found happiness, and you can really hear that in this song. She's found her sweetest devotion, what Adele says is "the one that I belong to". 'Sweetest Devotion' is a fantastic way to end the album, and a reassuring confirmation from Adele that one can actually find happiness, three albums later. 

To summarise, '25' does well with reflecting on the past, the narrative of the album is set clearly from the offset which is pleasant. While some songs can be lost due to the strength of others, when put together the album is powerful and exceeds the high expectations it has had for two long years. Standout songs include 'Water Under The Bridge', 'When We Were Young' and 'Remedy'. Welcome back, Adele. 

5 stars

That's all for now.

Bye!

Totally Culture

Curtis

REVIEWING FROOT - MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS

FROO OO OO OOT

Froot, the third album from Marina and the Diamonds has just been released, and I like it. Although, I admittedly do have mixed feelings. 

I would probably say my favourite track is Happy, but I also really love Savages, Forget and Weeds. 

My issue is, and I mean this with the greatest respect, it's difficult to listen to this album because I'm a male. I don't feel like I could tell my future wife and children that I listened to this album. I guess it's the whole concept of 'masculinity', and let's be real I'm not Marina's primary target audience, I'm probably not even her secondary target audience. However, I'm a huge fan of Marina's previous work and I do enjoy listening to her new album, FROOT. It's just a difficult listen because of this feeling that it's not suitable for a straight, white, slightly posh 17 year old male. Although, I would give FROOT 5 out of 5 stars, just because the overall concept and sound of the album is amazing, and some songs really do shine, even if others don't. Just for consideration, I would also give Electra Heart 4 out of 5 stars, and The Family Jewels a solid 5 out of 5 stars. The following will be ratings of each song on the album.

1. Happy

Happy is my favourite song on the album. It starts off solemn, yet it progresses into something so inspiring... 

"I believe in possibility, I believe someone's watching over me"

5 out of 5 stars

2. Froot

While this song is good, I can't really bare to listen to it more than once. With all due respect, it's not for me. 

"Living la dolce vita, life couldn't get much sweeter"

3 out of 5 stars

3. I'm A Ruin

OOOOO OOH OOHH YEAAAHHHHHH

"It doesn't feel right and it doesn't feel fair, when I'm planning to move on and you're still standing there"

4 out of 5 stars

4. Blue

This is such a feel good song, yet the lyrics are the complete opposite.

"For one more night, one last goodbye"

4 out of 5 stars

5. Forget

I could imagine this song playing in a classic American teen's 80's film where the group of teens are running through the bleachers. 

""I'm gonna leave the past behind, I've had enough I'm breaking free"

5 out of 5 stars

6. Gold

This song is very calm, it's just soft and nice. However, it doesn't really stand out for me.

"You can't take way the Midas' touch, so you better make a way for a Greek gold rush"

4 out of 5 stars

7. Can't Pin Me Down

I don't really know about this song, I'm still undecided. It's nice but sometimes it feels a bit too much, you know?

"Do you really want me to write a feminist anthem, I'm happy cooking dinner in the kitchen for my husband" 

4.5 out of 5 stars

8. Solitaire 

This is so The Family Jewels, You go Marina. However, it's, again, one of those songs you learn to love. 

"Hard like a rock, cold like a stone, white like a diamond, black like coal"

4 out of 5 stars

9. Better Than That

Well snap, don't mess with Marina. #sassyMarina

"She's the apple of everybody's eye with an angel voice, devil in disguise" 

4.5 out of 5 stars

10. Weeds

This is such a moving song, Marina really does rock alternative ballads. 

"You know the problem with history, it keeps coming back like a weed"

5 out of 5 stars

11. Savages

This song is such a powerful societal statement on all the corruption in our world. So many powerful lyrics, so much political commentary. Props to Marina for being skilled enough to write such an important song.

"Murder lives forever, and so does war" & "I'm not afraid of God, I am afraid of Man"

5 out of 5 stars

12. Immortal

This is such a good ending to a phenomenal album. Marina's soft vocals mixed with an intense lyrical story. Fantastic. 

"That's what we do it for, to reserve a place, it's just another part of the human race"

4.5 out of 5 stars

Congratulations to Marina for such a fantastic album. I look forward to the next.