More Song Suggestions! 🎵🎶🎵

Hello Internet!

I hope you are doing well wherever you are in the world today 🌏

First things first, Happy January everyone 💖 It's been about 3 weeks since my last post, so a lot of the first month of 2018 has already flown by. To be honest, I haven't been doing a hell of a lot with that time.

After writing a lot for Reviewmas and my new year's post at the end of 2017, I wanted to have some time to re-assess some stuff in my life away from the Internet. I'm happy to say this was a good thing and I'm feeling pretty good about life right now 😀.

I also wanted to get some productive things done around my house before getting back into writing. That one had mixed results, but everything's a work in progress right? 😬

But I'm super excited to get back into the swing of writing on here again. I've got some fun new ideas for 2018 that will pop up in good time 😋😋😋

But I thought I would start off with something super familiar.... Song Suggestions!

I've lost count of how many of these I've done, but I hope you enjoy the latest installment and get some new music in your ears because of it 🎧

Every time I sit down to do one of these posts, I realise just how much I rely on music in my day-to-day life. About 80% of my time is spent with headphones in my ears listening to something while I do the things I need to do.

I've also realised I go through phases with what I'm listening to. I distinctly remember times in the past where I was intensely obsessed with things like country, piano ballads and musical theatre show soundtracks.

I guess that shows how diverse my music taste is, and I'm the kind of person that's not afraid to listen to anything. Although the list of songs I have for you today isn't that diverse, I can guarantee you that what I do and don't like music wise is very unpredictable.

So, here are some songs that I am obsessed with at the moment...

#1: Charlie Puth – How Long

Charlie Puth is a KING when it comes to throwback style funky pop smashes; and I’ve been enjoying a lot of his stuff recently.

“How Long” is the second single off Puth’s upcoming sophomore album Voicenotes. However, its lyrical narrative can be interpreted as a part 2 of the story that was explored in the first single “Attention”. The discussion of a such a serious relationship conversation in one of the catchiest melody/production combo’s I’ve ever heard is awesome.

The beat is EVERYTHING, and it created the perfect foundation for the drums and piano to build and create this addictive riff and production. It has this funky, R&B flavour and there is so many intricacies in every line that make it so easy to groove to.

It’s so strong vocally and lyrically from Puth. His tone is so unique and his stories are always so honest that it’s hard to not to relate to and/or love his music. I love a funky jam, and 10/10 would recommend this one.

#2: Troye Sivan – My My My!

I’m going to be honest, I’ve never been a hardcore Troye fan. Please don’t come for me, I think he’s talented and a fantastic human. But I haven't listened to a lot of his previous releases. But if ‘My My My!’ is an indication of things to come from Troye, I might just go down that rabbit hole.

This is a sick electrodance pop banger with sparse yet super fun production. The groove is incredible and it feels so fun, carefree and really upbeat.

That unique club vibe also comes through in the positive lyrics, which are inspired by aspects of freedom and sexuality. Lyrically, it’s very simple and doesn’t try to do too much but it still feels like a full, developed story to me. The chorus is especially phenomenal, and easily my favourite part of the song.

It’s great to see Troye back on the music scene after a couple of years, and I’m loving this fresh, liberating and authentic side of his ability right now. Basically, I love this song a LOT. Easily repeatable. Y’all NEED this in your party/dance playlists ASAP.

#3: Pitch Perfect 3 Cast – Freedom (’90)

One of my recent January outings included a trip to the cinema to see Pitch Perfect 3 – the latest in the aca-awesome Pitch Perfect franchise. I enjoyed the film immensely, but I didn’t end up writing a review on it at the time. One of the numerous things I loved was the killer soundtrack. It was so dynamic and strong, but this particular track really stuck out to me.

The way that producer Harvey Mason Jr. managed to reimagine and update this classic George Michael power anthem works is incredible to me. It has this fantastic uplifting energy that just makes you smile. Anna Kendrick also delivered a flawless vocal performance and the melody really plays to her strengths. The rest of the Bella’s ladies provided equally fabulous backing vocals, and it’s one of the most cohesive performances I’ve ever heard from them.

But the most appealing thing about it is that it’s really freaking empowering. Its place in the film really symbolised the friendship and tight comradery between the girls, and I think that message comes from Michael’s inspiring lyrics too.

This version of an already amazing song is so enjoyable; regardless of whether you’ve seen the film or not. I would highly recommend it :)

#4: The Cranberries – Zombie

‘Zombie’ is an absolute classic. I re-discovered my love for this song recently as it was included in the crazy Pitch Perfect 3 riff-off. But it was originally released back in 1994 by Irish alternative rock band The Cranberries. The Pitch Perfect version was one of many amazing covers I’ve heard of this song, but nothing can truly top the original in my opinion.

It always made a very distinct and memorable statement for listeners, and it’s very purposeful in its structure and intensity. I am obsessed with the way it continually jumped between the sparse, haunting atmosphere of the powerful verses and the intense tenacity of the crazy electric guitar and drums.

The poignant and eerie lyrics are also incredible. They’re a form of protest against the 1993 IRA bombing in Warrington, written by lead singer Dolores O’Riordan. Tragically, O’Riordan has recently passed away, but her music will live on as some of the most amazing songwriting ever in my eyes.

There is a lot going on in this song, but it is balanced perfectly to communicate an emotional rollercoaster that’s still moving after multiple listens. Give it a listen if you haven’t already, because it’s so damn good.

#5: dodie – Party Tattoos

A quirky little indie tune, “Party Tattoos” was first published on dodie’s YouTube channel doddleoddle on June 15^th 2017. I’m never sure what to expect when dodie releases a song, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one and it grows more interesting with every listen.

The lyrics are fascinating. There’s always metaphors within metaphors and lots of reading between the lines for a dodie lyric and she rocks at telling a brand-new story with every song. No-one creates music like dodie, and I don’t think “Party Tattoos” would work so well for anyone other than dodie.

(But feel free to prove me wrong, extra talented Internet musicians!)

Overall, it’s got a very simple and easygoing vibe. The melody in particular was a lovely example of how unique dodie’s tone is. There’s neat little inflections where I didn’t think you could fit and it’s just so lovely and charming.

#6: Hailee Steinfeld and BloodPop – Capital Letters

This one was a late addition to this list because I found it yesterday and I cannot stop listening to it. Something about the way it was put together really grabbed my attention.

Although this song will serve as the opening track to the upcoming film Fifty Shades Freed, that’s NOT why I like it. I’ve found with a lot of the music from the Fifty Shades franchise that it still works as great music separately from the films. Even if you’re like me and not interested in the movies at all, the music is still something accessible and relatable. But at this point, “Capital Letters” might have toppled “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” as my favourite Fifty Shades track ever.

Trendy American producer BloodPop’s sweet and bubbly pop beats are catchy as hell. When they’re paired with the intuitive co-writing contribution of British superstar Ellie Goulding and Steinfeld’s youthful vocals, you’ve got a winner.

Lyrically, it talked about the power of love and a special connection being compared to the metaphor and emphasis of capital letters. It’s a romantic and clever concept that I’m a little bit obsessed with.

★☆★☆★☆★

If you already knew about any of these songs, congratulations! You have a great taste in music, keep up the good work 👍 But if you didn't, now you do. Take a listen and if you love them as much as I do, pass them on to people in your life you think would enjoy them 😊

Happy listening Internet! 💙

★☆★☆★☆★

So there we go, I hope you enjoyed that conversational music review list. Truthfully, I wanted to post this earlier today, but it just took a really long time to get finished 🙈

If you're lovely and want to know when I post new stuff on the blog, remember to follow me @miss_memphis98 on Instagram and/or Twitter and I'll let you know 💖

Thanks for reading,

Love and CD stacks, Emily xx 🎸