The Decibel

Honest music reviews.

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[thedecibel]

Single Review: KOSMONAUTS - Stay

Out of this world, Manchester based Alt/indie four-piece, KOSMONAUTS, released their zippy new single Stay last Friday (9/3/18). Catchy, rousing and artfully crafted this quintessentially indie anthem is overflowing with energy and life. Not a single second from Stay’s three and a half minutes feels like it has been half-arsed, Stay is start to finish brilliant with its clever lyrics and well flowing melody. Stay is a delight to listen to and has been both well written and well put together. Not only is it both a lyrically and instrumental masterpiece, but it also manages to crawl inside your head and have you humming along to it all day – not in the annoying way that many songs do these days but a pleasant way. Stay is an addictive listen – kinda like Pringles, once you pop (or in this case bop), you can’t stop. Stay is, in my opinion, KOSMONAUTS best work to date and I predict that this single will blast off into realms of otherworldly success.

You can listen to stay on Spotify by clicking here.

-Law

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Single Review: Mikky Ekko - Light The Way

If I were to say the name "Mikky Ekko" to you I'd probably get one of two responses:

A) "Who?" B) "The guy who featured on that Rihanna song?”

Mikky Ekko has drifted miles away from the dreamy pop song Stay that he sold to Rihanna in 2013 and now has a more indie pop, alternative rock style. Light The Way, his latest single, is a glowing example of how Mikky Ekko is a spark waiting to grow into a raging fire within the music industry.

Light The Way isn't anything drastically different, it's not remarkably creative and it'll probably never be anything iconic; however, it's a good indie pop song. Light The Way is both enjoyable to listen to and catchy enough to burn its way into your subconscious for a few days as you crave just one more listen of it's rocky chorus.

Overall, Light The Way can and - probably- will appeal to the masses. However it feels like Mikky Ekko is playing it safe and hasn't stepped outside his comfort zone; meaning that Light The Way is most likely going to be one of those songs that is listened to for a few weeks and then left in the musical graveyard of forgotten about songs for the rest of time. 

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Song Review: Jonathan Bree - You're So Cool

Quirky vocal and instrumentalist, Jonathan Bree, from New Zealand formed ‘twee pop’ group The Brunettes released another tune to add to his library of solo works.

You’re So Cool, just like Bree himself, is charmingly eccentric. Bree sings of a girl in this almost textbook twee pop bob.

Jonathans dreary vocal tone and melancholic background music would leave the listener assuming that You’re So Cool is a song built upon foundations of misery. The lyrics actually seem to be paying homage to the mentioned girl. Whether there is actually hidden meaning behind the lyrics however is all down to listener interpretation.

The sound of violins and other stringed instruments in replacement of a vocal chorus adds to the strange but brilliant vibe of the song.

Overall, You’re So Cool is a fantastic addition to Bree’s solo career; and since it was released on the record label that Bree co-founded -Lil’ Chief Records- you can be assured that the song is exactly how Bree envisioned it.

[thedecibel]

What I'm Listening To This Week (16/10/17)

To find me wandering through life without my headphones buried deep in my ears is a rare occurrence, where I go music usually follows. Here’s some of the highlights of my week in music.

For when I want to relax:

She - Ben Abraham

In 2016 Australian indie-folk artist Ben Abraham released his debut album Sirens. Sirens, while enjoyable isn’t particularly a stand out album to me, hence why only one song is being added to this list. Buried 4 tracks into Sirens is hidden gem She. Ben Abraham has a calming and clement voice which soothes and comforts and the blissful and twinkling melody of She make this song exquisite. The icing on the cake to make She the perfect love song to wind down to is the lyrics, Ben Abraham cleverly uses anaphora, starting each line of the song with the words “She is” making She a stand out song from Sirens.

 For when I want something upbeat:

Zak Abel - Only When We’re Naked

 The 6th October saw Zak Abel release his magnificent debut album Only When We’re Naked. Only When We’re Naked is start to finish, 34 minutes of upbeat party anthems. There isn’t one song out of the 10 artfully crafted pop beats that doesn’t make for a great listen. My personal favourites from Only When We’re Naked are The River, Broken and Unstable. Zak Abel is severely underrated for his level of talent and obvious passion for music, and I picture him increasing in popularity and success after what is an incredibly strong first album.

For when I want something with a bit of edge:

The Clash - Rock The Casbah

Punk Rock legends The Clash are always a go to listen on my playlist, but this week their 1982 song Rock The Casbah is one that I’ve been particularly drawn to. Rock The Casbah just seems to radiate energy like it’s a nuclear bomb blowing up with musical note shrapnel flying around the atmosphere in perfect chaotic harmony.

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Everything wrong with Taylor Swift’s latest single.

Sweet and wholesome Taylor Swift has long gone and a new Taylor who seems to be attempting to be edgier is stood with a shovel burying her country music deep underground in an isolated forest.

Unfortunately for Taylor this change of character isn’t working for her. At all. Taylors music career is taking a slow but steady decline from tolerable into the pits of awfulness with every song she releases.

Her latest release ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ makes Van Gogh’s decision to remove an ear sound both rational and slightly tempting.

The problem isn’t even that it’s just bad music, the song is reinforcing cruel and emotionally abusive behaviours with it’s sour and harsh lyrics.

The first 15 seconds of 'Look What You Made Me Do’ are okay, then Taylor starts to sing (and I use the word 'sing’ in the loosest sense possible) and the song starts to slope downhill. The lyrics are dripping in bitterness from start to finish, Miss Swift sounds like a small child spitting their dummy out and the title of the song sounds borderline psychotic. Taylor has built her whole career around writing songs where she plays the victim; but in Look 'What You Made Me Do’ Taylors narcissistic tendencies really shine through. The words “look what you made me do” are commonly used to manipulate people and situations to avoid taking responsibility of ones own actions. And while Taylor sings (raps? Who knows what she’s trying to do?) those words over an excruciatingly irritating and repetitive beat I can’t help but imagine her being dragged down the hall of a mental hospital, kicking and screaming while wearing a straightjacket.

So Taylor? What did you do? If you’re talking about how you washed your music career down the pan, then I’m sorry to tell you that, that was all you. And if Taylor continues the way she’s going it looks as if she’ll be making like a G6 and making a swift flight out of the playlists of many listeners. 

-Law

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Song Review: Lost On You by Lewis Capaldi

The vivacious sound waves created by the Delta Jack remix of Lewis Capaldi’s Bruises has filled the air of Ireland in the three months since its release. Bruises has been blasted through the speakers of every club, house party and fairground... and now Lewis is back with his new track Lost On You. 

Lewis has a voice like liquid gold and fine silk which you can just melt into. The lyrics to Lost On You are heartfelt and tug on your heartstrings as you feel the same raw emotion that the Scottish singer most likely felt while penning the lyrics. 

Lewis is a fresh face in the music industry however his breathtaking talent has made sure that he didn’t just arrive on the music scene but cartwheeled onto it. 

Lost On You is only Lewis's second song and it’s seriously impressive. It’s an organic and pure song with nothing but Lewis’s vocals and a piano. Lewis doesn’t need fancy production or distracting background music to hold his listeners attention; his stunning voice and haunting lyrics alone can do that. 

Lost On You is beautiful, captivating and amorous and my crystal ball tells me that it’s going to be another big success for Lewis. Hopefully I’m right. 

-Law

[thedecibel]

EP Review: Just Cosmo by Cosmo Pyke

I’m not sure what I find harder to believe; the fact that ‘Cosmo Pyke’ isn’t just a pseudonym but the actual birth name of the Peckham raised musician, or that Cosmo was just 18 when he created the magnificent 5 track EP that is Just Cosmo. 

Cosmo has managed to make every beat on Just Cosmo a wonder to the ears. The songs are uplifting with the best of the 5 tracks being Chronic Sunshine with it’s summery, jangly beats. Just Cosmo is filled with jazzy indie-soul tunes which are guaranteed to put a smile on even the most stern of miserable, cloudy-day faces. 

Cosmo is a young singer, instrumentalist, model and artist-God is there anything this kid can’t do?- who wows every time. He’s been blessed with a deep and sexy voice that sends shivers down your spine as you first hear his charming voice fill your ears. 

All in all Just Cosmo is a strong start to catapult Cosmo into what I’m sure will be a strong and successful music career.  

-Law

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Artist Review: Arctic Monkeys

If I were to say either the words “Arctic” or “Monkeys” then I’m sure your first thought would be of the legendary, Sheffield formed rock band Arctic Monkeys.

Arctic Monkeys have more than earned their iconic status since they formed in 2002. There isn’t an Arctic Monkeys album that isn’t a masterpiece from start to finish. Their music makes you want to don a leather jacket, puff out your chest and grab life by the balls. 

Instrumentally the music of Arctic Monkeys is divine and well put together; the expertly played instruments paired with witty and cheeky lyrics sung by Alex Turner in his thick accent is what makes Arctic Monkeys signature sound so easily recognisable. You never have to question whether or not you’re listening to an Arctic Monkeys song; you just know straight away. 

You could say that Arctic Monkeys’ songs are extremely lively, when an Arctic Monkeys songs plays you almost can’t resist the mighty urge to tap your foot and dance in your seat along to the valiant and energetic beat. 

Arctic Monkeys are the bad asses that we all wish we were, but rarely ever are. If you’re ever in need of the courage to metaphorically (or literally) kick some ass then putting your headphones in and listening to Arctic Monkeys is bound to give you the boost of confidence and rush of adrenaline that you need. 

-Law 

[thedecibel]

Album Review: Harry Styles

2017 sees Harry Styles punch his way out of the comfortable cocoon that was One Direction and launch himself into his new solo career.

Harry Styles’ debut, self titled album is a world away from the squeaky clean, somewhat inanimate, teenybopper pleasing works of One Direction. Harry has experimented with his new album and created a diverse range of songs from spunky rock beats to soothing acoustic melodies.

Two years ago Harry Styles would have been the last person you would expect to hear aggressively singing the lyrics “I’m having your baby; it’s none of your business!” over a wave of electric guitars. But 2017 shows a new ediger side to Harry who seems to be holding up two fingers to the pop image that he’d previously been moulded into.

It feels like with this album Harry is standing up and saying “I am no longer  the curly haired, dimple cheeked boy band member clad in chinos, innocently telling my listeners that they are beautiful. I am a man now, I can, and will, sing about sex.”

Despite songs like Kiwi- a rock song which is comparable to the likes of Arctic Monkeys- and Woman -a provocative song about seething jealousy- there are still some sweet songs that show Harrys’ softer side such as Sweet Creature and From The Dining Table.

Harry has removed the restrictive chains of One Direction and ventured outside of his comfort zone; but that’s what makes it magnificent. Nothing anymore than ‘good’ has ever been created within a comfort zone and Harry appears to be aware of this. All in all this self titled album is a strong start to what I’m sure will be a long and successful solo career for the ever charming Harry Styles. 

-Law

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Artist Review: Novo Amor

Is it possible that Novo Amor has created some of the most stunningly inspiring songs of the past decade?

Welsh boyo Ali John Meredith-Lacey, better known under the pseudonym ‘Novo Amor’, is a devine representation of musics way to take you by the hand and walk you through its infinite beauty.

Novo Amor has mastered creating sublimely graceful songs, and he seems to have a way of making his songs delicately float through the air and into your ears. His music is pretty; pretty to the extent that it makes your surroundings- whether thats the most idyllic of beaches or the grimmest of run down town centers- look pretty too.

Whenever you listen to Nova Amor and you see other people roaming around with their headphones in their ears its difficult to imagine that they could possibly be listening to anything as elegent and dreamy as the sweet melodies that you are listening to. 

-Law

[thedecibel]

Single Review: Halsey - Eyes Closed

Halseys latest single, Eyes Closed, is a tornado of heartbreak, passion and bitterness,all mixed up into a 3 minute song. On the surface Eyes Closed is sensual, sultry and sexy; but beneath its raunchy hedonism lies a hidden layer of something darker.

Eyes Closed sees Halsey deseperately pining over an old flame as she sings of his inadequate replacement. In Eyes Closed we hear about Halseys fantasies of her ex while she's with her new man, there's something about how she sings "He'll never stay, they never do" that takes your heart and brutally rips it apart piece by piece.

The lyrics are intense, steamy and powerful but the songs beat is boring and easily forgetable. Music shouldn't be afraid to kick you where it hurts and while the lyrics manage to do exactly that the prosaic beat in the background merely manages to gently tap you on the shoulder.

-Law

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Artist Review (tribute)- David Bowie

There isn’t a moment in life that couldn’t have a Bowie song as its soundtrack. Whether you need a song to dance to or a song to cry to, David Bowie has made it; and he’s made it well.

David Bowies music feels more like a close friend than it does music. It’s always there; standing proudly beside you when you’re on top of the world, or with its arms wide open, ready to take you into its warm embrace when you’re feeling low.

The word ‘epic’ doesn’t even begin to describe the beautiful and intricate pieces that Bowie carefully crafted. With Bowie it is clear to see that his music was his passion, he unscrewed the lid from his bottled up emotions and decantered them onto records. It’s like he’s presented his soul on a golden platter to a dinner party of guests waiting to consume it in all its glory.

The thing with Bowie is that he just simply didn’t care. Bowie didn’t care what you or I, or anyone else for that matter, thought about his music. He created music for himself; that’s what makes it so great. He wasn’t frantically searching for the approval of others, so when you listen to a Bowie record you hear exactly what Bowie envisioned, nothing has been tampered with. It’s organic.

It doesn’t matter if its a 43 second song instructing someone not to sit down (Don’t Sit Down) or a 5 minute masterpiece in which a fictional character loosing connection with ground control acts as a possible metaphore for his drug addiction (Space Oddity), if it’s Bowie, it’s brilliant. And that’s why he’s an icon and will forever live on through his music.

-Law

[thedecibel]

Song Review - Arsonists Lullaby by Hozier

Some people push their way through life, striding confidently with power and strength. Others let life push its way though them, as they feebly wander; lost and afraid. Hoziers song ‘Arsonists Lullaby’ is one of those songs that gives you the strength to charge your way through life and all of its obstacles. 

Powerful drum beats, velvety smooth vocals and lyrics that go straight to the heart, Arsonists Lullaby makes you feel like you own the universe. The song isn’t sweet, but it’s not supposed to be. It’s rough, it’s brutal, it’s honest and it’s real. It’s like good sex. no time wasted on the niceties, just straight to the point with a lot of power and emotion. 

Arsonists Lullaby is a masterpiece. It’s not just a song, it’s a reminder. It’s a reminder not just to walk through life, but to parade through it; because your life is yours and your own it. It’s a reminder that you are a raging fire burning strongly and beautifully. It’s a reminder to always burn with the hardest flame. It’s a reminder to embrace your downfalls and use them to your advantage. 

You don’t just listen to Arsonists Lullaby, you experience it, and thats what makes it so great. 

-Law

[thedecibel]

Artist Review- Temples

Temples continue their European tour throughout April.

I can feel the music, it runs in my veins, it dances with my blood cells. The floor beneath me is rumbling and the window is rattling, the experience is almost Godly. The music makes the world feel soft, like I could melt into it, merge with it and become one. 

I can hear every ounce of heartbreak, anger, passion and cocaine that floats from the speakers and into my ears. It hits me, punches me and it screams at the top of its lungs; begging for my undivided attention. 

I can’t see the band perform from where I am stood, but that’s okay because I don’t need to see lead singer and guitarist, James Bagshaw, waving the wild orb of curls that sits upon his head to know that the band are totally in their element. You can hear that in their performance, which while not perfect is undoubtedly energetic.

Temples aren’t anything that I haven’t heard before, it’s clearly evident that they have drawn inspiration from various psychedelic and prog rock bands from the 1960′s, but this doesn’t make their music any less enjoyable. 

Temples will not provide you with music that you can clutch onto to ease you through heartache and neither will they give you a song that will bring the life into every party; however they will bring you the anthem to quiet summer gatherings with a few friends and a lot of alcohol. 

Temples have a timeless sound that will most likely never die out, but compared to bands like The Byrds and other iconic psychedelic rock bands they lack the charisma that could define them as iconic. And while the instrumentals are loud and seem to pour their heart and soul out to you, it can often feel like the lyrics hide timidly behind the music with not a lot to say. 

But nevertheless, if music came in a syringe I would have my belt wrapped tightly around my arm and ready to inject Temples into my bloodstream.

- Law