Interview with The Score

Pop duo The Score shot into the limelight after ASDA used their song 'Oh My Love' in their advert. It took the #1 spot on the Spotify UK Viral Chart and the #4 spot on the iTunes UK pop charts, going on to become the second most Shazam'd song in the UK. Following the success of the single the band were signed to Republic Records and following the release of their EP they played their first UK show at The Borderline in London. Sonically similar to bands like OneRepublic, American Authors and The Script, their EP showcases their feel-good, get up and dance vibe. The duo is made up of Eddie Anthony, vocals and guitar, and Edan Dover, keys and production, I was lucky enough to organise an interview with them before the show and was struck by how down-to-earth they are.

Victorious - Panic! At The Disco

The band, Panic! At The Disco, recently celebrated 10 years since the release of their debut album 'A Fever You Can't Sweat Out', despite the fact they weren't even out of college they gave us an album that helped shape the sound of pop-punk today. 10 years later, after members leaving and sounds evolving, Panic! are still making brilliant music. They released a third song from the yet-to-be-released fifth album; their new single 'Victorious'.

Interview with A Story Told

Five piece pop-rock group A Story Told, from Charleston, West Virginia, have been taking their local area by storm; even playing the well-known Vans Warped Tour in Pittsburgh. Their 'Stay With Me' cover was featured in a post by Pop Buzz which is how I discovered this amazing band. They were kind enough to answer some of my questions about how they started, what's coming up next and who influences their sound.

 

That's The Spirit - Bring Me The Horizon

Bring Me The Horizon show us a new side with their fifth album 'That's The Spirit', their usual metalcore sound takes the backseat and the album is driven by a more alternative-pop sound. The five-piece rock band formed back in 2003 and since have changed their sound with nearly every album. There's such a range of sounds on the album, yet still staying within the broad genre of rock, and I absolutely love it. I've never been much of a fan of Bring Me The Horizon but this album has changed that.

Death Of A Bachelor - Panic! At The Disco

After the release of their single Hallelujah earlier in the year, it's safe to say that people were excited to see what else the band would come up with. With lead singer Brendon Urie saying an album is on the way and is similar to their first album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, well, I am definitely excited. The single was unveiled exclusively on Beats1 by Pete Wentz (who was filling in for Zane Low) and after hearing the jazzy, pop sound of 'Death Of A Bachelor' I'm even more excited than before.

Roots - Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons shot to fame after the release of 'Radioactive' from their debut album Night Visions, the album itself was just as highly talked about. Their second album did not disappoint, and I think I speak for everyone when I say we weren't expecting more. On social media the band were collecting photo's of people's roots under the hashtag #MYROOTS, their own profile pictures were turned black and for a while we were all a little confused and pretty excited. And out of nowhere, they released a single - Roots.

R.I.P 2 My Youth - The Neighbourhood

The Neighbourhood's debut album 'I Love You' blew me away, I fell in love after hearing 'Afraid' and 'Sweater Weather'. Since then I've been anxiously waiting for new music, and after a week of teasing new music we finally have something - 'R.I.P 2 My Youth'. It's the lead single from their second album 'Wiped Out!' and is yet another brilliant song from a brilliant band.

Young Blood - Saint Raymond

'Young Blood' is the debut album from Saint Raymond, aka Callum Burrows from Nottingham. There are quite a few brilliant artists coming from Nottingham right now (Amber Run instantly spring to mind) and Saint Raymond is no different; I have fallen in love. The album has such a brilliant sound that I can't really place, but I can say it's fabulous.

Hallelujah - Panic! At The Disco

I stumbled across Panic! At The Disco early this year and honestly can't believe I hadn't listened to them before. Since then I've listened to all their albums and fallen in love with their individual style and clever lyrics.

'Hallelujah' does not disappoint, it stays true to the more electronic sound of their previous album 'Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!' and is the first single from their fifth studio album. I really love this song, it's a mix of gospel and electric that I feel Brendon Urie executes perfectly. The first 20 seconds had me thinking of 'A Fever You Can't Sweat Out' and put a smile on my face, before descending into the catchy gospel-esque song with a beat you just can't shake.

Chaos and the Calm - James Bay

‘Chaos and the Calm’ is the debut album from James Bay who shot to fame after releasing his single ‘Hold Back The River’ and winning Critics’ Choice at the BRIT awards in 2015 despite not having an album out at this time. The album was recorded in Nashville with the help of the three-time Grammy winning producer Jacquire King and shot straight to number 1 in the UK upon its release.

5AM - Amber Run

The album ‘5 AM’ is the debut album of Nottingham based band 'Amber Run', and in no way disappoints. Although fairly unknown their song ‘I Found’ brought people in with its beautiful melody and lyrics, for those who are aware of their music already, the album is just as brilliant.

Native - OneRepublic

'Native' is the third studio album from OneRepublic and it does not disappoint. For fans that have followed the band since the beginning, each album is a progression and 'Native' is no different. With that collection of talent it really is a beautiful thing.
Each song stands out, there is not a single thing I dislike about the album. The whole thing seems to say 'carpe diem', if I was to sum up the message from the album this would be what stands out. But more importantly, each song, although with a special meaning to the members who wrote it, is completely adaptable to the listener and their own thoughts and experiences.
Ryan Tedder, the lead singer of OneRepublic and the undercover King of Pop behind countless number ones, has pulled it out of the bag with the help of the other members of the band (Brent, Zach, Eddie and Drew). Not only are the melodies and lyrics beautiful, but his voice is like an angel. I honestly feel like OneRepublic is God's gift to man, the whole lot of them are incredibly talented and bring an individual and loved sound to the market.
One of my favourite features of the album has to be the cello, brought in by Brent Kutzle and performed flawlessly throughout; it is an amazing touch. Personally, without Brent and his cello, I don't think OneRepublic would be the same.
This album really showcases the band's talent, from feel good songs like 'I Lived' and 'Counting Stars' to songs that make your insides melt like 'Something's Gotta Give' and 'Au Revoir'. Each song is perfect in it's own way and I honestly couldn't choose a favourite. Like I said, Ryan Tedder's voice blows me away, some times I seriously doubt that a noise so pure could be someone's voice. Well, after seeing them live twice I can say that it does. (I will make at least one post on that at a later date!) The song's are instantly recognisable, 'Counting Stars' being a great example of this, you can't help singing along and dancing, no matter how bad your dancing is.
Definitely buy this album if you haven't already because it will knock your socks off. It is a must hear album and if you are a fan, you need to see these guys live; there is NOTHING like it. If you are one of the lucky few who live in one of the places where OneRepublic are visiting on their extended Native Tour, get out and buy tickets. If not, keep your eyes peeled because they are currently working on album no. 4 and if the rumours are to be believed then that should be arriving around November this year.

 

Fun Fact : Each animal represents one of the band members :D Think you can guess who is what?

Smoke and Mirrors - Imagine Dragons

I consider myself a massive Imagine Dragons fan, ever since I first heard 'Radioactive'. But when I heard the teaser for the 'Smoke and Mirrors' album (after pre-ordering the deluxe deluxe edition) I'll admit I was a little disappointed, I didn't get the sound and I thought it was too different from 'Night Visions'.
I haven't been more wrong. It's blown me away, I found myself loving every song, if I had to choose a least favourite it would actually be 'I Bet My Life', one that I had liked from the very beginning, before even ordering the album, because the other songs blow it out of the water. In my opinion 'I'm So Sorry' and 'Friction' are to of the most engaging tracks, they make me want to get up and go for a run. Then you have songs like 'Dream' and 'Release' which are so beautiful and you really get lost in the lyrics (which I may go into in another post). But just to funk it up, you have the quirky sound of 'Hopeless Opus' and 'Polaroid' which are completely unexpected, though still amazing.
This whole album reflects a massive range in sound, yet somehow manages to keep a consistency that makes it all fit together beautifully. And despite the fact that many people (like my mother) complained 'Night Visions' was too unlike 'Radioactive', I personally think that 'Smoke and Mirrors' brings a little of that magic present in 'Radioactive' into every song. My 8 year old sister has listened the whole way through once and on the second go round she is already singing along to every song and asking for it to get turned up. I count that as a win. An 8 year old, a 16 year old and a 43 year old all in love with the same album.
So, just to summarise; BUY THE ALBUM! You definitely won't regret it, the progression from 'Night Visions' and within the album itself is clear and certainly a step upwards. I can't wait to see what the guys from Imagine Dragons have planned for the next album.
More importantly, the band is soon to be on tour for this album. For those in the UK, this is in November and if, like me, you are desperate to go, you should definitely buy those tickets now because they are selling fast!

 

And in case you didn't know what the fabulous quartet look like, feast your eyes below!

I Found - Amber Run

If you haven't heard Amber Run yet then you just haven't lived. A beautiful group of people making beautiful music. Thank you Spotify for randomly playing them, because a day hasn't gone since when I haven't listened to at least one of their songs.