Sunday 22 October 2017

Recommended Sunday listen goes to...

Marsicans 


Touring around with Clean Cut Kid at the moment are this intriguing band called Marsicans! Last night they really warmed up the crowd with a few of their songs. The event was based in The Loft in Southampton which had a great intimate atmosphere about it. 

In terms of music, Marsicans have a versatile range of songs. The lead singer James has a particular charm with vocals, with a mixture of elements similar to lead singer Matt from the 1975, combined with Kieran from Circa Waves. The rest of the members include guitarist Oli, Rob on bass and keys, and finally Cale on drums, who was noticeably great at head banging! Together the band collaborate exceptionally, and seem to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle both visually and musically. 

One song in particular that seemed to have the crowd moving was 'Swimming'. This really seemed to show what the band is made of and quickly gets stuck in your head! All of the tracks had different qualities about them that made them unforgettable. Listening to them would be highly advised if you are looking for a fresh and upbeat band. Overall, definitely a band to watch out for. 




Monday 16 October 2017

Declan J Donovan

'Fallen so Young' and 'Better'

Declan J Donovan has such a charm in his voice! There is something elegant and so relaxing about it. Coming under the genre of acoustic pop, his two current songs 'Fallen so Young' and 'Better' flow particularly nicely one after the other. Pieced together with a slow guitar element, 'Fallen so Young' is great to put on when wanting to sit back after a long day. The song 'Better' is equally as beautiful, but has a bit more attitude to it. The emotion in both songs is perfect. Declan is evidentially talented with even the likes of Rita Ora showing some love for his track! Cannot wait to see more of what Declan is capable of in the future.

Friday 7 July 2017

Katy Perry- From Cute Kitty to Lioness

A look at her new album Witness 

Listening to Katy Perry's new album 'Witness' , you can't help but sense maturity in her work. By maturity, I mean that she seems to be in a transition phase from cute fluffy kitty next door to new world domination as a lioness! Long gone is the sweet innocence of California girls with sugar coated costumes and long flowing hair. Here we see Katy take the reins with her new style both in physical appearance and musically.  This album speaks out on many levels with Katy claiming some serious power. Excuse the pun; this is the title of one of her new songs on the album. 


Katy's lyrics talk about being a "goddess" and after Swish Swish, I don't think a goddess I would want to mess with in the musical world right now. There are some tracks on the new album that resemble her previous work. However, most of her tracks seem more bold and outspoken than before. Could it be the so called feud between her and Taylor Swift that has ignited this new found style for Katy? Or is this simply Katy exploring a new sound for herself and showing some musical diversity? Either way, there are some great tracks on her new album and it was an interesting listen! 

Sunday 4 June 2017

Review First Receives Highly Commended Award

Review First is both a blog as well as a radio show that was held every Friday evening on Surge Radio. Written, produced and presented by myself, each week for my show I hunted down the newest artists with a variety of styles played on air. The main idea being to promote those artists who are currently uncharted or not played on mainstream radio.

Sadly I was unable to make the Surge Awards last night, but received fantastic news that Review First was selected as Highly Commended for Best Specialist show! This award was judged by Radio 1 producer Alex Rogers. It was a brilliant way to finish my time at Surge Radio now that I graduate from the University of Southampton and leave behind my university radio station.

The blog will continue and hopefully in the near future Review First can return to air.

Thank you to everyone who reads the blog and listened into my show, and a massive congratulations to everyone who won an award and entered.

Friday 5 May 2017

Clean Cut Kid- 2016 to 2017


Clean Cut Kid have released their album and it is just in time for summer!

What a year this band has had! I first interviewed them back in 2015 at a venue that held probably no more than 100 people as they toured supporting Fickle Friends. Now one year later, they have just begun their own UK tour and dropped their newest album, Felt. Waiting patiently for this album was very much worth it, it does not disappoint.

As well as including some of their older tracks which have now been remastered, there are plenty of new tracks which live up to expectations and more. The great thing about this album is that there is a song for pretty much every occasion. Driving to the beach? Play vitamin C. Feeling a bit sad and mellow? Play Brother of Mine. Sat in the garden having a BBQ? Play Pick Me Up. You get the picture, this album has everything it needs.

I often wonder what it is about this band that makes me enjoy listening to them so much. Most people might just say "well they are just good" or "I like their music", but for this band I think it is definitely a collection of features that makes them so enjoyable to listen to. You can tell each song is carefully prepared and has meaning to them personally, which I think can sometimes be lost in this musical day and age. This is far from the case with this band and that is what makes them so captivating to listen to.  

5/5 for this amazing band. Fun, original, and more 'clean cut' than ever, I cannot wait to see what is next!

Wednesday 26 April 2017

Kate Nash is on the 'Agenda'

Kate Nash returns with some classics!

The first time I heard Kate Nash, I was in high school and sang 'Foundations' to audition for a school choir...now about to graduate uni and I'm still as in love as I was the first time. Everyone excuse the obsessive style comments, but what is not to love about Miss Nash? The music is different from everything else that floats around the charts and always brings a refreshing 'pop' when on the radio.

So about Agenda. Agenda has 4 tracks and is the newest EP by Kate Nash. From listening to all 4 tracks on repeat for the last 2 or so hours, a personal favourite is the track Agenda. It is assertive and definitely not boring. It chops and changes and keeps your ears open through-out in full Kate Nash style. She keeps to her original themes/styles which is great to see, but also very modern still. Everything you want on the musical table. Kate Nash is about to go on tour and I would highly recommend going to see what this lady has to offer. One I must tick off my live music bucket list!

Wednesday 1 March 2017

Review First Takes to the Radio!

So Review First is taking to the radio! The blog will remain, but every Friday I will be bringing you all the latest new releases as well as bringing you the best of uncharted music. This way I can give you all the greatest tracks all at once where you can listen along with me. This is my second show for the semester! In this show I talk a bit about the 2017 Brit Awards, Lana Del Rey's new track, and also Maroon 5's new one.

Friday 20 January 2017

Hallelujah Gorillaz are back!





So after what feels like way too long, Gorillaz are here again! And hitting harder than ever supposedly at Donald Trump with their new video.



Hallelujah Money has some powerful lyrics with no doubt aiming to be of a specific message. It mentions wall building, nations of power, and more specifically " If this be the end, then so shall it be". It almost feels as if the world is ending and this is the track to see it go. But, at least the Gorillaz are back for now so it's not all doom and gloom. This seems to be a song which people are either going to break down, find a meaning for it and respect it, or take one listen and say to themselves "what on Earth is this?". Where this would lie in the charts, or if it would even make it there who knows in today's musical climate. It might be a song that could only be recognised by Gorillaz fan base or those with an open musical mind. It's either going to be super hot, or super cold. As always though, Gorillaz have many musical wonders up their sleeve. It'll be interesting to see if they have adapted their music to last or if this a one off power message piece.



Never the less, it's good to have them back!