I’ve been listening to a certain playlist lately nonstop– in the shower, in the car… Name it and the playlist is likely blasting off a device. Coincidentally most of the songs have one common point: they are by British artists. Thus this little list where I rave about things my ears have been loving lately.
I’m sure you’ve all heard of these people before, but an additional two cents won’t hurt, yeah?
1. Sam Smith’s In The Lonely Hour
Nonstop on my iPod for months already, I’m calling this my favourite album of the year as early as now. I first noticed Sam Smith’s voice when I heard his vocals on Naughty Boy’s La La La. After a bit of research and hearing his solo version of Latch I was already eagerly anticipating his album. Of course I had to get the deluxe version because there are more tracks!
And by gosh I love every single song. Every. Single. Song. Not only is his voice moving, the lyrics in his songs speak of so much. All of the songs are standouts in my opinion, but my absolute favourite is Lay Me Down.
And it’s hard, the days just seem so dark
The moon, and the stars, are nothing without you
Your touch, your skin, where do I begin?
No words can explain, the way I’m missing you
The night, this emptiness, this hole that I’m inside
These tears, they tell their own story
I also love Make It To Me from the Deluxe album. I can’t get the lyrics out of my head because I like the message of this song so much.
You’re the one designed for me
A distant stranger that I will complete
I know you’re out there we’re meant to be
So keep your head up and make it to me
2. Ed Sheeran’s X
Read as Mutiply, Sheeran’s sophomore effort combines his well-loved singer-songwriter heart-wrenching style of songs with upbeat tunes featuring him rapping (Take It Back). I’m not much of a hip-hop listener but it’s refreshing to hear him try new things, even if it is rapping then breaking to song in the chorus. It’s a good break from his usual dramatic style.
I can’t say I’m a fan of all the songs, but the songs on my current playlist include Don’t, I’m A Mess, Sing, Love Afire, Shirtsleeve. My favourite song is One.
Tell me that you turned down the man
Who asked for your hand
‘Cause you’re waiting for me
And I know, you’re gonna be away a while
But I’ve got no plans at all to leave
And would you take away my hopes and dreams?
Just stay with me
These types of songs, though they make me kind of melancholic and contemplative, are what make me love Ed Sheeran. He does the whole heartbreak thing really well, and honestly I wouldn’t mind if he released more songs like that. Give me pain, man! Haha!
3. Bastille’s Bad Blood
This one has been out for quite a bit but I feel like after Pompeii their popularity locally has waned a little bit. Last song of theirs I heard on the radio was Flaws. I have a thing for male vocalists with that gruff undertone to their voices. It makes listening to them quite a bit more interesting. When I first heard Pompeii I really listened to that song nonstop because Dan Smith’s voice caught my attention. (I know… Sam Smith, Dan Smith. Love ’em both!)
Songs I can’t get enough of include Pompeii, Things We Lost In The Fire, Bad Blood, Overjoyed, Oblivion, Flaws, and Daniel In the Den. (It’s a lot, I know.) My most favourites are the Weight of Living Part I & II.
All that you desired, when you were a child
Was to be old, was to be old
Now that you are here, suddenly you fear
You’ve lost control
Do you like the person you’ve become?
What’s the story behind the placement of the two songs so far apart on the track listing? Part II is ahead of Part I no less.
4. Birdy’s Fire Within
Another oldie but always a goodie. I was very excited when this album was released and I was not disappointed. This is a slight departure from the heavy melodramatic songs Birdy did in her first album because it has some pop elements to it, but you really can’t take the emotion out of this girl when she sings. Not even in the more upbeat songs like Maybe. Mind you, I love it when she does sad songs because there are days when I just want to let myself feel gutted. Anyway, she is so young but she has an old sentimental soul that shines through in her songs, especially now that her songs aren’t strictly revivals anymore.
I seriously love all her songs from this record, but one of my favourites is one of her more melancholic songs called All You Never Say. The lyrics hit home just a bit too much that it’s a song impossible to ignore for me.
All you never say is that you love me so
All I’ll never know is if you want me oh
If only I could look into your mind
Maybe then I’d find a sign
Of all I want to hear you say to me
Another favourite is Older, not for any reason other than great lyrics and the way she executed the layering of the track.
And I wish that we were strangers,
Strange enough to go unnoticed from this crowd
And I wish that we were closer,
Close enough for me to hold you
When your lonely nights become too long to bear
What music have you been into lately? 🙂
Life outside the lines 