Devil

After the horrifying news of Chiodos' split in 2009, the people rejoiced at the news of them getting back together in 2012. However, it's been two long years of waiting for any new music, or 7 long years if you count Bone Palace Ballet to be their last release - which I do, I mean Illuminaudio? what even was that?

BUT FINALLY

They have emerged with a new single : "Ole Fishlips Is Dead Now"

It's as if while Chiodos were away, Alls Well That Ends Well and Bone Palace Ballet eloped to Vegas and had a beautiful love child, with Thomas Erak making an appearance in there somewhere, possibly a drunken threesome had on the honeymoon? and perhaps I have taken this metaphor a bit too far.

The new single seems to be setting post-hardcore back in it's place and I'm excited to hear what they've got to offer. As good as it is to hear Craig Owens again, Ole Fishlips doesn't feature Erak as much as I'd hope but I'm holding out that I'll see more of him on the album.

Suck it, D.R.U.G.S. Chiodos is back.

Like The Used's Imaginary Enemy, Devil is set for release on April 1. It's going to be a good day.

Love Always,
Nicole

Imaginary Enemy

The Used are back!

Fuck yes.

I'm excited, can you tell?

The band just released a new single from their upcoming album "Imaginary Enemy" and guess what? I actually really loved it.

The Used are known for their killer hooks and this song is no different, "Cry" exudes contagious energy. It's pretty guitar heavy but it works, it's a really solid track actually.

The song has been received by the inevitable "I miss the old stuff, hate the new sound" bullshit that comes with a new release, but change is inevitable and personally I'm embracing their new sound with open arms.

Not to mention the throwback to "Buried Myself Alive" with the reuse of the line "if you're gonna get me back, you're gonna have to ask nicer than that.

Trust me,  I'm asking nicely with a cherry on top. I can't be happier to have these guys back.

Imaginary Enemy will be the band's follow-up to 2012’s Vulnerable and is set to be released on April 1


Love Always,

Nicole

Real

If, like me, you're a huge Skins fan (UK teen drama, not rolling paper) then you will have seen this face (Olly Alexander) in Series 7: Pure.

and when it comes to cute boys with curly hair, I will inevitably google you, discover that you are a lead singer of a band and listen to your music religiously. That my friends, is how I discovered Years and Years.

"I Wish I Knew" is the first track that I heard, and almost instantly fell in love with it. They have a certain atmosphere about them that is beyond unique. Olly's crooning mixed with the electro chaos as confetti falls is pretty much the greatest.

Years and Years - I Wish I Knew 

(Warning: this video is an explosion of awkward dancing, it's phenomenal)

The band try something different with the song "The Whale" from the soundtrack of The Dish and the Spoon (Olly was great in the movie, too!). This stripped down version of Years and Years allows for Olly's voice to come through a lot stronger and it's gorgeous. 

                                     

Years and Years - The Whale 

The London trio have just recently released a new single, "Real". With the EP of the same name coming out 17 February. "Real" is infectious, make sure to catch it.



Love Always,
Nicole

Champion Sound

Now I am more than aware that Crystal Fighters are not new to the scene, and that I'm horribly late to the party but I've recently just gotten into them.  I'm not entirely sure what folktronica is, but apparently I like it.

The best way to describe them is that they are bright and brash, their eclectic unfocused sound reminds me a little of a Gracelands-era Paul Simon tribute act.

                                                          LA Calling - Crystal Fighters  
     

                                                          Everywhere - Crystal Fighters

I find their lyrics lacking, but the lack of lyrical integrity actually has no effect on their records. Honestly, they're one of those bands that I don't really want to sit around and dissect the music because it's rife with poor quality and such, but you just can't help be caught up in their delirious state of happiness.

In a Crystal Fighters world the MDMA is far from wearing off and it's perpetually sunny.

Love Always,
Nicole

p.s) I cannot explain the accents in some of their songs, but I'll allow it because, DANCING.

One For The Road

At the moment, Arctic Monkeys' newest album has become one of my all time favourites and I've wanted to write about it for ages but I haven't been able to put the way I feel about it into words, let alone write an entire blog post about it.

BUT

Arctic Monkeys have to be the most consistent band when it comes to B-sides, their B-sides are better than most bands' A-sides. With AM alone producing 2013, Stop the World I Wanna Get Off With You and somehow they have managed to out do themselves with their latest, You're So Dark

There's mention of Dracula capes, H.P. Lovecraft and a Prius. It's all so fitting for Turner's '50s hair coif. Basslines and crooning that will quickly make this song one of my favourites.

You're So Dark is the B-side for their newest single One For The Road. Sultry and complex, and a clear display that Turner has become the master of his voice.

As for AM, I suggest you give the gleefully dark album a listen.

Love Always,
Nicole

Unhappy

Unhappy. adj. Not satisfied: displeased or discontented.

I've been struggling a bit lately and I think that's why I haven't written in awhile. Here's some music that's been getting me by.

Years and Years - I Wish I Knew

Crystal Fighters - Love Natural

Sleeping with Sirens - Roger Rabbit 

Grouplove - Ways to Go

I'll be back soon.

Love always, 

Nicole 

Why I write

When I started this, all I could muster was a grocery style list of reasons of why I write, which made me realise that; a) I may actually not be a very good writer at all and b) I may be studying the entirely wrong thing. This was less than encouraging. Actually that is a bit of an understatement, it was soul destroying. I was struggling with writing this to the point where I expressed my doubts with a friend and he said "use your magic." He was right, I do use magic, everyday. Words are magical. Why should it matter if it doesn't make sense or if it's just line after line of sentences that have nothing to do with each other because each word in itself has the ability to create something through magic; light, darkness, pain, sorrow, love, happiness, laughter and tears. So here's my grocery style list of magic, that I hope evokes something, because that's why I write, to evoke the beautiful things in life.


I write for my dad because I'm not sure how but I know wherever he is, he can read it and he's proud.


I write for my mom because I hope to show her that I appreciate everything she does for me.


I write for my friends because I'm often unable to express how much they mean to me aloud.


I write because I'm anxious.


I write because I'm nostalgic.


I write because I'm insecure.


I write because I'm hopeful.


I write because I'm indecisive.


I write because I'm timid.


I write so that the pressure that is perpetually building up in my brain can be released.


I write because I'm happy and I don't want to forget the feeling or the person that made me feel that way.


I write because sometimes I feel inadequate but I manage to persuade myself otherwise with my writing.


I write because sometimes words are the only things worth believing in.


I write because I'm a doomed dreamer that wants to save everybody and show the world she was given, that they're wrong.


I write because the people in my head need a voice to.


I write because I can't sleep.


I write because it's like opening my window shade and I am letting some light in.


I write because it makes things seem conquerable.


I write because how else do you keep going when something horrible happens


I write because I'm scared to get close.


I write because I hate being alone.


I write because I long for the feeling to not feel at all.


I write because I'm living the dream , one mistake at a time.


I write because a page is the only place that I can be myself.


I write because every word is a tidbit of my soul splashed onto a page.


Some days are magic and I can do anything and that's why I write. The other days I just have to wait, and hope it comes back.