Only Love

I love those songs that make life seem suddenly calmer and slower paced, songs that just chase away your fears and pain, if only for 4 minutes. These kind of songs really make me feel clear-headed and calm and give me a fresh perspective on the things going on around me. Sometimes I just feel like running away from this life and becoming someone else and I guess these pretty little songs give me that chance. For a few moments I imagine I am flying over oceans or driving through hills in Switzerland or maybe walking down a beautiful deserted beach, and it’s a little reboot for the brain.

An example of a song like this is ‘Only Love’ by Ben Howard. I have to say this song is a piece of heaven.

There is a warmth in the song, and the repetition of the word ‘love’ just creates a sense of reassurance and happiness within me. Ben Howard’s voice is soft and mellifluous, not something that you can easily forget. Relatively new in the music scene, Howard’s music is a wonderful example of folk rock, or rather a contemporary take on folk music. I find myself enamoured by artists like Ben who have voices that need to be heard but are often overshadowed by bigger and [some] overrated names.

Mostly consisting of just bass, drums and acoustic guitar, ‘Only Love’ is a simplistic yet pleasurable listen. It is utterly addictive and has a ‘feel good’ tone to it which is impossible to ignore as Howard’s voice drifts into you. I highly recommend listening to this song if you’re going out for a drive or a walk, or simply sitting down to Sunday brunch with your family.

The lyrics are repetitive but are designed to be so, which make them more powerful like a mantra.

Darling you’re with me, always around me.

Only love, only love.

Darling I feel you, under my body.

Only love, only love.

Give me shelter, or show me heart

Come on love, come on love.

Watch me fall apart, watch me fall apart.
I absolutely adore everything about this song, including the music video which perfectly portrays my perception of the song. Check the song out and let me know what you guys think. :)

Here is a quick list of a few other songs that really calm me down when I’m angry, or give me that little escape from reality once in a while:

1. Litost by the Ambassadors

2. Alone Together by Daley feat Marsha Ambrosius

3. Valerie by Amy Winehouse 

4. Use Somebody by Kings of Leon

5. White Blank Page by Mumford and Sons

There are of course way more but I guess I need to stop typing at some point and go to bed. xD

Hope you enjoy some of the songs listed here. Each one of them is incredible in its own right, one sung by a fallen star and others by rising ones. Life is all about the little things, you guys. :)

Do comment and let me know about your favourite little heavenly songs.

Don’t forget to ‘Like’ me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midnightheartbeat

Take care <3

Lana Del ‘Replay’

So it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything and I apologize because these past few weeks I’ve been travelling, and let me tell you guys, the best thing about Europe is the street musicians. In most towns and cities I have visited in Europe in my life, there is always a place designated for entertainers. Now entertainers can range from acrobats to magicians to people pretending to be statues, but my favourites will forever be street musicians. From guitarists on the road-side, to saxophone players in the subways, music seems to find a route straight to my heart. I will be putting up a few street musicians who really made an impression on me during my trip, so do check back and have a look at that. ; )

Alright, so I have a new obsession. Guessing by the title you probably already know who I’m talking about, and if you don’t well then I hope this post does a good job of introducing you to someone who I think will definitely make a mark in the music industry in the years to come.

Elizabeth Grant or Lana Del Rey is one of the best singers of our generation. There, I said it. In this age of electronically processed meat-I mean music, Del Rey has burst into the scene with a brand new perception on youth and music. While everyone else is shaking their rather prominent derrieres to annoying and repetitive beats and blending together into one hazy blur, Del Rey is breaking boundaries and swaying into the picture with class and grace that has gone missing from the industry.

From the second I first came across Del Rey’s music video for her single  ’Born To Die’, I was completely sold. I knew that this girl would be huge someday and sure enough her videos have all gone viral and ‘Born To Die’ has hit number one in multiple countries along with ‘Video Games’.  Her second studio album Born To Die climbed to the top of the charts making her one of the breakthrough artists of 2012.

I think the best metaphor for her voice would be a glass of single malt whiskey. Smokey, deep, honey-toned, timeless, yet sharp and with a taste that lingers long after it’s gone… all round a rather pleasant experience for me personally, reminding me of Nancy Sinatra and in places, Sade Adu. She sings in a deep and heavy contralto, occasionally flitting up and down the scale, showing off her vocal skills successfully in most of her tracks.

While it is extremely hard to just pick one, ‘Born to Die’ is definitely my favourite track from this record. I am a person who enjoys tragedy and drama as themes-just ask my literature teachers how much I loved Hamlet- so ‘Born to Die’ held a special kind of appeal for me. The video is one of the most beautiful and artistically done music videos I have seen in a long time, and Del Rey is known for her visually stunning videos infused with 50s and 60s Americana pop culture.

The thing I have most noticed about Lana Del Rey is that people either hate her or love her. Her genre is a mix of alternative and indie pop and these are genres that were not widely popular until just a few years ago. Even now people are hesitant to deviate and explore these various branches of music which is a pity. Some critics have called Born To Die ‘repetitive and depressing’, but I believe that was pretty much the general theme going on there which involves lost love and the pain related, so I’m surprised they thought it would be a bright summery walk in the park.

All said and done, I absolutely ADORE Lana Del Rey, and feel she has brought something most people tend to overlook, back into music: Talent and vision. Some of the key tracks in Born To Die which are definitely worth checking out are:

1. Blue Jeans: I’m attaching the video because again, it is just too beautiful and extremely well-shot.

2. Summertime Sadness

3. Born to Die

4. Video Games

I myself have a playlist on my iTunes dedicated just to Lana and can’t stop listening to it. If you like the music and it’s your thing, you can buy the album on iTunes.

On Being a Tokio-Addict

As you may or may not know I have a huge thing for Bill Kaulitz, frontman of German rock band Tokio Hotel. Now I have been pretty upset due to the lack of activity in the band’s musical life for the past 2 years and to be honest I am not fangirling as much as I used to. Don’t get me wrong. I will always love this band. But as a devout fan for the past 6 years, is new music too much to ask of them? I mean do your job! We fans paid for those cars, gym memberships and expensive sunglasses, you know.

It’s come to the point where we are all looking at new photos of the Kaulitz twins and going ‘yes you look extremely sexy, but when is the new album coming out?’. When a Tokio-Addict poses such a question, you know we’re pretty desperate.

So when Cherry Tree Records finally announced that Bill has collaborated with Far East Movement on a new song set for release in May, I felt that surge of fangirling-spirit returning to my Tokio-starved body. Now this collaboration is clever. Far East Movement, who I absolutely adore, are pretty big when it comes to number ones on international charts and collaborations with top artists like DEV, Justin Bieber, Ryan Tedder and Kid Cudi.

If this new song titled ‘If I Die Tomorrow’ from FEM’s upcoming album Dirty Bass is a dance number rather than something slow and mopey, I predict it to be a huge hit, especially amongst us Aliens. It could really put Tokio Hotel on the global map with worldwide airplays and hits on YouTube. If it’s slow and mopey, it might just remain within the playlists of the existing Aliens and fail to crack the global charts because, let’s face it, it won’t be anything radically new, and 2012 is about being FRESH.

I am personally hoping for something that pretty much defines the term ‘dirty bass’; In other words I’m dying to see Bill Kaulitz get down and dirty, especially due to the rather ‘bad-ass’ look he’s going these days. [Excuse me while I shamelessly add yet another picture of him]

He seems to have a point to prove with this new hippie-thug avatar which I don’t entirely dislike, so I hope he delivers keeping in mind our high expectations and doesn’t crash and burn. I am crossing my fingers and wishing with all my heart that there is a music video coming along with the song because his announcement on the BTK App of ‘shooting something’ excluding the rest of the band could mean a video for ‘If I Die Tomorrow’. My obsession shall then resume with the same, if not greater, intensity. Until then, I shall continue trolling Cherry Tree Records’ Twitter for more news.

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Losing A Legend

I can’t really call myself a ‘big fan of Whitney Houston’. In fact I was only deeply in love with one of her songs which is of course the eternal ‘I Will Always Love You’, so I’m not going to come at you sprouting lies of ‘oh I was always such a huge fan’ as most people are nowadays. But the morning my father told me that one of the greatest legends of music had passed away, I did feel an immense sadness well up within me.

Whitney has always been a topic of discussion across the globe, and to be honest the horrid things said about her toxic marriage, drug addictions, weight loss and music in the past few years has rivaled that of only Michael Jackson. Which brings us to the question: How long can a celebrity bear the pressure? How long before they crumble under the immense weight of the entire planet juggling around accusations, rumours and scandals?

Michael Jackson

The truth is the majority of us are immersed in the gossip of celebrity lives and no matter how much we want to convince ourselves that we are not a reason for them to feel pain, our words/actions and responses to their work have a lot to do with their troubled psyches. The way of the world is such that this pressure will not ease. Celebrities sign up for a life of  speculation and have to learn to balance the workload, the criticism and the praise. I know I’m being a little harsh, but a fact is a fact.

A lot of what decides the fate of a celebrity lies in their own hands. It’s all about how you cope with the cards handed to you. Sometimes celebrities shove their own fates down the toilet when they involve themselves in the world of drugs, alcohol and ceaseless partying. Examples of incredibly talented musicians we’ve lost due to this include Jimi Hendrix, Elvis, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson and most recently the beautiful Whitney. All these deaths either involved alcohol and/or prescription medication, all of which indicated these people were under some immense stress or carried a huge burden that they ended up succumbing to. It doesn’t help that they are constantly surrounded by people who lead them on the believe a snort of cocaine or a drink will fix all the problems.

Amy Winehouse

It’s incredible how much pain each of these human beings, humans like you and I, had faced in their lives. In most cases it seemed like things were turning around for them and they were ready to make amends for the mistakes they had made but were snatched away before it had all even begun. Michael was about embark on his incredible ‘This Is It’ tour. Amy was in the middle of recording a new album and was reconnecting with her fans. Whitney was all set to attend the Grammys which took place just a day or two after she died. It is so painfully ironic they left things unfinished just when they were on the path to recovery.

On a brighter note there are musicians in the industry who have tasted but conquered the hypnotic power of drugs and are living inspirations to people around the globe. Some of these courageous celebrities include Marshall Mathers aka Eminem, David Bowie, Keith Richards [The Rolling Stones], Ozzy Osborne [Black Sabbath], Dave Navarro [Jane's Addiction] and Elton John.

Dave Navarro

These musicians have proved that there is always a way to conquer your demons and though it might take time, money, strength and cause immense physical and emotional pain, the outcome is always worth it. It really is a tragedy when the world loses a musician of immense talent because the person had so much more to contribute to the music industry as was the case with Whitney Houston. There were so many songs left to sing,  people to meet and thousands of smiles to inspire.

One thing is for sure, however. We will always remember Whitney for her beautiful smile, immense talent and powerful voice. She is and will continue to be an inspiration for millions around the globe. Rest in peace Whitney. We will always love you.

It’s time to ‘Do It Like A Dude’

I think I really owe VEVO. Honestly. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have come across the shot of vodka that is Jessie J. This woman is one of those artists that make you want to get up and jump about. Is she a unique addition to the music industry? Not really. Is the music something we haven’t seen before? Err… But do we love her anyway? The answer is a resounding YES!

The first song of her’s I heard was ‘Price Tag’ featuring rapper B.O.B., and let me tell you: I loved it. Yes it’s a bit of a cliche and yes we’ve heard songs similar to this about happy times and the goodness of man and such, but then again, why complain when happiness knocks at the door?

This woman has the right amount of attitude as well as a bright personality. She started off as a songwriter for musicians including Miley Cyrus and Chris Brown, having partly written the lyrics of ‘Party in the USA’ . She finally started her solo career in 2011 with her debut album Who You Are. The songs are about individuality ['Who You Are', the title track],  independence ['Who's Laughing Now'] as well as feminism ['Do It Like a Dude'], and she has joined the ranks of the women in the music industry that are icons to young girls all over the world. Her success in the UK with ‘Do It Like a Dude’ propelled her into stardom, and she made her debut in the USA with ‘Price Tag’ which established her as an international celebrity.

She does remind me of Pink to be honest, especially if you look at how similar the songs ‘Perfect’ by Pink and ‘Price Tag’ are… She also channels a little bit of Katy Perry, and I think you’ll see what I mean after you watch a couple of her videos.

All said and done, Jessie J is what I’d like to call a ‘happy pill’. When I’m down in the dumps and need something to take my mind of things, I  log on to YouTube and tune in to one of Shane Dawson’s videos or listen to Jessie’s song ‘Domino’. I’m not a big fan of the video, because while she does look stunning, it’s nothing but a few shots of her in different outfits with a giant projector screen behind her. But I absolutely love jamming out to the song. I usually dance around my bedroom in my underwear lip-syncing ’Domino’ [or 'Marry the Night' by Lady Gaga, but that's another story]. While Jessie may not be someone as ground-breaking as Gaga, she definitely has brought a special spark into music, and life wouldn’t be the same without her.

If you ever have a day where the sun don’t shine and you need a pick me up, Jessie J is definitely someone you can turn to. Key tracks you have to listen to are ‘Price Tag’, ‘Domino’ and ‘Who You Are’. I do love her look which is sort of Katy Perry met a flapper from the 1920′s and then bumped into Rihanna. One thing I always notice about her are her nails and lipstick which are both flawless and creative. I love the way she involves so much colour and life into her appearance, every video, and every performance. She’s energetic, talented, lovable and beautiful and has a brightness about her that no one seems to be able to match up to.

So check out Jessie J and brighten up your day!! … That half-rhyme was ridiculous wasn’t it? But you guys love  me anyway! ;D

Peace out!

Ridz <3

The ‘Wow’ Factor

Linkin Park is one of the most iconic bands in the world today. The sheer integrity and tremendous power in their lyrics and performances are what makes them a success among the masses. Combine lyrics that have been written to save the world with Chester Bennington’s impressive vocals and you have yourself a Grammy winning band that has made a positive mark on our planet. From anthems about political and social stigmas in our lives with ‘What I’ve Done’ to songs about personal struggles and individual experiences, such as ‘Numb’, Linkin Park is a band that I have immense respect for. Their songs get me thinking about life, death and all the things in between, and sometimes even about what comes after.

My favorite thing about Linkin Park is undoubtedly Bennington. He literally breaks boundaries when it comes to vocal skill, touching the highest notes of each song with ease and raw power. His control over his voice is truly astounding and I for one am dumbfounded every time I hear him sing.

One of the best performances ever by Linkin Park has to be their cover of Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’.

Now I’m a huge fan of Adele, and ‘Rolling in the Deep’ is definitely one of my most loved songs by her, but I just felt that Linkin Park’s version of the song channeled the emotions that come along with the lyrics better than the original.

It is very rare when the cover version of a song as legendary as this one goes viral on the internet, let alone becomes a favorite among fans of both artists concerned. I remember what an epic fail Miley Cyrus’ cover version of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana was. It still makes me shudder when I think about it. Nasal banshee, much? In any case, Linkin Park’s cover of Adele’s song spells ‘success’ in capital letters and Bennington brings out the undertones of grief below the anger and ferocity of the song, something I didn’t really feel while listening to the original.

What I like best about the video of Linkin Park’s cover, is the fact that it is live and Linkin Park’s fans are singing along with Chester. It’s beautiful how they know they lyrics by heart before-hand and are joining Bennington in his rendition of a song that isn’t even his. I believe that sort of togetherness amongst fans is the best part of what the music industry has to offer.

On that note, remember to see how Chester takes all the high notes with ease, and check out the emotions on his face throughout the performance. Also don’t forget to notice how the fans are singing along with him; it’s absolutely magical and makes me wish I was there in the audience that day. Don’t miss this one!

What Makes You Wanna Die?

So I’ll admit it. I’ve actually been seeing pictures of Taylor Momsen all over the internet before I even guessed she was a musician. [I'm not a follower of Gossip Girl.  At all.] Incredibly gorgeous, long-legged and blonde, she came across as more of a goth model of sorts and it wasn’t until I saw a photo of her kissing a microphone did I realize ‘Hey, this one’s a musician!’. Then I Googled her. Needless to say I was pretty impressed when I heard the music.

So this girl’s got an amazing voice. She’s got this deep, sexy voice that could seduce a dead man to walk out of his grave and worship her for eternity. She’s a part of the band The Pretty Reckless, and their sound is a creative mix of Alternative rock and Grunge, which definitely reminds me of Nirvana. Blonde and with a voice to match the depth Cobain’s had, Momsen seems to be making it her personal goal to be the next female Kurt Cobain of today’s music scene.

Their first single ‘Make Me Wanna Die’ from their debut album Light Me Up has revived grunge to a level where people are actually going back and listening to Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam to relive the heydays of the genre. It definitely made me rediscover Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ because of Momsen channeling Kurt Cobain in her very bones. ‘Make Me Wanna Die’ has anger, desperation, resentment and a sense of manic obsession towards the subject of the song, all spelled out with ferocious beats and heavy distortion on the guitars, accompanied by bass to die for. Momsen belts out the lyrics with the control of a young Amy Lee, and while I may not love her as much as I love Amy, I can definitely give her some kudos for her vocal skills.

There is however one thing that I absolutely CANNOT stand about Momsen. Are you ready to hear it? Here goes: She constantly wears/performs in lingerie. Now while some might say it’s sexy, it does absolutely nothing for me. Especially not while she takes her top off in front of thousands of fans in a concert. I’m not usually a prude -As you all know, Lady Gaga is my icon and there are moments of nudity and lingerie there as well- but maybe what irks me about Momsen stripping has  to do with the fact that she’s younger than I would have expected someone who takes their clothes off in public to be. She’s younger than me, and at the time of flashing said audience, she was only seventeen. However we don’t really have control over her wardrobe selections, so I’ll just have to let that one go.

All said and done, The Pretty Reckless are quite impressive when it comes to making music and reviving forgotten legends in today’s auto-tuned, dance-number-dominated world. They are widely accepted among people around the ages of sixteen and above, and a screaming success with dominating the UK rock charts at number one. Their music has impressed me more than I’d like to admit and while they are not a favorite of mine, ‘Make Me Wanna Die’ has seen a considerable amount of replays on my personal playlist. They have been labelled as ‘inspirational’, ‘expressive’ and ‘hardcore’; all of which I agree completely with. Now if only Momsen would put some clothes on…