LP OST Review | Various Artists - Pitch Perfect (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) / More from Pitch Perfect

Various Artists
Pitch Perfect: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack / More from Pitch Perfect
Universal Music
Release date: September 25, 2012

Pitch Perfect is probably my favorite musical of all-time because, well, it is aca-hilarious (plus Anna Kendrick is super hot here)! I went to the cinema, it was kinda empty and I had a blast watching it. Not to mention the guy who sat at my back laughed histerically (and it definitely rubbed off on me that day!). 

The official soundtrack album is filled with the songs they sang in the film, my number one choice is obviously the 'Riff Off', which is a combination of old and new hits from 'Mickey' to 'Like a Virgin', 'S&M' and 'No Diggity'. Thoroughly, it is a fun soundtrack - certainly not for a dance at the club, but rather for a sing-a-long session with your acapella friends (we all had those kind of friends, admit it!). 

The second album, More from Pitch Perfect, is also great because it features eight songs and scores from the movies, from the awesome mash-up of Azealia Banks' '212' with Young MC's 'Bust a Move', to Andy Grammer's 'Keep Your Head Up' and also Yeasayer's 'Rome' - no one will ever know it's a Pitch Perfect's soundtrack if you popped this one in the player.

Both soundtracks are indeed awesome and you'll definitely love them. If you watched the movie and adore all the songs they sang, buy the official soundtrack, but if you're a fan of the scores behind it, get the second soundtrack instead. Or buy both like I did! 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Single Review | Christina Perri - I Believe

Christina Perri
I Believe - Single
Atlantic
Release date: December 30, 2013

Christina Perri is set to open up 2014 with a brand new hit album, Head or Heart (preorder available via iTunes starting December 31 at midnight!). Her second single, 'I Believe', is available together with the album's pre-order and I promise you this: it is the perfect anthem for a brand new year (and the brand new you)!

'I Believe' is a song about closing a chapter and turning a new leaf for a new episode of our life. As her backing vocals are chanting in the chorus, Perri sings her anthemic lyrics "I've died so many times but I am still alive / I believe that tomorrow is stronger than yesterday." 2014 is opening up and this song is the perfect track to commemorate it. 

There's not much to say about this album 'cos I am beyond speechless for its sudden premiere in Just Jared. So, what are you waiting for? Go on and pre-order Head or Heart and get this single (and the first single, 'Human') automatically. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

LP Review | Girls Aloud - Ten

Girls Aloud
Ten
Polydor
Release date: November 26, 2012

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


UK's all-time best selling girl group, Girls Aloud, has parted ways for good but that doesn't mean the fans (including me) will shove their CDs into the charity box anytime soon. Blessed their good hearts, the girls released one final compilation (and a very beautifully done farewell tour) and it's perfect! 

LP Review | Selena Gomez - Stars Dance

Selena Gomez
Stars Dance
Hollywood Records
Release date: July 19, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


Former Disney's star (and Justin Bieber's former lover), Selena Gomez, has released her very own solo album, Stars Dance, after announcing a hiatus-and-go-solo break from her band, Selena Gomez and the Scene. Previously, she was known for her pop rock hits such as 'Naturally', 'Who Says' and her biggest hit then, 'Love You Like A Song'. 

LP Review | Mickael Carreira - Viver a Vida

Mickael Carreira
Viver a Vida
Espacial Musica
Release date: May 7, 2012
By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras
French-born Portuguese singer, Mickael Carreira, bestowed upon us his fifth full-length record called Viver a Vida (released mid-2012) and truth be told, I am not fully inspired by this record at all. 

LP Review | Alicia Keys - Girl On Fire

Alicia Keys
Girl On Fire
RCA Records
Release date: November 22, 2012

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


Alicia Keys is back with her latest album, Girl on Fire, which noted as her fifth album to reached the top position in Billboard 200. The album centers around Keys' motherhood and life after her marriage with producer, Swizz Beat. 

Exclusive | Bastille

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras

It's true to say that Bastille is the biggest upcoming band from Britain: their recently announced UK tour sold out within hours, their hit single 'Pompeii' has become one of the stand out tracks of the year with over half a million sales to date (and over 40 million YouTube views) and their debut album, Bad Blood, has sold nearly half a million copies in UK alone!

Music Video Review | Miley Cyrus - Adore You

Miley Cyrus
Adore You - Single
RCA Records
Release date: December 17, 2013 (Single) / December 26, 2013 (Music Video)

Following the big success of her previous single, 'Wrecking Ball, which shot straight to the top of Billboard 100, Miley Cyrus decided to release another ballad from her latest LP, Bangerz. 'Adore You', which I've covered last week, is generally about being affectionate to your lover. 

The video leaked early today, which prompt Miley to post the video to her YouTube channel immediately. The premise of the video is pretty simple: she's in her underwear, in her bed and apparently someone is videotaping her making suggestive masturbation gestures (shocker? not really). 

Overall, I love how the video feels kinda intimate because she is under the cover of her bed and she looks plain and simple, but that sex tape thingy is just too much. But, that's Miley being Miley, y'know. She can't help it but to create a video that'll surely sparks a lot of hits from the fans, critics and haters. 

Whatever it is, 'Adore You' is still a beautiful song. I wonder where she'll take us for her next video. Oh, please let it be 'FU'.  

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Single Review | James Arthur - Recovery

James Arthur
Recovery - Single
Syco Records
Release date: December 15, 2013 (Single) / December 19, 2013 (Music Video)

He may be unknown to some of us, but this ninth winner of the British (and original-and-cooler) version of the X Factor, James Arthur, is pretty well-known in the UK. 'Recovery' is the third single off his debut self-titled LP and was released to the radio last week. 

There's nothing much to explain about the music video because it's only him singing to a white background, so, yea, I got nothing on that. So, let's talk about the single, shall we...

'Recovery' is a song about being a soldier of war before pursuing in something he believes in (hence the title 'Recovery'), and I think we can actually relate to it in some way, right? 

Arguably the strongest song in his album, 'Recovery' pushes Arthur's voice to the edge. At a certain point, we can hear the pain and struggle as he sings through the verses. It's beautiful, actually, especially in the chorus. I fell for this song at this very part.  

Anyway, I'm sure wanna see more from this bloke. Forget about his recent homophobic slur: he's a songwriter and an expresionist, of course he'll blurted out a few not-so-nice words and people will get offended. He has apologized, so move on, people. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

LP Review | Lorde - Pure Heroine

Lorde
Pure Heroine
Universal Records
Release date: September 27, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


Posting about Lorde (or Ella Yelich O'Connor) makes me feel old but you know what, she's young (17!) and her debut record is one giant pie of anti-consumerism that got her through to that no.1 spot in the only chart that matters in music, Billboard. 

LP Review | Imagine Dragons - Night Visions

Imagine Dragons
Night Visions
Interscope Records / KIDinaKORNER
Release date: September 4, 2012

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


Imagine Dragons' debut full length album, Night Visions, is kinda OK. It is rare to see me listening to such rock record but this one feels good in the ears (and since it is nominated for some Grammys, so why not review it, right?). Released in 2012, the album has surpassed its one year mark in Billboard and it is still rocking it. According to my source, the album has sold 1.7 million copies as of this month in the US alone. 

LP Review | Justin Bieber - Journals

Justin Bieber
Journals
Island Records
Release date: December 23, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


Justin Bieber is growing up and I'm loving it. To tell you the truth, I was never a fan of Bieber before, whether with his personality (then and now) or his music. But, with Journals, I found him as a more matured man instead of a boy singing to a bunch crazy and lunatic little girls known to the world as Beliebers. 

LP Review | Britney Spears - Blackout

Britney Spears
Blackout
Jive Records / Zomba
Release date: October 26, 2007

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


In 2007, amidst her personal drama(s) and paparazzis-filled daily life, Britney Spears released her fifth record, Blackout, four years after 2003's In The Zone. The album, in my opinion, titled Blackout just because the whole album deals with the darker side of fame and love (no, it's nothing like Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster). 

LP Review | Britney Spears - In The Zone

Britney Spears

In The Zone

Jive Records

Release date: November 14, 2003

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras

Late 2003, pop princess (and future queen), Britney Spears, released her fourth album, In The Zone. The album, regarded as her sexual awakening primer and the complete transformation into adulthood, sees Spears leaving her pop roots and venturing into a more urban niche with her music experimentation.

Music Video Review | Austin Mahone - Banga! Banga!

Austin Mahone
Banga! Banga! - Single
Chase / Cash Money / Republic Records
Release date: November 10, 2013 (Single) / December 11, 2013 (Music Video)

Austin Mahone dropped his new music video for 'Banga! Banga!' a week ago and his fans are in love. The brightly colorful music video sees Mahone and his buddies flirting with the sexy ladies (and the camera as well) like any other 17 year old would do in a music video. 

As for the single? The name itself got me hating it even more than listening to it. Sure, I am being harsh here but which 24 year old would like to have a song titled 'Banga! Banga!' in his or her iPod? Sure it ain't gonna be me. 

Regarded as the new Justin Bieber (he's young, he can sing, dance, write songs and he got that look that'll get girls drooling every time he posted shirtless selfies on Instagram), I'm sure we'll get something better soon. His previous single, 'What About Love' is one of my favorite from this year, so, yea, I hope he'll drop another decent pop single to make me forget about this one.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.

Single Review | Miley Cyrus - Adore You

Miley Cyrus
Adore You - Single
RCA Records
Release date: December 17, 2013

Headline-making breakout star of 2013, Miley Cyrus, has decided to release 'Adore You' as her third single off her latest LP, Bangerz. The dreamy oriental-esque tune produced by Oren Yoel, written by Stacy Barthe and it is about being affectionate to your lover.

Described as the highlight of Bangerz, 'Adore You' is a beautiful song and it is one of my favorite from the album as well. Sure, releasing another ballad might be a huge risk on her side, but still, the single is very popular in the chart and the lyric is pretty simple and got that universal appeal to it: "I love lying next to you, I can do this for eternity, you and me, we're meant to be in holy matrimony." 

I have no negative comment for this one. Like I said in the album review, it is the perfect opening track for her album.

The teaser for the video was released in Cyrus' Instagram account the other day and it features her singing to the camera in the bed. I'm not sure if it's gonna be a sex tape or something romantic, but it'll definitely be a hit!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

LP Review | Charli XCX - True Romance

Charli XCX
True Romance
IAMSOUND / Asylum Records / Atlantic Records
Release date: April 12, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


Earlier this year, an EDM-inspired song, Icona Pop's 'I Love It' charted all over the world and the genius behind the song, Charli XCX, a mere 20 year old then, was thrown into the spotlight and her name soar pretty high. I'm not a big fan of the song but when everyone is playing it 24/7 (by "everyone" I mean, my officemate), it is hard not to sing along to it while working. 

LP Review | Jon McLaughlin - Holding My Breath

Jon McLaughlin
Holding My Breath
(Independent)
Release date: September 24, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


Fully funded by his fan and partially backed by PledgeMusic, Jon McLaughlin released his latest album, Holding My Breath, a pop-record that being described as "like its predecessor, doesn't betray its independent origin in the slightest."

LP Review | Twenty One Pilots - Vessel

Twenty One Pilots
Vessel
Fueled by Ramen Records
Release date: January 8, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


Vessel is the first full length release by a Columbus-based duo, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun of Twenty One Pilots. This album is filled with new materials with a mix from their previous independent released LPs, Twenty One Pilots and Regional at Best.

Music Video Review | Katy Perry - Unconditionally

Katy Perry
Unconditionally - Single
Capitol Records
Release date: October 16, 2013 (Single) / November 19, 2013 (Music Video)

Seriously, I'm in love with the video!

Katy Perry's 'Unconditionally' is a goth-inspired music video that talks about the thing that matters to us the most: love (and all those great costumes deserve some attention too!).

In this video, Perry is in a winter wonderland land where every other couples are dancing while she's singing about loving someone without any doubts and she got fire burning from all over her body (well, that is better than having fireworks shining out of your breasts - just saying!). 

Perry promotes the video with one caption that signifies the whole meaning: "Yes, unconditinal love sometimes feels like being hit by a car... Or being on fire... How does it feel to you?"

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Music Video Review | John Mayer - Who You Love (feat. Katy Perry)

John Mayer
Who You Love (feat. Katy Perry) - Single
Columbia Records
Release date: November 4, 2013 (Single) / December 17, 2013 (Music Video)

Oh, the lovey-dovey (and on-and-off) couple, John Mayer and Katy Perry released their first music video together, 'Who You Love' (which I reviewed few weeks ago). 

The video is pretty simple: you'll see Mayer and Perry singing together, while there are tones of images of couples - including them - riding a mechanical bull together and it literally means being together despite the hard times in life (or is there any meaning to this?). 

But this video is still a nice tone for the song. It is a country song, thus, the whole mechanical thing does make sense. Oh from the cover of the single, I seriously thought the video will be something like Mayer singing to Perry while they're lounging on the couch by the fire. Guess not!

Anyway, Russel Brand may hate this. 

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

LP Review | Olly Murs - In Case You Didn't Know

Olly Murs
In Case You Didn't Know
Epic Records
Release date: November 25, 2011

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


In Case You Didn't Know is Olly Murs' sophomore album and was released back in 2011. Today, I decided to review this record just because there is nothing much I want to review over the past few days. So, let's make it my first throwback music series. Can? Yes sure can! 

LP Review | Beyoncé - BEYONCÉ

Beyoncé

BEYONCÉ

Columbia Records

Release date: December 13, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras

Queen Bey dropped the biggest news of the day by releasing her fifth album, titled BEYONCÉ, without prior promo or notice whatsoever. Shocking? Yes, indeed! This is probably the most well-kept secret of 2013 and left the global bees (read: fans) with heart attacks.

Single Review | Lea Michele - Cannonball

Lea Michele
Cannonball - Single
Columbia Records
Release date: November 10, 2013

Glee's one-and-only star, Lea Michele (she played Rachel Berry, the perfectionist freak), has released her very first single as an established singer. The song, 'Cannonball', is the debut single off Lea's upcoming album, Louder. 

'Cannonball' deals with the subject of flying away from the past and blast in a split second like a cannonball to the new-found freedom and future. The chorus is very hopeful and Lea's vocal builds and builds from time to time as she sings: "And I will start living today, today, today, I close the door, I got this new beginning and I will fly, like a cannonball."

Overall, this single is a good win as her debut single. Mainstream radio stations will definitely love to play this!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Music Video Review | Britney Spears - Perfume

Britney Spears
Perfume - Single
RCA Records
Release date: November 4, 2013 (Single) / December 10, 2013 (Music Video)

Thy Holy Spearit has released her latest music video, 'Perfume', off her eighth record, Britney Jean. This is her first ballad since 2005's ode to her then-due baby, 'Someday (I Will Understand)' and to be honest this song kinda OK for me. I'm a big fan of power ballad but this one kinda so-and-so for me. 

'Perfume' deals with jealousy, doubt and suspicion (throw in a little paranoia to the mix) which relatable to most of us - well, if you're some raging bitch that spent 24/7 on her boyfriend's phone ("who is this 'mom', honey? Your new bitch?!"). 

But. Despite the single's poor performance, the music video is very good (the director's cut is even better, actually). It has been a while since we saw Britney in jeans and walking around motels and making out with hot bloke - this is indeed a breath of fresh air for her. Plus, Godney looks GREAT and her acting chop has improved, too (Crossroads, anyone?). 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

LP Review | The Wanted - Word of Mouth

The Wanted
Word of Mouth
Island Records
Release date: November 1, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


British's no.2 boy band, The Wanted (sorry lads, One Direction comes first here), returned with their first album since post American domination (officially, their third offerings), Word of Mouth.

LP Review | Sarah Brightman - Dreamchaser

Sarah Brightman
Dreamchaser
Simha LLC
Release date: January 16, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


It is difficult not to be swept away by Sarah Brightman's latest spellbinding album, Dreamchaser. Yes, this is an album of covers, but the materials are impeccably chosen. By reinventing songs made popular by Elbow ('One Day Like This'), Sigur Ros ('Glosoli'), Wings ('Venus and Mars') and the Cocteau Twins ('Imperdu'); Brightman breathes new life into classics with her ethereal vocals. 

For your information, Brightman is planning to sing some of her new songs in space as she travels to the International Space Station on board a Russian Soyuz rocket. Dream big, sista!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

LP Review | Kanye West - Yeezus

Kanye West
Yeezus
Roc-A-Fella Records / Def Jam Recordings
Release date: June 18, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


Despite looking like a night market bootleg - no cover art and album booklet (major losing point for him!) - Kanye West's Yeezus sits proudly on the throne, selling 327,000 copies in the first week and debuting at number one of the Billboard Top 200 albums. 

LP Review | Skylar Grey - Don't Look Down

Skylar Grey
Don't Look Down
Interscope Records
Release date: July 5, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


After being in the industry for so long, I've been waiting patiently for Skylar Grey's full studio album. She has written songs for Eminem, Rihanna, Dr. Dre, P. Diddy and so many more, so, of course, I expected a lot for this full length LP. 

Single Review | Gin Wigmore - Kill of the Night

Gin Wigmore
Kill of the Night - Single
Mercury Records
Release date: November 7, 2011

Again! I was watching Pretty Little Liars and I heard this sexy and pretty edgy rock tune titled 'Kill of the Night' by a New Zealand pop singer, Gin Wigmore. This song was released together with her sophomore record, Gravel & Wine, back in 2011.

Based from I heard, this song is about seeking revenge from someone, as told by the lyrics: "I'm gonna catch ya, I wanna taste the way that you bleed, oh, you're my kill of the night." Kinda spooky, isn't it? Regardless of the theme, this song is very addictive (and vindictive, too). Just listen to Wigmore's voice? It reminds me of Amy Winehouse and Duffy, with a hint of sex appeal and rocker edge. Oh, I love her!

I'm definitely gonna give this bad bitch one helluva mark!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Single Review | Meiko - Bad Things

Meiko
Bad Things - Single
Fantasy / Concord
2013

I was watching an episode of Pretty Little Liars the other day and stumbled upon this song called 'Bad Things' by Meiko, an indie singer from Los Angeles, California. There's not much that I can tell about her but this song is very intriguing. Her relaxed voice directly grabbed me into the lyrics and composition and I fell in love. "Bad girls do bad things sometimes, but we get by with it" she hummed the words into the chorus and that verse pretty much got me into her - badly. 

So yeah, I wanna share with my readers about this track. Check it out and I am sure you'll love her.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

EP Review | Plain White T's - Should've Gone to Bed

Plain White T's 
Should've Gone To Bed (EP)
Hollywood Records
Release date: April 9, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras

Plain White T's has returned to the music scene with their latest extended play, Should've Gone to Bed. After their last record, Wonders of the Young, died in the chart, I expected a big return from the boys. Love it? Hate it? Well, this record is pretty OK and with only four tracks, this EP is enough to give us the head start of what the T's are currently up to. 

Single Review | Drake - Hold On, We're Going Home (feat. Majid Jordan)

Drake
Hold On, We're Going Home (feat. Majid Jordan) - Single
OVO Sound / Young Money / Cash Money / Republic Records
Release date: August 7, 2013

I'm not a fan of Drake but this song got me to fancy him a 'lil bit. 'Hold On, We're Going Home' is the second single off Drake's new record, Nothing Was the Same. The song is a very soft pop song with that very up tempo breeze and a hint of disco that is very uncommon among R&B tunes. It's a very sweet track in the middle of all those rugged hip hop numbers in the album. I bet you'll love it.

Drake also performed this song during the recent MTV's Video Music Awards. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Music Video Review | Lana Del Rey - Tropico

Lana Del Rey
Tropico ('Body Electric', 'Gods and Monsters' and 'Bel Air')
Interscope Records
Release date: December 5, 2013 

After a very very very long and tiring wait, Lana Del Rey finally released her project, Tropico, a short film comprises of three tracks from her recent extended play, Paradise. One thing I am sure of, this short film is very much has Lana written all over it. From the excessive poetry recitation, random religious iconography visuals and a lot of sexual images - this 27 minutes project is one giant Del Rey mess!

I don't understand what the film is about but I understand this one point: it's a love story told in three different concepts: the first would be the "big sin" of Adam and Eve did in the garden of Paradise ('Body Eletcric), then there's the whole stripper and thug thingy in the second act ('Gods and Monsters'), followed by a blissful romance that looks very Americana in the ol' hippie days ('Bel Air'). 

I'm a huge fan of Lana Del Rey's works but this one is kinda overwhelming (and overproduced). She should've done something simpler and cool off with the whole avant garde thingy for a while (with the exception of 'Born to Die' video - that one was overdone but I j'adore the whole piece). 

Anyway, this Tropico project is the last one from Del Rey's Born to Die era. Upon the premiere, she announced her sophomore record is named Ultraviolance. And that got me excited again after watching and spending my time with this theatrical "film". 

Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars.

LP Review | New Politics - A Bad Girl in Harlem

New Politics
A Bad Girl in Harlem
RCA Records
Release date: May 21, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


I discovered New Politics back in mid 2013 when their single, 'Harlem', is playing all over the city (RapidKL's in-bus television is definitely playing this track every 20 minutes or so - after a while, it's kinda annoying). Apparently, this Copenhagen-based band has released their second album, A Bad Girl in Harlem, in May and I do think it's a good indie punk record. It isn't a knockout like Arctic Monkeys' AM but still, it's a decent album that is filled with straightforward and catchy choruses. Let me tell you this: this album keeps me listening without the need to press the "next" button.

LP Review | Miles Kane - Don't Forget Who You Are

Miles Kane
Don't Forget Who You Are
Columbia Records
Release date: June 3, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


Don't Forget Who You Are is the second record by the English indie musician, Miles Kane. After my first listen, I think the album sounds like any other rock records from the UK. It's a good collection of songs but it sounds the same as any other records that was released back in the 80s and 90s (a mash of the Strokes and the Darkness, anyone?). Don't get me wrong, the album is catchy but none of the tracks screams "original". Anyway, two tracks stand out: 'Better Than That' and 'Bombshells'. 

If you love old school rock, than this album is definitely for you.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.

LP OST Review | Various Artists - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Various Artists
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Island Records / Republic Records
Release date: November 19, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras

I think it is a trend where studios nowadays create soundtrack albums that are studded with tunes by rock and indie acts. In this case, with the likes of Lorde, Imagine Dragons, the Lumineers, Mikky Ekko, Ellie Goulding and Coldplay (and so so so many more) - this should make a great collection. 

LP Review | Rebecca Ferguson - Freedom

Rebecca Ferguson
Freedom
Syco / RCA Records
Release date: November 29, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


X Factor's alum, Rebecca Ferguson, has returned with her second effort, Freedom, a title so gloriously fitted with this album. It's a rare sight to see a former reality stars released a very good record that seems thorough and not over-produced by big producer (in this case, Simon Cowell). Ferguson is one of reality stars that shines through with her musical journey (same goes to Olly Murs, another X Factor's alumni). 

Music Video Review | Steve Grand - All-American Boy

Steve Grand
All-American Boy - Single
(Independent)
Release date: July 2, 2013 (Single / Music Video)

The video has been in the net for quite some time now but it doesn't mean it sucks. Steve Grand, stated as the first openly gay country singer, debut his first single, 'All-American Boy', through YouTube and it went viral! The song and music video pretty much got the same concept: boy falls in love with his straight friend, he gave him a kiss, the guy turned out to be straight after all and they moved on as friends.

The gay-ness of this video is not shocking at all, but the genre is kinda shocking. While most gay songs out there are either bubblegum pop or disco song, this one on the other hand is a good country song. I may not be a huge fan of country, but this song catches on so easily and I liked it. 

P/S: Don't worry, there's no NSFW theme in this music video. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

LP Review | Franz Ferdinand - Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action

Franz Ferdinand
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action
Domino Records
Release date: August 26, 2013

By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras


Franz Ferdinand, a four-piece outfit from Scottland kicked off their career almost a decade ago and now, together with their pledge to make "music for girls to dance to", they are back with their fourth record, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. The truth: I completely love the album! Tracks like 'Right Action', 'Bullet' and 'Love Illumination' are amazing thanks to the solid riffs and funky melodies. So yes, Franz Ferdinand is indeed one indie band that have the ability to craft such sickening catchy hooks unlike any other mainstream bands (sorry not sorry, One Direction).