Tuesday 18 October 2016

Self Pity Party - Week 7

Welcome to the time to let it out and let go. It's alright you're amongst friends. 
Lets get right to it. 


Starting off strong with "Don't Wanna Know" by Maroon 5 feat Kendrick Lamar. I keep hearing this song and its so damn catchy. It was only recently i actually listened to the lyrics and realised its perfect for the blog. I've never been the biggest fan of Maroon 5 but like most of everyone else I do love Kendrick Lamar.



Ne-Yo and "So Sick". His second single from his first album, it managed to get to number 1 in both the UK and the US. I can totally see why. Entertainingly a female singer known as Lil' Vick recorded an answer song to this track, which is about Vick being sick of Ne-Yo's love songs.


Charlene Soraia with "Wherever you Will Go". I am a big fan of the original by the band The Calling however this version of the song just has so much more to it. The first was a perfectly acceptable boy band song for the time period, this is a wonderful love song full of feeling. A little surreal that it was recorded for a Twinings tea advert isn't it?


Continuing my trend of including artists people don't expect to see here with "The One That Got Away" by Katy Perry. This song is actually based on a real ex boyfriend of hers. The late (obviously) actor Jonathan Lewis who was found dead in his driveway in September 2012


Gnash feat. Olivia O'Brien with "i hate u, i love u". This song was the first chart topping track in Australia for both artists. Gnash has included a reference to the Blink-182 track Dammit in the song.


And this week finishes with Jack Peñate and "Torn On The Platform". Ending on a bit of an upbeat and entertaining note. I'm in too much of a good mood to not having something a bit full of energy to end with I think. Interesting fact about Jack Peñate, his grandfather was Mervyn Peake, author of the Gormenghast novels. Incidentally totally worth a read.  

So ends another Self Pity Party. Time to put the walls up and the games faces back on. Just don't forget to let them down from time to time.


Tuesday 11 October 2016

Self Pity Party - Week 6 Hip-Hop Special

So after a short break I return with a hip hop special edition of the Self Pity Party on its new slot of Tuesdays. I didn't like it on Sunday night, not a great night for the theme I think. Don't want to feel that down before Monday morning, for that way madness lies. So onwards. Let's start big.  



That was The Weeknd with "Wicked Games". Now anyone that knows me and my music tastes know I absolutely love The Weeknd, so the fact it's taken this long for me to put him in one of these is amazing. This was the debut single for the Canadian superstar and what a single. If you haven't heard his whole album by now i recommend it. You need it in your life!



Next we turn it up a notch, Jhene Aiko with "Lyin King". Here is another artist that i cannot get enough of, I've got everything she's done and if you could wear out mp3s like a cassette tape I would have with hers.



"You & Me" by Marc E. Bassy feat. G-Eazy. This song has so much going for it, good vocalist, hook that is catchy as hell, an awesome dub drop and a rapper you've never heard of. What more could you want in a song? The chorus line is such a wonderful description of a familiar awkward situation.



This is Fort Minor and "Where'd You Go. I've hopefully made it link a minute into the song, i'm sorry if it didn't work. Many will recognise the lead of this band as co-lead vocals of Linkin Park, Mike Shinoda. With the way life seems to turn out so many people have to work away from their families for whatever reason. Things can get so busy we can forget to tend to the people we work so hard to provide for.



"The Worst" Jhene Aiko. Ok so I squeezed a second song by her in. I couldn't help myself, she just sounds so good. That's all there is really to say, it's a great song and I wanted it on the list.




That was Phonte with 'The Good Fight'. I've got a soft spot in my heart for rap that describes everyday life that isn't shooting people or getting high. The schemes in this song are so smooth, they tell a great story people can totally get behind. Not to mention his flow is great.

So there ends this hip hop special on a cold Tuesday evening. I hope you've enjoyed these tracks, and will come back next Tuesday for the next installment of the self pity party.

Just here saying relax and take a breath, don't worry, you can handle it.