Issue No. 16 - Youth & Lust
Final Days: A Playlist for the End of Summer
Final Days: A Playlist for the End of Summer
There's something intrinsically haunting and tragic about the last month of summer. It's not just the approach of school and colder weather, but also the confusing mix of lament of days gone and excited anticipation of days to come. To accompany those fleeting days, here's a playlist full of summer songs tinged with that mixed sense of both loss and excitement.
1. Vacation - The Go-Go's
2. Common People - Pulp
3. Magic - The Cars
4. Shut Up Kiss Me - Angel Olsen
5. A Night Like This - The Cure
6. Talk of the Town - Pretenders
7. This Night Has Opened My Eyes - The Smiths
8. Pin - Grimes
9. Change - The Lightning Seeds
10. Beast of Burden - The Rolling Stones
Your Ultimate Summer Playlist
Your Ultimate Summer Playlist
 |
| Lianne La Havas |
1. Fool - BØRNS (Or maybe just the entire album "Dopamine")
2. Bad Decisions - Two Door Cinema Club
3. War Zone - Jr. Jr.
4. Body Gold (Louis The Child Remix) - Oh Wonder
5. Guess Who - Alabama Shakes
 |
| Alabama Shakes |
6. Dancing on the Sun - Bahari
7. Tokyo - Lianne La Havas
8. Gorgeous - X Ambassadors
9. Moonwalk Away- Goldfish
10. Kamikaze - MØ
11. Lose It (Jerry Folk Remix) - Oh Wonder
12. Puzzle Pieces - Saint Motel
Coasts: An Album Review
Coasts: An Album Review
 |
| Photo courtesy of Bring the Noise UK |
Rarely is it that I find an album that is consistent in sound and I find all songs likeable. So when a special album like Coasts’ 2016 self-titled collection is released, I cherish it and hold on to it because who knows when a favourable album like their’s will come along next.
I was first introduced to the five-piece English band when I heard their most popular song, Oceans. I’ve had it on my iTunes playlist for some time, but I picked up their full album only recently. I was hooked as the track list rolled through. I was, and still am, mesmerized by the summery, sun-kissed beats that make summer feel endless.
There are sixteen songs on the deluxe album, including A Rush of Blood and Wallow. All of the tracks share a similar sound, something many artists struggle to establish. While driving with Coasts pumping out of the car speakers, windows rolled down, breeze pushing your hair back, you can mistake the album for a nostalgic time-piece, infusing freedom and adrenaline into your veins. Personally, I think Coasts’ album feeds any mood and setting, regardless of the circumstance. Whether you’re sitting around a fire with friends on the beach, kicking off your summer road trip, or walking home from a less than pleasing night; Coasts have a song for the context.
For the most part the tracks are upbeat indie/rock/pop based, and supply the listener with an evocative wave of affection, leading you to miss the One That Got Away. “The whole album is inspired by so many different genres of music,” said the band in a Vevo interview. It is hard to define Coasts’ sound, as they draw influence from every corner of the music scene. Although they ooze originality, I would compare them to sounds like Wildcat! Wildcat!, Amber Run, Panama Wedding and Magic Man.
 |
| Photo courtesy of Long Island Pulse |
Because I enjoy the album so much, it’s hard to pinpoint any negatives. However, there is always room for improvement. In the future, I would love to see Coasts collaborate with a female voice; it would put a different spin on their already unique sound, and I think it would open up many opportunities to expand their career and exposure.
Some of the less memorable songs like, Your Soul, Wash Away and Let Go, act as buffers to bring you from the beginning of the album to the end, without really noticing that you played the middle pieces already. The first half of the album is arguably stronger than the last half, with songs like Wolves, Lions and Modern Love pulling you into the calming blend of Stay, Tonight and As Long As I Need You. As a whole, however, the songs mesh together to create a familiar story of love and loss.
Needless to say, if you are looking for a summer anthem that allows you to drift into September with memories of spontaneous nights by the water and running from the realities of life, check out Coasts and their self-titled debut album.
Loud Fashion at Lollapalooza
Loud Fashion at Lollapalooza
Photography by Zoe Rain
Music festivals are in many ways the new runway... A beautiful showcase of diverse fashion is readily apparent at any major festival. Coachella, perhaps, is the most well known of these showcases, with celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Shay Mitchell putting on display unique and fun trends. Lollapalooza last week was no exception-- music goers from around the world as well as local Chicagoans gave us interesting, fierce, and sexy looks.
Photography by Zoe Rain
Grunge, rebel chic has been a popular trend in recent decades. Lollapalooza looks gave us strong nostalgia for the 90s; from all-black gothic apparel to torn denim in its various forms, the throwback was real in Chicago last week.
Photography by Annie Lesser
Converse are always a popular go-to for music festivals. Not only are they comfortable for dancing all day long, but their simplicity allows for them to be worn with any outfit. Colored mirrored lenses are definitely having their moment too, and effortlessly make any festival outfit playful and exciting.
Photography by Emily Adams
So what if it's hot in Chi-town? A full length dress doesn't scare some festival-goers who donned gorgeous maxi dresses, some with elegant slits to allow their legs to breathe. A beautiful maxi dress was readily made rebel-chic by the above Lollapalooza attendee, making for a serious glam moment.
Photography by Joey Hill
Jumpsuits are becoming a huge staple in festival-wear, as they not only allow for comfortable breathing room, but they can also be effortlessly super chic. The striped jumpsuit above lengthens the Lollapalooza goer's legs, and places emphasis on her décolletage where she paired the look with an elegant gold chain.To get the music festival look, it's important to put comfort first and trendiness next. Great festival apparel can be found on Etsy, your local thrift or vintage store, or perhaps in your own closet. It's all up to your creativity and ultimately how your taste in music inspires your look.
Social Media: We Have the Power
Social Media: We Have the Power
 |
| Photo by Kate Opre for Mad Sounds Issue 16 - Youth & Lust |
Why are people wasting their time and energy on social media putting up hateful things, saying things they don't really mean, making negative-drama filled statuses/posts, or making ignorant comments on something they know absolutely nothing about? As the saying goes, “you get what you give”. By using social media as a negative outlet, you are only drawing negative attention your way. I will never understand why people enjoy letting others know what drama they have in their lives. Why do people go out of their way to bash, target, or make fun of someone who doesn’t even know they exist? You are only spending your precious time and energy on them, while they are not even thinking twice about you. Why is it also so hard for people to just move on when they come across something they do not like? Just because you don't like it or don't understand it, doesn't mean that it is wrong or deserves hate. I am fully aware that social media is mainly used as an expressive outlet. I'm not saying that you can't voice your opinions and views, but do so in a manner that is respectful criticism.
You may be one that looks at social media as something that has corrupted us all. You probably wish you could go back in time where social media wasn't a thing, but guess what? You can't. It is a crucial and functional tool of our growing society and it is up to you to make the best of it. If you use it in a negative context, you will only view it in a negative context.
To me, social media is one of our greatest tools we have been given. You can educate millions, spread love and positivity across cities, states, and countries, support talents, connect with your greatest inspirations and idols, bring awareness, create content that can go viral, form a unique bond with people from all over, be more involved, start a business or campaign, keep track of your memories, and inspire and motivate people just by the simple click of a button. It has widened the world we live in.
So if you didn’t know by now, you have the power to choose how you use these simple yet powerful outlets.
Brand New: Emo Punk Circa 2003 Isn't Dead
Brand New: Emo Punk Circa 2003 Isn't Dead
photo by Ryan Vestil
Modest Mouse & Brand New have been co-headlining a tour across the nation the last month, and I was lucky to attend a show along with 17,000 other people packed into The Forum in Inglewood, California. I’m a relatively reserved person and the expression of any excitement is something strange, especially to myself. That’s why it was a bit surprising to find myself in the middle of a mosh pit yelling every lyric four songs into Brand New’s set. However, this level of emotion that I had during this show made me realize something: for as many fantastic new bands that there are coming out with great music, the one’s that we grew up with will always hold the place closest to our heart and seeing them live will bring back a flood of memories comparable to nothing.
I was lucky enough to avoid the influx of terrible pop music that was prevalent during the mid 2000’s. Rather, I grew up on a steady stream of bands such as The Strokes, The White Stripes, and Manchester Orchestra. However, out of all the bands that I spent hours locked in my room listening to as a young teenager, Brand New will always be my favorite. The first time I heard their music I was 12 and in my brother’s car. Something just caught my attention with the amount of anger expressed in the line:
“I’ve seen more spine in a
jellyfish”
“I’ve seen more guts in
eleven year old kids”
This
line was found on their album “Your
Favorite Weapon” and was released when I was only six. From that first punk album, the band rapidly
involved into a genre-breaking group who’s only standards seemed to be to
remain as honest, aggressive, raw, and poetic as possible. Considering that I was a bit of a late-comer
to the band’s music I was able to listen to their next two albums within the
course of the same day as discovering their music I found that their music had changed from their first album into something much more mature and though provoking. They had grown up before I even had a chance to watch them do so. Although their style of
music changed drastically with their next two releases, one thing remained the
same: they connected to me as a teenager in a way that nothing or no one else
had. The music found in these three
albums was right beside me through every high and low of my teenage years (and,
as I’m sure you know, being a teenager brings plenty of these). I was only able to experience the thrill of a
release of a new album from the band one time and that was with 2009’s “Daisy”. To be honest, the album was a bit of a disappointment. It seemed to be telling of what had to be an
unavoidable end for the band. It was an
impression that I didn’t like thinking and was luckily put to rest upon seeing
them live.
photo: Ryan Vestil
One of the songs performed at the show contained the lines:
“I hope this songs starts a craze
The kind of song that ignites the airwaves.
The kind of song that makes people glad
To be where they are,
With whomever they're there with.”
photo: Danielle Gornbein
Most people grow out of their teenage feelings and stuff them behind a combination of maturity and diminished hormones. They forget the feelings they experienced as a teenager that grew them into the person they've become because they seem to believe there's no room for those feelings anymore. I don't ever want to do that. I know I wouldn't be the same person I am today if I didn't have this band's music to listen to growing up. For that reason, regardless of whatever new indie bands I'm listening to at the moment, Brand New and the rest of the bands I grew up on will always have the place closest to my heart. Some kids connect with music more than anything else and it shapes them into the person they are. I always have been and I always will be one of those "kids". I found it refreshing to reconnect 8 years later with the same kid who fell in love with a band and see that regardless of whatever issues I'm dealing with now, a month away from turning 21, that kid deep-down hasn't really changed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
