Top Tunes: December

Fall Out Boy - The Kids Aren't Alright

"I'm passive not aggressive, take note it's not impressive. Empty your sadness like you're dumping your purse on my bedroom floor"

Taylor Swift - Blank Space

"Screaming, crying, perfect storms I could make all the tables turn, rose garden filled with thorns"

Sinclair - The World Is Ours

"Nobody can tell you to love somebody you don't, if you don't"

Taking Back Sunday - All The Way

"Knock you back and off your feet and when that push comes to a shove we've got a headfirst kind of love"

Blitz Kids - Perfect

"Settle up and quiet down my head is ringing out and i've got nothing to say to you"

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

2014 Round Up: Favourite EP's

Anavae

Parallel Dimensions

Favourite: Hang Man

Mesmerising re-workings of already beautiful songs is top of this list. There's no repetitiveness just pure creative imagination. Becca's vocals sound so delicate and assertive all at the same time and the quiet layers of synths and keys whirl with her stunning voice, a perfect complementary combination. A new side, new life is brought to these songs I wouldn't mind hearing a parallel version of everything if Becca and Jamie are in charge.

Versa

Neon

Favourite: Wanderlust

A short three songs long and i've spent the rest of the year just dying for more music from this cosmic duo. Sierra hits the nail on the head lyrically, her vocals are so lush and Blake is basically the king of synths. 

Echosmith

Acoustic Dreams

Favourite: Terminal

I am a sucker for anything acoustic. I can't help it. Plus a previously unheard track 'Terminal'  makes an appearance and its quite possibly the best song they've ever written.

Sinclair

Sweet Talk

Favourite: The World Is Ours

Sinclair has got to be my favourite find of the year so please, please go and check her out.

Four Year Strong

Go Down In History

Favourite: Living Proof Of A Stubborn Youth

Long time favourites of mine returned with a fiery pop-punk EP that made me wanna get up and take over the world... or something. New album soon please. This stuff is addicting. 

2014 Round Up: Favourite Gigs

Paramore

Reading Festival
Obviously any year where I get to see my fave trio is fantastic and every time i've seen them has been incredible but this Reading appearance, although having the potential to be destroyed because of shitty sound, actually ended up being more magical because of it. They prove to me time and time again why they're my favourite and, if possible, make me fall more in love with them. Side note: apologies again to those who were near us and heard our singing. You may have mistaken us for cats fighting.

Tonight Alive

Cardiff, Solus 27/11

Oh my days these guys have just become so heartbreakingly stunning live. Their Reading performance was amazing and a good warm up for this show but it had nothing on the passion and energy in that room. This tour felt important and that night felt poignant.

Fall Out Boy

Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena 15/03

Blargh, Fall Out Boy, still questioning how I made it through their four year break. I mean what a show this was - I got to see The Pretty Reckless, there was an acoustic middle, a drum solo and they played 'Save Rock And Roll.' Quite honestly it felt a lot like dying and going to heaven.

A Day To Remember

Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena 26/08
One cancelled gig, several months and a Reading performance a day beforehand and I was finally at their headline show which absolutely did not disappoint. The set list was excellent and the fun they bring to their shows was infectious enough to carry throughout the entire the arena which in itself is amazing to see them playing venues of that size. Just a couple of years ago I saw them in university cafe.

Taking Back Sunday
Bristol, o2 Academy 08/12

Finally. FINALLY. After something like 13 years listening to them I saw them live with my brother and sister and it was just everything I could have dreamed it being. Not many words are required here because they simply would not do the night any justice. They carry the prize for the loudest crowd moment i've ever witnessed.

The Wonder Years

Cardiff, Great Hall 06/05

They provide an emotionally charged, safe place to expel ones demons and make everything ok and for that I will forever be thankful. Whether at their own headline show or Reading festival they win all the awards and gratitude for simply existing.

We Are The In Crowd

Cardiff, Slam Dunk 27/05

Earlier in the year I saw them at their headline show where we had M+G and they were epic and then their Slam Dunk performance was even better. They're seriously coming into their own and becoming quite unbelievably striking.

La Dispute

Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach 17/05

The very first time I saw them and they were brilliant. They're so unique in their sound and performance, its very raw and the energy is like a shaken up bottle of coke just waiting to explode - which of course for King Park it does.

Mayday Parade

Cardiff, Solus 03/02

I discovered a new band, affirmed my love for another, finally got to see Man Overboard after years of trying and was turned into an emotional wreck thanks to the triple threat of 'Miserable At Best', 'Stay' and 'Hold On To Me.' Pretty standard then for a Mayday gig.

New Found Glory

Cardiff, Solus 23/11

I'll probably never tire of seeing these guys live especially if they keep dragging out songs like 'Hold My Hand' and 'The Story So Far' and, incidentally, bringing said band on tour with them.

Jimmy Eat World

Reading Festival
Like with Taking Back Sunday there aren't really any words that can describe how I feel when seeing Jimmy Eat World. There's a lot of nostalgia, tears and teethy grins. Plus, I saw them twice that day.

2014 Round Up: Favourite Albums

Lights

Little Machines

Favourites: Muscle Memory, How We Do It, Running With The Boys

Earning one of the top spots in my list is the beautiful synth-pop Little Machines. From start to finish it took me on a journey of the last year of my life in particular, sound tracking my trip around Europe for me to relive over and over when I got home. Lights' vocals are sweet and stunning as ever and the musical arrangements draw the very best from her previous albums whilst introducing new elements even on the equally as sublime bonus tracks. My original ramble described Little Machines as breathtaking and a masterpiece and honestly, I still stand by that. 

PVRIS

White Noise

Favourites: Holy, Ghosts, Let Them In

This album is what dreams are made of I swear to whatever higher entity there is up there. If I could write an album this would probably be it. If I could sing I would pick Lynn Gunn's voice. If I could pick someone to work on my album with it would be Blake Harnage. Honestly this has got to be the most impressive debut i've ever heard. PVRIS have found their sound and holy hell is it good. Everything about this album is so incredible I don't really have the right words for it, the only disappoint is that it ends. If you do just one more thing this year please, please, please make it listening to White Noise. 

We Are The In Crowd

Weird Kids

Favourites: Manners, Come Back Home, Reflections

After Best Intentions and seeing them live several times I was wondering whether the five piece would head into a more pop direction or if their second full length would be more punk and Weird Kids kind of does both. I don't think it's necessarily the music with We Are The In Crowd I think it is a lot to do with them. They've made an album which has honed in on their own unique sound that straddles both sides of the fence jumping back and forth for different songs and depending on the crowd. They sound better than ever and their future gets brighter looking every single day.

La Dispute

Rooms Of The House

Favourites: Woman (In Mirror), Stay Happy There, For Mayor In Splitsville
I can't think of any other band that sounds like La Dispute they're in their own league where they continue to make albums unaffected by what the rest of the music world is doing. Rooms Of The House continues to hit hard and beautifully and is verging into Deja Entendu worship worthy territory. 

The Pretty Reckless

Going To Hell

Favourites: Absolution, House On A Hill, Blame Me

Long awaited second offering from The Pretty Reckless exceeded my expectations. Light Me Up was brilliant but made a lot of people stick their noses in the air and I wasn't expecting Going To Hell to be able to change that but I think it did. Yes, in places there was crass immaturity but overall this album has something more to say than 'hey i'm high and underage but please have sex with me.' A couple of the songs are pretty hard hitting, musically they've changed it up a bit dabbling with different sounds and Taylor's vocals shine as ever. 

Moose Blood
I'll Keep You In Mind, From Time To Time
Favourites: Cherry, Bukowski, Boston
ENGLAND HAVE THEIR VERY OWN BRAND NEW CIRCA YFW. There isn't much more to say about this really other than the album artwork is one of my favourite people shot by another one of my favourite people so there's that.

Transit

Joyride

Favourites: The Only One, Follow Me, Ignition & Friction
Transit have done it again. Joyride is yet another exceptional album that I will spin all summer long. I feel bad for people that don't understand their sound and the direction they're going in and can't see past their own ideas for the band because their sound is such a uniquely charming one.

You Me At Six

Cavalier Youth

Favourites: Forgive And Forget, Cold Night, Wild Ones

It took a long time for this album to grow on me. When I first heard it I thought all the songs sounded the same and they lacked any real feeling. Generic music with a generic emotion. Eventually though after listening to it so many times something about the way my brain perceived it changed. It's not Sinners Never Sleep and they were never going to write Sinners Never Sleep Part II because somewhere during that album cycle and the potential break up they grew up. And that's what Cavalier Youth is - a nostalgic, half terrified half hopeful collection of songs for darker summer days.

Taking Back Sunday

Happiness Is
Favourites: Better Homes And Gardens, All The Way, Nothing At All
I have a lot of time for Taking Back Sunday. For me, despite their line-up being anything but, their music has always been consistently fantastic and whatever stage I am at in my life it is always relevant and there for me to go back to. They are a safe place. Happiness Is hits all the emotions with its' sound progressing forward but somehow being more reminiscent of earlier Taking Back Sunday albums.  

Taylor Swift

1989

Favourites: Out Of The Woods, Bad Blood, New Romantics
Ah, Taylor Swift who knew that 2014 would be the year the world watched you learn and grow and turn into a kick butt fairy princess feminist icon? And as for 1989, whilst a lot of the older die hard fans are gutted by the disappearance of the country sound, as a sucker for synths I am completely in love with the synth pop direction. There's straight up love songs, songs blasting the shitty media and songs for shitty friends that all come with excellent vocals and synth goodness. Scattered throughout is a fairy tale theme and on the bonus track 'Wonderland' tips over and, obviously, plays a lot on Alice In Wonderland which made me positively giddy with joy.

Honourable Mentions:

Neck Deep / Wishful Thinking

Real Friends / Maybe This Place Is The Same And We're Just Changing

Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties / We Don't Have Each Other

Charli XCX / Sucker

Tigers Jaw / Charmer

Modern Baseball / You're Gonna Miss It All

Yellowcard / Lift A Sail

New Found Glory / Resurrection

Natives / Indoor War

Bayside / Cult

2014 Round Up: Favourite Songs

Lorde

Yellow Flicker Beat

Paramore

Tell Me It's Okay

Echosmith

Terminal

Fall Out Boy

American Beauty/American Psycho

Tonight Alive

The Edge

Charli XCX 

Boom Clap

Anavae

Hang Man (Parallel Version)

Bastille featuring Grades

Torn Apart

Bring Me The Horizon

Drown

Four Year Strong

Go Down In History

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

Take Me Back: Taking Back Sunday (08/12/14)

So, on Monday night I saw Taking Back Sunday live for the first time ever. They formed in 1999 and since about 2002 when Tell All Your Friends was released they have been one of my favourite bands. I used to switch between their CD's and S Club 7 on my walkman and my sister literally can't remember not knowing them since she was born the same year they formed. I'm pretty sure my first crush was Adam Lazzara. We've grown up with them - gone from toddlers, to teenagers to young adults. As you can imagine they mean quite a lot to us. It just so happens that every time they've toured over here we have either been abroad, tickets sold out before we could get them or we were too young to get in but finally we had tickets.

Having to do a bit of a detour to pick my brother up from Cardiff we were of course late and thought we'd missed first support band Blitz Kids but it turned out that for reasons unknown (even to them) that Marmozets played first. A tad bit gutted because I really wanted to actually see them, as opposed to hearing them on the outskirts of the NME tent, to see whether they could change my mind on the gimmicky impression they had left. However, I was glad I got to see Blitz Kids. From the very start of the set to the end front man Joe James was pitch perfect. Their sound is relatively unique to anything i've ever really heard it's rocky with a touch of pop-punk on certain elements and the main vocals as well as the backing/gang vocals all sounded perfect live. Apparently they don't really have that much support in Bristol but this set, which included tracks like 'Sold My Soul,' 'All I Want Is Everything' and closed with 'Perfect,' was enough to change that and the four piece seemed to notice.

When it was time for Taking Back Sunday the atmosphere in the room made it feel like Jimmy Eat World shows. Its that whole energy that surrounds these bands that have been around for so long and still consistently put out good music, who's shows are still fun and where the members clearly still care. There's no just 'going through the motions' feel to the shows and when they came on to 'What's It Feel Like To Be A Ghost?' and I got that feeling I was so unbelievably happy. It's such a hard feeling to describe, in the past i've tried to explain Jimmy Eat World shows to my brother and I just couldn't but when he turned to me and grinned during 'A Decade Under The Influence' I could finally explain it to him - because he was feeling it. They played through an amazing set list that included a lot of their biggest and best songs from over the years as well as some of their very best newer songs from Happiness Is. The 'Liar (It Takes Ones To Know One)' and 'Timberwolves At New Jersey' duo was absolutely deadly so when the slightly slower 'Faith (When I Let You Down)'  started to be strummed you could feel the relief from the tired crowd, but the intensity of the singing didn't dissipate.

Up until this point Adam and John had been like a stand up comedy act trading back and forth their witty banter but before 'Better Homes And Gardens' Adam became serious telling us how the song almost didn't make the album because it was too emotional for him but that playing it helps him. It was a sobering speech and a powerful performance. Quickly flipping the happy switch Adam was back to joking with the crowd, threatening to 'pop' some guy in the face with his mic before deciding against it "well, I won't but you know I could" being one of the most accurate statements to ever leave his mouth. Watching Adam swing the mic round all night seemingly recklessly but never hitting anyone/himself I don't doubt that he has beyond mad skills with that thing now that i've witnessed it with my own eyes. Strangely there was no mosh pits for 'Error: Operator' but one of the biggest all night for 'My Blue Heaven' which seemed kind of weird but I was far too dazed by the magic of Taking Back Sunday to give it that much thought.
The reception for their new songs was just as unruly, a rare thing for bands of their age, showing how pop-punk gods can grow, change and still produce music that makes their fans show just as much passion as they do for past songs they've grown up with. This was most evident near the end of their set - they didn't do the whole encore thing to save time which was kinda cool - where 'Flicker, Fade' and 'All The Way' sandwiched 'I Know How You Do' with no change in enthusiasm from the crowd. Hearing a full room chant "we won't stand for hazy eyes anymore" gave me goosebumps but not quite as much as 'Cute Without The 'E'" did. A year ago to the date of seeing them I was in the loudest crowd i've ever been a part of at The Final Night Of Sin, the yell of "underdog" had been deafening in the sold out arena but when it came to the bridge in the Bristol o2 Academy that night Taking Back Sunday fans won. The music stopped leaving just us and Adam to yell "why can't I feel anything from anyone other than you?" so scarily loud my mum could probably hear us 100 miles away. Closing a legendary night was of course 'Make Damn Sure' evoking the monsters in us all one last time.

Album Review: Sinclair - Sweet Talk

Every now and then a new artist appears, brandishing a seriously impressive debut and Julia Sinclair is one of them. At five tracks long Sweet Talk boasts diversity across the tracks that come together to create a pretty flawless first effort. There's a story being told here and with the groovy music accompanying it, its one you don't want to miss out on hearing.

Opening the EP is 'Holla' with a laid back pulsing intro Sinclair's vocals drip attitude. Male backing harmonies add another layer that compliment the higher tone Sinclair adopts on the funky track. It's a strong entrance and begins the warm up preparations necessary for the all out dance party 'The World Is Ours' becomes. Allowing the electronics and drum beats to lead the song musically it truly becomes an anthem with an unforgettable chorus claiming "the world is ours and we will have it." However, what really leads this song making it a bold, lively track are the different tones Sinclair accesses becoming both serious and light-hearted with seconds between, telling this story of love and adventure beautifully. Lyrics like 'nobody loves in a straight line' and 'nobody can tell you to love somebody you don't, if you don't' really hit the nail on the head and feel so important Sinclair needs to prepare herself for inspirational status.

Combining elements of the first two songs, title track 'Sweet Talk' is the epitome of attitude and as my sister would say: sass. It's groovy and will no doubt leave your feet aching on your makeshift dance floor (mines my attic room - disaster in terms of repeatedly smacking my head on the beams) but lyrically it makes a stand for all woman desperately clutching for independence and refusing to buy into other peoples' toxic games. Sinclair lets loose - "you don't really love me you just want someone you can control," "you move in close just to twist the knife," - with an absolutely venomous, empowering delivery. It's safe to say she won that battle.

The second half of the EP takes on a somber tone with 'This Too Shall Pass' showing Sinclair's vulnerability for the first time in a fragile manner. Simple guitaring accompanies Sinclair as she croons heartbreaking and totally relatable lines, 'these days its hard to get up, some doors are better left shut.' The chorus picks up, becoming not exactly lighter in tone but a sense of hope and her striking optimism creeps in attempting to knock out all doubts and convince her that 'this too shall pass.' 

A soft twinkle of piano keys forms an effortless transition into the final track 'Heaven On Earth' which, like the title says, sounds a little like heaven on earth. It's a stunning tale told with the maturity of adults twice her age- "I know we're not rolling in dough and what we had left has been blown on bills and cheap Merlot" - but also possesses a devastating childlike innocence - "we could build a castle right here with a couple blankets and chairs." There's a crescendo, an explosion of sheer passion musically and emotionally, drums kick in hard and various vocal layers come to a peak finally relenting to allow Sinclair to quietly sing her last lines "we can make this hell heaven on earth." 

Sweet Talk is a dazzling debut that'll leave you humming for days. The five songs expose different sides and the multitudes of talent of Sinclair. It's a charming little EP that leaves you rooting for her success and dying to hear more. Sounding like the work of an already accomplished artist it's going to be exciting to see what she does next.

Introducing: Sinclair

Instagram

Coming towards the end of the year I'm beginning to put together my end of year lists and what's becoming obvious is that there haven't been any new musical discoveries to shake to them up. A triple threat of factors being that I haven't looked hard enough, I spent time abroad and underground artists are leaving their music behind in tough financial times has left my Introducing section totally bare. However, before the year is out I have one name to save the day and become your new musical crush: Sinclair.
Originally from upstate New York, where she lived just half an hour away from Canada, she moved to Nashville and has since started making music that's alerted the ears of many and earned her a shining reputation. Some of the ears she's captured led to her touring with the likes of Ingrid Michaelson and Graham Colton with perhaps one of the most exciting moments of her career - up until the recent release of Sweet Talk - being her signing to Drive Music in 2013.
Growing up she won multiple awards - both locally and nationally - for her classical guitaring but I for one am so glad she diverted from these classical roots and began experimenting with different sounds and genres to create her own uniquely fun mix of indie pop synthy deliciousness. While the stories she tells in her lyrics often tell of troubling times the upbeat music and her overall positive outlook is inspiring and bound to bring out hardened pessimists' dancing shoes.

Find this talent here:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Soundcloud

Take Me Back: Tonight Alive (27/11/14)

After the release of one of my favourite albums of last year - and perhaps ever - I was eager for Tonight Alive to do a headline tour here on the other side of the world to their homeland. Never one to disappoint they put together the Live On The Other Side tour and also played Reading & Leeds. Their R&L fest debut was made on the main stage where their punk aesthetic and Jenna's soaring vocals charmed the crowds and no doubt encouraged the ticket sales for the already massively popular tour.

Chunk! No Captain Chunk were brilliant openers for the night. With their upbeat pop-punk they had the room bouncing along right from the offset. Their energy filled the room and by the time it came around to their cover of 'All Star' the crowd was putty in their hands, chanting the song back to them. The set was short but sweet and unlike some openers it was memorable which will work in their favour in the future.

Before we get down to the gritty punk of Tonight Alive we were covered in sugary pop by Arizona's The Summer Set. Having seen them enough times by now I knew what to expect: B-Dales pulling some Beyonce moves, sing-a-longs and a well placed cover - and that's exactly what we got. Coming out to 'Lightening In A Bottle' the crowd were timidly into it but second song 'Fuck U Over' was followed by the ever annoying/catchy 'Chelsea' so all timidness was thrown aside and I watched grown men sing as loud as they can. Ed Sheeran's 'Sing' was their chosen cover which gained a loud response from the sold-out room. Finishing up their set with 'Boomerang' the crowd seemed genuinely pleased to have seen them but the feeling that everyone just can't wait for one band and one band only is inescapable.

When Rusted Roots 'Send Me On My Way' started playing I knew we were moments from Tonight Alive taking to the stage. The song ended, another small intro played and then the quintet blasted their way on playing 'The Edge.' The crowd was mighty terrifying, truly one of the most deafening experiences of my life. It was written all over their faces how much this meant to them and their passion for what they were doing was so evident I found myself getting choked up on more than one occasion - and that's a pretty hard thing to do, generally speaking I don't cry.
But it wasn't just the acoustic sing-a-long with Jenna to 'Let It Land' and 'Amelia' where her tears streamed quietly down her face; it wasn't the hilarious and stupidly awesome impromptu cover of 'Killing In The Name Of' and it wasn't even the few occasions I caught the eye of Jenna and Whak and we sang to each other that made the night so special, it's the fact Tonight Alive songs are dark, hopeful and absolutely real. It's hard not to feel personally connected to these songs, whether it's 'Listening' and 'What Are You So Scared Of?' which on some level were written for us, the fans. Or 'Lonely Girl' a song about sucky friendships which I'm sure everyone has had their fair share of from the phenomenal volume of the crowd alone. For me, songs like 'The Ocean' and 'Bathwater' carry a lot of weight in my mind for the exact reasons as Jenna herself - the shit trip that is eczema. It sounds so trivial but when it decides to take over your body it hurts not just physically but mentally and The Other Side was like therapy to me as a listener and to Jenna as an artist. It's more cleansing than copious amounts of Savlon and E-45 ever will be.
The final two songs were vastly different with 'Breaking And Entering' starting mosh pits back up and a fitting finale of 'The Other Side' allowing everyone a moment to let the last hour and half sink in. The show was more than I could have hoped in every single way with everyone leaving saying the same thing: holy fucking shit that was incredible. So while Tonight Alive go back home to write album three we'll all patiently wait with The Other Side on repeat wondering how they're going to top that and not for one moment doubting that they can.

Top Tunes: October/November

PVRIS - Let Them In

"I wanna feel something that's not the weight of your world in my head"

Taylor Swift - Out Of The Woods

"Remember when we couldn't take the heat, I walked out said i'm setting you free but the monsters turned out to be just trees"

Tonight Alive - Bathwater

"I watch the sun coming up over the trees and rooftops, it's like its piercing the sky I wish it all could just stop"

The Story So Far - Things I Can't Change

"This twitch in my fingers love/hate it lingers. Sent it direct but the point must have missed her"

New Found Glory - Hold My Hand

"I'm telling you for the very last time you better know"

Kids In Glass Houses - Matters At All

"As you passed out as a heart throb when you woke up in a day job"

Lorde - Ladder Song

"If I gotta go first I'll do it on my terms. I'm tired of traitors, always changing sides. They were friends of mine"

Paramore - Tell Me It's Okay

"Thought it was my right to be as sorry as I wanted to be, I wasted all my teenage years being a misery factory"

Echosmith - Terminal

"Mum and Dad i'm coming home, she cries out give me a place I know, familiar faces as she runs into their arms. They just want her home"

Transit - The Only One

"Here's where the horror hits home. I figured it all out on my own Heaven is what you make it, Hell is what you're putting me through"

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

Album Review: PVRIS - White Noise

Seemingly from nowhere Rise Records' PVRIS have come crashing onto just about everyone's radar with their synth rock perfection. The trio teeming up with Blake Harnage was a damn good move on their part as he's king of the otherworldly synth sound that they've honed in on for their impressive debut and I for one cannot stop listening/talking/tweeting/blogging about it.

From the get go 'Smoke' shows off layer upon layer of instruments and well placed electronics with Lynn Gunn's unbelievably stunning vocals smoothly working their way around the music with her ethereal lyrics adding to the eerie atmosphere. The heavenly combination works throughout the ten track album where no two songs sound the same but where they all have an impact and part to play in maintaining the magic created. 'St. Patrick' is one of the most upbeat tracks which is so infectious it'll take a lot of Taylor Swift to erase it from your brain. Lynn sings "you're a glimpse of bliss, a little taste of heaven" and honestly that is how I feel about PVRIS right now... and most likely for a long time. The bridge crashes, exposing fragility, "I need a miracle to bring me back to you, I know you're gone now but I still wait for you," but when the synth line kicks back in with added vigour jumping around the room is vital.

This is a band who have not held back in giving their all, clearly determined to leave you pining for White Noise in the rare moments you'll listen to something else. The determination is particularly present on 'My House' where every drum beat, strum of the guitars and every word packs an almighty punch. One of my initial favourites was 'Holy' with its laid back vibes and cutting lyrics with an addicting vocal pattern. It's much more subtle musically than most of the other tracks and you have to listen carefully to hear the different elements, but should you take one away it just wouldn't sound half as brilliant. Four tracks in and if you haven't learnt never to mess with Lynn yet then you're a fool - she holds no bars.

Title track 'White Noise' sounds like what the lyrics describes, "all that comes out is white noise and incomprehensible sounds." The synths are fuzzy and distorted, all so loud its hard to pick out particular lines, the vocals sound as though they're coming from behind a wall quite the opposite to 'Fire' where the picture PVRIS paints is quite clear. Opening with a quiet shake and pulse Lynn speaks her nastiest lyrics with precision before bandmates Alex Babinski and Brian MacDonald join her in the assault with heavy guitaring. Jesse Lacey will likely forever be god of lyrics but Lynn is almost as genius with a hard, unforgiving edge:

"You were a walking talking corpse at best,

and I swear I couldn't wait to get you off my chest.

And when you asked us why we couldn't look you in your eyes

It's hard to find life in something that's already died."

Ouch. Without her delivery they hurt but when you factor in her snarl its downright terrifying. Heart wrenching 'Eyelids' depicts the loneliness and distance with faraway synths and runaway guitars. The piano twinkles, dreamlike, adding to the ironic lullaby sound. Another instant favourite, 'Mirrors' has an absolutely addictive pulsing synth leading the song - another example of where Blake's hands have made a brilliant song incredible by truly understanding the vision here and layering the sounds expertly. Second to last track, 'Ghosts', is equal amounts enchanting and tragic. Intricate guitars and drums open the song with a light brush of keyboards. It sounds hopeful and hopeless all at once. Lynn's vocals and lyrics confirm the heart breaking nature of this beautiful sounding song which explodes on the chorus with Lynn wailing "Why can't you stay?" It's also on this song that Sierra's (Would totally be down for a Versa/PVRIS formation to create one killer band) backing vocals are most present adding to the melancholic beauty. Closing out the album is killer 'Let Them In'. Straight from space synths and a kick drum building, raring to go you know this song is going places. And it sure does. 'Let Them In' ends the emotional journey of White Noise with a sonic blast. The chorus ignites, no one here is holding back. Lynn sings "You can't be tamed for me" and so PVRIS do not tame themselves in the slightest with Lynn roaring the last lines "I let you win, I let you in."

Gathering my thoughts about this album is difficult. It's everything I want in an album and so much more than I think anyone could ever have expected from a debut. There is so much talent evident its overwhelming, thinking about the fact these guys are the same age as me and they've only been together for two years makes me feel remarkably insignificant and infinitely proud. The chemistry between not just the three of them but between them and Blake made this one hell of an album that is not only one of my favourite debuts of all time but currently one of my favourite albums ever. Cliche as it might be to describe an album as haunting but White Noise really is. The synths don't leave your mind, you half expect the guitar riffs to jump out from a closet and yell boo and as for Lynn her vocals and lyrics are mesmerising. A world without PVRIS would be a world missing out.

Take Me Back: Pop Punks Not Dead Tour (23/11/14)

Back in early 2012, when New Found Glory headlined the annual Kerrang Tour, Chad promised to bring America's Pop Punks Not Dead tour to the rainy shores of Britain. Whilst I hoped beyond hope that the line up would be the same I knew it would be unlikely and was still pretty excited that in the end the UK version included The Story So Far  - as was my brother as our attempts at seeing them over the years were almost as useless as our attempts at seeing The Wonder Years used to be.

For the first time in years we were in the doors and getting a drink having only missed one band and not all the supports. Sugary punk arrived in the form of Candy Hearts who had just started their surprisingly enjoyable set. I'd listened to one of their songs a couple years ago and I remember finding it kinda irritating but - what I'm assuming was their newer material - sounded great live and the crowd certainly seemed to agree with me.

Still celebrating the first birthday of their debut album, State Champs brought upbeat enthusiasm to the room with the nights' first mosh pits and crowd surfers. Having clearly read the manual on How To Be Pop-Punk they proved their place on the tour but mid-set chat showed their humble side. Having increased their fan base on The Wonder Years' tour back in May the room was louder with lyrics being shouted back and the bands' smiles wider.

The moment my brother had been waiting for - The Story So Far. I managed to catch them at Reading this year when they opened the main stage but my super fan brother was yet to see them live despite his desperation. Sound checking their own equipment I was pretty sure my brother was gonna pee himself when Parker Cannon came out in a parker and if the excited screams were enough to go by he wouldn't have been alone. The moment they broke into 'Empty Space' the full room attempted to occupy just the front two rows turning into security's worst nightmare. Staying on my own two feet was bloody difficult as the room surged around violently, trying to stay upright whilst aggressively fist pumping and bellowing the brilliantly angry lyrics with more bite than Parker himself. My brother - who without his glasses is near enough blind - got lost in the crush when a particularly large guy came bombing through my side of the room opening a gap for me to find him. In the smaller venue Parker lost his shyness from Reading and joked with the crowd and apart from the non-appearance of 'Mt. Diablo' the set was perfect with every TSSF song with a relatable, pissed off hook included.

Googling the set list pre-show I couldn't wait for New Found Glory as it really was supposed to be the best set list i've seen from them so with fingers crossed I waited. Sure enough the set was the same as what I'd seen online which saw them open with 'Understatement'- a sure way of drawing everyone into madness from the start. Playing a range of songs from across all albums and all eras of their 17 years as a band, the newer tracks, which could be accused of being wishy washy, sounded a lot better live and for me that's how they're meant to be heard.
One of the highlights was the third song in - 'Hold My Hand'. A completely infectious piano led track everyone had teethy grins and dimples the whole way through, the 'do do da doo's' deafening. This was a pop-punk dance party where fully grown adults became dorky twelve year olds for three minutes. A staple to their set is their fantastic cover of 'Kiss Me' which was like letting loose twelve year olds on a bouncy castle. Following on was 'Dressed To Kill' and 'Head On Collision' and the adults were back in their pits - mosh, not ball. Another stand out moment was when Cyrus' drums started 'The Story So Far'. There was a kind of disbelief in the crowd. Arms linked together and voices broke yelling 'and everything else is irrelevant to THE STORY SO FAR.'
Chad told us Jordan was going to cast a spell on us all to make the whole floor turn into a giant mosh pit and Chad was not wrong. Jordan stood on the box, swished his arm around and announced 'My Friends Over You' and in no less than a second the whole floor really was a mosh pit. Their encore consisted of rarely played Sticks And Stones tracks 'Sonny' and 'Forget My Name' before closing this pop-punk fest with 'All Downhill From Here'. They might have been a band for 17 years but see these guys live and they just keep on delivering fantastic show after fantastic show having more fun every time I see them.

Take Me Back: Reading Festival 2014 (Sunday)

Paramore (Friday)

Another year passes and we're back here again - the last day of Reading Festival. It's always a bittersweet day and this year was no exception as the Sunday's line-up was phenomenal. Up bright and early we headed down to the main stage for the start of a pop-punk feast with The Story So Far. With perhaps the largest crowd i've seen an opening band draw in, they certainly didn't disappoint the crowd's clear high expectations. Beginning the sunny day with 'Right Here' the set list churned out twelve of the pop-punkers very best hits, with 'Quicksand' and 'Daughters' appearing early creating the days first hungover mosh pits. 'Empty Space' with that fantastic tune turned into a sing-a-long that left grins on the faces of everyone around and by the time 'Things I Can't Change' came along the crowd was even larger, the singing even louder. Going out with a bang, 'The Glass' and 'High Regard' see the mosh pits expand and angry fists pump high before the bands time is up. 

***

Next to grace the stage was everyone's favourite Aussie's Tonight Alive. Blasting their way on stage with the monumental Spiderman song 'The Edge' there was an instant response from the sizeable crowd, all screams of excitement and out of tune wails, 'I am standing on the edge of my life.' The enthusiasm coming from the band was electric with Jenna throwing herself around the stage and belting the lyrics out to the bands' hugest songs from 'The Ocean' to 'Don't Wish.' Replacing gritty vocals for silky smooth Jenna's vocal range shines on 'Hell and Back' and the crowd is given a much needed breather. Having gathered ourselves and oxygen once more in our lungs, the hard-working five piece soon had us jumping all over with older fans beyond ecstatic at the appearance of 'Wasting Away' before Jenna's little speech before the bands' defining song 'What Are You So Scared Of?' The crowd had never been louder than on 'Listening' and it was with heavy hearts we said goodbye but not before they played us one more song - the mighty 'Lonely Girl.' From start to finish the band were stunning, proving they more than deserve the attention they're getting and putting a stopper in all cynics' mouths - these pop prodigies have shown their punk worthiness and the world needs to get ready.

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With a relatively short break between bands we headed over to the Alternative Stage for Tiff Stevenson's thought provoking, yet hilarious, set. Unafraid of telling the truth through a series of personal stories she reminds us that life can be brutal - somehow managing to make us laugh at the same time. The unfortunate reappearance of Meg's food poisoning led us back to the toilet's before the UK's very own up and coming pop-punk act Neck Deep. With people spilling out the tent I found a space to the side with a surprisingly good view of the stage where the looks of passion and shock on their faces at the turnout didn't go unnoticed and the magic of the crowd wasn't lost. Every song went off with a bang, this crowd definitely the loudest I'd heard for the band. "Losing Teeth" and "Crushing Grief (No Remedy)" were the highlights and I honestly thought the band and crowd alike couldn't sound any better until of course the inevitable slowing down of the rambunctious set for "A Part Of Me." Every one who has ever seen Neck Deep will know and understand that on this song you don't just sing you SING. All caps. And this crowd seemed more than aware of that and took this song to a whole other level, I don't think my hearing has been the same ever since. It was a pretty stunning display and I feel privileged to have seen what felt like an important moment in the bands' career.

***

After witnessing that little piece of pop-punk history being formed we bimbled back towards Main Stage to wait for the mighty A Day To Remember. It was unfortunate that Sleeping With Sirens were still playing. I'm not one to bash bands and I respect everyone has their own opinion when it comes to music but seeing the last half of their set confirmed to me that I think they are truly awful. I kind of get the appeal I just don't get how anyone can bare listening to a band where the vocals are as painful as that. 

Eventually 17:15 hit and A Day To Remember exploded onto stage with burst of energy and the 'da dada da da da's' of the career changing "The Downfall Of Us All." After the disappoint of the cancelled show in February this was my first time seeing them since the time of Homesick's release. Looking around at the massive crowd it was amazing and I couldn't help but be so pleased and proud for these guys as back then they played tiny university cafeteria's. Oh how times have changed. It was a damn brilliant setlist with as many of the favourites in there as time possibly allowed including "I'm Made Of Wax Larry" and the ultimate stereotypical and utterly brilliant pop-punk tune "All Signs Point To Lauderdale." Towards the middle of the set they brought out the acoustic guitar and another "A Part of Me" moment was had with the beautiful "If It Means A Lot To You" being sung by thousands on a lush sunny evening. 

What everyone there will remember the most is "Homesick." Why you ask? The Zorb, that is why. Yes, A Day To Remember are a bloody brilliant band and they could just stand of the stage and sing their songs and still be brilliant but that wouldn't be enough for them. Creating a wild and individual, memorable show is what they're about so with Jeremy in his Zorb (y'know those see through giant hamster ball things) he was pushed onto the crowd as they played. I was ran over my Jeremy Mckinnon in a Zorb and then nearly crushed as the crowd all fell over. It was fantastic. 

Back to being all serious I very nearly got teary eyed (read: very nearly started bawling my eyes out) when the next song was "End Of Me" something about that song makes me feel a whole lot. And ADTR songs make me feel a lot anyway so it could have got messy there as the crowd all sat down ready to jump up as the song bursts - or attempted to sit anyway. Following on was "Sometimes You're The Hammer" which still remains one of my favourite songs ever - the ending lyrics are truly incredible and the live performance was too. Ending their electric set was "All I Want" and the angrier than angry "The Plot To Bomb The Panhandle" which included a sparkly lycra suit clad dude shooting free t-shirts at us... whaaaat? For that hour the crowd were actively expressing their love for these guys with super size mosh pits and space restricted like no other gig i've ever been to. Crowd surfers were everywhere - at one point one guy knocked into my arm and said arm flew into a guys face punching him pretty damn hard in the jaw. Dude who I accidently punched... if you're reading this know I really didn't mean to and it probably hurt me a lot more than it hurt you. Soz from the blonde girl with the friend who looked like she was dying.  

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Despite the fact I now felt like I was dying, not just Meg, there was no stopping me as I left her behind at the Main Stage to watch You Me At Six whilst I went back to the Lock Up tent for my favourites The Wonder Years. I don't have anymore praise that I can verbalise for these guys that I haven't already in the past. They are unimaginable live. Their shows take me to some far away place where nothing matters and that doesn't really exist, yet they're also the most real and raw of any show i've ever been to. From the opener "Dismantling Summer" to the final "Came Out Swinging" everyone in that tent jumped, fist pumped, crowd surfed and screamed until our heads and hearts stopped hurting, until the tears in our eyes turned to sweat and our blood pumped with adrenaline instead of anger. I've said it before and i'll say it again - seeing The Wonder Years is an experience. Cliched as it sounds to understand it you have to be there. Everyone is made to feel like they belong, no typical gig bullshit just pure intense devotion from everyone. It's humbling.  

***

Completely gutted at having to leave behind another Wonder Years gig I stumbled out the tent behind everyone else back towards the Main Stage. I had no intention of trying to find Meg amongst the masses of people clustered around for You Me At Six and I thought they'd be finishing pretty soon. However, I was totally wrong as I'd only missed half their set. By the time I was within hearing distance the band were just starting "Forgive and Forget" which is perhaps my favourite song off of their newest album. I've seen them often enough to know what to expect of them but as I watched them I realised they were better than ever. After Soupy mentioning his chat with Alex Gaskarth earlier in the day I wasn't as shocked as everyone else in the crowd was when the man himself bounded on-stage to join them during "Fresh Start Fever" making me all the more eager to grab tickets to their co-headliner. Josh didn't even have to ask for everyone to take a layer off and swing it round their heads for "Reckless" almost losing the entertainment value as it was always rather hilarious watching him desperately beg, bless 'im. The newer tracks provided a kind of grown up depth to their shows particularly with "Cold Night" whilst the older "Bite My Tongue" was a sheer frenzy and clash of adolescent emotions. Closing their set was "Lived A Lie" with the bridge, sung by thousands, leaving goosebumps all over. We are without a doubt believers.

***

Finding Meg, grabbing food and collapsing in the mud we watched Macklemore play "Thrift Shop" and wondered what he was going to finish with and if anyone would stay to watch him after he played that, but ironically we didn't stay to find out as we went to the Festival Republic stage. Catching the end of the upbeat The Sunshine Underground our deliriously happy smiles were soon to be eradicated as Mayday Parade were up next. If ever you need a good cry just stick these guys on and within a few minutes I promise you you'll be crying. While their music makes me sad sad sad when I see them live it doesn't seem so bad as their own grins and obvious joy at being on stage is so infectious. Their set was short but a good mix of old and new songs including "Three Cheers For Five Years" and "12 Through 15" seemingly designed to make our hearts ache. "Black Cat" and closer "Jersey" had everyone springing off the walls and Mayday Parade's Reading Festival debut was a success. 

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Sunday night. There's only one thing left now and that's for some serious nostalgic singalong time with the gods themselves Blink-182. After seeing them on their comeback tour I had an inkling of what to expect but when they came out to "Feeling This" and there was god awful and downright embarrassing dancing happening everywhere I turned and thousands of people singing this song with drunken smiles and thoughts of old times it was something else entirely. It was tune after tune and highlighted just how many stupidly good songs this band has written and why exactly they are so worshipped. I always hear how people didn't respond as well to Neighbourhoods but you try telling that to this crowd as "Up All Night" and "Wishing Well" receive just as much love from the crowd as the vintage "Dammit" and "Carousel." I couldn't write about how the crowd reacted and how simply awesome every song was as they played near enough all the hits and then some - they even threw in a Misfits cover. Tom sang typically off key and replaced words in songs, Mark looked like an out of place dad and Travis rocked so damn hard and I wouldn't have changed a thing. It was cheesy and like only Blink could ever pull off completely, utterly, totally immense. I'm glad I got to grow up listening to these legendary losers. 

Reading Festival (Friday) 

Reading Festival (Saturday)