Video Review - Just One Night

Just One Night

By Julia Why?

That scene in that generic film - the school formal, the prom, the dance, whatever you want to call it, it’s always made me wonder if the reason it’s so popular is because so many people relate and if so many people relate, then why do high schools keep having social occasions? It's been a while since I was in high school. Maybe they don't anymore. Maybe they happen on a social app that I don't know exists because I'm over the age of 19. Stop talking about how old I am. Enough about that. I'm with heaps of others I'm sure when I say, in my humble teenage opinion, my school formal sucked. It sucked balls. Whenever I think of it I have flashbacks of Carrie, but then realise that was a movie, not actually my life. I'm gonna assume a lot of people have the same problem, 'cause that makes me feel better.


Which brings me to Julia Why? who have replaced my Carrie flashbacks with those that involve a satin frilled shirt, a denim vest, a hipster pretending not to be, crepe paper, some Kate Bush moves, a parasol lollipop, some seriously awesome retro patterned carpet and a final scene that sums up the previous three and a half minutes perfectly, as well as the way I wish some of my final school dances went. Maybe. Combine all of these things with a super catchy, poppy, punky, guitar driven, "na na na na" song and I have a whole new set of memories to replace the irritating real life ones of my teenage years. They also make the clip for ‘Just One Night’ which also happens to be one of the JJJ Unearthed NIDA winners. For all the bitching that happens about JJJ, they promote a lot of great talent in this talent soaked island of ours. The easy to love pop punk sounds of Julia Why? and this hilarious, cute, storytelling clip of theirs are proof of that.

Jo Michelmore gives ‘Just One Night’ three and a half Karen O heads out of five…

EP Review - Little May

LITTLE MAY EP

by Little May (out now)

The team here at It’s My Kind of Scene all have vastly different tastes in music. So when we all agree that an act is (for lack of a more dazzling term) totally 100% amazeballs, you can bet your bottom dollar that act is something special. The music from Sydney’s Little May is definitely something special. Since the release of ‘Boardwalks’ and ‘Hide’ in 2013, the excitement for the release of their debut EP has been building and building. Anticipation couldn’t be any higher than after the release of this year’s single ‘Dust’ and now, the Little May EP is out there in the world. There’s no doubt about it and no use beating around the bush… Liz Drummond, Annie Hamilton and Hannah Field have delivered an exceptional work of music that’s more than worthy of their status as one of Australia’s most buzzed about new acts.


Did you see them featured on billboard.com? I sure did. Billboard called them “buzzing Australian trio Little May.” No big deal, yeah? It’s a MASSIVE deal, especially when they are being compared in North America to Fleetwood Mac. This came with the announcement that ze ladies had signed with Capitol Record in the US. And they’re just casually heading over to perform a showcase at the CMJ Music Marathon in New York. But before they get to that there’s some debut shows in old London town. Not too shabby. Now, what about the music on the EP? Like I said, it’s exceptional work. Five tracks that make an immediate impact in their own way and five tracks that will have a lot of staying power in the hearts and minds of listeners. “What are these tracks?” you ask. Let me break them down for you, track-by-track style.

DUST

There's something fascinating to me about placing a song that feels like saying goodbye and letting go at the start. 'Dust' is a stunning introduction to Little May for those that might be unfamiliar. It opens with a light introduction that makes you wish you were sitting by the water and watching the sun rise. Alright, the first time I heard 'Dust' I was sitting on the pebble beach in Brighton watching the sun rise, but that's neither here nor there. Drummond takes vocal lead, with Field providing some beautiful harmonies. You can't help but feel that we're being told a deeply personal story full of highs and lows, both heartbreaking and heart-warming. Little May are really quite excellent at taking you on an emotional roller-coaster on their tracks, so you might as well get used to it right from the start. "I watched you shake, I watched you break, I watched this place take away, all we had, and I'm sinking into something that I, wished I hadn't found." There's something about those lines and the delivery of them that floors me each and every time I hear them.

HIDE

When you get addicted to a song, and I mean addicted to a song, you go through a period of time where you must listen to that song whenever you can. The problem with this is, usually after that intense time has passed, you'll never really listen to the track anymore. Sure, you'll love it forever and when it comes on you'll remember how you could not stop listening to it, but you won't go out of your way to play it. This did not happen with 'Hide'. Towards the end of last year, I could not stop listening to it. Fast forward almost twelve months... I still can't get enough of it. A witchy vibe, a drum-heavy chorus and a theme of betrayal. What's not to love?  "Can you see me count to three? No I won't play your hide and seek." World class in every single way. To steal some terminology from my fellow blogger Jo, 'Hide' is a song that has secured a place in the soundtrack of my life. It's really that good. 

MIDNIGHT HOUR

'Ghost Folk'. I've seen the term in press releases used to describe Little May's sound. What I thought was a pretty cool and quirky term for indie/folk is actually the perfect fit for 'Midnight Hour', a track that steers into alt-country territory. Unsurprisingly, the trio slide comfortably into this territory which utilises those knockout harmonies to great effect. We even get a little do-si-do breakdown. That just means I don't know the technical term for the instrumental-bridge-bit-thing, but when you hear it you'll want to get some haunted do-si-do action started. Perfect for all your hipster Halloween parties this one is. 

BONES

In terms of surprises, 'Bones' would have to be the Little May EP's biggest. And best. 'Bones' is as close to 'pop' as you're going to get with Little May and, set your status to swoon, this is like 90s singer-songwriter pop. The best kind! I'm excited just thinking about it. This is what you want in an EP; versatility. A debut EP should show off all the best sides of an act. Moving slightly away from the sound we've now come to expect from Little May was the perfect move. Exploring their pop-rockier tendencies further in the future could prove very interesting because 'Bones' is delicious. Make sure you read that right, I'm not saying bones are delicious. The song's amazing pop music, alright? Vocally, this could be the EP's standout track with all the layers and competing lines. Give it five years, we'll probably be discussing how 'Bones' is the EP's standout track overall. And I'll still be listening to 'Hide'. 

BOARDWALKS

Our last track is Little May's first. How did we feel when we first heard it? We might have made some outlandish statements like...

"These girls know how to make great music... I have a feeling that this band is destined for huge things." (Lou Endicott)

"Liz Drummond, Hannah Field and Annie Hamilton are already being called the 'next big thing' by so many music blog peeps we love and we couldn't agree more." (Matt Bond)

"This is the type of talent that cannot go unnoticed and I'm going to be so happy for them when we've said all we can say about them and the only thing left to do is press play." (Jo Michelmore)

What's great though is, those weren't even a little outlandish. Little May have come such a long way since the release of 'Boardwalks' in such a short time. We can't wait to see just how far this talented trio will continue to rise. "Somebody told me you were leaving town, I swear I never thought you'd be the one who'd let me down." Those opening lines from their very first song will hook you in right away. Little May might be heading out of town on the next step of their journey, but you can rest assured their music isn't going to be letting us down. Get this EP right now, feel all the feels, fall in love with Little May and watch the rest of the world fall in love with them too. This is the very best in music.

Matt Bond gives the Little May EP five Amanda Palmer heads out of five...

Top 25 - 12 October, 2014

UK Ladies: Clare Maguire + Marina and The Diamonds!

1. Dear Plastic - Epic Delay





2. Hey Lady - My Head, My Heart





3. Little May - Bones (NEW)





4. Julia Why? - Just One Night (NEW)





5. Pharrell Williams - Gust of Wind (NEW)





6. Tanzer - That's Why Darling (NEW)





7. Clare Maguire - Boomerang (NEW)





8. Lorde - Yellow Flicker Beat





9. SAFIA - You Are The One





10. slacksmiths - Slotmachine





11. Cold Clinic Love - Bullet Youth (NEW)





12. Lisa Mitchell - Wah-Ha





13. Heyrocco - Mom Jeans (NEW)





14. Marina and The Diamonds - FROOT (NEW)





15. Kilter ft. Tkay Maidza - They Say





16. Megan Washington - My Heart Is A Wheel





17. Pretty City - Flying





18. Little May - Dust





19. Hamish Anderson - Burn





20. Tora - Admire (NEW)





21. APES - Pull The Trigger





22. Husky - I'm Not Coming Back





23. Charli XCX - London Queen (NEW)





24. Winters End - Walls





25. Jessie Ware - Say You Love Me

10 and 1 - Tell Me A Story

People that are good like with words and stuff.

THE GREAT STORYTELLERS

by Matt Bond

Why hello... it's story time, boys and girls. You're a music fan, I'm a music fan, but sometimes you want your favourite singers to weave their poetic words into a story that's a little something more than (x) attempts to mate with (y) or (y) is triumphing over being heartbroken by (x) by swinging on installations on the ceiling or how (x) can be (y) if (x) wants because, baby, (x) was born that way. I love a good 'ole music storyteller. Personally, I'm a big fan of those that rip your heart out, throw it on the floor and then run it over on a Harley Davidson over and over and over again. The main thing is, I know I have a problem. But I don't think I'm alone. We all love music that can make us laugh, cry, singalong and entertain us. There are moments when all we need is your basic (x) and (y) story. And then there's times we want (a), (b) and (c) in the mix adding to the narrative as well. Not in a creepy, sexual way... pervs. 

The smartest writers leave much to the listener when it comes to interpreting their story. With each listen, you could be left viewing a song in a completely different light. A hero becomes a villain, the love of 'his' life suddenly becomes the other woman or what you once heard as a fairly straightforward tale of falling in love is now a deep and complex study or life, love, loss and everything in between. But you don't want to be too complex. Do you know what Black Eyed Peas' 'Boom Boom Pow' was about? Do you know what it means when chicken are jackin' your style? If you do, please let me know. I've been trying to work that out for years now. #jks. It's a statement about artistic integrity, a challenge to those lesser artists than Fergie-Ferg-era BEP's to push art to strange new boundaries. Hence why they are, "so 3008," while you are so, "2000 and late." That's what it means, right? Right?

Anyway, here are ten of my favourite storytellers in music. Maybe some of yours are in here too. As is the '10 and 1' way of doing bid-ness, I'll be leaving you with one artist who might not have the same way with words these guys and gals do. At least in my humble opinion. Enjoy! 

THE 10:

Sara Bareilles

I'm the writer and she's the muse,

I'm the one that you always choose,

She will falter and gift her blame,

And it starts all over again.

- 'Bright Lights and Cityscapes'

My good friend Fry has something to say about Sara Bareilles' storytelling abilities... 

Eddie Vedder

 I changed by not changing at all,

Small town predicts my fate,

Perhaps that's what no one wants to see.

- 'Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town'

His catalogue of works reads like a good episode of Law and Order:SVU. Ok, not really (a little), but there's so many songs about social justice and oppressed people and have you heard 'Alive' or 'Jeremy' or 'Black' or 'Man Of The Hour' or any song that this dude's written. Vedder's the man, man. 

Stevie Nicks

 So I try to say goodbye my friend,

 I'd like to leave you with something more,

But never ever been a blue calm sea,

 I have always been a storm.

- 'Storms'

 Stevie Nicks' best stories are about Stevie Nicks. So I guess she's one for those who head straight to the biography section of the bookstore. There's heaps of drama and mystery and romance too. So if you're into those types of books, you're going to love the Nicks. But seriously... who doesn't love the Nicks already?

 
Shirley Manson

Drown in me, one more time,

Hide inside me tonight,

Do what you want to do,

Just pretend happy end,

 Let me know, let it show,

Ending with letting go,

Let's pretend happy end.

- 'You Look So Fine'

I love you, Shirley!!! Please excuse me. I just can't contain myself when it comes to the words of one Manson, S. They'll put you under her spell. SHE'S A WITCH! And what a witch. Garbage drew on an actual story for the song 'The Trick Is To Keep Breathing' which is one of their most beautiful, heartbreaking tracks. And they've got a lot of beautiful, heartbreaking tracks. Like 'You Look So Fine'. It's a story I've gone back and forth with when it comes to the meaning, because part of me wants to believe it's not just a pretend happy end and it's a real one. But it's not so... Oy. I'd love you forever, Shirley! That pretty boy surfer in the video was never good enough for you. 

Billy Corgan

Time is never time at all,

You can never ever leave without leaving a piece of you,

And our lives are forever changed,

We will never be the same,

The more you change the less you feel.

- 'Tonight, Tonight' 

Come on... at one stage he was a really cool dude, right? He was on The Simpsons. It was awesome! Alright, whatever... Corgan had it going on back in the 90s. With just a couple of lines he could leave you contemplating things like the meaning of life, when all you really wanted to do was sing along to that fun '1979' song you heard on the radio. Urgh, I'm going to be stuck on "classic" Smashing Pumpkins for a couple of weeks now. Damn you, Billy Corgan!   

Amanda Palmer

I suffer mornings most of all,

I feel so powerless and small,

By 10 o'clock I'm back in bed,

Fighting the jury in my head

- 'Have To Drive'

What I love the most about Amanda Palmer's stories, is that even though they are so 'her', there are far too many moments in her music that feel like she's telling your story. Maybe 'her' story is 'our' story and she's really just that fan-fucking-tastic at taking some very personal life experiences and putting those into words that any listener can relate to. As a bonus, Amanda is ridiculously clever in her selection of lyrics and can even drop some TWIST! moments into her tracks. Example, 'The Bed Song'. 

Jay-Z

When pop died, didn't cry,

Didn't know him that well,

Between him doing heroin and me doing crack sales...

- 'Moment of Clarity'  

Yes, rap stories are excellent. Especially in the hands of Jay-Z. It's all 'overcoming great adversity' like, starting on the streets and working your way up to becoming #1. Started from the bottom now your here, Drake? Yeahbutno, Jay-Z already told those stories and started much lower and got way higher. And he's got Beyonce. #YOLO.

Lana Del Rey

I hear the birds on the summer breeze,

I drive fast, I am alone in midnight,

Been tryin' hard not to get into trouble,

But I, I've got a war in my mind.

- 'Ride' 

Did anyone else feel that cool breeze of judgment come in through the window? Brrrr. Anyway, haters gonna hate. I've got a lot of time for LDR's breathy tones and melodramatic, Americana-heavy lyrics. She's like the Springsteen of her generation. Haha. I'm kidding. Just wanted some of you to have a slight aneurism. 

Florence Welch

I took the stars from my eyes and then I made a map,

I knew that somehow I could find my way back,

Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too,

So I stayed in the darkness with you.

- 'Cosmic Love'

Florence's words tell the story of the world through her eyes. And that world is this over the top examination of love, death and war. It can be very violent and honest and beautiful all at the same time. It's just a little bit crackers, but also refreshing. How does she do this? Teach me, oh wise one.

Little May

Somebody told me you were leaving town,

I swear I never thought you'd be the one who let me down...

- 'Boardwalks'

How could I leave out my favourite new storytellers and our Artist of the Month, Little May? Well, I couldn't. Obviously. I've said it before and I'll say it again, these ladies right here are the next great storytellers. And you can find out for yourself by checking out their debut, self-titled EP which is out on October 10. It's also casually hanging out with Rolling Stone Australia if you want to give it a not-so-sneaky listen (or many, many listens) and fall for the oh-so-dreamy stories Little May tell.   

THE ONE:

Nicki Minaj

This dude named Michael used to ride motorcycles,

Dick bigger than a tower, I ain't talking about Eiffels...

(we'll stop there)

- 'Anaconda'

No. A million times no. The disappointing thing about Minaj is, she's actually better than this. Her early raps were full of cutting rhymes and she actually told some decent stories. Now... it's all about how her 'kitty' puts dudes to sleep and now they're calling her NyQuil. NyQuil rhymes with Michael. All of the lols. HAHAHAHAHA. I'm done with life.
 

   

Top 25 - 6 October, 2014

Dear Plastic!

1. Dear Plastic - Epic Delay





2. Hey Lady - My Head, My Heart (NEW)




3. SAFIA - You Are The One





4. Kilter ft. Tkay Maidza - They Say





5. Lorde - Yellow Flicker Beat (NEW)





6. Pretty City - Flying





7. Husky - I'm Not Coming Back (NEW)





8. APES - Pull The Trigger





9. Megan Washington - My Heart Is A Wheel





10. slacksmiths - Slotmachine (NEW)





11. Hamish Anderson - Burn (NEW)





12. Jessie Ware - Say You Love Me





13. Scholar - Skin





14. Winters End - Walls





15. George Kalpa - Leave That Street Alone





16. The Belligerents - I Don't Want To Be In Your Arms





17. Tkay Maidza - U-Huh





18. Lisa Mitchell - Wah Ha (NEW)





19. Little May - Dust





20. Lili Kendall - Run (NEW)





21. Robert Muinos - I Was Dreaming





22. Tkay Maidza - Finish Them





23. Elliphant - One More (NEW)





24. Azealia Banks - Chasing Time





25. Stella Angelico - Prey

Song Review - Yellow Flicker Beat

YELLOW FLICKER BEAT

by Lorde

Album: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 OST (out November 18, 2014)

I'm a princess cut from marble,

Smoother than a storm...


When Lorde was announced earlier in the year as contributing to and curating the soundtrack for the next installment in The Hunger Games film series, was there anyone sitting at home thinking that was a poor choice? And I'm limiting this to sane people. Not crazy people who leave comments on YouTube videos. Comments like this:

If there's one thing those Jennifer Lawrence movies have done well, it's create a whole lot of dramatic tension in scenes that show children having to make some really tough choices. "I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!" Things you'll never hear me yelling out to save a sibling. I mean... Yeah, no I meant that. That dramatic tension is right there at the start of Lorde's latest track, 'Yellow Flicker Beat'. Sure, she's not deviating from her standard formula. Sparse beats, vocal loops, a drop leading into a chorus that's both apathetic and triumphant. So what? The formula works and if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Especially for a film soundtrack. Who knows what Lorde's next album will sound like or represent. For now, we get to enjoy this contribution to a soundtrack that, at least in my mind, perfectly compliments the film series it's repping for.

And seriously, these lines are so Katniss:

This is the start of how it all ever ends,

They used to shout my name, now they whisper it,

I'm speeding up and this is the red, orange, yellow flicker beat sparking up my heart.

Because she's the fucking blazing Mockingjay rising like a phoenix out of the ashes, ok Josie? Ok?! Wow. I can see how people get into those fights on YouTube. Seriously though, as a fan it's just brilliant to hear something new from Lorde. She's delivered the goods again. Let's see what she can do with the full soundtrack in November. 

Matt Bond gives 'Yellow Flicker Beat' three and a half Ellie Goulding heads out of five...