BRIT Awards // 2014

So tonight sees the annual celebration of a small fraction of the British music industry that's pushed onto us daily by radio stations and music channels on tv and so is categorized as 'popular'. You may know this event as the BRIT awards - hosted once again by James Corden... Is no one else available, really? No one even slightly music related? Or slightly funny?

Anyway, before I even mention anything about the year of music that's just gone by, let's take a look at the award itself. 

Last years award looked like it had taken inspiration the Come Outside aeroplane and this years...

Well, this years just needed to be made of styrofoam to really complete that 'build your own award' look. Whatever that thing at the top of it is, it looks like it could be easily slotted on and off the head, it just reminds me of the styrofoam aeroplanes you'd get in Christmas crackers or with a McDonald's happy meal. Maybe they're trying to link the aeroplane theme that seems to be going on with the design. Either way, the ridiculous design fits in with (no doubt) ridiculous winners - they get the award they deserve. 

All the BRIT awards celebrates is artists who have sold the most or been the most controversial (which normally goes hand in hand). I don't doubt we'll see the likes of Miley Cyrus or Robin Thicke winning awards - whether at the BRITS or any other music award show - and where does that leave artists who actually deserve awards? Those that don't insult women or swing around naked to get attention but actually let their talent get them noticed. If that even happens these days. 

As well as that, the limited amount of music genres that incorporated is shocking. Yes, there's a rock category but what about all the terms that come under rock or variations. Oh wait yes, they're all classed as 'pop' now, right?

Save yourself the hassle and do something else with the two hour slot the BRITS takes up. It's two hours you can't get back and after two hours of James Corden's attempts to be funny, you'll probably end up questioning the point of living.

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11812481/?claim=zd7vjwkyy3d">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Review // £1 Fashion Nails

Okay, so something a little fashion related for my once in a blue moon blogpost.

I'm not exactly the girliest girl you could ever meet but over the last 18 months my style has been changing and one thing I've always fancied is a manicure. However, my job doesn't allow nail polish or fake nails (the downsides of a supermarket retail job, sigh) so that isn't really much of an option for me. Plus, to be honest small talk is something I really hate so also makes manicures less appealing to me. 

But, while I was doing a bit of retail therapy earlier on in the week, I came across some fake nail sets in Primark (and one in Superdrug) that I fancied trying and since I've got a week off work, I thought why not!

Being a self-confessed cat lady, I couldn't resist the cat/polka dot nails (but who could, they're adorable!) and for only £1, I just had to buy them.

The nails themselves were easy to get on, seeing as it's my first time applying fake nails I'd say I did a pretty good job so I'm sure if you're more experienced you'd do a much better job. I had bought nail glue from Superdrug to use and good job I did as I struggled with the free adhesive that comes with the nails. I did struggle to find enough nails in the pack that fit well. I don't know if that's a common issue with fake nails but I reckon they still look good considering. 

However, I put them on before applying my make up for the day and while opening my blusher palette, one of my thumb nails cracked - pretty disappointing after only having them on for about half an hour. But then again, what would you expect for £1?

Overall, these nails are adorable and an absolute bargain. When buying something for that cheap you'd be deluded to think they're going to be top quality and highly sustainable so for the price, they're great. But if you want ones that'll last longer without getting damaged, obviously you get what you pay for.

Fenech-Soler // Rituals

The moment I have been waiting for, for what feels like an eternity, has finally arrived: the release of Fenech-Soler's follow up to their debut self-titled album.

'Rituals' - the second album from Fenech-Soler

From the moment I first heard their debut single 'Stop and Stare' on Radio 1 a good few years ago now, I was hooked and instantly became a fan of the band, listening to their first album over and over and posting their music online... sadly, with not much response as my musically-challenged friends by-passed them for whatever was deemed as popular at the time. But I'm making one more attempt to introduce them into the world and if I can make just one person like them then I'll be happy.

Obviously this post will be completely biased as in my opinion, this band are music perfection but I'll let you decide for yourself. (Note: if you disagree, you are wrong.)

Dance and techno music seems to be making a comeback from the 90s - although perhaps not quite so hard-hitting as it was back then and with significantly less chipmunk-like vocals - with the rise of dubstep over the past few years and artists such as Avicii and David Guetta bringing it into the charts. However, it seems to have died off slightly and the recipe for a successful song these days seems to be anything with a good base line to it and perhaps a bit of synthesizer in there too. Maybe throw some indie lyrics and vocals on top of it all and you're probably onto a winner. With this in mind, Fenech-Soler should be far more known than they currently are.

Their music is never without a bouncy dance track and is definitely what I can imagine being played in clubs to act as a soundtrack to many a drunken fun-filled night. That's what I imagine anyway as I'm sat in my pyjamas with a cup of tea, listening to the album.

As we edge ever-closer to long and dark Winter nights, a personal favourite from the album 'Last Forever' brings a bit of sunshine back into my mind as I listen to it as it just screams out to be used in a montage of teenagers running around at festivals in slow motion, covered in face paints, flowers in their hair and drinks in hand. And as the title suggests, it makes the memories of Summer last forever through their music.

 

It's difficult for me to single out favourites on this album as everything just sounds like perfection to me, the word 'eargasm' is definitely appropriate when used in reference to this album and just the band in general. If you like 'Last Forever' - or any of the other releases: 'All I Know', 'Magnetic' and 'Maiyu' - you will love the rest of the album. They also have a similar sound to bands such as Delphic, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, Bastille and Passion Pit so if you are a fan of them then check this band out! I promise you won't regret it.

Of course when I found out Fenech-Soler were doing a UK tour, I jumped at the chance to get tickets as their music is just perfect to let loose and jump around to. They're touring all around the UK in November so if you like what you hear, get yourself a ticket!

Review // Collection 'Cream Puff' Lip Cream

'Collection' is a range of make-up I've never really paid much attention to before seeing as it's all pretty low-priced and so I assumed the products would be of low quality.

It's coming close to payday for me so I'm running a bit low on cash but need to refresh my make up so therefore thought I'd swap my usual Gosh and Barry M products for something cheaper.

I got this for £3 since I had saved up £6 on my Superdrug beauty card (it pays off not being able to say no to people when you're pestered to sign up to store cards!) so it was an absolute bargain. Usually it would be just under £9 but even that's still a bargain compared to other products.

I'm focussing mainly on the 'lip cream' for this post since I'm fairly into my lip products and a lip cream is something new to me. 

So it's in the same style as a lipgloss, as you can see. The product itself is very creamy (as you'd guess) and fairly luscious. Not to mention, it smells incredible which obviously doesn't affect the product's use but it's always a bonus! The coverage is equal to that of a lipstick and the end result is similar to a lipstain: the colour stays locked onto your lips with a lack of residue.

To illustrate this point, I tested it out on a piece of tissue paper. I've got a photo of my lips before and after I pressed them against the tissue paper. And as you can see, not much came off in the process and my lips look the exact same.

This is a fantastic product for people who don't like lipstain products and want a matte-lipstick style with that same staying power of a lipstain. 

Try it out and see if you agree! With Collection's price range, you can't really go wrong.

Empire of The Sun // Ice on The Dune

With the sun coming out to play recently, what better way to celebrate than write a review about a band with the word 'sun' in it's name? (Creative, I know).

If I said I'd always been a fan of Empire of The Sun, I'd be lying. I was aware of them, sure, but I wouldn't class myself in that fan category. I enjoyed listening to 'Walking on A Dream', it was heavily featured on my 'Top 25 Played Songs' on iTunes during the Summer of 2009. However, I can't say the same for their other release 'We Are The People' and so chose not to delve any further into their discography. 

I don't know what brought me to take an interest in their newest album when I saw NME tweeting about it. Perhaps it was that techno-indie music fan within me dying for something new to feast on rather than tiring out my playlist consisting of bands such as Delphic, Metronomy, Passion Pit, Friendly Fires, Fenech-Soler and Ou Est Le Swimming Pool. However, I am glad I took that plunge.

Although, I must admit overall I was kind of disappointed by the album. In my opinion, their single 'Alive' is the best thing about the album but there are a few other gems such as 'Ice on The Dune'. 

One thing is clear about Empire of The Sun, they know how to make a Summer anthem. They'd definitely be an essential at any festival and their music makes it clear that their gigs would be a lot of fun.

They've added to my techno-indie playlist but I don't think I'll make a habit of religiously listening to the album. Maybe third time's the charm. 

The Voice // A Talent Show Without The Talent

This morning I caught my first glimpse of the finalists for 'talent' show: The Voice and I'm honestly struggling to find words to express my views on the show as well as the contestants.

Now, I haven't ever actually watched an episode of the show so my opinions and views may be limited and are just coming from about five seconds of clips used on Lorraine this morning and a short interview. But normally if a show is using clips to illustrate their guests, they use something that portrays the show and the contestants' talents well?

What I came across was:

1) A Will.I.Am lookalike, 'mentored' by Jessie J and not the American rapper himself so it raises the question as to why she has chosen to fashion him this way. Maybe an infatuation with the man himself? Play it cool, Jessie.

2) Three other contestants who don't look like a celebrity (although I could argue that one had a striking resemblance to Velma from Scooby Doo but I'm not sure if a fictional cartoon character is valid) so are therefore forgettable, apart from their gruesome murders of some classic songs such as a screachy rendition of talent show audition favourite: Killing me Softly (Really? Way to show originality guys) which I'm sure will haunt me in my dreams tonight. 

Along with some pathetic jokes about how much of a 'legend' John Legend is (yet more originality from these guys) and tiresome anecdotes of a young contestant being awestruck by hanging out with Tom Jones, the interview with the contestants failed to rivet me at all.

I can see now why we hear nothing from the contestants of this show - who won last year's again? - if this is what they have to offer the world. And I certainly won't be tuning in on Saturday to see who wins to then be chewed up and quickly spat out by the music industry monster. I think I'll stick with Modern Family.

Blurred Lines // A Musical Mid-Life Crisis

I never fail to be disappointed by the British public's music taste and once again, I find myself scratching my head in confusion as I listen to 'Blurred Lines'. Most middle-aged men date a younger woman or buy a sports car when they're going through a mid-life crisis but for Robin Thicke, releasing a womanising pop song into the stratosphere seems to be the way to go.

The song also features Pharrell Williams and this was the main reason why I thought I'd see what all the hype around this song was as I am a fan of his work with N.E.R.D as well as his recent hit with Daft Punk but 'disappointed' is an understatement. Not only was I unimpressed by the song as a whole but the lyrics aren't the most creative I've ever come across and are simply crude. 'I know you want it' and 'you're a good girl' being the most apparent lyrics in the song are seedy, not to mention incredibly arrogant. Couple that with the fact the original music video for the song was banned by YouTube for being a bit too 'risqué' and it just says it all.

To add to all this disappointment, as I scrolled through Twitter one evening, a link appeared for a cover version of the song by rock band Queens of The Stone Age. It called out to me like a beacon of hope: 'yes, if anyone can save it, they can' I thought.

But no.

Not even Queens of The Stone Age can make that song sound any better to me. And so I came to the conclusion that the lyrics are so atrocious that it just cannot be saved. 

But somehow it manages to sell millions of records and top charts. Whether it's an infatuation for the artist's aesthetics, the reputation of the supporting artists or horny teenage boys needing to see the video, something's working for it.

But it's best to stick to the traditional methods of dealing with a mid-life crisis, Rob.