Music Monday: The Weeknd's New Album

 
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One of the album's that has been on repeat for me for the past few days was the Weeknd's second album "Beauty Behind the Madness." I never really heard of The Weekend until I heard that Lana Del Rey, my favorite singer ever was going to be featured on the album. I remembered seeing "Earned It" on the Fifty Shades soundtrack, but since I didn't know much about the artist I didn't end up getting the song. Needless to say, I downloaded the song when the album dropped August 28th. And it was a repeat, because it's amazing. Lana did an amazing job with it, but I really liked the beat of it as well. I knew right then and there that this was an artist that I needed to have the entire album of.
And so, Friday night I snagged a digital copy of it. I feel in love with it, as soon as the first notes of "Real Life" came out of my Macbook speakers. It's a bit different then some of the other Indie/Metal/Rock artists that are present in my iTunes, but I'm still obsessed with his vocals, lyrical content and the overall album. Some of my favorite artists, such as Del Rey and Ed Sheeran, appear on the album and those songs did not disappoint. Even though those artists are different then The Weeknd, I thought the combination sounded perfect.
Overall, I think this album is one of my favorite albums that came out this year, tying with Madonna's "Rebel Heart." As we enter the last few months in fall, I'm expecting that this will compete with a few other albums, such as Lana Del Rey's "Honeymoon" (expected release this Friday), and Demi Lovato's confident (which is expected to be released in October.) And, we can not forget JoJo's tringle. However, I think "Beauty Behind The Madness" is definitely going to be one of my favorites of the year.
Must Listen: Real Life, Prisoner, the Hills, Tell Your Friends Can't Feel My Face, Angel, Earned It (Fifty Shades), Losers and Dark Times.

Music Monday: Kansas Concert!

                                                         Kansas performing "Carry On My Wayward Son."
Hey everyone! So, if we're Facebook Official you would see that this Monday would be  One of the things I've been looking foreword to pretty much all summer was the chance to see Kansas live in concert this past Friday. For those of you who know, I'm a huge fan of classic rock. So, when I heard that my town was going to feature them as a part of their free concert series I was so excited. (Of course, it was free so YOLO)

Let's fast foreword a few months later when I got the assignment from one of my editors to do a piece about the Hamden Music Scene. So, I interviewed the lady who runs the Summer Concerts for my article. After interviewing her, I then sent her an email thanking her for her time. She then invited me backstage, which I gratefully accepted. (After all, who can resist going backstage?) I then emailed my editor asking if she wanted me to do a piece about being backstage with Kansas as well as covering the concert. She said yes. 

So Friday night, I went backstage and actually wasn't sure what to expect. I carried a notebook which was from the ACP Conference I attended and had my friend Elisia in tow. At first we ate some delicious cupcakes from the Sugar Cupcake Truck, and then headed towards backstage. 

                                                    Cupcake! 

All of a sudden I was in a whirlwind. I didn't prepare (which was bad for a journalist, I will never make that mistake again!) because I didn't know I was going to be interviewing. However, I quickly was able to think of questions as I interviewed a few people. 

One of the people I've interviewed was the violinist, David Ragsdale. At first, I was kinda of starstruck, because who wouldn't be? He was such a great person to interview and I am so glad to have gotten the opportunity to meet him. 

                                                               Elisia and I backstage!

After that, things were a bit quieter. I did get a chance to be in the town picture with the Arts Commission which was also cool. Than, Kansas took the stage and they were amazing. They played hits such as "Carry on My Wayward Son," and "Dust in the Wind." 

Overall, it was an amazing night and an amazing concert to get a chance to both cover and attend. I enjoyed covering it, and honestly wouldn't mind if I got to do more stuff like this in the future as I progress through journalism. I must say, I really am enjoying my job! 

Music Monday: Favorite Love Songs

Hey everyone! Summer is in the air, and I'm sure so is love. And what better than an intense love affair than having a playlist to fuel the nights when you're with that special someone. Then when you're apart, than when the song comes on you think of that special person. Here's some of my favorite love songs, perfect for those in love. Warning: I can't guarantee you're not going to be able to stop thinking about you're significant other while listening to these hot tracks.

1. Take My Breath Away by Berlin
2. Photograph by Def Leppard
3. Closer by Tegan and Sara
4. The One by Elton John
5. Make Me Lose Control by Eric Carmen
6. Crazy for You by Madonna
7. Close to You by Neon Trees
8. Deuces are Wild by Aerosmith
9. Love They Say by Tegan and Sara
10. Turning Page by Sleeping At Last 
11. You Are in Love by Taylor Swift
12. So Far Away by Rod Stewert 
13. Tiny Dancer by Elton John 

Music Monday: Making Light of my Old Car..

Happy Monday, everyone! I present a different format of this feature than what you are all used to. Instead of featuring my latest musical obsessions, I'm going to tell you what I've been buying lately-cassettes.
Before you say it's a throwback, let me say why I've been hitting up Amazon and eBay for some classic tunes. My new (to me) car sadly didn't come with a CD player, rather a tape player. So, because I like to be the one in control of what I'm listening to, I started asking family members and looking for tapes online. And thanks to that, I now have a small collection to listen to while driving.
I also would like to point out that I do have a cassette converter thing that you can plug your iPod in the car, however, since I'm still getting used to the car, I didn't want to have to fiddle with it every time I go to drive. So, until I get better and used to driving my car, tapes it will have to be.
Thanks to my mom, I now own the Madonna tapes "Like a Virgin" and "True Blue" as well as Foreigner's "Agent Provactor." Thanks to my grandparents, I now own "Tusk" by Fleetwood Mac, and a few others I've never heard of. (They were free, so why not?) Thanks to my eBay and Amazon finds I managed to find some of my favorite albums such as Ozzy's "No More Tears" and "Ozzmosis", as well as more Madonna and a Paula Abdul tape.
Even though I get throwbacks of listening to my old walkman, I am happy that I'm able to find tapes. Usually, they are about $3 at the most since not many people use them anymore, and I'm able to find many of the music albums I like since I like many songs from the 80s and 90s.
Overall, tapes have been my favorite musical obsession. I would have included a picture but many of the tapes I've ordered haven't arrived just yet. 

Music Monday: May Music Obsessions

The title of this post has such alliteration! Anyways, for those of you who know me, I love a good playlist. During my time as the Opinions Editor for the Southern News, I had to make a playlist every week and I was in heaven. Lately, I've been adding music to my iTunes library like crazy! From Lil Wayne, to Lindsay Lohan my iTunes and iPod have been gratefully accepting my new music choices to jam to. So, I decided to share a playlist with you...enjoy! (Some of these songs are a bit older, so #throwback!)

1. Born to Die by Lana Del Rey 
2. What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction 
3. Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding (from 50 Shades of Grey)
4. One by Ed Sheeran
5. Perry Mason by Ozzy Osbourne
6. Closer by Tegan and Sara 
7. Hold on We're Going Home by Drake 
8. Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey 
9. Don't by Ed Sheeran 
10. Dangerous by Roxette
11. Style by Taylor Swift 
12. Heaven Knows by the Pretty Reckless 
13. American by Lana Del Rey 
14. Miracle Man by Ozzy Osbourne
15. West Coast by Lana Del Rey 

Music Monday-Rebel Heart

Who is the Queen of Pop? Many of you will argue many names, but I want to direct your attention to the true Queen. And that is none other than Madonna.
Madonna's been around since 1983 when she released her debut, Madonna. In her 30 plus career, she's pushed more borderlines, created many hits that still manage to move the largest of crowds, and have a large fan base that spans multiple generations. She also released her 13th studio album last week, Rebel Heart.
In December 2014, Madonna released tracks from her new album and pushed up her release date as a result from people leaking her album. She released the hit single 'Living For Love', which topped the charts.

My copy of the super deluxe edition. 

Last week, Rebel Heart came out. And it's been on my iTunes repeat since then. In my opinion, it's one of her better albums. (And I have many of her albums.)
There's many variations of music on the album. Songs like 'Living for Love', 'B*tch I'm Madonna', and 'Unapologetic B*tch' have a dance floor feel to them. Other songs such as 'Ghosttown' and 'Rebel Heart' have a nostalgic, ballad feel to them that show off Madonna's voice and lyrical genius.
In 'Veni Vedi Veci', Madonna even references some of her older works, such as her hits 'Like a Prayer', 'Vogue', and 'Like a Virgin.' Not many artists can pull that off, and that proved not only her legacy, but how lyrically talented she is.
It's safe to say that Madonna is the Queen of Pop, and her latest album proves that she's not going to give up her crown anytime soon.  Rebel Heart is a mixture of the moving on from a breakup, but is a must for anyone who not only loves Madonna but for anyone whose in the mood for great music. It's such a great album, and I can't stop listening to it.
Great job Madonna. With your latest release, you've still shown the world that you're not going anywhere.
Listen to: 'Living For Love,' 'Devil Pray,' 'Ghosttown', 'Iconic', 'B*tch I'm Madonna', 'Unapolegtic B*tch', 'Veni Vedi Veci', 'Holy Water', and 'Rebel Heart.'