So this is just a quick post as I've already posted the compulsory two posts for Music Monday, and I felt like the main post for today wasn't really that music-related, so here ya go.
Haim have finally finished their super long-awaited debut album and are celebrating by letting us in on a new single! Its called The Wire, and I think its my favourite song by them so far! Its really catchy and has that same vibe that all their songs so far have had. It will be released officially on 23rd September, and hopefully their album will be released soon too!
Yas xx
Monday, 29 July 2013
Music Monday: Becoming YouTube Song
So today's Music Monday post isn't really very music related but I felt like I needed to write something on the subject of today's post: the latest episode of Becoming YouTube. If you aren't familiar with the Becoming YouTube Channel (a.k.a ninebrassmonkeys) but you like watching YouTube videos and YouTubers as I do, then you should definitely check it out, especially in light of the latest episode. If you are not part of the YouTube/vlogging world then I suggest you stop reading because you will have no idea what I'm on about, or you could find out by watching the series here.
Anyway the reason why I can bring this post into Music Monday is because of the song at the end of the episode, but I'll talk about that later. First, I want to address the content of the video before the song as it was incredibly thought provoking and brilliantly written. Becoming YouTube is all about how YouTubers and YouTube itself as a type of media are growing in popularity and about how this has been achieved. Ben Cook, the presenter and writer of this documentary-type YouTube channel, will usually use an episode of Becoming YouTube to explore a question or topic (such as whether you have to be good-looking to become successful on YouTube, or why there seems to be a shortage of popular girl YouTubers in comparison to the amount of boys), but in the tenth episode uploaded last night he talked about how people could use their popularity to promote something good which they felt passionate about, essentially helping to change the world. Ben then thought that he could do this, in the form of the song, but then realised he wasn't passionate about anything. The episode then turned into an engaging if ever-so-slightly exaggerated speech from Ben, in which he discussed how no one was doing enough to actually help people in the world and instead we're all sitting around doing nothing and being nothing. It was very unexpected and so felt a little bit like a well-needed slap in the face, and it encouraged the thoughts which I was having last week that I mentioned in my blog post about fresh starts and actually trying to be productive rather than waste my time. Also well done to Ben for pointing out something I've always felt was quite ridiculous, which is when overly attached fangirls send their favourite YouTubers food when they could be sending it to the people who actually need it, or donate the money to charity they've spent on buying them a personalised mug or something. But well done to Ben anyway, not just about that but the entire thing. Becoming YouTube episodes are always incredibly well made and Ben has a way of talking that makes you listen and pay attention to all he has to say, but this was somehow even better.
Back to the song. To lighten the mood the cast began to sing a song, musical-style (you know, when everyone just automatically knows the words somehow), and its called "Becoming YouTube Was a Waste of Time", and I personally don't agree with the name as Becoming YouTube got us all riled up. Although unfortunately not all of us, as annoyingly there were way too many people in the comments for the video talking about the kiss between Ben and Jack from OMFGItsJackAndDean which was obviously thrown in there to see whether people would only focus on that and forget about the message of the video, and yeah, guess some of them did. But anyway, I like the song even though its cheesy since its pretty funny (probably don't like it enough to listen to it more than once on my iPod though haha). And yes, I have it on my iPod. The only reason being is because all the money it makes is being split between two charities, Save the Children and The Trevor Project, and you can buy the song and by doing so chip in for those charities by clicking here!
Well, hope you enjoyed reading this. See ya!
Yas xx
Anyway the reason why I can bring this post into Music Monday is because of the song at the end of the episode, but I'll talk about that later. First, I want to address the content of the video before the song as it was incredibly thought provoking and brilliantly written. Becoming YouTube is all about how YouTubers and YouTube itself as a type of media are growing in popularity and about how this has been achieved. Ben Cook, the presenter and writer of this documentary-type YouTube channel, will usually use an episode of Becoming YouTube to explore a question or topic (such as whether you have to be good-looking to become successful on YouTube, or why there seems to be a shortage of popular girl YouTubers in comparison to the amount of boys), but in the tenth episode uploaded last night he talked about how people could use their popularity to promote something good which they felt passionate about, essentially helping to change the world. Ben then thought that he could do this, in the form of the song, but then realised he wasn't passionate about anything. The episode then turned into an engaging if ever-so-slightly exaggerated speech from Ben, in which he discussed how no one was doing enough to actually help people in the world and instead we're all sitting around doing nothing and being nothing. It was very unexpected and so felt a little bit like a well-needed slap in the face, and it encouraged the thoughts which I was having last week that I mentioned in my blog post about fresh starts and actually trying to be productive rather than waste my time. Also well done to Ben for pointing out something I've always felt was quite ridiculous, which is when overly attached fangirls send their favourite YouTubers food when they could be sending it to the people who actually need it, or donate the money to charity they've spent on buying them a personalised mug or something. But well done to Ben anyway, not just about that but the entire thing. Becoming YouTube episodes are always incredibly well made and Ben has a way of talking that makes you listen and pay attention to all he has to say, but this was somehow even better.
Back to the song. To lighten the mood the cast began to sing a song, musical-style (you know, when everyone just automatically knows the words somehow), and its called "Becoming YouTube Was a Waste of Time", and I personally don't agree with the name as Becoming YouTube got us all riled up. Although unfortunately not all of us, as annoyingly there were way too many people in the comments for the video talking about the kiss between Ben and Jack from OMFGItsJackAndDean which was obviously thrown in there to see whether people would only focus on that and forget about the message of the video, and yeah, guess some of them did. But anyway, I like the song even though its cheesy since its pretty funny (probably don't like it enough to listen to it more than once on my iPod though haha). And yes, I have it on my iPod. The only reason being is because all the money it makes is being split between two charities, Save the Children and The Trevor Project, and you can buy the song and by doing so chip in for those charities by clicking here!
Well, hope you enjoyed reading this. See ya!
Yas xx
Song for the Week
Hey guys, today's song for the week is one of my many happy songs!
Someday- The Strokes
Happy Monday!
Yas xx
Someday- The Strokes
Happy Monday!
Yas xx
Thursday, 25 July 2013
The End Of An Era... And The Start Of A New One!
As a girl who obviously loves writing her thoughts down (and apparently has started sharing them with the world too), I keep a diary. I've always kept diaries as a kid and I have an incredibly large number of full notebooks stashed in the shed and in random places around the house, and I love to read them back again because each page seems to hold a record of a different me from that time.
When I was 13 I decided to get serious and buy myself a proper diary with a lock (instead of the one I got free with bootleg shoes from Clark's along with a box with a secret compartment, does anyone remember those?) and its purpose, apart from being an outlet for all the crazy in my head, was to see how I changed and grew up throughout school because I knew I would be a very different person by the end. So you're probably thinking, 'come on, get to the point, where the hell are you going with this?!' so here is the answer: I wrote the last diary entry in my diary the other day, so it is completely full now. And I thought I'd take this opportunity to start a new diary and make a fresh start.
I'm one of these people that after a while, gets incredibly bored with life and weirdly, my actual self. So I'm always re-inventing myself and becoming inspired to do new things, but this is always short-lived. So this time, I'm not going to do that. Yes, change is awesome, but whenever I do it, I go back to a repetitive pattern of regression and become boring/bored again. I'm a chaotic and spontaneous person, but I need a bit of consistency in my life. So this time, I've got my new diary, my enthusiasm, and that element of determination to actually achieve things rather than procrastinate as usual, and I'm actually going to stick to this. No more putting stuff off because I'm just too damn lazy. I've even made a life decision to take a gap year before going to uni to actually experience the world and live a little. So, here's to fresh starts! And to keeping up the motivation to make a fresh start!
Anyway if you're feeling the same, for example if you made a new years resolution that you were so excited to keep but a week after new years you completely failed at, then why not renew that resolution and try again now that we've reached the middle of the year? Hope you enjoyed reading this and that it inspires you to make a fresh start if you need to!
Yas xx
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| Guess which is the new diary |
I'm one of these people that after a while, gets incredibly bored with life and weirdly, my actual self. So I'm always re-inventing myself and becoming inspired to do new things, but this is always short-lived. So this time, I'm not going to do that. Yes, change is awesome, but whenever I do it, I go back to a repetitive pattern of regression and become boring/bored again. I'm a chaotic and spontaneous person, but I need a bit of consistency in my life. So this time, I've got my new diary, my enthusiasm, and that element of determination to actually achieve things rather than procrastinate as usual, and I'm actually going to stick to this. No more putting stuff off because I'm just too damn lazy. I've even made a life decision to take a gap year before going to uni to actually experience the world and live a little. So, here's to fresh starts! And to keeping up the motivation to make a fresh start!
Anyway if you're feeling the same, for example if you made a new years resolution that you were so excited to keep but a week after new years you completely failed at, then why not renew that resolution and try again now that we've reached the middle of the year? Hope you enjoyed reading this and that it inspires you to make a fresh start if you need to!
Yas xx
Monday, 22 July 2013
Music Monday: Arctic Monkeys New Song
So, Arctic Monkeys fans have been getting all excited with the reveal of their new single "Do I Wanna Know?" and b-side "2013". Personally I think "Do I wanna Know?" is a brilliant song and probably will be on of the songs of the year with its heavy riff and simple drum beat. Its such a smooth sounding song that I'm sure I'll be tapping my foot to for a very long time as I play it on repeat for a few days. Unfortunately I can't say the same for b-side "2013" which doesn't appeal to me as much musically but I find the lyrics quite funny especially how an iPhone is referred to as a"transmitter" with a "little shiny fruit". Its not a bad song, but after hearing "Do I Wanna Know?" its ever so slightly disappointing as the expectation bar was set high. But it is only a b-side after all, although usually I really like b-sides and they end up being my favourite songs, for example the vaccines turn out amazing b-sides like "Primal Urges" and "Tiger Blood" from their first album, then some really diverse ones on their second album which I love, especially how the other band members get their turn to sing .
Anyhoo, back to the monkeys. Album artwork has been revealed too, plus the video for "Do I Wanna Know?" is so cool and super trippy, it kinda reminds me of a less intense version of Tame Impalas video for "Mind Mischief" but without a storyline. The album artwork as you can see is pretty simple but cool all the same (anyone notice bands are using really stripped back album artwork?).
The tracklist for "AM" has also been revealed:
1. Do I Wanna Know?
2. R U Mine?
3. One for the Road
4. Arabella
5. I Want It All
6. No. 1 Party Anthem
7. Mad Sounds
8. Fireside
9. Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?
10. Snap Out Of It
11. Knee Socks
12. I Wanna Be Yours
I'm really looking forward to hearing the whole album in September and I'm curious to know why some of the songs were called what they were (ahem "No. 1 Party Anthem" what? Haha). And the second track "R U Mine?" which was released last year is a great song too so this restores my faith after hearing "2013". But anyway, "Do I Wanna Know?" is a seriously awesome song so I think the rest of the album will be amazing! I guess only time will tell though.
Yas xx
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| Artwork for "AM" |
Anyhoo, back to the monkeys. Album artwork has been revealed too, plus the video for "Do I Wanna Know?" is so cool and super trippy, it kinda reminds me of a less intense version of Tame Impalas video for "Mind Mischief" but without a storyline. The album artwork as you can see is pretty simple but cool all the same (anyone notice bands are using really stripped back album artwork?).
The tracklist for "AM" has also been revealed:
1. Do I Wanna Know?
2. R U Mine?
3. One for the Road
4. Arabella
5. I Want It All
6. No. 1 Party Anthem
7. Mad Sounds
8. Fireside
9. Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?
10. Snap Out Of It
11. Knee Socks
12. I Wanna Be Yours
I'm really looking forward to hearing the whole album in September and I'm curious to know why some of the songs were called what they were (ahem "No. 1 Party Anthem" what? Haha). And the second track "R U Mine?" which was released last year is a great song too so this restores my faith after hearing "2013". But anyway, "Do I Wanna Know?" is a seriously awesome song so I think the rest of the album will be amazing! I guess only time will tell though.
Yas xx
Song for the Week
For about the past two weeks I've been listening to a lot of Muse since I put my iPod on shuffle one day and Starlight came up, so I thought it'd be appropriate to put up the song that I'm currently in love with by them (even though its not my actual favourite song by them), so here it is:
Panic Station- Muse
Happy Monday!
Yas xx
Panic Station- Muse
Happy Monday!
Yas xx
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Bioshock Infinite Review
One thing you should probably know about me is that I'm a bit of a gamer. I love video games but don't have enough time for them usually, but I had a week off during exams in which I completed BioShock Infinite on Xbox 360, the third in the BioShock series, and it's one of the best games ever!
The game is set in America, 1912 during the exceptionalism movement. You are Booker Dewitt, ex-agent/soldier and currently a "independent contractor" alcoholic with gambling problems. Unfortunately you've managed to rack up a huge debt, and to "wipe away the debt", you need to find Elizabeth and bring her to New York, a girl who has been locked away in a tower for the most part of her life in the floating city of Columbia. Yes, the story-line is incredibly far-fetched, but awesome all the same. Columbia is ruled by religious extremist Zachary Comstock, and on your journey to find Elizabeth you get caught up in the fight between the founders (Comstock's side) and the Vox Populi, made up of Black, Irish, Greek and other minority groups who were discriminated against by the founders who wanted to keep Columbia "pure". There's a good if slight unbelievable twist in the story concerning Elizabeth which the story-line builds to, but unfortunately at the end I was left thinking, "well, what was the point in that?" as the solution to the problem was ridiculously easy from a gaming point of view, they even make the end basically just one giant cut scene where the only thing you can do is follow the actions that are available which is mainly just walking. But the rest of the game was perfect, especially the attention to detail in the characters. Elizabeth in particular is not only very helpful but brings more life to the story line as she comments on objects around her which she has never seen before in real life due to being locked away. She sort of reminds me of Rapunzel too, what with the whole tower situation and the fact that she cuts her hair short.
As for the actual gaming experience, its great and very immediate as its from first person view which I don't usually like as you have to constantly move both joysticks so you can run and see at the same time, and that can get annoying when you're fighting multiple people as they can sneak behind you and attack, but once you've got the hang it of its it makes gameplay a lot more fun and you actually feel like your character. And take a look at the graphics, this game is actually beautiful.
So yup, an awesome game and if you haven't got it, why not? Go get it, you're missing out! I can't imagine that many gamers won't have this though since I know I'm late on this but just go with the flow (like a dead fish). The newest big game that came out is The Last of Us, but I don't have that yet plus I'm am absolutely sh*t scared of zombies so the likelihood is I won't be reviewing that. But anyway, I digress. Hope you enjoyed reading!
Yas xx
The game is set in America, 1912 during the exceptionalism movement. You are Booker Dewitt, ex-agent/soldier and currently a "independent contractor" alcoholic with gambling problems. Unfortunately you've managed to rack up a huge debt, and to "wipe away the debt", you need to find Elizabeth and bring her to New York, a girl who has been locked away in a tower for the most part of her life in the floating city of Columbia. Yes, the story-line is incredibly far-fetched, but awesome all the same. Columbia is ruled by religious extremist Zachary Comstock, and on your journey to find Elizabeth you get caught up in the fight between the founders (Comstock's side) and the Vox Populi, made up of Black, Irish, Greek and other minority groups who were discriminated against by the founders who wanted to keep Columbia "pure". There's a good if slight unbelievable twist in the story concerning Elizabeth which the story-line builds to, but unfortunately at the end I was left thinking, "well, what was the point in that?" as the solution to the problem was ridiculously easy from a gaming point of view, they even make the end basically just one giant cut scene where the only thing you can do is follow the actions that are available which is mainly just walking. But the rest of the game was perfect, especially the attention to detail in the characters. Elizabeth in particular is not only very helpful but brings more life to the story line as she comments on objects around her which she has never seen before in real life due to being locked away. She sort of reminds me of Rapunzel too, what with the whole tower situation and the fact that she cuts her hair short.
As for the actual gaming experience, its great and very immediate as its from first person view which I don't usually like as you have to constantly move both joysticks so you can run and see at the same time, and that can get annoying when you're fighting multiple people as they can sneak behind you and attack, but once you've got the hang it of its it makes gameplay a lot more fun and you actually feel like your character. And take a look at the graphics, this game is actually beautiful.
So yup, an awesome game and if you haven't got it, why not? Go get it, you're missing out! I can't imagine that many gamers won't have this though since I know I'm late on this but just go with the flow (like a dead fish). The newest big game that came out is The Last of Us, but I don't have that yet plus I'm am absolutely sh*t scared of zombies so the likelihood is I won't be reviewing that. But anyway, I digress. Hope you enjoyed reading!
Yas xx
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