July 29, 2013

Album Review: Stars Dance

I love this album far more than I thought I would. To be honest I'm not sure why I didn't think I'd be that enamoured when I really like all 3 of her "The Scene" albums but still, I was a little uncertain. Despite that, I listened to the iTunes preview and knew straight away that I wanted to buy it and since then I've listened to it a whole lot.

This album definitely feels more sophisticated than her previous albums. My favourite songs are probably "Slow Down" and "Save the Day" but I couldn't really tell you why. I've never been good at explaining why I like songs. Usually how fun they are to sing along to often plays a big factor and these tick that box, especially the do-do-do bit in "Save the Day". Give it a listen and you'll know what I'm talking about.

There are admittedly a couple of weaker songs but then there's not many albums that don't have a few filler songs.  For me "B.E.A.T" and "Birthday" are probably my least favourite songs but that doesn't mean they're bad, they're just not as good as the rest of the album. Although by the looks of the popularity on iTunes they're will be a lot of people who disagree with the latter.

By no means is this album groundbreaking but if you're looking for a fun album that you can dance and sing along to then this is for you. Selena isn't taking herself seriously, she's not trying to pass herself off as some insane vocalist, cause lets be honest her vocal chords would be no match against Beyoncé or Adele, but she is having fun and producing good songs which for me is often what's more important.

If you want to preview the album in it's entirety you can do by clicking here.

What do you think of Selena's latest musical offering? 

July 26, 2013

Butterflies




Yesterday the sun was out yet again and so were the butterflies. There was absolutely loads flocking to one particular plant int the garden so I decided to crack out the ol' camera and take a few snaps of these beautiful animals.


July 24, 2013

Prince George Alexander Louis

Unfortunately Will and Kate did not grant my wish of going for something a little bit unexpected for the name of their son but that aside it's still nice to be able to finally put a name to the face. 

HRH Prince George of Cambridge
What was slightly unexpected was the lack of a fourth name as both Prince William and Prince Charles have four names.

I've always like names so I thought I'd have a little look into the new little Prince's names.

George
A classic name for a future King. We've had 6 King George's including the little guys Great Great Grandfather, the Queen's father, George VI. George is also the name of the patron saint of England.

George means "farmer" or "earth worker" which is a smidge ironic what with Prince George being well, a prince.

It's also a Harry Potter name so win!

Alexander
This is apparently a common name on the Middleton side of the family but it could also be a nod to the Queen as Alexandra is one of her middle names. 

Alexander means "defending men" which seems quite apt seeing as he'll one day be Defender of the Faith.

Louis
One of Prince William's middle names, this is very meaningful to the Windsors as it was the name of Lord Louis Mountbatten, Prince Charles' Uncle, who was assassinated by the IRA in 1979.

Louis is from the German name Ludwig meaning "famous warrior".

What do you think of the little Prince's name? What would you have chosen if you were Kate?

July 23, 2013

Best Video Ever

This is quite possibly one of the best and funniest videos ever made but then when James Corden has helped to write it you can't expect anything less really.


The highlight has to be Zayn dressed as "the sexy assistant" Veronica and not only that but Harry then dancing with "her" and being completely unable to keep a straight face let alone a sexy face. Also, anyone else think that when Harry's dressed up he looks freakishly like Gok Wan?

Admittedly when a video is so much about the story going on, that has squat to do with the song, you do find that you don't really notice the song but having heard it on it's own already I have to say it's, in my opinion, the best single since What Makes You Beautiful. It's also as catchy as. It's literally been stuck in my head constantly since I first heard it.

If haven't already, check out the directional frivolity by clicking here.

Next up One Direction: This Is Us in 3D otherwise known as 5 guys pissing about and occasionally having a sing song in front of a couple thousand people. Sounds good to me!

What do you thing of Best Song Ever and it's video? Anyone else secretly, or not so secretly, excited for the movie?


July 22, 2013

It's A Boy!

Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their new son!


He was born at 4.24pm, and weighed in at 8 lbs 6 oz and is now third in line to the throne of the United Kingdom and 15 Commonwealth realms. No pressure little guy.

I have to admit it all felt a little anti-climatic when it was announced that it was a boy what with all the law changes that happened but still it's a very special occasion and a day that will go down in history.

We won't find out the name until at least tomorrow but I'm really hoping that they go for something a little bit unexpected. I'm not talking crazy or anything just something that hasn't been used in the Royal Family before but I'm guessing they'll probably play it safe.

I can't wait to see the little guy for the first time when they leave hospital in the next day or so.

Welcome to the world Baby Cambridge!

July 21, 2013

Catching Fire

During the final day of Comic Con this year the brand new full length theatrical trailer for Catching Fire was shown and holy shit does it look amazing! Catching Fire was not my favourite book of the series but it seems that film makers have taken the source material and upped the anti a good few notches. 


Something that particularly stood out for me in the trailer was that despite the fact that the main role of this movie is to basically set up for the final instalment it still looks like it's going to massively griping and exciting throughout as we see the rebellion start to pick up. This is just the Hunger Games anymore and it's not just about whether Katniss survives or not.

I also have to say that Jennifer Lawrence looks amazing in this movie particularly during the short glimpse of the victors parade. Finnick isn't too hard on the eyes either.

For me The Hunger Games has helped to partially fill the gap that has been left by the lack of any new Harry Potter films. I can't wait for this to hit the screens in November. I loved the first movie and I often find that in these sort of franchise movies the sequels tend to surpass the original due to the bigger scale and bigger budget so I'm sure Catching Fire is gonna be just as good as the first if not better.

Unfortunately I can't imbed the trailer here so to check it out click here.

Are you excited for Catching Fire? Do you think it'll be better than the original? Let me know! 

July 20, 2013

Cory.

I'm sure most of you are aware that last week Cory Monteith passed away. Some of you may not really care but to all the Gleeks, myself included, it was pretty devastating news to wake up to on a Sunday morning.


Finn was never my favourite character on Glee but I still really liked him and his loss is going to leave a gaping hole in the show. Any tribute episode they do for Cory is going to be all kinds of emotional to watch and I honestly feel for Lea Michele and the rest of the cast having to film it.

Anyway, as I said, I'm a Gleek and in honour of Cory I thought I'd put together a little playlist of my favourite Finn performances. I hope you enjoy it. 


And last but not least, where it all began just over 4 years ago.
Don't Stop Believing


RIP Cory. You will be missed.


July 05, 2013

June Playlist 2013

Am I the only who genuinely cannot believe that it's July already? It doesn't seem 5 minutes ago that we were basking in Olympic glory yet that was nearly a year ago! Anyway onto what I've been listening to throughout the month of June.

Please Don't Say You Love Me - Gabrielle Aplin
Dance Your Pain Away - Agnetha Fältskog
Something That We're Not - Demi Lovato
Stars - Mark Owen
Only Teardrops - Emmelie de Forest
We Can't Stop - Miley Cyrus
5:15 - Bridgit Mendler
Neon Lights - Demi Lovato
Pompeii - Bastille
Panic Chord - Gabriella Aplin

This month I have hands down fallen in love with Gabrielle Aplin's debut album English Rain. I first gave it a listen on iTunes and wasn't actually that taken by it but decided to buy it when my Mum said she wanted it too and I'm so glad that I did! It's not necessarily an album I'd listen to in isolation but then again I don't particularly enjoy listening to albums period. I've gotten too used to shuffle. But that's what I like about Gabrielle, her songs stand out in the endless stream of pop and glee that inhabits 80% of my iPod yet at the same time it's not worlds away. I can still sing along to it which after all is one of the most important aspects for me when it comes to liking a song.

Two other albums I've really been liking are Demi Lovato's newest release "Demi" and Agnetha Fältskog of ABBA fame's return to the world of music, "A". "Demi" is classic, well, Demi. She's stuck to what she does best and if it ain't broke. If you love a bit of Dancing Queen then you're sure to like "A", it defintely has that classic ABBA feel despite not being written but Benny and Bjorn but it suits Agnetha as she is now a little more reserved and mature.

What songs have you been listening to this month? I'd love some recommendations so let me know in the comments below!