Album review: Fall Out Boy - M A N I A

Album cover

"MANIA" is the newest album by the American band Fall Out Boy, it was released on January 19th, 2018, and I'm so happy to have new music from one the few bands that I still listen since I was a kid. 

First of all, I noticed something very weird about this album and is that, the songs are in a different number of the list according the version, I mean, if you bought it in the digital version (iTunes), the songs follow a different order than in the CD version (example, the first track in digital version is "Young and Menace" and in CD version is "Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea").  

"MANIA" The change

Since they released "Young and Menace" (the first single), I noticed a different sound, which was loved by some and hated for others. In my case, I didn't like it, because from my point of view it sounded as a remix, but not as the "real" version of the song. Now, that the full album has been released and that I can listen to this new concept, I have to say that I still don't like it, because I don't feel it, I just don't vibe with it. However, it's the only song that I could skip from the whole album, because "MANIA" is full of new anthems and bangers. 
"MANIA" follows a little bit of the same "formula" from their previous album ("American Beauty/American Psycho", 2015), because it has that "commercial sound" that makes it "radio friendly," you know, it has catchy hooks and electronic sounds that make it sound as pop songs. Personally, I like when bands explore new or different music genres without losing their essence or style. In their case, they still sound like Fall Out Boy, they haven't lose they vibe. An example of how they use a new music genre is the song "Sunshine Riptide" (featuring Burna Boy), which is a mixture between reggae and rock that works very well, because it's a great collaboration and it sounds so good.

As I said, this album has great new songs that sound very fresh. I will start with my favorite track, which is "The Last of the Real Ones", I loved this song because of its explosive rhythm and meaning, it is also part of the epic love songs that "MANIA" has. According to Pete Wentz, "The Last of the Real Ones" is about: "That kind of love you feel for someone because of their glitches not in spite of them..." 
The other love song that made think: "This is epic!" was "Church", which through the use of metaphors and religious terms, Patrick sings about worship and unconditional love to a person. 
Nevertheless, if you want to rock more "Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea" is perfect and it's also an empowering song; it talks about resistance and overcoming some problems that we may face. On the other hand, "HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON'T", "Champion", and "Bishops Knife Trick" have remarkable verses and stunning beats.

"MANIA" by Fall Out Boy is an album where we can hear their musical evolution, without losing their unique lyrical style and vibe. Except for "Young and Menace" (from my point of view) each song is unforgettable melodiously and lyrically, probably, the album is not that "solid" about it's concept, but I really liked it.

Fall Out Boy - M A  N   I    A: ★★★★

Tell me guys, what was your favorite song from the album? Write it down and let's keep in touch, comment and / or share this blog. Remember that the official twitter of this blog is @JusSayinggBlog and Facebook @JusSayinggBlog also my staff is on the left top of this page. Thanks for still been here and see you later with new posts!

Listen it on Spotify
Buy it on iTunes

EP review: The Neighbourhood - To Imagine

EP cover

The Neighbourhood has gave us more music to start the year, the name of their new EP is "To Imagine" and I think that my new favorite song from The NBHD is in this EP.

"To imagine" was released on January 12th, 2018, and according to the band, it is connected with their previous EP "Hard" released on September 22nd in 2017. Since The NBHD released the first single from this EP, I knew that something big was coming.

Let's Imagine!

"To Imagine" has five amazing tracks and I noticed that in this EP, the band have decided to explore different rhythms that their previous EP ("Hard") doesn't have, because the other one has slow down melodies and this new EP is "brighter" and less dark. Rhythmically, it has an "eerie new wave feel, heavy with synthesizers and vintage drum machine sounds." 
The first track is "Dust", it talks about global warming and the persistence of humans to destroy the Earth with the endless conflicts among us. In "Dust" Jesse (the singer) uses some effects to distor his voice and making it more "dramatic". After this song, there comes three tracks that are about the same topic, love. The second track is the one that I chose as my favorite one from the EP and my new favorite song from the band. It's titled "Scary Love", which was also the first single, and everything in this song is perfect, the rhythm and the lyrics are very honest and beautiful; it talks about having found that special person, that you know you had good luck to have met him/her (in this case "her"). 

"Heaven" and "Compass", as I already said, are also about love; however, in the case of "Heaven" it has a mysterious rhythm and in a verse Jesse "raps" and his flow is great (he ususally does that in some other songs from previous albums,EPs or mixtapes). While, "Compass" has a faster rhythm and it is also very catchy and I love its meaning, because it's also very honest and he's saying that his partner is his only compass and without her he would be lost. 
The EP ends with "Stuck with Me", this song is mainly about realizing that you are losing some people around you (for different situations); however, he knows that there will be some other people who will be by his side no matter what; it is the most personal and vulnerable song.

Personally, The Neighbourhood is one of my favorite bands ever and every time that they release something new, they manage to catch me with their new songs and rhythms. "To Imagine" has five tracks that i'm sure they will stuck on your mind, because of their lyrics and vintage vibe. 

The Neighbourhood - To Imagine: ★★★★★

Tell me guys, what was your favorite song from the EP? Write it down and let's keep in touch, comment and / or share this blog. Remember that the official twitter of this blog is @JusSayinggBlog and Facebook @JusSayinggBlog also my staff is on the left top of this page. Thanks for still been here and see you later with new posts!

Click here to listen it on Spotify
Click here to buy it on iTunes

Album Review: Camila Cabello - Camila

Album cover

Camila Cabello's self-titled solo debut album "Camila", was released on January 12th, 2018, and this is the first album review of this new year. It is why I wanted to tell you that in this year the reviews will be a little different. However, they still will be written from my point of view, so let's get into the first review of 2018!

I have to admit that Camila Cabello wasn't one of my favorite singers from 5H, in fact, I used to hate her voice and used to think that she was there just because her physic (she's beautiful). Nevertheless, since she started releaseing her solo singles, I decided to change my thoughts about her and enjoy her music. Now that she has released the full album I can say that Camila is here to stay and she's not playing little games.

"Camila" in general:

"I decided to call it by my name, because this is where this chapter in my life ended. it started with somebody else’s story, it ended with me finding my way back to myself." Said Camila Cabello about her album and I think that what she said is very reflected in the album, because there are songs about love, breakups and friendship, but written since her point of view. 
"Camila" is a great debut album and it also sets what she preaches, because it has that Latin rhythms and it's so tropical and warm. I feel like she decided to "follow a path" without exploring new rhythms, because what we can hear in the whole album is what we were expecting from her, but don'r get me wrong I think that it was a good decision. 

Camila's sounds:

As I already said, it has tropical and Latin rhythms, while in some songs she mixes the Spanish with English. It's pretty enjoyable and I think that it's so Camila; however (and I have to point it out), there are some songs that could also be interpreted by 5H (I had to say it, sorry). 

The album has something that I noticed and I wasn't expecting it, there are several ballads and I thought that it was going to be full of dancefloor songs, but don't get me wrong (again) all of them are great. "All These Years" is a beautiful guitar ballad that talks about an encounter with an ex and it's pretty sad, but at the same time is beautiful, I could describe this song as bittersweat. "Consequences" and "Something's Gotta Give" are both so beautiful; however, "Something's Gotta Give" is the best ballad in the album (according to me), because it's very emotional and all we could relate with its meaning; which is about a break up. 
Now let's talk about the bops from this album. I said that it has several ballads, but the few danceable songs are very catchy and cool. The first banger is "She Loves Control", because we cannot deny that it's impossible not to dance to reggaeton beats. The other one is "Havana" (featuring Young Thug) and "Into It", that is the last track.

Well done, Camila, because this debut is great and I think that it will be one of the most successful debuts of this year. My favorite song was "She Loves Control" (sorry, is just that it's pretty cool) and I have to say that my past thoughts about her have gone!

Camila Cabello - Camila: ★★★★

Tell me guys, what was your favorite song from the album? Write it down and let's keep in touch, comment and / or share this blog. Remember that the official twitter of this blog is @JusSayinggBlog and Facebook @JusSayinggBlog also my staff is on the left top of this page. Thanks for still been here and see you later with new posts!

Listen the album on Spotify (click here)
Click here to buy it on iTunes

Mixtape Review: Charli XCX - Pop 2

Mixtape cover

The incredible Charli XCX has gave us a new mixtape (yes, a second one!). "Pop 2" (released on December 15th, 2017) its name and I don't understand how just one girl can create such bops at an early age! The best thing about it, is that she isn't alone, because the whole mixtape is full of dope collaborations. 

First of all, what is a mixtape? "the term mixtape is used to describe certain types of recordings, typically self-produced and independently released albums, that are issued free of charge to gain publicity or circumvent possible copyright infringement." (Wikipedia, n. d.) 

Clarified that point, let's start with its review and let me tell you that I have some relevant things to say about it. First, I thought that "Pop 2"wasn't going to be as lit as her previous mixtape "Number 1 Angel" released in March 10th, 2017, but I was wrong. 

In general, this new mixtape is more electronic and with more collaborations, so its power is double! Charli knows how to write real party and love anthems, mixed with the most crazy beats. "Pop 2" has ten tracks and each one is so unique, but at the same time it's a solid mixtape. The first track is "Backseat" featuring Carly Rae Jepsen, in this song she talks about trying to ignore the coments from people and herselve, saying that her relationship is bad; I have to say that Carly's voice sounds good with Charli. "Out of My Head" (featuring Alma and Tove Lo) was a great surprise, because they three are friends and it's the first time that are together in one song and let me tell you that together, they are pure fire. In this song, they talk about an obsessive love that a girl could feel by a guy.
Even when most of the songs have danceable beats, there are a few electro ballads; for example, "Lucky" where she sings with a robotized voice, "Tears" (featuring Caroline Polachek) and the last song titled "Track 10," where she sings about being tied to a stormy relationship that she can not leave; musically, it has vocal effects and in some parts the beat goes up.

"Sorry, I'm a little scared

But no one ever really cared

I took you for granted

Just a big misunderstandin'"

Charli XCX

I have to tell you that I heard this mixtape in my stereo and it was freaking awesome! I mean, the bass from the whole songs sounded so cool; however, the songs that I most enjoyed were "I Got It" featuring Brooke Candy, Cupcakke and Pabllo Vittar; which is also very electronic and robotic, "Femmebot" featuring Dorian Electra and Mykki Blanco; where Charli compares herself to the functions a robot has when she's in love. Now I will talk about my favorite song that was "Unlock It" (featuring Kim Petras and Jay Park), I really like the flow of the intro where she says: "Lock it, lock it, lock-lock it, lock it, lock it. Unlock it Got the key can you unlock it?" It's like my favorite part, but I also like that she's very creative writing song, I don't understand how she create dope lyrics.

Almost at the end, there's the second collaboration that she does with MØ. The song is called "Porsche" that is a sad song, because she knows that her guy is liying to her and she tries to cover the noise of her tears by the sound of the Porsche. 
I wanted to end the review with the most hot song that was "Delicious" (featuring Tommy Cash), it talks about her desire of being with her boy and touch his "treasure." Musically, this song is a bop and there's is a verse where Charli's voice have an effect and it sounds so good!

"Pop 2" by Charli XCX is totally and album that will make you cry by her sad lyrics while you dance, because we can't deny that each song is a bop! This is how you end a year, giving an amazing mixtape that will serve as the playlist for all the parties that are about to start.


Charli XCX - Pop 2: ★★★★★
My favorite song: "Unlock It" (featuring Kim Petras & Jay Park)

Tell me guys, what was your favorite song from the album? Write it down and let's keep in touch. I'm so happy to be back and if you feel the same, please comment and / or share this blog. Remember that the official twitter of this blog is @JusSayinggBlog and Facebook @JusSayinggBlog also my staff is on the left top of this page. Thanks for still been here and see you later with new posts!

Listen it on Spotify
Buy it on iTunes

Album Review: INNA - Nirvana

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The Rumanian dance-queen has released her new album titled "Nirvana," (released on December 11th, 2017) it has 12 tracks and three of them are in her native tongue (Rumanian, just to make it clear, hahaha), so here it is my review about it.

I listen to INNA's music since her big debut in 2009, so I can say that I have seen her evolution as singer and I know very well how her music style has evolved. For that reason, I have to say that "Nirvana" doesn't show a difference of what we have been listening in the last years. I could say that "Nirvana" is like the second part of her previous album released in 2015 called "INNA." However, in "Nirvana" she is using more the tropical sound of the trumpets and also back-voices as part of the beat in most of the tracks. Even when she's not propossing something new musically, this album is lit and there are a lot of bops!

As she has been doing it in her previous albums, in "Nirvana" she keeps mixing the use of Spanish with English (Spanglish as we call it in Mexico) in several songs. The examples of it are the songs; "Ruleta" (in English roulette) featuring Erik, which is the first track off the album, "Don't Mind," "Tropical" and in the title single "Nirvana." All these past songs that I mentioned are so danceable and have catchy chorus, but I have to say that musically "Tropical" is pretty cool. INNA loves to sing about party and love, so this album is about it.
My favorite track was "Hands Up," because the chorus has a nice flow and I really like its beat, it's impossible not to dance and hum it. In this song she sings about enjoying the party while she's looking for her crush.

"Step by step, I got you breaking

Walls up high but Imma pull them down

Take that heart and make it vacant, baby

Gotta surrender yourself to the bounce"

INNA

If you remember, I said that the use of trompets is very noticeable in this album; well, "My Dreams" has a great beat and it talks about dreaming about her crush and not wanting to waking up. Another wind instrument that I heard is in the song "Lights," and it sounds like a flut, this song also has a different beat in comparasion with the other tracks and the flute gives like a Japanese vibe. The last track in English is "Dream About the Ocean," where INNA sings about thinking about the ocean, in order to de-stress.

The last three tracks are collabarations (except the track 11) with other Rumanian artists. It is the first time that she includes two tracks that "aren't her songs," because in "Nota de plată" and "Tu și eu" INNA is the collaborator. The truth is that Rumanian language sounds pretty exotic and beautiful, by its sound it reminded me to Portuguese. 

INNA is a great singer and her talent always is the first thing that shines in her albums. In "Nirvana" she keeps giving us tropical vibes through the use of trumpets and a dose of mystery with the use of back-voices in her new songs.

My favorite song: "Hands Up"

INNA - Nirvana: ★★★★

Tell me guys, what was your favorite song from the album? Write it down and let's keep in touch. I'm so happy to be back and if you feel the same, please comment and / or share this blog. Remember that the official twitter of this blog is @JusSayinggBlog and Facebook @JusSayinggBlog also my staff is on the left top of this page. Thanks for still been here and see you later with new posts!

Listen it on Spotify
Buy it on iTunes

EP review: Qveen Herby - EP 2

EP cover

Qveen Herby has been killing it since Amy Renee (the girl from Karmin) had the idea of recreating herself. Her "EP 2" has five tracks and with each one of them, she is building her throne and the whole empire! It was released on December 1st, 2017 and it has some new iconic tracks.

Her "EP 1" which was released in this same year, is one of those EPs that cannot be compared nor outdone; however, this new EP is made me say "Qveen is here to stay centuries!" Believe me. In the first track, qveen is telling to her man that he is with a keeper and that she's the boss and what she wants and needs. If we talk about its sound, "Wifey" (the first track) and "Bank" (featuring Maliibu Miitch & Monogem) have like an Egyptian vibe, because she's a Qveen and well, Cleopatra was a badass queen as Herby (my example is great, did you notice it? hahaha).

In the top of this EP  goes the third track titled "Holiday," because it is like the anthem that I never wrote, but it wasn't necessary, because Herby did it for me. This song has a different sound, like a little bit more pop, but she keeps that r&b vibe. The truth is that it has some memorable verses and it's so catchy that it will be stuck on my mind for the following years. It is now one of my anthems until I die, just check it out to the chorus (well, part of it):

"I need a holiday

I been goin' hard like there's somethin' wrong with me

Book a flight for Miami, day

I'll lay around by the beach naked"

Almost at the end it comes "Well Dressed" where she's telling us that she is so fav and a "well dressed mothafucka'" its beat is more dark and her vocals are great. Sadly, this EP just have five tracks, but it ends with a bop! It was the first single from it and its name is "Love Myself." I have to admit that it was my favorite song, but "Holiday" got the place (but it's so near). Nevertheless, this last song is so cool that if I were a singer I would like to stole it and make it mine. It has unforgettable parts and I love how the piano sounds, it's just an iconic song!

Now you already know what I think about Qveen Herby's "EP 2" and if you haven't heard it for some weird reason, listen it now! And also buy it, I mean, it's pretty cool and if you want to be a cool mothefvcker, it has to be part of your playlist.

Tell me guys, what was your favorite song from the EP? Write it down and let's keep in touch. I'm so happy to be back and if you feel the same, please comment and/or share this blog. Remember that the official twitter of this blog is @JusSayinggBlog and Facebook @JusSayinggBlog also my personal insta is on the left top of this page. Thanks for still been here and see you later with new posts!

Qveen Herby - EP 2: ★★★★

Listen it on Spotify

Buy it on iTunes

The 20 Best Albums of 2016 (2/2)

This year was full of great album debuts and non debuts (for some) however, there were 20 albums which excelled more than others, because of the fresure and originality. In the next list, I will share with you the best 20 albums of 2016, according to me. Before you read the albums that I chose, I want to tell you that was very difficult to choose just 20, because the truth is that 2016 was a great year for music and us, fans.
No more to add, here it is the list of The 20 Best Albums of 2016 part two by Jus' Sayingg:

NAO - For All We Know (July 29th, 2016)

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"It’s the one moment in which she seems to step into the past and it’s just as powerful as her forays into future pop, proving NAO has the potential to become one of the most progressive voices in soul and R&B." By Dusty Henry (from COS)

NAO was one of the best discoveries that I found in this year that is ending. Her debut album is one of the best R&B records of the year and the times. Nao is pretty original and her voice is sugar-sweet.

My favorite song: In the Morning

ZHU - Generationwhy (July 29th, 2016)

Album cover

“If you look at the album cover, it's a baby—there's no other really raw way to kind of express intimacy than a baby, right? You have no idea of the world, there's no prejudice, there's no preconceived notion. You're free to digest what you want, to listen to what you want, and do what you want. I wanted to sonically emulate that kind of progression in terms of going from dark into light, that journey of kind of feeling like a child.” ZHU

He was another great discovering and since I heard his penultimate EP, I knew that his album would have to be as great as his EP. Generationwhy is a dark electronic album with amazing beats and unforgettable lyrics.

My favorite song: In the Morning

DJ Snake - Encore (August 5th, 2016)

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"I felt like I was in the middle of the desert, and nothing worked. I was trying so hard to make it, and I kind of lost my touch and my vision, just because I wanted to make it so bad. And then I was like, f*** it, now I'll do me. " DJ Snake

DJ Snake started with great hits such as Turn Down For What or the collaboration with Major Lazer in Lean On, but for his debut album he let his best tracks and making Encore one of the best electronic dance music albums of 2016.

My favorite song: Here Comes the Night (featuring Mr Hudson)

Bastille - Wild World (September 9th, 2016)

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"I think we’ve really pushed our sound. The whole album weaves through these different moods and scenes, going from massive to tiny and intimate and then back to bombastic again." Dan Smith (lead singer of Bastille)

Every single song in this album is a whole story, that not only will make dance or sing but also to think about different issues. Bastille is one of the most talented bands nowadays and Wild World is the proof.

My favorite song: Power

AlunaGeorge - I Remember (September 16th, 2016)

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"You can to try and get over somebody, but my personal hunch is that you never really stop loving someone if you really did love them. You can get them out of your life and not see them, but if you bump into them you’re just going to feel that again." Aluna Francis

AlunaGeorge have shown that they can explore new rhythms without losing their original essence with this album. It is full of amazing anthems since the beginng to the end and it is rhythmically perfect for a Saturday night.

My favorite song: Not Above Love

OneRepublic - Oh My My (October 7th, 2016)

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"the longest amount of time [the band had] ever spent on one project[...]We did a lot of living in the last four years -- there was a lot to write about." Ryan Tedder (lead singer of the band)

Oh My My is a great album full of songs about everything, you know, love, breakups, life, hope, everything! OneRepublic also has proved that they can explore new sounds and rhythms. 

My favorite song: Dream

Two Door Cinema Club - Gameshow (October 14th, 2016)

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"There was a different feeling this time around. We were willing to take more chances and try things that were a little more different, more so than we ever had done before. We had taken quite a long break and that fed the record really – we had to recollect after living a whirlwind life really for the past five years. There was a lot of discovery. We turned up in the studio with a freshness and a new, better attitude and a lot more confidence."  Alex Trimble (lead singer of the trio)

I have to admid it, it was the first album that I heard from this band, but thanks to this incredible record I found out that TDCC has evolved a lot. Gameshow is pure fire and you should burn with it.

My favorite song: Fever

Tove Lo - Lady Wood (October 28th, 2016)

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“It’s about chasing rushes and highs which you can’t have without extreme lows, so it’s an album about those amazing moments when you feel at your most alive, whether it’s taking drugs or being onstage." Tove Lo

Personally, I think that Lady Wood will be a watershed for other artists in the next years, because Tove Lo succeeded creating the perfect combination between electro-pop and tech house, that I believe it will be the sound of the future and Tove Lo has created it.

My favorite song: Keep It Simple

DNCE - DNCE (November 18th, 2016)

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"I feel like the biggest reason would be that it’s our first album out and we want to introduce ourselves to the world – make it easy to find [laughs]. We want people to not have to search too much around what the album name is, just say, “Hey, this is us, we are DNCE, welcome to our life.” Joe Jonas (lead singer of the band)

Since I found out that Joe Jonas was working in a band called DNCE I thought that it was just to be transient band however, since they release Cake by the Ocean they killed me with their original anf funky vibe. Their self-titled debut studio is full of party vibes and super catchy tracks, but it is a very good debut.

My favorite song: Toothbrush

The Weeknd - Starboy (November 25th, 2016)

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"It’s almost schizophrenic, who I portray in my music. The vibe just represents how I feel, what relationship I’m going through, what friendships I’m going through, the success in my life, the failures in my life" The Weeknd

And Abel has did it again! If you thought that Beauty Behind the Madness was going to be his artwork, you were wrong, because with Starboy he has outdone himself, creating an amazing album with dope beats, unforgettable lyrics and an aura darker than ever.

My favorite album: Rockin'

Click here to see the first part of this list

Don't forget to share this list with your friends if you liked it. Also you can leave a comment about it.

Have a great 2017 everyone!From: Juan Valverde

The 20 Best Albums of 2016 (1/2)

This year was full of great album debuts and non debuts (for some) however, there were 20 albums which excelled more than others, because of the fresure and originality. In the next list, I will share with you the best 20 albums of 2016, according to me. Before you read the albums that I chose, I want to tell you that was very difficult to choose just 20, because the truth is that 2016 was a great year for music and us, fans.
No more to add, here it is the list of The 20 Best Albums of 2016 part one by Jus' Sayingg:

Panic! at the Disco - Death of a Bachelor (January 15th, 2016)

Album cover

"Death Of A Bachelor is in honor of those times I spent alone as a kid. Allowing music to consume me. Playing everything myself just to get the idea right and out of my head." Brendon Urie

I am pretty sure that it is their most successful album so far, as it debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, with 190,000 album units, earning the band its best sales week and first number one album.

My favorite song: Don't Threaten Me with a Good Time

Sia - This Is Acting (January 29th, 2016)

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"I’m calling it This Is Acting because they are songs I was writing for other people, so I didn’t go in thinking ‘this is something I would say’. It’s more like play-acting. It’s fun." Sia

Personally, I consider Sia as one of the most talented songwriters of this century and This Is Acting is perfect lyrically, each song has a beautiful message and a danceable rhythm, without forgetting her amazing ballads.

My favorite song: Cheap Thrills

Lion Babe - Begin (February 5h, 2016)

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"We wanted there to be a certain duality, like there is with Blondie, with me as the frontwoman, you might think I'm Lion Babe, but it's like, no, we're Lion Babe. We liked that. It's about embracing your uniqueness and rocking it." Jillian Hervey

Begin is the debut album by Lion Babe, the neo soul duo formed in New York City. It is the perfect example of how to make an unforgettable debut album. 

My favorite song: Satisfy My Love

ZAYN - Mind of Mine ( March 25th, 2016)

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"I realized I couldn’t put any input in … because it didn’t fit the grain of what we were as a band and what we represented. That’s when it got frustrating for me." Zayn

Mind of Mine is Zayn's debut album that have made me to believe in Zayn's artistry. I've never been an 1D fan, but when Zayn left the band, I thoght he was not going to make it on his own, but he shut my mouth with this killer album.

My favorite song: sHe

Beyoncé - Lemonade (April 23th, 2016)

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"Grandmother. The alchemist. You spun gold out of this hard life. Conjured beauty from the things left behind. Found healing where it did not live. Discovered the antidote in your own kitchen. Broke the curse with your own two hands. You past these instructions down to your daughter, who then passed them down to her daughter.” Beyoncé (speech from the visual album)

Released in a surprisingly way, this visual album is the proof that Beyoncé is one of the few artists that never disappoints and she is always exploring new music genres. Each album is always better than the last one.

My favorite song: DADDY LESSONS

Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman (May 20th, 2016)

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"'Dangerous Woman' is a lot stronger. ... To me, a dangerous woman is someone who's not afraid to take a stand, be herself and to be honest." Ariana Grande

Ariana made it clear that she is not a little girl anymore and that this new album is just the beginning of a new era. It is primarily a pop and R&B album, with influences of house and dance-pop.

My favorite song: Touch It

Yuna - Chapters (May 20th, 2016)

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"Songwriting was natural to me, but trying to find that deep place is a rare thing to do when you’ve been writing a long time. … After I wrote all of it, I realized these were like chapters I had in my head lined up. It was me coming out of a relationship and learning how to love yourself." Yuna

Yuna is the best example that when you have talent there is no boundries of any kind.

My favorite song: Best Love

Flume - Skin (May 27th, 2016)

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"I wanted to do something that had more of a progressive feel to it. Something that takes you on a journey, less of a verse/chorus feel." Flume (talking about one track of the album)

Four years had to pass to get this amazing album by Australian electronic musician Flume. Skin is an album where you will find a mixture of different music genres, such as: EDM, electro-pop, dance-pop, wonky, future bass and hip-hop.

My favorite song: Never Be Like You (feat. Kai)

Tom Odell - Wrong Crowd (June 10th, 2016)

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"I wanted the songs to sound big and dramatic; big strings and melodies emphasizing the songs further – rich in musicality and holding nothing back. ...I started developing this story of a guy, using some of my experiences, so this person on the album is half me, half not me." Tom Odell

 Even when it could be described as a sad album, it is beautiful and Tom Odell shows his most vulnerable side, through dramatic ballads and rhythmic melodies.

My favorite song: Silhouette

Broods - Conscious (June 24th, 2016)

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"It’s a metaphor for keeping alert and aware of everything that’s happening around us at the moment. It talks about being in a sleeping state. You don’t have control over your speed or strength." Georgia Nott

It is one of the best electro-pop albums of the year and Broods have made unforgettable songs with beautiful messages and amazing beats.

My favorite song: Are You Home

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Have a great 2017 everyone!

From: Juan Valverde

Album Review: Alicia Keys - HERE

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Here is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys. It was released on November 4th, 2016. According to the singer: "This album is so much about life, New York City, us as people, all the stories I saw growing up,”

After her geat album Girl on Fire (2012), Alicia decided to returned to her roots and she sounds more New Yorker than ever with HERE. Musically, she said that: “It sounds like the New York that I know. It’s aggressive, it’s raw, it’s me being my most truthful…It is such powerful music. You are going to go crazy.” mixing hip-hop, pop, R&B and soul. Lyrically, I noticed a lot of songs about problematic issues that a lot of people have been living these last years, talking about hope, injustice, deaths, murders, family and racism against afro-americans (mostly).

The album has several interludes that gives a more realistic vibe to the tracks. The first interlude is called The Beginning (Interlude), followed up by The Gospel a song about "the problems with money and drugs in the familys of the ghetto." While, in Pawn It All Alicia sings about letting go some things in order to start a new life, it is a beautiful song and its message is very powerful.

In general, it has a lot of slow piano ballads full of raw and powerful messages, that really wiil make you think about our life and the life that other people live. There are several interestings songs to talk about, for instance, the fifth track Kill Your Mama, where the main topic is the loss of compassion that some people loses thanks to the money and "dirty bloody business". Furthermore, Elaine Brown (Interlude) that is before this song is a poem, the woman who talks on it says: "Poetry from the street". Continuing with interesting tracks, the sixth track called She Don't Really Care_1 Luv is actually two song in one, because 1 Luv is a song that is at the end of She Don't Really Care, but in the same track. I think that She Don't Really Care is my favorite song.

"She grew up in Harlem

She grew up in Bronx

She know she was a queen

She lived in Queens

Oh yeah, oh yeah"

Here is that kind of albums that can be described as dark, but at the same time very lit, because there are songs very dark because of their messages, such as: Illusion Of Bliss, about an addict woman and how she really tries to change her life and at the end Alicia's voice breaks and the end of this song is very dramatic but real, she sings: "I don't wanna be a fallen angel, Don't say I'm gone, gone, I don't wanna be a fallen angel". However, as I said there are lit and hope tracks that makes this album very motivational, such as: Blended Family (What You Do For Love), Work On It and More Than We Know. On the other hand, in this album there are two tracks that talk about insecurities that some women have; Cocoa Butter (Cross & Pic Interlude) and Girl Can't Be Herself, which is also one of the few tracks with a fast rhythm.

Alicia Keys' album ends with Holy War, which is amazing. This last track talks about that we should be more empathic and that there are things that matters less than other that should be moe important for us.

I really loved this album, because is a mixture of different feelings and emotions: it is dramatic, raw, lit, beautiful, sad is all at the same time, but at the end it helps us to think about issues that we should be more interested and worried.

Alicia Keys - HERE: ★★★★★

Now it's your turn to write your comment about it. Did you liked this album? What was your favorite song? Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook (@JusSayinggBlog) and to visit the other posts. Furthermore, you can read the other album reviews that you will find here.

Album Review: Empire of The Sun - Two Vines

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Two Vines is the third studio album by Australian electronic music duo Empire of the Sun. It was released on October 28th, 2016. The duo explained the album title saying: “this image of a modern city overtaken by jungle”. 

I listen to their music since 2013, when they released Ice on the Dune (2013) and I have to say that I really like their music style, I think that it is very original and unique, also they always make me feel like I am in another world, they have an intergalactic vibe. However, when they released the first song from this new album, I thought that it was going to be the same, but they really surprised me with Two Vines.

Musically, it has their electro pop sound, with some of glam rock, but what I liked was that they explored new sounds that makes it sound fresh. Lyrically, you will find songs about hope, life, love and peace, I mean, they always have peace and love messages in their music and this is not the exception.

The album opens with Before, that sounds like all their music, but for me this track does not describes the album, because there are songs that sounds more different from this one. It is followed by High and Low, the lead single and it was about Alice D, a girl that Luke Steele (the singer) met when he was child, he said that she was "a bit of a wild child growing up". Then, the third track Two Vines, which is a slow pop ballad with a lit rhythm, but I have to say that I did not understand its message very well. 

Nevertheless, if you want to sing and dance, there are several tracks that are very catchy and danceable, such as: Friends, Way to Go, Ride (it has a Daft Punk vibe) and Zzz that was my favorite one from the album. It is about love and it has a great beat, is that kind of songs that you learn very fast because of its catchy lyrics and melody.

"Oh, tonight I stepped out, the starlight shining through

Angels calling us, we don't have too far to go

Rely on this now, the day I felt alone

Didn't wanna let you go, all we have is love to show"

On the other hand, in Two Vines you will find some good electro pop ballads, such as: Digital Life, There's No Need, where the singer's voice have a synthesizer effect. While the most vulnerable songs are First Crush and To Her Door, both songs describe the different sides of a relationship, one is about the love that you feel for the first time and the second is about the problems that people experience when in a relationship.

The deluxe version of the album contains four bonus tracks. The first three tracks are new songs, but the last one is Walking on a Dream, which was their first and most popular single, off their 2008 debut album of the same name.

Two Vines is a pretty good album with great songs, that will make you feel in another world. I liked it, but I have to admit that Empire of The Sun are not proposing anything "extraordinary" with this album, although they have explored new sounds, it does not mean that Two Vines is somethings that we had not expected.

Empire of The Sun - Two Vines: ★★★★

Now it's your turn to write your comment about it. Did you liked this album? What was your favorite song? Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook (@JusSayinggBlog) and to visit the other posts. Furthermore, you can read the other album reviews that you will find here.

Album Review: Tove Lo - Lady Wood

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Lady Wood is the second studio album by Swedish singer Tove Lo. It was released on October 28th, 2016. According to Tove Lo, the album title means: "having balls as a sign of bravery, and also how people think of being a coward as being a pussy, which she mentions is unfair."

I listen to her music since 2014, when she released her EP Truth Serum and I remember that the first song I heard was actually a remix of her hit Habits. However, with her debut album Queen of the Clouds, Tove Lo showed me that she was a great singer, talented songwriter and a unique artist that deserved my attention.
Lady Wood is an amazing album that shows her musical growth and her unique music style. Lyrically, you will find songs about casual sex, love, confidence, drugs, romance and vulnerability. While musically, this album is darker than her debut album, because it has slow beats but it follows her electro pop style. She said that: "There’s definitely a different sound to it — we’ve gone a little bit more dark techno vibe with it, some of it. You know, blended with pop."

The first track is an intro called Fairy Dust (Chapter I). Tove explained it saying: "We had a very small screening for the first chapter, which is called “Fairy Dust.” It’s the beginning of a rush, when you’re starting to feel it,". Followed by the first song that is a collaboration with Wiz Khalifa. The song is called Influence and with it, the album opend with a very sexual vibe and sassy mood. The third track is Lady Wood in which Tove Lo sounds very confident about herself and this song is the one with a fastest beat in comparison with the other tracks.
This album has several danceable tracks and one of them is: True Disaster, followed up by the amazing dope track Cool Girl, that is the lead single and with it, I knew that Tove Lo's new album was going to sound different and dark. The second collaboration is with Joe Janiak; the song Vibes is also about a romance with a guy and the issue of this song is very similar to True Disaster. Vibes at first sounds like a ballad with guitar, but then it becomes an electro pop song and Joe's voice sounds perfect.

"What's your line, though?

That I'm fine, oh

Heard that before

But somehow it means more"

The second chapter of Lady Wood is divided by the intro Fire Fade (Chapter II), that according to Tove Lo: "is like halfway through the set when I’m getting a little tired and I can feel people’s attention lacking a little bit. I feel more aware of where I am and who’s with me." This chapter starts with an interesting song called Don't Talk About It, where she sings about the dark side of fame and its ravages. Don't Talk About It has an explosive chorus and it is very catchy and it is like a progressive song, because it grows with the pass of the seconds. However, the most vulnerable song in Lady Wood is Imaginary Friend. However, Keep It Simple is also very personal and emotional, actually I think it is my favorite song from the whole album. Nevertheless, Flashes "is like an outflow to a lover who is affected in a negative way by Tove’s fame and money." 
Tove Lo ends the album with WTF Love Is, which is a dramatic way to finish it, because in the song we can notice a confused girl with a lot of insecurities about herself and about her feelings.

Lady Wood by Tove Lo is a great dark album not only musically, but also lyrically; it so personal that you will feel empathic to her feelings. On the other hand, Tove Lo said that this album is the first half of a two-piece double album, which is going to be released in 2017 and I'm getting excited. I loved Lady Wood and I think it is one of the best albums of 2016.

Tove Lo - Lady Wood: ★★★★★

Now it's your turn to write your comment about it. Did you liked this album? What was your favorite song? Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook (@JusSayinggBlog) and to visit the other posts. Furthermore, you can read the other album reviews that you will find here.

Album Review: Lady Gaga - Joanne

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Joanne is the fifth studio album by American singer Lady Gaga. It was released on October 21st, 2016. It has two version, the standard with 11 tracks and the deluxe with two bonus tracks and one demo of one of the songs from the album.

Lady Gaga has finally returned with a country pop rock album, where we can hear her with more freedom and being more honest than never before. I have to say that, Lady Gaga is one of the greatest artists nowadays and her albums are always very controvercial. 

Joanne musically, is a mixture between country and pop, but there are also a little bit of rock and punk. Lyrically, there are songs about being alone, breakups, love, death, freedom, and other issues.

Diamond Heart is the first track in the album, which sets the tone for the album. This song is referencing to her engagement ring from her fiancé Taylor Kinney, who gave her a heart-shaped ring. Followed by the promotional single A-YO, a song against the haters, where Gaga sounds having fun while singing the song and it has a pretty cool pop country rhythm. The third track is the title track off of Lady Gaga’s album, Joanne. Personally, this country ballad has two meanings: one is for her aunt, died of Lupus in a very young age. The chorus can also be understood with a second meaning. In the part where she sings "Where do you think you're goin' Goin', girl?", Gaga might be talking to herself, asking about her future and what she is going to do.

In this part of the album, after three tracks, Joanne becomes a little bit more danceable and it sounds more Gaga, because is when John Wayne, Dancin' in Circles and Perfect Illusions come out. These three tracks are those songs that will make you dance and sing, because are the most catchy songs. In John Wayne, Gaga is fantasizing for a cowboy-type lover. While, Dancin' in Circles (my favorite song) is for me, the song that most remind me to Lady Gaga's past songs, because in the part where she makes her voice sweeter saying "Tap down those boots while I beat around, Funk me downtown", she reminded me to one the tracks from her debut album called Summerboy. Furthermore, it is the most sexual song, talking about female masturbation.

"I lay around, touch myself to pass the time

I feel down, I wish you were mine

I close my eyes

Take a breath and I picture us in a place

I can't recognize"

From now on, the songs become almost acapella songs, because are slower and have less instruments. Million Reasons is the first ballad from this part and I really like this song, because she sounds amazing and the lyrics are beautiful. Sinner's Prayer has a great guitar sound and Come to Mama has a strong country rhythm, with a little bit of jazz because of the trumpets. Talking about the collaboration with Florence Welch called Hey Girl, I really was expecting something better, because it sounds like the demo of the song, not like the real one. The album ends with a dramatic ballad called Angel Down, which was "inspired by the tragic murder of African-American teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012." On the other hand, the two bonus tracks follow the same country vibe. However, Grigio Girls and Just Another Day have a strong Gaga's vibe, I mean, these two songs reminded me to the songs from Disco Heaven (an unreleased album). 

I have to be honest and tell you that, I liked this album. However, I was not expecting this country vibe, I know that  Lady Gaga always explore new music genres and that stuff, but I feel like she risked too much with this album. There is one expression that says: Nothing ventured, nothing gained; which is one of Lady Gaga's best characteristics. However, this time for me Joanne was not enough.

Lady Gaga - Joanne: ★★★★

Now it's your turn to write your comment about it. Did you liked this album? What was your favorite song? Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook (@JusSayinggBlog) and to visit the other posts. Furthermore, you can read the other album reviews that you will find here.