Jessie’s Weekly Listen - 31/08/15

(I’ll try and come up with a better title next time, I promise)

Post-Reading and Leeds blues getting you down? Or still recovering from the notion of President Kanye? If, like me, you’ve been glued to the BBC Red Button coverage for the whole Bank Holiday weekend (or actually embraced the festival in all its muddy field glory), don’t fret! I’ve compiled the ten songs that I’ve been listening to recently and put them in a nifty Spotify playlist for your listening pleasure, in the hope that your ears may get a kick out of it - due to my terrifyingly eclectic music taste there should be something for everyone here! 

Neck Deep - Gold Steps

The inspirational lyrics in this song from the pop-punk quintet can really help you out when you feel caught between a rock and a hard place. With such anthemic gems as ‘Sometimes things will bend you, but trust me you’ll be fine, ‘cos I’ve been moving mountains that I once had to climb’, not to mention the vibrant, hooky chords, this single is a winner. Their second album, ‘Life’s Not Out To Get You’, is out now.

For fans of: State Champs, The Wonder Years

Bring Me The Horizon - Throne

I’ll be the first to admit that Oli Sykes’ screaming often put me off this metal band’s music. But with their change in musical direction for upcoming album ‘That’s The Spirit’ they’ve certainly saved many eardrums and gained a lot of new fans - I’ve given their older music another chance and its powerful effect has rubbed off on me too. ‘Throne’ is their latest official single, and it’s a whopping great hunk of incredibly catchy rock - I recommend giving the video a watch too!

For fans of: Asking Alexandria, A Day To Remember

Oli Sykes, lead singer of 'Bring Me The Horizon'

Photograph: Chloe DeLong via Wikimedia Commons

Halsey - New Americana

There are so many fabulous songs on pop sensation Halsey’s debut album, ‘BADLANDS’, but you just cannot beat this song. Halsey's  haunting vocals, reflecting on a generation 'raised on Biggie and Nirvana', burst with a candid restless passion that is reflected in the electro-pop chords. Oh, and her musical name is an anagram of Ashley, her first name, in case you were wondering.

For fans of: Hayley Kiyoko, Tegan and Sara

Pentatonix - Cheerleader

I’ve fallen under a bit of a Pentatonix spell since watching ‘Pitch Perfect 2’. A cappella is such a masterful art and they have got it down to a tee, often making everyone love the songs they cover much more than the originals themselves, and this song by OMI is no exception. Baritone Scott Hoying and mezzo-soprano Kirstie Maldonado's voices are breathtaking, whilst Mitch Grassi's opening is one of the best I've heard in a long time. And I'm super jealous of Kevin Olusola and Avi Kaplan's ability to make the most amazing vocal percussion and bass sounds with their mouths. Anyone willing to teach me beatboxing and scat singing?

For fans of: Glee, Tufts Beelzebubs

Mary Lambert - Secrets

The lyrics and the sharp, snappy beat behind this song have IT. Whatever ‘it’ is. One thing is for certain, you won’t be able to get this song out of your head. The album ‘Heart on My Sleeve’ includes a version of the song featuring B.o.B, but I prefer the raw, bare vocals of Lambert on the original, if you can get hold of it. Music is about telling your truth, and she tells her truth beautifully here. The song is upbeat and has a positive message, but it had me in tears when I first heard it.

For fans of: Echosmith, Esther Dean

Iwan Rheon - Tongue Tied

Yes, this is Ramsay Snow from Game of Thrones. He’s joined the ranks of numerous actors-come-singers to bless your ears with the most beautiful Welsh song. The folky melody merges wonderfully with his husky vocals. Check out his album ‘Dinard’ for more glorious tunes. 

For fans of: Ben Howard, Keaton Henson

Iwan Rheon

Photograph: Paul Bird via Wikimedia Commons

New Found Glory (ft. Hayley Williams) - Vicious Love

The Paramore songstress’ vocals give a fantastic boost to this song as she features alongside her guitarist fiancé Chad Gilbert. The powerful beat, Jordan Pundik and Hayley’s harmonies and the mesmerising instrumental breaks combine to form a great track. How about Paramore and New Found Glory following in McBusted's footsteps and forming a supergroup? New Found Paramore? Paramore Glory? Anyone? No? Alright then.

For fans of: Paramore (duh), The Starting Line

Alexander - Four AM

I’ve been waiting for fresh tunes from the Durham four-piece for FOREVER, and this offering to follow their debut 'Say Hello' isn’t a disappointment. Lead singer Anth’s vocals break cleanly over the tuneful instrumentals to form a simple, youthful-sounding track. This band's energy and vibrancy definitely makes them one to watch. Check them out on their October tour!

For fans of: The 1975, Sons and Lovers

Don Broco - Superlove

It feels like an age since I first heard Don Broco, in a dingy concert hall where they were supporting the now-disbanded Futures, buying their pre-debut CD ‘Big Fat Smile’ from the appropriately ever-cheery Rob Damiani. It must feel like a different era to the Bedford four-piece now, having propelled further than they could ever have hoped to go. The pop-rock optimism evident in this song is a distijnct move away from the harsher sound of 2012’s album ‘Priorities’ - and I love it. The catchy chorus and upbeat tempo makes for a cracking opener on their latest album, 'Automatic'.

For fans of: Lower Than Atlantis, Twin Atlantic

PVRIS - Fire

I may or may not have a rather large celeb crush on Lynn Gunn, the lead singer of this band, but that doesn’t stop me from unbiasedly appreciating the beauty of her voice on this track. It is so refreshing to hear a female lead in a rising rock band. This song is addictive, and their excellent session drummer Christopher Kamrada really adds to its edgy quality. The Boston-based trio are soon to support the aforementioned Bring Me The Horizon, along with fellow support Neck Deep, on their November tour - can you tell which tickets are on my wish list right now?

For fans of: Tonight Alive, We Are The In Crowd

PVRIS

Photograph: Sam San Roman via Wikimedia Commons