Okay, yes. I’m a One Direction fan. There music is exactly the type I like to listen to.
And guess what, fellow directioners? A new album is coming, November 14 to be exact. And it’s titled “Four.” I have no idea why it’s named that, but I hope it has a symbolic meaning, other than it’s the fourth album, because that’s not clever.
Follow the link below and you can pre-order the album and hear an exclusive track, “Fireproof.” I have no idea where this track came from, certainly not from the 1D we knew from the past three albums. But, it’s good. More mature. Maybe too mature for the 13-year-old fans, but for the college-aged fans like moi, it’s clear we’re the target demo.
Hi all. Sorry it’s been awhile– classes have taken over my schedule. But, I’m back now and this week I’m going to discuss my thoughts on the top music songs, that I’ve heard of.
1. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
Finally, she’s calling herself pop. Finally. At first, I hated this song. But now, after letting it settle, I like it. Definitely has a good dance vibe.
2.”Bang Bang” by Ariana Grande, Jessie J, & Nicki Minaj
Yes, that’s how I spent my Sunday night: at the Katy Perry Prismatic world tour stop in St. Louis. I thought I’d recap, review, and rehash the fashions and the happenings of the show
At the beginning, there were glow-in-the-dark warriors (her dancers) doing aerials across the stage. Pretty impressive. Then, Katy comes out (bursts through a giant triangle in the floor) and singing “Roar.” (Which I knew would be the opening song.)
Then she went into “Part of Me” and practically yelled every lyric. Not so endearing.
With the fashion, I was expecting a hell of a lot, knowing what Katy Perry is capable of. Her first outfit is very couture with glow-in-the-dark abilities.
Very edgy and couture, especially this shot. But, it is indeed a crop top and skirt.
Then, she appeared sitting sidesaddle on a mechanical horse to intro “Dark Horse.” Personally, I think this song would do better with black costumes as opposed to gold sequins and purple (here in a bodysuit). Honestly, I ended up dancing more to Juicy J’s section in the song than Katy’s and he wasn’t there.
Here’s her Dark Horse apparel. But what is that skunk-pharoah hairdo? Not good.
During the first several songs, including “Legendary Lovers” (which didn’t have a good crowd energy), a father sitting behind me kept yelling for my entire row to sit down. You do realize this is Katy Perry? And it was during her big dance hits! Who would actually sit during that concert?
For the song that “put her on the map,” “I kissed a girl,” Katy appears in a lilac bodysuit. very couture. Like. Although, I did not like the background vocals that yelled the lyrics out. KP lacked energy for her first major hit.
Then, we kept waiting for the standard long dance break and guitar riff for her to change into another ostentatious couture outfit.
Then, it’s Welcome to Kittywood with a cat themed set to sing “Hot N Cold.” She’s wearing a pink sequined leopard inspired bodysuit and her face was completely emotionless during that set. It sounded robotic and creepy, including the normally-upbeat chorus. Do not like.
At this point, KP has yet to address the crowd. Total dislike.
Then she sings “International Smile” and I can’t hear the vocals, there’s way too much bass. I don’t know what she onstage changed into, but it looked very haute couture, to which, she does a runway walk to Madonna’s Vogue. Do you think Katy is gunning for a guest judging spot on ANTM? After all, she treated her concert like an over-the-top fashion show.
Next set is at the very tip of the triangle stage, covered in sunflowers. She adds, “I just had to change into something more SPARKLY.” She sounds a bit, crazy.
She’s sporting rainbow-colored hair; clearly a wig, KP.
I love the bottom of her flower dress, so couture. I’m not crazy about the over the top sparkly bust.
Clearly, Katy the cartoon character is here tonight.
She sings “By the Grace of God” and for the first time all night, I can actually hear her vocals, which are pretty good. It’s a beautiful ballad and really shows her passion for music and performing.
But that wig! It’s almost making a mockery out of her beautiful song and vocals. What a shame.
Then, the first support act, Ferras pops out to duet “Legends Never Die,” which wasn’t bad. He was weird hair, but I like his song. Pretty vocals, Katy’s voice too.
She brings out a glitter acoustic guitar for “The One That Got Away.” It’s a ballad-remix. It sounds pretty, but so sad. Hmm….
Then, she infuses that with “Thinking of You!” It’s one of her old hits I loved! Thanks for bringing that back, KP! Definitely one of her old best songs.
She goes into “Unconditionally” and the crowd lights up their flashlight apps. I love the song to begin with, but Katy’s dancers made butterflies that flew around, that made it way too adorable for the song.
Towards the end, I was no fan of her costumes. Too crazy and out there. Stick to the couture. Much better.
Her new song, “This is How We Do” sounds totally synthesized and I didn’t like that.
She goes into “Teenage Dream” and “California Girls,” where she changes some lyrics to fit the town. And she sports what is a couture version of a sexy Tinkerbell costume.
At 10:57, it’s time for the encore. She appears in a pink vinyl dress turned bedazzled nude body suit for “Birthday” where she celebrates a local girl’s bday. How sweet. And she does that at every show! Then, she flys across the audience.
She ran across the stage and hi-fived members of her band. How down-to-earth. I love it when stars act like regular people.
Then, she plays “Firework” wearing a firework-inspired ball gown with blue glitter pants underneath, which I want. The song sounds just like vintage Katy, including her old hairstyle of long brown hair with a bang.
At the end, her triangle stage fold up with her inside, the opposite of how the show started.
All in all, it was very theatrical and over-the-top, but, nonetheless, it was entertaining. I had fun.
As you recall, earlier this summer I had compiled a list of the songs I was obsessing over this summer.
I’m here to amend that list:
1. “Bang Bang” by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj
To be honest, I started to enjoy this song after seeing the amazing choreography to it on So You Think You Can Dance! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVPQhXm_1cI) And now, I’m obsessed with it.
2. “Chasing the Sun” by Hilary Duff (aka Lizzie McGuire!!)
Lizzie McGuire is back! And this time with a super-sweet Top 40 song that is perfect for summer! Love.
3. “Break Free” by Ariana Grande feat. Zedd
Yes, another Ariana track is on the list, but I can’t help it–she’s just that talented.
4. “Black Widow” by Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora
Okay, I guess I’ll put this on here. Simply because it’s catchy.
5. “Maps” by Maroon 5
Another ‘maybe’ song, but hey, it’s catchy and I’m enjoying it.
6. “Amnesia” by 5 Seconds of Summer
Love this ballad! And I’m waiting for a routine on SYTYCD!
7. “Good Girls,” “18,” “Mrs. All American,” “Social Casualty,” “Voodoo Doll,” “Greenlight” by 5SOS
And lastly, here’s a feminist-inspired country number:
It’s summer, and basically, I can’t be found anywhere without my earbuds or car radio. So, that’s what today’s post will focus on: the charttopping hits I can’t help but sing along to.
In chronological order of when I started listening to the song…
1) “Boom Clap” by Charli XCX
The TFIOS hit is catchy and makes me want to get up and dance (which I almost did in the theater!)
2) “All of the Stars” by Ed Sheeran
From a previous post, you all should know how much I’ve loved this TFIOS ballad. In fact, I was the only one in the theater who stayed until the very end of the credits, just to hear the Ed song in entirety.
Another Ed hit, this one from his newly released album ‘x’ (pronounced: multiply). I love Ed’s ballads. It’s so beautiful, and as the dancer I grew up as, I just want to choreograph a lyrical number to it.
This song is taking over the radio waves all summer long, and I’m loving it! It’s that perfect summer song for driving around town. (Not to mention, I remember the lead singer back from his Disney days… Oh, how times have changed.)
5) “She Looks So Perfect” by 5 Seconds of Summer
Another radio hit, 5SOS nailed it with the perfect summer jam. I mean, I saw them on tour last year with One Direction, and knew they had chart-topping written all over them. And their debut album is set for release mid-July. Can’t wait.
I hadn’t heard of this until ice dancer Charlie White danced to it (breathtaking!) on Dancing With the Stars, and now… I love it. The fam’s annoyed whenever I turn the radio up when I hear it, but oh well… It’s that good.
I LOVE this song and what it stands for. I was at the gym listening to this song mid-workout when I started thinking how this Demi song is kind of like my life motto. About how I don’t really care about how others think of me, and not letting their perceptions cloud how I think of myself. (Plus, I’m like obsessed with Cher Lloyd’s hair in this video.)
10) “x” by Ed Sheeran
Yes, this is the whole album, but it’s so good. This summer, I’m especially loving “Don’t,” “Thinking Out Loud,” “The Man,” among the genius tracks.
11) “Scarecrow” by Alex & Sierra (The X Factor winners!)
I voted for them on The X Factor, and now they’ve released their first single! I have to admit the vocals live (TODAY show) are much better than the iTunes track of it. But, it’s still good.
12) And no summer music playlist can be complete without… “Fancy” by I-G-G-Y Azalea