You've seen our Throwback Thursdays and 5 picks of songs we think are pretty neat from non CONTROLRadioUK Artists. Well in this brand new feature, we're bring you 5 songs from CONTROLRadioUK Artists. These songs were chosen by our CEO/Director Trisha Benjamin, so without further ado!
Echotape were formed by four guys from the music scene in the South of England. They're really quite awesome. Lyrically and musically this song gets me from start to finish. If you're not off your feet dancing by the time the chorus hits? Well you're basically not human. 'Forget It' is from their new EP 'This Could Be Anything' which is out on the 22nd September. If you can't wait until then, you can buy their EP 'Wicked Way' now.
Devilfire are a Rock band from Birmingham. It has only taken one listen for this song to be ingrained into my head, it is that good. This song has everything that I love about Rock music; fantastic guitars, great drums and a spectacular guitar solo. Their debut album 'Dark Manoeuvres' is coming 6th October. If this is just a taster, I can't wait to see what the album brings.
This is a dance song done properly! No stupid EDM beats. No stupid tropical beats that promise to go somewhere only to flounder. Just a simple build-up of music which takes it up a notch in the chorus, and has a nice underlying beat throughout the song that keeps on growing to produce a great instrumental break as the song reaches its climax. Dance music that you can actually dance along to and not get tired of within 5 minutes does still exist! This is a wonderful moment for society. Rudi Simon is a Producer/writer/DJ and Nika Syva is a Croatian songwriter based in London.
OK so this was chosen by our CEO/Director Trisha Benjamin, and yet this song is so me? I'm not going as far as to say she has great taste and knows me well because she doesn't need the ego boost. But this song does get me. It's so moody and chilled, which is my every day go-to and the video's really good as well. Fos's album 'Rock' is available to buy now.
Andrea Di Giovanni is a superb Italian. This song has the potential to be a gay anthem. Great song, with fantastic dance beats, once you play it once, it is in your head and you will break the repeat button, it is that good! High energy dance track, euphoric, happy, uplifting track, which would be the #1 on your mp3 playlist. This is only his 2nd single, so I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in future.
Here at CONTROLRadioUK we're always on the look-out for music be it for the playlist, or just because we think the tracks are pretty neat so check out our picks below.
This is probably, very much a song you have heard of, and totally just an excuse to talk about how much I unexpectedly love her album. Unexpected in the sense that when it was first announced I was looking forward to it, but some singles coming out in the build-up were weak for my taste, and that dampened my expectations for the album. Extremely happy to report that was for nothing because the album is just amusing as I first believed. Favorite song without a doubt is 'Garden', but talking 'New Rules' because that is the song chosen here? It's great. Too many times songs about relationships focus on the lusting for an ex, that you either know you shouldn't be with because they're bad, or because the relationship has run its course. You still crave them so badly, you go back when you know you shouldn't. The song completely turns that on its head. It acknowledges those feelings of lust and the crave, but the reminders of why you shouldn't go back are at the centre of the song, instead of the after thought. When I first watched the video and it was only set in a hotel room and outside space, I thought it was a little boring. But tear down that wall and it's actually quite creative. Usually for songs like this, the story of the video would very much be centered on the two half's of the couple, and the back and forth, leading to the inevitable reconciliation or deep regret over that not happening. Instead the video follows the song and is all about female empowerment. Your friends stopping you doing something stupid, and then the roles reversed. If more songs were like this I'd be a very happy person.
I only like part of the chorus. Rest of the song is a dud. However CONTROLRadioUK HQ happen to love this song. Musically it's fun, could do with a bit more power, but it's fun enough for repeated listens. I couldn't disagree more of I tried. Sigrid, Zara Larsson, Julie Michaels, and to an extent Astrid S are all hyped up to be the next big thing to come out of music. Having given them all a brief listen, I've come away extremely disappointed. It's similar to when everyone uses the same Producers, their music all sounds the same; They're all putting out songs that dance the same tune and it's boring. I had hopes for Astrid S but her recent releases have continued to disappoint. In theory 'Plot Twist' is an interesting song lyrically, but the video doesn't have a story or anything to it really that hasn't been seen before, and musically this falls into the same producers problem.
When I was on Twitter and saw the news on Chester Bennington's death break, I was absolutely gobsmacked. I didn't want to believe it was real and nearly 2 weeks later, it still hasn't sunk in. I have personally suffered losses 3 years in a row now. It completely guts your soul and even when there's hints of what's to come? Doesn't make the pain any less devastating. Talk to anyone and even if they weren't a massive fan or went in other directions over the years, they'll still have heard a Linkin Park song. They've done so much for music and it's such a tragedy that Chester was able to help others find peace, but never found that in himself. In tribute this week CONTROLRadioUK is doing a top 5 Linkin Park's post. We will feature some classics, and some of their more recent work.
Suicide Prevention Numbers: Samaritans - 116-123 National Suicide Prevention Line (US) - 1-800-273-8255 There is also an extensive list of numbers here
When you come across a band randomly on Youtube and fall in love with them. OK, so that's a massive exaggeration, but The Struts are a good band. This song reminds me a lot of Queen in the sense of sound and the main singer sounds a lot like Freddie Mercury, which I think is the biggest compliment you can give someone? Either way The Struts seem like an awesome band, and I will enjoy exploring their discography, however big or short it is. Seriously! This was a really random Youtube find. Google tells me The Struts are an English Rock band from Derby, and this is a non-album single. I have no idea what their album is called, if they have one coming out. Nothing. But when a songs this good? You just go with the flow!
You can't put another Kesha song on the 5 Picks they said. People will get bored they said. This is the last time you're doing this they said. I don't give a damn is what I said. It has been an extremely long wait for new music. Kesha is still as awesome as she has always been. Her sound just a lil more grown-up and she seems to be having a bit more fun with it, singing songs she actually likes, compared to having everything picked and decided for her. The video is a mixture of home videos, call backs and general fun. Lyrically this song is serious, but it has fun with itself, whilst never losing the point. Things can be done to you, but you have to learn to make peace with that, otherwise you'll never find peace with yourself. To an extent it's the same message 'Praying' had, and I have no doubt the album will probably follow this line and it deserves to. She has been through hell, but she's come out the other side. Musically this is slightly falling into the same Producers category, but I honestly don't care. I'm so completely, absolutely ready for a new Kesha album and the 11th August can't get here fast enough.
Some of the performances from Enegrgise24 party, attended by our CEO/Director Trisha Benjamin who had this to say;
"The Energise party was fantastic, with some brilliant performances by Rozalla, Allan Jay, Peter Wilson, SCAR, Nicki French, Katie Boyle, Linda Martin, Suzanne Dee, Ben Davidson. Among others in attendance was the brilliant and legendary producer of the Energise record artists Matt Pop. I was also extremely honored to meet within the family Stefan Pallet, Gary Simmons among others.
It is really great for CONTROLRadioUK to not only play these artists, and put up their performances for our fans and followers of the radio to see, but also know that the artists that are here are the ones we are currently playlisting alongside the current single of Nikki French "Teardrops on the (Disco Floor). I have it on good authority from SP Management, of whom Ben Davidson is a client of, that upon release we will be playlisting his new single"
Here at CONTROLRadioUK we're always on the look-out for music be it for the playlist, or just because we think the tracks are pretty neat so check out our picks below.
Hahahaha. Like I was seriously gonna skip over Steps 20th anniversary! Well actually I am in some ways, but I still love this song, it's one of my favorites off the album and I can totally see why it made sense single wise. However as much as I do love Steps, they are not beyond my critic, and oh how I have bundles of critic where this video is concerned. First I gather from their interviews that this anniversary is in part at least being funded by themselves, but still, they're Steps! Do not give me bargain budget music videos partially set in your garden. That's not to say it's not a beautiful garden and surroundings because they are, but this song basically deserved a better music video. I am completely here for the nostalgia and it did fit somewhat with the song. But seriously, give me a story, give me better surroundings and give me better dance moves than 20 seconds at the end of the video. You are better than this. Which brings us to my second point; This song is a great cover of a good Abba song during the group parts and Claire + Faye's solo. When you get to Lisa's part however? That is when this falls apart. I honestly would've thought they'd learnt from the 'Scared of the Dark' music video, subsequent TV performances and just the album in general that this woman needs to be kept as far in the back as possible. Seems like I'm being harsh right? Well as many others have pointed out, during the 'Scared of the Dark' music video, there are parts where she is seriously out of time with the rest of them dance moves wise, especially during the part where she was leading, and that sets the rest of the band back. Then there's the fact she no longer has the confidence to know which camera she is supposed to be looking at, and at which point, and that makes the editing look shoddy which it's not. Should I even touch on the fact she can't even lip sync in time anymore? Or the fact that at the end of this music video, she's so focused on staring into the camera, she looks like the odd one out with Claire and Lee and then Faye and H joining up for the group hug. She's never been able to sing (which I have pointed out in numerous articles including touching on her ill-fated 'solo' pop career which she should thank studio auto-tune for even attempting), but now she can't even dance or lip sync well. Only thing she can do is stare into the camera, for what point, I'm not even sure she knows. Maybe it's her 5 minute claim to fame, or the fact she wants to be more noticed than she was previously. When Claire, Faye, H & Lee are more competent singers than she could ever dream to be. Especially Claire. During the live performances of 'Story of a Heart' towards the end of the song she is on ad libs and the rest are singing the chorus. It sounds absolutely horrible which isn't helped by our darling Lisa attempting to sing. Keep her in the back with her mic switched off and we'll all be happy.
OK I know they have the new song out, but I think this song and in particular the video are far more important. Climate change is a very real feeling. We as human beings are destroying the planet and unfortunately the people who have the power to change this? They're more important in making money. Who cares if ice in Antarctica is melting, we're getting more droughts, and constantly being warned if we don't change how we use such things as electricity, oil & recycling, then the planet is going to die out? After all, climate change is just a hoax China came up with. We are all privileged to live on a truly beautiful planet, with amazing oceans, hills, countryside and animals, that simply ask us to take care of us and themselves, so we can all keep living. This video and lyrically are so beautifully sad, and I love when people use their position to draw attention to an important cause. It's why art exists.
If you have never heard a song from The All-American Rejects then basically you are not living right, and I am so sorry for the wrong that has been done to you. They were the ultimate jam for 15yr old me who would sing such beauties as 'Night Drive' and 'Move Along' at the top of my damn voice, because The All-American Rejects know how to make fun & powerful songs. Sometimes they even do a 2 in 1 deal, and since 2012 things have been quiet but they are very much back with a typical bang. I am usually not a fan of Artists/Bands who release double songs, and I will admit when I first saw this was 11 minutes? I was ready to move on. But that's what The All-American Rejects do; draw you in even when you wanna walk away and you just can't. 'Sweat' is the obvious banger here and I absolutely love the little dance routine at the end of the song, but 'Close Your Eyes'? Absolutely beautiful. What they do putting these two songs together with this video? Beyond words. Showing this to CONTROLRadioUK HQ it took two watches and a small explanation from myself to get the story here. There were musings and thoughts in between, along with some thinking 'Sweat' is the better song. It has been an extremely long 5 years since The All-American Rejects last released music, but it is very much safe to say that they are back and better than ever.
I love Kesha. She deserves nothing but the best of the world. This like 'Praying' may take a couple of listens to grow on you, but when it does, you won't be able to help but dance and sing-along. This song has so much attitude with the easiest of concepts. To say I am very much ready for the album to be released is probably the under-statement of the year, but I am.
I love Pvris. I cannot wait for the album. Every song they release is that bit more awesome than the previous, and that takes some doing. Having someone introduce you to Pvris is probably the best thing you can do with yourself musically this year, because they are fantastic. When we're in a period of music with everyone using the same producers, to come out with the same generic EDM-Tropical beats? It is an absolute breath of fresh air to have someone doing something different. Lyrically every song of Pvris is a work of perfection, because there's so much in them for you to break down and explore. Musically, on a occasion through the first album things sounded a little same-old which isn't necessarily bad. It was just hard to fully enjoy the album after a couple of listens because everything started to grate. Very much not having that problem here, with this song goes on such a journey musically, you'll be breaking the replay button.
Here at CONTROLRadioUK we're always on the look-out for music be it for the playlist, or just because we think the tracks are pretty neat so check out our picks below.
Hello friends. It has been a while since my last 5 picks (just over a month to be precise). Fear not you haven't been abandoned for a better life, nope! Just boring old college. But summer is upon us and so are the 5 picks returning with banger after banger this wee, starting off with this from Pvris. This song is amazing. My good people at CONTROLRadioUK HQ agree with this sentiment but unlike myself, are not enchanted by the video. Outside of the small dancing sections, it apparently left a lot to be desired. That's not an opinion shared by myself as I appreciate uniqueness that different Artists bring to the table, and this video is honestly a gem. Musically and lyrically this song is an absolute masterpiece, only minor critic I can possibly offer is it didn't need to be just over 5 minutes long.
OK, usually I am here for Fickle Friends but this song? Does not wow me at all. Parts of it are nice enough but the lyrics don't do anything for me, and musically, this sounds like a hundred other songs I've heard this year. The good people at CONTROLRadioUK HQ once again disagree with me and like the 80 beats in the undertones of this song & think 'it sounds quite poppy'. I could agree in theory but again, hundreds of songs this year have had undertone beats from years past & sounded 'poppy'; doesn't make them good just songs that exist. Maybe I just have high expectations for bands that I unexpectedly find myself liking, but this and 'Hello Hello' just have not been good enough offerings from a band that usually sounds so great.
This song is absolutely lit!! Seriously! I have been an on/off fan (mostly off these days unfortunately) of The Killers since I was a wee little teenager & 'Somebody Told Me' owned music channels. Hot Fuss is still one of my favorite EVER albums. I know considering Steps, OneRepublic, Bastille & Little Mix are on that list that may not seem huge, but The Killer were one of the first rock bands I ever listened to & Hot Fuss was certainly the first album I bought. Their music over the years has changed and evolved since then, which is perfectly fine, I've mentioned quite a few times in these picks music from Artists is entitled to change & grow as they do. All this considered though I seriously was not expecting to like this song at all, let alone absolutely love it. There are a few samples littered throughout this song which I can't quite put my finger on (and that will never not annoy me) but again musically and lyrically this is perfect. The video whilst not having an exact story, does fit completely with the tone of the song. Honestly, I cannot stress enough how fabulous this song is and if the album is anything like it? I may be buying my first album since Sam's Town (though granted that probably doesn't count since it was a gift but whatever! You get the point)
Due to being insanely busy finishing college, Pride month completely passed myself and CONTROLRadioUK website by. I know, I'm a very bad website content manager and apologize profusely. I love Adam Lambert. He's got one heck of a voice, the only person who can do Queen songs justice and he can do the monster pop songs and ballads so well. Musically this song doesn't exactly wow me. It's good in parts, but we're in July now. A lot of music has so far been released this year including some fantastic ballads. The lyrics is what saves this song. We all have things about us that we find troubling, and even worse that society likes to judge us on. It's great to have songs on female empowerment, telling us we don't need anyone but ourselves to be happy, and things may seem bad one day but they will get better. However what I'd like to see more of is songs owning the things we find troubling about ourselves, and tell us that it's ok and people may judge but basically you don't have to give a damn. That's what I love this song for.
I absolutely love Kesha, and I won't lie watching this video brings a tear to my eye. It's impossible not to feel the emotion in this song and video. I'm so glad she is finally releasing new music and has the album 'Rainbow' coming out. There's nothing I can say that does justice to how truly amazing this is, and the journey Kesha has been on. Just click play, let the feels wash over you and then pre-order the album.
