this is how it starts

Ever since I chanced upon them on Spotify back in June 2013, I fell in love instantaneously. The second I heard the sweet highs of singles such as "Sex" and "Chocolate", I was sold by their songs that were paradoxically crystal-clear yet layered. I guess my love for them also deepened over the A level period because they gave me a phenomenal L.P. to listen to as I studied for that arduous exam. 

I still remember when I was checking my Twitter feed and the Straits Times informed me they were coming. A sort of euphoria washed over me even though my instincts told me they would drop by soon (they went to Manila for fuck's sake!). 24 hours after the gig, I'm happy to note that it was everything I wished for and more.

Firstly let me state that one must not be tricked by the live recordings available on YouTube, especially the one of their Coachella performance. Somehow the sound was distorted and they sounded much worse compared to the real thing. I was initially worried about the quality of Matt Healy's (the lead singer) voice because it was getting a bit strained after extensive touring, and perhaps exacerbated by his smoking. And yet he delivered, sounding every bit as good he did on the album.

More significantly, he pulled off a feat I never thought imaginable: He sung and smoked at the same time. I don't know how he pulled it off while looking like a rock god and without coming off as a douche, but he did. For the rest of the performance he interacted well with the crowd, bantering with us about the heat and even going the extra mile to care about the audience's welfare. Honestly, this was the first time I've witnessed a musician inform the concert staff to provide water for his audience, and it was also the first time I've seen a musician ensure that all his devotees had sufficient breathing space despite the packed and downright shitty/insulting/suffocating venue. Prior to this I had read fan accounts about how compassionate and caring Matty was towards their fans, and I felt lucky enough to have seen it for myself. 

His kindness aside, seeing Matty do his signature hair flips and witnessing his louche, sensual charisma at work was another sight to behold. Everyone - girl, boy, man, woman - was enthralled, lapping up every word he spoke and screaming whenever he did a body wave or a little prance on stage. Every camera around was directed at him, recording every antic he did. In short, everybody fell down the rabbit hole of Healy-dom last night. Singapore could have possibly heralded a new rock icon of the modern age, and we knew it. I for one thought I had already reached the apex of my obsession with Mr. Healy, but it simply multiplied ten and twenty-fold after the performance. Go on, shoot me for being a fan girl. 

This is not to say the others were not excellent. Guitarist Adam Hann, Bassist Ross MacDonald and drummer George Daniel were also on-point, delivering their signature 80's-tinged sound with much skill and panache. Hann and MacDonald were incredible switching from their instruments to the soundpads and keyboards seamlessly mid-song, never missing a beat. Daniel was also sensational, drumming with much gusto despite melting in the unforgiving heat and humidity. Sonically, they were amazing, the music crystal clear without any slip-ups and the songs effortlessly segueing one into another. 

It was certainly a fantastic gig and a night to remember. Matty made a promise to be back, and I hope he'll hold onto it. 

"The moon, the stars, are nothing without you"

I apologise that close to a decade has passed since my last ('emo') post, due to my multiple existential crises. Since my mother has finally shut up over my disappointing and disgusting A level grades, it's time for me to introduce one of my favourite new artists.

Enter Sam Smith, R&B wunderkind, white boy with soul!

(Note: The above image is heavily photoshopped and Sam is actually plumper in real life. Here, he looks so different he reminds me of Theo Hutchcraft from Hurts)

It's been so long since a solo male singing act has gripped me to such an extent. When I scroll through my iTunes library, I find it littered with female solo acts, bands...and more bands. The male solo acts comprise the King of Pop Michael Jackson, Kanye West, Drake, Childish Gambino, several more rappers, Justin Timberlake (THE ONE TRUE JUSTIN) and cheesy left-overs from American Idol such as Elliot Yamin (who?), David Archuleta (he should pursue a career as a missionary instead honestly, he'd be more successful that way) and Adam Lambert, who is struggling to hold onto the last vestiges of his waning fame by doing guest stints on Glee and occasionally being on tracks like the admittedly good "Lay Me Down" by Avicii and Niles Rodgers.

(Yes I do acknowledge the last three singers mentioned are actually extremely talented with great voices, but they are undeniably has-beens.)

I can hear some of you calling out to me. But Shu! What about Justin Bieber! And Justin Bieber 2.0, Cody Simpson! Or Justin Bieber 3.0, Austin Mahone! They are male solo acts too!

Well guess what, Justin Bieber can't sing for nuts - just youtube his live performance at the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. With his incessant panting, he sounded like an obese man who was trying to sing while running up a hill. I suppose you could argue that his dancing is decent at least. But then again we can always find better dancers in Usher and Jason Derulo, or even the woman-beating cad called Chris Brown. Justin is ultimately nothing special to me. Also, considering how he has evolved into a full-blown asshole, I would prefer to avoid him and his music at all costs. Next.

Ah Cody Simpson, dear Cody the wannabe Bieber from down-under. He seems like a sweet kid but he is unfortunately now on Dancing With The Stars. This to me seems like a worst-case scenario/desperado situation to boost his popularity or remain in the public's eye - He needs to remind us he exists! Furthermore, after he debuted with this song in 2010, Cody left me with ringing ears and nightmares, so no thanks mate.

Now ladies and gentlemen, we have our last finalist Mr. Austin Mahone! To give him credit where credit is due, he still looks fresh-faced and wholesome compared to the degenerate the Biebs has transformed himself into. But Mahone's singles don't give me much hope, frankly speaking. C'mon guys, he describes a hot girl to be a "banga banga banga". I appreciate his use of onomatopoeia but what the hell does it even mean? So he thinks girls are similar to gun shots? Or that they should resemble AK407s? Beats me.

After the past 2 years, we finally have an oasis in the wasteland so to speak, coming in the form of Mr Smith. I must admit I initially didn't take much interest in him when I heard him on tracks such as "La La La" by Naughty Boy and "Latch" by Disclosure. I didn't think much of him because I thought his vocals albeit good, lacked personality. Only when a blogger I followed recommended "Nirvana" by him did I realise he didn't just have a good voice, he had a great voice, he had a beautiful voice. Only when one listens to his original songs does one discover his vocal range and depth of emotion.

Sam Smith has a rare, preternatural ability to sing effectively. His vocals are literally dripping and doused with emotion. Although some have criticized him for being 'awkward' and 'lacking charisma', I believe audience members will cease to care the second he opens his mouth and unleashes his angelic voice onto mankind. His voice captivates you and transports you into his psyche - a dark, lonely world filled with regret and unrequited love. Honestly, if you feel nothing while listening to his songs, you have no soul.

Here are my favourite tracks and performances by him:

"Nirvana" by Sam Smith.

The way he nails the chorus gives me chills every time I listen to it.

"Lay Me Down" by Sam Smith, live on SNL.

His falsetto is pitch-perfect. His control is perfect. What more could you want?

"Stay With Me" by Sam Smith.

I read an article which commented that this video was the polar opposite of Pharrell's "Happy", and I thought it was a pretty apt description.

"Money On My Mind" by Sam Smith.

Who says this man can't write something more up-tempo and catchy?

Yes, so I have basically cemented the fact that Sam Smith is a great artist. However, people may wonder if he will end up like three aforementioned American Idol alums - doomed and disappeared into obscurity. As of now, I do not believe this will happen. Firstly, Smith has popularity back home in the UK - he won the 2014 BRIT Critic's Choice Award and BBC's Sound of 2014 poll. "Money On My Mind" also topped the UK Singles Charts. He is clearly well-liked. Secondly, he is cool and credible. He has worked with Disclosure, arguably the hippest new electronic act in the past few years, and the legendary Niles Rodgers, who produced Daft Punk's latest Grammy-winning album, Random Access Memories. Sam Smith is obviously the real thing in a sea of packaged artists. 

If he doesn't blow up or maintain his longevity, I'd be disappointed. This 'male Adele' with his rich voice is a breath of fresh air in the music industry, and I'd want him to stay.

entertainment

If you know me (and not even well enough), it is obvious that I am a huge sucker for good music and have a penchant for liking bands that do not head down to the little red dot very often. Hence, the minute/second/millisecond I knew Phoenix was heading to town, I gathered some of my hombres to come along as part of our post-As celebrations and what not.

To say that their 85 minute show was amazing would be a complete understatement. Thomas Mars, the lead singer, effectively engaged the crowd and his voice was pure, crystalline and pitch-perfect. At times he looked at the audience and seemingly gave you a personal serenade, eliciting screams from adoring fans. Laurent Brancowitz, Deck d'Arcy and Christian Mazzalai were also excellent, proving themselves to be highly skilled musicians, their sounds rich and exhilarating. The touring band members (Robin Coudert and Thomas Hedlund) were also very competent on the synth and the drums. In fact I preferred the live versions of Phoenix's numerous hits, such as Lisztomania and Entertainment, as the addition of the drum set gave the songs a sense of urgency and a rhythmic punch. 

The pulsating beat from Hedlund's drumming got the whole theatre grooving to the beat, except at times when less recent and well-known songs were played, presumably from older records such as United, Alphabetical and It's Never Been Like That. Then, the crowd got much quieter and much more...stationary. Admittedly, I did not know those songs apart from If I Ever Get Better and so yes, guilty as charged, I am a bad fan. However, irregardless of being a 'bad fan' or not, I am convinced that all 3,500 attendees experienced the magic that is Phoenix and are ever-hungry for more. 

vultures in circles

Simply beautiful.

Kudos to The Limousines for giving me inspiration for my latest header.