Music Monday (#17): March 2016 Playlist

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

Music Monday (#16): Feb 2016 Playlist

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

Today I'm sharing my February 2016 playlist with you all! I want to start compiling some songs I listened to and enjoyed in each month, so I'll try to share them here with you. The songs/lyrics don't necessarily have any relation to things that happened in the month. They're just mood/aesthetic music and music I found.

Listen to the playlist!

Best of 2015

Hey, lovelies! So I'm hoping to make this blog bigger and better in the new year. I feel like I always say that, but at least for now, I'm really motivated and excited. In addition, I'm hoping to really start up my personal blog, Infinite Golden Floors. At this point, I may still end up combining these two blogs, but I'd probably have to change my blog URL again, and I'd rather not. (Regardless, I'll be changing my Twitter handle.)

But let's talk about this past year! It's definitely been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but overall, I would say I've had a good year, at least looking back now. I'll admit that I think more in school years/semesters than calendar years, so some of the beginning of the year is fuzzy, but I'm loving where I am now in college.

And here is my Best of 2015 list! Everything is listed in no particular order. (I've reviewed many of these, some won't be reviewed at all, and others will be reviewed in early 2016, by the way.)

Top 10 Reads of 2015

Honorable Mentions: I Crawl Through It by A.S. King, Not If I See You First by Eric Lindstrom, Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Top 2 Graphic Novels of 2015

I decided to just pick two despite having a read a few because most of the graphic novels I read were all within the same rating range and don't particularly stick out.

Top 10 Albums of 2015

(Though most of these were released in 2015, not all were. In addition, I didn't include albums for musicals.)

Honorable Mentions: Stand By You and Fight Song by Rachel Platten, Rabbits on the Run by Vanessa Carlton

Top 3 Movies of 2015

(I'm very bad at keeping track of movies I watch, so I've only looked at those released this past year. I didn't watch very many movies (probably around 5 in theaters), so.)

Honorable Mention: Avengers: Age of Ultron

Top 6 Shows of 2015

American Ballet Theater November 1st Performance (After You, Piano Concerto #1, The Brahms-Haydn Variations)

The Royal Ballet Junes 27th Performance

Happy New Year!

And that's a wrap! I hope you've all had a good year, and I hope the next year will bring even better things. Have a happy new year, lovelies! <3

What were your 2015 favorites? Do you make resolutions; what are some of yours?

Music Monday (#15): Spotify Playlists I've Been Listening To Lately

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

Many of my past few featured songs have come from Spotify playlists, and I know I've mentioned some of those playlists before. But I thought I'd just share my favorite playlists/the ones I've been listening to quite a lot lately. There are more that I listen to from time to time, and I'm always on the lookout for new playlists, but these are the ones I have saved.

Your Favorite Coffeehouse

The first Spotify playlist I discovered. I find all/most of these on the Browse Overview, where they recommend/suggest some playlists. I haven't listened to this in a while, but it's still a go-to.

Deep Focus

For when I need to study. My savior in college so far.

Epic All Nighter

Another one for when I need to study. I don't listen to this one as much, but it's still great.

Calm Down

Great for when I'm blogging or just need some background music, though I haven't listened to this one in a few weeks.

Feel Good Indie Rock

I think Indie Rock (or similar, ie indie pop) is my favorite genre of music, though I haven't really found many of the artists yet. This is another great playlist for when I'm blogging and also when I want to discover new music/artists.



What are your favorite Spotify playlists? Do you have any recommendations for me?

Music Monday (#14): Those Girls Playlist

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

I meant to post this ages ago, but I only just got around to it now. I happened to be listening to music and thinking about Those Girls by Lauren Saft, when one of them just connected and made me think of one of the characters (I can't remember which one exactly). This started the ball, and I decided to try to find songs on my phone that would fit each of the characters. I'm not completely happy with all of the choices here, but at the time, I didn't have enough time to really listen through all my songs and find the best fit, so this was the best I could do. Hope you enjoy! (On a side note, I didn't mean for three of the four songs to be by country artists, but it just happened. xD)

you belong with me // taylor swift

Alex

Oh, I remember you driving to my house

In the middle of the night.

I'm the one who makes you laugh

When you know you're 'bout to cry.

I know your favorite songs,

And you tell me about your dreams.

Think I know where you belong,

Think I know it's with me.

Can't you see

That I'm the one

Who understands you?

Been here all along.

So, why can't you see

You belong with me.

you won't find this // carrie underwood

Alex and Drew

You can hold any girl that you like

Fall in love when it's easy at night

But, you'll wake up wondering why she ain't ever something better

When you're lost and run out of road

Find what I already know

In the end close is all there is

But you won't find this

No, you won't find this

need you now // lady antebellum

Mollie

It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now.

And I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now.

And I don't know how I can do without.

I just need you now

I just need you now.

Oh, baby, I need you now.

drunk on love // the wanted

Veronica

I'm a lover not a hater,

Not a fighter or a player

And I'll party 'till the sun comes up

Getting a hangover without a cure

We could end up anywhere but that's all part of the rush

When the lights are shining that's where you will find me

Getting drunk on love

That's what we do,

When I see you dancing

Gets me so excited

Gonna pour my love all over you

Those Girls: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Lauren Saft: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr

Music Monday (#13): Oceans by Seafret

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

I've missed these non-bookish posts, so here's another music recommendation! I must admit that my next few recommendations will probably be songs on Spotify's "Your Favorite Coffeehouse" playlist, but anyway. Here's Seafret's Oceans. I didn't even know Maisie Williams was in the music video, so that's an added bonus. Let me know what you think!

Music Monday (#12): Wilder Mind by Mumford and Sons

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

For the longest time, I was feeling really skeptical about Mumford and Son's new sound, but while I still really love their original sound, I don't mind their new direction. I feel like at the heart, they're still the same. Their lyrics are just as deep and insightful. Their style of singing actually isn't all that different. All they've really done is change the instruments they use to get their music and lyrics across. It's certainly new, and I don't know that I can say that I like the new sound better; I think I'm still partial to their original sound, but I don't mind it the way some other fans do. It doesn't sound or feel like Mumford and Sons at the surface, but I think that if fans, new or old, could get past that, they would see that the heart of Mumford and Sons has remained the same. That being said, I do sort of hope that they go back to their original sound. Either way, however they decide to move forward, I recommend their new album and look forward to their next one (already).

1. Tompkins Square Park
2. Believe
3. The Wolf
4. Wilder Mind
5. Just Smoke
6. Monster
7. Snake Eyes
8. Broad-Shouldered Beasts
9. Cold Arms
10. Ditmas
11. Only Love
12. Hot Gates

Music Monday (#11): Gamble by Lily Rose

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

I could have sworn that I'd heard this song before, but evidently not because I didn't know the song title nor the artist. Anyway, I found Spotify's "Your Favorite Coffeehouse" playlist, and I'm now in love with the whole playlist. But right away, Gamble stuck out to me. I'll definitely be checking out more of her music.

Music Monday (#10): Little Toy Guns by Carrie Underwood

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

This week, I'm kicking it back to an artist I've loved for a really long time: Carrie Underwood. I love her music, and I love her as a person. She's so inspiring, and I'm excited for her new music, whenever we'll be getting that.

In her new greatest hits album, Carrie Underwood Greatest Hits: Decade #1, she has two new singles, Something in the Water and Little Toy Guns. I absolutely love both of them but for different reasons. I also love both of the music videos, but lately, the one I've been obsessing over more is Little Toy Guns (perhaps because Something in the Water came out first, so I was obsessing over that before).

It's such a Carrie Underwood song. It's catchy, but there's also so much meaning behind it, which I think the music video really got at. The music video is visually stunning, but it's also incredibly able to convey the full story Carrie is telling in the song. It's so beautiful and refreshing to see Carrie continue to address big issues through her music, something that artists tend to stay away from. It really shows how parents fighting and arguing all the time really affects children and how we often forget about others when we're arguing because we're only thinking about protecting ourselves. But what about the kids who deal with the yelling on a daily basis? How do they feel? How does it affect them? Little Toy Guns scratches the surface of the answers to these questions.

Music Monday (#9): Budapest by George Ezra

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

It's been a while since I've done one of these, but as I've started getting back into regular blogging, I wanted to share this. 

I stumbled upon George Ezra after watching his performance on Ellen, and oh my gosh, I'm now obsessed with him and his voice. His most well-known song right now is probably Budapest. I can't praise him and his music enough. I highly recommend you check out more of his music. AH-MAZING.

George Ezra on Ellen:

Review: Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
Label: Big Machine Records
Release Date: August 18th, 2014

WOAH! STOP THE PRESSES! New Taylor Swift single and the announcement of her new album, 1989. (I started this review the day all of this was announced, so this is slightly outdated now. ;)) Anyway, given that I have many, many, many thoughts about Shake It Off and T. Swift's new musical direction, I figured I would write a review for the song.

I'm gonna be honest; it's not my favorite. I love Taylor, but I'm also not the biggest fan of her musical shift. I was hesitant about the Red album at first, but then when I figured out that most of the songs weren't like the pop singles she was putting out, I felt a lot better. In fact, I now love Red (though Speak Now is still my favorite album) because she really matured both lyrically and for the most part vocally. She had a different sound, but for the most part, it was mature. That's not to say her other works aren't because for the most part, they are. But she really grew up a lot in Red. I don't mind her new shift and her new sound but some of my favorite songs are the ones that sound most like her older music. Yes, there are plenty of the new ones with a different sound that I like, but in Red, for example, Treacherous and All Too Well were among my favorites.

Which brings me to Shake It Off. Lyrically, it's okay. I like the feel-good, positive-ness of it. I love the message of the song. It's very simplistic in comparison to some of the other songs she's written, but it's not horrible. But it sounds like most pop songs (that's not necessarily bad. It just doesn't particularly stick out). It's still pretty "Taylor," but it also feels and sounds like there's just something missing. The melody doesn't particularly stick in my mind, and I've had a hard time remembering it at times. Also, the "hella"? I cringe...

The video also isn't my favorite, but it's not horrible. The twerking made me look away. I get that it's sort of a parody but ugh no. Also, as a dancer, I cringed a lot, but I guess that's what the song is about. That's it's okay to be the one people cringe about. Just be yourself and shake it off!

Overall, Shake It Off is okay. It's far from Taylor's best, but it's not the worst song I've heard. I'm interested in seeing the direction her music is taking, but I'm hoping 1989 isn't just filled with Shake It Off-esque songs. I know she's full pop now, but I'm hoping she'll still keep SOME elements. I suppose all I can do now is wait and see. I WILL still be pre-ordering the album though! :D

Watch the video:

Music Monday (#8): Cities + It's Just Love by Nat and Alex Wolff

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

I've been so busy that I've forgotten about my Music Monday posts, so here's one (finally)!

I went to their concert on Saturday, and I just love them so much. So of course I'm extremely excited about their two new singles, and I'm really hoping we'll get news on Album #2 soon because it's been too long!

Anyway, these two songs are just amazing, especially Cities, which I just love with my whole heart.

Now, there are two different versions: the official, recorded version and the live version. I love both in different ways. The recorded version is much simpler, but I also love the live version. Since it hasn't been released yet, I don't have a Youtube video of the recorded versions, but you can listen to them here! I highly recommend listening to this version!

The live versions from the concert I went to are below. These aren't my videos, as mine aren't as great quality.

What do you think? Which version do you prefer?

Review: Divergent Original Motion Movie Soundtrack (Deluxe)

Divergent Original Motion Movie Soundtrack (Deluxe)
Label: Lionsgate
Release Date: March 11th, 2014

Track listing:
1. Find You – Zedd feat. Matthew Koma & Miriam Bryant
2. Beating Heart – Ellie Goulding
3. Fight For You – Pia Mia feat. Chance The Rapper
4. Hanging On (I See MONSTAS Remix) – Ellie Goulding
5. I Won’t Let You Go – Snow Patrol
6. Run Boy Run – Woodkid
7. Backwards – Tame Impala & Kendrick Lamar
8. I Need You – M83
9. In Distress – A$AP Rocky feat. Gesaffelstein
10. Lost And Found (ODESZA Remix) – Pretty Lights
11. Stranger – Skrillex feat. KillaGraham From Milo & Otis & Sam Dew
12. Dream Machines – Big Deal
13. Dead In The Water – Ellie Goulding
14. I Love You – Woodkid
15. Waiting Game – BANKS
16. My Blood – Ellie Goulding

Official Site | Amazon | iTunes | Target

"Overall, this album fell short of all my expectations, even though it may mostly be because of my own personal music tastes."

I have to admit that much of what I say in this review, especially my rating of the album, is based almost completely on my own personal music taste, which is pretty diverse, save for a few genres/sounds. I went into the album expecting it to be great. I didn't really look at the track list much beforehand, but I love Find You, Beating Heart, and I Won't Let You Go. I was expecting so much, especially since a lot of people were talking about it and the two Hunger Games soundtracks side-by-side.

Alas, it fell so short of what I was expecting. Firstly, while I understand that Ellie Goulding is "the voice of the movie/Tris/whatever," I don't exactly know the point behind putting her already-released songs (from her own album) on this soundtrack. I loved Beating Heart, and I think the other [Ellie Goulding] songs would have had a bigger impact if they had been new songs.

Then there was the fact that I just really didn't like about half, if not more, of the songs on the album. As I mentioned, most of it was due to personal taste. I was enjoying Fight For You until the rap part. I then skipped songs 7 to something like 12. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the Ellie Goulding remix song. I just don't like the sound of them, and they don't appeal to me the way that the other songs do. I tried my best to listen to them and to listen for meaning, but I just couldn't get myself to do that.

However, there were still songs that made up for the rest of them, and I ended up loving them. Of course, I've already heart most of the songs by Ellie Goulding, but it was nice to hear something that I liked. I also love almost everything Snow Patrol releases, so it's an understatement to say that I was really excited about I Won't Let You Go. I had heard Find You before the CD came out, and I liked it then too. I also found that I didn't mind the songs by Woodkid, and I liked BANKS' song, Waiting Game.

Something else I noticed (this is a side note) from listening to this album, as well as other soundtracks (thus this is an overall statement, not one just focused on the Divergent soundtrack), is that many of their songs discuss the topic of love. One of the reasons why I decided to host my upcoming event, Inspired: A Summer of Songs is because I want to see songs that are about more than just the relationship in (the) book(s). Of course, a few are okay, especially if they're well-written, but there are other themes and focuses, and I'm sad that many of these types of soundtracks don't fully explore other aspects of the movie/book.

Overall, this album fell short of all my expectations, even though it may mostly be because of my own personal music tastes. Some of the songs I loved managed to save this from being a complete failure in my eyes, so I'll definitely continue to listen to those songs. If they release an album of Insurgent, I'll be more wary.

(PS. Stay tuned for my review of the Divergent movie sometime soon!)

Music Monday (#7): Echosmith

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

Thanks to Spotify, I found out about this band. 

Needless to say, I am now a fan!

At first, I was a little hesitant about their music, but after really listening to their music, especially the ones in the latter half of the album and also upon re-listening, I fell in love. Thanks again, Spotify!