My Thoughts: Popular Music of 2014

Hello and welcome to this weeks main post. I wanted to focus this weeks on a discussion about what music and the industry brought to the table in 2014 and what holds for the future for 2015 and whether it looks brighter. These are my opinions and I hope you'll understand my reasons for saying specific things and topics. Baring in mind that I'm not a massive fan of popular music these days, but I have to keep up with whats going on purely because I'm in that business. Thank you. 

So, 2014 was certainly an interesting year for music. Whether that be a good thing or a bad thing, there was a lot of diversity in the sense that there wasn't one artist dominating the charts for a specific amount of time. There were a lot of different number ones with the highest number of weeks at number one was 4 held by Clean Bandit, Pharrell Williams and Megan Trainor. Though with number ones, comes trends and I have certainly picked up on a few that those major labels have been wanting to sneak into their songs for a number one slot all year.

The first one is the use of a trumpet or some kind of instrument from the brass or woodwind families (saxophones/trumpets) etc and give them a catchy rhythm line. I've seen this in too many songs this year and I'd like that trend to stay in 2014. I heard it very clearly on the likes of Cheryl Cole's "Crazy Stupid Love", Ariana Grande's "One Less Problem" and Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty". See where I'm coming from? It's just been overdone and isn't creative to be honest. It's just one line over and over again, though what would spice the songs up is a solo from the said saxophone or trumpet etc. 

The next trend that came about in 2014 was just a lot of ass (and no not the music). This to me was the lowest point in the industry in its entire history. Whoever thought that writing a song about girls asses and showing so much of it on a video, just needs to re-think their life. With the likes of Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" and Jennifer Lopez's "Booty" just made me want to crawl into a small space and wait for this to all blow over. Those two songs made my ears hurt, there were so manufactured it wasn't funny. That, can stay in 2014 and never rear its ugly head again. 

Another trend this year for me personally was a lot of let downs by many artists. You know when you love a band for their characteristics, then they announce a new album, so you get really excited about it. Then they throw all their characteristics out the window for the new album and completely let you down with this 'new sound'. Its primarily a lot of big rock acts that are turning into a radio friendly band. I found there were limits made by producers, no boundaries pushed, just boring lackluster music created in 2014. I had this too many times last year with the likes of Fall Out Boy, Twin Atlantic, You Me At Six, Bring Me The Horizon and even Coldplay in some respects. I hope this year some big bands come back with a bang and really impress its fans once again and bring out some stonking albums. 

This year I have noticed in particular that a lot of music in the top 40 have all got electronic or programmed drums. As a drummer, this is very worrying for the future if people prefer to use electronic sounds. Even if the drummer is playing on the recording, the producer will still add that electronic effect. Its not happening in just bands of that genre too, this is happening in rock bands too and it sounds dire. When Uptown Funk came onto the radio, I was thinking "Ahhh its great to hear real drums for once". This needs to change.

On a more positive note, there have been a few artists that have crept into the group of really, really good music. Stuff that gets me excited for the future. Artists such as Paolo Nutini and Beck really impressed me. Rock has been reborn as many people say thanks to Royal Blood's domination in the summer. I've seen the alternative scene coming back again this year with artists like The Districts, Honeyblood and First Aid Kit bringing back that broad, but creative scene. 

With Uptown Funk bringing in the new year with an absolute tune. Its great to hear some funk back at the top and I hope other artists will follow suit (Just no covers of this song, you can't cover something that's already amazing...Fifth Harmony) with creative styles of music. Not this manufactured pile of arse that most artists in the Top 40 are pumping out at the moment. 

Not everyone...I never said that, just looking at the Top 40 now and I can see at least 12 artists that are there purely for money for the big three labels. Nothing to do with creativity or writing their own music. Baring in mind artists like One Direction and Ella Henderson have at least 2 songs in the charts...good for you Simon Cowell.

In conclusion, this year has had a lot of trends that I hope will not continue into 2015's year of music. Though there are some very exciting movements for the industry such as streaming being the new digital download from Itunes and with Beat Music entering the scene, will it beat Spotify off the top spot for streaming services? Stay tuned people. 

Thanks for reading and if you have any views on anything I have said then leave a comment below or send it to me on Twitter or Google +. 

Until next time. 

Lewis

The Noisetrade 'Best Of What's Next' 2015 Playlist

Hello and welcome to the first review of 2015! What a great year 2014 was for the blog and I'm hoping you'll all join me on the journey for 2015. I've got big plans lined up that should be announced in the next few weeks! So stick around for those, but onto today's review. 

I have been a major fan of a website called Noisetrade for a long time now. The website is designed to allow up and coming artists to post their material for peoples enjoyment. You can find an artist from any genre and download their music completely free with the option of giving that artist a tip. Great idea eh?

I think this is a fantastic way for artists to start going through the ranks and getting new fans by giving their music away for free. I have found many artists through this website such as Harbours and The Dirty Guv'nahs who are both incredible all thanks to this website. I hope you guys will check the website and the playlist they have made after reading this, the link will be at the bottom of this review.

Noisetrade have released a new playlist for everyone to hear that they feel are the artists to look out for in 2015. They're not wrong, I've listened to this playlist a few times now and I am very impressed with the range and styles that are on offer in this playlist. Going from rock/alternative from a band called My Goodness, to some lovely banjo work from Joshua Hyslop and the electronic beats and bass from White Arrows.

All 27 songs are just a small handful of what's on offer on the website. There are a few stand outs to myself personally, but its all down to personal preference. These are the tracks I would recommend you check out on this playlist. 

Young Buffalo - My Place
Joshua Hyslop - Living & Dying
My Goodness - Sweet Tooth
The Bones Of JR Jones - I'm Your Broken Dog
Two Gallants - We Are Undone
The Delta Riggs - The Record's Flawed
Christian Lopez Band - Dancing On A Dream

Out of this list, I'm really enjoying the Young Buffalo track, its quite a unique sound and I'm really liking how the song is laid out. It flows very nicely from each section and just feels like well structured song throughout with great vocals. 

Another song is by The Bones Of JR Jones, its simplicity and easy going pace throughout makes for a quality song. The bonus of having harmonica just adds something that can't really be explained, just make you feel like you're home. 

All I can say about the song by Two Gallants is...just go check it out, you're welcome!

What are your favourite tracks from this playlist? Let me know in the comment section or tell me on Twitter! I hope you all had a great new years and here's to a successful 2015 for everyone!

Thank you very much for reading and until next time. 

Lewis 


Noisetrade playlist link - here 

Noisetrade link - here