'Past Lives' - Against the Current

Friday 28th September, the New York - trio, Against the Current (ATC) welcomes their 2nd full album 'Past Lives'. Taking the world by storm, Against the Current hit the alternative charts within mere hours of the release. Overall Past Lives was #12 on the overall itunes charts, rocking up at #3 in the alternative rock charts. 'Past Lives' is an 11 track album, with a range of fast upbeat songs, and slower balladesque songs.

Many fans heard the album a couple of hours previous to the official release, due to Billboards live listen to. The band took to twitter, sharing the link whilst additionally sharing an article that had been written about the album. Chrissy Costanza (Lead Vocals/Front-woman) also did a Q&A with billboard about a few things relating to the new album. Costanza spoke about how the each song initially came about, personally for her, saying "it felt like I had cataloged all of these different moments in my head over the years and was waiting to revisit them. Opening them up was like being transported back into that moment. It was so vivid it was terrifying."  The 23 year old singer, then went on to explain the influence behind moving away from the comfort of their pop punk phase, to test out a more electronic and pop vibed tendency, the singer explained "We’re all big fans of pop music; this is definitely the direction we’ve always wanted to head in. On this record, we were finally fearless and shed our skin. We wanted to create music that reflected our personalities now and also who we wanted to be." 

Something that is interesting about this album, compared to anything that ATC have done before, is that they tested themselves in ways they haven't before, for example by using falsetto in a song or two, to really enhance the notes and to give it a slightly different feel, to the music they are use to producing. This album has something for every fan. If you're wanting a faster paced song, something that will for sure get you dancing and singing along this album has some groovy tunes, straight up your street. If you're looking for a classic ATC rock style song then 'Voices' is the one to head towards. Finally, but certainly not least if you are simply wanting a slower paced, balladesque song to listen to, maybe a slightly more emotional song or simply just a song that is raw and calming, this album has elements like this as well.

It is undeniable that this album is a success with the fans already, its presence in the last 24 hours has left fans uncontrollably listening to it over and over again. Am I one? Yes, yes I am. I cannot get enough of this album! I'm definitely enjoying the EDM style that they have gone for with this album, it is something very enjoyable to listen to and something that is not going to get "old" very fast because it's so relevant to the audience.

TITLED ALBUM TRACKS;

1. Strangers Again
2. The Fuss
3. I Like The Way
4. Personal
5. Voices
6. Scream
7. Almost Forgot
8. P.A.T.T.
9. Friendly Reminder
10. Come Alive
11. Sweet Surrender



Strangers Again, was one of the first songs that the fans heard from the new album. When it was released, fans went wild over it because it was a newer sound to listen to and was not what many people expected to hear for this album. Nevertheless "I don't wanna go through the motions" of not having this song played atleast once a day, because it is a song that resonates with a lot of the audience and broader audience as well as overall being a dance induced song. With its moderately paced, electronic feel behind it, fans are left wondering "how did I get here" because from day one, with this song fans, were begging for more. One thing to note about this song is, even though its verses are moderately paced, the chorus is a lot more fast paced and is a rather fun track to listen to. Its safe for fans to say "now i'm over that" stage of waiting for new music after the release of not just one but four songs on the album, fans couldn't wait for more. One last thing to say about this song is that the first 12 seconds of the song is all instrumental before Costanza starts singing, then the final 20 seconds or so of the song is purely instrumental as well which is something that a lot of, ATC's songs have.

The Fuss, was a newer song that fans had heard about from Costanza on twitter but were eager to hear. this electronicesque rock song is more than extremely catchy and you're left wondering "whats the fuss about", but the fuss is about how catchy this song actually is. This song is one of the first songs you hear on the album, so it sets the tone for the rest of the songs and although the song is rather repetitive, there is no way it doesn't make you dance in some way. It is not an annoyingly repetitive song, but you can hear it within the song. But sometimes that's what makes songs rather enjoyable, as you know most of the lyrics already. In no way, is the fact this song is repetitive, make it a song not to listen to. There is not a single song on this album that personally I wouldn't recommend to someone. Additionally to The Fuss, the 3rd titled track I Like The Way, is an instantly dancey song. It is the more popesque song on the album but "I like the way" that it sounds because it is a faster paced song and one that you can get into straight away from the first guitar string strum, to the last drum strike. Another thing to say about this song, is that it is a rhythmic song, so if you're into pop songs then this song is for you. It isn't overally pop, but it might be kidding myself if I didn't state that every pop song in some way, sound like another.

Next, we have Personal. Now this song had me from day one. When it was released this song, you could instantly tell from the first listen that it was going to be an emotional song. "Maybe I can let go" of all my emotions with this song because, there still isn't a single time that this song doesn't make me tear up. This song out of them all, is the emotional, raw, and powerful balladesque song. However I feel like this song is more emotional to fans, as Costanza told everyone who it was written to. This song was written in remembrance of her late best friend Julius Trombino. There is just something about this song that gets you hooked, "I took it personal" because it is such a moderately slow paced song that still has the typical ATC style to it, giving hints of songs from the previous album like 'Demons' and 'Roses'. Now, Voices. This song is the ATC traditional sounding rock song. It is a mix of electronic style and rock however this song is that one song that when you hear it live, if you're not dancing then what are you doing. Listening to this song, "my heads chained down" from the slight The 1975 feel but with having a "war again" in your head this song resonates with a lot of the audience of ATC as many of them can relate to having "voices in my head" so this song, is one that the broader audience can really get in to and have a personal attachment to. I just "can't take" how the overall rock vibe of the song, pins down a classic ATC sound.

Scream, is the head bopping, foot tapping song. Listening to this song is "torture" because it makes me "scream" at how different this song is, to what the trio have done before. It is catchy, there is no denying that but this song also has a sense of falsetto within it during the chorus, but also stands out from the rest of the songs because it is more of an abrupt start and abrupt end than other songs on the album. Almost Forgot. This song is one of two explicit songs on the album, it is extremely catchy and its moderate pace is what hooks in the audience. It is "breaking my heart" that this song speaks a lot of peoples emotions including the dynamic trios. "You're still effecting my mood" over how this song was one of the first songs to be released and it gave fans a massive insight to the sound, which is largely different with this album, but not in a bad way. The band went from a heavy pop-punk, alternative style album to a more electronic, pop.

When releasing Almost Forgot it was almost as if they were testing the waters for their other songs, as Almost Forgot was released first, then came Strangers Again, then Personal and then just over a week before the album was set to release, Voices was released so it was almost like we were, getting 4 different songs to get a feel for the new album.

P.A.T.T. is not obvious to most at first, but is an acronym. The song titles stands for Pretty All The Time and is a heavily led female narrative song. "If love is blind" then why do fans love this song so much. This song is probably the one song on the entire album that every female fan can resonate with, there will be some of the male audience that can resonate to it in some way as well however, the female narrative driven song, suggests the target audience was most likely to be the teen girls of the audience. "Girls" this song is a catchy, repetitive and extremely dance worthy song that you can't help but fall in love with and is a very upbeat song with a faster pace behind it. Friendly Reminder, is another head bopping song on the album but it also a very catchy chorused song, "hey, hey" did you know that this song has a slower paced verse, then a faster paced chorus its almost as if it builds throughout the verse until it gets to the chorus, and this is a "friendly reminder" that this album is a electronicesque pop album and this song is definitely the song that gives this away.

Come Alive, is a repetitive yet catchy song that is groovy and dancey. It additionally is the other song on the album that is explicit so it stands out from the rest of the songs, it has a moderately slow pace but "I want to come alive" when I hear this song because it makes you want to sway and nod your head to the beat of the drum. Now finally, Sweet Surrender. Sweet Surrender is like one of those songs that was written to say the words that can't be said or that can be said but not out loud. Its catchy and balladesque, and "called out my name" as if fans were meant to hear this song, and with it being the last song on the album it is like the ending but I "cry out for help" because like all the other songs I cannot get enough of this song, its like I "kept choosing the rain" because this song draws in the audience as it is so relatable to a lot of the audience and it keeps you in a "free fall".

Finally, the album cover. Now it is not a secret to the fans that the album cover is a mashup of Against the Current members eyes, it is metaphorical of the album title and the songs themselves. From left to right, we have Dan Gow, Chrissy Costanza and Will Ferri. Many fans will look at this in a different way, however looking at the title being "Past Lives" it can be insinuated that the album cover is eyes because we are getting an insight into past memories, memories that are remembered from a different time, a more difficult time, and this can definitely be proved through songs like Personal and Almost Forgot.

Taking the World by storm - Avril Lavigne releases Head Above Water Music Video

Thursday 27th September, Avril Lavigne has released a visual video to link with her worldwide number 1 single "Head Above Water". Alongside celebrating the release of her debut single, and a music video, the 33 year old Canadian singer celebrated her 34th birthday, surrounded by all her loved ones. Lavigne took to Instagram moments after releasing the video to the world saying "It makes my heart so unbelievably full to premiere the #HeadAboveWater music video for you all today, on my birthday. From the very first day I started writing this song, I have been inspired and gathering visuals and imagining what the music video could look like. @ElliottLester88, I respect you so much. You are insanely talented. Thank you for working closely with me and hearing my ideas. You not only completely captured my vision, but took this video to an entirely new level, even when it meant going all the way to Iceland. You are my hero. I loved every moment of working on this video with you. Thank you to my co-writers @traviswethekings, I know God brought you to me to work with me and @Stephanmoccio, You slayed on this track. I'm obsessed with the production. Chad Kroeger and @CBaseford, thank you for recording my vocals. You all worked together so well. You all took such good care of me and had my back through this experience. I can't thank you enough."  

Lavigne's video is the visual aspect to the true meaning behind the song. The song uses a vast range of mise-en-scene to represent the emotion. It can largely be argued that there is a sense of pathetic fallacy throughout the entire video because, the colours are dull, they are blacks, whites and greys; which can all link with feeling low and depressed. In relation to the mise-en-scene, Lavigne is dressed in a long, figure hugging white dress with thin, long, tulle sleeves; this is making Lavigne look angelic making the scenery devil like, another way to look at it is that she is the light in the dark. Essentially GOOD VS EVIL, Angel VS Devil. The music video is a picturesque example of what Lavigne went through and felt during the worst challenge in her life. The limited flashes of colour in the music video come near the end of the video, where she begins to see the light, she begins to rely on God. The tints of red, blue and green is a way of keeping the audience enhanced into the video and it symbolises the change that Lavigne went through.

The video opens with beautiful scenery which at first glimpse looks peaceful and quiet yet when you dig deeper into the colours it is a representation to Lavigne's struggle. Cliffs and open oceans, one symbolising and end and another symbolising a constant endless journey.  Then finally caves, being symbolic of darkness and being alone. Apposing to the scenery throughout the video, there is a ample range of camera shots, ranging from close ups so we can see Lavigne singing with emotion, over the head shots so that we can see more of the scenery from a different angle as well as a range of long shots, wide shots and tracking shots so that we get to experience the entire thing as if we were there with her.

The use of fog and cloudy weather, represents the lyrics "I gotta keep the calm, before the storm", the pathetic fallacy is what represents the lyrics within the song, whether its storms, or the thunderous strikes of the drums. The shots during the entire video, cuts to the beat to show a large range of different shots in such a short amount of time. However it makes it really enjoyable to the audience to see, because we get an insight into the vision that came from Lavigne with this song.  Between 2.06 and 2.16 there is a pause in the music, and we get the audio from the scenery which creates a pause within the song that builds the suspense and keeps the audience hooked in because, it keeps them wondering what they are going to see next. Additionally by doing this we get to feel the shift in the emotions, as it is building the audiences anticipation. One vital shot during the entire video is the tracking shot of Lavigne running up the cliff to the edge, then it cuts off to a shot of Lavigne jumping into the water which is significant to the lyrics "keep my Head Above Water". 

During the final minute and a half of the video we get a range of different colour tints; which adds a bit of finesse to the video and keeps it looking appealing to the audience, instead of keeping it black and white. It is a way of showing the switch in emotion, the black and white is her explaining that she had given up, she was ready to give in to the fight whereas the colours automatically switch the mood. This also links with the light flair that we see near the end of video, when Lavigne is under the water. It is a spiritual, and religious representation of Gods presence in Lavigne's most struggling moments.

Finally, the video credits end the video with a small amount of text about Lyme Disease and The Avril Lavigne Foundation; which was created by Avril Lavigne to raise money and help towards helping young people with Lyme Disease. Essentially the ending titles are a way of telling the audience what her song is about, in-case they were unaware.

Worldwide headlining tour, headbanging, mosh-pits and some groovy tunes!

If you had asked me, early on September 23rd what were my thoughts of Against the Current...my response would have been that they were one of my all time favourite bands. If you had asked me my opinion of The Faim, my answer would have been, from the one song I know, they are decent. I knew who they were as they had followed my Instagram a few months back, but I couldn't exactly call myself a fan, as I've only heard one song or two songs of theirs. Now if you asked me the exact same question, my answer would stay the exact same for Against the Current, whereas for The Faim, my opinion could not have juxtaposed as much as it did. The Faim, are 4 extremely talented, and very energetic young men, who blew me and the rest of the new fans away. Sure some people would have left the concert not liking them, however I am certainly not one!

The Faim, a 4 piece Australian pop punk band rising through the ranks, signed to BMG records and working alongside Rock legend and producer John Feldmann. From writing a single called 'Saints Of The Sinners' with Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) to working with other legends of the rock genre, The Faim are now getting opportunities to do world tours with bands as big as 5 Seconds of Summer who are managed by John Feldmann and bands such as Against the Current.

Josh Raven (Lead Vocals), Michael Bono (Lead guitar and vocals), Stephen Beerkens (Bass and Keyboard) and Sean Tighe (Drums), became a band in 2014, during high school building their musician profile by playing a few shows. In 2017, the 4 piece reached out to Feldmann with a demo of theirs, the L.A based producer and songwriter (Worked with Blink 182, The Used, All Time Low, 5 Seconds of Summer and many more bands).  Shortly after working with Feldmann, the band got signed to BMG, one of the major record labels.

The Faim

8pm rolls by, and The Faim brace the fans in the o2 Ritz, Manchester with their energetic presence. Playing songs that fans had both heard and hadn't heard. For new fans, all the songs weren't heard before, but if you thought for one minute that there was a single crowd member who wasn't headbanging, dancing or throwing up their 'rock horns' in the air you are sourly mistaken. Prior to the band hitting the stage, their were some songs to set the tone and mood for the audience, classics from The Killers, AC/DC, The 1975, Whitney Houston and many others, with everybody singing and dancing along to every tune that was played, by 8pm, the audience was more than ready to give their full undivided attention to the bands, and that is exactly what people did. Half way through the second song that The Faim played, there were some extremely energetic and rowdy fans who had decided to make a mosh pit, as fun as mosh-pits appear to be, the surrounding fans weren't too pleased about the shenanigans going on with this group of teenagers, however my arguement to this is, as annoying as people walking backwards into you to avoid the mosh-pit is, everyone expresses themselves in different ways especially at concerts, and in defence of the 8 teens that wanted to do a mosh-pit they only did this during the entire set twice. Through the entire Against the Current set, they stood, they danced, and they sang their hearts out and they enjoyed themselves.

Thoughts on The Faim, well the one thing I can say for sure is that, there wasn't a single time during their set that I wasn't dancing or headbanging to the beat of their drums. They are 4 very talented people, who after the concert finished I had the pleasure to meet. Although because of security and curfews I was only able to get a picture with Sean Tighe, the night couldn't have been more special and enjoyable. The Faim, did an amazing job, of supporting Against the Current, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for these boys.

Against the Current

Against the Current, a 3 piece American pop rock band from New York, headlining yet another successful tour for their new album 'Past Lives' which drops on September 28th. Chrissy Costanza (Lead Vocals), Daniel Gow (Lead Guitarist) and Will Ferri (Drums) all put their entire energy and soul into the nights performance. Performing all 4 of their newly released songs from the new album as well as one that the audience had never heard before. My favourite one from the new album so far, to hear live so far, has to be 'Voices' I would be lying if I said that when 'Personal' was played, there wasn't a single dry face in the audience, the emotion that Costanza poured into the song was phenomenal and something that no amount of words or pictures can express. It was a truly magical evening, listening to hits from their EP's to listening to songs off their previous album 'In our bones'. During their set, and in between songs Costanza took a moment to thank the audience members like myself who went to their last Manchester date in late 2016, when lead singer Chrissy Costanza was deeply ill and unable to sing. The band had cancelled the Birmingham show the night before as she was too unwell to perform, so dragging herself on stage was hard, but the way the audience sang every lyric with her to help her fight through the night, she had nothing but overwhelming thanks to the audience members. Manchester never fails to give Against the Current all the energy that they can muster. Additionally during one of the talking stages of the set Costanza told the audience that "In Our Bones is when it started feeling real for us". Costanza then went on to introduce the titled track of the album 'In Our Bones' to perform to the audience shortly following a short speech about the new album, which is set to release this upcoming Friday.

Chrissy Costanza (Lead Vocals)

Shortly after the sets finished, a few fans waited outside the venue for the band to come out, 2 hours and 15 minutes later, we were graced with the bands presence. Gow came out first thanking fans for coming out then getting into the white double deckered tour bus parked in-front of the venue. Next came Ferri, who started speaking to fans whilst putting away his suitcase in the bus, stood mingling with fans for 45 minutes, taking pictures and giving hugs to any fan that waited to see them, he shortly after went to join Gow and the rest of the tour crew and manager in the bus. Shortly followed by Costanza. Costanza, came prepared for the small amount of fans that waited for the band to come out, she had a sharpy pen at the ready. Ready to give out signatures on tickets and on the free posters that the box office were giving away for free. The UK leg of the 'Past Lives' tour is nearly over, with only 2 more dates left before the final date in London, where the band plan on celebrating the album release, its nearly time to say goodbye to another highly successful UK world tour until 2019.

"I want him to see me, I want him to stay" - Unloved by Lisa Cimorelli

Lisa Cimorelli, 24 year old American singer released her first ever single "Unloved" on the 21st September 2018. Lisa Cimorelli, formally known as one of the 6 singers in the teen pop vocal group 'Cimorelli'. Rising to fame through social media and youtube, the Cimorelli's are 6 talented young women from California. Christina, Katherine, Lisa, Amy, Lauren and Dani, have music mostly made up of acappella singing and more recently instrumental included, and have collectively released 4 EP's, 1 mixtape album, 4 albums, and have received 1 Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star. These ladies are taking the world by storm.

Every song that Cimorelli have written tells a story. Not only on their EP's but it has shone through on the full length albums. Furthermore, it has shone through more on the recent albums than ever before, because they're writing about personal experiences in a way they potentially haven't previously.

'Unloved' is a balladesque song, which is genuine and expresses a lot of emotion. This song is influential to the Cimorelli sisters audience as it fits in with the classic style that the fans know and love but it also tells a story. A story that the audience members can relate with, when it comes to how we as humans feel about ourselves we tend to "lock it up" and "push it down" because it is sometimes easier than facing the feelings head on. "You can't deny" that this song is full of greatness. "Distraction won't take" away how the more you listen to the song, the more you can resonate with it, whether it be for a mental reason or a physical, this song speaks to its audience personally and is a moving, slow song to listen to. It is a simple piano driven melodic song with some additional instrumental parts added, but for the most part this song sticks to harmonies and lets Lisa's voice shine through. "I act like i'm tough" but to be perfectly candid, this song makes me "wanna feel loved". 

Are there more singles to be released by Lisa in the future, who knows. But what I can tell you for certain, is that this song is worth the listen and its gentle harmonic feel will for sure, get you hooked!

Avril Lavigne fights back; sharing an insight into her 3 year struggle!

Avril Lavigne, Canadian alternative rock/pop punk/pop rock singer, songwriter and actress has released a debut single from her new upcoming album. 'Head Above Water' is the first song that fans have heard from Lavigne since her release of 'Fly' for the 2015 Special Olympics in Los Angeles, California. 'Fly' was released following her recent reveal of her life-threatening battle with Lyme Disease, which had strongly prevented her from performing for years.  Lavigne had spoken in many interviews, admitting that she had "accepted death" The 33 year old, last released an album in 2013 which was her fifth album; self titled 'Avril Lavigne'. 23 Singles, 8 EPs, 1 Live Album, 5 Studio Albums, and 3 struggling years later, we finally are hearing the struggles that Lavigne has faced within this new album; set to release in 2019.

Lavigne's music has never lacked the finesse of drama, however with this new debut song 'Head Above Water', it is far from a metaphorical battle to stay alive, it is something that she personally has experienced. This song addresses directly the struggles that she has faced with Lyme Disease, which has kept her out of the public eye for a few years. Following this, this song is "the first song" that Lavigne "wrote from...bed during one of the scariest moments" of the singers life. Just days before 'Head Above Water' was due to be released the Canadian singer had written a letter to fans announcing the single, and within the letter the singer admitted "I had accepted death and could feel my body shutting down. I felt like I was drowning. Like I was going under water and I just needed to come up for air...unable to breathe. Praying to God for Him to help me just keep my head above the water". The lyrics to this song, started off with simple feelings turning into lyrics, whilst lying in her mother's arms, and eventually brought them to the co-writers of the song Travis Clark and Steven Moccio.

'Head Above Water' still follows the style of other songs by Lavigne, but it is a softer material which fits the style of the song perfectly and expresses the emotions in a strong, emotional and raw way. This is a piano driven ballad song that is announcing Lavigne's comeback and a release of feelings that the 33 year old singer has kept personal for some time. It is a powerful ballad, that builds up as you reach the chorus with a mix of piano, strings, synths and a thunderous like set of drum beats. The lyrics give the audience an insight into the search for hope and faith Lavigne had faced countless, times while her body fights the life-threatening disease, and her voice injects the urgency of needing this faith and hope for God to help her through the toughest moments, that she has had to face since being diagnosed back in 2015.  In a statement Lavigne spoke "Under my breath, I prayed 'God, please help to keep my head above water.' In that moment, the song writing of this album began. It was like I tapped into something. It was a very spiritual experience. Lyrics flooded through me from that point on".

Nevertheless, this debut single is a very emotional, raw and meaningful song. Within every lyric, and every composed chord you can truly feel the emotion that Lavigne is foreshadowing the entire song. "I can't see" how any of the fans could not find this song, a chilling, emotional song that is depicting all the emotions that Lavigne went through. The whirlwind of faith and hope within the song, from the very first lyric to the very last chord "I can't seem to keep it all together" because this song really tugs on the heart strings, especially if you're a long time ultimate fan of Lavigne; then this song is right down your alley. This composition, really depicts the amount of faith, hope and praying that Lavigne experienced through the last 3 years of her life. The struggles that she has faced and the challenges she has had to overcome. "God don't let me drown" is most likely the most powerful sentence within this song as it explains the entire song perfectly. Additionally it is the most moving and spiritual part of the chorus, as Lavigne needed to look to someone to help her keep her "head above water", she wanted someone to "come save me" and initially wrote this song so that she could express everything she has felt since her diagnosis. Also it is a way of explaining to her fans that "my life is what I'm fighting for".  Not only is this song and album here to express Avril Lavinge's life the past 3 years, but it is also her way of spreading awareness of Lyme Disease. Lavigne also spreads awareness using her foundation, (The Avril Lavigne Foundation) which raises money for Lyme Disease research and for people who are battling with Lyme Disease.