SHANGRI-LA - ALBUM.

UK-singer/songwriter Jake Bugg is back, and at only 19, the quick release of his new album 'Shangri-La' is an ideal indication that the youngster is bursting with new ideas and is quickly settling in to stardom and fame. 




Recorded with the infamous producer Rick Rubin at Shangri-La studio in Malibu – hence the album title – 'Shangri-La' portrays an artist who is clearly expanding exponentially but is still able to keep his trademark sound. By 'trademark sound' I'm referring to, of course, his nasal vocals which have continued to link comparisons to the immortal, Bob Dylan.

It's obvious that Jake Bugg is making strides to widen his repertoire, and working with Rick Rubin is undoubtedly the beginning of something tremendous waiting just around the corner. Although not everyone has a taste for Rubin's  fondness for excessive compression and loudness, this style is certainly perfect for Bugg. The 'nakedness' of tracks that he applied with artists such as Johnny Cash and The Red Hot Chili Peppers works beautifully on the garage rock revival tracks like "There's a Beast and We All Feed It" and "Slumville Sunrise." The album is a constant mixture of folk and rock, like "Messed Up Kids", which introduces us to a new side of Bugg, providing us with a much more poetic viewpoint ("It's a washed-out Saturday, a sky of pastel shades, under breeze-block palisades").


We see Jake exploring more of that rough, tough, 'working-class' feel with developments on his bad boy image created in older material (like previously featured 'Two Fingers', which was pretty badass) - such as in the song 'Kingpin' with the lyrics "Pay off the police to stay out of my way / I got it all sewn up and I'm kingpin for a day" - and with the more gritty, low-fi dirty sound this album produces. Other examples of this more jagged, unpolished atmosphere is seen especially in songs such as 'What Doesn't Kill You' with its ferocious guitar distortion and Jake's flinging delivery, paired with uninhibited vocal projection.


There is no doubt Jake Bugg will live up to his potential within his next few releases. However, on 'Shangri La', Bugg is still searching within himself for that special something and - providing he manages to discover anything breathtaking by the time he begins working on album number three, he could very well establish himself as a serious performer for years to come. But for now, Jake Bugg is a 'Mercury Award Nominated' performer and I'm sure there will be plenty more nominations in the near future.

Jake will be touring Australia as part of Bluesfest 2014, and will be holding a few sideshows in the major cities. Tour dates are below:

Thursday 17 April
Melbourne, Palace Theatre


Sunday 20 April
Sydney, Enmore Theatre


Wednesday 23 April
The HiFi, Brisbane

Check out some of the optional e's favourites: "What Doesn't Kill You" and "Slumville Sunrise"

MICK.

Happy birthday to Mick Jagger. If I can still be worshipped by women around the world when I'm 70, I'll be happy.


But Davick Jagwie is always going to be a thing. Always.

I also wanted to express how horribly sad I was to finally get the email notifying me of Jake Bugg's secret Sydney show TO FIND OUT I HAD MISSED IT AND CHECKED MY EMAIL TOO LATE.


Turns out he was playing at The Rocks Square at 1 p.m. Yesterday. Excuse me while I go and kiss the floor he stood on.

In the meantime I've found some lovely songs that I had to share with you all.

In particular here is one by Ever Isles.

Ever Isles is the project of Kaitlyn Aureilia Smith, with gentle 'dream folk' that's set to capture listeners. The song 'In A Cave' is the third track on the album 'Cocoon'. 'In A Cave' won the 2011 Blue Microphones Songwriting Competition (and for good reason too!)


The vocal arrangement with the delicate guitar is exquisite, resulting in the most beautiful dreamy feel.

The voices are layered with such an effect that it's like she's singing underwater. Or in a cave.

The poignant mood and otherworldly tone of the song have such a likeable, quirky ambiance.

Have a listen to it here.


Buy the album from Bandcamp here.

Also, just wanted to let you know that the blog has an Instagram account now! All you hipsters (that's all you readers) follow @theoptionale. Pwetty pweese?

MUSIC HAUL #6 - THE 60s EDITION.

So I've finally hit 50 posts! Yeah baby.



Actually it's not that big of an event I'm just looking for an excuse to use gifs. I read that you should actually have 50 posts in your first month so readers think you actually update your blog.

LOOK IT'S JAKE BUGG
 

Nah you guys probably don't care and are just waiting for the music.

THIS IS YOU GUYS WAITING FOR ME TO SHUT UP

Back to business.

 

So given that it's the 50th post (I'm not going to shut up about it so just ignore me) I wanted to feature my favourite songs from the 60s.

 

Here goes.

Oh and these are not in any particular order so do not be alarmed when your favourite song is at the end of the list.

 

1960's.

So the 60s are supposed to be this massive period of social reform, shifting paradigms and epic love explosions. Which was exactly what happened.

There is some really great music from back then but I like to consider them seminal inspirations to some of the really great songs of today which I will admit I prefer to some oldies. I know some music nowadays sucks but some indie is just so fresh and awesome. Anyway, I didn't like their haircuts back then.

 

Outdated song number one: The Monkees - Daydream Believer

The Monkees were a pretty good bubblegum pop band and I do quite like their stuff. Although I always get their band name mixed up with others' (seriously, all the bands in the 60s started with 'the'. Gosh.) Daydream Believer has those really nasally, bright tones (bit like an oboe) and it's such a cheery song you either feel really happy listening to it or suspect some kind of Truman Show/Pleasantville setup. In fact, when the lyrics 'homecoming queen' pop up in the chorus I'm reminded of  The Most Popular Girls In School. oh dear me.

they swear a lot. just a heads up.

 

But it's a great tune to bop to or just listen to. Davy Jones (no, not the zoidberg thing) was probably the most famous member but they all made amazing music - they wrote the song 'I'm A Believer' (from Shrek.)

 

Outdated song number two: The Doors - Light My Fire

So Jim Morrison takes a whole heap of shirtless pics and points at people. It doesn't matter because Light My Fire is a pretty good song.

Recently one of the Doors died (Ray Manzarek, the keyboardist) and we slipped into a bit of a Doors-themed nostalgia.

This is a really great song and if anyone ever plays it to me I will happily light their fire. I'm a bit of a pyromaniac.

 

Outdated song number three: The Beach Boys - I Get Around

I remember the first time I heard this song I was playing some fashion designer game on my Nintendo DS (I haven't seen a kid play with one of those for ages.) It was alongside quite a few old songs actually and all I could think about was how epic this track was. The Beach Boys are like a laidback barber shop choir who decided to move to Hawaii and record their tracks while sipping from coconuts.

It's a very fun song to sing and the verses are pretty cool. I can imagine throwing a 60s themed party and everyone joining in to the classically lo-fi, beachy tunes of The Beach Boys.

 

Outdated song number four: Animals - The House Of The Rising Sun

This is such a classic song with the most spectacular melody. You have probably heard it a billion times in your lifetime but it is honestly such a wonderful tune. I think every Gen X can play it or sing it somehow - it's become so iconic to the era like Twiggy. Gosh do I love Twiggy.

Even my dad can play this on the guitar.

 

 

Outdated song number five: The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby

What would the 60s be without these four lovely boys (and Stuart Sutcliffe)? The most iconic band ever, The Beatles are such brilliant songwriters and musicians and let's be honest they're probably some of the best secular musicians the world has known. I'm probably a Paul or Ringo girl but they're all really great.

This song is so cleverly crafted in that like many songs today it has quite a cheery feel to it with the lilting ahhhhhs and violins, but the lyrics are very different. The video creeps me out every time.

Probably one of my favourite song lyrics are in this song - 'wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door - who is it for?' and 'writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear'.

Actually when I first heard this song it was at night and I listened to it multiple times each Friday night at school and it's so haunting. Whenever I listen to songs I often picture the place I first heard it or where I listened to it the most. That place usually sort of reflects the song and I guess the utter desperation of being stuck in a school late at night somehow stuck with this haunting song.

I'M A LONELY PERSON AND I don't think you want to know where I came from, if you know what I mean.



Outdated song number six: Otis Redding - Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

This song makes me quite sad every time I hear it, actually, because I cannot whistle. It's a catchy song and I find it oddly hilarious but I cannot whistle and therefore I am sad. It's a song you would listen to walking along a path or jetty by yourself while whistling and I'm sorry but I can't function.

Outdated song number seven: The Rolling Stones - Paint It Black

Now that we're nearing the end of the list I'm getting a little restless and not really bothered to write full descriptions for these songs but The Rolling Stones cannot simply be skipped. Pamikid Mcbugwigger forever. (Paul McCartney + Jake Bugg + David Bowie + Mick Jagger).

If you didn't know.

 

But Paint It Black is just such a great song with a sense of urgency and drive and then he sees the girls walk by in their summer clothes and HOW OUT OF PLACE IS THAT LET'S PAINT IT BLACK and this song could probably carry a lot of racist loaded statements but you gotta be a Rolling Stone about it and what drug are you on Naomie and I'm going to be quiet now.

 

 

Well I have some work that I have been hellbent on avoiding so see you later kids. Stay in school.

 



SONG OF THE WEEK #11.

It's time for another Song of the Week guys! I'm pretty pumped because heaps of artists and stuff are coming to Australia and Sydney and I'm excited for pretty much everything.

Vivid Sydney was the other night and it was quite pretty although it was so crowded we were scared something scary (i.e. bombs) could go off and we would have nowhere to run. Um. But it was really great seeing people out on the streets (it was freezing though) and it was lovely knowing that we were a 'strong city with a homely sense of community' or whatever.

Bring Me The Horizon are coming to Australia and bringing Of Mice & Men and Crossfaith with them! And BMTH and OMAM and Pierce the Veil all won Kerrang! awards :) my lovely little ladies are all grown up now.

The Paper Kites are touring and they're at the Metro so I really want to go; fingers crossed! And nutritionist Lola Berry is also touring and she is such an inspiration.

Back to the song. I'm going old school (1980 I believe) and Bowie. this week's song is Ashes to Ashes.

It's such a funky, upbeat song and it's lyrics are so clever and Bowie is just perfect. I found this amazing photo and asdflhsdhfwhe the only thing that would make it better is Jake Bugg. #pakidmcbugwie or Mick Jagger #pamikidmcbugwigger


I MEAN LOOK it's perfection.

I love the electro intro and the almost hushed tones of David at the beginning. It's so good and the video is so progressive I'm dying to attach the link so here it is:

K BYE GUYS

SONG OF THE WEEK #6.

So another week has rolled around and we're prepared to hear our next Song of the Week!
I was talking to a friend who reads this blog recently (yeah, she rocks) and she actually listens to the YouTube videos I post. That surprised me quite a lot but made me feel all warm and fluffy and fuzzy inside.

She happens to be a massive fan of old music and 60's stuff. I love the 70's and 80's quite a bit but 90's and 00's music is are my main waters. Maybe just 00's music. And this decade I've been pretty pumped about the music coming out.

So she said that she really liked my post with Jake Bugg - he does sound like Mick Jagger. I was going to pick a song that sounded kind of old and jaded but still somewhat fresh (to get her into new music that's just as good as the old stuff) but I thought I might pick a favourite of mine.

I often say that the reason mainstream music is so boring and generic nowadays is that all the good songs (cracker tunes, if you're reading this, Joe) were created decades ago. I actually have a listening playlist on my phone with all my favourite songs all meticulously arranged and a Top 5 list - I know, I'm a music dork.

Guster - Satellite

This is a personal love of mine. The otherworldly, warbling scales in the introduction set a really spaced-out feel for the song, and the catchy melody and chorus just add to the mood.

I know this one has been circulating the Internet for a while - Ganging Up On The Sun was released in 2006. It's still a fresh song that I listen to when I stargaze or whatever I do.
It's such a great song to sing along to so anyone willing to jam, you know where you can find me. Hint: on the floor with a hobo somewhere. It's what I do. •~

Speaking of which, Triple J Unearthed High is coming up and I have a song written for it. I have no idea how to record it though because I don't have GarageBand or whatever and my guitar is a super crappy one that I can't hook up to a computer. And of course, my voice is rather unfortunate.

So that's this week's Song of the Week! Any song requests, song recommendations or just plain ramblings are welcome. I will probably reply unless you're some spammer. Be prepared.

MUSIC HAUL #3.

I've rediscovered old songs, listened to some really old songs and heard some fresh new releases. And none of that will be in this Music Haul.
Lately I've been intrigued by the number 23 but seeing as you probably won't want to read about, let alone listen to 23 new songs, I'll probably do 5 today/tonight. Hehe. I hate that show.
It's weird because when people do these kinds of posts I listen to the first few then skip over everything else. It's like when I get my Insound newsletter - it's filled with so many new songs and acts that I haven't heard of that I try to just listen to at least one song because I become so overwhelmed by the thought of not knowing who someone is. I am supposed to know everything. It's like my purpose in life. Laugh out loud.

1. Misery - Veronica Falls

These guys sound like they just stepped out of some happy little love shack that the B-52s sang about ages ago. Misery is (ironically) an upbeat song that I just want to jam to with a creepily massive smile on my face. It has these positive old-school vibes and it's like the Beach Boys meets Peter Bjorn and John if they all lived in the 90s listening to Esthero.

That's a really creepy image with their eyes wide open.

2. Eyes Wide Open - Gotye

This is a rather old song from Making Mirrors (2011) and "Somebody That I Used To Know" was on the same album but it is a spectacular song. The production and sound of the song meshes perfectly with the lyrical content - I believe it is one of those environmental songs.
The video is so strange but memorable and wow.

Oh, and this is my little brother's favourite song. His second favourite is probably Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles.

3. What a Pleasure - Beach Fossils

These guys rock. Every song they make is musical genius. This song has a killer bassline and the composition is amazing. I love the feeling I get when I listen - it's like you're somewhere you can't be. I remember the first time I felt that was when I was about 4 and I stood staring at the desktop wallpaper and realising that I could never see the hills in the image and wondering what it would be like to live in that world that didn't exist - and yet even if it did, the clouds would never be in the same spot and if the photo was indeed real it could never be taken again. Deep, I know. Sort of.


This was my first encounter with deep feelings.



Have a listen. Every time I do I get transported to this place that I know I'll never be able to visit, like the depths of space or a lighthouse I made up inside my head 8 years ago.

4. This Disorder - The Features

Firstly, this song's lyrics are amazing. It can connect with anyone that has ever experienced a mental disorder and the confusion that can come with it. The lyrics are so poignant and raw and honest and encompass the topic so perfectly. It's a sensitive topic to sing about but this band does it so well.
And it's a rocking song. The melody is catchy and the vocalist sounds great. The chorus is great to sing along to, and this song is pretty fun to dance to as well. I think I should make a playlist of songs that would be great fun to play at parties even though the lyrics say otherwise.

What a great song. Ah.

5. Two Fingers - Jake Bugg

I first came across Jake because someone said that he was Cara DeLevingne's boyfriend (she's amazing.) Unfortunately, they've split, and I'm sad.

Jake's song "Two Fingers" sounds like it was pulled out of a time machine. Jake is like a modern Bob Dylan with the singing style of the Beatles a little. It sounds amazing.

He did cite his inspirations as some of those really classic musicians from about thirty years ago and it shows through his rough, raw music.

Actually I think classic songs are those performed by people who have died. Seriously. No one covers Teen Spirit because Kurt isn't around. No one covers Imagine because Lennon was shot. People don't even cover Joy Division that much because Curtis isn't here anymore either. So that's classic music for you. Back to Bugg.

It's a groovy song with attitude and it's so feel good and you can't help but clap along.

So that's this music haul! Comment for some suggestions for me to listen to or nominate for the next haul or Song of the Week! Till then, keep it classy.