Top artists of 2013: 5. JUSTIN LITERALLY BRINGING SEXY BACK!

Yes, you heard me.  JT is back and I think I speak on behalf of all women when I say: THANK YOU LORD.

His new album 'The 20/20 Experience' is a more mature sound from Justin- his days crying by rivers are long LONG gone. Fans have grown up a lot since his last album 'Future Sex/Lovesounds' in 2006 (7 years!!) and music has moved along too, so Justin had to find a fine line between great pop songs and keeping the huge fan base he's had for over a decade and he has managed to not only do that, but encourage a whole new wave of fans- older ladies! My Mum is now a huge fan saying (and I quote) "Justin Timberlake's music is a lot more mature now. I like it". Woah. Not sure I can handle that Venn diagram of love for Justin between us.

Unfortunetly, I'm yet to hear the whole album but by the two songs he's already released 'Suit and Tie' ft Jay-Z and 'Mirrors' his music (and let's face it Justin himself) just ooze sexy, cool, sophisticated, mature...
I'm loving the return to old school RnB with the sweet falsetto melodies Justin's famous for.
I can't wait to hear the rest of his album I can tell it's going to be huge!! All the best of luck with it Justin!

PS. Justin, if you're reading this...marry me? #nobiel

Here's his BRITs performance for 'Mirrors'. There is no excuse for anyone to have missed this. No. Excuse.

THE TOP WORSHIP SONGS OF ALL TIME (in my opinion)

Here's a list of 10 of my all time faveee worship songs. If yours aren't on here, feel free to comment below with what you consider to be yours!!

This is in no particular order:

1. Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)-Hillsong United (From the album Zion, 2013)
WHY? Outstandingly beautiful lyrics from Reuben "The Lyric Powerhouse" Morgan. I know, I know, "it's just been released, how can it already be your favourite OF ALL TIME"? Well, just trust me on this one. It's gonna blow you away.
FAVE LINE: "My soul will rest in Your embrace, for I am Yours and You are mine" and "In oceans deep my faith will stand" AND "Your grace abounds in deepest waters"  (OK, so every lyric is my favourite...and what)

LISTEN HERE Oh, and buy the album. It is sooo #annointed ;)

2. 10,00 Reasons (Bless the Lord)- Matt Redman (From album 10,000 Reasons, 2011)
WHY? Matt Redman was the first artist I listened to before I became a Christian, so his songs have a special resonance with me. Anyway, this is just a great and powerful song inspired by the Psalms- so big up to King David for inspiring such a great song!! :D  

FAVE LINE(S): "And on the day when my strength is failing, the end draws near and my time has come, still my soul will sing your praise unending...ten thousand years and then forver moreeee"

3. I Desire Jesus- Hillsong Live (Cornerstone album, 2012)
WHY? Honest, simple lyrics that I personally could really relate to. Not to get too bogged down with the nitty gritty of the faith but it's something that once you become a Christian, you really feel your heart and soul lift to when you hear it. Or maybe it's just me.
FAVE LINE(S): "You are worthy of all honour, all glory to Your name" and "I desire Jesus, oh His name my soul esteem" 


4. Worthy is the Lamb- Brooklyn Tabernacle choir (no idea if it's on any albums- if you know, give me a shout!)
WHY? There are so many covers and versions of this classic including the phenomenal Darlene Zschech! But I don't know, this version just resonates with me. My Mum is a huge fan of The BTC and showed me this version- (yes, my Mum can use YouTube...just about). I love Love LOVE it and even blast it on the revision playlist! Have a listen, you will not be disappointed.
FAVE LINE(S): "High and lifted up, Jesus Son of God. The treasure of heaven crucified" 
LISTEN HERE

4. God be Praised-New Life Worship (from album Light up the world, Desperation band, 2009)
WHY? My friend Rhoda (shoutout to my home girrrllll) introduced me to this thing yeah. What it is is a group of worship peeps do covers of songs and stuff and I was just blown away by this cover. Ever since then, manz has been obsessed. I've even got to the point where I know the time of it on the YouTube clip and just skip to it automatically. I know. I've got a problem. Have a listen to the original and then judge me!
FAVE LINE(S): "God be praised, all the glory to Your awesome name!"


5. Our God Reigns-Delirious?
WHY? First heard this at 'A Cause to Life For' conference with Vineyard last year. Never looked back. What an awesome band!
FAVE LINE(S): "Forever Your kingdom reigns"

6. Ancient of Days- Ron Kenoly
WHY? Two words: ABSOLUTE. BANGER. Takes me back to my charismatic days as a kid when I'd love to just mime along- no idea what all the grown-ups were singing at all. All I knew is that I loved the music, the stage would just be jamming hard! Our choir was amazing and some cool guys got to play trumpets and brass instruments! This song (and Days of Elijah) for me was like Christmas, birthdays and Easter rolled into one. #oldschool
FAVE LINE(S): "Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth, be unto the ancient of days!"
Just watch it here and you'll get the picture. Absolute beaut of a song.

7. Shout to the Lord- Darlene Zschech
WHY? This is just a total classic with annointed lyrics.
FAVE LINE(S): "..tower of refuge and strength, let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship you"

8. Spirit Break Out- Tim Hughes (Worship Central)
WHY? First heard it at Pentecost last year with Hillsong, Holy Trinity Brompton (tried to keep an eye out for Proudlock and Kimberley, sadly neither were to be seen) and it blew me away. I'm a converted Worship Central fangirl now! *screams Tim Hughes*
FAVE LINE(S): "Our father, all of heaven roars your name, sing louder let this place erupt with praise...can you hear it? The sound of heaven touching earth"

9. Fiery Love- Sam Lane, Vineyard Records (from The Fire album, 2013)
WHY? Lord have mercy, could this song be any better? What? In love. We sing this at church like every week and every week it's just phenomenal. Would've loved to see Sam Lane perform it live at #ACTLF last year!
FAVE LINE(S): "Lift me from my grave and hold me up"

10. Agnus Dei- Michael W Smith
WHY? This song is never ending. It is just a beautiful proclamation of what's probably being sung in heaven. WOAH, DID I JUST GO THERE? Yes. I did. #sorrynotsorry
FAVE LINE(S): "Holy are you Lord God, Almighty"


11. Awesome God- Kirk Franklin (couldn't narrow it down to just 10!!)
WHY? This just makes me wanna salsa dance through the isles and swing my hips in a highly inappropriate manner for a church service. It's one of those amazing "get up and dance and worship" songs that remind me of a childhood in a huge charismatic church!
FAVE LINE(S): "You're marvellous and you're glorious, your love has made me victorious"



Comment below what your favourites are in your top 10 worship songs! :)

My Springtime Playlist :)

I'm sure I'm not the only one who creates a playlist on their iPod for each of the seasons? You know what I mean? Songs that remind you of Winter- those dark haunting vocals of Ben Howard with the occasional christmas song thrown in? Or Summer playlists- filled with Flo-Rida, Rihanna and David Guetta's tunes and songs that make you wanna get up, cocktail/can of cider/beer/Pimms in tow and dance around the beach/festival or more likely, your bedroom?

Well, MARCH IS HERE. Thank God for that. I was sick and tired of snow, cold, Lemsip and layering out my clothes. Now, I'm ready for Spring- the fresh colours, warm(er) days and erm cleaning? No.

So here are a few songs I am currently (no, seriously- as I'm making this I've actually got this playlist on in thee background-bliss) that are so Springtimey it's bound to make you get up, eat an Easter egg and start cleaning your room. I'm serious. It's filthy. Go clean it. Now.

Tom Odell- Hold Me (omg, on repeat...FOREVER)

Haim- Better Off

Lianna LaHavas- Tease Me

Dido- Life For Rent

McFly-Love is Easy

Mika- We Are Golden (where is he now?)

King Charles ft. Mumford and Sons- Brightest Lights

Of Monsters and Men- Little Talks

Top Artists of 2013- 4. Disclosure

Here's a secret- I've got a total soft spot for 'family bands' (one of the many reasons why sister group Haim have also made it into my top 10 artists for 2013) and Disclosure are no different.
This brotherly duo from Reigate, Surrey are smashing up the electro/garage/house/post-dubstep scene at the moment with huge celebrity fans such as Annie Mac (we bow down), SBTRKT and Hot Chip. Woah. Not the mention they supported the latter two on tour last year!! So if you're a fan of Skrillex, SBTRKT or Bondax, check them out!

The duo quickly rose to fame after remixing Jessie Ware's 'Running' followed by their huge single 'Latch' ft. Sam Smith. With contagious beats, insane sampling technique and an electric stage presence it's no wonder they are on every new music radar for talent this year.

New single 'White Noise' ft. Alunageorge (another awesome duo) is available on iTunes now and already reached #2 in BBC Radio One's top 40! Check out the videos of my top Disclosure tracks- guaranteed you'll be bopping/moshing/skanking around in to time.


Disclosure- 'Latch' ft. Sam Smith

Disclosure ft. Alunageorge- 'White Noise'

Disclosure- Flow

Follow them here: @DISCLOSURE_UK, here facebook.com/disclosureuk and here soundcloud.com/disclosuremusic! Show the love!

Wanna catch them live (like me?!) during festival season? They're playing:
ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL-March 15-17th and then 22nd-24th, Miami, Florida
SNOWBOMBING- April 1st-6th, Mayrhofen, Austria
COACHELLA- April 12-14 and 19-21, Indio, Califonia
BESTIVAL- September 5th-8th, Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight
OPEN'ER FESTIVAL- 3rd-6th July, Gdynia, Poland
 and...
GLASTONBURY- 26th-30th June, Worthy Farm, Pilton

Buy 'The Face' EP HERE

Top Artists of 2013: 3. Laura Mvula

This beautiful young talent from Birmingham and BRITS Critic's choice nominee, Laura Mvula is certainly one of the women of the moment. With a degree in composition under her belt it's clear her musical talent has been honed and perfected; with  an amazing vocal, lyrical and musical capability.

With comparisons to Nina Simone and Janelle Monae, what is not to like about Miss Mvula?
My favourite song on her EP 'She' is the title track 'She'. Check it out below! It is a stunning vocal performance. I find it difficult to describe her overall style,  so I'' throw some words out there -'soulful', 'colourful' and 'powerful'.


'She'- Laura Mvula

'Sing to the Moon' her debut album is available on 4th March of which I will certainly be purchasing! Her new single 'Green Garden' (below) also showcases a Janelle Monae-esque attitude to rhythm and vocals which I absolutely love! 

Green Garden'- Laura Mvula

 

If you can't wait till March to hear the album (like me), check out her EP 'She' here: 'She' EP- Laura Mvula- show the love! :)

Laura Mvula is definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2013, and I wish her the beset of luck! Can't wait to hear what she does next. 

Follow Laura (as if we're besties) here: @lauramvula and on her Facebook here:  https://www.facebook.com/lauramvulamusic

THE OFFICIAL ANTI-VALENTINE'S DAY PLAYLIST

It's that time of year again. The time of year when supermarket adverts make me drool in front of the TV screen with "meals for two", flowers, chocolates and the endless lovey dovey nonsense that supposedly shows your love for your other half. I'm of course talking about Valentine's Day. Personally, I will spending the day eating those M&S "meals for two"- but for one. That bottle of wine will come in very handy for literally drowning my sorrows, not to mention to give me the confidence to set up my match.com profile.

So for all of us singles, here is a playlist that will get us through this time. We'll get through it together!
If you blast these loud enough, maybe no one will here the sobbing behind closed doors... #foreveralone.

1. Beyonce- Who run the world (Girls)

2. We are never, ever getting back together- Taylor Swift

3. Tina Turner- What's love got to do with it?

4. Gloria Gayner- I will survive

5. Natasha Bedingfield- Single

6. Plain White tees- Hate (I Really Don't Like You)

7. Jason Derulo- Ridin' Solo

8. McFly- I'll be OK

9. The Pretty Reckless- Make Me Wanna Die

10. Gotye- Somebody I used to know

**PS. Tips for V-day: stay away from the following artists:- Adele, Ed Sheeran, Ben Howard, Coldplay, Taylor Swift (apart from the one above) and any other artists that tend to cause uncontrollable tears. Happy Valentines everyone! Not.

Top Artists of 2013: 2. Tom Odell

I cannot get enough of Tom Odell. I heard about him at the end of last year and immediately fell in love. Maybe it's his lyrics- honest, moving and even brutal at times in 'Another love'; maybe it's his magical piano skills...or maybe it's just the hair...  
Whatever my true motivation for turning into a fan girl over his music, Mr Odell is going to be EVERYWHERE this year. Anyone that makes Taylor Swift's original sound pants MUST be talented. I'm of course referring to his live lounge cover of 'I knew you were trouble' by good old Taylor Swift.

Oh and did I mention he's the winner of the BRITs Critics Choice Award 2013? Previous winners include Emeli Sande, Jessie J, Florence and the Machine, Ellie Goulding and Adele. In fact, Tom is the first male winner of the award (double applaud)!!

Anyway, his album 'Long way down' is out soon (April 15th to be exact) and it's on my pre-order list already! Pre order here: 'Long way down'- Tom Odell (pre-order album)


But, in the 66 days till his album release (not that I'm counting), check out his videos for 'Another Love', 'Can't Pretend', 'Sense' and his live lounge cover of 'I knew you were trouble' by Taylor Swift!

Oh, and he's got a blog too! http://tomodell.com Follow him- show the love. :)