Fools // Wild Child

In my humble opinion, Wild Child could not have picked a better time to drop this album. This is the perfect soundtrack to walking down the street with the leaves changing colors on a brisk fall day. The vibe of the entire album is so chill, but not in a way that makes you want to fall asleep- more in the way that you just want to hang out in the sun and listen to it. The vocals are never too much, if you know what I mean. Nothing about this album is overkill, and I think that’s what I like most about it. The lead singer’s voice reminds me a lot of that of Daughter, and what I like about it most is that she floats with her voice- nothing about it is intrusive, and the tone in her voice is just beautiful. Honestly this is the kind of album I would want playing throughout my house at all hours of the day. If that were a thing I did, here are the top 5 tracks I would have on repeat.

Fools- If you want one of the “rock” driven songs on the album, and also the title track! Obviously it’s the title track for a reason.

Meadows- If you want to hear absolutely perfect harmonies & riffs. This song is the reason I’m in love with her voice.

Break Bones- If you want my favorite song on the whole album. I love the syncopations going on with the vocals, I love the vocals as a whole, I love that the back tracking matches the tone of the lyrics, I love it.

Reno- If you want to know what song I am learning to play on guitar next… Some more beautiful vocals, and a track that is most beautiful in its simplicity.

Oklahoma- If you want some more killer harmonies, some ukulele action (I think), and some really sweet lyrics.

I had a very hard time narrowing it down to 5, but I chose the ones that I think are the most comprehensive of the whole album. Fools is out now on iTunes and Spotify, and is available for purchase here.

Thoughts? Let me know with a comment below!

I also love when people send me stuff to check out, so if you find yourself thinking “Man, this song should grace the pages of The Lucky Velvet”, let me know people!

You know what else is awesome? Taking the music of The Lucky Velvet with you everywhere you go! And you can now do that with this Spotify playlist.

If you like my music blog and you like stickers, you can get a sticker with my music blog on it. Cool, right? http://www.redbubble.com/people/elanamaling/works/14163744-the-lucky-velvet-music-blog-logo?grid_pos=2&p=sticker

WILD // Troye Sivan

It’s time to bring Weekly Obsession back, don’t you think? You all know I have them in abundance, so I will be having two installments for this week. You can expect the next one on Wednesday. Today, as I promised in an earlier post last week, I will be discussing the glorious album (EP???) that is Troye Sivan’s lastest work. As I also said in this previous post, I have mad respect for this guy because I feel like with a lot of people that try to dabble in an area that they didn’t get famous in originally, it can be hard for them to be taken seriously, or maybe they aren’t even really any good and are just getting the hype because people already know them. I don’t think that’s the case at all with Troye, because first of all his music is by no means mainstream, and we all know that if he wanted to get the exposure and the radio air he could’ve produced more pop-like music. But no, he went and made the kind of music he would be proud of and that was genuinely his artistic creation, and it’s so good and I just respect that. Enough rambling, here are the tracks.

WILD- If you want to hear an insanely catchy single with a fantastic melody line and perfectly danceable beat. You can read more thoughts here.

BITE- If you want to hear some chill-inducing harmonies that you all know I’m a sucker for. There’s so much more to it than that but that’s my favorite part.

FOOLS- If you want a song that is actually kind of sweet if you think about it, but also kind of sad. And also paired with a sick beat and great vocals.

EASE- If you want to hear a great collab with Broods, like I’ve never heard two voices that blend together better.

THE QUIET- If you want to hear something that is the opposite of quiet. It’s not crazy, but it definitely has a strong beat at times.

DKLA- If you want to hear a track that has a much more deep and dark feel to it.

Great album, give it a listen.

Thoughts? Let me know with a comment below!

I also love when people send me stuff to check out, so if you find yourself thinking “Man, this song should grace the pages of The Lucky Velvet”, let me know people!

You know what else is awesome? Taking the music of The Lucky Velvet with you everywhere you go! And you can now do that with this Spotify playlist.

If you like my music blog and you like stickers, you can get a sticker with my music blog on it. Cool, right? http://www.redbubble.com/people/elanamaling/works/14163744-the-lucky-velvet-music-blog-logo?grid_pos=2&p=sticker

Animals EP // KYKO

So you all have seen KYKO featured on The Lucky Velvet before, and it is only fitting that his first ever EP also be featured. This EP dropped last week, and I have to say it may just be the perfect soundtrack to the rest of the summer. Each song perfectly blends classic elements of indie-rock with the newer and more electric vibes of indie-pop, and to top it off, this kid has a perfectly smooth voice to accompany each track. So, here it is track by track.

Animals- If you want a great guitar line and a fantastic drum beat to groove to.

Headlights- If you want one of the catchiest choruses I’ve heard this summer, and some totally soul-fulfilling vocal runs. (This song has also been featured here.)

Mexico- If you want to be able to appreciate some smooth vocals and an equally smooth and chilled out track. I love that it is so chill but also seems to have so much direction behind it. (Do I even make sense?)

Hideaway- If you want a track to ~hide away~ with. It’s cheesy but it really is the perfect track to just sit and get lost in.

Give it a listen, give him some love, be happy with some great tunes.

Thoughts? Let me know with a comment below!

I also love when people send me stuff to check out, so if you find yourself thinking “Man, this song should grace the pages of The Lucky Velvet”, let me know people!

You know what else is awesome? Taking the music of The Lucky Velvet with you everywhere you go! And you can now do that with this Spotify playlist.

If you like my music blog and you like stickers, you can get a sticker with my music blog on it. Cool, right? http://www.redbubble.com/people/elanamaling/works/14163744-the-lucky-velvet-music-blog-logo?grid_pos=2&p=sticker

VHS // X Ambassadors

This album is easily my most anticipated album of the year. I saw these guys for the first time back in November of 2013 when they opened for The Mowgli’s and I had no idea who they were. Their live show sucked me in and I have been listening to them ever since, and now they have finally put out a full length album while I’m over here feeling like a proud mother. The first thing I would like to say is that after that long of a wait, this album met my expectations and more. Listening to it for the first time, I found myself getting more and more excited about it with each track. There were moments when I was literally sitting there, by myself, and a totally sick song would come on and I would say “OH SHIT” out loud to myself. I sound like I’m rambling, but I just love this band and this album and it is so cool to watch a band develop a fan base like X Ambassadors has and to see all their hard work start to really pay off. So after all of my gushing, here are 5 tracks you absolutely must hear.

Hang On- If you want some great backing vocals and harmonizing, which you all know I am a sucker for. Pair that up with a great groove and you have this jam.

Gorgeous- If you want to hear something that, to be honest, reminds me of Nick Jonas’ “Jealous” mixed with T-Swift’s “Style”, and then has some Micheal Jackson-esque vocals thrown in. Just listen to it, you’ll understand.

Fear- If you want my favorite track, and a beat that hits you right in your grooving feels. And then of course some totally on point vocals.

Low Life- If you want a more chill song, and you do because it gives you a chance to really just appreciate Sam’s fabulous voice.

Naked- If you want to hear some sexy sax action, and just a nice message laid down into an awesome track.

As for some more technical parts of this album, the thing I love about it is that in between tracks, they have “interludes” that are actually audio clips of old VHS tapes from their childhoods. Thus, VHS. It all kind of goes chronologically, and it really tells their story just like they want it to. I only gave you 5 tracks because that’s what I do, but you all seriously just need to go listen to the whole album because if I could out up every song, I would.

Thoughts? Let me know with a comment below!

I also love when people send me stuff to check out, so if you find yourself thinking “Man, this song should grace the pages of The Lucky Velvet”, let me know people!

You know what else is awesome? Taking the music of The Lucky Velvet with you everywhere you go! And you can now do that with this Spotify playlist.

If you like my music blog and you like stickers, you can get a sticker with my music blog on it. Cool, right? http://www.redbubble.com/people/elanamaling/works/14163744-the-lucky-velvet-music-blog-logo?grid_pos=2&p=sticker

Pools to Bathe In // The Japanese House

If you don’t take any of my other suggestions besides this one, I will consider it a job well done on my part because this EP right here is one of the best things I have heard in quite a while. So, here we are, and it’s time for another weekly obsession, but I’m calling this one a monthly obsession. Did you know it was possible to combine the sounds of bands like The 1975 with artists like Bon Iver? Well, it is, and here is that beautiful musical child. This EP, along with this artist, fell into our laps out of nowhere and made some very huge waves. I mean, their twitter account wasn’t even made until two months ago and they already have almost 7,000 followers, but only 70 tweets? Talk about mysterious. And that is the word I would use to describe their sound as well. Mysterious and ethereal. Here’s the breakdown.

Pools to Bathe In- If you want to lose your mind at the drop. And by lose your mind, I mean feel what it’s like when everything is right in the world. And it’s still a beautifully chilled out song.

Teeth- If you want to know what it’s like when all of the little intricacies of a track come together perfectly.

Still- If you want a small groove, coupled with some amazing lyrics.

Sister- If you want my absolute favorite track on the whole damn thing. The harmonies, then the rest of it comes in, the lyrics, just wow. Best line: “she feels like hell / And I know ’cause I’ve been”

Wow. Please listen to this. It can be purchased here.

Thoughts? Let me know with a comment below!

I also love when people send me stuff to check out, so if you find yourself thinking “Man, this song should grace the pages of The Lucky Velvet”, let me know people!

You know what else is awesome? Taking the music of The Lucky Velvet with you everywhere you go! And you can now do that with this Spotify playlist.

If you like my music blog and you like stickers, you can get a sticker with my music blog on it. Cool, right? http://www.redbubble.com/people/elanamaling/works/14163744-the-lucky-velvet-music-blog-logo?grid_pos=2&p=sticker

Sound & Color // Alabama Shakes

Alabama Shakes has graced all of us peasants with a new album, and needless to say, everyone loves it. This album is currenly #1 on the Billboard charts, and this is a big deal considering that this band is by no means mainstream. They certainly earned it though, because Alabama Shakes has created a sound all their own in a time where that is just hard to do. The vocals remind me a little of Graffiti6, but other than that I don’t have many comparisons to draw. There is kind of a 60s/70s pop inspired vibe going on here, and I have to say I’m enjoying it. It was extremely difficult for me to pick just 5 songs to share with you all, but I guess that means you all will just have to go listen to the album! So, here we are with another weekly obsession.

Don’t Wanna Fight- If you want a song that is just a straight groove.

Dunes- If you want a song that has probably my favorite melody in the whole album.

This Feeling- If you want a sweet, smooth love song.

Shoegaze- If you want a song you can just lose yourself in.

Miss You- If you want to be reminded of Oh Darlin’ in Across The Universe. Or maybe it’s just me.

Thoughts? Let me know with a comment below!

I also love when people send me stuff to check out, so if you find yourself thinking “Man, this song should grace the pages of The Lucky Velvet”, let me know people!

You know what else is awesome? Taking the music of The Lucky Velvet with you everywhere you go! And you can now do that with this Spotify playlist.

If you like my music blog and you like stickers, you can get a sticker with my music blog on it. Cool, right? http://www.redbubble.com/people/elanamaling/works/14163744-the-lucky-velvet-music-blog-logo?grid_pos=2&p=sticker

Everything’s Coming Up Roses // Night Terrors of 1927

So this post is much later than originally intended, but better late than never as they say, right? So I saw this band a week ago when they opened for Bleachers, and they have made an appearance here on The Lucky Velvet in the past so needless to say i was very excited to finally see them live. They did not disappoint my friends. And because they had a killer live show and because I already liked them to begin with, I thought why not showcase the album the dropped a couple of months ago? So, here we are with another weekly obsession.

Dust And Bones- If you want to hear something that is just very alt/indie pop rock. It’s got some great harmonies thrown in there, and a build up that will have you pumping your fist when it hits the chorus.

Perfect Day- If you want to hear a slightly more electro-pop vibe. I really do mean slightly though. This one has a great groove to it. And you know what, it is a perfect day.

When You Were Mine- If you want to hear a damn catchy tune. I usually try to stay away from featuring singles since there is always so much more to an album than the single, but this song is just too good not to mention. Also, it is featuring Tegan And Sara. Also, this means you get an extra song, so lucky you.

It Would Be An Honor- If you want to hear a song that will probably be stuck in your head 3 days from now. They introduced this one perfectly at the live show, and so I will never forget the chorus of this song.

Always Be One- If you want a song that you will end up screaming along to. Nothing else to be said.

Always Take You Back- If you want to hear a song that I think captures this band very well.

Thoughts? Let me know with a comment below!

I also love when people send me stuff to check out, so if you find yourself thinking “Man, this song should grace the pages of The Lucky Velvet”, let me know people!

You know what else is awesome? Taking the music of The Lucky Velvet with you everywhere you go! And you can now do that with this Spotify playlist.

If you like my music blog and you like stickers, you can get a sticker with my music blog on it. Cool, right? http://www.redbubble.com/people/elanamaling/works/14163744-the-lucky-velvet-music-blog-logo?grid_pos=2&p=sticker

American Candy // The Maine

After all this time, it is finally here! Now maybe I am just biased because I have literally grown up on The Maine (I’ve been there since The Way We Talk EP) but this album was highly anticipated by many. I am here to tell you all that this album did not disappoint. The Maine has definitely had an evolution of sound as they have grown as a band, from the angsty but glamorous pop punk days to the very alternative rock vibe on the last album. I think this album does a fantastic job of integrating the two sounds, and the feel it has reminds me of some material off their sophomore album, Black & White. There is definitely a more carefree vibe around this album, from the sound even down to the lyrics, as you will see. So anyway, here we are with another weekly obsession.

Miles Away- If you want to hear a really quintessential The Maine vibe. I don’t know how else to describe it.

My Hair- If you want to hear exactly what I’m talking about with that carefree vibe. “Grow your hair out, let your hair down while you still can”

Diet Soda Society- If you want to hear what might possibly be my favorite on the album. I love the chorus.

Am I Pretty?- If you want to hear that sound every so slightly reminiscent of 80s pop that seems to be all the rage these days. Actually, this song kind of reminds me of the early days of The Cab. Such a jam.

(Un) Lost- If you want to hear the token inspirational track on this album. Every one of The Maine’s album has one, and I love that to be honest.

I wish I could feature the whole album, but that’s just not how it goes.

Thoughts? Let me know with a comment below!

I also love when people send me stuff to check out, so if you find yourself thinking “Man, this song should grace the pages of The Lucky Velvet”, let me know people!

You know what else is awesome? Taking the music of The Lucky Velvet with you everywhere you go! And you can now do that with this Spotify playlist.

If you like my music blog and you like stickers, you can get a sticker with my music blog on it. Cool, right? http://www.redbubble.com/people/elanamaling/works/14163744-the-lucky-velvet-music-blog-logo?grid_pos=2&p=sticker

Chaos And The Calm // James Bay

This album has been long awaited by pretty much anyone who has ever heard the beautiful voice that is James Bay. And his first full length album finally dropped this week! Needless to say, it did not disappoint. It did whatever the opposite of disappointing is. This album is so good, I have listened to it probably 10 times on repeat, and I am about to start on listen #11. As per usual, I will not be highlighting the most well known songs (a.k.a. singles) or any songs I have talked about previously in this space. And since I just did one of James’ EPs a couple of weeks ago, that takes out about 5 songs, but this new album is just so good we still have plenty of fantastic songs to highlight. So, here we are with another weekly obsession.

Craving- If you want to hear the opening track, which I think really sets the tone for the rest of the album.

Best Fake Smile- If you want to hear the best song on the album in my opinion. Great beat, great lyrics.

Collide- If you want something that has a little more edge to it. If anyone knows Alexander DeLeon of The Cab, I am strongly reminded of his voice here.

Get Out While You Can- If you want a song to sing along to.

Need The Sun To Break- If you want a more chill/love song.

Fantastic album.

I also love when people send me stuff to check out, so if you find yourself thinking “Man, this song should grace the pages of The Lucky Velvet”, let me know people!

You know what else is awesome? Taking the music of The Lucky Velvet with you everywhere you go! And you can now do that with this Spotify playlist.

If you like my music blog and you like stickers, you can get a sticker with my music blog on it. Cool, right? http://www.redbubble.com/people/elanamaling/works/14163744-the-lucky-velvet-music-blog-logo?grid_pos=2&p=sticker

Gorilla Manor // Local Natives

First of all, I am so sorry for the lack of weekly obsessions over the past couple of weeks, usually they are posted on Wednesdays but things have been nuts, so he we are, on a Friday, and it is time for another weekly obsession.

So this week, we will be discussing a band that I have known for quite some time, and you probably have too. My local alternative radio station has played these guys in the past, but I have never really delved into their stuff until this week. I am now sorry for this fact, because they are SO AWESOME. This may become another two part feature, so look out for their second album next week. Everything about their music is wonderfully chill but also strikingly catchy at the same time, and also surprisingly witty at points. These are the songs that I personally love.

Airplanes- If you want just a chill song with great harmonies thrown in, and an interesting drum thing that sounds like sticks being hit together (which it probably is.)

World News- If you want a song that has so many things to love about it. An awesome melody line, fun “do do do”s thrown in, harmonies, witty lyrics, it’s got everything.

Camera Talks- If you want a slightly more uptempo vibe.

Who Knows Who Cares- If you want one of the more well-known songs. Usually I don’t like showcasing those, but I just really like this song that has a small shoutout to Colorado in it. It also has a really cool violin element.

Cubism Dream- If you want another good song. I’m having trouble pin-pointing anything specific about this one.

Would you guys like to see the second album featured next week? Let me know with a comment below!

I also love when people send me stuff to check out, so if you find yourself thinking “Man, this song should grace the pages of The Lucky Velvet”, let me know people!

You know what else is awesome? Taking the music of The Lucky Velvet with you everywhere you go! And you can now do that with this Spotify playlist.

If you like my music blog and you like stickers, you can get a sticker with my music blog on it. Cool, right? http://www.redbubble.com/people/elanamaling/works/14163744-the-lucky-velvet-music-blog-logo?grid_pos=2&p=sticker