Local Valley

Hello, back again for another music review/post in this Blogtober. Today I will be talking about one of my favourite albums of 2021, and also one of the most anticipated albums of 2021 for me! 

It's none other than Jose Gonzales' Local Valley. When Jose released El Invento back in February, his return was really something... Comforting? I'm not sure what to call it, but yeah it's been quite long since he released new music so it was kind of a respite to have him back.

I discovered Jose back in 2014 after watching Walter Mitty. His song "Step Out" actually soundtracked my trip to Iceland in the same year. I went to listen to the rest of his discography and really fell in love with his music! So this album is truly something I was anticipating a lot in 2021.

The singles from the album have been incredible and I just couldn't wait for the album to arrive. To me this is such a beautiful album. I was a bit puzzled and intrigued to why he named the album "Local Valley". But after listening to his explanations in an KEXP interview, how Local Valley refers to earth, this place in the universe. And the title track of the song refers to two tribes not being able to talk with each other, and not being able to see other tribes nearby living in harmony.

I feel this whole theme is so familiar in today's world. The pandemic has really divides us into "two tribes". Anti vaxxer vs vaccinated people. Conspiracy theorist (and basically people who spread hoaxes) and people who believe in science. There's this whole divided conversation between these two groups but the ignorance from the other group really shadows these whole groups.

Personally I love this album because it arrives at the right time. These whole 1.5 (soon 2) years of pandemic have really made me contemplate a lot. Contemplate a lot about life, and this whole mystery that we're living in. And I think this album really provides that platform for us to contemplate. 

The first single El Invento is still my favourite form the album. The chorus speaks a lot about what I'm feeling above. The lyric of the chorus is translated as "Tell me why is it so, tell me where you're going, tell my where we're from, tell me why is it so, and tell me why". 

These are the same questions I've been asking myself in this pandemic. I feel like as we went through the pandemic, I asked myself how did we land ourselves in this position. Why are we here, on this planet. Why and how do we allow this to happen and take over our lives. These are the questions I've been asking myself and I still haven't found the answers to them. So yeah.

And his song "Visions"? Wow that is truly a masterpiece that talks about the whole pandemic!

So yeah personally this is such a wonderful album for humanity. For all of us, to contemplate on what has been going on for the past 1.5 years. And personally it's truly a beautiful album to really accompany us. Although I'm probably gonna be reminded of the whole pandemic when I listen to this album in the future hahaha. But that's music for me. It's a time machine that brings me to a certain point in time.

Alright that's all from me now. It's Saturday and I feel more free. I have time to write more stuff haha. Maybe I should do a music review every Saturday. We'll see how it goes. See you soon!

Great Music of 2020

Hello hello, I know I haven't been updating a lot these days. But I reckon I should share with you the great music of 2020! It's a crazy year isn't it? And I am so ever thankful for the company of these wonderful musicians. Thank you for the music, for the company, and as always, for keeping me sane!

Here goes! As usual I won't go into details, I'll just share my favourite albums and songs.

Favourite albums of 2020:

1. Commensality by Kinnship
1. PREP by PREP
3. some kind of peace by Olafur Arnalds
4. Cannot Be, Whatsoever by Novo Amor
5. Shore by Fleet Foxes
6. Bury The Moon/Satt by Asgeir
7. Truth or Consequence by Yumi Zouma
8. Chromatica by Lady Gaga
9. No One Else Can Wear Your Crown by Oh Wonder
10. Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa

The album of the year is a tie between Kinnship's Commensality and PREP's debut self-titled. I love Commensality lyrics, but I love PREP's musicality in the album! I can't choose one haha. Well guess what it's the 3rd year in a row that Kinnship (FKA Favela) tops the favourite albums of the year list! Well I really love his music, and I'm so excited for more new music from him. As for PREP, it's such a great debut from them, and also something that we've been waiting for! <3

Favourite songs of 2020:

1. Breathing by Kinnship
2. Stop This Flame by Celeste
3. Years Don't Lie by PREP
4. Opaline by Novo Amor
5. I Wish I Could Slow The West by Kinnship
6. If We're Being Honest by Novo Amor
7. Bury The Moon by Asgeir
8. Southwark by Yumi Zouma
9. Better Now by Oh Wonder
10. Douha (Mali Mali) by Disclosure ft Fatoumata Diawara
11. Chance by Rayowa
12. Woven Song by Olafur Arnalds
13. Don't Start Now by Dua Lipa
14. Baby It's You by London Grammar
15. Can I Believe You by Fleet Foxes
16. wachito rico by Boy Pablo
17. Sintas by Tashoora
18. Giants by Dermot Kennedy
19. Alice by Lady Gaga
20. Alone by Furns

Okay just celebrating 2020, with twenty of my favourite songs from this year! As you all know I have a longer list but yes I can keep going haha. But yup these are my favourite songs from this year. I do discover a lot more songs which have become my favourite but they're older songs so I'm not sure if they should be on the list heh. But yay to discovering new songs as always!

I'm very excited for 2021. I've seen a lot of musicians and bands writing music in this crazy year so I look forward to hearing new music from them in the coming year. And of course I'm also excited to discover new music, which I've been doing a lot in this past year whoop!

Alright that's all from me now. It's a crazy year for all of us and once again I am very thankful for the company of these wonderful music. I hope you're all staying safe and healthy. Take care!

Great Music of 2019

Alright it's that time of the year again for the great music of 2019! Before we begin, lets start with the great music of December. Not many, and also there's no new album in this month heh.

Great Music of December:

- Lazy Giants by Asgeir

- Right Track/Wrong Man by Yumi Zouma

- Afraid To Fall by Gary B

- Good Karma by Gary B

- Fading by Shallou

Song of the month: Right Track/Wrong Man by Yumi Zouma

And now lets begin with the great music of 2019! Alright disclaimer first: I won't be doing what I did in my previous years where I list out all the new albums/music that I love this year. But I will list down the artists/bands I discovered this year, followed with my top 10 albums with a few special mentions, and then top 19 songs of the year (cause, 2019). And the acts I'm looking forward to in 2020! Here goes:

New Artists/Bands I discovered in 2019

[] Raveena [] The Day [] Mike Pedaja [] Geographer [] Hania Rani [] Sun Rai [] RKCB [] Egoism [] 

[] Mree [] Nitsua [] Satria Jaya [] Rosemary Fairweather [] Tashoora [] Henry Nowhere [] Work Drugs [] 

[] Litany [] Hindia [] Dameer [] Pictured Resort [] Postiljonen [] Miljon [] Gary B []

I discovered most of these artists/bands from Spotify in this year. And as usual the good old YouTube! Actually I discovered way more than these but these are the few that I really fall in love with. Spotify has definitely made discovering music more convenient. I'm excited to discover more in 2020 :)

Breakthrough artist of 2019: Hania Rani, Hindia, Tashoora, and The Day 

Here are my top ten (technically eleven) albums of 2019. I can't pick the number one!

1. A Thousand Fibres by Favela

1. forevher by Shura

2. Esja by Hania Rani

3. Menari Dengan Bayangan by Hindia

4. Everyday Life by Coldplay

5. Midnight Parade by The Day

6. Oncle Jazz by Men I Trust

7. Heard It In A Past Life by Maggie Rogers

8. Pony by Rex Orange County

9. Saves The World by Muna

10. Blue Sky In Your Head by Lighthouse Family

And here are a few special mentions!

1. Grim Town by Soak

2. Rouge by Yuna

3. Weather by Tycho

4. Onwards To Zion by Vancouver Sleep Clinic

5. Dream Girl by Anna of The North

6. Hamba Jaring Cahaya, Hamba Bela Gelapnya by Tashoora

Okay there are actually a total of 25 albums that are released by my favourite musicians this year. It's so hard to pick these really! Because they're really good. Well I'm not a music expert but I rank these not only from the music side but also my "relationship" with these albums. And in general, how I feel about the album as a whole. Here's why I pick my number ones and a few of the other albums.

A Thousand Fibres by Favela

This is a collaborative album by Favela and a few other artists. And I think Favela did it again! I really love the whole album because it really felt like a thousand fibres woven together to create a beautiful tapestry! As usual Favela's music made me feel emotions that I've never felt before. And it's so hard to put them into words. This album is no exception. I am really excited for more new music from him :)

forevher by Shura

This album is really something like wow! Haha. Okay first of all, I've never been in a relationship. Though I've been in love a few times hah (AKA have crushes). So I don't know the feelings and the things that one goes through when they are in a relationship. And to me this album encapsulates beautifully the whole journey of being in love and of being in a relationship. After listening to this album I really hope that I can find my special someone one day. And "go through" this album all over again :') 

Next up here are my top 19 favourite songs of 2019!

1. Carve Me by Favela ft Nick Brewer

2. forever by Shura

3. Eden by Hania Rani

4. Secukupnya by Hindia

5. Yet To Come by The Day

6. Rusks and Wine by Favela ft Pablo Nouvelle

7. Sun by Dameer

8. Super 8 by Lighthouse Family (see what I did here :P)

9. Forevermore by Yuna

10. Nista by Tashoora

11. Everyday Life by Coldplay

12. It Gets Better by Rex Orange County

13. Pink Light by Muna

14. Deja Vu by Soak

15. Retrograde by Maggie Rogers

16. Hallelujah by Oh Wonder

17. Kids In The Dark by Bat For Lashes

18. Yosemite by Vancouver Sleep Clinic

19. Summer of My Discontentment by Geographer

There are a lot of songs I discovered this year and I'm not gonna list everything haha. But here are 19 songs that really hit on me I guess. There are a few songs from the new albums that didn't make it here because those songs were released in the previous year and I've been listening to them heh (Like Men I trust and Maggie Rogers). It's so hard to make this list seriously hahaha.

Carve Me by Favela ft Nick Brewer, you can say, is really a song that sums up my 2019. Just read the opening lines and that's how I feel about this year. But also read the closing lyrics, and they are like my prayers and hope for the new year and for life itself. Favela describes the song as "an upward cry to be changed for greater purpose". I thought this sums up my hopes. I mean... I've been feeling lost for the past couple of years and I really wish I can change for the better. You know. 

Sun by Dameer is also another favourite because after reading his interview with Majestic Casual, I think the song is really telling a story that's kind of similar to what I'm facing now. And he puts it in such an upbeat and fun song, like as if telling the listener not to worry and that everything will work out for both parties. I am so excited for more new music from him in 2020. He's such a talent!

And here are some acts that I'm excited for in 2020! Some of them are releasing new albums in February and it's enough to make me feel pumped for the new year heh. Here goes!

Acts I'm looking forward to in 2020

[] Asgeir [] Oh Wonder [] PREP [] Favela [] Yumi Zouma [] Jonsi [] Dameer [] London Grammar [] 

[] Boy Pablo [] Hania Rani [] Lapsley [] Maggie Rogers [] Coldplay (?) []

Jonsi said in an interview that he's releasing new music soon, hopefully by summer 2020 I hope hehe. And a few of the bands/artists above did say about recording new materials lately so I'm pretty sure we'll listen to some new music from them whoop. As for Coldplay. Music of The Spheres. Inside the Everyday Life booklet. Coming soon. Cough cough. I'm very excited hahaha.

Alright that's all for this year's great and wonderful music. Once again it's been a year filled with great discoveries. And Spotify has made this process a convenient and awesome one. I'm excited to discover more new music next year and I'm also eager to hear some new music from my favourite artists and bands. And as always, to the musicians above, thank you for the music, the company

and for keeping me sane.

See you in 2020 with more great music!

Everyday Life

Right it's that time of the month again, where I'll share some awesome music of the month. I didn't discover a lot of music this month but two albums that I've been anticipating for quite some time are released! They are Coldplay's Everyday Life and Hindia's Menari Dengan Bayangan. Here goes.

Great Music of November

- Everyday Life by Coldplay (album)

- Menari Dengan Bayangan by Hindia (album)

- Blue Coloured Mountain EP by Szymon

- Bloodflow by Grandbrothers

- When Love Awaits by HMGNC

Song of The Month: Everyday Life by Coldplay and Secukupnya by Hindia

Okay shall not talk much about the songs. But yes as mentioned from last month's post, I've been very excited for new Coldplay album! And well, everytime they're releasing a new album I'm always stoked haha. Come to think of it I've been listening to them for the past 14 years now. How can I not be excited for a new album haha. I would say this double album is pretty good. Like I think it's one of Coldplay's best work. AROBTTH is still my favourite album from them tho heh.

But I just love the whole message behind the album, and their promos have been very interesting too! I think we might get another album soon next year. I've been reading some articles saying that they might be releasing a new one next year. Just like what they did for Ghost Stories and AHFOD releases.

And Hindia's new album is also pretty damn good. Definitely one of my top 5 of the year I'd say! I just discovered him about a month ago I think. I didn't know that it's the solo project of .feast vocalist haha. The video for Secukupnya appeared on my recommended tab and when I first listened to it... I actually cried haha. I think this song (or the album) reflects my life in the recent years a lot.

I wish you can understand Indonesian because the words are awesome really. 

Alright that's all for now. Damn it, the year is coming to an end. Again.

Better Now

It's the 2nd last day of October already! Wow, I think this month flew by pretty quickly somehow. As always, I believe that once we passed September, the year will just breeze by till December heh. And soon enough January will be ahead of us. And the cycle will go on. Life of humans really heh.

Anyway let me share with you lots of great music of October! Lots of great albums are released in this month, and a few songs too! Also there are news of artists coming back which make me excited!

Great Music of October:

- Onwards to Zion by Vancouver Sleep Clinic (album)

- Pony by Rex Orange County (album)

- Dream Girl by Anna of The North (album)

- Cry by Cigarettes After Sex (album)

- Hamba Jaring Cahaya, Hamba Bela Gelapnya by Tashoora (album)

- Better Now by Oh Wonder

- Orphans by Coldplay

- Youth by Asgeir

- Hates Me by Otherliine

- My Love Was Like The Rain by Lapsley

Song of The Month: Fever by VSC

Okay I won't go into details of each albums/songs, but yes I love these releases of the month! I am also very excited to see the comeback of Lapsley, Coldplay and Asgeir. Asgeir really caught me by surprise heh, I thought he'll be releasing new materials next year. Looks like we're in for an earlier surprise! I'm very excited for Lapsley's EP, Coldplay's new album next month and Asgeir's in Feb.

There's really a lot of new albums and I've been taking my time listening to them fully. I especially love Rex's new album Pony. I was giving it a few plays and it's a wonderful album. Definitely one of my top 10 albums of 2019! Talking about albums... I need to compile the albums of 2019 list soon heh.

Alright. Closing off this blogtober series tomorrow. See ya again.

Kids In The Dark

Hello, oh gosh I haven't been writing here again! I actually just returned from Singapore like last night. Spent the weekend for Jeslyn's wedding on Saturday! It was a great weekend reuniting and meeting different people as usual. So happy for Jeslyn really, congratulations to Mr and Mrs Foo!

Alright will blog about my trip on a separate post. Now lets talk about the great music of September! There are loads of new albums that I've been expecting in this month and they're amazing. The year is coming to an end soon and I think there isn't much albums I'm expecting. September is a banger really haha. Alright here goes the fantastic music and albums of September!

Great Music of September:

- Saves The World by MUNA (album)

- Lost Girls by Bat For Lashes (album)

- Oncle Jazz by Men I Trust (album)

- I'm Just Like You by Tegan and Sara

- What Does It Take by Miljon

- Hallelujah by Oh Wonder

- All I Want by Abroad

- Time by Abroad

Song of The Month: Hallelujah by Oh Wonder and What Does It Take by Miljon

Four great album in September! Oncle Jazz by Men I Trust is one of the most anticipated albums of 2019 for me and it is amazing. I can't wait for the vinyl to arrive and I'm gonna give it a spin while chilling on a Saturday mwahaha. Also loving the whole 80s synths of BFL Lost Girls. And Muna's Sophomore is also so so good. Tegan and Sara just released their new album on Friday and I'm currently digesting it. But I've been enjoying it so far! :)

Special mention to Miljon's song What Does It Take, which I discovered from Spotify. It is such a great song that somehow reminds me of the past.... Weird but yeah, it's a melancholic song. Perfect to listen to at night and also while driving. Abroad is another band I discovered from Spotify and I love their music. I think they're like the "cousin" of Rufus Du Sol. Also they're from Aussie haha.

Alright that's all for the great music of September! I'm looking forward to some new albums at the end of the year. Like Vancouver Sleep Clinic and Rex Orange County! Looking forward to more new music from Oh Wonder too, and their 3rd album (not sure when it's gonna be released tho). And PREP is writing new music as well (seen from their IG story haha). So yep.

Hope September treated you well. Here's to an Outstanding October for us.

Oh yes, wish me luck cause I'm doing Blogtober!

forevher

Oh wow this is ridiculous, I haven't been blogging for 3 weeks!! HAHAHA. What a way to welcome my 11th year of blogging by blogging less heh. Okay, I have my own reasons! First of all I don't have much things to blog about (as usual). And secondly yeah I've been pretty busy this month. There's always something to do at night heh. And thirdly, I just retrieved my laptop back today after sending it for servicing. Pretty stressed out when I found out I might lose all my data.

But thankfully not! I lost the apps and programs in the laptop but the servicing guy managed to shit all my data from the C drive to the D drive. I just finished moving and deleting stuff, and of course, not forgetting backing up all my essential data. That was frightening heh. I never learn my lesson for not backing up, even though I told myself to when I got my laptop last year haha.

Okay it's the last day of August and thus I will just share with you the LOADS of great music I discovered this month! Here goes, as usual, won't be talking about every song haha.

Great Music of August

- forevher by Shura (album)

- Samurai by Flecks

- Leaves by Fanclub

- Things by Louis Cole

- Playing Games by Anna of The North

- Supreme by Postiljonen

- Skying High by Postiljonen

- Southside by Wild Front

- ARAWA by Electric Youth

- Runaway by Electric Youth

Song of the month: forever and skyline, be mine by Shura

There's only one album that I was looking forward to in August and that is Shura's 2nd album, forevher! It's such an incredible album. Raw, beautiful, intimate and just pure love haha. Although I kinda prefer Nothing's Real with its upbeat songs, forevher is a whole new dimension. I've never been in a relationship but damn, this album really made me feel in love! If I can sum the album in four words, it'll be "I Am In Love" haha. Which is also a lyric from forevher!

I discovered a few new artists/bands in this month from Spotify, they are Postiljonen, Wild Front and Electric Youth. I am currently obsessed with Postiljonen's Skying High. I love how "colourful" and lively their electronic sounds are. Wild Front songs are very nice and chill, I love their combination of electronic and uhh folk? I'm not sure how to call it haha. As for Electric Youth, I just love their synths and beats. Seriously man I'm so glad I discovered them! Even though I wish I could discover them earlier haha. But well better late than never, as always right!

Alrighty that's all for this month. It's been quite a busy month, not sure why but I just feel like I'm preoccupied. I am pretty excited for September cause there are 3 album releases I'm excited for: Muna, Tegan and Sara, Bat for Lashes and Men I Trust debut album! Whoop whoop.

I hope you had an Awesome August. Here's to a Superb September everyone! Also as for my declining blog posts... I'm really considering to do blogtober haha. I'll see about it! Take care :)

Super 8

Can't believe it's the end of July already. Every year goes by more and more quickly, it's terrifying! Well we shouldn't be surprised actually. I think that's how time work haha. 

Anyway time to share with you lots of great new music of July!

Great Music of July:

- Blue Sky In Your Head by Lighthouse Family (Album) (after 18 years!)

- Rouge by Yuna (Album)

- Weather by Tycho (Album)

- Pictured Resort by Pictured Resort (Album)

- Fever Dream by Of Monsters and Men (Album)

- Faith by Bon Iver

- Kids In The Dark by Bat For Lashes

- Mellow Medicine by Naoko Gushima

Song of The Month: Super 8 by Lighthouse Family

So, many, new, albums in this merry month of July! Not gonna talk about everything as usual. I will write a special post about the new Lighthouse Family album tho! Coming up soon.

Tycho released his new album Weather and I think it's a great album from him after 3 years! This is also his first album with vocals in it. I find it really ridiculous how some people wrote on his album release post about how adding vocals "was a mistake" or how he should "just stick to making instrumentals". I think every artists writes their music based on the freedom that they have to pour their creative output out, and not what fans want or don't want. I was a bit apprehensive too when he released "Pink and Blue" and said that the album will have vocals. But no, the album is just another great Tycho album with melancholic, luscious and smooth instrumentals, just with vocals in it. I'm digging it! <3

Discovered Pictured Resort from an Indonesian vinyl enthusiast that I follow on Instagram! PR is an indie-pop band from Japan but I think their music has a strong city pop vibes. The album is their sophomore album and it sounds amazing! Truly reminds me of 80s city pop. So thankful that I managed to discover them from him. Thank you @mugidingdong on Instagram! :D

OMAM also released a new album (finally) called Fever Dream. It's an album that I'm excited to listen to in 2019. I think they have fresh new sounds for this album, but still the same earthy OMAM energy that they carry in their music. Some of my favourites from the album is Wars, Stuck in Gravity, Vulture Vulture. I read from their page that they just have a new studio made and thus they're experimenting with new sounds etc. I hope I can catch them in this new album tour.

New songs from Bon Iver and Bat for Lashes made me feel excited for their new albums coming out later in this year too! And I'm exicted for Shura's new album next month whoop whoop.

Alright that's all for this month's great music. 4 more months to dicovering new music. I hope July had been treating you well. Here's me wishing you an Awesome August! Take care and see ya.

Daydreamer

Right, it's that time of the month again where I will share the great music of May! Sorry but I'm kinda rushing so once again, this is just a list of music that I discovered alright :)

Great Music of  June:

- Favela Presents: A Thousand Fibres by Favela ft various artists

- A Different Kind of Human by Aurora (album)

- MTV by Rosemary Fairweather

- Cotton Candy by Rosemary Fairweather

- Good Thing by Henry Nowhere

- Calling Me by Midnight Mystery

- Burned by Work Drugs 

- My Dude by Litany

- Hurts by Tahiti 80

- Captain of Your Sinking Ship by Kommode

Song of the month: Carve My by Favela ft Nick Brewer

I discovered so many songs this month! Thanks once again to Spotify radio and playlists haha. I love the discoveries of this month because they are very varied! From electronic, to pop and Indie pop.

But as mentioned in my previous post, FPATF takes the award this month!

Alrighty just a really short post cause as usual, the end of the month is a very busy time for me! Pretty excited for July, it's somehow my favourite month of the year. Also my favourite lunar month. Also a few great albums that I've been anticipating are released next month woohoo. I hope June has been treating you well. 6 more months to go to 2020, 6 more superb months for us! :)

Glittering Sea

Hello! It's the last day of May, and I'm just doing another quick blog post about the great music I discover in May. Once again, not gonna elaborate on them one by one haha. Here goes!

Great Music of May:

- Back For More by Glassio

- Namedropper by Valley

- Glittering Sea by re:plus X Yusuke Shima

- Alligator by Of Monsters And Men

- Patience by Rhye ft Olafur Arnalds

Song of The month: Glittering Sea by re:plus X Yusuke Shima

As usual, most of these songs were discovered in Spotify, at the release radar or weekly discovery playlist! Special mention to Glittering Sea which is a song I really enjoy this month. I'm kinda into chill-hop this year haha and this song is an awesome Chill-hop song! To be honest I suck at distinguishing genres but yeah Chill-hop music, I think you know it haha. 

OMAM has been teasing on their Instagram that they're at the studio recording new materials, so I know a new OMAM album is coming! They released their first single Alligator recently and wow I'm so excited! Yes, I miss OMAM a lot. Since their release of Beneath The Skin 4 years ago! I am pretty excited for their new album Fever Dream, Alligator is quite an awesome first single!

Okay actually there's one more album that was released in May. To be exact, yesterday haha. It's Favela's Collaborative album: A Thousand Fibres! I have given it a listen and I love it but I will do a separate post for it! Also I think it's more justifiable for it to be inside June's list haha.

Anyway I'm just taking a short break now. Tomorrow we will carry out the grand harvest 2k19 and whew we have a lot of flowers! Haha. So excited. I hope everything will go well tomorrow. And then we're off for the lebaran holidays. Though I'm spending it at home again this year. Perhaps I will spend time blogging a lot during the holiday. We'll see, everytime I say this it never happens haha!

Hope you had a Marvelous month of May. Here's to a Jubilant June ahead guys :)

Still Sleeping

I've been really busy as usual for the end of the month and... Yes, I'm just gonna do a quick post about the great music of April! To be honest I'm feeling really lazy these days to describe the albums/music hahaha. Ever since I keep a bullet journal, I've been doing the same (great music of each month) and yeah, I'm feeling lazy to do this twice heh. So I'm just going to share with you the music alright! :)

Great Music of April:

- Esja by Hania Rani (album)

- The Cure To Loneliness by Jai Wolf (album)

- Grim Town by Soak (album)

- Fear + Love by Marina (album)

- In The End by The Cranberries (album)

- By and By by Nitsua

- Forevermore by Yuna

- How Long Will This Last by Blossom

- Memory of Love by Satria Jaya

- Spirit of The Elders by Satria Jaya

Song of the Month: Forevermore by Yuna

Alright I'm going to talk about a few albums! Some interesting finds this month :)

Okay mixed feelings about the last studio album from The Cranberries. Dolores' passing last year was really a sad news for me, because I grew up with their music, and her voice. But to release a final album (which they are still finalising, when Dolores was still alive) is truly making me sad. It's like... I knew I won't hear another album from them because Dolores is no longer here with us. But nevertheless, I think it's a great album. Thank you The Cranberries for the decision to release the album. And to Dolores, I will miss your voice :( Take care wherever you are alright. We love you!

I discovered this album called Relaxations d'ailleurs: Bali from Spotify I think. I'm not sure how I came across the album, but I think it was from one of those Bali Lounge playlist haha. And oh my goodness I really love the album! Although it's a compilation album, most of the songs are written by a musician called Satria Jaya. I haven't been able to find lots of information on the artist, but wow his music is amazing. The songs combine Balinese singing with Balinese instrumentation and it truly feels like you're in Bali. Free way to "go" to Bali, just play this album! Haha.

Last but not least, I'm currently obsessed with Yuna's song Forevermore. I love the lyrics, the melody and the video. But what really made me love this song is the fact that she added some Malay elements in it! The melody from the pantun, the sounds of gong, and the video about life in Malaysia. I'm not a Malaysian but it's truly endearing to see a fellow Southeast Asian musician adds these elements in her music, for the world to listen to! Tahniah to Yuna, love the song!

Alright I think I'm not going to elaborate the new albums/music from this month onwards haha. I'm getting lazier oops. But yeah. That's all for now, back to work. See you all soon :)

Eden

Alright, time to share with you some of my music discoveries for March! Man can't believe that 3 months have passed in 2019 already. Crazy. It feels like the year just began a few days ago.

Anyway hmm seriously thanks to Spotify I discovered a lot of music every month! So to err make my life easier (AKA cause I'm lazy) I'm not going to talk about every song, just the new ones of my favourite ones! Seriously man, thanks to Spotify's weekly discovery and release radar playlist I've been discovering so many new songs every month. It's so cool. And I love most of these songs!

Alright here goes!

Great Music of March:

- Enemies by Egoism

- Handmade Heaven by Marina

- Don't Feel Like Crying by Sigrid

- BKLYNLDN by Shura (!!!)

- Harvest Moon by Mree
- Eden by Hania Rani

- Hello, Anxiety by Phum Viphurit

- My Salvation by Lighthouse Family

- Jet Black Heart by Ojai

- Bend and Break by FM-84

Song of the month: Hello, Anxiety by Phum Viphurit and Harvest Moon by Mree 

Alright lets begin with the new discoveries. Enemies by Egoism is such a cool summer song by this new band I discovered from Australia! I really love the guitar riffs in the song and the appregios haha. It's such a great song to drive to and it really reminds me of summer days. As for Mree, I discovered her from this song from my weekly discovery playlist in Spotify and oh my goodness I fell in love with this song so much. It's really really dreamy and her vocals is amazing. I wish I could discover her earlier but as always, better late than never I guess!

Hania Rani's Eden is truly an amazing song. So glad I discovered her music because wow she's a great piano player! I've discovered two of her songs so far, Eden and Glass, also discovered via the release radar playlist on Spotify. Eden is an amazing piece. Please give it a listen!

I forgot to include Marina's Handmade Heaven in last month haha. I think it's a beautiful song and I love the music video! I am very excited for her new album too. Anyway I love the lyrics of the song, especially the first line that goes: "I envy the birds high up in the trees, they live all their lives so purposefully" It resonates within me, cause... At times I feel lost in life, about my purpose heh.

And Shura dropped her new song BKLYNLDN which is such a silky, smooth and warm song. I think it's a continuation from Touch and damn it Shu, I haven't "moved on" from Touch and now you dropped this song! Eeep! Haha. I sincerely look forward to the day where I will cuddle with my other half on bed on a cold Sunday morning with that song blasting through our room. Whew!

And Sigrd also released her debut album "Sucker Punch!" I think it's a great album although hmm. I don't really "feel" the lyrics, weirdly somehow. Also can't really make a connection with the album, even though I have to say some of her songs are really great! And DKMV is still my favourite for me.

Alright that's all from me today. It's getting late and I don't wanna continue further haha. But yes, I enjoy the discoveries I made in March! Pretty excited for April cause there are 3 albums I'm looking forward to! Jai Wolf's Cure To Loneliness, SOAK's Grim Town, and The Cranberries' In The End. Though I'm also not looking forward to the latter, cause... I still feel sad about Dolores' passing :l

Okay, I hope you had a Marvelous March! Lets welcome an Amazing April people :) Take care.

Summer of My Discontentment

Hello hello, as usual, taking a break on this end of month fiasco to write about some of the great music of February that I discovered! Actually I discovered a lot of music in this month, thanks to Spotify as usual, from their weekly release radar playlist! Like I discovered 3 new artists this month wow!

Okay lets begin

Great Music of February:

- Drastic Measures by Bayonne (Album)

- Summer of My Discontentment by Geographer

- San Francisco Street by Sun Rai

- Juice by Lizzo

- Till We're In The Sea by RKCB

- Balada Insan Muda by Diskoria

- Permanent Way by Charlie Cunningham

Song of The Month: Summer of My Discontentment by Geographer

Right beginning with the album I enjoyed this month, it's Drastic Measures by Bayonne! I discovered Bayonne early last year from this song "I Know" and I love his music! This is another great album by him and I really love how everything seems to flow in the album. Drastic Measures is my favourite from the album, and also thanks for including I Know in the album! It's a great song :D

Okay I think I should do another segment called Spotify Discoveries where I list out the songs/artists I discovered via Spotify. And for this month, it's a long list but here goes!

Summer of My Discontentment by Geographer

A great song, I just fall in love with every element from this song. The piano riff, the melodies, the lyrics and the whole feel and buildup for the song. I can't wait to read the whole lyrics though!

Permanent Way by Charlie Cunningham

I love this song as well because it is something I haven't really listened to...? Like how the guitar and synths seems to go along very well with the song! It's a pretty interesting but awesome combination!

And this is another segment of YouTube discoveries!

San Francisco Street by Sun Rai

Another of those "video appears on my recommended tab" song that I'm thankful to discover! Man I wish I discovered Sun Rai way earlier. His music is such a great music to drive by to!

Till We're In The Sea by RKCB

Another great song discovered from Sheepy. It's an amazing "driven" song, from the piano rhythms and beats, and the whole song is such a complete package. Hope to hear more from them.

Balada Insan Muda by Diskoria

I've heard of Diskoria before but never had the chance to go to one of their disko session mwahaha. They released this debut single and man it's an beautiful gem of Indonesian music really. Brings me back to the 80s, and I think they did a brilliant job. So excited for more music from them!

As for Juice by Lizzo, I discovered her from Coldplay's twitter where they were telling songs that they are currently in love with. And hot damn, this song is fire! To me, songs that make you feel good is getting rarer these days. But Juice is an exception, this song is amazing and it makes you dance!

Alright that's all for this music of February. I will write here soon! Man, it's been busy again but I'm making some changes for next month! I hope it works. I hope February has been treating you well. May we March on to March and the rest of 2019 with zest and gusto! Go forward my beautiful humans.

Yet To Come

It's been such a hectic end of month fiasco as usual, and I'm just stopping by here to blog before I get back to work! Whew it's been crazy hectic. Lots of people meeting, and also we had the CNY flower delivery yesterday, and tomorrow we're going to continue again. Well it's been quite successful so yay.

Anyway I just wanna talk about the great music of January in this short post!

Great Music of January

- Heard It In A Past Life by Maggie Rogers (debut album!)

- Midnight Parade by The Day (album)

- Sweet Time by Raveena

- No Better by Raveena

- Knock Me Off My Feet by Soak

- Lihtsus by Mick Pedaja

Song of the month: Yet To Come by The Day

Alright the year started off well musically with my first anticipated album of 2019, Maggie Rogers' debut album! And it's such a wonderful album and I'm so happy for Maggie for releasing it to the world. Heard a few of the songs before release as they're singles but the rest of the album is amazing too. Some of my favourites include Burning, Retrograde and Light On! I wanna see her live :D

I am also obsessed with a new band that I recently discovered like... 2 weeks ago? It's The Day and also their debut album, Midnight Parade. I chanced upon them on my release radar playlist. The song discovered was Where The Wild Things Are. But I gave their album a listen from top to bottom and wow. I am blown away. I really love the album! It's such a wonderfully crafted album really.

Discovered two new artists this month: Raveena and Mick Pedaja. Discovered Raveena while my Spotify radio was playing. And wow she's such a chill artist! I love her songs and how chill they are. Been enjoying listening to them during my drives. And I discovered Lihtsus by Mick Pedaja from my release radar playlist as well. I'm not sure how an Estonian artist can land in that playlist but wow I'm glad I discovered him! I love that song, it gives me a very... Breezy feeling heh.

And also I'm excited for Soak's new album coming in April after listening to 2 of her singles! Knock Me Off My Feet is such an awesome tune. Just the kind of song you wanna bop on!

Alright that's all from me this time. I am quite excited for February, one because there's CNY and two, because there's a few album release I'm excited for! One of them is Men I Trust debut album, which I don't know when they'll release it. They just say February haha. Alright, I'll see you soon.

Great Music of 2018

Some of the great music of 2018!

Right, supposed to do this on Christmas but I was pretty busy, end of month affair as usual. Things have wind down now and so it's time to do the yearly review of the great music I discovered in this year! Before that let me share with you great music of December, not many though.

Great Music of December:

- Clothed With Sky by Hammock

- Thirst by Hammock

- Close To You by Axel Flovent

- Jetty by Tycho

Great song of December: Clothed With Sky by Hammock

Hammock just released their new album Universalis back on 7th December! It's a 3-part album from last year's Mysterium and it is described as an upward movement, going up (something like that). And yes, it does feel like that, as compared to Mysterium. Hammock is such an incredible band. I enjoy every album that they have released since I discovered them back about 6 years ago. As usual, their songs are a good accompaniment to think about life and our existence here. I am very excited about their 3rd part of this series, cause Universalis is already sounding amazing.

I discovered Axel Flovent from Spotify! He was playing in one of the radios I played and wow it's another amazing discovery of 2018 weee. I did see his name on the Iceland Airwaves poster though. As for Tycho I just found out that he relased this song, even though it was released last month I think hah. It's such a great song and it reminds me of the Awake days. Looking forward to his new album!

Now time to get to business. Great Music of 2018

Let us begin with the new bands/artists I discovered this year! All list are in no particular order.

Great artists/bands I discovered in 2018

[] S. Carey [] Nick Mulvey [] Pale Waves [] Still Parade [] Young and Sick []

[] Rex Orange County [] Wet [] Anna of The North [] Craft Spells [] Sigrid []

[] Boy Pablo [] George Ogilvie [] Katz [] FM 84 [] Axel Flovent [] Wardruna []

Same as last year, I discovered most of these wonderful people from YouTube, and also the new addition for this year: Spotify! Also some of them are introduced by my friends/fellow favourite artists/bands that I love, who share some of the music by these wounderful artists on their social media. I am looking forward to more music from them and also to discover more next year! <3

Breakthrough artist of 2018 for me: Sigrid, S Carey and Nick Mulvey

Great Albums of 2018

[] Ruins by First Aid Kit [] Blood by Rhye [] Hundred Acres by S Carey [] Littleton by Mesita []

[] Wake Up Now by Nick Mulvey [] Cold Fire + Line by Line EP by PREP [] EP III by Yumi Zouma [] 

[] Loves Is Dead by Chvrches [] Community by Favela [] Palo Santo by Years and Years [] 

[] Wilderness by Snow Patrol [] High As Hope by Florence and The Machine [] 

[] re:member by Olafur Arnalds [] Bloom by Troye Sivan [] Young Romance by Roosevelt [] 

[] Chris by Christine and The Queens [] Superclean Vol II by The Marias [] Birthplace by Novo Amor []

[] Infection of A Different Kind (part 1) by Aurora [] Mantra Mantra by Kunto Aji [] 

[] Roy Pablo by Boy Pablo [] Universalis by Hammock [] 

And here are my top ten albums of 2018. Some of them are tied!

1. re:member by Olafur Arnalds

2. Chris by Christine and The Queens (or Chris?)

3. High As Hope by Florence and The Machine

4. Hundred Acres by S Carey

4. Wilderness by Snow Patrol (tied!)

5. Palo Santo by Years and Years

6. Love is Dead by Chvrches

7. Bloom by Troye Sivan

8. Cold Fire & Line by Line EP by PREP

Favourite album of 2018: Community by Favela

Okay I might be biased here but I've been a fan of Favela since 2015 when I discovered him through "Easy Yoke". It is still one of my favourite songs till today. When he released Nevermore My Temples Leave last year, which is also one of my favourite songs ever, I was feeling really eager to more music from him! Well he didn't announce any new album/EP after English Letters. But he did say that more music is on the way, and eventually he did announce the arrival of his debut.

I think Community speaks for itself. Lyrically, musically and emotionally. Favela is truly a talented songwriter and musician. His songs gave me feelings I've never felt before. And I have to agree that he's great in melancholia haha. Songs like Nevermore, English Letters, Slowly, Patience and of course, Medals, they all made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. To me songs that made me feel both happy and sad at the same time are great songs haha. So far there are only a few songs in my life that are able to make me feel this way. Favela's songs are definitely inside the list.

I am looking forward to more music from him in 2019 and please do check him out guys!

Great songs of 2018:

[] Should Have Known and Fields by Still Parade [] Ojai by Young and Sick [] Hollow by Katz []

[] Fireworks and Rebel Heart by First Aid Kit [] Count To Five and Waste by Rhye []

[] Ayahuasca by Vancouver Sleep Clinic [] Loving Is Easy and Happiness by Rex O.C []

[] More I See, True North and Yellowstone by S Carey [] Wander and Future by Mesita [] 

[] New Year's Eve by Pale Waves [] Don't Kill My Vibe, Strangers and Sucker Punch by Sigrid []

[] Graffiti, Miracle and Graves by Chvrches [] Medals, Patience and Slowly by Favela []

[] Mountains To Move and Cucurucu by Nick Mulvey [] Empress and Life on Earth by Snow Patrol []

[] Helvegen by Wardruna [] No Place by Rufus du Sol [] Komorebi by Craft Spells [] Dew by Pynkie [] 

[] Hunger, South London Forever and Sky Full of Songs by FATM [] Bloom and My my my by Troye []

[] Hypnotised, Up In Flames and If You're Over me by Years and Years [] Missing U by Robyn []

[] re:member, saman, nyepi and unfold by Olafur Arnalds [] Time In A Tree by Raleigh Ritchie [] 

[] Damn, dis-moi, 5 Dollars and Le Mercheuse by Chris [] Queendom and Soft Universe by Aurora []

[] Clueless and Ruthless by The Marias [] Powder Blue and In Camera by Yumi Zouma [] 

[] Don't Bring Me Down, Line by Line and Leaning on You by PREP [] Rehat by Kunto Aji []

[] Sick Feeling by Boy Pablo [] Stone by Stone by Arnor Dan [] Light On by Maggie Rogers []

[] I'm Still Here by Sia [] Give Me Fire, Give Me Rain by The Paper Kites [] Lovers by AOTN []

Okay too lazy to write out everything, but there's definitely more to this! Here are my top 10:

1. More I See by S Carey

2. Don't Bring Me Down // Line By Line by PREP

3. Loving Is Easy by Rex Orange County

4. Hunger by Florence and The Machine

5. Empress by Snow Patrol

6. re:member by Olafur Arnalds

7. Queendom by Aurora

8. Damn, dis-moi by Chris

9. Powder Blue by Yumi Zouma

Favourite song of 2018: Medals by Favela

To me it is pretty rare for a song to click with my heart right away after I listened to it for the first time. Medals is definitely one of those songs. I remember when I first heard it on BBC Radio One (where it premiered in Phil Taggart show), I saved the link for the show and couldn't stop listening to it, till the album is finally released! It is such a melancholic song, and it truly speaks volume about the world that we're living in today. How we seem to be caught in a chase for money and wealth.

Personally, I've faced a lot of encounters in life where I'm... Speechless and disgusted knowing the things that some people do for money. Also how recently I feel that we live in a world where we can never feel enough. All of these confusion and feelings are beautifully summarised and expressed in this amazing song by Favela. The line "I don't want golden medals, I don't want golden medals" truly ring in my mind and my heart. And how in the chorus where he sang "Help me see through eyes that only focus on medals" is like a silent prayer that I tell myself whenever I listen to it.

I am still listening to Medals almost every day ever since I discovered it. It's such a great song. Thank you Favela for this incredible song, and a beautiful album. I look forward to more music from him in 2019 and also ultimately, I hope I can see him live one day! That'll be a dream come true.

Last but not least, here are some of the artists/bands that I am excited for in 2019! Maggie Rogers with her debut album in January eeep. IOADK part 2 by Aurora, Sucker Punch by Sigrid and a new album from Yumi Zouma! Potential new albums from: Soak, Lapsley, Shura, Rex Orange County, Phum Viphurit, Asgeir, PREP, Oh Wonder, Tycho, Mesita and many many more! Also here's to discovering more new artists/bands in the new year, as always.

Also I'm gonna write another blog post about Spotify! Coming soon.

That's all for the great music of 2018! Thank you for adding colours to my life and as always,

for keeping me sane.

Don't Look Back

Whew, it's been such a hectic last week of November. Taking some time off to talk about the great music of November! Before continuing to do work of course. Hahaha. Alright here goes!

Great Music of November

- Line by Line EP by PREP

- Birthplace by Novo Amor (album)

- Play by Jax Jones (Featuring Years and Years)

- Foreign Hands by George Ogilvie

Song of the month: Line by Line by PREP

Alright there isn't many music I discovered in November actually. But I was really excited when PREP announced the release of their 3rd EP (and second one for the year), which was released on 9th November! Few days before their gig in Jakarta haha. Well they did say on their Instagram that new music was on the way, I wasn't expecting an EP so yes, what a lovely surprise indeed!

Well like I said in my previous post, there isn't a single song that I dislike from PREP, and their 3rd EP is no exception. It's such an awesome and another feel good EP as usual. I would say it's kind of a marriage between their first two EP? But then again, every PREP song is unique on its own. And so far I can't really pin-point their music. Like when I recommend them to my friends, and they asked back with "what does their music sound like?" I would say I don't know man, PREP sounds like PREP hah!

Novo Amor released his debut album Birthplace back in October actually. I just discovered this back in early November heh. I think it's such an incredible debut album from him! I like how the tracks seem to flow one by one throughout the whole album. And gosh I love his voice haha. I remember discovering him through his song Anchor last year I think, when it appeared on my recommended tab on YouTube. Been looking forward to more music from him, and this album doesn't disappoint!

Jax Jones released his song featuring Y&Y a few days ago and it's such a great tune! Love how the visuals of him and Olly dancing together really fits the song well I guess haha.

And one of the new singers I discovered this month is George Ogilvie! My Spotify radio was playing when his song "Foreign Hands" played. I love his voice and also the lyrics of this song! Clicked on his profile to listen to more of his music and damn, I instantly become his new fan haha. Another song that I like from him is Surveillance. Looking forward to more music from him.

Right that's all for this month's great music! We have one more month to this year and hmm come to think of it I don't really have new music to look forward to in December heh. Well usually I just listen to the songs that accompanied me throughout the year, and to also reflect on the music of 2018. I'd say 2018 is a fantastic year for music whoop! Lots of surprise releases and also discovered quite a few new artists/bands. Stay tuned for my great music of 2018 post next month!

Alright, it's been quite a hectic last week of November, and I still got a few exciting days ahead of me. Stay with me, universe. Lets push through everything to a beautiful fruition. I hope you had a great November! Let us all end this year beautifully shall we :) See you soon! 

Solace

Whew, it's the last day of October tomorrow! 2 months left into the year. That is crazy eh.

Anyway as usual I'm getting busy for the end of month stuff so here's me leaving some short time to blog about some great music I discovered this month! Not so much actually hmm.

Great Music of November:

- Treat You Better by Rufus Du Sol

- Premonition by Charlie Lim (ft Weish)

- Unconditional by Charlie Lim

- Sick Feeling by Boy Pablo

- tkm by Boy Pablo

- Missing U by Robyn

- Light On by Maggie Roggers

- I'm Still Here by Sia

Song of The Month: Light On by Maggie Roggers

Right there are a few albums releases in October but... Hmm. Somehow I didn't quite enjoy them haha. Even though I was expecting them for quite some time. But it's ok! Artists are always free to create whatever music they want so yeah. Perhaps it is not just my cup of tea.

Charlie Lim released his new album this month! It's more upbeat and more catchy I guess, even though I kinda miss his more mellow and subtle music from his EPs. But the songs from his new album are awesome. I love Premonition with Weish in it! I hope to see him live one day still sob sob.

Boy Pablo also released his new EP which is a collection of songs that he has released in the past few months. Well Boy Pablo has his signature sound and this EP is no stranger to that! I think it's a great album with the same familiar chill vibes. Can't wait to see him next month in Jakarta eeep.

Rufus Du Sol also released their new album Solace. I love the opener song "Treat You Better" and No Place, which has been in my playlist for quite some time now. Although hmm I don't quite get the album as a whole. I thought their first album was better as a whole album kinda thing. But still nevertheless a good album! I hope they'll come to Jakarta and I wanna see em live woop.

Robyn also released her new album after a long time! Well I only got to know Robyn back err 2-3 years ago I think? When I chanced upon her video for Dancing on My Own on YouTube. I would say Honey is a good album but yeah, I think I need to listen to it more and more I suppose!

Next last but not least there are a few songs released in this month! Light On by Maggie Roggers is such an incredible song. I really love the lyrics, which I find really relatable to me I guess haha. I am so excited for her new album in January arrgghh. And also Sia's empowering and uplifting I'm Still Here which is also a song relatable to me. Been having some rough times this month :l

Alright that's all from me and the new music of October! Not sure why the music this month aren't really touching and clicking my heart heh. Oh well, to more music in November I guess! :) I hope you had a great October. And here's me wishing you a Nourishing November mwahaha.

Clueless

It's the last day of September can you believe it! Well, we're entering October soon and for me, once we left September behind, time is going to fly really quickly towards the end of the year. Not sure why but well. Yeah that's how it goes. Then a new year awaits and it feels like time slows down again.

Anyway it's time to share with you some of the great music of September! Lots of them.

Great Music of September:

- Chris by Chrirstine and The Queens (or Chris?)

- Superclean Vol II by The Marias

- EP III by Yumi Zouma

- Young Romance by Roosevelt

- Infections of A Different Kind by Aurora (Surprise!)

- Rehat by Kunto Aji

- Dew by Pynkie

- Give Me Your Fire, Give Me Your Rain by The Paper Kites

- Time In A Tree by Raleigh Ritchie

Song of the month: I'm so spoilt for choices arrghhh! But... Clueless by The Marias, La Marcheuse by Chris, In Camera by Yumi Zouma, Soft Universe by Aurora eeep hahaha

Okay yes so as you can see there are a lot of albums being released this month! And they are all that I've been waiting for, and 2 of them took me by surprise really. Lets begin!

Lets talk about the 2 wonderful EPs released this month, which were both released last Friday. Been waiting for The Marias Superclean vol II since they released the 2 singles Clueless and Carino. This EP is so so good oh my goodness haha. I always imagine myself listening to Vol I in a nice warm comfy bar, and for Vol II I am totally imagining myself listening to it at a rooftop bar, overlooking a city with the setting sun on a Friday evening. Such great vibes, it's magical.

Yumi Zouma caught me by surprise when they announced that they are releasing EP III back in August I think. I really love Yumi Zouma since I discovered them back in 2015 through their first 2 EPs. We've been blessed with their awesome music for 4 consecutive years! EP III is another wonderful release from them that encapsulates their charm as a band. I feel like they've been releasing a consistent work and there's always their signature in every album, even though each album is different. 

Can't really explain it, I just love their music.

Next we have Chris by... Chris. Chris announced the new album back in July I think? After releasing the first single "Girlfriend" back in May. I really enjoyed her first album and after listening to the singles from Chris, I became more excited! It's such a groovy album and the songs in Chris are very err universal? There's a song to dance to, song to drive to, and song to just accompany you. Definitely in my opinion best pop album of 2018! And another album inside my top albums of the decade.

Roosevelt also released his new single back in July I think, and also announced the arrival of his 2nd album. Love his first album back in 2016 and his second album is also a fantastic one. I thought it'll be a suitable album to send off the summer. Even though I have no summer here haha. 

The biggest surprise for this month is Aurora's second album (part one)! I know that her 2nd album will be released in Autumn from an interview. She didn't say and do anything, I just received a Facebook message from her page about Infections of a Different Kind (the name of her 2nd album). I thought it was an announcement for the release date but no!!! It's the album itself haha.

Well this is Step one of the 2nd album. Step 2 will be released in 2019 or 2020? I read it on NME. Not sure if I can wait this long to be honest hah. Aurora's first album us such a masterpiece really. I love her voice, I love her personality, and how deep her music is. So yes this is one of the biggest anticipated albums of 2018 for me. Although to be honest I'm quite confused with the whole step one thing. I was expecting a whole album to be released. But no worries! Means we'll have more music.

Step One is already awesome by the way. I've been giving it a few listens and the more I listen and the more I listen to the lyrics, the deeper the connection I made with it.

Next we have The Paper Kites new album called On The Corner Where You Live. I really love the whole theme and concept that they are going with the album? And also the whole feel of the songs inside it. Reminds me of the 80s. It's very spacious and just grand. Give Me Your Fire, Give Me Your Rain is my favourite from the album, together with Deep Burn Blue and the title track!

Kunto Aji also released his (long awaited) 2nd album called Mantra Mantra. Been following him on Instagram and he's been sharing with us through his stories about the 2nd album. It's a great album I would say. Definitely an album that this world needs, where worrying becomes a part of our lives.

Also discovered a few new songs form Majestic as usual.The first one is Dew by Pynkie. I love both the original version and the lo-fi version! It's such a chill song, been enjoying listening to it while driving. Raleigh Ritchie also released a new song called Time In A Tree and it's such an emotional song. Especially the video! I can't wait for more new music from him and a new album too.

I discovered more new music from Spotify too. Hotel Delmano by Munya, By Night by Hushed and Infinite Games by Zola Blood. All of them discovered from the radio feature. Such an awesome way to discover new music that (somehow) Spotify knows you will love haha. Also... September will mark the last month of my 5k/month subscription plan. But seriously Spotify has changed my life haha. I am definitely going to stick with it. But as always, long live physical formats!

Okay that's all for the great music of this month. So many great music. I am looking forward to two released in October, that's Charlie Lim's album and also Robyn's new album! I think there isn't much releases I'm expecting afterwards but we'll see. So many surprises this year haha. Alright I hope you had a Superb September. Lets have an Outrageously-good October mwahaha. See ya!

Remember

Hello! It's been such a hectic end of the month as usual. And I'm just taking time off to talk about the great music of August! It's been such a musiclicious month I would say.

Great Music of August:

- re:member by Olafur Arnalds

- Bloom by Troye Sivan

- 5 Dollars by Christine and The Queens (or should I say Chris?)

- Forgotten Love by Aurora

Song of the month: re:member by Olafur Arnalds (the whole album!)

Alright there are two albums that I've been looking forward to listening! They are re:member by Olafur Arnalds and Bloom by Troye Sivan. I think Olafur's new album is such a brilliant album. It's truly a work of art and definitely one of my favourite of the year. And Troye's second album is also great. He has grown a lot from his first album I must say. So much maturity in bloom I'd say.

Okay let's talk about re:member first. This album is one of my most anticipated album, since he released the title track of the album re:member back in April. re:member is such a beautiful song and it is one of my most played song of this year. To me it's a song that reminds me to go back to myself. That whatever thoughts, feelings that I have in my mind isn't a representation of who I really am.

And since then I've been excited to hear what the whole album is about. I think it's a great album with a mix of emotional-invoking songs (like Saman, oh goodness) and also those songs that kept you up on your mind (ekki hugsa and inconsist). The whole blend of piano and other instrumentations, his Stratus project, and the electronic sounds patches cohesively like a beautiful tapestry.

As for Troye Sivan bloom, I was also excited thanks to his first single "My my my!" earlier this year. It's such a bop and definitely one of the best pop songs of the year too. The opening track to the new album, "Seventeen" perfectly describes the album with the line "boy becomes a man now". I think Troye has matured a lot in this album from Blue Neighbourhood. He has a bright journey ahead of him.

September is going to be exciting too because Christine and The Queens (or should I say Chris haha) is releasing her new album, which I've preordered mwahaha. She released a new song with a video called 5 Dollars and I think it's such a catchy song. Also Chris looks so hot in a suit in the video heh.

And Aurora also released a new single from her upcoming album titled Forgotten Love! It's a great song and as usual, I love her voice. She hasn't released any information about the new album yet but she mentioned that it will be released in autumn? Or at the end of the year so yes, looking forward to that! :)

Alright that's all for this great music of August! 4 more months to the end of 2018 and of course, many more music to discover and enjoy. Kinda looking forward to the remaining of the year where more albums that I've been waiting to be released! Hope August have been awesome for you. Here's to a superb September ahead for all of us. Time to close another year well.

Hypnotised

It's been one hell of a crazy week and I'm just taking time to blog about the great music of July!

Here goes.

Great Music of July:

- Palo Santo by Years and Years

- Lovers by Anna of The North

- Komorebi by Craft Spells

- Letting Go by Wild Nothing

Song of the month: Hypnotised by Years and Years

Right I have discovered a few new artists and bands thanks to Spotify actually! I will talk about this on another separate post. But yes, discovered Anna of The North and Craft Spells from Spotify!

Years and Years just released their 2nd album on the 6th of July and it's a really good album I would say! Although hmm, I kinda prefer Communion. But everything that they did for the release of this album is so brilliant. And the whole theme surrounding the album also patches everything well. They did call this "the difficult 2nd album" and I kinda understand why. But it's so worth the 3 year wait I'd say. I am hoping that they will release the H&M version of Hypnotised!

So yes I discovered Anna and Craft Spells from Spotify. From the "radio" playing after my playlist finished, and from the "fans also like" tab haha. I love Anna of The North's album. It's such an atmospheric pop album? She reminds me of Shura and I think it'll be incredible if they can collab hah. Favourite song include Lovers and Fire! Looking forward to listening to more music from her.

Wild Nothing released their new song "Letting Go" from an upcoming new album they are releasing in September. I love this song and it feels like they are coming back to the Nocturne era. Wasn't a huge fan of their last album. So I'm looking forward to their new album, Indigo!

And while listening to Wild Nothing, I saw Craft Spells from their "fans also like" tab and decided to click on it. The first song I heard from them is Komorebi and man, those flute and flowy piano riffs are so nice. Such a great song to listen to on a Sunday afternoon drinking tea and lazing around.

I've been using Spotify for the whole of July now and the experience so far has been life changing! Hmm, I am going to stick with it I guess. Currently enjoying the 5000 Rupiah for 3 months offer but nah, I'm going to stick with it after that I guess. Writing this on another separate post!

Alright that's all from me now, gotta get back to work. See you tomorrow!