As someone who has experienced both the customs of a relationship and the independence of single life, I can firmly attest that nothing quite taps into those feelings like the perfect steamy playlist. Whether you’ll be spending this Valentine’s Day happily single or in company, this collection of incredibly smooth R&B tunes is guaranteed to get your heart racing. Continue reading A Playlist for Valentine’s Day
My housemates (from first, second, and third year) can testify when I say that Christmas music runs through my veins as soon as December hits. When the clock strikes midnight on the 30th of November, the Christmas playlist bursts into life and my sullen November mood is immediately replaced with festive joy. This year things are a little bit different, and rather controversially my housemates and I have decided to start Christmas celebrations early. So, join me in blasting some absolute holiday bangers as we attempt to disguise the misery that is a festive lockdown. Continue reading The Ultimate Christmas Playlist
I have been in lockdown for nine days now and the term ‘isolate’ never felt so lonely. As a result, I’ve been listening to a few trusty artists religiously, accompanying me to every meal, shower and pretty much each moment that I’m not staring longingly out my window, trying to get some work done. Continue reading American Albums to get you through Isolation
If you are like me, you’re a hundred miles from home, living in a city among strangers, studying on a course you’ve had no previous experience in. Continue reading Still Woozy: How Sven Gamsky introduced me to Indie
Here are some of the new releases I’ve been enjoying during lockdown! Some nice (sad and happy) quarantunes. There’s a link to a playlist at the end if you’d like to listen to them.
‘A Hero’s Death’ – Fontaines D.C.
Dogrel instantly became one of my favourite albums last year, so I was very excited to hear how Fontaines D.C.’s sound would take shape on their new album. The first single from the album, ‘A Hero’s Death’, definitely defied my expectations. I didn’t think I’d ever focus on the harmonies of a post-punk song but the ‘ba ba ba’ backing vocals really made the track for me. The way they clash with the guitar and bass line gives off a kind of spooky feel. I am very eager to hear how the rest of the album will sound.
Continue reading Playlist: Quarantunes
Three RAZZ writers share their favourite study playlists that help them focus or get into a working vibe. From movie instrumentals to pop and disco, all playlists include ten songs that are available on Spotify. Continue reading Study Playlists
These three RAZZ writers have compiled the ultimate sex playlists with different themes to suit the mood! From sexy R&B to smooth jazz, all playlists include ten songs that are available on Spotify. Continue reading Sex and Relationships Playlists
‘The Races’ by Sports Team
Always erratic but fun, Sports Team provide another indie track that you want to jump along to.
Distortion from the electric guitars and a strong drum part gives them their distinct 90s indie sound, and brings hope of a post-punk revival. I’ve never been to the races but the man they sing about sound like the archetypes I’ve always assumed go to the races (‘He’ll never buy a drink but he’ll let you know he can’).
Featured on Vevo’s ‘DSCVR Artists to Watch 2020’, the high energy of the song emanates through frontman Alex Rice’s performance. Very Mick Jagger and Jarvis Cocker-esque. Known for lively and chaotic dancing, Sports Team always put on a phenomenal show; undoubtedly ‘The Races’ will be incredible live. Continue reading Singles’ Round-Up
When FKA twigs released ‘cellophane’, the lead single from her new album MAGDALENE in April, I was blown away by how such a beautifully minimal song was able to convey such intense vulnerability. With the accompanying music video in which twigs performs a pole dancing routine before falling into an underworld, the overall effect shows just how powerful she is; both mentally and physically. Andrew Thomas Huang, the director of the music video, referenced the surgery which twigs underwent to remove fibroid tumours prior to working on the new album as inspiring her to learn how to pole dance. Knowing that she only started to learn how to perform on the pole a year before filming the music video, the intensity expressed becomes even more intoxicating and emotional.
Continue reading Review: MAGDALENE by FKA twigs
Kanye’s latest album, Jesus is King, has interesting ideas about how to blend hip-hop and gospel but is let down by inconsistent execution and poor lyricism, and is a disappointing return after two years of leaks and teasings. A track that is emblematic of this is ‘Water’, where Kanye raps on themes regarding rebirth and the healing power of faith, and its ability to purify. These are especially relevant given Kanye’s attempt to rebrand and move away from topics like sex and drugs. The production is simple but effective and provides a smooth, solid base for Ant Clemons’ excellent feature. Clemons sings well and is the highlight of the song, but he is let down by lazy lyricism from Kanye. Rather than speaking on his evolution as an artist, he decides to repeat variations of Jesus save us, which marks a concerning decline for the once revolutionary, boundary-pushing artist. Continue reading Singles’ Round-Up
