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30 June 2016

What I've Been Listening To This Month | June

I know I say this at the end of every month, but I mean it this time - where has the time gone?! Half of this year's already over and so much has happened. This month's tracks include hits from Ellie Goulding, Old Dominion (I interviewed the actress in their 'Break Up With Him' video, which you can view here), Broods ('Conscious' review here) and even old an old hit from O-ZONE. If that all tickles your fancy, check out the tracklist and playlist below.


Tracklist:

1. Want U Back - Official Dilemma
2. Something In The Way You Move - Ellie Goulding
3. People - Laura Mvula ft. Wretch 32
4. Break Up With Him - Old Dominion
5. We Had Everything - Broods
6. Heartlines - Broods
7. Freak Of Nature - Broods ft. Tove Lo
8. Conscious - Broods
9. Free - Broods
10. Dragostea Din Tei - O-Zone
11. From The Fire To The Frying Pan - Sonic Boom Six
12. Worship Yourself - Sonic Boom Six
13. All The Same To Me - Sonic Boom Six
14. Ah Yeah So What (WAYF Edit) - Will Sparks ft. Wiley and Elen Levon
15. Gives You Hell - The All-American Rejects
16. Hush Hush - Avril Lavigne
17. Light It Up (ft. Nyla & Fuse ODG) - Major Laser
18. Victorious - Panic! At The Disco
19. What We Gonna Be - Aiden Grimshaw


Listen to the playlist above and follow me on Spotify (akj.) to see what's on my playlist next month, as soon as it's been added. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see my updates - blog and otherwise.

A K Jones
xx

Photo sources 1, 2, 3, 4

29 June 2016

Featured Artist - Nick Byrne

Acoustic music features heavily at this time of year, as festival stages and the like are filled with acoustic acts. Nick Byrne adds to this list, as his acoustic music is definitely festival-worthy, with folk sounds laced through his guitar-leading song.


His five track EP Through The Tall Grass encapsulates Byrne's personal and unique memories, which coincide with his thoughtful song names on the EP, including 'Mind Maps' and 'Birch Tree' - both of which fit the upbeat nature of his music and makes you want to go straight outside and listen to the birds chirping in the lovely weather (if you have it, that is!). 

You can listen to Through The Tall Grass here. Visit Nick's website and follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what he's up to. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook so you never miss a post. 

Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx

24 June 2016

BROODS - Conscious (2016)*

Having being thrust into the international spotlight after their 2014 release Evergreen just shy of leaving school, New Zealand brother and sister duo BROODS say that international touring has a big impact on their already powerful songwriting.

With these fresh ideas they created follow-up album Conscious, featuring Joel Little (who's produced everyone from Lorde to Ellie Goulding) serving as executive producer.


'Free' starts their follow-up, with the raw and emotional vocals of Georgia Nott (the singer of the duo) and set a good precedent for the rest of the album. Their experiences and the lessons they've learned have become a good stepping stone for their lyrics, as 'We Had Everything' shows. I would not be surprised if this became a single from the album, as every single beat and word sung is an example of how Pop can be done right. 

'All Of Your Glory' shows a slower and graceful side of BROODS, but still they haven't lost any of the Pop magic of their songwriting. 'Conscious' closes the album, and it's worth a mention because it's a song that belongs on the Games Of Thrones soundtrack (if the people who put the soundtrack together are reading this, consider this song!). It has a medieval vibe and haunting voices, something not to listen to for the first time in the dark but will win you over and belong on your playlist. 

Conscious is the epitome of Pop music done right, without being cheesy or manufactured whatsoever. It's bursting with hits and every song on the album is a different piece of the puzzle, with it all fitting together perfectly and is something to behold. 

You can buy Conscious on Amazon (UK | US), iTunes or take a listen on Spotify for free. Follow BROODS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what they're doing and their tour. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Snapchat (akjmusicblog) to see what I'm up to.

Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx

*This post contains PR samples. Although this is the case, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. There's also affiliate links, which mean I get a few pennies from each sale of the album.

23 June 2016

Allison Iraheta + Halo Circus - Bunny (2016)*

Hot off the TV screen from American Idol, Allison Iraheta has teamed up with multi-platinum producer Matthew Hager (Duran Duran, Scott Weiland), drummer Veronica Bellino and guitarist Brian Stead to create music together as Halo Circus.

That music turned into their debut Bunny, which they'd actually attempted to record once before - Iraheta explains. "We decided to re-record what we'd recorded a year before. We wanted to capture the evolution of our live sound." This determination has been worth it, as single 'Desire (Lo Que Vale Le Pena)' has been downloaded over 647,000 times within a week of release. Let's see what Bunny has to offer.


'He Promises The Moon' opens this collaboration, being only fifty seconds long, that sounds like something that would be played on a jukebox or record player in the 50s. 'Nothing At All' is a real song of note and straight away the distinct impression of "Gaga x P!nk" comes through in Iraheta's vocals, as a mix between the two, but less drug-orientated nor any strange lyrics.

It's the perfect song for the radio, as a lot of people will be surprised to hear that it's from someone other than a multimillionaire songstress, but in fact from someone who deserves fame much more than that. Hit single 'Desire (Lo Que Vale Le Pena)' reminds me of the Las Ketchup hit (Lord knows why it was a hit), 'The Ketchup Song (Hey Hah)' but less cheesy and more meaningful - with orchestral overtones and a pure Rock rhythm, I can see why it was chosen as the main single.

'Band-Aid' is another song that stands out - with its punchy chorus and piano-heavy verses, it's the perfect song for performances and festivals, as the crowd will be chanting back every word, I can assure you of that. Bunny proves that Halo Circus are a force to be reckoned with; a great debut from a band that assembled from Idol, giving me and others hope in music reality shows.

If you want to listen to Bunny, you can do so on Spotify and if you like what you hear, purchase the album on iTunes. Follow Halo Circus on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to keep with their news and releases. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see what I'm up to.

Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx

*This post contains PR samples, but all the opinions expressed in the post are my own.

Adele's 25 is Now On Spotify

After seven months of Adele's smash album 25 being released, it's now available for streaming on Spotify and other on-demand music services. Her labels, Sony/Columbia and Beggars/XL have realised that they need to widen the audience of the immensely popular album, as Music Business Worldwide have reported that the album is believed to be close to 20 million sales worldwide.


Listeners in Australia revealed the surprise, as they found the album on streaming services, where it is currently Friday June 24th, the day it is to be released on these services for those in the UK and US. Adele told TIME magazine that she is not a fan of streaming, saying "I don't use streaming. I buy my music. I download it, buy a physical [copy] just to make up for the fact that someone somewhere else isn't". She may have changed her mind in recent months, or her team may have agreed the deal with the streaming services.

Either way, are you excited that Adele's album is now on Spotify? Let me know!

Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx 

22 June 2016

Featured Artist - Whale House

The US state of Wisconsin isn't exactly the home of music, but it may just be as a little band called Whale House play "intense rock music with a special focus on melody and dynamics", which judging by their single 'Freeway' is very true.


The song is very intense, as the band believe in packing a lot of punch into a Pop/Rock song. Their first EP The Negative Space released in 2014 is just as I had described and what the band believe - a lot of intense and dynamic rhythms, along with experimentation with different sounds. 'Freeway' hones their sound and is a song that should definitely be listened to if you want to find out what Whale House are all about.


Listen to 'Freeway' (embedded above) and check out the rest of their music on iTunes and Spotify. Follow Whale House on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what they're up to. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and Snapchat (akjmusicblog) to see behind-the-scenes of my blog and my posts, as soon as they're published.

Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx

20 June 2016

Factory Floor Announce New Album Out 19th August

Electronic duo Factory Floor have announced a new album 25 25, which will be released on 19th August 2016 via DFA Records. It follows up on their hugely-acclaimed self-titled debut, released back in 2013.


The lead single 'Dial Me In' is available now on DFA, in digital download and a limited 12". The single and album captures their advance in experimentation as a band, with lead singer Nik Void saying "Being openly progressive has always been the Factory Floor way, be it via improvisational live shows, early Blast First releases, DFA reworks or open studio collaborations and residencies." Listen to 'Dial Me In' below and keep scrolling to see where to pre-order 25 25.



25 25 can be pre-ordered on 12" here, as well as on iTunes and Amazon (UK | US). Single 'Dial Me In' can found on iTunes or listen on Spotify for free. Tour dates will be announced soon. Follow Factory Floor on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to see their announcements before anyone else. Also don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram to see my posts as soon as they're published. 

Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx


19 June 2016

M&S Beauty Box First Look

M&S launched their Beauty Box recently (which has now sold out), and after my mum and sister had taken what they wanted from it, I was left with some great products and I wanted to show you all.


The box contains lots of lovely beauty & lifestyle goodies, including lip gloss, suncream and even perfume. The pictures below show off some of what I was given in the box.








The items in the box are worth £120, and I don't know how much the box costs but I'm sure (being M&S) that it'll be great value for money. I'm excited to try all of these products, with the highlights for me being the Radial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Tonic, the Leighton Denny Crystal Finish and the Stila Lip Glaze. I'll give them a whirl, and you may see them in a monthly favourites if I ever remember at the end of the month. 

If you can get your hands on a Beauty Box from M&S, I would definitely recommend it. They definitely have some unique products and brands, with the urge to repurchase them being hard to resist. You can follow M&S on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see about the next Beauty Box. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with my posts.

A K Jones
xx

18 June 2016

Q+A With Actress Dana Chapman

Dana Chapman is a rising name in the hard game of Hollywood. She's starred in many commercials for brands such as McDonalds, Marriott Hotels and Ford just to name a few. Her latest endeavour, starring in Old Dominion's music video for 'Break Up With Him', is proving very popular and the song is climbing up the Country Billboard charts, as well as amassing over 19 million views on YouTube thus far. Chapman took some time out of her busy schedule to do a quick Q+A with me.

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Q: How was it acting in a music video as opposed to TV shows or commercials?

A: Both are a ton of fun! Videos tend to allow for a little more creative freedom while shooting. Commercials don't usually have the flexibility to stray from the script or story boards. Music videos tend to be longer days. There's often a lot more going on as far as scene, location & wardrobe changes. Videos are essentially 2 minute short films, whereas commercials are told in 30 second segments.

Q: How did you break out in Hollywood, especially as the industry is so saturated and everyone wants to be famous?

A: A lot of hard work, and perseverance. The industry is constantly evolving and you have to be willing to roll with it. Amidst the rejection, you have to go forth with the mindset of "never taking no for an answer" - maintaining professional relationships are dire. The majority of my job are from referrals or direct bookings from people I've worked with before.

You also have to get money and fame out of your head from the start and know it's only a small percentage of people who fall into that spectrum. Above all, having a team who works hard for you and believes in you is most important. My agents at Commercial Talent and my publicist, Marilynne Mungovan at Revele Inc are the driving force behind it all!

Q: Was it fun on the set of 'Break Up With Him'? Any stories you can tell us?

A: We had a blast on set! We shot from 8am until 1am in downtown Nashville. At midnight, we started shooting the scene with the DeLorean - the director Steve Condon had the DeLorean driven in from South Carolina just for the occasion. It was an exact replica and the passenger side visor was designed by Michael J. Fox.

Q: How were the members of Old Dominion to work with?

A: The guys of Old Dominion are the best! We shared so many laughs throughout the day and have hung out a few times since. I'm so happy for all they've accomplished - they deserve all the success in the world!

Q: What are your top 5 music tracks? 

A: 1. All the songs on the Hamilton soundtrack!
2. Desiigner - Panda
3. H.O.L.Y - Florida Georgia Line
4. Pillowtalk - Zayn
5. All The Way Up - Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Jay-Z feat. French Montana & Infared

Q: Is there anything you're working on next?

A: I'm currently shooting the web series Quality Time and I'm in the process of writing and producing my own content for the web.

Q: Would you like to do more music video work or just stick to TV?

A: I'm happy doing anything that has an interesting concept or storyline. I love performing and collaborating with other creatives, no matter the outlet.

Thanks to Dana Chapman for taking the time to answer my questions. Follow Dana's updates on Twitter and Instagram. Watch the video for Old Dominion's track 'Break Up With Him', embedded below. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook, so you never miss another post.


Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx


Laura Mvula - The Dreaming Room (2016)*

Laura Mvula's had quite the few years - her debut album Sing To The Moon was adored by everyone, fans and critics alike. She was also nominated for The Mercury Prize, which is quite the feat for most musicians, especially so early in their career. There's a lot of expectation building on The Dreaming Room, then.

The expectation was worth it, as 'Phenomenal Woman' starts Mvula's follow-up - and it's reminiscent of 70s Pop hits spliced with Funk and even a bit of Gospel, definitely something to show her transition between the two albums. The chorus is punchy and loud, so will be a song that you'll want to get up and dance to. 'People is a slower reggae number with the main message being how her ethnicity has been a struggle for her and others in her community. Wretch 32 contributes rap on this track about being multi-racial, something she has to deal with.

Mvula also shows her sentimental side, with 'Nan' being only one minute and twenty seconds long and containing a lovely phone call between her and her elders, talking about her music and how she's doing. If that doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will.

The Dreaming Room definitely shows all aspects of her incredible sound and voice, as well as how she's moved on as artist from her debut. She's completely knocked the ball out of the park with this record, as every track is a joy to listen to and will uplift anyone's day. That's partly because of the rhythm and lyrics, but also because of the messages in each track, showing each positive dimension of her personality through her hopefully inspiring music.

You can buy The Dreaming Room on iTunes, Amazon (UK | US) and listen for free on Spotify. Follow Laura on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see what she's up to. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram to see my latest post before anyone else.

Watch the video for 'Phenomenal Woman', embedded below:



Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx

Links may contain affiliate partners, meaning I get a few pennies from each sale. 
*PR samples were sent, but the opinions reflected in this post are my own.

15 June 2016

Featured Artist - Thom Ra

Reading, UK is a staple on any band's tour circuit and home to the famous festival, so it would only be right that new great talent is emerging from the Reading music scene. Thom Ra is one example of this, with his experimental Alternative and Folk sound seeping through in his music.


Ra's Repair EP is perfect for anyone who wants to chill out to sensual and relaxing mixed genre music, mostly evolving around an acoustic guitar. All the songs on Repair can be listened to in any mood, but is most suited for empty, smoky rooms and anyone looking for a little bit of peace in their day (think of it as a mindfulness soundtrack). It's definitely going to be used by me in future to calm me down.

You can listen to Repair on Bandcamp and buy it from £1 if you would like to listen to it everywhere you go. Follow Thom Ra on Twitter to see what he's up to. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram to see my latest posts before anyone else.

Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx

13 June 2016

AVON Lipstick Sample Reviews

There's a lot of hype around lipstick at the moment in Beauty, especially matte lips. So when I picked up an AVON goodie bag from my local shopping centre, there were a few small lipstick samples in the bag that I want to share with you.


The samples are of the Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick, which is right up my alley as I love matte liquid lipsticks, but have never been brave enough to go the whole hog and purchase proper lipstick - so these samples are great to sample and experiment with lipsticks. As you can see in the picture of swatches below, the colours are just incredible, especially from such a small sample - something that really took me by surprise and made me want to buy them.

The first swatch is Pink, the second is Peach Flatters and the third is Absolute Coral :)
I was given two of the Peach Flatters lipstick samples, and I feel that I might use both of them, as they're so amazingly matte and stay really well on my lips, so they will probably heavily feature in my makeup collection.

They're perfect for anyone looking for a bold matte lip shade, but something that isn't too wild and out there, that they know wouldn't suit them. These are colours that could be paired with literally any outfit and look flawless.

You can buy Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick from the AVON website, your local AVON representative or the catalogue if you receive it through your door. Follow AVON on Twitter (US | UK), Facebook and Instagram to see the rest of their product range, including offers and discounts.

A K Jones
xx

10 June 2016

Skincare Reviews: Holika Holika Face Masks & Lifestyle Products Foot Therapy Booties

I went to TK Maxx the other day, and the Holika Holika Face Masks and Lifestyle Products (it's an actual brand, look them up) Foot Therapy Booties caught my eye. Intrigued, I bought them and tested them out for you all to read. Enjoy!


Firstly I tried the face mask. Just a little warning: open the mask packet over a sink, as it does get messy. The mask was really wet and sticky, something I really didn't expect - that's not a bad thing, it just took me by surprise.


The mask itself has cut-out bits (I don't know how to describe it) and fits all face shapes and sizes. If you're not used to face masks like me, then it will definitely feel weird on your skin. After 90 minutes of keeping the mask on (and that's not easy), I removed it and massaged the excess liquid into my skin. My skin hasn't really improved much since, as after a day or two of my skin feeling moisturised and soft, it went back to exactly how it was before I used the mask, so I don't recommend this product.


When trying the booties, I hoped for more of a result. Once applied around my feet, they were left for 90 minutes meaning that I couldn't move anywhere or I'd fall over - don't put these on when you have a lot to do, just letting you know. They were stuck to my feet as you can see in the picture below and it's so hard to stop them moving and become unstuck, meaning you constantly have to press the booties to your feet.


Once the 90 minutes were up, I took the booties off. The product promises smooth feet and the ability to remove dead skin from the feet - this was proven to be unfounded, as my feet are in a really bad state (no-one else's fault by own) and they were seen to make no difference.

The products may work differently for you, but who knows. I'll keep using them, but won't buy them again. Has anyone else used these products? Let me know your opinion. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see my latest posts. 

A K Jones
xx


9 June 2016

Featured Artist - Dilemma

Having worked with GRAMMY-nominated Jazmine Sullivan on her latest album Reality Show, duo JoeLogic and Gee went back to the drawing board when choosing a sound for Reverie Drive, and they've picked the perfect balance of Pop/R'n'B.
[Source]
These guys deserve some serious recognition, as the music they've made is full of punchy drum beats and Soul overtones, with 'Whisper' being the most popular song, about achieving your goals being proud of what you do. They should be proud of what they do, as this EP is something I'm going to be listening to for a while, and I hope you give it a listen too.

You can listen to Reverie Drive here and see the music video for 'Whisper' here. Follow Dilemma on Twitter and Instagram to see what they're up to. Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin' and Facebook to see my posts before anyone else.

Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx

8 June 2016

My New Favourite Snack

I'm writing this post to tell you about my new favourite snack - dark chocolate covered fruit. There's lots of brands out there, but my favourite one is Brookside. It's an American brand (it's not hard to get in the UK, don't worry) and there's five flavours, so something for everyone to choose.


As you've probably guessed by the picture above, I'm currently eating the Pomegranate flavour. It's my favourite because the sweetness of the pomegranate blends with the bitterness of the chocolate and it's like heaven in a snack. I wouldn't be surprised if they're gone in the next couple of evenings, especially as I subconsciously put my hand into the bag and grab a few whilst watching TV.

I love these and definitely recommend them to anyone. If you're from the US, you should be able to get them at your local store - UK people can get them exclusively at Tesco (online here). Sorry about the short post, I just didn't want to go on to much and bore you.

You can follow Brookside Chocolate on Twitter and Facebook to see what they're saying. Hope you give these a try, you will not regret it!

A K Jones
xx

4 June 2016

Father's Day Gift Guide - Music Lovers

Does your Dad love music? Never has the tunes off? Well this gift guide is for you. Here's the best music-inspired gifts to get your Dad this Father's Day, so you will be stuck for presents no more.
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1. iTunes Voucher

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Everyone these days has an iTunes account to download music onto, so why not treat your Dad to a voucher than he can spend on whatever music he likes? They're not that expensive (they start at £15 and can go up to £250) and can be bought in most retailers these days. Other places where they can be bought is your local Apple Store and online (to be sent via email) here

2. Band Merch

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Is there a band that your Dad is obsessed with but doesn't have any clothing/accessories to show everyone his love for them? Well most bands have a merch store where you can buy hoodies/t-shirts/wristbands and more for him to show off his favourite band. 

3. Gig Tickets/Ticketmaster Voucher
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If his aforementioned favourite band are in town, you could get him a ticket to go and see them. If there aren't any tickets, then you can get a Ticketmaster voucher for him to spend buying a ticket to whatever event he likes. You can buy a Ticketmaster voucher online or in some stores. 

4. 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die


The book is what it says in the title - it's been updated every year since 2006 with new albums that everyone must listen to before you die. Great for Dads who want to update their music library with songs that they may not have heard.
5. Personalised Guitar Pick Keychain

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If your Dad plays guitar, or even if he doesn't and likes collecting guitar picks, then this is perfect. Thanks to DawnsMetalDesigns on Etsy, you can personalise the message on the pick so that it's the same amount of cool and sentimental. Check them out here

6. Musical Instrument

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Has he always wanted to play the guitar or drums? If you think you could deal with all the noise, then you could get him an instrument to play. There's also an option of a drum kit that he can plug headphones into and not disturb anyone. Check around online, there's lots of options out there. 

7. Band Poster

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Most older bands still have posters floating around out there, some listed as Vintage. It would be great to get your Dad a poster of his favourite band (signed is even better) that he can put up in his office/house to show his love for a certain band without plastering it all over his body. There are also some quite unique ones painted and printed by artists (like the one above), so have a look for the one you want.

8. A decent pair of headphones

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Your Dad probably uses cheap Apple headphones to listen to his music. If so, then it's time he got some noise cancelling headphones such as Beats to enhance his listening experience. Beats are quite expensive, but there are lots of cheaper brands and makes out there. A simple search on Amazon should help you get started.

9. Speakers

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If headphones aren't your Dad's thing and he likes to play music out loud, it would be an idea to get him some good speakers. There's quite a few brands of speaker, suiting everyone's budget. Again a simple search on Amazon is a great place to start.

10. Shower Speakers

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On the subject of speakers, everyone loves singing in the shower - why not treat your Dad to a speaker that means he can belt out the tunes from his phone. Most of them are bluetooth and stick to the wall of the shower, meaning he doesn't have to worry about getting his phone wet. A simple search on Google or Amazon should do the trick.

11. Music Measuring Spoons

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If you want to team your Dad's love of music with his love of cooking, then this cooking Americana measuring spoon set is a cute way to represent just that. Another gem of Etsy, this cute set includes all the vital measurements needed for most cooking and is made of Pewter so is set to last. They're also machine washable if he's worried about washing them up. Buy them here

12. 'Dad You Rock Our World' Mug

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Your Dad probably still has the 'Best Dad Ever' mug you got him ten years ago. If he's in need of an upgrade to that, this is the perfect alternative, as it incorporates his love of music and your love for him. It's also less cheesy and is very unique, something he'll want to show off at the office when he's having a cup of tea. You can buy it from Not On The High Street here.

13. 'Where Words Fail, Music Speaks' print

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If music or a certain song means a lot to your Dad, sum it up with this great Hans Christian Andersen quote print. He can hang it anywhere and will remind him of the sentimentalism of a certain song and also your generosity for giving him such a unique gift. This is another Not On The High Street product, available here.

14. Personalised Music Note Notebook Cover

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This notebook cover is a great present for anyone who writes a lot of notes (or songs) down on paper instead of a laptop. Ideal for all A6 notebooks it can be personalised to say whatever you like, so the next time your Dad's in a meeting, he can look at the front and see your name - who wouldn't smile at that? It can be bought here.

15. Cassette Wallet

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If your Dad's a cassette kind of guy but feels embarrassed whipping out his collection from the loft, he can revisit the nostalgia with this cassette wallet. It's something he can carry around at all times and it keeps all of his cards and money safe as well as reliving some memories. Buy it here.

16. Bespoke Music Papercut Name

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If you're the type of family that likes to have frames and pictures up everywhere, then this is the perfect present for you. You can change the names to say whatever you like, and it's made out of sheet music for him to proudly hang up and show his friends. It's a little on the pricey side as it is bespoke, but there's other designs from the same company (scroll down the page a bit) that are a bit cheaper. Buy it here.

That concludes my Father's Day gift guide. Most of these gifts could also be bought for birthdays and Christmas, so it's multi-occasional. Hope all your Dads have a great Father's Day!

A K Jones
xx






3 June 2016

MissDefiant - Ear Candy (2016)

Electro-Pop duo MissDefiant have released their newest single 'Ear Candy'. I reviewed their last single 'Robot' (which you can view here), so I'm excited to see what 'Ear Candy' has in store.
With the song being produced by Grammy-winning producer Rey Reel (responsible for Beyoncé's 'Flawless), it was no surprise that it's so catchy and would be so suited to their energetic style and sound. Like with 'Robot', it would be perfect to be played in clubs and bars, with lyrics "give some ear candy / I want some ear candy", you'll be wondering what ear candy is and where you can get some after listening to this song.

The single also includes a remix featuring Reel, as well as a Humbringer Remix, all of which are definitely worth a listen, if you want to see the full scope of their talents and what they're all about.

You can listen to all the songs below, where they're embedded. If you like what you hear, download Ear Candy or any of their other tracks on iTunes or take a listen on Spotify for free. Follow MissDefiant on Twitter and Facebook to see what they're up to. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook so you never miss another post.






Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx

1 June 2016

What I've Been Listening To This Month | May

This month I've been listening to a lot of old tracks that I used to listen to as a kid (in the Noughties) by Usher. Also, they're really good songs that people of this generation definitely should hear as they're not really played on the radio anymore. Along with that are the usual suspects (Selena Gomez and Daughtry among others) and even a couple of new tracks from Sonic Boom Six's new album (read my review here) and some that I've never included in a playlist before but have been released in recent years. So here's my playlist for this month:

Tracklist:
1. Keeping Your Head Up - Birdy
2. Rise - Selena Gomez
3. Victorious - Panic! At The Disco
4. Royals - Lorde
5. 25 - Lost Element
6. Let Myself Try - Jasmine Thompson
7. Watcha Say - Jason Derulo
8. Don't Wait - Joey Graceffa
9. Over You - Daughtry
10. On The Inside - Daughtry
11. It's Not Over - Daughtry
12. Breakdown - Daughtry
13. Beautiful - Pop Evil
14. ill Manors - Plan B
15. Heartache on The Big Screen - 5 Seconds Of Summer
16. Tomorrow In The Bottle - Timbaland (feat Chad Kroeger)
17. Hold On - Aiden Grimshaw
18. Burn - Usher
19. Confessions Part II - Usher
20. Hush Hush - Avril Lavigne
21. Mary - Scissor Sisters
22. From the Fire to the Frying Pan - Sonic Boom Six
23. Train Leaves Tomorrow - Sonic Boom Six


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Happy Listening!

A K Jones
xx

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