Tag: review

Hippo Campus live in Glasgow

Hippo Campus are a five-piece from Minnesota, US. They recently released their sophomore album, Bambi.

You know that way where you find a band or artist that no one really knows, then you watch them grow and grow as more people finally start to discover them? That’s the sort of relationship I have with this band. I first saw them supporting Walk the Moon in 2015. I don’t think they’d ever done a headline tour, they had like one EP at the time and were still a four piece. Me and my friends met them after and they were all so lovely.

Ever since then, I’ve seen them every time they’ve played in Glasgow and they get better and better each time.

I saw them in the Garage, Glasgow, on Friday (15th of Feb) on their Bambi UK Tour. Despite it only being a small venue, the band still made an effort to make the show visually interesting with some cool lighting tricks and all of the members having really great stage presence.

Their songs are so fun/emotional live. Listen to buttercup and Bubbles. They’re 2 of my favourites and it was such a laugh when they were played. The real highlight of this show for me was a wee change in the setlist with the addition of monsoon – a proper tearjerker. I was kinda sad that they didn’t play Warm Glow but honestly, I would have been crying my eyes out if they did.

Here are some pictures I took.

The only kind of let down for me was the crowd. I wish they were more enthusiastic!! It made me feel a bit self-conscious for being too into it and the band deserves more energy than they got. Other than that, a 10/10 night and I would really recommend you try catch a show!

Love always, Fiona X

Thank U, Ariana

Ariana Grande has well and truly treated her fans by releasing another album only 6 months after her last.

Image result for ariana grande
Ariana Grande via Flickr

thank u, next is Sweetener’s older, wiser and more jaded sister. It feels like the perfect follow up to such a record, and I love that she isn’t afraid to talk openly about everything she’s been through since May 2017.

Where Sweetener was mostly all smiles and lovey dovey, TUN is the opposite. Ariana now sings openly about her own flaws within a relationship in needy, discusses her struggles with mental illness in fake smile and gives listeners a harrowing, intimate look into how the death of ex-boyfriend Mac Miller affected her relationship with then-fiancé Pete Davidson in ghostin.

The album starts of strong with imagine which really sets the tone for the rest of the album. Tbh my only complaint is that break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored is the closer instead of thank u, next itself or needy.

The album’s standout tracks are NASA because I’m a sucker for some good word play, in my head because WOW those vocals and ghostin because I love how open she was about her grief and the effects it had on her personal life.

NASA by Ariana Grande

Overall, I really love thank u, next. I love her honesty and all the new things she tried out on this record. The only thing that let it down for me was choosing 7 rings as a single and what song was the closer as I said before.

Ariana is an amazingly talented and strong woman, I’m so excited to see her in September and I hope she thrives this year because if anyone deserves it it’s her.

What do you guys think about thank u, next? Let me know!

Love always, Fiona X

2018 in review

Since 2018 is drawing to a close, I thought it would be fun to give a rundown of my favourite albums of this year! Some were released this year while others are ones that were released before but I really fell in love with in 2018.

Hope you enjoy!

Staying at Tamara’s — George Ezra

Favourite track: Pretty Shining People 

Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect — Sundara Karma 

Favourite track: Happy Family  

Shawn Mendes — Shawn Mendes 

Favourite track: Like to Be You ft Julia Michaels

Youngblood — 5 Seconds of Summer

Favourite track: Monster Among Men or Valentine

American Teen — Khalid  

Favourite track: Angels or Winter

sweetener — Ariana Grande

Favourite track: pete davidson, r.e.m or better off. 

Bloom — Troye Sivan

Favourite track: Lucky Strike

Adventures in Real Time — Dylan Gardner

Favourite track: I’m Nothing Without You

The Pains of Growing — Alessia Cara

 Favourite track: All We Know and Growing Pains 

A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships — The 1975

Favourite track: Love It If We Made It, Give Yourself a Try or I Like America and It Likes Me

So, that was (a few of) my favourite albums of the year! 2018 was super exciting for music and I’m already looking forward to what the radios bring us in 2019.

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year when it comes!

Love always, Fiona xx