There have been so many new stuff that came out and my NSA update became so out-of-hand and long that I had to do a PART 2 (Read Part 1 here). Not that I am complaining. It is a pleasure to share these goodies with you (if you are even reading this).

After most of the founding members of the band have left, I have almost lost hope of ever getting to hear a new Paramore song again (Paraless with two members left, we used to joke). But Zac Farro came back and alas, they are back and are sounding more bad ass than ever and come May 12th, they will be releasing After Laughter (the same day as Harry Styles. Should be an awesome day.) and I have never been more hyped up.

They've recently released a single called Hard Times and man, did I miss them. It has that 80's rock/dance vibe into it and it may be different from the older tracks but it is good. While the melody sounded happy, it has that dark side, sadness stripping every line (Sneaky Hayley lyrics as per usual). The lyrics isn't even reassuring (that everything will be alright in the end) but it is a reminder that after all the hard times, the choice is still yours to make, on to whether to go on or decide that you are done.

The album title in itself is genius. After Laughter according to them is that moment when you're done laughing and there is that trace of the laugh that remains before you go on your usual face/stance. What is it that has brought you back in reality? Will it be good, will you smile, will you be laughing up some more? There are a lot of possibilities and that is what's making this album, I don't know, special on its own.

Next is their Monumentour buddies, Fall Out Boy surprising everyone prior to Patrick Stump's birthday with a song, a tour, and an album to be released in September. Seriously, they should have a Monumentour Part 2 and include Manila in it!

Going back, Young and Menace, everybody. 

Pete Wentz explains (on their page),

"The gentle pull of a tide that rolls over and over again and by the sheer nature of its essence it becomes an indestructible will- ripping out sand- eroding what was before it- without a care... a transformational monster-becoming the madness and frenzy of a truly bulletproof wave. I'm not just here for your love, I'm here for all of the love. An overdose of dopamine- we are living inside of M A N I A right now. the never sleeping, never blinking- caught forever in the sunshine riptide."

MANIA. A political album. I am ready to get lost in the chaos. It's been too long.

And there's a madness that's just coursing right through me

And as far as the time, far as the time

Not sure I'm there yet but I'm certain I've arrived

Oops, I did it again,

I forgot what I was losing my mind about

I only wrote this down to make you press rewind

And send a message I was young and a menace

If I am off the deep end

I'm just here to become the best yet

I'm just here for the psych assessment

I'm just here for the, for the...

Fall

We've gone way too fast for way too long.

***

Saving the best for the last is Up All Night by David Archuleta. I know it's not the first song that he has released after his Chilean mission stint but there is something about Up All Night that is so special. We were joking like "WATCH HIM MAKE SOMETHING SO LIVELY OF A BOP (REFERRING TO THE TITLE) INTO A POP BALLAD (JUDGING IT THE COVER ART)" but we just miss David being all active, is all.

It is no secret how David is one of my all-time favourite musicians (albeit his music being different from the genre that I listen on a daily basis) and I am ever glad that he is indeed back. Moreover, I am eternally grateful for the friends for keeps that I have met through all the fangirling adventures that we had all for the love of David Archuleta and his music in the past. The song is catchy and it gives off the vibe of him finally finding his sound and not just the bubblegum pop that labels would push him early on his career. His music sounded mature (well, pop), in the most wholesome way that is totally true to his character. He is never hesitating to voice his heart out and that is what I loved the most about him. There will be a series of EP that he will be releasing in the coming months starting off with Orion which will be out on May 19th. There will also be tours and I really hope he would get to visit us in Asia soon as it has been too long and really, we miss him.

Buy Up All Night in iTunes here!

Feel the magic in the midnight air

Breathe it in, I wanna pass it on

The strength of fighting somewhere you belong

(I'm wide awake with)

Hands so small but I am safe and sound

Where I stand it feels like solid ground

No where else that I'd rather be

No greater gift than what you've given me.

Runner ups (also known as songs I would have featured if I had more time today) are All Time Low with a series of releases (I am yet to hear the latest one, though) with rad merchandises to match, Lana Del Rey's new song with The Weeknd and the Gorillaz' new album (though I am yet to listen to it as well).

Cheers to music and more.

April x

Not only did the month of April comes in epic proportions because apparently it is my birth month but it has been a great time for new music releases as well! I would post a lot of separate blog updates for my NEW MUSIC ALERT tab for but I don't have that much of time to do so here's a rundown of the singles and stuff that came out in the past month.

Let's start this one off on April 7th with the most anticipated Harry Styles debut single, Sign of the Times. I will be totally honest, sometimes I feel like he's over-hyped and just plain lucky that he's got the opportunity, the A-list connection and the huge following but I admire the honesty that he wants to share with the world through pursuing the music that is closest to his heart (One Direction is One Direction and I love their stuff as a band but it is also nice to hear their works individually). In Zayn's term, "real music", or so what he's felt that is real to him. He is talented, well-trained and equipped and he knows what he wants so he just goes for it (Harry has just worded it better, hence, lesser backlash). 

Also, among the five (even though Zayn has always been my favourite One Direction guy), Harry's music genre is actually the one that I dig the most. Having said that, I like the song and the whole package.

He may have gone a bit over dramatic with the glam rock production (my friends have more colorful words to say, mostly negative but, well), he struggles on live shows (SOTT is a pretty hard song to sing but sorry Haz, let's be brutally honest, the nerves card can only work once. And although I admire the passion, you have to deliver, hit the notes, work even harder because you are a singer /performer and you should be able to, you know.) and it didn't have to be five minutes long but the message has been heard. Welcome to the rockstar Harry era. I am delighted and excited for him. I even like the other song Ever Since New York that he's performed on his Saturday Night Live guesting. Ten songs. Slick aesthetic (I am loving the vintage feel of it). The album will be out on May 12th and he has already released his intimate show/tour dates. Who knows, I might get to see him. We'll see about that.

***

April 7th is not done being amazing as it is also the release date of The Maine's Lovely Little Lonely. I am so buzzing! It is everything my emo self has ever wanted (if the previous post about the singles off this album isn't enough of a proof). It has been years of great music and there is just no stopping them. The cohesive theme, the aesthetic, the heartfelt, hauntingly honest lyrics, the impressive song/instrumental transitions: twelve tracks of pure bliss. It is one of those records that you just cannot help but play from track one up to the last. That is how good it was and I am not even exaggerating.


It is hard to pick a sole favourite song from the album but I have been listening to Lovely and Black Butterflies and Deja Vu (in that order because A++) the most and I would definitely want to hear them perform Taxi and The Sound of Reverie come this June. I am totally sold with How Do You Feel? being the closing track because it is nothing but fitting to the whole listening experience. After reliving the heartaches, heartbreaks, the joy of falling in love, staying in love with life and love and everything in between, here goes a track that sort of reminds you that there is someone who is listening (albeit through their music) and you don't have to go through everything alone anymore.

***

Another April 7th explosive (honestly, you guys are spoiling me) is from my girl Michelle Branch, releasing a banger of an LP after 14 years with Hopeless Romantic. It's been a long time coming and it is, well, worth the long wait. 

The Fleetwood Mac and Lana Del Rey vibes of this record is something that I really enjoyed a lot. Long live pop rock! I miss the times when music is this honest and although she is not as mainstream sounding and will not probably as successful on the radio as her previous works were, I am totally fine with it. Self-indulgent, one would say. 

Best You Ever, the lead single off the album is gold. Michelle Branch has not lost her touch with coming up with the most impressive and straightforward lyrics. I could listen to Knock Yourself Out and Not A Love Song for days. I live for the angst and chill emanating off Fault Line and Living A Lie. I love everything about this record and I just could not get enough.

***

I have at least a few to add so I decided to just post a Part 2 for the April releases. Should be fun, right?

April x