Music Monday: Albums Of The Year

Last year saw some of my ABSOLUTE favourite bands release albums so I was wandering what 2014 would bring in terms of new music material for my ears. It did not disappoint. It saw the return of some artists that have been missing from my life for quite a while. *cough* The Kooks *coughcough* Paolo Nutini *cough* Not to mention a cracking debut from Catfish and the Bottlemen. If that wasn't enough then let's throw in new records from The Courteeners and Kasabian for good measure. 

1. The Courteeners - Concrete Love | The fourth album from my favourite band has fast become my most played this year. It's a little different from their previous records to say the least. Liam Fray's lyrics are so relate able but can mean something different to anyone. 

Favourite song: Next Time You Call

2. Kasabian - 48:13 | Another band that have explored different sounds and another ear pleasing record has been created. This time around we've seen a softer side to the songs but still guarantees some top tunes that you'll want to catch live if you can.
Favourite song: Treat 

3. The Kooks - Listen | They are one of those bands that take me back to being 13 without a care in the world and not really appreciating the lyrics. I've really enjoyed having new material to listen to from The Kooks this year.
Favourite song: Bad Habit

4. Paolo Nutini - Caustic Love | The ultimate easy listening artist. He's won me over once again with his unique voice and that pretty face of his. Once again Paolo has mixed slow songs with a few upbeat tunes to make an all-rounder record.
Favourite song: Better Man

5. Catfish and the Bottlemen - The Balcony | If there's one band that have come into my life this year and opened my eyes up to new sounds then it's this one. Controversial but relate able lyrics. If you look out for one band next year it's got to be these lads. 

Favourite song: Cocoon 

What music have you been loving this year?

Music Monday: Gigs Of The Year

Kicking off 'Blogmas' this year is my top five gigs of the year. I've seen some pretty amazing bands in 2014 but one gig in particular outdid them all. Though I'll admit it was pretty hard choosing the rest!

So here you are, my top five gigs of the year..

• 5. The Enemy - I watched the trio from Coventry at a local venue - small, sweaty and spectacular. There was just something about singing 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' along with another couple of hundred local people around you. Controversial statement coming up here but I'd go as far as saying they are one of the most amazing live bands around. The louder the better.

• 4. The Libertines - Back in July I jumped on a train down to London and was all set for a day in Hyde Park watching live music. The Libertines headlined for 'British Summer Time' and if I'm honest with you this gig could of been a little higher up the list if it wasn't for the shambles of organisation on the day. Some of my favourite bands playing across three stages. Sadly, these said stages were just a little too small for the crowds it had attracted. However, seeing The Libertines back together was truly something special to witness. 

• 3. Arctic Monkeys - Another trip to London but this time the stage was set at Finsbury Park. First let's talk support acts - amazing. An unreal line up of Royal Blood, Miles Kane and Tame Impala. With Mr Kane edging it for me out of that lot. I did find something a little strange about the atmosphere for the 'Monkeys' though - like a lot of people who were in attendance were just there for a few odd songs they heard on the radio one time. Despite this and some idiot thinking it was hilarious to urinate up my leg I can safely say Arctic Monkeys know how to put on a show. And who got to see Miles Kane sing a The Last Shadow Puppets tune with Alex Turner? I DID!

• 2. The Courteeners - I know they're my favourite band and all that so it's no real surprise to see them clock in at number two but hand on heart I can say that was the best show I've seen the band put on. The new album that came out in the summer has been stuck on repeat for months so I was like an excited child to hear the new songs live. And of course the old favourites sounded as perfect as ever. Also, two words for you - Liam Fray. *hearts in the eyes emoji*

• 1. Kasabian - I'll be honest here in the days upcoming to this gig I was massively unsure. The support acts that had just been announced were nowhere near as good as the rumours (which was probably why I sat in the pub until they were over with). I don't know why I had any doubts though, There was a reason I'd been so desperate to see this band live for so long. In my opinion there is no better live band out there today. So it's no shock that I'm overly excited to see them again in the middle of this month in Manchester. 

So there we have it - Kasabian won it this year for me.

Have you seen anyone live this year I haven't mentioned?

Any bands worth checking out?

Current Favourites

I should probably start my latest post by only one way and that's apologising for going missing from my little corner of the internet, otherwise known as What Lauren Says. I'd constantly get urges to blog but wasn't quite motivated to turn that into words. Well, words that were actually worth reading. Never fear though as I bring you my current favourites. I want to mix it up a little from now on - instead of just bringing you beauty ramblings. So expect a little bit of everything that interests me, excites me and enhances me! 

theBalm cosmetics Nude Tude Eyeshadow Palette (£26) - I lusted after this palette for months and months, read countless reviews until I couldn't keep myself away for much longer. The pigmentation and lasting power of these shadows are up there with the best. No exaggeration in that they last all day even without primer. There's a great variety to choose from in terms of shades - making it perfect for travel purposes. I've been really enjoying pairing 'Stand-offish' and 'Selfish' together to create a smoky eye. 

VO5 Plump It Up Dry Shampoo (£3.59) - In the past I've found with other dry shampoos that they can get used up very quickly but with this offering from VO5 it seems to last ages. It does it's job as a dry shampoo when your hair wash day is touch and go but it adds volume to the hair very well. I love adding this to the roots to stop my hair from looking flat. 

Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur Primer (£12.99) - A little on the pricier side for a drugstore primer but hear me out. I can understand where the name 'perfect blur' came from with this product. My skin genuinely appears and feels to be almost airbrushed shall we say with this primer. It helps to keep my base in place all day and concealer touch ups have become a lot less for me. 

Lindsey Kelk - I Heart New York (£7.99) - Kelk has become one of my favourite authors. This book had me hooked. When I say hooked I mean in read the whole I Heart series in less than two weeks. Her writing style is such an easy read which has me giggling when I shouldn't be. I can't wait to read more about the antics Angela Clarke gets up to once again in the next instalment. 

Courteeners - Concrete Love (£8.99) - It's no secret that Courteeners are my favourite band. Their fourth album has been on repeat for months. Concrete Love is a very different sound to their previous material but Liam Fray's relate able lyrics are very present on the latest record. My favourite tracks are 'How Good It Was', 'Small Bones', 'Saboteur' and 'Next Time You Call'. 

So that's it for my first post back in forever but fear not I have plenty of posts lined up, Also, I will be participating in Blogmas this year (I attempted last year but miserably failed but ssh). 

Music Tag

I really wanted to get a post out there after a stressful week of moving house while fitting in other pre-booked events. I've got so many posts planned but my camera is in a box somewhere and I'm still not unpacked completely. Music is one of my biggest passions and this looked the perfect tag for me to have a crack at..

Image Source: We Heart It.

Favourite band/musician of the moment - The Courteeners. A 4 piece band from Manchester.  I've seen them live twice this year as well as the frontman Liam Fray at his own acoustic show. Excited to see them again in December as well!

One band you always come back to - Oasis. Who else? I might not listen to them for a week or two but I always come back to them, all time favourite band.

Favourite movie soundtrack - 500 Days Of Summer. One of my favourite scenes is when Tom is walking to work while Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap is playing away. 

What is/are your favourite song(s) of all time? - Okay there is a LOT to choose from but a few are in no particular order: Arctic Monkeys - 505, The Courteeners - The Opener, Oasis - Live Forever, The Verve - Lucky Man, Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own.

Most embarrassing song on your iTunes - I can't bring myself to delete Olly Murs' first album even though I never listen to it and always skip it on shuffle. My inner 6 year old self still loves S Club 7, no shame.

Top 3 Played Songs on your iTunes - 1. Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum, not surprised - a classic! 2. The Courteeners - Are You In Love With A Notion?, obsessed with these lyrics. 3. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - AKA.. What A Life, one of my feel good songs. 

Favourite gig you have attended - I've been to at least 30 gigs and a few festivals here and there so it's so hard to choose my favourite. I'm going to say V Festival '13 just because I saw so many one of my favourites in one weekend!

Most underrated musician in your opinion -  There's a really top singer/songwriter Danny Mahon from Manchester, I really love his stuff. Alistair Sheerin as well.

Favourite quote or song lyric - I could list so many lyrics so I'll go with a quote from the main man Noel Gallagher himself: "Everything's gonna be fine. Stay optimistic. If there's dark clouds coming, they'll leave again. They always do". 

I tag everyone and anyone who reads this!