Throughout the year, just about everyone has managed to learn who Meghan Trainor is. Smashing into the scene with her hit All About That Bass, Meghan followed with her Title EP that ain't all that bad.
1. All About That Bass - 8/10
Okay, so this song everyone knows. One of the biggest hits this year and it's definitely a charming little song. The simple production is fun and light the verses and hook to the song are catchy and easy to sing along to. Eventually I kind of went off this song due to it being overplayed, but it's still a pretty well written song, so 8/10!
2. Title - 9/10
This is my favourite from the EP, it's so fun. I love the "do-do-do" sounds in the verses, they add so much charm to the song, and the chorus is so catchy. The song itself carries the same easy structure All About That Bass does, and it's clearly something that works for her. I'd love to see this as a future single and I'd love to see it smash. Brilliant songwriting.
3. Dear Future Husband - 8/10
Meghan's songs definitely all have the same charm to them. This song seriously reminds me of Olly Murs' Dance With Me Tonight, the production in the verses is very similar, but I guess the swing-pop sound works for both of them well. While this isn't as catchy as Title or even All About That Bass, still a great addition to the EP.
4. Close Your Eyes - 6/10
If I'm totally honest, not my favourite from the album - intact it's my least favourite. If she had put Lips Are Movin' at the end of the EP or perhaps something more upbeat and fitting to the other three tracks then it would have rounded up the EP so much better. But oh well, I still really like the chorus, while it's definitely lacking compared to the other three.
31/40 - 77.5%
This is a solid EP and definitely has hyped me for her full length due out at the turn of the year. Hopefully the new tracks deliver like these ones did.
I've never been a huge Maroon 5 fan, but after hearing Maps this year, I knew I had to check this album out and for me, they've delivered with my favourite album of their. It's perfect pop music and actually really well written, it's easy to listen to and pretty fun in some places.
(Only the standard edition again.)
1. Maps - 10/10 Maps is a brilliant lead single, and a brilliant album opener. The fact it's non-stop from start to finish make it fun to listen to and the production is amazing, the guitar intro which leads into a synthy chorus which still keeps the verse riffs is so good to listen to. One of my favourites from them!
2. Animals - 8/10
While I don't think this song is as great as Maps, it's still a great addition to the album. I don't think the chorus is as strong as it can be, but I love the verses and I still can bop when I hear it!
3. It Was Always You - 9/10
I think this was the second song I heard from the album after I heard Maps, I assumed it was the second single, but clearly not. This song is just so anthemic. The production really makes it what it is, and it's great. It's actually a fairly simple song in terms of the writing, but the dynamics the production gives really makes it a standout track.
4. Unkiss Me - 6/10
First dud of the album sadly, it's not that great of a track and I definitely think this is a bit of a filler. I do like the chorus though, so it does redeem it a little bit.
5. Sugar - 8/10
I really really hope this becomes a smash in the new year, it's so damn catchy. The verses are brilliant pop, the easy guitar riffs are candy to the ears and the chorus is so catchy and it's a perfect mix of chill while being a great pop song. One of my faves.
6. Leaving California - 10/10
This is my absolute fave from the album. The way the song just keeps building throughout the verses is so exciting. The song chorus is a complete explosion and just shows how good Maroon 5 are at writing songs. I need more tracks like this on the next album, please!
7. In Your Pocket - 7/10
This song is okay, not the best but not the worst. The verses I'd say are considerably better than the chorus, but the song is a whole isn't totally unlistenable, and I still enjoy it from time to time.
8. New Love - 6/10
Not that big a fan of this one either. The chorus is a little off-putting and the verses are not anything special. Definitely another low point - but still enjoyable from time to time.
9. Coming Back for You - 8/10
Another great track after a low point in the album, this entire song just goes for it, it's not upbeat, but the synthy feel in the production is so interesting and nice to hear and the chorus is still so uplifting and really shows off their writing skills.
10. Feelings - 8/10
This song is so fun, I love the slow falsetto in the chorus and the fact even though it can sound quite off-putting at first, there's something quite fun about how it sounds in comparison to the upbeat song production. Another highlight!
11. My Heart is Open - 7/10
A fairly bog standard mid-tempo ballad. Gwen's addition to the track isn't really needed, they didn't give her a lot to sing so I wish they'd have given her more to do. I still love the chorus though and it's a lovely closer to the album.
87/110 - 79%
As I said, this my favourite effort from them, and I hope they delve more into the synth-pop stuff as an effect of this release, as the influences are great, so I really enjoyed this!
I can't even deal with "Rather Be" and "Froot" being knocked out so early, ff. They're legit two of my favourites this year!
About Meghan, I'm really happy for her. I was initially a bit disappointed that despite all the amazing british acts that tried their best to crack the american market with this sound, Meghan swooped in and took everyone by storm, leading to a bunch of comments of "wow! she's so fresh! so unique!". I wished that it was Paloma Faith, Olly Murs, or someone else who got all that success in the states, but I guess they needed an american to digest the sound a bit. Anyways, as bitter as I sound right there, I am really glad Meghan is doing well and broke out of the "one hit wonder" stigma. She's so kind, I love her image, and she has surprisingly great stage presence. Pop music needs someone like her right now and I really hope she continues to do well.
d @ this Meghan paragraph in the middle of your countdown but these are supposed to ignite discussion, right?
Also brilliant work doing all these writeups, even for every song on these albums.
I think Meghan is American, right? Maybe she is British, I've never heard an interview with her and I've always just assumed she was American. Unless you didn't mean she was British, I just assumed you did since you brought up British acts.
Anyway, of course it's meant to spark discussions. Thank you.
I think Meghan is American, right? Maybe she is British, I've never heard an interview with her and I've always just assumed she was American. Unless you didn't mean she was British, I just assumed you did since you brought up British acts.
Anyway, of course it's meant to spark discussions. Thank you.
Thanks for the comments. (this set is flopping. )
Yeah, Meghan is american. It's a sound I've only heard from british acts, though (Duffy, Paloma, Adele, etc). I just meant that a lot of british acts have tried to use this sound to be successful in america and aren't really successful, but then Meghan used this sound and found herself at the top of the american charts.
I mean, this song deserved to be a smash everywhere but wasn't.
#55 in the UK is not good enough!
These posts make me look so bitter, I know. I genuinely am happy for Meghan (as I said in my last post and I have the post history to prove it) I just want justice for these overlooked gems as well.
Yeah, Meghan is american. It's a sound I've only heard from british acts, though (Duffy, Paloma, Adele, etc). I just meant that a lot of british acts have tried to use this sound to be successful in america and aren't really successful, but then Meghan used this sound and found herself at the top of the american charts.
I mean, this song deserved to be a smash everywhere but wasn't.
#55 in the UK is not good enough!
These posts make me look so bitter, I know. I genuinely am happy for Meghan (as I said in my last post and I have the post history to prove it) I just want justice for these overlooked gems as well.
Oooh right, then I agree. I think other artists utilise the sound better, I should have said that in my review.
That Paloma Faith song was kinda at the beginning of her career though, and now she's got a few UK hits under her belt. Maybe she's one of those acts always meant to be local? I love ha though.
I'd like Meghan to have lots of success too, but I do agree with you that, there's other artists doing the same kind of thing musically who deserve it just as much!
I really enjoyed V, some songs reminded me of k-pop "Feelings" really reminded me of SHINee's "Dream Girl", that's probably why it's my favourite track on it!
I really enjoyed V, some songs reminded me of k-pop "Feelings" really reminded me of SHINee's "Dream Girl", that's probably why it's my favourite track on it!