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Special Event: atrlcritic | Ed Sheeran's new songs after the upgrade
Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 10,540
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Quote:
Originally posted by Almighty Gaga
The we-have-a-better-music-taste-than-everyone-else-in-the-whole-universe police will be coming for you.
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Banned
Member Since: 4/13/2011
Posts: 18,738
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For those that don't get the album & pictures. Here's an explanation from Tahliah herself:
Quote:
“When you love someone, you give them everything, but then they turn out to be a dick, and everything gets chucked back in your face. Then you’re insecure, paranoid, and jealous, and you’re obsessed over that person. It’s one massive head game because you’re like, “Who am I now?” You feel like this shriveled-up Gollum-like creature. And then you hate yourself because you’re trying so hard and it’s just not working. That’s what my album’s about.”
-FKA Twigs
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Sorry if you're creeped out by art!
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 2,054
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Quote:
Originally posted by maiko
For those that don't get the album & pictures. Here's an explanation from Tahliah herself:
Sorry if you're creeped out by art! |
That will affect my next listen then
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Member Since: 4/29/2012
Posts: 15,977
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Taylor Swift - Shake it off
A few weeks ago I posted my review for Bang Bang calling it the "female version of Happy"
Uninspired and endlessly annoying.Little did I know the true worst song of the year was yet to come.
"Shake it off" comes along as probably the most generic,boring and basic song I have heard in ages.
To me the song raises the question how fabricated,calculated and cheap can a song become until it's no longer music but rather a product with no other purpose than to sell. A little dramatic perhaps but I truly wonder.
Final say: Boring production(which SICK.BEAT. Taylor?), karaoke vocals and lyrics so forcefully "tongue in cheek" that I don't buy a second of it.On a postive note "Until that fella over there with the hella good hair" is well crafted and gets stuck in your head quickly
1/10
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Member Since: 8/31/2013
Posts: 12,948
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Charli XCX - "Break the Rules"
After her first solo hit, "Boom Clap", Charli releases the second single of her upcoming album. It is a pop song with dark vibes. Her voice fits very well with these kind of songs.
The lyrics are rebellious and try to express how many teenagers feel, which is a good thing. There's a breakdown after the chorus which is really good. It is not the typical EDM breakdown, which we all have heard a thousand times already.
The song isn't one of the best singles of the years, but it is up there with Charli's best. The excitement for her upcoming album just keeps growing.
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Member Since: 8/28/2012
Posts: 34,863
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Shake It Off
Taylor Swift
Ex-Country singer Taylor Swift released her much anticipated lead single. What I wanted? A song like I Knew You Were Trouble. What I expected? A break-up anthem. What happened? A pop gem with a good production, terrible lyrics and Taylor Swift-y vocals.
Undeniably, Taylor Swift is one of the most talented songwriters in mainstream music. Unfortunately, she didn't put these skills in good use this time. " I go on too many dates", " players gonna play", " haters gonna hate" & " I'm gonna shake it all", Swift says in her new song. No comment.
Otherwise, the song is well-produced. The tune is quite fun & catchy. Although the screams in the beginning (and the end) always creep me up when the song comes on shuffle.
As a pop music fan, I'd take another pop-country album from Taylor Swift like Red rather than one full of Shake It Offs. Although, it's still too early to judge now that I didn't hear the album yet.
Highlight/Favorite parts:
- The "hu hu hu" after "I shake it off"
Production (x1): 7
Melody (x2): 7
Lyrics (x1): 1
5.5/10
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Member Since: 2/27/2012
Posts: 12,567
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LP1 is obviously not for everyone, and honestly, it has yet to fully click with me too. But if you don't really understand the album at all or have a good grasp on it, then why bother reviewing it? It's frustrating to see.
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Member Since: 4/22/2012
Posts: 33,490
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Quote:
Originally posted by Stevie
LP1 is obviously not for everyone, and honestly, it has yet to fully click with me too. But if you don't really understand the album at all or have a good grasp on it, then why bother reviewing it? It's frustrating to see.
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educate them, Stevie 
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Member Since: 12/7/2010
Posts: 26,813
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TAYLOR SWIFT | "SHAKE IT OFF"
The country-pop diva is back. This time fully pop. You might think no one can surprise you when it comes to pop music. You might think your favorite pop artists have already run out of creative-uncreative ideas, but you're wrong. Pop music has obtained someone fresh and full of new ideas. Taylor Swift.
The global superstar achieved everything in country music. Won tons of awards including the most prestiguous one - Grammy for Album of The Year and broke many sales records. This time she goes even further - expands to the worldwide market with the catchiest song of the year. "Shake It Off" has everything a perfect pop song should have - a catchy hook, true lyrics, infectious chorus, positive sound and Max Martin's production. Taylor is not playing this time, hitting hard and confidently.
Queen Taylor sings: "Cause the players gonna play, and the haters gonna hate" and she's totally right. She knows her transition to pop music means more hateful comments and ridiculous comparisons. But Taylor Swift is not afraid. She's been in the industry for almost a decade and has gotten used to hearing ignorant and cruel things about her. She knows that's how the industry works. And she's punching haters mercilessly with her new chart-topping monster hit.
Global superstar Swift takes what's best in pop music, mixes it together perfectly and creates an instant smash, an earworm that stucks in your head and refuses to leave. Swift pays tribute to one of the biggest stars in the business, Lady Gaga, makes jokes of herself and proves you don't need to be a professional dancer in order to have fun. Moreover, she keeps it classy all the time. That's what she's known for.
To sum up, Taylor Swift is not going to slow down. After having achieved an enormous success in the country industry, she's expanding to the new genre - pop. And she's not afraid of her already known pop contemporaries. She's just shaking it off.
10/10
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 39,572
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How long left for Taylor Alison and Charlotte? 
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Member Since: 9/16/2011
Posts: 50,981
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Quote:
Originally posted by hello_world
How long left for Taylor Alison and Charlotte? |
Until the 22nd for both. It's in the OP.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 12,666
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NOW: Taylor Swift - Shake It Out
Country-pop singer or now formerly country and now just pop singer (aka also the current titleholder of ''America's Sweetheart') Taylor Swift released her brand new lead single from her recently announced fifth studio album '1989' that is slated for a release on October 27th. Being one of the most gifted singer-songwriters in not only pop music but in the music industry in general, the expectations are high for the singer, especially after the phenomenal album 'RED' which the singer put out 2012, which was met with not only commercial success (selling over 1,209,000 copies first week) but critical acclaim too.
'Shake It Off' comes as a total 180 for Taylor lyrically. The lyrics are less impressive than expected but the songstress has changed the songwriting subject from being about to love to being about self-empowerment and brushing off the haters. Swift croons the Max Martin produced beat plagued with horns, shaking off the haters, fakers, players, and heartbreakers, making it almost impossible not to move your shoulders or sway side to side in front of your screen monitor, seat, driver's seat, or anywhere you happen to be listening to the song. The sassy lyrics make it easy to sing along with and by the time of the second chorus you already can sing along, which makes it sticky pop candy perfection which I have a sweet spot for. The song becomes a tad monotonous around the second chorus but that doesn't last long as the song takes a turn. "Hey hey hey!" Taylor greets us before the song takes off into the cosmic bridge that I find to be the highlight of the song. Taylor chants, serving an Avril Lavigne meets Gwen Stefani tea, about her ex man who brought his new girlfriend to the party Swift's dancing at, but she's just gonna shake off the drama and invite the dude over there with the hella good hair to dance with her. The bridge alone readies you for the final chorus where Taylor shows off a little hint of ocals as she belts, adds a few falsettos, and a few little more ad-libs in there. When it ends, you're left in a want to hear it again or you're just out of breath and tired from dancing. The song may be disappointing for casual music listeners who expected a lyrical masterpiece, which Swift is capable of delivering, or for those who were hungry for some country music but for those who enjoy a quick song to dance and sing along to, Taylor delivers with something that's entirely ear candy but really sounds fresh only because Taylor Swift's never released anything like it.
BUY 'SHAKE IT OFF' AND PRE-ORDER '1989' ON ITUNES
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Member Since: 9/7/2012
Posts: 9,553
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Shake It Off
The lead single off the anticipated 5th album from Taylor Swift which debuted 2 days ago. She does not play it safe this time around. At least not with her country fans. It's a pop song which might have turned some of her country fans down. But, is song good? Yes. It is as instant as We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together? No. Is it catchier? I don't know about you but it definitely is for me after a few listens.
The song sounds less catchy than WANEGBT on the first listen, where I was almost disappointed when the first chorus ends because I thought it was a pre-chorus. Pretty anti-climatic. The song however, gets better since then. The bridge is fun. And the last part of the song is really catchy and it gets better with every listen. Also, with every listen, I discover some small but genius details behind the production. The song is better than what I have expected from a Max Martin-produced Taylor Swift song.
10/10
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Member Since: 1/31/2012
Posts: 19,942
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Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift just destroyed the game again. With a new all-pop sound, she is about to come harder than ever this era and SIO is the perfect song to bring. The song has a quirky hook, and an even bigger chorus. The song is a motivational song that brings all kinds of people together for a great song. If this is the new Taylor, the world is ready.
I especially love the bridge. The narration is amazing and reminds me of WANEGBT, which was a phone conversation. And then when she starts rapping >>> T-Swizzle is back and better than ever. To top it all off, the video was fantastic. Taylor Swift never ceases to disappoint.
10/10
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Member Since: 12/7/2010
Posts: 26,813
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All those 10s
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 2,054
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Taylor Swift - Shake it Off
Everything about this song screams of a potential pop single glory. However, it falls short of actually being a repeat listener due to the juvenile lyrics, and repetitious chorus. 'Shake it Off' starts off with Taylor addressing the presumptions commonly thrown at her and proudly states "It's like I got this music in my mind, saying its gonna be alright". The rumbling horn section on the production and simple drum assistance lift the song once the listener hits the chorus, but that's where the song peaks. Taylor does nothing to separate herself from the pop norms present, and buys into it all to bring her production to life. While some may love the simplicity of the record, others may see it as another record waiting for its Radio Disney debut.
6/10
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Member Since: 11/8/2011
Posts: 708
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My first review... I'd like some feedback!
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
If I had to describe Shake It Off in as few words as possible, I would say instantly catchy, and instantly forgettable. Shake is the lead single off of Taylor Swift's upcoming album 1989. With this album, Swift has decided to swing away from country and go full on pop. Shake is that declaration of genre change.
Whereas previous single We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together combined country and pop elements, what with it still being guided by a guitar melody, Shake is a full on embrace of the pop trends of 2014. Everything about this single, from the horns, to the basic percussion, screams pop. Bubblegum pop.
Unfortunately for Swift, this song is just not that good. It's basic. It's been done before. The horns have been done already by both Jason Derulo (in Talk Drity) and Ariana Grande (in Problem). Shake is also reminiscent of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' Thrift Shop, which isn't a very favorable comparison for Swift. The song is catchy, no doubt about that, but the minute the song ended, I already forgot how it went. There was no highlight moment of the song that made it stick in my head.
Also lacking here are the lyrics. While Swift is known for her incredibly specific lyrics, which lend a sense of personality to her songs, Shake is incredibly rudimentary in its lyricism. It's just a basic "I don't give a **** what you think, I'm gonna live my life" type of song, but it doesn't dive any deeper than that. There are no references to specific incidents that make the song seem as incredibly personal as her other songs.
Shake It Off is an incredibly catchy pop song, and it will probably become a highlight of 2014. But it's not on the same level of complexity with Swift's other songs. While her other songs are a little more complex, with layers, this song is a fairly shallow song. I hope the next single finds Swift being a little more courageous, and taking some more risks, because I think Swift has a lot of opportunities with deciding to go pop. She just needs to stop following trends and to start creating her own.
(The video is a whole different story, but let's not let that ruin this review.)
5/10
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Member Since: 1/1/2013
Posts: 17,232
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Break The Rules
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I'm a huge Charli XCX stan so this might be a bit biased. But at the same time I can't help but be amazed at how good this song is. After the flawlessness that was True Romance, I wondered if Charli could impress me again. She did with Break The Rules, the song is great. Some people think it sounds lik Avicii's Wake Me Up but I don't hear this. I hate Wake Me Up and it was horrible, while this is just amazing. It's also a grower I didn't like the song right now as much as I did two days ago. I like it even more. It's a 9/10 from me. |
Charli XCX - Break The Rules - 9/10
dddddddddd
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 List of reviews
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 11,808
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Quote:
Originally posted by maiko
For those that don't get the album & pictures. Here's an explanation from Tahliah herself:
Sorry if you're creeped out by art! |
wow
v deep
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 6,141
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FKA twigs - LP1
7.6 / 10
Two weeks ago, I did not know who Tahliah Barnett was. I was surprised to learn that I had come across this exceptional girl quite a few times, without ever hearing her music. It was the praise in Pitchfork's 'Best-X-of-the-decade' lists that convinced me to check out the record. And when I finally did, I was pleasantly surprised. I found an eccentric artist, who used dreamy vocals and ethereal production to create a body of work that is incredibly cohesive and compelling. Twigs can express so much with a few simple words, which makes LP1 sound complex and minimalistic at the same time. And for some reason, I could just feel how devoted she is to this project and her art.
Two Weeks is the perfect lead single, as it is easily the strongest track on the album. The production and vocals work together so well! The song is pure fire and drew me in like a moth. It is followed by Hours, which could end up being my favourite track on the album. Any pop girl could attempt to sing the "I could kiss you for hours"-lyric, and it would sound bland and uninspiring. But when Twigs does it, it works. Another track that I want to address is Video Girl. It needs some backstory to be understood, but damn, what a gem. The vocals that come right after the chorus are pure genius, to me. You cannot tell if it is Twigs crying, or bystanders laughing at her, because she is "The girl from the video".
The second half of LP1 contains some of my least favourite songs. I like the story that Numbers tells, but at times I feel like skipping it. The same with Give Up. I guess these are the tracks that will have to grow on me. Luckily there is Closer, with its heavenly production, and Kicks, which is a great way to end the record. I can't wait to lie awake at night, sad and depressed, and discover its full potential. The final problem I have with LP1, is the intro Preface. It just does not do a lot for me, and I would have preferred another longer song to take its place.
LP1 was able to intrigue me, like no other alternative album has done this year. For me, it's a beautiful 'alternative, dreamy pop record'. There are still some flaws of course, but I applaud Twigs for this wonderful debut.
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This is one of my first reviews. But I would like to do it more often.
So if anyone wants to give me feedback, I would appreciate it 
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