ashes music notes

Hi Tumblr followers! I’ve decided to move my blog on over to WordPress. 

To continue getting new music recommendations from me, feel free to follow me there at ashesmusicnotes.wordpress.com OR on Twitter at /ashesmusicnotes OR on Instagram at ashesmusicnotes. 

LIZ “When I Rule the World”

A little bit of London came to NYC’s Lower East Side last night in the form of Shura (aka Aleksandra Denton). The singer/songwriter/producer performed for a youth-filled, sold-out crowd at the city’s beloved music venue, Mercury Lounge. Clad in a denim jacket much too heavy for the 90-degree weather, Shura (and two band members) entranced the audience with an intimate 45-minute set.

Highlights: “2Shy” is undoubtedly one of the best songs to be released in 2015 so hearing it live in all its effervescent glory was a trip. The trio also performed an unsuspecting-yet-brilliant mash-up of Fine Young Cannibal’s “She Drives Me Crazy” and Wheatus' "Teenage Dirtbag” which made this music fan giddy. And while the music was stellar, the real star of the show was Shura’s intense hair-swaying during every instrumental break.

So basically you should see her live. And at the very least, check out her music!

Passenger “When We Were Young”

Tove Styrke “Baby One More Time” (Britney Spears Cover)

Mas Ysa “Margarita”

Us The Duo “Better Together” (Jack Johnson cover)

Mr G Sings “The Caged Bird Sings”

R.City “Locked Away” f/ Adam Levine

Years & Years “Without”

Carly Rae Jepsen “Run Away With Me”

If the songs I’ve been hearing are any indication, Carly Rae’s new album is (in my opinion) most likely going to be her best one yet. “Run Away With Me” sparkles and shimmers in large part due to its M83-“Midnight City”-esque sax breaks. 

Melanie Martinez “Soap”

Jai Wolf “Indian Summer”

Kacey Musgraves “Dime Store Cowgirl”

Prince Royce “Back It Up”

Kelsea Ballerini “Peter Pan”

I don’t often feel compelled enough by an artist’s album to write a review but I gotta hand it to Ms. Ballerini, she is in it to win it. Her stunning debut, The First Time, is crazy good. I was completely blown away. And the funny thing is that her lead single, “Love Me Like You Mean It”, is probably one of my least favorite songs on the album and it’s still fantastic. 

Kelsea’s songs are refreshing, lyrically brilliant, relatable and just pure fun. A few standout songs to mention here would have to be “Xo” - a perfect lead song that paves the way and sets the tone for the rest of the strong, empowering album, “Peter Pan” - a witty take on the whimsical fantasy story of a boy who doesn’t want to grow up, “Square Pegs” - an uplifting, upbeat tune with a catchy-as-hell hook, and “Sirens” - a Carrie Underwood “Before He Cheats”, in-your-face kinda jam.