Review: DNA (Deluxe Edition)

Do you remember Little Mix? If not, you should brush up on my thoughts on them on their original post. (But in case you don't wanna do that, just know that the most important take away was that I was excited to hear their album and see if they would unlock the potential that I saw in them.)

NOW

I know, I know. The album doesn't actually drop until November 19... in the UK. Not the US. The UK. I actually don't think they have a US release date? Anyway, so... take that as you will. I'm not gonna say I did illegal things to get this album buuuuut, if I did, it was for the greater good, so I could bring you lot a review on whether you should spend the money on said album. (Or chance heavy fines or incarceration for it. You know, whatever strikes your fancy.)

Anyway, all that aside, Little Mix blew this album out of the water. Completely, and totally achieved the greatness that their "Cannonball" performance hinted at. Is it a perfect album?

No.

Is it a perfect first album?

Hell. Yes.

Every single song showcases every girl and proves that they aren't just four pretty faces with fabulous clothes, but four completely stunning voices. Not only that, but the album just breathes girl power. Tracks like "Change Your Life" and "We Are Who We Are" just make me feel good about myself, and I'm not even the self-conscious type. But dear lord, yes. I'm gonna shine like a star, Little Mix told me so. (Though, girls, you all do look like beauty queens already, so that line about not looking like one is a bit moot, yeah?)

Arguably, the best track on the album is the ballad "Turn Your Face." When I listened to the album for the first time last night, I actually had to stop everything I was doing and just listen to it because I found it so heart wrenching and beautiful. There is so much power in their voices and so much pain that the song just leaves you slightly breathless from it all. In fact, I'd say that if there was one track you invested in on this album, it be this one. It validates their win on The X Factor, it truly does. They're such young artists that their voices shouldn't be able to sound like they do on this track. Can you just imagine what they're going to sound like by their second one? (Fun fact: As I listen to the album again, this song is giving me goosebumps. Again.)

Now, there are some songs that should have been cut, or made into bonus tracks. "How Ya Doin'" comes off a little TOO Spice Girls, and to be honest, these girls have voices that are far superior to that of the Spice Girls and they could do so much better than sounding like one of their cover bands. And the following track, "Red Planet" just doesn't sit right with me. It is neither bad, nor is it good. But they make up for it with the following six tracks. (Well, six if you invest in the deluxe edition, which you should. Technically only two tracks if you have the normal edition.)

Lastly, one of the best aspects of this album is that so many of the songs were made to be played live. The song "Madhouse" practically oozes with performance possibilities. I can practically hear the crowd cheering in the arena as they sing this song, running around fighting off the villain much like N'Sync did in their Popodyssey tour. (You know, when they're fighting the video game bad guy? No? Am I really that old?) It's going to be brilliant live, and I would do a lot of things to witness it, to be honest, ESPECIALLY if they run with this film noir theme that runs throughout the album. ("DNA," "Madhouse," and bonus track "Case Closed" all are begging to have a dark, detective themed tour.)

All in all, an album well worth the wait from this female group. Maybe I didn't understand the hype while they were on TXF, but I fully understand now. Keep up the good work, girls. I want you stateside so I can actually invest in this spectacular release.

4/5

Standout tracks: "Turn Your Face," "Case Closed" and "We Are Who We Are."

'DNA' drops in the UK November 19 via SyCo. (And hopefully eventually in the US.)

Ryan Ashley

http://www.youtube.com/user/ryanashleymusic?feature=watch

I like when people refer me to artists to look into, especially when they're people that I don't know, because not only does it make me feel cool but it also gives me a new outlet. Generally I end up finding bands that sound alike because I generally find all my music through the same channels. So, it only stands to reason that when I was tweeted to check out Ryan Ashley, I made a mental note to do so. I mean, if someone was taking the time to tweet me to tell me to check him out, he must be decent, right? AND they also noted that the guy is only 16. Now, you should know that it blows my mind to find people with SO much talent when they are so young so curiosity got the better of me and I found myself on his youtube channel.

The kid has 22 videos up, covers that he's done over the past couple of years-- I think his oldest being done when he was 14-- and I mean, yeah, I'm blown away by his talent. (I also had a hard time believing he was only 16 because he just doesn't look 16, but whatever. That isn't the point lol. I guess kids these days just look older.) What I love about his covers is he doesn't just hit the track of the original song and redo it as it was, just with his voice. He turns them into more soulful renditions and makes them his own, which, in case you were wondering, means they come out stunningly. I also love how pure his voice sounds, if that makes any sense. It's refreshing to hear a voice that doesn't sounded jaded by the industry and just like they're singing to sing a song. It almost sounds like he isn't working at all, but more like he's just breathing and that voice is happening.

On top of that, you can also hear the amount of growth he's made over the past two years. Is he perfect? No. But the kid is only 16 years old, and if he can do some of the things he's doing now at this age, can you imagine in a few more years when he's 20? He's going to be a force to be reckoned with, that's for sure. But until then? Well, I guess we'll just have to keep watching his covers, now won't we? (And hoping for the day we can add him to our iPods legally. Not that I'd ever stoop to a youtube to mp3 conversion site *coughs*)

Go Download: Man, I wish I could download his music. But from what I can see, we can't download anything yet. But you should def keep an eye on his Twitter, Facebook and Youtube for updates :)

(You should all note that BTNLT alum Ed Sheeran thinks he's got a fantastic voice as well.)

We Are The Ocean

http://wearetheocean.co.uk/

It always blows my mind how a band can be so popular in one place and then not known in another. Now, I will admit that this time around I was a part of the "not knowing" category, but I have rectified the situation as it is a TERRIBLE category to be in.

You see, I got to catch We Are The Ocean on tour with You Me At Six, The Swellers and Twin Atlantic earlier this week and if we're being quite honest, I wasn't sure what I was expecting. Aside from knowing that they were British, I knew nothing of them. They definitely blew my mind though when they played. They were SO energetic even though the crowd was not. (Not only was it a really small crowd, we didn't know them.) One of their vocalists, Dan Brown, would come into the crowd and sing and rock the fuck out. It was actually in the moment that he came down from the stage and into the crowd that I decided these guys were gonna be HUGE. So of course, after the show I bought their album from them and talked with their guitarists Liam Cromby (who is also the second vocalist) and Alfie Scully and let me tell you they are some pretty cool dudes. I'm sad I missed meeting the others because I can only imagine that they're just as cool. (For real though. They are just so nice. I can't emphasize that enough.)

Anyway, I researched them the next day, and was really surprised to find that they weren't as little known as I had assumed they were. They actually have the second highest amount of Facebook likes of the four on the tour, which made me feel even worse about having just now discovered them.

I think what I love most is the contrast in Dan and Liam's voices. Liam's is like silk. It's fine and soothing and pulls you in and then Dan comes in and vocally punches you in the face. And what's weirdest of all is that on paper they shouldn't be able to blend so wonderfully together. But honestly, their voices come together to create one of the most unique sounds I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.

Now, what I have deduced from having their album on repeat since purchasing it two days ago, is that these guys offer something that we just don't grow in the US. In fact, I can't think of any band from the US that I could possibly compare them to. They remind me of Fightstar, but I mean, Fightstar wasn't from America either. So, I think what I'm trying to tell you is that these boys know rock.

There are people out there who will say that they are "rock" and maybe they're a category of rock, but WATO is the real deal.

So if you like your drums hard hitting (Thank you Tom Whittaker!), your bass causing your chest cavity to vibrate (Thanks Jack Spence!), your guitars ripping up the air (Here's lookin at you Alfie and Liam!) and your vocals dirty and gritty (Get it Dan!) than you have found the band for you.

I can promise you that checking them out will only lead to one of the best musical experiences you could have.

Go Download: Their latest album, "Go Now And Live," from iTunes!!! (However, I would suggest seeing them in concert so you can buy the physical copy because it comes with a download card to get 10 acoustic tracks. And between you and me, their acoustic stuff is just as mindblowing as the full band stuff.)

The Famous Class

http://www.facebook.com/thefamousclass

London based pop-punk band The Famous Class is hard to describe. I feel like the band said it best, "Like All Time Low and Paramore and Blink 182 in a hot tub together on a warm summer's day...Naked!" There is something about this bands that makes me flashback to middle school. This is the type of music I rocked out to after school with my black nail polish and my middle finger up in the air. Not to say that that is a bad thing. TFC is damn catchy and actually had my attention within 15 seconds of listening to their song "Have You Ever..." I keep trying to pinpoint who they remind me of, but I just keep coming back to what they said. They make for a fun listen, and I'll definitely be keeping my eye on them.

Go Download: Their cover of "Never Gonna Give You Up" for free here