Konichiwa! Hello from Japan! Can't believe it's been almost a week that I've been here - but what an amazing trip so far! I've filled my belly with sushi, attempted the famous Shibuya crossing & seen Tokyo light up with all of the lights! We started our first few days of the trip mainly in Tokyo; checking out Shibuya, Studio Ghibli Museum (amazing!), Harajuku (Kawaii!) & Toyko Central. As I write this weeks post I'm on the bullet train heading to Kyoto! Absolutely amazing!
So this week as promised I'll be providing a full album/ track by track review & this weeks feature is Katy Steele's latest album (literally after 10 years of hiatus) "Human". So put on your seat belts & lets ride this out together!
Diamonds - An interesting start to the album, a bit eery & even slightly tribal. Then bam "Diamonds" pops like a party popper! I can see why it's an opening track, it's got a good beat so you can clap along but it also showcases Katy's vocals. The familiar howl you recognise from Little Birdy days.
Where's The Laughter - Previously featured on Play it Forward >> in previous weeks this track is still one of my favourites! Once again a catchy track, it's got a great beat to it & also a great mix of vocals. In the lyrics there's a lot of questions, mainly about hesitation. Wheres the laughter? Where's the fever? Where's the moment? Where's the hoping? Everyone knows there's love to be found - so fill up your heart! People get so busy in their lives, they forget to appreciate the small things in life. It's a reminder to not forget to laugh & enjoy life.
No Slave - I'm no slaveee, I play my own play! Katy is coming back with punch, ok so it's been a couple of years but watch her as she slays! She's back with fight & is going to rattle your bones! Great mix of instrumental & vocals, another great track.
Play The Game - When did telling someone how you feel become so difficult? We are in an age where people don't like to wear their heart on their sleeve. Yeah understandably no one likes to get burned but how will you know if you don't act on it. Lyrics in this track are powerful "Play the game, you know how to, & you know how to fight the flame, you know how to" as much as people don't play games, it's easier then it looks everyone does it. But I guess you either like someone or you don't. As Katy says "it's game over for you"
It Ain't Me - Another powerful anthem, "No reason to slow down, no reason to fall down". Girl power! Katy is giving listeners the chance to understand if you've got the confidence & your family around you, that you'll be ok. You have the power to make your own destiny, don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. Jealously gets you no where, we all have battles & you should focus on your own or at least help build up others to believe they got it too.
Signal to You - "I won't run, baby I won't hide, I'm throwing a signal to you" Maybe Katy has been burned a few times in life, could be musically or romantically but she's definately sick of the love game. It true but love is a lot harder in this day & age, we rely on dating apps instead of actually getting out there & getting to know people, & then when you find someone they are trying to sort out their life &/or they are seeking different things to you. People I think forget about compromise, meeting someone & making it work if the feeling is there. Another great track, full of emotion.
Rescue Boat - This track is full of emotion, Katy is talking about sometimes surrendering to the dark side, sometimes in life things can get a bit much. People will drown their sorrows, or seek other forms of relief to get away from the everyday woes. It's a cry out to say that every now & then it's ok to need to be rescued. Women in general are seen as the weaker sex in some ways, but I'm loving in the past decade so many tracks that empower women, every one can be weak but it's also up the individual to break that stereotype.
Lasers - Another great track that showcases Katy's vocals. Lasers will lead the way, will guide you to the opportunities of life. Katy is looking for an indication to guide her in the right direction "I need something". Everyone sometimes needs a little guidance.
Everywhere with You - "There's no denying you felt it too" When you meet someone who actually literally gives you goosebumps & just seems to make the world a better place. All you want to do, is go everywhere with them. "I want to go everywhere, everywhere with you".
Lonely - This album has actually been quite emotional, Katy seems to be caught up in love. She's got someone on her mind, throughout this whole album & they just don't seem to want to match her love. This track is basically an ultimatum, is she better on her own or stuck in wanting someone who doesn't want her as much back?
The album is 10 tracks of pure emotion, lots of great vocals, instrumental & backing. Katy is coming back with punch regardless, & what a welcome! After a long hiatus, it's nice to have a familiar vocal back. I'd probably say my favourite track on the album is "Where's the laughter" followed second by "Play the Game" & "It Ain't Me". The thing that stuck with me most, Katy is just like the rest of us, going through life & the obstacles life comes with - whether that be love or just being understood. But whatever obstacles that she faces, she's ready to fight regardless! I'll give this album a 4 out of 5 stars.
So as I speed along the Japanese countryside, this weeks track is going to be an absolute goodie! One I find to be quite empowering actually. Wrap your eyes & ears around it below:
"Cool Girl" is a song by Swedish singer & songwriter Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson but is better known by stage name Tove Lo. I've recognised her vocals & you may also from Flume's track "Say it". It was around then when I began finding her own material & I must admit now I'm hooked. "Cool Girl" was written by Tove Lo herself but was also produced with duo "The Struts" & I just think this track is totally badass. Ever since the first time I watched the music video I wanted to learn the dance moves to this track, sometimes when I`m walking down the street & this song is in my head I get such a strut going; its pretty catchy!
Rules you don't like, but you still wanna keep 'em Said you were fine so for whatever reason Sure we can chill, try and keep it platonic Now you can't tell if I'm really ironic No, let's not put a label on it Let's keep it fun We don't put a label on it So we can run free, yeah I wanna be free like you I'm a, I'ma I'm a cool girl, I'm a, I'm a cool girl Ice cold, I roll my eyes at you, boy
Her latest album was "Lady Wood" which was released 28th October & "Cool Girl" is the latest single to come from it. & I think it will be the latest addition to my CD collection!
Hope you love the track just as much as I do!! Sayonara!
Cheers