2015 Mini-Reviews part 2, featuring Ashley Monroe, Halsey, Ellie Goulding and Alex G. (see Part 1 here).
Ashley Monroe - The Blade
Ashley Monroe's sophomore album is considerably less rebellious and more somber than her debut (there's no Weed Instead of Roses -esque song on this album, and Dixie is the closest you get to that kind of song). A lot of the songs sound similar, but they do sound good. The debut single, On To Something Good, is deceptively sunny compared to the rest of the album. Some of the highlights include the promotional singles, Winning Streak, and Dixie.
Ashley Monroe's sophomore album is considerably less rebellious and more somber than her debut (there's no Weed Instead of Roses -esque song on this album, and Dixie is the closest you get to that kind of song). A lot of the songs sound similar, but they do sound good. The debut single, On To Something Good, is deceptively sunny compared to the rest of the album. Some of the highlights include the promotional singles, Winning Streak, and Dixie.
Halsey - Badlands
Along with This Is Not An Apology, these two albums make up the quintessential "millennial" albums of 2015. New Americana doesn't exactly describe everyone in the generation, but it does describe the changes that are occuring in it. This album's best listened to in high quality, because there are so many intricate layers of the music that are harder to hear in lower quality, especially in tracks like "Drive". Highlights include "New Americana", "Roman Holiday" and "Young God".
Along with This Is Not An Apology, these two albums make up the quintessential "millennial" albums of 2015. New Americana doesn't exactly describe everyone in the generation, but it does describe the changes that are occuring in it. This album's best listened to in high quality, because there are so many intricate layers of the music that are harder to hear in lower quality, especially in tracks like "Drive". Highlights include "New Americana", "Roman Holiday" and "Young God".
Ellie Goulding - Delirium
Upon hearing "Love Me Like You Do" and "On My Mind", the first singles off this album, it's evident that Ellie Goulding's starting a new direction that's a lot more poppy. Thankfully, the other singles and promotional singles ("Something In The Way You Move", "Lost and Found" and "Army") are a lot better. "Lost and Found" is good, but it feels out of place, like a country-rock ballad with pop production. Miranda Lambert could easily use it for a future album. Other than the better singles, "Devotion" and "Winner" (from the deluxe edition) are highlights.
Upon hearing "Love Me Like You Do" and "On My Mind", the first singles off this album, it's evident that Ellie Goulding's starting a new direction that's a lot more poppy. Thankfully, the other singles and promotional singles ("Something In The Way You Move", "Lost and Found" and "Army") are a lot better. "Lost and Found" is good, but it feels out of place, like a country-rock ballad with pop production. Miranda Lambert could easily use it for a future album. Other than the better singles, "Devotion" and "Winner" (from the deluxe edition) are highlights.
Alex G - Share Your Story EP
The Share Your Story EP is exactly what it says on the tin — lots of people sent their life stories or troubles to Alex G, and she wrote songs about it, generally making them pretty empowering. The intro's very well done, transitioning effortlessly into "Charlotte", which is one of the standouts, along with "Alena", "Royston", and "Everything." Considering this and "Too Far", Alex G seems to be going towards a less poppy, more alt-rock direction lately, and I like it.
The Share Your Story EP is exactly what it says on the tin — lots of people sent their life stories or troubles to Alex G, and she wrote songs about it, generally making them pretty empowering. The intro's very well done, transitioning effortlessly into "Charlotte", which is one of the standouts, along with "Alena", "Royston", and "Everything." Considering this and "Too Far", Alex G seems to be going towards a less poppy, more alt-rock direction lately, and I like it.
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