Remembering the undisputed Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.
A Natural Woman who defined what it means to be the Queen of Soul.
Alex Smithson
Tag: Music
Happy 60th Birthday to Madonna!
The Queen of Pop and icon that inspires change and dares to break down boundaries and walls where societies refuse.
Alex Smithson
Justin Timberlake is the Man of the Woods!
Back with a completely different sound that shifts away from his past albums, Justin’s the Man of the Woods with this EP as this new sound is unique, yet vocally charged in a different light to his previous album, The 20 / 20 Experience.
It’s no surprise to see Justin Timberlake go back to his roots, as this new sound is so unique it even has the old-school sounds that remind us all of how far he’s come since his breakthrough début album, Justified.
Filthy kicks off Man of the Woods with a bass-pounding bang, as Justin’s vocals come to life, with his wife, Jessica Biel, doing some voice-over as the record ends, meanwhile, Midnight Summer Jam is where the old-school vibe kicks in, as the nostalgia kicks in right from the off. Those who have listened to Justin Timberlake’s albums from the moment he released his début album will know and appreciate the new sound that Justin Timberlake has come back with. I appreciate his new sound as it’s different, but more importantly, I’m glad he’s taken his music in a different direction, as his new music sounds almost nothing like his past music, but Man of the Woods still captures the man we all know and love dearly.
You cannot fault Justin’s music roots for not even one split second, as Man of the Woods is filled with so much nostalgia that it’s like he never went away from the music scene. In fact, Justin Timberlake is headlining the Super Bowl LII (52nd) Halftime Show sponsored by Pepsi on Sunday 4th February 2018 and alongside him, P!NK will be performing as well, so there’s even more of a reason for all of us to be excited!
Man of the Woods is more of a personal album as well as a vocally charged album, as he explores his music roots deeper with a completely different sound that still captures the nostalgia of his past albums.
Below is the full tracklist for Man of the Woods:
- Filthy
- Midnight Summer Jam
- Sauce
- Man of the Woods
- Higher Higher
- Wave
- Supplies
- Morning Light (feat. Alicia Keys)
- Say Something (feat. Chris Stapleton)
- Hers (Interlude)
- Flannel
- Montana
- Breeze Off the Pond
- Livin’ Off the Land
- The Hard Stuff
- Young Man
Below is Justin Timberlake’s album cover for Man of the Woods:
Official Album Artwork © Jive Records, Zomba Records, RCA Records, Tennman Records & Justin Randall Timberlake
To keep it as short and simple and as honest as possible, Man of the Woods is his best work to date because it carries the progressive sound of his past albums and isn’t one of those in-your-face kinds of album, rather it’s a vocally progressive, yet mindful album that shows Justin Timberlake at his most peaceful, but also at his most euphoric.
To listen to Man of the Woods, click on the Play button below to listen to Justin Timberlake’s fifth studio album on Spotify. Purchase your copy of Man of the Woods from all retailers via all physical/digital formats.
Heard Man of the Woods? If so, I would love to hear what you’ve got to say about Justin’s fifth studio album.
If you enjoyed this review, please feel free to feedback below in the comments.
Alex Smithson
© Jive Records, Zomba Records, RCA Records, Tennman Records & Justin Randall Timberlake
© The Man of the Woods album artwork, the article image and tracklist are all copyright of Jive Records, Zomba Records, RCA Records, Tennman Records & Justin Randall Timberlake. Full copyright goes to the respective owners.
What a Beautiful Trauma! P!NK is Back & Ready to Kick Ass!
It’s been five years since The Truth About Love, but P!NK is back with a bang! Beautiful Trauma is the hotly anticipated album of the year and it’s no surprise to see P!NK bless us with such good music.
To see the album artwork is to be believed, but listen to the album closely and you’ll understand why this album is so good! Beautiful Trauma is the textbook example of how an album should be done and is the perfect album if you’re going through a difficult patch or a break-up at any stage in your life.
Released on Friday 13th, and packing plenty of punches, P!NK is not ashamed to unleash the rawness of her voice, whilst giving her unique and personal touch to Beautiful Trauma.
Listening to the album gave me goosebumps from the first track on the album which is self-titled also for the name of the album. This album also intentionally tugs at the heart-strings, and you cannot quite help but relate to the message she intends to get across.
This is the full tracklist for Beautiful Trauma (Explicit + Clean):
- Beautiful Trauma
- Revenge (feat. Eminem)
- Whatever You Want
- What About Us
- But We Lost It
- Barbies
- Where We Go
- For Now
- Secrets
- Better Life
- I Am Here
- Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken
- You Get My Love
Below is the official album artwork for Beautiful Trauma:
Official Album Artwork © RCA Records, Sony Music, Alecia Beth Moore & Pinkspage.com ___________________ © Full copyright goes to the respective owners.___________________
Because this album has two sides to the message, personal and political, it’s easy to understand why P!NK would channel her real feelings and emotions into Beautiful Trauma because like I said, she’s back and ready to kick some ass!
Don’t be surprised but expect the unexpected because P!NK doesn’t hold back and with positive reasons in mind.
I love that P!NK is a realistic, unafraid and independent woman because she doesn’t hold back. She speaks her mind and is not at all ashamed to make her feelings clear, and for me, I can relate to that in a certain sense because it’s like she is trying to say to us: “Why should we hold back how we really feel? Why should we hold back what we really think of the world?” and for me, I cannot and shall not deny that Beautiful Trauma is beautifully crafted with punchy visuals in each record. It’s like each song paints its own picture and you don’t need to feel like you cannot relate to this record because you can now have that right to relate to the album, Beautiful Trauma, and that no one, and I mean no one, can tell you that you shan’t relate to it because you can.
Concluding this review with one word: Perfection!
Heard Beautiful Trauma by P!NK? If so, please tell me, I would love to hear what you’ve got to say about her album. All comments welcome.
Alex Smithson
© Alicia Beth Moore, RCA Records, Sony Music & Pinkspage.com
© The Beautiful Trauma album artwork, the article image and tracklist are all copyright of Alicia Beth Moore, RCA Records, Sony Music & Pinkspage.com. Full copyright goes to the respective owners.
Beautiful Trauma / P!NK / Album Rating: 10/10
Camden!
Camden is a wonderful and friendly place to visit. I went up to Camden last Monday to get an idea of the place and how I could go about getting there, but honestly, the people of Camden are so friendly and welcoming, and even though I was only there for at least a few minutes after an hour-and-a-half-long journey that I took to get from Croydon to Camden, it was worth paying a visit.
Camden is home to the late music legend, Amy Winehouse. A legendary musician who, despite being taken from all of us too soon, changed the music industry with her raw and powerful voice, which changed the course of the music industry. Although she released two albums in her lifetime, with a posthumous third album being released a few months after she passed away, her music revived and gave Camden the best recognition it deserved!
It is hard to believe the late music legend, Amy Winehouse, studied at the BRIT School, because you don’t get homegrown talent like Amy Winehouse come around often, so it’s best to make the most of the musicians you hear of now, as they will leave this mortal coil like we all will towards the end of our lives, so there’s no point wasting time on what’s not important. What is worth our time is making the most of the musicians we have come to love and listen to through albums, and even though Amy Winehouse is no longer around, her music, soul and mind live on forever.
If you ever get the chance to visit Camden, I suggest you do, because it is so friendly there that it will even put your mind at ease. It is also a great photography hotspot, so make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to visit Camden at any stage.
At some stage, I do want to travel to Camden again but for now, I am staying grounded to Croydon whilst I familiarise myself with travel routes.
Alex Smithson
For the Love of Amy
After hearing about the beautifully artistic mural that the artist, Bareface, had produced of the late music legend, Amy Winehouse, who sadly passed away at the age of 27 on the 23rd July 2011, on the Croydon Advertiser, I just could not resist seizing the opportunity to photograph the mural.
Artistically and eloquently visual as it is, Bareface made sure that his mural spoke volumes. This mural he has produced sure did speak volumes as it is not just powerful, is not just colourful, but is very musical considering that the mural is inspired on Amy Winehouse’s record, Tears Dry On Their Own, taken from her second and last album before her death on the 23rd July 2011, Back to Black, with the third and final posthumous album that was released shortly after Amy Winehouse passed away, titled Lioness: Hidden Treasures.
You have to admire Bareface’s hard work, effort and time as he has stuck to Croydon’s roots and produced such a fantastic piece of art work that connects to the BRIT School & Sylvia Young Theatre School, both schools of which Amy Winehouse was alumni for.
It’s such a beautiful and wonderful tribute to the late musician and I can honestly say that this mural is worth preserving for anyone who wants to visit and see this beautiful mural.
To see the mural in full, I have provided below three photographs of Bareface’s own take on the late music legend, Amy Winehouse.
Scratch that, it’s not just beautiful, it’s exquisite as Bareface’s take on the late music legend stands out from the crowd.
If you live in Croydon or you are looking to visit Croydon to see this mural, please seize the opportunity to see this artistic and eloquently beautiful mural of Amy Winehouse, produced by Bareface in accordance with the RISE Gallery.
Alex Smithson
If you want to follow and be kept up to date on Bareface’s exquisite and powerful art work, please follow him on these Social Media Accounts shown below.
Instagram: @bareface_art
Twitter: @BarefaceTee
© Amy Winehouse Art Work Mural Copyright of Bareface, commissioned by the RISE Gallery. Full Copyright goes to the respective owners.
SWEENØ / My Diary of Pain / An Album of Honesty & Power Where Oli Speaks from the Heart, the Mind & the Soul.
It is an absolute honour for me to share with you, my review of Oli Regan’s recently released début album, My Diary of Pain.
As a Mental Health Sufferer who suffers from Bipolar & ADHD, both of which among many other Mental Health conditions, is often overlooked, Oli Regan channels his true feelings, emotions, strength, rawness and energy into this album, My Diary of Pain.
My Diary of Pain certainly is an eye-opener, because it has a sense of power that you can’t quite describe, but the rawness of Oli’s voice on this album really stands out, as he speaks from the heart, the mind and the soul about how he really feels.
When you listen to Oli Regan’s album all the way through, you begin to not only understand and appreciate life more, but you begin to realise that life is filled with pain and that pain can strike you at certain points in your life, but with resilience, care, compassion, support, love and respect, the world can be a better place and that negativity can disappear altogether from all existence.
For Oli, an ambassador for Time to Change, to really put his heart, his mind and his soul into producing My Diary of Pain, you can’t help but appreciate Oli Regan entirely for producing such an interesting and powerful album.
Oli’s EP, My Diary of Pain, is really powerful and he has created that cut-throat approach where it’s no fuss, no messing about, just get on with it and for Oli, he’s made sure to highlight that this world is already messed up enough as it is and the only way we can all make it a better place is if we all put in the hard work and graft now and make sure that negativity is completely non-existent and that positivity blossoms in this world.
My words of praise go to Oli Regan (SWEENØ): “Oli, keep expressing yourself and keep raising awareness to end this negative stigma that is attached to Mental Health, you’re awesome!“
To listen to Oli Regan’s album, click or tap the Play button below to listen to My Diary of Pain.
Trust me, Oli Regan’s album, My Diary of Pain is worth a listen, because it reflects on how he feels about this world and everything else in general and it’s worth a listen.
If you enjoyed my review of Oli Regan (SWEENØ)’s album, My Diary of Pain, please feel free to comment below. Your feedback is much appreciated.
Alex Smithson
© Oli Regan, OnPoint Headshots, SWEENØ 2017
© The photograph used above of Oli Regan (SWEENØ), including the album, My Diary of Pain, the Official Album Artwork of My Diary of Pain and the logo, SWEENØ, are all copyright of Oli Regan, OnPoint Headshots & SWEENØ. No Copyright Infringement Intended.
Album Rating: 10 / 10
÷ (Deluxe) / Ed Sheeran is Back!
After a three-year break from music, and after his hotly anticipated second studio album became the most streamed album on Spotify and other music services, Ed Sheeran is back with his third studio album, ÷. Shape of You really sets the tone of his latest album, because it has a unique vibe that really sets the mood you want to experience when listening to this album.
As it is the first ever vinyl record I have owned, I feel so honoured to go retro for the first time, because the original vinyl discs initially ceased production many, many years ago, but it’s only been in the last few years that vinyl has made a comeback and I am pleased to say that ÷ is my first ever vinyl record I have purchased.
How many tracks are on ÷?
There are 16 tracks on the Deluxe version of ÷ and here is the official tracklist:
- Eraser
- Castle on the Hill
- Dive
- Shape of You
- Perfect
- Galway Girl
- Happier
- New Man
- Hearts Don’t Break Around Here
- What Do I Know?
- How Would You Feel (Paean)
- Supermarket Flowers
- Barcelona
- Bibia Be Ye Ye
- Nancy Mulligan
- Save Myself
What comes with the Deluxe Boxset?
In the Deluxe Boxset for ÷, these are the items that come with the album:
- 12” x 12” premium hardcover book with photos, lyrics and artwork
- 2 x heavyweight blue vinyl, exclusive to this edition of the album
- Deluxe CD album
- Silver plated Divide charm and necklace, packaged separately
- Deluxe digital album sent to you at release
© Asylum Records, Atlantic Records, Elektra Records, Gingerbread Man Records & Ed Sheeran
My Review of ÷ (Deluxe)
This album brings out Ed Sheeran’s unique and interesting side to his music, You can’t quite help but think just how much ÷ gives you life. When he released Shape of You, straightaway, it brought along with it its own vibe where you would remember it, not just for Ed himself singing, but because of the fact it has that eccentric and realistic appeal that you want. With Ed Sheeran’s previous album, X (Multiply), that album brought about love and respect and courage, which is why we love Ed Sheeran, I too love Ed Sheeran, not just because he has tugged at our heart-strings, but because he’s made us realise that there is life and love even in the darkest places, and for me, ÷ carries that message too, but also goes on to add that with love, respect, courage, compassion and support, the world can be a better place.
This album gives me life!
Ed Sheeran is a living legend in my eyes because his music is timeless and will never date, but you begin to appreciate life a whole lot more after you’ve listened to ÷ because you can relate and share the same feelings that he has as a musician. Not only that, but his music is eccentric and brings positivity to the table, which is what this world needs and I take my hat off to Ed Sheeran. ÷ is a masterpiece, in fact, +, X & ÷ are all masterpieces and Ed Sheeran is a legend!
If you haven’t already, I strongly recommend you purchase ÷, you will not be disappointed. ÷ is such a perfectly crafted album and Ed Sheeran has produced another exquisite masterpiece that is worth purchasing.
If you enjoyed my review of Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Deluxe) album, please feel free to comment below. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Alex Smithson
© Asylum Records, Atlantic Records, Elektra Records, Gingerbread Man Records & Ed Sheeran, 2017
© The Divide Album Artwork & Complete Tracklist are all copyright of Asylum Records, Atlantic Records, Elektra Records, Gingerbread Man Records & Ed Sheeran. No Copyright Infringement Intended.
÷ Album Rating: 10/10
Artistic Interpretation #7 / Beyoncé Giselle Knowles
Following hot on the heels of my previous Artistic Interpretation which was based on the iconic music legend, Prince Rogers Nelson, I started working on Artistic Interpretation #7 which focuses on the Destiny’s Child musician and solo hit-maker, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles.
I wanted to draw Beyoncé as a way of celebrating the heartwarming news that broke on the 1st February that she was expecting twins.
I decided to take my time to draw her because I wanted to make sure I could shade certain areas of the drawing so that her facial features stand out the same as I would want for her hair to stand out.
For me, drawing Beyoncé was quite a challenge, because I referred to the photograph that was taken of her that announced she would headline the Super Bowl on the 3rd February 2013, which was fantastic, given that Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams performed alongside her for the hit record, Bootylicious, with her most recent Super Bowl appearance being at the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show that took place last year, when she performed alongside Bruno Mars and Coldplay.
Below is my artistic interpretation of Beyoncé Giselle Knowles.
I am pleased with the overall result, as I had made sure to spend time on drawing Beyoncé, given that I wanted to make sure this drawing would not just celebrate Beyoncé as a musician, but that this drawing would celebrate her music career, given that she has been on the music scene for a long time now.
Again, congratulations to both Beyoncé & Jay Z on the pregnancy and may both your twins be blessed with perfect health, love, compassion, care, respect and support. I love you both.
Please feel free to comment below what you thought of my artistic interpretation of Beyoncé. I would love to hear your feedback.
Alex Smithson
HAPPY NEWS!
After months of rumours and speculation, Cheryl has officially announced she is pregnant! This news has come at the perfect time and it was only a few weeks ago that Beyoncé announced her pregnancy with twins to the world. February is most certainly shaping up to be a fun-filled and heartwarming month.
I am over the moon and absolutely overjoyed at the news of Cheryl’s pregnancy because it has been a long time coming and I am absolutely happy for both Cheryl & Liam Payne! Both of them will most certainly make fantastic parents and to see Cheryl at her happiest makes me and everyone smile. Happiness, love, respect, compassion and care is what matters and I send all of my happiness, love, respect, compassion and care to both Cheryl & Liam Payne.
Congratulations Cheryl & Liam! Both of you will most certainly be wonderful parents and I wish you every ounce of happiness all the way because you are both worth it 🙂
Alex Smithson
© L’Oréal 2017
© The photograph of Cheryl is copyright of L’Oréal. Full photo credit goes to L’Oréal. No Copyright Infringement Intended.
