Brittney Williams 12/15/23 Brittney Williams 12/15/23

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER’S 100 BEST SONGS OF 2023 - SONGS 100-51

It's that time again for my picks of the best songs of this year. As usual, I’ve put all my picks on one playlist for easy listening. I hope everyone reading enjoys the music I highlighted in this year-end roundup post. My next post featuring my top album picks is coming up next week. So, without further ado, these are The Reclusive Blogger’s picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2023…

**100. SPARKS**

“The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte”

**98. Abraham Alexander**

“Tears Run Dry”

**97. Killers Of The Flower Moon By Robbie Robertson**

“Osage Oil Boom”

**96. Sharaya Summers**

“Forever You & Me”

**92. Avalon Emerson**

“Astrology Poisoning”

**89.** **Faye Webster**

“But Not Kiss”

**83. Mothica (feat. Sophie Powers)**

“Sirens”

**81. Descartes a Kant**

“After Destruction”

**77. EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING**

“Cold Reactor”

**75. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Original Score) by daniel pemberton**

“Across the Spider-Verse (Intro)”

**73. Romy (feat. Fred Again)**

“Strong”

**68. Dreamville + JID + Lute**

“Ma Boy”

**65. Doechii (FEAT. Kodak Black)**

*“What It Is (Block Boy)* ”

**66. Depeche Mode**

“My Favourite Stranger”

**57. Billie Marten**

“I Can’t Get My Head Around You”

**56. Maya Hawke**

“Coming Around Again”

**55. TORI KELLY (Feat. Jon Bellion)**

“*Young Gun*”

**54. Grace Weber**

“Intimate (A Colors Show Version”

**53. Måneskin**

“Honey (Are U Coming)”

CLICK HERE FOR SONGS 50-1

That’s it that’s my list for my 2023! Stay tuned for my top albums from this year! Also, sound off in the comments below on your favorite songs from the year?

Brittney Williams 12/15/23 Brittney Williams 12/15/23

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER’S 100 BEST SONGS OF 2023 - SONGS 50-1

**50. Saint Harison (feat. Tiana Major9)**

“Homies”

**48. Leslie Odom Jr.**

“Holding on to Us”

**44.**
**The National (feat. Taylor Swift)**

“The Alcott”

**41. FLO (feat. Missy Elliott)**

“Fly Girl”

**40.** **CHRIS sTAPLETON**

“White Horse”

**39.** **Renee Rapp (feat. Coco Jones)**

“Tummy Hurts ” - Remix

**38. JUNGLE (FEAT. BAS)**

“Pretty Little Thing”

**37. Bruno Major**

“The Show Must Go On”

**30. Dean Lewis**

“How Do I Say Goodbye”

**26. SZA (feat. Doja Cat)**

“Kill Bill (Remix)”

**25. Zach Bryan (feat. Kacey Musgraves)**

“I Remember Everything”

**16. LE SSERAFIM** **[FEAT. NILE RODGERS]**

“Unforgiven”

**13. Taylor Swift** **(Feat. Ice Spice)**

“Karma”

**12. Paramore**

“Big Man Little Dignity”

**10. The Kills**

“New York”
**Why it’s #10:** “New York” features some of the duo’s grittiest and sludgiest sounds from one of their most cohesive records yet. Just when you think this can’t get grungier. They dig their heels in and find depths of emotion to create some of the most incredible music, including this song.

**9. Bastille (feat. Hans Zimmer)**

“Pompeii MMXXIII”
**Why it’s #9:** For this visionary rework of Bastille’s mega-hit Pompeii. The band teams up with legendary film composer Hans Zimmer. The rework lays bare the inner workings of a truly brilliant and now timeless song and gives breadth to the often-overlooked songwriting talent of Frontman Dan Smith. Zimmer and crew aren’t just showing it in a new light. They craft a version of Pompeii for a new era. It’s lush, sweeping, and gorgeous.

**8. Victoria Monet**

“On My Mama”
**Why it’s #8:** A song that perfectly imbues the essence and vibes of 80s Dance, Funk, and R&B/Soul without sounding trite or pandering. Monet has captured the best pop/dance song and video this year. ‘On My Mama’, is note for note, a stylish and nuanced celebration of Blackness and the culture we bring to the table. If the driving bass line doesn’t get you, the insanely slick production, with some blaring horns for good measure, or the classical catchy hook. Then you might need your ears checked.

**7. Chappell Roan**

“Red Wine Supernova”
**Why it’s #7:** While it seemed like there weren’t a lot of artists this year making fun club pop hits (especially ones geared towards the LGBTQ+ community). Chappell Roan said let me try and more than try, she did. She succeeded. The song is lifted from her stellar debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, and is an absolutely saucy and cheeky number. One that is sure to fill dance floors with its 80s spunky synths and funky bass lines.

**6. Miley Cyrus**

“Flowers”
**Why it’s #6:** It’s the (affirmational) bop of the year of the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. This was the song that Miley needed and deserved. That’s all.

**5. The Last Dinner Party**

“Nothing Matters”
**Why it’s #5:** Another band coming out of nowhere like a bat out of hell. Artfully blending Pop, Art-Rock, Indie, and an amalgamation of many other genres, the band has carved out a unique space and sound design. ‘Nothing Matters’ is a song that has become a beloved fave of mine this year with its honest lyricism and gothic charm. Since the band has only been together since 2021, they already have a pretty well-defined sound and stage presence that is so refreshing. I cannot wait to see what 2024 has in store for them.

**4. Slow Pulp**

“Slugs”
**Why it’s #4:** Another surprise artist for me this year, but the heavy guitars feel sludgy and distorted as they harken back to the early 90s Brit-Pop and Shoegaze. The song “Slugs’ is the magic combo lead vocalist Emily Massey's soft love-lorn vocals sync well against the band’s angsty soundscape.

**3. Sampha**

“Spirit 2.0”
**Why it’s #3:** You know the quote, “The music is not in the notes but in the silence between them”. Spirit 2.0 is a perfect example of that. What seems sparse in production and sound allows the beauty of this gorgeous track to shine through. It’s not like anything we’ve heard from Sampha before and definitely not like anything out now. That’s what makes it so brilliant.

**2. RAYE**

“Oscar Winning Tears.” (Live at the Royal Albert Hall)
**Why it’s #2:** First off, her voice, already stunning, just soars on this gorgeous live take at her special Royal Albert Hall concert. Raye hits every note on this song with so much depth and soul. Yet, Raye saves the best for the last ending on a spectacular vocal run that is the cherry on top.

**1. Olivia Rodrigo**

“get him back!”
**Why it’s #1:** For one, it’s the song that has been sounded off in my head since the first listen. The punchy lyrics are filled with grit and a punky effervescence that captures youth and heartbreak at its core, even if that means some revenge.

CLICK HERE FOR SONGS 100-51

That’s it that’s my list for my 2023! Stay tuned for my top albums from this year! Also, sound off in the comments below on your favorite songs from the year?

Brittney Williams 12/17/22 Brittney Williams 12/17/22

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER’S TEN BEST ALBUMS OF 2022

Hey geeks and music freaks! It's time for year-end music roundups. The first one up is the best songs from the year. Me like so many, find comfort within music. These are my picks for the 10 Best albums of 2022…

 I hope you had time to read and ponder the first list. If not, you can catch up and read my picks for the 100 best songs of 2022 here and here. Below are my top ten picks for best albums of the year. In a year that was full of incredibly diverse soundscapes from a plethora of artists. From breakout artists tipping the needle to your establishment acts pushing their artistry. It was initially hard to narrow down to only ten albums from the entire year. That’s why I made an extended version that featured my top 15 albums in an Instagram reel video which you can view by clicking here. But first, let’s dive into that top ten.

**#10 Yard Act**
**“The Overload”**

The Leeds-based act is one of three albums from my list that was on the shortlist for the Mercury Prize for this year. Their acerbic and in-your-face take on new Gen/Brexit era post-punk. Yard Act was a fresh sound and style full of depth, to say the least, with many of the tracks cultivating echoes of Talking Heads and even Joy Division.
**Key Track:** “**Tall Poppies**”

**#9 Mitski**
**“Laurel Hell”**

An unflinching synth-pop meets electro-rock record about bad relationships and the unsettling realities of the music industry she was honestly suffering in. Her sweet lilting vocals are a sharp contrast to the biting visceral lyrics. Mitski is an artist stepping into her own, and on Laurel Hell, she created a full-bodied piece of art that was quite hard to put down.
**Key Track:** “**Love Me More**”

**#8 Everything,**
**Everything**
**“Raw Data Feel”**

An album that is at once encapsulates the horrors, loneliness, uncertainty, and reliance we all have on social media and tech. It part-way features elements of A.I. through a bot named Kevin, whose a recurring character throughout the record and provides some lyrical content. Lead vocalist Jonathan Higgs finds his footing as a frontman as he deals with underlying trauma head-on. Ultimately the band creates some of their freshest work and spot-on production. Everything, Everything juxtaposes what should be at odds with each other putting the listener into a fun, hyperrealistic, and at times unsteady dance-pop world. One that adeptly mimics the current human existence of having to live a large majority of your life online.
**Key Track:** “**Teletype**”

**#7 Lizzo**
**“Special”**

The self-proclaimed 'America's Next Great Bop Star', herself, Lizzo, latest outing offers up her most emotionally connected work and one of the most feel-good releases of 2022. Lizzo dives into a well of deservedly pent-up feelings from an utterly life-changing few years. Her superb songwriting skills and knack for writing infectious pop hooks shine brightly throughout this record. That details stories of love, longing, heartbreak, loss, and regret, all through inescapable funk dance rhythms, silky pop-r&b melodies, and the disco-pop dance-floor readiness of lead single, About Damn Time.
**Key Track:** “**To Be Loved**”

**#6 Wet Leg**
**“Wet Leg”**

The Isle of Wight duo and their spunky and, at times, downright cocky debut were a fun and enlivened highlight of the year. A breath of fresh air to a genre and industry that can be stifling in many ways, it can be hard to keep up. Their witty comedic timing, the often on-point takedowns of nihilistic millennial/Gen Z behavior, and overall great musicality have proven this to be an instant hit and new gen classic.
**Key Track: “Angelica**”

**#5 Placebo**
**“Never Let Me Go”**

Brit Rock iconoclasts, Placebo made their 2022 return to music with the album Never Let Me Go. Not only a surprise but an absolute delight, particularly for the fans. Never Let Me Go, as an album, had Placebo in a robust form painting a layered sonic palette of dynamic synths, thrashing guitars, and driving bass lines. Molko's famous vocals are still there, along with his ever-present existential dread haunting every lyric. There are more hope-filled songs on the record such as the anthemic lead single, "Beautiful James". It is also worth noting that the pacing is perfect, with everything given room to flow.
**Key Track: “Happy Birthday to the Sky**”

**#4 Beyoncé**
**“Renaissance”**

Arguably the most well-rounded and sonically diverse record. It is one album on this list designed to be listened to from start to finish. The tracks seamlessly blend into each other. Beyonce has once more switched up her sound and taking a risk doing so. Structurally this is a Dance, Disco, and House album. Yet, interwoven throughout as well are the melodics and harmonics of pop and R&B music. Lyrically, the songs are fluid with black femininity and sexuality and the power of holding that space. It’s also worth noting how stunning her vocals are here.
**Key Track: “Break My Soul**”

**#3 Bastille**
**“Give Me The Future”**

What wound up being a record I could hardly turn off and put down for many reasons. One of the biggest reasons of note was how Bastille perfectly captures a sense of longing, nostalgia, loss, and those post-lockdown fears and paranoia many of us from the millennial and Generation Z set. That and our addiction and ambivalence to social media and tech are truly driven home lyrically in this infectious dance-pop meets electro-rock escapade. So, seeing as Bastille has always had a knack for synthesizing introspective and bleak lyrical themes in culture and then setting them to upbeat danceable music. The band’s journey to get to this point and this album where they honed in on those skills was oh-so-satisfying.
**Key Track: “No Bad Days**”

**#2 Nova Twins**
**“Supernova”**

This exceptional duo create a sound that is hard to pin down, yet you know you want more. The Nova Twins easily win as the artists that have excited me the most this year, bringing an all-encompassing force and freshness to Rock that I have not heard or seen in some time. Their ferocity, femininity, strength, talent, loudness, and sexuality are heard loud and unmistakable here as Black women on this powerful and raw record. Not only do **Amy Love** and **Georgia South** take musical cues from **Alternative Rock**, **R&B, Rock, Metal, Pop, Hip-Hop, Rap, Punk**, and pretty much everything. They infuse their style, unique way of playing (heavy usage of pedals, including pitch shift pedals), and an overall hip vibe to create something I haven’t heard before and don’t think sounds like anything else out now. I’m excited to see how they push forward from here.
**Key Track:** **“K.M.B”**

**#1 Arctic Monkeys**
**‘“The Car”**

I understand this band is not everyone's cup of tea, but what they do, they do brilliantly. Frontman Alex Turner's vocals have developed into a strong troubadour sound here. That set against the lushly layered soundscapes (I caught the addition of orchestral arrangements here, what?!!) from a band that is tighter than ever, and Matt Helders on the pocket succinct drumming. The Car is their most cohesive album to date. It's a melting pot of cinema scores, music from the 60s and 70s, those signature Arctic Monkeys inflections, and Beatlesesque harmonies. Arctic Monkeys as a band has never been known for subtlety in sound or proper pacing, but with The Car, they've achieved both. Ultimately, making it such a worthwhile listen.
**Key Track:** **“Hello You”**

This is the list of albums for my 2022! Also, what were your favorite albums this year? Let me know about by dropping a comment below or through a tweet!

Brittney Williams 12/11/22 Brittney Williams 12/11/22

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER’S 100 BEST SONGS OF 2022 - PART TWO

Hey geeks and music freaks! It's time for year-end music roundups. The first one up is the best songs from the year. Me like so many, find comfort within music. So I hope you can find some new songs that aim to to that as well. These are my (aka TRB) picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2022… Part two

Hey geeks and music freaks! It's time for year-end music roundups. The first one up is the best songs from the year. While 2022 personally has been up and down, ultimately leading to lots of growth. Like many, it has also been ripe with change and uncertainty for many reasons. I know the one thing many of us have come to rely on— and that's the comfort of music. The caliber of music, the creativity, and the sheer amount of music that came out this year— 2022 was calling for a supersized version. So, I hope you enjoy the first of a few year-end roundups coming in the next couple of weeks. These are my picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2022…

50. Bryce Vine - “Moonrock”

49. Noah Cyrus - “I Just Want A Lover”

48. Suelgi - “28 Reasons”

47. SOHN - “Segre”

46. Halsey - “So Good”

45. Dove Cameron - "Boyfriend"

44. Doechii - "Persuasive"

43. Denzel Curry (Feat. slowthai) - "Zatoichi"

42. Dry Cleaning - "Anna Calls From The Arctic"

41. Polyphia (Feat. Steve Vai) - “Ego Death”

40. The Weeknd - "Sacrifice"

39. Willow - “curious/furious”

38. Sabrina Carpenter - “Fast Times“

37. Empress Of - "Save Me"

36. Rina Swayawayna - "This Hell"

35. Aespa - "Illusion"

34. FKA Twigs (feat. The Weeknd) - "Tears In The Club"

33. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Feat. Perfume Genius) - "Spitting Off The Edge of The World"

32. MUNA - "What I Want"

31. Conan Gray - "Disaster"

30. The 1975 - “All I Need To Hear”

29. Maggie Rogers - "That's Where I Am"

28. Bad Bunny - "Titi Me Pregunto"

27. IYLA - “FOH”

26. Ab-Soul - "Do Better"

25. Yard Act - "The Overload"

24. LE SSERAFIM - "ANTIFRAGILE"

23. Florence + The Machine - "King"

22. Bloc Party - "In Situ"

21. Mothica - “Sensitive”

20. Franz Ferdinand - “Curious”

19. Harry Styles - “As It Was”

18. Caroline Palochek - "Billions"

17. MICHELLE - "Pose"

16. Soccer Mommy - "Shotgun"

15. Kendrick Lamar - “N95”

14. Mitski - "Working For The Knife"

13. Lizzo - “About Damn Time”

12. Phoebe Bridgers - "Sidelines"

11. Everything, Everything - "Pizza Boy"

10. Placebo - “Beautiful James”

9. NewJeans - “Hype Boy”

8. Wet Leg - "Ur Mum"

7. Paramore - "This Is Why"

6. Bastille - “Hope For The Future”

5. Rosalia - “SOAKO”

4. Beyoncé -“Alien Superstar”

3. Arctic Monkeys - “Body Paint”

2. Nova Twins - "Cleopatra"

1. My Chemical Romance - "The Foundations Of Decay"

That’s it that’s my list for my 2022! Stay tuned for my top albums and music videos! Also, let me know what your favorite songs were this year? Is there anything on this list you disagree about? Let me know about by dropping a comment in the comments section or through emoji.

Brittney Williams 12/9/22 Brittney Williams 12/9/22

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER’S 100 BEST SONGS OF 2022 - PART ONE

Hey geeks and music freaks! It's time for year-end music roundups. The first one up is the best songs from the year. While 2022 personally has been up and down, ultimately leading to lots of growth. Like many, it has also been ripe with change and uncertainty for many reasons. I know the one thing many of us have come to rely on—and that's the comfort of music. The caliber of music, the creativity, and the sheer amount of music that came out this year— 2022 was calling for a supersized version. So, I hope you enjoy the first of a few year-end roundups coming in the next couple of weeks. These are my picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2022…

100. LATTO - “It’s Givin’”

99. EDITORS - “Karma Climb”

98. Em Beihold - “Numb Little Bug”

97. Kae Temptest (Feat. Lianne La Havas) - "No Prizes"

96. Labrinth + Zendaya (Euphoria Season 2 Soundtrack) - “I’m Tired”

95. Ralph Pelleymounter - “Steady Love”

94. Kimbra - “replay!”

93. Carly Rae Jepsen - “Beach House”

92. Gayle - "abcdefu"

91. BIM - "O.T.R"

90. Tove Styrke - “Cool Me Down”

89. Tove Lo - “How Long” From (Euphoria Season 2 Soundtrack)

88. Jazmine Sullivan - “Roster”

87. Eddie Benjamin (Feat. Alessia Cara) - “Only You”

86. Hope Tala - “Stayed At The Party”

85. Charlie Puth - "Light Switch"

84. Ethel Cain - “A House In Nebraska”

83. Hermanos Gutierrez - “Thunderbird”

82. Pink Pantheress -"Picture In My Mind"

81. Arkells + Lights - "Human Being"

80. Meghan Thee Stallion - "Her"

79. Freddie Gibbs - “Dark Hearted”

78. Kings Elliott - “Butterfly Pen”

77. Stormzy - “This Is What I Mean”

76. Omar Apollo - “Evergreen”

75. Joesef - "Just Come Home With Me Tonight"

74. Joji - “Glimpse Of Us”

73. Sophie Ellis-Bextor + Wuh Oh - "Hypnotized"

72. Paige Bea - "4x4"

71. Stromae - “L’enfer”

70. Allison Ponthier - “Hollywood Forever Cemetery”

69. Jonah Yano - “leslianne”

68. Boys World - “So What”

67. Nina Nesbitt - “Pressure Makes Diamonds”

66. Maneskin - “The Loneliest”

65. Ed Sheeran (Feat. Lil’ Baby) - “2step”

64. Slipknot - “Yen”

63. Weyes Blood - “Grapevine”

62. Twice - “Talk That Talk”

61. ARO - "Against Mine"

60. Camila Cabello + WILLOW - “Psychofreak”

59. Giant Rooks - "Morning Blue"

58. Spiritbox - "Rotoscope"

57. Adele - "Oh My God"

56. J-Hope - "Arson"

55. Billie Eillish - "TV"

54. Dave - "Starlight"

53. (G)I-DLE - “My Bag”

52. Steve Lacy - "Bad Habit"

51. FLO - "Cardboard Box"

Brittney Williams 11/4/22 Brittney Williams 11/4/22

INTERVIEW WITH… NORTH LONDON INDIE POP SINGER NATALIE SHAY

INTERVIEW WITH NORTH LONDON INDIE-POP ARTIST NATALIE SHAY (@natalieshay) #TheReclusiveBlogger #MusicInterviews

North London Indie-Pop artist Natalie Shay and Brit school alum latest release is an titled “MILK”. It’s full of earnest and bright melodic pop numbers that explored different feelings and experiences that occurred during the lockdown. I chatted with Natalie about her new music, the ups and downs in her life in the past couple of years, her influences, and even Taylor Swift.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hi, Natalie, First off... How have you been? What has 2022 been like for you? Especially in comparison to last year?

NATALIE SHAY: Hey! thanks so much for having me, ive been well thanks for asking, 2022 has been a really great year for me and my music, a big step up from last year for sure! Aside from music it's been a rocky year, lots of ups and downs, but generally good :)

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can speak a bit on your musical background? Has music always played role in your life?

NATALIE SHAY: Yes, music has always been a big part of my life, I began playing classical guitar aged 5, and I started training in musical theatre around the same time. However the whole 'singer/songwriter' dream did not arise until I was about 10 years old, when i first discovered Taylor Swift's fearless album, I thought it was incredible, and that inspired what I do now!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Since your sound is a has a lot of 80s pop influences particular the new EP... What’s your go to 80s jam?

NATALIE SHAY: My fave 80s jam is ``Heaven is a Place on earth" or'' Boys of Summer''. I listen to both on repeat, always.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: When you’re in album making mode do you ever have visuals in mind as you write songs?

NATALIE SHAY: I don't often have the visuals until the song is written, when listening back to things and imagining where they could go, that's when the production style/visuals etc begin to form. When I'm writing, it's totally just about me getting my thoughts and emotions into a lyric.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What's the music scene like in North London and how does it influence you artistically if at all?

NATALIE SHAY: I've been involved in the gernal London music scene for a long time, I began playing gigs and shows aged 13, and I've been doing things like this ever since. The London music scene is one of the greatest in the world I'm sure, it's such a mixed hub of cultures and different kinds of people and creatives. this has definitely influenced me, just the sheer amount of different collaborators and people ive met or performed wirth have inspired me so so much

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Your second EP "MILK" is out. Can you talk a little bit about how the recording and writing process was for it?

NATALIE SHAY: This ep was written and recorded with so many different people, pretty much every track has its own unique combination of collaborators and talent involved. and all of the people i worked with, were all over the country. We wrote practically every track in 2020, in and around the lockdowns. This ep really does represent a whole year of my life in every way.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: We’re any songs of the 'MILK' EP that we’re more challenging to write? Some that came together quickly?

NATALIE SHAY: The easiest one to write was 'new wave' . It's the feel good happy pop track on the ep, the lyrics are sweet, simple and to the point. harder ones to write were heaven and two sparks, 'two sparks' is such a personal song to me, the lyrics needed my full attention and time, and same for 'heaven', i had so much i wanted to say, just needed to figure out how to say it.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What would you say that your latest release "MILK" biggest inspirations and influences are? Can you delve into that more?

NATALIE SHAY: lyrically, everything is autobiographical. Musically, a real mix, taylors 1989 is always my go to ref for sound and production, same with haim days are gone. Every track on the ep is about something I experienced, discovered or felt over a year of my life, all different topics too.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How do you think studying at The Brit School has helped you in as you began to shape and mold your career?

NATALIE SHAY: without brit i probably wouldn't be doing what i do now, it gave me the tools and understanding to be able to take the dive into making music my full time career, i met lots of the people i still work with regularly now when i was there, it's also just generally very inspiring to be somewhere like that. and be surrounded with like minded driven people.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Are there any current artists that have been “On Repeat” for you as a band lately? What music have you been playlisting?

NATALIE SHAY: Taylor swift all the time, all the way. my fave band is little comets, i also love some of my friends music, artists such as, kayla grace, lucy deakin and beth mccarthy

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What has been one of the most rewarding experiences for you this year?

NATALIE SHAY: The most rewarding thing this year was just the whole summer, some great festival experiences and opportunities, i enjoyed this summer very very much.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What fictional character do you think would most identify with your sound or aesthetic?

NATALIE SHAY: mitchie in camp rock

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What three words would you use to define your artistic self?

NATALIE SHAY: sophisticated honest pop

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What was it like stepping into the EDM world and working with those artists? You worked with Grum and Kryder right?

NATALIE SHAY: yes! doing the EDM stuff has been super fun, ive loved seeing the tracks go global, and also attending the shows, the fans know all the words, and i'm stood in the crowd with them, but they dont know its me or my vocal, very cool experiences.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: To close, What’s one thing that people are generally surprised to find out about you?

NATALIE SHAY: I think people are always surprised at the actual depth of my obsession with musicals. I'm a massive theatre kid, love it!

STREAM NATALIE SHAY’S “MILK” EP HERE

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Brittney Williams 10/16/22 Brittney Williams 10/16/22

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES ON OPENING NIGHT OF KIA FORUM RESIDENCY

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES ON OPENING NIGHT OF THEIR KIA FORUM RESIDENCY

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A SOLD OUT FIVE NIGHT RESIDENCY AT L.A.’s KIA FORUM

TRB WAS AT OPENING NIGHT LAST TUESDAY

READ THE FULL SHOW REVIEW WITH CONCERT PHOTOS BELOW…

For a band that first came onto the scene at a time when it seemed like many of that generation were carbon copies of each other or just very surface-level. My Chemical Romance has easily been the band that has stood the test of time astutely navigating an increasingly challenging music industry. One where bands come and go or quickly lose their identity and creative freedom somewhere down the line. So to hear that My Chemical Romance was to return in 2019. A band that stuck their roots AND experimented. The band whose songs many of us adored in our teenage and young adult years when we felt unsure or worse about ourselves was back. Waiting two more years would only cause the feverish excitement around this reunion to grow.

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On each of the five nights, the band featured different opening acts. For night one, they had Youth Code, an EBM (Electronic Body Music) and Industrial music duo, then the band Taking Back Sunday. Youth Code shook up the crowd. Unfortunately, much of it was still arriving. Lead vocalist Sara Taylor has a visceral and fierce stage presence. Something that truly opened up the show and what would ultimately be five nights of incredible music. Taking Back Sunday took to the stage next, with the crowd slowly filling up and even TBS taking note of that. The guys of Taking Back Sunday put on a fast-paced, energetic eight-song set. Frontman Adam Lazzara pulled out some sweet dance moves with every swing of his microphone. They ended with their 2006 classic and biggest hit, MakeDamnSure.

You could feel the weight of the two-and-a-half years reverberating throughout the forum. Hearing the crowd chant MCR! MCR! as The Foundations Of Decay familiar signature buzzing sound began to whirl until silence. My Chemical Romance takes to the stage under the cloak of darkness, with frontman Gerard Way walking out dressed as a cheerleader holding an actual flamethrower! Wait... what just happened? Before anyone can digest that, the band launches into The Foundations Of Decay, the first new song from the group in years, and it sounded just as harrowing and insane live. It was the perfect way to reintroduce the band in a city that can quickly become jaded. The band has never sounded better and more in sync with each other live. The band said early on that they were playing whatever they wanted each night, and that's what they did.

My Chemical Romance then proceeded to hopscotch their way through their back catalog, playing with finesse and intensity. The crowd sang along, chanting, dancing, and even crying. Nostalgia had hit hard for many as the band went from songs like This Is The Best Day Ever, which has a harrowing punkish lean. To the power pop strut of Na Na Na, each of these tracks are two albums apart. Other songs like Planetary (GO!), DESTROYA, and Teenagers had the audience go from head banging to straight-up booty shaking. Also, that night the band pulled out, Desolation Row for the first time since 2011. One of the most unique and edgy Bob Dylan covers. The show ended with a two-song encore with songs from their first album, I Brought You Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love. The moving heartache of Skylines and Turnstiles and the haunting euphoria of Demolition Lovers. Songs that both truly encapsulate why we fell in love with the music in the first place.

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Brittney Williams 9/1/22 Brittney Williams 9/1/22

INTERVIEW WITH... TOPS SINGER & INDIE DISCO-POP ARTIST MARCI

TOPS’ vocalist Marta Cikojevic recently unveiled her new project and debut album under the solo name Marci. The self-titled solo album is out now on Arbutus Records and was co-produced with TOPS bandmate David Carriere with hopes of crafting electric and fun dance hits, the ultimate disco-tinged bops. Marci checked in with TRB for a quick few questions about the new record and influences which you can read below!

TOPS’ vocalist Marta Cikojevic recently unveiled her new project and debut album under the solo name Marci. The self-titled solo album is out now on Arbutus Records and was co-produced with TOPS bandmate David Carriere with hopes of crafting electric and fun dance hits, the ultimate disco-tinged bops. Marci checked in with TRB for a quick few questions about the new record and influences which you can read below!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can you talk about your normal songwriting process? Then how your writing/creative process was for this new song “Terminal”?

MARCI: I always write on piano, and demo as I am going. Once I have a decent demo, I bring it to David and we figure out which parts can be worked on.

There are a handful of songs that we wrote together, where I would sit on the piano and David on the bass or guitar.

For Terminal it all started with a guitar riff that David had while we were getting ready for a party. I started singing over top of the riff and we came up with the chorus of the song. When we got into the studio, we worked out the rest of the song on piano and guitar together.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How did the music video for “Terminal” come together? and what was that process like and filming?

MARCI: The music video was almost going to be just a visualizer! Until my friend (and director) Christina Bryson decided that we absolutely needed to do a video and i'm so glad we did! It was done in one day at Christina's house, very relaxed and easy, the group of us girls (Isabelle Fields- stylist, and Melissa Rogers - makeup) had a relaxed and fun time, my friend Jackson Macintosh who played the hunky guy came over, was very fun!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What does music and the craft of songwriting mean to you?

MARCI: It can be anything you want, there are no rules - I love the freedom in that. I also love how good it makes me feel, and how it's a never ending learning/growing experience.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What are you most looking forward to for your upcoming tour?

MARCI: I'm excited to sing in front of an audience, and find out what kind of performer I am. Playing with a band will feel so great, hearing the songs live will be a whole new feeling - since it was a studio record.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: If you were to describe your sound in three words what words would you pick?

MARCI: Peppy, smooth, sparkly

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What’s one album that you can listen to straight through?

MARCI: Marvin Gaye - Here, My Dear

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What’s your pick for song of the summer 2022?

MARCI: Sofie Royer’s Baker Miller Pink has been on repeat

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And... last question, Is there anything else you would like to add? What up’s next for you?

MARCI: I might be releasing a new song very soon…. hehehe.

Thank you for the interview! :)

Find + Follow Marci Online:

Instagram | Arbutus Records

Stream THE self-titled DEBUT ALBUM FROM MARCI out now.

Brittney Williams 8/19/22 Brittney Williams 8/19/22

INTERVIEW WITH... Brit Alt-Pop Singer-Songwriter Liz Cass

Brit Alt-Pop Singer-Songwriter Liz Cass' smoky haunted timbre and emotionally raw lyrics harken comparisons to Kate Bush and Lisa Stansfield here and there. Cass uses emotion to not only effectively elevate her eclectic electric pop sounds but to punctuate the story. It instantly grabs you. A key element in her sound that’s featured on her new song, 'Near Miss', a tale of trying to figure out where you stand in love and relationships. Since both are pop-centric storyteller tracks and are on her forthcoming debut album, The Words, out on October 21st. In a new interview with Liz for TRB. Liz spoke about her childhood, her new music, and much more.

Brit Alt-Pop Singer-Songwriter Liz Cass' smoky haunted timbre and emotionally raw lyrics harken comparisons to Kate Bush and Lisa Stansfield here and there. Cass uses emotion to not only effectively elevate her eclectic electric pop sounds but to punctuate the story. It instantly grabs you. A key element in her sound that’s featured on her new song, 'Near Miss', a tale of trying to figure out where you stand with love and relationships. Since both are pop-centric storyteller tracks and are on her forthcoming debut album, The Words, out on October 21st. In a new interview with Liz for TRB. Liz spoke about her childhood, her new music, and much more.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hi, Liz! How has your year been so far? Thanks for taking the time to speak with me at TRB.

LIZ CASS: Thanks for having me :)

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How did you each get your start in the music industry? Was it something that you felt a calling to?

LIZ CASS: I started singing when I was really young as I was a choral scholar. But I really got into other genres of music as a teenager and had a real urge to move to the big city and try and make it as a singer. I didn’t really care about anything else and ended up ditching my A-levels and hot-footing it to London. I was introduced to some amazing people and started writing songs with Fraser T Smith and met one of the heads of Warner Music who came to see me sing at a big concert in Leicester Square. But ultimately I wasn’t really ready for it all and had no idea what kind of artist I was. So I guess I blew it back then!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Going back to your childhood a bit, did you grow up in a musical family? Was there a band or artist that in particular felt like home for you?

LIZ CASS: My parents weren’t musicians but Dad had a great vinyl collection and got me really interested in all the great artists and bands from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Artists like Kate Bush, Sade, and Fleetwood Mac definitely have an influence on me and my music. The 80s is my decade. I love great baselines and synths are my heaven.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Moving ahead… Can we talk about what your typical creative and writing process is like and how has that evolved for you as you’ve developed as an artist?

LIZ CASS: I wrote this album with Ed Graves who has an amazing studio in Bath called Rainbow Wood. Before we started working together I still didn’t have much confidence as a songwriter as I’d taken a long time out of the industry and I was really just experimenting with him and had no expectations of where it was going. But we just clicked and the music flowed. Being in that beautiful studio, the outside world melted away and as he started playing chords on the synths or strumming on the guitar the melodies and lyrics just started flowing out of me so quickly and easily. We’re so in sync. By the time he’s got a structure together for the song, I generally have all the lyrics and melody ready and we lay it all down. I’ve never had such an easy writing process with anyone before.

I’ve really figured out who I am as an artist through 3 years of writing sessions with Ed. I have stories to tell and I know how I want to deliver them. Now when I go to the studio I have the confidence I never had when I was younger and I know how to translate my thoughts and ideas into songs that represent me and the kind of music I love. It’s been a long road to get here but now I feel happy to keep experimenting and evolving. Got there in the end!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Let’s discuss your latest single “Near Miss”, how did that song come together? What’s the backstory on it and how was the creative process?

LIZ CASS: It was inspired by a romantic situation I was struggling with. Being caught up in that no man’s land where someone is hot and cold and not ready to commit, so you don’t know where you stand. I was feeling quite low and confused and writing is like therapy for me, so I headed down to Rainbow Wood. I think we wrote that in about 6 hours from start to finish! I was feeling quite punchy through my frustration and wanted killer beats and baseline to get it all off my chest. It was definitely the start of a new direction for my music after a lot of wallowing during Covid. I just want to make more upbeat fun pop music for a while now.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: If you were to describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard it in only three words. What words would you choose?

LIZ CASS: Emotive synth pop!

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Lastly, what is up next for you on the horizon, Liz?

LIZ CASS: My album is coming out on 21st October which is exciting. It’ll be strange to send it out into the world after three years of writing it but I’m so ready. I’ve got a live show in London on 10th September at Laylow and I’m planning more gigs this autumn around the album release. I have a covers EP ready to be mixed of some of my all time favourite songs which I hope to release early next year. And then I guess I need to crack on and finish the next album! Stay tuned :)

Stream Liz Cass's new single “Near Miss” which is out now.

Brittney Williams | The Reclusive Blogger 9/24/21 Brittney Williams | The Reclusive Blogger 9/24/21

CONCERT REVIEW + PHOTOS: GLASS ANIMALS AT HOLLYWOOD FOREVER

The new(ish) Indie Pop/Rock band are one the industry’s most exciting live music acts

Indie Rock quartet Glass Animals brought their groovy brand of heat to Hollywood Forever on Sunday with the ‘Dreamland’ tour. It’s a funky blend of nostalgic meets vaporwave that permeates the album but the shows as well. The tour featured the Electro Pop newcomer Binki as the opener. He played a short and engaging set closing out with “Heybb!”. A song you’ve most likely heard from its prominence of being in an Apple iPad commercial. While his energy was great, it was clear the crowd was there for Glass Animals (many didn’t arrive until they were on). The Indie Pop foursome comprised of childhood friends Joe Seaward, Ed Irwin-Singer and Drew Macfarlane is anchored by the feverishly bold lead singer, Dave Bayley. All walked out to a stunningly loud crowd full of cheers and energy that was ready to dance. Bayley who held a captive audience all night was also ready to party with us. He hovered somewhere between bewildered and emboldened, in awe of the crowd. Opening up the set with the futuristic lullaby “Dreamland”. Which segued into the tribal drum-heavy dance bop “Life Itself” & the island tinged “Tangerine” to kick off the party. Glass Animals tore through a 17 song setlist with such aplomb. Some of the major set highlights were the tour debut of “Poplar St.”. Where Dave Bayley forgot the lyrics (it had been a while) but powered through like a pro. “Space Ghost Coast to Coast”, which Dave remarked was a bit eerie playing in a cemetery. Their new track “I Don’t Wanna Talk (I Just Wanna Dance)” is truly the ultimate dance party. They closed out their fun albeit spooky two-day residency at Hollywood Forever with a two-song encore. Of which included the bands’ breakout hit “Heatwaves” and the glitch-inspired “Tokyo Drifting”. Overall, Glass Animals displayed exciting musicianship. Their knack for writing super catchy lyrics with dynamic pop hooks, all transferred brilliantly into a live setting. You can check out my photo gallery of the show below.