Ellie's Monthly Playlist: May

So way back at the start of the year, I did a post about my favourite music of January (you can check it out here - I go on about The Greatest Showman soundtrack a lot, and after introducing my mum to the movie last week, my love for that album has been fully re-realised). Since then, my music taste has pretty much been George Ezra's new album, the Spotify This is: Lana del Rey playlist and a mix of all the old Panic! At the Disco albums, however I feel like I've listened to a lot more of a range of artists in May. Now I've finished uni, sometimes I get a bit bored, so I'll stick on an album I've been meaning to listen to, and just lie on my bed and drink it all in. So here's a new series on my blog I'm dubbing "Ellie's Monthly Playlist" - it might not be something you'll see pop up every month, but if you do, it'll be including new music, older music I've only just found, some re-discoveries I'm dying to share, or me hyping up a fabulous gig I've been to in the month (s/o to the Coasts gig I saw in Southampton in April, definitely one of the best I've experienced). So without further ado, here's my picks from the month of May. 

THE MAGIC GANG BY THE MAGIC GANG 

The only full album on this playlist is courtesy of The Magic Gang, who I stumbled upon last year when they supported Sundara Karma. I've listened to them on-and-off since, particularly How Can I Compete? which I became pretty addicted to. Their self-titled debut album came out in March, but I've only properly listened to it this month, and I absolutely love it. It's sunny and solemn, it's colourful and contemplative. It's an album that really showcases great talent in the way the band adapt their basic instrumentals to create such a range of moods and sounds. Take Take Care, for example: a piano ballad that tackles post-break-up emotions, peaceful in comparison to some of the rest of the track list - such as the anthemic All This Way, or the exuberant Alright. My favourites are probably Your Love, All That I Want is You, and my love for How Can I Compete? is undying. I described this lot to my mum as a modern-day Beatles, and if that's not enough to get you to listen to them, I don't know what is. 

ONLY THE POETS 

On the theme of support acts, much like The Magic Gang, I saw Only The Poets when they supported Coasts at last month's gig, and instantly went home and listened to all their material on Spotify. Granted, there's only three tracks on there right now, but they're three promising tracks all the same. I don't have a specific single to recommend, but all of them are pretty darn good, with each one sitting on the bridge between alt and pop. Their latest single - Dead Young - is a dark horse anthem, with subtle verses and an infectious chorus. Ceasefire is a delicate guitar ballad, putting the lead singer's gorgeous vocals in the spotlight, while my favourite of the three, Emotional, is an ecstatic, cheeky track that I like to lip sync to in the mirror. The band have also been dropping some hints about new singles on their Instagram (@onlythepoets), and this - alongside their incredible existing material and their upcoming Southampton gig in September - is making me one happy Ellie.

HUNGER BY FLORENCE + THE MACHINE 

I love Florence + The Machine. Like, really love her. The battle for my favourite female act between her, Stevie Nicks and Lana del Rey is very tight indeed. It is fair to say I was super excited when A Sky Full of Song came out, but Hunger's May release was a whole different story. Firstly, let's start with the lyrics: they are raw and vulnerable, but also hugely empowering, using her experience to encourage and inspire others. The song is perhaps a little more simplistic than some of her electrifying past numbers, but I can appreciate that, because the lyrics really need to take centre stage here. I can just imagine Florence twirling around in floaty dresses to this song, and I'll be doing the same in an effort to be as similar to her as I can be :) All in all, this song makes me insanely hyped for her new album.

THIS IS AMERICA BY CHILDISH GAMBINO 

Well this is a bit of a change of gear, but also probably no surprise to anyone who knows me. Childish Gambino is easily my favourite rap/R&B star ever and his new single, This is America, just furthers that. Instrumentally, I love the way it blends the bass and rep element, more reminiscent of because the internet with the choral elements, a little more familiar to fans of Awaken, My Love! while it also ties into the very serious statement made in the lyrics. Once again, the message of the song is the true standout here, discussing issues in America, ranging from racism to gun control. The video for this - which you've probably seen everywhere this month, but if you haven't seen it, drop everything right now and watch. it. - is one of the most evocative, shocking and clever music videos I've ever seen. Yes, I'm massively head over heels for this - I don't ever wanna see Gambino go. 

HIGH HOPES BY PANIC! AT THE DISCO 

Finally, we have the latest release from Panic! At The Disco, otherwise known as one of my all-time favourite bands/people (since now it's just beautiful Brendan Urie on his tod). At first, I wasn't too sure about High Hopes, but it's definitely a grower - probably down to the fact I've had the extremely catchy lyrics stuck in my head for as long as I can remember. It's a lot more pop-y than I was expecting, and I do prefer their earlier work still, but I am actually really enjoying this new upbeat Brendan, especially the motivational lyrics backed by trumpets. It's just a really fun song for what promises to be a really fun album.

So that's all my song/album/artist recs for the month - if you get round to checking them out, hope you enjoy them all as much as I do! If May is anything to go by, June's gonna be a fab month for music.

From,
Eleanor