ALBUM REVIEW l 1989

Today the talk of town will most likely be all about the new One Direction album - but not in this town my friends. I'll most likely do a review in a couple of days, but let the "professionals" have their time to shine and say all the horrible things about the album they can come to think of. Or is that just here in Denmark? Then again, the Danish reviewers does seem to have something against the five guys, but I reckon they're just jealous. Anyway, back to who this review is about - Taylor Swift!

Recently Taylor released her new album, "1989", with two strong singles to support it, "Shake It Off" and "Out Of The Woods". Since the album was released she's put the single "Blank Space" out there as well. When the singles began dropping I never pictured myself as a fan of her entire album. I guess I'd been pretty bad marked by the global feeling that "all she ever does is write songs about her exes and that's annoying and immature". But when I started thinking for myself I realized this; who doesn't? Every singer that write his or her own songs are bound to be inspired by their own life, and most of them have exes - what a shocker! When I let go of the negative thoughts and actually listened to the album in complete? Well, I'm a fan. Taylor has completely abandoned the country-style guitars and choruses and is now a true pop queen. And she has claimed the throne. Her songs are catchy and well-written. The lyrics are probably the part of the album that surprised me the most, 'cause they're smart and funny all at once. She doesn't try to make people feel sorry for herself, which I think is a way many other artists would have chosen. Instead she makes fun of herself and all her haters, and it really works out to her advantage.  This album has been on repeat at my place for a couple of weeks now and I've hardly listened to anything else. I do feel myself losing a bit of interest in it now but that almost always happens when I listen to something exclusively for a while. But I will say this: the album is a killer. Great job Swift! 

Buy this album if: you're into a good pop-tune with just enough shaming in it and you feel like putting some b****** down in the comfort of your own living room. You know, so you can just picture yourself putting them down... With a nice song playing in the background... Don't actually put them down...

I hope you liked this review! Have you listened to the album? And what did you think of it?

xx Sisse

LIVE IN CONCERT l The 1975

So, in June I went to the two One Direction shows in Copenhagen. That was intense and never in my life had I experienced teens go wild like I did at those shows. Until now. I had never expected that I'd get pushed around and squeezed so much in the line that I couldn't move. But that was what happened. Maybe it was because it was at a smaller venue and maybe the staff/security-dudes didn't see it coming. I know I didn't. We wanted to get up front so we lined up a couple of hours prior to the concert but already then we were behind in the game. Some of the girls had been there since early morning. Each to their own I guess. We did mange to get pretty close to the stage but even before the supporting act went on we retreated. We just had to face that we were no match to the vicious fans who were there as well. 

The show was great from the back too, and the sound was a bit better. Matty was his own charming self, with a wine bottle and open shirt and all. This time around they had their sax-guy with them (John I believe his name is) and he was pretty good, and the rest of the band was amazing as they seem to always be. Even though the show was great and all, I'm really happy that I got to see them before they blew up here in Denmark. There's just something about catching a band live before fame gets to them. Not that they were snotty or anything, but it's much more relaxed at smaller venues and you feel more like friend rather than idol and fan. 

They played at Store Vega which will forever be one of my favorite venues and it was great seeing them there. Seeing as they just have a single album and a couple of EPs out they played all my favorite songs which is a plus. On the other hand I really do looking forward to them releasing another album. Matty told us this would probably happen in 2016 (WHAT?!) but I guess really good music takes time, so I'm willing to wait. To my knowledge they still got quite a few shows left on their tour, so go watch them before we have to wait for another album and then a new tour. You will most definitely not regret it.

xx Sisse.  

LIVE IN CONCERT l Passenger

Back in the day (during the summer that is) Passenger played a show in Tivoli here in Denmark. I went there with some friends and it was such a pleasant surprise! That Mike really is cool dude and just did the show in whatever way he wanted. When he played a sad, quiet song he told us to shut up, and during the rest of the show he would tell us to clap, jump, sing, you know the drill.

When we went to that show we knew he would play a concert later on as well. My friend decided that I had to go with her and bought me a ticket when I didn't answer my phone because it died during the show, and during the hour it took me to get home from the show, she'd already ordered the tickets. And for that I am thankful. His concert a couple of weeks ago was much like the one in summer. Sure, you had to buy a ticket for this one and the majority of the audience was happy couples that were obviously very much in love. I was there with my friends, but yeah, you know. He is a talker when on stage and the stories behind the songs were very touching and entertaining. I imagine it can be quite a challenge to captivate people when you're a single person on stage but he did it really well. His own songs are works of art and he is really good at covers as well. Sadly, Ed Sheeran wasn't there with him to sing their collaborated song (luckily, I'll see him very soon - but more on that show later on). If you like nice shows without too many crazy people and with a nice vibe you'll enjoy a Passenger show. The music is definitely in focus and you won't get trampled. But it won't be boring either. It's a really nice balance! 

xx Sisse.   

New York Photos / Pt. ll

xx Sisse

New York Photos / Pt. l

xx Sisse

I've said it before...

... and, to be completely honest, there's the chance that I'll say it again at some point. But, I'm sorry. Sorry for basically being non-existing on here, sorry for not posting anything interesting, sorry for taking a while to update the layout, sorrysorrysorry. Now I'm back and I'll do my best. I'm serious this time. My plan was that I'd start up again when I got back from New York because then I'd have some interesting posts for you guys, but jet lag kept me from doing that for the first couple of days and then a sudden and devastating loss in the family happened and my priorities changed a bit. It's not all sunshine and unicorn farts again but it's slowly getting better. Not that this post should be about death and loss but sadly they're both part of life and sometimes that's quite shocking. 

My NY posts will be up later on. I've got some pictures I'd like to share and I did a bit of shopping as well, and I want to show y'all some of the stuff I got. So yeah, time for another new start. 

I hope you're all well and ready for this blog again.

xx Sisse 

A Festival Round-Up

For me the festival season is now over. Last week I went to Roskilde Festival here in Denmark and had a great time. I thought I'd do a short post on the concerts I went to and share my experience with y'all. Prepare for grainy photos and a couple of weird faces towards the end!

The festival officially started on Sunday but sadly I got sick the thursday ahead of it, so I didn't manage to drag myself down to the festival-site until Tuesday evening. But, lucky for me, the music started on Thursday. Outkast opened the main stage, Orange Stage, and it was quite fun experiencing a couple of guys who I've never really listened to but where most people still knew their hits. The show itself was okay but could have been better for an opening act. 

Later on Thursday the Orange Stage laid ground to one of the biggest bands ever. The Rolling Stones. Now this show, let me tell ya. It was fantastic. Just seeing such a legendary band was an amazing experience on its own, but they were really impressive. A bunch of old dudes who all had more energy than me. It was fun, crazy and I'm in a serious envy of Mick Jagger's wardrobe. Alot of glitter, color and feathers - what more could you ask for? 

Haim played Friday evening and after being at their show earlier this year, I was very excited to see the three girls again. And they didn't disappoint. With their strong hits and a cool cover of Beyoncé's XO they owned the audience. Even my dad, who is a firm believer in Pink Floyd being the only proper band to ever exist, enjoyed their set. The post-concert depression after seeing these girls always hits harder, because I get a very strong urge to start my own band. Now, if only I knew how to sing or play an instrument...

Saturday evening Arctic Monkeys overtook the main stage. Together with my friends I had braved the line to the pit (the area right up front the stage) and we managed to get pretty close to the miracle that is Alex Turner and co. Their set was epic and they played all their songs with the superiority I've come to associate them with, ever since their speech at the Brit Awards. It seemed a bit too polished and not all that rock'n'roll as it could have been. Still, they did not disappoint.

Later on Saturday (or actually on Sunday, seeing as it was a 1 in the night) Major Lazer started the party. Never in my life have I danced and jumped around as much as I did during the two hours they played. The whole of the audience seemed to have fun and mixed with a bit of UV paint, it's the closest I've ever been to a rave party. Just, you know, without the drugs. 

The music ended Sunday and the last act I caught was Stevie Wonder. Another legend. This one just didn't really live up to his reputation. Don't get me wrong, when he sang and played he was everything I expected him to be. He just spent a lot of time telling anecdotes and getting the audience involved in singing his songs. I'm all for an involved audience but it just got to be a bit too much to be honest. Nonetheless, it was great seeing him live. 

All in all the festival was fun and the music was better than ever. But that's just my opinion.

Have you been to any festivals this year?

I will leave you with this photo of me and Kat in our tent after the Major Lazer show - we look more awake than we actually were at this point.