multiple playlists and multiple moods

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So lately, I've been listening to a lot of different music, putting a bunch of playlists together which obviously means that I've been  experiencing a range of different moods and feelings these past few weeks. I've been lacking any sort of creative energy, but I've just recently been able to write a bunch of stuff and I think I'm in gear again. These are the playlists I've constructed and singular songs I've been listening to, to get back into the swing of songwriting, writing poetry, and all of that good stuff!

Advil

Sobriety - SZA

Pray You Catch Me - Beyonce

F.U.B.U - Solange

Cranes in the Sky - Solange

Don't Touch My Hair - Solange

Rise - Solange

PLAYLIST IDEA FROM CLEO AND ZOE 

Just some songs

Another One - Mac Demarco

Don't Dream It Be It - Tim Curry, from The Rocky Horror Picture Show

One In A Million - Aaliyah

Is This What You Wanted - The Last Shadow Puppets

Give Up - FKA Twigs

rian phin

So I don't know why I haven't done a post on Rian sooner, since I love them, put whatever. Now I am!!! Rian Phin, aka thatadult on tumblr and instagram, is absolutely amazing!! Their channel on youtube is one of those that I get so excited about when I see a new video. Their DIYs are awesome, and I really need to try out the fluffy sandals and faux fur coat tutorial.

Anyway, I think the reason why I'm such an avid fan of Rian is because they are so real and every time they put an opinion or say something they always balance it out with the other side. Maybe it's to reduce criticism, maybe it's just habit or maybe it's both, but either way, that's one of the reasons why I think they're so cool and amazing.

Rian is also challenging your views on things too. Recently they put out a new video which touched on some of my thoughts on thrifting and inspired another post that I'm planning! The main thing though, is that they are always very chilled but also critical about things too and that is so awesome.

So, if you haven't heard of Rian, PLEASE check them out. They are so awesome, style is awesome, videos are awesome and I think they're incredible!

the month of august

music

desperado + consideration - rihanna

another one - mac

toro y moi - still sound

hey you - tyler the creator
beach house

fashion

crop tops

golf wang

thrift stores
unif instagram

books

the invention of wings

Okay, so August is officially over which I'm sad about because that means I'll be going back to school which means stress, stress, stress, no free time until June next year and I have to wear a dumb uniform which I hate. BUT, it also means that it'll be getting colder and I can wear coats again. This august I've really been into the stuff that I've listed above some stuff that I've been kind of obsessed with this month. 

I have some of the music in my Creatives of Colour post, so if you want to hear about some of them you can check that out, but I have honestly been OBSESSED, with Tyler the Creator's Golf show. Everyone should watch it! It's so amazing and I honestly wish more fashion shows were as creative, fun and exciting as that. I really think it brought the clothes to life and just helped put across whatever creative vision he wanted to put across.

Another thing in the list that I wanted to talk about specifically, is the book "The Invention of Wings." I really loved this book and it's so interesting because Sue Monk Kidd mixed historical events and her own imagination. It's surrounded around the life of Sarah Moore Grimké who could be considered one of the first published feminist thinkers (according to Kidd) and Handful. I loved, loved, loved this book and I would definitely recommend it!

This August was quite nice, we lost our wifi for a bit which I was happy about because that meant I just read and napped which was so good, and my grades that counted for university were good too but this last is going to be so much WORK.

Anyway, I hope you all had a lovely summer!

artists you should check out (CoC)

THE SKINS

Okay so I know that not all (to my knowledge) of the people in this band are POC, but I love them so much, and the lead singer for the band is a black woman. I think this is so special because you don't really see WOC being represented in the rock genre and the fact that I found a band that I like with a WOC as the lead singer is awesome. I found them through the Afropunk channel and I'd say that my favourite song has to be: DEAD HANDS and I love this performance so much: SUMMERTIME

RAYE

So I found her through the Nostalgic Jams channel on Youtube which I am forever grateful for. I actually found Raye last year, but I do think that she needs to be brought to the surface because her voice is gorgeous and I LOVE, her music. I think my favourites are: W2TW and BET U WISH

TORO Y MOI

So I was watching Brie Rose who is a Youtuber and she's up in a lost of other cool Youtubers who I love. She was doing a monthly inspirations video, similar to Rachel Cobb and she exposed me to this gem! I'm just getting into it, but I really like what I've been hearing and recently this song has been on repeat: STILL SOUND

poc + especially cool youtube channels

So I have a list of channels that are absolutely amazing. A lot of these are WOC, but there are some others that I love way too much to leave out so here they are!

Rian Phin

Patricia Bright

taraola.

The Fashion Blogger

There She Goes

chrissstttiiine

The Pastels

Ambrosia Malbrough

blvckbeauty

Brie Rose

Blvck Nostalgia

NappyFu TV 

LiveNaturallyLove

LivingWithOsa

coolirpa

Cecile Emeke

Chizi Duru

Chrissie Milan

EMPOWA

FatmaThe Great
hairunruled

Hitomi Mochizuki

Jenn J

jesstheindecisive

jujusquad

Lauren Toyota

lushclub

makisama

marinashutup

Mikai Mcdermott

MOM MATERIALS

Morgan Dee

MOstyle
Mutoni

Philogynoir

Shameless Maya

Shope Delano

Shirley B. Eniang

Sophia Hernandez

Sydney Kincaid

The Fashion Citizen

The Grapevine

theorangescottie

TheThirdPew

ToThe9s

voguelessisters

Zolee Griggs

withwendy

UrbanBushBabes

People who aren't W/POC (to my knowledge) but are gorgeous anyway

Emily Wittok

dietblond

Rachel Cobb

Sammi Quinn

Savannah Brown

Shelby Hamilton

cool music i've found

So I've kind of gone into a phase, where I've been scouring Youtube for lots of new, cool music. I've recently been loving the kind of "garage sound" if that's a thing. In fact, it isn't recent, I've been liking it for quite a while now, but I've recently just dug it up, and have been listening to it non stop ... along with Lemonade. Ha. Anyway, on my journey, I stumbled across artists like Beach House, junkie, teen suicide and Mars Water.

These bands are so cool! So new (well, except for teen suicide, since I kind of knew about them ages ago, but I forgot and rediscovered them hehe). I'm not really sure how to describe them, other than having a sort of "garage sound." They make me feel warm and cold at the same time, and also remind me of those teen films like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, tumblr grunge, floaty car rides and just teen angst and my strange year nine phase.

Anyway though (is that right? I'm never sure), listen to these guys and tell me what you think. I really like them, and I can't wait to listen to them on a bus or something.

• beach house

• junkie

• teen suicide

• mars water

a playlist that embodies vibes which i cannot describe

TEENS - Die With You

No Vacation - Dræm Girl

ACID GHOST - All Alone

VARSITY - So Sad, So Sad

Teen Suicide - Salvia Plath

Elvis Depressedly - Okay

BEACHTAPES - Again

Affection - Cigarettes After Sex

Elvis Depressedly - Pepsi/Coke Suicide

Laura Groves - Friday

Blonde Tongues - Hey Good Lookin

Richard Orofino - Not Old Enough

Balue - Man In The Sixties

BLEACHED "THINK OF YOU"

LISTEN HERE

how does this playlist make you feel? i'm not sure how to describe it

MY BOOK LIST

(*this was meant to be so much better but my phone hates meeee oh well, enjoy!)

One Day

This book killed, me. I honestly cannot stress how dear these characters are and always will be to me. Every time I'm sitting down, not doing anything and allowing myself to reflect whilst listening to Arctic Monkey's, all I can think about is this book. In fact, it's these characters. Arctic Monkey's are literally the (my) soundtrack to this book and the two together will always be dear to me. The story is basically the narrator telling the story of these two characters Dexter and Emma, on one day. It makes more sense if you read it though. READ IT. The writing isn't too fluffy or blunt, you will hate and love both of them, and they will just become more gorgeous as you turn every page. So much honesty and truth in this book.

The Secret Life of Bees

So, I was a rebel when I read this book. I was not yet a teen and I was still in primary school. I was bored of my child appropriate books, and I took one of the books from our "library" and read this. Now, The Secret Life of Bees, is not a terribly adult like book, but it has many serious themes that run through it, and I feel that they've been written so incredibly well. The story in itself is heartbreaking, but you will honestly learn to love all of the characters (sometimes, even the father ... I will say no more). I feel that I cannot tell you the basic outline, without giving away a large chunk of the story, so I will keep quiet. Read this book though, it is so kind and gentle, and every time I see it or hear of it, the bees start buzzing, and my mind always floats back to summer.

To Kill A Mockingbird

This book was AMAZING. Do not read the sequel. This book, by itself is a beautiful work of art, and it should not be tampered with or touched in any kind of way. To Kill A Mockingbird was so beautifully written, and it is truly a classic that must be read by everybody. The character development within the book is wonderful, and you will honestly learn to love and adore, hate and despise each and every one of them.

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, THE BOY WHO SMELLS LIKE FISH & ME EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

So I know that this film has been criticised by many, and after re-watching it, I cringed at all of the unrealistic dialogue between the characters in the film. I also feel that this film doesn't really go deep enough into the issues which it deals (tries) with, and maybe, if it were a bit longer and a bit deeper it would do a better job at being a good film. However, this film, for some reason gives off really good vibes. It reminds me of the first time I got Tumblr when my dashboard was full of gifs and photosets of this film, and gifs of Lana Del Rey's Blue Jeans and Luli from Hick. It reminds me of winter, and my journals and when I started to get into films and I think it's great if you're alone in your room with some ice cream, and you want a sweet film with an excellent soundtrack. 

In summary

- Hipsters

- Cool music

- Life

THE BOY WHO SMELLS LIKE FISH

So I found this by looking through Zoë Kravtiz's films and it looked quirky and awesome. I think it's set in Stockholm? Or some place in Sweden? Or maybe I just think I saw that somewhere, but either way, it gives me these Swedenish, Amsterdamsih vibes and I don't know why since I've never actually been to any of those places. However that is besides the point. This film is so strange and funny and at some points I just had to pause and stare at the screen because the things that happen are just so random. It's great though, and the end credits are awesome, so you should at least watch it for that.

In summary

- Fish

- Strange neighbours (???)

- Zoë Kravitz & Douglas Smith

- Colours

ME EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

So this was an interesting film, and a hell of a lot better than The Fault in Our Stars (even though I've never seen that film. I've read the book though, and the film was better). The film is basically about a girl with cancer and her friends around her, but the girl with cancer isn't the main protagonist so I haven't spoiled it completely for you. Overall, the film was very angsty, but at the same time it wasn't? Yet even though angsty is the completely wrong word to describe the film (I think) I also think it is the perfect word too. There is a whole load of creativity in this film (as in the characters are quite arty, but they don't really recognise that part of themselves in that way), and a lot of awkward humour which I definitely understood when watching it.

In summary

- Cancer

- Films

- Life

ARTISTS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT: SZA, cigarettes after sex

SOBRIETY

So this isn't the very first time that I have listened to SZA's music. I actually tried to get into her music, around the same time I got into Willow and Jaden's new stuff. However, my ears, I guess, weren't "mature" enough for her at the time so I passed.  I’ve just recently tried to start listening to her again though, and I have totally  gotten into her song Sobriety. It has got me hooked. It is beautiful and I’ve honestly fallen in love with her. Finding new music (kind of) is awesome.  

Cigarettes After Sex. So for some reason, their music has been on my “recommend videos” (or whatever it is) on Youtube and I actually decided to check it out. So I clicked on their song “Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby” and I love it! They have a band camp and everything and it’s awesome. Their music just makes me feel like nighttime in the city or something. Or a really cool club in the inner city, full of all these intellects, academics, novelists and playwrights or something. 

PEOPLE: LAUREN ROSE

Okay, so I really feel like talking about this kind of podcast series on Soundcloud called "Vagina Slims."

So ages ago, I was searching for new YouTubers to watch, and I stumbled across Lauren Rose. Unfortunately I was too late, and had come across her channel after she'd stopped making videos. I watched them all anyway though, and I fell in LOVE with her aesthetic. She's just so cool, and is into really interesting things. I watched Ghost World and fell in love, because of watching her Dorm Tour, her videos are amazing and so unique and I wanted more!!!

Anyway, I honestly have no idea how I managed to come across her podcast series. Maybe I searched her name or something? I don't know. But, the main thing is, is that I did and it's awesome.

Lauren has this podcast series on Soundcloud, and she just talks about random stuff, but it's also quite focused at the same time? I don't know how to explain. She plays a couple of cool songs, talks about film, probably directly or indirectly references Twin Peaks and/or Joan Jett and does it in this awesome cool and calming voice.

Anyway, she doesn't upload frequently, like every week, but she is consistent. I think everyone should listen to her. Even dads listen to her (episode 17) so I'm pretty sure you'll find something about her that you enjoy.

Go Lauren Rose!

Go Vagina Slims!

VAGINA SLIMS PODCAST SERIES: Vagina Slims

Lauren Rose's Youtube: YouTube

Lauren Rose's instagram: Instagram

january playlist

So I think that I am definitely going to continue you to do this. Creating a playlist of all of the videos which have inspired me and which I really like in the month, and I'll be posting it on the first of the following month. Don't take my word for it though, but do expect it. Anyway, I found all of these cool things this month, and I hope you like them too! I'm going to try and put up a video of MYSELF (exploring different creative mediums) but I can't promise it, because my iMovie is dumb and unpredictable.

unbreakable - alicia keys
feminism/sweatshops - rian phin
why don't we fall in love - amerie
my natural hair routine - zolee griggs
sobriety - sza
i was wrong about dress code - rian phin

Films and TV shows with POC

• The Colour Purple (film)

• Scandal (TV Show)

• Precious (film)

• The Help (film)

• How To Get Away With Murder (TV Show)

• Poetic Justice (film)

• Pulp Fiction (film)

• Suits (TV Show)

As I write this post, I've realised how awful the film industry is, in regards to race. I have watched many, films. A very large amount, and for some reason, I am finding it difficult, to find an average film, where there is a POC that is the main, or one of the main characters? I haven't exposed myself to a lot of TV shows, so I can't really say much in that department, but I can when it comes to films. There have been so many films released. Year after year, so many films are made, and I've watched so many of them. Yet, I'm finding it difficult to think of any with POC? And I'm not talking about historical films that highlight our past oppression etc. No, I'm talking about the awful teen films that you watch as a young teen before you start watching more artistic and well thought out films. Where are the POC? Why aren't they getting roles? Why aren't people writing roles for POC? Or why can't POC fill in those lead roles, which don't necessarily need a particular face, or look to film them in. Anyway, I will attempt to continue this "master list."

• Orange is the New Black (TV Show)

• Belle (Film)
• Ugly Betty (TV Show)

• The Pursuit of Happyness (Film)
• Dreamgirls (Film)
• The Secret Life of Bees (Film)
• Django (Film)

Okay, so I can't think of any other films or shows that have POC as main and significant characters. It's really disappointing to be honest. Anyway, if you know any other films, please mention them down below. I'd love to watch some of them! 

CONTAINS SPOILERS: EMPIRE RECORDS, 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, GHOST WORLD

I haven't done one of these in a while, and I've changed the format slightly. Oh well, enjoy anyway and comment your thoughts on the films talked about below.

GHOST WORLD

So I absolutely loved Ghost World, definitely one of my favourite films. I think, that this film does a really good job, of bringing the characters to life and really interesting? I don't know how to describe it. Firstly, Enid and Rebecca (in my opinions) are total brats, I mean they stalked this man and woman because they were "totally satanists." Yet, you love them? And what about Seymour? The prank they played on him was just cruel, but they (Enid even more so) are so cool and I want to be their friend. Also, the cinematography and outfits in the film are all so awesome and simple and brilliant. It's kind of a teen film for teen bloggers who are full of ideas and art but the only thing that will listen to them is their cat and maybe their 30 followers online - aka me. I wish there were more films like this, to satisfy my needs of weird indie movies. If Hollywood pumps anything out, it should be films like this. I found Ghost World through Lauren Rose on YouTube. She's not active on her channel anymore and has moved to the world of podcasting and she has a "series" kind of thing on Soundcloud called Vagina Slims and it's awesome. Anyway, she reminds me of this film. Everybody watch this, it's cool and definitely worth your evening.

EMPIRE RECORDS

This film is so awesome! The story is pretty simple, but just like Ghost World, the characters make it everything. Everybody is so carefree and in their own individual way and the film is just really refreshing. I think my favourite character in the film was Gina, played by Renée Zellweger. From the beginning when she made out with Corey's record, she had me. The styling of the film is also everything too. Maybe because it was filmed during the 90s, I don't know but all I can say, that the styling is great. For some reason, the film kind of reminded me of those shows where a bunch of people are all living in one big house and they all have to learn to get along and somebody gets eliminated each week. But with more of a sense of family.  Corey making those cupcakes (it made me want cake too actually), A.J and his love for her, Joe is kind of like the father, Lucas is ... What I'm trying to get at is the relationships in the films made me all warm inside, and it's a great teen film to eat ice cream and pudding to. 

TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU

First of all, Heath Ledger is the best in this film (he becomes even better when you realise the same guy plays The Joker in The Dark Knight), second of all the feminism in this film is also so cool. I really like how strong Kat is, and is an obvious feminist and is into literature and not into misogyny, but even though her feminist beliefs come out throughout the film, you can still see that she is really sweet and DOESN'T HATE MEN. I also see that the only two developed female characters are Kat and Bianca and the rest are just men. Men literally dominating them and trying to seduce them, whether the men be honest and sweet or just straight up jerks. I feel that even though that is so, Kat and Bianca aren't fully "trapped," and even though the men get their way (though the feeling is mutual) in the end, the feminist messages in the film are not drowned and forgotten. Basically, this is a cute teen film with themes of feminism, literature and music running through it.

ARTISTS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT

The Colombian singer songwriter Kali Uchis. I found her song "Loner," during the summer through Dazed on one of their posts on Facebook. I instantly fell in love, with her "mellowness." Everything is so chilled about her music and her aesthetic is awesome. Everything about it makes me want to wear pink dungarees, eat a lollipop and take polaroids with my friends in the sun. 

I've only just discovered Solange really, and I'm quite disappointed because I would have listened to her EP "Truth," all summer if I'd heard it before. For some reason it reminds me of the 80s? Especially the song "Losing You." Solange is beautiful and I hate how people tend to compare her to her sister. She is her own artist and her and Beyoncé are in completely different circles with their music that you just can't compare it. So, when you take a listen to her music keep that in mind.

music of 2015

Mac DeMarco
Saturday, 7 February 2015

Absolutely crazy that it was only this year that I discovered Mac DeMarco. It feels as if I've been listening to him for ages, and not just a year. It's great though, and I have to thank phiix's tumblr playlist. The first song I downloaded by him was "Freaking Out The Neighborhood" and it was on her playlist on her blog. I will never speak bad against autoplay on tumblr playlists again.

Solange

Sunday,  20 December 2015

I've always wanted to get into Solange, but I don't think that my "musical ear" had been developed enough, until now. I was looking up Tavi Gevinson and on one site, it said that one of her inspirations was Solange's EP: True. Now, I don't know if that is true, or not but I don't care. I fell in love with it. For some reason, the EP really reminds me of Janet Jackson in the 80s? I don't know, it kind of reminded me of that anyway.

Nirvana

16.1.15

Like Solange, I really wanted to be into Nirvana, and it just took time for my ears to develop and get used to that style. Also, like Mac, it feels like I have been listening to Nirvana, since forever, but it has only been this year??? I have no idea. That date, was when I put the Nevermind CD on my laptop, so I must have gotten the CD before, but I can't be bothered to look back through my journals and see when I actually got the CD. Anyway, I'm not sure which song made me get really into Nirvana, but I know that Come As You Are was the first song that I learnt on the guitar.

Heartstrings - Leighton Meester

Monday, 31 August 2015

I haven't listened to any of her other stuff other than this song. This song though, is so dreamy though? I didn't think I'd like it at all actually, but I do? And it's really confusing me? Anyway, here it is: Heartstrings

Others

Fool For You - Alice Smith - Summer

FKA Twigs - Winter

Twilight Driving - Methyl Ethel - Spring/Summer

Nasty - Janet Jackson - Summer

Speed Demon - Michael Jackson - Summer

Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac - Autumn

The Chain - Fleetwood Mac - Autumn

Arctic Monkeys - Summer

The Smiths - Summer

Willow Smith - Summer

Erykah Badu - Summer

All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix - Autumn

Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix - Summer

Kali Uchis - Summer
Where Do We Go From Here - Jevetta Steele

OCTOBER FAVOURITES, 2015

music
• rock and roll night club (album) - mac demarco
• the chain - fleetwood mac
• rock'n'roll radio - skeggs

tv
• ugly betty
• scandal
• ahs

literature
• the secret history - donna tart

fashion
• a line skirt
• polo neck
• tan, black, glitter socks
• dr martens
• large jumpers
• mom jeans

artists you should check out

MELANIE MARTINEZ

Pity Party - Melanie Martinez

Melanie Martinez. She's one of those artists that you find just aimlessly browsing the internet. I would put her into a group with artists like Marina and The Diamonds, Sky Ferreira and Charli XCX. Very bubblegum, electronic, channelling modern grunge, edgy rocker who likes pink ice cream. I first heard her, when I was binge watching auditions of The Voice on Youtube. Once I heard that, I was hooked.

TY SEGALL

Finger - Ty Segall

Think, Mac DeMcarco's youngest cousin (well that's how I see him anyway). Segall's music is so chilled, and it aids lonely nights when you're alone, lying on your bed, trying to figure out what's going on in your life. Or if you're doing homework, painting your nails or just tidying your room. Ty Segall is the person who should be playing in your room.

ARTISTS THAT YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT (1)

FKA TWIGS

Give Up - FKA Twigs

I must admit, when I FIRST, listened to her music I was like "woah, I don't like this, but she's pretty cool." But then I went back and I got into her (I had a similar reaction towards Lana Del Rey, and now she's one of my favourite artists). Listen to her a couple of times, and after that then you can decide whether you like her or not. I feel that artists that are slightly different need to be listened to more than once, before you decide whether you like them or not. I would definitely recommend FKA Twigs though, she's amazing and her style is the bomb (as you can see).

THE PIERCES

Monsters - The Pierces

So if you can't tell already, by a couple of my playlists, I am a HUGE The Pierces fan. If any of you watch Pretty Little Liars (great show by the way), then you may know that it's their song "Secret," that's used in the beginning. Their music is also used in a couple of Gossip Girl episodes. I absolutely love The Pierces, their sound is amazing and their harmonies are so beautiful. I really feel that they're very underrated, even with all of the exposure they got from those two popular shows. 

WILLOW SMITH and JADEN SMITH

Flowers - Willow Smith

Electric - Jaden Smith ft Willow Smith

Now, I'm not talking about "I Whip My Hair," Willow Smith, but this new Willow that I'm totally into. Her new music is absolutely amazing, and I want everybody to hear it. I honestly love Willow Smith, her style and new music is everything, and I really feel that everyone should give her a try. Check out her Soundcloud too (I think this is the right one anyway): Willow's Soundcloud.

Next up is Jaden Smith. Now I never really used to like his "rapping voice," but after listening to a lot of his new stuff (on this channel especially), and I've pretty much fallen in love with his music. This style that he's exploring is just brilliant and I'm actually really happy that him and his sister are exploring these less known styles of music and introducing people to it because it's so mellow and chilled out. Check out his music, it's amazing!

___

So have you guys listened to any of these artists? If so, comment down below what your favourite songs by them are!