Hello & Dalston Jazz (from 11th June, 2013)

Hey ladies.. and males... I somehow finally had a brain kick and got inspired to create a blog (why?) nobody knows. well actually, it's usually to up the status/rank for a modern student's life, a bit like that of Instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc to prove the 'oh holy, it's her, that one who does the 100% trendy class online stuff hahah brilliant' and the 'HAVE YOU SEEN HER PORRIDGE SHE HAD IN DALSTON? WOW SO OATY' status that gets weaved around the place - a bit like your nan's cardigan.

An intro to this would be to tell you that it's going to contain musings that I proceed to collect over these hip happening times (hip happening is a thing now & i'm single-handedly bringing it back, planning to put it onto those GEEK tees written lovingly across the tit area.) although it would actually up the fun if people could also shout the words direct in front of my face, Brian Blessed style. This is likely to include such musings as reviews, outfits, clothes that I dance in and adventures.

Blog

Got hooked into doing the 'Dalston breakfast' at the gorgeous White Rabbit (is a complete hidden gem - top notch) http://londonliving.at/bradbury-streets-white-rabbit-a-hidden-dalston-gem/. Although walking about Dalston, there is a definite penchant for the white walls/'let's put some kale on oxfam crockery' cafes. Highlights of the day include a £20 frittata (IT'S EGGS.) and taking note of a total 15 juju jelly shoes - pure class.

The music was fab, nothing tops my mood than funk and soul on a morning - note that Marvin Gaye is wonderful with OJ.

Not least the gorgeous food - shared between us was a veggie full english and porridge. Both full of the gillian mckeith shit and no doubt destined to make me look and feel like Sienna Miller.

and yes, I will include a picture of my Dalston Porridge because 
a)It cost £7 (IT'S OATS)
b)If I can see it, then i can taste it (therefore getting my seven quid's worth)

and as the majority of my mates proceed to tell me that this summer they 'SAW THE EMPIRE STATE!!!!! WOW!!!!' I will simply reply 'yes, but have you seen 15 juju jello shoes in one morning, FIFTEEN? and as they weep with a no, it is then that I will seize my chance to laugh in their face and walk away with justifiable sweet style and pure pride.

Constance Moon xxx

Ps. Gabriel Bruce's performance reduced me to tears on Jools this week, wonderful.

Thank you. The blog posts will get better from here, I promise.

Haim, Days Are Gone Review (from 26th October 2013)

HAIM / DAYS ARE GONE REVIEW   

Haim’s debut album ‘Days Are Gone’ proves that there’s more to this kooky Californian trio, caught up in the midst of cool.  Their perfect mix of sweet, soft rock/pop melodies in ‘Days Are Gone’ means that the summer happiness will never leave our side.

It’d be difficult to find somebody who has not heard of the ‘Haim Hype’. With their great melodies and rhythm, these three sisters have developed a large fanbase including the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Florence and The Machine. So much so that The XX’s Oliver Sim broke off the heel of his shoe so that he didn’t miss their set. So, if you managed this summer without hearing ‘have you seen Haim? Those girls ROCK’ or ‘where’s my leather biker jacket? I NEED to channel my inner Haim’ then I’d ask – where on earth were you?

These sparkling Californian sisters have finally released their eagerly anticipated debut album ‘Days Are Gone’  - and with brilliant consequences. This is a beautifully crafted album with an ode to 80’s beats, beating drums and teamed up with these girl’s fab voices. The title ‘Days Are Gone’ apparently references to the quick rush of the album and their record label clearly wanted this summer’s ‘Haim Hype’ to be in full flux when releasing their debut. Normally a risky strategy, but ‘Days are Gone’ has proved otherwise.

As soon as you listen to the Haim girls working their magic on record or on stage, they’ll captivate you. Their mix of pop, roaring guitars layered with R&B creates a mix that entices to hear more. The album opens with Falling, a corker of a tune that incorporates Danielle’s husky voice with a perfect 80’s Phil Collins style pop beat. Critics have regularly branded the band as 70’s/80’s revivalism and they’re not wrong. Upon hearing The Wire, it clearly echos Fleetwood Mac’s eerie guitars and big melodies. That and the vocals on the title track Days Are Gone give an element of Bonnie Tyler circa 1983. This revival was best received – fan’s adore Haim’s catchy choruses mixed with their unique glossy indie pop.

The title track, Days Are Gone is a clever mash-up of R&B beats with great lyrics from the eldest Haim sister, Danielle. Although the track differs from the overall tune from the rest of the album, it works and fits in smoothly due to the catchy beat and melody. One of my personal favourites is the stunning Let Me Go, this song’s menacing drum beat and chanting lyrics builds up to an electric ending and one that will want to be heard over and over. It was Let Me Go that led my mum to label Haim as ‘the band every girl wanted to be in’. She’s not wrong, and Days Are Gone gives us one more reason to say so.

There’s more to come from this album, the infectious melodies carry on throughout. My Song 5, has a great dance feel with ripping guitars that get your feet moving. It’s the most contemporary, mainstream tune on the record and surprisingly took influence from Britney Spears. Next, their catchy single, Forever, I would say is just about the best pop song of 2013. The upbeat and fun rhythm of clinking percussion instruments and guitars makes this song just about perfect. In contrast, there are a couple of songs that take a slower approach than the rest. Running If You Call My Name has a slow and easy style that is much different to the wham bam style of the others. It leaves me as confused as you – how did they pull this album off with such grace and style? It must be the impressive mix of brilliant producer-to-the-stars James Ford, Haim’s unique style and their perfect influences.

Expect many going wild for Haim during these coming winter months. Big preparations are being made as high street stores roll out endless batch productions of leather jackets and teens longing desire for ‘the Haim’ haircut. So, grab your leather jackets, funky black boots, kick on ‘Days are Gone’ and dance. But please do remember, once you’ve gone Haim, you’ll never go back. 

My rating: 9/10, The Guardian rating: 4/5, NME rating: 8/10, Allmusic rating: 4/5, Rolling Stone rating:3.5/5, Spin rating: 8/10

A Revamped, Renewed & Refreshed

Well hello. It's been over two years since I posted my last post on this blog (ridiculous) and now is the time i've come crawling back and my what a lot has changed, happened and developed (not in that sense..). Apologies for taking this long but I think that now is the time where i'm in the happiest and excited frame of mind to get a new and revamped blog up and running and i'm planning to be devoted to this for a while. So I hope you can join me on this new journey of musings, absolute hilar anecdotes, classy photos, interviews, reviews, travels, advice, discussions and just general rocking fun.

Whilst I was away, I started up another blog and did 2 posts on there (http://constancehmoon.blogspot.co.uk/)and then I remembered that I already had this one started up so I'm going to transfer those posts over to this blog and stick at this one (because it defines my blogging roots, if you get what I mean).

Well then, let's move on from me raving on and try it all out, whilst having enormous fun in the process (right guys?)

Thanks for sticking here, I genuinely really appreciate it. I hope you enjoy what's to come!  (I look a lot different now, so here's a series of photos of me looking like an artsy pleb to demonstrate this claim.)

Now lets blog!

Constance Moon x