Fabulous February Music (#TT151)

Hello beautiful people! Hope y’all are doing great. I just came back from my short trip back home for Chinese New Year. I swear that I ate WAY more than I should. I didn’t actually gain weight yet I notice a difference with my now round-er face. It’s really round!! Lol. When I look myself in pictures, I’d be like “omg is that me? Yes, it’s really me, what the heck..”

I’ve been hell busy this month because of work and other bits and bobs in life and I was super tired before CNY as I came back home pretty late almost every day I felt like dying lol. Glad that this month is coming to an end!

Anyways, enough about me. Let’s listen to some songs, shall we?

I watched Taylor’s “Style” video within the first 15mins after its release and I wasn’t even waiting for it! I guess I really watch too much YouTube videos.

It’s sad to hear that Fun. is “taking a break”, but not to worry because Nate Ruess is going solo and you can always listen to that fantastic unique voice.

I don’t really care about the rumoured romance between Zedd and Selena, but I was pretty looking forward to the collab song. However, I have to say that this is not the best piece from Zedd, it’s quite repetitive and predictable. Wait, let me correct that: It’s VERY repetitive and predictable. Come on Zedd, you can do better than this!

On the other hand, fellow DJ superstar, Calvin Harris, proves that he’s still well in the game through this catchy yet not overly-autotuned piece featuring the HAIM ladies!

Imagine. Dragons. Do I need to explain further?

An okay song that fits into karaoke playlist. Her voice is still great though. But I really think the video is quite cheesy.

On another note, did you watch the Oscars? If you didn’t, I’m sorry that I’m gonna spoil it for you because I’m so SO PROUD of Eddie Redmayne!!!

I became a fan after watching him in Les Miserables and I was thrilled when I found out that he got such an important role in Theory of Everything. This dude can act. Even when he speaks off screen during interviews, I can tell he has a classical play/broadway background – very expressive. Not to mention that he’s a Brit (always a plus!) and very very cute xD. Watch out Brad Pitt, Eddie Redmayne is coming through!

The other highlights of the show were performances by Maroon 5 – Adam Levine singing “Lost Stars” from Begin Again and Sound of Music tribute by Lady Gaga. Boy, who knew Gaga could sing like that! Even Julie Andrews was proud.

That’s all for now peeps! Til next time!

xo, Jo

Baby let's dance. (#TT150)

Hello lovelies!

How has the first month of 2015 been? I think I'm pretty much slacking in everything. I haven't really set my goals yet and I've been eating really bad lately, not sure why but I guess it's pure laziness lol. Imma start setting some goals this weekend, I've bought a cork board to hang on my wall to put up everything I wish to achieve this year.

Here are some cool songs that I've been listening to lately! Hope you like 'em :) 

I really miss blogging and playing music. I guess I just got caught up in life and abandoned things that I love to do. Thus, CORK BOARD, yes I'll do that. 

Recently I kind of get some inspirations to write again. I remember during my emo-est days I tended to write a lot then life got boring and I stopped writing "deep" or poetic posts lol. But yes, life got more interesting again so stay tuned!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo, Jo

‘Begin Again’ Soundtrack + Fashion (#TT149)

Hello lovelies!

Have you watched the movie “Begin Again” yet? If you haven’t, GO WATCH IT. It’s like a musical 500 Days of Summer and I just love it! Keira Knightley is amazing as usual, but in this movie it’s a little more special because she sings! And it’s her real voice, I was like wow it’s so good! She has that Norah Jones kind of voice but sweeter. I watched the movie like a month ago but only recently started digging out the soundtrack list. This movie is just my favorite kind of movie!

Check out some of my favorite songs off the movie:

My favorite scene!

This song is just brilliant.

Adam Levine also has his own version below.

Both versions are equally good, but I guess I still like Keira’s better as it has a different feel and emotions to it :)

The weather is so gloomy nowadays, it rains almost every single day and I just like to listen to something soothing, lightweight and calm (if that makes sense lol). This movie soundtrack is definitely my current go-to playlist. Have I mentioned that I love Keira’s voice?

I basically fell in love with Keira’s character, Gretta. Cool personality, great talent, and also awesome fashion sense! I wish I could steal her wardrobe because I love every single outfit she wears in the movie.

Love the laidback preppy-ish style! I need a wardrobe transformation!

 

Have a lovely week ahead :)

xo, Jo

Taylor Swift’s “1989”– My Top 5 Songs

Hello lovelies!

As you may have or have not already known that our girl Tay-tay just dropped her latest album last week and I thought I would write a short review since I had pre-ordered it and started listening to it non-stop ever since it was available.

The genre of this album is obviously pop, but thank goodness it’s a good kind of pop where lyrics still matter. Many of the songs kind of sound hipster-ish and indie-influenced, which are very much reflected from the polaroid album theme.

The original album consists of 13 songs, while deluxe album has 3 bonus songs plus 3 bonus audio tracks of Taylor sharing her experience during the song writing process.

If you have listened to ‘Shake It Off’, let me tell you, the other songs sound nothing like it. I don’t mean it in a negative way, but they’re not the catchy type that you can’t get it out of your head for a couple of weeks then get sick of it after a month.

Since YouTube still pretty much restricts the original songs to be posted, I can’t post them here. However, I’ll post some of the lyrics instead.

5. How You Get The Girl

My first impression of this song is it could be a great soundtrack of a movie or TV show. The chorus is catchy enough without being too overwhelming. The lyrics is basically some advice from Taylor to guys out there on how to get the girl y’all! Guys, pay attention. I also like how she has a little twist in it.

And then you say,

I want you for worse or for better,
I would wait forever and ever,
Broke your heart, I'll put it back together.
I would wait forever and ever.
And that's how it works
It's how you get the girl, girl...

Tell her how you must have lost your mind.
And you left her all alone, and never told her why (why).
And that's how it works.
That's how you lost the girl.

4. Out of The Woods

I’ve reviewed this song in my previous post here. Unfortunately, the video is no longer working because Taylor and her label basically removed all of her “1989” songs from YouTube and Spotify. She even removed ALL of her songs from past albums off Spotify (sad face).

3. Style

I’m not a big fan of the verses, but I love the chorus. I also really like of how this song is produced, the music sounds very modern and just plain cool. On a random note, am I the only one who pictures Harry Styles here? Sorry I had to lol.

You got that James Dean day dream look in your eye
And I got that red lip classic thing that you like
And when we go crashing down, we come back every time
'Cause we never go out of style
We never go out of style

You got that long hair, slicked back, white t-shirt
And I got that good girl faith and a tight little skirt
And when we go crashing down, we come back every time
'Cause we never go out of style
We never go out of style.

2. I Wish You Would

Ok, I think I just found a new trend here. Again I love LOVE the chorus but not so much on the verses. This song has a very cool set of guitar chords and I think the verses could have been done better with a more interesting tune. Every time I listen to this song, there’s a tiny little feeling inside of me saying “man I wish the verses were more interesting”. But perhaps it was purposely done to get the feel of the story behind the song. As for the lyrics, girllll I know exactly how this feels!

I wish you would come back
Wish I never hung up the phone like I did
I wish you knew that I'll never forget you as long as I live, I
Wish you were right here, right now, it's all good, I wish you would

I wish we could go back
And remember what we were fighting for
I wish you knew that I miss you too much to be mad anymore
Wish you were right here, right now, it's all good, I wish you would

1. Blank Space

OMG, OMG, first of all let me just say this. I am BEYOND excited when I found out this was a single because this song is my absolute favorite from the beginning. If you listen to the bonus audio from the deluxe album, you can hear how this song was first made acoustically and I wish there was a full track of the acoustic version because I love it. Anyways, this song was on repeat for one full week and I didn’t get bored of it at all. And now the music video is here!!! It’s a pure gem. Just watch.

 

Till next time!

xo, Jo

We were built to fall apart (#TT148)

Hello lovelies! 

Have you listened to Taylor Swift's "Out of The Woods"? It has some pretty interesting lyrics which many claim as somewhat confusing. But somehow to me personally, I can relate to the song. It's about that state in a relationship that you're not sure where it's going to. It can be scary, it can be exhausting, but it can be exciting as well. 

"Out of The Woods" is not a single. Instead, Taylor released her latest single "Welcome to New York" today. Stay tuned for next week's post!

On a different note, I find that my music playlist nowadays is a little different than usual - LOTS of catchy DJ songs. I think I just want to listen to something that makes me wanna dance and forget about the world a.k.a work, people's attitudes, judgments, struggles to fit in, and "friends". Being in my own zone and not thinking about what other people think is just awesome. SHAKE IT OFF BABY!

Below is just a taste of my current diverse playlist. So shall we dance together? :)

Have a great week ahead!

xo, Jo

Switch of Pop (#TT147)

Taylor’s new single “Shake It Off” really REALLY surprised me (not in a bad way though). I was like, “Tay..lor?”, I guess it’s time to say goodbye to fairytale country music.

But actually a shift in music genre can be expected, since her previous album “Red” is more towards pop than country. I think pop suits her, plus we get to see her “fun” side a little more through pop music and of course, her cute awkwardness =) I’m excited to hear the rest of the songs off her new album “1989”.

Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, shake it off

On the other hand, the ever sweet Hilary Duff released another single titled “All About You” which has a little country touch. Some refuse to call it pop country, but use a term “pop folk” instead. Well, to me personally there are no defined lines amongst music genres today, everything mashes up together and most of them sound great. I remember the first “mashed up” genre that I listened to was by Forever The Sickest Kids, and apparently it was called powerpop rock/punk. I LOVED IT.

I really really like this song and I can’t wait to see the official music video. It’s definitely more catchy compared to “Chasing The Sun” I shall expect different varieties of music from Hilary’s new album!

On a random note, I feel like chopping my hair off again to shoulder length, just like Hilary’s =) need to gather courage to do it though because it really takes time for my hair to grow.

Meanwhile, enjoy the new music video by Maroon 5 for their latest hit “Maps”!

Thoughts on Swift’s and Duff’s new music?

xo, Jo

Hilary Duff is back! (#TT146)

If you’ve been reading my blog long enough, you’d know that I’m a huge fan of Hilary Duff. Her music comeback is definitely one of the things that I’m super excited about, although I kinda like her more as an actress. Nonetheless, I like her songs, especially those from her first album, “Metamorphosis”. It’s her best album in my opinion. I’m so gonna buy her new album!

She’s still as pretty as ever!!! Her body is more muscular though lol. This song is refreshing and so summery =)

What do you think of this song?

xo, Jo

Jenny Lewis, Colbie Caillat & TFIOS Soundtrack (#TT145)

Hello lovelies!

If you think you're having a boring week so far, watch this music video by Jenny Lewis and I promise that it will give you a smile! You may see some familiar faces in awesomely unexpected costumes :)

Another great video of a great song comes from Colbie Caillat. This song has such beautiful lyrics which conveys an important message and every girl/woman NEEDS to listen to this. 

Ahhh!

How many of you are fan-girling right now? :D

I just watched the TFIOS movie last week (I know, I know) and I just LOVE the soundtrack. I would also like to make a confession..

I didn't shed a tear watching this :O which was really surprising!!! I almost teared at one part though, ALMOST. I purposely watched online at home so that I could be the worst crybaby ever without anyone judging, but at the end of the movie I didn't use a single tissue lol. 

I'm not sure whether it was because of the slightly poor audio or the fact that I paused the movie several times to do other things, or my overall sensitivity has decreased haha. Anyways, it was a good movie and it was slightly different than what I had expected, in a good way :) 

The full soundtrack list:

1. Ed Sheeran -- "All Of The Stars"

2. Jake Bugg -- "Simple As This"

3. Grouplove -- "Let Me In"

4. Birdy -- "Tee Shirt"

5. Kodaline -- "All I Want"

6. Tom Odell -- "Long Way Down"

7. Charli XCX -- "Boom Clap"

8. STRFKR -- "While I'm Alive"

9. Indians -- "Oblivion"

10. The Radio Dept. -- "Strange Things Will Happen"

11. Afasi & Filthy -- "Bomfallarella"

12. Ray LaMontagne -- "Without Words"

13. Birdy -- "Not About Angels"

14. Lykke Li -- "No One Ever Loved"

15. M83 -- "Wait"

16. Birdy ft. Jaymes Young -- "Best Shot" (bonus track)

My favorites are "Boom Clap" by Charli XCX and "Bomfallarella" by Afasi & Filthy, which are also the only two upbeat songs in the entire list. 

She has been mistaken a lot by people as Lorde. Well, that was my first impression as well, thanks to the thick wild black wavy hair, but she definitely has a different style. Love this song!

Next is a hip-hop Swedish duo whom I think are pretty darn rad. (Thank you John Green!) One of them kind of sounds like Eminem. When I first listened to this song, I was hooked immediately. When I listened for the second time, I thought this was the same song as the song Julia Stiles danced to on a table being drunk in the movie "10 Things I Hate About You" (one of the best movies ever btw), but later I found out it was "Hypnotize" by Notorious B.I.G. They both share similar beats! 

That's all for this week. Till next time!

xo, Jo

Summer Jams (#TT144)

Hello lovelies!

It’s been a while! Weekly post has become monthly post now haha. I guess that’s what you get if you have a busy life..

Anyways! I present to you my top 10 favorite songs at the moment. I spent quite a while narrowing down my favorites to top 10, so I hope you enjoy it! (Click the song title to listen on YouTube)

10. Mr. Probz – Waves (Robin Schulz Remix)

9. Disclosure ft. Sam Smith – Latch 

8. Route 94 ft. Jess Glynne – My Love

7. Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne – Rather Be 

6. Klingande – Jubel (Original Mix)

5. Chromeo – Jealous (I Ain’t With It)

4. AJR – I’m Ready

3. Becky G – Shower

And the TOP 2….

2. MKTO – Classic

Always puts me in a good mood!

1. Gallant - Manhattan

I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH.

You may see a new trend in my music picks here.. More than half of them is techno/DJ-mix type of music. I’m surprised as well!! I guess I like those that are not too loud? In terms of beats and basses. The pure party music just gives me a headache after 5 minutes lol.

Can’t wait for 26th July!!! I’ll be with my friends in Jakarta celebrating… many things. Haha it will be a fun crazy night ;)

Have a splendid summer!

xo, Jo

Superheroes - Yay or Nay? (TT#142)

Hello lovelies!

How y'all doin? Yes, it's been a while indeed. I want to talk a little bit about movies today. 

I've been so under the rock about movies lately. Main reason is because I don't have the time due to the overwhelming amount of work (yes even on weekends). The other reason is when I do have the time, there's nobody I could watch with *sobs*. 

But when I look at the movie posters at the cinema, I don't feel that I've missed much. Superhero movies keep coming out and while people are so excited to watch them, for some reason I just don't feel it. I guess it's because the storyline is pretty much similar. Ordinary guy becomes the hero, fighting the bad guy who is "unexpectedly" bad. The differences would just lie on the weapons and rationale of the crime. Is it because I'm a girl? Lol stereotype much. I don't mind watching it but I just never feel that it's a must-genre to watch. 

Plus, sequels and different versions start popping up which makes a turn-off even more for me because no matter how many damn times Hollywood people make it, it always sells and creates a hype. However, I do agree that such movies are better to watch in the cinema rather than on your laptop because it's more exciting on a big screen. See, I'm not a hater :p

Guess how many more Supermen, Spidermen and Batmen in the next 10 years?

My type of movies you ask? Well, I'm glad that you did ask. I like literature-based movies the most. I just feel that it's so worth it to watch those 18th-19th century-type of movies on a big screen. It feels like watching an art. I don't really mind the genre, it could be action, romance, drama, fantasy, anything. While I do like chick flicks and those novel-based movies, I always can wait to watch it online. Even sometimes I prefer to watch animations compared to chick flicks just because that I know for sure I will leave the cinema with a big smile. 

When it comes to music, it's a little bit different. I'm always interested to hear the soundtrack of movies. Normally movies or TV shows have the best selection of music. Even for one of the Twilight movies, I went to watch it just because the main sountrack was by Paramore :D

Have you listened to the main soundtrack song by Alicia Keys for Amazing Spiderman 2? It's pretty amazing.

This one is not a soundtrack of a movie, but it's just as amazing!

Have a great week!

xo, Jo

Undergoing love rehab (#TT141)

Comfortable like an old sweater
Memorable, you just can't forget her him
Starting over is the hardest thing to do

History has a way of repeating
Eventually we'll just do the same thing
Starting over is impossible with you

So don't pick up anymore
When I call you up
Cause it's the beginning
Of a bad idea
A bad idea

Loneliness has a way of magnifying this
Feeling that I'm still not, no I'm not over you

So don't pick up anymore
When I call you up
Cause it's the beginning
Of a bad idea
A bad idea

I'm still in love with you
Guess I'll love you from a distance

xo, Jo

Acoustic Jams (#TT140)

Sick of the music these days? Well, listen to these. Your ears will appreciate them. Oh, and I love love the guitar from the pic above. It’s perfect.

Which one is your favorite? What do you listen to these days?

xo, Jo

Keep on keeping on (#TT139)

 Hello lovelies!

Can we just take a moment and appreciate that this song exists? I was feeling so turned off by the current hit songs nowadays. From J-Lo's "I Luh Ya Papi" (seriously, what?) to Katy Perry's "Dark Horse" (very disappointing), I was just sick of all of them! This is partly why I didn't post a TT post last week, because honestly I didn't have anything to post. At the end I just listed out several underground acoustic songs which I LOVE for today's post, but well, thanks to Travie McCoy and Panic! At The Disco's lead singer hottie, Brendon Urie, the acoustic post has to wait till next week!

You gotta keep on keeping on
Even with the feeling
That you're gonna keep losing

You gotta come back strong

Oh Oh
You gotta keep on keeping on

Even with the feeling

That you're gonna keep losing

You gotta come back strong

Oh Oh

This song applies to many situations that we encounter in life. Anything that makes us feel like giving up. To me personally, it reminds me not to give up on love and relationship. The right time will come one day *fingers crossed*. And so do you. Don't give up on something that you've always wished for.

Have a good week ahead!

xo, Jo

Say something, I’m giving up on you (TT#138)

And I will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
And I'm saying goodbye

Hello lovelies!

I’m quite late in discovering these 2 great songs but will post them anyway because I like them! Especially the first one that I can relate to.

Giving up or letting go of something that you’ve been holding on to is hard.. but perhaps better things will come after you do? I sure hope so.. I’d like to believe it that way.

Anyways, moving on to a happier song. It’s so catchy and will really lift up your mood =)

Have a nice week ahead!

xo, Jo

Save Your Love (#TT137)

“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” -Maya Angelou

Hello lovelies!

It’s time to update your music list again. This week is all about good beats that put you into dancing mood. Enjoy!

This is probably my favorite of this playlist! Love Ivy’s voice and the way she uses black-and-white as her theme for most of her music vids is pretty cool.

 

 

 

 

Favorite parts of the lyrics below:

You don’t know what you got so you just give it away.
To anyone who’s looking.
Makes your heart want to stop.
When he refuses to stay.

So save your love for somebody who earns it.
Don’t cave because all the wait’ll be worth it.
Don’t be something you’re not 'cause you’ll be running in place.

Feel like you might come undone.
Well, you’re not the only one.

Cause we all just want to be wanted. Want to be all somebody needs.
Yeah we're all just looking for something. That gives us a reason to believe.

I’m pretty excited for this weekend. I have a surprise for my friend. Hopefully it turns out well!

Have a nice week ahead!

xo, Jo