Album Review; Mikey Bromley - This One's For You

Now if you know me, follow me on Twitter or anything like that you should know I support artists that are just coming out of their creative shells rather than the likes of Justin Bieber and One Direction {who are still both amazing and I sing their songs 24/7} but also this is why it's tricky for me to be like "I'm a fan" because I don't feel like a fan of them, I was a fan of The Wanted, a fan of Little Mix but this to me is different and less cringy so I stick to the word "support". 

Anyway also if you have followed me for some time you will know I stuck by a little band called Only The Young, prior, during and after their X Factor experience {they came 7th in 2014} but they have since called it a day and this is where this guy comes into equation; Mikey Bromley.

The 21 year old from Carlisle is heavily influenced by the likes of Mcfly {Tom Fletcher especially} Jason Mraz, James Bay, Joe Brooks {where he has even covered his song Superman to be a part of album} and so many other guitar-based artists which really reflects through his album; This One's For You. 

There are 9 tracks; Miss J, Safe & Sound, Next Stop The Universe, Snake In A Mercedes, Run Away, Coca Cola, Laugh Smile Kiss, Girl On Girl and Superman.

Whilst they all stick with the same genre and guitar, each one has their own uniqueness to tell them apart, not to mention the smart yet simplistic lyrics which is key if you want your audience to be singing Miss J through an 8 hour shift! {thanks Bromley!}

As soon as you press play you go on his emotional journey from an encounter with a teacher to falling in love with a lesbian {i know ..?} but strangely the set list does tie in quite nicely together to make an easy-listening, chill album that you can either stick your earphones in and blast out or have it on in the background whilst doing housework. {this is from experience I have been known to dance around with the Hoover} 

The one thing I love the most about this, is he's finally 100% himself and comfortable in what he is doing and it really shows, I actually saw him on Wednesday and he's never looked so relaxed and happy. I'm so proud of him.

So if any of what I have said appeals to you then This One's For You! {I'm sorry I couldn't resist}

It is available to download NOW on Spotify and iTunes or if you pop into your local HMV you will be sure to find it if albums are more your thing. Help this lad out to get the recognition he deserves. 

Love you all,

Katie x

2015; The Year Of Memories

A couple of months ago, I decided I really wanted to own a photo album with memories of this past year. Lurking around my house are many photo albums from when I was younger, my siblings were younger and my parents were younger but with the new technology of Instagram, Facebook etc. owning a photo album with physical photos is unheard of. I know the trend of Polaroids are back in but I don't think anything beats flicking through an album.

You might be surprised that you literally cannot purchase a photo album ANYWHERE, unless its a wedding album or another occassion, there are just photo frames everywhere which was so frustrating so in the end was forced to find one online and I fell in love with this. 

I got it for around £5 on Ebay and it's perfect. It holds 200 photos, has lines to write captions/memories beside each photo and the cover is so pretty. My only qualm (i like that word) is that you can only put in your photos horizontal, meaning my selfies are sideways but I suppose it's the memory that counts!

I spent quite a bit of time out of Plymouth this year as well as spending time with my friends and working; I went to Cardiff for the X Factor tour with my sister, I made monthly trips to London with my good friend Charlotte before taking my mum on her first proper trip there in August (the original time we were stuck in a coach station all night because we missed the last bus) and I met up with very talented people along the way who I become very close with (some more than others) ... 

ANYWAY, this book is full of my favourite moments of these past 2 years that I can keep forever and look back on as well as adding more memories to come. It also shows how myself and alot of other things have changed already but I will always have those moments with me.

Courtesy of The Wanted and my favourite song;

The Memory Of Being Here With You, Is One I'm Gonna Take My Life Through, Cause Some Days Stay Gold Forever.

Katie x

12 Christmas Songs That Get Me In The Spirit.

I am not going to lie I've had this post prepared for at least a month ... it's now November 3rd, my dad's birthday and also all the music channels have turned Christmassy and Christmas 24 movie channel has started so I am going to join in the spirit for early celebration and hopefully these songs can cheer all you Scrooges up, ey?

All I Want For Christmas Is You.

I don't know about you but as soon as I hear those first jingles for the first time every year, I finally think CHRISTMAS.  Even if after the first few 100 listens on the radio, music channels etc I wish it was January already. I remember when I was in Secondary School every tutor foght over who gets to sing this song in assembly.You just can't have a Christmas without singing it drunk or even sober at least once at the top of your voice.

Snow In California.

Ariana Grande released a Christmas EP in 2013 and usually I think newer Christmas songs are horrendous because you just can't beat the classics but I actually preferred this original to the covers she did of Santa Baby and Last Christmas. It's a slow ballad and every time I listen to it it makes me feel so christmassy and lovey dovey.

Fairytale Of New York.

One of my all time favourite songs. The epitome of what Christmas Day is really like after a few too many; A few I love you's before heavily insulting eachother, it's genius! If you have never heard this song you must have been living under a rock your whole life. Unlike All I Want For Christmas, you can never get sick of this song. Another classic Christmas wouldn't be the same without.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like All I Want For Christmas Is You.

In 2014, after exiting The X Factor, Only The Young released this refreshing mash-up cover of two classics and I just had it on repeat all December. Mikey's Michael Buble sounding voice, the ballad to upbeat transition and the reggaesque part of All I Want For Christmas the whole video just made me smile and feel all christmassy and want to go to Winter Wonderland! (yes this is slightly biased, judge me)

Last Christmas.

Okay so how many versions of this have been released?! But nothing compares to George Michael's original love heartbreak song about a girl eventhough he was gay and nobody knew. Anyway, everyone loves a good love song right and combined with Christmas, what's not to love? Again nothing beats a classic.

My Only Wish.

Okay so this song by Britney Spears is extremely underrated. Eventhough it has been out for at least 10 years, I only discovered it a few years ago but it has every attribute a christmas song needs to be successful yet not everyone has heard it. It's cheese-tastic and I love it! And I think Britney is Queen anyway. One of my personal favourites, and it's not over-played which makes me love it more.

Jingle Bell Rock.

I just had to pop this song into the mix purely as an excuse to mention Mean Girls. I'm judging you heavily if you don't know the dance routine to Jingle Bell Rock and didn't secretly want to be a part of The Plastics.

12 Days Of Sickmas.

This song cracks me up so much. I remember when I first watched this on Sonny With A Chance (Demi Lovato before she was huge) and it's been an essential on my playlist ever since. 2 Christmases ago I was so unwell this was all I was singing and listening to to cheer me up, because being ill this time of year is 'not cool'! Obviously a play on the original 12 Days of Christmas, Sicky Vicky is incredible and possibly more memorable... What's after 5 GOLD RINGS?

Do They Know It's Christmas?

Oh come on guys, eventhough there have been about 50 videos of this we all have to admit we love seeing artists from every era and genre come together for a charity song, Bob Geldof is a genius for getting everyone in one room. Now I'm don't know which version I prefer, probably the original but my favourite thing is Bono from U2 having the same line in all versions. It just brings that extra happiness to me, eventhough it's a serious subject they're talking about. Although the second one with the little girl from the original video was inspiring and proves all this charitable work we do does actually make a difference. Here's the original but I'm sure you've seen all 3 (well 4 if you have ever stumbled across the one with Kylie in)

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

I have to admit when I was little this song intimidated me because the words just made me nervous. Was Santa really watching me? Am I on the Naughty List? Paranoia in a little girl isn't fun. But I have got presents every year so I must do something right yeah? Although there has been a million versions of this also, when singing this song you can guarentee we all attempt to sing in a very high key like a baby Michael Jackson right? Absolute Classic. (Although Michael Buble's version of this gives me feelings in all places, what a man.)

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy

Bing Crosby and David Bowie I mean what a pairing. This song just reminds me of Christmas Day because every year when my family have our dinner it always plays it the background regardless without even planning it so I just had to add it on my list. It's one of those duets you just can't sing with a member of your family without laughing (pa-ram-pam-pam-pam) but it's such a clever mash-up! So timeless and enjoyable as background music.

Merry Christmas Everybody.

Last but not least, Slade. We all know Christmas hasn't officially started until you hear Noddy Holder scream IT'S CHRISTMASSSSS! So what a better way to finish off my list of favourite Christmas songs. I don't have much to say about this song because everyone should know it and if you don't i'm very much judging you.

So there we are, 12 Christmas songs to get you in the mood for the Holidays. Of course there are thousands and I could be here for weeks listing them off but these are ones that bring memories to me. 

What are your favourite Christmas songs?

I do not own this music & no copyright infringement intended all videos are from YouTube.