Talent For Writing...

So i got this in the post today! I entered a competition where i had to write a 100-word monologue based on an inspiration of mine, so i took the point of view of Hazel Grace (from The Fault in Our Stars) talking about Augustus Waters and here's the certificate to say it will be published in a book alongside many other monologues! :D

Single Review: Woman Up by Ashley Roberts

SINGLE & VIDEO REVIEW: Ashley Roberts - ‘Woman Up’ http://t.co/2oWXEPS9zm via @Pop_Scoop
— Pop Scoop! (@Pop_Scoop) July 20, 2014

Review: Andreas Moe's New EP: Ocean

EP REVIEW: @andreasmoemusic Andreas Moe 'Ocean' http://t.co/d2ZP1MTwGU via @Pop_Scoop
— Pop Scoop! (@Pop_Scoop) July 16, 2014

Here is a review i did of an incredible artist and it gives me great pleasure to have written it to which i'm so grateful to have been told that the record label personally praised my work on what they believed to be such a great review!

Single Review: Fiend For Ya by Jay Junior

SINGLE REVIEW: @ImJayJunior Jay Junior - 'Fiend For Ya’ http://t.co/PlVKARuQzU via @Pop_Scoop
— Pop Scoop! (@Pop_Scoop) July 14, 2014

Album Review: 5 Seconds of Summer

There is something about the moment you buy a new album and hold it in your arms, taking in the fact that what lies behind that plastic casing is the sweet sound of euphoria and enjoyment to come. A moment of bliss and satisfaction, you rip open the casing and play the CD, taking in the sound of what's beguiling to the senses. An album that has held such desires close to my heart is the brand-new, self-titled album by none other than Australian pop/rock band, 5 Seconds of Summer.

A debut album, collating the hard work of 4 guys over 2 years, this is 5 seconds of summer's latest release to have caused frenzy on the web. Edgier than Michael's hair, 5SOS throw out rock tunes which will have you on your feet in moments, contrasting with soft ballads like 'Amnesia' and 'Never Be' which stretch the music genre to different heights. The general theme is that many of the songs are based on relationships that are, if not sweet, rebellious, also appealing to their fan base of teenage girls. It is clear in how every song sounds that this band has developed their own style, different to the perception that they are another 'One Direction'. This is far from the truth. Whilst they have a relevant pop sound, there is an ingrown rock style that's rivetingly clear in the vocals, particularly of guitarist, Michael Clifford. Then we have the talent in the fact they play instruments which is something that many rock bands hold dearly, traditionally as something which defines a rock band.

There is really nothing not to like about this album. If you feel in the mood to jump around there are songs like 'Don't Stop', a party hit through and through. What about 'English Love Affair'? Rocky, raunchy and rustic it's sure to have you strumming air guitar and air-drumming like an idiot without a care in the world in a fragment of a moment. But if you're not into that, there's tracks like 'Amnesia' which has a melancholic, doleful sound that at the same time has you lulled into a relaxed state of mind. 'Long Way Home', although more energetic has a slightly westernised sound that is entrancing, providing an unwinding and quieting feeling.

However this is a band, that many people choose to avoid, whether it be because their music taste is different or purely because the hysteria around the band, sourcing from teenage girls, causes them to distaste the attention the band receives. It's something i can't see to understand but is certainly a relevant reason why the appeal to 5SOS' music is not completely widespread. Despite this, i would definitely recommend this album because not only has it got the mainstream potential of pop songs but the rock sound engages a wider audience where those that would dislike bands such as 'One Direction', can turn to finding something such as this, bearable and very secretly, enjoyable and congenial.

'5 Seconds of Summer' is out now, available on iTunes and from local retailers

Book Review: The Mortal Instruments

Is it hot in here or is it just the heavenly fire?

What makes a book successful, in my opinion, is its ability to engage you in the text and make you feel emotionally compromised and utterly wrecked. Obviously feeling at a loss isn't the greatest feeling you could have and is by no means a way of defining happiness. But by feeling sadness from reading a book you also feel euphoria that cannot be put into words. But where am i going with this? No book is more worthy by this definition of success than City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare.

In this novel Clary, Jace, Simon, Alec and Isabelle face opposition from Clary's vindictive step-brother, Sebastian, who won't stop until he gets what he desires the most. The final instalment of The Mortal Instruments' series had me in tears even before the end of the book. As a last token to the characters it was obviously a book that's stood out for me, but Cassandra, when you think she can't write anything more disastrous and terrifying in the lives of the characters, builds tension on a phenomenal scale. Full of treachery, battles and moral judgement, there is never a dull moment, with action packed on every page. This is a book that is gripping through and through, one that i would sit reading, clutching my copy at 3am in the morning.

If you are a fan of dystopian literature then you will definitely enjoy this series. There is no doubt that if you have read the precursory 5 books, you will buy this novel because this is a series like no other, tantalising and unforgettable. I don't see how anyone, ANYONE would put down this copy and dismiss the unfolding interactions of such paramount characters. The best advice i could give is to head down to your local book store, library or closest internet source and get this book! But what if you haven't read the preceding novels? There is nothing more important to you now, in this moment, than to buy those books! I'm incredibly enthusiastic about it and of course this gives leads to bias, but on a personal level i say that this will have you fangirling harder than a directioner watching Niall's hip thrusts, and that's saying something!

The first 5 are available here for just over £10- now there's no reason you can't afford the series :P

New Blog

Hey guys i've created a new blog which will be dedicated to my A2 media coursework and during the course of the year i'll be creating a trailer! But for the time being i'm beginning with the preliminary task of creating a teaser trailer so you can check out my progress here. Enjoy!