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Julia Michaels- Inner Monologue Part 2

Julia Michaels’ songwriting career led her to write songs for big names like Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Gwen Stefani, but when she wrote “Issues” she could not give it up. The first time I heard that tune it was being sung by Niall Horan a couple of years ago in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. I remember falling in love with the lyrics and started looking Micheals up before Horan’s cover was even finished. I have been following her music journey since that day, and I really felt like I needed to share my love for this woman’s art because the honesty in her writing is so therapeutic. 

Her latest release, Inner Monologue Part 2, dropped June 28, 2019 following the January release of Inner Monologue Part 1, and it is absolutely incredible. In “Falling For Boys” I am so blown away by the contrast between the production and what you get lyrically.  The tune begins light and airy like a daydream, but then real life hits and you are reminded that it is not always all sunshine and rainbows. It is really hard to pick a favorite, but I am obsessing over “Hurt Again” and “Work to Much” at the moment. 

I hope you love some of these tunes as much as I do. Micheals is set to tour the world this fall. Click here for more info. 

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2018 Year End Review

Music has been good to me this year. If you have taken the time to read my blog or just listen to the songs I recommend, thank you. I had the opportunity to attend three great concerts during the year. 

The first was Niall Horan’s Flicker world tour. I received a few laughs from people and a few perplexed looks, mostly because I seemed too old to go to a Niall Horan concert. Was I naive to think the crowd would be a little older since this was a solo gig and not a One Direction concert? Yes, absolutely. I was probably the oldest person there with the exception of the parents who brought their daughters. But, I had the best time because Horan is magical. There were thousands of people packed into a steamy hot amphitheater in Charlotte NC, and he managed to make me feel like I was the only person there.

Next, was Justin Timberlake’s Man of the Woods tour. I traveled from SC to PA to meet up with my sister in law for the concert, and let me tell you, it was worth every single mile. Timberlake is a legend and one of the greatest performers I have ever seen. He danced, he sang, he had a drink, and he connected with people. It felt like I was there to cheer on an old friend just doing his thing. We even managed to snag floor passes which made the experience even better.

Lastly, I made my way to Atlanta to see an up and coming artist named Dermot Kennedy. If you have had a conversation with me in the last year then you have probably heard of him. I cannot stop myself from telling people about his music. I swear Kennedy lifted me up and took me somewhere else for the better part of an hour. He filled a void I did not even know I had. I was elated and my soul was full, but I still felt the sting of sadness as he humbly said thank you and left the stage. He is other worldly and will do great things, of that I have no doubt. 

Music is a gift to all of us, and I will cherish the experiences I had from each show. They were so uniquely different from one another yet all gave me what I needed. I will end this post with a few of my favorites from 2018.

Dermot Kennedy: Mike Dean Presents Dermot Kennedy Mixtape

I was having a really hard day the first time I heard Dermot Kennedy. I genuinely disliked every single new song I played that day, with the exception of one. Kennedy’s “Moments Passed” pulled me in through music, hooked me with his voice, and kept me with lyrics that stimulated my mind. I was so excited when he announced new music. This mixtape is a must listen folks.

Favorite Tune: Couldn’t Tell 

Alec Benjamin: Narrated For You Mixtape 

Alec Benjamin creates beautiful, innocent stories through music. The songs are so honest and meaningful, and the intricacies that he uses in his production is the new pop. 

Favorite Tune: Water Fountain 

Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness: Upside Down Flowers 

McMahon is one of my go to’s musically, and I love his latest album. It really takes you on a journey through his musical life from his days in the band Something Corporate until now. I found myself reminiscing of my college days and had a realization that I have been along for the ride the entire time. Music really is a beautiful thing. 

Favorite Tune: Paper Rain 

J. Cole: KOD

I have to give my husband credit for this one because rap is not a go to for me. Luckily, he only listens to the good stuff. J. Cole’s song “Once an Addict (Interlude)” hit me to the core. I feel so connected to the song because of my own family dynamic. It is real, and it is raw.

Favorite Tune: 1985 (Intro to “The Fall Off”)

Justin Timberlake: Man of the Woods

I had several people tell me that they were unsure if they really liked this album because it was different from his previous work or because it did not sound like Justin Timberlake. I completely understand that, but I also know that Justin Timberlake never sounds like Justin Timberlake. He is ever changing and never limits or labels himself. For me, he is always one or two steps ahead of everyone in terms of creativity. This album is no different. When I heard “Filthy” I knew it was going to be great.

Favorite Tune: Midnight Summer Jam (because I’m from the south and well…have you heard the song?) 

I am excited to see what new music 2019 brings, and I wish you much happiness. 



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Niall Horan – Flicker

Niall Horan’s debut album Flicker came out ten days ago! Have you taken the time to give it a good listen? If not, then you are missing out on something great. I posted about him a few weeks ago when he released  “Too Much to Ask,” his third single off the album and began my countdown to the release of Flicker. It has a classic rock/folk-pop sound with a dash of country. Flicker went #1 in the U.S. this week leaving me with some serious proud mom vibes for this former One Direction singer. The album starts with the classic rock track “On The Loose.” With the exception of “Seeing Blind,” a collaboration done with country singer Maren Morris, the next four tracks should seem pretty familiar because radio stations are in love with them. If you are a John Mayer fan, you will most likely love “Paper Houses,” “Since We’re Alone,” and “You And Me.” The title track of the album is absolutely beautiful and delicately produced.

I watched all the songs live via YouTube and love “The Tide,” “Own My Own,” and “Mirrors.” I was convinced they would be my favorites on the album, but I am really impressed by the studio versions of “Since We’re Alone,” “Flicker,” and “Fire Away.”  I am not implying Horan performs those songs bad live nor am I implying the studio versions of my favorite live tunes are lacking. It just boils down to personal preference.

If you like a modern classic rock or folk-pop-country sound you will love this album. Go ahead, give it a good listen. I promise you will not regret it!

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Picture This – Picture This

You may think I have a thing for the Irish at the moment, and you would be correct. I do. There are so many great things coming out of that country right now, and Picture This is one of those great things. I heard about them a couple months ago when Niall Horan announced that the folk-pop band would be joining him for a couple shows during his Flicker Sessions tour. I did not think much of it at the time, but a month later their song “Take My Hand” showed up in a playlist I was listening to on Spotify. I recognized the name and decided to look them up. Turns out, they created a lot of buzz when Ryan Hennessy, lead singer of the band, recorded “Take My Hand” and posted it on social media. It is no surprise to the buzz surrounding that song. It is a good one.

Picture This released their self titled debut album in August of this year. My favorite tunes on this album are “Take My Hand,” “Never Change,” and “Let’s Be Young.”

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Too Much to Ask – New Niall Horan Single

May I just say that I have been really impressed by Niall Horan? I was not a huge One Direction fan. I would listen to their songs when they came on the radio (I mean, who does not love a good boyband song?), but I did not seek out their music. Heck, I did not even know their individual names. Now we are upon the great 1D break, and I am so happy about it. Why? Have you heard Niall Horan? This guy has the voice of an angel (as if I even know what that sounds like). I predict his new single “Too Much to Ask” to be a smash hit, following his last single “Slow Hands” which recently went #1 in the US. The guitar solo in this song is absolutely beautiful, and the lyrics really pull at your heartstrings with lines like “my shadow’s dancing without you for the first time, my heart is hoping you’ll walk right in tonight.”

Niall’s debut album Flicker is out October 20, 2017.