Whenever I’m looking for an idea for a novel, the first thing I do is open a newspaper. This is because, when it comes to spies, reality is far stranger than fiction. In recent years Britain has seen an attempted … Continue reading Real Spies Inspired My Novels Feature by author Ava Glass
Whether it’s through large scale concepts, such as Melanie Martinez’s discography, or in a more bite sized fashion, like Katy Perry’s ‘The One That Got Away’ music video, it’s not unusual for artists to use music at some point in … Continue reading Storytelling and Music: A Look at the Twenty One Pilots Universe
Originally published in print March 2021. There are few feelings more exhilarating than suddenly landing on some decipherable, familiar sound after flicking through various genres of garbled static. Realistically, that intelligible noise you’ve come across is a song you never … Continue reading Radio Blah Blah Sharing Music in the Age of Technology
Okay, quick quiz (I apologise in advance). How many of these words do you know? Or, to specify, how many of these words evoke a strong emotion in you, whether that be positive or negative? Feral Yearning Tender Rage Pining … Continue reading A Portrait of the Artist as Just, like, a Really Sad Woman The rise of ‘sad girl’ music, the intimacy of confession, and the danger of viewing the artist as a diarist.
Originally published in print March 2021. Crate Digging. Literally. The practice of rummaging through crates of records at car boot sales, flea markets and second-hand record shops originated as far back as the early 1970s as hip-hop DJs, hungry for … Continue reading Crate Digging: A History One of the touchstones of hip-hop, how can one revive this practice in the age of digital music?
Taylor Swift is one of the most important names in pop music at the moment , even in the music industry’s ever-changing interests. After being nominated in six categories at this year’s Grammy Awards last week and winning Album of … Continue reading The ever-changing career of Taylor Swift The artist’s tumultuous journey to record-breaking Grammy success.
Originally published in print November 2020. Lockdown has meant many different things for many different people. Some of us have had to deal with the loneliness of isolation, others with the anxiety that comes with frontline work and even some … Continue reading Lockdown Listens: Soundtracks to my Isolation Music can be immensely helpful during trying times, Kate L. Ryan looks at the albums that got her through the last lockdown.
Originally published in print November 2020. The past few months have seen several high profile artists toying with genre, and creating music that is more akin to poetry or storytelling compared to conventional pop lyrics. Taylor Swift’s Folklore received widespread … Continue reading From Dream Pop to Psych Rock: How Lana del Rey Transcends Genre After the lyricism and critical success of Norman Fucking Rockwell! Del Rey’s first poetry collection ultimately disappoints
Last week, the nominations for the 2021 Grammys were released, acknowledging and celebrating the music released this year. Music is one of the few aspects of life left unviolated and unchanged by this year and so it’s one of the … Continue reading Nomination Contemplation A review of the Grammy ‘Song of the Year’ nominations from the least qualified person you know
It seems these days that modern pop music has become the same songs again and again, never diversifying from a hackneyed collection of three identical pop songs, mashed and remixed in different combinations. These pop love songs are either musicians … Continue reading Singing for the Dying of the Day The Case For Indie Music In The Face Of Pop
First published in the 2020 Summer Issue. There’s just something about vinyl that’s so sleek and sexy. It’s a classy way to play music. I imagine myself as a brown leather jacket and sunglasses-wearing, slightly detached feminist from the ‘70s … Continue reading Long Live Vinyl: The Resurgence of Records Why has vinyl remained at the centre of music while the desire for tapes and CDs has withered away? Because they are substantial yet incredibly delicate.
Why do you choose the books you choose and what factors influence these decisions? Sometimes, the choice can be almost whimsical, other times you eagerly hunt down the particular book. The odd time, books are so vehemently recommended that you … Continue reading Choosing your next paperback Originally Published in Print Febuary 2019