Top 5s! – JMAC- The Blog Experience

Top 5 Movies for the Halloween of 2020

As the spooky day of October draws near, you would probably start thinking;

“How am I supposed to celebrate Halloween this year??”.

Due to the new restrictions and the outbreak of Covid-19 makes celebrating Halloween difficult, No parties, No get togethers. However, there is one thing we’ve always been doing to get into the spooky mood. Watching movies! If its horror, thriller or simply a Halloween movie, it does not matter, in the end it always gets you the mood! Here is My Top 5 Movies to watch on Halloween;

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas

The very well known family movie that’s a mix of Christmas cheer and Halloween excitement. Who doesn’t adore the animated character, Jack Skellington and his accidental adventure into Christmas Town?

2. The Shining.

A well known Thriller classic! The acting will definitely give you Goosebumps and the amazing cinematography will keep you immersed in the movie like no other. It’s a brilliant movie and you should watch it if you haven’t already and if you’ve watched it then… Watch it again! It’s a great movie to watch on Halloween, you won’t regret watching it!

3. Corpse Bride

This movie definitely gave me a few shivers, the eerie atmosphere throughout the whole movie made it extra spooky along with the animation style using stop-motion. The concept of the film is very unique. The story of this film is quite unsettling and grim, something you wouldn’t really expect from an animated film. However, Its a Tim Burton film, so you would definitely know what to expect! (Unless you’ve never watched a Tim Burton film).

4. Coraline

Another famous Tim Burton classic that’s very well known for its unsettling scenes that often gives younger children nightmares, at least it certainly did for me. The lingering creepy atmosphere adds so much to the film, making you constantly anxious that something might jump out!

5. Scream

A well known film from the 1990’s. A horror/mystery film about a killer murdering multiple people in the area using similar methods. This Concept is now considered a lot more cliché than it did when it first came out. So many of films follow this concept now to the point it’s not as enjoyable anymore. However you can’t go wrong with one of the originals of this concept!

Since I was really young I always loved watching movies, I spent a lot of my time watching them and exploring different genres. As I gotten older I haven’t had the time to watch as many movies as I did when I was younger, but I still enjoy watching them whenever I have that time. I enjoy looking at the small details in films and the soundtrack of the films!

This Months Top Five Tunes (In Lockdown)

Having been in Lockdown for the past two months I have had plenty of time to discover new artists and songs. Music is a great escape during these tough times locked inside ( I listen to music out a walk, tidying, reading or when I inevitably get bored and spend hours perfecting a full face of makeup for no reason.)

Brooklyn Bridge To Chorus- The Strokes. This is my favourite song on their new album ‘The New Abnormal’ its very upbeat and – dare I say- dance worthy for a strokes song but to be fair there is only about one song on this album that has the OG strokes vibes to it.
NEW MAGIC WAND- Tyler, The Creator. I’ve always been aware of Tyler, The Creator and I know he has a very prolific fan base but I’ve never taken the time to properly listen to any of his albums – despite the massive success they have had. This is my personal fave on his newest album ‘IGOR’ although it was a difficult decision between this song and A BOY IS A GUN – quite different songs considering it’s a bit ‘softer’ than NEW MAGIC WAND.
ARIES- Gorillaz feat. Peter Hook and Georgia. My second favourite song from Gorillaz new series ‘Song Machine’ featuring the bassist from New Order which gives it a very distinctive New Order ‘sound’.
Night Running- Cage The Elephant, Beck. I’ve always loved Beck but not so much Cage The Elephant, so Beck’s feature on this song is what really sold it for me. I feel like this is definitely going to be one of my ‘summer songs’ this year.
Strawberry Fields Forever- The Beatles. Who doesn’t love the Beatles? This is probably one of my favourite Beatles songs and it has a similar sound to my all time favourite band Sunflower Bean. My interest in the Beatles was re-ignited after watching the movie ‘Yesterday’ a few weeks ago. The plot of the movie is very interesting and I thought it was very well executed. If I tried to give you a rundown of the plot I would probably end up not doing it any justice so I will leave it to you to look it up if you wish. 🙂

Top Five Songs Of February

Okay, so this is becoming a monthly thing and I have been assigned to create this months edition, hope you enjoy.

Glimmer- Tame Impala. Tame Impala really outdid themselves with this album and it is making me really excited to go see them in May. I get really strong 80’s/90’s vibes from this song in particular.
You’re in love with a psycho- Kasabian. I always forget about how good Kasabian can be, but when I listen to it it’s like a blast from the past (again I discovered this band through Band hero on my Nintendo DS when I was eight). This song is something you can get up and dance and sing to.
Momentary Bliss- Gorillaz feat. Slow Thai and Slaves. They disappear for two years claiming they wont go on tour or make new music for the next five years and then they come out with this absolute banger. there is quite a lot going on but it is so distinctively British and Slow Thai really adds something to the song I never knew I needed.
Cars In Space- Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. Again, really excited to finally see these guys in May. This tune has the statement Rolling Blackouts guitar riffs but they decided to spice it up in this new single with a little saxophone feature. Listening to these guys for the past two/three years all of their music is perfect for summertime and long road trips.
Oblivius- The Strokes. One of my top three favourite Strokes songs of all time. Basically I love everything about this song and would highly recommend if you haven’t listened to it before

Top Five X Factor Auditions

5/ Angels

Starting off at the top of our list is the girl group, Angels. Although this is not one of the most memorable moments in the long history of the show, it’s still an iconic audition in its own right.

The trio performed “Whip my hair” by Willow, they even put together their own choreography. After they had finished performing the judges told them that they weren’t good with Tulisa, a one-season wonder judge telling them ” i think all the energy and the dance moves is to cover up the fact that none of you can really sing”. This savage remark sent one of the girls into a rage, she snapped back with “it’s a bit rich coming from you”. True mic drop material.

4/ Ablisa

In the number four spot we have none other than the legendary duo, Ablisa (AKA Abby and Lisa) . This pair auditioned in 2011 and this audition has remained a favourite of ours ever since. The two began to argue on stage when they had barely even stepped foot in front of the judges. It was clear that the duo did not have the best attitude towards performing and when the audience began to boo them Lisa yelled into the crowd telling them to shut up.

But it wasn’t over yet. The girls walked off the stage and it was clear that Abby was very angry at Lisa’s outburst, however they walked back onto the stage and performed their own rendition of a Shane Ward song. When the judges told them the bitter truth about how bad their audition was Lisa retaliated yet again by shading Dani Monogue saying “sorry but who even are you?”. This led her best friend Abby to punch her in the face and storm off of the stage in anger at her rude behaviour.

3/ Dawn “The Apprentice Jockey”

This girl sent the judging panel into fits of laughter when she came on to introduce herself as Dawn, “The Apprentice Jockey”. From the get go she had judges Sharon and Louis giggling away in their seats until they were eventually asked to leave by Simon Cowell

When Sharon was leaving the audition she got smacked in the face by the door and this sent thew both of them into a laughing fit causing Simon to yell at them to shut up.

2/ Zoe Alexander

Zoe began her audition by announcing that she works full time as a pink tribute act, she then continued to say that she wanted to “step away from the pink thing, and be Zoe Alexander” , then she continued to sing a pink song, the judges were confused to say the least at her contradicting audition.

When they asked her to sing a song other than pink she reacted in an explosive way screaming that they “told her to sing a pink song!” threw her microphone on the floor and left the stage like the icon she is

1/ Ariel Burdett

In at our number one spot is none other than Ariel Burdett, this girl stunned us all as we watched our tv screens in 2008. The most memorable audition in the entirety of the show.

Sadly, ariel Burdett passed away in December of 2019 at the age of 35, however her legacy remains in our hearts.

Top 5 Songs of January

A little late but here is your next music list. Last month apparently I was feeling pretty alternative according to my deezer so here we go:

Original Me – Yungblud feat Dan Renoylds

Yungblud x imagine dragons? Yeah I’m not exactly going to forget about that quickly.

Anagram all of the letters
Tellin’ me that I’m gonna be fine
Cleaning the world is out of my mind
Piece ’em together and dump on the sides

2) Telephone – Waterparks

No I’m not talking about a child’s water park when I ask if you know who waterparks is. The sound of the song and upbeat tone kind of disguises the meaning of the song but I wouldn’t want the song to be any different.

I know we only just met
So why do I feel invested?
And do you feel it too?

3) Put the gun down – Andy Black

The black veil brides singer Andy Black is somehow able to be in the band and have his own banging solo career. The slowed down style from him is class and lets his words come through and music has always been a great coping method for mental health.

Will anybody watch me?
Is someone gonna stop me?
This could be my last mistake
Put the gun down, just put the gun down, down

4) Howl – Alexandra Savior

I need to give my friend Shannon credit for this one but that doesn’t mean Alexandra Savior isn’t amazing. Seriously, check out The Archer album. Just cause its indie doesn’t mean its bad.

Sweet revelation, bitter wine
I’m dreaming but mostly I’m falling behind
Hold a little tighter boy ’cause I
Am falling from behind

5) All that matters (acoustic) – Tom Walker

While this one is not quite like the others on the list sometimes you need some lighter hearted music. Easy listening. Or maybe I’m biased since I’m going to his concert this month but oh well. Somehow the acoustic version is better and ‘all that matters’. Get it?

Can’t spend your money when you’re dead
Can’t live this life again
Yeah, it’s messed up, but we got love

Music Artists of the Decade

Hozier

Okay, maybe not the biggest artists but still, iconic. You probably only know one of his songs, ‘Take Me To Church’. In fairness it is an amazing song. However have you heard his new album? Yes in 2019 this man released his second album and boy did it deliver. Go listen to ‘Dinner and Diatribes’ or ‘Talk’ and you will understand. Please let him come back in 2020. I need it.

Harry Styles

Out of all of one direction Harry has made the best music. While the rest of the boys music is good, you remember Harry’s. On his first Album all of his songs are amazing enough to be the top song though ‘Only Angels’ and ‘Ever Since New York’ are my favourite. Then theirs Fineline. While I personally prefer the first album Fineline is still an amazing album. This man has had 2 albums and not a single bad or forgettable song. Talent. Then theirs lights up. All I need to say is go listen to lights up. Now. Even if you’ve already heard it, just go listen.

P!NK

P!nk has been around since the 2000’s and we aren’t mad. She opened the decade with her album ‘Greatest Hits…So Far’ then released ‘The Truth About Love’, ‘Beautiful Trauma’ and ‘Hurts 2B Human’. She can be enjoyed by parents and their kids. ‘Try’, ‘What About Us’, and ‘Just Give Me A Reason’ are just 3 of the highlights.

Lewis Capaldi

Our very own Scot. Do I need to say much more? This man broke out with his song ‘Grace’ and took over the music world with only two EPs in his back pocket. He’s since released ‘Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent’ where every song, like Harry Styles album, is good. Most albums have one song you’d skip, not this one. ‘One’, ‘Hollywood’ and’ Bruises’ are my favs but it was hard to pick out just 3. And how can we forget ‘Someone You Loved’ and the music video with Peter Capaldi. His album is the first number 1 Album for 2o20. It’s a sign.

Yungblud

We had to get a little bit goth. This list has been far to pop friendly. Although I only found out about Yungblud a couple months ago he’s my 2nd most listened to artist this year on Deezer. Because I have problems. Yungblud released his album ’21st Centaury Liability’ in 2018 and honestly its what we needed. ‘Machine Gun’ and ‘Kill Somebody’ where my favourites. This is not to mention his singles like ‘Tin Pan Boy’ and all his collabs like ‘7 Minutes’ with Halsey and ‘Original Me’ with Dan Reynolds to name a couple.

Bands Of The Decade

Black veil brides

Started out Goth, black veil brides was the angst we needed for this decade. Started out with ‘We Stitch These Wounds’ in 2010 BVB realised 5 albums and an ep over the decade. Highlights of these albums are ‘Knives and Pens’, a classic, ‘Wake Up’, and ‘The Outsider’. This is without mentioning Andy Black blessed us with his solo career which gets an honoury mention on this list.

Imagine dragons

Pop rock band Imagine dragons gave us 4 studio albums, 6 singles and 4 live albums. ‘Evolve’ was easily the best album out of the lot. Not to be a ‘fake fan’ but theres a reasons ‘Radiotactive’ and ‘Believer’ are so popular. Sucker for pain made me a sucker for this band and lets not even mention Dan’s collab with Yungblud for the song Original Me.

5 Seconds of Summer

Although they didn’t join us till 2014 5sos came out strong with their first album also named 5 Seconds of Summer. Sounds good feels good joined us in 2015 much to our relief but the boys forced us to wait till 2018 to get Youngblood, their new album with their modern sound. Highlights include their tour with one direction, ‘If walls could talk’, ‘Amnesia’, and, of course ‘English Love Affair’.

Fall out boy

We already knew Fall out boy was here to stay after their first 2 albums in the 2000’s but they hit bacl hard with Save Rock and Roll. American Beauty/American Psycho was realsesd in 2015 and Mania in 2018. No matter their age or the trends FOB is here to remind you that your emo at heart. ‘Centuries’, ‘Uma Thurman’, and ‘My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark’ were just three of the bangers that made us think back to the good days of Infinity on High, truly the best album of FOB.

One Direction

Despite the alternative influence of this list one direction was the band of the decade. Point. Blank. Period. To say One Direction helped shape the generations growing up in the 2010’s is an understatement. 5 Albums in 6 years. They broke 6 Guinness world records and kept breaking the charts. 28 Teen Choice Awards, 7 Brits, 7 AMAs, 6 Billboard Music Awards, 5 Billboard Touring Awards, and 4 MTV Music Video Awards among others.

Is this a surprise? Even non-1d fans were surrounded by their music and accepted it. Sure there were crazy fans and the reaction to Zayn leaving was ridiculous but 1d was the best band of the 2010’s.

To finish this list here are some 1d hits; ‘Happily’ (acoustic version), ‘Perfect’, ‘Best Song Ever’, ‘One Way or Another’, and ‘Rock Me’.

Another Month, More Music

It’s November, therefore no Christmas songs from me yet- well except the tunes forced into my brain through band-. This past month I’ve become addicted to ABBA, Queens Of The Stone Age and early 2000’s hits. Quite varied I’d say.

I Can Talk- Two Door Cinema Club. An oldie but a goodie, after seeing them in concert at the beginning of October (which was excellent might I add). TDCC is just one of those bands where you can easily dance to any of their songs and this one certainly fits that criteria. I Can Talk
American Boy- Estelle and Kanye West. I’m pretty sure every Gen Z and Millennial can agree with me. This.Is.A.Bop. I think I know all the words and that’s perhaps one of my proudest achievements. American Boy
Falling For U-Peachy! and mxmtoon. Tik Tok is addictive and also sometimes a good way to find new songs. Such as this one. A bit of a change up this is a slow chilled out song. Falling For U
Does your Mother Know- ABBA. Dancing Queen is the theme of St. Aidan’s Sixth year but this one is probably my favourite ABBA song of all time. Does Your Mother Know
No One Knows- Queens of the Stone Age. I first discovered this song playing Band Hero on my DS Lite about 8 years ago and have only now grown to appreciate it in my teenage years. Give it a listen if you haven’t heard it before and prefer a bit more rock. No One Knows

BONUS SONG!!!

It Gets Better-Rex Orange County. Out of all the songs on his new album-Pony- this one (or Pluto Projector) has got to be my fave. Probably one of the more upbeat tunes on the album but I highly recommend any of his songs. I’m soo excited to go see him in concert next week! It Gets Better

Top 5 Best Things About Halloween

October is here and spooky month is upon us!! And that means Halloween, truly one of the best holidays. And here only the top 5 best things about Halloween though there are many.

Decorations

Let’s be real, when a house puts out a single bowl of sweets with a sign saying ‘take one’ disappointment doesn’t begin to describe that house. Pumpkins litter people’s doorsteps with carvings from the classic pumpkin face, to witches hats, to intricate designs, to pumpkins throwing up their guts. Get creative.

And then there’s the inside. Houses begin to put up fake cobwebs, hanging ghosts, and skeletons. A parties cool and all but a Halloween party with skeletons, frozen hands as ice, hanging ghosts, and fake dead body outlines are the best.

Trick or treating

Okay maybe it’s a ‘kid thing’ but it’s also amazing. Dressing up, going up to strangers houses, asking for sweets and getting them! For free! As someone who grew up with 2 brother’s close in age we were set for weeks. Imagine a pile of sweets, nuts, fake tattoos, and even sometimes a juice spread across your living room. For free! Some people even home baked treats for the trick or treaters.

And there’s the jokes. Oh the jokes. Although I’m ‘too old’ to trick or treat answering the door and hearing the jokes is spooktacular. Who doesn’t love a dumb Halloween pun? And sometimes they get creative with their jokes

If this spooky season you’re too old to go trick or treating find a brother or sister or even a cousin to take round! It’s worth it. It’s one of the perks of having a two year old brother.

Pets in costumes

This had to be its own category. Pets can be cute. Cats, dogs, even snakes can all have there moments. But on Halloween?

What better thing is there than when you answer the door on Halloween and it isn’t a bratty kid but a bratty kid and a dog? And that dog is a pumpkin! I don’t even need to say anything else.

The aesthetic

Halloween is an aesthetic. Fall colours, Halloween parties, spooky movies. Plus since its autumn you have the bonus of fall. You can watch scary movies with a blanket and hot chocolate since its October and who cares?

Recently October has become its own aesthetic. Orange, pumpkin spice, Halloween makeup. Instagram floods with ‘scary’ makeup. Carving pumpkins is becoming a trend. Every country has its own little extra like Americas candy corns just to make it even better. The Halloween aesthetic is own of the best.

Costumes

Best for last, am I right? Pet costumes aside it’s the human costumes that are the best. You can do your own thing, a family costume, a couple costume, a group costume, or even where a shirt saying ‘this is my costume’, though that is a let-down let’s be honest.

And costumes cater for all types. Minimal effort people draw six lines on their face and call themselves a cat and spooktacular people bust out the latex and fake blood and look like they got lost on their way to the hospital. Costumes aren’t even just scary any more. Punny costumes, political costumes, cute costumes, and much more. Some people are using body paint to morph themselves into something not even human.

Who doesn’t want to be someone else for a day? Okay maybe not completely but still. Halloween gives you that (kind of). You can at least dress like whoever you want and act like them with little to no judgement.

So get your costume, get your trick or treat bags ready. It’s Halloween this Thursday and the Victoria Park Halloween party is tonight, it’s not a drill. Its spooky time

Top five songs you should listen to

i’m a massive fan of music, i grew up listening to all different kinds of music that really shaped my style today. so here’s a list of the ones i never skip 🙂

no. 1) stockholm syndrome by muse.

i actually grew up listening to muse and still love them.

no. 2) barbarism begins at home (2011 remaster) by the smiths

no. 3) this ones a tie. SMF and GENOCIDE by nascar aloe

no. 4) all mine by kanye west

and finally

no. 5) boy division by my chemical romance

hope you enjoy these songs. there’s a few different things there so i hope on tickles your fancy 🙂 thanks for reading, have a nice day !!