2014 Me in Music

I tend to write a lot of serious stuff, wouldn't you agree? The first thing I say whenever somebody asks about my blog is that I would hate it to be a vessel for me personally and that I would rather let my writing speak for itself than go on and on about myself and subjects that aren't quite relevant to my ethos. But, while a good thing to stand for, my fixation on having an aesthetically pleasing place for my self expression is not necessarily healthy and today I just didn't want to be so serious. Apparently I'm quite the interesting person?

Initially I planned to write something along the lines of how immersing yourself into the scary world of adulthood goes and this lead me to think about my last year of 'childhood' (do we even call it that at 17, nothing I did was childish) and particularly how formative it was for me in terms of music. I mean we all love music whether it's for catharsis when you're sobbing into a pillow post break up or loud booming beats at a sweaty club on your first ever night out, music is the way to go to make sense of the weirdness of the teenage world around you.

Weirdly enough though it served as less of a staple in my emotional growth and rather a way of marking moments in time. This explains to me why I remember so much of 2014 in comparison to other years (as well as being the last good year I can think of prior to this year)- it was the year of my AS/A Levels, the start of my first serious relationship and the year I ventured off abroad for what was the first time in forever. So yes, it was good times and I thought what better to remember that than to present to you the soundtrack to my seventeen-hood.

Before I delve into the tracks I'm going to pop the Spotify link to the playlist at the bottom of this post in case you (oddly) want to get into the mindset of what I was way like back in 2014.

~ Agora- Bear Hands ~

If you're miraculously awake at 9:30 on a Sunday morning I'd highly recommend watching Sunday Brunch on Channel 4, if not for the delicious food it also boasts some good ol' chit cat and some excellent new music just before and after the adverts. Anyway this was where I discovered Bear Hands and most importantly Agora which has become a personal favourite. It really touched a nerve with my anxious, slightly agoraphobic 17 year old self but in a strangely good way, funny how music can make you feel better about your quirks. It's got a pretty sick beat as well.

~ Shark In The Water- V V Brown ~

From what I remember this wasn't released in 2014 so I debated leaving it off the list however it just wouldn't be right to ignore this goldie, when it did first come out I wasn't that into the song but cue Spring 2014 with my newfound home of Durham riverside and the beaming sunshine and suddenly this little summer anthem found it's place in my heart. It collided with a time in my life when things were finally picking up after years of anxiety and struggling, I finally found new friends at sixth form whom I could chill with down by the river in between subjects. What better song to blast in the sunny afternoons than this jem.

~ A Sky Full of Stars- Coldplay ~

I did suggest before that music can mark a period in time and that I think most people can relate to, weeks or months where a song just fits the mood so well but this song happens to cover quite the day in my history. I'd heard it buzzing away in the Saturday ventures to HMV through the speakers and thought it was quite nice. So there it went on my iPhone ready for the nighttime coach ride to Gatwick for the Sixth Form Italy trip. Unbeknown to everybody else on that coach the hours before we left on that amazing adventure had contained quite the strangely uncomfortable series of events and this song, while it played someway probably down the A1(M) really comforted me. It even persuaded me to buy a star printed jumper.

~ Clarity- Zedd, Foxes ~

Who could forget this popular banger? I wouldn't have, prior to this, ever embraced this kind of music. I was at that age where it wasn't cool to like popular music- you had to be indie or able to list thirty-something alternative bands nobody else had heard of to qualify as a bonafide music lover. This song though, it was too special and good to not say fuck it and allow this zit of pop history to rear it's ugly head on my beautiful indie playlist. The beat perfectly captures the feeling of the summer nights post AS when life was just innocently passing by, before we all had cares and stresses. To cut a long story short, you have grown on me Zedd, I'm sorry for being so difficult.

~ Rather Be- Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne ~

I may as well introduce this the same way as I did with Clarity, ok? Once you get bitten by the pop bug you're pretty much destined for long car drives with BBC1 blasting from your top notch stereo system while your Dad clasps his hands over his ears in agony, wishing you'd return to your days of Smooth Radio lovin'. I have to admit this song persuaded me to make some pretty unfortunate decisions, the go getting vibe wound me up taking work less seriously and love more so. It's not like you had to go through such effort to hear it, the bloomin' thing was everywhere.

~ stay- Lewis Watson ~

Can we take a moment for how beautiful this piece of music is?


(Moment had)

Great! I think I may have heard this one on Sunday Brunch as well as Agora but I'm not quite sure. I do remember this being popular however, at least in my inner circle of music loving friends and it's another one that perfectly sums up Summer pre A2 woes and being slammed for my distinct lack of life choices. Stay is so peaceful and so stunning, I used to listen to it post driving lessons when I was so stressed and disappointed because my left hand turns, like my life, weren't on fleek. Unfortunately I don't ever remember picking up the album which is a huge regret. Maybe I should? Not like my bank account would agree.

~ Riptide- Vance Joy ~

Set the scene- it's June 2014, in my lovestruck haste I choose to visit Newcastle University (it's been a long time coming babe) instead of my previous love Bangor. My Dad, thrilled at his shortened drive, drops me and my Mum off at the campus. We are greeted by yellow shirted smiling students (smile and wave boys, smile and wave) and pointed to a campus tour. A Sheldon Cooper Chemistry student look-a-like (Chemistry, pfft, he was so close) and we stand next to the SU ready to begin- and this awesome song comes on and bam, it just feels like Summer. It may have been that moment in time that sold me the university and to this day is why I had such a long lasting positive opinion, you know when you just know something is right? Thank you Vance Joy. You unintentionally partially decided my future for me.

~ Like I Can- Sam Smith ~

Sam Smith bae was at his peak in this era and I cannot understand why 'Like I Can' wasn't more successful. The video in particular showcased smartly dressed young men wandering around looking very debonair (come to think of it maybe that's why, chicks don't dig that anymore, sob) and Sam's smooth voice just melts your heart as he points out the disappointing people in your life and why he, not just because he is Sam Smith, would obviously be better. You're right Sam, you're so right. They can leave.

~ Chandelier- Sia ~

Did anybody not fall in love with Sia over Chandelier? Wrongly, as she had made excellent music in the years prior, I didn't notice our Queen and her voice before this song came out and even then it's took me a few more years and 'This is Acting' to become utterly obsessed and have a genuine problem when somebody asks me to turn her off in the car in favour of the swinging sixties album. No Mum, I will not. I mean this woman's voice is just incredible, her lyrics are so intelligent and captivating- it really speaks so well of what it's like to be a young woman with such confidence but such instability. The soundtrack to every historical drama tribute I've ever watched, Chandelier is a stunning track. I'd highly recommend every song she's ever done on every album and every appearance.

Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/user/sophielbubs/playlist/3i3Od1FqWDabH44acppbzk