First of all, I'm so sorry that we didn't post anything new at all last week. University is starting to wind down for the year which means due dates, due dates, due dates (say that ten times fast)! I'd hate for that to be a regular excuse that we use but that's the harsh reality of that university student life. But let's move on, shall we?
Since the first The Hunger Games (2012) movie was released, I've not only been a fan of the books and movies but also the companion soundtracks! Safe and Sound, Elastic Heart and Shooting Arrows In The Sky are still probably my favourite tracks from the first two albums.for Mockingjay - Part 1, things have started to take a different turn. Lorde is at the helm of the album and has been assigned the task of selecting the songs she thinks fit the theme of the film. It's a huge step in her career especially since she's arguably one of the newcomers taking the world by storm. She did appear on the Catching Fire soundtrack with a dark and broody cover of Everybody Wants to Rule the World. So how does Yellow Flicker Beat match-up to its predecessors?
I guess it's only fair to look at the song from two perspectives: a music fan and a Hunger Games fan. But the grade will be a combination of the two. Let me start by saying that New Zealand radio is very onto it when it comes to new Lorde songs. The second she releases something new, expect it to be playing on The Edge or Zm almost instantly. So yes I have definitely heard this on the radio quite a lot in the past week.
Musically, it's something we've come to expect from Lorde. Something dark, artistic and minimalistic. The chorus is synth heavy with pulsing drum beats throughout. It's a great contrast to the opening and the verses that are laced with Lorde's moody crooning as it builds. The chorus does remind of her single Team but only slightly. I think I prefer YFB though. Yellow Flicker Beat isn't a departure for Lorde but as far as lead singles go it is stylistically different. If you compare it to the previous lead singles, Safe and Sound (2012) and We Remain (2013), it definitely takes the less pop route. Safe and Sound adopted a more Appalachian sound while We Remain felt like a very classic pop song. For my own music taste, I have to say that I do like Lorde as an artist. I haven't explored too much into her non-single songs but I have enjoyed listening to whatever she puts out. This being no exception.
 |
| Katniss in Mockingjay Part 1 (Release Date: 21st November 2014) |
For Hunger Games fans your point of interest will probably be the lyrics. Lyrically it's beautiful and not full of the classic rhymes that we hear on the radio. It's Lorde's style of songwriting that sets her apart from other artists of the time. I'll admit that at first I was a bit skeptical and wasn't quite sure how they fit. I haven't actually read Mockingjay in over a year (and Justine if you are reading this you are still forbidden to reread it BEFORE we see the movie. Especially if I have to sit next to you when we go see this). But after a couple of listens I started to get it. If this is going to be the end-credit song then we have to consider where the book will be split. If it's at that particular scene that everyone thinks it's going to be then I believe that it reflects Katniss' feelings about being the Mockingjay after this particular event. It's the turning point where Katniss has really started feeling like she's had enough and is ready to make the Capitol pay for everything they've done. All hell is about to break loose. I did particularly like the reference to The Hanging Tree with "necklace made of rope." Nice touch. I know many people disagree that the song doesn't fit and I was a bit skeptical at first. I feel like sometimes it didn't really channel Katniss' perspective as well as I had hoped and just ended up sounded like... Lorde. If you get what I mean. But everyone is entitle to their own interpretations of what Katniss is feeling.
It's not my favourite song from the companion albums but it's still good and intriguing. I love the companion albums so this is something that's still keeping me interested. I can't wait to see all the Lorde chosen songs and artists. Leave me comments on who you would like to be on the album!
KEEP
7.8/10
No comments:
Post a Comment