Author: Glenn Fosbraey
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Songwriters have long revealed the ugly side of ‘love’ – from John Lennon to Mariah Carey
For as long as pop music has existed, there have been love songs. And as long as there have been love songs, songwriters have been wrestling with what love means to them. We have been told that love is the best, that it can mend our souls, and keep us alive. But we have also…
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Linkin Park reform with a new singer – three other bands that have successfully done the same
Linkin Park have announced that they are reforming, seven years after disbanding due to the death of lead singer Chester Bennington. Along with the announcement of a six-date international tour and the promised release of new music, it was also revealed that Emily Armstrong, formerly of the Los Angeles group Dead Sara, would be joining…
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Oasis: expert explains the formula for a successful band reunion – and why some crash and burn
The worst-kept secret in the music world is out: Oasis are back. And the only real surprise is that it’s taken so long for it to happen. Since there have been bands, bands have been breaking up. And since bands have been breaking up, bands have been reforming. Some have led to creative rebirths (Blur,…
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Oasis reunion: five things that made Definitely Maybe a modern classic
Liam and Noel Gallagher have finally announced an Oasis reunion tour, 15 years after they disbanded due to their constant feuds. Definitely Maybe, the album that launched the band, celebrates its 30th birthday on August 29. Branded one of the greatest debut albums of all time by many music critics, what is it that makes…
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Eminem’s new single, Houdini, is a self-referential reminder of his unstoppable anti-hero appeal
Eminem burst onto the music scene in 1999 with The Slim Shady LP. The album’s lead single, My Name Is, introduced himself to the world along with his alter ego Slim Shady, a lovable (or detestable, depending on your perspective) bad boy and outrageous white emcee unafraid of self-ridicule. He declared that he had been…
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Four ways to cultivate a unique taste in music in the age of streaming algorithms
One of the positive things about modern media is that artists can now get their music into the world without having to first impress industry executives. The downside, though, is that with pretty much everything available at the click of a button, we are faced with an overwhelming burden of choice. In your 20s and…
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Special edition vinyl albums cause some fans delight – but others suspect a cynical marketing ploy
Streaming may still be the preferred method of music consumption for the vast majority of us in 2024, but vinyl, cassettes, and even the long-unloved CD format have shown resurgence in recent years. In fact, physical sales are so healthy that HMV has risen from the ashes and returned to its flagship store on Oxford…
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An ode to the social realism of ‘boring’ lyrics – from The Kinks to The Streets
The majority of chart artists content themselves with writing lyrics about relationships, breakups or their lavish lifestyles. Take the current top 10 song, Prada by Cassö, RAYE & D-Block Europe. As one might expect from the title, it speaks of designer clothes, fancy hotels and expensive cars. Other artists, however, satisfy themselves with something a…
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Music can ease the January blues – but the types of songs that work depend on your age and mindset
Music can significantly boost your mental health – delivering benefits similar to those provided by exercise or weight loss. It can also reduce feelings of anxiety and physiological measures of stress and, as neuropsychologist Daniel Levitin argues, even create the same “neurochemical cocktail” as other pleasurable activities, like orgasms or eating chocolate. So what type…
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How to write a love song – three tips for beginners from a songwriting expert
Love and romance are unquestionably the dominant lyrical themes of popular music. In fact, research in 2017 found that “love” has been the most common theme for pop song lyrics in every decade since the 1960s. If you’re trying to write a love song for the first time, you might not know where to begin,…
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Glenn Fosbraey 