Tunes Pod: Troye Sivan, Halsey and Justin Bieber

I'M BRINGING IT BACK!

Music has been a huge part of my upbringing and has both lifted and crashed my spirits, but nonetheless has always been there when I need it. Before, I used to do Tunes Pod posts but have found that I should focus on my book blogging skills (which doesn't really exist lol)

But yes, I'm bringing it back. These past 2 months, music has really saved me and these three amazing artists are what helped me get through day by day.

TROYE SIVAN

Tunes Pod: Alessia Cara, Disclosure and Dresses

Hey there! It's another month and actually a whole new year filled with amazing discoveries both in books and of course, music! YAY! (This is me in blindly optimistic mood lol) Anyway, much of the stuff I listened through December were really much of last month's Tunes Pod feature but by the start of January, I was looking into a different set of pace and I found some new faves and went into loving a band anew since I've discovered a long time ago.

ALESSIA CARA


I adore this spunky girl who I think I've seen in a Buzzfeed video being interviewed. At first I was skeptical about her being on the red carpet then I immediately searched for her and MIND=BLOWN. Her music speaks to the young and particular issues that millennials face in this day and age. It's angsty, flavored and very raw. It's the right type of music to listen to when you're feeling particular rebellious on a given day.

Faves: Well, there's only 5 songs on this EP and I choose them all!!! They are just really good and I cannot wait for her to release a whole deluxe album. Someone (me) will definitely be grabbing it from the record store. 

DISCLOSURE

Tunes Pod: SCANDAL, SPYAIR, Goose house

Hi there, Misfit booknerds! This month, I went into quite the rampage... a Japanese rampage. As someone who has been drowned in anime since 3 years old, Japanese songs are not new territory to me. I remember very much when I use to sing to Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura and Magic Knight Rayearth songs on the telly. And it was such a beautiful childhood.

Anyway, I grew to love so many bands and artists from Japan because of this. And even though I know only a little bit of Japanese still, I find myself always drawn to them and the emotions that are drawn out of each song. Well, there's also the internet to help me get some translations but we'll talk about that another time. Here are the bands I have been obsessively listening to from last month up to now!

The Round Up: Love Was Definitely In The Air...I Mean Blog (February)

Hi there Misfit booknerds! Oh my god! February was mad, wasn't it? Like mad busy! I didn't expect that it would be so packed with tons of stuff it was absolutely great! Love was definitely the recurring theme on the blog this month and I got to bring back old favorites and introduce new ones! So yeah, let's do this!

BOOK BLOGGER LOVE-A-THON: HEY, IT'S JAYVEE!!! (Again)

Hi there everyone!!! It's Jayvee! It's another year of Love-A-Thon! I'm soooo, soooo excited to be a part of this again this year! My first year was last year and I can't believe how fast time flies but this is one of the best blog events to do and it's just super fun to answer all the questions and do the activities and interact with all the people involved. Check out the list of bloggers participating this year for the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon 2016! Don't forget to use the hashtag #LoveAThon on Twitter if you plan on joining the discussion (which are also super fun!) Do check out Alexa Loves Books, The Daily Prophecy, The Novel Hermit and Stay Bookish for updates and of course Love-A-Thon posts

Let's start answering some questions!

1. What’s your name?

• My name is Jenivieve De Castro! But you can call me Jayvee or Vee. Whatever suits your mood. You can also call me Misfit Queen or sweet pea. LOL.

2. Where in the world are you blogging from?

• I am blogging from the Philippines! YAY!

3. How did you get into blogging in the first place?

• I talked about this last year too! I started blogging in 2013 but it was more of a personal blog. But then in 2014, I started talking more about books! In April 2014, I became an official book blog. WOOHOO! It'll be my 2nd year this year! SO EXCITE!

BOOK BLOGGER LOVE-A-THON 2016 MINI CHALLENGE: MIX AND MATCH

Hi there! I hope you guys are enjoying the Love-A-Thon posts! Go to Twitter and use the hashtag #LoveAThon to check out the posts and other things going on. You can also refer to Stay Bookish's kick-off post for the list of participating bloggers for the event.Anyway, there's a mini-challenge that is happening right now and it is the first one. So here's the brief:

    

    --We all love books, but there are other things we’re passionate about too! Mash-up a non-bookish hobby/passion/talent/fandom with your bookish life. Do it through photos, art, videos, etc. Get as creative as you’d like!

I'm gonna be posting some photos of my certain hobbies and passions that I kinda mashed up with some books. Please excuse the low quality as I only got to use my iPhone 4S's front cam and couldn't use my DSLR camera coz my card reader and connector's missing and I can't upload any photos with it. *cries* Also, you will be witnessing photos with my face in it, so again, bear with it all. Thank you <3

The Round Up: The "Okay, I Got Busy" Edition (January)

Hi there Misfit booknerds!!! January was indeed a busy time for my blog wasn't it? I had so many posts it's like a total miracle *pats self on the back. I would say that this month had been quite the rollercoaster but I'm glad to be active again

Oh! By the way! This is also my first recap post ever. WOOOHOO!! Is there a way to actually do this right? Oh well.

Reviews: 

Tunes Pod June Special: 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER

I have been into this one band lately called 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER. If you don't know them, I don't blame you but you should definitely, definitely check them out. IT'S A MUST I TELL YOU! A MUST!

At first, I did not really give much thought about them probably because I was into that Imagine Dragons/Paramore mode that I did not notice that these boys would soon ruin my entire life... my music experience I mean.

I blame the television for playing SHE LOOKS SO PERFECT on loop! Like, both music channels I scan towards, they'd play the song like, every minute! Freakin' life was dominated by "SHE LOOKS SO PERFECT STANDING THERE IN MY AMERICAN APPAREL UNDERWEAR..." The rest folks is not history but would require the help of some fangirls, the 5SOS fam and adorable KEEKS and Instagram videos and photos that soon made me drop my guard and fall for these wonderful guys!

I will share with you my favorite 5SOS songs... And yes, She Looks So Perfect is part of it.

1. She Looks So Perfect

This is the cause of  many sleepless nights where I just had to go to Youtube, play the video and just rock out in 1 AM while the whole neighborhood was trying to get a night's rest. This is also the reason why I am incredibly obsessed with these boys right now! Yes, I have been done a great injustice coz of this.

2. Try Hard

One of my favorite songs to be honest. Even if I was drawn in by She Looks So Perfect, this one has the most plays on my iPad right now. Probably because of the "She's into drummers" line... Yeah, gets me every time. Anyway, I just love the sequencing of this music video and how adorable these boys are here! So proud coz it's been around for 1 year!!! WOOOHOO!! #1YearofTryHard #BandWeirdness

3. Wherever You Are

This song always gets its way to me whenever I play it, coz Luke and Calum's vocals are superb and it's dedicated to the fans, so I couldn't be happier! It's such a sweet, sing-me-a-lullaby song. It's simply perfect.

4. Don't Stop

5SOS is funny.. Like the boys with all their keeks and stuff, yeah, ROFL. And the Don't Stop music video proves to show that the boys are just an insanely hilarious bunch. I need me some superheroes like these. Yes Calum, girls do love the combo of green and yellow. And yes Michael, you are the leader.. Okay?

The song is an awesome song to play while going on a trip or just plainly rocking out! Yes, this song is also on loop.

5. Heartbreak Girl

Now, now. I know that I was clearly late with the hype but Heartbreak Girl was indeed the first song I've heard from the boys, but as I've said, I was in a mode back then, so I really didn't care. But with the obsession that came with liking their all their songs, I have to finally admit that this became one of my faves. Let us petition for Ashton to wear his glasses again. THANK YOU!

And so, I leave you with my favorite 5SOS songs. But they are all wonderful! I can't wait to purchase the album! WOOOO!

I'd like to thank the 5SOS fam for graciously accepting me in the fandom! I am honored! It is one of my greatest pleasures as a music lover to talk music with people who understand. I know that my obsession had not come long before their start and I wish that it was, but it doesn't change the fact that I do love their music and the band and that I will be dedicated to them, till my bones break and my heart stops. I love you Luke, Calum, Michael and Ashton. You have made my playlist livelier! Please do visit the Philippines soon!!! Much love to you all! And of course, congratulations to all the success! May you stumble upon this sometime.

MUSIC POD: December Playlist, TOP 10

Here's my first post for my MUSIC POD page! This post includes my current favorites for the month of December, but it could also change in the course of time. This may also include old songs that I feel like listening to during the month... Let's get started...


TOP 10:

1. PURE HEROINE by Lorde (ALBUM)

Now, if you don't know who Lorde is, then I'm completely sorry for you. She's a girl from New Zealand who writes her own music and was discovered after releasing her EP The Love Club. From then on, her career exploded. Her first single out of her debut album, PURE HEROINE, "Royals", topped the BillBoard 100 Alternative, making her the 2nd woman to take the top spot in the alternative charts after 17 years. At the age of 16, Lorde has definitely a lot to show and prove and her album does not disappoint.

Tracks:

1. Tennis Court

2. 400 Lux

3. Royals

4. Ribs

5. Buzzcut Season

6. Team

7. Glory and Gore

8. Still Sane

9. White Teeth Teens

The songs included in the album are not your typical high school girl who just felt like writing about a break up or a certain achievement. The album boasts of dark tunes and melodies that introduce the ideas of death as well as pain. Of course, it is typical to have songs about teenagers since Lorde is one but she puts twists in it, making an ordinary idea seem so much more complex. An example is "White Teeth Teens" which basically just talks about good looking individuals but actually talks about vampires (this is my opinion on it... Yours?)

"Glory and Gore" is a much darker take on a song for Lorde but that's what's so amazing of what she can do. There will be people who would not appreciate Lorde's music especially in this age of dance music but with the success of Royals, I don't think that Lorde will fail in this industry. As long as she works hard for it, I don't see any reason for her to lose to any big guns.

Here's her biggest hit out of PURE HEROINE: ROYALS: 

2. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Original Movie Soundtrack by Various Artists (ALBUM)

Fans of The Hunger Games series delved into the world of Catching Fire as it premiered worldwide on November 21/22, 2013 in all cinemas. I love movie soundtracks. I really do. It allows you to hear so many new artists that you've never heard of or at least tried to listen to more of their songs. While watching Catching Fire, I was also attentive enough to listen to a bit of music playing in the background, maybe get an idea of what exactly was playing or what I would be hearing from the soundtrack. I only had the chance to hear "We Remain" by Christina Aguilera and "Atlas" by Coldplay, so getting to hear the soundtrack was something I looked forward to after watching the movie. OH YEAH, the movie was on FIIIIAAAAAHHH! HAHA!

Well, the songs in the album did not disappoint. I loved every single one of them! "We Remain" was an instant favorite and "Gale Song" by The Lumineers, though I did not entirely approved of the title, once heard, I cried over it. It's that good! And "Shooting Arrows at The Sky" by Santigold is my jam! I love this album so much!!!

Here are five songs from the album for you to listen to. Download your own copy now on iTunes.




3. Story Of My Life by One Direction (SONG)

I already have the Midnight Memories album of One Direction. It's actually pretty good. But there's just this one song that speaks to me every time. I dunno. I'm not a guy though to be so emphatic with the situation of the guy in the story. But I guess in a way, the idea of being able to keep something got to me. Plus the music video helped.

I like the lyrics to the song. It reminds you of Gotta Be You from their album Up All Night though a lot more mature. The song also caters all the voices of the boys. I actually find it a problem sometime in their boy band that at most times, only Zayn, Harry and Liam would sing like CRAZY! HEEELLLLOOOO! Niall and Louis are there too! And they have good voices to boot. So it's great that I actually got to hear more of them in the song and also the album!

Anyway, yeah. It talks to me, really, like in my sleep and that's why I keep on playing it. It hurts but it's a feel good song.

Here's the song. Credits to beatricef for this clip...



4. Yours Truly by Ariana Grande (ALBUM)

I saw a baby grow so fast! Ariana Grande may be older of a few months from me, but because of her character as Cat Valentine in Victorious and Sam and Cat, I just couldn't grasp how fast she's becoming a superstar. Her debut album, YOURS TRULY made hits on the BillBoard 100 and on iTunes. He first single in the album, "The Way" featuring Mac Miller, garnered her 1 million copies sold, making it a platinum record.

The thing about Yours Truly is that you couldn't actually tell if it's actually Ariana Grande. What I mean is that her voice could actually be that serious. Coz she always plays this crazy little Cat Valentine with the high pitched voice on TV that it's hard to imagine her singing about heartbreak or love. But she makes it all work. And I love her for that.

The whole albums sings of love and fun which depicts Ariana's character and personality so perfectly. I actually listen to this album on repeat sometimes just to savor each song. And the "whistle" register to her voice is something to be envious about! Like a young Mariah Carey in the making only much sweeter and cuter...HAHA!

My favorites from the album would have to be "Honeymoon Avenue", "Daydreaming", "Almost is Never Enough" and "Popular Song" featuring MIKA. But I guarantee that every song in this album is worth your headphones stuck to your ears all day just listening to the miracle of Ariana's voice.

Listen to YOURS TRULY here: