Nick

As promised, my review of Kicker: http://auralfixationreviews.blogspot.com/2015/07/kicker-zella-day.html
 
Definitely love this record. I cannot get over how warm it feels and how much inspiration she drew from Western/'cowboy' movies. It's an odd direction to take, but she made it work so well!

Actress and singer whose popularity stemmed from her time with the Walt Disney Company. She released three albums in a band before moving to a solo career.

Her second studio album 'Revival' is set for an October 9 release date, following 2013's 'Stars Dance.' The album was preceded by the top ten single "Good for You," plus "Same Old Love" and "Me & the Rhythm."

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1TsVjvEkc4s
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naKhF6G36rM
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XFfWems2_A

-

What do you all think of her? While not the world's best vocalist (and probably the weakest vocally between all of the Disney girls, bar Hilary Duff), she makes some great pop music. I'm excited to see where she takes this next album considering she finally moved from Hollywood Records to Interscope Records. Judging by the title and the post-Justin Bieber time in her life, I expect a lot of confidence and radiance.

YouTube isn't really the be-all, end-all of fan power, though. Halsey undoubtedly has Tumblr on-lock and has a lead on Twitter and Instagram followers. It'll be interesting to see how sales turn out for both of them. Casual listeners can subscribe on YouTube, but fans take the jump to follow on other social media platforms.

don't you dare judge me. she's one of my guilty pleasures 

Holy shit, that live version of Hold Me Down 

she's definitely talented. if she's a bit manifactured? maybe. and boring to some people? maybe. but talented? definitely. she's a great singer.

this version is so, so, so good.

don't you dare judge me. she's one of my guilty pleasures 

Actress and singer whose popularity stemmed from her time with the Walt Disney Company. She released three albums in a band before moving to a solo career.

Her second studio album 'Revival' is set for an October 9 release date, following 2013's 'Stars Dance.' The album was preceded by the top ten single "Good for You," plus "Same Old Love" and "Me & the Rhythm."

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1TsVjvEkc4s
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naKhF6G36rM
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XFfWems2_A

-

What do you all think of her? While not the world's best vocalist (and probably the weakest vocally between all of the Disney girls, bar Hilary Duff), she makes some great pop music. I'm excited to see where she takes this next album considering she finally moved from Hollywood Records to Interscope Records. Judging by the title and the post-Justin Bieber time in her life, I expect a lot of confidence and radiance.

Who is a great artist/bad artist/whatever is just a petty matter of opinion. I'm talking about substantial criticisms here. The lyrical handiwork, manufactured image, 'Tumblr' aesthetic, dark alt-pop, the yearning to appeal to 'teens who listen to 'indie music' and shop at Urban Outfitters,' etc. They have some heavy parallels. The only downfall Halsey has against her is the similarities between the two songs I mentioned before.
 
There's no reason to get defensive towards artists that cut into the same niche 'part-indie, part-mainstream popularity, part-viral success' market as Lana Del Rey. People did the same thing when Lorde came on the market because she 'stole' Lana's trip-hop fusion on pop music and semi-dramatic persona, and now Halsey is the next victim.
Let's be honest: Lana's lips were not the only thing that caused her to be slammed in the public eye. Shaky live performances, the uncovering of her ill-fated first stab at a music career, the huge viral footprint she left behind before moving to Interscope with social media accounts, to name a few.
 
Once again, minus that New Ameicana similarity, Halsey is not in the wrong. Plagiarizing work is not the same as re-purposing or sampling work. If the sample was cleared by the original artist and was credited appropriately, plagiarism is no longer on the board. If this weren't the case, artists like Azealia Banks wouldn't have a professional career right now (well, whatever is left of it, I suppose).

Please edit that title. Her name is SELEGEND.

Currently reviewing Kicker. I'll be sure to post it when I'm done - it's such a unique little album!

Currently reviewing Kicker. I'll be sure to post it when I'm done - it's such a unique little album!

don't you dare judge me. she's one of my guilty pleasures 

Actress and singer whose popularity stemmed from her time with the Walt Disney Company. She released three albums in a band before moving to a solo career.

Her second studio album 'Revival' is set for an October 9 release date, following 2013's 'Stars Dance.' The album was preceded by the top ten single "Good for You," plus "Same Old Love" and "Me & the Rhythm."

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1TsVjvEkc4s
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naKhF6G36rM
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XFfWems2_A

-

What do you all think of her? While not the world's best vocalist (and probably the weakest vocally between all of the Disney girls, bar Hilary Duff), she makes some great pop music. I'm excited to see where she takes this next album considering she finally moved from Hollywood Records to Interscope Records. Judging by the title and the post-Justin Bieber time in her life, I expect a lot of confidence and radiance.

Guys chill. Making comparisons is totally normal. I think it's healthy for newcoming artists to examine the trends of their era and letting some of them influence their vision. No one's vision is a brick wall. 
It's extremely rare for artists to create a trend of their own. It sort of happened with Lana mainly because popstars of the time (Gaga, Katy) had reached eccentricity and provocation to the extent where there was no way back. Lana and other alternative pop artists brought simplicity and vulnerability back to the market. It was fresh and appealing back then. 
 
Now... I'm angry at people that think Halsey, for instance, owes her life to Lana. No she doesn't. She's got a talent of her own. On the other hand, I'm angry at those who act like they don't see the slighest similarity, It's like they're closing their eyes to the whole picture. Give credits to the one that should be given and then enjoy the music. That's all. 
 
Welcome Melanie and Halsey to the Family. They're the 3rd generation if I'm not mistaken. 
Lana and Marina being the first.
Sky and Charli being the second.

boycotting this trash awards show because it is racist and misogynist and anti-Nicki Minaj
 
but also how dare Taylor Swift be applauded for not streaming her album but everyone was shaded for starting Tidal like for real what is wrong with y'all
 
Anaconda for the win
 
 
 

boycotting this trash awards show because it is racist and misogynist and anti-Nicki Minaj
 
but also how dare Taylor Swift be applauded for not streaming her album but everyone was shaded for starting Tidal like for real what is wrong with y'all
 
Anaconda for the win
 
 
 

She is having a grade-A meltdown, isn't she? My, my, my. Someone must really want that VMA.
 
As much as I hate to admit it, I have to agree with omgsitsandrew on this one. Miley's Wrecking Ball video partially won for the shock value. But, looking past the licking of the hammer, and it's really not that hyper-sexual. It is a very well done video; the imagery was beautiful. The focus isn't just on being sexual, but also being vulnerable. Nicki's Anaconda video, on the other hand, just wasn't well done. Its main purpose was to be vulgar. I mean, ass shots make up the majority of the video and the ending minute or so is literally just a lap dance. 
 
It seems that she is just trying to turn her temper tantrum into this big statement now so she doesn't look like a spoiled brat.
 
Edit: also oh my gosh this Tumblr post is so right though
 

She is having a grade-A meltdown, isn't she? My, my, my. Someone must really want that VMA.
 
As much as I hate to admit it, I have to agree with omgsitsandrew on this one. Miley's Wrecking Ball video partially won for the shock value. But, looking past the licking of the hammer, and it's really not that hyper-sexual. It is a very well done video; the imagery was beautiful. The focus isn't just on being sexual, but also being vulnerable. Nicki's Anaconda video, on the other hand, just wasn't well done. Its main purpose was to be vulgar. I mean, ass shots make up the majority of the video and the ending minute or so is literally just a lap dance. 
 
It seems that she is just trying to turn her temper tantrum into this big statement now so she doesn't look like a spoiled brat.
 
Edit: also oh my gosh this Tumblr post is so right though
 

I think the songs are definitely similar & I'm sure Halsey (and specifically her label) are trying to cut into Lana's market because theres clearly a lot of money to be made and a pretty large window for it, but at the same time weren't we saying the same thing about Lorde in 2013? Idk I mean she kind of annoys me as a person (I can't tell if she's just full of herself or is actually just an idiot) but I don't think this is like some elaborate scheme to rip off every move Lana has ever made. I think Lana hit/created a niche with her musical style/imagery and I think other artists are probably inspired by that and want to create in that niche as well. People are bringing up Melanie Martinez a lot on here and form what I've heard of her recent stuff isn't she making like the exact same "Indie girl with raspy voice over slow, heavy beats" thing that Halsey is doing? I think its just artists creating in a genre. Music made in the same genre is bound to have some similarities, otherwise it wouldn't be in the same genre.

I'm sure Halsey will surpass the sales of Ryn and Melanie - she should especially be able to blow past Ryn with no problems. She seems to have a bigger viral fanbase to fall back on.

YouTube isn't really the be-all, end-all of fan power, though. Halsey undoubtedly has Tumblr on-lock and has a lead on Twitter and Instagram followers. It'll be interesting to see how sales turn out for both of them. Casual listeners can subscribe on YouTube, but fans take the jump to follow on other social media platforms.

I'm sure Halsey will surpass the sales of Ryn and Melanie - she should especially be able to blow past Ryn with no problems. She seems to have a bigger viral fanbase to fall back on.

She's releasing a cover of Britney's "...Baby One More Time" this Friday! I hope it has Kiddo-style production omg
 

 
http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/MP3-Music/Tove-Styrke/Baby-One-More-Time/product.html?product=V6412517
http://www.josepvinaixa.com/blog/tove-styrke-baby-one-more-time/

Does anybody realize that 95% of the arguments against Halsey are the same exact arguments made against Lana in 2011/2012? The only valid argument I see is the similarity between National Anthem and New Americana. Love both songs, but the chorus of New Americana does have a striking similarity to National Anthem's.