#Review: Sigala – Brighter Days 🌴


   

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Sigala (aka Bruce Fielder) is an English DJ, producer and remixer from Norwich in Norfolk. His first single, Easy Love (which featured a re-recorded interpolation of The Jackson 5 song, ‘ABC’) reached Number 1 in the UK Charts. In total, he has released a rather impressive, 12 singles, 6 of which have reached the Top 10 in the UK Charts. Now, with 10 of these singles featuring on his debut album, it’s easy to see why there is a lot of excitement about this release and indicates just how strong of an album it is. Here’s what we have to say about it…

Sigala - Brighter Days

To say that this album is star-studded is an understatement – it is utterly packed to bursting-point with incredible collaborations and downright epic tunes! Very rarely do you find that an album is filled, from start to finish, with singles but truly, every song on this record could be a single in its own right…and most of them have been!

With ten of the sixteen tracks having been released as singles, you could not be forgiven for not having heard at least one of these tracks before now! Easy LoveSweet Lovin’‘ featuring Bryn Christopher, Say You Do featuring Imani WilliamsDJ FreshGive Me Your Love featuring John Newman Nile Rodgers‘Came Here For Love’ featuring Ella Eyre and ‘Lullaby’ featuring Paloma Faith all reached inside the UK’s Top 10. They’re all uplifting, summery songs which are filled with feel-good vibes. (For more about these tracks, hit the links above – as a massive fan of them and having reviewed them before, there’s so much else to focus on with this record!)

It’s easy to see why Sigala is such a big hitter – he’s created an instantly recognisable sound by combining dance music with tropical house and topping it off with some sensational pop collaborations, meaning his tracks just rocket up the charts…and the unreleased tracks on Brighter Days continue this trend. To make it clear just how many collaborations are on this record, here are a list of all the features:

Paul Janeway (of St. Paul & The Broken Bones), Ella Eyre, Fuse ODG, Sean Paul, Kent Jones, Meghan Trainor, French MontanaThe VampsFlo RidaShaun FrankDelaney JaneHRVYNina NesbittPaloma FaithCraig David, Kylie MinogueBryn ChristopherCheat Codes, MAXJohn NewmanNile Rodgers, KodalineImani Williams and DJ Fresh.

With a lineup like that, it’s no surprise that this guy’s tunes are so damn good! Not only has he been dominating the UK dance music scene but with a whole host of international collaborations, he’s surely going to become a global hit!

The summer may well be drawing to a close but with this album, it feels like it’s just getting started; it’s the ultimate feel-good album that you just want to keep on repeat!

Aside from the obvious singles, this album features a few unheard tracks, starting with ‘Brighter Days’. With vocals from Paul Janeway (of St. Paul & The Broken Bones), you are eased into the album with a spacious verse that continually builds before unleashing a massive drop into the chorus…and the album doesn’t let up from there!

‘You Don’t Know Me’ is a huge track with shimmering synths and a monster beat (in collaboration with Shaun Frank) and some wonderful vocal lines from Flo Rida and Delaney Jane whilst ‘Somebody’ has some big, gang vocals in the lead-up to the chorus and great vocal harmonies shared between HRVY and Nina Nesbitt.

One of the biggest tracks on the album (and probably the most surprising that it’s not been a single) is ‘What You Waiting For’ featuring none other than pop princess Kylie Minogue! Think ‘Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)’ but mellowed into a tropical house anthem with an ever-evolving beat – it’s musical euphoria at its best.

‘Revival’ sees Fielder collaborate with American production trio, Cheat Codes with the addition of wonderful falsetto and full-on vocals provided by US artist, MAX, supported by a crowd. The beat is intense; something you can easily find yourself getting lost in. Lastly, is ‘All For Love’ which features Irish rock band, Kodaline. The song is somewhat reminiscent of The Chainsmokers‘ track, Something Just Like This featuring Coldplay and the vocals have a certain quality to that of Danny O’Donoghue from Irish band, The Script. This really is testament to just how diverse Fielder’s production is and illustrates his superb songwriting skills too.

The only negative of the album is that because so many of the songs have already been released as singles, there’s only six tracks which haven’t been heard before (hence focusing this review mainly on them) but honestly this is an awesome record – the way the track list flows is perfect and ending it with ‘Easy Love’ is pure brilliance!

The summer may well be drawing to a close but with this album, it feels like it’s just getting started. It’s the ultimate feel-good album that you just want to keep on repeat – whether you’re out driving in the car, home alone and looking for a pick-me-up, having a few friends round for a BBQ or going all-out with a party; this is an hour-long, back-to-back, 16-track, banger of an album, that you simply can’t get enough of! Turn it up loud, play it proud and dance like fucking crazy! A sensational debut by a superb producer…and it’s surely only going to get more exciting from here…

Rating
5


‘Brighter Days’ is out now and can be downloaded from iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/brighter-days/1397962305


Brighter Days on Spotify

Brighter Days (Official Video Playlist)


We hope you’ve enjoyed our review! What do you think of this epic producer’s debut album, Brighter Days? Are you as much of a fan as us? What would you rate it out of 5? Please leave your thoughts in a comment or via our social media.


Enjoyed this? Check out some of our other reviews here:

Muzik Speaks Album Reviews


Matt – Muzik Speaks
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#Two4Tunesday: The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – ‘Something Just Like This’ & Zedd – ‘Stay’ featuring Alessia Cara


   

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The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – ‘Something Just Like This’

Having first performed this song at 2017’s Brit Awards, the song has gathered a lot of support very quickly.

The Chainsmokers have been busy gathering a massive following with their monster hit singles ‘#Selfie’ and Closer, but by working with Coldplay, the band look set to sky rocket!

This song is just brilliant; pairing Chris Martin‘s humble vocals alongside the duo’s trademark sound, is perfection. I’m sure this will break into the Top 5 this week, but let’s wait and see.

No music video has surfaced yet, but I hope something drawing on the superhero-inspired lyrics will provide some of the imagery for the song. We’ll keep you updated on this.


‘Something Just Like This’ is on iTunes for downloading now! – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/something-just-like-this/id1207406271?i=1207406273



Zedd – ‘Stay’ featuring Alessia Cara

Zedd is a Russian-German electronic music producer, best known for producing electro house music. He’s worked with the likes of FoxesAriana GrandeSelena GomezRyan Tedder (from OneRepublic) and many more!

Having worked with a string of singers, it should come as no surprise that he’s done it again; this time, ‘Stay’, features the vocals of Canadian singer, Alessia Cara and the resulting song is a huge, anthemic house track with some superb vocal effects. It’s a brilliant captivating song that stands out in a rather saturated market.

No music video for this one either yet, but we’ll keep you in the loop.

‘Stay’ can also be downloaded from iTunes now! – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/stay/id1207485139?i=1207485150


Matt – Muzik Speaks
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#WildCardWednesday: Natalie McCool – ‘Fortress’


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Natalie McCool is a rather remarkable and interesting songstress. She begun building her following after winning a national, Yamaha-sponsered songwriting competition, judged by Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin. It was then, whilst at university, that she received a one-on-one songwriting session with none other than Paul McCartney.

One of her latest singles is, ‘Fortress’, taken from her recently released album The Great Unknown and it’s captivating; such an interesting and unique song with beautiful backing vocals to underpin the beauty of the track. I’ll most definitely be checking out the album!

What are your thoughts of this songwriter? Have you seen or heard of her previous releases? Please leave your comments or recommendations in a comment below, or holler at use via our social media accounts.

Matt – Muzik Speaks
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‘Fortress’ can be downloaded off iTunes now – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/fortress/id1086465535?i=1086465542


#Two4Tunesday: Coldplay – ‘Adventure Of A Lifetime’ & The Vamps – ‘Wake Up’


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Coldplay – ‘Adventure Of A Lifetime’

Coldplay are incredible and only seem to be making better and more diverse music with each release they make.

They’ve come a long way from their humble ‘Shiver’ beginnings. ‘Adventure Of A Lifetime’, sees the band working with the producer, Stargate and taking a new, colourful, more uplifting direction.

This latest offering is fun and more pop than ever before, but it’s a great new sound for them. I’d love to see this performed live and am currently listening my way through the album!


‘Adventure Of A Lifetime’ is on iTunes for downloading now! – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/adventure-lifetime-radio-edit/id1058139399



The Vamps – ‘Wake Up’

The Vamps are a UK band who rose to fame in 2013, with their debut song, ‘Wild Heart’, but have never really entered my vision until now.

‘Wake Up’ is the lead single off their new album of the same name but I thoroughly enjoy this track due to its use of gang vocals.

The music video also features Brooklyn Beckham and it serves as his acting debut.


‘Wake Up’ is available for downloading now! – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/wake-up/id1039482410?i=1039482412


Matt – Muzik Speaks
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#MellowMonday: Coldplay – ‘Magic’

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What a week that was, last week! Thanks for everyone’s support so far; especially Frankmusik and Dappy for their RT and sharing!

So it’s time for ‘Mellow Monday’ again! This week, I have chosen the Coldplay song, ‘Magic’. Coldplay are like royalty when it comes to writing mellow songs, but this particular song really captivates me.

I love the production of the bass and the fact it’s so prominent in the song as well as the sparse, drum-pad patterns alongside the melodic piano, married with Chris Martin’s vocals. Overall, the song is a fantastic production and builds up just the right amount, before mellowing out again, by the end.

A truly lovely transition into the week!

So what ‘Mellow Mondayness’ are you listening to today? Please share 🙂

Matt – Muzik Speaks
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