"#000000 & #FFFFFF" by The Neighbourhood

Hello readers,

After a week of having lack of inspiration to write a new post, I finally found one and here I am, going to write a review about this latest mixtape, #000000 & #FFFFFF by the Sweater Weather indie rock band, The Neighbourhood. Having to achieved their success with the chilling, West Coast track, the band have been embarking on a tour to Europe, Russia and even different states in United States.

While travelling to many places, The Neighbourhood did found some time to record new songs for this long anticipated mixtape. Some of the songs such as Silver, Unfair and Lurk were uploaded onto their SoundCloud months before the release of #000000 & #FFFFFF. For those who are not Internet savys, the title refers to the HTML colour codes for black and white. The Neighbourhood frontman, Jesse Rutherford has been known for his love for HTML and monochrome colours.

#000000 and #FFFFFF is a mixtape which caters to people who are fond of hip hop and rock or maybe 1990s music. Imagine when both genres come together, you have the mixtape. In this mixtape, The Neighbourhood specially invited some underground rappers such as Raury, French Montana and Danny Brown to be featured in some songs. I have to say the rappers are pretty cool, especially the song, #icanteven featuring French Montana. The introduction of the song, NSTYNCT featuring Skeme and OGMaco is a good one, despite the fact The Neighbourhood came in after 3 minutes and 16 seconds.

I can tell you that this mixtape is like being in a concert. I admit that this is the first mixtape I have ever heard since most mixtapes are released by hip hop artists. This mixtape was heavily edited and cut to make sure it sounded like one song which has no ending. Phone Call Interlude is one of those songs I think is awkward cause you can listened to the conversation between Jesse Rutherford and another collaborator on coming home. This takes you to another song, When I Get Back featuring G Eazy which reminds me of every musicians coming a long way from home to stardom.

Dangerous and #icanteven are songs that have repetitive theme of dangerous girl and how she cheats on her partner. I love these two songs cause it reminds me of songs from the radio back in 2007 and 2008. I recommend you, readers to give these two songs a listen. Another song to recommend is Warm featuring Raury, which gives a chilling, "lost in the winter" feeling.

Alright, I shall stop writing here and to end off, I think The Neighbourhood has achieved a goal: Releasing a mixtape of various combinations. Also, to have a mixtape in this season is a perfect timing after a long wait.

As #000000 & #FFFFFF is a free mixtape, you can download or stream on this link: http://www.datpiff.com/The-Neighbourhood-000000-ffffff-mixtape.669129.html.

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Spectrum VIII

Hello readers,

Lot of things happened this week, especially when it comes to a school yearly event (name on post's title). Spectrum is back after two years due to budget cut last year and in replacement, my CCA had a combined concert with Symphonic Band. This year's theme is Broadway, so you can expect musicals (lots of memorable songs which does not include Frozen and other current trends) and will take place at Republic Polytechnic Cultural Centre.

Most of the Broadway plays or musicals can be traced back to 1950s and especially 1980s. I can tell you that most of the performing arts groups are working hard to put up the best show, especially Drama Club who will dominate the stage for the night event. I shall not say out surprises or what my CCA is playing, so I can leave you guys a suspense. If you have bought a ticket for $20, then good for you!

I hope I can play well for tomorrow, since I am the only Zhongyin Sheng player. It is stress for me cause my instrument is loud and just one mistake can 'blow up' the stage. Besides stressing up for performance, I am also trying to figure out a reason for something which is happening since September. I will not say this explicitly since most of you, readers are my friends or CCA-mates. I can only say that something is strange cause my guts told me that someone is acting oddly...

Sigh... I hope tomorrow is going to be a good day...

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TV Series Review: The Affair

Hello readers,

I am here today to talk about this television series, The Affair which starred Dominic West and Ruth Wilson. I wanted to write this review last week but I could not find the time to do so. Since I am right now free, I shall get started.

The Affair is a television series about the psychological effects on the affair between both married individuals. Noah is a family man who has four children, a lovely wife who he is with since college, a successful first book and now, on a writer's block. On the other hand, Alison is a woman (native on the small island) who lost her child two years ago due to drowning and is depressed with her marriage. Both Noah and Alison met on a small island and the story starts from here.

The Affair is an interesting television series which I am surprised by how it turned out. I initially thought the characters' affair was going to be boring and there will be a conflict with their own wife and husband. I was proven wrong when I found out the storyline was told in two parts: Noah's and Alison's and guess what? Both stories are told differently to the audience. One of the characters or both may be lying throughout this season. Here, we are told indirectly that someone was murdered and both Noah and Alison are called in as witnesses.

We are also told that Noah and Alison have may have ended their affair prior to the pilot episode. You see, there are many twists around the series and because of that, you must catched up with every episode to know what will happened. The storyline is refreshing in a way that there are cover ups or dillusion by the two main characters. Besides storyline, I like the opening sequence of The Affair where Fiona Apple contributed her unreleased song, Container. The song gives a chilling feel with addition of the ocean tides.

If you haven't catched The Affair, I recommend you to have a go!

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TV Series Review: Peaky Blinders

Hello readers,

I am here today to write a review about this gangster drama series from BBC 2, Peaky Blinders. The series was first aired last year with only 6 episodes and recently it has been introduced on Netflix. So far, the series has two seasons (twelve episodes in total) with the finale coming on Thursday.

Peaky Blinders is a television series based on a real-life youth gang with the same name. The members' cap has a razor blade sewed inside and hence the name was given. The first season is an introduction to the Shelby family who are expanding their business in Birmingham, England, followed by expanding their territories to the different parts of England such as Camden and London.

Starring Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill and Helen McCrory in this 1920s 'gangsterish' drama, the series provided the viewers the glimpse of every coolish Peaky Blinders and the madness into one. Talking business, coppers and other gangs such as Kimber's or maybe the Irish Republican Army (IRA), the series offered the best of the best with fighting, passion for love, betrayal and strong family bond. You can say this series is another Boardwalk Empire style, but not totally.

Cillian Murphy as the ambitious boss, Thomas "Tommy" Shelby is a strong lead with that mesmerizing blue eyes and entrance appearance in the pilot episode. Together with Helen McCrory who is the lady of the house, Aunt Polly, both of them I would say very entertaining and I loved their appearances. The storyline of the series has kept me going and making me begging for more. It is such a shame that a new season would come a year later...

If you haven't catch Peaky Blinders, you should really give a go!

P.S. I completed Season 1 in 3 days and now, I am waiting for Season 2 finale. ;)

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