Welcome Back!!

Hi everyone! I am so pleased to announce that EMC - Everything Music and Cinema is BACK! I started this blog last summer and loved every second of sharing my knowledge and opinions of film, television, music, and everything else in between. Once the school year started, things got a bit rocky, but I am back on track now and I'm so looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. I have so many ideas for the blog, and I can't wait to start looking on them. This post is just serving as a reminder to check the blog daily now, as I hope to have new content every day.

Here are some ideas I am working on:
Song of the Week: I did this last summer and really enjoyed introducing you to a variety of genres and artists, so I'll definitely be bringing that back.
Fall TV Preview: Even though it's only July, it's time to start thinking about your TV scheduling for the fall. Will your favorite shows be back? What should you watch live and save later for the DVR or Hulu? I'll be giving you my two cents and featuring some new shows you should definitely watch out for.
2013 TV Evannies: Much like the Emmys, I have my own awards show for TV shows that (until now) I had shared with only my family. But I'm excited to present them to you and show you guys what I thought was the best in television for the 2012-2013 season.
First Listen: When the hottest new albums hit iTunes, check here for an exclusive first look at what tracks are bonafide hits and opinions on whether the album is a smash or a bust.
Film Reviews: I definitely want to do more reviews of films I see, whether they be recent or old. I want to give you guys a taste of what I love about movies.

I'm so excited to get back in the swing of things, so start checking back daily and be sure to tell your beloved entertainment junkie friends about EMC Entertainment for Everything Movies and Cinema!

Evan

First Listen: Warrior by Ke$ha

December's most anticipated album is Warrior from Ke$ha! After taking a bit of a break to explore new musical options, pop's crazy rebel is back with a brand new album, and I've got your first preview of what to expect.

1. Warrior - I love the dark feeling I'm getting from this album, and it's easily distinguishable from her old sound. Her vocals sound really good, probably because of the obvious lack of AutoTune. This one is definitely dubstep influenced. I love the chorus breakdown and the dubstep break toward the end is interesting to say the least. Great start.

2. Die Young - The lead single off the album, I don't really need to cover old ground.

3. C'mon - The first song that sounds like the old Ke$ha, but that's not a bad thing at all. It's instantly catchy, and the lyrics are sing-a-long ready. It's more of the bubblegum pop than the dubstep sound delivered on the first two tracks. The lyrics are childish, but that's kinda the feeling I get from this song anyway.

4. Thinking of You - Immediately recognizable rock influences and they work really well. Mixed with dance influences and cheeky lyrics, it's a really fun track. The driving beat of the verses lead nicely into the slowed-down chorus. It rides the line of Ke$ha coming across as a jilted ex and a lamentful lover, which makes it kind of interesting to listen to, no matter your mood.

5. Crazy Kids - Beware the language in this song. It's dark, and it kinda reminds me of Die Young. Ke$ha wants to make it clear she doesn't care what you think, and I think she gets her point across very well. It's an interesting song...and I don't know if that necessarily makes it good.

6. Wherever You Are - Call this a dubstep ballad. It's interesting that we're already 2 for 6 with songs that have Ke$ha missing a man, especially considering most of her previous songs were about getting rid of the guys. But, I really like this one. The chorus is sick, and the final bridge breakdown is awesome.

7. Dirty Love - A full on embrace of love and sex. This is full-on rock and roll, and it's a lot of fun. In fact, Ke$ha sounds like she's having a lot fun on this track, which makes it really fun to listen to. Iggy Pop shows up to list people that have had sex (?) but it's interesting to hear Ke$ha with a counterpart. But a fun song, indeed.

8. Wonderland - I've always said that Ke$ha's ballads are underrated. This one is probably the closest she's ever gotten to an actual ballad. It's good. Her vocals are the most impressive part of the song. The content of the song is actually meaningful. It is a very good song.

9. Only Wanna Dance with You - An okay song. It's not entirely dancey or rock, a middle of the road combo. It's a rather innocent song for Ke$ha. There is a random guy at the end, and no one knows who it is soooo...there's that.

10. Supernatural - This is the song Ke$ha wrote about having sex with a ghost....anyway. This demo has been out for God knows how long, and it's a good song. It's got a dubstep heavy chorus, so if that's your thing, you'll probably like it. It's just a good song overall though.

11. All That Matters (The Beautiful Life) - Really, really like this song. It's a little safe for Ke$ha, but it's catchy and fun and the repeated chorus is shout-worthy. It sounds like it could've been sung by Katy Perry, and that's not a jab at either of these artists, but it's definitely an awesome song, probably my favorite on the album.

12. Love Into the Light - Not the biggest fan of this song. It's got a really interesting vibe, yet I don't know how well it works with the rest of the album. There is definite experimentation, I'm just not sure it's a hit.

The next four tracks are on the deluxe edition only:

13. Last Goodbye - Nice ballad. It's still got a danceable beat, like most Ke$ha ballads, but when she really tries, she can put together a good ballad. Full of little details, it's more striking than her party songs. I would love to see her write a song like this as an upbeat radio-ready song, it would show a lot of versatility.

14. Gold Trans Am - Not by any means the best song on this album, but it does have those rock influences that were experimented on earlier in this album. It almost kinda samples "We Will Rock You." It's catchy, although I wish the writing were a little more crisp. It's just a little bit away from being an awesome song.

15. Out Alive - Another pretty basic song, this one back completely to the dance roots. Her vocals on this one are pretty cool, I like the strain on "No one's getting out alive." The dubstep breakdown before the final chorus is siiiiick. I like it.

16. Past Lives - The deluxe edition album closes out with a ballad. It has potential, but I think it falls a little short. There is another guy singing and I don't know who it is. There is a lot of production here, and I think I would have liked it better with the simple percussion that the song starts off. Her vocals here aren't that stellar, either.

Overall, the album has some high points, but a fair share of misses. You can tell she did try to switch up the sound and she succeeds, for the most part. Animal and Cannibal had surefire hits, and I don't know if this one has as many, but I do appreciate the change in artistic style.

Favorite tracks: Warrior, C'mon, Thinking of You, Wherever You Are, All That Matters (The Beautiful Life)

What are you thinking of Ke$ha's first album in forever? You like the new sound? Got a favorite track? Let me know what you're thinking below in the comments section!

Evan

First Listen: Lotus by Christina Aguilera

Now that she's seen weekly on NBC's hit The Voice, Christina Aguilera looks to finally release an album with some relevance for the first time in quite some time. After 2010's Bionic which wasn't very well recieved, Aguilera is back with Lotus. Here's a first listen:

1. Lotus Intro - Interesting slow jam beat mixed with Auto-tuned vocals make for an intriguing opening track. There are many references to lotus, which is all about rebirth. It's got the heavy bass to boot, and it's a slow jam that you can get into. It sets up an interesting start for the album.

2. Army of Me - Picks up right from the first track with that ominous feel. These vocals definitely sound more like Xtina. This song is a solo write by the pop star and she has described it as Fighter 2.0. That description is pretty spot-on, at least in terms of lyrics ("One of me is wiser, one of me is stronger, one of me's a fighter, and there's a thousand faces of me"). It's got a danceable beat, but it's pretty dark.

3. Red Hot Kinda Love - This song jumps right into its funky beat and it's instantly fun, more than the first two tracks. It doesn't really build from there, but it's still a ridiculously fun beat. The vocals go from belting and airy in the blink of an eye. It's just a bit more fun than the first two songs which are more mellow.

4. Make the World Move - This song also carries the light feeling of the last track. And surprise....Cee-Lo Green makes an appearance on the song! It almost kind of works because there are elements of both artists' sounds in this one song. This one has more of a universal message (let's just love each other, a'ight?) than the other tracks. It's got a driving, foot-stomp beat, and it's pretty fun, especially the breakdown on the bridge before the final chorus.

5. Your Body - The lead single off the album which hasn't done too hot on the charts, despite the fact that it should be a bonafide hit. The sound actually fits with the rest of the tracks, with those bleaker undertones. Her vocals here are on fire and perhaps the song can go higher upon the album's release and a little promotion on Xtina's side. I dig it.

6. Let There Be Love - Instantly the most club-ready song on this album, from the beat, bass, and synths to the easy-to-memorize lyrics. I've heard rumors that this is the second single on the album, and it wouldn't surprise me. In fact, if Your Body can't take off, here's hoping this song finds success. Xtina's vocals, the production, it's all screaming hit.

7. Sing for Me - A very basic ballad that showcases Xtina's vocals. Added points for the key change. But a very simple song that works after two heavy dance songs.

8. Blank Page - Another simple ballad that is a little better due to the stronger lyrics. It's obvious that this album is attempting showcase Xtina's raw vocals, and she's not disappointing. The instrumentation takes a backseat once again.

9. Cease Fire - An interesting sound. It's got a military feel to it with the bombastic drums. It's a change of sound, but I'm not sure how much I dig it. It works for Christina Aguilera, though. If anyone else tried, it may not be as successful.

10. Around the World - Another song that makes good use of the drums, but really kicks it up. It's got a fun feel to it, and Xtina sounds good. But it's still just okay to me.

11. Circles - I love the feel to this song. It's almost got an island feel to it, but it's sassy and biting. This is Xtina's song to the critics, and she's not holding back. It's the most her voice is played with on the album, but it still sounds good and fun.

12. Best of Me - Another bombastic song, and this one is a cool anthem. This is more of a confident Aguilera telling off her haters, rather than the playful one that came out in the previous track. The production has millions of layers and it's cool to see them revealed one by one.

13. Just a Fool - The album closes with one of the most different but best tracks on the album. With a feature from Blake Shelton, the song has some country influence here and it's a great ballad. Their vocals mix surprisingly well here, and the grand instrumentation certainly helps. It's a great song, surprising considering their sounds are polar opposites.

Overall, the album has some strong spots, but overall, it is just good. There are potential hits here, and Xtina's added exposure due to The Voice will certainly help.

Favorite tracks: Red Hot Kinda Love, Make the World Move, Let There Be Love, Just a Fool

What do you think of the new album? Got any favorites? Comment and let me know in the comments section below!

Evan

First Listen: Take Me Home by One Direction

Hello everyone! It's been a while, but hopefully I will be back on a lot more soon. Anyway, the new One Direction album is now up for a free stream on iTunes, and I've got your first listen. So let's get started:

1. Live While We're Young - This song is pretty harmless and it's got a good jam-out beat. My only problem is that it sounds just like What Makes You Beautiful, which works, but it gets tiring fast. It's light, airy, and pretty carefree, but releasing it as the lead single might not have been the best idea since it sounds just like their biggest hit.

2. Kiss You - Instead, this should have been the lead single. It's infectious. It's like jumping on a moving train and you party the whole time. The firecracker delivery of the first verse and the poppy chorus are impossible to deny. I'm also to differentiate their voices, a little. Is it a lyrical masterpiece? No. But I'm not expecting that from these guys. This one at least sounds a little different from WMYB and I would've made it the first single.

3. Little Things - A complete change of sound. This is one of Ed Sheeran's co-writes on the album, and I wish there was a version of him singing this because he would sound good on it. As for 1D? It's such a complete change of sound for them, especially after the "YAY PARTY OMGZ." sound of the first two tracks. In fact, it's placement on the tracklist is what might make it not work so well here. You know what else I don't dig? The lyrics, at least coming out of these guys' mouths. I can picture Ed Sheeran singing about a girl with confidence and weight problems, but when these guys sing it, it just sounds...out of place? It's just not a 1D song and they don't make it work in their advantage.

4. C'mon, C'mon - Back to their original sound, this one works for me. The harmonies on the chorus are good and the driving beat makes it instantly catchy. Of course, this being 1D, the song is about dancing. And nothing else. It's still a very fun one, and definitely jumps back into that sound the first two tracks established. Additionally, the vocals sound pretty good here, although I wouldn't know exactly who is holding those high notes on top. But kudos to him.

5. Last First Kiss - Apparently, this is the band's favorite and they are all credited as co-writers. I like this one. These are the kinds of "ballads" the band should stick to (I'm looking at you, Little Things). With the growing chorus, even if it is sung in unison, these are the kinds of songs that the band can experiment with to good results. I can picture the middle-schoolers slow dancing to this, being awkward and dancing ten feet apart, but I can also see high-schoolers singing this at their prom. Better this than a super non-romantic slow song (at one of my proms, the song was "Forever Young" by Jay-Z...yep....super romantic).

6. Heart Attack - Another song that works because it is specifically their sound. These sound like songs that the group would've made on their first album, and it's still working here. The "Ow!" is funny, for what it's worth. And this works good after LFK because it's an easy transition. Good beat, good vocals, good song.

7. Rock Me - Digging this one, a lot. Darker sound and they really make it work. It pulls a bit from Queen's "We Will Rock You," but it works. It's a pounding beat and when the drums kick in on the chorus, you're in. It's a little more sexual and mature than their other "Oh, girl you're pretty and sweet" songs, so it definitely works better for the older fanbase. Even me. Ah.

8. Change My Mind - Another change of pace, but this one does work. Still manages to be sexual even as a ballad. It grows to the end, which I love on just about any song ever. It's sweet. Nice. Cool. Next.

9. I Would - Probably the closest we get to "dance music," which says something. This album is pure pop, but there are some pop elements with the bass and synths. Anyway, it picks up well from CMM and it features some good harmonies from the boys.

10. Over Again - Okay, I really feel like I've heard this before, sung by Ed Sheeran. He co-wrote the song, so hmm. Anyway. This is an Ed Sheeran kind of song that they can pull off. It's got the extra instrumentation which works with the extra voices. Ed's lyrics are wonderful, as always, and the boys sound just fine.

11. Back for You - The lyrics seem too mature for them ("Every time you wake up, you're hearing me say goodbye"? Umm....) but the song is catchy, although I am not a fan of the repetition of "back for you" in the chorus. Nice little song.

12. They Don't Know About Us - Surprised. From the beginning of this song, I wouldn't have guessed the chorus progression. Drums, synths, guitars. And it doesn't feel overcrowded. This one surprisingly works.

13. Summer Love - It's not a Justin Timberlake cover, so if you're disappointed...sorry. Guitars and harmonies, nothing better. Unfortunately, it's not as touching as it should be since it will be heard in the dead of winter, but it's a perfect end of summer song. It almost has a country twang to it. I really really like this one.

Overall, there isn't a big difference from the first album to this one, except maybe the sexual overtones to it all. Still, there is enough for young fans to still enjoy. The group obviously excels with pop songs ready for radio, but the ballads do work here (except Little Things, which I still reserve judgment on).

Favorite tracks: Kiss You, C'mon C'mon, Last First Kiss, Rock Me, Summer Love

What do you think? Do you have any favorite tracks yet? Post them below in the comments section!

Evan

First Look: Red by Taylor Swift

Disputably this fall's biggest album, Red from Taylor Swift, makes it's debut next Monday, but we've got the first look at this hot new album. Does it pale in comparison to Fearless and Speak Now, or surpass them? Read on to find out!

1. State of Grace - The album gets off one on of the best possible notes it can. Of the numerous singles released prior to the album's release, this one might be my favorite. It's got an epic feel to it that'll have her fans singing along in stadiums and for good reason. It's just such a good song, from the instrumentation to the lyrics (Swift's strongest suit) and the vocal delivery (pretty good here!). Great first song.

2. Red - This song flows pretty well from the first track. It is a little more pop (mostly the "Re-e-e-ed" refrain during the chorus) but that's okay. The lyrics here are good, but the best parts are the colors that Swift only uses in the chorus. If she had continued that trend throughout the verses, this song might have benefitted. Still, it's pretty good.

3. Treacherous - This is another song that shows Swift's growth as an artist in the country realm. It's got a very country feel to it that builds to something a little more. It's kinda alt-rock mixed with country and it's interesting. This track in particular is a change of pace from the first two tracks. If you can stick with the song through the build to the end, you'll be pleased with it as a whole.

4. I Knew You Were Trouble. - Probably the biggest departure from Swift's normal sound on this entire album, but I love it. The vocal delivery is just fine, and the lyrics are great, but of course the most interesting part of the song is the dubstep element, which works extremely well here. It shouldn't, but it does. While some may complain that it doesn't fit into Swift's style, I'm not one to believe in pigeonholing an artist, and no one is going to argue that other twenty-something artists are underusing dubstep. It's a favorite for me.

5. All Too Well - A song that gets to show off Swift's lyricism, here's another track with country influences in an otherwise alt-rock setting. It's a sound that Swift is pulling off very well on this album. I think a lot of people complained that Swift was going severely pop music with this album, but tracks like this just show that she's switching up her sound and it's working out in her favor.

6. 22 - Swift's attempt to write a song NOT about an ex-boyfriend and it's...half successful. She's still singing to some guy, so it doesn't work entirely well, but as far as the song itself, it's another experiment  like I Knew You Were Trouble. This one is extremely poppy, but the relatable lyrics for the just barely legal crowd will make this one an anthem for sure. The lyricism present in the previous song is pretty much gone here with very innocent lyrics, and she still manages to make a song about being 22 without mentioning drugs, sex, and alcohol (take note, pop stars of today!).

7. I Almost Do - The country Swift you remember is back in this track. It's strictly country, no hint of any other genre.  It's the first real ballad on the album and it's good, my only complaint being that the lyrics aren't as strong here as in other songs ("Every I don't, I almost do." Um.), but it's a good song anyway.

8. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Do we really need to go over this one? The pop sound makes more sense when it's accompanied by other poppy tracks here. It works for me, so...that's that.

9. Stay Stay Stay - Still carrying the light air of the previous track, but with a completely different message: this time Swift is begging her man to stick by her side. The clap-along chorus is cute enough, and the entire song is for that matter. It's light and airy, and it reminds me of some of Swift's younger songs. It's got an Ingrid Michaelson feel to it, and that's good to me.

10. The Last Time - Fans might be caught off guard at first when the song opens up with a male voice. That's Gary Lightbody, lead singer of Snow Patrol, and that makes this the album's first duet. It's an interesting song. It's a little darker and you can hear some of the influences from Lightbody's band. The build to the end is highly rewarding. This is another deviance from the country genre, and it still works well.

11. Holy Ground - A jump back into upbeat. This song was produced by Jeff Bhasker who produced fun.'s album Some Nights, and that might explain why I'm digging this sound. Additionally, it's a Swift solo write, and those songs tend to have a special something to them. This one has a little electronic sound to it, and it's pretty funky. If anything, this one is a surefire toe-tapper.

12. Sad Beautiful Tragic - Going with the pattern of the album, we're slowing things down with this one. It's the most mellow song on the album. It's mostly just a strumming guitar and Swift's haunting vocals. It's the most simplistic song on the album and that's a welcome change of pace after earlier pop-heavy songs.

13. The Lucky One - Alright, this one is just kinda boring for me. It's rather plain and not in a good way. The lyrics are just alright. This one is filler for me.

14. Everything Has Changed - This is the much hyped duet between Taylor and Ed Sheeran and of course it does not disappoint. As an Ed fan, I can certainly pick up on his influence here. The "know you better" repeat reminds me of songs like "Give Me Love" from his album, +. The kick drop beat at the chorus is very...him. So, yeah, I really like it. And any exposure for Ed is fine by me.

15. Starlight - Yeah I like this one. It's got a good feel to it. It's apparently about the Kennedys (she's dating one of them, so why not write a song about their family?). It's got a really cool feel to it, despite being about the 40s and sounding very 90s. There's something about it, I don't mind it at all.

16. Begin Again - Probably my least favorite of the singles released before the album's release, but not bad at all. My only qualm is that I'm not sure I understand why this song is the last track on the album. Maybe because it's "begin again" shows "moving on" which Taylor said (very early in the process) was the theme of this album. It's a mellow note to end the album, but then again, T. Swift has been partial to these kinds of songs ending albums (Long Live, anyone?).

So the final conclusion? Well, I can't say right now where this album ranks compared to her others, mostly because it is a big departure in sound, but Taylor is right in place with these changes. The album works very well as a mix of many different genres. I think fans will eat this right up because there is enough to appease everyone here.

Favorite songs: State of Grace, I Knew You Were Trouble., All Too Well, Everything Has Changed

What do you think? Liking this new T. Swift? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below!

Evan

We Need to Talk

Hi everyone,

If you're still visiting the blog, I hope you read this. As you can tell, I've been crazed. College has finally hit me head on and I'm busy 95% of the time. Unfortunately, that leaves me very little room for the blog. As much as I enjoy writing and putting it out there, it's very hard to find time to write about these things. I'm going to try to update as much as I can, but it's very hard with the overwhelming load I have. I hope you can understand :)

Evan

First Listen: Halcyon by Ellie Goulding

One of my most anticipated albums of the fall is almost here! Ellie Goulding, hot off the success of Lights this summer, is back this fall with her second studio album, Halcyon, and I have the first listen. Check it out!

1. Don't Say a Word - The song has a tribal feel to it and it's an energetic start to the album. The first minute or so is a bunch of "ooh"-ing and very little instrumentation, before it jumps into the driving drum beat. It sounds like a Florence + the Machine song, always a compliment. It's just eerie enough to draw the listener's interest and gives a good indication of what's to come, although Ellie fans know that it is truly impossible to label her music.

2. My Blood - Ellie's personal favorite on the album, and it's not hard to see why. The verses are poignant, but understated. Then comes the soaring chorus, which features great vocals from Ellie and shout-worthy refrains. The instrumentation sounds light, but is actually quite heavy. It's clear this one will be a favorite among fans.

3. Anything Could Happen - The first official single from the album, it takes some time to get used to, but it's insanely catchy and danceable. While the lyrics are a little hard to symbolically decipher, they're easy to sing along to. It's a shame this song hasn't caught on at radio like Lights has, but there's still hope, especially with the full album coming out next week.

4. Only You - The pulsating drums drive the beginning of this song and it sounds a lot different than the beginning of this album. This one is definitely one to dance to. The pounding piano during the chorus reminds me a bit of the piano from Rolling in the Deep, and it's my favorite part. Ellie's vocals start off soft and then go to full belt by the end of the song. This one is more direct at the scorned ex unlike My Blood, which makes it just a little more fun.

5. Halcyon - This one has a signature Ellie touch on it. It could have simply been guitar and piano, but those light, airy electronic noises make it sound like an Ellie sound. Her shivering vocals sound great here. This one just makes you feel good, but maybe that's just the repeated refrain of "It's gonna be better." This one is just very light, it's a good change.

6. Figure 8 - Speaking of change, this one is the most drastic departure from the album. Before this song, I didn't love dubstep. But this might be my favorite song on the album. The verses are dark and intense and when the beat finally drops on the chorus, it's just awesome. It's a true jam and if all dubstep was like this, I would jump on the bandwagon immediately. Love this song.

7. Joy - Following Figure 8, we get a huge step back. Joy is a really reserved ballad that shows hints at growing, but stays right where it's at. Honestly, that's okay because it works really well by being understated and calming. And that's really what this song is: calming. It works being placed here.

8. Hanging On - When Ellie released this song as a promo single this summer, fans cried foul when they heard Tinie Tempah's rap verse, which didn't entirely mesh into the song that well. So it's a huge welcome that the album version is without Tinie. With that aside, this song is really freaking awesome and the dubstep incorporation is pretty cool.

9. Explosions - Apparently (maybe), this is the second official single from the album, but maybe that's internationally, maybe not. Anyway, this is another ballad, but unlike Joy, it builds, and that's what gives this one the edge. It really is beautiful, starting with the simple piano line, and the lyrics, helping a friend out with a rough time, are pretty universal. Maybe this could work as a second single...

10. I Know You Care - Okay, I take it back, this is the most reserved ballad on the album. A repeating piano line, some "ah"s and a simple chorus, that's all it takes. But it works. It's a pretty sad piece of music (it's currently being used in a movie about childhood cancer), but it's effective. It doesn't slow down the album too much.

11. Atlantis - A much needed pick-up. It's got an infectious "Where'd you go?" earworm and an easy beat that still doesn't make this song a ballad, but more of a mid-tempo jam. It's brighter than the previous track, which is much needed to make sure the album doesn't go tired.

12. Dead in the Water - A pretty sad and somber end to this album. Well, "unofficial" end. This is where the official version of the album ends, even though the official version also includes two bonus tracks, and the deluxe version includes much more than that. Anyway, this song is completely sad and kind of turns the end of this album on it's head. It leaves you thinking, though, so maybe that's what the idea behind making this the last track was.

13. I Need Your Love - Technically, this is Calvin Harris' song featuring Ellie Goulding, but it gets to be on her album a month before his album comes out. Hooray! This song could very well end up being Ellie's next big club hit and it's not even her own song. It's the most danceable song on this disc, but Ellie's songs are only really club-ready after they've been remixed. No remix needed here, unless that remix is an extended version because this song almost feels too short to truly enjoy. Hence, it sticks on repeat...alot. Catchy, love it.

14. Hanging On (feat. Tinie Tempah) - I already discussed this above, but if you like the rap verse, this is your version. If not, skip it.

15. Lights - Included for the US fans who worship this song, not much needs to be said that hasn't already been stated.

16. Ritual - A tribal beat to go with a song called Ritual? Coincidence...I think not. Anyway, this song is a jam, at least given that driving beat. It's a lot different from the rest of the album, perhaps sounding most like Don't Say a Word. It's interesting...cool harmonies, really cool instrumentation and Ellie's vocals are spot-on.

17. In My City - This is another up-tempo one as Ellie talks about what she loves about her hometown: it's like an upbeat Hometown Glory (shoutout to original Adele fans!). Still, this one is mostly pretty fun because it's got a good beat and it's easy to sing along to. It's easy to understand, though, why it made the deluxe version only.

18. Without Your Love - Another song with really cool instrumentation and a cool chorus ("Without your love, I'm getting somewhere"). I think the reason Ritual and this song made the deluxe version is because they don't mesh very well with the overall sound of the album. Still, it's a fun song and it shows Ellie moving on, a fitting end to an album.

Favorite tracks: My Blood, Only You, Figure 8, Hanging On, I Need Your Love

What do you think, readers? Have you heard the album and do you love it? I sure do! Let me know your thoughts and favorite tracks in the comments section below!

Evan