Music Monday (153): Evanescence, Kings of Tomorrow, The Isley Brothers

 

   Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: Lately it seems like a handful of my favorite artists have new albums or upcoming music. Over the weekend, I finally got around to listening to Evanescence's latest release called The Bitter Truth. I'm really enjoying this album. It feels like classic Evanescence, but with a fresh spin. One of my favorites is Take Cover.

 

Adri: My pick for today is Finally (Original Extended Mix) by Kings of Tomorrow featuring Julie McKnight.

Andrea: Hi all! On Easter Sunday, I spent time watching The Isley Brothers vs Earth, Wind, & Fire on VERZUZTV'S IG page. Since that time, I have been enjoying music by both groups. This week, I'm sharing music by The Isley Brothers, Friends And Family & For The Love Of You, Pts. 1 & 2. Next week, I'll share the music I'm listening to by Earth, Wind & Fire.

Until next time, have an amazing week!

What are you listening to this week?

The Friday 56 (197) & Book Beginnings: The Case Study of Vanitas Vol. 7 by Jun Mochizuki

  

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Chloe is ready to begin her revenge plot and get what she has always wanted - that is, until Vanitas and the Chasseurs showed up. But without his book, Vanitas can do little to help, so it's up to Noé and his vampire hunter allies to buy some time, so Vanitas can work a little magic...

Beginning: ""It's all right, Vanitas. I'll win......this time!""

56: "Existence stabilized."

Comments: And I'm finally out of volumes for The Case Study of Vanitas.  This story arc has been a ride, and I'm excited to see how it ends in the next volume. Vol. 8 comes out in May, so the wait won't be too long. My 56 is from a few pages before, since the actual page fifty-six is one big spoiler. What are you reading this week. 

I Listened to 1/f by Laura Mvula

 

 

One artist I’ve wanted more music by was Laura Mvula. Phenomenal Women is still on my playlist, and one of the catchiest songs I’ve listened to. Laura Mvula has returned in 2021 with an EP titled 1/f, in which she reworks three of her previously released songs—Sing To The Moon, Show Me Love, and Green Garden—which were accompanied by a cover of Diana Ross’s hit, I’m Still Waiting. 

This was a great EP. The sound of the songs was completely reworked, giving a fresh update to tracks that were already lovely to listen to. The original versions of Sing To The Moon, Show Me Love, and Green Garden had a mellow, instrumental sound—like the live performances Mvula’s did with the Metrapole Orkest. They were already powerful songs to begin with and some of my favorites from Mvula. The new versions recorded for 1/f had a much more pop and synth sound, which also suited the lyrics perfectly too. I can’t say that I like one version more than the other though, because they’re equally good and I can’t recommend them enough.

I also enjoyed the cover of I’m Still Waiting. It’s a great song no matter which way you look at it, and Laura Mvula’s cover was excellent.

Overall, this EP was a pleasant surprise, and it leaves a great impression and a need for more. Laura Mvula’s third studio album has been announced, and I can’t wait to give it a listen.

Music Monday (152): Audrey Nuna, Philip Bailey, Phil Collins, Soulstice

 Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: Recently I've been listening to music by Audrey Nuna. I stumbled across Space and instantly liked it.

Adri: I have been listening to so many songs that are new to me. I'm currently enjoying Falling into You and Wind by Soulstice. They're both my favorite, but Wind has been on constant repeat.

Andrea: This week I am listening to Easy Lover by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins. Have an amazing week!

What are you listening to this week?

Quarterly Recap: January-March

I feel like this year is flying by, because it’s already time for the first quarterly recap of 2021. I’m going to go over the reviews and other post that have appeared on the blog between January and March, before taking a look at what’s coming up. Before I do, I want to take a little time out of this post to say a couple of words about the blog.

This past month, Our Thoughts Precisely had its 8th blogiversary on March 15, 2021, and it honestly doesn’t feel like that long—but we did the math and it checks out. I just wanted to say thank you to the readers who have stopped by to read our posts and have left blog comments!

Okay, on to the recap.

January Reviews:

• Tales from the Hinterland by Melissa Albert
• Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells

February Reviews:

• We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
• The Case Study of Vanitas vol. 6 by Jun Mochizuki
• Karma Moon: Ghost Hunter by Melissa Savage

March Reviews:

• Skyward Inn by Aliya Whiteley
• Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
• To The Greatest Heights by Vanessa O'Brien

January Other Posts:

• Short Stories I Read in December
• Happy New Years! It's 2021!
• We're Back + Books and Albums We're Looking Forward To

February Other Posts:

• Short Stories I Read In January
• I Listened to Coping Mechanisms by Tayla Parx

March Other Posts:

• Favorite Recipe: Blueberry Pie + Blogiversary
• I Listened to III by Banks
• Short Stories I Read in February 

Looking ahead, I have no set plans right now, but I do have a couple of reviews I’ve been sitting on for a while. The dates for those are coming up, and I’m excited to share them. In May, the review for Jelly by Clare Rees will be on the blog on the eighteenth. On June 16th, I have a review for The Heartbeat of Trees by Peter Wohlleben translated by Jane Billinghurst. I adored this book. It was a fascinating look at trees, and I want to eventually do some further reading on the subject. And finally, last and certainly not least, I’m going to talk about The Brilliant Abyss by Helen Scales in July. Not going to lie, this is one of the best nonfiction books I’ve picked up so far this year, and I can’t wait to finally talk more in-depth about it.