Music Monday: It's Been Awhile, So Six Songs?!

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So, it's kinda been awhile. I was going to post a few weeks back but I hadn't discovered any new music. I was still listening to the same stuff that comprised some of my previous Music Monday posts and I didn't want to repeat all of the songs. But never fear, this week I have all knew songs and since I missed a few weeks I have six songs for you rather than just five.

And like always, you can click here for my Music Monday playlist which is updated with each week's new selection of songs. Click here for my March 2015 playlist on Spotify. :)

Here is this weeks Music Monday picks:

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1. Sleep Baby Sleep by Broods

This song... *insert praise hands emoji* I love the haunting feel that this song encompasses. It is eerily beautiful and I love that. This song is great to listen to when you're about to go to bed or when you're just relaxing. It has a very calming effect, I think. If you like this song, I can garentee you will enjoy other music by Broods. They are incredibly talented and I think this song shows that.

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2. See You Again by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth

I'll be honest, Wiz Khalifa isn't my first choice of music to listen to, let alone obsess over. However, this song, featuring Youtube singer Charlie Puth, is simply beautiful. This song is in the upcoming movie, Furious 7. As you listen to the lyrics you get a sense of who this song is about, the late Paul Walker. For those who may not know, Paul Walker was one of the stars of the Fast & Furious movies and he was killed in a car accident last year. There are many lyrics in this song that reference the heartbreak the cast felt when hearing the news. "It's been a long day without you my friend, and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again. We've come a long way from where we began, oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again". Again, simply beautiful.

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3. Fight Song by Rachel Platten

So many relatable lines in this song. One of my favorites is the last line of the chorus, "I've still got a lot of fight left in me". Talk about inspirational and empowering.. LOVE IT! This is by far my new favorite song to blast while working out. Honestly I could probably put this song on repeat and listen to just this one song my entire work out and be completely content. It encourages you to not give up, to keep fighting, and to not let life's struggles keep you from doing what you want to do. "This is my fight song, take back my fight song". 

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4. Better Off Dead by Sleeping With Sirens

Like I have said before, expect to see Sleeping With Sirens on here a lot. A few weeks ago they released their new album Madness. So of course I bought it. This is one of my favorites from the new album, although picking a favorite is near impossible since I love all of them. Last week I was watching an interview where Kellin Quinn (the lead singer) explained the meaning behind this song and why he wrote it. He said that he wrote this song because so many of their fans have come up to them saying that their music helped them through some really dark moments. This song was for all of their fans, and anyone really, who has been through dark times and felt alone or that their lives are worthless. "How come no one heard her when she said, 'Maybe I'm better off dead, if I was would it finally be enough to shut out all those voices in my head.'" I think this is a really important song. I think depression and suicide are topics that need to be talked about more and not covered, concealed or hidden.

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5. No Parallels by Hands Like Houses

And now for a song about happiness and feeling completely free. This song feels like one of those that you would blast in the car, windows down, singing at the top of your lungs as the sun is setting and you are driving around with no destination in mind with your friends. Why? Because you can. I just overall really enjoy this song.

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6. Little Do You Know by Alex & Sierra

Now for that special sixth song. I first heard this song about 4 days ago and instantly fell in love with it. Alex & Sierra won the third and final season of The X Factor USA. It takes a lot of talent to win a show like that and I think this song shows just how amazing they really are. Plus, this adorable real life couple's chemistry radiates throughout this song. It is probably one of the cutest songs I have heard in a really long time. Also the music video.... just watch the music video and if that doesn't convince you of how precious this song is I don't know what will.

What songs are you obsessing over this week? Let me know in the comments below.

Love Always,

xo Noelle

Phone Anxiety

Right now I should be dialing the number on this piece of paper to introduce myself to my mentor teacher. As an education major, we have numerous placements in classrooms and for those placements we are given a sheet of paper that has the name and address of the school we will be at and the name and phone number the teacher who will be our mentor.

Although I should be calling, I'm not. Well not yet at least. "Why?" you might ask. Because I have phone anxiety.

This may sound ridiculous because if you ever see me anywhere I am most likely on my phone, texting, taking a picture or on various social media sites. But when I say "phone anxiety" I don't mean that I get anxious using a phone, instead I get anxious when I need to make a phone call.

Not every phone call brings me anxiety. For example, I can call my mom, dad, sister, roommates, and a select few other friends and family members with great ease. But in a situation like today, I begin to feel incredibly overwhelmed with anxiety.

Only moments ago I told one of my roommates that I can't keep forgetting to call and that I really need to get this over with today. So I sat down, placed the paper in front of me and pulled my phone out of my pocket. And that very moment is when I began to get anxious. My palms got sweaty, my heart started racing and as dumb as this may sound, I even felt like I was about to cry. I felt so overwhelmed with anxiety and even felt panicked. I tried to calm myself down with a few slow, deep breaths, which helped but not enough.

I so badly wish that I could just pick up a phone and call anyone and everyone with ease and without any fear, but I can't. I wish I could just shake it off and get done what I know I must ultimately complete. But I can't. With shaky hands I attempt to type what I am currently feeling as a way to hopefully cope and find a way to just call. But I don't know how successful this is.

I guess, if this doesn't help me as much as I was hoping then maybe it will help someone else out there who can relate to how I am feeling and what it is like to have extreme anxiety when it comes to talking on the phone.

And unfortunately, now I actually have to go and call my mentor teacher and plan when I am going to go in and do my classroom observations. Wish me luck, and pray that I can actually get through this. It feels like I would have better luck climbing Mt. Everest right now.

Love Always,

xo Noelle

Music Monday: Going Nowhere For Spring Break

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It is finally spring break for me and I couldn't be happier. However, I still have quite a bit of homework that I get to do during break. I have never been fortunate enough to go somewhere nice and warm for spring break, which is probably a good thing because I wouldn't get much homework done.. I'd just spend every waking minute at the beach. 

Alright, enough beach and spring break talk and more music talk. Since it is March, I have a new monthly playlist on Spotify that you can check out here. And as always, all of the Music Monday songs are on my monthly playlist, as well as, my continuously growing Music Monday playlist that you can listen to and follow here.

Here are my Music Monday picks this week:

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1. Fix My Eyes by for King & Country

I love this song! Fun, upbeat, and a great message! "Love like I'm not scared, give when it's not fair". These are just some of the incredible lyrics in this song. Others include, "Fight for the weak ones, speak out for freedom". I feel like especially with all the craziness going on in the world, this is a really important reminder to lookout for those around us. I have seen for King & Country in concert and they are phenomenal live. If you ever get the chance, go see them! You won't be disappointed. 

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2. Sun Goes Down by Robin Schulz ft. Jasmine Thompson

Of course, I have to throw a little dance music in here. I have no idea who Robin Schulz is, but I am a huge Jasmine Thompson fan. She does a lot of covers of songs on youtube and has become quite popular. She currently has 1 million subscribers and has over 135 million views on all her videos combined. She has an incredible voice and this song really helps show that her typical soft and melodic voice can transfer beautifully into the dance music scene. If you want to check out more music by Jasmine Thompson click here.

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3. Good Lovin by Ludacris ft. Miguel

Hip hop/rap is the type of genre that people either absolutely love or they don't like it at all. So often this type of music gets a bad rep because of their risque lyrics and how they demean women. But I think it is important to note that not all rap is like that. This song shows a softer side to this genre. I am honestly obsessed with the lyrics of this song. Trying to get over a break up isn't easy and Ludacris and Miguel really convey that. 

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4. Fast In My Car by Paramore

Ahhh Paramore! It's about time you have joined us on Music Monday! Like I mentioned in a previous Music Monday post, Paramore is one of my favorite bands, EVER. I have been a huge fan since I was in 7th grade, way back in 2007. I know, that doesn't seem like it was very long ago, but it was 8 years ago! I don't have a particular reason for having this song on here, it's just been stuck in my head all week. I mean I guess there are the obvious reasons, like: 1. It's Paramore. 2. Hayley Williams (the lead singer). 3. Her voice. 4. It's Paramore. 5. The lyrics. 6. Hayley's hair, I'm obsessed. 7. Did I mention I'm a huge Paramore fan? I think that gets my point across.. :)

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5. Goodbye by Who Is Fancy

Who Is Fancy has been sweeping the internet. There are three music videos for this song that have three different individuals singing the song as if they were Who Is Fancy. Thus leaving us all with the question, "okay then, who is fancy?" Personally I don't really care. Just as long as they continue to make amazing music, they could be an yellow and orange striped hippopotamus from Neptune for all I care. Anyways, I really enjoy this song and I hope that you do too.

What are some of you favorite songs from this week? And do you have any spring break plans? Let me know in the comments below!

Love Always,

xo Noelle

Music Monday: Noelle Goes Punk... Sort Of

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I'm not sure why, but I have been in a big Punk Goes Pop mood all week (albums of punk bands covering popular pop songs). It all started when I was paroozing the internet and came across a list of a few of the acts that will be performing at Warped Tour this summer. I had never heard of the bands on the list, so I decided to check them out. After listening to those few bands I was curious as to who else would be at Warped Tour this year. I went to their website and began to go down the lineup. There were definitely bands that I wasn't a fan of, but at the same time I found some bands that I really liked! 

If you aren't into this genre of music, don't worry! Not all of my songs this week are punk, rock, or alternative.

Here are my picks for favorites songs this week, which can be found in my Music Monday playlist on Spotify:

1. Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted by blessthefall

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First off, the title of this song. I just can't get over it. It is probably one of my favorite titles of a song, like ever. To those of you who are fans of the screamo genre, this is basically a household, common name. Blessthefall is a Christian-oriented screamo band, I know, you probably didn't think those existed. But they do. Although they are a screamo band, this song actually has no screaming in it. Which I kind of like, some screamo bands/songs kind of freak me out.

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2. The Haunting by Set It Off

If you are a fan of Panic! at the Disco, this band is perfect for you. Not identical but very similar in sound and vocals. I love this song because it has such a creepy sound to it. I don't know why, but every time I listen to this song I just picture a carnival or that creepy American Horror Story: Freak Show intro. Love this song, now to listen to more by Set It Off!

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3. My House by Pvris

Pvris, pronounced like Paris, is just plain good. They have a similar sound to that of Paramore but maybe a little edgier. But like I said before, they are just plain good. I recently heard of them because they are currently touring with Sleeping With Sirens and Pierce the Veil, whom you know I am big fans of. I decided to give them a listen and boy am I glad that I did. They may just be one of my new favorite bands!

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4. FourFiveSeconds by Rihanna, Kanye West, Paul McCartney

Wait, what? Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney?! Probably the weirdest music compilation, but surprisingly enough I think it worked. Paul McCartney played guitar and wrote the song. And besides some minuscule background vocals, he doesn't sing. :'( The main vocals are done by Rihanna. She has such a unique voice and I love how it sounds particularly in this song. And then there is Kanye West. In all honesty, probably my least favorite part of this song. Not a huge fan of him as a person, like at all. However, at least he left the awful auto-tune at the door when making this track.

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5. Cassy O' by George Ezra

George Ezra is the newest installment of the ever growing British Invasion of the music industry. All I have to say is.. his voice. Wow. His most popular song is Budapest, which you may have heard on the radio. But personally, even though I love the song Budapest, Cassy O' is my favorite! At a mere 21 years old, I am so excited to see him take the world by storm. Honestly, Paul Revere was right, "The British are coming! The British are coming!!!" And I am totally okay with that. :)

Love Always,

xo Noelle