Category Archives: Analytical Writing

Sociology Theory: The Lightbulb Effect x Consumption in Society 🔅💡💬

Close up glowing vintage light bulb. Isolated on black backgroun
#THELIGHTBULBEFFECT source: http://www.theenergycollective.com/enerquire/2411044/future-business-model-energy-utilities-u-s-quo-vadis

The lightbulb effect is a term to describe the construction of an idea. When the idea lights up, you take a mental note and/or write it down. It follows the same model of the energy light circuit. For example, when the brain is in the process of making a new concept. The activity in the brain replicates the energy flowing round the circuit, once you’ve hit the on switch. In real life, the switch can be found on your wall. Whereas, in this theory, the switch becomes active once it has been activated by external sources, imagination or a combination of both, to start the process. Once the idea has been established, that’s when you “switch off”.. not entirely but just that part of the effect.

(Back into relaxed mode)

Last night, I had a thought which came to mind surprisingly around 00:19 and I’m going to share it…

It seems consumption is at a high now in today’s society. Everywhere we go, we are being bombarded with stuff to buy. I think technology has made it easier for the consumer society to increase, as online shopping has become more prominent than ever. You’re receiving offers and deals directly to your mobile via emails or notifications. As well as, on TV adverts, the internet, magazines. Welcome to the age of the smart phone!. Moreover remember, when Instagram was picture platform, it still is but it is becoming the biggest online store. Twitter not so much, people still use it to express their ‘thoughts’. There’s no doubt that social media has helped businesses; it allows them to reach a bigger audience, as oppose to being confined to a shop on the high street. However it does raise the question, will the number of shops decline as the years go on and will this mean social media shopping will continue to grow increasingly?

Furthermore, think about the idea that society is moving towards a place where most people are starting their own businesses. The years will go on and the big corporations will be decrease, because the small businesses will eventually take over. This would mean everyone will be supporting each other, rather than competing for sales. Everything will be interconnected, so there will be no need for it. Already now, you see people doing that. For example, it is easier to tag the company in your own post, benefitting both the company and the consumer. It promotes brand awareness online to reach masses. As, the individual influences others’ to purchase the goods, depending on how well it suits the person (I think then people will be more inclined to buy). 

In conclusion, I think it would be intriguing to follow the trends into the future, through part participation part observation and see what happens in the world around us (you can’t always have everything or want everything, sometimes you have to take a back seat LOL) . 

“A thought is expression so I’ll write it down” …

I’ll probably update this blog or do a follow-up to it.

Please do feel welcome to share your thoughts on this topic below, or you can find me on social media: chandademi and hashtag #TheLightbulbEffect with your tweet/post.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your day 🙂

Chanda Demi West

#AlbumReview: The Odyssey: A Musical Journey by The HeavyTrackerz🎶👨🏾‍🚀👨🏾‍🚀

 

The HeavyTrackerz’s The Odyssey
The HeavyTrackerz are music producers, from Ivory Coast, Africa who have recently released their debut album The Odyssey: A Musical Journey. It contains 18 songs, featuring well known artists, MC and singers. Collaboratively, the project is described in the title of the album, as it takes us through a journey using different instrumentals and musicians, to provide us with stories from various angles. The story-like additions can be heard in the add ons (they use voiceovers to indicate where a new chapter has begun). It reminded me of reading a story book, with the cover pages stating each chapter. 

The songs effortlessly flow into one another and to bridge them together, they have used interludes at the beginning of most tracks. It involves a prepared speech to ease you in the next song. They have explored different themes: one theme I admired was Noel Clarke giving us an inspirational pep talk, on how to manage yourself in the music industry. I’ve noticed the length of the tracks are not too long and I think that’s what contributed to river flowing mood of the album.

Let’s get into it, I’m going to individually talk about a couple of tracks:

Rude Boy Flex is a perfect song for Lethal Bizzle, even the title is so signature to him. He’s known for catchy dynamic songs, which highlights the listeners to hear what he’s talking about on his music. This was definitely a good artist to feature on that tune. It has that unexpected punch-in-your-face vibe. You would listen to it and get pumped in the gym. This song features Ghetts and Face, who also know how to get the crowd hype, because they seem to project that loud energy in their lyrics. It makes you want to just let loose and get lost in the song, as you’re enjoying it so much.

Control features JME, P-Money & Donaeo. This song has to be one of my favourite songs on the album. The song is very well put together , as it includes melodic singing from Kurt and promotes a self-confident airwaves. It starts with JME (who also flexes his singing abilities on the track) , then P-Money slots in with his verse, MCing live and direct. Finally, Donaeo complete his minor verse with “We’ll be victorious”. Overall, the song has a calming but superior tone. You’ll listen to it and feel amped up to keep pursuing your goals.

Survivor features Doctor, Inch from Section Boyz and Joe Grind. We hear Inch’s signature Jamaican accent on this track and is accompanied by Doctor and rapper Joe Grind. The song discusses being a survivor and not everyone realising the types of battles you face every day.  Similarly, In The Air featuring Alika and Lady Chann has a urban touch to it. It would get your body moving in a club, because it has a sway-your-body from side to side type of vibe. Also, the end of the song has the skank out beat, similar to Skream’s material.

Everyone remembers Shola Ama right? Well she linked up with the duo to star on Lights. Her voice sounds so elegant on the track, that it will make you want to start singing along to it yourself. The beat definitely was well suited to match her.  It’s one of them tunes you would listen to in your car, whilst on a long drive or on your way to a motive (party, club, showcase). You can picture yourself listening to it whilst driving across Tower Bridge, in a fancy car. The song explains her transition and position in music, as she well-sought after by industry labels, but she won’t give in, as she is willing to stand strong within her own right.

In Black Widow, after the instrumental and chorus is left to run, it immediately goes straight into Capo Lee’s verse, followed by President T and Double S. This song talks about females playing hard to get, whilst being admired by many. Capo Lee touches on his history with high expectations, because he wants to stay simple and concentrate on his career, rather than be over-the-top with it. President T discusses the invisible resistance he places between himself and girls, preferring to remain being a serial independent male. Finally, Double S talks about factors he doesn’t want in the opposite sex, because he wouldn’t want to indulge in past experiences in new situations.

Last but not least, we have Manga St. Hilare, who’s known for the honesty within his lyrics. He has a flow that doesn’t beat around the bush, rather he says it as he sees it and is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in. I believe this is what helps his delivery and contributes to how he sounds on the instrumentals he chooses. It’s simple and easy for him to just flow over. You understand everything word for word. For example, in Kore Wa Odessei Desu, he talks about his current status in Grime and how he is still standing, without having to involve any unnecessary gimmicks to prop himself up; everything he does is authentic.

Overall, well done to The HeavyTrackerz and the participating artists for providing us with a solid album project. It gave us listeners the variety we needed, because it had a song for every theme or mood you’re in. They didn’t stick to consistency, rather ironically they explored all avenues. Hence the title “The Odyssey: A Musical Journey”.. I think they’ve completed their destination, whilst enjoying every aspect on the route there😅

The album is available for purchase/stream on all major music platforms: Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer etc. Also, there have been video releases for a couple of tracks. Check them out on The HeavyTrackerz’s YouTube channel.

Twitter : HeavyTrackerz

Instagram: theheavytrackerz

Feel free to leave a comment or share using the buttons below.

Chanda D

 

 

#MusicAnalysis – Mabel x Kojo Funds – Finders Keepers 🎶📝

http://vevo.ly/EyppyV – (the link to the video on VEVO)

Mabel McVey is a singer, who was raised in Stockholm but now spends the majority of her time in London, England. Recently, she has built a following due to her smooth easy-flowing attitude that can be felt through the approach in her vocals and heard in her songs. She has released Bedroom, Thinking Of You, My Boy My Town , Finders Keepers Remix and last but least, Finders Keepers (the original) featuring AfroSwing artist Kojo Funds. She released two remixes of Finders Keepers, since the original came to light.

In this post, I will be focusing closely on Finders Keepers, because it describes the infamous situationships that occur in today’s society.

The song talks about the impossibility of being able to get someone ‘special’ off your mind.  So, the consequence of this situation is the magnetic attraction it creates between two people. It’s the battle of feelings for and against each other, as the song represents the desire to become one. This is because they have the parts that each other is looking for.

As the song goes on, it explains them coming to an agreement about how to deal with the circumstance they have found themselves in, even though both/either parties don’t particularly appreciate the attempts to advance the progress. There is a wish for all the indirect digital communication to stop, because the status quo is fine how it is. However, they are willing to compromise so they can enjoy time together as a duo, to explore the chemistry between them.

From the male perspective, he’s already got his mind made up and is waiting to be approached. He’s determined to share an intimate encounter with his lady, away from everyone in their own bubble. Similarly from the female perspective, she’s ready to be embraced by him, as she is all that he needs. She proclaims she’s all for him, because of his ability to have found her, so therefore the relationship between them can get started in full effect.

Overall, this song is very pleasant on the ears, because of the chill vibe it has to it and most people will be able to seriously relate to the lyrics in this song. It tackles the implications of real life situationships, which is why I believe the song is popular. Mabel’s vocals combined with Kojo Funds’ AfroSwing twist produces a great harmony between the both. They are both in sync with each other, so everything runs smoothly and you can feel that when you listen to the track.

Once you’ve heard it, it’s “Finders Keepers” to the listener😉

Finally, her music is available on all major music platforms- buy/stream on Apple Music , Spotify, Deezer etc.

Twitter & Instagram : MabelMcVey

Thank you for taking time to read the analysis and I hope you’ve understood the interpretation on it.

Feel free to leave a comment or share (using the buttons below).

Chanda D

 

Sunset Reflection 🌅🌈

I think it’s nice to watch as the sun set in, because the sky tends to display a variation of colours, which blends to create a rainbow (despite there being no rain). I managed to capture the sky, right before it turned dark. 

I’ll demonstrate the before and after pictures below:

Before
After

I decided add a silhouette effect to the photo, to emphasise the difference between the sky and the objects around it. The shades that appear give the sky a dynamic appearance, because it paints blends of colour. The idea was to focus on promoting the lower end of the colour spectrum, with a hint of brightness. 

Feel free to leave a comment or share this post.

You’re never too busy to take a moment and notice your surroundings #VisualAwareness 😂. 

Chanda D

The Media And How It Can Affect Body Image

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Healthy mind, healthy life
The Media is heavily influential for positive and negative changes. However, in regards to body image; How much images do we see a day, that is either photoshopped or quite proportionally edited, to appear to look ‘ideally’ perfect? Understandably, it is nice to want to incite an audience, but most of the time it is portraying an unrealistic standard for society to look up to. Instead, providing us with a box to fit ourselves into, anything else is deviation from what is expected.

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Comfortability is the key
Magazines, TV programmes, Social Media are top three in my opinion, which contribute to this matter. I’ve been looking at these three contents to see the way they project body image to the masses. For example, in terms of physical print, they will use weight as a main attraction on their front covers to sell their magazines. Personally, I just don’t understand how they can think it is okay to do so. Can you imagine you’re comfortable as who you are and then a gossip magazine comes along to make unwarranted comments about your appearance?.. It promotes unnecessary self-doubt because it can create insecurities about how an individual should look. This isn’t good for our mental health. 

It works the same for both males and females, who are subconsciously misled to believe they must live up to societal standard. They will eventually become self-conscious about their body. This is manufactured by institutions to help keep their businesses running. How would the economy survive, if there was shortage of people failing to buy into their consumer demands. Furthermore, it would erode away the brainwashing techniques that has held society stuck within the way it runs now. There are so many homemade methods giving us ways to improve our appearance. As well as, there being a range of non/cosmetics procedure that are available to enhance your features. I don’t think people should be judged for using either methods, as long it makes you feel better.
There is no problem with wanting to look your best, everyone wants to appear look physically attractive. However, it becomes an issue when that is what you’re constantly striving for, because it doesn’t exist. You chase after it thinking somehow if you do this, maybe you’ll look different, or if you do that, that might tweak this. This is how you fall into a cycle with wanting to constantly improve on yourself. It’s even more challenging, when people are commenting on your body type. It can be hard not to internalise opinions, but just remember you’re the one who walks around 24/7 with it. Whether you work out, eat healthy, or even the opposite; you have a sweet tooth etc. Please don’t make yourself feel bad for wanting to eat it. You are responding to what your body wants at that time. Essentially, you’ll work out how to balance your diet to suit your needs/tastes.

Last but not least, it’s weird because you never really see in yourself, what others see in you. So it’s hard to believe a compliment given to you, as perhaps it does not align with the mental image of yourself. Although, knowing difference between compliments and flattery will help assure yourself, to know it is factual information. Nevertheless, everyone is unique and we should learn how to be comfortable with our differences.

Balance and Effort

There are no strict rules and regulations , just put in the work when it matters to you 🌻🦋

Chanda D

Disclaimer: all images were taken from Google images.