Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Demo

14th February 2014 sees the end of the Final Fantasy XIII saga with the release of Lightning Returns. For those who are still sitting on the fence with the game, a demo has been released for you to get to grips with the new game.

We are making an educated guess that we’re getting to trial the opening ‘getting to know you’ section of the game, introducing you to the controls but also giving you 6 pre-made outfits which you then get to have a bash at customising (we recommend ‘deleting’ the existing one once you’ve had a few play through so that you’re not being presented with issues of already being attached to another.

Also up and running in the demo is the Outerworld which allows you to send snapshots, messages and scores from the game to social media. It also gives an idea of how the Outerworld comes into the game (although we admit that all we were seeing were screenshots, it also looks like you might be able to send other items thorough it to to help you on your quest). There is an Outerworld app via facebook, which at the moment stores scores & photos that you’ve shared from the game. Again, this may be something that comes into it’s own once the full game is released.

The only thing we still don’t fully understand right now is how time effects. Once you’ve beaten the main beastie, it says the demo runs to 6am….we’re not sure what that entirely means, so maybe a demo where you’ve to undertake a side-quest to add more time might have been an idea. Or maybe it’s just a requirement of playing the demo a few times more.

Either way, check it out if your on the fence or want a head start on the final thing (PSN download is just over 2GB)

Little Mix // Word Up

 
Pre-order @ iTunes

We suppose that it was only a matter of time that Little Mix were chosen for charity single duties. This year, they are performing the single for Sports Relief (if you’ve never heard of it, click here to find out more) and the song of choice? A cover of Cameo’s Word Up.

Now frequent visitors know our opinion of covers; do them well, respect the original but make it your own. Well, we can safely say that it does cover all of our criteria. It has a feeling of the original musically but there’s just something that seems to be there bringing it up to date.

Traditionally these songs do well, but we still think that Mcfly’s Sports Relief single (a cover of the Queen classic Don’t Stop Me Now) takes some beating! But we still hope that the song does well and helps raise a wee bit extra for the charity event.

(p.s. you’ll be able to buy the CD single from 17th March exclusively in Sainsbury’s!)

Rating: 4/5

Stine Bramsen // Prototypical

Download @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ iTunes
Download @ Official Site

Some of you might be familiar with this singer. If you’re not, then you might know the band that she belongs to. Yes, she is normally seen as part of Danish band Alphabeat but, while the band haven’t split, she’s heading out on her own with her debut single, Prototypical

To be honest, we heard an acoustic version of this a few weeks and thought that the song was very generic. Now that the studio version is out, we take it back. The acoustic is much better! The song does have a feel of stepping away from what you’re probably used to hearing from her. In some ways, it reminds us of Heavy Cross by Gossip. The chorus is probably the best of it as verses tend to take part of repetition.

Maybe it’s because we’re used to hearing her along side others than hearing her on her own is a bit odd. Don’t get us wrong, the vocals are still there and as strong as ever, it’s just not doing much for us right now. Filed under ‘possible grower’

Rating: 3/5

Claire Maguire // Claire Maguire EP

Download @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ iTunes

Has it really been two years since we last heard from Miss Maguire? It would appear so, but for those who follow her elsewhere, they’ll know that she’s been sneaking tracks out for folks to hear. So what is this self-titled EP?

Well, in simple terms, it’s 4 tracks comprising of 2 new tracks (Paper Thin  & Whenever You Want It) & 2 covers (Black Coffee by Sarah Vaughn & The Last Time I Saw Richard by Joni Mitchell). The tracks feel that they are recorded in a way that allows that Maguire’s voice to simply shine through, stripped back but giving the listener plenty of room to imagine what the tracks may sound like if given all the bells & whistles.

This self-titled EP may be an indication of where Maguire’s (in some cases, long awaited) next album may be headed. But time will tell and in the meantime, hopefully this will tide fans over.

Rating: 4/5

Shakira // Can’t Remember To Forget You (Feat. Rihanna)

Download @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ iTunes

Oh how long it’s been since we’ve heard from Shakira but 2014 see the singer make a return to the music scene with her first single from her new album out in March.

The first release from the Columbian singer is a duet with Bajan singer Rihanna. There’s a very familiar Shakira feeling to the track with a sound that wee have heard in past releases. The verses have a bit of a ska feel about them whilst the chorus has more of a rock feel to it…actually, now that we think about it, it sounds a bit like Lawson’s Juliet but with female vocals.

It’s a nice little number to return on. Maybe not heat the charts up but will probably heat up a few fans

Rating: 4/5

Lea Michele // Cannonball

Download @ iTunes

So if you don’t know who Lea Michele is, let’s try introducing her as Rachel Berry from Glee. With us now? Good. Well, she’s having a bash at taking on the pop world with her debut release, Cannonball

To be honest, if you’ve seen anything of Glee, then vocally, there isn’t much here that you haven’t already heard. It’s not a particularly memorable song and just seems a bit more fitting of a show rather than of a single release. Maybe something at the opposite end of what we know of her might have been a better idea.

Still, no doubt fans will flock to it. Other may need convincing.

Rating: 2/5