Posts

Modern English and Stranger Things

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Today I thought we could go back in time, relive some of the glorious 80s and get some old school music back on the map. And to start off, I thought it would be cool to take a look at different artists across various genres in the 80s. Think of it like a series dedicated to the age when big hair, punk rock, disco, and new wave all had a spot in the spotlight. The 80s were a time where bands were starting to embrace instruments like synthesizers and keyboards, where rock music was starting to evolve and change to include these “unconventional” instruments. New wave band, Modern English, was no exception.  It’s interesting to note that Modern English is actually an English band – as were many popular bands during the 80s. I think a little background might add some context on why that is a cool tidbit. Let’s start with the genre – new wave. This is a genre which encompasses some pop music styles and punk rock to create a deliciously catchy dossier of sound. New wave was a shift a...

Florence and the Machine and Ramin Djawadi

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Hello, hello! It has been quite a while since I last dropped a post on the blog. I want to go ahead and send a huge shout out to everyone who has been patient with me, and the more sporadic nature of my writing. Everything is a work in progress, and continuing to write about music remains in “progress” mode. Moving onto the music, I would be remiss if I didn’t include this particular song. Why? Because it may just be one of the single greatest musical moments to come out of the world of Game of Thrones and television as a whole.  As you all may know, Florence Welch is a singer I am completely in awe in. She has harnessed something so magical in music, something so enchanting that you cannot help but be enamoured by it. Her voice has the power of a tidal wave, soaring and crashing as she chases the high notes and smashes the lower notes. But her voice can also be gentle and deep, like the calm waves of a splendorous ocean. The versatility and depth with which she can sing made he...

Julia Michaels & Niall Horan and James Bay

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Today’s song is more well-known, but for some reason, I have been unable to get it out of my head. And so I figured, might as well write about it! This song is one for the heartbroken and can be understood by those who have been through heartbreak. It is a poignant and emotional track, guaranteed to stir up some feelings. This song is by Julia Michaels and features some vocal work by Niall Horan, as the two singers describe the pain of letting go of a love that once was. Now if this isn’t enough to give the song away, great! That just means you get to experience this song like it’s the first time. This track is hauntingly emotional, figuratively and literally. In this song, we are moved by the haunting beauty of the melodies and soulfulness, but the narrator is also haunted by a past love. Julia Michaels effortlessly translates that yearning and longing, the ghost of something that was, into the song.  Julia Michaels lends a voice that is simultaneously light and grounded, s...

ARTY and Nicky Romero

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Hello everyone! I’ve noticed lately that a lot of the songs I have written about lately have been more on the pop and chilled outside of things. So I thought it would be great to shake things up and go with an energetic and electronic-tinged track! In all honesty, calling this an “electric tinged” song is a bit of an understatement. In fact, today we are getting a much-needed dose of some good ol’ EDM. And before things get a little out of hand, I firmly believe a little electronic music in one’s life never hurt anyone, and is actually a nice addition to a music library. So without further ado, it’s time to jump in!  Today’s track is a bundle of energy and good times. Everything about the song is filled with vivacious energy and upbeat sound. There are a lot of things going on in this song that are fantastic and a lot of fun. There are even some parts that remind me a bit of other popular songs! As is common with many house songs or vocalist influenced EDM tracks, there is a wo...

David Archuleta and Kygo

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Today I have some music for you by an artist that we all use to love watching perform on live television. He was the sweet and adorable kid with a beautiful and angelic voice on American Idol. He was also such a heartthrob when his first single came out. That's right, today we are talking about the wonderful, the magnificent, David Archuleta! Now if that name isn't a throwback, I don't know what is. But it seems as though after his ridiculously successful first single came out, he disappeared. In fact, he did take a break from music for two years. But he never really went away, he just shifted his focus. David Archuleta has been collaborating with artists, quietly putting out new music, and trying genres across the board. He even collaborated on an incredible pop take of a popular opera song! But today, I want to focus on his new music, specifically, a track from his latest album. When I first heard this song, I had to stop and listen. And then hit replay, again and agai...

Wiley, Stefflon Don, Sean Paul & Idris Elba and Maleek Berry

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Today I was feeling really inspired to go out there and find something new and fresh and exciting for you all. If I’m honest, I’ve been feeling a bit stale and stagnant on the “music discovery” front. But today’s song is definitely quite a banger but in the most laid back way possible. This song is dripping in swagger, provided by the beats which make up the song and the rappers who throw their bars on top.  Wiley is an English MC and rapper out of London and has released music under a variety of names, including Eskiboy. This song is actually a very interesting one because it provides some outlook on the nature of hip hop, grime, and riddim. In the song, Wiley takes the term which makes up the song title and gives it a different meaning. Instead of boasting outright as to what he is, who he is, and what kind of things he can buy, Wiley is able to be “Boasty” in a way that is tasteful. I found it quite entertaining to hear what Wiley was being boasty about. In one verse, he talk...

Klasikhz & Dr. Srimix and Panjabi MC

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Happy New Year to all! I wanted to start the New Year by returning to this blog, one that I love so much but needed to step away from for a little while. For those of you who may be new readers and listeners, I took a hiatus from November till the end of the year. There were many things that I needed to take a look at, a lot of things I needed to work through and sort out for myself. But I couldn’t forget this platform, a place where I could safely share music and talk about what it all felt like. When I took my hiatus, I really started to understand how much pride I have in this blog, and how much I love being able to write about music. But, writing every night started to become too much. It sometimes felt as though the music was becoming an assignment, and not something I did because I loved it. So, I am so happy to be back here, posting maybe once or twice a week, but still talking about the thing I love- Music. And that being said, I am so ready to start discussing some incredibly...