Akdong Musician and Cloud Atlas

Today I have some music for you that hails from South Korea. This song is by a duo which goes by the name Akdong Musician. Both members are actually siblings, and very young at that. The eldest of the two is only eighteen years old, so talk about talent! This is one the most hauntingly beautiful songs I have heard in a long time. I mean we do hear a lot of slower and more melancholy songs nowadays, but this is one that really stands out to me. And there are so many different elements that make this song the beautiful masterpiece that it is. For starters, the vocals in this song are incredible. I had no idea that people so young could posses this kind of power and emotional content. There is this back and forth between the male and female vocals during the main verses of the song, and harmonies featuring the vocal anguish and sweetness of being helpless and hopeful at the same time. Akdong Musician really makes you feel the song and what they are trying to convey. I don't speak or understand Korean, but I completely understand this song and what it is about. This song expresses the complex feeling which embraces both despair and hope. What I love about this song is how the title of the song matches what happens in the song. At the beginning, we are faced with the problems that life throws our way. We are consumed by the negative thoughts and feelings that come with adulthood or society in general. But the end of the song shows us that though the rough times may harden and freeze our hearts, they can also be melted. Beautiful isn't it? And the fact that we can feel that through the way the siblings sing, well that is something that cannot be accurately described in words. Even the instrumental background expresses this idea of tragedy and hope. It is very simple, a piano and some strings. But the melodies and cadence that we hear juxtapose with one another. At some points we get a more upbeat and jazzy sound, which then gives way to this soulful mourn led by the stringed instruments. The anguish and sorrow and heartache that people face is so accurately presented in this song through the musicality of it all. But even so, we get that glimmer of hope, that shot at redemption. This is a ballad that has a completely mature sound to it, even more so than a lot of music we heard by artists older than Akdong Musician. And while it does take you and an emotional ride, it also sweeps you off your feet and grounds you in a way that you may have not been before. Confusing, I know. But the ballad sweeps you off your feet and slowly twirls you before setting you down and allowing you to see the world in a new way. As does the music video. Now normally I do not post music videos because I think they skew the integrity of the song. But this is a music video which made my heart break and smile at the same time. This is the most powerful music video I have ever seen. Again, though I don't understand Korean, this video was very easy for me to follow. And it has a lot of social commentary as well as providing a cause for self reflection. The story is of a young boy and how he becomes the man he is today. Flashbacks for the win! But I can promise you that this music video will make your emotions pour forth. This is a song with a message, and quite frankly, it is a beautiful one. Today's instrumental song is from the movie Cloud Atlas. I have posted the cut version of this piece before, but today I wanted to post the full suite. This is one of my favorite movies and one of the greatest scores I have ever heard. But this composition, this is the one that is the queen of all. A lot of people have not seen this movie and sadly have not heard this sextet. But this is one that is so incredibly emotive and so magnificent. This is an elegant and powerful piece, one that is full of expression and movement. It is and indescribable, transcendent. and boundless piece. This is a composition that is not limited by the scope of simply being notes on a page. This is a piece that goes through the lines to time, one that has no definite moment, rather has a multitude of moments to create a complete suite. When I hear this score, I can feel the melodies rush through my soul. This is one that makes you feel everything- emotions, serenity, the filling of your soul. Everything. This is pure and simple magic. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!