Keeping It Fresh

Today I have some music for you which has a unique origin. There are so many styles of music, coming from all over the world and across time periods. One such style of music that we rarely get to hear from is called Pinoy rock. Essentially, this is a brand of rock that was born in the Philipines. Interestingly enough, Pinoy rock is an umbrella term to refer to any kind of Filipino rock, whether it is alternative, ska, heavy metal, punk, or more recently, indie. This is where our band of the day, IV of Spades, comes in. A rather new band who made their first appearance in 2014, IV of Spades represents a new ear in Pinoy rock. The indie band brings something refreshing and beautiful to not only the Filipino stage but the global one as well. The band is incredibly unique and has an individuality which shines through their music and performances. IV of Spades is heavily influenced by the 70s both musically and as a band. Their looks always tend towards some groovy 70s vibed outfits,...

Today I have a fun song for you by the artist known as Spark. Now I have to be completely honest, I don't really know much about the artist. The only thing I have been able to dig up so far is his name. But what I do know, is that this is an artist who has incredible respect for EDM and the music he makes. Now, this is going to be a rather interesting exploration, as all the material and thoughts I have are based on this song alone. So Spark. Though we don't know anything about him on a personal level or a level outside of music, there is a lot we can understand about him as an artist. And in order to really get that musical understanding, I want to start by discussing this track. This is a really good song. The musicality behind the track is fantastic and offers us, listeners, a lot of different characteristics which come together and creates a sonically solid and vibrant track. From the beginning, Spark sets a unique, enchanting, and fairytale mood which slowly incorporate...

Today I have some music for you by the artist known as Armand Van Helden. Now this is a guy who has been around in the music industry for a very long time. His name isn't one that is easily recognizable or recognized at all for that matter. But he is one of the biggest influences in the New York electronic music scene. He works with all kinds of genres, from funk to R&B to hardcore EDM. What I find really cool about Armand Van Helden is that despite the fact that he has been such an influential presence in the music scene of the Northeast, his music still sounds underground. He hasn't lost any sense of what his soundscape is supposed to sound like, and is very comfortable with creating sounds which eventually become the popular norm. There are still so many elements of his music that sound really nice and underground, very unique and quirky. Armand Van Helden tends to sample older songs, generally from the 80s or 90s. And he does so because of how rooted in funk and groo...

Today I have some music for you by a rapper who has made quite a name for himself despite being out of the spotlight. Vic Mensa has made some big waves in the music industry as a lyricist and performer. Now as a listener, I can wholeheartedly understand why he has been able to do so. Not only does Vic Mensa carry power in his words, but also in the delivery. There are a lot of rappers who lean towards one or the other, but Vic Mensa has found this incredibly sweet and saucy combination which leaves an impression on everyone who hears his music. Today's track is right up that alley. This song is a very interesting vibe, especially because it sounds very unlike a stereotypical rap track. Vic Mensa's debut track is an absolute jam, perfect for the club or a night out. He successfully blends deep house with a spillage of rap words which fall like dominoes. He carries a slick flow, seemingly removing spaces between words so that there is a smooth and continuous barrage of words. ...

Alright, now that we have officially kicked off the new year, I wanted to talk about a throwback song. I know, I know, the new year should mean new music. But to be fair, we have had exactly one day of 2018. And I also wanted to kick off the new year with a song that had a fun and retro vibe. So here we go! This song first came out in 2002 and is by the British singer, Craig David. It's hard to imagine that 2002 was technically sixteen years ago! Oddly enough, it doesn't seem that far off. But songs like this have really defined the millennial generation. I mean, these are the songs that we grew up with! These are the kinds of songs we jammed out to, the songs we played at parties. These are the song of our not-so-distant-past childhoods.  And this song was an anthem for not only the dance floor but was the iconic song for some of the hottest toys out there. But that is beside the point, isn't it? This song is what we could call a "club banger. The early millennia...

Today I have some music for you out of South London by an incredible producer by the name Tom Misch. This is an artist who creates masterpieces of sound by blending hip-hop beats with dance and electronic music. Now to me, it seems like this style of music is becoming more popular, or at least more prevalent. But what I do enjoy, is that each artist has a distinct way of making that chilled-out hip-hop track. And Tom Misch makes some really good textured beats while also providing his own vocals. Stylistically, there are always so many ways artists can go when it comes to chill-hop or electronic hip-hop. In this track, we get a more upbeat and friendly sound. It is a bubblier track, with only feel good vibes flowing through. Tom Misch does an incredible job of capturing this carefree atmosphere through his production and composition. I think one of the reasons the song flows this well, is because there is a dynamic array of instruments. Not only do we get the synths and electroni...

Today I have some music for you by a band out of Los Angeles by the name Saint Motel. This is a band that really likes to play with different sounds and has produced music across the entire rock spectrum. While these guys do tend to focus more on indie music, they have been known to throw down some wicked smooth and fresh alternative music. This song is one of those seamless mixes of indie pop and alternative rock with a beautiful dash of old-timey music. This song is one of the more refreshing sounds I have heard in a while. There is so much energy in this song, from the first note we hear to the last. Saint Motel's sound is one that splurges on integrating old-school influences and the band seems to like mixing the older and more retro sounds with the newer and bolder kind of sounds. This song also has such a nice alternative sound which is highlighted by the bright and powerful sound we get from the horn section. What is really cool about this song is that there is such a wi...

Today I have some new music for you by an EDM artist who likes to create music under the radar while still being at the forefront of some of the biggest EDM events around the world. Madeon is simply put, a master of electronic music. He is only 20 years old, yet has released albums, EP's and a plethora of singles and remixes. I have to say, he has quite the dossier and the extent to which he experiments with music is quite extensive. The thing about Madeon is that he has such a distinctive style that is completely his own. If I heard a song, I could tell you whether or not it is a Madeon song or not simply by his signature sound. This is where things can be a bit difficult though - his sound is something that is hard to put into words. There is this groove that surfs throughout the sound waves and a softer sound to the overall electronic work. Many electronic artists today have sharper, blunter electronic sounds and programming. But Madeon is a different story. Each note is someh...

Lately we have seen an increase in the number of remixes out there, floating around the music sharing and streaming platforms. One such platform is SoundCloud. Now there have been a lot of mentions regarding SoundCloud in the news. And I have to say, I was really nervous for the streaming site. SoundCloud has been my go to for so much indpendent and differnet and original music from musicians and artists of all genres and geographic regions. SoundCloud has been the place where I have discovered artists and singers long before the radio picked them up. It has been the place where I have been able to revel in Bollywood remixes and electronic music storms. And until today, that was all threatened. And then Chance the Rapper swooped in. He got his start on SoundCloud, and seems to have a very grateful sentiment towards SoundCloud. And from what I can tell, it seems like he has something up his sleeve in making sure SoundCloud sticks around for a long time.  So why did I turn the fir...

For some reason, today I couldn't get enough of electronic music. And so I figured, why not make today's post all about electronic music. But here's the plot twist. Today's electronic music isn't necessarily EDM. In fact, it borders more along the lines of funky house, with a lot of soul and groove thrown in. Chris Malinchak is the star of the day, with today's song also featuring the stunning vocals of one of my favorites, Mikky Ekko. Chris Malinchak got some acclaim with his first big song and I can see why. This guy has really great talent in instrumentation and song production. The style of this song is so funky smooth and has a great energy to it. This song sounds like what Michael Jackson hitting the electronic scene would sound like. Everything about this song captures the groovy disco and hip hop feel that Michael Jackson mastered and made his own. I could not stop dancing to this song no matter how many times I put it on repeat, and the song is so rem...

Hello, everybody! It is so good to be back here writing about music! I spent the last week traveling and keeping really busy, which is why we had a bit of a hiatus. But, I'm back today, and it is all about getting funky and jazzy. Today's song comes from an artist that I've mentioned in the past.  Anderson Paak is a very eclectic artist, one who likes to combine differing styles to create something original and fun. This song is one that has this nice funky jazz to it, something that is like an old school groove with a modern twist. Anderson Paak has a strong command of his music, knowing exactly what sound he wants and exactly what words he wants to use. There is an incredible strength to his producing and songwriting skills, one that is impressive. Anderson Paak knows himself as a musician, and that can sometimes be hard to find. Even within his rapping style and cadence, there is strong confidence which comes from an artist who really knows how he...

Today's music is by an artist that I haven't been able to stop listening to lately. The Knocks is an awesome musical duo from the great New York City. The Knocks is such a great musical group because they are able to pull off so many sounds without a second's hesitation. This song though is my absolute favorite. When listening to the discography that The Knocks boasts, you get the feeling that this song is a bit unlike the rest of their music. Normally they have a more upbeat kind of sound, something that is more high energy. And this song does have a great dancing beat and movement to it! But this song has that really special kind of energy that makes you feel everything around you. It isn't  every day  that you hear and electronic song that takes you to that special place where everything falls away, and it is just you and the beautiful world. This is one of those psychedelically wonderful songs, taking you to a higher state. This is a song that reminds me of the ec...

Today I have music for you by one of my favorite Korean artists. Jay Park is quite the performer and an incredible singer. What I love about him is the fact that he raps and sings in both Korean and English and nails both styles of performing. Yes, this is a more romantic and less intense song, but Jay Park is not limited to songs like this. Actually, this song is one of the more anomalous songs in the fact that it is sweet and smooth and comforting. Normally, Jay Park has a more intense and energetic and dance-vibe sound, but this one has this cozy and sweet and lively. This song is one of those cute love songs that isn't slow and romantic, rather it is more like a springtime energetic vibe. This is a song that has a nice head-bobbing vibe that also has this thumping beat that makes you want to sway. There are also these really nice subtle piano keys that make you want to just move to the music. I also love the background brass instrument. They add this depth and lovely twist to t...

Well, it has been quite a while since I have posted, and they have definitely become more sporadic this past week. But with exam season over, I am back in full swing with some great music headed your way. So to start this off, today I have some music for you by Ella Eyre. This is a girl who is not well known but should be because she has so much talent. Ella Eyre not only creates her own incredible songs, but is one of the best collaborators I have heard. She has worked with groups ranging in style from Bastille to Rudimental. Honestly, I think that is extremely impressive. Something about the way Ella Eyre works and the way she sings is so fierce. Not the stereotypical Beyonce fierce, but something that is strong and bold. She is a vocal powerhouse and can belt out the highest of notes, and yet can still become soft and vulnerable.  Ella Eyre pursues a sound that is really different from a lot of what we hear nowadays. This song is pretty percussion heavy, but ...

Today I have some music for you by the artist known as Tilka. Now this song is basically what tropical house would sound like if it took a chill pill and slowed things down a little bit. Seems a little strange, I know. But Tilka makes it work well and everything flows extremely well. I am actually such a huge fan of the flow of this song. It is something that is so smooth and genuinely fun to listen to. And Tilka also uses different instruments along with the programmed beats and notes to make this song what it is. I can tell he uses a stringed instrument of some kind and of course has his own created sounds to make this song. There is also this plinky marimba beat that adds that really warm and beachy sound to the song. Tilka also does this thing where he changes the pitch variation between phrases, something I find really cool. It makes the song sound as if it is a wave, getting up high and then diving to the deeper pitches. There is a lot of indie pop in this song as well, the kind ...

Today we are back with some new music, and today's song comes as a recommendation from a friend of mine. Now this is an artist who was actually featured in SXSW 2016, and has recently done some touring around the States. Anderson Paak is a very eclectic artist, one who likes to combine differing styles to create something original and fun. This song is one that has this nice funky jazz to it, something that is like an old school groove with a modern twist. Anderson Paak has a strong command of his music, knowing exactly what sound he wants and exactly what words he wants to use. There is an incredible strength to his producing and song writing skills, one that is impressive. Anderson Paak knows himself as a musician, and that can sometimes be hard to find. His rapping style is really interesting, almost like a conversation between the listener and himself. Even though he likes to pick out music from multiple eras, there is still that sense of complete control and mastery of the mus...

Today I have music for you by the band Bag Raiders. Now a lot of people may know this band because of their huge hit "Shooting Stars," however, there is so much more to this band than you can even fathom. Bag Raiders is one of those bands that has no boundaries to their music. Bag Raiders traverses all kinds of electronic scales and synthpop areas. On one hand you have songs like the one mentioned earlier. And then you have songs like this one. Songs that are so energetic and lively and completely addicting. This song is just so catchy and vivacious and exciting! There are a lot of different and incredible things happening with this song. Now this duo is out of Australia and with this song you can kind of hear that coastal and beach-like influence. However, we also get a more tribal and tropical beat which I would like to attribute to an Aboriginal tribute. I could be wrong, but I like how Bag Raiders incorporates different aspects of the Australian culture in this song, whet...

Today I have some music for you by two artists who have given a little bit of tribute to an artist who has pretty much taken over the airwaves these past couple of weeks. And in honor of Drake dropping his new album, I thought it would be kind of fun to post a version of one of his songs. Now this is a cover, but, it is one of the best covers of this song that I have heard. Charlie Puth and Kehlani have made this popular song one that is very unique and original. This version of the song has a little less of that tropical and Caribbean vibe and takes on a little bit more of that indie pop kind of sound, with a few more synths and high hat beats. Nothing wrong with that though! Having a cover that takes a song and expresses it in a different way is something that is really quite impressive. Now both Charlie Puth and Kehlani have wonderful voices, and the way they harmonize sounds so completely effortless and beautiful. It almost sound like these are two voices that were meant to perform...

Today I have some really fun music for you! This song is originally by Coldplay, and was the first single to be dropped from their newest album. But, the catch with this song is that this is a remixed version of the song, and is done by Audien. Now if there is anything to be said about Audien, is that he knows how to make crowd jumping music. I mean this song had me wanting to bounce around and go crazy and jump and dance. This song was already a pretty inspirational and freeing song, but Audien turned it into a spectacular menagerie of color and sound. The thing is, when I listen to this song, I see so many bursts of color and paint and these fantastical frames of doing all the things that make me really feel alive. Which was the original point of the song, and something that Audien preserves so well with this remix. Whether it makes me think about splashing around and running wild on the beach at night, or going crazy at a festival, or dancing the night away in a concert hall with th...

Today was SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!!! For those of you who aren't familiar with it, the Superbowl is the American football championship, and is our biggest sporting event of the year. That being said, of course it is going to be more than just a football game. It is a show, a performance, a spectacle! This is the game of the year that everyone wants to be a part of. From going to watch parties to making sure you see every commercial, the Superbowl is an event that is highly looked forward to and is weirdly enough, one of the biggest traditions in America. Now since we have a game this big, there is a halftime show in which an artist or set of artists perform. And this year, it was one of the bands most dear to me, Coldplay. Now I am going to be honest with you and say that this was the greatest halftime show I have ever seen. Coldplay is more than just a music group. They are genuine artists, lovers of their craft. They don't perform, they put on a show, and an unforgettable one at tha...