Keeping It Fresh

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...

Today I have some music from the ever exciting and moving city, Los Angeles. This duo likes to go by the name MIKNNA, and they are shaking up the underground music scene one track at a time. Fusing retro sounds with hip-hop and some electronic work, MIKKNA gives us music to bounce to. MIKNNA is made up of two very important components - a producer and a vocalist. One member brings the instrumental and musical skills to the table. In fact, the producer, Ken Nana is a talented musician and plays multiple instruments. The vocalist, Mike B, also serves as the rapper of the duo and brings words to the song. The two of them together are able to breathe life into tracks like this, giving the song body and filling it with sensation. MIKKNA's sound could be described as "electro-soul," a gorgeous blend of an older style with a newer one. This song is definitely on the slower side, but that doesn't mean the song lacks funk or groove. This song can hold its own when it come...

Today I have some new music for you by DJ that has consistently been tearing up the charts. Now I'm not talking within the past year two but over the past seven or eight years. Alesso has made a name for himself, with not only remixes but also incredible original tracks featuring incredible vocalists and producer is across all genres and music types. The song, in particular, is one of his newer tracks and it is one that I was hooked on from the first listen. So let's talk briefly about Alesso as an artist. He has done so much and his music style has progressed and changed over time. Obviously, this is to be expected from an artist, and Alesso's growth has been in a direction that is very different and interesting for the ears. But there's something to be said about a kind of consistency which can be heard in his music. He never really strays too far from Progressive house sounds or just house in general. And what is nice about Alesso is that it never feels like he...

Today I have a song that blends two different worlds of music. And what school is that because today's artists come from two very different countries they bring very different aspects and qualities to this song. We've got one from France and one from Spain and while both of them may be on the pop side of music each country has a different version of pop. So let's get into it! This song is originally by an artist from France who goes by the name Maître Gims. This is actually the first song that I've heard by him and if this is just a taste of what the rest of his music is like I'm very excited to have the chance to explore his musical dossier. This song is the Franco Spanish version of the French original. Now given that the title translates to "the same" I think it's beautiful that this song has a version that combines two different languages, two different artists, and two different worlds of music. The artist who sings the Spanish verses is non...

This summer has been an interesting time for music. A lot of the new releases we have been hearing are not coming from big-name artists but from more of the lesser known musicians and artists. And that makes this such an interesting time for music because it is almost time to start deciding on the anthem of the summer. And though this track is a little late in the game, I think it has a fair chance in my book of being one of the anthems of the season. So let's get right into it! Louis the Child has always been such a fascinating duo. A lot of their inspiration is drawn from Asia and Eastern Asian cultures. This makes their melodies stand out more, distinguish the duo, and provide a nice respite from the string of pop songs we normally hear over the summer. This is going to be a fun song to talk about especially because it is the latest development in Louis the Child's extensive dossier of music. Though the duo is not as well known as DJs and groups such as Major Lazer, Dil...

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 we are continuing with the African themed music. But today's artist is a British-born Nigerian artist by the name of Maleek Berry. One of the reasons I find his music so intriguing is because despite growing up in England, Maleek Berry has been able to grab hold of that contagious Afro-pop energy, and has harnessed it to create music which is so rooted in his Nigerian roots. There are a lot of artists out there who are able to do that, but for some reason, it really struck me with Maleek Berry's work. Not only is the instrumentation and soundscape reminiscent of African pop, but he even sings in that pidgin style of speaking which is found in Nigeria. The first thing you tend to notice with Maleek Berry's music is the beat. He takes it straight from the world of Afrobeats, giving way to more traditional and African leaning percussion to set the tone of the song. He gets us prepared for the style and sound he is trying to accomplish, from those initial beats. And it...

Wow, it has been some time since my last post. It feels odd to not write for so long! But I'm back again today and have some really fun and interesting music for you. I know I have spent ample time discussing music from around the world, especially focusing on Indian, Korean, and Latin music. And a travesty for us all, I haven't spent a lot of time discussing music from Africa. Now, this seems such a shame since there is so much music today which has taken influence from African music. But this week, I wanted to talk specifically about artists who are from Africa and have gained their popularity there. And so, today I am starting with an artist out of Nigeria who goes by the name Mr. Eazi. Now I really wanted to talk about African artists, because this group represents up and coming artist. African music has been the source of inspiration for so many musical movements, and most notably, the Afrobeat movement. The profile of African artists has started to skyrocket within the...

Today I have some music for you which comes from the world of Vine. Now, I have to admit, this was one of my favorite platforms for a little while. You can't go wrong with funny! But it is so cool to see how we have seen many artists and singer come about because of vine. In fact, today's artist comes from the world of vine. And you may know him from his popular cleaning + WOP videos. Trey Kennedy has been a very low key singer since the inception of vine. Recently, there have been some singing videos which have popped up with him in it, and that eventually led to him creating and releasing his own music. This track is an absolute bop. The energy is level headed and has a fantastic vibe associated with it. Overall, this track is a great one to just relax and lounge around to, just soaking in the atmosphere and sounds. It's cool to hear this song and how influenced by the early 00's it is. The grooviness that we hear in the track, is partially attributed to the use ...

Today brings us an artist from Melbourne. Though she only has one single to her name, this debut single is one of the most talked about tracks from SXSW. G Flip made quite an impression at last week's festival, and begs the question, how can a full blown pop song with an irresistible chorus, be so far from generic? One of the most notable things about G Flip, is her ability to create a non conventional pop ear worm. The song gets you hooked from the get go, and doesn't really require much time to grown on you. And in a world where pop seems dominated by electronic rhythms and melodies, with very little room for live instrumentation, G Flip turns the table. Being a tour drummer herself, G Flip brings a lot of percussion and rhythm to her debut track. It is heavy and pounding, a wholesome rattling sensation which blows modern pop out of the water. The song even includes a drum solo, a part of music which we don't hear often in general but even rarer to be heard in pop mu...

Today I have music for you by the artist Jay Hayden. It is very interesting that there is very little information out there about him. Jay Hayden is an artist who kind of popped up out of nowhere, or at least for me, this is a name I haven't seen around much. From what I have seen though, I think he started out on Vine which is pretty cool! In any case, the man can sing and definitely knows how to create some good music. Jay Hayden relies on a lot of synth work and keyboards for this track. There is a bit of an R&B element to this track, but there is also a really nice electronic influence as well. In a way, I would call this alternative R&B maybe. The entire vibe of the song is one that has energy but still maintains this seductive and sensual element. The synth pop nature of the song gives the track a bit of a bounce and a liveliness as well. But what is really nice, is that the song never feels overdone or over hyped. Nor does it feel overly sensual and sexy. There is...

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...

Alright, today I have some groovy music for you all. Now this is a nice change of pace from the past few postings I have made (which I know, have been spread quite far apart.) So today, I would like to introduce you to the Haitian-Candian producer and DJ known as Kaytranada. I have only recently started listening to his music, and it has got me jamming so much. Kaytranada is an interesting DJ because his focus is on the genres and subgenres surrounding hip-hop. Normally, when we think of DJs, the people who come to mind are those who play giant festivals, with light shows and ravers galore. Kaytranada is a suave breath of fresh air because of his unique style. The beautiful production style that he uses brings together a variety of rising musicians, with backgrounds in so many different musical sounds. From funk to hip-hop to modern dance music, we get to hear how Kaytranada effortlessly blends and blurs the lines between genres and between being retro and modern. What is cool abou...

Today I have some music for you by an artist called Always Never. This is a super nice and chilled out song, something that I have been able to listen for days. It has a seductive smoothness to it, one that can catch you by surprise with its subtly lustful sound. I have to admit, I really like how Always Never has made the song to be so effortlessly smooth and even a but sexy. One of the things to note about this track is how it seems to fall into this newer and growing style of R&B. This emerging style relies a bit more on synths and electronic work to create an ambient sound, while the vocals hang onto a more soulful and R&B sound. Part of what makes this song really work, and one of the things I really like about this song, is that there is a darker undertone to some parts of the song. But this darker undertone is not menacing, melancholy, nor eerie It is an irresistible allure, the tantalizing call of an interaction filled with lust and seduction. Now I have to be hones...

Today I am taking things back to the chilled out and slower side of music. This song is one that I had on repeat for a while because of how smooth and calming it is. This isn't a very energized and hyped up song. Instead, we get something that is wonderfully chill and perfect for lounging around or just doing your own thing. This song is a synth pop breath of fresh air. In all honesty, we hear the same pop songs from all corners of media, but with this song, we get something that is such a nice fresh and unique sound. I will say, Dominique's original work with the song is really nice and still has that calmer and more relaxed sound. But Manotett took this song and remixed it, making this a song that is genuinely amazing and perfectly ambient. I would even go so far as to call this song beautiful. It is not one of those songs that is beautiful because of how moving it is. Rather, there is something mystical and a bit magical to the beauty surrounding this song. Kind of like a ...

Today I have the latest release by the DJ known as Jonas Blue. This DJ happens to be one of my favorite secrets, one of those artists who isn't as popular yet but is on the way to stardom. Why? Because every single track I have heard by Jonas Blue is euphoric. His music tends to be uplifting and hopeful with his music. Even when talking about something like a breakup, Jonas Blue somehow still makes it possible for us to feel good and full in our souls. This track is a bit different compared to the other work we have heard by Jonas Blue. While a lot of Jonas Blue's work is made to dominate our summer playlists, this track is a bit more heartfelt and soulful. In the track, Jonas Blue explores the idea of romance and falling in love. He takes on the journey that a passionate and fiery relationship can have- falling in love after the first date, being happy and in love, only to eventually leave each other heartbroken. And while this seems like a rather dreary topic, Jonas Blue ex...

Today I have some music for you that feels so good. The first time I ever heard Manila Killa was when he performed a show during SXSW. And ever since, I have been a major fan of his music. This song is one of my recent favorites and also features the work of Robotaki. One of the best things about these two artists is that their musical style is so effortless. I wouldn't necessarily call it carefree, implying that the music is rather bubbly. But there is something so completely smooth and fluid and undemanding about their music. Something completely free-spirited. It's so easy on the ears and though they are electronic artists, you never really feel that kind of sound. And I really like that. These two artists are more about creating an atmosphere and an environment, and they are able to create something that feels so good. This song is super chilled out, following in the footsteps of other popular deep house singles. But Manila Killa and Robotaki put a lot of character into...

Today I have some fun and bubbly music for you by an artist and producer out of Miami. GAWVI musical career has been really interesting to look at because of his work as a producer. One of the most notable hip-hop and rap producers within the Christian music world, GAWVI actually boasts a Grammy award for his production. Most of his work has been made popular by Lecrae, another really talented and incredible artist. But with today's song, we get something that is GAWVI and him only. This song is all him - the song lyrics, composition, and production. For starters, this is a really catchy track. There is an intoxication dance beat to the song which makes it so much fun and exciting to listen to. The song starts out with this really nice tropical percussion work. It's deep and resonates so nicely, making it a great base from which the rest of the song can be built upon. This song has some intricately layered synth work, but it all fits like clockwork. GAWVI did a good job of cr...