Keeping It Fresh

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...

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...

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...

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,...

So, rock music for anyone? It has been too long since I last discussed rock music, a shame if I am to be honest. But I thought today and going forward, I can talk about more rock music, whether it be rock n roll or modern rock. Starting today with a band out of Japan, ONE OK ROCK. Now I only recently started listening to their music, and it took me back to my rock roots. I will say ,ONE OK ROCK tends to take a little bit more of a punk sound with this song, but it really works for them. One of the things I really have to appreciate about ONE OK ROCK, is that each album sounds different. The band is not afraid of trying out new sounds and vibes each time they put out an album, and I respect that both as a listener and as a musician. You can also really tell who has influenced the band. Some albums are almost like an homage to ONE OK ROCK's favorite and most inspiring bands, but they are still able to make each album sound like their own. Now the album which this song comes from i...

Today I have some music for you by the DJ and artist known as The Magician. The Belgium DJ has been behind a number of different hits across the pond, but somehow, his name isn't as well known here in the States. One of the most unique and somewhat odd things about The Magician is that he legitimately does magic tricks while on stage. That concept blew my mind! I understand that a lot of artists enjoy putting on a performance along with a good show, but The Magician's idea of putting on a performance through magic tricks seems so odd but incredibly cool. And just like the magic he performs on stage, The Magician spins even more magic into his mixes. This song, in particular, is one of my favorite vibes. It is a cool, smooth, and catchy track. Unlike a lot of music we hear from festival DJs, this song airs on the lounge and chill side of electronic music. There are no throbbing bass nor thumping beats. Instead, The Magician favors more subtle sounds and less bombastic mixing....

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 by an artist all the way from Spain. And this is a bit of a nice detour, especially since much of the Spanish music I talk about is from Latin or South America. But I would like to introduce you to an artist who has brought the vibrancy and playfulness of Spain to the music world. Alvaro Soler is a wonderful singer-songwriter who really knows how to make the music feel free and alive. This song is his most famous song, but Alvaro Soler still remains a rather underground artist, especially here in the States. So there are two versions of this song- one in Spanish and one in Spanglish. But today, I want to talk just about the Spanish version of the song. There is this incredible richness to the way Alvaro Soler sings in Spanish, something that cannot be fully expressed in English words and verses. There is a specific energy and atmosphere which can only be captured by singing this song in the native language of Alvaro Soler, and that is what makes this ...

Today I have music which comes from two different worlds of music- American rap and Bollywood. A seemingly interesting pair, the world of mashups and remixing has grown so much within the past few years. Now today's song is one that I have been pretty much obsessed with for a while, but for some reason, have never written about. Why, you may ask? I don't know. I genuinely have no good reason. So why not talk about it today! Let's start with the DJ himself. DJ BANED is an artist out of Dallas and has done some major work within the Desi Dance Network, an organization which connects Indian dance teams across the United States. The organization has flourished since inception, and this has left room for many aspiring DJs to test their skills and showcase their talents and mixes. Now BANED has been around on this circuit for quite some time, but I'd like to think he started his mixing career before this organization really took off. Stylistically, I have heard him remix m...

As we make our way around the world, today's track is by a group which hails from Chengdu, China. For some people, that is an automatic clue as to which artist group is going to be featured today. In fact, this is a group that many people may recognize from reaction videos. Today is all about Higher Brothers. When I think of these guys, the first thing I do is chuckle. I have never heard a rap group master irony the way Higher Brothers do. The dark humor with which Higher Brothers writes and performs is so honest and quite insightful. The ambitious group is the face of Chinese hip hop and rap, especially trap rap. And what makes them incredibly special is that their is a hungry goal of bringing Chinese hip hop to a global stage. Western rap, Latin rap, and even Korean rap have made waves throughout the music world, and Higher Brothers aim to bring Chinese music to the game. There is so much that Higher Brothers does to make their flows and melodies such an ear worm. For starte...

Today I have some music for you that may be a throwback for some, and a wave of nostalgic sounds for others. Basshunter. What can I say about the guy? His popularity has been an interesting trajectory and course. But somehow, his older work persists as a club classic. And it really has been a while since I listened to him or talked about him. Since I got a random listen recently, I thought it might be nice to take a trip down memory lane. So Basshunter is a phenomenal DJ and is incredible at pretty much every aspect of producing music. Every note and lyric is written by him. One thing which always used to make me chuckle a bit, are the lyrics. It's not that Basshunter is shallow with his lyrics. It's just so entertaining to hear how simple they are! For example, one of his songs is literally about playing a video game. Straightforward and to the point I suppose! But then again, I guess the focus for him is more the production and electronic aspect of the song. For this track...

It has been quite some time since I have sent some Spanish/Latin music this way, so today is all about those reggaeton beats. But this time around, it isn't the pumped-up dance music that I normally like to talk about. Today I have Latin music which airs more on the romantic side. Now this song does not have the long, drawn-out notes which accompany many romantic songs. This song still has a lively energy and a fun sound, while maintaining a sweetness which will make anyone blush. To start off with some introductions, this song is by the Colombian singer-songwriter, Sebastian Yatra. And his voice is absolutely beautiful. There are so many things I love about Latin singers. First of all, every singer has their own signature catchphrase. Whether it is a cool way to say their name or some kind of signature sound effect, you can often tell who has created a song based on these highly unique and identifying sounds. Second, Latin singers sing their lyrics with a plethora of romantic p...

Hey everyone! I have been a bit MIA for the past week, I know. I was traveling for a bit and wasn't able to keep posting, but since I am back I am ready to start talking about some music! And to start us off, I wanted to post music which originates from the place I spent my last week - Korea. This is always an interesting style of music for me to write about because of how little yet incredibly well known Korean music is. Recently, we have seen the explosoin of Korean boy band BTS, as they have made their American debut and more. But, while this music is super hype and very well done, there are many other styles of Korean music out there other than K-pop. Which is what I have for you today! Korean rap has to be one of the greatest styles of rap I have ever heard. There is so much that goes on throughout the song, from incredibly clever lyrics to sick beats. One of the things that Korean rappers do very well is flow changes. There are always some interesting beat and flow swtiches...

Today I wanted to take things to the land of Bollywood, taking on a track that I have not been able to stop listening to for the past few days. This track comes from a recently released film called Jab Harry Met Sejal. I haven't seen the film so I literally have no idea what it is about and can't really recommend whether or not to see it. However, the soundtrack is something that is definitely worth taking a listen to. For starters, the singer of this track is one of the most popular singers in Bollywood at the moment. Arijit Singh has made such an impression on Bollywood and Indian music since his debut in 2013. I have to say, I think his rising popularity has resulted in an interesting shift in Bollywood music. As every other style of music, Bollywood music has gone through another stage in evolution. The Indian origin songs are shifting towards a fusion of Western acoustic and Eastern instrumentation. The music is just as romantic, but the sound is very different. The acou...

Today I have some music for you from a movie that was so incredibly well done. The Little Prince is a movie I recommend everyone to see. It doesn't matter how old you are, what you are doing in life, or where you are, this is a film that speaks to your inner child and your soul. While this movie is definitely social commentary on the status of society, it is such a beautiful message and a magically done movie. The film has different styles of animation that are tastefully done and structured in a way so that the stories that are told really do come to life in their own unique way. And because The Little Prince is based off a French novel, the soundtrack features a few French inspired pieces. This particular song is one of those adorable French songs, with a wonderfully comforting and warm atmosphere. It is a bubbly and lively song, full of happiness and an overall sense of contentment. This is a song that reminds me of kites flying high and bubbles floating through the air. This ...

As most of you know, I haven't been posting as frequently as I normally do. But I wanted to thank everyone who has stuck with this blog for as long as you have, and welcome all those who are new! I realized that we have made it to the close of five years, and have started the sixth year of this blog. It is crazy to imagine that five years ago I published my first post. And I am really proud of how far the blog has come along! I've even happier that I've been able to share so much music with so many of you readers, and am really grateful that you all have joined me on this ride! And now to the music at hand. I was recently introduced to an Austrian rapper by the name RAF Camora. I was immediately hooked to the song within the first few bars. The production of the track is phenomenal, and though I don't understand the lyrics, I do appreciate the lyrical style and rhythm. Stylistically, RAF Camora enters creates a soundscape that is starting to become popular within th...

So apparently, none of my posts have been posting the last few days. Awful on my part, you would think I would have figured out how to properly schedule drafts. But today I wanted to share some music with you which comes from the world of Korean music. I know I have spent some time in the past talking about how Korean music often times is nothing like everyone imagines it to be. Just like the rest of the music world, Korean music has genres and styles of music that span a variety of sounds and vibes. And today, I wanted to talk about an artist who comes from the Korean rap world. To start things off, I want to emphasize how incredibly awesome foreign rap is. Recently, we have seen a spike in the popularity of foreign pop, but still it isn't as popular as Western pop usually gets. So one can only imagine how unsung foreign rap can be. A shame to be honest because foreign rap is some of the coolest stuff I have heard. And Korean rapper, Rap Monster,  does a really good job of ...

Today I have some music for you out of South Korea. I know in the past I have talked about a couple of different Korean artists, but I realize that I have not spent as much time talking about this artist in particular. CL is one of the baddest women in music right now, and I honestly wish I had as much swag as she carries in her pinky finger alone. Though she is just now making her way stateside, CL has been a huge success in Asia between her solo work and girl band known as 2NE1.  CL is possibly the biggest female star in Korea, if not the biggest star they have. She has done some incredible work in her tenure with the Korean music industry, and definitely destroys all stereotypes associated with K-Pop. To be quite honest, she is basically the Nicki Minaj of Korean music. She has this incredible intensity to her entire persona. The way she looks, dresses, the style of music she produces, and the fact that she is a rapper. There is a tremendous amount of swagger and fierceness su...

Today I have some music for you by an artist known as NYK. I hadn't really heard much about this artist until very recently, but I am a huge fan of his voice. His voice has won him some awards, including a Japanese singing show, so that is pretty darn awesome. NYK has a very smooth R&B style voice, one that I definitely dig. His voice doesn't necessarily stand out as a voice that is easily recognizable or anything, but it is one that suits the R&B style he is going for. I will say though, NYK has a deeper voice than other R&B artists, which makes him stand out in some sense. NYK can also really climb the scale, as evidence from the second verse shows. He very easily and gorgeously is able to climb up to the falsetto notes, something that I really look for in R&B artists. Part of the soulful and seductive element of R&B is being able to play between those lower pitched notes and the high falsettos, something that NYK is able to do very smoothly. So kudos to...

Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since I last posted. Lots of things going on, some moving around, trying to get some time to write. And I am starting up again with some music for you from Japan. ONE OK ROCK is a rock band (go figure) out of Tokyo, and was recently on tour. Now I only recently started listening to their music, and it took me back to my rock roots. I will say ,ONE OK ROCK tends to take a little bit more of a punk sound with this song, but it really works for them. One of the things I really have to appreciate about ONE OK ROCK, is that each album sounds different. The band is not afraid of trying out new sounds and vibes each time they put out an album, and I respect that both as a listener and as a musician. You can also really tell who has influenced the band. Some albums are almost like an homage to ONE OK ROCK's favorite and most inspiring bands, but they are still able to make each album sound like their own. Now the album which this song comes from...