Keeping It Fresh

Continuing with more ACL artists, today I am focusing on one of the electronic acts to hit the stage. What is interesting is that initially, this artist was not supposed to be listed. Due to some complications though, they were slotted and many of us got to experience Justice for the first time. And let me tell you, the show was absolutely mesmerizing.  A little background about the group, Justice is a French electronic duo who has been a strong and powerful underbelly of music. The duo has been nominated for multiple Grammy's and has even won for some of their remixes. Justice has a really great repertoire of sound and production. At times during their performance, I would get some serious Daft Punk vibes. There is something very meticulous about their work and in the intricacies of their music. There are definitely disco and funk electronic vibes, thrown in with a little bit of house as well. But what makes Justice stand out, even more, is that there are lots of influenc...

Today I have some smooth and groovy music for you by the duo known as The Electric Sons. What I find so interesting about this duo, is that neither of them really started out in music. In fact, both of the members have backgrounds in design and illustration. One of them even went so far as to be an illustrator for the ever popular show Archer. But now we have two guys who have come together to make music, and my word is it good. The Electric Sons tends to be more of an alternative and electronic group. Their melodies aren't of the pop variety and they certainly don't fit into the world of EDM. Their music tends to have a more indie and alternative melody and energy while utilizing the electronic instruments available to them. We hear this style of music a lot nowadays. The beautiful and seductive blend of electronic and R&B, soul, and even jazz elements has become a popular direction for musicians and artists. And I understand why! This style of music allows artists like...

Today I have music for you by another artist I had the opportunity to watch at SXSW. Marco McKinnis is an artist who has taken R&B to new levels of seductive and creates music that is incredibly refreshing. This track is a dangerously sultry one. Marco McKinnis pulls us in with his vocals prowess and delivers an R&B ballad which proves that he really is in his element. The song is effortlessly smooth, drenched in a seductive soul and passion. I love that we can hear the old school soul influences throughout the track. The way Marco McKinnis holds his voice tells us how sure he is about his sound and style. There is a confidence there which makes this song sound and feel organic and natural. His voice is silky smooth, with the texture, richness, and sweetness of molasses. Marco McKinnis immerses this track in his deeply soulful and yearning voice. There is tantalizing tease in his voice, yearning and arms outstretched to welcome us into the embrace of his music. Marco McKinni...

Today I thought we could go with something on the softer side of music. It has been a while since I've posted anything along the lines of folk or indie music, and this song just spoke to me. Today's music is by the artist known as My Life as Ali Thomas. This is a group out of Thailand, and they have absolutely swept me away. I will admit, music like theirs is not a phenomenon. We hear indie and folk music like this often enough if you know where to look. But what makes this group really stand out, is their brilliant command of instrumentals and composition. This track is a great example of their beautiful work. My Life as Ali Thomas relies solely on conventional instruments it seems. Nothing electronic or synthetic. And I won't lie, that is a really nice change of pace. All we hear are the gentle acoustic guitars, the quiet electric guitars, tapping drums and dreamy vocals. Everything is so raw and real in a way that we sometimes can forget given that so much music today...

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...

It has been a couple of days since I last posted, as I've been traveling about. But today I have music for you by a band with a pretty awesome sound called Dirty Heads. Though the band hasn't been on the pop music radar, this song is an underground banger. The overall soundscape is very different from the current evolution we have been hearing from rock bands. A lot of rock bands now are introducing more electronic elements and synthesizers into their tracks. Some bands have completely changed their sound to be more of an electronic-based sound, whereas other bands have integrated those synth sounds into their live instruments. And I can respect both styles! But Dirty Heads does something completely different and explores this rap-rock and trap kind of sound. For the most part, I feel like they have dropped the rock sound in favor of creating this fierce bass boosted track. I love the introduction of the synths and programmed alien-esque sounds. Eventually, this segues into...

Today I have music for you by a more underground band by the name Gossip. This is a track I actually forgot about for a little while, until it started playing off one of my playlists. Naturally, I started to really jam out because, hey, it's been a while! And of course, hearing this song again after so long reminded me about how good this song is. Which leads us to the rest of today's post! There is so much energy in this song, and carries the energy of a rock song. This song goes from being a brooding prowl to being an energetic disco and indie rock song. This is something we could hear from more underground rock scenes, and was especially popular in the UK. There is a very distinct rock sound, one that makes it clear that this is a rock song and not a synth pop or electronic poop song. But at the same time, it has the dance-like qualitites of those kinds of songs. There is a sense of groove to the song that is heightened by the guitar beats and melodies. This song is defini...

Today I have music for you by a band that goes by the name Clubfeet. This song has a really cool sound to it. When you feel like listening to indie style electronic music, this group is one that can satiate your desire, and do it with mad style. Clubfeet is a group which has such a smooth sound to it but the band falls on that psychedelic side of music as well. This song is one that is hard for me to describe because it sounds very familiar in the tonality and melodies but also sounds very original. The track has that independent and unique vibe and sounds that no one else can copy. I am a huge fan of the way the vocals are presented because it is done so with layers. It is never just one voice and one sound you hear from the vocals, but many harmonies and different ways of singing the same lines. Something about that is very much like Imogen Heap's style of vocal layering. I also like the fact that they do maintain the conventional band instruments while also incorporating all...

Today I wanted to discuss an artist who has had a very interesting progression within his career. Niall Horan is well known for being one of the members of the boy band One Direction. He's definitely had his taste of the high life of being a musician, achieving the fame and fortune that so many dream about for themselves. As the band members have now gone their separate ways, we are getting to hear what each member's musical style is. For Niall Horan, I had guessed it would be something more along the indie or folk side of things, going for acoustic guitar style music and coffee shop comforts. I wasn't disappointed either. Niall Horan's direction of music is one that I really like. We've heard a lot of different sounds from the members of One Direction, but Niall Horan has hit on a style that has a very classic sound. Above all though, this album is a romantic one. It is meant to be a vulnerable expression of the heart, with Niall Horan showing baring himself as a...

Today I have some music for you by the artist known as VanLadyLove. The first time I heard this song, I had chills up and down my arms. This is a song that has a lot of feeling poured into it, but not the emotional kind of feeling. This is something that beckons the call of freedom and adventure and letting go and moving into the unknown. This song is something that is immersed in inspiration and makes us feel that sense of having our own wings to go forth and go on our own. But at the same time, the song addresses that we cannot live in the world of our dreams. We have to be able to bring all of those sentiments to the real world, and we cannot run away from everything that we have to face here.So when we look at this song, there are some really nice things that are going on to make this a completely feel good song. For starters, this song doesn't use guitars much, and opts for using a mandolin. I really enjoy the mandolin, with its oddly sweet sound. It is a stringed instrument...

Today I have some music for you by a trio of musicians out of Australia. Glades is one of the most chill and smoothest bands out there right now, yet I feel like they haven't gained a huge following in the States. But that is why I am so glad to share this song with you all! Hopefully, you end up falling in love with their music the same way I have. Glades is a very interesting band to take a look at because their fundamental beliefs about the music they make is very different. When you listen to their music, they like to tell an emotion-driven story. In this song, we get the story of a relationship, a very common subject for musicians and lyricists. However, when you take a look at the pop scene, these songs seem to be rampant with overly sexual lyrics or innuendos. But Glades does not do any of that. Their focus is to tell the real story of what it is like to be in a relationship. The lyrics are about the emotional and mental relationship that you have with another person. They...

It has been quite a while since the last post, hasn't it? Well, back at it again today and my goodness it feels so good. Now I have done quite a bit of music exploration the past few days, so I have some great music coming your way! And this first song is by the artist known as KYKO. A relatively new artist, KYKO has easily secured a spot on my playlists, and this song is the reason why. This song is the first track I ever heard by KYKO, and I loved it so much that I had to sit down and listen to everything KYKO has on Spotify. And I have loved pretty much every track available. What first struck me about this song is the way it seamlessly combines genres- a bit of indie rock with some synth pop and alternative sounds. Personally, I think these combinations like this are safe choices when it comes to releasing new music. We get to have the modernity of the indie and pop, with the warmth and energy of alternative rock. KYKO's soundscape is one that is so nice to experience. ...

Today I have music for you by the band Echosmith, and possibly my favorite song by the band. This song is really sweet and romantic and it kind of reminds me of what I want in a man. I love the perspective of this song, as it clearly comes from a sad and even lonely heart. I think the first thing I paid attention to was the lyrics. There are a lot of songs out there that are girls telling guys what they should and should not do for a woman. But this is the first song that is about appreciation and love. Echosmith's lyrics are beautiful and moving and are more about bringing confidence and love into a relationship. As I mentioned earlier, the lyrics are from the perspective of a broken heart. And when I say this, I mean they come from a heart that didn't get what it needed. And this song is all about expressing what a heart craves and needs to survive. These lyrics mean so much more because of that. We can feel the emotion and reality in the words, which is what makes them eve...

Today I have an incredibly sweet track for you from the film Begin Again and is performed by an artist who has stolen our hearts away many times in the past. Adam Levine is most famously known as the lead singer of Maroon5, a band that is a worldwide sensation and has been for many years. What few people know is that in this film, Adam Levine actually covered this song which is originally performed by Kiera Knightley in the film. A bit confusing, I know. But I wanted to talk about both versions of today's songs because the performances are so vastly different, yet capture the song beautifully. One of the magical parts of music is that it has many interpretations and meanings, allowing us to see and feel the music as our heart and head choose. Kiera Knightley's original version of the song is one that really gets you in the heart. Purposefully simple and pure, her performance is one that is sweet and vulnerable. She strips the song down to its lyrical content and vocals, tyrin...

Today I have some music for you by a band that I haven't really talked about in an incredibly long time. I'm thinking its maybe been two or three years since I last talked about these guys. A shame for sure, but this song resurfaced among my playlists, and the memories made me come here to write about it. This song is by a band called Foals, a group out of England. This is a band who has been around for quite some time, and they have such an odd reputation to me. It seems like they are a band that everyone knows, yet nobody knows who they are. Foals has performed at so many huge festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella, and they have a good number of accolades under their belt. But at the same time, I have found that when I ask people if they listen to Foals, the answer is usually a no. But I kind of like it when bands have reputations like that. It makes the music so much real and pure to me. It's like having a well-kept secret that many others are also trying to keep se...

Today I have some music for you by one of my favorite bands of recent age, Bastille. I realized that it has been an extremely long time since I have posted a song by them, and  I thought I would share some of their magic. This song, in particular, is one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. Both the musical composition and the lyrics are absolutely amazing. I am going to start with the instrumentation because the lyrics will take me a very long time to talk about. So when we are first introduced to this song, we hear the heavy drums. It almost sounds like marching mixed with a tribal sound. Actually, this song has a mystical sound to it which does include some tribal sounds. But this drum beat is so beautiful because I think it captures the intensity of what this song means. After these drum beats, we are launched into the song. Of course, Bastille gives us a beautiful choral sound in the background. But then Dan Smith starts singing, and the song changes. For the most p...

Today I have some really great music for you from some phenomenal movies. This first song comes from the movie Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. This movie was an absolutely beautiful movie for many reasons. First of all, the entire movie is all about the human experience, and what it means to be a human. It begins with the story of a man and woman who work office jobs, behind a desk, only to come home to a lonely existence. But as the movie progresses, the characters evolve, learning more about themselves and learning that there is so much to offer the world and that there is even more to receive. Even when things go wrong, or the unexpected arises, we have to look forward and keep our spirits high. Because at the end of the day, there is nothing more spectacular and wonderful than our own ability to believe. This is where the song of the day comes in. This song is the most perfect auditory description of this feeling. It is such an apt and charming and magical way to summarize the mov...

Finally back today, after a couple of days of being out and about. I want to go ahead and say right now I apologize for not keeping up with posting every day, but just a heads up, I may not be able to consistently keep up with posting every day. But I will definitely try my best! But today I have some music for you that comes from a famous singer, both because of his work with a boy band, but also because his debut album dropped earlier this year. And despite the fame and fortune, I have to admit I really do like this singer and how he has evolved his personal sound over time. Harry Styles is most notable for his involvement with One Direction, a group who supposedly is hitting the studio again (more on this later). I had found this song by him a while ago, however, I stumbled upon it again while I was shuffling through some of my old music. This song is with just him and no other band members. And it is absolutely lovely. This song showcases a completely different side of Harry Styl...

Today I have some music by an artist we haven't really heard from recently.  Gotye was at a tall peak of popularity a few years ago with a hit single that was heard all over the world. But, I am not here to talk about a song that pretty much everybody seems to know. Gotye is an artist who has a very interesting an unique style. While none of his songs sound the same, there is this commonality in the way they are produced and performed, which makes them stand out as clearly one of Gotye's. Whether it be a more energetic or a subdued song, there always seems to be an underlying motif that connects all the songs together. Gotye creates music that can be seen as a bold move in the realm of pop music. He is not afraid to make the music completely his and totally out there. This is one of my favorite songs off the album for that very reason. This song in particular is incredibly intriguing because it has this intense energy to it that kind of captivates and holds you tight in its g...

Today I have some slower, more soothing kind of music for you. This song is by the group known as Gungor. This is a group/collective that was started by the musician and composer Michael Gungor. In fact, he has been nominated for quite a few Grammy's for his work in songwriting and work with the group. Now one of the things that I love about Gungor is that they have a sound that can be a little punk, ut also have this wonderful acoustic sound as well. They are like a rock band that has decided to put on an acoustic show or coffee house set. There are other bands out there whose music can be compared to Gungor, I readily admit. But again, there is a different sound specific to Gungor. One thing I noticed immediately was the way they harmonize. It is not always easy to create intricate harmonies between male and female voices. But Gungor creates this wonderfully complex scale of harmonies, which at times, gives the song a slight punk sound. But it also creates so much depth in the ...