Keeping It Fresh

I wanted to go ahead and use the beginning of this post to get a little personal. I haven't been posting as much or as frequently as I used to. For years, I had written posts daily, without fail. Even if it meant staying up late to put music out there, I would do it. And within the past few months, my frequency of writing and posting has decreased dramatically. With so many things going on, I found it hard to continue to post every day, and it got to a point where I just didn't care to. But things have changed, and I am back to writing as much as possible. And even though I won't be posting content every day, I will try to do so a few times a week. And that being said, let's get to today's music. I recently heard this song and was captivated by it quickly. Everything about this song has a vibe that you cannot help but enjoy. This song is a joint effort of the band known as The Strike and rapper, SiDizen King. This doesn't seem like the likeliest of duos, but ...

Today I have a song for you which is a cover of an incredibly beloved and popular song. The song is originally by Tracy Chapman, and has seen many versions. But this today's version is one of my favorites. Michael Collings was one of the earliest performers on Britain's Got Talent. He performed his rendition of this beautiful classic and left us all completely spellbound. There is something incredibly special and important about this track. I think part of what makes it so special is how powerful and moving the lyrics are. Not only are they relatable, but the lyrics tell a story that isn't often told. The song tells the story of a young woman in a low-income household who is trying to run away. It tells the story of a young woman who experiences the life of low-income and wants nothing more than to get in her car and drive. It paints the picture of what life is like when surrounded by hardships, and more importantly, it shows us what it really feels like to be in that ki...

Today I have some music by a band called The Afters. Now it has been an extremely long time since I have posted a song by this band. And it is actually a shame that it has taken this long for me to put up another incredible song by The Afters. The song I am posting today was actually used to open and present The Golden Globes on television. Now, this is really cool in my opinion, especially given the fact that they are not one of the more well-known bands in the popular music sphere. Of course,  I found it to b a bit ironic that most people have no idea who The Afters are, yet their music was used for one of the biggest televised events of the year. But to continue onto the song itself, this particular track comes from the fifth album by The Afters.  One of the most notable things about The Afters, something which makes them so great, is their ability to create music that inspires. So many of their songs are so inviting and incredibly inspirational, hopeful on all accounts ...

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 am going back to the days of the boy bands, a song that is off one of my personal playlists. LMNT was around for a short while, coming out with a lead single which seemed to take over the young pop world by storm. I never realized how much I loved this song until I heard it after almost 10 years, and if something like that doesn't make you feel old then I don't know what will. There was so much about this song which made young me (and current me) really love this song. I have to admit, this song has all the characteristics of your typical 2000s boy band. This is the kind of song you would hear in all those teen movies, and incidentally enough, this particular song was a popular choice. But we have a lot going on in this song which helps give it that throwback vibe. For starters, the fact that LMNT is a boy band. It is hard to miss that fact, and that in itself is enough to make this song a good one. The nostalgia for boy bands of old, with synchronized dance moves a...

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 music for you by a band called The Summer Set. This song is like a breath of fresh air in the world of punk rock. This song is a great song to call the vacation anthem or summer anthem. This song is just bursting with energy and a fun feeling to it. I think this song is so appropriate for summer not only because it has that fun  feel  to it, but the lyrics talk about passion and love and freedom and excitement, all things that define how summer and vacationing is. It captures the feeling of driving around town while standing up out of the sun roof of the car. It brings that feeling of basking in the sun and playing in the surf. Now when it comes to the vocals of this song, I think it is brilliant. The vocals are incredible! There is a softness to these vocals that remind me of The Cab's lead singer. When it needs to be rougher and more intense, it can be. But in these instances with a pumped  up  beat and a riveting sound, the softer and higher pitch...

Today I have some music for you by a band that did experience some fame within the past couple of years with one of their singles. And of course, they happen to be a boy band, but not your standard or stereotypical boy band. Rixton is an extremely underrated band in my opinion. And while they had one single out that got big, I definitely feel like there is so much more of their music which the world hasn't been able to appreciate. They normally have this generally pop centric tone. Now I have to say I think that their lead single was specifically geared towards the pop culture sound that people craved on the Top 40 list. But, Rixton is a band that is a lot deeper than that and way more talented than what we heard about a guy and his broken heart. This song by Rixton is simply incredible. This is a real showcase of how talented this band is, and especially the vocalist. The thing about Rixton is that a lot of times they create this opposing sound in comparison to the lyrics. If ...

Today I have a really fun and retro sound for you today! The moment I heard this song, I knew it would have to be featured right here. So, let's get our jam on! This song is by the pop band known as The Ivy. I have to say, I would be very surprised if a vast majority of you have heard of the band. Not because I have anything against the band, but because they weren't around until April of last year! The Ivy is jut now starting out, and my did they pick the right kind of single to do it with. For being a trio of young guys, it is incredibly refreshing and unique to hear them play songs that sound like they should becoming out of the 80s. This is a band that has taken on the pop rock idea of music from the classic 80s, and has turned it into a wonderfully modern song. I have to say, I was quite impressed when I saw how young these guys are. It isn't common for my generation and younger to be very invested in this older style of music, and even fewer of us can make music t...

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...

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 for you which comes from one of my favorite cover bands. A lot of times, groups who do a lot of covers get a lot of smack from listeners because they just don't compete with the original. However, Boyce Avenue is a lovely exception. This is a band who spends most of their time working on acoustic covers, and these are some of the best I have heard. Spanning all kinds of genres, from rock to R&B and hip hop, Boyce Avenue has been able to turn so many different songs into lovely and beautiful acoustic covers. I don't know how they do it! But it seems like Boyce Avenue has mastered the art of turning any song into a gorgeous acoustic rendition. The way they strip down each song to the core, and built softly and carefully around it is just incredible. There is so much soul that goes into each cover, and this cover is no different. Drake tends to be an artist who oozes popularity. It doesn't matter if you listen to his rap or his more pop oriented m...

Today I have some music for you that comes from the 1980s. Specifically, this song is by one of the greatest British bands of all time, and this song is hands down one of the most remarkable romantic songs we will ever hear. The Smiths will forever and always hold an incredibly special place in my heart because of this song. Now for those of you who don't know, The Smiths was a band of England during the mid and late 80s. They were a group that spearheaded so much within the music world, including individualism and artistic creativity. The Smiths have always been a phenomenal band, which is why I have been giving them a good and thorough listen over the course of the past few days. This song stands out not only as one of the greatest songs by The Smiths, but as one of the greatest romantic songs of all time. The balance between the composition itself and the lyricism is absolutely beautiful and perfect. There is an odd kind of hope that we get with this song. Those warmer feeling...

Today we are continuing on this "new music" tend, so I have some fresh melodies for you from a man who has really taken a leap forward in the entertainment game. For those of you who don't know, Harry Styles has just spent a good amount of time on filming the newest Christopher Nolan film, Dunkirk. However, just this past week, the One Direction singer turned actor released a solo track and I have to say it is quite interesting. This song is vastly different than what we are used to hearing from Harry Styles' work with One Direction. While the boy band seemed to focus more on young love and youthful shenanigans, this song is an odd ode to maturity and age. This song has a bittersweet kind of melancholy to it. I will say, I really like the way he has embraced the rock side of things, and almost takes a David Bowie or Oasis kind of approach to the song. There is a classic rock kind of vibe to this which I really enjoy. That mix of modern and classic works very well for ...

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...

Today I have music for you by one of my favorite music projects out of London by the name Graffiti6. I have posted quite a bit of music by them in the past, and I think for good reason. Graffiti6 is one of those  low key  bands that a few people know about, and even fewer know how far their influence really goes. Graffiti6 is comprised of two musicians, Jamie Scott and Tommy Danvers. What many people don't know about these two is that they are  unofficially  members of the boy band One Direction. Jamie Scott is the guy responsible for writing a lot of One Direction's big hits and romantic ballads. He really is the sixth member of One Direction, or should I say  fifth  member now? Either way, we already have a taste of Jamie Scott's lyrical talent, and see even more of it with his work with Graffiti6. The thing about Graffiti6 that I love so much is how soulful the band sounds. A lot of the musicality of the song has this offbeat pop sound, with some funk th...

Today I have music for you by a very low-key independent artist known as Jimmy Needham. This is a man who definitely enjoys the low light, but somehow still shines above those in the spotlight. This is a man who really makes music for the love of music instead of all the other excuses some artists have. Jimmy Needham is a wonderful mix of Michael Buble and Jason Mraz which is actually the most magnificent thing in the world. Jimmy Needham has a wonderful voice, one that is warm and soft and lively. He has a voice that makes you feel really good inside and it just fills you with happiness. His tone is so warm and comforting to the point that even in his sadder or slower songs, I still feel. There is something whimsical and "sweep you off your feet" about this song and it can make anyone feel incredible. For all the girls out there, this is the cutest anthem to the father-daughter relationship. For all the guys out there, this song is how you should feel about your daughter or ...

Today I have music for you that comes from the year 2014 but sounds like it could be from the 80s. This was actually a very popular song when it first came out a few years ago. Now the key with this song is that most of you have probably not heard this song before. And that is fantastic! That means I can bring this music to you and hopefully you will like it enough to start exploring more music by theses artists. This first song is by the band called Future Islands. Now, this is a really cool band that has a similar style to that of Magic Man in the sense that there is a very balanced mixture of instruments and synth in the music. This song is their most popular single and I can definitely see why! This song has a really cool energy to it that is not like most of the music we heard in 2014. There is a little bit of a U2 element thrown in there with that older music style that comes from classic rock. That tone and mood that U2 generally creates with their music is a ...

Today I have some music for you by an artist that is slowly starting to take over the underground music scene. Olivver The Kid is one of my favorite music discoveries from 2015. One of the things that are really cool about Olivver The Kid, is that his latest album release is rooted in a common fable. The album title is enough to let us know what the tale is, The Boy Who Cried Wolf. We get to hear the way Olivver The Kid explores this fantasy, this fairy tale world. And he does an amazing job of making everything have an enigmatic meaning. This is something he does extremely well with this song. The lyrical depth we get with this song is fantastic! With this song, Olivver The Kid addresses the idea of accepting the chaos of life. This is a song about adapting to everything the world is able to throw at us. It is about trying to not be a victim of circumstance or chance, but accepting life and learning to work around the chaotic and wild nature of it all. What makes this so...

Today is a big day for a couple of reasons. First off, it's Halloween! One of the most fun holidays to celebrate, this is the time you get to be whatever or whomever you choose to be! Scary costumes are definitely fan favorites, but no matter what you dress up as, it's all about the spirit of Halloween. Now there are some really cool eerie and spooky kinds of songs out there that fit so perfectly with the holiday. And they range from being fun songs with the typical Halloween kind of sound, to that really crisp baroque pop kind of sound that is my favorite kind of Halloween sound. What is even better, is that there are so many bands that like to take on that Halloween kind of sound and make it their own. All those burlesque and vaudeville bands, this is their time of year. And so in honor of these bands, today's song is by the kings of this genre, Panic! At the Disco. Whenever I hear this band, I am immediately transported to this era of steam punk and eerie atmospheres. Bu...