Keeping It Fresh

Well, ladies and gentlemen, it has been a very long time since I last posted. But I'm really happy to be back and I have honestly missed writing about music so much. And to kick things off I wanted to go ahead and start with one of the newer symbols by Disclosure which recently came out. Let's get right into it! Disclosure is very well known for having really catchy beats and complex harmonies and melodies. Fortunately for us, that doesn't change with their newer single and in fact, the duo takes on a very interesting type of sound in this track. We don't normally get to hear Disclosure go for something a little bit more old school so this is a very nice fresh change and it's a sound that works really well with Disclosure's style.  I think one of the biggest things in this track that is worth noting is the way the vocals are presented. I wouldn't necessarily say that they are very clear and distinct and crisp, but it's still easy enough to unde...

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 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 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 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. ...

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 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 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...

Alright so here we are back again with some more music! And today I thought we could kick things off with a nice remix of an Alicia Keys song. So why a remix? I like to talk about them because there are so many of songs that go unnoticed and unheard, despite the fact that they are awesome. And often times, remixes are a great way to get listeners involved with new artists and find new songs. Naturally, I feel like this track is no exception! Alicia Keys is a singer who is most well known for her work in the R&B and soul scene, and the original song is of that same sort. But the remix is where things get more interesting. This remix is done by SMILE, and I have to say I am really happy with the way this remix was done. SMILE did a great job in maintaining the original feel of the song, keeping the song more on the chilled out side of electronic music. I am even going as far to say that this is not your typical electronic music, and definitely not EDM. This remix is one that still ...

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...

Today I have some music for you by an artist that has seemingly taken over a lot of the music game. Drake has his name everywhere, in the rap world, the pop world, even the electronic world! He seems to be one of those artists that everyone has heard of. He is the kind of artists that many people have heard, and are avid fans of. Now despite this, there is a lot of music out by Drake that hasn't really been heard and isn't that popular. Today's song is one of those. This song is one that honestly blows the two lead singles out of the water regarding lyrics and production quality. This song takes the lyrics along the normal path that Drake tends to follow. He is lamenting the end of a relationship, putting Drake in full emotional pop mode. We do get a great R&B pop influence with this song, though, which is a different step for the rap industry as a whole. Drake has taken hold of the 80's synth and production style and has molded it into a modern version that can b...

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 a really smooth remix of a song that I was in love with for so long. We all know how incredible Frank Ocean is. I mean the man is a beautiful singer and knows how to create a record that really sticks. This song is one of Frank Ocean's most popular and is the song that really put him on the R&B map for us. However, Ryan Hemsworth has taken this song and turned it into a really nice chill-hop song. Ryan Hemsworth has no relation to the trio of Hemsworth brothers by the way. Thought I should probably clarify that from the get go! But anyway, Ryan Hemsworth is a DJ from Canada, and he tends to bring us some of the coolest and suavest electronic music this side of the world. Ryan Hemsworth mix of styles always leads me back to his chillwave and chill-hop kinds of sounds. Ryan Hemsworth openly embraces R&B and hip hop in his mixes, which I really love. He is able to turn these songs into totally different vibes and I find that impressive and fun to listen to. Each...

Today I have some new music for you which is a collaboration between two wonderful artists. This song is a completely new avenue for Linkin Park, and features the beautiful vocals of Kiiara. This song is very different from what we have heard from Linkin Park. The band has gone through a lot of musical evolution, but this is something completely different for the band. Now I know that because Linkin Park is trying something completely new, it won't be met with a lot of love from people. There are some who like it and some who don't, so I am throwing that disclaimer out there right now. What I find to be very interesting about this song is that the lyrics are very much Linkin Park's style. The lyrics in this song start out with the stereotypical Linkin Park cadence and length. The band tends to be very expressive and illustrative with their words, which is something we get to hear a lot of in their music. Now when we get to the chorus, we also get that Linkin Park kind of ...

Today I have music for you by an artist out of Portland who goes by the name Shy Girls. This song is definitely one that I can listen to a lot. It has that calm electronic feel but it also has elements of a rock band. It is almost as if this could be called upbeat chillstep. I know it seems a bit counter intuitive, but the mood of the song is definitely more upbeat. Not quite bubbly or happy, but not quite dark or melancholy either. It has a bit of that more light hearted tropical vibe to it, a tranquil kind of keyboard and synth sound. To be honest, I was greatly reminded of The 1975 when I first heard this song. Many characteristics of this song are similar to The 1975 and follow the styles of genres such as power pop and indie rock. There is a good balance between the two of them, falling a little bit more on the indie side in terms of overall sound, but it falls more on the electronic side in terms of producing the song and which sounds are most prominent. It is very interesting ho...

Today I have some music for you by the trio of artists known as Kris Kross Amsterdam. This trio of DJs has become pretty popular in the tropical house circuit, and this song is definitely a winner! I will say when I first heard this song I was already a bit biased towards loving it because the song features Conor Maynard. And to be quite honest, he ends up being just as perfect as ever! Kris Kross Amsterdam did a great job of making a song that is soft and light hearted, which makes Conor Maynard a fabulous choice. His soft and soulful voice is such lovely compliment to the sweeter tropical sound that Kris Kross Amsterdam provides. This song bridges quite a few different genres together in a way that makes this song really pop. R&B, funk, hip hop, and soul are blasted with a tropical flavor to get this song. This song hits you with that tropical sound from the get-go, introducing more tropical sounding percussion. I really like what Kris Kross Amsterdam did with the electric guitar...

Today I have some fun and chilled out music by the French DJ duo, TRINIX. This is chill house and deep house to the core, which is absolutely great for all those nights you want to just lounge around and listen to some music. This song has a nice calm to it. There isn't a lot of excess noise in the background, and the overall mood of the song is something that is really laid back. What I like is that there are very soft wubs throughout the song which act almost like heartbeat pulses. I really like that kind of sound because that makes the music seem even more alive. It is as if the music has a rhythmic heart beat the way we do, and that feeling is something that can send chills up my spine! This song has a delicate sound to it, which is interesting to note. It isn't one of those hard hitting or robust kind of electronic songs. This is something that is light and soft, something that is a bit more fragile. One beat or drop that gets too hard and the entire effect is ruined. Ther...

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 ...