Keeping It Fresh

Today I have some really cool music for you from the musically inclined lands of England. This song is by the band Rudimental, and features the vocals of Ed Sheeran. I have had this song stuck in my head and it is one of those few songs that you don't get tired of because it really is that good. Now this song is actually really well done and has an extremely original sound. Rudimental is the kind of group that is known for having a distinct style, one that often includes a lot of synthesizer work and house beats. But this song is very different in both sound and instrumentation. This is a song that is piano heavy, opening the entire song with a piano melody. But when you listen to the song as a whole, the way the piano is used also kind of changes. At the beginning it feels like an accompaniment for Ed Sheeran's voice. But once the synths are thrown in, the piano helps give the song a more ambient and euphoric sound. But while the song has that ambient background, there is also...

Today I have another remix for you, a song that is wildly popular which now has an electronic twist to it. Rihanna's music has become extremely popular in both her respected genre of music and mainstream. Now I have to say the first time I heard this song, I was completely annoyed. And the second time I turned it off pretty quickly into the song. I won't lie, the original version of this song doesn't really do it for me. I haven't been able to really get through the song as well as other music, which is totally okay! We can all have our own thoughts on music, and this is just my personal thought on the original. However, this remix by the Lost Kings is pretty darn awesome. Not only did they make this a song that is bearable for me, but they made it a song that I actually enjoy listening to. That is pretty impressive and I really appreciate that! I think what makes their remix something I can stomach, is that they make it sound different. The original song sounds nothing...

Today I have some music for you by the DJ known as Troyboi. Now this is actually a remix of a song by Zayn Malik, but this is one remix that really kills it. The original song has is a more energetic jam, something that has a good dancing vibe to it. But Troyboi's version of the song has turned it into a slow and seductive jam. I mean this is a serious sex jam. What is cool is that this is a seriously trapped out remix, but it still has such a seductive and sensual vibe to it, perfect when listening to the lyrical content of the song. The spin that Troyboi puts on the song makes it something that is edgier and a little grittier and grimier than the original. Now when Zayn Malik created this song, that was not the feel we got from the song. But this different take on the song is one that is not only enjoyable, but so different from the original that it stands alone and in its own category. Zayn Malik has softer vocals, the kind that of murmur and coo. But Troyboi balances that out w...

Today I have some music for you from one of my favorite DJ's, Madeon. Not only is he a talented DJ, he is an incredibly creative DJ. His sound is one that I have not heard from any other DJ before, and I love that about him so much. This song is off his latest album, one that came out a little while ago, but is still one of the best things I have heard. Madeon has very colorful and sample heavy music, tracks that are not your stereotypical EDM tracks, but the ones that really stand out. Madeon's portfolio is strikingly versatile, something that I cannot really say about too many artists in the EDM world. His taste and range goes through so many fields, and even creates a field of its own, bringing a brilliant and cinematic sound to the world of electronic music. One of the things I love about Madeon is that he likes to collaborate with vocalists that are not he most conventional.  A lot of artists like to use big name artists, the ones who are always on the Top 40 hits. But Mad...

Today I have some music for you by an artist that hasn't really been in the spotlight for a while. Jessie J is an absolutely incredible vocalist. She has a lot of power and passion and ferocity with the way she sings and with her voice in general. The thing about Jessie J is that she fits into so many categories yet belongs to none. She is a very accomplished soul and R&B singer for sure. Her voice is quite amazing for that kind of music. But she also stands out from all of those other female vocalists because of her style of singing. Jessie J employs the use of melisma techniques. This basically means that while she is singing syllables or singular words, her voice traverses over a bunch of different notes in succession. And that is something we hear off the bat with Jessie J's music. Each song features at least one melisma sequence and usually her songs are sung completely with this method. The thing is though, she pulls if off so well. Her voice and music and personality...

Today I have a really fun song by musical trio Cheat Codes. I have recently been listening to a lot of music like this song, but man did this song really stand out. This is just such a fun song to listen to. It is such a great balance of downtempo and tropical sounds, something that I will never say no to. Cheat Codes is a group that is very interestingly popular. In some ways they have really gained some traction in the EDM community, but overall, they still remain as a part of the underground. I absolutely love the music that Cheat Codes comes out with because there is always a sense of progression. There is this general dance ability with their music, but they don't all sound the same which is very appreciated. It is very easy to slip into sounding the same when it comes to EDM. But I don't really find that problem with Cheat Codes. This is a really well produced song, one that combines a lot of different things together to get this fun and vibrant song. This is a nice and s...

Today I have some more R&B music for you by the singer known as Cassie. She is quite a soulful singer, but definitely identifies more with the hip hop and R&B side of music. Cassie is someone who sings with so much character and life. Her sheer ability as a singer is clearly heard through the song and the way that she is able to completely control her voice. A lot of vocalists struggle with controlling their voices completely, however, Cassie is able to handle that powerful voice. This song is one of those that is instantly addictive. It is a song that you just cannot get enough of. And of course it helps that we get some contribution from P. Diddy. But the two of these figures together really makes for a song that is both catchy and seductive. This song has such a silky smooth melody that makes you want to flow with it. The mid-tempo beat is flanked by some synth work and choral work. This is a really nice background support for Cassie's vocals. This version of the song is...