Keeping It Fresh

Today I have some music for you by an artist that has stayed under the radar but has remained very active in the music scene. Most people know Ansel Elgort as being a heartthrob for teenage girls, the kid from The Fault in Our Stars who left every girl swooning. And while I cannot deny his talent as an actor, there is a lot more to him that tends to stay in the dark. And if I am to be quite honest, I think his music is way more brilliant than his acting. Why you may ask? Because the man started out as a producer. He spent a lot of time being a DJ, playing at shows like Electric Zoo and has played sets all over the world. I have to say, he is extremely talented in the music department, and I really do enjoy his music. Now what makes this song a little different from what his DJ alter ego produces, is that he writes, sings, and produces for this song. Within the world of electronic music, this is still a very fresh take. A lot of times we see bands and acoustic singers making their own m...

Today we go round 2 with foreign music, with the artist of the day coming all the way from Spain. Alvaro Soler is one of the best breakout artists of last year, but no one really knows who he is here in the States. Alvaro Soler is a wonderful singer-songwriter who really knows how to make music feel free and alive. His themes tend to revolve around being happy go lucky and carefree and overall feel good. But he does it in a way that isn't "in your face" nor is it overly enthusiastic. He hits that sweet spot of being fun and exciting without being over the top. 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. This song is so contagiously fun, full of this incredible energy and complete liveliness. There is also this constant sense ...

Today I have some new music for you by the French rapper, Disiz la Peste. What I find interesting about a lot of popular music that is being released today, is that there is always some sort of electronic or tropical undertone. It doesn't matter if it is a DJ producing new music or a pop artist releasing a new single, we seem to be surrounded by music that has the same base. Which is why this song was a nice breath of fresh air. Don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy tropical and electro songs, but it's nice to be surrounded by something else. Listening to something else. Disiz la Peste is an artist that has dabbled in a few different styles. However, the man definitely prefers to stay within the realm of French rap and R&B. Disiz is my focus for today because of how interesting this particular song is. It was released about a month ago, and I still haven't been able to shake how strangely eerie this song. One of the first things you notice, is that there is no bas...

Hello, everybody! It is so good to be back here writing about music! I spent the last week traveling and keeping really busy, which is why we had a bit of a hiatus. But, I'm back today, and it is all about getting funky and jazzy. Today's song comes from an artist that I've mentioned in the past.  Anderson Paak is a very eclectic artist, one who likes to combine differing styles to create something original and fun. This song is one that has this nice funky jazz to it, something that is like an old school groove with a modern twist. Anderson Paak has a strong command of his music, knowing exactly what sound he wants and exactly what words he wants to use. There is an incredible strength to his producing and songwriting skills, one that is impressive. Anderson Paak knows himself as a musician, and that can sometimes be hard to find. Even within his rapping style and cadence, there is strong confidence which comes from an artist who really knows how he...

Today I have some music for you that is a cover done by one of the biggest artists in the world. Rihanna has always been a great entertainer and vocalist, never shying away from the stage. However, her latest album seems to have received less buzz than one would think. I really don't understand it, considering her latest album is my personal favorite. Rihanna does some really interesting things with this album, including a performance of Tame Impala cover. Tame Impala is a band who is nothing short of intriguing. This is a band who has been nominated for many awards and even Grammys for their psychedelic albums. It is safe to say that this band is one that makes good use of strange melodies and hypnotic sounds to create songs that are not only entertaining but addicting. Rihanna takes Tame Impala's song and runs with it. What I really liked is that she doesn't really take anything away from the vibe of the song. Tame Impala carefully crafts their music to be the perfect b...

Today I have music for you by the English singer-songwriter Jessie Ware. She is an artist that really go into the spotlight this past year, and it can be seen as to why that is. Jessie Ware likes to air towards the side of atmospheric music, going with more ambient songs, especially the ones that leave you in the feels. This song is almost hypnotic, with airy and breathy vocals that flood your ears and leave you in a trance. This song definitely has more of kick back feeling to it, a calmer and more controlled instrumental sound. This goes very well with the soaring falsetto that Jessie Ware brings forth in this song. This song is an unapologetic explosion of passion and sparks and love. This is a firework of a love anthem, one that has shimmering synths and warm bass thrums. There is this cool 80s and retro kind of sound to it, although, it is not the peppy kind of sound that most people expect. But the song also has a darker kind of twist on that retro sound, making it a piece that...

Today I have music for you by the California duo known as XYLO. This pop duo started with published songs on the internet and then exploded in popularity and recognition. I must admit, they haven't received the same limelight status as other pop groups, but XYLO has a rich authenticity and sincerity which cannot be shaken, and I love that so much about them. This is dark pop at its finest, a song that is slow and calculated. Every beat and chord have been purposefully chosen and placed. everything strategically put together so that we get something that is ethereal and dark and spectacularly somber. This is a track that is incredibly well rounded and is a fantastic way to debut XYLO's sounds. Their production is way beyond that which we would expect from and indie band. XYLO has created something that is tantalizingly hypnotic and delightfully dark. and The music and instrumentals serve as the perfect harmonies to the vocals, and the layering of these synth notes gives the so...