Keeping It Fresh

Today I have some music for you by a band that has been around for a little while and is a band that has been with me for quite a few years. Switchfoot has been a band that has jumped around from a lot of different genre labels. One day they are rock, the next day they are Christian rock, and the day after that they become a pop band. But despite these genres and labels and categories, I think it is important to point out how transcendent their music is. The thing is, while Switchfoot is capable of being a member of all these groups, there is one style of music that they will always be defined as for me- heartfelt music. Every song by Swtichfoot that I have fallen hopelessly in love with, has been a song full of soul and passion and heart. You can hear the joy of playing music, being musicians for the sake of creating something wonderful and beautiful and maybe even life changing. This song is another one of those special songs that always makes you really feel when you hear...

Today I have some new music for you by a couple of big-name artists. Ever since One Direction disbanded for a hiatus of sorts, all four members have gone off and pursued their own music. Each one of them also decided to take a different track, leading to four new artists in a multitude of genres. Liam Payne's focus has been on the electronic world, from releasing his own music as a DJ, to being a featured vocalist like he is in this song. With Zedd at the helm, the two major label artists have come up with what could possibly be a new summer anthem. This song is a great blend of the more popular styles of electronic music right now. We all know tropical house has become a very popular EDM genre. It is fun and fresh, with a more playful and light-hearted feel to it. On the flip side, more R&B infused electronic music has surfaced a lot, with more artists taking a look at finding the perfect blend of that intimate genre with a dance-oriented sound. Zedd and Liam Payne have give...

Today I wanted to do something a little different and talk about a style of music that absolutely bloomed and took off within the past few years. I realized that I have not posted music quite like the music I am posting today, in such a very long time. In recent years, a capella has become a huge part of youth and has entered the realm of pop culture. Acapella is the performing of songs using solely the vocal box, no other instruments are used to make the song. I think the concept of a capella is absolutely phenomenal because not only does it take great voices, but it also takes a creative genius to make the song work and function and sound as it should. A capella groups really started to make it to the forefront through social media sites like YouTube (thanks!) and film and TV and have really taken off. So many schools have a capella groups and the best thing about these groups is that it isn't that difficult to start. The pioneer a capell...

Today is one of the most patriotic holidays of the year for those of us in the United States. Given the obstacles we have faced withing the past year, as a country and as a part of the world, today was extremely special for me. There have been many disheartening moments within this past year, not just for me, but for so many others around the country and the world. But despite the political, social, economic, and moral hurdles we've faced, today was a beautiful display of what the Fourth of July means. It was so wonderful to see so many people from all walks of life come together to celebrate the day which symbolizes our nation. Seeing everyone together, united as a common people, well it was something incredibly hopeful. And in light of Independence Day, I thought I would be a bit patriotic with my posting. As per tradition, this first song is the national anthem, because what kind of Independence Day would it be if the national anthem wasn't played? This particular rendition ...

Today I have a song for you that resurfaced after over a year since last hearing it. Justice Crew isn't super well known as a music group, rather, they are much more popular for their role as a dance crew. But, believe it or not, this is a group that not only brings the moves but also knows how to create the music for it. It isn't often that you see a dance crew turn their eyes to the music world. That's the first thing that really intrigued me about Justice Crew. Their path to music is one that is uncommon and even a bit odd. But what I love, is that there is a great ability to dance to this song. I mean the energy is there, the consistent beat, and the dynamism is there, making this an awesome song to turn into a choreographed dance. Of course, that comes from the influence of Justice Crew being first and foremost, a dance group. And to top it off, they have a great routine to go along with their These guys are wicked talented in the dance department, and thankfully, we...

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...