Tag Archives: #music

Songs For Summer

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Summer is just around the corner, and nothing completes a summer vibe more than upbeat songs coming out of your speaker. Here are some fantastic summery tracks to listen to on your next beach day.

Waves by Miguel (Tame Impala Remix): This might be the most stereotypical summer track that not many people have heard. With pop-style production that could be reminiscent of an EDM track, and lyrics like “gonna ride that wave”, Waves is the perfect song to play at the beach.

Lost by Frank Ocean: This is one of Frank Ocean’s most popular songs and the track that got me into his music. The production contains a flute sound that is repeated throughout the song, giving it a catchy feel. The lyrics depict travels and getting “Lost in the heat of it all”.

Snow (Hey Oh) by Red Hot Chili Peppers: Unlike the title suggests, this track is a mid-tempo-paced anthem is perfect for summer. This is an alternative rock song with vocals that sound almost reggae-influenced. The chanty but laid-back chorus is the perfect vibe for just laying back and enjoying the sun. 

Up Up & Away by Kid Cudi: This is an incredibly well-produced track about getting above all the things that drag you down. The indie pop production creates incredibly catchy and unique song that is great for karaoke.

Good Days by SZA: Despite the lyrics having a pessimistic view on nostalgia, the plucky guitar makes this track irresistible to listen to. This song makes you wanna feel like “Good days in my mind (always in my mind)”. 

I hope you enjoy these new additions to the soundtrack of your summer.

Music Recommendations: Radiohead

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Radiohead is one of the most influential bands of all time. Most of Gen Z only knows Radiohead from that Katy Perry song but they revolutionized the sound of alternate rock/ indie music to make it what we have today. With four decades worth of music, it could be overwhelming where to start. So here are some of Radiohead’s best songs.

Bangers + Mash: This song comes from the B-side of In Rainbows, one of their best albums. Not many people know this song, but it is personally one of my favorites. It is reminiscent of other early 2000’s alternative rock bands like The Killers, and The Strokes. There is an upbeat guitar throughout the track. The lyrics are about the different ends of the power pyramid. The people at the top look down at the ones below and vice versa. 

Burn the Witch: One of Radiohead’s most unique songs from one of their most underrated albums, A Moon Shaped Pool, “Burn the Witch” has a fantastic orchestral production. The violins and strings are unlike anything I have heard before. The lyrics are almost haunting depicting a metaphoric/fiction witch, with the incredible refrain “It’s a low flying panic attack.” The entire song has a peaceful and grand mood.

You And Whose Army?: The song starts very gently and slowly, with angelic vocals. But the ending is a phenomenal, passionate, vocal performance, as the production seems to reach a triumphant ending. The song covers political themes, similar to “Bangers + Mash,” this person abuses their power. 

Karma Police: Arguably Radiohead’s best-written track, “Karma Police,” lyrically depicts this fictional character called the Karma Police. Essentially if someone had done something wrong Karma Police would come get them. The chorus’s refrain “This is what you get when you mess with us,” followed by the ending refrain of “I lost myself,” perfectly tells how we only regret things when the punishment comes. The production is done in Radiohead’s signature style, and the lead singer, Thom Yorke, gives passionate vocals at the end.

No Surprises: This is the most streamed song from their Magnus Opus record, OK Computer. I am sure some people have heard the iconic glockenspiel melody in this song’s instrumental. The lyrics depict fear and anxiety, as the singer pleads “No alarms and no surprises”. This somewhat contrasts with the gentle, lullaby-like production, but still adds to the meaning of not wanting things to turn bad.

Many artists cite Radiohead as an influence, so I am sure you would love the original. I hope you listen to some of these tracks.

Songs to get you into the Pop Girls

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2024 has been one of the biggest years in music, almost every mainstream artist dropped a new album. With women dominating the awards ceremonies and charts in music, I thought it would be interesting to pick a song from different artists. A song that would help a person get into their music and understand their style.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is arguably the biggest pop star in the world right now. With her record-breaking “Era’s Tour” and her 4th album of the year at the Grammy’s, she is at new heights in her career. I am a fan of Taylor’s earlier albums, especially when she was blending genres and making country pop/pop rock songs. “Haunted” from the album Speak Now is a beautiful song and a personal favorite of mine. The instrumentals include violins and rock-style guitars. The lyrics depict a relationship that haunts Taylor in her current life even though that person is long gone.

Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo is the next big thing in pop music. Her debut album of eleven tracks released three years ago is the most streamed female album on Spotify. Her thoughtful lyrics and 2000’s themed aesthetic, make her stand apart from other young up-and-coming artists. “making the bed” is a confessional ballad where Olivia discusses the issues she faces in her daily life. However, she admits that all her issues stem from her decisions. The instrumental is very simple but it also allows the message to shine through.

Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey, “The Queen of Alternative Pop”, is known for her iconic, unique vocals and 1950s Americana aesthetic. Her lengthy discography made one song difficult to choose. “Mariners Apartment Complex” is a romantic ballad about loving a person even though they have their own deeper issues and wanting to help them. Not only does Lana want to guide her lover through a dark time, but she wants him to do the same. This is not a typical piano ballad, the pleasant guitars coming in at certain parts of the song provide a hopeful tone.

SZA

As an R&B icon, SZA has cemented herself as a distinct vocalist and lyricist. Her switching between genres during different songs on a record allows a person to see how versatile she truly is. “20 Something” has a wonderful, ethereal instrumental like much of her debut album Ctrl. SZA sings about how she hopes her 20s won’t change her for the worse. SZA explains how she wants to keep the rest of her friends, which is a relatable feeling to growing up.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande is known for her incredible vocal range sung over trap beats. The song “in my head” from Thank U, Next perfectly sums up her music style. She belts out high notes that blend into the production, with braggadocious lyrics like “Boy, I invented you. Gucci tennis shoes, running from your issues”. Ariana is the typical IT girl and it is reflected on this song.

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish is clearly the most unique artist from Gen Z. Her soft vocals and creepy production has become a signature. However, I personally find her best songs to have a more classical production. “TV” is a song about being so depressed you do not want to do anything except watch TV. The song has a gentle guitar instrumental, with heartbreaking lyrics like “I’ll stay in the pool and drown so I don’t have to watch you leave”. 

I hope you give these songs a listen and love them as much as I do.

Album Review: Starboy

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Starboy is one of the most streamed albums of all time, with several songs having over 1 billion streams. Starboy is the third album from Canadian singer-songwriter Abel Tesfaye under the stage name The Weeknd. With the anniversary of this record approaching and a new Weekend project on the way, I thought it would be good to revisit this album. Here are some highlight tracks

Starboy: I remember hearing this song on the radio when I was younger and it was my first introduction to The Weeknd. With over 3.6 billion streams this song features the electronic duo, Daft Punk. “Starboy” is a track centered around The Weeknd’s newfound rise in stardom. In the lyrics, we realize he can afford to buy his family whatever they want now. However, he acknowledges that there will be consequences of this “House so empty, need a centerpiece”, which perfectly describes a missing piece in his life.

Reminder: The instrumentation has a very laid-back approach. The refrains in the chorus are extremely catchy. The song is about how The Weeknd has built a reputation doing specific things, and anytime people forget that darker side of him, he will be back to remind them.

Stargirl Interlude: This track has over a billion streams on Spotify, making it the first interlude to reach this milestone. It features Lana del Rey, with her signature soft vocal style. She sings most of the track, and the track serves to depict the female version of the starboy.

Secrets: One of the more pop-influenced tracks on the records and my personal favorite. In the lyrics, he explains that his lover talks in her sleep spilling all the secrets of her heart.

I Feel It Coming: The ending track to this record also features Daft Punk. This production is a cross of 80’s pop and house music. The lyrics depict feeling a deeper connection with a person, and you can feel yourself falling in love. 

Overall this is a fantastic record that blends pop, R&B, house, and rap. 

Album Review: An Evening With Silk Sonic

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An Evening With Silk Sonic is the debut record of the newly formed R&B, funk, soul duo Silk Sonic. The duo consists of hitmaking legend, Bruno Mars, and Californian singer/rapper Anderson.Paak. The album is a concise 10 tracks with just over 36 minutes of run time. 

Production: Sonically this record is very cohesive. All the tracks have an R&B, funk, and soul influence. Bruno Mars’s last record 24K Magic dove into similar sounds, however, An Evening With Silk Sonic, has a much more traditional and authentic sound. The incorporation of live instruments and incredible vocals makes the album feel like a concert experience. 

Writing: The lyrics on this album go from playful and cheeky to songs like “777”, a song that depicts a typical Vegas gambling night. There are many quotable lines on it like “Moonwalk to the money like I’m Mike Jack”. However, the record gets deep and emotional on “Put on a Smile”. The song is about how they cannot put on a smile anymore because their ex-lover was the only thing worth smiling for. The writing is reminiscent of Anderson. Paak’s album Ventura and also Mars’s debut Doo-wops and Hooligans. 

Reception: The lead single for this record “Leave the Door Open” went #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another track “Smoking Out the Window” hit #5, and five other tracks debuted in the top 100.  The overall record reached #2 on Billboard 200 which is for albums. An Evening with Silk Sonic was met with critical acclaim and the song “Leave the Door Open” won four out of four Grammy nominations including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

 Overall An Evening with Silk Sonic is a great listen and I highly recommend it. Especially to fans of Earth, Wind, and Fire, Bootsy Collins, Thundercat, and Brent Faiyaz.

Album Review: Stick Season

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Stick Season is the third album from singer-songwriter Noah Kahan. This record is a unique blend of folk, alternative rock, pop, and country. However, it was his lyricism that impressed me. Here are some of the standout tracks:

Stick Season: The song that brought Noah Kahan’s music into the mainstream, largely due to Olivia Rodrigo’s cover. The lyrics describe a state of depression and sadness comparing it to the season of the sticks. This is a period of time when the trees have lost all their leaves, but the snow of winter has not covered them. The production has an alternative rock-sounding instrumental. 

Northern Attitude: This is the second single on the record which also has another version featuring Hozier. In the lyrics, he sings about his unglamorous upbringing being the reason behind his coldness. This has a folk/alternative rock instrumental, with a shouting almost echoing chorus.  

All My Love: This track is my personal favorite. The lyrics depict an old romance but that ended on good terms. As he sings “There ain’t a drop of bad blood, it’s all my love”. There is an upbeat guitar and the instrumental sounds similar to the rest of the album, with a folky/alternative rock sound.

Overall this is an incredible album that I think everyone can enjoy. I especially recommend it to fans of Hozier, Fleet Foxes, Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, or The Lumineers. There is also another edition of the record which includes remixes with Gracie Abrams, Lizzy McAlpine, and Brandi Carlile.

Album Review: Pure Heroine

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Pure Heroine is the first album by New Zealand singer-songwriter, Lorde. With the eleventh-year anniversary of the record passing, I thought it would be cool to revisit this project. This album is unique for a pop album because it is not about love. Instead, Pure Heroine dives into topics like friendship, and growing up. Here are some standout tracks:

Royals: The radio hit from this record and the song that propelled Lorde into fame, “Royals” is an extremely well-written song about being a teen and not having the kind of money or problems that celebrities have. The instrumental consists of heavy snaps and layered backing vocals. It is a surprise that this song became so successful considering it came out during a time when Katy Perry’s love anthems ruled the radio. “Royals”, lyrically is the complete opposite and has a more laid-back and simple kind of production. 

Buzzcut Season: A truly endearing song about friendship and summer memories. The production includes a bright, almost hopeful-sounding keyboard. She sings about enjoying her life with her friends and making exciting memories, but at the end, it takes a sad turn as she says “I live in a hologram with you” explaining how now the fun times are over, and they will never be the same as they were.

Ribs: Possibly her most popular song on Spotify right now, “Ribs” is an endearing ballad about growing up. The song starts off with beautiful vocals being sung, which eventually form into the beat. The song reminisces about the good times of just laughing with your friends “until your ribs get tough”. As someone who is growing up right now, I found it to be a very relatable and interesting view on aging.

Glory and Gore: This song is a personal favorite of mine. The idea of “Glory and Gore go hand in hand” is very interesting. This is a great metaphor for fame as the benefits and the pains are often intertwined. The production continues in the same laid-back approach as the rest of the album but has this siren kind of sound in the second half. Her shouty vocals in the chorus add a catchy element to the song. 

Overall this is a fantastic record that really shaped the songwriter of artists in the years to come. While Lorde has not released many albums, Pure Heroine definitely has some incredible songs. I hope you enjoyed this album as much as I did.

Album Review: Blonde by Frank Ocean

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With the eighth anniversary passing and the anticipation for new music, I thought diving into Frank Ocean’s last album would be a good idea. Blonde is the 2nd album from the R&B revolutionary, Frank Ocean. Apple Music ranked this album as number 5 on their list of “The Greatest Albums of All Time”. Blonde is a unique album experience with several interludes with a few that do not have any singing just a clip of someone talking (“Facebook Story” and “Be Yourself”). In terms of critical reception, Blonde is one of the most praised albums to come out last decade. Here are some of the highlight tracks:

Ivy

In this song, Frank reflects on a teenage relationship. While the relationship did not work out, neither one of them could truly have negative feelings about the other. The production incorporated guitar and piano in a melancholic style ballad. His vocals also express a kind of sadness and frustration.

Solo

The production is very similar to that of “Bad Religion” a song from his debut album Channel Orange. Heavy, drawn-out keyboard notes. The lyrics include a homophone. “So low” and “solo. Frank describes him feeling alone as solo and how the loneliness has left him in a depressive state (so low).

Nights

Instrumental the song has 2 parts. The first part is very guitar-heavy. The second half turns into a slower trap-style beat. The lyrics depict a night party lifestyle. In which a person spends the day fixing all the mistakes in the night.

White Ferrari 

The production is very minimalist. It almost sounds as if it is raining in the background adding to the sad themes of the song. The story is about the loss of Frank Ocean’s brother. The 4th verse is sung with a filter on his voice making it seem even sadder. The lyrics explain how they are both sorry but he will always care for him.

Overall I would give this album a 9/10. I have listened to it several times and I am still discovering sound effects I had yet to hear previously. I recommend this album to people who like listening to the entire album experience or are fans of R&B.

Blond by Frank Ocean is available to stream on Freegal.

Album Review: Melodrama

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Melodrama is the second album from New Zealand singer-songwriter, Lorde. This came four years after her debut studio album, Pure Heroine. Melodrama has 11 songs that tackle different emotions, relationships, and friendships. Her unique style of lyricism has become very influential to new artists like Olivia Rodrigo. I love Melodrama because of the interesting production and lyrics. 

Here are some of the highlights on this album:

Green Light

The biggest hit and lead single to the album. Lorde describes a situation, in which she has just left a relationship but cannot “let go.” She tells the listener she is waiting for the green light to move on. The production is nothing exciting until Lorde starts chanting in the background towards the end of the song.

Sober

Lorde describes a relationship with her lover where she wonders if alcohol is the thing that gives them chemistry. While the topic seems cliche, Lorde’s lyricism shines through as she describes them as “King and Queen of the Weekend.” In terms of production, triumphant trumpet sounds add to the royalty line. 

Liability

This was the song that introduced me to the album. I heard Olivia Rodrigo say she loved this song and wished she had written it. Lorde sings over a piano ballad instrumental as she describes herself as a liability to other people and “a little much for everyone.” In terms of self-reflective pop songs, it is one of the best I have heard. 

Supercut

Easily my most-played song on the album. The production was quite good for a pop song and I found it very catchy. It was produced by multi-Grammy award winner and Taylor Swift’s main producer, Jack Antonoff, who I also love with Lana del Rey. The lyrics describe looking back on a relationship and only seeing the best parts of it.

Perfect Places

The closing track perfectly encapsulates the theme of the album. Lorde describes the stereotypical party life of a young adult. She describes doing these immature things to find “perfect places.” But to finish she asks what are perfect places because it turns out that life was not as promising as it seemed.

Overall this is one of my favorite pop albums and definitely worth a listen if you like Olivia Rodrigo. While Lorde has won several Grammys, I do not see many people listening to her. But Melodrama is a phenomenal album.

Album Review: Fireworks and Rollerblades

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Fireworks and Rollerblades is the debut album of American singer-songwriter, Benson Boone. Over the past 2-3 years he has released a few singles including the viral hit “In the Stars.” Finally, he had a huge breakthrough moment with the song “Beautiful Things.” I always admired his lyrics because I found them quite emotionally sensitive in a way no other male pop artist has (except Conan Gray). The production is nothing special but also it fits the songs perfectly. I was not really looking out for this album, but once I listened to it, I could not stop. Here are my favorite tracks:

-Cry

-Be Someone

-There She Goes

They follow similar ideas many other artists have sung about in the past. However, not many artists (especially men), have such a strong vocal performance. His singing, aesthetic, and stage presence remind me of Freddie Mercury. I think he is too young and has not had the impact of Mercury, but he has many similarities. He also has the beautiful lyrics of another Gen Z male singer, Conan Gray, who also just had an album release. Boone’s album has been a commercial success so far and currently, he is scheduled to perform as an opening act on Taylor Swift’s “The Era’s Tour”. He was also on stage with Lana del Rey recently. I hope through his performances he will be able to gain more recognition and hopefully, Grammy’s next year.