Adam Joseph feat. Noel G - Flow with My Soul

Douuuuude, I wanted to post this song aaaaaaages ago, but I couldn’t find it in decent enough quality. Don't let the skinny fey white boy image deceive you—this artist has an nice R&B voice with a range I’m envious of. I especially like his low register, which he seems to navigate with ease, but in the handful of songs I’ve heard by him he doesn’t use it that much. This song you at least get to hear it a little bit. And thus endeth Pride Month! Happy Pride!

Adam Joseph feat. Noel G - Flow with My Soul:

Baby Dee - Look What the Wind Blew in

Oddly enough, what stood out to me about this artist is that her songs have titles I like. They’re unconventional without being total nonsense, and have something poetic about them. They paint a picture in your mind, just like the sound of the song itself.

Baby Dee - Look What the Wind Blew in:

Chris Colfer - I Want to Hold Your Hand

This artist’s unique voice gets me every time. Although he was teased and bullied for it when he was in high school, his voice that has somehow stayed heavenly into adulthood is a gift. On the show Glee, he recorded this cover of a Beatles song that is frequently ranked among the best covers featured in the series. The show reappropriated the lyrics to be about the singing character’s relationship with his ill father, effectively igniting the tear ducts of many a viewer.
Note: Here’s the song with HD!

Chris Colfer - I Want to Hold Your Hand:



Here’s the part from the show that featured the song:

Uh Huh Her - Nuthin Without Your Love

This artist has a lot of music that’s TOO chill for me, but the occasional song by them catches my ear. This one I feel starts out slow, but the cool factor of this song is upped once the chorus comes in. I don’t know why! Somehow it goes from being pretty lackluster to being earwormy for me.
Note: Once again, I bring you an HD upload!

Uh Huh Her - Nuthin Without Your Love:

Patrick Wolf - The Libertine (Acoustic Version)

I was listening to this artist’s discography while I worked, and while much of it was nice-sounding it was mostly background noise. Then THIS song came on and that violin completely distracted me from anything I was doing. I didn’t realize it was one of this artist’s singles, but I approve of the choice of using that song to promote the acoustic album Sun☽ark and Riverlight because it was definitely the standout track for me. Both versions of this song are great, but I went with this one because the violin is more prominent.
Note: HD qualityyyyyyy!

Patrick Wolf - The Libertine (Acoustic Version):

Michelle Chamuel - Money

This artist was the 2nd-place contestant of one of the seasons of The Voice that I actually watched, and she finally came out with her own solo album following her success on the show! Sounds like somebody’s had some dating troubles… I appreciated this song’s somewhat original take on the well-tread topic of navigating relationship issues, but wasn’t that taken in by the overall sound of the track UNTIL near the end when she belts it out, which is what I liked about her when she was competing on The Voice.
Note: I found an HD upload!

Michelle Chamuel - Money:

Years & Years - King

At last, at last! A while ago a friend sent me music by this artist, and although I instantly was into the lead singer’s voice I couldn’t get that into the melodies of their songs. Since then, I searched intermittently for a song by them that caught my attention, and with the trio’s new hit single I think I’ve found it. Finally the singer’s voice is utilized in a song whose catchiness suits it!
Note: HD listening is available!

Years & Years - King:

Jolin Tsai - 不一樣又怎樣

This Taiwanese pop star seems to have taken it upon herself to become a champion and advocate of queer rights as of late. I used to not pay her music much mind because I wasn’t crazy about her singing, but after seeing a few of her bonkers music videos I got hooked. This song’s video isn’t quite so off-the-wall, and is actually going for tear-jerking, so get your tissues ready if you’re the crying type. Hospital visitation rights is an unresolved issue for many same-sex couples all over the world, but this music video is supposed to be telling the story of a specific, real couple that dealt with it. You’re all right, Jolin. You’re all right.
Note: You can listen in HD!

Jolin Tsai A.K.A. 蔡依林 - 不一樣又怎樣 [Bu Yi Yang You Zen Yang - Different, So What?]:

Here’s the official music video:

The Irrepressibles - Two Men in Love

At first I was opposed to posting this song because it seemed a little too on-the-nose for my Pride Month theme (did you notice?), but after listening to a bunch of this artist’s work, I eventually decided it has to be this song after all—even in a sea of lovely and creative music by this talented cabaret collective, this is still the most beautiful and varied song I’ve heard by them, IMO, because it is comprised of both the ethereal side and the dramatic, intense side. At first the lead singer sounded remarkably like Scott Matthew to me, then as the pace picked up he sounded more like Antony Hegarty. His voice also sounds GORGEOUS. I got chills, yo. I only discovered the group a few days ago, but I can tell I’m going to have to go through their extensive backlog of work because I kind of can’t get enough.
Note: If you want chills too, HD listening recommended!

 The Irrepressibles - Two Men in Love:

Sick of Sarah - Giving Up

I was in search of music by female artists when I came across a recommendation for this artist on a website. This band is not only female-fronted, it’s all-female, so that’s pretty cool! I listened to a bunch of their singles and liked this one especially because the singer does something kinda interesting with her voice: that yodeling effect.
Note: I found it in HD!

Sick of Sarah - Giving Up:

Jonte’ - Ya Rude!

I found this artist through a gif on Tumblr that was taken from this music video. Something about the weird synchronized movements is soooo mesmerizing. Turns out he’s a professional dancer and choreographer who’s worked with the top American, J-pop, and K-pop artists (which is what the lyrics of this song refer to, in fact), so that makes total sense. I’ve even come to think that the whole song is supposed to fit into some sort of narrative in which he’s referencing his work credentials with Beyoncé because he’s trying to teach a less-famous artist with a diva attitude a dance routine and isn’t being shown enough respect. This song has profanity and the music video’s a little too suggestive to be kid-friendly.
Note: This is the official music video, with HD!

Jonte’ - Ya Rude!:

Sia - Dressed in Black

Earlier this month I brought up an artist who said she looked up to THIS artist in terms of career, because for years she has been a behind-the-scenes hitmaker. However, after years in that role, she has interestingly been thrust into the spotlight as a leading pop star herself, and this song is from her first ultra-mainstream album. To counter her new celebrity status and as a statement of protest against the excessive focus on the appearance of women in the music industry, she hides her face during public performances.
Note: HD for a rather epic-sounding song!

Sia - Dressed in Black:

Sigur Rós - Glósóli

To say something fills me with profound sadness probably makes it sound bad, but in this case it's a good thing. That applies to a lot of this artist’s music. This Icelandic group also tends to have unique music videos, and that applies here too!
Note: Here’s the official music video, with blessed HD quality!

Sigur Rós - Glósóli [Glowing Sun]:

Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball

That’s riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, I’m posting this song. I almost avoided listening to the song because of all the noise surrounding it, but when one of my friends chose it when we were karaokeing, I thought, “This is actually a pretty good song.” Since then, I myself have chosen this song at karaoke! Even at the height of her unpopularity or “uncoolness”, I persistently thought based on a live cover of “Jolene” that I heard the child star do that she’s a seriously good singer, whatever her image may be. My mom and her husband were coerced to admit the same when they heard her live cover of an older song they liked the original of when she was a guest music artist on Saturday Night Live.
Note: HD quality with lyrics, which I like for this song especially!

Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball:

Adam Lambert - Underneath

The first time I heard this song, it was my first listen through the album Trespassing (which became an addiction of mine). I was at work, grading student papers. When this track came on, I—no joke—had to stop what I was doing and just listen. I was riveted and right from the beginning was so arrested by its beauty that I could do nothing other than listen. I think I may have even held my breath, reveling in the gradual building of vocal power as the song progresses.
Note: This has HD quality!

Adam Lambert - Underneath:

Rihanna - Te Amo

While I’m posting racy music videos… This one!! I guess this one dwells more in the realm of suggestiveness than yesterday’s, but it might still qualify as NSFW. A friend of mine posted it on Facebook a few years ago, and when I checked it out I was blown away by how gosh darn GORGEOUS it was. The colors, the lighting, the people, the settings… This easily ranks among my favorite music videos in terms of pure aesthetics. The song ain’t bad either, although people tend to completely misinterpret it due to the video being misleading. This artist’s music is kinda hit-or-miss for me, but this track has a nice combination of styles that appeals to me, and I'm especially lovin' the Caribbean elements.

Rihanna - Te Amo:

Kazaky - Crazy Law

This Ukrainian artist specializes in music videos that are meant to be provocative while showing off their mad dancing skills, and this video is the most extreme example. I’m so conflicted about posting it… but it’s too late now. On one hand, some parts are so racy as to be over my limit, and I’m like, “Yeah… I could have done without that.” On the other hand, the DANCING, man!! They’re so good! And interesting subversion of gender norms, mixing in macho presentation (like smoking and doing pushups) with feminine presentation (like wearing high heels and dancing). I’m weirdly fixated on the part in the mess hall where they swipe their food off the tables in unison. The lyrics are Engrish to the max, but the song gets stuck in my head so easily! As for the law they’re calling crazy, I’ll leave that to your interpretation.
Note: This official music video is in HD, and you were warned!!!

Kazaky - Crazy Law:

Goldfrapp - Happiness

I found myself bobbing my head to this! That doesn’t happen often. I like the tongue-in-cheek element that could be missed if you’re not paying attention. It very much seems to be about a cult, and the lines about giving your money to the group lead me to believe it might even be specifically about Scientology. Sonically, it works perfectly to suit the them, due to its simple, sing-songy melody and upbeat yet slightly eerie sound, with the word “happiness” being emphasized and repeated while the more sinister messages are buried in the verses. Even the layered vocals lend themselves to the image of a group of swaying, smiling people singing this song to welcome you to the cult. Since I was bobbing my head to it, the brainwashing must be working!
Note: HD quality with Spanish subtitles, if that’s a help to you!

Goldfrapp - Happiness:


The music video is pretty good too:

MayDay - 賭神

I count myself lucky to have been given free access to this VERY popular Taiwanese artist’s New Year’s concert… in Taiwan! (This was thanks to my friend and her connections.) This band has been called The Beatles of Taiwan, as a testament to their overwhelming popularity and longevity. I could only find the official music video, which luckily has English subtitles!

MayDay A.K.A. 五月天 - 賭神 [Du Shen - Gamblers]:

Vanessa Carlton - Hear the Bells

I think when most people hear this artist’s name, they think of her poppy hits from years past. This song, however, has a distinctly indie sound, at least in my assessment. Get a load of that piano, eh?

Vanessa Carlton - Hear the Bells:

Placebo - My Sweet Prince

Ugh, I love so many songs by this artist it’s ridiculous. This band's music always has this heavy air of melancholy about it, but I really like that. This song is so dark and I’ve always loved it. While many interpreted the lyrics as being about a toxic relationship with a person, I thought the clearer interpretation was that it’s about a toxic relationship with heroin. According to Brian Molko, it’s about both, so everyone wins!
Note: You can listen to that melancholy in hi-def!

Placebo - My Sweet Prince:

Fit for Rivals - Novocaine

I just found out this artist is planning to release their second album this year, and I’m excited. This, however, is one of their older songs, back from their demos in fact. I’m still fascinated by Renee Phoenix’s gritty singing voice.
Note: Despite this being an early demo, has HD quality available!

Fit for Rivals - Novocaine:

Peppermint - Excuse My Beauty

I somehow came across this music video when I was in high school or something, and I can’t lie: I was floored by the artist’s fabulousness. The drag queen’s video demonstrates that the song title is totally justified. Something about the aesthetics of the lyrics got me. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that my local go-to karaoke spot has this little-known song!
Note: There’s HD quality too!

Peppermint - Excuse My Beauty:

Chris Pureka - Grey

I love the strings-infused music, and that quivering vibrato! I heard of this artist through a playlist. After I noticed that the U.S. series Shameless has a good soundtrack, I looked up a YouTube playlist that used that as the theme and found her. I’ve already listened to quite a few songs by her, but I think I should look up more.

Chris Pureka - Grey:

Kaoz - Keep It Human

I thought it’d be funny to have two posts in a row from similarly-named hip hop artists that I discovered around the same time. I can’t remember finding this… but I made a note of it when I did. It’s that positive hip hop! This dude is also a slam poet (and an accomplished one at that), which makes sense given the tone of his music.

Kaoz - Keep It Human:

Khaos Da Rapper - Celebrity

I think found this hip hop artist through meandering through YouTube in search of “femcees.” The song’s not exactly deep, but I really like her flow in it. There’s all the typical stuff you expect in hip hop: profanity, drug references, etc. I read an interview with her and found it interesting that she said her career idol was Sia… Not someone whom I’d typically associate with this artist! But that makes me respect the answer all the more.

Khaos Da Rapper - Celebrity:

Darren Hayes - Pop!ular

This video played a large role in cultivating my fandom (read: obsession?) for this artist. Its tongue-in-cheek hilarity made it one of my favorite MVs ever. The song by itself is already funny, but the song WITH the video is all kinds of brilliantly hilarious. He mocks his own former pop star status and plays the role of the self-absorbed celebrity desperately clinging to relevance well—which, of course, requires a level of self-awareness. Funnily enough, I became his fan after his fall from the mainstream spotlight. After listening to a few solo songs by this artist and deciding his voice was glorious, I looked him up on YouTube and found this, which made me an instant fan. I’ve heard Australians claim that they like to make fun of themselves, and this certainly lends itself to the stereotype.

 Darren Hayes - Pop!ular:

Amber - Love Run

This isn’t the type of song I exactly expected from this confident and swagalicious hip hop artist. I guess she’s venturing more into the singing realm with her solo work. I prefer her hip hop stylings, but it’s interesting to see another side of her.
Note: Praise unto K-pop for always having HD!

Amber - Love Run:

Alt-J - Nara

I came across this British artist either by hearing them on a TV show or by YouTube surfing. Either way, I made a note of them some time ago, and then found recently that they were performing near my house. I ended up missing the concert but being interested enough in them to look up their album All This is Yours, and this song was, I think, my favorite off of it. To be honest, I couldn’t make heads or tails of the lyrics (which obviously doesn’t normally impede my enjoyment of a song) but according to a solid interpretation of the lyrics I came across, this song is about a gay man yearning for freedom from discrimination. In fact, with that in mind, this song is thematically almost identical to Hozier’s “Take Me to Church,” even with the repetition of the re-appropriated “hallelujah.”
Note: Here be HD quality!

Alt-J - Nara:

Ana Carolina - Mais Forte

Sounds like the tango! I was in the mood to post Brazilian music today. Not sure why. Maybe because I got Brazilian food for lunch? Is that all it takes?!

 Ana Carolina - Mais Forte [Stronger]: