Friday, July 31, 2015

Yuna - Fading Flower

BURN. This song calls out that type of person who gets by on her looks but needs serious improvement in personality. It points out that physical beauty is temporary so if that’s all you have going for you you don’t intimidate this artist. The melody even has a mocking tone to it, like a comeback to a “mean girls”-esque bully.
Note: Eyyy, some HD here!

Yuna - Fading Flower:

Thursday, July 30, 2015

CunninLynguists - Time (What Is It?)

This song sometimes starts playing in my head, and I’m not complaining. It’s a great example of this artist’s tendency to create hip hop music that’s strong on all fronts: original concept, catchy production, and impressive lyrical technique. Not long ago, I saw an infographic constructed to illustrate the results of a study on how many unique words different hip hop artists use, sorted by region of origin. Guess who was far and away the wordiest of southern hip hop artists, and one of the wordiest overall. These guys!

 CunninLynguists - Time (What Is It?):

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Annie Lennox - Walking on Broken Glass

This song is a classic! I probably heard it when I was a kid, but I don’t have a particular memory tied to it. I didn’t realize until it was played on an episode of the podcast The Todd Glass Show that it’s by this famous artist, whose name I’ve heard many a time. I’ve always liked this song (although admittedly I didn’t pay that much attention to it before), which is notable because it’s not often I dig a song recorded in the early 90s. Such a bouncy sound for a song about heartbreak!
Note: It’s from 1992, but it has HD!

Annie Lennox - Walking on Broken Glass:

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

IAMX - I Come with Knives

I think this is my favorite song off the album The Unified Field. I listened to it a number of times, and then was excited to hear it (among a lot of other songs by the same artist) used prominently on a show I really like, How to Get Away with Murder. I showed my friend the TV series, and he fell in love with both the series and the song. Upon discovering that I had the song in my mp3 player, he made me play it on repeat in his car during our road trip so now I’m more familiar with the song than I ever wanted to be. Still like it, though!
Note: HD recommended, of course!

IAMX - I Come with Knives:

Monday, July 27, 2015

Elif - Du Kannst Mir Nichts

I found this German artist by YouTube surfing not long ago. It kinda sounds like she gets tired while singing, but overall her stuff is still pleasant enough. She has nice, soft, pretty songs, but this one has a tiny bit of grit infused into it. This is probably the coolest-sounding song I’ve heard by her.
Note: Even though it was hard for me to find most of her songs in good quality, this one had HD!

Elif - Du Kannst Mir Nichts [You Can Do Nothing for Me]:

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Tim Minchin - Pope Song

Probably the most profane song I’ve ever posted or ever will post… But right within the lyrics of this song the artist/comedian makes a compelling point about being offended at the profanity. I don’t want to give too much away, as part of the song’s impact comes from not knowing ahead of time what he's going to say, but it in a nutshell calls out the Pope for his role in some of the Catholic Church’s most publicized scandals, and is therefore probably offensive to you if you don't want to hear about those scandals or are a fan of the Pope he's referring to. This song was written during the reign of the previous Pope, BTW, not the current, popular one.

 Tim Minchin - Pope Song:


Here’s a live performance, my first introduction to the song:

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Jess Glynne - Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself

The melody of this song is nothing special and the genre’s not my favorite, but the lyrics have a message that a lot of people could afford to hear once in a while. It helps that the artist’s voice is delicious, too. I got to know her through her work as a featured vocalist of songs for Clean Bandit.

Jess Glynne - Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself:

Friday, July 24, 2015

Gackt - Freesia ~Op. 2~

Welcome to almost 2 minutes of musical intensity, brought to you by uber-famous Japanese pop/rock act, Gackt. The dude is a pretty eccentric character, but as a multi-instrumentalist and composer he has the talent to back it up. I think it’s pretty cool that he excels in a variety of genres, as evident in this song.

 Gackt - Freesia ~Op. 2~:

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Chlöe Howl - Rumour

I found this artist through YouTube surfing a little bit after this song came out. I’m still waiting for a song whose catchiness is worthy of her stellar voice, but until then songs like this, which are pleasant enough but not amazing, will do.
Note: This is the official MV, with HD!

Chlöe Howl - Rumour:

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Seven Lions feat. Kerli - Keep It Close

It’s another collaboration between these two artists. This one I heard today when I was watching the Netflix series Sense8. I didn’t recognize the artists, although I kinda felt like I should have since I was already familiar with their music.
Note: Unsurprisingly, this track is uploaded in HD!

Seven Lions feat. Kerli - Keep It Close:

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Markéta Irglová - Without a Map

I like the composition of this song. In an album full of pretty tracks, this was still a standout. The song’s lyrics definitely have a religious slant (most obvious when the choir starts singing "The Lord’s Prayer"), but I’m a little unclear on the intention since when I saw her perform live she talked about being nonreligious. Maybe that changed, or maybe the song’s from another person’s perspective? Clearly she holds religiosity in reverence one way or another.
Note: The song is uploaded in HD, thankfully!

Markéta Irglová - Without a Map:

Monday, July 20, 2015

DBSK feat. The TRAX & BoA - Tri-Angle

This is one of the first songs I heard by the once-popular boy band DBSK, and it cemented my appreciation of them despite their status as a “boy band.” They can sing, and the grandiosity of this song won me over. I like both the featured artists, too. Rock isn’t exactly a popular genre in Korea, so I appreciated The TRAX’s inclusion in the track all the more. BoA is a pop princess but she sounds a little more epic than usual and it made me appreciate her more than before, too. Go everybody!
Note: HD quality with romanized lyrics!

DBSK A.K.A. 동방신기 feat. The TRAX & BoA - Tri-Angle:

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Joss Stone - Last One to Know

This British artist has a soulful voice I really like, but I have trouble finding songs by her that do much for me. I don’t dislike them; they just don’t stand out to me. Me knowing this song is the result of me going out of my way to hunt down one of hers that stood out.

Joss Stone - Last One to Know:

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Avicii feat. Salem Al Fakir - Silhouettes

It seems like this Swedish artist is everywhere. My liking of their music largely depends on the guest singer, but this song is an exception. The singing didn’t do it for me, but the music video is a winner.
Note: Watch in HD for a better listening & viewing experience!

Avicii feat. Salem Al Fakir - Silhouettes:

Friday, July 17, 2015

Jocelyn Alice & Right the Stars - So Groovy (Reach Out of the Darkness)

This song isn’t really the type of thing I normally like, but for some reason it stuck with me. It was played a few times on The Todd Glass Show, and since then it has hardly left my head. It sounds 1960s, but it’s actually a recent cover of a 1960s song, “Reach Out of the Darkness” by Friend & Lover.
Note: Hey, hey, HD!

Jocelyn Alice & Right the Stars - So Groovy (Reach Out of the Darkness):

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Black Cats - جون خودت

I heard this song when a DJ at a Persian restaurant played it. It instantly sounded familiar because the intro instrumental and lyrical pattern is lifted right from the song “Culo” by Pitbull. The titular word was even replaced by the similar-sounding phrase “gush kon” (English: listen). I may have heard this version before the DJ because one of my friends said he has a video of his father in Iran dancing to this song, and he shows me his family videos a lot.

Black Cats A.K.A. بلک کتس - جون خودت [Jooneh Khodet - On Your Life]:

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Lisa Hannigan - Safe Travels

This slightly dark and almost humorous song reminds me of a short film/PSA I saw a few years ago… It also is not far from what I tell people when they go on a journey. “Don’t die.” I saw this artist perform live with Jason Mraz years ago. I first heard of her through her work with Damien Rice.

Lisa Hannigan - Safe Travels:

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Flume & Chet Faker - Drop the Game

I think I heard this song in a show… I liked the melody and production, and when I looked up the official music video I liked that too. Dancing!
Note: The official MV has HD!

Flume & Chet Faker - Drop the Game:

Monday, July 13, 2015

Selah Sue - Time

A lot of this artist’s music has a groovy reggae vibe that is really appealing, but this considerably more lilting song is too beautiful to ignore.
Note: HD quality is to be found here!

Selah Sue - Time:

Sunday, July 12, 2015

#HIPHOPISHIPHOP - Hip Hop for the World

My coworker sent this song to me, and was an instant winner with me by virtue of its multilingualness. The point is to showcase hip hop artists from around the world rapping in their native language to illustrate how far-reaching the once-niche genre has become. There’s a power to a subculture that is applicable to and embraced by people globally, and the message is that participants in it are members of the same opt-in clan regardless of country of origin. It’s no surprise that this project was helmed by KRS-One, a longtime proponent of hip hop culture who believes in its power to enact positive change and unite across boundaries. This song itself is an attempt to use hip hop music as an instrument of positive change by promoting diversity and inclusivity, celebrating differences while insisting that these shouldn’t act as barriers.
Note: This is the official MV in HD! It also has the lyrics in the original language as well as translated into English!

#HIPHOPISHIPHOP - Hip Hop for the World:

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Indila - Dérniere Danse

This French artist implements a singing style that reminds me very much of Middle Eastern-style singing. It’s my favorite feature of this song! (Actually, Wikipedia lists one of the genres her music falls under as rai and her ethnic background includes Algerian, so I guess this is true.) I think YouTube recommended this artist to me. I guess YouTube knows what it’s doing because I’ve liked every song by her I’ve heard so far. I’m preparing for this artist to become one of my favorites.
Note: The official music video is kinda cool and has HD, so I’m using that!

Indila - Dérniere Danse [Last Dance]:

Friday, July 10, 2015

Clazziquai Project - 라푼젤

Another calming song comes from this Korean artist, whom I’ve liked since I was a teenager and who are still going. Both the singers for this group have soothing and naturally sonically-pleasing voices, and in this one Alex takes more of the lead. A significant amount of this song is in English, but for the parts that aren’t the video has English subtitles!

Clazziquai Project - 라푼젤 [Rap’unjel - Rapunzel]:

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Sara Tavares - Di Alma

I found this Portuguese artist through YouTube surfing for music. Her music sounds so calm & content, her voice so relaxed, as to seem enlightened. It’s a rhythm I’m not used to, but I could use some variety in my listening. The standout features of her music to me are her jazzy voice and the strong African influence in the instrumentals. This isn’t a coincidence, since this song is in the creole language spoken in the African country of Cape Verde. This artist sang the Portugal version of “God Help the Outcasts” (a song I’ve posted before) in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Sara Tavares - Di Alma [Your Soul]:

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Enrique Iglesias feat. Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona - Bailando

The music video for this song won me over because the dancing in it was so cool to watch. The part with the soccer balls is so dope!
Note: This is the official MV with HD!

Enrique Iglesias feat. Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona - Bailando [Dancing]:

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Melanie Martinez - Pity Party

My friend sent me this song shortly after it was released, and although I’d heard songs by this artist before I didn’t like her previous songs as much as this one. It seems people know my taste, because a second friend sent me this song not long after the first friend did.
Note: HD listening is available!

Melanie Martinez - Pity Party:

Monday, July 6, 2015

James Horner - Real or Imagined?

Another world-renowned talent lost too soon… This famous composer died in a plane crash exactly 2 weeks ago. I’ve already posted a lot of songs that he composed for movie soundtracks ranging from Casper to The Land Before Time to Mighty Joe Young to Avatar to An American Tail: Fievel Goes West. I thought this time I should post a piece from a soundtrack I haven’t used before but have watched the movie of, so I went with this one from A Beautiful Mind. (Coincidentally, the man on whom the biographical movie is based died in a car crash almost exactly month before James Horner did.) R.I.P. James Horner AND John Nash.
Note: This video has HD and a pretty visualization!

James Horner - Real or Imagined?:

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Origa - Rise

This is one of this artist’s most famous songs, as it was an opening theme of the anime series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. My friend wanted to perform this song in the karaoke room at the anime convention she and I recently attended, but I don’t know the lyrics well enough or read Russian fast enough to join her, so it didn’t happen. Still, it’s a beautiful song! It’s such a shame a singer with this beautiful a voice was lost so soon.
Note: Hi-def quality available!

Origa - Rise:

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Eyedea - Read Wiped in Blue

Here’s a “patriotic” hip hop song. This song narrates the emcee growing up in a dysfunctional household, missing his deceased mother and resenting his abusive father. However, the deeper interpretation is that the description of a household is a metaphor for a country. I suspect the mother is nature (i.e. Mother Earth), and the father is clearly the United States. It calls out the U.S.’s long and enduring history of violence by making reference to the nation’s origins based in genocide and slavery, its tradition of imperialism, and its addiction to enabling continued acts of violence at home and abroad, which he claims will lead to its downfall. Happy 4th of July!
Note: Found it in HD!

Eyedea - Read Wiped in Blue:

Friday, July 3, 2015

Delta Rae - All Good People

This (mostly) a cappella song was written in the wake of the events of the past couple years wherein story and story of unarmed black Americans being killed by police and not being done justice by “the system” dominated the news media and public consciousness. I appreciate this song all the more given that this artist is a South-based group of white members. This song was released 2 weeks ago, the day after the racism-motivated shooting at a black church in Charleston, South Carolina, and the lyrics make reference to the death of Eric Garner, who was choked to death by the police while telling them he couldn’t breathe. Like the first song I posted by them, there’s a Southern gospel sound to this one, and since its message is in part related to an event at a black church that suits the theme well. (I started liking this artist because of their Southern gothic aesthetic, but since then I’ve come to appreciate them more upon learning of their investment in social issues and incorporation of it into their art.)
Note: Listening in HD is recommended!

Delta Rae - All Good People:

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Frank Sinatra - Live Until I Die

Of course, I’ve known of this famous artist for as long as I can remember, but I heard this particular song on the Todd Glass Podcast recently and especially liked it. I never really felt compelled to post his music before this song. I like the meaning, and it’s catchy!
Note: It’s old, but someone kindly uploaded it in HD!

Frank Sinatra - Live Until I Die:

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Tasha Reid - She (…Could Never Be Me)

This artist can both sing AND rap! I was accustomed to her first as an emcee, so I was surprised to hear how well she can sing. This song isn’t especially inspired, but it reminds me of late 90s/early 200s R&B like TLC, which I like.

Tasha Reid A.K.A. 윤미래 - She (…Could Never Be Me):