Mia Wray - Where I Stand

I heard this artist through a cover she performed, which was used in an AMV. I was disarmed by how effortlessly perfect yet raw her voice is, so I looked up her other stuff. I was delighted to see she had ample original songs.
Note: I suggest experiencing this in HD!

Mia Wray - Where I Stand:

James Blake - Retrograde

For fans of Sam Smith. Everything about this song made me think it could easily be a Sam Smith song. But nope, it’s a different British singer/songwriter guy. I was looking for a totally different song that I heard in a TV show trailer, but in my search wound up discovering this one instead. I’ll take it! Actually, now I realize that I heard of this artist before, through a YouTube recommendation or something.
Note: HD listening is available!

James Blake - Retrograde:

Aneela feat. Arash - Chori Chori

My friend was playing this song in his car. I like how it combines Pakistani and Persian music styles, with each vocalist singing in the language of her/his heritage. PLOT TWIST: although the lyrics are in Urdu and Farsi, the artists are Danish and Swedish, respectively.
Note: HD, yo!

Aneela feat. Arash - Chori Chori [Secretly]:

Steve Conte - Heaven’s Not Enough

Two songs in a row from an anime! This time from the series Wolf’s Rain, which I did watch in its entirety years ago, but I heard this song long before that because it’s composed by the famed anime composer Yoko Kano. I listened to a lot of her soundtrack music without having seen the series it accompanied because knowing it was by her WAS enough. She worked with this artist, the singer and lyricist, frequently, but oddly I don’t think I’ve posted a song by him before. If this song doesn’t leave a hollow feeling in your soul I don’t know what will.
Note: Getcher HD while you can!

Steve Conte - Heaven’s Not Enough:

Egoist - 名前のない怪物

I just finished watching the Psycho-Pass movie, right after finishing seasons 1 and 2 of the popular anime series. This song is the ending theme for season 1 as well as the movie, and although I liked it when I heard it at the end of every episode in season 1 of the series, it wasn’t until I heard the full version used in the ending credits of the movie that I really appreciated it. It has so many parts to like! It also suits the series/movie well in that it manages to be understated and restrained yet energetic and fast-paced, contemplative yet action-packed.

Egoist - 名前のない怪物 [Namae no Nai Kaibutsu - Nameless Monster]:

Killer Mike feat. Emily Panic & Chamillionaire - Anywhere But Here

I didn’t look into this artist for the longest time because the main association I made with him was to Bone Crusher’s music video “Never Scared,” which was ridiculous. Turns out he’s a smart dude, and has political music! Didn’t see that one coming. This hip hop song is about the troubles that plague inner city communities (particularly Atlanta and New York City), driving many who grow up there to feel the need to escape. It points out the irony of the communities that seem like they would be most welcoming to Black Americans in that they’re highly populated by them being among the worst places for Black Americans to live. Love the Langston Hughes reference thrown in there.
Note: Found an upload with HD!

Killer Mike feat. Emily Panic & Chamillionaire - Anywhere But Here:

Automatic Loveletter - Let It Ride

I might find the inflection in Juliet’s voice annoying at times if it weren’t for that raspiness and skill. I really like the power behind her delivery, too, always putting 100% into it. I also found out recently that she competed on The Voice some years ago. Listening to this song made me go, “Yeah, I can hear how that would happen.” This one is packed full of energy right out the gate.
Note: HD quality is to be found here!

Automatic Loveletter - Let It Ride:

Alt-J - Bloodflood Pt. 2

The title’s kinda gross, but I liked this song when I listened through the artist’s latest album. It reminds me a lot of music by Icelandic artists like Ásgeir and Sigur Rós, but they’re British. This confusion goes so far as to me not recognizing the lyrics as being in English—my brain apparently expects Icelandic, and so it sounds--unless I consciously remind myself and pay attention. Even then, the words sound accented and still could be mistaken (in my mind) for being of Scandinavian origin.
Note: This upload has HD!

Alt-J - Bloodflood Pt. 2:

Sarah Jaffe - Under

That is some dirrrrrrty production. This song has a pretty different sound from that of the other songs I’ve heard by this artist. Her other songs have a more delicate, ethereal touch to them. This ends up sounding almost country Western-ish, and I like its aggressive, indignant tone. Some strings are thrown in there for good measure.
Note: HD listening is available!

Sarah Jaffe - Under:

Johnnyswim - You & I

I worked at a concert the other night and this artist was the opening act. I didn’t know who they were, but from first notes they sang in their acoustic set I wanted to. I was impressed and knew I was in for a great performance. In short, they kilt it. The duo consists of a married couple, and announced to the audience that they recently had a child, who I imagine will be similarly talented.
Note: You can take advantage of the HD upload!

Johnnyswim - You & I:

Sam Smith - Good Thing

This young artist pulled a Frank Ocean, garnering recognition and critical acclaim before even releasing his first album, then announcing immediately prior to its release that his debut album is inspired by his first love, a man. Also as with Frank Ocean, people accused this move as being a strategic attention grab, but he really didn’t need it because his talent speaks for itself. At his live show that I attended, he cracked, “People think all the songs on my album were written about the same person. That’s not true; only 5 songs were about the same person!” I’m fairly certain I know which 5 those are (hint: they’re the friendzone anthems), and this is one of them. Those Disney-esque strings are a little distracting but this song is still one of the earwormiest on the record, and as one of the earliest tracks on it reassured me during my first listen-through of the album, “Oh, this is gonna be good.”
Note: That’s right, HD!

Sam Smith - Good Thing:

Bea Miller - Fire N Gold

Who accuses me of not liking any pop? This sounds pretty poppy to me, and I liked it the first time I heard it. This is one of them newfangled young lady stars, whose fame is ushered in by TV exposure. She competed on the U.S. version of the singing competition show The X Factor, which I didn't watch, so I found her through YouTube surfing, or maybe an ad or something?
Note: This is the official lyrics video, with HD!

Bea Miller - Fire N Gold:

Thomas Azier - Verwandlung

I came across this artist while YouTube surfing. I listened to a handful of his songs, and in this one his vibrato reminds me of Antony Hegarty’s. For whatever reason, he sounded pretty different to me in his other songs and I didn’t care for those as much, but I didn’t hate them either. His music sounds akin to a lot of music I hear coming out of the U.K. these days, but the artist is Dutch.

Thomas Azier - Verwandlung [Transformation]:

Kacey Musgraves - Blowin’ Smoke

This song is about people’s tendency to talk a big game about how they’re going to change their lives and leave their stagnant pasts and habits behind, but in reality they are resigned to the patterns they’ve fallen into and aren’t willing to put in the effort to follow through with their plans. Not only that, but they may even resent the few who manage to get out like they said they would. More skilled songwriting from this young country artist (this is another song she wrote with Shane Mack, whose music I’ve posted before), and the lazy, drawling instrumental conveys the hopelessness of the situation very well, and is almost enough to de-motivate you from taking action yourself!
Note: I fixed you up with some of that good HD!

Kacey Musgraves - Blowin’ Smoke:

Wisin feat. Jennifer Lopez & Ricky Martin - Adrenalina

It’s kinda funny that this song features two artists who were huge when I was a kid… and they’re still at it! Since my friend and I have been bingeing on music from our childhoods lately, including songs by Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin from that period, it only seems appropriate that I should post a modern song they both are in. When I ran across this song I noticed that both of them have managed to stay somewhat relevant, apparently, by updating their style to adapt to the current climate of pop music. It doesn’t sound dated and can easily fit in with the rest of the club music.
Note: The song has hi-def calidad!

Wisin feat. Jennifer Lopez & Ricky Martin - Adrenalina [Adrenaline]:

FictionJunction - 時の向こう 幻の空

Right off the bat, I could tell this artist was a Yuki Kajiura outfit. They sang the opening theme of an anime series I watched and it was immediately identifiable as the work of the famous anime composer. As for the performers, they’re a talented group of singers, and part of why I chose this song by them if because all 4 get a chance to shine.

FictionJunction - 時の向こう　幻の空 [Toki no Mukou, Maboroshii no Sora - Beyond Time, Sky of Illusions]:

Ásgeir - Heimförin

This song is from the most popular Icelandic debut album, which is supposedly owned by 10% of the country’s population. Even though the artist is a songwriter, the lyrics are written by the performer’s father.
Note: This is a pretty lyrics video with HD!

Ásgeir - Heimförin [Going Home]:

The Internet feat. Kaytranada - Girl

A friend told me she was recommended this artist by her BF, and asked if I’d heard of them. Of course, I had to look them up upon my answer being no, and discovered that I recognized some of the members of the group as being from an artist I definitely had heard of, the hip hop collective Odd Future. This was the first song I heard by them. At first I just thought it was all right, but with a couple more listens I found myself liking it more. One thing that didn’t need time and replays to grow on me, though, was Syd the Kid’s voice, which I liken to syrup. I’d heard of her before through her work in Odd Future, but I didn’t know she sounded like this. There's some profanity.
Note: HD listening is available!

The Internet feat. Kaytranada - Girl:

Damien Jurado - Sheets

The other night I worked at a concert at which this artist was the opening act. He told the audience people have said he has two types of music: sad and sadder, but you don’t see me complaining. Based on what I heard at the concert, that about sums it up. This song is an example of that!

Damien Jurado - Sheets:

Hwayobi feat. Park Hyo Shin - 가시

I came across this artist through YouTube surfing for K-pop. This artist got her career start in the era when I started listening to K-pop, but somehow I missed her music until now. I like K-pop from the 2000s more than K-pop from the 2010s, so it’s not surprising that I liked her stuff from then. She’s got quite a voice on her, too!
Note: Oh, hey, HD quality!

Hwayobi A.K.A. 박화요비 feat. 박효신 A.K.A. Park Hyo Shin - 가시 [Kashi - Thorn]:

John Legend - If You’re Out There

I’ve always appreciated this artist’s distinctive voice and piano-based music, even when I hadn’t heard many songs by him. I’m not sure how I found out about him, but I’ve known who he is for years. This song is a call to action, not for a specific cause, but for whatever cause you happen to believe in—the point is you should do something about it if you feel strongly about the betterment of the world.

John Legend - If You’re Out There:

Melanie Martinez - Soap

I guess I’m liking this artist’s newer music. This is the second song in a row I’ve heard from her new album, and I’ve liked both. I can’t say the songs on her previous album had the same effect. Wow, she really carries the song’s central metaphor through to the end. Her singing style is so understated and unassuming I find it hard to believe she got her start in fame through a singing competition show, The Voice.
Note: ‘Tis an upload in HD!

Melanie Martinez - Soap:

Maverick Sabre - Let Me Go

Oh, heyyyyyy, it’s another artist who deserves more recognition (and maybe in the near future will get it??). You should be bumpin’ thisssssssssss! His music is catchy and classy and has heart. This song samples a song by Portishead, whom I’ve posted before and probably should post again…
Note: This lyrics video has HD!

Maverick Sabre - Let Me Go:

Troi - Sacrifice

Sometimes when I listen to this artist I almost think I’m listening to Imogen Heap. This song seems to have a sort of hippyish, new agey meaning, but I’m down with that. I like the line, “We belong to the night, not the lights we give ourselves.” I’m eagerly awaiting hearing more music by her, but it looks like she’s still working on building up her repertoire. She has it all: the voice, the production, the lyrics—all of her own doing. This makes her possibly my favorite “undiscovered” new artist. Get in on this, people!

Troi - Sacrifice:

Blue Scholars - Yuri Kochiyama

This is the track that led me (and many others, I’m sure) to look up the song’s namesake, and subsequently feel disappointed in myself for not knowing her before. There’s some profanity and politics, as the person this is about is an activist.

Blue Scholars - Yuri Kochiyama:

Ayo - Wouldn’t It Be Better

This is probably the most lushly produced song I’ve heard by this artist. It still has an overall acoustic feel, though. She has a lot of social consciousness-themed tracks, but this one seems to simply be about a breakup. Purdy!

Ayo - Wouldn’t It Be Better:

Greg Holden - Hold On Tight

Ah, the ol’ pay it forward concept! Not terribly deep lyrics, but that’s okay because the easily-reached message is a nice one. That’s interesting that the video is the standout feature to me, too, because at the beginning of it I recognized the director’s name from the excellent Macklemore & Ryan Lewis MVs. In an odd coincidence, he also directed a music video for an underground hip hop artist I almost posted music by today instead. I found this artist through YouTube surfing.
Note: This official music video has HD!

Greg Holden - Hold On Tight:

Michelle Chamuel - Golden

This is a nice little ditty, and is aligned with her stated goal to perform electronica-type music. Good for her!! I, like many others, developed a fondness for this artist when she competed on The Voice as a somewhat unconventional pop star. Root for the underdog!

 Michelle Chamuel - Golden:

Hyde - Oasis

This groovy song is one of my favorites from this artist’s first solo album, Roentgen. Like a lot of Japanese music, the lyrics are a mixture of Japanese and English, but this has a higher ratio of English than is usual. His English pronunciation is pretty bad, but for some reason a lot of his songs are in English. I’ll allow it!

Hyde - Oasis:

Sick of Sarah - Bittersweet

When I was looking into music by this artist a few months ago, I came across this song, and although it wasn’t the most dynamic the melody stood out to me. I dunno, mayne, but it sounds nice!
Note: I could only find this song in decent quality in the official music video, but it fortunately has HD!

Sick of Sarah - Bittersweet:

*NSYNC - Pop

I give, I give! The past couple weeks, my friend and I have noticed we’re being bombarded by stuff related to the popular music of our childhoods, especially boy bands. This triggered discussions about those boy bands, and although I was never a big fan of any of them I named this song as one that I liked from that era of boy band music, and probably the one I liked most, in fact.

 *NSYNC - Pop: