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:

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:

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?):

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:

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:

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]:

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:

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:

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~:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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):

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]:

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:

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:

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:

#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:

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]:

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]:

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]:

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]:

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:

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?:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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):

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]:

The Book of Mormon Cast - Hasa Diga Eebowai

Yesterday I finally accomplished a goal of mine: to see the extremely popular play The Book of Mormon. It’s by the creators of the long-running TV show South Park, and if you’re familiar with that series then you should have a pretty good idea as to the tone of the play and this song, especially in terms of offensiveness. I would say that if you’re not a fan of the irreverent humor featured in South Park, you should steer clear of this song, because it contains all sorts of offensive material, from violence to blasphemy to profanity. I personally love that this song mixes that kind of content in with what sounds like traditional African choir music. BTW, the phrase that is repeated throughout the song (and its title) is not a real language, but it still serves its point to drive home the reminder to the presumably advantaged audience that the real problems that pervade parts of Africa are so extreme as to be outside the realm of experience and relatability.

The Book of Mormon Cast - Hasa Diga Eebowai:

Li Na - 青藏高原

This famous Chinese artist covered a traditional song literally singing the praises of the scenery of Tibet. It makes me wanna visit! I first heard this song when it was covered by Han Hong, but this version is lovely too. This is the folk singer’s most famous song, and it was used as the theme song of the Chinese TV series Heaven Road.

Li Na A.K.A. 李娜 - 青藏高原 [Qingzang Gaoyuan - Qinghai-Tibetan Plain]:

Linkin Park - Easier to Run

This song is some heavy stuff. The first few times I listened to Meteora, I didn’t pay much attention to this song, as it didn’t stand out to me. Then one day, after a LONG break from listening to the album (and I mean years), I was listening to it again and this song suddenly caught my attention. I felt a sincerity in Chester’s voice I hadn’t noticed before, and I remember thinking, “I don’t know what he’s singing about, but it sounds like he means it.” That drove me to hit the replay button to listen to the lyrics and try to understand the song’s meaning, and when I did I thought, “Hmm, this sounds like the thoughts of an abuse survivor.” Well, turns out I was dead on, ‘cause that’s exactly what this is. In fact, the lyrics weren’t even intended for a song originally; they’re taken from Chester’s therapeutic journaling.
Note: Maybe in HD you’ll hear the genuineness better!

Linkin Park - Easier to Run:

Audra Mae - Bandida

I heard about this Oklahoman artist the way many did, through her excellent vocals on Avicii’s song “Addicted to You.” A lot of her songs have an old-fashioned, traditional American feel to them. Along that vein, this song also incorporates what sounds to me like Native American music-inspired elements.
Note: HD listening is recommended, of course!

Audra Mae - Bandida:

Lee Ki Chan - 그대없이 난 아무것도 아니다

For an artist who’s most renowned for his ballads, I guess it’s weird that this is my favorite song from his 8th album, which I listened to back in high school. I can’t even put my finger on what it is that I like about this song, I just like it. I came across this through a message board for Korean music.

Lee Ki Chan A.K.A. 이기찬 - 그대없이 난 아무것도 아니다 [Keudae’eobshi Nan Amugeotdo Anida - I’m Nothing Without You]:

Janelle Monáe - Sally Ride

In honor of Sally Ride on her birthday, I bring you this song that was inspired by her life. This artist uses female empowerment as the theme for a lot of her songs, so it makes sense that she would dedicate an entire song to this accomplished female pioneer, the first American woman in space. Surprisingly, there’s a bit of profanity.
Note: HD quality!

Janelle Monáe - Sally Ride:

Outkast feat. Killer Mike - The Whole World

I remember this hip hop song getting mainstream play when I was a kid. I was inclined to interpret the lyrics as being about the nature of celebrity, but another popular interpretation I came across claims it’s about the Black experience in America. Both interpretations make sense to me, but either way it’s a good song! (There’s some profanity and suggestive content, but kids probably wouldn’t catch a lot of it.)
Note: Here the video has HD!

Outkast feat. Killer Mike - The Whole World:



And here the video has a music video:

Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight

I heard this song first when it was covered on the show Glee and I already liked it because Amber Riley’s voice is magical. This artist is a big talent too, though, and when I found out it was her song originally I got in on that. It’s about a relationship with a possessive and borderline-abusive man.

Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight:

Gackt - Solitary

Awwww shoot, I couldn’t resist posting another song by this artist… and there will probably be lots more to come. Many of his songs are over-the-top theatrical (which, admittedly, I also like), but I thought this time I’d go for something more low-key.

Gackt - Solitary:

Markéta Irglová - Fortune Teller

When I saw this Czech artist open for Damien Rice a few weeks ago, I had NO IDEA she was the same singer-songwriter who starred in the award-winning musical movie Once. I must have forgotten her name, because although I never saw the movie I heard quite a bit about it and her, and even posted a song she did for it. I also didn’t catch her name when it was announced at the concert, but her voice and piano were too pretty for me to ignore so I asked a security guard at the theatre what her name was and he gave me his printed schedule that listed her name.
Note: Thanks be to HD!

Markéta Irglová - Fortune Teller:

Blue Stahli - The Fall

I’m not used to hearing this sound out of this artist. When he goes into his high voice, it sounds so – dare I say it? – pretty!
Note: HD quality is here!

Blue Stahli - The Fall:

Lee Michelle - Without You

Sooooo apparently this K-pop video made everyone cry, but not for the reasons they usually do. This one doesn’t have pretty girls going blind or failed romance or anything like that, but instead deals with the spectre of racism that still pervades Korean society and affects many biracial Koreans, including this artist. I’ve actually already posted a song featuring this singer, as she was part of the now-disbanded group SuPearls, which never debuted. This song is the solo artist’s debut single, which is awesome!
Note: It’s K-pop, so it’s HD!

Lee Michelle A.K.A. 이미쉘 - Without You:

Rhodes - Your Soul

Can’t remember how I found this song, but it’s lovely, aye? I was originally planning to post another song of a similar genre, but decided against it and opted for this instead. It’s been waiting in my notes, neglected. This artist has opened for other British acts I’m fond of, like London Grammar and Sam Smith.
Note: HD, o’ course!

Rhodes - Your Soul:

Sally Dworsky & Michelle Pfeiffer - When You Believe

It’s VERY strange that I haven’t posted this song up until now. The soundtrack of the animated movie The Prince of Egypt among my favorites, and this song is a large contributing factor in that. I always thought it was to-die-for gorgeous, and remember being excited in elementary school when it was chosen as the song to practice in our choir program. It’s that Hans Zimmer at it again!
Note: HD is well worth it!

Sally Dworsky & Michelle Pfeiffer - When You Believe:


Here’s the part from the movie that uses the song:

Lupe Fiasco feat. Fort Minor - The Instrumental

Before The Cool came out, this easily was one my most-played songs by this hip hop artist. It seems to a lot of people, including me, to be about television (first verse) and radio (second verse), but Lupe himself has stated that it’s about some concepts that are broader and more abstract: people’s inability to escape their own ideology, and that by attempting to analyze the system you become part of it. Although it can be applied to media, its larger scope is about consumption of ideas—how you cannot escape an ideology (think outside the box) by looking for the key out within that framework, and how interpreters lend power to the framework. By observing media culture, you become a part of it, and by participating in media culture, you are giving it power because television shows and songs, for example, only have power when people infer meaning from them.

Lupe Fiasco feat. Fort Minor - The Instrumental:

Elli Kokkinou - Μασάι

I came across this Greek pop song by YouTube surfing, which brought me to a Turkish cover of it, and that eventually led me back to this. I think if Western pop songs had instrumentals that sounded more like this, even with mediocre vocals, I’d be more into them.

 Elli Kokkinou A.K.A. Έλλη Κοκκίνου - Μασάι [Masai]:

Ra.D feat. Sin Ji Soo - 오랜만이죠

Here’s some nice, soothing Korean music! I came across this by clicking around on YouTube. I wanted to find some less-than-poppy content from a country saturated with pop. If you’re looking for it, it’s not too hard to find a number of nice indie artists, although it seems like the majority of it is pretty low on energy.
Note: HD quality, and Chinese subtitles if that’s your kind of thing.

Ra.D A.K.A. 라디 feat. Sin Ji Soo A.K.A. 신지수 - 오랜만이죠 [It's Been So Long]:

Yuna - Mermaid

Sometimes YouTube surfing serves me well. YouTube recommended music by this Malaysian artist to me, and I took it. A lot of her songs are too low-key for me, but this was the first I heard and it struck me as pretty. In fact, by now I’ve listened to a few of her albums and this song still holds the top spot for me. This discovery also served as a helpful reminder that I should go back to looking to Malaysian music artists, because when I did so before I found a lot of good ones.
Note: HD again!

Yuna - Mermaid:

Rammstein - Amerika

I, like many Americans, knew this German artist’s music from a long time ago. However, today my friend sent me this song and although it sounded familiar I don’t think I’d listened to it much before. Its meaning isn’t hard to derive, especially since so much of the lyrics are in English. The U.S. is frighteningly good at exporting its culture and under the far-reaching influence of a singular nation there is a kind of global assimilation. I think the implication is that one country shouldn’t have that much power over the rest of the world.
Note: This is the official music video, with HD quality, and with English subtitles!

Rammstein - Amerika:

Imogen Heap feat. Vishal-Shekhar - Minds Without Fear

One of the best things to come out of my long, sleepless flight to the U.K. was my discovery of this song. (The plane had her most recent album available for listening.) I’ve always had mad respect for this artist, but her previous album Ellipse left me a little underwhelmed, so I didn’t exactly leap on her latest work, a concept album in which she compiled sound effects sent in by her fans to make songs, created for public release on a regimented schedule. This song is also used in the Indian TV series The Dewarists. Now, folks, brace yourself for Imogen singing in Hindi!
Note: HD listening is recommended!

Imogen Heap feat. Vishal-Shekhar - Minds Without Fear:

This Wild Life feat. Laurel Zarcilla - Better with You

I heard this song through a Korean drama, of all places. Given that this American artist is pretty indie, it seems like that’s actually the way most people who looked it up heard it. A few months ago, it was used to accompany a scene from Detectives of Seonam Girls’ High School that had (reportedly) the first lesbian kiss on Korean television, so, being that it was historic, that clip made the rounds on the Korean pop culture and, yes, queer spaces of the Internet, and I guess all that exposure got the artist some new listeners.
Note: It’s dat HD!

This Wild Life feat. Laurel Zarcilla - Better with You:

Ayọ feat. Youssoupha - Fire

Times are crazy (as they always have been). This artist makes a lot of songs about that, and despite its cheerful sound this song is one of them. I meant to post a song by the singer-songwriter a long time ago, but kept putting it off.

Ayọ feat. Youssoupha - Fire:

NF - Paralyzed

YouTube surfing is serving me REALLY well these days. Wikipedia called this guy a Christian rapper but I didn’t see that until more than halfway through the song. Mostly from the beginning of the song up until that point my most prominent thought was, “Wowwwwww, SOOOOOO PRETTYYYYY.” The rapping is nothing to write home about, but the overall package is really nice.
Note: HD again!

NF - Paralyzed:

Jill Scott - Hate on Me

This artist is well-respected as a leading R&B singer. She has a prolific career behind her and is still going. She has a lot of smoooooth, slow songs, but I like this song because it has attitude. I think my introduction to this artist came through a compilation album of R&B songs that were prominent between the late 90s and early 2000s, which my dad’s then-GF burned for me.

Jill Scott - Hate on Me:

You Me at Six - Fresh Start Fever

Wowwwwwww, I COMPLETELY forgot I'd already posted a song by this artist. I heard this band's music used a number of times in the show Hollyoaks, and repeatedly made notes to look them up. The lead singer’s vibrato is what caught my attention in the first place, but their overall sound is good too. As for this song in particular, anything that starts out with piano bodes well as far as I’m concerned.
Note: HD quality is available!

You Me at Six - Fresh Start Fever:

Bebe Rexha - Gone

I found this song through YouTube surfing not long ago! Interesting voice, but I haven’t heard of this artist outside of this song. However, my quick glance at Wikipedia reveals she co-wrote the Eminem/Rihanna hit “The Monster.”
Note: Worth listening to in HD!

Bebe Rexha - Gone:

Tech N9ne feat. Ceza, J.L., U$O, Yelawolf, Twista, Busta Rhymes, D-Loc, Twisted Insane - Worldwide Choppers

People who don’t typically listen to hip hop complain that they can’t understand the lyrics because they’re pronounced too fast, and seem to think “rapping fast” is an essential element of the genre. This is not true, and in fact most hip hop songs aren’t about speed of pronunciation. However, it’s a pretty cool skill to have, and the point of this song is to show it off. Bonus points to this song for living up to the song’s title and including non-American, non-English emcees. Expect profanity and so on… if you can decipher it.

Tech N9ne feat. Ceza, J.L., U$O, Yelawolf, Twista, Busta Rhymes, D-Loc, Twisted Insane - Worldwide Choppers:

Kaitlin Riegel - System

This artist is kind of an up-and-comer, I guess. I’ve only heard two songs by her so far, but I definitely like both of them. The production of her tracks are what’s really selling me on them, and although her voice isn’t what I would categorize as an R&B voice, there’s something about the instrumental of this song that has an R&B sound to me.
Note: Found it in HD!

Kaitlin Riegel - System:

Miyavi - 愛しい人（ベタですまん。）-2006 ver.-

Whoooo, it’s been too long since I posted a song by this Japanese artist, who’s near the top of my list of favorite artists of all time. This time I’m going for an uncharacteristically quiet song of his, a ballad of sorts. I’ve tried to round out my posts of the rocker’s music by using songs from different albums of his, so this time I’m drawing from an album I haven’t posted anything from before, which is more pop-oriented than a lot of his others. I’m including the music video because it’s both pretty and odd, and exemplifies how weird this guy is. PLUS, I just found out that this artist is becoming known to a mainstream American audience thanks to an acting role he played recently… and even was interviewed on Ellen! So as a longtime fan I’M FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW.

Miyavi A.K.A. 雅 - 愛しい人（ベタですまん。）-2006 ver.- [Itoshii Hito (Beta de Suman.) -2006 Ver. - Beloved Person (Cliché, Sorry.) -2006 Ver.-]:


Here’s the music video:

Ayça - Tesadüfen

What’s kinda cool is that this artist is a violinist in addition to vocalist. I found her music through YouTube surfing. The other day I inexplicably woke up with a Madonna song from Ray of Light stuck in my head, and this song somehow reminds me of the music from that album.
Note: The video has a fancy audio player with HD and links to other songs!

Ayça - Tesadüfen [By Chance]:

Stylo G - Call Mi a Leader

I heard this reggae song at a wedding I attended a week ago. It’s not the kind of music I normally post, but the catchiness can’t be denied. It samples reggae legend Bob Marley’s song “Could You Be Loved.” It was surprising fare for the wedding, since the brother of the groom is a reggae DJ.
Note: HD, o’ course!

Stylo G - Call Mi a Leader: