Didn't know Boys Latin had a video. Gotta check it out!
Pell
“Stuck in the web of your lies...”
Song: Cafe Du Monde by Pell
Why: Pell was a random discovery of mine. When his album, Limbo, came out, there was an ad on Spotify about a new album that was produced by Dave Sitek. This naturally interested me and I loved the album! Thanks Spotify.
This song is one of the more intense ones on the album. It's a story-telling rap song which I always love, about a mother and a son in a family who both are telling lies that are kinda ruining their lives. The son's is about acting that he's hot **** when he isn't and the mother is cheating on her husband and wants to leave him. I didn't include the video, but it's told well in the video. It's as intense as the song. Check it out!
Check Out: Monday Morning is a good one. Also Incomplete, Almighty Dollar, and Sandlot
Avoid: None!
Penguin Prison
“Now I'm calling, calling out your name... whenever you want me.”
Song: Calling Out by Penguin Prison
Why: God isn't Penguin Prison a great name for a musician? I really like it. It was part of why I checked this guy out. I also liked him on Hollywood by RAC with the bit of funk in the song and his voice.
This song is basically funky goodness. His voice sounds great and the pianos and random kid's chorus in the song are also a great touch. The best part of the song is when the final chorus kicks in and the bass does some subtle and slick riffs, particularly at the "whenever you want me" part. So good.
Check Out: His song with RAC, Hollywood. From this album, Never Gets Old and Laughing on the Floor
Avoid: Stop Moving and In the Woods
Phases
“Come and lose yourself a little while. Take a chance and let your body move!”
Song: I'm In Love with My Life by Phases
Why: Cute song from a cute album. Nothing more!
Check Out: Silhouette and New Illusion. The girl actually kinda sounds like Madonna on a few songs.
Avoid: Vertigo is way too loud, Running Away, Take Me There
“Now I'm four five seconds from WAHLEH. And we've got three more dehs till FriDEH, I'm just tryna make it back home ba MONDEH mornih I SWEAR I wish somebody would tell meh, ooh das all I wan!”
Song: FourFiveSeconds by Rihanna & Ye & 1 Beetle
Why: Yes this song deserves its own post. Yes I know I'm not the biggest Rihanna fan and I'm giving this song a lot of attention. Yes she had other **** last year. BUT I DON'T CARE. Let me just go on a rant for a minute.
The song starts and you're hear the guitar for the first second and before you can do "what, is this even a Rihanna song?" she croons "AH THINK AH HAD ENUF!" right into your ear and you're just SHOCKED like what the hell is going on. The song keeps going Rihanna's verse and you take in that it's a weird indie rock guitar ballad or something? The line "all of my kindness is taken for weakness" has gone on to become the quote for all assholes everywhere who think that they're nice but aren't.
Then the anthemic chorus kicks in for the first time. I swear, whenever the song comes on everyone will be screaming along with Riri, even if you literally have no idea what half of what she's saying means. What's a wah-wey? Oh wilding? Still don't get it. And she's not even trying to hide that Bajan accent or anything.
Kanye's part comes and he's not even singing or rapping. He's literally doing a mix of talking and yelling at you. Yet... it works. His entire existence on the song is just to be aggressive for really no reason, but again, it works!
THEN the song stops halfway through just so Rihanna can go on a ****ing soliloquy with church organs playing in the background, again, about stuff that you don't really know what the hell she's talking about. But she's going between crooning and softly singing just like in the verses. Back-up singing for herself. Like what song just stops halfway through for something like that?
Kanye continues to be generally aggressive as Paul plays along on that lil acoustic guitar and you get to hear the chorus a few more times before it abruptly ends. The fact that it ends with no gratification makes your brain go "well time to listen to it again!" and BAM you're back at square one.
If you know me I really don't care much for the big pop girls or whatever (only really Bey and Shakira have been girls that I've consistently enjoyed), but FFS is just... too great. And FFS is also an abbreviation for "for ****'s sake" and I type it out in frustration sometimes and then I get happy again because I'm like "ahh I'm also saying FourFiveSeconds." Rihanna's fanbase sleeps on this song so much, still. Rihanna's fanbase doesn't even DESERVE this song!
“On my way to work, I said your name again, again today.”
Song: Tell You (Today) by Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique
Why: Speaking of songs/things that aren't appreciated by their fanbase, it would be Robyn's collab EP/mini album of the year, which has become a bit of an annual thing for her.
How can you not love this song! It's just such a cute, upbeat song with whistles, grooves, pianos, random loud horn sections, and just overall happiness and joy. It's even placed as the last song on the EP, which makes it even more charming and a satisfying close to the EP.
Check Out: Got to Work it Out just barely missed making the spot. I love it so much. Those vocals taken straight from an Eiffel 65 thrown into this song that makes me feel like going to the gym (but I won't lol). Honestly, the other songs are great too.
Avoid: None!
Roisin Murphy
“The devil's work is made by idle hands.”
Song: Evil Eyes by Roisin Murphy
Why: Hey do you wanna know how I always remember to spell her name. I think of raisin and replace the a with an o. Raisin Roisin. Can't be bothered to add the accents even though I know how to.
This was another tough pick between this and another song, but I ultimately went with Evil Eyes. I went with this one mainly because it grew on me a lot since the album first came out. I didn't dislike it originally, I just went from liking it to absolutely loving it.
The progression of the song is probably my favorite song progression of the year. The subtle inclusion of certain instruments in certain parts of the song as it goes up and down is so great. The song is just mystifying overall, and has great lyrics to match. Particularly around the one minute and the 4:25 marks are both great.
Overall regarding Roisin, I've always liked her and like this album. Ruby Blue is still my favorite from her, but Hairless Toys is good! If you don't like it just move on and listen to her older stuff! She's got a huge discography of music (obviously counting Moloko come on), so just stop complaining and listen to that stuff.
Check Out: Unputdownable was the song I was going to put rather than Evil Eyes, but decided against. I think Roisin works best with simple love songs (hence why her debut is my favorite solo album) and using the metaphor of a lover as a good book is a very mature and sweet way to convey your love to someone. Gone Fishing I've always loved. House of Glass is great, particularly once it becomes this crazy jam. Exploitation I really like, but probably should have been trimmed down to a 5-6 minute song rather than an 9+ minute one.
Avoid: Hairless Toys (Gotta Hurt [My Ears]). And I don't dislike Exile, but I like it marginally less than when the album first came out. And my dad thinks she sounds like a man on it lol.
Why: Royce Wood Junior was such a great find for me this year, alongside Emily King. He's been on my radar since last year with his release of his single Midnight, so I was overjoyed to see his debut album finally come out. It was also nice to realize that he had been producing for musicians I've enjoyed in the past, such as Jamie Woon (who actually features on his album under an obvious pseudonym).
I can't even describe why I like Clanky Love to much. The piano and guitar playing alongside each other go together like PB&J. His voice sounds great, and not even in the conventional "he could be on the Voice" way (not sure if this makes sense). The heavy guitar solo on the end isn't everyone's favorite, but it's such a great touch and I love it.
Seriously, check out this dude's album, The Ashen Tang.
Check Out: Bees is a fantastic, funky, sweet, beautiful song with one of the best breakdowns towards the end of the song that I've heard in a long time. Honeydripper is dirty in all the right ways. Midnight is a big favorite for most people and I like it too. Stand is also very nice, as well as Jodie (which Jamie features on).
Avoid: None.
Rudimental
“Slow and steady always wins the race.”
Song: Breathe (feat. Lianne La Havas) by Rudimental
Why: Rudimental have had a definite handful of fantastic songs on their two albums, and then a lot of boring songs. Funny enough, the MNEK songs from the debut were my favorites from that album and now the Lianne songs from this album are my favorite.
Not much to say about why I like this song. It's another funky and horn-filled track and Lianne sounds great alongside some random, deep male voice.
Check Out: Needn't Speak is the other with Lianne and it's also a good one.
Avoid: Eh I mean don't bother with the album really.
Ryn Weaver
“I'm a fool for you.”
Song: The Fool by Ryn Weaver
Why: Ryn's album wasn't good and she gets pretty fairly placed with the likes of Hasley and Mehlanie, but she actually had some good songs on her album and OctaHate continues to be a fantastic song.
The Fool is the pretty-good title track that has the clearest Passion Pit influence that works for her rather well. That's about it! Oh yeah, the breakdown is nice (again, Passion Pit influence).
Check Out: OctaHate obviously. Also Stay Low and I think Traveling Song is really sad, but maybe because I can relate to it.
Avoid: The rest of the album. I remember really hating the opening song in particular.
There's a whole lot of content here. Nice to see FFS appreciation though. The Fool doesn't get enough attention either it seems. It was alright but pretty forgettable.
Rudimental's Breathe was one of my favorites. Definitely a groovy vibe there.
Sorry for the lack of updates! Been a busy week, but I hope to roll out as much of this as quickly as I can from here on out. After S and T it'll be pretty easy to finish.
Replies to you amazing peeps!
Bloomers: Yes I knew we had the similar love and appreciation for all of FFS. And YES at you loving Clanky Love. Definitely check out his full album I just LOVE IT.
Tom: The Fool is definitely forgettable. Some good stuff on there and not as bad as the Halsey type but really not great overall. I remember you posting a bit of Rudimental in your rate. I don't LOVE them but they can make some good jams.
MP2K: Robyn's lil EP actually grew on me so I can see what you mean, but I have loved the two tracks I talked about ever since it came out. Shocked you know about Pell as well! (lol) and I agree with The Fool (outside of a small handful of tracks).
Ashlee: I actually didn't realize they did because their song shows up on my iTunes as Rudimental & him so I never saw the song.
Vilppu: Glad you caught that. And most of the lil pic jokes. I was listening to some mash-up that had Paramore on it and her vocals actually kinda remind me of Halsey and I nearly had a panic attack. Don't mind their music though as much as that post may show.
Pedro: Yay I'm glad you think so too! I love the way she says the chorus in particular.
is for... Science.
The number of musicians starting with the letter S is 11!
“I've got no air in my lungs, got no bones in my body, there's nothing left inside of me.”
Song: Nothing But a Heartbeat by Say Lou Lou
Why: I really need to give these girls another chance. I listened to their album like once and completely forgot about it. When I revisited it a tiny bit I liked a few songs. So idk we'll see.
I mean I'll be honest the main reason I picked this one was cause I remember it having a cool music video. The song was a highlight from the album before though.
Check Out: I remember Games for Girls being another great one.
Avoid: Idk
Seinabo Sey
“I'll wear the smile you gave me.”
Song: Poetic by Seinabo Sey
Why: I've listened to Pretend about 3 times. The first time I thought it was pretty good. The second time I was like "hmm I only really like a handful of songs." The time after I realized she's one of those musicians whose voice I like more than the actual music, which is a shame.
However this one is one of the few I like on the album. I like the piano and soft drum beat backing Seinabo's great voice and the lyrics are really sweet too. Definitely her best "newer" song.
Check Out: Younger I still really like. Who is a good one as well.
Avoid: Easy is the only one I outright really don't like. Most of the rest was just kinda meh.
Sexwitch
“You may as well put yourself in the grave now!”
Song: Helelyos (Iran) by Sexwitch
Why: So if you don't know Sexwitch is a project between Bat for Lashes and some other musicians to do covers (I think they're all covers) of songs from different parts of the world.
I kinda thought the EP would sound different for being a project called Sexwitch, but it was mostly good. I like this one because it's really groovy and Natasha seems to fit the track really well. The bass and the bongos are cool. I wonder if she'll release a new album this year...
“If I'm a demon, baby you're the beast that made me.”
Song: Demon by Shamir
Why: Shamir had a pretty good album! Ratchet is kind of a... questionable title for an album, especially a debut, but the album is definitely a good one.
Demon is a pretty vulnerable song on a record of boasting about yourself, and general upbeat electro-jams. It even has some potentially awkward lyrics along with it that you'd think don't work for a musician like Shamir, but they do! The chilling synths in the production and the random voice in the background are nice touches too.
Check Out: Head in the Cloud is definitely my #2 favorite and I think it's really underrated. I also like In for the Kill and Call it Off
Avoid: Really unpopular opinion but On the Regular has kinda always annoyed me. Well the production is cool but idk. The only track I actually kinda dislike is the random bonus song? I feel like Shamir doesn't work great paired with acoustic music, or maybe the song just isn't great.
Shy Girls
“I know just what you're aiming for...”
Song: Renegade by Shy Girls
Why: This dude had a FANTASTIC EP that came out back in 2013 but I didn't learn about until 2014. He release a lil mixtape last year with people on it you may recognize (Tei Shi, Junglepussy) and it was pretty good, even if nothing stuck with me like the songs from the EP. He mostly does that atmospheric R&B type of pop I guess you could classify it as. Pretty sexy stuff in general.
I went with this one because I appreciate the steady and mellow feel of the song before it goes into the chorus with the "modern/trap" production. His voice sounds great as well and Shy Girls sounds perfect with these really sexy songs. It's the second song, and it gives a lot of insight into the rest of the mixtape.
Check Out: From his mixtape, the Tei Shi track (Arrest Me) is a good one, also Clean Cut. From his EP, I really like Second Heartbeat and Voyeur's Gaze.
Avoid: --
Sleater-Kinney
“I was numb from the greed.”
Song: Price Tag by Sleater-Kinney
Why: I think this album + comeback was kinda overrated, and I've kinda always thought these guys are overrated which is a shame because I've tried to like them a lot in the past. Maybe it'll click sometime.
However, I do enjoy the opener a good amount. I think it has a good punk vibe to it and the heavy guitar is pretty great.