WOO okay I'm free again to get caught up. Let me send some replies, set the scene, and then begin with A! Probably just A tonight but we'll see
I'll also be sure to get caught up on your guys's best of's too
Some replies!
Quote:
Originally posted by Wicked
The 1975 is good.
Their first album is an abomination though.
LOL yeah I definitely get that, though I really did enjoy some singles from that album.
Quote:
Originally posted by Mr.Link
UGH was okay but The Sound was a bit of a letdown for me. Maybe they're just not my style.
Can't wait for the rest of the list
I feel like UGH is more typical of these guys than The Sound, which is a bit more... intentionally commercial, I suppose. They're not for everyone tho!
Quote:
Originally posted by madonnas
I only just gave them a chance I liked their album but it iS a bit much. i like the Bowie/funky and the shoegaze bits.
I wasn't sure how you'd feel about them - yeah that's pretty much what I like them for too! haha
"If you wanna roll the dice on me, okay, if you think you can afford it, come play, come play"
Song: VEGAS by ABRA
Why: Enjoy this random live video of part of the song because the full thing aint on Youtube
This girl's kind of an up-and-comer, huh? It was a really neat EP and I really enjoy the chorus in particular on VEGAS, so bass-y and kinda reminds me of... maybe Try Again by Aaliyah?
I also enjoyed:
THINKING OF U
CRYBABY
I didn't care for:
BIG BOI
Alex Isley
"Thank you for love, hope, strength, courage... thank you for you."
Song: String of Pearls by Alex Isley
Why: This song is a really cute love song! I enjoy the metaphor of classic love like a string of pearls, to me it elicits a strangely clear image. I've always been cheesy and enjoying of love songs like this though.
I think the album technically came out like ... 29 off December last year, but just ignore that.
I also enjoyed:
La Brea - I really recommend this one! It's so mellow and pretty
It's You - love the bass on this one
Inevitable
I didn't care for:
Everest (interlude) - Eh, the album could have done without it
Alex Newell
"No doubt you wrote me off long ago, but now I won't give up!"
Song: This Ain't Over
Why: Oooooo her voice.... OOOOO SO GOOD! Found out about Alex from her featuring in Collect My Love and gave the EP a listen. Love it! This song is a perfect sassy-empowerment type thing. So good!
I also enjoyed:
B.O.Y.
Nobody to Love - Yeah, the whole "I know you're tired..." endless cover from Bound 2 is a bit... endless, but it really works in this song!
I didn't care for:
Shame
AlunaGeorge
"You keep robbing my heart like a bank, and I've only got myself to thank."
Song: Not Above Love by AlunaGeorge
Why: Eh, yeah I agree with the sophomore slump thing. Honestly though, it's not like their debut album was so revolutionary or anything, so I'm not sure why people are so disappointed.
The reason why I went with this one is because I like that the instrumental is a bit more dynamic and has a pretty good mix of that weird horn thing & drum snares from their new sound with a touch of their older stuff. Plus the fact that it sounds like she's saying "I'm not a butt plug" in the pre-chorus is... just too good.
Fun Fact: I saw these guys/her live back in June and, actually, quite a good show! I mean... it was like 3 songs from the debut, 5 from the new one (that weren't released yet), and a bunch of songs that they're featured on, but it was a fun time! The Jack U song was LIT.
I also enjoyed:
I'm In Control (feat. Popcaan) - now this is tropical house done right. I almost picked this for the #1, it really got me pretty excited for the album, unfortunately.
Full Swing - I like Pell & the chorus gets stuck in my head
Mediator - A true "diamond in the rough" for this album. Kinda reminds me of YDYL
I Remember
I didn't care for:
My Blood - Really disappointing ZHU collab. She sounds like she has food in her mouth & the chorus is so muggy
"I don't know how to reach like you when you get like this, I've been waiting for you to come home."
Song: Little Miss Why So by The Amazing Devil
Why: This was an interesting find. I love the girl singer of this duo from the stuff that she did with Dexys's album in 2012, and somehow came upon this little thing that she and some other dude made. It's cute! It's pretty British folksy I guess you could say.
This song, of course, gives the girl of the two more of the singing part, but they both sing together in sections! Her voice is very pretty and the almost-storytelling aspect of the lyrics draws me in. I love the line "why won't you just tell them all to **** off, love, and be mine."
I also enjoyed:
King - My favorite song that has a pretty equal mix of their voices.
Shower Day
I didn't care for:
Two Minutes
Anderson .Paak
"I choose to follow what the greatest do."
Song: The Bird by Anderson .Paak
Why: This is really embarrassing to say since the album's been out for ages & I really enjoy this song, but I haven't listened to the rest of the album.... smh.
LOVE the production on this song, the trumpets & pianos in particular.
I also enjoyed:
N/A
I didn't care for:
N/A
ANOHNI
"I don't want your future, I'm never, never coming home."
Song: Why Did You Separate Me From the Earth by ANOHNI
Why: I guess you wouldn't really think right away how truly this song is just wishing you weren't alive, but it is! I think the robotic pause in the instrumental halfway through the song before going into the chorus really drills that in before the panging & chirpy electronic sounds.
The album overall I think is great! Very political in a lot of ways with enjoyable & intense electronic backings.
I also enjoyed:
Watch Me - Not a song I listen to with friends, but the whole "CCTV/big brother" concept of this one is really intriguing
4 Degrees - I think this is the first song I really got into with this album.
I didn't care for:
Obama - TRASH I aint even gonna get into it
Ariana Grande
"Somethin' bout you... makes me feel like a dangerous woman (SOMETHIN BOUT, SOMETHIN BOUT, SOMETHIN BOUT U)."
Song: Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande
Why: A WELCOME change from all her upbeat songs that started to all sound the same. Who doesn't love belting that pre-chorus and changing the lyrics to words that don't make sense
aka singing like Ariana normally
??? Plus that meme of Daffy Duck stripping to this song - now that's what it's all about.
The album's pretty good too! Probably her best full body of work so far.
I really thought Aluna's album was disappointing. But yas @ ABRA, Ariana Grande and ANOHNI (but yeah, I agree "Obama" is like, awful. Oneohtrix's production almost makes up for it, but like, no )
"Broken mornings, broken nights and broken days in between."
Song: Conqueror by AURORA
Why: I really did not enjoy this album. Not even in a "I really hate it" way, but it was sooooo boring & I completely forgot about it - outside of this song. It has all the best aspects of those typical "indie pop" (think Broods/Misterwives) songs with a fun, memorable chorus and good use of drums.
I also enjoyed:
N/A
I didn't care for:
N/A (slash the rest of the album)
The Avalanches
"If she don't love me... what can I do?"
Song: Because I'm Me by The Avalanches
Why: THIS SONG IS SO GOOD do I even need to get into why? The HORNS are truly euphoric, the little kiddo singing along, the rapper part, the strings part halfway through, it all really works well! The video is cute too.
The album I actually only listened to really really recently. I wish I listened to it when it came out cause it's so summery. As a whole, the album's pretty great, but there are too many low points for me to really liken it to an album that I really loved.
I also enjoyed:
Subways
Harmony
If I Was a Folk Star
I didn't care for:
Frankie Sinatra - Is this a common opinion though?
Wozard of Iz
Azealia Banks
"Turn the ****in' heat up, DJ play that beat, I wanna party!"
Song: Queen of Clubs by Azealia Banks
Why: Slay-Z was kinda **** wasn't it? Oh well. I really enjoy pretty AB's songs that go ham like this/212/Yung Rapunzxzxel for whatever reason. This one does a good job of being all pretty with the singing, and then the screaming part that brings in that typical EDM build-up, then the BOOM! "Every time I step in the club..." ooooo so good.
I also enjoyed:
Along the Coast - That Kaytranada production tho
Riot
I didn't care for:
Used to Being Alone
And that ends this book! What did you like best of the A's, AND, what I find to be most important, what chapter (or musician) was I missing?
There's already one I have in mind but kinda intentionally didn't include them. Now I promise I will get caught up with the rest of your guys's listings that I haven't replied to yet. See you guys tomorrow for the B's - some of my favorites!
OMG this is a lot of material.
I LOVE Big Boi, I don't really like Tommy Genesis though I think she's kinda corny and gross. ABRA is the future of R&B to me now that PBR&B is completely mainstream.
I liked Slay-Z That's a good choice of song though. Why don't you like Used to Being Alone?
I'm gonna have to check out AlexisIsley now. Thanks.
ABRA big boi is a bop! I don't think slay z was ****, but it wasn't memorable at all. Anohni
I mean I kinda just picked big boi cause it's my least fav, not disliked. Surprised you don't like Anohni!
Quote:
Originally posted by Wicked
Would've liked to see Agnes Obel, Alexandria, A.K. Paul & Alicia Keys.
I'll check em out! A.K. Paul I just kinda didn't check out tho because no album - I'm pretty bad like that. Alicia Keys my coworker really liked her album.
Quote:
Originally posted by MP2K
Loving the A's section so far. Especially Paak, Ariana, and Azealia
Alex Newell seems interesting.
You'd like her! Tho she does only have the 1 EP.
Quote:
Originally posted by madonnas
OMG this is a lot of material.
I LOVE Big Boi, I don't really like Tommy Genesis though I think she's kinda corny and gross. ABRA is the future of R&B to me now that PBR&B is completely mainstream.
I liked Slay-Z That's a good choice of song though. Why don't you like Used to Being Alone?
I'm gonna have to check out AlexisIsley now. Thanks.
I'm really not surprised you like ABRA so much Used to Being Alone, I'm not sure why I don't like it. The bit before the chorus is a bit too samey of her older stuff & I don't like her yelling in the chorus. Just me!
Let me know what you think of Alex Isley!
Quote:
Originally posted by Eeveelution
Obama >>> Why Did You Ruin the Album?
Good choices overall tho!
Surprised you don't like that one and you do like Obama.
Why: I'm surprised that I would ever enjoy Baauer's music after Harlem Shake. Not that it was a bad song, but idk it's not really music you'd listen to just on your own? Aa is a pretty cool album.
BASICALLY, this is probably the best thing M.I.A has been a part of this year. The instrumental is great and I really enjoy the opening.
I also enjoyed:
Way from Me (feat. Tirzah) - I love the distant "way from me" and then weird instrumental, and the slow bit where Tirzah sings a bit
Pinku
I didn't care for:
GoGo!
BABYMETAL
I ain't puttin lyrics on this one lmao
Song: YAVA! by BABYMETAL
Why: I think metal is the one genre that I don't really at all care to branch out to unfortunately, so something like this I really quite enjoyed!
I need to get into more foreign music, so for whatever reason this appealed to me quite a bit.
I also enjoyed:
KARATE
No Rain, No Rainbows - A more stripped down song on the album that I enjoy!
I didn't care for:
N/A
Bad Suns
"Your love is toxic, my heart's collapsing, I'm relapsing, tonight"
Song: Heartbreaker by Bad Suns
Why: I can see if people think they're a bit basic, but I really like a lot of their songs! And, even more so, I can see why people didn't like this new album as much, but I quite like it!
This one in particular is very signature breezy type of thing that I really like from Bad Suns, and the lyrics (as well as the way they're sung) is really cool. I quite like the opening line of champagne.
I also enjoyed:
Patience - Nice cause it's not like the other songs that focus more on lovey dovey stuff
Violet
Daft Pretty Boys
Off She Goes - I think the chorus of this one is my favorite, it's so lowkey emo-happy
I didn't care for:
Even in My Dreams, I Can't Win
Banks
"When I come through, you were dark blue, and I saved you from your darker days."
Song: Trainwreck by Banks
Why: I'm not too sure Banks can make a great full album, but she can really release some awesome songs from her albums! This is probably her most aggressive song and I love that. The production does a great job of backing her intensity as well.
"I know it's not the right way to go, but I pray for the ground to swallow me whole."
Song: Snakes by Bastille
Why: I'm kinda proud of Bastille! His debut was kinda basic (Flaws in particular tho is so good) and this album is pretty cohesive and great! Though it is a bit too long & samey towards the end. PLUS he named his album after the iconic Animal Crossing game, good for him.
I really love this one in particular because it does a pretty good job of using reptiles as a metaphor for anxiety, and the bit right towards the end of the chorus is so fun and jumpy.
I also enjoyed:
Good Grief - The big single, aw yeah
The Currents
Campus - Kind of a carbon copy of Campus by Vampire Weekend, but still good!
Warmth
I didn't care for:
Power
Two Evils
Bat for Lashes
"But what does it mean? The bad things that I've seen."
Song: Joe's Dream by Bat for Lashes
Why: Good album, good narrative, but can get a bit samey/boring towards the end I think. Luckily, Natasha saved some good songs toward the end of the album to keep me interested.
This song is really enjoyable, especially in this moody & rainy season what we're in now. The electric guitar with the light drumming & quiet operatic vocals. Joe's Dream really sets the scene of the story and is an interesting foreboding track that gives the impression that both the bride & the groom already know what is going to be the outcome of this sad wedding.
I also enjoyed:
I Do - I ALMOST put this as my choice because I really really love the song. The amount of times I blasted this before attending my first wedding... too high.
In God's House
Sunday Love
I Will Love Again - Kind of the Joe's Dream of the end of the album (while In Your Bed is... the end of album's I Do?)
I didn't care for:
N/A - Surprisingly! Tho I guess it's more just nothing from the album I consider to be "bad"
Beyonce
"Who the **** do you think I is?!"
Song: Don't Hurt Yourself (feat. Jack White) by Beyonce
Why: A moment that we've all been waiting for... Beyonce's appearance! God, Lemonade is so good isn't it? Such a cohesive album with every track serving a true purpose and having an amazing story line, as well as great collabs. It all really came together (again)!
Don't Hurt Yourself is BY FAR my favorite. The use of anger in a song is so powerful when it's used properly, and Beyonce was not scared to take it too far. The ending line too... chilling. I actually really appreciate Jack's part being played in the song too.
I also enjoyed:
Hold Up - Originally my first favorite from the album, the island beat is so good and the weird lack of care and lots of care is so good. Also the air horns? Priceless.
Daddy Lessons - That country soul OOOOOO Bey
6 Inch (feat. The Weeknd) - Bey playing the part of the Weeknd BETTER than the Weeknd
All Night
I didn't care for:
Forward (feat. James Blake) - Mostly cause I don't like James Blake lmao
Bishop Briggs
"How do we fall in love? Harder than a bullet could hit you."
Song: River by Bishop Briggs
Why: Is this song from something? It's been on my list for a lil while and I feel like it's from something. Well either way, it's a jam!
I also enjoyed:
N/A
I didn't care for:
N/A
Blind Pilot
"You’ve been a forest burning no direction, caught me sleeping smoke in my protection."
Song: Umpqua Rushing by Blind Pilot
Why: Well first off, I have to love the song since it's about a specific place in Northern California so DUH. The song is really quite pretty. It opens the album well and progresses very well. The album is really a good folksy album and very nice.