Month: November 2015

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Who You Need: Bryson Tiller

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on Who You Need: Bryson Tiller
bryson tiller
image: kickrocs.com

Name: Bryson Tiller

From: Louisville, KY

Genre: Rap, Hip-hop, R&B

Popular Songs: “Overtime”, and “Don’t”

Discography: Debut album; Trapsoul released Oct. 1 2015

Bryson-Tiller-Exchange

 

If you’ve seen Kylie Jenner’s quick Snapchat vids of her lip-syncing lately, it’s probably to a Bryson Tiller song. I looked him up and fell in love. Hot damn, Tiller can SING.

He has perfected R&B with subtle rap and hip-hop elements making Trapsoul the perfect soundtrack to your love life. Each song is just as sultry as the next; keeping a mellow vibe. “So gimme all of you in exchange for me, just give me all of you in exchange for me, for me,” Tiller croons on “Exchange.” He blends poetic melodies with explicit rap content in a way that makes you appreciate rap as musical art. The swearing is subtle and adds a slight edge to his music.

Standout track, “Don’t” starts out with a spooky intro, then the bass kicks in as Tiller sweetly sings, “Don’t, don’t play with her don’t be dishonest.” The song talks about sweeping a girl off her feet and taking her away from the man who doesn’t treat her right. Ummmmm… yes please? Whether you’re enjoying a chill wine night at home or out on a fun date night, Bryson Tiller is the perfect sound.

 

Abbey

Twitter: @bloggingblondie

Instagram: Blondieandthebeat  

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Best Gaga Songs You Forgot About

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on Best Gaga Songs You Forgot About

In honor of Lady Gaga’s return to stardom as the sultry and mysterious vampire Countess on American Horror Story: Hotel, I thought it would be fun to revisit her music career and some of the best Gaga songs you might have forgot existed.

gif: giphy.com
gif: giphy.com

“Beautiful, Dirty, Rich” – One of my favorites off her electric ultra pop debut, The Fame.

“Monster” – From, The Fame Monster. The lyrics are hilarious and the dance beat gets trapped in your head for days.

“So Happy I Could Die” – This chorus is crazy addicting and the hip-hop infused snaps give off the coolest vibes. Also on, The Fame Monster.

“Black Jesus + Amen Fashion” – I’ve always loved this one and thought it should’ve got more recognition. The lyrics are insanely unique. From her provocative and experimental album, Born This Way.

“Government Hooker” – One of the raciest songs off, Born This Way. For some reason this beat is crazy infectious. Gaga punchily shouts, “Yeah you’re my hooker, government hooker.” My mom never liked when I played this one…

“Swine” – Definitely one of the hardest Gaga songs to date, with help from EDM master, Zedd, how could this not be fire? The build up to the drop is as hard as a dance beat can get. This song has been on my workout playlist ever since I first heard it and that’s where it’ll stay. People underestimate how dope Gaga can get. Featured on her last album, ArtPop.

“G.U.Y” – This is just a fun song to sing along to. It’s a generous mix of electro pop/EDM with sexy lyrics and sultry vocals. One of the best off of ArtPop.

“Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” – Just in case you’re a die-hard fan, I’m sure you were jamming to Cheek to Cheek, because I was. Gaga’s voice was absolutely angelic on this one. Such a classic jazz song that we can appreciate even now in 2015.

Although Gaga is on a break from her singing career, I’m sure she’ll be back in no time to shock us once again with her unpredictable musicality and artistic vision.

Abbey

Twitter: @bloggingblondie

Instagram: Blondieandthebeat  

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Music Monday’s: Adventure of A Lifetime

by Blondie and the Beat2 Comments on Music Monday’s: Adventure of A Lifetime

Adventure of A Lifetime

Key Item: Asymmetrical sweater

Key Materials: Cozy grey knits

Shoe Situation: All white Adventure of A Lifetime

image via: player.spotify.com
image via: player.spotify.com

Coldplay cranks up the gorgeous magic on their latest single, “Adventure of A Lifetime” a Daft Punk/Alt-esque song. Martin’s voice soars, as usual as he sings, “You make me feel like i’m alive again, alive again!” A reoccurring guitar riff flows through the song making you bop your head in-sync. Coldplay always delivers a powerful message, and “Lifetime” is no different; “And if we’ve only got this life, In this adventure, then, I want to share it with you.” The song becomes addicting (as most Coldplay songs do) and the chill vibe is strong. Martin recently told KROQ that “Adventure of A Lifetime” is, “Just the way we’re feeling at the moment…last year we made this record called Ghost Stories which was very intimate and personal—it was more about how to deal with difficult feelings and how to alchemize them. And part of learning that journey was that at the end of it you get to a more joyful place. So some of that is really coming through on this album.” I can’t wait to hear what’s next!

Abbey & Seth

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Who You Need: Alessia Cara

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on Who You Need: Alessia Cara
image: whycauseican.com
image: whycauseican.com

The truth is, I saw her potential the second I heard “Here”. I watched her homemade YouTube videos showing off her high school bedroom, her little brother jokingly chasing her through the streets, and a heavy amount of silly lip-syncing. Alessia Cara is here and she’s as real as it gets. Her music is a classy mix of Meghan Trainor and Lorde; destined for success. Her debut album Know-It-All is a grand entrance into the intricate mind of Ms. Cara.

Cara started Know-It-All when she was 17. “I think it’s just the story of what a teenager’s life is like, and with that comes themes of rebellions, confusion, and vulnerability, and I think that that comes through in in all of the songs,” Cara told 103.7 The Q.

image: dayandadream.com
image: dayandadream.com

A stripped down version of “Here” is featured on the deluxe version of this album. It’s much darker, guided only by a piano as Cara’s vocals perform impeccable runs to the lyrics about a sh***y night out with “friends”. After hearing this, I will never listen to the original again.

Her wavering alto-toned voice graces every track in the spunkiest ways. Upbeat bouncy tracks like, “Seventeen”, “Outlaws”, and “Four Pink Walls” make you feel nostalgic for your high school days trapped in your bedroom finishing your math homework and wondering what you’ll do with the rest of your life.

“Stone”, an acoustic ballad, provides lyrics that sound straight out of a scribbled in, slightly worn diary. Cara’s voice sweetly sings, “And I will follow where this takes me, and my tomorrows long to be unknown, when all is shaken, be my safety.” “Stars” is another beautiful ballad expressing young love in the purest form.

Know-It-All is the young adult CD every 16-22 year old needs. It has everything you want and more. A solid debut start to finish from someone who was meant to be in this business.

Abbey

Twitter: @bloggingblondie

Instagram: Blondieandthebeat

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Music Monday’s: Better

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on Music Monday’s: Better
Better

Key Item: Gold shirt

Key Materials: Ripped Denim

Shoe Situation: All black Vans

Accessory Must: Gold So Real Dior sunnies

image via: gigwise.com
image via: gigwise.com

“I can love you better than she can,” are the words achingly sung from Banks’ quivering lips as she serenades her coven of fans with her newest single, “Better”. I know I preach a lot about Banks, because I think she is one of the most iconic and unique faces in the music industry right now. NOTHING can be compared to Banks. I will wave her flag forever. Accompanied by a visually stunning music video where Banks’ body is donned in rough gold makeup as she cries out every single lyric. “Better” is nothing without her insanely magnetic vocals. Her raspy voice tells a compelling story as backup vocals chant for dramatic effect against a subtle smooth electro sound until the chorus hits and you feel a massive explosion. “Better” makes you step back and say “Woah, this is seriously something.” You need a moment to process what you just heard. The raw emotion is overwhelmingly alluring; one of Banks’ specialties.

Abbey & Seth