“Sweet Creature” is going to be one of those songs that serves as a hidden gem in Harry Styles’ discography years and years from now. Fans will say “Oh, I remember this one. It’s one of my favorites.” I will be among those fans. Styles’ shift from boy band to solo man has been fascinating to watch. He’s adapted to a new sound that accentuates every part of him like we’ve never seen/heard before.
If “Sign of the Times” was a proclamation, this is a handwritten letter dripping in perfume and sealed with a red kiss. Accompanied by just a guitar and backing vocals, “Creature” still feels so full, even boisterous. “Sweet creature, sweet creature, wherever I go, you bring me home.” A love story we’ve heard many times before; “We don’t know where we’re going, but we know where we belong.” Folk chords pluck against Styles’ roller coaster notes for almost a full four minutes.
Referring to love as a “creature” only further defines love as sometimes good and sometimes bad. A genius reference only a poet could make work. People will soon realize, this is who Harry Styles really is. If Hozier and Mumford and Sons had a baby, it would be the new Harry we’re seeing today. Confident in his sound; making music for the soul, not for the banks.
Last Wednesday marked the official return of the pop/punk band Paramore. For fans everywhere, this day has been a long time in the making. It’s been four years since their self-titled album, Paramore (“Still Into You”, “Ain’t It Fun”) was crushing the radio waves. As a diehard fan since my high school days, I sat at my desk at my big girl adult job and teared up knowing that my favorite band was back with new music.
Image via nytimes.com
They dropped their first single, “Hard Times”, the accompanying music video, an album tracklist AND release date (May 12). Not to mention, the first leg of their TOUR. Paramore went from behind the scenes to front and center stage in a matter of hours. You could almost hear the twenty-something old school Paramore fans grabbing their hi-top Converse and rifling through dresser drawers to find the perfect Hot Topic tee.
“Hard Times” is as fresh as it gets. It feels like the right transition coming after the electronically driven Paramore. The rock sound is still there deep down, but the surface is lighter, more eclectic. One thing that always remains the same is the music. It’s always honest and it’s always good. Although the band has had their fair share of complicated drama, they continue to remain driven to make only the best for their fans. “Times” is actually a dark song, but it’s one you can dance to in your kitchen for hours on end.
The music video explodes and becomes an epic retro pop collage. Think Saved by the Bell meets Mario Kart; inventive yet right on trend. Williams is her usual expressive self (minus the new bleached hair). The Mississippi native trades in her headbangs for head bops as she twirls around arms wide open to a new tropical pop beat. A tri-theme remains prevalent throughout the video as we also saw in the 2013 video treatment for “Still Into You.” Welcoming back OG member, Zac Farro, the three seem to finally all be on the same artistic page.
The four-year hiatus was a pivotal moment for the band. In a recent interview with The New York Times, lead singer Hayley Williams said, “I didn’t even know if we were going to make another record. There was a moment when I didn’t even want it to happen. Then it was like, I want it to happen, but I don’t know how we’re going to do it.” Williams often feels inspired by adulthood as we heard several times on Paramore (“Grow Up”, “Last Hope”). “Times” follows suit. The chorus rings, “hard times, gonna make you wonder why you even try, hard times, gonna take you down and laugh when you cry.” A call & response element adds to the never ending appeal of Paramore’s sound. One we can’t wait to hear more of.
Paramore’s new album, After Laughter will be released May 12.
“Heavenbound” is that song at the end of the movie that finally makes the last tear roll down your glistening cheek. You think about it for days after and then add it to your “cry” playlist on Spotify. Some night, you’ll go back, listen to it, and feel those same feelings all over again.
Much like M83, Jónsi, and others, Mt. Wolf takes music and makes it bigger. It becomes more than music, it becomes a moment. “Heavenbound” walks us through this moment. The sounds mirror landscapes while the vocals remind you of hymns. Lead singer, Sebastian “Bassi” Fox’s deep voice tells a story of life, specifically the end. Backup vocals echo brilliantly throughout while a pounding beat drives the song home to heaven’s gates.
Fox told Yahoo! News, he listens to a lot of soundtracks and instrumental music, such as, Hans Zimmer, Nils Frahm, Ólafur Arnalds and Joep Beving. Other favorite artists are The National (who they mirror quite well), Bon Iver and Joy Division.
The band has a big year ahead and can’t wait to play more music for their fans; “It’s pretty amazing now that we get to play to a crowd of people we don’t know – it means a lot to know that they’re there solely for the music.”
Mt.Wolf’s debut album, Aetherlight comes out May 26.
The sun is out, flowers are bloomed, and music is blasting out car windows. Some of these artists are featured on my spring playlist. Check them out!
Image via hiphopstoners.com
Njomza has somehow captivated me. Her sound is so beyond unique. It’s the future of pop. Top track, “sad for you” is hauntingly beautiful highlighting a broken heart. Her vocals are breath-y perfection like a warm breeze in June. Pulling various musical genres out on “baggage” this Chicago native marries R&B, pop, and jazz in such a cohesive way that you crave more. She’s one to watch.
Image via phoenixnewtimes.com
The Maine have somehow managed to continue to pump out dope rock/alt you can’t get out of your head. Their latest album, Lovely Little Lonely is a true homage to that sound. Tracks like “I Only Wanna Talk To You” and “Black Butterflies and Deja Vu” show the emotion behind rock that we often forget about. Lead singer, John O’Callaghan continues to tell romantic stories in his classic sultry fashion.
Image via bbc.co.uk
Sam Gellaitry makes you feel like you’re in a movie. Looking out a rainy car window, walking down a crowded street, watching a couple dance in a dark club. Gellaitry’s latest EP titled, Escapism ||| takes over your mind. “Acres” feels fresh, while “Jungle Waters” feels enchanting.
Image via globaldanceelectronic.com
The Chainsmokers have finally released the full length album their fans have been waiting for. Although, Memories…Do Not Open is a little bit of a slower sound than the boys started out with, it still serves some serious heat. Singer, Emily Warren takes the lead on a couple tracks showing off her unique voice. “My Type” is a huge standout on the album with an elegant piano accompaniment and an incredible EDM drop we all needed to hear. R&B vet, Jhene Aiko also steals the show on “Wake Up Alone” keeping her sound while infusing a little bit of Chainsmoker serum…
Image via hiphop-n-more.com
Frank Ocean knows how to keep fans guessing. After the surprise release of his album, Blonde last August, people are wondering, will Ocean release another album this year? His latest single, “Biking” is an upbeat jam following in the footsteps of the trendy “Chanel” released in early March. “Biking” features a rap verse from Jay-Z and some jabs from Tyler the Creator. Only time will tell what’s next.
“I’m waiting for it, that green light, I want it” marks Lorde’s return to pop radio. Spreading her anthemic breakup tune, “Green Light” accompanied by a joyous music video starring herself swirling through a city at night in a tight pink dress feeling a multitude of emotions.
Piano is the biggest element in this song. Starting as a ballad, the message quickly spreads into something more uplifting. The pre-chorus holds a silver lining element; “But I hear sounds in my mind, brand new sounds in my mind.” Clearly about a breakup, Lorde says, “The song is really about those moments kind of immediately after your life changes and about all the silly little things that you gravitate towards.” The singer manages to keep a low profile concerning her personal life but made “Green Light” something that millions will understand. She imagines a drunk girl embodying this song, saying, “This is that drunk girl at the party dancing around crying about her ex-boyfriend who everyone thinks is a mess. That’s her tonight and tomorrow she starts to rebuild.”
Her most recent single takes on a more somber tone. “Liability” is an ode to self-love as the inevitability of life can sometimes be overwhelming. In her case, being a superstar can scare people away; “The truth is I am a toy, that people enjoy, til all of the tricks don’t work anymore, and then they are bored of me.” She explains the love she has for herself and how she tries to please herself as best she can, referring to herself as a “forest fire.” Only backed by a subtle piano, Lorde’s voice wavers on an array of notes making you feel like you’re going up and down a never ending staircase. Piggy-backing off the breakup essence of “Green Light,” rebirth, will be an obvious theme on the upcoming album.
Watch a live performance of “Liability” on Saturday Night Live this past weekend, here.
Lorde’s album, Melodrama will be available June 16
Music blogger 