“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.
“Delirium: A state of violent excitement or emotion.”
AKA, what we all are feeling after listening to Ellie Goulding’s new album Delirium. Pop takes the front seat, and Goulding’s vocals keep a tight grip on the steering wheel. Pulling off a 16-track album is hard (21 on the deluxe version!), but Ellie does it and does it real good. Calling this a comeback is an understatement.
Happy-go-lucky hooks, heavy dance beats, and simple lyrics are Ellie’s forte. She has perfected pop in her own way. But, we knew this was coming. We all felt the electricity of her “Fifty Shades of Grey” contribution, “Love Me Like You Do”, which is also featured on the album. Then she brought back her dance vibe with “On My Mind” and “Something In The Way You Move” and her simplistic beauty on “Army”. Releasing a new single every week for the past month made fans more and more hyped for Delirium.
The secret ingredient behind this album could be from the helping hand of musical genius, Max Martin. Martin helped Goulding on “On My Mind” and also “Love Me Like You Do”. His specialty? Pop. Ever heard of Taylor Swift? Yeah…
Delirium is amazingly upbeat in the coolest ways. A lot of electronic and dance influences are heard. Which is expected from someone who used to date electronic King, Skrillex, and who’s worked alongside dance demolishers, Diplo and Calvin Harris.
Photo: fuse.tv
“Codes” is radio ready any day now. Everyone can relate to this song, Ellie just makes it possible to dance to our confusing feelings. “Stop talking in codes, let me know what’s up…I need a love to celebrate,” is sung in a punchy tone as the chorus slowly becomes engraved into your skull. “Don’t Need Nobody” is on the same jam-level. It could easily be a club banger. We hear Ellie a lot harder than we’ve heard her before. A sick hip-hop sound proves she can really get down. “Nobody” is simple lyrically but the musicality is on-point with today’s music scene. While, “Don’t Panic” touches more on Ellie’s dance side, taking hints from pop/dance experts like, Walk the Moon.
A standout gem on the album is, “Army” written about Goulding’s best friend she met in college. She let her fans know why she wrote this song and how much it means to her by a post on her Instagram when the song was released.
“Army” is guided by a guitar in the beginning but slowly builds into a glorious ballad providing gospel-like lyrics: “When I’m with you, I’m standing with an army.” Goulding’s vocals are in their usual pretty wavering state as she climbs into the nooks and crannies of every single note in the most facile way. This is definitely my new favorite ballad by Ellie. Hello, wedding song, anyone?? Another emotional yet upbeat song is “Lost and Found” reminiscent of something you would hear on an old Fleetwood Mac album. Proof that Goulding still knows how to keep things light and fun.
Watch this live version of “Army” performed at Abbey Road Studios.
Delirium is a big YES. Cheers Ellie, you’ve managed to knock my socks off yet again.
Sometimes you just find music that completely speaks to you. That’s what it felt like when I found Ta-Ku. I was like ummmm, where have you been all my life? (stuffs chocolate and wine into my open mouth as I listen to Songs to Make Up To). It’s an eclectic mix that I’m sure only certain people are into but there’s one thing you can’t deny; it’s beauty. These are love songs and they are mind-blowingly good.
Ta-Ku is a musician from Perth, Australia. He started back in 2011 with an EP titled KT. His most recent album, Songs to Make Up To, serves almost as a sequel to Songs to Break Up To, which was released in 2013. When I heard these two, I thought it was the coolest thing I’ve ever heard. The songs truly live up to the title in the craziest ways. Both keeping an electronic/R&B based sound with incredible musicality. Songs to Break Up To, could almost be playing in the background as a couple fights about how they don’t make time for each other anymore, or how he’s never home for dinner, or she’s always late. The intense musical elements spark visuals in your brain, almost as if you could create your own music video just from listening.
photo via uproxx.com
Songs to Make Up To, is even more delightful to listen to. The song names are a true indication of what magic is about to happen: “Hopeful”, “Love Again”, “Trust Me”, “Long Time, No See”, “Sunrise/Beautiful”, “Fall4You”, “Work In Progress”, and “Down For You”. Every song makes you think of beautiful things in life and that’s how they make you feel too.
One thing that makes Ta-Ku different is that his style is unpredictable, a song can shift into something completely separate from what you just heard and it still cohesively fits together somehow; it’s incredible. “Love Again” (Feat. JMSN & Sango) is a clear masterpiece off this album. Repetitive piano chords, intoxicating vocals, and a clap beat dances in your brain making you want to make up with someone, ANYONE. The song, spanning over 5 minutes is borderline heavenly. Not to mention, the dope hip-hop drag at the end making it a true Ta-Ku song. Most songs are led with no or minimal vocals and it totally works, which is a skill in itself.
Check out this live performance of “Love Again”:
The truth is, I have too many good things to say about Ta-Ku and the way he’s building his music. It’s intricate, intoxicating, powerful, and immensely captivating. Something every artist should be trying to achieve. Touché to you Ta-Ku. Cheers to being a delicious musical force.
With rhythm like Miguel, a voice like Frank Ocean, and lyrics like Chet Faker, Michael Blume has created his own path that is new age and worth hearing.
After the release of his first single, “Manufactured Love” I knew I would be in love with this man; I was right. His natural vibrato-infused voice ignites a musical fire inside your soul. Everything about him is hypnotizingly cool. Once you start listening, you can’t stop.
His latest single, “Colors” is slightly more upbeat than his previous. “All of the colors are bleeding from my head, all the colors paint a picture in my head,” are the poetic lyrics heard on this pretty tune. Blume blends R&B beats with alternative lyrics and melodies to create something extremely unique. “Colors” resembles a relationship which includes mistakes, drunk texting, imperfections, and much more. The song builds to a gorgeous outro sung by a heavenly choir. Music just doesn’t get any better than this.
Key Item: Layering neutrals with a classic leather jacket
Key Materials: Neutrals
Shoe Situation: Classic black Converse
photo via facebook.com
“R U MINE (SteLouse Remix)” is a lyrically driven dance track. The vocals are feminine and captivating. Rozes sings, “I’m terrified to tell you what’s on my mind, but it eats me up, there’s a reason why I keep it all inside.” “MINE” couldn’t be more beautiful especially the heavenly chorus, pounding beat and don’t forget that DROP. Thick bass plague’s this song in the most appealing way. Verses almost serve as hymns to a story about confusion and insecurity in a relationship. Pleading vocals truly make this song as epic as it is. It’s becoming more and more clear that lyrically driven dance tunes make a serious mark in the heads of music fans.
photo via facebook.com
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