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NMF Picks!

by Blondie and the Beat2 Comments on NMF Picks!

“Still Got Time” – Zayn feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR

Zayn follows in the footsteps of Drake and many others by catching onto the tropical vibe plaguing most pop/r&b lately. “Stop looking for love, girl you’re young you still got time,” creeps out of Zayn’s mouth as the beat pounds on in the background. Worthy of a beach party at sunset. Summer? Is that you?

 

“Wicked” – Mansionz feat. G-Eazy

Mike Posner and Blackbear team up for their new album MANSIONZ with a pop hit ready for the airwaves. A retro beat guides this song into a synth dream about a dangerous woman. “Wicked” opens with Posner’s infamous falsetto crooning, “Keep your distance from her.” Bear’s voice wavers effortlessly throughout each verse.

“Are You Happy” – Bipolar Sunshine

“Tell me, are you happy?” is a question we all need to hear. Sunshine provides an anthemic tune you can’t help but bop your head to. “Happy” makes you feel strong and powerful. A gospel choir adds to the emotional effect of the song. He said on Twitter, “It’s all about elevation and facing fears together…to show people your weaknesses is what makes us human.”

 

“Still Not Over You” – Klyne

Tweaked falsetto takes the lead in this one, making “Over You” a magical electronic force to be reckoned with. Repeating synths line the chorus making you wish you had a disco ball to dance under. Trickles of a keyboard touch the ending undertones of “You” as impressive vocal harmonies infiltrate the ending. Klyne leaves a major impression with this one.

 

“Ascension” – Gorillaz feat. Vince Staples

Just when you thought you had the perfect gym playlist. Gorillaz drop a pure heater with rapper Vince Staples. Accompanied by a rapid fire dance beat and a backup gospel choir, this song is a volcanic eruption of chaos. If you don’t feel like running a marathon while listening, then you’re doing it wrong.

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Queen Lorde

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on Queen Lorde

 

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Image via theconcordian.com

“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

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Music, Music News, New blog post, New music

Coldplay’s “Hypnotised”

by Blondie and the Beat1 Comment on Coldplay’s “Hypnotised”
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After their Chainsmokers collab hit the web, Coldplay has been a hot topic on everyone’s minds. The band just announced their new EP coming June 2, titled Kaleidoscope EP. With just five songs (including the EDM-assisted “Something Just Like This”) the band never ceases to stop creating.

Tracklist:

1. All I Can Think About Is You
2. Something Just Like This
3. Miracles 2
4. A L I E N S
5. Hypnotised

Leader of the pack, Chris Martin, gave fans a tease into what we can expect from this short collection. “Hypnotised” is the first track we hear. Piano notes twinkle throughout the over five minute track bringing that special je ne said quo to life. Martin’s voice is low-key, reminiscient of their early days with songs like, “Sparks” and “In My Place.”

“Hypnotised” is a rebirth of some sort. Finding refuge in someone who resembles love; “Now I’m hyp, hypnotised, yeah I trip, when I look in your eyes, oh I’m hyp, hypnotized, yeah I slip and I’m mesmerized.” The lyrics could serve as a life bible, showing the inevitability of disorder in our society. Martin softly sings, “It’s easy to be lethal, I’m learning from the news, it’s a guidebook for the blues.” 

The lyric video is major eye candy. Watch it here.

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Friday, Music, Music News, New blog post, New music, New Music Friday

Fresh EDM Picks

by Blondie and the Beat1 Comment on Fresh EDM Picks
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“Something Just Like This” – The Chainsmokers & Coldplay

Just when you thought they couldn’t get any better. Party boys turned world-wide sensation release a stellar collab with one of music’s greatest bands alive. The formula is simple; transparent lyrics, soaring vocals, and a drop you can bop to. That’s it. “Like This” will easily climb the charts making the Chainsmokers one of the best EDM duo’s of all time.

 

“Stay (with Alessia Cara)” – Zedd

Cara’s vocals are easily some of the most unique in pop music today. Add in Zedd’s gift for mixing and the result is epic. Just as catchy as any Zedd song is, a female lead always tugs you in (“Clarity”, “Stay the Night”). Cara strongly sings, “All you have to do is stay, a minute, just take your time.” 

 

“In The Arms Of A Stranger (Grey Remix)” – Mike Posner

His child-like voice follows a guitar strumming repeated chords as a subtle drop highlights the “woo”-filled chorus. The song is a beautiful sentiment bringing to light the memories of past love and the attempts to move on; “In the arms of a stranger, pretending its love, holding her closely, remember your touch.”

 

“It Ain’t Me (with Selena Gomez)” – Kygo

Kygo can do no wrong. It’s a fact. He has the tropical beats we all want playing on our spring breaks and summer vacations. “It Ain’t Me” is no different. Gomez sings the verses up and down in classic pop fashion. Choppy lyrics pluck through the chorus, something Kygo does best (listen to “Stay” off his debut album, Cloud Nine.)

 

“Slide” – Calvin Harris, Frank Ocean, and Migos

70’s dance party meets summer pop; Harris is back in full force. Merging some R&B licks from Frank Ocean with light rap verses from Migos, the two blend together seamlessly. A steady vintage beat keeps the song flowing, making you wish for a dance floor under your feet and a glass of champagne in your hands.

 

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Music, New blog post, New music

Who You Need: Bridgit Mendler

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on Who You Need: Bridgit Mendler
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WHO: Bridgit Mendler

WHERE: Washington, D.C.

GENRE: Pop/R&B

SONGS: “Atlantis”, “Ready or Not”

 

 

Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Miley Cyrus. All Disney-bred pop stars. There’s no denying that each one is talented in their own right. Could Disney be the best talent agency ever?

Enter Bridgit Mendler, former actress on the hit Disney show “Good Luck Charlie,” where she also sang the title song. 2012 sparked her debut album Hello My Name Is… , flooded with the usual pop noise. But 2016 brought something different from Ms. Mendler. A little more musical production, a slight genre change, and more vocal focus has proven this Disney bopper is more than just another laughable pop toy…

Her popular single, “Atlantis” off her 2016 EP titled, Nemesis comes to mind when I think of expanded musical production. Muffled/distorted vocals and R&B back beats spice things up. A rap cameo chimes in on the tail end of the track racking in more of a hip-hop sound that fits her like a glove.

On “Temperamental Love” we hear a similar sound from the pop singer. Rapper, Devontee kicks this one off spitting out the struggles of modern-day dating,”Girl, you ain’t the only one that’s all alone, Hell, I’m only seeing you on the phone, what’s a FaceTime? I need face-to-face time.” The high-pitched chorus praises that love anyways as Mendler sings, “Temperamental love taking over me, all the lows shake my bones every time you leave, but I can’t escape the thought of you, boy.” The naivety in her voice contrasts with the mature beat and lyrics making the song a pleasant pop surprise.

Mendler wrote the lyrics for Love and also produced the song. Showing off her various skills, fans can expect more heat from the singer coming soon.

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