Accessory Must: Dior So Real sunnies with light blue tinted frame
Image: sunsetintherearview.com
“Ocean Eyes” is just that; a romantic blue hued ode to love. “Can’t stop staring at those ocean eyes,” utters newcomer Billie Eilish. Her nonchalant syllables and steady quick tap beat make you wish you were in love. She highlights the beauty of falling in love with someone through the eyes to the soul. That’s a deep theme from a 14-year-old girl. Eilish recently told Vogue her brother wrote “Ocean Eyes”; “He came into my room in October of last year to tell me he had this song called “Ocean Eyes.” He’d been doing it with his band before, but of course I’d heard it because I was right next door. I sang it, and we both loved it.” She went on to say, “I loved it and I couldn’t get it out of my head for weeks.” A poetic homage to love painted by a 14-year-old, how amazing is music?
Image: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
“Oh, I think I landed, in a world I hadn’t seen,” rolled out of lead singer, Chris Martin’s mouth as he tumbles, twirls, and spins down a multicolored stage. He dances to every beat, and thrusts his hands up in the air, igniting a fire in the audience. It truly was a world I hadn’t seen. It was Coldplay’s world, and I would only be here for one night.
We were given white wristbands upon walking into the venue. They magically lit up with different color patterns for each song, sparking a “kid on Christmas morning” look on the faces of people all ages. Kids as young as five, and adults as old as 60 all smiled ear to ear in pure joy at watching one of the world’s greatest bands perform. There’s no doubt that experiencing a Coldplay show has a strong theme of unity and love. Not only does the band preach about it, but they show it. Martin hugs, smiles, and shoulder grabs each member of the band as he sways around the stage. All signs point to a powerful brotherhood between these four men. For a band that’s been together around 20 years, their stage presence hasn’t faded one bit. Each one truly enjoys what they do. Martin seems to be the glowing leader.
Martin looks like a kid in a mattress store, jumping from one side of the stage to the other and jumping in circles with his arms stretched out wide; almost like he’s giving the audience a big warm hug. “America even needs a little love right now,” said Martin as he began the piano interlude for “Everglow,” a song about everlasting love.
Their repertoire had enough variety to please the old fans with “Green Eyes,” “Yellow,” and “Clocks,” and the younger fans with, “Hymn for the Weekend,” “Viva la Vida,” and “Paradise.” Each song was executed just as flawlessly as the next. Guitar solos were crystal clear and harmonies were gloriously echoed through the stadium. “Viva la Vida” felt like a revolution, “The Scientist” felt like love, “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” felt like happiness, and “A Sky Full of Stars” felt like a party.
Coldplay has a unifying power over people that is beautiful to witness. This tour proves their incredible sense of musicality and their powerful legacy.
Michael Blume is a pure sensation. His debut EP When I Get It Right is a rose in a world full of thorns. Piano medleys, clear-cut harmonies, and impeccable musical composition are drizzled and dripping off each song.
Image: randyreport.blogspot.com
Blume has a new renaissance way about him. Preaching about love, almost always swaying in a shift dress/robe-like get-up with his hair somewhat tied in a knot on his head. He has a “no f***s given” attitude that makes him extremely likable. His lyrics can be poetic at times and honestly harsh at others.
Opening song, “Relationships” is a modern day “Confessions” focusing on the importance of relationships to a spunky R&B backbeat. “I swear I’m kind, I swear I’m real, I’m not the kind who’s tryin to steal.” Blume’s specialty is keeping it real. He speaks his mind, but does it in a way that makes you wanna clap your hands in acknowledgement. “Relationships” is an important song to listen to. It revives old-school R&B that we should be praising; long verses paired with skip-beats that make you catch your breath.
Image: facebook.com/MichaelBlumeMusic
“How High” is a stained glass church. You kneel down and Blume’s harmonies saturate your soul, while an organ highlights some of the best moments of your life. The first two and a half minutes make you feel at ease, then he spits a couple raps while the backup vocals keep it cool. The transitions are seamless in classic R&B fashion; Blume keeps it captivating.
“Manufactured Love” is his biggest hit, defining the album as a whole. Blume tells Broadwayworld.com, “The song introduces a basic concept of myself and my attitude about music and love: trusting the process, knowing that your path is there for you, holding onto your faith in yourself despite any and all outside noise.” Michael Blume is a modern-day guru we all need to believe in.
You might know him as the adorably lovable Augustus in the movie adaptation of “The Fault In Our Stars,” but what most people don’t know about Ansel Elgort is that he is also a mega-talented singer/musician/producer. Elgort has used his Instagram to show off his skills to his fans. His first single is called, “Home Alone” a pop driven tune that utilizes his DJ skills for a tinge of EDM throughout. He told Yahoo! Music, “Originally, it was going to be over a dance record, but that didn’t feel right…So I thought, maybe I can just do production for it so that it makes it electronic and emotional.” The lyrics are pure poetry as Ansel’s voice glides effortlessly on every word. The critic’s agree that “Home Alone” is your new song of the summer.
Image: mikeposnerhits.comR&B/ Hip-Hop spittin’ new hit man, Blackbear is back with a new EP, titled Drink Bleach. Despite the title, I have to say, this EP feels different. It’s older and slightly more mature. Bleach seems to be about moving on, realizations, and clarity. Not only are the lyrics more appealing this time, but his sound is evolving as well. Pop takes the lead on this EP.
One of the standout tracks, “Something Real” explores teenage nostalgia with adulthood decision making. Blackbear croons, “But maybe we were too young, too young to feel something real.” He goes back in time to a relationship that could’ve worked, but now never will. A consistent pop beat plays in the background while Blackbear explores with more synth and electronic sounds, straying from his usual R&B swag. This suits him well, while still keeping his unique half sing/rapping style.
Bear pulls Mike Posner out of the rap shadows for the melancholy, “Obvious.” A sad song that deals explicitly with the end of a relationship. “Girl, I can’t f**k with you anymore” Blackbear croons with delayed sadness. You feel for the man as the chorus honestly spits, “Let’s just state the obvious, you’re done with me and I’m done with you.” Posner gives the song the soft rap kick it needed without being too aggressive. The electro-breakdown at the end makes you hopeful that Blackbear will stick to this fresh and different sound.
Blackbear and Posner work on “Obvious” (Image: collegedj.net)Women still prove to be a driving force for Blackbear’s musical content. The dance-y “Shake Ya Ass” will make you sing every word (even if the lyrics are slightly vulgare.) While “Girls Like You” reminisces on being scorned by too many women.
I couldn’t be happier about this EP. I like that Blackbear strayed from his usual drug-induced stupor and stepped out with something much different. He’s still R&B but with a twinge of electro-pop, which fits into the slightly tame lyrics. Drink Bleach is pretty cool.
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