Chris Brown’s album, X was released last year and further showed off his musical skill into the dance world, starting with the heavy track “X”. This song builds into something crazyyyyyy good. Brown sings low, “If you’re only as good as the company you keep, then imma blame you for what they say about me.” Quiet and calm verses tell a story of a broken relationship and the release comes during the chorus as Brown yells, “I swear to God I’m moving on, I ain’t go back no more.” With a hard hip-hop beat underlined with some dance/electro sounds-Brown has himself another banger. The beauty of the verses serve as the perfect contrast to the emotional and angry chorus. “X” is what music with meaning sounds like.
A musical bomb went off and when it exploded a gazillion music videos fell to the Earth. Here’s a couple that were released recently!
1.) “Omen” by Disclosure feat. Sam Smith: Ok…you guys. I have been waiting for this song to hit the web for FOREVER. It’s everything I thought it would be and more. Hypnotizing beats and Smith’s perfected falsetto is all I need in this world. The video plays along with the current storyline Disclosure has been working on. I don’t quite understand every part of it, but it seems like different characters have different special powers and it takes place in a different country. Smith croons in the middle of a sepia toned sweaty club as dancers grind and “almost” kiss around him. We see professional dancers, slo-mo fingers combing through damp hair, and several intense pairs of hoop earrings. YAS.
2.) “All Eyes On You” by Meek Mill feat. Nicki Minaj & Chris Brown: Who doesn’t love an aesthetically pleasing plush mansion with Nicki Minaj sprawled out in a bodycon on the couch?!? I’m not usually a big Meek Mill fan but this song is so so good (Chris Brown’s heavy chorus helps..) The truth is, you didn’t think you liked Nicki and Meek together until you see this video. It’s almost as if they were like “Bring some cameras and hang out with us for a couple days.” Looks like the two of them send sultry glances at each other all day long, followed by flirty booty grabs here and there. Not to mention, she wears a denim bikini in the pool…DENIM.
3.) “Powerful” by Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley: I actually was not a fan of this song when I first listened to it on the Major Lazer album but after watching the video I really love it. Goulding is seen in a coffee shop working some magic on the coffee and silverware in front of her. Riley is seen doing the same, with some spare change on his table. Lights flicker, the TV glitches, and forks bend as the power of love takes over. Goulding begins to wreak havoc on the diner with a solemn look on her face as her perfectly beach tousled hair falls in front of her face (why does her hair always look so PERFECT?!). Definitely shows the more emotional side of Major Lazer, but still a fantastic song.
4.) “Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd: Abel’s half closed eyes grace our screen as he serenades us into an 80’s pop dream we never thought we needed. The video portrays him as a crazy good karaoke contestant at a flashy bar where the people really start to feel the song… #goodvibes all around. The music video really takes a turn for the weird when an old man throws his lighter at The Weeknd, lighting him on fire, which surprisingly just makes him dance and sing even harder. COOL.
I’m sure not all of you have been experiencing an absolutely brutal winter like I have, but let me tell you… I have never looked forward to spring as much as I am this year. The constant scraping of my car and 15 layers a day walking to class are as annoying as it gets. Not to mention the dirty muddy floors of every entrance way making me fear my life every time I slightly slip.
Me walking to and from class every day…
So what do I do to get over my winter blues? Sit in my warm bed, drink some tea, and listen to music. I feel like I haven’t shared what I’ve been listening to lately, so I thought I would update you guys as to what’s on my “Spring Playlist”.
1.) “Treat Me Like Fire” by Lion Babe. Just found this duo recently and totally dig their vibes. R&B infused with some killer beats, add some seriously sexy vocals and I am hooked! Also check out “Jungle Lady”.
2.)“Dream” by Imagine Dragons. One of my favorites off their new album “Smoke and Mirrors”. The song is absolutely beautiful start to finish, complete with the always heart pounding ID drum beat and Reynolds’ vocals cutting through to the very core of every human heart.
3.)“All Day” by Kanye West feat. Theophilus London & Paul McCartney. You guys…I’ve been raging to this song at the gym ever since it came out. Yes, it is laced with profanity, but that’s just Yeezy at his finest. There are so many dope elements to this song and it also happens to be sitting proudly at number 1 on iTunes. This only gets me more psyched to hear the new album.
4.) “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off” by Ella Eyre. I was watching another music video and this song was playing on a laundry commercial of some sort, I stopped what I was doing immediately and looked the song up. Eyre resembles a slightly edgier Adele with endless vocal runs and classic piano accompaniment. Yes, this is a remake from the late 80’s. HERS IS SO MUCH BETTER.
5.) “Play No Games” by Big Sean feat. Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $ign. Sean’s whole album is pretty epic to say the least. His lyrical content is way beyond anything he’s ever done before. I think this song should be on the radio IMMEDIATELY. It would do so well, and I really hope he makes it a single. Brown seems to have a way with radio hits…
6.) “I Caught Myself” by Paramore. This song was on the first Twilight soundtrack and for some reason I forgot it existed for the longest time and recently I have been obsessing over it again. The guitar is so mesmerizing and Hayley’s voice is on the verge of pleading and it couldn’t be more angelic.
7.)“One Last Night” by Vaults. I plucked this from the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack as one of my favorites off the album. The string section truly makes this song as delicate as it is. With such powerful lyrics, the sense of beauty dangles around the hidden agenda of love.
8.) “Adore” by Cashmere Cat feat. Ariana Grande. Who’s that? Nobody knows, but now we do. Holy hell, Ariana’s vocals are spot on as usual. The best part? The song stays true to Grande’s musical form mixing R&B and hip-hop beats to create a perfect pop song as her high notes weave interchangeably throughout the entire three and a half minutes.
Hopefully these songs drag you out of the snowbank and into the flower bed. March 20th can’t come soon enough…
Music blogger 