New album – Page 5 – Music blogger

Addicted to: Blackbear

November 14, 2016by Blondie and the Beat1 Comment

Lyrics like, “sniffin vicodin in Paris never felt so euphoric, baby,” “get another bottle, maybe get another bag,” and “I heard that you’re addicted to them Xans now, girl,” shouldn’t make you bop your head and swing your hips, but if there’s one thing Blackbear conveys, it’s that the lyrics don’t make the song (although his can be quite witty and modern-day erotic), the music makes the song. He’s a rhythmic rapper who can actually hold a note over a ravishing electropop/hip-hop beat. The contrast between the sweetness in his voice and the brash lyrics makes him standout in his own genre; branching out from what other rappers are doing.

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Yanking at the obvious cliches in our society, it’s easy to make fun of the people we’ve become in 2016. In the pop-esque “Wanderlust” Bear sings, “All her friends are verified, wow, man that’s so cool, wow, girl can we hang out? let’s take a thousand pictures…people sayin’ that we’re goals.” Social media and the California lifestyle are common themes in all of Blackbear’s music, but his disgust for our culture is also evident throughout this EP (listen to “sniffing vicodin in paris” – second verse.)

There are times when you worry about Blackbear, as he openly admits to being a drug user and wanting to die as he explicitly mentions on “Sometimes I Want 2 Die.” You almost feel guilty for liking his music for fear of encouraging such damaging behavior. But the charts don’t lie, Cashmere Noose shot up the iTunes Top Albums charts, even crowning it the #1 R&B album the day it was released. Fans have been stalking this set of tracks ever since the rapper released them on his Soundcloud back in the heat of August. It’s no surprise his fame is impressively rising due to his own team of devoted friends. He remains proudly unsigned as he mentioned on Twitter October 19th saying, “blackbear remains unsigned :)” The overwhelming success of Noose sent fans in a frenzy to buy the EP. Bear even tweeted out that if you can’t afford the new music or are struggling, to text him your email and he’ll gift it to you. He understands the importance of having a strong fan base which has kept him relevant in the music scene without needing to be backed by a label. That’s a true artist, all drugs aside.

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One Republic Can’t Make A Bad Album

October 9, 2016by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment

onerepublic_-_oh_my_my — image: wikipedia.org

Oh My My, is the title of their latest album since their 2013 release, Native. A 16-song tracklist reminds fans just how unstoppable they are. One Republic feels like an old friend, that you’ve had most of your life. You love them dearly, they are always there for you, and whenever you start to forget or lose touch with them they come right back into your life again, for the better. They make you a better person and an even bigger fan.

This album takes a slight turn down a path we’ve never heard from this talented group. Pulling influences from electronic leaders like M83 and Miike Snow, the boys pull back from their usual rock-alt/pop sound. While listening to the album you find yourself getting lost in it (like you would any other 1R album) but this time the music is more rich and unique. The songs are heavier while the lyrical quality remains as One Republic as ever; beautiful, poetic, and slightly cliche.

Lead singer, Ryan Tedder talked about the album as a whole to officialcharts.com saying, “It’s a very diverse album, but when you start hearing some of these songs, the humanity is there – that’s what took so damn long to make it.” Songs like, “Kids,” “Future Looks Good,” and “Wherever I Go” sound like the band we know and love. Catchy choruses and a thudding array of instruments float through each verse in the most cohesive way. While “Oh My My,” “NbHD,” and “A.I.” make you realize that this band CAN succeed at electronic music. They keep a gentle balance between overboard and juuuust right. Each one still feels like it could be stripped down and played in a coffee shop. The instrumentation is still present, even though the sound has shifted. Tedder’s voice motivates you on “Future Looks Good”, singing “you are, you are the future, and the future looks good.” Which is something he’s been good at; writing lyrics with meaning that most artists can’t do their whole careers. One Republic have kept a close grasp on why they are a band in the first place; for the music.

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“Born” is one of the best off the album. A song bound to be played at many future weddings (only if they have good music taste, like me.) The lyrics make you wish you were in love; “Yeah found someone to keep my head up, yeah trading darkness for the dawn, I was born, born to love you.” The chorus is so angelic, it feels as close to heaven as you’ll ever get here on Earth. In a world full of so much disagreement and hate, One Republic manages to sprinkle our souls with pure appreciation and love.

One Republic have once again shot themselves to the top of my list. Just when you think they can’t get any better, they do. Notorious for giving you a big warm hug and reminding you that life is beautiful.

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Banks Builds Her Altar

September 3, 2016by Blondie and the Beat1 Comment

“Do you see me now?” she purrs on her latest single “Mind Games”

Banks recently revealed her sophomore album, The Altar will be released September 30. Following her classic black and white theme, the freckle faced singer is seen sans makeup, posing at the camera with a serious glance, much like her demeanor. If her lead single “Fuck With Myself” is any indication of what’s to come on Altar, fans are in for a saucy treat.

“Myself” starts out poetic; “I got two diamonds and a feather, gimme three reasons why we ain’t together, I push my body through the floor like, cause I fuck with myself more than anybody else.” Banks describes the title saying, “I wanted to convey that I am my own best friend. That I believe in myself and that I don’t care what others think. It can also mean I mess with myself more than anybody else. We can be our own bullies and our own biggest champions.” The accompanying music video takes a literal interpretation of the song.

Banks has always been known for her lyrical vulnerability writing about past toxic relationships with others and herself (listen to new singles, “Mind Games” and “Gemini Feed”) But the unique blend of R&B and electronica are what keep her fresh and modern. Phrases like, “And to think you would get me to the altar, like I follow you around like a dog that needs water,” illustrate a long-term relationship through creative metaphors – one of Banks’ many specialties. Songwriting is a huge strong suit for the singer, which is why each song is performed to perfection and executed with the highest production.

She seems to carry a mysterious aura around her that fans worship while her spilling sense of honesty remains empowering. The Altar will be like sitting in a church pew and watching a relationship succeed and fail right in front of you as the most beautiful light from a stained glass windows warms your inner thigh.

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Music Mondays: “We Had Everything”

June 27, 2016by Blondie and the Beat1 Comment

Key Item: Gathered black tank

Color Concepts: All black everything with a pop or neutral

Shoe Situation: Raf Simons adidas collab.

Electro pop is what comes to mind when you hear Broods’ new song, “We Had Everything.” A thudding skip-beat follows lead singer Georgia Nott’s gentle pipes as she sings, “We were young, we were proud, we were promising.” You can almost see the indie film playing in the background; two young kids, crazy in love, running down moonlit streets, kissing in diner windows. It’s no doubt this brother-sister duo have made a name for themselves in the alternative genre. Their new album Conscious proves their powerful lyrical content is here to stay. “Everything” focuses on a naïve young relationship and all the good that comes with it, knowing that mistakes are inevitable. As usual, synths lead this song into a solid head-bopper you can’t resist but blast in your car.

music mondays

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5 Things We Want to Hear on Drake’s “Views”

April 13, 2016by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment

Views, is said to drop April 29.

I’ll be ready…

1.) Another Rihanna collab: “Work,” “What’s My Name,” “Take Care.” C’mon…we can’t get enough of this duo. Rihanna’s raspy voice and Drake’s gentle notes lead you into a romantic trance every time. A joint album should be in the future for these two.

2.) More tropical vibes: “Hotline Bling” had it and his latest single “One Dance” has it. Conga drums, shakers, and a thick beat. Could a Drake-ish “Work” be on Views? Most likely! And I hope so!

3.) Something as hype as “Jumpman”: You just can’t help but rap to it. It has it all; punchy lyrics and an addicting beat. Not to mention, major party power. It gets the people going. Hopefully Drake has his own “Jumpman” on this album that spits some real dirt.

4.) Lyrics about being “friends” with the Kardashians: We’ve seen him at the parties, posin’ for the Gram alongside TV’s favorite family. Now, let’s hear about which one you’re really “friends” with.

5.) Another Majid Jordan duet: “Hold On We’re Going Home,” “My Love”… You can’t deny that Jordan brings just the right vibe to Drake’s soft spoken raps. The two compliment each other extremely well and I can only hope that Views brings us another collab.