This 20-year-old is a one man show. Singing, songwriting, and producing on his own to create some serious tracks. Hit single “Care” is what initially drew me in (it currently has 3,714,944 plays on Spotify). The song starts out telling a story (as most do), his voice quivers on each pop note singing “you don’t even care for me anymore…I don’t even care for you anymore”. The drop at the chorus slams in, shaking electronics to their core. I fell in love with the contrast of sounds from verse to chorus, but somehow, they continue to mesh together in such a cool way.
His collaboration with fellow EDMsters’ Cheat Codes, “Stay With You” is another lyrically driven track, something Cade seems to have made his trademark so far. “Where We Left” is his most recent single. Try not to get addicted…
Picture yourself walking through a field of roses. You’re young and in love and the passion is overwhelming. Your fingertips graze the tall flowers as a pulsing beat echoes from the castle behind you. This is how SZA makes you feel; like you’re walking through your own kingdom. All 14 songs provide an overwhelming urge to feel serene and comfortable.
Image via community.allhiphop.com
If Kehlani and Jhené Aiko had a baby, it would come out SZA. A beautiful fusion of good music and good vibes that you can’t help but listen to over and over, like a soundtrack to your life.
CTRL is honest, raw, and real. If there’s not one song on this album that you don’t relate to, then you’re not listening hard enough. SZA opened up to being more herself on this album than ever before, including snippets of wisdom from her grandmother scattered throughout. On “Garden (Say It Like Dat)” her knowledgeable elder says, “You don’t have to talk about me or treat me mean, I don’t have to treat you mean, I just stay out of your way, that’s the way you work that one.”
A lot of the tracks deal with inner issues; lack of confidence, insecurities, etc. The Missouri native sings on “Normal Girl” with a punch. “How do I be a lady? Normal girl oh, I wish I was a normal girl.” A similar theme is revisited on “Drew Barrymore”. But, for every insecurity on this album comes a stroke of confidence, or a slick rhyme showing off how confident SZA really is. “Prom” is a promise to be better, older, more yourself, while “Barrymore” is a question of being good enough. Lead single, “Love Galore” is the perfect example of “love conquers all.” The video is hot and heavy yet keeps it’s symbolic allure with a pack of monarch butterflies floating throughout (monarchs represent good luck.)
The sound? It’s a cold coke with a drop of rum to loosen you up. The R&B beats keep a swift rhythm as SZA’s vocals soar to the clouds and back. CTRL is its own animal. Compiled of lightly vintage melodies with some enigmatic verses. SZA (pronounced Sizza) admitted to Rolling Stone that she switched out her mic for a rapper’s mic (the same one that Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott use.) “It made me feel safe to explore the really conversational tone of my sound and my mind.”
The Band Camino’s 5-track EP feels so good. Waves of nostalgic love and summer happiness wash over every song as one spills flawlessly into the next. Themes of California sunshine transcend throughout, but these Memphis natives know how to keep rock alive.
Opening track, “California” feels like a love letter. “I’ve been home, I’m waitin on ya, drove all the way from California,” repeat over and over making love a sense of urgency. The buildup then breakdown at 4:15 make you wish you were lacing up your Converse for a Warped Tour set.
The band spoke out about their new music on Instagram saying, “Taking feelings and thoughts and turning them into something tangible is a careful task. But we have done our very very best to give you the most honest expression of the band that we are. We hope that these songs are there when you need them forever and always.”
“What I Want” starts off with the words, “Second chances, they don’t bother me.” Lyrics build and build to a chant-heavy chorus reminiscent of one of the band’s main influences, pop/alt band Walk the Moon. While the message is about failing and never getting what you want, the overarching element of “moving on” is prominent. A similar message is shared on the bands lead single, “My Thoughts On You.” Another love letter begging for an ending to turn into another beginning; “and I know this, I fell for your eyes, I just realized, I still need you.” The band has mastered their own sound with glistening guitar melodies and triumphant choruses.
“Sweet Creature” is going to be one of those songs that serves as a hidden gem in Harry Styles’ discography years and years from now. Fans will say “Oh, I remember this one. It’s one of my favorites.” I will be among those fans. Styles’ shift from boy band to solo man has been fascinating to watch. He’s adapted to a new sound that accentuates every part of him like we’ve never seen/heard before.
If “Sign of the Times” was a proclamation, this is a handwritten letter dripping in perfume and sealed with a red kiss. Accompanied by just a guitar and backing vocals, “Creature” still feels so full, even boisterous. “Sweet creature, sweet creature, wherever I go, you bring me home.” A love story we’ve heard many times before; “We don’t know where we’re going, but we know where we belong.” Folk chords pluck against Styles’ roller coaster notes for almost a full four minutes.
Referring to love as a “creature” only further defines love as sometimes good and sometimes bad. A genius reference only a poet could make work. People will soon realize, this is who Harry Styles really is. If Hozier and Mumford and Sons had a baby, it would be the new Harry we’re seeing today. Confident in his sound; making music for the soul, not for the banks.
Music blogger 