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.
There’s no doubt Zayn Malik has made a name for himself in the pop scene as we heard with his explosive single “Pillowtalk”. But this time, he lends his vocals to Snakehips, a British electronic/R&B duo who are also responsible for the catchy anthem, “All My Friends.”
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Malik’s vocal prowess is as powerful as ever. In the boppy light chorus he sings, “It’s such a cruel, world, saving all my love for you.” A balance between electro-pop and R&B is right where he fits perfectly. Snakehips keep their sound fresh and new age along with their energetic clap beats, as we hear on this one.
Fellow pop singer, Troye Sivan tweeted about his love for the new song saying, “alright Cruel by @snakehipsuk ft @zaynmalik has one of the best choruses of 2016.” I AGREE. Snakehips should be plaguing radio stations with this one
The lyrics are electric modern love. Even with all the madness happening in the world, he can’t help but be bothered with her presence, it’s quite beautiful actually. “Noise and tears, death on the TV, and then there’s you…I can’t concentrate, I just see your outline.” Later on, he refers to her body as “CCTV” (closed circuit television/surveillance footage) replaying in his head. Although the lyrics are quite mature, the chorus has a child-like quality that is easy to sing-along to and mimic.
Color Concepts: All black everything with a pop or neutral
Shoe Situation: Raf Simons adidas collab.
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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.
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.
Both TAKU and Wafia manage to stay under the radar when it comes to their music. You won’t hear their names on E! News and you won’t see their faces on the cover of every tabloid magazine. That’s what makes them the best kept secret in music. Both come from powerful genres of music; TAKU from the electronic world and Wafia from the alternative world. It only seems natural that the two would come together and form some musical magic one day. Well, that day is coming August 5 of this year when their duet EP titled, (m)edian is released. A 5-song emotionally stacked project that can only serve as the melancholy soundtrack to the end of your summer.
The two recently brought their collaboration to life at the Sydney Opera House a couple weeks ago. With intensely subtle lights and visuals, TAKU started the show plucking at everyone’s emotions through his piano-driven sounds and vibes. “How’s everyone’s feelings?” he says into the mic as the crowd cheers back for him, waiting for their souls to be revived by his extremely beautiful sense of self.
Watch their concert at the Sydney Opera House here:
He told the story of how the duo met and how he instantly fell in love with Wafia’s music and immediately emailed her saying, “Lets work.” TAKU tells the crowd (m)edian is about, “experiences we’ve had throughout our lives with our families. About sacrifice, love, and compromise.” Although TAKU’s music is mostly non-vocal, Wafia and him have a wonderful vocal sound together. It’s a coffee-shop soundtrack with a little more pizazz. The two seem very humble, talented, and inspired when performing together.
“Love Somebody” is the closing track on the upcoming EP, keeping TAKU’s classic piano- driven melody alive. Wafia and TAKU compliment eachother’s sounds perfectly. They repeatedly harmonize to the words, “Oh, when you love somebody,” pushing the poetry right into your soul.
One can’t help but feel enlightened after witnessing a duo like this. Cue the incents and burgundy-hued wall tapestries.
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