2019 was the end of an exciting decade for music. Here are some of the album highlights which I found particularly favorable. Over It - Summer Walker
Ni**as be insecure Anti - Rihanna
Don't get it twisted Channel Orange - Frank Ocean
We'll run to the future, shining like diamonds Lemonade - Beyoncé
Platinum Fire - Arin Ray
Say what's on your mind so I get the message (Uh) Pink Friday - Nicki Minaj
All these bitches is my sons Whack World - Tierra Whack
Worry 'bout yourself and don't worry about nobody Fever - Megan Thee Stallion
I keep it realer than real P3 - PartyNextDoor
How hard is it to let you know when I'm coming home Hozier - Hozier
When my time comes around Thank you for visiting - Happy New year - Enjoy!
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This is the spookiest time of year: a time for horror, dread, thrill, and a time for all the creepiest creatures to thrive. Halloween doesn't seem to get a signature music other than rock music, and I wanted to present a different perspective to the scariest holiday of the year. These are some pieces I feel thrive in a dimly lit environment of darkness. I have been curating this playlist over many years. adding a wide variety of genres and eras to this list. Lyrics, beats, and melody which can make you feel like somebody is looking over your shoulder is very powerful. I admire artistry that can evoke a strong reaction like this. It's more fun to have an upbeat dance song when dressed in your costume. Both are necessary to a good holiday. The following is a mix of both vibes. Have a creepy sweet Halloween and enjoy! Cake - 88GLAM This is a rap group I am a huge fan of. I love the entire album this song comes from. Something that makes them special is their textured vocal sounds. Even as good as they are, their beats - and particularly in this song "Cake" - are enchanting. Part of the flavor of this song is the piano keys. It adds a mystical twinkle. But, combined with the haunting chorus consistent throughout the background of the song, it comes off as ominous. It's like a ballerina winding in her jewelry box, but you know something is going to happen when the song stops. This one may or may not be a party bop, but it gets me in a spooky mood. True Blood - Justin Timberlake Do you remember when the TV show True Blood was really popular? It feels like this song was made with that show in mind. I never watched the show, but I feel like I did from the secondhand exposure. This song has a sassy dance beat, clever lyrics, and is extremely long. Why is this song nine and a half minutes long? The beginning is bangin', and the rest is good too, but the problem is that it goes on for such a long time, I feel weary by the end of it. This song is like he's invited you on a roller coaster ride which, when you boarded, you were excited for. But now, you're halfway through and wishing you could get off the ride, but you can't because you're invested already, so there's no turning back. This song only has around 16,000 views on YouTube and 9,300,000 plays on Spotify which is somewhat unusual seeing as his songs may have hundred of millions of plays. It's one of the underrated gems. Drop - Chloe x Halle "Drop" made me want to drop like the hard hitting drum that is the backbone behind this song. It's power, knowledge, and mystery intertwined to establish a sick track. Not only that, but the visuals are stunning for this video. There is a man who is dancing in grotesque shapes, looking crooked and writhing. That is a perfect representation of how this song sounds. That combines with their voices rising in the most perfect harmony is chilling. I would pick this song to listen to while carving pumpkins or maybe brewing some delicious drinks. So many spooktacular options. Human - Maggie Lindeman If there was a song that embodied an October Halloween party bop, I vote this song. It is a pop bop, and this genre is meant to be fun. This is useful to get a group of people excited and feeling upbeat. The video and lyrics create a very spooky mood. I like that she suggests she is not human because it makes you wonder what she is then. Is she vampire? Werewolf? Alien? I have so many questions. Also I appreciate the appearance of one of my favorite guys in entertainment comedy, Rickey Thompson (who also narrated Amine's album "ONEPOINTFIVE"). Zombies - Childish Gambino Our fav abstract creator has made us a creepy, slinky slippery song that you definitely want to groove to. So groove to a funkalicious beat. Not only that, but Zombies is a very literal interpretation here. Sometimes, it is okay to take things at face value. The beat is relaxing and makes me want take a bubble bath but also watch "Austin Powers" - so many vibes. I may not play it at a party to turn up to, but definitely would play it at other lowkey social gatherings. Once Upon A Dream - Lana Del Rey If anyone can haunt me, Lana Del Rey is the most qualified being. Her whole brand is founded in chanting deeply haunting tones. It seems that she sings through smoke, has you squinting through fog, and hunting after her shadow. To me, this is the ultimate Halloween song to keep you feeling sensual, spooky, and empowered. Disney Princesses are always a popular costume for dressing up on this holiday, so it seems fitting that this is a Disney production. I find it even more satisfying that this movie (Maleficent) is about a categorized villain. People love dressing up as the bad guy. Here we have the perfect song to enjoy while we do so. Oldies of Honorable Mention There are some absolutely phenomenal songs that deserve to sit in the top spot in regards to Halloween jams. The performance by Screamin' Jay Hawkins is interesting but very peculiar! His shouting and animal style grunts with snorts makes me think of demonic sounds. It's aggressive and bold. This song has been covered so many times by many that most people would probably recognize it. However, this version is so special and unique. Tom Waits had his music making days back in the 1970's, but this song in particular came out in 2011, so not very old. I feel that his style and influences came from an older generation, and in some ways similar to Screamin' Jay. Tones of tension and devilish allure draw you through the song.
Here we go again with the creepy suggestive tones, but the The Coasters have hit it on the head with this track, making the listener feel paranoid and watchful. Quite deceiving. Leonard Cohen has a rasp that works well when describing demonic company. A smoky feeling.
There is a lot of media here to digest, but all together, it makes a fabulous playlist. To end this musical celebration of Halloween, I present one last track which was released in 2016. It is honestly just great song for Halloween time and non-spooky times. Get your creep on, always. THIS IS WASSUP: so many artists have released new albums in these past couple weeks that it has taken me awhile to listen to all of them in the appropriate setting and listening devices. People like Travis Scott, Masego, $uicideboy$, DreamDoll, Mac Ayres, and Hozier. Now, I love Hozier. Let me emphasize. LOVE. Not obsessively or in a stalkerish way, but I listen to his music everyday along with Gucci Mane and Frank Ocean. They are the royalty of my music preferences. That being said, He released a 4 track EP called Nina Cried Power. I would love to go into this album a bit. Would you consider Hozier folk music? Is he Indie? Alternative? I've always considered him to be of Indie flair even though "Take Me To Church" peaked at #2 in The U.S. and top charted in many other countries some years ago (according to Billboard). That's doing alright. I will say that when I first heard the EP all the way through, I was not disappointed in any way. I really liked it. It was short and sweet. Enough and fulfilling. Perfect and left me waiting eagerly for the next full length album to come. It's been a long time since we've gotten new music from him. He did a soundtrack for the Tarzan live action movie. Other than that, nothing else I'm aware of. And now we get this! I'm impatient for more. In the meantime, may we enjoy these soulful lullabies and powerful ballads.
The word brevity comes to my mind when considering this album. I believe it is beautifully sweet, elegant, graceful, passionate, genuine, and bold. It is the shortness of this EP, but the complexity in between the beginning and the end which makes it so meaningful.
The first track alone brings me to tears, listening to the crescendo of the chorus and gentle but fierce lyrics belted so fully. Strangely enough, the faces of the listeners in the Vevo video communicates the overlapping relatedness of each person's personal stories and thoughts as they listen to what we assume is the song. Their expressions change very slightly, but it is a mask covering the undercurrent of narrative. The song continues and some do cry, but it is from the impact of power. Maybe one of the people in the video was named Nina. Who knows. NFWMB I again love, but I also find lyrics slightly startling against the low smooth melody and pitch. This juxtaposition spotlights his genius and artistry, particularly as a musician. Moment's Silence has that ring of his first album. It's feels like rock and indie had a baby and it grew up to model leather jackets. The fourth and final track - Shrike - leaves me speechless every time I hear it. I feel there is an Irish influence with the quick little chord compilation and yodel/quiver sung at certain parts. Hopefully you will know what I am referring to once you listen. There is so much to dissect in this song alone. But really, it's not just one particular song. The whole EP has endless areas to unpack and look at a deeper level. I see this project as something he has made which has a birth and a death. The hope and inspiration in the beginning, the seriousness of intent, the rhythm of life, and the humility of accepting the inevitable end of an adventure. Perhaps. Perhaps not. Do you ever listen to a song and think "my mom would like this"? I do, fairly often. With the music industry as it is, it may seem like a lot of crazy music to some moms. I wanted to pull together a list of songs many moms may appreciate, but specifically my own mother. It was her birthday this month, so I am pulling together recent releases, keeping in mind my mom's personal preferences. She gravitates towards ballads, indie vibes, rock, and sass. Hopefully you will like some of these songs, maybe even recommend some to your own mother :) "Daughter of the Sun" - vbnd I found this song recently, just a few days ago. It's a beautiful indie flow with a lot of warmth. Perhaps it's guitar, drums, and keyboard here? It's one of my personal favorite songs right now. An all around idyllic song that would relax anyone. "Mind on Fire" - Aisha Badru This song is absolutely stunning. Very heartfelt. Thought provoking. Genuine. It has a folk vibe with the acoustic sounds and background vocals. I love the naturalism element here as she mentions fire and sea. This is a song you probably wouldn't hear playing in a Forever 21 or any department store. And for this reason, I appreciate it even more. "What You Really Want" - The New Respects The New Respects seems to be less well known, but these artists have such good messages with their songs! Coming from a newly released album, this song brings a higher level of positive vibes. They put the fun in funk. This track would also be a great beach song where you could play it aloud for everyone to hear without getting rude stares for improper themes or language. Definitely a goodie. "Fall in Line" - Christina Aguilera Wow for sure. This music video is prime content btw. My mother has been jamming to Christina Aguilera for the longest time. Her ballads are so powerful, and this one keeps with her on target with the goal of spreading crucial messages. She's been doing it since "Beautiful", and "Fall in Line" continues her theme of self love and rejecting the judgement of others' opinions of who you should be. A ballad of empowerment. "I'll Do Me, You Do You" - Blue October Blue October went big years ago, and recently released this album. This particular song happens to be a breakup song, but the message is touting independence, perseverance, and finality. It's inspiring actually. I think many moms would appreciate this light rock song. A lot of the time, our mothers do more for us than we even know or can appreciate. It's not Mother's Day by any means. But year round, they deserve endless appreciation (if you think she's nice and cool and whatever else. maybe she tried to murder you idk that wouldn't be very nice). Hopefully you would do something nice for your mother, even if it wasn't strictly necessary or asked for. Have a lovely rest of your day, listen to new music, do something nice, peace.
It should be well known at this point in time that it's Pride month. The Pulse nightclub shooting (June 12, 2016) and Stonewall riots (in June 28, 1969) provide evidence of a community in need of support and proper attention. Even if there weren't any violence related events, people still need love and care to thrive! I dedicate this post to all those who identify as part of this community. To celebrate life, one needs music. I want to highlight artists of the community, but also some who are valuable allies - who spread their support and kindness through music. A reminder that this is only one perspective of one person. I often find many messages relatable and valuable, even if I have not personally experienced what the artist is singing about. That is empathy: understanding and valuing something impersonal. With that being said, please enjoy. Also, if you have feedback, I would love to hear it! :) "I KNOW THAT I'M WORTHY I KNOW I'M DESERVING" I found an artist on Instagram some years ago. He had liked one of my pictures, so I investigated further who this person was. What I didn't realize was I had already been listening to his EP When I Get it Right for a while. An Earmilk article articulated well the value of his work. This fabulous artist is Michael Blume. His music touches my soul. It makes me yearn for a better world. It makes me feel more loving towards myself and other people. It inspires me to seek for more meaning in this life, the reality I live. I listen to his music daily. It's understanding, uplifting, motivating. Maybe you can see what I mean. I really can't emphasize specific lyrics because everything he writes communicates so much power, I'd end up putting the whole song down, and that seems excessive.
"Girls Like Girls Like Boys Do" I've known about Hayley Kiyoko for a little while now. She has a pop kind of sound which can be nice at times. Presently, she is known as a gay icon in the music industry and is dating Kehlani at this time of posting. They made this fabulous song together called What I Need. I love their chemistry at the end of the video. It's just nice to see something real.
"I'm so claustrophobic" I'm not so sure what to say about this. It kind of speaks for itself. Doesn't really need the extra fluff. I will say that this song does point out some inconsistencies within subcultures of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies: racial inequality and misrepresentation. Miserable America (to me) is a sad song in a way because, even though his homosexuality may be accepted, he still gets mistreated as a black man. "Sticky Like Caramel"
"You Are Beautiful In Every Single Way"
Frank Ocean
There are so many beautiful songs celebrating love and boss attitudes that I wanted to create a mini playlist of additional songs which deserve attention. Instead of a spotlight, they get a warm welcome.
1. L-O-V-E -Joss Stone 2. When Love Takes Over - David Guetta, Kelly Rowland 3. R U Mad (Remix)- Michael Blume 4. Wish You Would - Mykki Blanco, Princess Nokia (this is a good supplementary article about Mykki Blanco) 5. My! My! My! - Troye Sivan (acoustic) Thank you for sticking around. Again, I recognize this is not a comprehensive list of top songs ever for the LGBTQ+ community or that it best demonstrates anything. Simply, I like these songs and artists who happen to be connected to this culture. It is time to give them more attention and respect they deserve, both as artists and people. I very much appreciate our planet (hey extraterrestrials, you welcome too). Earth Day happens to be one of my favorite days of the year, mostly because Disney usually releases an animal documentary every year, but also because it's so important we take care of our home and treat it with love. I have been curating a playlist on Spotify over the year involving themes about nature, whether that involves mentioning leaves, the sky, outer space, whatever. These songs mention nature in someway usually comparing some object to nature rather than talking about nature directly. Either way - abstractly or literal - the interpretation is a continual reminder to appreciate the many ways which nature manifests in our lives. I'd like to share some of my favorite songs with these themes in celebration of Earth Day. Sometimes it's only one line which talks about nature in some aspect, but for whatever reason, it made an impact on me. Hope y'all enjoy!
Other really amazing songs related to nature are: 1. Natives of a Windy Forest- Willow Smith 2. Frozen - Sabrina Claudio 3. When the Night is Over - Lord Huron Additionally, I'd like to share some of my fav pics I've taken around this planet. |
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