Summer is always a great time for new music. Normally, tours would be in full swing and artists would be promoting new albums. Now because of COVID-19, we have less music and as I lamented in last week's blog, no tours. But regardless, there is still a reduced stream of new music coming out! Let's dive in!
Something I have been noticing that's become somewhat common, is an estate or record label releasing a posthumous album of an artist who has passed away. July gave us two such albums from recently deceased hip-hop artists Juice WRLD and Pop Smoke. I can't say I was familiar with either of these artists, but there was a lot of hype not only because their potential that had been tragically cut short, but also surrounding the unfinished music that was now being released in the form of these albums.
In all honesty, Legends Never Die by Juice WRLD wasn't really my jam. My taste in hip-hop is a little more old school and I found that the vibe of this album was too "Top 40" oriented with many of the songs sounding homogenous. Nothing really stood out to me even though a few songs featured artists I usually like (Halsey & Marshmello).
On the complete opposite side, Shoot for The Stars Aim for The Moon by Pop Smoke was definitely in my wheelhouse. This album had those old school gangster rap vibes all over it. Bass heavy, high octane beats backing verses with aggressive, angsty and fast-paced flow, made this an album I couldn't stop listening to. Full of bangers. My favourite tracks were "Make It Rain" ft. Rowdy Rebel and "The Woo" ft. 50 Cent. "The Woo" especially because it has fiddy referencing his own songs and a key change. Both things I love in a song.
The reality is, that it is such a tragedy that these talented artists lives were cut short. Friends and fans alike mourn their loss and wish that they were around to see the fruits of their labour and the success that their talent is garnering. I will say this though, I am glad we live in an era where we have to opportunity to experience and listen to music from these artists for years and years. That kind of immortality is priceless.
Let me introduce you to my favourite song of the month. "Are You Even Real?" by James Blake. This song immediately landed on my repeat forever playlist for many reasons. James Blake knows how to craft a song. In recent years he has moved away from your typical indie songs with real instruments to more of an electronic folk feel. Using samples and backing tracks that give you something very unique. "Are You Even Real?" is a sad song, and I love sad songs. But mostly, and this is what usually gets me for Blake's songs, his voice is just so dreamy.
If you dig it (and I hope you do) check out his album Assume Form released last year. It's brilliant. Especially the track "Barefoot in the Park."
It took me a few weeks to get around to it, but I finally watched Eurovision, the new Netflix comedy starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams. Personally, I found the movie hilarious. Yes it's stupid humour in the classic Ferrell wheelhouse, but that's not really what makes this movie a great comedy. It's the music and the parody of the actual Eurovision contest and the music that comes from that.
*Minor Spoilers Ahead* Aside from the comedic aspect of the film and the music, the songs are actually really well done. "Husavik," the final song from the movie, is original and brilliant and moving. The truly funny thing is that there is a real possibility Will Ferrell will be featured on a song that could win an Oscar. You may scoff and say I am ridiculous, and while that may be true, I'm going to call it now that "Husavik" by Savan Kotecha, Rickard Göransson, and Fat Max Gsus gets nominated for an Academy Award in 2021.
Watch this movie. Laugh a little, cry a little, listen to "JaJa Ding Dong" until you can't stand it anymore. But really, just have a good time.
Can I take a hot minute and talk about the Taylor Swift album! PLEASE DON'T DELETE ME BRO! For reals though. This thing came out of nowhere and it's incredibly well made. You know why? Because Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and Aaron Dessner (The National) are heavily involved and you can tell. I don't actually like Taylor Swift and yet I love this album. It's mature and melancholic, while still having some of the poppy lyrics and vocalizing her fans are accustomed to (they told me all my problems were mental, so I got wasted like my potential). My favourite track is definitely the Bon Iver collab "exile." Its lights out. Other very notable tracks on the album are "my tears ricochet" and "mad woman."
One last album I wanted to mention but will keep it brief as I don't want this to be a marathon blog, is My Love is a Hurricane by David Ramirez. Definitely check it out. The album is bluesy, soulful, and slightly folky. Ramirez has a killer voice. I love it and you will too!
This has been the second edition of my 'New Music Spotlight' and I want to hear some feedback! Like it? Love it? Hate that you love it so much? Let me know! I want to create content you want to read! If you want to check out more music I'm currently listening to, then head to main page and peep my Hot Tracks playlist.
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