Songs of the Week Volume VIII
More songs! I don't know what to write here this week, but I still need submissions! Please consider sending me songs and why you like them at 16murphyc@peabodystu.org or on Facebook or in the comments below. And as always, the playlist is on Spotify here, and the archive playlist here.
Cynthia Aroke:
Dear Ears - Overthinking
Fun fact: This lovely song started out as a six second vine cover. 3 talented viners/singers met up in New York and made a whole album of songs like this. Don't overthink, just check 'em out, they're not that bad. http://dearears.bandcamp.com/releases
Sam Minton:
Machine Gun Kelly - Merry Go Round
In this song off his new album,"General Admission" MGK tells the story of two lovers in what becomes a tragic archetypal story of two star-crossed lovers. The song starts out talking about the couple and how much in love they are. Then the couple ends up doing bad things mainly using heroin. The 2nd verse goes on to talk about what has happened to the two since their drug use. The man, who is named Bobby has turned his life around and joined the army. Now the girl has become addicted to the drug, and sadly is fueling her addiction by becoming a prostitute Also it is revealed that she is pregnant. At the end of the 2nd verse MGK talks about how it is rumored that Bobby died while at war but he is actually alive, and sent a letter to his gitl that he will be home tomorrow. Also we see that due to her addiction both the child and bobby's girl dies after Bobby's girl commits suicide. In the last verse Bobby arrives home and is shocked to find his girl and his child dead. Bobby can't take all the stress, and commits suicide.
The Game Feat. Skrillex - El Chapo
Off Game's new album, "The Documentary 2.5" this song is filled with a great up tempo beat that will get anyone amped. Game through the song is stating why he and the famed prisoner, El Chapo have a lot in common. Game even spits some rhymes in honor of El Chapo's mexican heritage. One of my favorite lines has to be, "Come through and knock Donald Trump out his Toupee." This is just another great song from the game filled with vicious bars, and a great beat.
Isabela Valencia:
Halsey - Hold Me Down
Halsey's an up-and-coming artist, so I thought I'd show her some love. I like this song because the lyrics and the beat are extremely catchy, especially the hook.
Crookers feat. Roisin Murphy - Royal T
This song has got some pretty cool beats, making it a fun one to dance to.
Emeli Sandé - Read All About It
I really enjoy the message this song has, and Sande's vocals are enjoyable, as always.
Matt Smith:
Funky Panda - Swing What You Got*
Electro swing is probably, without exaggerating, absolutely, without a doubt, the single greatest thing ever. This is one song I found recently and has become one of my favorites. It’s pretty much impossible to not have a smile on your face while listening. Plus it’s made by a panda.
Red Peters - Closing Song
The perfect song for those friends to stay a bit too long, or when you need to clear a room. Probably best for you to figure out why on your own.
Kyle Sousa:
Michael Bublé - Feeling Good
This song is a great jazz song with a great beat and feel to it
Connor Murphy:
Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young - 4 + 20
The speaker of this song comes from a broken, impoverished home, and upon overcoming his poverty, realizes there are other troubles to worry about. He feels lonely later in his life and turns to drug use, leaving him depressed and near-suicidal. This song consists of nothing more than a constant picked rhythm and the voice of Stephen Stills, who really showcases his raw guitar talent in picking such a complex rhythm while singing. One of my favorite folk songs of all time.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Me and Mia
The first time I heard this song I had no idea it was about eating disorders. I thought "Me and Mia, Ann and Ana" was just two pairs of names with the same letter, but Mia is short for bulimia, and Ana for anorexia. It discusses how society feeds people these ideals of beauty that no one questions, but that leaves people with unhealthy mindsets about their bodies. Fantastic social commentary that really hits home when you listen to some of the lyrics.
Portugal. The Man - People Say
"We may make it through the war if we make it through the night." This line represents the soldiers' mentality about war. This song juxtaposes the mentalities of people in the country at war against that of their soldiers. People who are distant from the war look at deaths as numbers, not people, and the people sending people to war (cough, cough, George Bush, "president's son") don't need to care because they hold so much power. Meanwhile, the soldiers fight to survive daily, seeing each day as one that might've been their last.
Demetri Cassidy:
Burial - Kindred
Burial is the name of mysterious dubstep (no, not the kind Skrillex makes) producer William Bevan. Despite his underground status, he is really good friends with frequent collaborator Four Tet, went to the same school with members of the indie pop band The xx, and collaborated twice with Thom Yorke from Radiohead. This song comes from the producer's 2012 EP of the same name. The song starts off with a quick minute long ambient intro does nothing to prepare you for what's about to come. Once things start to kick in, the actual song is very different. The song is driven by a bouncing drum loop, chopped-and-screwed vocal samples, and heavy, booming bass. In a way, it makes the song feel very dark, devastating, and melancholic. If you can sit through the song's massive 11-minute length, it is a very enjoyable song to listen to.
Queens of the Stone Age - Kalopsia
This song comes from the band's excellent 2013 album, ...Like Clockwork. The song is named after the delusion of seeing things to be more beautiful than they actually are, which ties into the lyrics very clearly. According to his wife, lead singer Josh Homme wrote this song for his daughter to help her deal with the darkness in the world. However, he still acknowledges it and tries to make things seem better to himself. The instrumentals also fits the lyrics and theme, with the dreamy atmosphere hanging over the verses and the explosive power of the chorus. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that it's a great song. Go listen to it. Also, it's worth noting that the song also features Dave Grohl from Nirvana and Foo Fighters on drums and Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails singing alongside Josh.
Ben Cohen:
Kenny Chesney - Save it for a Rainy Day
This is a fun song, no mistake, but it also has some depth to it if you are willing to listen to it. I think Kenny Chesney has a lot more to offer country music before he’s done, and ‘Save It For A Rainy Day’ just shows the ‘Bro’s’ that you can make a fun song without sacrificing too much of what makes country music different to normal arena rock.
Edgar Castro:
Lemon Jelly - Elements
田中雅之 - Katamari on the Rocks ~ Main Theme*
Coil - Penetralia*
Analyzing songs is fun and all - enjoyable, even - but, once in a while, it's nice to just listen to some fun electronic music for no reason other than that the song just makes you happy. We can all use a break once in a while.
*Not featured in the Spotify playlist because it is not on Spotify.