Maggie Rogers who gained fame online for seriously impressing Pharrell in a NYU guest musical lecture has released the track that got both Pharrell and the online world’s attention. It certainly has character, and the uniqueness that so many heard on the initial video still holds true after some further mixing and mastering. I’ve included the video that brought her fame first, followed by her more recent release of the same track.
Category: NEW MUSIC
Shapeshifter – Stars
These guys defined the standard for a live drum and bass group with vocals as far back as 2001. I’m honestly amazed that they are still turning out jams. This recent release is not just another generic musical offering for a band that has already established credibility, but a real banger that competes with any of the classics they’ve already released in their 15 years on the scene. These guys show no sign of slowing down and good on them. I hope they keep turning out more tunes like this one for as long as possible. I’m certainly going to keep paying attention.
Kelsea Ballerini – Peter Pan
A really perfectly crafted pop-country track that has stuck with me since I first heard it. While she hasn’t released a video for it yet, I’ve included the released audio as well as a live version below. Enjoy!
Calum Scott – Dancing On My Own (Tiesto Remix)
I feel like Tiesto did very little for this remix, and yet it’s all that was needed to make it perfect. It’s annoying when you hear so little created or added, and yet it’s the perfect touch so I can’t argue with the minimalism. Either way, if you’re outside of Britain you may not know this story. Essentially Calum Scott did his own slower re-work of the Robyn classic as his audition for Britain’s Got Talent (right after his sister was denied) and soon enough had his own release of his version of the song followed by a Tiesto remix which just was the icing on the musical cake. I’ve included his initial Britain’s Got Talent audition as a reference to how this all came about. There really isn’t any doubt that you won’t like the track either, it just works…and it’s even better than the original. Sorry Robyn.
Adam Levine – Go Now (Sing Street Soundtrack)
I’ve loved every film John Carney has written and directed. His forte is writing and directing independent films based around relationships built on music and musicians. If you’ve not heard of him, check out “Once” and “Begin Again.” His latest, “Sing Street,” is no exception to his style and my favorite song off the soundtrack is the last one you’ll hear in the film. It sums up the storyline and captures the emotional ending beautifully. Enjoy!
One Ok Rock – Taking Off
Well, a new album is soon to be released for my favorite Japanese rock band, and they’ve released their first single… It also looks like I’m not the only one in the USA that has taken notice of these guys. The record label Fueled By Ramen who’s previous artists include: Paramore, Panic at the Disco, and Fall Out Boy have scooped them up for an English release and if this first single is an example of what’s to come I’m excited. It’s certainly a bit more pop than they’ve released in the past but I think they still maintain their sound whilst adding catchiness for a potentially big new audience!
Corey Harper – California Sun
This would have been the single on John Mayer’s last album. Massive similarities aside, this is a fantastic song that just screams to be first track on a great road trip mix. Kudos to Justin Bieber for plucking this guy from tiny clubs in Seattle and throwing him into the spotlight, there may be a lot more to come from this guy.
Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop The Feeling
The latest from Swedish pop mastermind Max Martin. From “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys to this, Max Martin is the hidden producer behind almost every singalong pop song you’ve grown up with. Don’t believe me? Look him up. He’s created more pop singles than anyone in history. Period. His latest pop masterpiece, like all the ones that came before, is a catchy, funky and very, very danceable pop anthem.
1975 – The Sound
Despite really loving their first album, I first heard this track in the movie “Me Before You.” I had to look it up afterwards and was depressed that I hadn’t heard it earlier. Either way, I’ve heard it now, and what a tune it is.
MØ – Final Song
Final Song isn’t even this Danish singer’s most popular song. You probably know her as the singer from Major Lazer and Dj Snake’s massive hit “Lean On” or maybe her first main single “Kamikaze”. Either way, her latest single is my favorite so far and proves to me that she’s not planning on being a one hit wonder and you’ll be hearing more from her in the future.