This new Aussie group has a really solid track on their hands. Slowly building, mellow, but at the same time upbeat it’s a great mix of emotions and feelings evoked simultaneously. It’s been on repeat for me lately.
Category: POP
Hamilton – First Burn
A recent release from Lin Manuel Miranda as part of his #Hamildrop music releases. This “early draft” rendition of the song in the musical Hamilton by 5 women who all played Eliza Hamilton in releases in the USA and UK is both haunting and powerful. I can’t wait for more.
The Greatest Showman – From Now On
I stumbled upon this video describing the read-through for getting this film made and something about it just stuck with me. Not only is it a great song, but the excitement of the moment and the people in the room is hard to get out of your system. I’m not even a big fan of musicals, but this one definitely works for me.
Vera Blue – Lady Powers
This is such a funky song. Is it RnB? Hip Hop? Pop? I’m really not sure. There is no music video for this at the time of posting. All I can find are a bunch of different choreographers doing dances to this track. How does a track first gain popularity as the backing music for dance routines? That’s a bit of a mystery to me; all I can say is that this song definitely makes you want to get up and move, so maybe that’s the only answer there needs to be.
Peking Duk & Aluna George – Fake Magic
The only thing I don’t like about this song is that there are too many verses, breakdowns, and bridges. The chorus is epic, and I want more of it! The bass line is oh so beautiful. When it hits you just go Oooooh! Waiting on the remix that just extends the chorus into an entire track…
HAIM – I Want You Back
After years of touring, HAIM have released what amazingly is just their second album. The rawness and uniqueness of their debut album is offset by the obvious advancement of their craft in the followup. This is a really solid album. I highly recommend you listen to the whole thing, but their first single is certainly a standout in its own right.
Ed Sheeran – Castle On The Hill
I held off for awhile before posting this as it seems almost pointless. I’d be amazed if someone hasn’t heard this song yet as it’s been #1 or #2 in the UK and USA for quite some time, but I have to admit that it gave me a real respect for this songwriter for the first time. I’d of course heard a few solid songs off his last couple albums, but none of them spoke to me like this track did and I think he’s really reached another level of songwriting on this latest album. Forgo the fact that he delayed release to consult Rick Rubin (of countless masterpiece albums fame, seriously, if you don’t know who he is, google his name and prepare to be impressed), I’m giving Ed Sheeran a lot of credit for his new direction. I also love that there is no snare drum. Seriously, name the last popular rock/pop track with no snare drum anywhere in the track…
Vallis Alps – Fading
I didn’t hear this track until it popped up on Australia’s famous Triple J countdown of the best songs of 2016 and I sure am glad I tuned in. A guy from Seattle and girl from Canberra created an entire album through collaboration, sending parts back and forth to one another for years. This is my favorite by the duo, but the album is quite good as a whole. The layering and vocal edits are exquisite and every time I listen I uncover another synth layer or drum fill that I didn’t catch on the last listen. With so much happening in the background the track never comes across as messy or sonically clogged. Impressive is all I can say.
Maggie Rogers – Alaska
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.
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!