A.U.I.M.E. | Beginning with the End (part two)

 

...and here's part two. All of these selections are artists I have either never heard of before or never invested in.

Jarell Perry-Simple Things...I honestly don't listen to R&B very much anymore because I'm never impressed with what's out there--it just can't compare to the '90s. However, this kid's voice is just...so...damn...smooth. He's like this generation's Brian McKnight with a lot more edge; so much class and sensual flavor to every note paired with unexpected celestial elements. I heard about him on Kid Fury's website a long time ago and was totally taken aback at how effortless and powerful his vocals are. The entire album is found for free HERE. Do your ears a favor and just download it, okay. Fave tracks: Getaway, Happy 4 U, Win, Aviation High.

Tinashe-Reverie...This young lady is another artist that made me return to listening to R&B. She writes a lot of her own material and creates music with a unique sound that I first discovered on one of my favorite blogs, Malibu Mara. Since then I've seen her featured in a random acne solutions commercial, not the best platform, but I gotta admire her hustle. Check her out HERE. Fave tracks: Come When I Call, Fear Not, Slow.

Kenna-Land 2 Air Chronicles II: Imitation is Suicide Chapter 2...This guy is so underrated. I've actually been listening to him since 2006, before I could even afford the luxury of buying music. Since then he's kind of remained behind the scenes with a few minor hits here and there and a long resumé of being an awesome person and musician. I had to pick up this three-song EP because the track "Long Gone" would not get out of my head.

In This Moment-Blood...This band has been around for a minute now, but it wasn't until I heard their hit, "Whore" that they caught my attention. I have never heard a female vocal like Maria Brink and their music just gives me so much life every time I listen. Fave tracks: Blood, Scarlet, Burn, Comanche.

Gemini Syndrome-Lux...This band is sort of in the same genre of progressive metal/screamo as In This Moment, but actually relatively new to the scene. The lead singer looks like a heavy metal Santa Clause and their music sounds like all of those hyper masculine rock bands that started coming out in the early 2000s except way less douchy. Fave tracks: Pleasure and Pain, Morning Star, Take This, Lux (outro).

Jaymes Young-Dark Star EP...Young is another new artist on the brink as he's starting to gain a little traction with some of his songs getting featured here and there--I definitely see his quiet, but compelling sound getting a bigger spotlight very soon. Fave tracks: Moondust, Dark Star.

The Pretty Reckless-Light Me Up...Remember Jenny from Gossip Girl? She sings--like, really fucking well. I actually remember discovering Taylor Momsen's kick ass vocals through watching YouTube videos posted of shows she would play with her band at the ripe old age of 16. I honestly always feel weird getting into music created by someone so young because I can barely remember what my problems were at that age so it's hard for me to relate to what the songs are about. Nevertheless, I couldn't get the catchy, edgy tunes out of my head or ignore Momsen's undeniable talent. Fave tracks: Make Me Wanna Die, Zombie, Miss Nothing, You. 

Banks-London EP (among other singles)...I have literally scoured the internet to listen to and purchase everything this woman has put out. She is also a Malibu Mara find (girl's got good taste) and my new obsession. I think she's sort of a hybrid between The Weeknd (who she's toured with) and Florence Welch; very dreamlike, arresting perfection. Her full album comes out later this year and is supposed to include all of the tracks I already have, but I don't even care, I'd buy them twice. Fave tracks: Waiting Game, Fall Over, Brain.

AND OH YEAH THE QUEEN DID THIS A LITTLE WHILE AGO :)

A.U.I.M.E. | Beginning with the End (part one)

Now that I'm properly settled in to my new place, I'm going to get back into the music section of this obscure little blog. This is part one of a two part review of all the musical content I've accumulated since the end of 2013. This portion includes artists that are well established in the game or at least familiar to my iPod...

M.I.A-Matangi...This is the most energetic album of the bunch with incredible dance tracks that keep me bouncing off the walls every time I push play. "Exodus"/"Sexodus" are my favorite tracks; one is basically subtle remix of the other, but the song is so good she could have put it on a third time.

The Weeknd-Trilogy...I'm kind of obsessed with this kid; his vocals just sweep me away and I hear something new in each song that makes me love it more every time I listen. He also happens to be the originator of the melody behind M.I.A.'s "Exodus", which is probably why I like that song so much. My favorite tracks are "D.D" (a flawless "Dirty Diana" remake), "House of Balloons" and "Next" and so many more because everything is just perfection.

Britney Spears-Britney Jean...She's still the queen of pop as far as I'm concerned and this was such a wonderfully refreshing effort from her. Reviewed in full HERE.

Nine Inch Nails-Hesitation Marks...Trent Reznor's artistry is forever compelling and I'm loving his latest work. It's dark with flashes of unexpected levity with songs that are as complex as they are catchy. Favorite tracks: "Copy of a", "Satellite", "Came Back Haunted".

Natalia Kills-Perfectionist...I had to pick up some tracks from this young lady's debut album. I think her star is still rising and she's definitely on the brink of taking center stage with some of her songs being featured in some mainstream productions. Fave tracks: Acid Annie, Zombie.

Marina and the Diamonds-The Family Jewels...Katy Perry's more indie cousin is really brilliant and like Natalia, I had to seek out her earlier work, which I found to be a little more quirky than Electra Heart, but just as infectious. Fave tracks: "The Outsider", "Guilty", "Rootless", "Oh No!"

Beyoncé-BEYONCE...I'm seriously afraid of retaliation from the Bey Hive if I say that this is my first time putting any of her music on my iPod--I do agree that she's the Queen of the Universe so I hope that makes it better. Fave tracks: "***Flawless", "Haunted", "Blow", "Heaven".

A.U.I.M.E. | Old Pop, New Pop and Artpop

It's been a minute since the last A.U.I.M.E. post and since then my ears have been saturated with new material from old favorites and new discoveries from new talent.

Lady Gaga-Artpop...okay, so maybe I'm a closeted Monster, but it can't be helped--bitch can sing and she makes me dance. I'm not always here for her crazy sartorial antics, but I think she consistently delivers music worthy of heavy rotation. However, some questions arose while listening to her latest offering: Does she know Pluto is no longer a planet? Is she as into golden showers as R. Kelly? And most of all, is "artpop" going to be a new genre onto itself? If so, I'm here for it. Fave tracks: Aura, Swine, Jewels N' Drugs, and Do What U Want.

Katy Perry-Prism...I have to admit Katy's album didn't immediately pull me in like Gaga's or some of the other artists featured here, but she still gave me a well-executed dance pop album with some very notable standouts. Fave tracks: Legendary Lovers, Dark Horse, International Smile, By the Grace of God.

Natalia Kills-Trouble...Natalia is quietly changing the pop game. She's dark, she's edgy and she's completely unapologetic. The visceral imagery of her lyrics combined with catchy hooks and a distinctive vocal give her this incredible allure that I've never seen in any other pop artist and it doesn't come off as contrived, just raw and real. Her previous effort, Perfectionist is also a wonderful listen with some amazing standout tracks, but I think Miss Kills definitely stepped it up with Trouble, it's one of the most perfectly composed pop albums I've ever heard. Fave tracks: Stop Me, Problem, Controversy, Rabbit Hole, Marlboro Lights... (honestly, the whole thing is a gem).

Thirty Seconds to Mars-Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams...another symphonic rock pop (or whatever) album from the band with the sexy frontman. The only thing I don't like is how the number has been turned into a word because that's improper AP style, but the album is fantastic so I'll let it go. Fave tracks: The Race, Conquistador, Do or Die, Up in the Air.

Marina and The Diamonds-Electra Heart...apparently Electra was a fictional persona and now she is dead...? Despite that morbid detail, this album is tons of fun and has tracks that can lift me out of a bad mood any day. I love her husky vocal and the feminist-y concepts in some of her lyrics. Fave tracks: Fear and Loathing, Radioactive, How to be a Heartbreaker, and Lies.

The Weeknd-Kiss Land...so I guess Michael Jackson was reincarnated as a black, chubby, dreadlocked Canadian. This kid is insanely talented and I've always found his profane, creepily sexual music very compelling. I actually first encountering his syrupy vocals while shopping at Urban Outfitters years ago and I had to ask the salesgirl who was singing because I'd never heard anything like him before. Very few artists can take me to another world and his unique ability to do so pleases my ears--and my loins. Fave tracks: Belong to the World, The Town, Pretty, Tears in the Rain.

A.U.I.M.E. | Past Avoided, Presently Invested

There are very few rap and alternative metal artists I bother to invest in and this edition features a couple of incumbents in the ever-growing "rap game" and a familiar band I decided to revisit.

Sevendust-Animosity and Black Out the Sun...Growing up, there was an explicit classification of "black music" and "white music" and your skin had to match the artists you listened to. I was dumb enough to respect that boundary so I never EVER switched the radio station to the rock/alternative channel for fear of being made fun of by less enlightened peers. When I decided I had been ignorant for much too long, I finally started giving an ear to the supposed melodies of white folk and discovered that not all of it was as terrible as I was told and lo and behold, not all of them were white. I had the pleasure of seeing Sevendust live and I swear every time Lajon Witherspoon's sexy chocolate ass flicked his dreads, someone got pregnant. So far, I have purchased a couple albums and a few singles from their second album Home, but I'm still trying to check out their other numerous compilations to see if anything else is my taste.

MIA-Arular...MIA is one of those artists that always makes headlines for her controversial work so I've always paid a little bit of attention to her over the years. I think the only reason I never invested previously is because I'm simply not that into rap music, but she is definitely giving you more than just a few slick bars. I love the political themes in her lyrics as well as her energetic dance beats, but mostly I love that she's one of those women who is doing something people might disagree with and she's doing it really, really well. Legit boss bitch status right there.

Nicki Minaj-Pink Friday Roman Reloaded, The Re-Up...Speaking of boss bitches, Nicki, whether you like it or not, is definitely at the top of the game. I think the only thing that kept me from purchasing this album when it first dropped was all the negativity surrounding it. Honestly, all of it ended up being coon talk because the album, regardless of its genre classification, is superb. I enjoyed every single track with the exception of that shit she did with Bobby Valentino, which I had to delete before I threw up after hearing the grotesque lyrics coming from Lil Wayne...or maybe it was just the idea of him having sexual relations with anyone that I found grotesque? Whatever. The 2-disc compilation is perfection and it will definitely keep me twerking all summer.


Day 89: prepped one corporate

A.U.I.M.E. | New Entrants and Notable Releases

This edition includes some random discoveries in the form of a band with a song on a popular show I have never seen and a band with a song on a commercial that I see all the time plus, an up-and-coming pop star from across the pond who already has an influence on my wardrobe choices. Oh, and of course, Kanye.

1. MS MR-Secondhand Rapture...The first song I heard from this band was "Hurricane", which was embedded in one of those Soundcloud things on a blog I was reading; I thought the vocal was interesting and I was compelled to hear more. After hearing their big hit, "Bones" (associated with the ever-popular tv show, Game of Thrones) I decided I was into it. Their sound has a touch of Florence + The Machine and I really like the distinctive vocal of the lead singer. My favorite tracks are "Btsk", "Bones" and "Ash Tree Lane".

2. Charli XCX-True Romance...First of all, I have no clue exactly why I decided to investigate this girl...some combination of her slightly exotic appearance and the odd track titles pulled me in. Anyway, I saw her album suggested to me on Amazon and without really listening to it, I did a YouTube search. At first glance, I was already intrigued; she has an interesting Tumblr aesthetic and a vivacious stage presence that I rarely see amongst today's pop acts.  Along with a strong mainstream debut (including a writer's credit of that infectious Icona Pop song), she has awesome '90s style to match all her sass:

LOOK AT HER FEET. They're by Buffalo--and I WANNEM. source: Tumblr

My favorite tracks are "Lock You Up", "Stay Away", "Set Me Free (Feel My Pain)", "Your The One"...honestly, the entire album is synth-pop perfection.

3. Kitten-Cut it out EP and Sunday School...So does anyone else run to the computer and type in whatever lyrics they catch to that cool song playing in the background of that one commercial they just saw? This band definitely owes a lot to Victoria's Secret for playing their music while Candice and the girls sauntered around in over-priced underwear. My favorite tracks are "Chinatown", "Japanese Eyes" and "G#". Can't wait for their full length debut.

4. Kanye West-Yeezus...Kanye is a God. That is all.

Day 55: Plugging away.

All Up In My Ears | Melodies of Current Events

 

...so why not a new series? Cool, let's do it.

This is the first installment of All Up In My Ears or A.U.I.M.E. (I abbreviate when I can...I'll talk about the blog title later)...it's just going to be whatever is currently in heavy rotation on my iPod. 

1. Meg and Dia...I talked about them a little while ago; their entire catalog is some of the best music I've ever heard and I can't wait for their comeback. My favorite song is "The Place Where I Feel Most Like Me" off It's Always Stormy in Tillamook. The opening lyrics are basically my life right now and the instrumentation in the last third of the song is absolutely breathtaking.

2. Ke$ha's Warrior...I've been watching her tv series on MTV lately and I totally respect this woman's hustle even more. She makes the perfect high-energy, positive dance music with infectious beats to keep me dancing alone in my room for the rest of the summer.

3. The Great Gatsby Soundtrack...I didn't see the film, nor did I plan on it because I never watch movies in theaters (that would mean I had a social life), but as soon as I got wind of the list of artists on the Jay-Z produced soundtrack, I was beyooooond excited--I mean, Flo, Emeli, Sia, AND LANA???!! I can't handle it. Florence + The Machine's "Over the Love" is my favorite track; Lana serves another superb delivery; and Sia Furler--Jeezus, if you don't know who Sia is yet, GET. YOUR. LIFE. Sia is one of the greatest artists of all time--OF ALL TIME *in Kanye voice*. I didn't like Emeli's version of "Crazy in Love" the first time I heard it, but the second time, I was dancing involuntarily; her unique vocal really captures that sort of desperate infatuation in the song lyrics that I didn't pick up on in the original. Overall, one of the greatest compilations of music I own.

4. Flyleaf's New Horizons...No other Christian artist/band moves my spirit like Flyleaf and their latest offering is absolute perfection. Lacey's vocals sound amazing and even though she has left the band, I hope they all continue to make music and sing the praises of the Holy Ghost.




Day 30: Got a second response...I haven't read it yet because it came too quickly and I hate rejection. Still two more options though.