Don't Let Me Down - The Chainsmokers

Since my mention of ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ in my previous post, some people have asked me why I like it so much. It’s simple. The haunting guitar hook is amazing. The vocals are amazing. The backing track is amazing. But it’s the fact that all the elements are cohesive that make this song exemplary. The epic guitar loop never fights with Daya’s powerhouse vocals. One is subdued to showcase the other. And the duo don’t repeat the loop endlessly like other artists have done just because it’s the only good part of the song. By the time the bridge comes up, the hook is gone, and that’s perfectly fine, because it lets the intensely layered electronic track shine.

The result: Grammy Award for Best Dance Track awarded to the Chainsmokers. Enough said.

Closer - The Chainsmokers

Closer was the longest running number 1 single in 2016, which also meant it became the most overplayed song of the decade.

It has all the makings of a classic summer track, with a catchy hook, happy-go-lucky lyrics and a classic boy-girl storyline. But apart from that, it doesn’t have that much substance. The chorus is both monotonic and unsyncopated, which are musical terms for ‘boring’. And the lyrics aren’t any better, but I do like the reference to rock bank Blink-162. Halsey’s vocals work, but Taggart should definitely not sing, because he can’t. There’s a reason a lot of DJs like Zedd and David Guetta always employ featuring artists.  And while the EDM backing is nice, it doesn’t pack the punch that other Chainsmokers songs do, like ‘Don’t Let Me Down’.

It’s not a bad song to dance and sing to, but it definitely isn’t on my list of favourites.

Click on the video to listen to Closer.

Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool

                                                Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool

Bringing to you another stellar review of UK’s art-rock band, Radiohead. Their newest album A Moon Shape Pool, following their last full-length album The King of Limbs which garnered mixed review. Their singles Burn The Witch, which featured very fluid percussion, beautiful string arrangements, it wasn’t synthetic and Daydreaming with its somber arpeggios, Thom’s voice sounding heart wrenching, swirling and psychedelic effects such as the reverse vocal effect. Radiohead’s new album was heading towards a subtler, nuance and perhaps even depressing. The following songs follow this suit, however amongst this very vast and nocturnal landscapes that they create, Thom and co. make sure that these songs don’t get boring through it’s interesting chord progressions.

The final string crescendo on this track is extremely beautiful, the albums final moments are intriguing I love the eerie melodies and the Latin rhythms on the song present tense, Thom sings about distance being a weapon, using distance to hurt other people by depriving them of your presence, there are also these fantastic images of him dancing with the world crashing around him, but I’m mostly enamored with the instrumentals with the classy guitar arpeggios or beautiful background vocals the shuffling rhythms its just a really put together tune, instantaneously catchy and captivating and yet like other songs in the track list it’s subtle and so soft.

Click on the video to listen to Present Tense

The Horses - Daryl Braithwaite

"The horses" by Daryl Braithwaite is an iconic song both when it was released and has gained a significant amount of publicity recently as it became a meme within Australian social media as of late (possibly due to it being 25 years since its release. Or more likely it’s just an absolute cracker of a song). Although not written by the man himself his cover has become more known than the original.  The songs catchy lyrics, smooth drum and guitar as well as its strong iconic chorus work together so well, a large reason for its status as an “anthem” among Australians on a night out.

Mac Miller- The divine Feminine

Malcolm James McCormick better known as 'Mac Miller',  is a 25 year old American rapper, singer and record producer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 'Divine Feminine' is Mac Miller's fourth studio album, in which includes various features from the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, Ty Dolla Sign and his current girlfriend; Ariana Grande. The divine Feminine is a 10 track ode to his relationship with love and the female body, and although sounds nothing like what we are used to from Miller,  it's actually apparently one of, if not his best album. The divine feminine steps away from the traditional sounds and "party boy" persona we were introduced to on Mac's debut in 2007 through the incorporation of smoother tones and jazzy beats.

Personally, My favourite track found on the album is "Cinderella" featuring Ty Dolla Sign. Cinderella portrays both artists as 'gentlemen' (Well to an extent) which is completely unexpected of both and ironic of Ty Dolla Sign, who's actually known pretty much for being a womanizer. While the main theme of love is portrayed through the use of selective lyrics and sometimes vulgar language, the track still presents Mac's sole personality whilst portraying  a softer side we haven't been exposed to. This is especially shown through "My Favourite Part" featuring his girlfriend Ariana, where you will not find any explicit terms, just pure soul, groove and romance. Although this and many of the other songs  be a little slow, drag on and sometimes leave us feeling a little bit bored, there are still some bangers and is definitely worth a listen as its 'different' from what you would be used to hearing from rappers/singers today.

All Too Well- Taylor Swift

"All Too Well" has been called the best song on Taylor Swift's 2012 album Red, and for good reason. In an age where most pop songs have lyrics that could be written by a lovesick teenager, "All Too Well" is so lyrically sophisticated throughout the entire song. While her voice is critiqued, it matches the driving beat and simple electric strumming which crescendos to her most memorable line: [You called me up again just to break me like a promise| So casually cruel in the name of being honest].
The result: top-notch track that knocks all her critics on their knees, begging for more.




All Too Well - Taylor Swift

Faded- Alan Walker Review

Alan Walker has a knack for creating amazing EDM tracks. Fade was one of these which skyrocketed to fame. The signature hook and pulsing beat drives this song forward. "Faded" just doesn’t provide the same effect. While the hook and basic structure remains the same, Faded is less electric, employing a piano introduction and mellow vocals. For a song that relies heavily on the beat and hook, subduing the sound does nothing for the appeal. Even with the piano ending at the beginning of the chorus, the vocal and electronic melodies fight for attention, only diminished by the softness of the female’s voice. Although the lyrics are utter garbage, it works in this song as it highlights the beauty in her voice.  In the end, it feels like an attempt to reach a worldwide audience simply by adding nice vocals. And it doesn’t work.

Faded- Alan Walker

Khalid review, "American Teen"

Khalid Amhearst Robinson or as he is more commonly referred to Khalid, not to be confused with the similarly named DJ Khaled who you would recognise through his trademark screaming of his own name at the start of pop songs. No, this is about Khalid an 18-year boy with a voice larger than himself and his debut album "American teen". With parents in the military he lived in multiple locations and finally settled in his senior year in El Paso, Texas. The album gives listeners a front seat to the mind of an African American teen’s experience on life thus far, and it will be quite the journey to see where he goes next. The title track affectionately also named "American teen" gives a preview into his mind and what is to come in the album with his soulful R and B approach to music. The release of his album had two hit singles of “Location” and “Young dumb and broke”, which are both unique and fresh. Some other notable songs which I particularly enjoyed off the album were “Keep me”, “Coaster”, “Saved” and “8TEEN”. Great album with some very catchy songs you won’t be able to get out of your head as you find yourself singing along in the car or shower.

Be Grateful!- DJ Khaled

ICON ALERT!! Where do we start with this one. Over years there have been many influential figures who have changed our perspectives on the world,  this list includes some of the greatest inventors, scientists and leaders to have ever walked the earth. however there's one man who has managed to stand out and emerge as one of, if not, the greatest influential figures of of all time.
In today's society this man is known as Khaled Mohammed Khaled, or better recognised as "DJ Khaled".
DJ Khaled is a snapchat icon, music mogul, full-time father, motivational speaker and an inspiration to the best of us. his rise to fame is not only due to his sole talent, but also the empire he has built himself upon, thanks to social media. Khaled exploded onto the scene through snapchat which he used as an avenue for spreading positive messages and vibes through his words, phrases and experiences.

"Watch your back, but more importantly when you get out the shower, dry your back. It's a cold world out there." - DJ Khaled.

The next best things to happen to Khaled after his rise to stardom and the birth of his son Asahd, who is an executive producer and motive for the release of his latest album - "Grateful" in July earlier this year.  The album speaks for itself with some of the most iconic names in music which include the likes of: Beyoncé, Jay Z, Drake, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper, Big Sean, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and the list goes on. Featuring over 23 songs and closing in on the 90-minute mark Grateful is filled with Summer Anthems and songs that make you bop and lose control. Major key.
The main headliners of the album for me are "Im the One" featuring Justin Bieber, Chance, Quavo and Lil Wayne which managed to top the hot 100 before the album was even released,  and "Wild Thoughts" featuring "Rihanna" and "Bryson Tiller",which is now overplayed on almost all radio stations but is still a banger of a jam.
On a scale of one to ten the album gets a solid 8 which is nothing less than expected and leaves us eagerly waiting in anticipation for what he and his business partner/son have in store for us next.