Lately big names have been coming from all over the world. Canadians are making international breakthroughs, Australia has an international chart-topper, but where it's really at right now has got to be the UK. Adele, Jessie J, One Direction, and of course, The Wanted. Their last song "Glad You Came" was enough to launch them to the top of charts all over the world, and now they're ready to keep going with "Chasing The Sun." And really, it's not that special.
It sounds like the kind of think you've heard before and it doesn't offer anything new. For me I could just imagine The Wanted singing "Till The World Ends," and it would sound identical. It's full of "oh oh oh"s and lyrics about never growing old. It's boring. It doesn't build to anything, it's not particularly catchy, it doesn't give you any reason to want to listen to it again.
The lyrics also don't give us anything too unique. It's the same old message. It's full of interesting metaphors, that don't seem to really have any meaning. In fact, the whole song seems to lack meaning. The boys put no emotion into what their saying so I'm certain that they're just reading the script that they were given. No doubt they just wanted to pump out another dance song and that's all they got, nothing more. No effort was putting into making anything meaningful in these lyrics.
Where this song will go is a bit of a mystery right now. On the one hand, they are riding off the huge success of "Glad You Came," on the other hand, is one hit enough to make people buy a boring song. I suspect there will be some initial interest, but it will be a massive fall from the success of "Glad You Came." It wouldn't mind hearing the song, but I don't particularly want to hear the song either. It's just plain boring.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Maroon 5 - Pay Phone
Last year Maroon 5 debuted their huge hit "Moves Like Jagger" on The Voice, and this year it looks like they're trying for a repeat with "Pay Phone." The song has all the usual aspects of a Maroon 5 song and sounds pretty similar to some of their other stuff, but that doesn't mean that it's no good.
Like songs like "She Will Be Loved" and "Never Gonna Leave This Bed" it combines falsetto with bouncy verse and emotional lyrics. The chorus is nothing new, but as the verses roll along a bouncing beat with meaningful clever lyrics it starts to hook you in. Altogether the song is very catchy and it's easy to have it play in your head all day.
Lyrically it's actually got some meaning to it. The song tells a story about a break-up and the feelings afterward. You can tell that effort really went into something that was meaningful and sounded true, and not just some copy and paste lyrics.
The flow of the song is broken up by an appearnace of Wiz Kalifa. His verse doesn't really fit with the rest of the song can kind of throws it off for me. It's job was probably to keep the song interesting, which it did, but I would have picked someone else to feature on the song. He doesn't feature all that promently though, so we can just overlook it.
Maroon 5 already have the formula for a hit so I don't think they have to worry about "Pay Phone" doing poorly. They still managed to keep the sound fresh and interesting on this one and it sounds great all around. I'm certain it'll be another huge smash.
Like songs like "She Will Be Loved" and "Never Gonna Leave This Bed" it combines falsetto with bouncy verse and emotional lyrics. The chorus is nothing new, but as the verses roll along a bouncing beat with meaningful clever lyrics it starts to hook you in. Altogether the song is very catchy and it's easy to have it play in your head all day.
Lyrically it's actually got some meaning to it. The song tells a story about a break-up and the feelings afterward. You can tell that effort really went into something that was meaningful and sounded true, and not just some copy and paste lyrics.
The flow of the song is broken up by an appearnace of Wiz Kalifa. His verse doesn't really fit with the rest of the song can kind of throws it off for me. It's job was probably to keep the song interesting, which it did, but I would have picked someone else to feature on the song. He doesn't feature all that promently though, so we can just overlook it.
Maroon 5 already have the formula for a hit so I don't think they have to worry about "Pay Phone" doing poorly. They still managed to keep the sound fresh and interesting on this one and it sounds great all around. I'm certain it'll be another huge smash.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Nelly Furtado - Big Hoops
Like I said before, we've had a slow start this year for big hitters in the music world. Major stars last year like Lady Gaga and Rihanna are fading out, while Ke$ha and Christina Aguilera are holding out for a little later. But with summer coming up it's time to start looking for the song of the summer and we might have our first candidate with "Big Hoops."
It's been like forever since Nelly Furtado has released a new album, and we only got a small taste a couple of years ago with "Night Is Young." While "Night Is Young" was in her smooth gentle style, "Big Hoops" is her sexually aggressive style. It's just as strong as anything she's done and it's sure to really draw in attention.
The song is a little crazy, but it's clearly an organized crazy. Chanting "the bigger the better," opens the song and continues to pound throughout the rest of the song. Nelly fills her verses with clever lyrics, while the chorus is just a simple bouncy, "I can go fast, I can go slow," followed by an island style "Hey ey ey." It really comes together to make a blast of different sounds. It works really well and makes the song very enjoyable to listen to.
Near the end we get a little break where she speaks, "Oh, I thought the song was over." It's weird, but it's something to keep you on your toes. Nelly Furtado is making a big return, she's going to smash with everything about her that makes her so great. If only Madonna had done the same.
Right now "Big Hoops" is looking like the best bet for song of the summer, but Katy Perry is still hanging on, and if Ke$ha times her first single off he new album right she could also make a smash. For now, we'll have to wait and see.
It's been like forever since Nelly Furtado has released a new album, and we only got a small taste a couple of years ago with "Night Is Young." While "Night Is Young" was in her smooth gentle style, "Big Hoops" is her sexually aggressive style. It's just as strong as anything she's done and it's sure to really draw in attention.
The song is a little crazy, but it's clearly an organized crazy. Chanting "the bigger the better," opens the song and continues to pound throughout the rest of the song. Nelly fills her verses with clever lyrics, while the chorus is just a simple bouncy, "I can go fast, I can go slow," followed by an island style "Hey ey ey." It really comes together to make a blast of different sounds. It works really well and makes the song very enjoyable to listen to.
Near the end we get a little break where she speaks, "Oh, I thought the song was over." It's weird, but it's something to keep you on your toes. Nelly Furtado is making a big return, she's going to smash with everything about her that makes her so great. If only Madonna had done the same.
Right now "Big Hoops" is looking like the best bet for song of the summer, but Katy Perry is still hanging on, and if Ke$ha times her first single off he new album right she could also make a smash. For now, we'll have to wait and see.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Dragonette - Let It Go
I don't know if I ever mentioned it before, but I absolutely love Dragonette. I think they are one of the best acts out there right now; such a unique sounds and always catchy. "Let It Go" does not disappoint.
The song follows a mellow electronic beat with consistent electronic, almost distant, vocals. The song displays many of Dragonette's signature sounds like Martina's pronounced vocals and echoing effects. However, it also sounds fresh and unique. The song doesn't build up too strong, but it works in the mellow style. It still manages to create a powerful effect with other tricks, such as when the music holds back and the vocals come forward for the second verse.
Lyrically, the song is hard to make sense of, but that's nothing new for Dragonette. Their songs have always been a little kooky with poetic lyrics that could be interpreted different ways. Lyrics are important to me, and so this is a bit of downside, but it's not like it's unexpected, and it least the lyrics do seem to have some purpose and aren't just some nonsense over a dance beat. If you analyzed the song, there's probably a meaning or two to it, my guess is sex, but it could be anything.
Dragonette smashed international with Martin Solveig on "Hello" last year so the world is ready for something new and unique from them. It's bound to be another big hit in Canada, but it's hard to say whether it will get noticed anywhere else in the world. Canada has been getting a lot of recognition in the world of music lately, Carly Rae Jepsen had her big break out, K'naan getting some success, even Flo Rida's got some new protegee from Canada. So let's cross our fingers that Dragonette can ride on the success too.
The song follows a mellow electronic beat with consistent electronic, almost distant, vocals. The song displays many of Dragonette's signature sounds like Martina's pronounced vocals and echoing effects. However, it also sounds fresh and unique. The song doesn't build up too strong, but it works in the mellow style. It still manages to create a powerful effect with other tricks, such as when the music holds back and the vocals come forward for the second verse.
Lyrically, the song is hard to make sense of, but that's nothing new for Dragonette. Their songs have always been a little kooky with poetic lyrics that could be interpreted different ways. Lyrics are important to me, and so this is a bit of downside, but it's not like it's unexpected, and it least the lyrics do seem to have some purpose and aren't just some nonsense over a dance beat. If you analyzed the song, there's probably a meaning or two to it, my guess is sex, but it could be anything.
Dragonette smashed international with Martin Solveig on "Hello" last year so the world is ready for something new and unique from them. It's bound to be another big hit in Canada, but it's hard to say whether it will get noticed anywhere else in the world. Canada has been getting a lot of recognition in the world of music lately, Carly Rae Jepsen had her big break out, K'naan getting some success, even Flo Rida's got some new protegee from Canada. So let's cross our fingers that Dragonette can ride on the success too.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Carly Rae Jepsen - Curiosity
Carly Rae Jepsen has just been doing amazing lately. "Call Me Maybe" was a huge hit in Canada and now it's making a strong run in the US as well; now it's time to move onto her next single, "Curiosity."
"Curiosity" is an interesting blend, on the one hand it's got a darker feeling that "Call Me Maybe," but it's still got her perky sound. While the verses offer a more mysterious sort of sound, the chorus bounces right back up to the usual fun sound. It's easy to just nod along with the catchy "Oh oh oh"s and forget about the rest of the song.
The biggest snag for me is the lyrics; I don't exactly follow them. My first thought was that it was about being stuck in a toxic relationship, yet now I'm thinking it might be something more positive. The first verse seems to be about being hurt in a relationship, yet other lines where she talks about following him home in the rain, make it sound like it actually is love. It doesn't help that the chorus is just "Curiosity oh oh oh" repeated over and over again. It sounds like it does have a deep serious message, yet it's really hard to follow. The song just doesn't seem to have much direction and bounces around randomly.
If it was a catchy song the lyrics could be overlooked, and this song is catchy, but not as much as "Call Me Maybe." It's a bit of a step down when people are expecting more. You could say that since they're a little different in style that they balance out to be the same, but we're not looking for "Call Me Maybe" part two, we're looking for another big move from Carly Rae. So with a good, but not great, tune and confusing lyrics, I think you may be disappointed.
Carly Rae still can look forward to "Call Me Maybe" smashing in the US, but that might be all she gets; "Curiosity" just doesn't seem like it will hook listeners in the same way.
"Curiosity" is an interesting blend, on the one hand it's got a darker feeling that "Call Me Maybe," but it's still got her perky sound. While the verses offer a more mysterious sort of sound, the chorus bounces right back up to the usual fun sound. It's easy to just nod along with the catchy "Oh oh oh"s and forget about the rest of the song.
The biggest snag for me is the lyrics; I don't exactly follow them. My first thought was that it was about being stuck in a toxic relationship, yet now I'm thinking it might be something more positive. The first verse seems to be about being hurt in a relationship, yet other lines where she talks about following him home in the rain, make it sound like it actually is love. It doesn't help that the chorus is just "Curiosity oh oh oh" repeated over and over again. It sounds like it does have a deep serious message, yet it's really hard to follow. The song just doesn't seem to have much direction and bounces around randomly.
If it was a catchy song the lyrics could be overlooked, and this song is catchy, but not as much as "Call Me Maybe." It's a bit of a step down when people are expecting more. You could say that since they're a little different in style that they balance out to be the same, but we're not looking for "Call Me Maybe" part two, we're looking for another big move from Carly Rae. So with a good, but not great, tune and confusing lyrics, I think you may be disappointed.
Carly Rae still can look forward to "Call Me Maybe" smashing in the US, but that might be all she gets; "Curiosity" just doesn't seem like it will hook listeners in the same way.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Justin Bieber - Boyfriend
It's been a bit of a slow start for 2012. Lady Gaga is gone for now, Rihanna is fumbling, Kesha and Christina Aguilera are holding off for a bit, and Katy Perry is just adding on a few final hits to her Teenage Dream. Madonna was supposed to be the big smash comeback, and she pretty much failed at that. But I think this song is one of the first big moments of the year.
We all knew that it was coming, Justin Bieber couldn't keep being the cute little boy that he debuted as. With "Boyfriend" he makes the full transformation from an annoying squeaky voiced boy to a sexy singer. He's really filling the void that Justin Timberlake has left us. Mike Posner briefly filled it, and now Posner is writing for Bieber, would you look at that. And when I say this, I don't just mean that he's similar to Timberlake, I mean that he is completely emulating his sound. He's got the deep, sexy sound mixed with the high tenor sound. He's got the spoken parts, and the stretched out chorus.
Bieber is fully embracing a new sound. "Boyfriend" is full of spoken, rap verses and combined with smooth choruses. Lyrically, though, he's pretty much the same as always. He wants to be your boyfriend, just like he has for the last five songs or so. But I think that's easy enough to ignore, it's not like you have too many other options when you're eighteen, and this message has been working for Bieber so far.
I was never a fan of Timberlake, so this song isn't one of my favorites, but I can tell that it's going to be big. This is the moment when Bieber fully enters the world of music. Sure he's had a few songs before that disappeared quickly, but I think this one has potential to be a hit. Even if it doesn't fall before reaching a new peak, it'll still be remembered for it's new sound. Still, I'm betting we'll be seeing it at number one soon. We've been waiting for something big to make this year special, this might be it.
We all knew that it was coming, Justin Bieber couldn't keep being the cute little boy that he debuted as. With "Boyfriend" he makes the full transformation from an annoying squeaky voiced boy to a sexy singer. He's really filling the void that Justin Timberlake has left us. Mike Posner briefly filled it, and now Posner is writing for Bieber, would you look at that. And when I say this, I don't just mean that he's similar to Timberlake, I mean that he is completely emulating his sound. He's got the deep, sexy sound mixed with the high tenor sound. He's got the spoken parts, and the stretched out chorus.
Bieber is fully embracing a new sound. "Boyfriend" is full of spoken, rap verses and combined with smooth choruses. Lyrically, though, he's pretty much the same as always. He wants to be your boyfriend, just like he has for the last five songs or so. But I think that's easy enough to ignore, it's not like you have too many other options when you're eighteen, and this message has been working for Bieber so far.
I was never a fan of Timberlake, so this song isn't one of my favorites, but I can tell that it's going to be big. This is the moment when Bieber fully enters the world of music. Sure he's had a few songs before that disappeared quickly, but I think this one has potential to be a hit. Even if it doesn't fall before reaching a new peak, it'll still be remembered for it's new sound. Still, I'm betting we'll be seeing it at number one soon. We've been waiting for something big to make this year special, this might be it.
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