Katy Perry proved last year that she's capable of mastering the pop ballad with "The One That Got Away," a song that was both emotional and catchy. "Wide Awake" is another strong step in that direction.
The song is a bit slower, but in no way is uninteresting. With electric effects and strong vocals it's as powerful as any other song she's done. But the raw emotion that can be felt in the words brings the song up another level. Once again it's something unique and different while maintaining a sound that is sure to keep people hooked. The emotion is perhaps even stronger than "The One That Got Away" making it just that much more powerful.
Lyrically, the song is the opposite of "Teenage Dream," falling out of a relationship in unhappiness. It's a tender message and personally I feel that it's easier to relate to than "The One That Got Away." Instead of having memories of someone gone, this song tells what it feels like during the pain of the relationship. Like the music it is something interesting and sure to get people's attention.
This is why Katy Perry is such a powerhouse. She can juggle a variety of different styles and sell all of them. She can be unique and creative, while not drifting too far from what we love about her. "Wide Awake" is sure to be another hit for her. If only Rihanna could do the same.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Rihanna - Where Have You Been
I just can't go long without posting about Rihanna it seems. Since I started my blog with "Only Girl" she's released eight mainstream songs. Like I've said before by releasing so many songs she gets boring really fast and the fact that all of her songs sound the same isn't helping. "Where Have You Been" isn't great, but it's not too bad and it's her best shot right now.
Off of her latest album we've had her signature sound in "We Found Love," something unique in "You Da One," and a reunion with Jay-Z for "Talk That Talk." All of them were repetitive. "Where Have You Been" really isn't that different, however the main thing about it is that it is the right mix of familiar sound and creativity. One of the reasons that "You Da One" and "Talk That Talk" didn't do as good was because they weren't the dance sound that people listen to Rihanna for. On the other hand when she keeps up the same cheery, bouncy sound it gets annoying. "Where Have You Been" sounds a little darker, but not nearly as much as has been.
The song mixes quick paced, haunting verses with the signature blaring sound of Rihanna that we're all used to in the chorus. Rihanna gets a little more electronic with this one which is a good move and this time it isn't as redundant as it is in "We Found Love" The song is definitely dance and is sure to make you do just that, but it also offers a slightly different sound.
This album has been a bit of a low point for Rihanna with two songs to considerably poor for her standards. I give her thumbs up for trying different things, but that doesn't work if the songs are no good, and she can't rely on the dance factor if they're not dance songs. That's why "Where Have You Been" is a good way for her to end this run. It's going to remind people that she can still make us dance, while still being a little creative. It's being released just in time for summer so I'm guessing that's why she was holding it back for now. It's pretty much guaranteed for success since it's the familiar sound that does so well. I say it's good enough for me considering how annoying Rihanna can get, but I hope she actually puts some serious work into her next album.
Off of her latest album we've had her signature sound in "We Found Love," something unique in "You Da One," and a reunion with Jay-Z for "Talk That Talk." All of them were repetitive. "Where Have You Been" really isn't that different, however the main thing about it is that it is the right mix of familiar sound and creativity. One of the reasons that "You Da One" and "Talk That Talk" didn't do as good was because they weren't the dance sound that people listen to Rihanna for. On the other hand when she keeps up the same cheery, bouncy sound it gets annoying. "Where Have You Been" sounds a little darker, but not nearly as much as has been.
The song mixes quick paced, haunting verses with the signature blaring sound of Rihanna that we're all used to in the chorus. Rihanna gets a little more electronic with this one which is a good move and this time it isn't as redundant as it is in "We Found Love" The song is definitely dance and is sure to make you do just that, but it also offers a slightly different sound.
This album has been a bit of a low point for Rihanna with two songs to considerably poor for her standards. I give her thumbs up for trying different things, but that doesn't work if the songs are no good, and she can't rely on the dance factor if they're not dance songs. That's why "Where Have You Been" is a good way for her to end this run. It's going to remind people that she can still make us dance, while still being a little creative. It's being released just in time for summer so I'm guessing that's why she was holding it back for now. It's pretty much guaranteed for success since it's the familiar sound that does so well. I say it's good enough for me considering how annoying Rihanna can get, but I hope she actually puts some serious work into her next album.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Usher - Scream
Usher tends to be a little hit and miss with me. "OMG" was interesting, but didn't have enough to keep me hooked, while "DJ Got Us Falling In Love" and "More" were both very catchy and dancy, but not particularly unique. However, "Scream" has got to be the worst one yet.
The song follows the basic pattern that we've heard in Usher's other dance songs, as well as most dance song today. It never does anything interesting, it doesn't build, there's nothing at all to keep me listening. It's not even that catchy, maybe on the first listen you'd be able to dance a bit, but after that it just becomes incredibly boring and repetitive.
The lyrics are even worse. It's the same old, same old, "I want to get with that hot girl" sort of thing. So that on it's own is boring, and the lyrics don't anything clever or creative to it. It's just a recycled old message. But it goes one step further by filling the rest of the song with filler lyrics like "Yeah" and "Ooh, baby baby." In fact you hear the phrase "Ooh baby baby" so much that it gets really annoying. It doesn't mean anything, it's just a clear sign that they're trying to fill a dance track with whatever reusable lyrics they can find.
Like I've said, there is no reason to want to listen to this song again. It is so tremendously boring with the same thing over and over. The music itself is not enticing and the lyrics are meaningless. But do you want to know what the worst part of this is? The worst part is knowing that this song is going to become a huge hit, and it'll be overplayed on all the pop radio stations where I'll be forced to listen to every time I turn on my radio and I'll just get more sick of a song that I already hate. I'm not looking forward to it.
The song follows the basic pattern that we've heard in Usher's other dance songs, as well as most dance song today. It never does anything interesting, it doesn't build, there's nothing at all to keep me listening. It's not even that catchy, maybe on the first listen you'd be able to dance a bit, but after that it just becomes incredibly boring and repetitive.
The lyrics are even worse. It's the same old, same old, "I want to get with that hot girl" sort of thing. So that on it's own is boring, and the lyrics don't anything clever or creative to it. It's just a recycled old message. But it goes one step further by filling the rest of the song with filler lyrics like "Yeah" and "Ooh, baby baby." In fact you hear the phrase "Ooh baby baby" so much that it gets really annoying. It doesn't mean anything, it's just a clear sign that they're trying to fill a dance track with whatever reusable lyrics they can find.
Like I've said, there is no reason to want to listen to this song again. It is so tremendously boring with the same thing over and over. The music itself is not enticing and the lyrics are meaningless. But do you want to know what the worst part of this is? The worst part is knowing that this song is going to become a huge hit, and it'll be overplayed on all the pop radio stations where I'll be forced to listen to every time I turn on my radio and I'll just get more sick of a song that I already hate. I'm not looking forward to it.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Darrelle London - Fine
Something to always look for in songs in uniqueness. Seeing as there are a lot of songs in the same style, with similar lyrics, that all around sound the same. Something fresh is always welcome, and that's what you'll find with Darrelle London's "Fine."
The song is incredibly tender and sweet, it would make you feel emotional even if you couldn't understand the lyrics. However the lyrics are very clear and it delivers a simple, but very sweet story. This is the sort of thing that we've heard before with Carly Rae Jepsen or Demi Lovato, and it's a very lovable style.
The verses follow the tender, girly voice of Darrelle London as it bounces through the words. The longing chorus is a bit smoother as she stretches out on words. Both of those together and along with piano underneath a few silent pauses, the song comes off as very cute.
Lyrically it's about love, but more importantly is the fact that it comes from a personal point of view. The song is told from the point of view of a girl who is happy to be alone, yet still wants someone to love. The lyrics have meaning to them and the song is sung with meaning. It is easy to relate to while still being slightly creative.
The main thing to know about this song is just how over the top sweet it sounds. Like, this is the kind of thing that you'd hear in a Disney movie. I wonder if it's a bit too much, but I've concluded that it is done right. It portrays a very cute story, and the way that it's done is just right. If you like Disney, you'll like the song; if you don't...you still might enjoy it.
The song is incredibly tender and sweet, it would make you feel emotional even if you couldn't understand the lyrics. However the lyrics are very clear and it delivers a simple, but very sweet story. This is the sort of thing that we've heard before with Carly Rae Jepsen or Demi Lovato, and it's a very lovable style.
The verses follow the tender, girly voice of Darrelle London as it bounces through the words. The longing chorus is a bit smoother as she stretches out on words. Both of those together and along with piano underneath a few silent pauses, the song comes off as very cute.
Lyrically it's about love, but more importantly is the fact that it comes from a personal point of view. The song is told from the point of view of a girl who is happy to be alone, yet still wants someone to love. The lyrics have meaning to them and the song is sung with meaning. It is easy to relate to while still being slightly creative.
The main thing to know about this song is just how over the top sweet it sounds. Like, this is the kind of thing that you'd hear in a Disney movie. I wonder if it's a bit too much, but I've concluded that it is done right. It portrays a very cute story, and the way that it's done is just right. If you like Disney, you'll like the song; if you don't...you still might enjoy it.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Neon Hitch - Love U Betta
Lately a lot of major songs have been drifting away from the typical dance sound. Emotional ballads are becoming more popular as well as unique and alternate sounds. But electric dance is still strong and Neon Hitch proves that with "Love U Betta."
The song bears a lot of similarities with Britney Spears. There's a constantly present electric beat throughout the song while the vocals play around with a lot of autotune. Neon shows off a few different sounds as the song plays. She starts off with strong smooth lyrics, but once the chorus picks up it's a striking sound paired with "eh"s and echo effects. There's the typical dubstep style breakdown that you'll find at the bridge, as well as a spoken closing, which is also becoming common.
Now let's get to the fun part, the lyrics. "Love U Betta" is the clean version with a much stronger word used in place of "Love" for the explicit version. While a lot of songs will dance around the actual, sexual intention of the song; this one does not. There's no dirty metaphors or double entendres, the song is flat out saying, "I can f*** you better." The direct approach is quite surprising and adds something different to the song. A lot of times I feel that the use of explicit content is unnecessary and only trying to get attention, but this is definitely necessary, it's the core point of the song. It's something different and exciting which is what a still emerging artist like Neon Hitch needs right now.
People already know Neon from 30H!3 and Gym Class Heroes songs, so she's already created a name for herself, now we need to see if she can move off of that. People are sure to notice "Love U Betta," but is going to be enough to boost Neon into the mainstream world? I think that it can.
The song bears a lot of similarities with Britney Spears. There's a constantly present electric beat throughout the song while the vocals play around with a lot of autotune. Neon shows off a few different sounds as the song plays. She starts off with strong smooth lyrics, but once the chorus picks up it's a striking sound paired with "eh"s and echo effects. There's the typical dubstep style breakdown that you'll find at the bridge, as well as a spoken closing, which is also becoming common.
Now let's get to the fun part, the lyrics. "Love U Betta" is the clean version with a much stronger word used in place of "Love" for the explicit version. While a lot of songs will dance around the actual, sexual intention of the song; this one does not. There's no dirty metaphors or double entendres, the song is flat out saying, "I can f*** you better." The direct approach is quite surprising and adds something different to the song. A lot of times I feel that the use of explicit content is unnecessary and only trying to get attention, but this is definitely necessary, it's the core point of the song. It's something different and exciting which is what a still emerging artist like Neon Hitch needs right now.
People already know Neon from 30H!3 and Gym Class Heroes songs, so she's already created a name for herself, now we need to see if she can move off of that. People are sure to notice "Love U Betta," but is going to be enough to boost Neon into the mainstream world? I think that it can.
Friday, April 27, 2012
The Wanted - Chasing The Sun
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.
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 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.
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