Top Ten Songs for June

Nearing summer again, and a new song of the season! I personally think my top song right now is going to sweep the charts during the summer, but I could be wrong... Of course, there are only a few more months to prove me otherwise.

1. Shut Up and Dance - Walk the Moon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JCLY0Rlx6Q
I've never attended a music festival, but the idea intrigues me. Walk the Moon will be performing in the Way Home Music and Arts Festival in Oro-Medonte, Ontario July 24, 25, and 26th. The beauty of the festival is that it isn't only one artist performing but multiple. Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Hozier, will also be there.

2. Geronimo - Sheppard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-SeaCZE2TM
Another one of Scooter Braun's projects. Even though he's only managing their introduction to the States, as they're an Australian band, he is heavily involved in the future of Sheppard. Everything Braun touches seems to turn to gold. So far, he's turned Justin Bieber into an international household name, launched Ariana Grande's career in an upward trajectory, helped foster Cody Simpson's career, played a part in Ed Sheeran's American domination, and now he's focusing on this band. You can only expect great things.

3. Youtopia - Armin van Buuren feat. Adam Young - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTgh-QwvyVo
I find it so interesting to research an artist's works and projects. A lot of the times, artists tend to build relationships with others in their industry, and work together. A common misconception is that the industry creates a lot of competition. While I'm sure there is some, Adam Young is just one example of disproving that idea. The amount of work he has done for other artists, as a producer, writer, vocalist, or engineer is amazing, and not just for some knock-off artists, but for some huge names. It's nice to see that team mentality in the industry.

4. Boldly I Approach - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QDnVD7gu5Y
A huge thing in today's Christian music industry is bands leading worship. In the previous generation, it was mainly solo artists, with the major exception being Hillsong. However, now the tides have turned, with the majority of new worship material coming from worship bands such as Vertical Church, and Rend Collective. Rend Collective comes from a bunch of young people meeting under the name Rend, to find a real expression of church through prayer and mission.

5. Stained Glass - Jon Guerra - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhfpgrqgAso
I heard this song for the first time in Chicago at the Act Like Men conference. As an acoustic solo song, in an atmosphere with hundreds of men ready to worship, the emotional impact is off the charts. Jon Guerra's control over his vocal falsetto is amazing, but my favourite part of the song is the lyrics. The words are piercing, but in a simple, eye-opening way.

6. I'm Going Free (Jailbreak) - Vertical Church Band - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2ZMjmZMo1o
This was another song I heard during my trip to Chicago. While the band didn't actually play it during the conference, it was on one of their albums we listened to on the way to Chicago. The upbeat tempo matches the fast lyrical change perfectly. My favourite part is the chorus, that sticks in your mind for a long time afterwards.

7. Where Are U Now - Skrillex and Diplo feat. Justin Bieber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKS1xjqEv8o
Apparently, Skrillex and Diplo together form the duo Jack U. Founded in 2013, the DJ duo group work together and mainly feature solo artists for songs. The album that featured this song was the debut project for the duo. Because they are a DJ duo, every song off this album features an artist. And these artists aren't just any artists. Jack U has partnered with Kiesza, 2 Chainz, and of course Bieber!

8. This is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFRjr_x-yxU
This song is a cool example of the new transition in worship music from a more laid back sound to one that utilizes a rock feel and electronic equipment for inspired purposes. While not to the point of discarding all instruments and just using a DJ, the song does utilizes some electronics to drive the catchy musical lines home. Finding that perfect combination between instruments and electronic effects is paramount to the success of a song such as this one.

9. Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpyfrixXBqU
Still all over the news! Not only did he host the Much Music Video Awards, but he also hit the YouTube trending charts when he made an impromptu appearance in the West Edmonton Mall. A young teen was singing this very song for karaoke, when Ed Sheeran joined her to sing along, and make her day, and very possibly, her year!

10. One Last Time - Ariana Grande - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg92RrNhB8s
Why, in the industry today, do all female artists have to be sexualized to sell? Even the ones with talent, such as Ariana Grande, don't focus on their music. Instead, it's all about their body, their provocative music videos, photoshoots, e.t.c. Take this song without knowing about Grande and her eccentric clothing and acts, and it really is a good piece of music. The sexualization of every female artist ruins it for me, and tarnishes the female talent that is present.

Best Wah Pedals

Dunlop

1. Dunlop Cry Baby Wah - http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/Cry-Baby - 120.00 - 4.8/5

This is the best wah pedal out there in my opinion. It is also the best one to start off with. The price isn't abnormally high, the features are extremely simplistic, yet the pedal gives off an amazing sound. The brand name is also time tested, and regarded as one of the best companies in the industry.

This wah pedal is rather large and heavy, but that also means it is extremely sturdy. The action of the pedal is also very smooth, other then the fact that the pedal effect has to be turned on through clicking a button. The actual sound that comes from the pedal is amazing. The sweep is perfect, with both extremes producing great cutting tones. Either of the extremes can be fit in to any song, and the wah wah effect, sweeping from either extreme.

Musician's Friend

2. Ibanez WD7 Weeping Demon Wah Wah Pedal - http://www.amazon.ca/Ibanez-WD7-Weeping-Demon-Pedal/dp/B000S5MW6C - 180.00 - 4.7/5

This is another stellar pedal. Again the tones emitted are great, and the pedal itself is of a fine build. Ibanez is known for its more rocky feel, and this wah is no exception. The sound does tend to be more gritty, or harsh, but that makes it a perfect fit for rock genre songs. Add this in to a solo, and the flair will make you sound like a hero.

The build of this pedal is extremely strong. It does differ slightly from the standard CryBaby shape, and includes some sound options that the simplistic CryBaby doesn't have. However, the shape can be slightly awkward, especially when trying to squeeze onto a crowded pedal board.

3. Fender Classics Fuzz Wah - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/fender-classics-series-fuzz-wah-pedal - 150.00 - 3.6/5

Audio Fanzine

Currently, this pedal is discontinued, but there are a few reissues floating around. Like many of Fender's ventures into electronics, this pedal has garnered moderate success. Again, much like the Weeping Demon, the focus is on a fuzz wah. The pedal does allow for a simple wah sound, which in my opinion is its best feature, but the main purpose of the effect to provide its fuzz wah. This fuzz wah in my opinion is lacking, and doesn't provide as well of a range as other pedals do. The actual fuzz sound is good, but it doesn't live up to the wah purpose.

As for build, the pedal again is decently sturdy, modelled after the CryBaby. However, the unique feature is its slanted pedal, that controls the wah. This to me is awkward, and again leads to trouble on a pedalboard. I'm also not a huge fan of the sound options to the side, with two foot switches.

4. Zakk Wylde Z-45 Signature Wah - http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/zw45-zakk-wylde-signature-wah - 200.00 - 4.3/5

Vanz Guitars

This pedal is extremely similar to the CryBaby, in fact, it is a CryBaby, just a special edition one. The make is the same, the sound is extremely close, it just has a different finish to it, and of course the name Zakk Wylde is tagged on. In regards to differences, there is a slight adjustment to the wah sound. This pedal does seem to cater to the heavy distortion sound, adding a little grunge to the wah sound.

The pedal's aesthetics are also slightly different, with a metallic silver look the go to option, instead of the classic black finish. The grip is also styled into Wylde's signature bullseye pattern. Overall, this pedal gives you much of what you can get with the original CryBaby, with some additional cool stylistic features.

5. Digitech Whammy (5th Generation) - http://digitech.com/en/products/whammy-5th-gen - 200.00 - 4.0/5

Digitech

This is one interesting wah pedal. Everything about it is extremely unique, even it's name. Titled the Whammy, it serves much of the same purpose of a wah pedal, but more in the style of a whammy bar. There are multiple features on the pedal. You can go for harmony, or the whammy setting, and set your own octaves to alternate between. The whole pedal allows for extremely simple programming for the sound you want. The pedal is also shaped into a nice box shape, which is nice, and it is colorful (bonus!)!

The actual sound, like much of Digitech's equipment, is heavily electronic, and does not allow for the natural vibe that some of the other pedals generate. Also in my opinion, having to click the button in the lower corner of the pedal is slightly awkward and perhaps too time consuming, especially in certain situations.