Still not a great month for songs of the summer. There really hasn't been a whole lot of good new material. It seems all the top artists are on breaks, or currently touring, but not releasing new songs. This still presents a good opportunity to go back and take a look at any older music that may have been passed over.
1. All I Want - Kodaline - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cOCmC_m23E
I actually stumbled onto this song after watching a YouTube video of a Voice contestant Stevie McCrorie covering it for his blind audition. The song is right in my niche; acoustic, emotion driven, and so eerie. It really has that x factor that sets it apart especially in my books.
2. Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c
Amazingly, Chris Stapleton doesn't only churn out hits under his name, but he writes for some pretty big artists as well. He's written songs for Adele, Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett, Sheryl Crow, and George Strait. Those are some pretty big names singing your songs.
3. Alaska - Maggie Rogers - https://soundcloud.com/maggierogers/alaska
Another one I accidentally stumbled onto. Actually, I think someone shared a video of this on Facebook, of this young college girl meeting Pharrell through a school program, and playing this song for him. Throughout most of the video Pharrell was extremely nonchalant. With this song though, his interest was immediately perked. You can tell when a song is great, simply by the reaction of the people listening.
4. Lost Boy - Ruth B. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuHdkSj5nGc
Of course, the top contender for song of the summer was written by a Canadian artist, again. Ruth B. is 20, coming from Edmonton Alberta. This song has actually been around for over a year, but it was only made popular early this year, which makes it the frontrunner for this year's song of the summer.
5. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
One of the coolest things about this band is how they brand themselves. To them, it's all about "a community of worshippers." Their mission statement is all about pursuing the heart of God, finding Him in every aspect of life, and expressing that through the freedom of worship.
6. This Must Be a Dream - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55wfl5lpoAM
I've mentioned it before, but the 1975's lead singer Matt Healy is an extremely intellectual guy. He seems to have some strong radical political ideas. And he's never afraid to speak his mind. I think that's why so many young people love his work, and follow him ardently.
7. She's American - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFYiOtjB608
Another new song from the 1975's new album. This one, at least to me, sounds extremely similar to some of the other ones from their previous album. I'm actually surprised at this, I tend to think of the 1975 as an extremely unique band. But this song isn't actually that unique to them. The lyrics are though!
8. Lego House - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BLVznuWnU
While Sheeran is taking a break, it provides some time to really appreciate his older work. The lyrics are incredibly insightful and creative, marking him a true singer-songwriter. Sometimes it makes you wonder where these artists come up with these ideas!
9. From the Day - I Am They - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUjuRFwwvaw
The style of music from this band is extremely similar to Rend Collective, which is probably why I like them so much. It's extremely folk, and very catchy, which is kind of the direction that worship music seems to be veering towards these days.
10. Til the Day I Die - Toby Mac feat. NF - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWLZ_MrPplk
I've never really been a huge fan of Toby Mac, even though he's considered one of the best Christian artists of all times, just because of how he revolutionized the industry. To be honest, this is really the only song of his that I can listen to over and over.
Wednesday 29 June 2016
Wednesday 1 June 2016
Top Ten Songs for May
Surprisingly, there weren't too many new songs breaking onto my top ten list for May. Usually the month serves as the launching pad for summer songs, but there weren't many new summer songs released. Because of that, some new favourites returned to my list, as well as many from last month.
1. Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c
I love the guitar work in this song, especially the slide guitar. Probably one of my favourite parts of country music is slide guitar. It's such an uniquely sounding instrument, really adding a whole new dimension to the genre of music.
2. Lost Boy - Ruth B. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuHdkSj5nGc
This is probably the only newer song that broke onto my list for the month. Apparently the song started off in a six second vine. From there, the artist got signed, released an EP, and has this song dominating radio play. Actually, it's quite surprising, usually slower songs like this don't get as much radio play.
3. This Must Be a Dream - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55wfl5lpoAM
The 1975 recently released their new music video for A Change of Heart, which once again showcased their intellectual and creative genius. This video particularly focused on their creative skills, which can be clearly demonstrated throughout their music as well.
4. Shine (Kygo Remix) - Benjamin Francis Leftwich - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u0JNlScNWs
I actually picked up on this song from a tweet that the lead singer of The 1975 sent out. It's another British singer songwriter, and this guy's probably the most unique of all of them. His vocals are so eerie, and actually, this remix dumbs down that feeling just a bit to create a more smooth song. But the original is great as well, as are a lot of Leftwich's other songs.
5. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
This song has caught on around Christian circles so much that other artists have begun releasing covers of the song. One such band who very recently released one such cover would be I Am They, whose hit song is From the Day. They released a cover that is extremely similar to the original, yet has some very different harmonies in it, vocally.
6. Lego House - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BLVznuWnU
An older Sheeran song, but one of his best. This might actually be the song that launched his international stardom. Classic hip hop acoustic style, with unique lyrics, it's a perfect Ed Sheeran tune.
7. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTIB10eQnA0
This is one of those old classics that will always be one of my favourites of all time. I love when a song relies heavily on an unique acoustic lick like this one. You could sit there and play it all day, while adding certain variations, and just having fun with the basis of the song. Those small licks are what makes a song a classic, and so special.
8. Touch and Go - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2cR3zy38DU
One of the newer songs on my list, and it really isn't that new. It's from Sheeran's live album from the concert he played at Wembley which was a huge feat for him, selling out three straight nights at the venue. This song is actually probably one of my favourite upbeat songs from Sheeran, with him still relying heavily on his acoustic.
9. Fire Away - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18AhUXAILWE
Sometimes musician's schedules are absolutely insane. One minute they're non stop recording in the studio, the next playing a different venue in a different city every night, and the next traveling all over for promos. For example, Stapleton over the next few months is absolutely crazy.
10. Heartbeat - Matt Kearney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acScCRFIFNc
One of the coolest things that you can see in a musician's career is the development of their skill. Matt Kearney's development is insane. He's stuck true to his original sound, but has gotten better and better with each year. This new album is so much better!
1. Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c
I love the guitar work in this song, especially the slide guitar. Probably one of my favourite parts of country music is slide guitar. It's such an uniquely sounding instrument, really adding a whole new dimension to the genre of music.
2. Lost Boy - Ruth B. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuHdkSj5nGc
This is probably the only newer song that broke onto my list for the month. Apparently the song started off in a six second vine. From there, the artist got signed, released an EP, and has this song dominating radio play. Actually, it's quite surprising, usually slower songs like this don't get as much radio play.
3. This Must Be a Dream - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55wfl5lpoAM
The 1975 recently released their new music video for A Change of Heart, which once again showcased their intellectual and creative genius. This video particularly focused on their creative skills, which can be clearly demonstrated throughout their music as well.
4. Shine (Kygo Remix) - Benjamin Francis Leftwich - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u0JNlScNWs
I actually picked up on this song from a tweet that the lead singer of The 1975 sent out. It's another British singer songwriter, and this guy's probably the most unique of all of them. His vocals are so eerie, and actually, this remix dumbs down that feeling just a bit to create a more smooth song. But the original is great as well, as are a lot of Leftwich's other songs.
5. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
This song has caught on around Christian circles so much that other artists have begun releasing covers of the song. One such band who very recently released one such cover would be I Am They, whose hit song is From the Day. They released a cover that is extremely similar to the original, yet has some very different harmonies in it, vocally.
6. Lego House - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BLVznuWnU
An older Sheeran song, but one of his best. This might actually be the song that launched his international stardom. Classic hip hop acoustic style, with unique lyrics, it's a perfect Ed Sheeran tune.
7. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTIB10eQnA0
This is one of those old classics that will always be one of my favourites of all time. I love when a song relies heavily on an unique acoustic lick like this one. You could sit there and play it all day, while adding certain variations, and just having fun with the basis of the song. Those small licks are what makes a song a classic, and so special.
8. Touch and Go - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2cR3zy38DU
One of the newer songs on my list, and it really isn't that new. It's from Sheeran's live album from the concert he played at Wembley which was a huge feat for him, selling out three straight nights at the venue. This song is actually probably one of my favourite upbeat songs from Sheeran, with him still relying heavily on his acoustic.
9. Fire Away - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18AhUXAILWE
Sometimes musician's schedules are absolutely insane. One minute they're non stop recording in the studio, the next playing a different venue in a different city every night, and the next traveling all over for promos. For example, Stapleton over the next few months is absolutely crazy.
10. Heartbeat - Matt Kearney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acScCRFIFNc
One of the coolest things that you can see in a musician's career is the development of their skill. Matt Kearney's development is insane. He's stuck true to his original sound, but has gotten better and better with each year. This new album is so much better!
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