It’s been a while since I’ve been able to post on here! I’ve had so much going on within my personal life between concerts, 5 birthdays in 1 month, and I’m in the process of moving out of the only place I’ve ever called home. I haven’t been able to put much effort into the blog this summer, and it’s been eating away at me because I have received such positive feedback on it. I am thrilled to say I now have the time and energy to make this blog exactly what I want it to be! I figured a great way to jump back in to this would be to show you all what music I’ve been really invested in lately!
I think we all go through phases of listening to the same tracks repeatedly and just not giving a damn how many times in a row you hear it. I find it fascinating and have tried to figure out what elements are drawing myself to these specific songs and why. Sometimes, it just isn’t that deep. It doesn’t HAVE to be that deep. You can just love a song for simply how it sounds; maybe you just like the vibe. It doesn’t matter! The track just hits you and you can’t get enough of it.
Below are 10 songs that have been on repeat the last few months, and there really isn’t any specific order in this because it’s too challenging and simply not necessary. These songs have such stark differences and trying to compare Nu Metal to a Hip Hop to Reggae just isn’t something that really needs to happen. I love them all, and I think it’s a great challenge for yourself to become more aware of what you’ve been into musically lately and see if there are any comparisons or ask yourself why you are obsessed with that specific song.
10. 90’s Kids- Champagne
The “Release Radar” playlist on Spotify is usually my go to every Monday morning, and that’s where I’ve found 90’s Kids. This group is very new, and it’s clear as day that 80’s Pop was a major influence on this group, and I absolutely love this song. It’s very fun and I can’t help but smile when I listen to it. I feel like if you enjoy artists like Foster the People, Joywave, or even The 1975, you will probably find yourself digging this song as much as I do.
9. The Brummies- Take Some Time
This is such an easy song and band to listen to! I really love lying in bed in the evening with low lights on just listening to chill music and just decompress. This song by The Brummies (a U.K. slang term one calls a resident of Birmingham) is one of the first that comes to mind when I think about those moments because the tempo is so relaxed. Aside from this, vocalists John Davidson and Jacob Bryant’s are so melodic and so smooth. It goes over really nicely the simple guitar pieces. They believe they’re a combination of psych rock and indie-folk which I can definitely agree with. I’ve come to really enjoy The Brummies; they have a very satisfying catalogue.
8. The New Respects- Something to Believe In
It seems like Nashville, TN just busts out some incredibly talented artists on the regular. This song makes me want to get up and dance! It’s another feel good track and I love the female vocals. I definitely belt this one out in the car, and I can’t help but bob my head all over the place to that guitar part!
7. Khalid- Love Lies
I was originally introduced to Khalid from Logic featuring him on a track and I was surprised how much I really like him. The beats behind his voice are always interesting and Love Lies is no exception. It’s written really well, and I love the dualism between his voice and Normani’s from Fifth Harmony. It’s catchy and I think it’s a great hit.
6. The Aces- Volcanic Love
I LOVE THIS GIRL BAND AND THE GIRL POWER THAT OOZES FROM THEM! I first heard The Aces at Bottlerock 2018. I had no idea what to expect and honestly was not planning on paying much attention, but after hearing one song, I was so disappointed in myself! This Utah based band finds inspiration from bands like The 1975 and similar Alt-Rock bands. I can definitely hear some of that in their music and I think as a woman, it’s exciting to find another relevant all girl rock band. Volcanic Love has been stuck in my head since Memorial Day weekend, and I’m definitely okay with it. It’s cute but also lyrically fun to sing, and I really just flat out enjoy the music.
5. Panic! At the Disco- Dancing’s Not a Crime
Who remembers listening to I Write Sins Not Tragedies in bright orange skinny jeans and Green braces?? Please for the love of God tell me I wasn’t the only one. Panic! At the Disco holds so much awkward middle school nostalgia and I love how they keep bringing out fantastic new content regularly. This song is another great sing-a-long. There’s so much going on musically in my ear and I love listening and screaming it. In my opinion, it isn’t necessarily the best on their new Pray for The Wicked album, but it’ll for sure put a smile on your face.
4. The Killers- The Way It Was
This is another really nostalgic band for me and yet, I unfortunately didn’t hear this song until Bottlerock 2018. The intro of this song was obviously the first aspect to really draw me in, but I just can’t help but really focus on their vocalist Brandon Flowers. He brings so much power and energy in the way he sings. The Killers live is nothing like I’ve ever seen! They bring such a friendly true rock and roll vibe; they DEFINITELY put on probably the best show I have ever seen. I listened to every single album as soon as I got home, and this is one of my favorites off their record Battle Born. If you haven’t listened to The Killers in a while, look at this as your sign to dive right back in.
3. Rebelution- Fade Away
Rebelution is the definition of easy listening. Fade Away is hands down my favorite Rebelution song because I feel like it’s comparable to wrapping yourself in a warm blanket. It’s very hypnotic and smooth in the beat and musical elements, and I definitely drift away and feel like I genuinely relax my brain when I listen to this song. It’s so simple and the vocals of Eric Rachmany are truly the icing on the cake.
2. The Head and the Heart- Don’t Dream It’s Over
Yet again another Bottlerock 2018 song, and it also happens to be a cover. Don’t Dream It’s Over was originally produced by Crowded Houses and to be honest, this version by The Head and the Heart is my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, they’re very similar and The Head and the Heart did a great job with keeping it close, but man, when Charity Rose Theilin lends her voice to the second verse, I get chills. I’ve been listening to this almost every day for 2 months and I’m still not tired of it. In fact, I press replay over and over each time. It pays homage to the original well while finding some ways to make it their own.
1. Incubus- Are You In?
Okay listen. To be honest, I said this had no real order to it, but Are You In? is definitely the number one song I’ve been listening to lately. This is off Incubus’s album Morning View which is my favorite album of theirs. I love the originality that comes from Incubus because even though each song somehow correlates with each other, they’re still somehow completely different. Brandon Boyd’s voice is so beautiful and really well-rounded. Are You In? is another song I find myself just casually listening to, especially when my anxiety is higher than usual. This song is a bit hard to explain because there’s musical elements from so many different genres, and the lyrics are just so easy to sing. I smile every time I hear this song; it’s honestly my favorite of Incubus’s catalogue. There’s not much to say other than it’s genuinely a pleasure to listen to. I’ve been lucky enough to see Incubus twice, and it’s one thing to fall in love with a song but it’s almost better seeing how a band can still be in love with the same song even after singing it for 17 years.
So there you have it! I collection of how manic my music taste can be. I'm really looking forward to what is coming for this blog, and I hope you'll stick around and see what I have up my sleeve!