Vocal Talent & Emotional Notes
Crucial is young and refreshing rap artist from my local town PVD. His vibe is very easily urban contemporary: a combination of Usher’s r&b voice and Drake’s rapping rhythmics. Also, notable diversity and remixes in his tracks makes his mixtape, LISTEN, worth a thorough listen. Here are my two favorites:
Sonshine
Running Away
Throw back to a timeless hip-hop hit by young West featuring Syleena Johnson.
It All Falls Down
A great pop track remade by Sufjan Stevens gives that sinuous and suave feel that artists like the Weeknd and James Blake also evoke with their music.
Habits of My Heart
If you like the Weeknd, you will be very confused to discover that this track does not belong to them. Without is a beautiful and sensual hip-hop and r&b song by Shy Girls, a super cool guy who knows how to make music that will make you want to glide. The characteristics of his work, including, falsetto, synthesizing, light dub, 120s BPM composition is becoming quite popular nowadays.
Without
Almost everyone knows R.Kelly for is Ignition (Remix), but what about for something a little more classic R&B/Soul? His old album, Love Letter, from 2010 took a Ray Charles twist and it is beautiful. Ran into this old favorite that really showcases R. Kelly’s vocal skill and musical talent. My favorite song is called When A Woman Loves, a song in which R. Kelly really sings with poignancy in a seemingly heart wrenching fashion. I love Ignition, but honestly, this is the R. Kelly that I think deserves recognition.
When A Woman Loves
A rising star, John Newman, is coming strong in the US. Although popularized in 2012 in places like the UK, Australia and New Zealand, this artist released his single, Love Me Again single, last June and is now starting to receive fame. Easily placed in the pop-genre, his music is just right for the youthful club scene and workout playlist. He’s like a combination of Avicii‘s dubpop, Mayer Hawthrone‘s funk, and James Blake‘s soul. His husky voice is also a plus.
Love Me Again
This band is everything. Paper Tiger even captures attention with short 20-30 second tracks in their album Me Have Fun. This band encapsulates a wide variety of genre hallmarks. Traces of r&b/soul, hip-hop, jazz, disco, synth-pop, psychedelic rock, and electronic music reveal the complexity of Paper Tiger’s work. Although timeless, this music reflects the rise of original genres that have continued to transform with time and experimentation. Here are two of my favorites:
Habiscus
Hugo
Travel back in time with a little bit of Jelly Roll Morton and listen to this lovely low-fi recording of Winning’ Boy Blue, a beautiful and soulful piece accompanied by piano.
When I first heard Don’t Owe You A Thang, I was a 100% sure that I was listening to the Black Keys, but I was wrong. Some would say that the echoey vocal and the blues-ish guitar is a rip-off of the famous Black Keys, however, I don’t agree with that statement. If you listen to his other stuff it is very similar to blues rock but with a heavier influence of pop. Still, this one is a favorite. So here’s a taste of his work.
Also, he’s easier on the eyes than the guys from the Black Keys. Just a side note.
If you want to hear the original stuff that bands like the The Black Keys took as their inspiration, listen to Howlin’ Wolf. One of his best is the single Moanin’ at Midnight. Listening to the real thing makes you realize how sensational the blues are.
YUM 