song reviews
Social Media targeted at influencers and trending topics in the music universe.
Music Review: 'Jump' by Cythia Erivo
It’s awards season in Hollywood and with that I am being inundated with potential nominees across the spectrum. As a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association, I have a lot of things to wade through this year and that includes nominees in our original music categories. Today, I received a copy of an original single from the recently released documentary Step. The song is called "Jump" and it was written and produced by music legend Raphael Saddiq and co-written by Taura Stinson and Laura Karpman and sung by Cynthia Erivo.
Sean PatrickPublished 7 years ago in Beat"The Blacker the Berry" Breakdown
Ok before you say, "But this album came out 2015!" or "You're a little bit too late on this song." First off, shut the fuck up! I didn't do freelance writing back then, damn!
PHILLY THE AFRICANAPublished 7 years ago in BeatImagine
The song entitled "Imagine" explores the concept of going beyond previous limitations and past experiences. The presence of beliefs that are limited in nature or narrow perspectives are drawn closer to the light. Such a concept is applicable to all areas of life, including relationships, romance, career, education, personal development, finance, and more.
Geraldine TaylorPublished 7 years ago in Beat14 Underrated One Direction Songs
I'm not going to lie, whenever I get into a conversation about One Direction and someone utters the words “but they broke up, right?” My body becomes possessed by Ross Gellar and I find myself getting into a lengthy rant about how they aren't broken-up and have every intention of coming back!
My Top Ten Sad Songs
We all have our favourite songs that get the tears going, and there's no real set playlist of songs that work for everybody. The songs I'm going to list here are my personal top ten favourite songs to listen to whenever I feel like having a good cry.
The Wordy BirdyPublished 7 years ago in Beat- Top Story - August 2017
Revisionist History: Arguing Tutti Frutti with Malcolm Gladwell
“Tutti Frutti, Aw Rooty, Tutti Frutti, Aw Rooty, A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-wop-bam-boom!" –Little Richard 1955. On a recent episode of his exceptional podcast Revisionist History, journalist Malcolm Gladwell was discussing why country music embraces sadness while rock n’roll tended toward generalism in songwriting. Gladwell’s point was to emphasize the awe-inspiring power of music, especially sad music like that of his other subject on the show, the so-called “King of Tears,” songwriter Bobby Braddock. Braddock is the powerhouse behind such songs as "D.I.V.O.R.C.E" and "He Stopped Loving Her Today," heavily featured on Gladwell’s show.
Sean PatrickPublished 7 years ago in Beat Kendrick Lamar and These 'DAMN' Visuals
Kung Fu Kenny never seems to disappoint his fans. He recently dropped the fourth offering from DAMN, an epic mind-fuck of a visual for "Loyalty." But before we talk about "Loyalty," let's rewind.
Sadé SanchezPublished 7 years ago in Beat- Top Story - July 2017
Groceries on La Isla Bonita
The Belize heat ignites another day in the town of San Pedro. A man steps out of his wooden stilt home and heads towards the main street on a grocery mission. Any reason to get him out of the house is good enough, as he is exhausted from the usual bickering with his wife of twenty-five years, even if that means walking across town with plastic bags full of food under the tropical sun.
Perfect Songs || “Perfect” Songs (And Are They “Perfect”?)
W h o o s h. Like a shot of euphoria (or heroin, really, from the film Trainspotting [which this song is featured in]), a wave of instant calm washes over you and you’re immediately put to ease. There’s country/western twang in there, but it’s not overtly country territory; it’s just there to add character to an otherwise otherworldly soundscape. The muddled, gentle plodding bass adds hypnotic quality to the mix. This, to me, is a perfect song. ‘Deep Blue Day’, created by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois (originally on Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks), is a lush, atmospheric, dreamy in utero ambient piece. It’s perfect to me, because put simply, it evokes emotion (calmness, laid back happiness, reflection, and total nostalgia.) Nostalgia and this song probably go hand in hand for most people. It’s instantly or most notably recognizable from the memorable sequence in Trainspotting, where the lead character Renton swims through a rather hellacious sewage sea…within a toilet. Pretty juxtaposition, given the tone of the song, and his unfortunate desperation to get a bag of heroin.
Sky VettelPublished 7 years ago in BeatDear X-YLE, "This Year" Is Yours
In the underground world of arts & entertainment, many independent artists, such XYLE, vigorously believe that friends and fans no longer support talent but popularity. Even with the amount of high-quality press he has received, X-YLE still does not consider himself to be part of the "cool kids." X-YLE, a hip hop rapper from Queens, NY, influenced by artists such as DMX, Nas, and many more, garnished his Hip Hop sound which has allowed him to progress within his artistry. His 2017 return consisted of him releasing a track entitled, "This Year", that illuminates his desires and ambitions. When asked what is the inspiration behind his music, X-YLE replied, "Life. Any and everything that goes on in my life fuels all my music. It's from the soul, and I know that I can inspire at least one mind with my music."
Tay StewardPublished 7 years ago in BeatTori Amos Delivers First Glimpse Inside Native Invader with “Cloud Riders”
Prolific singer-songwriter Tori Amos recently surprised fans by releasing “Cloud Riders,” the first taste of her upcoming album, Native Invader. The introspective new single ponders a turbulent relationship and decrees her unbendable desire to survive its storminess.
Eric AllenPublished 7 years ago in BeatDonna Summer: “I Feel Love”
It's been 40 years since the world first heard the future of music when “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer shocked us into a new sonic awakening. The electronic masterpiece — composed by Summer along with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte — was the foundation for what was to become known as electronic dance music. Whether you loved or loathed disco, “I Feel Love” commanded everyone's attention and became a dance floor anthem during the summer of 1977. At the time, no one had previously heard anything like it. It's hypnotic melody, combined with an irresistible synthesized bass line and pulsating dance beat was musical nirvana. Summer’s sensual vocal delivery was the icing on top of the cake as she perfectly conveyed the euphoric essence of the song’s timeless and universal message of love. The first lady of love had struck gold (and platinum) again and delivered another game-changing record every bit as earth-shattering as her breakthrough hit, “Love to Love You Baby.”
Eric AllenPublished 7 years ago in Beat