Stuff That I Find Today : Tink, Simon Dominic, One Direction, NERVO

TINK – “AFTERPARTY”

                I don’t really know Tink, but based on her wiki, she’s supposed to be a rapper / R&B singer. Comes from her self-released Winter’s Diary 3 , she evokes Rihanna with her voice, only a lot sweeter. The production is so 80s and funky, with some vocal layers, this track is such a cute, groovy jam even though the lyrics itself describe she seducing a guy. With this track and a lot of her track in Winter’s Diary 3 ,maybe I will follow her more after this.

4/5

SIMON DOMINIC FT JAY PARK – “WON AND ONLY”

                After a bunch of try hard urban song plague the K-pop music, this laid back, old-school track feels like a fresh air for me, even though I’m pretty sure these kind of tracks already done a lot in Korea. Simon Dominic delivery is good and Jay Park in the hook is so sweet and charming, but  doesn’t elevate this track into amazing level. This kind of track is usually only good to play as a background or elevator music.

3 /5

ONE DIRECTION – “DRAG ME DOWN”

                At least Beyonce use surprise-dropping tactics with a stronger material, while this track is such a snoozefest. I know every artist must become mature in their career, including 1D, but this track is so neutral. There is no fun factor like 1D’s early single before and the usually bombastic chorus is replaced by faux Imagine Dragons pre-chorus and non-existent chorus. Pure snoozefest.

1 / 5

NERVO FT KYLIE MINOGUE, JAKE SHEARS, & NILE RODGERS – THE OTHER BOYS

                I have a soft spot for every 80s inspired song, and this song already get me jamming when Nile’s trademark guitar and bass funk grooves come. Sadly, throughout the track, Nile’s groove is burdened by the synths and vocals, make Nile Rodgers looks like a click-bait / sensation-evoking guests. However, not only the production is great, Jake and Kylie’s voice are suitable for these 80s disco pop, complimenting each other in the chorus and at the last minutes, Kylie as usual echoing some sensual whisper.

3.5 / 5

Album Review : FKA Twigs - M3LI55X

             

 

              FKA Twigs is an acquired taste. Many people can’t enjoy it and deem it as too weird and too depressing, while for the others her music is simply amazing and brave. Personally, my first time to get into her is when I am hearing “Water Me” and I am instantly get hooked. I find myself can connect to her emotional state and her music production is so great and unique. After that, I start to checking her music and her material is strong and uniquely her.

                M3LI55X is still as manic and mysterious as usual , clearly show to us that this is solely her artistic direction, not because the influence of her music producer. Boots (the main producer in Beyonce self-titled album) manage to give FKA Twigs what she wants. The production is notably crazier and more abrasive, closer to “Lights On” than to  “Two Weeks”.

                Start with “Figure 8”, a great opening for the album in which she describes her confidence and her love to herself. What I love is the “Gylgas final battle sounding” synth and her rap. “Glass & Patron” still sounds good and fresh, it’s also nice to see a more upbeat song from her. The biggest surprise and the best track in this mini album probably goes to “I’m Your Doll “. It perfectly shows her anger and her hopelessness at how she’s only being used by a man, and the usage of real drum in the end is great too.

                The only disappointing track is “In Time”, maybe the most generic song in FKA Twigs’s standard. The usage of autotune is annoying and eclipsed her vocals. However, it’s still pretty decent and probably I will find myself play that song again. M3LI55X is a great EP, a not so surprising comeback for FKA Twigs but it’s still cohesive, more darker in lyrical subject, and these material still hold the high quality of FKA Twigs’s previous materials.

Recommended Tracks :

* Glass & Patron

* I'm Your Doll

* Figure 8

4 / 5

Stuff That I Find Today : CHVRCHES, Girls' Generation, Hyuna, The Chainsmokers

CHVRCHES – “Leave A Trace”

                I’m a big fan of their previous record, The Bones Of What You Believe, but this is such a letdown. Their sound isn’t evolve and stay the same while this single sounds like they try to recreate “The Mother We Share”. One thing that I notice is the vocals is pushed to forward, make it hard to like because Lauren’s voice isn’t strong. The anticipation on the verse is good, but the chorus falls flat. Especially on “I know I need to feel released”, the voice effects is ruining that part. Hope their next single and the album tracks have varieties and more great melody.

3/5

GIRLS’ GENERATION – “Lion Heart”

                “Lion Heart” sounds like they try to chase retro pop / doo wop trend that Meghan Trainor repopularize. However, I actually enjoy this more than Meghan’s music. “Lion Heart” doesn’t try to be edgy and innovative, while Meghan try to cram “rap” and her political issues into her song. Because of that and Girls’ Generation delivery, this song feels so sweet. The chorus is great, but the “ooh ooh ooh” part seems out of place, especially in the bridge.

4/5

HYUNA FT ILHOON (FROM BTOB) – “Roll Deep”

                Hyuna’s teaser give me hope that the MV will be great, but the actual product is basic as hell. The shock factor is still there, but it’s less appealing than her previous MV. I’m also tired with these bhangra-influenced urban pop trend in K-Pop. Because of that, this Hyuna single sounds tired and feels already done before. The opening synth sounds like DJ Mustard trademark, while the chorus sounds like TInashe’s part in “Drop That Kitty”. Disappointing.

2.5/5

THE CHAINSMOKERS FT WATERBED – “Waterbed”

                I’m genuinely surprised that The Chainsmokers can produce something like this, especially after hearing their other singles. The lyrics is cringeworthy (“Make your ass shake like waterbed” ? ) , but the production and vocals are great. The climax in the end sounds great too, something I would expected from CHVRCHES, actually. This is the sonic equivalent of euphoric rainbow splash.

4.5 / 5

Album Review : Carly Rae Jepsen - E-MO-TION

                 Carly Rae Jepsen is one of the most underrated act in pop music these days. She has a monster hit that is “Call Me Maybe" ; her first mainstream album, Kiss isn’t bad either, it still showcase her ability to emote and write relatable lyrics without forgetting to make it bubblegum and full of hook. Her voice, even though isn’t the best, is perfectly suitable for her “innocent and little childlike” image. Yet, people already judge and stereotype her as another one-hit wonder and that annoying girl who forget her age. She try to remove that image by releasing “Tonight I’m Getting Over You” but people still doesn’t care.

                Thankfully in her second album, E-MO-TION, Carly successfully move on from the bubblegum Europop and make 80s synthpop as the main theme throughout the album. The production is very great and refreshing, complement the lyrics and Carly’s voice. Take a look at “Warm Blood” with the synth which is matched with the BPM of blood pumping in our body. “Gimmie Love” is another brilliant example ; it build itself slowly and finally explode into a shimmering and anthemic jam in the bridge and last chorus. 

                The lyrics is still about love, but she manage to avoid clichés. Fortunately, the lyrics is successfully emoted by Carly, a rare skill in pop music these days. In “Your Type”, Carly manage to convey the emotion of hopeless, desperate, wanting the love so much while in “Let’s Get Lost”, she maintains that cheerful tone, begging for a longer time with her partner.

                The problem in the album is the first single choices, “I Really Like You”. It’s a great and the most poppiest song in the album, but if Carly really want to show her mature side, it’s a slightly misstep. Thankfully she redeem herself with “All That”, a 80s Prince inspired slow jam and “Run Away With Me”. 

                There’s only a single dud in the album which is the ending track, “When I Needed You”. “When I Needed You” is cute, but it’s an awkward choice to end this album. The bonus track aren’t that bad either. “Black Heart” with 8-bit synth and unconventional song structure and “I Didn’t Just Come Here To Dance” with house influence are great, but we can see that these tracks doesn’t really suit with the overall mood of the album.

                Overall, E-MO-TION is a great pop album, a perfect example of pop music done right. Thankfully E-MO-TION is already attracting the blogosphere even though her overall sales is still bad. I hope this give Carly a sign that she should doesn’t care about the charts and focus more on her music again for the future.

 Recommended Tracks : 

* Making The Most Of The Night

* Gimmie Love

* Let's Get Lost

* Run Away With Me

* Warm Blood

4.5 / 5