Monday Mixtape, Vol. 10
There are very, very few artists who are able to jump around genres and sounds, whirling different tunes that sound nothing like its predecessors. This is why we love Beck and why musicians respect the hell out of him (well, except for Kanye). This is why he can make an album as chill as Morning Phase (my sixth favorite album of 2014), and then follow that up with a song that sounds NOTHING like that album, a total change of direction into an instantly likable song like "Dreams." I just respect the hell out of this guy.
Meg Mac's "Roll Up Your Sleeves" is your classic piano ballad. A few slow chords sustain throughout as the claps and faint bass drum keep the beat alive. The song hits its climax at 1:28 as the snare and another piano come rolling in as Ms. Mac shows some range. It's definitely got a bit of an Adele feel that I'm digging.
"Indian Summer" reminds me of most tracks from Odesza with the high pitched sample vocal repeating over all sorts of synths and other electronic elements.
I love weird songs. There's an originality to them because they're so strange and don't particularly sound like anything else. With that said, Kero Kero Bonito is a British pop artist specializing in the J-pop (Japanese Pop) sound who slices in both English and Japanese words as a ridiculous production (or, a sick beat some may say) upgrades the song. The first time I heard this song, it felt like the Super Mario 3 soundtrack just visited Albuquerque for a quick fix. This song is out there!
To pour one out for the artist formerly known as Rick Ross (as he has lost something like 100 pounds!), I wanted to include this slow jam with Drake. Not sure he can call himself "the Don" anymore since he's under 250, but glad to see the man's taking his health seriously!
I spoke about Seoul in my last mixtape, and this track has been playing on repeat for me. Laid back groove, laid back voice. Just sit back and relax.
Have a good week!