ReportWire

Tag: pedestal

  • Your Weekend Playlist: New Music To Listen To

    Your Weekend Playlist: New Music To Listen To

    [ad_1]

    Every few weeks, I get the same text from one of my friends: “Jai, I need new music. I’m tired of my rotation of usual playlists.” And to be honest, a little sigh emits from my mouth every time…why? Because I have a Weekend Playlist article every. Single. Week.

    I compile all of the latest, greatest new songs that are featured on Apple Music and Spotify- covering the lesser known tunes to new Taylor Swift. Honestly, no one in my inner circle should be lost for new music because that means they’re not reading my articles and, subsequently, that would mean I need new friends.

    While your choice of streaming service may have curated playlists based on your music taste, and a plethora of other options to find music…it can be daunting, and time consuming, to go through everything and find the songs you truly want to add to your playlist. That’s where I come in.

    Each week is a different selection of songs, and I guarantee you you’ll come out of these articles with at least one new banger to play for your friends. A wide range of genres, artists, and sounds, the Weekend Playlist is meant to get you through these arduous weeks. The good news? There’s always another to look forward to.

    So, without wasting anymore of our precious time here, I’ve got a ton of music to share with you this week! Let’s get listening!

    Rosie Darling- “I’m Different Now” 

    With elements of Phoebe Bridgers, Rosie Darling has a soft, introspective voice that haunts and seeps into your soul. “I’m Different Now” exhibits her beautiful, delicate vocals and talks about the part of life where you are moving on from someone who no longer serves you. It’s looking back at a relationship that maybe wasn’t all you thought it was.

    “I’m Different Now” is about getting to the other side of a difficult relationship. What’s awesome is that even though healing is messy and scary, it paves the way for a more mature, more refined self to take the space of what once was. It is learning to sit with who you’re becoming despite knowing that your old self still lingers, almost like a ghost following you around.”

    Joe P- “Glass House” 

    Joe P has been teasing “Glass House” for a while now across social media platforms. Frequently called “Dinosaur Bones” by fans before the single was announced, “Glass House” was highly demanded…and Joe is finally answering their call. With “Glass House”, you get the classic electric guitar, alternative sound that he has spent time refining and perfecting. It’s about losing someone and finding pieces of them wherever you go, and it does not disappoint.

    “To me, this song is about the physical proof we leave behind in the wake of relationships,” says Joe P. “A lot of my friends talk about how they unfollow someone on socials because they don’t want to see them anymore. We have these little moments when we’re reminded of something/someone and that nostalgia can trick us into believing feelings still exist where they don’t.”

    Chelsea Cutler- Stellaria 

    Chelsea Cutler is our featured artist of the week with her third studio album: Stellaria. A reflection of life post-pandemic, Cutler tackles grappling with mental health and self-image, healing and love. She brings an honest approach to songwriting as she continues to grow as an artist, producer, and songwriter.

    “I had just turned 23 and COVID started. I was about to turn 26 by the time things felt more normal. It was like I fell asleep at 23 and woke up at 25, and the whole world was different. I spent a lot of time wondering, ‘Am I going to feel like myself again or a new iteration of myself?’ I tried to write a song to get reacquainted with myself and love this new person post-pandemic.”

    Lewis OfMan- “Frisco Blues” 

    If a song could be the end of the summer, it would be “Frisco Blues.” With a melancholic background track, you’ll find yourself reminiscing on old times, lost love, and the end of the season. Sampling “Frisco Disco,” all Lewis OfMan needed was an acoustic guitar to complete the track…and it’s perfect.

    “The song was inspired by a bus ride from Florence to Marseille in one day back in December 2021. We were driving across the south of France, the vibe in the bus was nice, students, kids playing cards, I was listening to an obscure Jim Morrison interview, watching the cold sunset on the hills, good spirit. A few days later I was in the countryside only with an acoustic guitar and an Ensoniq Sampler with this sample of a song called ‘Frisco Disco’ I’d found at A1 record in NYC.”

    Em Beihold- “Pedestal”

    One of both my favorite songs and artists on this list, Em Beihold delivers a cheeky breakup track centered around a ukulele sound. Her vocal range is unmatched, and her biting lyrics are contrasted by the light, acoustic-heavy track about moving on after putting someone on a pedestal for so long.

    “I’m so excited to be announcing my first ever headline tour and to also be dropping “Pedestal”this week,” says Em. “I’ve been touring “Pedestal” for a couple years now and it’s the last songof that era of music for me, so it feels full circle to announce a new beginning at the same timeas closing an old chapter. So much fun, truly 2024 couldn’t come any faster!”

    Blu DeTiger- “Cut Me Down”


    A fun upbeat collaboration between Blu DeTiger and Mallrat, “Cut Me Down” shows the difficult side of relationships. With lyrics like “every time you cut me down, I just laugh it off” and “I wonder who you think you are”, Blu DeTiger and Mallrat sing about being degraded and put down by someone who doesn’t value them. The synth-y, club beat in the background make this song suitable for nights out or long runs as well.

    “I feel like this song is a nice evolution for me and a side of me that people haven’t heard, but the soul-full chords and movement of the bassline anchor it in the Blu DeTiger sound. This is one of the most melodic and moving bass parts I’ve written, and it follows and supports the vocals in a really cool way.”

    Until The Ribbon Breaks- “Nature Mother” 

    Until The Ribbon Breaks has a soulful voice that punches into this track, an overview of our roles in society and in nature. It’s contemplative, pensive, and daunting all at the same time, combining complex metaphors with a soulful Hozier-esque tone. “Nature Mother” with Emoni Wilkins belting at the end is a masterpiece.

    “If there was a single lyric that encompassed the whole feeling that I have – and where I’ve been emotionally and why I even made this record – it’s that chorus. It specifically talks about our role in nature and our role to each other: ‘Wild is the wind. Rage is the sea. If it’s in me, it’s in me, it’s our nature mother.’

    [ad_2]

    Jai Phillips

    Source link

  • Your Weekend Playlist: New Music Releases

    Your Weekend Playlist: New Music Releases

    [ad_1]

    I don’t know what’s happening this week, but you may have picked up that every living, breathing artist is releasing new music. Seriously, name a heavy hitter in the industry and they’re probably dropping a new song on August 25. Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, and more will grace our sound systems soon enough.

    On a day that BLACKPINK, Zach Bryan, SZA, Iggy Azalea, and many, many more are releasing songs, there’s almost a guarantee that this may be my best playlist yet. The odds are, for once, in my favor and I’m confident we are pulling out a weekend playlist worthy of repeatedly listening to.

    For Ariana Grande, we are getting the 10th anniversary edition of her Yours Truly album, which was her debut. It’s been a hectic week, considering Ariana left resident evil manager Scooter Braun, who is seemingly retiring from managing in general. And while the public may be listening to “Karma” by Taylor Swift, we have a few new tracks to cover instead.

    That’s right: another weekend, another playlist. And with this much good music, we have no time to waste!

    Let’s get listening.

    Joe P- “Don’t Wanna Love U” 

    I need everyone to listen up: if there’s one song you listen to from this playlist, make it this one. Ever since I first heard it, I have replayed it at least five times daily. Stream Joe P for instant serotonin, I guess! When I interviewed him a few months ago, Joe P mentioned he was bringing his production to a studio for a bigger sound…and we got it.

    It’s a sunny, dance-y song that I bop down the street nodding my head along when listening. I’ve liked every song he’s released, but this is by far my favorite. The synth-heavy sound and tortured lyrics about not wanting to love someone who is bad for you, but loving them anyway make for a near-perfect song.

    Miley Cyrus- “Used To Be Young” 

    We’re looking forward to a potential Vol II of Miley Cyrus’ Endless Summer Vacation album just a few short months after its release. To confirm these rumors, Miley released ballad “Used To Be Young” today, and the promo has been equally exciting. With lyric posters popping up everywhere next to old lyrics from hits like “Party in the USA” and “Wrecking Ball”, everyone is referencing their different eras.

    The song itself is a hit, which is no shock when it’s from someone with the range and vocal capacity that Cyrus does. She can do any genre, any type of song, and her voice will shine through. More importantly, the song will make sense. Just like fine wine, Miley only gets better with age.

    Ariana Grande – Yours Truly

    Fans have been anticipating new music from Ariana Grande, especially since she paused for Wicked filming – a scandal studded event that dominated headlines on its own…And while we love The Good Witch, we need to hear Grande’s voice again. The Yours Truly album was Grande’s intro to music, but now she gets to put her more mature sound and production abilities into it…so big things were expected.

    We hold these singers at a high regard for a reason, it’s so easy for us to forget how hard it is to sing, songwrite, and produce. That’s why we are so harsh on the songs that aren’t so good, so when artists like Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, and Ariana Grande rework their old albums, it’s impressive, it’s worth the listen, and it’s normally flawless.

    Selena Gomez- “Single Soon”

    Selena Gomez is making a return to music with “Single Soon”, a fun-loving, carefree track about how exciting it can be to be single. There’s been a lot of speculation about Selena’s dating life recently, which makes this song even more perfect, because it’s truly her message to us all: she’s in her IDGAF era and we’re here for it. It’s great to dance to, and just reminds me of classic Selena.

    A contrast to Miley Cyrus’ ballad, the Disney gals are showing their range. It’s good to see Selena having fun with her music, and just not listening to whatever the hell the outside world has to say.

    Zevia- “something I can’t do” 

    Zevia’s voice fills your ears like a coo, gentle and calming, beautiful and equally heartbreaking. With notes of Billie Eilish, Zevia can make a sad song feel like a hug. She makes you feel seen, putting unspoken heartache and emotion into song, “something I can’t do” is about taking away that deep depressive pain that some experience. Zevia says,

    “When someone’s been sad for a long time and bad things happen to them continuously, good things that come unexpected could be just as bad, as they’re not used to it. Sometimes depressed people pray for good, but for me even the good can be bad. I can’t allow myself peace otherwise I don’t know who I’d truly be.”

    Chloe Stroll- Pedestal 

    Our feature artist of the week, Chloe Stroll has been breaking into the music industry with her raw voice, an emphasis on the piano, and most importantly, her honest lyrics. Writing about real life experiences, “Pedestal” sums up heartbreak in any form – whether it be a friend, a significant other, or even a family member.

    A powerful follow-up to her debut single, “Run”, based on a break-in Stroll and her husband, snowboarder Scotty James, experienced. It’s a summation of Chloe Stroll: resilient in her lyrics, in the way she creates an honest track, and honest beyond measure.

    Joel Corry, Rita Ora, MK- “Drinkin” 

    Recently, I had the privilege of seeing Joel Corry live in Atlantic City. Not only does he have some of the biggest club hits right now, but he can put on an equally exciting show. Now, with a highly-anticipated debut album, Another Friday Night, is on the horizon and he’s here with yet another major collab with Rita Ora and MK.

    “Drinkin” takes the beloved sampling used in Chance the Rapper’s “Zero Problems”, and it makes you want to dance the night away. You can already hear this song shooting its way to the top of every bar playlist, it’s another soundtrack to your night out from Joel Corry. I’m convinced he’ll never disappoint, and I’m excited for the album.

    Yungblud- “Hated” 

    You can’t get much more personal than “Hated”, which is Yungblud’s recounting of being molested by a doctor as a child and dealing with internal hatred. The punk-rocker has a way of making catchy hooks and capitalizing on guitar and a hard drum that makes you release any pent-up stress and anxiety. Few times do we get to see an artist bare their entire soul into a song, and be so open and vulnerable.

    Not only is Yungblud’s song a testament for survivors of assault everywhere, he’s opening a necessary conversation about men’s mental health. It’s a mixture of anger, pain, sadness, and healing all in one.

    Audrey Nuna- “Locket”

    Audrey Nuna is a musical maverick, someone who creates larger-than-life music and it just works perfectly. For her new song, “Locket”, she is releasing a video directed by the late Valentin Petit, who tragically passed away in an aircraft accident this year. It’s the last video he ever directed, making the song that much more significant. Audrey says,

    “He was gifted in all the ways his work vividly illustrated, and with such a sense of refreshing humility towards his collaborators and crew that can often times feel rare to find in this industry. This is his final music video of this lifetime – I’m sure he’s already getting started, some place, somewhere, gathering ideas and crafting wildest and freest visions to life.”

    [ad_2]

    Jai Phillips

    Source link

  • Introducing Chloe Stroll

    Introducing Chloe Stroll

    [ad_1]

    Chloe Stroll has always played the piano. She could belt out a tune from a young age, something that her mother noticed and encouraged her to keep pursuing. Coming from a sports-oriented family, her brother being Formula 1’s Lance Stroll and her father, Lawrence Stroll, owning Aston Martin’s F1 team, and her husband being Olympic snowboarder Scotty James, Chloe has had her share of sporting events…but something always pulled her back to music.

    I sat down over Zoom with Chloe late night a while back, but for her the day was just beginning. She splits her time between Monaco and Australia, currently residing with Scotty’s family in Australia as he trains. And no, she can’t choose a favorite between the beautiful countries. I asked.

    Chloe has a calming presence, reflecting self-awareness and humility despite the high-profile company she keeps- her wedding in May was star-studded, with attendees like Daniel Ricciardo and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Sitting and talking to her feels easy, like a friend catching up. But that’s the power of music, right? To bring people from all walks of life together, the great equalizer.

    Chloe Stroll is new to music right now, with her debut being “Run” – a single based on a traumatizing break-in that she experienced with her husband. When talking to artists, I know that the writing process can be equally as therapeutic as listening can be for a fan…but it didn’t occur to Stroll to write about it until someone suggested it.

    She chuckles a little at the thought, how crazy it can be when an idea is right in front of you and you need another perspective to see it. But the words came easily for her, and what came of it was the perfect introduction to Chloe’s music.

    It’s not easy to emotionally pour your heart out into a song and share yourself with the world, which is why what Chloe’s doing is so admirable. Taking a completely different life path requires guts, which we can tell she has from her songs. Now, she’s releasing her sophomore single, “Pedestal.”

    Chloe Stroll’s sound is predominantly pop, but what she really wants you to hear is the piano that she so loves. It’s the only instrument she plays, though she muses about how she wishes she played the guitar, and she uses it to her advantage. I asked if she had a specific sound in mind when starting her career, but it honestly wasn’t her goal to be a “pop singer” or a “rock artist.”

    Stroll wants to make music, honest and true to herself, so if it blends genres, so be it. The only territory she won’t go is heavy metal, to which I joke that if I hear her screamo track in a few years that I’ll know something went wrong. We both laugh, because Chloe’s passion is clearly to make music she’s proud of, and that would never happen.

    She grew up singing Broadway tunes, to which we both fangirl momentarily over the glorious show that is Wicked. I had the Elphaba wand, she’s seen it multiple times. But those were never her inspirations, so to speak. She wasn’t growing up thinking she wanted to star in her own Broadway show, making that kind of music.

    Written alongside Scott Harris, “Pedestal” is a powerful, emotional song about heartbreak in any form. It gives you a good idea of Chloe Stroll’s sound, which features her delicate, yet prominent vocals. It has the makings of a classic: heartbreaking lyrics about lost love, talented vocals, and a gut-wrenching hook. You can listen to the song here:

    “‘Pedestal’ is about someone breaking your heart,” Stroll said, “And the reality is, no matter if it is a relationship or friendship, it’s devastating when someone that you held in such high regard has broken your heart. Whether it’s a trial of trust or whatever could have happened, that was where the inspiration for the song came from.”

    As for what’s next, Chloe is planning on dropping more singles in the future similar to “Run” and “Pedestal.” I pushed harder, wondering about perhaps an album or a live performance is on the horizon. But for Chloe, things are fluid. She seems comfortable and confident in where she is as an artist. To me, that’s all you can ask for.

    [ad_2]

    Jai Phillips

    Source link