Five Song Friday 02/24/17

Bas- Clouds Never Get Old (Nov 2016)

I feel like I’m super lucky with stumbling onto dope songs. I just heard about this guy Bas last week and I’ve probably listened to 90% of his songs, he’s dope. Signed to J.Cole’s label, his sounds fit right in with Cole’s. I know that some people love Cole and some people hate him (looking at you Shea Serrano), but I think Bas’ sound is fun regardless of your taste. He’s a fun listen especially if you’re checking him out for the first time. The video keeps with the mood of the song, borderline trippy, while adding a little bit of thought behind a shallow song conceptually. Overall, would recommend...obviously.

Song: 7.5

Video: 8/10
 

The Chainsmokers & Cold Play- Something Just Like This (Feb 2017)

I have a controversial opinion and here it is, I don’t like Coldplay. I don’t hate them, but I don’t understand the people that are obsessed with their music. I find it unexciting and often times depressing. Teaming up with one of the biggest EDM acts right now and as Pitchfork described them, “dick-measuring, EDM trolls” (which is equal parts hilarious and troll-y) you would assume it would be a giant hit. I think the song is good but incredibly generic, which is how I feel about majority of Coldplay’s songs. It’s nothing new from the Chainsmokers as it’s mostly a reworking of Roses laid under some vocals. Nothing innovative but is sure to populate the airwaves nonetheless. I wish the Chainsmokers had really put their producer hats on for this one but alas no. I think this is a tad disappointing.

Song 4/10

Video: N/A

Marshmello & Ookay feat Noah Cyrus- Chasing Colors (Feb 2017)

This is the second Marshmello song that I’m reviewing, I reviewed his song "Summer" and was pretty disappointed with it. I’ve been a pretty big fan of Mello ever since I stumbled (literally and figuratively) onto his set at Ultra last year. And even though he’s put out good music i think the pressure and over exposure might be getting to him. This song is ok but nowhere near the quality of "Alone" or "Ritual". Even teaming up with Ookay who had the one of the biggest songs a year or two ago in "Thief", doesn’t seem to take this song over the top for me. I like how it maintains his tradition sound with the high pitched bouncy beats but it feels pretty one note. I hope this grows on me because "Summer" definitely did not.  Again i hope this ages well.

Song: 6/10

Video: N/A

Years & Years (Gryffin Remix)- Desire (Nov 2015)

I’ve been listening to this song for probably a year now and just this week it popped up on one of my Spotify playlists. It took me a second but I realized that I had no idea who sang it. I flipped my phone over and should have recognized that it was Years & Years. They have a real distinct sound that was put on the map by their hit song "King". I don’t even think I’ve heard the original of this because the remix is so good, just like a lot of people don’t realize the "A Pill in Ibiza" that you heard on the radio was actually a remix. Boom! Mind blown, right? This was too good of a song not to write about so hopefully you check it out and listen to it for... years & years, hahaha get it?!

Song 9.5/10

Video 6/10

Zedd & Alessia Cara- Stay (Feb 2017)

Zedd is a super talented producer, Alessia Cara is a super talented young artist, this is a good song. Seems like a no-brainer for Alessia Cara to dip her toes in the EDM waters since pretty much all the pop stars are doing it nowadays. If you’ve heard any remix involving her plethora of hits you know this was going to be a great track. If we’re going collab to collab this is far better than the Chainsmokers and Coldplay collab I wrote about above. This isn’t exactly an innovative song but I still really like it. It changes pace and sound throughout, it has a nice build up to the drop, the drop doesn’t disappoint (doesn’t rock my socks either), everything you want in an EDM song. Solid piece of work and we’ll be hearing this a lot in the next couple of months, no doubt.

Song: 8/10

Video: 6/10