Five Song Friday 4/21/17 — Barely Researched

Egzod feat Leo the Kind- Paper Crowns (April 2017)

This is basically what I had hoped The Chainsmokers album was going to sound like. Egzod is a DJ I hadn’t heard from before but for a first experience this is a well constructed song that has a ton of good elements. I like the vocals, they have this Imagine Dragons sound that I really appreciate. Putting those over top of cool future-house sounds balance out the rock-like vocals with a more electronic, bouncy sound. Looking forward to what Egzod puts out in the future but this is a great step in the right direction.

Song: 8/10

Lil Dicky feat Brain - Pillow Talking (April 2017)

Lil Dicky is goddamn hilarious. Being an eleven minute video you might be hesitant to watch but by the end if you aren’t upset it’s over, we can’t be friends. While not exactly musically dynamic the concept behind this song is so damn funny. The awkwardness that this song captures is so spot on. I honestly can’t believe I’ve watched an eleven minute video this many times but it’s hilarious, and probably really expensive to make. There’s a good amount of CGI which threw me off but makes this hilarious. I lost it so hard when Brain (a literally CGI brain) says, “This bitch don’t know ‘bout Pangea!?” How can a rapper integrate the world’s first super-continent into a song? Watch it and find out!

Song: 8.5/10 Video: 9/10

KURA feat Melody Noel- Paper Roses (April 2017)

Paper Crowns now Paper Roses do you sense a theme here? Well if you do...you’re wrong. It’s just a coincidence. This songs got a cool feel, adding a little trippier sounds to a traditional EDM song set up. The flute or whatever is going on in the drop, sounds like one of those slider flutes that you got in a goodie bags or at shitty arcades that smelled like cheap plastic and terrible childhood memories... yeah... I thought that was a cool addition. The song's familiar enough to be familiar and original enough to be original but not good enough to be great. I do like it, I just don't love it.

Song: 7/10

David Tort, Markem & Yas Cepeda feat Ella Loponte - Strangers (April 2017)

This is a super original sounding song. I can’t really think of a similar feel except maybe Are You With Me? But this has another layer of Latin and Beach Boys that that didn't have, which is the part I’m fascinated by. The vocals are interesting and really compliments the sound I think they’re going for. The footage used in the video gives context to the song that I don’t think I would’ve had if I didn’t see it and I probably wouldn’t like the song as much with out that context. A super chill song that makes you feel exactly what it wants you to, I’d say that’s a win.

Song: 7.5/10 Video: 8/10

Kiiara feat Felix Snow- Whippin (April 2017)

Kiiara burst onto the scene last year with Gold which was a great song that established her sound, judging by the carry-over to this song. Whippin build upon the sound that made Gold successful but it still feels fresh, which is great to see. Not everyone can stay true to what got them their success while innovating (*ahem The Chainsmokers). But I love the voice manipulation creating beats and sounds with the vocals that she utilizes here in this song. I feel like this is on the verge of becoming a trend in this genre of music now or in the very near future and I give credit to Kiiara for popularizing it. Over all, solid song it’s not Gold but not many songs are.

Song: 8/10