Five Song Friday 4/07/17
Rihanna- Love on the Brain (Don Diablo remix) (Mar 2017)
Don Diablo is one of those consistently unique DJs that delivers original sounding music that you know is him. He puts out great stuff but doesn’t really translate into mainstream music. He has carved out a niche in the EDM scene but I don’t think I ever heard him on the radio. This song in particular is a really interesting take on Rihanna’s hit song. I really like how he preserves the songs feeling but adds a totally new dimension with the sounds in the drop and the chopping up of Rihanna’s voice to make new beats. Don’t forget the fabulous baseline which is a great car listen if you have some semblance of bass in your car.
Song: 8/10
Dillon Francis feat. G-Eazy- Say Less (April 2017)
Francis is by far one of my favorite DJs, one because he makes great music but secondly, he’s fucking hilarious. His insta and snap stories are ridiculous in the best way possible, from DJ Hanzel to Preston he’s got a ton of running jokes for his followers to look forward to. While I think G-Eazy is an interesting dude and by all accounts a cool guy I wouldn’t consider myself a fan. With this song in particular I don’t think he elevates the song he’s just kind of there, which is ok but I think there could've been a better fit. By no means is this Dillon Francis’s best song but it’s got a quirky sound that somehow feels like a trap song and a parody song at the same time. Overall not bad but not a favorite.
Song: 7.5/10 Video: 7/10
Kygo feat. Kodaline (LZRD remix) (Mar 2017)
When I first heard this song if first of all didn’t know Kygo had put out another song after the one with Selena Gomez but also that this was a remix. I definitely should have known, this a pretty far departure from what Kygo usually puts out but I liked it so much I just rolled with it. I dig this song mostly because of the layers it presents, you have the tropical Kygo sound, the vocals which remind me of Miike Snow (haven’t thought about them in a looooong time), and the remix heavy sounds that LZRD threw in there. There’s a lot to unpack in this song but I think it’s an inherently good song even if you don’t pick up on the nuances and just want some ear candy.
Song: 8/10
Martin Garrix & Brooks- BYTE (April 2017)
Kinda of a throwback feel for Martin who, as of late, developed more of a pop mainstream sound that followed the all-to-familiar template; nice vocals, melody, build up, drop, rinse repeat. This is a purely electronic song with no vocals that still has a nice ride melodically. The switch up from nice bouncy sounds in the beginning to harsher sounds give it a tonal change that keeps it interesting.
Song: 7.5/10 Video: 7/10
Kendrick Lamar- Humble. (April 2017)
Well...looks like there’s no new Kendrick album today but we do get the first song which is quite the tease. Yet again the hip hop heads think that Kendrick is taking shots at Big Sean which is totally possible but I’m not educated enough to speculate/I don’t especially care. I like the song it’s got a lot to unpack and that’s difficult to do in such a short time. I will say the music video is visually enrapturing. You can’t look away, it’s got so many symbols and motifs from the religious iconography, to Kdot dressed up like Steve Jobs, to the police state and a ton of other ones I probably don’t even notice. Even though we have to wait another week everyone is looking forward to next album with bated breath.
Song: 8.5/10 Video: 10/10