Diss tracks aimed at porn stars, 'candy floss laced in acid' and soul music seductive enough to make you pregnant.
THE BEST:
‘Discover Each Other’ – Zac Apollo
This soul
single is so seductive, I’m worried that just listening to it may have made me
pregnant. Set to a slowdance-worthy tempo, Zac self-harmonises his vocals over some
gorgeous guitar chords. The California musician is enviably talented, playing
all the instruments and producing the track himself. The single comes off of
his latest album ‘Loveset’, which I may just have to listen to - although if
there are any more sensual slowjams on it like this I may just have to wear condoms
on my ears.
‘So
Bad To Me’ – Sunshine Brothers Inc.
Massachusetts
bands Sunshine Brother Inc are proof that there are still unique rock acts out
there (although I’m not sure if you could strictly call this rock). Their new
single ‘So Bad To Me’ is a mix of carnivalesque crooning, surf-rock guitars and
ice-cream-van-like synth twinkles. The layers of reverb make it sound like its
coming from a distant fairground, whilst the upbeat chords occasionally take a
sour turn giving it a warped feel. It’s like eating candy floss laced in acid.
‘Porch Song’ – Orchid Mantis
Effects-slathered
guitar, faraway vocals and dreamy synths make up this exciting ambient/pop
hybrid from Atlanta experimental artist Orchid Mantis. It’s got a chillwave/vaporwave vibe to it, except it's clearly a lot more detailed. The track makes me want to jump out my bedroom window and fly away into the clouds, so now I have to listen to this song with the windows locked because humans can't fly and I don't want to die just yet. ‘Porch Song’ is the first single from the musician’s upcoming album ‘Yellow House’.
‘Have I Ever’ – Lili Caseley
This
new quirky pop single examines how love can feel different when you finally
meet that one true partner, at which point all the rest of those past
relationships feel phoney. The instrumental is a creative mixture of hypnotic harp
and groovy synth bass that’s simple but effective. Meanwhile, Lili’s vocals
carry an upbeat but pensive tone that elevates this beyond your usual pop junk.
‘SICKO MODE’ – Travis Scott ft. Drake
I’m
slowly warming to Travis Scott. His lyrics are complete nonsense and his druggy
flow is the reason half these Soundcloud rappers exist, however I can’t deny that
this song is fucking ace. Technically, this was released back in August, but it’s
now got a new big budget video so I figured I’d discuss it (it's my blog, I MAKE THE RULES). There are three
different beats in this song – it’s as if Travis was asked by his producer which
beat he preferred and he simply replied ‘yes’. Drake could certainly learn a thing or two
given the lack of beat transitions on Scorpion.
As for the pair’s vocal performances, they both add well to the atmosphere, even
I still think the lyrics are a load of baloney.
THE WORST:
‘Mia Khalifa’ – iLOVEFRiDAY
Two awful
rappers diss a porn star for a tweet that turned out to be from a fake account.
It’s a shame, because if the lyrics weren't so cringe-worthy and the singing wasn't so torturous, it could actually be a pretty catchy banger.