#10. The Delta Mode – Dejavu
Yep. #10. Last week was an “end-of-season harvest” of awesome new music… so much so that I couldn’t limit it to just my 5 favorites. There were too many good songs. Some weeks I struggle to find 5 I like enough to share, so it’s nice that there’s finally been a week where it’s swinging the other way. To start things off is The Delta Mode and their panic-ridden, pump-up dance anthem Dejavu.
#9. Fjord – Shapes
Shapes took a while to grow on me (and to be honest, I still feel like I have to convince myself I like the song sometimes). It’s a weird one – I don’t really like the individual components of the song. But when it comes together and the songs finishes, I inevitably think to myself “Damn, that was good”.
#8. Rhodes & Birdy – Let It All Go
soundcloud.com/rhodesmusic // soundcloud.com/officialbirdy
This is a nice song – the type you’d be proud to take home and show your parents (who are fed up of you showing up with some sort of rebellious song who’s too cool for school but yet so, so hot). The voices of both Rhodes & Birdy really compliment each other well, and the pounding chorus is chalk full of emotion. I’m also a sucker for piano-driven ballads.
#7. Wallace Feat. Sampa The Great – Beauty
I dig this song so bad. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s got such swagger. It knows it’s good. The vocals are downright gritty and the whole thing has a bluesy/jazzy undertone that works real well.
#6. Brandyn Burnette – 1000 Degrees of Separation
soundcloud.com/brandynburnette
I never know how to classify songs like this. New-age RnB? Whatever it is, it’s probably my favorite genre. Following the sounds of Aquilo, Honne and R I T U A L is 1000 Degrees of Separation and the haunting vocals of Brandyn Burnette. Just a demo, but an extremely strong one at that. Love the direction this is taking.
#5. Milan – What If
One of my favorite things in songs is when it’s unpredictable. Beats, lyrics, sounds… whatever it may be, if I don’t see it coming I like it even more. That’s how I felt the first time listening to What If. Every sound and lyric felt like it was unexpected. The direction kept changing and almost sounded improvised on the spot. Doesn’t hurt being gorgeous and having a killer voice either.
#4. Jamie Woon – Sharpness
I feel like it’s been much too long since I was grooving to the various tunes on Jamie Woon’s Mirrorwriting. Then, out of nowhere comes Sharpness, and it is smooooooooooth. Don’t tell me you don’t just yell out “yeah” with him every time the chorus begins… because you do.
#3. Deluka – Home (Elephante. Remix)
soundcloud.com/iamtheelephante // soundcloud.com/delukaofficial
I’ve said it many times before, but get some chopped vocals in your song and I will love you. Elephante.’s spin on Home is made for the festival world. Clap-friendly buildup, danceable and an easy-on-the-ears drop. I’d kill to see this live.
#2. Mazde Feat. LissA – Pitch Black
As I was listening to music this week and picking out songs that might make my list, Pitch Black didn’t make the first cut. But as I was listening to it again last night I started grooving, so I added it to the maybe pile. Then today, as I was ranking them and writing each up today, I kept saying “nah, Pitch Black is better than that one”… and now here we are, at #2. So there’s that. One of those songs that begs for a few listens before you judge it properly.
#1. Will Joseph Cook – Hearse
soundcloud.com/will-joseph-cook
This song is so brilliant. The writing of the lyrics is on point. Rarely do I find songs to be “smart”, but this one fits that bill. The one thing that draws me to hip hop is how well the artists are able to make words flow and make the sounds of the words connect. Will Joseph Cook does a bit of that here with Hearse. I mean don’t get me wrong, it’s catchy as hell and has a great sound in general. But the lyrics and style of the vocals is what really draws me in and sells me on this one.
...Because It's Sunday 