Come and Share This Jam with Me

Released on June 7th, "girls" is a single by girl in red , a Norwegian Bedroom Pop star who in her songs unequivocally expresses the importance of being an individual, while accepting each other's foreign idiosyncrasies as something to celebrate rather than a reason to scrutinize. "Girls" is a subtle anthem about gay pride and not solely a song about accepting one's sexual orientation, but about the realistic and upsetting implications that still arise in the process of "coming out." The tune is a conflicting swell of emotions regarding her attraction for the same sex and the bemusement felt because of it. However tangled with this confusion, girl in red expresses the inescapable feeling of having to hide her true attractions "can I tell anyone?/Afraid of what they will say/So I push them away." The fear of being ostracized or seen as an assailant against society overtakes the inclination of being who she is; a detrimental and daun...

Released in 2005 off Gorillaz's second and acclaimed album  Demon Days , "Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head" is an overlooked and undercover track overshadowed by the album's multiple singles: " EL Mañana ," " Dirty Harry ," " Dare ," " Feel Good Inc. ," and " Kids with Guns ." While these aforementioned tracks are bangerz in their own right, and have credible influence, "Fire Coming out the Monkey's Head" is arguably one of the most unique songs Gorillaz has ever made, and that's saying something about the band of cartoon musicians.  Song writing takes many forms or styles, particularly laced with metaphors and expressions to not necessarily tell a story but to express an emotion or feeling. Not often do we see the notion of fryetag's pyramid in songs (some notable examples come from artists like Johnny Cash , Bob Dylan , J. Cole and Courtney Barnett ) as some may feel the format...

Now that we are roughly half-way through 2018, it's time to reflect on the songs that have impacted us this year. Like any year, there have been great some great songs and flat out terrible songs, but we're going to try and forget about those discrepancies and focus solely on the good ones. So without further ado, here are five songs that have thus far been this year's best. 5. Almost Had to Start a Fight / In and Out of Patience - Parquet Courts Punk's not dead. Parquet Courts is a super interesting and creative quartet that continually doesn't give a fuck about being popular or to commercially successful, rather the foursome often releases music that focuses on meaning be it instrumentally or lyrically in a manner that is raw, digestible and spelled out. "Almost Had to Start a Fight / In and Out of Patience," and Wide Awake!   in general, is a continuation of Parquet Court's leitmotif of straight forwardness and is an amalgamation of fiery f...

Clairo's latest single, "4EVER" was released via Clairo's YouTube channel  on April 27th, but considering the recent release of her debut Ep, diary 001 , it is only fitting to discuss arguably the most expansive effort to come from the Clairo cannon. Clairo's journey from YouTube notoriety to emerging pop star is nothing short of remarkable given the circumstances that has embodied Clairo as an artist: individualism. Clairo has written, produced and developed most if not all of her songs from her bedroom using beats from her laptop and the odd acoustic guitar, all of which amalgamates into an extremely expressive and personal collection of tunes paralleling the traditional format of a diary. "4EVER" is another transparent song about Clairo's involvement or fantasies with boys, but on a larger and more committed level, "Am I going to feel this way forever/Are you going to be around for me to count on?" The song " Flaming Hot Cheeto...

There's nothing like early 2000's New York City Rock. Along with The Strokes and Interpol , the Yeah Yeah Yeahs led the resurgence of New York City Rock but were often viewed as the more playful and flamboyant group to come out of the scene. While songs like " Heads Will Roll " definitely justify this identity, not to mention front-woman Karen O's elaborate outfits and antics, it is "Maps" that displays the range the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have. "Maps" is a cathartic tune about regret and longing that plays at your heart strings with terse lyrics, melancholic and alternating chords that creates empathetic sense of feeling for the listener.  From their debut album, Fever to Tell   "Maps" is just one of the few tracks that brought the Yeah Yeah Yeahs into the spotlight. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' impact is definitely seen in more obscure bands who may be considered "art bands" but mostly these groups are just the alternative ...

As a fan of J. Cole's "1985," I am sort of taken aback with "Old N*ggas." J. Cole is not trying to save Hip Hop or completely remove this recent trap trend that has crept into Hip Hop, however he has been critical and has attempted to mold and assist the new generation of sound cloud rappers and trap stars for the "better." J. Cole's recent KOD   (where "1985" is featured) uses trap at times with irony of J. Cole's and many other's negative perception of trap, but nonetheless does not negate its influence and can't help but embrace it. Being someone who has been in the "game" for a while, J. Cole is aware of having to adapt to new trends and niches that come about, but as someone part of the elder generation who think this style of Hip Hop is dumb, J. Cole cannot help but think something needs to be done for these kids who have embodied trap as part of their identity. Enter "Old N*ggas." YBN Cordae...

While, Donald Glover's Childish Gambino project has proved mainstream and audience appeal with previous tracks, they have not been all that impressive. "This is America" erases any notions that Donald Glover is unable to create an awe-inspiring and incredible song. "This is America" is a single off Childish Gambino's upcoming fourth album, and it is quite frankly the best song Donald Glover's Childish Gambino persona has made and has thus far been the best song of 2018. I might even go all-in to say "This is America" will turn out to be the best song of the year.  Taking influence from trap music, "This is America" is able to be a banger and a song that has an apparent meaning or cause to be made. Kendrick Lamar 's DAMN   is a great example of taking influence from the controversial trap music genre, and creating both mass appeal and disseminating a powerful message, and "This is America" is no different. In s...

"How to Socialise & Make Friends" as a single and an  album is one of the best releases of 2018. The single feels like breath of fresh air; it's smooth, energetic, melodic and has an awesome narrative conducted through a vernacular that is appealing, relatable and comprehensive. As you follow along with the song, you are aware of the complications that Georgia Maq is professing and the story of independence and sanctuary that she feels when riding her handlebar-less bike in the dark.  The feeling you get when you listen to the song is this comfortable warmth just as soon as the initial riffs and steady beat are enacted. It's reminiscent of The Stroke's 12:51, in the consistency and steady pace of Moretti's drumming juxtaposed with the playful rhythm of Nick Valensi's licks.  Obviously, 12:51 is a calmer and more alluring track than the more upbeat and evocative "How to Socialise & Make Friends," but the similarities are ...