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Post by Kapitan on Mar 14, 2019 23:28:46 GMT
More than any of the old stuff, I'm excited for new music in recent years. It's not that I stopped loving the classics, but that I continue to be really tickled at what catches me by surprise among new releases. I'm not saying it's 1965-70 all over again, but there is a lot of music out there ... and the best of it is great.
So I'll be posting about it here, most likely. Tomorrow is Friday, new release day, so hopefully more is coming soonish.
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Mar 14, 2019 23:35:44 GMT
I know I lean more towards pop than you, but it definitely seems like there's been some great new music recently.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 14, 2019 23:37:38 GMT
Ooooh, I don't know about that. I've been a pretty big pop fan in recent years. Admittedly I'll veer where the conversation goes, because I'd rather talk about almost anything than nothing at all (or the same old things again and again).
When you say "pop," what do you mean? Pretty broad range.
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Mar 14, 2019 23:52:59 GMT
Basically whatever is in the hot 100. There hasn't been a ton of stuff released this year that I've really liked, but Bad Idea by Ariana Grande is something that stands out to me. The end drags on a bit to long, but the way the orchestral parts of the song is mixed in with the trap beat is pretty cool. The guitar used in the intro and throughout the song very pleasing to my ears as well.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 15, 2019 0:03:33 GMT
I've got to admit, Grande specifically has rarely if ever struck a chord with me. But pop more generally? Definitely, even somewhat in that vein. I'm the guy who actually praised Meghan Trainor as really gifted as a popsmith. Not sure I've heard anything in that sort of pop vein that has struck me this year (although Trainor's "Marry Me" is nice) yet. But I believe Carly Rae Jepsen is supposed to have a new album this year, and has been releasing singles. She's pretty talented.
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Mar 15, 2019 0:19:49 GMT
I've got to admit, Grande specifically has rarely if ever struck a chord with me. But pop more generally? Definitely, even somewhat in that vein. I'm the guy who actually praised Meghan Trainor as really gifted as a popsmith. Not sure I've heard anything in that sort of pop vein that has struck me this year (although Trainor's "Marry Me" is nice) yet. But I believe Carly Rae Jepsen is supposed to have a new album this year, and has been releasing singles. She's pretty talented. I've never really explored Megan Trainor outside of her hits. She has a weird tone to her voice that I don't like. Marry Me is a nice song, though. Her voice sounds much better/softer too. Kind of the same thing with Carly Rae Jepsen, although in her case it's more because she fell off of my radar. Party For One is pretty catchy, I think that's supposed to be on her new album. Another song that's caught my ear this year is Dancing With a Stranger by Sam Smith and Normani. It's pretty repetitive and I probably won't listen to it again after another couple months or so, but it's nice enough to listen to right now.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 15, 2019 0:23:40 GMT
With Trainor, what I loved about her first album was its use of '50s styles and arrangements (though the ever-present rapping has been embarrassingly bad throughout and just should stop). Her stabs at more modern, R&B/hip-hop fueled music are tedious. It's a shame: I think her tuneful side is brilliant.
Haven't listened to that Smith, but I'm interested. I really liked a couple of his songs a few years back, "I'm Not the Only One" in particular.
I posted this at the old one, but so far my song of the year (and video of the year, for that matter) is by far this:
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Mar 15, 2019 0:25:50 GMT
I actually forgot to comment on that when you posted it. Very good song (and video)!
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Post by eraserheadbaby on Mar 15, 2019 0:33:46 GMT
From Sean Lennon and Les Claypool!
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 15, 2019 13:17:03 GMT
Tomorrow is Friday, new release day, so hopefully more is coming soonish. Hope I didn't get anyone's hopes up: today's releases didn't appeal to me. Instead I'll list a few of the bands/artists who have put out things this year so far that I've liked.
Better Oblivion Community Center - Conor Oberst (fka Bright Eyes) and Phoebe Bridgers' project. It's pretty straight-ahead, folkish rock and roll. Not great, but some of it is pretty good.
Cotton Mather - they did a special release for Patreon supporters to raise funds for the next real albums. I love this band so much, best known for their Beatlesy mid-90s Kontiki, but they have done a lot of great stuff since, including an extraordinary amount of music in the past couple years.
Deerhunter - I am surprised how much I like their new album.
Sharon Van Etten - Her "I Know" was an amazing piano ballad a few years back, so this album (with plenty of electronics) was a little surprising. But it's good.
Solange - I haven't had time to fully absorb it, but my first impressions of her album are that it's nice, but not as hooky as I like. I'm definitely a "songs" guy. This is more a "sounds" or "vibe" album.
Vampire Weekend - not historically a huge fan (though I liked Contra), but I love all four songs put out so far. Looking forward to the album.
Weyes Blood - If you're not sick of me talking up "Everyday" yet, you will be.
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Post by geminitactics on Mar 15, 2019 15:04:47 GMT
Yes, Weyes Blood and Sharon Van Etten! I got into Weyes Blood through her work/friendship with Josh Tillman (Father John Misty), who's consistently put out my favorite albums this decade.
I've yet to delve into the new Andrew Bird, but have liked all his previous stuff too, particularly Mysterious Production of Eggs and Armchair Apocrypha.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 15, 2019 15:18:53 GMT
Father John Misty ... he frustrates the hell out of me. Super talented guy, and I do like his sort of polished lounge-meets-Laurel Canyon sound. The cleverness of the character, though, something about it just doesn't rub me the right way. It's funny, but it's also so gimmicky. The first time I saw and heard his Letterman performance of "Bored in the USA," I was blown away: just loved it! But after a few albums, the schtick wore thin for me.
Andrew Bird is somebody I've never really gotten totally absorbed in, but check in on every so often. (He used to be around here (Minneapolis) a lot, recording here and such, to the point that you'd see him constantly. Maybe he still is--I'm not the barfly I used to be in the '00s.) Super talented, he has done some really good work over the years.
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Post by geminitactics on Mar 15, 2019 15:27:33 GMT
A lot of people got frustrated with Misty's persona - personally, I've always enjoyed the troll aspect of him, but for at least the last year, he's toned it way down and I don't believe he's on social media at all anymore. I think he recognized the backlash wasn't worth it. The last record he did was quite a downbeat beauty.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 15, 2019 15:51:05 GMT
That's the thing ... I kind of love the trolling. But I don't. I realize this makes no sense and is stupid. I would like to hear him do something that's less in character. I'd also like him to tighten things up, fewer of the 5-minute meandering songs. But that's just my pop bias.
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Post by geminitactics on Mar 15, 2019 16:31:41 GMT
I'd also like him to tighten things up, fewer of the 5-minute meandering songs. But that's just my pop bias. Oh yes, then definitely try God's Favorite Customer - much more brief and less 'attitude' if you know what I mean. Plus, Weyes Blood backing vocals!
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