Song Picks of the Day 16.16
The title of Monday’s Song Pick holds the promise of something alluring and unique: “This Is A Waltz” is exactly that — a slowly intensifying track composed in 3/4 time yet there’s nothing quaint or dull about it. “This Is A Waltz” by singer/songwriter Samuel Ford is exciting as it can be with its beautiful waltz structure and allegorical lyricism. The beats are immediately captivating and the slightly husky, urgently pressing vocals over strummed guitar chords, are swirling and fusing together into one breathtaking dance, creating a feeling of blissful dizziness. Step into a waltz without having to move to the dance floor, simply by listening to this song.
In the Song Pick of Tuesday, Exes singer Allie McDonald finds herself in pickle: how to escape an intense relationship that seems broken beyond repair? There is a lot of glass to be heard in the track, which emphasizes the fragile state of mind of its protagonist. “Twentythousand” is a great song — maybe just one little suggestion to the genre: can we please start keeping it easy with those down-pitched vocals?
Up for something beautiful? Listen to “Moai Y Yo” from multi-cultural artist Maria Usbeck. The song floats past you like a creek in glistening sunshine. This effect comes from a skillful production mixing electronic and acoustic elements as well as Maria’s warm vocals. Her album “Amparo” is scheduled for a May 27 release.
Urgent, menacing undertones, creating a chilling dark vibe. Driving beats, staccato vocals, spitting out word for word, until the relentlessly pushing forward beats slow down half way through, taking a break in their vitality, the piercing guitar melody almost coming to a complete halt, lingering along, prolonging the exhaustion and eventually… fade out. Leeds four-piece Chaika released with “The Quietness” yet another stunning psych-rock piece which should appeal to fans of the dark, energetic vibe of “What Went Down” by Foals or “The Zoo” by Fews and fans of more cryptic noise-rock of e.g. Chicago’s Disappears alike.
Surly there is no lack of girl/boy duos from L.A.: we had quite a number of them as Song Picks of Friday lately. On the other hand it seems to be natural to do music together with your loved one. In case of r00ms, we don’t really know if they are a couple, but the photo suggests a certain intimacy between the two (if the people depicted are the actual musicians). Lots of secrecy here, but their first single “Bittersweet” speaks for itself.
There is plenty of promise with a touch of longing right from the start of “I Need You”, a beautifully infectious synthpop gem by LA duo Leitbur .“I Need You” is also the first single to their upcoming album “Antique Travelers” to drop on May 6th. “You’re the best person I know, I need you by my side, I need you” croons Jaron Widman in his warm tenor and then Samantha Krzyston ethereally chimes in and the track takes on new heights and meaning. “I Need You” envelopes us in a romantic cloud of soaring synths lines, catchy big choruses and sheer musical bliss. Listen to our Song Pick of the Saturday “I Need You” and happily sing along.
Sunday’s Song Pick comes from the Brighton, UK five-piece Phoria. “Everything Beta” layers dense electronic soundscapes with Trewin Howard’s vocals floating above. It is difficult to escape the allure of this track: it engulfs you like a stream of warm water. Their debut album “Volition” is announced for June 3.
