Tag: playlist

Categories
Music

Honourable music mentions from September

Apple Music

The Music Editors of The Concordian share their top picks from this month’s releases.

Tabéa’s Picks:

Mitski – The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We

Trial Track: “My Love Mine All Mine”

Released on Sept. 15, Mitski’s seventh studio album features a song that has captured every listener’s heart. This breathtaking track highlights Mitski’s vulnerability and introspection on what she truly possesses in life. Love is the one cohesive element that she feels will always be a part of herself. From self-love to mundane love and the care she has felt thus far, the poignant artist expresses that this love (“mine all mine”) will never be taken from her—as opposed to materialistic items. The lovely and captivating chorus only enhances Mitski’s affirmation of herself and the listener, making the message incredibly emotional. For anyone seeking to feel more grounded and grateful, Mitski’s “My Love Mine All Mine” is the way. 

Cleo Sol – Heaven

Trial Track: “Self”

Smooth like butter, Cleo Sol is back with her third album “Heaven,” released on Sept. 15. From collaborating with rapper Little Simz to being part of the mysterious collective Sault, the British singer has outdone herself with this intimate and warm project perfectly for Fall. While the groovy basslines and piano all across the project are impressive, one must not let it overshadowCleo Sol’s mellow and controlled vocals. The opening track encapsulates self-affirmation—how she’ll never lose herself now and finally show up in the world as her true self without shifting in any ingenuine way. “Self” is gentle and rhythmic with its jazz-based composition making it an ideal listen for any music lover.  

Stefano’s Picks:

Lancey Foux – BACK2DATRAP

Trial Track: “ADHD”

Lancey Foux’s latest project BACK2DATRAP is a unique brand of hip-hop helmed entirely by his frequent collaborator, producer Back2Bally. “ADHD” is the perfect sampler of the mixtape’s sound: powerful bass, catchy melody, and all sorts of percussions rattling in and out while Lancey offers a consistent and charismatic vocal performance. The track is short and sweet, offering a catchy chorus twice plus a verse, all within less than two minutes. Bally’s production and Lancey’s style make for an energetic combo that dominates the entire tracklist without overstaying its welcome (the 12-song project only has a 30-minute runtime). The UK artist continues to prove that he operates in his own lane, with BACK2DATRAP being the latest example.

Doja Cat – Scarlet

Trial Track: “Agora Hills”

Doja Cat’s fourth studio album Scarlet arrived after a controversial rollout where she deliberately attempted to alienate her fanbase, only to notch a number-one hit weeks later. The album is rap-centric, primarily characterized by lyrical boom-bap tracks and melodic rap cuts. However, “Agora Hills”—a dreamy R&B cut—is a clear standout that finds Doja Cat singing softly over a mellow hip-hop beat. Over a twinkly melody and bouncy beat, she serves up a soft, angelic chorus that ranks among the best in her catalogue. It is a smooth, starry track that perfectly serves its narrative of being smitten. The dialogue bits between the verses and chorus are the cherry on top in terms of adding to the song’s pacing and character.

Categories
Music

Fusions of sonic moods in students’ playlists 

Carleen Loney @shloneys / The Concordian

Music sub and cross-genres are more mainstream, but which ones are people fond of?

With more people becoming artists and countless music projects releasing every day, it is only natural for the boundaries of music to become more flexible. As time goes by, a perhaps preconceived mentality that music genres should fit in a box is prone to trickle away. 

Instead, innovative and experimental sounds are getting easier to get accustomed to. Songs blend core instruments of a certain type of music, the atmospheric essence of another, the foundational rhythm of another, etc., more organically. The options for creativity when it comes to music crafting are limitless at this point! Therefore, I asked students around Concordia for some of the music subgenres that flow through their headphones recently and which ones they noticed were popular online. 

#1: Hyperpop

One of the most recurrent auxiliary sounds mentioned was Hyperpop. So many genres can mesh together into a Hyperpop production, ranging from obvious Bubblegum Pop (a mix of rock and pop forming upbeat, catchy and danceable rhythms), Hip-Hop, EDM, and Nightcore (within the electronic realm where a song has a sped up tempo and raised pitch.) This energy-inducing sound typically features drums that are punchy, sharp and even distorted. Imagine a classic pop song, but turning the dial of numerous editing effects all the way up. 

Artists such as Mura Masa, Shygirl, Arca, 100 Gecs, Dorian Electra and notably Charli XCX, with her iconic 2016 hit “Vroom Vroom,” were mentioned by people. Moreover, this subgenre has a prominent space today in the so-called alternative TikTok world, with its “addictive dance tracks.”  

Artist Sophie is a prime example and an adored figure. Her unapologetic craft, from producing for numerous artists like Madonna to releasing stellar projects like Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides from 2018 features her signature high-pitched vocals, generous bass and synthesized chords. Listening to Hyperpop makes me feel like I’ve just had a surge of caffeine levels in my system but in the best way possible. 

#2: Dreamgaze

The second sub-division of music genres that was brought up was Dreamgaze. Under the alternative rock umbrella, it entails a combination of Shoegaze and Dream-pop atmospheres. 

From its initial rise in the early ‘90s, Shoegaze contains distorted and shimmery-sounding guitars, rumbling drums and various effect pedals at its core. Shoegaze also supplies a sense of introspection in terms of its higher focus on lyrics and overall ethereal ambience, which is in full effect in Dreamgaze. My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive and Ride are key bands from the movement and helped Dreamgaze establish a more concrete immersive experience. 

Some of Dreampop’s earliest considered projects and artists also had their start in the early ‘90s. The enticing, rich, sonic textures and lavish amount of reverb were adopted from Dream-pop along with its breathy vocals. Bands like Spiritualized, Wild Nothing, Broadcast and Yo La Tengo have engaged a great presence in the genre. Cocteau Twins and Mazzy Star were specifically mentioned by students as bands that supported the foundation of Dream-pop, thus Dreamgaze.

While both mother genres hold different meanings from audiences about each other’s characteristic boundaries over the past couple of decades, Dreamgaze still offers the best of both worlds. Beach House is notably notorious for incorporating elements of both sister genres, Shoegaze and Dream-pop. The cherished local band Men I Trust also combines the overlapping of ethereal and harmonic vocals from Shoegaze as well as the catchy and jangly melodies from Dream-pop. 

An honourable mention subgenre that came up a few times is Nova MPB, also known as Neo-Samba. The music style essentially groups bossa nova and samba genres from Brazil and falls under the indie realm. All throughout, it contains a lively and colourful tone that marks it as different from the usual sounds from the genre.  

The goal of all these unfolding music branches is to embrace and show love to preexisting sounds in new ways. It is to respect artists’ work by professing creatively their mark on the music industry. By adopting attributes from various original music genres, you too can come up with a sound full of novelty.

Categories
Music

Let the music play: our staff’s all-time favourite songs

In the midst of a crisis, here are the songs that bring us comfort and joy

A person’s favourite song says a lot about who they are. Whether it’s attached to a special memory or maybe there’s just something about the way it sounds, we all have those special songs that we keep coming back to, no matter how much time has passed.

Katelyn Thomas, Editor-in-Chief

“Lego House,” Ed Sheeran and “Walls,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

There’s an Ed Sheeran lyric on my left forearm from his song “Lego House” that represents how I felt when I dropped everything and drove to New York for the first time to watch him play at Madison Square Garden. I guess you could say that’s my favourite. But I feel like I have different favourites for different periods in my life. Tom Petty’s “Walls” is one of them because of how beautifully simple it is: “Half of me is ocean, half of me is sky” is a lyric I’ve loved forever. It can mean so many things.

Matthew Coyte, Managing Editor

“Miracle,” The Darcys

It’s the soundtrack to all of my good memories. It just seems like whenever I think back to a good time in my life, that’s the song that’s playing. It’s got a killer 80s electro-pop feel to it and my favourite musical moment ever about halfway through: just a quick snap of the fingers between the verse and chorus. It just radiates cool, and there’s no song that pumps up the confidence and swagger like this one does.

Alex Hutchins, Creative Director

“I’m God,” Clams Casino

This takes me back to summer 2014 when I worked in Algonquin Park as a canoe trip guide, sitting on this massive rock that hung over crystal clear water while the sun set. It was magical.

Jad Abukasm, News Editor

“Ophelia,” The Lumineers

I love this song for personal reasons, but just in general I have so many good, bad, happy and sad memories related to that song.

Kayla-Marie Turriciano, Life Editor

“Bed of Roses,” Bon Jovi

I grew up listening to rock music with my dad and Bon Jovi was one of the bands we would listen to together. The song reminds me of times spent with him and it’s just my favourite song ever outside of that anyway. A lot of people can’t name their favourite song right off the bat, but that one is my holy grail.

Chloë Lalonde, Arts Editor

“Maps,” The Front Bottoms

I have this very special connection to “Maps” by The Front Bottoms. The lyrics are directly @ing me. First of all, anyone who knows me knows I have big, big plans (among other things!) I’m always trying to sort through what big plan is realistic enough to accomplish and which isn’t. I love the noisiness of this song and the kind of group and call response—the way they are just kind of yelling myself at me. They’re saying everything that I have ever felt back to me, forcing me to face my own thoughts. Other than this song being my biography, I’m obsessed with the main singer’s Tom Delonge-ish way of pronouncing things (think I Miss You: “voice inside my yhead.”)

Please enjoy this video.

Matthew Ohayon, Sports Editor

“Spit Out The Bone,” Metallica

I’ve seen Metallica twice. The second time was during their Hardwired…To Self-Destruct tour which is the album that the song is on. Unfortunately, they didn’t play it live that time, but it’s a song that is really becoming more and more of our reality as it’s about how machines and technology are taking over. So that covers the meaning behind the song, but other than that, it’s my favourite type of music: fast and heavy metal.

Youmna El Halabi, Opinions Editor

“Layla,” Eric Clapton

When you have an eclectic taste in music, pinpointing a song as your favourite can feel overwhelming—but not for me. The answer has always been crystal clear: Eric Clapton’s “Layla.” Preferably a live version of this masterpiece because the minute that guitar solo starts, goosebumps arise—every damn time. This song, whether it’s on an acoustic or electric guitar, transports me and makes me believe in magic.

Fatima Dia, Head Copy Editor

“Habibi,” Tamino

I’ve always had a struggling relationship with faith and letting go of control. This song is poetically written and talks about a love so deep there’s no end to it. I’m a highly sensitive person—too sensitive, I feel too much—and his voice is angelic to say the least. I listened to it every day during the time me and my boyfriend were broken up (we’re back together now, happiness!) and things were happening with my family. It brought me closer to faith.

Maggie Morris, Copy Editor

“Monday Morning,” Death Cab for Cutie

I deeply love pretty much everything DCFC has ever done, but this one hits me right in the feels. Codes and Keys, the album this song came from, came out in 2011 just a few months before my dad took my brother and I to his home country in Wales. Every time I hear this song it transports me back to driving through the Welsh countryside.

Aviva Majerczyk, Copy Editor

“Buzzin’ Fly,” Tim Buckley

Tim Buckley is, in my opinion, a severely underrated singer-songwriter, and this song exemplifies his brilliance. The psych-folk instrumentals are warm and inviting, and they feel as if they wrap around you to shelter you as you listen. This mood echoes Buckley’s lyrics, which describe falling in love like finding a home. This song, as well as all of Happy Sad, has an almost magical ability to calm me down from any stressful situation. It’s good for both deep, headphone-wearing listening sessions and for creating a chill background mood (I use it for the spin-down on my radio show!). Once you listen, I think you’ll agree that Buckley should be placed with the 1960s folk greats.

*BTW, do yourself a favour and check out Aviva’s radio show The Alley on CJLO 1690 AM Wednesdays at 2 p.m.!

@sundaeghost, Graphics Editor

“Pictures of You,” The Cure

It captures longing in a really beautiful way: how you can miss someone and it’s devastating, but you feel cheerful about it because you have the memories of them and that belongs to you. It’s a wonderful example of the way The Cure used instruments to create a space. The guitar has this spacial quality: it’s lush and happy, but it sounds huge and layered like a big echoing cave, which is what I love about all songs by The Cure.

Clara Gepner, Video Editor

“Alchemy,” Above & Beyond

It’s sad but beautiful, has great beats and melody, the singer’s voice is amazing and you can really hear the emotion. Definitely one of my favourites!

Lillian Roy, Assistant Life Editor (me)

“Please, Please, Please Let me Get What I Want,” The Dream Academy

Picking just one song was difficult for me, as I’m sure it was for everyone else. In the end, I chose this cover of “Please, Please, Please” because of the way it makes me feel every time I listen to it. Originally written by The Smiths, the song was used as the soundtrack for one of the most iconic moments in cinematic history: the museum scene of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Like a lot of folks out there, I really identify with the character Cameron who, like me, is an anxious mess. For whatever reason, the moment he stares into the Seurat painting makes me blubber like a baby every time. The song certainly doesn’t help, I’ll tell you that much.

LISTEN NOW

YouTube playlist

Apple Music playlist

 

 

 

 

PS, we are hiring for the 2020-2021 academic year! For more information visit theconcordian.com/work-with-us/.

Graphic by Sasha Axenova.

Categories
Music

The soundtrack to my summer

Graphic by Wednesday Laplante @sundaeghost

5 songs describing the highs and lows of a student’s summer

Summer’s officially over with the fall semester up and running again. I did a little reminiscing and compiled the five songs I had on repeat for the past four months, to graze over before the real grind begins. Maybe you can listen to them too while you compile photosets of your summer extravaganzas.

“Cattails” – Big Thief

This was the perfect song to lounge around on sunny afternoons in the park. From Big Thief’s new album UFOF, nature is a central theme but this is definitely the warmest track on the album. Maybe it was the lyric “You’ll be riding that train in late June/With the windows wide by side,” or the simple acoustic guitar work and light drumming created a sense of light motion- the way we should all move about in summer.

“Willow’s Song” – Magnet

I find the summer is also the perfect time to binge-watch movies. Around the time of the summer solstice, I decided it was a good time to watch The Wicker Man again, a classic folk-horror film about a policeman who investigates a murder case in a Scottish pagan town during the summer solstice. “Willow’s Song” is a slow lullaby/love-song from the film that perfectly fits the whimsical and carefree nature of summer on the quieter warm nights.

“Tears” – Nilufer Yanya

This song is about embracing your sensitivities with flare. I don’t know about you but I always get a little emotional during the summer months – there’s almost too much time to sit around and think. But this song inspired me to embrace my emotional side. The production is very 80s-synth inspired, with a colourful and bouncy sound. It definitely pumped me up to leave the house on those inevitable low-mood summer days. Nilufar Yanya’s debut album Miss Universe, which came out in March, is full of other tracks that made it to my summer listening list.

“Champagne Coast” – Blood Orange

I listen to this song almost every summer- it just reminds me of a steamy summer romance with the backdrops of a hazy orange and pink sunset. Something to do with Devante Hynes’ dreamy synths and guitar licks make it all the more sensual, opening up the possibilities of a romance only summer could bless you with.

“Dress You Up” – Madonna

I’d listen to this classic dance-pop song on hot summer nights. I think it’s no coincidence that I felt the need to listen to this when Leo season started up – all the glamour in the air and feeling like the center of attention. This drumbeat-driven track has an iconic 80s guitar solo and backing choir that screams Madonna, and you can’t go wrong with Madonna when you want to spend the summer night dancing.

Exit mobile version