Pop

Leave a comment Posted on Cover

Jeff Buckley -“Everybody Hear Wants to Love You (HAERTS Cover)”

Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss
A singing smile
Coffee smell and lilac skin
Your flame in me

No one sings like Jeff Buckley, nor can anyone reach his emotional depths. But lead singer of HAERTS, Nini Fabi, seems to understand the stakes of covering a Jeff Buckley song. Drenched in HAERTS’ classic 80’s orchestration, the cover does a great job at going in a completely different direction, separating the chorus from the minimalistic, dreary verses. The chorus blossoms into a shimmering idea, but never speeds out of control. Compare the versions of each song below:

Leave a comment Posted on Soft-Indie

Life in Film – “Anna, Please Don’t Go”

Life in Film released its debut album, “Here It Comes” earlier this week, and I was immediately taken by the track, “Anna, Please Don’t Go.” A charming love song that would fit perfectly into any upcoming indie flick, be it by Wes Anderson (see “Moonrise Kingdom”) or by Marc Webb (“500 Days of Summer”). This London four-piece band has already attracted the right people, including playing with the Rolling Stones.

Leave a comment Posted on British, Pop

Oh Wonder – “Livewire”

Too often, pop artists will show glimpses of restraint, but are then forced to show the song’s metaphorical “full hand” in the first chorus to make it “radio-ready.” Oh Wonder holds back in “Livewire,” letting the listener get what they think is a full chorus the first time, and on the second time around, the group reveals its full sound and potential. This London duo is a step away from breakthrough, and it is only a matter of time until others begin copying Oh Wonder’s sound. My only frustratingly minute nitpick with the song is that the chorus sounds eerily similar to Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream.” See if you can find the section that sounds exactly like: “Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans, Be your teenage dream tonight.”

_________

Leave a comment Posted on Rock, SXSW

Demitasse – “Comfy Coffins”

Minor-chords define the opening of Demitasse’s new song, “Comfy Coffins.” The lyrics describe the sense of being alone and that we all share the misery collectively. Yet, as soon as the darker tone is set, we are temporarily relieved with the first major chord that sparks a more uplifting chorus. It’s got friendly hand claps and upper register harmonies that help create this musical glow. In the end, the music is bare and poppy, yet deep and thoughtful.

Leave a comment Posted on New Music

Snowed Up on a Tuesday

Time to catch up!

Sufjan Stevens – “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross”

First off: New Sufjan harkens back to his folky, stripped-down roots. Harmonies galore.

G – “Outer Space”

Chill vibes from this electronica project by G (producer Jimmy Giannopoulos). Throw in a sax and I’m sold.

Will Joseph Cook – “Streets of Paris”

A voice like Brett Dennen and an upbeat chorus like Penguin Prison and Ra Ra Riot.