That time has come. It's half way through the year and most everyone is making their best music (so far) lists. This was actually my first ever post on the Wires & Waves blog. I feel like this, like most years, has been a really strong year for music.
Favorite Album
Modern Vampires of The City - Vampire Weekend
This is not only my favorite album of this year so far, but one of the best albums I've heard in a very long time (click HERE to read my review of the album). It's been over a month since this record was released, and it hasn't lost any of its luster. Today I was mowing my grandma's lawn and got really emotional listening to "Hannah Hunt". This album is great. It might be too early to say but I don't think this one will leave my top spot for the entire year.
Favorite Song
"Sex" - The 1975
Aside from every song from the Vampire Weekend album, this has been my go to song of the year (so far). It's a catchy pop rock song. There's not too much to it, but something about it keeps me coming back to it over and over and over again. Whether I'm working out or driving in the car, this song is enjoyable where ever I am.
Favorite New Band
Night Beds
The first time I heard "Even If We Try" I nearly melted to the floor. Winston Yellen, lead singer of Night Beds, swoons with one of the coolest falsettos since Justin Vernon. The album, Country Sleep, is very reminiscent of early Ryan Adams records. There's a heavy country influence infused with dream like melodies. It's an album I keep coming back to.
Best Comeback
Justin Timberlake
I don't think I've been more excited for an album release than I was for The 20/20 Experience and it didn't disappoint at all. It had been six years since J.T. had released an album and following up Future, Sex, Love Sounds was no easy task. The 20/20 Experience, musically, is all over the map. There's the psychedelic "Spaceship Coupe", and the soulful, "That Girl". "Mirrors" is the standout track. It's an ode to his wife and to his grandparents' relationship. It's the most boy bandish song on the album, but don't worry you can listen to it and not feel guilty for liking it. Like it should, this album makes me want to dance and I don't even like to dance. That's saying something.
Biggest Surprise
The Shouting Matches - Grownass Man
Who knew that Justin Vernon was going to release an album this year, besides Justin Vernon himself? I don't think anyone did. One day out of the blue it just appeared. The Shouting Matches are the blues rock side project of Vernon and other Eau Claire, Wisconsin musicians. It's nothing like Bon Iver. There's no cryptic lyrics. It's straight forward and fun to listen to. By far my biggest surprise of the year so far.
Here's a playlist of the bands and songs mentioned above, plus a few others I really like this year (so far).
Showing posts with label justin timberlake. Show all posts
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best music 2013 so far,
grownass man,
justin timberlake,
modern vampires of the city,
Night Beds,
Sex,
the shouting matches,
vampire weekend
Zach's Favorite Music of 2013 (so far)
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Bruno Mars,
frank ocean,
jt,
justin timberlake,
nsync,
pitchfork,
the 20/20 experience,
timbaland,
xtina
a pocketful of soul
I digress. Our breaks started grinding when we pulled into Des Moines, so we had to drop a boatload (I really wanted to say "buttload") of money to fix them. We are hoping we can drive this car into outer space when scientists figure out immortality and flying cars, so we want to take good care of it. Needless to say, we were a little blue. Maybe "red" is a more accurate word. To soothe our anger, we went to the Target up the road from the auto body shop and bought The 20/20 Experience. We listened to it one time through while iTunes was streaming it, and we have obviously over-listened "Suit and Tie" and "Mirrors," but we were still excited.
The album begins with "Pusher Love Girl," where JT compares his girl's love to a high from a multitude of drugs. (Let's be real, though, JT: you would probably die if you did all those drugs at the same time. Don't die.) I really love it. It reminds me a lot of Raphael Saadiq, my only real familiarity with r&b and soul. He's also very reminiscent of Saadiq on "That Girl," which might be my favorite song on the album with the exception of "Mirrors."
"Mirrors" is the strongest tie to his boy band breeding ground, but I say that with the utmost admiration. This song is beautiful.
Most people seem to love the album, but critics have complained about the retro sound on "Suit and Tie." They have said that Bruno Mars is already doing the whole retro thing, which I kind of disagree with. I think it's just because they both wear gel and have good voices. This album is strong. He really put work into this, and it shows. It doesn't sound like a regular pop album. The lyrics err on the side of cheesiness at times, but it never feels cheap. As Pitchfork said, it's not like he's Frank Ocean. (Pitchfork and I actually agree on something for once!)
"Let the Groove Get In" sounds a lot like Gloria Estefan, which is pretty funny. Does anyone else remember Music of the Heart? The album ends with "Blue Ocean Floor," which actually reminds me of Frank Ocean a little bit, at least musically (not necessarily lyrically).
I don't really dislike any of the songs on the album. I recommend all of them. It's good soul pop that exceeded all of my expectations. This album proves that he isn't just a pop star anymore. He's a real musician with staying power.
Also, JT released this video for "Mirrors,"and I love it.
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Zach's Song of The Day
In honor of Justin Timberlake's superb performance on SNL last night (and when I say superb, I mean it. I will go out on a limb and say the episode was top five, ever), my song of the day is his latest single, "Mirrors", from his much anticipated album (It's much anticipated by me and Christina anyway) The 20/20 Experience.
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song of the year.
Just popping out of my Timberlake-induced fog to say that I have not stopped listening to this yet...even in my sleep.
Posted by Christina
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jt.
Let me preface this by noting that this is not an ironic post...
...because someone had to write about it. As a near-lifelong Justin Timberlake fan, I feel qualified. My first concert was N SYNC, and I stood on the lawn at Shoreline Amphitheatre in tears. (Remember, this post is not ironic.)
I don't really know how he made it out of the boy band/bubblegum pop era, but HE DID IT. Seriously, guys. I was worried that he wouldn't be able to top what he did with Justified and FutureSex/LoveSounds, but listening to the song just once assuaged my fears.
Zach mentioned that "Suit & Tie" sounds a little bit like Raphael Saadiq. I agree; it's got an element of soul that I just love. I'm sorry Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, and everyone else. He is back (with Jay-Z, no less).
I'm not going to pretend that I know how to write about it, so just listen:
Justin Timberlake Ft. Jay-Z - Suit & Tie from Timbaland Passion on Vimeo.
