Singer-songwriter ALIX recently released a new pop hit. Featuring pop sensation NEZZA, “Good” is a timeless track that works through the conflict between finding closure and wanting to move on after a relationship ends. The ballad is a model of classic pop, but the smooth vocals and subtle funk undertones give it a tasty R&B twist. The lyrics are simple but sincere, giving them a kind of universality that ALIX herself values in the music of her favourite artists. NEZZA shared in this universality as she bonded with ALIX over experiencing the aftermath of ex-relationships. From their bond, “Good” was born.
The solace found in the lyrics is enhanced by instrumentals that truly encompass the word “good.” Not the “better than alright but worse than great” definition of the word, but the one that means “pleasurable” and “enjoyable.” The song is in 6/8 time, which makes the music sway, each bar punctuated by a clean guitar chord. The harmonies are dreamy, wrapping you in a tender embrace to comfort you through your heartbreak. Towards the end there’s a satisfying key change that instills within you a resolution to persevere through any negative emotions you may be left with. In the end, “Good” is soothing, uplifting, and freeing.
While this track delights in its meaningful simplicity, one can also endeavor to go deeper and look for touches of California, where ALIX grew up. See if you can hear the gorgeous redwood forests and rolling hills that The Golden State is known for. Growing up near San Francisco meant that ALIX was exposed to an array of musical influences, providing her with a nifty toolkit that she would go on to utilize in her music. The music video for ALIX’s debut release “Come Alive” opened the door for her music career, gaining a million views in the first month. Her forthcoming album Feel Better builds on the momentum she’s created, with “Good” being only a taste of what’s to come.
Crowd favorites Scarves made us laugh and dance on Friday night during our Cancelled Plans Music Fest festivities. I got 8 different texts from friends and family about how delightful their particular set was, and I would concur. Catch it in all of its glory below, and don’t forget to tip them here!
About 30 seconds after Rocker Stalker (Meijin) logged off Cancelled Plans Music Fest on Friday, we got a notice that her video had been taken down by a giant in the music industry because of the use of some music in the performance. Little did Facebook know that they had been approving similar performances pretty much every night all quarantine over on her Instagram page, so without further ado, here is the video that came back to life. MEIJIN, WE LOVE YOU!
Jai Wolf‘s new album The Cure To Loneliness is the perfect encapsulation of everything this budding star has to offer. Discovered by EDM mainstay Skrillex, the Bangladeshi born Jai Wolf (Sajeeb Saha) created a lot of buzz with his song “Indian Summer”. Raised in Long Island, Jai Wolf has been influenced by the likes of Phoenix and The Strokes, but you can feel the electronic influences most in The Cure To Loneliness.
With features from Day Wave, Robokid, and Mr. Gabriel to name a few, Jai Wolf is setting himself apart and establishing his legitimacy within the industry. You can hear those aforementioned Phoenix influences in the track “Lose My Mind”, but Jai Wolf also has the unique ability to slow it down, which is rare to find in an electronic artist. Almost with a trance like feel, most of the tracks on this album will have you swaying with electronic bliss. “On the new album, sonically all of Sajeeb’s eclectic influences can be heard. Lyrically though, the album is quite personal with themes of searching for connection whether to culture or people, from someone who was not only born in a very foreign land, but once he got to the United States moved around constantly. As a person Sajeeb is extremely bright, very outspoken on the current political situation, especially, as you can imagine, on the subject of immigration.” Jai Wolf has been able to channel his experiences into an art that is not seen from many, let alone electronic artists. Most musicians with Jai Wolfs thoughts and feelings might turn to other genres, but his ability to create an insightful landscape with drum machines is something to behold. The Cure To Loneliness will do exactly what the title entails.
You can check out The Cure To Loneliness now, and keep up with Jai Wolf on his socials listed below.
Music week at SXSW 2019 has descended upon Austin, TX, and we are experiencing major bouts of missing out. It’s the first year in a hot second that we don’t get to come down and cover all of the insane music first-hand. But we are also insanely lucky. This year, as in years past, we have found a host of incredible musicians to give their point-of-view a shot on our Instagram page all week! Check @imperfectfifth for the lineup and updates all week long!
Between Instagram updates, I’d test out some of the up-and-comers on the playlist below. This happens to be a host of our favorite SXSW 2019 artists, all compiled in one place so you can stay up-to-date with the industry’s fresh faces. We will be updating the playlist all week, so stay plugged in to hear new things every day!
I think this is a really good moment for women in music and overall entertainment right now. The climate is really conscious, women are speaking up and advocating for themselves through various forms of art and media. I am so inspired by all of the female pop recording artists right now. They’re all strong, socially aware and convey a similar message of women’s empowerment. They all support each other and I too feel the desire to support fellow female artists. I made this playlist to listen to when I want to feel inspired and a sense of community in the music business. All of these different artists show strength in their lyrics and vocal performances even if it’s through moments of vulnerability, enjoy.
This playlist is the embodiment of Handsomebeast’s new musical and visual direction. We want to paint a picture in the way that some of our favorite films do: dangerously. In reflection of how dynamically eclectic the band is, these songs venture between exciting getaway tunes with high energy to slow burners that can melt anyone into the bedsheets.
With Tarintino-ish vibes from tunes like “Black Venom” from The Budos Band and Adrian Younge’s “Turn Down the Sound”, you could imagine this playlist playing during a well-executed heist (some of our favorite movie plots).
In the other direction lay the smooth after effects of such invigorating action: the love making (yeeeah). Smoke something with Houston’s UGK. Pour one up with Warren G. Grab your partner and slow dance to Daniel Caesar’s “Get You” or Liquid Monk’s “On the Rocks” before the feds bust in.
Some of these artists are huge influences on the band that stuck with us through the evolution of our personal sound, such as Gorillaz, James Brown, Talking Heads, and the Isley Brothers.
Baring in mind how musically diverse the band is, it’s no wonder this playlist ranges from Kendrick Lamar to early 60’s Peruvian Chicha pioneers Los Mirlos. Inspiration comes in many forms, but as long as it grooves, Handsomebeast will jam it.
This is Heist-Rock. This is Hip-Hop Noir. This is music For Robbin’ Banks & Makin’ Love After.
Check out Handsomebeast on one of their tour dates below!
9/13 – Hi-Tone Café – Memphis, TN
9/15 – Foggy Mountain Brew Pub – Asheville, NC
9/20 – Pianos – New York, NY
9/21 – Connie’s Ric Rac – Philadelphia, PA
9/22 – Gypsy Sally’s – Washington, DC
I create music to make people move and have fun. I appreciate any music that does the same. Since my favorite types of music are hip-hop/rap and EDM, this is a collection of some tracks that hit both vibes. Hard hitting beats, fun grooving synths, and some fire lyrics. That’ll get the people going. When you’re moving, you’re having fun!
Los Angeles based singer/songwriter Traces has been garnering critical acclaim left and right recently. Having premiered his very first single via Milk, he is now taking over the Spotify sound space with his new track “IDBH.” Smooth and alluring vocals stand at the forefront of this track – as we are sure will be the case with all of his future work – while heartbreaking lyrics and an interesting beat weave everything together seamlessly.
