#postedbyanne

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Strangers // Sigrid

Everything about Sigrid is perfect for 2018. Her songs make you want to dance but also revolve around topics and language that are culturally relevant to today’s youth. What I admire most about the 21 year old is that she seems to understand her brand - from the font type used in her videos to the way she colours her visuals - and appears keenly aware of the intention behind each song and what she wants to say as an artiste. In Strangers, a song I interpreted as being about the romanticising of romance, Sigrid had this to say:

“It’s about wanting something to be something that it’s not. A lot of people – especially people my age – want things to be perfect, and therefore you lie to yourself. For instance, you think, “This romantic relationship is so good,” but then it turns out that it’s not. You just wanted it to be. It’s a really, really sad song. My favourite pop tunes – like ‘Dancing on my Own’ by Robyn or ‘Green Light’ by Lorde – are always the ones that makes you wanna cry and dance at the same time.” (Source: NME)

Reminiscent of Kristen Stewart in Twilight, Sigrid’s image is slightly awkward, but in the best way, with a vibe that is simultaneously 90s and decidedly 2018 - all in all, an aesthetic that millennials like myself appreciate and admire. Her ability to pick up on what is current, and then sprinkle it with nostalgia, is the mark of not only a good singer, but an incredibly smart one. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

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Rough Soul // GoldLink

I discovered the Colors Youtube channel a few weeks ago, and it has been THE biggest music find for me in 2017. Each video features a singer in a solid coloured room, all of which are reminiscent of Pantone colour swatches. The colours add different moods to the tracks while stripping the performance down so that viewers can focus on the performer, their movements and style, and of course, their voice. 

Another great thing about the channel is the musicians they feature. While some, like GoldLink, are starting to make it big, all the artists haven’t achieved household name status... yet. 

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Reason To Hate You // Rhys Lewis

There are some songs that grow on you slowly. Then, before you realise it, you’re hooked. When I initially stumbled upon Lewis’ music, I wasn’t sure if I resonated with his sound, but as song after song passed, I found myself thinking: “This guy is really, really good.”

There is a vulnerable and raw quality to his voice, which lends an authenticity to his music. From his track list, I can’t help but feel that Lewis is multi-faceted, both as a singer and human being. Many of his songs are about relationships, and the emotions that come with going through those experiences, but he also sings about other subjects, and switches up the tempo from track to track. For instance, “Living in the City” speaks about the wonders and pains of city life, while “I Know The Feeling” is an upbeat song about the rat race, which got me on my feet. 

Seemingly underrated at the moment, Lewis is one of those singers people would gush about to their family and friends. Isn’t that what you do when you discover a gem?

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Watch Me Dance // Tom Misch

There’s something about the music Tom Misch creates that makes me feel things. What first got my attention was the subtle nuances in his songs, perhaps owing to the complex chords he uses (I learned this after reading the YouTube comments section - music maestro, I am not). While his acoustic sessions, whether original or cover, compel me to sit and listen to the gentle tales he unfolds, his produced work brings to mind the harmonious energy of what it’d be like to dance wildly under the stars - not that I ever have. See what I mean when I say his music makes me feel things? As a musician who seems down to earth, and uncompromising in his musical style and abilities, I would say, completely straight faced, that the man is an artist.

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This Is Gospel // Panic! At The Disco

Panic! At The Disco was one of my favourite bands after I discovered them on my sister’s iTunes years ago, but I gradually forgot about them as they transitioned from A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out to Pretty. Odd. Personally, I’m a fan of their older stuff, so while mainstream hits like Nine In The Afternoon were great, they never hit the spot.

Imagine my surprise when I rediscovered them (too late, I might add!) and the amazing song that is This Is Gospel. The piano rendition combines the underlying innocence of tinkling keys with lyrics that cut to the core. Brendon Urie’s soaring vocals rise to match the strength and power of the emotion demanded, and dip to create the sense of vulnerability necessary behind expression of such strong emotion.

Unfortunately, I can’t appreciate the creative direction of the video, and so, have been listening to the song on loop without the visual confusion. 

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Circles // machineheart, Vanic Call me old-fashioned but before reviewing a song, I like to look it up on Youtube to see how well it's been received so far, and whether I should write a bio on the artistes. When I saw that Circles had 400,000 views on YouTube, I thought I had stumbled onto a hidden gem. But I soon realised that on Spotify - the present and future of music streaming - the song had been played 13 million times. Rightfully so. The collab between synthpop band machineheart and Canadian DJ Vanic is guaranteed to get people up and dancing. It's undoubtedly cool, which is something I'd attribute to its catchy chorus and Stevie Scott's husky vocals. Give it a listen, and if (when) you're hooked, let's bring it right on up to 14 million plays shall we?

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The Strongest of Hands // Town Hall

Such sweet, sweet lyrics. This song is akin to drawing back a gauzy curtain on two people very much in love and taking a peek into their lives. It reveals the sappy, sparkly emotions of a honeymoon phase, and the strong security that comes from true, weatherbeaten love. My favourite lyrics encapsulate just that:

The strongest of hands Opening up any jar Hot sand at the beach You carry me to the car In your arms So safe From monsters I fear You keep the coast clear I'm never afraid

Unfortunately, the band has since broken up and moved on to individual music projects, but we’ll always have this gem to keep us warm at night. 

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Small Hands // Keaton Henson Visually rich and deeply touching, this music video opens to affectionate scenes of beautifully crafted animals in pairs. They sit in the places they call home. Then one by one, the pairs are ripped apart by predators, and a solo owl/ rabbit/ frog is left sad and shivering. When they finally move on, their homes are left bare - an empty space that looks untouched, a void that seemed to have always been abandoned. 

It's the animal kingdom parallel to break ups - first, one person leaves, then the other stays before eventually moving on. Finally, the places and spaces the couple used to occupy lie empty. Though the song is ultimately a sad one, it's also about growing apart and moving forward so perhaps there's a little bit of hope within its lyrics. 

Keaton Henson is an artist I recently discovered. At 25, he has an amazing style and has gained a cult following. Although he started out designing art for album covers (perhaps that influences his artistic videos), he made some music for a friend and was encouraged to go public. The rest, as they say, is history. 

If you liked the song, you may want to check out his Youtube channel, and website (click on 'listen' for his albums on SoundCloud).