I want to preface this recommendation by saying that when I first was a fan of Rihanna's "Pon De Replay" (come Mr. DJ some Pon De Replay...) I proclaimed that she was going to be dubbed a One-Hit-Wonder. Well, we know how that ended up. I'll admit it, I was wrong. This is something that I also thought whenever I first heard the catchy/kitschy tune of "Thrift Shop". The duo of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis created a song about passing up on expensive duds to the tune of horns with a deep-voiced chorus by Wanz. This song has everybody "popping tags", whatever that means. The Heist is SO much more than expected. After years of grinding it out in the local Seattle hip-hop scene, Ben Haggerty aka Macklemore, teamed up with DJ/Producer Ryan Lewis in 2010 in a well-known sample of Red Hot Chili Peppers' Otherside. After generating quite the hype and buzz for themselves through social media, their sophomore release, The Heist debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. Quite the comeback I'd say!
Every topic from Drug abuse and battles with sobriety to the nostalgic feeling of playing ball with your friends in the summertime. If you solely base this album off it's leading single "Thrift Shop", you will be terribly mistaken. Right now, their 3rd single "Same Love" battles the topic of same-sex marriage, and hits it hard. This is a topic that isn't familiar to the hip-hop community, but widely discussed. Right now this duo holds the #2, #44, and #63 songs on the iTunes' singles' chart. They hold #1, #4, and #10 on the Hip-Hop chart. This duo has really made their mark on the hip-hop genre. Ryan Lewis' producing skills are amazing on this album, creating such great tunes as a backdrop to Macklemore's fun, though provoking, and relate-able lyrics. Ryan also has his chance to shine with an instrumental "BomBom (feat. The Teaching)".
What I like about their sound: There is a song/beat/melody for every mood. Fun to dark to though-provoking.
Worth the charge to my card?: 150%
Favorite song on the album, other than current radio hits: "I used to drink away my paycheck, celebrate the mistakes I hadn't made yet" A Wake (feat. Evan Roman), Ten Thousand Hours about putting in so much time before the world sees you as successful, Thin Line some love stories drag on long after they are really over.
This album I recommend may seem a little out of the ordinary for you. How I came across the album "Nesliving, Vol.3 - Voglio di +" is by surfing the international charts on iTunes. I wanted to revive my knowledge of Italian and thought, what better way than through music? After some intense googling, YouTube watching, and lots of Google Translate, I came across the duo Nesli.
Nesli, is made up of brothers, Francesco and Fabrizio, who both had successful underground solo ventures. Then they decided to combine and create an Italian hip-hop-mind-blowing experience. Nesly, the previous stage name of Francesco, was influenced by a producer who directed him to rap over live instruments for a new sound. The response was numerous successful mix-tape-style singles. It was for his second solo project "The Remedy Tape, Vol. 1" that Nesly turned to his older brother for help and collaboration. It was then that the brothers decided to go by "Nesli" and the rest is history.
I have tried to think of an American equivalent of this duo to describe their style to my friends. They do rap in Italian, but they also sing and the topics aren't as "street tough" as say an Eminem album. Their songs (after rough translation) are about being in love, losing love, and enjoying life in general. One of my favorite songs off this album is "Partiro", which roughly translates to "I will leave". The tone of the song is sort of dark. It's about leaving someone behind and not looking back. Turning a new leaf. The composition of this song is upbeat and great to listen to.
What I like about their sound: They are Italian rappers! They could be talking about vacuum cleaners and I would be put into a trance. Plus, the best way to learn a second language is through music!
Worth the charge to my card?: I find myself singing in Italian, and it was quite the musical discovery. No international charges added, although sort of difficult to navigate through iTunes.
Favorite song on the album, other than current radio hits: I've already discussed this, but I also love E Una Vita (it's one life), Se Puoi (If you can), and Respiro (I breathe, or give me breath)
If you are a lucky son of a gun who gets to see Kenny Chesney on tour this summer (my boyfriend has to be in a wedding when he comes to Pittsburgh >:o| ) you will also get a chance to see Kacey Musgraves. She happens to be one of the opening acts for the No Shoes Nation tour.
Kacey's first single hit the airwaves late last year, with Merry-Go-Round. A song about the cycle of generations in a small town. This isn't her first time at writing though. Kacey has been writing and singing before she was on this earth for a decade. Her "big break" came when she was a contestant on the 2007 season of Nashville Star. The exposure got some of her penned lyrics to the voices of Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, and even on the new NBC show Nashville.
Same Trailer, Different Park seems to boast the typical country lifestyle. I think you'd be surprised to what this album has to offer. Now don't get me wrong, there is plenty of local-diner-gossip themed songs, but also about love, love lost, and even tackles same-sex marriages, following in Same Love's footsteps of genre barriers. Although, a singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift she is not! (Total compliment btw.) Softly spoken words, and beautifully written lyrics. Country through and through, but don't turn your nose if you aren't a country fan. From the trailer park to park ave, anyone can get into this album.
What I like about her sound: Relate-able lyrics against soft melodies, yet fun and upbeat also. True country spirit.
Worth the charge to my card?: This album was a risk, but I'm so glad that I was able to discover her sound!
Favorite song on the album, other than current radio hits: Blowin' smoke (probably another single soon), Follow Your Arrow You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't! Step Off self-explanatory.
Finally, I'd like to mention some singles that I believe everyone should check out, in addition to these albums.
Timeflies - I Choose You
Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines (feat. T.I. and Pharrell) This is such a FUN & sexy tune!! (and video)
Zedd - Clarity (feat. Foxes) As heard on Glee's regional's finale episode
*Info from iTunes artist page.
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