A Trek to the Music That Inspires Our Soul
The existential soul, I mean. While us writers here at Wannabe wish like hell that we had--not only the talent--but the motivation to create, we just don't. Don't be sad for us, it's our own fault, though we do tend to blame many other outside sources (I, for instance, am blamed quite frequently). Now, don't get me wrong, none of this actually means that we're moving in any sort of direction, but it does mean that we have tons and tons of inspiration, that one day may jump start the very careers we all hope for. We want to be propelled into fame like no other, but while we sit around waiting for that spark, I have compiled a little list. Lists, I'm very fond of, seem so helpful, and so I am continually making them. This list is going to comprise of some of the most ear grinding, soul lifting music I've ever heard, and soon, you'll be hearing it, too! Hold onto your knickers, and get ready.
I realize that jumping straight into the list may not be the best approach. I feel as though we may need a sort of, build up. Maybe I'll start with the process I go through when deciding if an artist is worth my time, or, how, sometimes I stumble across the best music I've ever heard while sitting next to someone at a light on my way home. It's not a very exciting process, and not even a very long one, but it does seem to be more and more complicated as my mind expands to cover it all. It's very hard to comprehend how much music actually exists. I'm sure there's a statistic somewhere that says some crazy number, but, to me, the only music that matters is the music that you yourself love. Why waste your time on all the other stuff, right? Obviously don't close your mind to new possibilities, but, you know, stick with your jams. Anyway, finding new music isn't something that I sit down at a desk to do. It sort of goes hand in hand with living my life. Of course, the cliche is not lost on me. You just have to go through your day, maybe keeping your ears open to the shops and people around you, maybe leaning closer to the boy with headphones next to you. It's not very scientific. You may, also, accidentally invade someones personal bubble, but if you take away a song that lifts you up, then by all means, invade away!
(this seems as good a time as any to start!)
PHEDRE
This is a new find for me, which, may I say, thank god. They kind of sprang up at me. I was watching Hemlock Grove (and may I add, what the hell??) and the sudden flash of 80's and 90's prime was filling me with euphoria. Now, I must say, giving them a first listen was a new experience for me. I was flooded with some grotesque type of imagery, and their sound is dark, and hard to follow at times. But, damn, is it not some of the best music I've ever heard. For one, as I mentioned, you get that taste of the decades that everyone seems to be chasing now a days, and you also get a mix of something that's almost ahead of it's time, though this band is a few years old. It's amazing that music can be resurrected so quickly.
A still from music video In Decay
If I was ever going to recommend something so wholeheartedly, it'd be this band. It may not be for you, but if you're anything of an explorer, you shouldn't be able to help yourself. Not only is their music something to marvel at, their style is another sort of art that one can appreciate all on its own.
Blood Orange
Another huge reason for this post was simply so that I could talk about Dev Hynes. I feel like it's worth mentioning that he's British, which I only mention because I feel like all good things come from England. Besides that fact, this man is living my dream. Not only does he produce some of the best music out there, (he worked with Solange on True and Twigs on LP1, what more is there to say), he also gets to score movies and write books. Is it really fair that he's a triple threat? I'm going to say no. He also scored one of my favorite cinematic masterpieces, Palo Alto. Gia Coppola holds a special place in my heart as well, so entering a shameless plug here, as one does (watch the movie!). Blood Orange is kind of a mixture of all things good. You get electric guitar, piano, and soft vocals. But, you also get that feeling of nostalgia, the music makes you feel like you've done so much more than you have. You live through it, and that's what makes it so great.
Blood Orange's sophomore album Cupid Deluxe
This album holds one of my summer favorites, It Is What It Is, which is why I recommend it now. For us--us being those that use the summer to sit in bed and think about all the things we could be doing--this album is something to lift us up and remind us that the whole point of our younger years is to listen to great music and binge watch shows like we're never going to see another T.V. ever again.
Washed Out
Washed Out falls directly into my self created category of garage music. It sounds like Ernest Greene went into his garage with a keyboard and a laptop and whipped together some feel good tunes for the whole family. The thing that's different about Washed Out, that sets it apart from all the other indie tunes that we all jam to, is the classic sound. You hear the authenticity and the passion behind the music, and that warps it into something else entirely. You feel the music rather than hear it. Very, very cliche. I'm trying to stop myself, I know.
A still from T.V. show Portlandia
If you're a fan of the show, you know what song, and therefore, album, comes next. While watching this show for the first time, I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting into, but the creators of this show really hit me with the intro. It's almost as if the song was fabricated specifically for this, though the show came a year after the song. Either way, Feel It All Around, a song featured on the Life of Leisure EP, is one of those songs that you either love, or hate.
Summer Camp
Guess what? Another British gem. Admittedly, I'd never heard of these guys before watching Beyond Clueless. Just like I stumbled across Phedre, I stumbled across them, and what a glorious stumble it was. I will say that I don't usually agree with female singers, it's just not my thing unfortunately. BUT, this is one of those few exceptions that I was forced to make after listening to their music. The music is reminiscent of a peppy high school setting, which I think may be an insult, if it wasn't in a good tone. It's something that has a message, that you can also bob your head to. Also, it has an air of feminism, promoting a sort of girl independence. Very new age stuff here people.
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| Flyer for Beyond Clueless |
Jazzmin
Honorable Mentions:
The Garden (see Womens Pants)
Willow Smith
Mac DeMarco
Hippo Campus
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