One of the great joys of listening to lots of music are the multiple perspectives granted to you by artists who have struggled long and hard with some aspects of life and put their thoughts and heartfelt emotions into their songs.
For anyone of us who struggle to make sense of life, and that must be pretty much everyone at one time or another, the songs are a balm, a reassurance that we’re not alone in our efforts to forge a workable path through the peaks and troughs.
These five artists bring their unique viewpoints and hard won knowledge to a selection of songs aren’t just eminently listenable but will get you thinking and do your soul some good.
“Codes” by Perish
Nashville singer/songwriter Perish brings together deliciously dark electronic beats and heart-on-a-sleeve lyrics that do a deeply enticing job of taking a deep dive into the emotional maelstrom that’s unleashed when romantic attraction may or may not be coming into play.
Much of the time knowing you like someone and they like you much is a slam dunk affair, but acting on it or even being absolutely sure of it can be an exercise in, well, “talking in code”.
No one wants to be the one to stick their neck out romantically-speaking, knowing all the time that there’s a lot on the line and that if everyone actually admits to what’s going on, that’ll it be on for young and old.
Perish beautifully captures how this all feels with a song dripping with atmospheric anticipation, expectation and the realisation that there might be nothing there at all … or there might be.
“Not Me” by Melvv (feat. Two Feet)
Hailing from Milwaukee, electronic producer Melvv has crafted a slowly-percolating slice of electronica that is well served by New York singer-on-the-rise Two Feet.
All hushed and distorted vocals, beats that simmer and surge without ever reaching breakneck speed, there’s an emotional resonance to this track that grips the heart and the ear simultaneously.
Caught in a weirdly unsatisfying romantic situation that on the surface offers much but is all half-realised dreams and implied ridicule that leaves the one with their heart most in the game feeling more than a little foolish, “Not Me” perfectly distills what it’s like to be in love and yet not, in ways that play with and tease the heart.
It’s a gripping, compelling piece of pop that marries the reality of half-done love with slowly-loping music that nicely mimics the back-and-forth pace of a conversation where the reality of the “falling” love affair is laid bare.
“Real Life” by Mako & Morgan Page
Los Angeles-based duo Mako, who are adept at creating music that gets you dancing while feeling everything and anything, a rare gift, have teamed with Morgan Page, electro house producer from Burlington, Vermont to create a catchy piece of existential wondering “Real Life”.
OK, it’s not like its John Paul Sartre put to music but these three artists have managed to bring together lyrics wondering about what life without love looks like (not that good: “Is this really real life?”) without upbeat, electronic melodies that tease out the kind of impassioned musing that can grip you in the middle of the night.
It’s hard-edged and eminently danceable but never loses sight of its lyrical soul, proving you can hit the dancefloor without abrogating the truth of love, life and the universe.
“Release the Hounds” by Jarina de Marco
Dig deep into the soul of your tribal self with Dominican Republic-born producer Jarinne De Marco who powers out of the musical gates with a song that demands that someone “release the hounds on us”.
The song is at once deeply-impassioned and danceable, a song whose powerful presence was birthed for a specific purpose as De Marco explains to NYLON:
“‘Release The Hounds’ is a call to action, and a statement of resilience, inspired by those fighting at Standing Rock {Sioux tribes fighting a pipeline through their land]. We must continue to support the people at Standing Rock, to ensure the ‘black snake’ (as the natives refer to the pipeline) does not rear its ugly head yet again.”
As the situation in the United States under the new President continues to deteriorate for minorities, the environment and a host of others, its music like this is going to be desperately necessary to rally the troops to action while keeping their spirits buoyed and souls dancing away with the kind of spirited passion that sustains any resistance.
“I’m Right This Time” by AOE
There is a pleasingly sublimely ethereal feel to “I’m Right This Time” from A. O. E. (Ambassadors of Earth), a partnership between Grammy-nominated producer and rapper Dawaun Parker, and Phil Beaudreau, a singer/songwriter/visual artist, that immerse you completely from the word go.
It’s the lead single from their debut EP, Homecoming, and it comes complete with a gorgeously tripped animated video, created by Beaudreau which meshes seamlessly with the sweet, loping feel of this wholly arresting song.
The song fittingly speaks of the dangers of opening your heart up and trusting others, and how all you can end having left is darkness, so black that even the brightest light can’t penetrate.
For all those sage, almost rueful lyrics, “I’m Right This Time” is gently, soothingly hopeful in a way that expresses quiet confidence rather than bombastic epipahny.
NOW THIS IS MUSIC EXTRA EXTRA
The Eurovision Song Contest 2017, with its extravagant pageantry, catchy songs and brilliantly-colourful light shows, is just over two short months away. All of which means that the national song contests which select each country’s entrants (save for a few like the UK and Australia and some others who select internally) are coming to the pointy end of proceedings.
Among is Norway which is hosting the Melodi Grand Prix on 11 March with the 10 artists selected by national broadcaster NRK out 1,035 entries competing to represent Norway with song, colour and glitter in May. You can check out the 10 artists in the video and decide for yourself who you want to go through to Europe’s night of musical nights.
In other major Eurovision news, it’s been announced that Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang, who have anchored Australia’s coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest since 2009 are stepping down, with the new hosts, who have big funny and inisghtful shoes to fill, making their debut in Ukraine.
Read more here about the shock announcement.
- And finally, need new music?Lorde, who released new single “Green Light” overnight (the first single from new album Melodrama, due mid year) and Coldplay, who released “Hypnotised” (from their EP Kaleidoscope, due 2 June) can help!