Since I was young I have always had a penchant for collecting and listening to music. This was brought on by my parents who have garnered a deep musical knowledge throughout their lives and were avid to pass it along. They are drawn to many different genres so their musical tastes are vast. I remember that every time I would ask my mom for the title and artist of the song playing on the radio she would more often than not immediately present the answer. It even became a game as I became older and I would test my musical acumen by trying to get the song title and artist first every time a new song came on the radio. My parent’s wheelhouse is the music created in the 60s-80s as this was their developmental years and it holds a special place with them. But, they are also very knowledgeable of Funk, The Blues, and Soul music.
So it is no real surprise that I gained a love of these genres and generations of music as well. Everyone develops their own tastes though and as I have grown, I dove deep into various genres that I now love and frequent that my parents may not necessarily enjoy. My first real deviation was into Hip-Hop or Rap, whichever you prefer to call it, and it is still one of my most listened to genres to this day. My sister inspired this love due to her blasting T.I., Young Joc, Outkast, and Young Jeezy, just to name a few, on our way to and from school. She also brought me into Alternative Rock and Indie music along the way. House/Dance, R&B, Chill Hop, LoFi, the list of genres I love goes on and on, and honestly, I think the music releasing these days has progressed to a point where it is hard to classify.
So by this point, you may be asking why do I care about your musical background? Well over the years I have become the guy that my friends immediately hand the aux cord when we hop in the car or ask me to connect to Bluetooth when we are hanging out. I have enjoyed this position immensely because nothing makes me happier than introducing people to a new song or artist they may have not heard before. The highest compliment is having them ask me to give them the details on a song so they can add it to one of their playlists. So to you reading this right now, I want to help you find that new favorite song that you just can’t get out of your head. That is why I want you to know a little bit about me so that it’s not just another blog trying to push some song on you. To put it simply, with each post I want to show off several different songs from across the musical spectrum that isn’t necessarily played for the masses to add to your playlists and to share with your friends. I want you to take the aux cord or take over Bluetooth and become the DJ that everyone wants to play the music they have not necessarily heard.
So with the introductions out of the way let’s get into this week’s recommendations. With my first post in this series, I wanted to highlight some of my favorites from over the years that I go to when I just need something to play. These are the songs that when they pop up in my shuffle I always leave on and just vibe out to. Some are new, some are old, but in my mind, they will always be a go-to.
waves – Miguel (Tame Impala Remix)
To start it off I had to pick one of my funky, psychedelic, rap-esque, groovy favorites that when I found it, I didn’t take it off repeat for days. Miguel has a great voice that really can leave an impression but the original beat he put these lyrics over didn’t really have the mood or tempo I was looking for. Then one of my favorite bands Tame Impala came along and added their psychedelic feel to it and it just meshed so perfectly. I highly recommend this song while driving along with the windows down on a sunny and 72 day. It is also perfect for hanging out and just floating with a beer in the lake.
93 ‘Til Infinity – Souls of Mischief
Now here comes one of my favorite Hip-Hop classics. The beat that courses through this song’s anatomy makes it nearly impossible to not bob your head along to. It just makes you want to sit back and melt into a comfy couch or bean bag and just close your eyes and vibe. I recommend this song to anyone who is trying to find music put on when getting back from the bars with friends, or while hanging in a backyard grilling up some good grub. Don’t pass this one up it’s a straight classic through and through.
Treat you Better – RUFUS DÜ SOL (Purple Disco Machine Remix)
If you are trying to find a song with a groovy feel that’s twangy bass can’t be stopped, this is it. I personally find RUFUS DÜ SOL to be one of the better artists around right now because I find their discography to be very rewarding no matter how deep you go. You will definitely see a lot more of their music on here going forward. But with this one, I think Purple Disco Machine took the song Treat you Better and upped the tempo to create a song that just makes you want to keep moving. I think this song is great for keeping momentum in a cardio workout. Personally, I love skiing through the trees and into a mogul run with this song blasting in my ears with the sun shining on my frost-bitten face. I couldn’t recommend it more.
Dancing on my Own – Jake McMullen
The title of this one may look familiar to you. That’s because this is a cover of a popular song by the Pop artist Robyn. Personally I like this version to the original because it takes the lyrics and makes them feel that much more emotional with a nice indie instrumental. Jake McMullens’s voice is also intoxicating and gives the lyrics a whole new life. This is definitely a song for when you are a bit down or in a more personal mood. It’s beautifully melodic and makes you just want to close your eyes and be pensive for a while.
I Am Who Am (Killin’ Time) – Mac Miller, Niki Randa
From one of Mac Miller’s more overlooked albums, this song truly jumped out to me. It goes back to the reason why I fell in love with Rap in the first place. It’s a from the heart lyrical journey that explores the inner workings of the artist’s mind when they created the piece of music. It is paired with the angelic overtone of Niki Randa’s chorus that gives me chills. It’s a slower-paced rhythm that draws you in and makes you pay attention. With Mac Miller’s untimely passing I thought it to be prudent to mention one of his songs that I truly think represents his skill and what he offered to the greater musical ether. Some people saw him as a goofy white boy rapper, but he was truly an artist that was progressively mastering his craft and made thought-provoking tracks.
Messed Up – Lizzy Land, nicopop. (nicopop. poolside remix)
Melancholy finds a definition for itself in this song. Lizzy Land’s voice provides the perfect smooth and sweet overtone that lends the perfect partner to the instrumental. The piano throughout mixed with a playful rhythm guitar and bouncy drumline really relaxes the body but makes your foot want to keep on tapping. The lyrics talk through personal feelings of inadequacy in a jovial way that makes you feel bittersweet in the best of ways. Playing this with a nice breeze by the pool while trying to decompress is how I recommend absorbing this piece.
Six different songs, with six different feels. I hope at least one of them stood out to you and is making you click that repeat button without hesitation. My mission is to keep scrounging the universe of music for those compositions that deserve to be a part of everyone’s various playlists. I’ll see you in the next post with a few more recommendations. Until next time, keep the music flowing and don’t be scared to grab that aux cord and show your friends their next favorite song.
Works Cited:
Lizzy Land, nicopop.. (2019). Messed Up (nicopop. Poolside Remix) [Recorded by Lizzy Land/nicopop.]. On intro music plays (Remixed)[MP3]. BonFire Records.
Mac Miller, Niki Randa. (2013). I Am Who Am (Killin’ Time) [Recorded by Mac Miller/Niki Randa]. On Watching Movies with the Sound Off [MP3]. Los Angeles, CA: Rostrum Records.
McMullen, Jake. (2016). Dancing on My Own [Recorded by Jake McMullen]. On Dancing on My Own [MP3]. Jake McMullen.
Miguel, Tame Impala. (2016). Waves (Tame Impala Remix) [Recorded by Miguel/Tame Impala]. On Rogue Waves [MP3]. New York, NY: ByStorm Entertainment/RCA Records.
Purple Disco Machine, RÜFÜS DU SOL. (2019). Treat you Better (Purple Disco Machine Remix) [Recorded by Purple Disco Machine/RÜFÜS DU SOL]. On SOLACE REMIXES VOL. 4 [MP3]. Los Angeles, CA: Rose Avenue/Reprise.
Souls of Mischief. (1993). 93 ‘Til Infinity [Recorded by Souls of Mischief]. On 93 ‘Til Infinity [MP3]. New York, NY: Jive.
