I Like it Like That by Hot Chelle Rae

Is Sarai about to blog about a free music video? OH get ready blogosphere.

Maybe i'm just being an over-analytical hater/bitch but i could see right through every single one of their marketing schemes in this video. Here are my thoughts:

1. You can't do the homage to your previous concerts idea..you've had ONE single

2. The fact that you had to name all of your band members in the video proves you are too "new" to be doing number 1.

3. So the recession. I see it's effected your pre-production staff.

4. Let's get some "cool" rap duo to come and make this song a hit bc otherwise we wouldn't make any money off of this.

5. The crowd in your "concert" is not that big...it's called a wide-angle lens. cinematography fail. 

6.  Let's try to appeal to the college market by holding red Solo cups. yeah!

7. Ha. The Miley joke was funny...good job New Boyz (and none for Hot Chelle Ray, bye).

8. Product Placement. 

9. Those fan's t-shirts were ugly. Just sayin.

10. woah, woah, woah. Did you just put credits at the end of your music video? 

That pretty much sums it up. Harsh but I don't like the band, sorry. 

Promises by Nero

It's almost as if Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs decided to go electronic...super electronic. The dubstep feel to Promises definitely adds a modern twist to the band's song. Interestingly enough, the female vocalist is not a band member. Nero consists of a UK duo Joe Ray and Daniel Stephens. The 7 year bromance occasionally asks Alana Watson to come sing on some of their singles and viola, here is the single of the week. Promises, as with most of the songs on Single of the Week, is the 1st single off of Nero's newest album, "Welcome Reality". 

Though not usually my type of music genre, the song is growing on me...mainly because of the well executed music video. Promises already has 8 million views and counting on their Vevo channel and I (want to) believe it is because of the reference to Ayn Rand's Anthem. Excellent book, well made music video. 

Check it out for yourself!

Midnight City by M83

Dearest music blogs class,
This is NOT the Single of the Week but it's still free on itunes so I had to let all of you know. I went crazy when I found it (downloading this second!). Since we listened to it in class I figured I'd let a fellow starving college student know.
Enjoy!
S

It's Real by the Real Estate

Wow. I just need to start off by saying they could have come up with a better name for the song...put next to their band name it sounds ultra cheesy. But seeing as I have to judge this by the music and not it's   ridiculous plots at incorporating the band name in their 1st single from their album Days I am much obliged to say I actually enjoyed the song. 

The Real Estate is an indie lo-fi psychedelic band from New Jersey who are most known for their performance at the Pitchfork Music Festival this past July. Their single "It's Real" incorporates their psychedelic feel through their vocals while maintaining a bit of an upbeat through their instrumentals. Lyrically, there is not much to the song but isn't that kind of what their going for with their genre? 

If you remember at all from one of my previous posts how I've said I like really slow, relaxing, almost puts you to sleep music you'd understand why I enjoyed listening to this over and over again. Psychedelia definitely has that vibe to it so I'm down to listen whenever I can. Anyway, this song rocks...download it for free before everyone else does.

Check it.

Into the Sun by Parlor Mob

It's clear that Parlor Mob stays to the easy upbeat rock that many before them have accomplished. "Into the Sun" is their 1st single off of their second album Dogs. It's very easy to explain: the lyrics are that of rising up against the man reminding me of Muse's "Uprising" except Parlor Mob is coming "out of the darkness and into the light"...same thing (though I would way rather listen to the Muse version). I'm not sure why I don't really have anything to say about them, I'm not even sure if I liked the song or not. 

Judge it for yourself.

No Strings by Mayer Hawthorne

This guy definitely has an interesting sound. I was expecting his voice to be higher pitched, idk...I was surprised. It wasn't necessarily a good or bad surprise just...interesting. 

Mayer Hawthorne originally started recording as a side project, not intending for his singles to actually be made into an album. Stone Cold Records however, saw the potential and decided it be best to actually try to make a star/profit out of this guy. His music is very old school R&B, it was definitely nice to hear this over some auto-tuned wanna be singer. The lyrics of the song are debatable, talking about just wanting a one night stand with some random girl he makes eye contact with. To be completely honest, his whole image reminds me of Justin Timberlake...but with a deeper voice. 

p.s. He's never had vocal lessons...curse you MH!

Have a Listen!

Let's Go by Madi Diaz

iTunes has done well this week in it's music selection. At least, they've fit more of my personal music taste. This music video has a very indie vibe to it: the use of (what looks like) a 16mm film camera, a sense of ambiguity, and a very simple story plot. Diaz' video is based on a summer day (yet another reminder that my summer freedom is long gone) and spending it with her significant other. Images of pools, beaches, ice cream cones, lakes, etc all surface on the "homevideo" portion of this video. She makes these moments look very nostalgic, almost as if she is remembering that summer day while singing the song. The actual lyrics talk about going to that special place they both know about, which makes sense/ties in to the video. All in all it was cute; I approve.

Dreamer by Elizaveta

First thing's first: Can I haz name?

But seriously, that name is pretty fantastic...and Russian.

Alright, Elizaveta probably has one of the more interesting voices I've heard while doing this blog. She's very whimsical and I like it. Her voice is very opera like hitting very high notes in her music, but she manages to keep a very pop feel about her.  The music in the background is a classical orchestra accompanied by a techie sounding keyboard, possibly a little bit of organ in there. The lyrics are simple, but they get the point across. It's different, it's fun, I will state it once again...I like it. 

Listen/Watch the Music Video!