Hey y’all (Paula Deen voice)....
Let me stop playing with you all and get right into it. I haven’t done Phabian’s New Music Review in forever, so please bear with me.
This week, we saw new music released from ex-No Direction member, fine-ass ZAYN, DJ and super-producer Zedd with Aloe Blacc, Flo-Rida with the Good Judy of Pop, Jason Derulo, and Danity Kane....I meant, Fifth Harmony. Let’s see if our eardrums are tuned in.
1: Blackbear | “Paragraphs”
Now, one thing I don’t like is a phony. I see exactly what the industry is trying to do with this new artist. Blackbear is the, how can I put this in the most politically correct terms....the European American version of rapper/singer Ty Dolla $ign.
This guy has taken his whole schtick. “Paragraphs” is literally a leftover track from Ty’s “Free TC” album. It seems as though the label, slightly changed the pitch to make it more “believable”...however, it still sounds EXACTLY like Ty. Everything from the synth-driven, chilled-down trap production and the vocal delivery is a carbon copy. I mean, damn.
What happened to “originality”...? When exactly is it coming back?
Bye, Felicia
2: gnash ft. Olivia O’Brien | “i hate u, i love u”
I. Love. This. Song.
Even though we’ve heard this type of shimmering-piano, ice-pop track before where the lead singer tries his hand at sputtering out a few barz, it’s still a well-produced song. It’s reminiscent of B.o.B and Hayley’s “Airplanes” in sense, especially in the way the song is set-up.
I only have one question... who the hell is Olivia O’Brien?
3: The Knocks ft. Carly Rae Jepson | “Love Me Like That”
If 1991 was to somehow came back life in 2016, this would be the theme song!
“Love Me Like That” is the perfect example of taking the core of ‘90s dance/pop and modernizing it to fit the current music climate. Other than that.........
Girl, Bye!
4: Tinashe | “Ride of Your Life”
“I be doing shit these heauxs don’t like.”
I really adore Tinashe. Irregardless of my dear friend making a post about her every millisecond (my big bro Raj-he knows who he is....)
I really think she is a diamond waiting to be polished. But when you’re an artist signed to a label that puts more focus on drama-driven artists (coughs***ZAYN), artists like SLAYnashe gets left on the sideline. I’m not OhK with that.
At any rate, “Ride of Your Life”, produced by Metro Boomin’, is a trap/pop/slinky R&B track. I think it would be a bigger splash if it came out in late July or early August as a “end of summer, smoke session” song. It’ll be a good “Netflix & Chill” or “Hulu and Throw-It-Back” song as well.
I’m rooting for Tinashe. Get it together RCA. Her new album, “Joyride” is coming soon.
5: ZAYN | “iT’s You”
You know, ZAYN is cute and all but ZAYN is also boring!
Let me just keep it 100. Now, we've all heard the hype that was fueled by drama surrounding him and I’m pretty sure most of us have been let down thus far. I was thinking ZAYN was about to come to the scene with a ol’ nasty, drop-it-lower-than-0-degrees-Fahrenheit, pop/hip-hop track with Big Sean, Dej Loaf, or even Sage the Gemini.
Instead he’s giving us these begging-ass, Keith Sweat in 2016 songs. I’m pretty sure the lonely girls and “gurls” are somewhere kissing a poster of him right now while listening to this song.
"He's singing to me! I know it! OMG!"
6: Flo-Rida ft. Jason Derulo | “Hello Friday”
Enough said....
7: Zedd ft. Aloe Blacc | “Candyman”
Yet another, inspirational-pop/mock-EDM song with country undertones for the dance floor. The song make you feel good but when it ends, you forget what you just heard.
8: Fifth Harmony ft. Ty Dolla $ign | “Work from Home”
This song is basically about sending nudes to your boyfriend while he at work so you can get him fired. That’s all. What are you going to do when he’s no longer paying your bills? Exactly. Leave his ass for somebody who has a job.
It sounds like more whimsical version of Tinashe’s “2 On” so I’m pretty sure it was produced by the Emperor of Recycling, DJ Mustard. If it wasn’t, it sure as hell sounds like it. Even Ty Dolla $ign was bored when he recorded his part. It’ll be a lukewarm hit.
DK5’s new cassette, “7/27”, will be released in May I think.
"I don't know them"
9: K. Michelle | “Time”
Mmmmmmmm. It’s OhK. It’s very ‘80s Ballad R&B in 2016. I love the sincerity of her voice. You can tell really she feels what she’s singing and she leaves it in the booth.
But..... I’m still waiting on another track like “VSOP” or “Going Under.” K.’s new album, “More Problems Than A Math Book” will be released on March 25th. Pre-order via iTunes now.
10: Lovespeak | “Tightrope”
Finally something I can groove to. This song is so Bruno Mars...and I don’t even use Bruno Mars. It’s a 80’s disco/pop in 2016 song with Michael Jackson-influences. It makes me want to shake my groove thing. Easily one of my favorites so far this year. The replay button will be abused.
11: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Idris Elba & Anderson.Paak | “Dance Off”
Idris and Anderson. RUN!
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