Here we are seven bits of news from the music world…
1- I am a huge fan of Spotify. I think it’s a really great application and enjoy using it. However, I’m not so die-hard that I’m going to pay for it. In fact, I don’t really mind the ads in between songs. Why? They help me discover upcoming music. However, there is a new policy now: new music will be released to only paying customers 2 weeks before the rest of Spotify will get access to the tracks.
I’ve seen a few outraged comments on this topic, but I understand why Spotify would do that and I don’t really see it being a big deal. Get the track on YouTube first if you’re so desperate for it or maybe….buy it off iTunes…I know. Crazy, right?
2 – At the top of the Spotify Hong Kong charts Ed Sheeran’s, “Shape Of You” has been replaced with the Chainsmokers and Coldplay’s, “Something Just Like This”. I do like the vocals obviously and the lyrics are fun. The song talks about a superhero looking for an epic love of some sort. However, I found the song extremely generic and honestly…boring. It sounds like a lot of other dance songs, or like other Chainsmokers songs for that matter. I guess the reason it’s number 1 though is because it’s something people can relate to. A lot of people seem to be searching for that perfect superhuman love. Or maybe it’s because the Chainsmokers and Coldplay are so popular that people just automatically download their tracks because they are who they are. But I don’t find the track that special at all.
3 – On the Spotify global charts, “Shape of You” sits at no.2. And for good reason, it is a good song that proves the KISS theory- Keep It Simple, Stupid. There doesn’t seem to be much in the song or to the song, but there is something enjoyable and slightly addictive about it.
4 – At the top of the global charts is the Kendrick Lamar track, “Humble”. It has a really heavy dark feel to it. I have been thinking about rap lately. People all listen to different types of music differently. We all know this. As I have said before, I am a lyrics person..and Rap is very much about the lyrics. Having said this, I just don’t seem to be able to connect with rap.
I read a book a while ago called, “Why we love music”. It analyses why people like different types of music. It’s rather interesting and it pretty much came down to how what you heard as a child most likely being your favorite type of music. Very interesting. Of course, there are many other reasons why people love different types of music. It’s a lot to do with repetition. The casual music fan likes to be able to predict what will come next in the song. If something unpredictable happens in the music, the brain feels jarred and it, most likely, cause you to dislike the track.
5 – Now, here is a weird one: David Hasselhoff is making a comeback…well, sort of. On the new, “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” soundtrack, The Hoff raps. Really. The film’s composer and the director created the rather strange tune. It starts out as a cinematic piece, and all of a sudden (at about 1:40 on the track) The Hoff appears. The rap ends with a lot of very Germanic shouting. Well, his biggest fan base IS in Germany. I actually found it rather hilarious. Worth listening for some entertainment out of left field.
6 – I do not know how true this rumor is, but I am really hoping it is true. It has been said that a biopic about the Rolling Stones is being created. Everyone of course wants to know who will play Mick Jagger. Apparently, the part has been offered to the very young and very successful Harry Styles! Lots of people are excited about this!! After his recent appearance on SNL impersonating Sir Mick, why not? We shall see, but personally, I want to know who they would cast as Keith Richards?
7 – There has been a new music release from the electronic band London Grammar. I first noticed these guys with their track, “Hey, Now” . With their second album, they have stated that they want to try and not write about relationships because, “That’s so lame”. Their new single, “Oh Woman, Oh Man” is flat out beautiful. It’s one of those songs you can get lost in. I really like the singer’s voice- deep and unique.
I wish you music seekers a wonderful musical weekend and will leave you with one recommendation. Check out, The Rigs, an electronic duo that makes use of acoustic guitar. I really like their sound- relaxed, yet danceable, and with the songs having a story to them. It’s something that seems to be lacking in music nowadays.
Kat Coetzee
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