new music – Surfing the Soundwaves

CLUELESS HUNNY

Does anyone feel like they don’t have anything figured out right now? While at first it was a little disturbing, now it feels kind of comforting. Am I right? Now, it’s not just me wandering Earth, aimlessly, with no purpose. IT’S ALL OF US.

Suddenly, I am reverting back to my old music choices, and I can’t tell if I love that for me, or hate it. I’ll keep you posted.

In light of being locked away in my room like Rapunzel, I have been watching a lot of movies. This past week, I found myself stuck on Clueless. How does Cher just seem to have it so together all the time? As if. She would for SURE know how to make light of this quarantine situation, I know it.

So, it got me thinking. Maybe quarantine is the perfect time to get a clue. We are no strangers to those quotes that talk about how being lost is a great way to find yourself. You know what I’m talking about. The quotes that give major “Live, Laugh, Love” energy. Quarantine may be the perfect time to try it? Before this pandemic hit, I really felt like I had my life together. Now, I am starting to realize, I am STILL getting my shit together. Without any bars or festivals, what else am I supposed to do? Soul search apparently.

Moral of my pointless rant, is it’s okay to be clueless. Honestly, life is way more fun that way. When you have no set plan, it leaves more room for crazy adventures. Something I personally am lacking lately.

Since I can’t be dancing away in the middle of the desert right now, RIP what would have been my first EDC. Where else do I want to get lost? IF YOU ARE THINKING MY SPOTIFY, YOU’RE RIGHT.

I know I’ve briefly mentioned what it’s like to fall into a Spotify hole before. However, with the app always changing, I discover new ways to dive deep every day. Some may say I’m bad at math, but then how do you explain me always tricking my algorithm? I’ll wait. Anyways, I know I’ve taught you about the “recommended” tabs at the bottom of a playlist. I hope you’re still using that wisely when you run out of tunes. There is also the old tried and true, song radios. Where you pick a song you’ve been blasting lately, and it generates other songs you would love based off of it. It’s truly genius.

Lately, I’ve been doing none of the above. Literally just getting lost in Spotify. I’ve brought back a mix of my Indie tunes, to pair chaotically with my EDM. So, my recommended music doesn’t know what side to pick. That’s okay bb, I gotchu.

In light of my cluelessness, I’ve stumbled upon the weirdest playlists. We all know how much I adore Mint Canada, and I genuinely cannot tell you why. However, I genuinely recommend getting out of your comfort zone and going to a different realm for your tunes. While I SHOULD make a separate post about the joys of finding new small artists, I’ll give you a little glimpse here. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself clicking artists names, browsing their selection and heading back. HOWEVER, if you’re feeling crazy, you can just keep clicking artists that are similar to the artist you clicked. Suddenly, you’ve been on Spotify for 3 hours, and you don’t even know where home base is. It’s a point of no return if you will. A really fun and safe way to lose yourself. If you’re feeling clueless like me.

So, if you really want to get a clue and movies just aren’t your thing, TURN TO MUSIC. Even if it’s Apple Music, I won’t judge…

Stay tuned for more comedy in the coming weeks, while becoming quarantine clueless, I’ve still managed to be wild.

Until next time you clueless little bb’s!

NEW MUSIC WEEKLY

Hi everyone! So, as we all know, I am an AVID Spotify user. However, I know a lot of my lovely humans out there love Apple Music. Some would even say Soundcloud is their favorite. With that being said, I am putting a link to my new music playlist here, officially. That way, if you do not have Spotify, and are unwilling to make the change for me, you can still enjoy each week’s new tunes! Here, the playlist will change every week, when I upload it. You can preview each song without downloading Spotify, and you get the full track name! That way you can take it to your respectable platform and enjoy on your own.

See you all here each week!

HAYDEN JAMES

This is kind of a “best of both worlds” situation for me. I have been loving Hayden James’ music for quite some time now, so I was thinking he would be a perfect edition to Ones To Watch. THEN, today, he decided to release a whole new album. Previously, he had only a few singles, some remixes, and a baby EP. So, here I am, listening for the first time and writing an AUTHENTIC review of his music. In my last album review, I had listened to it weeks prior, and based my opinion on their previous work. In this case, I only have a handful of songs, most of which are debuted on this new album as well.

So why do I think he’s an artist to watch? His music has beats that make you want to party by the pool all day, combined with lyrics that sometimes make you sit and say, “Wow. I’ve been attacked.” Which is totally a good thing. That means he is making relatable content that you can sing your heart out to, if you have any oxygen left from dancing. Let’s talk about some songs that were out in the world before this album. The reasons I became a fan, and the reasons I believe he’s going to be popping on Top 40 charts soon.

The first song I had ever heard by him was actually a remix. I heard ODESZA remix “Something About You”, which lead me to wonder who he really was. The crazy thing is, the different effect both songs have on me. When hearing the ODESZA remix, it gives me some sort of nostalgia that gives me a little lump in my throat. However, when I go and listen to the actual version of the song, it makes me feel super relaxed. The type of feeling you get when you’re just laying by the pool tanning. By now, this song is probably pretty popular, due to the fact that the remix blew it off the charts. However, if you haven’t already heard, I suggest listening to both, and deciding which one you like better! That single came out in 2015, and it looked like he had released one single per year since then, until 2018. He released a whopping TWO. However, these two are probably my favorite songs on this planet, not to be dramatic or anything. Starting with the song, “Just Friends.” This song was released toward the end of 2018, and for some reason it REALLY spoke to me. At this time, I was boy drama free and had no reason to particularly relate to it…yet. If you were to ask me if I can relate to the song now, I’d tell you to mind your business. This song is just everything. I don’t even know how to use proper terms to describe it. At the time it came out, I would play it on repeat 24/7, not listening to anything else. Now that I don’t do that anymore, whenever it comes on shuffle, it feels like a jolt of electricity. Just hearing the beginning I think, “Oh shit, here we go.” The lyrics are so self explanatory that I don’t even think it’d be necessary for me to talk further about it. JUST GO LISTEN TO IT OKAY?

Now, let’s get into the build up of the album today. Then, we’re going to tear it apart. For some reason, I like to think that 2019 just started. That’s how fast it’s blowing by. So, while I was listening to Gryffin Radio, a bomb station that curates music based off that one artist’s style, I found a new gem. It’s called “Nowhere To Go.” When I first heard it in my bathroom, I was STOKED to find out it was by Hayden James. I knew it had to be relatively new, but when? How did I miss this? Turns out, he just released it in May. I wasn’t missing out for too long. This song has been my obsession lately. It lyrically has almost a similar vibe to “Just Friends,” but a little bit different. That was his last single before today, June 14th, when he blessed my ears this morning.

He kicks off the album with a voice I recognize immediately, Boy Matthews. The beautiful voice on “Just Friends.” The awesome thing about this album is there aren’t any real slow songs to kill my vibe. Lately, I’ve been wanting something upbeat that will keep me going throughout the day, not put me to sleep. Who am I kidding, that’s ALWAYS how I’ve been. I can appreciate a good slow song from time to time, don’t get me wrong. However, it is unique to have an artist come up with all upbeat stuff, that lyrically is amazing too. The album is filled with his singles he’s released this past year, but the new songs are just as exciting. I think my favorite on this new album would have to be “Hold Me Back,” which is his album kick off. Sometimes, the first song on an album can be hit or miss.

Overall, I think Hayden James is going to be a real hit on the more dreamy side of the House Music charts. While he does have 2 million monthly listeners, I still feel like he belongs on a Ones To Watch. I just don’t hear his name as much as I should. However, not to toot my own horn, but I am usually the one who presents new names to my friends. I also don’t see him on as many release radars as he deserves. So here he is! If you haven’t heard of him, now you have. As always, I am leaving a little playlist radio down below. So, if you’re lazy, you don’t have to go far to listen to him. Or, if you don’t have Spotify, this is your chance to download. Honestly Spotify, sponsor me already. #AD