Here’s my second entry into the unnecessarily long-named ‘You Know You’re Only in It Cause It’s Hot Right Now’ feature, where I pick out the songs that are ‘Hot Right Now’ in my world.
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| George Gershwin, photographed by Carl Van Vechten |
To kick off the post, here’s something a bit different – a classical piano piece. I know a lot of people probably just switched off at the word ‘classical’, but just hear me out for a second! I too used to be completely averse to this kind of music, but recently it’s seriously grown on me. This piece is one of my favourite classical pieces, and I think it’s a fantastic introduction to classical music if you’ve only heard the typical Mozart and Beethoven material before, because it proves just how versatile and varied the genre is.
I first heard this piece on the radio the other day – I was just about to turn the radio off, this song came on, and I just stopped dead in my tracks and had to listen.
I first heard this piece on the radio the other day – I was just about to turn the radio off, this song came on, and I just stopped dead in my tracks and had to listen.
Gershwin’s ‘Prelude 2’ sounds mysterious and suave; it brings to mind a crossover of the atmosphere of blockbuster silent-movie 'The Artist', crossed with the intellectual, confident personality of literary character of Sherlock Holmes - but in music form. It also seems to have a sort of American Western feel to it, creating images of saloon bars and shoot-outs with each unusual harmony and chord. On top of all that, the chord progression reminds me of Radiohead’s ‘Everything In Its Right Place’ for some reason, and I’m a huge fan of that track!
...Whatever it is about this song that captures my imagination and attention every time I hear it, it’s totally addictive - I’ve been listening to it on loop for about a week now, and I'm still not tired of it!
...Whatever it is about this song that captures my imagination and attention every time I hear it, it’s totally addictive - I’ve been listening to it on loop for about a week now, and I'm still not tired of it!
Gershwin’s ‘Prelude 2’ is available to download online (legally, of course!), and available to buy in your friendly neighbourhood music shop as part of one of the many, many George Gershwin albums and compilations.
2) Devlin – Watchtower ft. Ed Sheeran
On a completely different side of the coin, here’s a rock-hip-hop-indie fusion track from Devlin and Ed Sheeran, based on ‘All Along the Watchtower’ written by the legendary Bob Dylan and famously covered by Jimi Hendrix. Just as with any adaptation of a classic track, Devlin’s effort has been controversial (especially with fans of the original!) but personally I really love it! I think that Devlin and Ed Sheeran have done a fantastic job in a) fusing the new sounds of contemporary hip-hop and mainstream music with the classic, guitar-based music of the 60s hippie movement, and b) hopefully bringing the music of Dylan's era to a whole new generation and a whole new audience.
Devlin’s lyrics are deep and contemplative, Ed Sheeran’s vocals are pitch perfect and, as usual, contain his trademark laid-back, tranquil tone, and of course the original track's instantly recognisable guitar lines are prominent throughout. In my opinion at least, this song isn’t just a cover of an old hit – it’s an obvious tribute from two great, exciting artists, to artists that have evidently inspired them (and inspired countless other people) very much.
Devlin’s ‘Watchtower’ (Featuring Ed Sheeran, of course!) was released as a single on 19th August. You can watch the official music video right here…
3) We Like Humans - Homebound
I first heard about this band a few weeks ago, by stumbling across them on YouTube. They’ve literally been around for a matter of months, but already they have a professionally-produced EP for sale featuring their own, original material, they have their own website (none of this Facebook/Myspace business!) and they’re already developing their signature sound with leaps and bounds. We Like Humans are evidently a band with a clear focus in mind, and the determination to get there. They also have the musical potential for success, with obvious influences in their sound from huge acts like Foo Fighters, Twin Atlantic and even Rage Against The Machine! Their music has a sort of raw honesty about it, but it’s also accessible for a more mainstream audience, sounding like it’d be very at home on the likes of Kerrang! Radio and the Radio 1 Rock show. Keep your eyes and ears out for We Like Humans, because I’m super-confident that we’ll be hearing a lot more from them in the future!
We Like Humans’ debut EP can be bought via their website, www.welikehumans.co.uk. You can listen to a selection of tracks from the EP, including ‘Homebound’, on the website and on their official YouTube channel.
4) Twin Atlantic – Free (Ballad Version)
Regular followers of this blog will probably know by now that I love a mash-up. One of my favourite things about music is the way that certain musical concepts and ideas can transcend genres, and I like to consider myself open minded in terms of musical styles and artists. This remix of ‘Free’ by Twin Atlantic is no exception. ByronJWu has somehow turned what is quite an aggressive, bold song into a calm, chilled-out ballad, which sounds as good as – if not better than, dare I say – the original! Die-hard fans of Twin Atlantic might have to give the remix a few listens to get used to it, but it’s definitely a grower, and a song that I’m completely addicted to at the moment! Who knew that classical strings and pianos would go so well with the emotionally charged vocals of Sam McTrusty? It’s a combo that works together unpredictably well; a really pleasant surprise!
Twin Atlantic’s Free (Ballad Version) is available on YouTube, on ByronJWu’s channel. The original track can be bought as part of Twin Atlantic’s album ‘Free’, and also as a single.
5) Alex Day – She Walks Right Through Me
Generally, I tend to be the sort of music fan that puts music first. Music videos, merchandise, branding etc. come second in my opinion, to the main priority - the sound of the music itself. Usually. But here’s an exception. I don’t particularly hate this track, but its cheesy-Europop vibe doesn’t really appeal to me, and with lyrics like “When she takes off her clothes and I know that it’s only me that knows”, it hardly matches the lyrical genius of bands and artists that I usually listen to. However, here’s the catch – I’m just obsessed with this song’s music video. Namely, the dancing in this music video. I don’t really have any words to describe it – you’d have to watch the video yourself (see below) – but it just makes me laugh so much that since I first saw it a few days ago, I can’t stop watching it! Oh, and the video also features a Karen Gillan look-alike, whose resemblance is so strong to the actress, I’m not entirely sure that it’s not actually her. Any fans of 80s pop, cheese, questionable dancing, Doctor Who, or just general randomness really need to see this video.
‘She Walks Right Through Me’ is available to download (LEGALLY. Don’t you be trying any of this illegal downloading funny business! *patronisingly wags finger*), and you can watch the music video right here…
So, that was ‘You Know You’re Only In It Cause It’s Hot Right Now’ #2! Stay tuned to Superunknown, because next week I’ll be posting the next article in the ‘Alive In The Superunknown’ series (a review of ‘Godless’ by Blue Origin), and the week after I’ll (finally) be posting a review of Labrinth’s ‘Electronic Earth’!
PsyD
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