soleilsogolden

[soleilsogolden]

Madonna: a Cultural Icon

There isn't much room for debate when it comes to Madonna's impact on pop culture and society as a whole. Madonna lives up to her “Queen of Pop'' title, and more. She is often praised for the feminist ideologies she voices through her music, and for her efforts in blurring the lines between gender, race, and sexuality in her art. When asked to write a piece on a musician through a culturally-critical lens, I am writing about Madonna with no questions asked. Madonna challenged taboos in and outside of music throughout her career and is recognized for “leaving a mark on every facet of culture” from music to fashion, and even film.  Of course, this sort of carefree spirit attracts criticism, and Madonna was no stranger to controversy. However, Madonna carried her rebellious attitude in spite of any bad press she received, and she continued to express herself and her ideas in the most in-your-face, offensive way possible. Madonna single-handedly transformed pop music, and as a tribute, I’ll reflect on her cultural impact and how her most popular songs from the 1980s challenged the status quo at the time. 

Imagine it's the 1980s Reagen era: Political Conservatism, the emergence of the  HIV/AIDS epidemic and ongoing LGBTQ+ stigma, a divide between Anti-Sex and Pro-Sex Feminism, oh, and big hair and colorful clothes. The transition from the 1970s to the 1980s brought about a decline in activism. The general social mood reflected a belief that the earlier movements of the previous decades had gone too far (Anti-War Campaign, Women's Liberation, Civil Rights, and Environmental Awareness, just to name a few). The perspective and core values of the Reagen administration, which was characterized by a rejection of 1970s American culture, had direct substantial impacts on American life in the 80s. Reagan won over the support of Religious Conservatives by standing for traditional family values and morals-  ironically, he went on to be the first U.S. president to have been divorced. 

Reagan remained steadfast in his efforts to uphold conservative ideologies, especially in the discussion of the relationship between men and women, and the role of women in society. He publicly expressed his aversion to feminist activism by opposing the Equal Rights Amendment in 1980 and instead supporting a “Human Life Amendment” which would have banned abortion and several forms of birth control. Reagan's conservative approaches to women’s rights trickled into the views of the average American, serving as a major blow for the feminist movement which lost some momentum at the time. And in the heat of it all, there was Madonna who stood firmly in the studio and created music and a reputation for herself that rallied resistance. 

In the late 2010s, musicologist Eduardo Viñuela in conversation with Radio France Internationale argued that analyzing Madonna was to delve into the evolution of many of the most relevant and significant aspects of society in recent decades. For one, she was the first female artist to make use of the full potential of a music video. She collaborated with some of the top designers and photographers of the time, creating avant-garde cinematography and sexual imagery with inspiration from the underground club culture. Some videos reflect the “Feminist Sex Wars” of the 1980s- a major feminist movement that consisted of a conflict between self-identified feminists who were anti-porn and those who were pro-sex. The collective debates amongst feminists were fueled by disagreements regarding sexuality, pornography, prostitution, erotica, and other sexual matters. From the ingènue newly-wed character she created in “Like a Virgin,” to the red-dressed sinner who sexually provoked a saint in “Like a Prayer,” Madonna played around with the taboo themes of sexuality of the decade. By doing so, she was pushing people’s buttons and making a career out of her unapologetic self-expression.

For a female pop star to create art that has overarching political statements was rare and rather unthinkable during Reagan’s presidency. Then and now, she has been regarded as a sexual icon and as the leading sex symbol of the era. Her consistent usage of explicit  sexual content in the videos and lyrics caused her to face constant censorship by MTV and other entities- She was even threatened to be arrested by Toronto police on the grounds of “lewd and obscene behavior” for pretending to masturbate during her live performance of “Like a Virgin.”  But, Madona’s efforts pushing boundaries and challenging the deep-rooted sexism in American culture was absolutely necessary at the time. Madonna took ownership of her own sexuality, capitalized off of it, and utilized it as a source of power- which was absolutely terrifying for the population of men who felt entitled to control women’s choices, particularly women’s bodies. 

In the face of the early-80s AIDS crisis and a peak in homophobia, Madonna stood as an ally for the LGBTQ+ community. She was never shy about her adoration for the community, and has even been tagged as the first major mainstream artist to give LGBTQ+ images and themes mass treatment and exposure. Madonna was intimately connected to a wide community of gay men in the earlier years of her career as an artistic collaborator, a political ally, and as a friend, says Christopher Glazek, the founder of the YALE Aids Memorial Project. The 80s time period significantly affected the community; In spite of the stigma and criticism, Madonna appreciated, represented, and credited gay culture in her performances and musical endeavors, and made it a point to publicly denounce homophobia in the midst of a political and social climate riddled with homohysteria.

Madonna’s contributions to modern popular culture have been widely remarked by many, globally. British journalist, Matt Cain, assured that “without Madonna, from music to fashion to the whole concept of celebrities, today’s pop culture landscape would simply not exist as it is.” She took the values of American culture and communicated them in a way that was unheard of.

#Madonna #Vogue #Ballroom Culture #LGBTQ #1980s #80s #pop culture #music #Youtube

[soleilsogolden]

Understanding ABBA's Timeless Appeal

My 50-year-old Puerto Rican father recently became an ABBA super fan. I thought it was just a phase at first. Still, there has not been a single family gathering in the past year in which “Gimme! Gimme!” has not been played at max volume while my Dad's singing completely overpowers the song (And yes, he does know every word, thanks to the Spotify karaoke feature). There is something particularly amusing but also very fascinating about the fact that a Swedish Europop group from the 1970s has managed to catch the attention of not only my father, but enough people to prompt them to go back on tour for the first time in 40 years with over hundreds of thousands of tickets sold. The band was among the most commercially successful music groups during its peak, completely dominating the European charts in the 70s. They received a lot of attention in the U.S. with their catchy pop songs, but their European success was unmatched. In the past few years, ABBA has gained popularity among Gen Z TikTok users, as many video trends on the app have the music group’s hit songs playing in the background. See here. So, what is with this eternal appeal that ABBA has seemed to maintain? Let’s take a trip back to the beginning of ABBA in Stockholm circa 1972, to unpack what it is that made the members of ABBA the Pop Icons they are today.

The supergroup consists of four members: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The name, ABBA, is actually an acronym for the first letter of each of their names. Fun fact: ABBA was also the name of a Swedish canned fish company, but fortunately for the pop group, the company agreed to lend their name. According to their official website, the story of ABBA began when the two men of the group met for the first time in June 1966. Both were already established members of separate music groups- Björn in the folk music group The Hootenanny Singers, and Benny in the Swedish pop group The Hep Stars. They both were creatively inspired by each other, prompting them to write their first song together just a few weeks after meeting. They soon went on to establish a music partnership together, leaving their individual bands behind to pursue a career with each other. In the spring of 1969, Björn and Benny both met two women who went on to become their fiancees, and also the other half of ABBA. Agnetha Fältskog caught the eyes of Björn, and was a successful singer with a solo career that began when she released her first single in 1967. Frida Lyngstad, wife of Benny, had her own recording career that began shortly after Agnethas. In the spring of 1972, the married couples released their first group song, “People Need Love.” Encouraged by their early success, the group went on to enter the Eurovision Song Contest of 1974 with the song “Waterloo,” which took them all the way to the finals in Brighton, England. This Eurovision triumph was one of the most notable moments in ABBA history, prompting “Waterloo” to reach No. 1 on the music charts in Europe and the Top Ten in the United States. 

It can be said that by 1976, ABBA had firmly established themselves as one of the most popular music groups in the industry. By this time, they had released four commercially successful studio albums alongside classic single releases such as “Dancing Queen” and “Fernando,” which topped the charts worldwide. Following the 1976 release of their fourth album, Arrival, the group decided to go on their first tour in Europe and Australia, which was a complete success. The Australian leg of the tour was particularly notable because of the already-high amount of popularity the group happened to garner there. There were around 150,000 people in the audience, with even more fans listening from outside of the venue. The tickets for these shows ranged from around $9 to $12 (!!!!) and the cost for the tour was around $700,000. Despite these high costs, the tour brought the music group a substantial amount of income. Around 1978, the group began a major promotional campaign in the USA, accompanying the release of their sixth studio album, my personal favorite, Voulez-Vous. Some of the standout songs from this album include, “Chiquitita,” “Does Your Mother Know,” and “Angeleyes.” Alongside the positive attention this album received, ABBA’s hit single release, “Take a Chance On Me” reached No. 3 on the U.S. charts and was also certified gold for having one million sales, according to the Billboard official site. It was around this time when Björn and Agnetha publicly announced that they had filed for divorce. This did not equate to the end of ABBA, but it did distort their public image of two happily-married couples making music. 

The track “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” was released as a single a year later, alongside the release of a compilation album titled  Greatest Hits Vol. 2. Both of which received positive reviews and international success. Only emphasizing just how popular and catchy the track truly is, the  Queen of Pop, Madonna, sampled the song “Gimme! Gimme!” in her single “Hung Up,” which debuted at No. 1 on the music charts. It was considered by critics as “Bringing disco back” and ended up becoming one of the biggest hits of her career. Madonna herself has even revealed that she wrote a letter begging the music group for permission to sample this track. Eventually, the last standing couple in ABBA, Benny and Frida, announced their divorce in 1981. This sparked the beginning of the gradual “end” of ABBA’s active career in the limelight. What was portrayed to be their final album, The Visitors, was released to the public that same year. Despite the positive criticism it received, the group proceeded to announce that they were taking a break. Each member individually went on to pursue music in their own right, and they would not work on music as a group for the next 40 years. Most recently, to the surprise of many, ABBA reunited and debuted their first new album since 1981, Voyage. To top it off, they also announced a revolutionary concert experience in which digital avatars would perform in place of the group members through the use of CGI and motion capture technology. 

ABBA’s overall success can be attributed to their uniqueness and theatrical style of music. During a time when rock and roll dominated music, ABBA stood out. And during a time of global conflict, ABBA’s songs provided hopefulness and optimism. Catchy pop melodies and clever wordplay were two elements of the special formula for an ABBA song. Variety magazine uses three words to describe the group: Grand, Pop, and Feminine. And with anything that encompasses these three qualities, there were times when the group was often dismissed and met with negative criticism. Still, ABBA rose above all doubts and judgments. Popular and entertaining enough to have the soundtrack of one of the highest-grossing films ever, Mamma Mia! comprised solely of their songs, there is no doubt that ABBA has a chokehold on the entertainment industry and refuses to let go. 

#Youtube #ABBA #Mamma Mia #Eurovision #1970s #70s Music #TikTok

[soleilsogolden]

Meet ISEA, a New Jersey native who rediscovered self-love in her latest EP, "Universe Ready"

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview an incredibly talented music artist who goes by the name Isea. Isea powers through vulnerability in her music. She touches on very genuine and personal thoughts in her songs, with lyrics that are very relatable to the average 20-something who has experienced their fair share of heartache. Isea, better known by her close friends as Sophia, is a former classmate of mine. I’ve been able to watch Sophia grow her professional music career by staying connected with her on social media. And in classic Gen Z fashion, I reached out to her through a direct message on Instagram asking if she’d be interested in participating in this interview. Within a few hours, she eagerly agreed to be the subject of today’s blog post. So keep reading, and I hope that by getting to know Isea, you wind up discovering a new artist that you love! 

I’ll begin by giving you the floor and allowing you to introduce yourself. Who is Isea?

 My name is Sophia, and I am from the little town of North Bergen in New Jersey. I am a senior at NYU studying Music Technology, and I am a singer who is trying to break into the music industry head first. ISEA is my fun and fabulous stage name. To start, who is Isea? I always get questions on how to pronounce it, which is valid. When I perform, I pronounce my name like "Isaiah". Funny story, Isea was actually a name that my Mom gave me back when I was 12 and trying to find an Instagram username. Isea quite literally is my initials SEA with an i slapped in front. I started singing when I was 8 and it was mainly in my grade school chorus group.  I started playing guitar at 13,  and then started writing music. It took me a while to  find my own sound,  without trying to sound too much like any other artist. Essentially, it took me a while to really be comfortable in my own skin and within my thoughts and words that I was putting into my music. By junior year of college, I finally put out my first album which I wrote, recorded, produced, and all that fun stuff, by myself. Through that release, I have now been performing around NYC and finding where else my music will take me.

Did anything/anyone inspire you to create music?

 Yes! I had many different influences to start writing music. Firstly, I come from a Puerto Rican and Cuban household, so I grew up with a lot of Celia Cruz and Daddy Yankee playing in the kitchen, or in the car with my parents. My parents were also big fans of Lauryn Hill. I would say she single-handedly had such a GREAT influence on my music, and the messages that I wanted to put into my work. I also was heavily involved in Spoken Word Club in High School and I felt as though at one point I realized "I can take this, and put it to music, and make it hit harder, really drive it home".

If you could collaborate with any musician who would it be and why?

Lauryn Hill, simple, she is literally my idol. Yebba, I would cry if I met her, and her music is not out in the world enough. Allen Stone, his voice is butter, and his personality is so fun and bubbly.

Describe your creative process when you write and record new music.

 I've flipped through a few different processes since starting college. Sometimes, I go through R&B lofi beats that are looped for like 5 hours, and write whatever comes to mind. Sometimes I'll see an artsy sign with a quote while walking to class, and then that's my next song. Whenever I have enough of an idea, whether it's a few words or maybe even a few sections of music I recorded, I'll either follow through with the idea and make it come to life OR go to my two main people I write with. My guitarist, Sarah, is absolutely amazing, and most times if I have the bare bones of a song, she knows exactly what I'm talking about and she'll piece together an entire song. My best friend Chris is my pianist, and also with him, we just speak the same language and he knows exactly what I'm trying to convey with the smallest pieces that I provide.

A lot of the songs on your EP, Universe Ready, dive into a very vulnerable place. You touch on the unexplainable emotions brought on by anxiety about getting older in the track “Growing Pains,” as well as regret about settling for less than you deserve in past relationships in the track “Bare Minimum.” Is there anything you took away from the experience of creating your EP? Was it therapeutic, in a way, to sort of air out all of these emotions through a creative outlet? 

I've never been asked that to be very honest. I think for a very long time, I was always scratching the surface with putting out any form of my own music. I would post things on Instagram, dabble in Tik Tok video scene, or make YouTube videos of covers. Universe Ready is because quite literally I felt like I was ready and the universe was ready for it. I believe in everything happening at the right time, but not the time that YOU think it's supposed to happen. 

I think it was extremely therapeutic. I went through a BAD heartbreak, which is what you commonly hear from people who drop music I feel (haha).  I fell out of love with myself, was unmotivated to write anything throughout the relationship, and once it was over, WOW the amount of content I had was just overflowing. Like you said in your question, "Growing Pains" was about the struggle of realizing growing up truly is more difficult than it's made out to be. "Bare Minimum" was the realization that I accepted less and less from a partner and took it for Gold Star Material. The album really helped me feel more myself, LOVE MYSELF, and find myself in my music again. Universe Ready is something I am very proud of.

What was the hardest track for you to write?

The hardest songs to write were definitely between "Growing Pains" and "Bare Minimum". I wrote "Growing Pains" freshman year of college, with Sarah, my guitarist. This was our first time writing music together, let alone we had only hung out a few times before that moment. We wrote this song in 20 minutes. Though it spilled itself onto a page effortlessly, I think it was still one of the more emotional songs. I was away from home in college for the first time and realized that I am having to grow up very quickly.

"Bare Minimum".....I wrote it literally HOURS after being broken up with. I was, evidently, angry, haha. It was hard to write because it was one of the first times I was putting to words, and to paper, how bad the relationship was for SO LONG. The lyric "I would get excited, just to get invited, and you would leave your wallet at home," TRUE STORY. It was also the realization that it's not just me! I had so many friends who had, and STILL HAVE, relationships where they're accepting the bare minimum. I think another reason it was so hard to write was because I was keeping their feelings in mind and thinking "OMG, what if he hears it, and his feelings get hurt, and then other people know". I got over that very quickly, because I kept in mind like I mentioned before, I stayed quiet for so long, was hurt for so long, and it was time for my side to be heard and valid. That's all I ever wanted.

Is there any artist that you’ve been infatuated with recently? What's your favorite song by them? 

Kenny Beats!!!! "Last Words" is just a vibe. I can't believe that his songs are maybe a minute to a minute and a half long. SO much good music and ideas in such short pieces.

If you can have the readers remember one thing about you, what would it be?

Yes, yes, yes. I spent too much time not doing things that fed my soul, and made ME happy. So, one thing about me is that I find something, one thing, anything, if not daily then weekly, that feeds my soul. Music, food, going out for a walk, and I carry that with me. I would love it if the readers would do the same. AND stay tuned for more music coming soon :)

I'm very glad I had the chance to interview Isea and was able to dive deep into her creative process, musical influence, and get some insight into the message behind Universe Ready. Understanding where her mind was when she wrote these songs makes for an even better listening experience driven by connection and relatability. Feel free to check out Isea's Spotify Profile, which is linked above. And if you like what you hear, you'll be happy to know that there is more to come!

#R&B #underground music #Spotify #New Music #Acoustic #Interview

[soleilsogolden]

Inside the Hop-Hop Scene circa 1980s New York City

New York City. Need I say more? The birthplace of many social movements and trends, and the hometown of some of the biggest names in art, the “Big Apple” is without a doubt one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the country. The influential power that New York City holds can be seen in the cultural works it has inspired throughout history, and the decade that highlights the city’s creative sector in the most vibrant way is the 1980s. A truly culturally-defining moment in time, NYC in the '80s was a creative breeding ground for some of the most influential and timeless works of art. Alongside many visual-art icons, á la Keith Haring and Jean-Michael Basquiat, some of the most well-known breakout musical artists of the time could be found somewhere along the bustling streets of New York. From new waves of pop and jazz to the creation of garage house music, NYC '80s music reflected a time of new expressionism and sound- and one of the musical genres that was arguably the most reflective of this was Hip-Hop.

Flashback to 1982 and into the Bronx, where you’ll find Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five recording a music video for their landmark hip hop track, “The Message.” The song itself was a sign of the times, serving as a social commentary on the widespread poverty and violence that exists in New York City.  

“Got a bum education, double-digit inflation.

Can't take the train to the job, there's a strike at the station”

The lyrics of the song touch on the social injustice that most New Yorkers face. Inspired by their surroundings and own personal stories growing up in the city, the songwriters used their New York influence and lyrical talent to address major social and economic issues of the '80s, which are still very relevant to modern society. “The Message” is an excellent example of the ways by which artists’ physical surroundings can impact the art they create. It was a major contribution to the hip-hop scene of the time and paved the way for other NYC-based hip-hop artists who chose to use their musical abilities to embody the ideas of social justice such as Run D.M.C., Nas, the Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, and many more. 

New York wasn’t always depicted in such a negative light in the '80s Hip-Hop scene. Take the song "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" by the Beastie Boys, which embraces the music group's hectic tour life and gives a nod to the party-animal lifestyle that many New Yorkers shared. The track was even considered by Def Jam Recordings founder Russel Simmons to be "A very New York song, a very hip-hop song." Simmons went on to confirm that Harlem and the Bronx were the "Home of hip-hop," and credited the Beastie Boys for their contributions to the genre. By somehow cultivating a mashup of rock and roll, rap, skateboarding, and streetwear, New York City's influence can be seen throughout the group's entire hip-hop discography.

Art imitates life, and the '80s New York Hip-Hop scene confirms this. Considered to be the Golden Age of Hip-Hop, this time period was a turning point for music, characterized by diversity, stylistic innovation, breakdancing, DJing, and street art. New York City's influence of hip-hop culture continues to shape many of today's music styles, fashion, dance, and entertainment, and lights the path for today's New York hip-hop artists to thrive.

#New York #NYC #East Coast Rap #New York Rap #Beastie Boys #Hip Hop #Grandmaster Flash #Nas #Brooklyn #80s Music #80s Hip Hop #1980s

[soleilsogolden]

Ariana Grande Ditches her Signature Pop Sound with the Jazz-Influenced Track, "my hair"

What is one thing that global pop star Ariana Grande and English rock band The Beatles have in common? They both have undeniable musical talent? Okay, yes… duh. But what else? Both have managed to accomplish the same musical feat: Release three songs that occupy the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 positions simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100. The Beatles did it in 1964 with the songs ``She Loves You,” “Please Please Me,” and the standout song, “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” And in 2019, Ariana Grande was the first modern-day artist to achieve this victory when she released the trio “7 Rings,”  “Break Up With Your Girlfriend I’m Bored,” and “Thank U, Next.” This accomplishment displays so much more than obvious talent and likeability. It can serve as proof that today, pop rules the music industry. And it wouldn’t be a reach to say Ariana Grande is pretty much at the forefront of this pop wave (alongside a few others). Often referred to as the “Princess of Pop,” and “Queen of the Pop Charts,” young audiences all around the world can always count on the talented Ariana Grande to release catchy songs for them to add to their Spotify playlists.

Considering Grande has evidently made a name for herself in pop music, one would expect her to keep releasing songs that fit perfectly with the genre. Well, about two years ago Ariana Grande tested the loyalty of her large fanbase when she released the R&B-inspired album Positions. And in that album, you will find a track that sounds nothing like any other song she has put out in her music career: “my hair.” 

This sultry song beautifully fuses the musical elements of R&B, Jazz, and a dash of Pop (of course). The track opens with the sound of calm guitar chords, very reminiscent of the intro to some smooth jazz song you’d hear at your local hipster coffee shop. After the funky ten-second guitar solo, Grande starts softly talk-singing about getting intimate with her partner. The sensual lyrics center around Grande allowing her partner to ‘run his hands through her hair.’ This is a big deal coming from Grande, considering that her hair has served as her visual trademark over the years. She even goes so far as to let the addressee know that she doesn't usually let people touch it, but, ‘tonight you get a pass.’  

The intimacy and allure of the lyrics are perfectly matched with instrumental accompaniments: the keyboard, guitar and bass, and a trumpet solo that plays between each vocal verse. The same few jazz chords from the keyboard are played repeatedly throughout the entirety of the track. This simple musical decision delivers harmony and jazz-like rhythm, and the stellar trumpet arrangement provides an upbeat groove to an otherwise mellow track. The intimacy behind a woman showing her natural hair to her partner is perfectly captured through this seductive instrumental background. Jazz music has long been considered a very alluring genre, in fact, a research study even found that most women find jazz to be “sexier” than other types of music. For that reason, there is no doubt in my mind that there was intention behind Grande’s choice to sing about such an intimate moment over a jazz-like rhythm.

In addition to the musical value that the background instruments bring to the song, Ariana Grande’s impressive vocal abilities are on full display in the last verse, adding so much stylistic range to the song. Towards the end of the track, she sings the last few lines in a whistle register which is the highest register of the human voice (2:02 - 2:35). Upon first listen, I was blown away by this section of the song because of how unexpected it was. Grande goes the whole song singing- almost speaking, actually- in a relatively low register with very few vocal runs thrown in here and there. So, you can imagine the look on my face when I listened to Grande sing an entire chorus through whistle notes. She manages to sustain such high-pitched notes without any help from heavily-processed or autotuned production. Talk about talent. 

The soulful groove of “my hair” is guided by a smooth jazz bass line and keyboard chords, some funky trumpet solos, and of course, Grande’s angelic voice. She has never been anywhere close to touching the sound that she delivers in this track with any of her other work, and I applaud her for taking this leap of faith. Her creative experimentation in this track and use of rhythmic techniques outside of pop make for a lustful, “sex jam” as Pitchfork puts it, and I can’t help but love this new side of her.

#Ariana Grande #R&B #Pop #Jazz #Positions Album #Youtube

[soleilsogolden]

Telling a Coming-of-Age Story through Music

One of the beautiful things about music is our instinctual habit to associate certain songs with different parts of our lives. Music has the ability to transport you in time upon the first few seconds of listening. Sometimes, the memories attached to music can even change your opinion of the song itself. They can make supposedly “bad” songs sound so much better- or, even ruin some of the greatest songs. That phenomenon can be accredited to the power of nostalgia in music. Personally, I consider myself to be a very sentimental person. I find peace in reflecting on moments in my life while listening to melodramatic music. As a nod to this joy of mine, I decided to make a playlist that reminds me of the process of growing up. To me, this playlist can serve as a soundtrack to a coming-of-age movie. Individually, each song can be associated with different chapters of life, from childhood to young adulthood. When put together, these songs offer me feelings of nostalgia and a unique feeling of comfort, and I hope you feel the same way as you listen. 

Kids - MGMT

Starting this playlist off with “Kids” by MGMT only seemed fitting to represent my adolescent years. Not only because of the on-the-nose song title, but lyrically the song is an ode to childhood and simpler times. The artist mentions in an interview with Time out London that the song was written with the intention of inducing nostalgic feelings of your youth (Source). The track opens with the sound of children joyfully cheering, and the lyrics reference the life lessons you experience as you grow. Take a listen and watch as your mind instantly floods with your happiest childhood memories.

Tongue Tied - Grouplove

The second track of my playlist is an exhilarating, heavily-synthesized, indie-pop song that has been played at almost every high school party since its initial release in 2011: “Tongue Tied” by Grouplove. I find this song to represent the wild, rebellious part of the high school experience, thus I chose it as the second track of my coming-of-age playlist. Deemed an “iconic teenage anthem” by music critic, Eva Salzman, this track does a great job of creating a combination of euphoric feelings in the listener. You simply cannot stand still when listening to it. Thirty seconds in and I'm already on my feet dancing and inviting my friends to take a shot with me.

Where'd All the Time Go? - Dr. Dog

Nostalgia is bittersweet. Sure, I can proceed to make this entire playlist an assortment of happy-go-lucky tracks that only bring back sweet memories, but that would be an unrealistic portrayal of growing up. The third track of this playlist touches on existential feelings and confusion over the fleetingness of time that took over me once I graduated high school and started my first semester of college. To represent that awkward phase of life where you’re no longer a teenager but not yet a full-fledged “adult,” I chose the song “Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog. I came across this song about a year ago on behalf of a TikTok trend in which people would choose a photo of themselves as a child, and the photo would then morph into a more recent photo of their older selves, with this song playing in the background of the video. 

The trend itself is slightly somber in nature, and the song perfectly captures those sorrowful feelings of revisiting old pictures and reflecting on time past. My freshman year of college was filled with a lot of those moments, so I felt this track would be a great addition to the playlist, as it speaks for that relatable time in all of our lives. 

Thats No Fun - Steve Lacy

“Thats No Fun” by Steve Lacy is the fourth song I added to this playlist. It is a spunky, indie song that references self-discovery and transformation. 

“When I say change, I mean evolve

All my old friends they just dissolve

Because they stayed on the same old shit

… You see me, I'm not the type of guy

But I used to before I found my high

But they can't grasp, they don't know why

I'm not the same Steve they used to like”

Outgrowing things is a normal part of life. It’s inevitable that you’ll one day outgrow clothes, hobbies, and even friends. Lacy touches on this when he speaks about his growth and refers to these changes as himself "evolving." I associate this song with the college experience; When you move out of your hometown and engage with a new environment,  you are granted the freedom you need to evolve. College in itself is a transitional period filled with new experiences and life lessons. During this time, you'll find that things that once brought you joy, may no longer serve you. This is a natural phase of life that is incredibly common during young adulthood, and I find this song to capture those feelings beautifully.

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - The Smiths

I decided to end this playlist on a bitter note. “Heaven Knows Im Miserable Now” by the Smiths is a melancholic, yet, swingy song about a person who is fully aware of their own misery and deep sadness in life but chooses to embrace it. Although the lyrics are pretty weepy, the song is, sonically, very upbeat. 

"I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour

But heaven knows I'm miserable now

I was looking for a job and then I found a job

And heaven knows I'm miserable now"

These lyrics in particular remind me of the stage in life, typically post-graduation, when you reach a point of disappointment. A feeling of “So.. this is it?” This is particularly noticeable in the line that references the act of joyfully seeking a job just to become unhappy once you do get hired and realize that you'll be working this job every day for the rest of your "miserable" life. What better song to realistically portray the infamous quarter-life crisis? 

Each of these songs play a different role in telling a story about life so far, from the perspective of someone in their early 20s. I believe this playlist can serve as a musical coming-of-age story, and I hope you were able to relive some of your most memorable life experiences while listening to these songs.

#coming of age #spotify playlist #growing up #nostalgia #nostalgic music #Kids by MGMT #Tongue Tied by Grouplove #Thats No Fun by Steve Lacy #Where'd All The Time Go by Dr. Dog #Spotify #Youtube

[soleilsogolden]

Raging "On the Moon" with Kid Cudi

In my mere 21 years of life, I have seen a fair share of live concerts, and all of which have been unique experiences. My first time attending a live concert was when I was only nine years old; My childhood best friend and I had scored tickets to see the teen heartthrobs of the time, the Jonas Brothers. In 2010, this was a big deal. This past spring, I cried tears of joy when I finally heard Kevin Parker of the music group Tame Impala perform his legendary guitar solo from his hit song “Let it Happen,” live in Brooklyn, New York. Last August, I had a father-daughter bonding moment in the crowd of a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert when they performed our shared favorite song from the band, “Snow (Hey Oh).” But, out of the 20+ live performances I’ve been privileged enough to see over the course of my life, no concert has gotten close to delivering the out-of-body experience that I felt when attending Kid Cudi’s To the Moon tour on September 12th of this year. 

Kid Cudi has remained one of my favorite musicians since I was in middle school and I first watched the music video for his debut single “Day ‘N’ Nite” on YouTube. Kid Cudi was unlike any other musician that I knew of at the time. Something about his ability to convey gloominess and personal connection in his lyrics through a combination of singing and rapping was very fascinating to me and still is. There is a sense of relatability that his music provides. When I sit down, close my eyes, and truly listen to his albums beginning to end with zero distractions, I feel understood and reassured. His music is comforting and touches me in a way that no other artist has. For that reason, I knew I was in for a ride when I purchased two tickets for floor seats to his 2022 world tour.

⟟ Barclays Center, taken 9/12/22

Aside from being an obvious appreciator of good music, Kid Cudi is also a lover of colorful psychedelic visual art, and graphic design. With that, it did not come as a surprise that the concert visuals were nothing short of mesmerizing. Laser light beams shot across the entire venue in the same orange, pink, and purple color shades that are seen on his album cover art for his most recent album, Man On the Moon III. Each song performance had a corresponding light show and visual backdrop. There is so much added value to incorporating visuals in concert settings; Murat Önhon explains this phenomenon further in his article, “Live Music: Where Visuals and Sounds Meet,” in which he discusses how the visual aspect of a performance (light shows, pyrotechnic visuals, props, etc.) is essentially the creation of a world for the audience by placing the soundtrack into a setting, and I couldn't agree more. Kid Cudi’s intention with his To the Moon Tour was to do just that. He brought everyone in the audience with him to his conceptual “moon” world, which is based on a narrative that he's been pursuing since his first album release, Man on the Moon I. 

Kid Cudi Concert Visuals, taken 9/12/2022

In correspondence with the added visuals, Kid Cudi’s performance was everything I could've ever asked for. I’m not sure if it was because of the closest proximity I had to the stage, or if it was a combination of feeling starstruck and the added adrenaline of being in a concert pit, but the rush of serotonin that filled my body when Cudi performed “Pursuit of Happiness” goes unmatched. I was blown away by his energetic stage presence. Cudi was jumping, dancing, and interacting with the front-row audience members throughout the entire 2-hour concert. His energetic presence was magnetic, the crowd was jumping up and down in unison with Cudi. Toes were stepped on, drinks were spilled, but no one minded. Cudi's performance of tracks like “Tequila Shots” provided a blissful, psychedelic hip-hop feel, and his more vulnerable songs like “The Void” and “love.” felt like an emotional display of affection from him to his audience. 

Kid Cudi Performing "Pursuit of Happiness," taken 9/12/22

Overall, Cudi put on a truly phenomenal show, and I am so glad I was able to be a part of the crowd. There were many moments when Cudi did not hesitate to express his love for New York, even going on to perform in a New York Rangers jersey for the entirety of the night. That said, I am certain that night was not the last time I’ll get to rage with Mr. Rager himself. 

#Kid Cudi #To the Moon #Man On the Moon #MOTM #MOTM3 #Live Music #Rap #Barclays Center #Pursuit of Happiness

[soleilsogolden]

The Beauty Behind SZA's (only) Studio Album, Ctrl

SZA is one of the biggest female artists in the music industry. Having received 21 awards for her music, there is no doubt that SZA has made a name for herself in the R&B music scene. That said, it comes as a surprise that she has only released one official studio album to date: Ctrl. All it took was this one album for SZA to take the world by storm. This record is a powerful compilation of slow-paced angelic vocals, deeply personable memoirs, and dreamy background instrumentals that offer a brutally honest look at the aftereffects of being in unhealthy relationships. 

The release of SZA’s debut album, Ctrl, was long-awaited by underground-music fans who happened to stumble upon her self-released EPs from the early 2010s. But, this album is much different from her past work; It is a complex musical diary decorated with trap beats, offering raw lyricism surrounding the perils of being a woman in today’s dating world. Despite what the title may suggest, the album Ctrl seems to be more about SZA losing control than gaining it. She discusses her inability to balance her relationship with herself and her lovers. The opening track, "Supermodel," sets the tone for the rest of the album, serving as a confessional song directed towards a past boyfriend of hers: 

Let me tell you a secret-

I been secretly banging your homeboy

Why you in Vegas

All up on Valentine's day?

SZA mentions in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the narrative discussed in this track is based on true events and that it would be the first time the ex-boyfriend would hear about her revenge. When listening to this honest recount of SZA’s turbulent past, you cannot help but feel the same way you would when offering a listening ear to your best friend as they vent about their struggles with finding love. That feeling of comfort in knowing they can confide in you, but the hurt in knowing that you have felt similar pain before.

Before we go on, let's get one thing straight: Ctrl is by no means a sorrowful collection of tearful, self-pitying ballads. The record is an empowering reclamation of self. Tracks such as “Normal Girl” and “20 Something” tackle themes of womanhood and self-discovery. These are the types of songs you play on the anxious car ride to your hair salon where you plan on getting the cathartic “post-breakup haircut.” They are the songs you sing aloud with your friends after having bittersweet  “remember when…” conversations. The songwriting in both songs is painfully relatable and captivates the listener through moody instrumentals and graceful singing. 

The standout track, "Drew Barrymore," is a melodic song that speaks to every young woman who has ever struggled with body image and self-acceptance. Consider the following lyrics: 

I get so lonely, I forget what I'm worth

We get so lonely, we pretend that it's worse

I'm so ashamed of myself, think I need therapy

I'm sorry I'm not more attractive

I'm sorry I'm not more ladylike

I'm sorry I don't shave my legs at night

In these strip-backed lines, SZA acknowledges the high societal standards placed on women. She proceeds to apologize for not behaving or portraying herself in the ways that the “ideal” woman should. As revealed in a Rolling Stones interview, the title of the track is a direct reference to the iconic female roles played by legendary actress, Drew Barrymore, who SZA felt were representations of self-proclaimed outcasts who are still worthy of love despite their flaws. Ultimately, this song acts as a  statement piece for SZA, as it is an excellent display of honest self-perception and vulnerability, reminiscent of the self-deprecating lyrical style of Amy Winehouse. 

Although SZA managed to create what most of her fans have deemed a “no-skip album,” there are a few misfires throughout the record that are hard to ignore. Take the track “Doves in the Wind'' ft. Kendrick Lamar, for example, in which the word “p**sy is repeated 28 times in under four minutes. The provocative lyrics suggest that the objective of the song is to expose the sexual desperation of men while simultaneously honoring the divinity of the female body. But, idle wordplay and nonsensical lines such as “P**sy can be so facetious, the heavyweight champ. P**sy is so undefeated, let's amen to that” read as satire and fall short of effectively expressing the central theme.

Ultimately, Ctrl, to its core, is a deeply personal and beautiful representation of where SZA’s mind was at when navigating her mid-twenties. Her ability to frame her painfully honest personal stories in a way that feels like a warm hug takes great creative foresight and musical talent. The vulnerability of this album makes for the perfect soundtrack for those seeking a musical journey of self-discovery and reflection.

#Spotify #Youtube #SZA #Ctrl #2017 hits #Kendrick Lamar #Music #R&B

[soleilsogolden]

Olivia Rodrigo and the Revival of Pop-Punk

In the early-2000s, pop-punk was almost inescapable. Thanks to commercially successful bands such as Green Day and Blink-182, pop-punk maintained extreme mainstream relevance for nearly a decade. Once the 2010s came around, the pop-punk scene began to fizzle out as electropop music took over and artists such as David Guetta and Skrillex gained popularity. The golden age of teenage angst came to an end, that is until 2021 saw the resurgence of pop-punk music. Young artists have reclaimed the genre and modernized it in unexpected ways, and one artist, in particular, is at the forefront of this pop-punk revival: Olivia Rodrigo. 

So, what exactly is pop-punk? It is a music genre that fuses elements of catchy pop and fast-paced punk-rock. It typically combines fast tempos, raw lyricism, and loud electric guitar solos. This music style started to trend alongside the grunge fashion styles of the early 2000s. Twenty years later, we find ourselves amidst a return of this pop-punk scene after the release of Olivia Rodrigo’s first studio album, Sour. 

In 2021, Sour debuted at No.1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and has since earned the artist three Grammy awards (Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Pop Vocal Album). Popular music coverage website, Pitchfork, refers to this album as a “slightly chaotic collection of break-up anthems filled with melancholy and mischief.” Of all of the songs on Sour, “brutal” feels the most pop-punk-oriented, lyrically and sonically. Consider these lyrics from the track:

And I'm so sick of 17

Where's my f****** teenage dream?

If someone tells me one more time

"Enjoy your youth," I'm gonna cry

And I don't stick up for myself

I'm anxious and nothing can help

And I wish I'd done this before

And I wish people liked me more

Now compare Rodrigo’s lyrics to the following popular pop-punk song, “Beverly Hills” written by Weezer, circa 2005:

Where I come from isn't all that great

My automobile is a piece of crap

My fashion sense is a little wack

And my friends are just as screwy as me

I didn't go to boarding schools

Preppy girls never looked at me

Why should they? I ain't nobody

The lyrics of both of these songs are unquestionably snarky and self-deprecating, allowing the artists to resonate with their target audience of teenagers and twenty-somethings who feel similar levels of dread. Rodrigo’s angsty lyrics in “brutal,” combined with her killer electric guitar riffs, make for the quintessential pop-punk song. 

Although we find ourselves in a modernized age of pop-punk, it is inevitable that today’s music will display similarities to the original pop-punk songs of the early-2000s. However, there is a thin line between inspiration and plagiarism, and Olivia Rodrigo might be testing her luck. In the midst of the massive praise Rodrigo has received for her recent music, there has been criticism surrounding the resemblances between the songs featured on “Sour,” and the music released by the popular pop-punk band, Paramore. Rodrigo was accused of ripping off Paramore’s 2007 hit "Misery Business" with her #1 hit song “good 4 u.” In fact, the backlash Rodrigo received led her to give up millions of dollars in royalties to Hayley Williams- lead singer of Paramore- by offering her an official song credit on the track.

Both songs have comparable vocal rhythms and chord riffs, though it is important to recognize that there are stylistic trademarks that some of the most popular pop-punk songs share, which can explain why songs of this genre may sound very similar to each other. In fact, it has become a running joke that the lyrics of many of the most popular early-2000s pop-punk songs share the same trope of “hating your hometown,” which can be seen in the video below: 

As arguments rage on about what is deemed unoriginal in pop-punk, Rodrigo continues to grow as an artist, contributing to the evolution of the genre. Despite the controversy and allegations of “copying other artists,” there is no denying that she has made a name for herself in the pop-punk realm. In the span of one year, Rodrigo has sling-shotted to extreme mainstream success, introducing a new generation of teenagers to pop-punk music.

The pop-punk renaissance is here, thanks to Olivia Rodrigo.

#pop punk #olivia rodrigo #early 2000s #music