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palm pals 💕 bliss, klaus, beau & true hearts

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winona peak cute "off duty candid pap photo" outfit

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What's wrong?

What are you afraid of?

The Love Below

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snoopy of the day

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“forgive all the versions of yourself that operated out of fear instead of growth, the ones that viewed comfort zones as safe havens and abandoned boundaries to keep other people happy, forgive all the versions of yourself that didn’t know that love begins with how you treat you.”

— iambrillyant

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some sites for when you’re bored and looking for new music

spotalike creates a playlist based on a song

magicplaylist  creates a playlist based on a song

dubolt  creates a playlist based on an artist

boilthefrog creates a playlist between any two artists 

predominant suggests you albums based on cover art color   

music-map  suggests similar artists

gnoosic  suggests similar artists and songs

[valleyheartreviews]

some sites for when you’re bored and looking for new music

spotalike creates a playlist based on a song

magicplaylist  creates a playlist based on a song

dubolt  creates a playlist based on an artist

boilthefrog creates a playlist between any two artists 

predominant suggests you albums based on cover art color   

music-map  suggests similar artists

gnoosic  suggests similar artists and songs

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Brent Faiyaz Drops New Album 'Wasteland'

Brent Faiyaz Drops New Album ‘Wasteland’

Brent Faiyaz Drops New Album ‘Wasteland’ Brent Faiyaz delivers his long-awaited sophomore album Wasteland. Executive produced by Jonathan “Freeze” Wells, the 19-track set includes The Neptune’s-produced hit “Wasting Time” with Drake and “Gravity” with Tyler, the Creator, plus contributions from Alicia Keys, Tre’ Amani, The-Dream, Raphael Saadiq, and No I.D. Speaking with Vogue, the 26-year-old…

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Pharrell had written and recorded a reference track of the song at the top of the year with a sale to Prince in mind, but the legendary singer turned it down. Imagining himself as The Purple One, P re-wrote parts of the song for himself to be his debut solo single and asked frequent collaborator and the newly-in-love Jay to lay down a verse in March ‘03. What transpired was an 8-bar vulnerable admission of his love for Beyoncé and how she had his heart; while of course keeping true Jay-Z form by managing to create a new verb for acting (“Denzelin”) and spectacularly manipulating the words “nonchalant” and “audience” until they were phonetically similar.

via aintnojigga

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ALBUM REVIEW- KOD

“I know you say it helps and no I’m not trying to offend/ But I know depression and drug addiction don’t blend/ Reality distorts and then you get lost in the wind/ And I done seen the combo take n****s off the deep end/ One thing about your demons they bound to catch up one day/ I’d rather see you stand up and face them than run away/ I understand this message is not the coolest to say/ But if you down to try it I know of a better way”

If you asked J.Cole fans to rank his discography, only a small handful would put KOD in the top 3. With projects like 2014 Forest Hill Drive and Born Sinner in his discography, along with his latest project The Off-Season, he has much better contenders that earn those top spots. However, you’d likely find fans putting KOD in the bottom 3 worst in his discography. This album gets much more hate and dislike than what’s warranted. When taking into account the context of when it was released, it’s easy to understand why. The softer 4 Your Eyez Only let some fans down, wanting him to return to that hunger and more aggressive style he exhibited early in his career. So following up with another softer record had fans somewhat disappointed. This, along with certain concepts I’ll discuss later, had fans easily placing this album below what it deserves.

However, listening to this album with fresh ears outside of historical context allows the listener to hear the album for what it is. And KOD is extremely solid.

The narratives of KOD focus around drug/alcohol addiction, toxic lust, money obsession, and materialism. Speaking as a omnipotent perspective looking in, he comments on the negatives he sees and expresses frustrations towards these pitfalls that communities often fall in. As young as he was when this was released (33), he speaks as if he’s someone Nas’ age. I think this made him come off preachy at times. He’s not as preachy as someone like Logic off Everybody. He has personal stake with the people he talks to, so the preaching sometimes comes off as trying to help a friend. But I think there’s a limit to how much one can describe chaos and problems without solutions before you come off preachy.

One of the better tracks, ‘FRIENDS”, has Cole singing the outro “Meditate don’t medicate��. This is a pretty simple sentiment: reflect, care about yourself and your health, solve problems instead of coping with them. However, I am an outside perspective looking in as well. Telling someone addicted to drugs and alcohol to “meditate” is not that impactful. The overall message is good, but there is more to be said. And on a project that focuses on this message, he had the time and space to make a more impactful message.

The best example of this is another song “BRACKETS”, where Cole talks about taxes and how much he and communities get taxed, yet money doesn’t flow to communities that need help. It’s a very concrete, understandable song that has actual solutions and addresses specific flaws. He says how he’s forced to pay taxes but can’t dictate where money goes, and describes how money from the community is funding a curriculum that doesn’t teach the community accurate history. It focuses on white heroism and funding teachers and government power that isn’t looking out for the communities that need it. It’s a pretty hard hitting song, especially the narrative at the end with the mother who loses her son to gun violence and remembers during the funeral that she needs to file her taxes

I think KOD needed more specific problems and solutions if the goal is to address these problems. Simply acknowledging them is far from new and uncreative.

However, creativity was expressed in other ways throughout this project. The interpolation of Junior Mafia’s “Get Money” on the song “Motiv8″ was slick. The eerie and sad vocals of kiLL edward though the project were solid, especially on the third track “The Cut Off”. He had particularly somber and soulful vocals in the last minute of this song. His harmonious vocals on “FRIENDS” were excellent. While not quite musical, the seductive spoken word on the intro, “ATM”, and “Once An Addict” added to the ethereal feel of this record. 

Ironically, I think the titles track “KOD” was a low point on the record. Also, the child’s reflection on “Window Pain” was a little pretentious and annoying. No child understands the world on such a prophetic level. Instead, he sounded more brainwashed. 

Although “Window Pain” is described as the outro, “1985″ is a better outro for this record. It’s a nice little comment on upcoming rappers and wishing the best for them, telling them not to focus on the materialistic, inconsequential things that he did when he was their age. He returned to his typical lyrical/rapping style, making it a nice refresher from the depressing, sad, and dreading lyrical performance that is mainly featured on KOD except for a few select tracks (“Motiv8″, “ATM”, “KOD”). 

KOD is more polarizing than his other records. It’s much softer and jazzier than previous projects. And if you were brand new to J. Cole, you might not think this is the same guy that made “Forbidden Fruit” and “95.south”. Either way, KOD is in my top 3 and deserves more respect put to it’s name.

Top 3 Tracks:

1) BRACKETS

2) The Cut Off

3) FRIENDS

Overall Grade: A-

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Max Leone Releases Stripped-Down Demo “in case (there’s a change of heart)

Photo By: Clyde Munroe

The savviness of production nowadays is without a doubt impressive. But there’s an untouchable power that a completely stripped down, acoustic song with real, raw instrumentation possesses. All that matters is the voice, melody and lyrics. Max Leone’s new demo track “in case (there’s a change of heart)” is a testament to this quality.

Max Leone’s decision to directly upload “in case (there’s a change of heart)” to YouTube and Soundcloud shows his desire to put out music for his fans to intimately enjoy. He seems to really know who he is and what he wants to say. But it wasn’t all that long ago that Leone, born and raised in Portland, first started composing his own material and playing in jazz bands, while also teaching himself music production and posting remixes to Soundcloud. His love for music led Leone to attend Berklee College of Music for just one year before relocating to Los Angeles and signing to Darkroom Records.

The strongest quality of “in case (there’s a change of heart)” is its unapologetic honesty. The lyrics are extremely vulnerable, essentially granting us access into Leone’s inner thoughts and mind. In support of this lyrical truthfulness, Leone’s vocals sound perfectly real, not overproduced in the slightest.

“in case (there’s a change of heart)” arrives on the heels of Leone’s recently released single “5,” which also demonstrates his style of being minimalist yet mesmerizing. Max Leone, his music and entire artist brand, is likable and outright impressive. If Max Leone continues to be authentic and vulnerable like this, he is guaranteed to continue garnering more and more success. I’m extremely excited to watch him grow.

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Je$$e Debuts with the Punk Influenced Single “Barbie”

The Ohio native, Je$$e, has been surrounded by music since a young age with both his dad and grandpa influencing his music taste. The 17 year old artist, producer, and songwriter, merges these early influences with contemporary alternative hip-hop elements to create his own exciting sound. 

Je$$e’s debut single “Barbie” is hard-hitting, punk infused and shows his ability to pen a memorable hook. The song also has an accompanying music video directed by John Buchanan of the rising production company Soul Serum. The video gives Je$$e a cartoonish and larger-than-life aesthetic showing him serenading life-sized Barbies. The video perfectly matches the fun and charismatic demeanor of the artist and track.

“Barbie” pushes the envelope of alternative hip-hop while paying homage to classic grunge styles. Je$$e is just beginning his career and he already has a strong trajectory towards stardom. 

Watch “Barbie” by Je$$e below:

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Amanda Brown on the Artists’ Role in Society, COVID-19, and Advice to Young Women [Q&A]

Amanda Brown has had a hell of a career, but she wants you to know she is just getting started. Born and raised in the Bronx, the Puerto Rican/Jamaican vocalist and songwriter got her start as a fan-favorite on NBC’s The Voice and has made a name for herself backing up Adele, Stevie Wonder, and Alicia Keys… just to name a few.

With a resume apt to make just about any musician jealous, Brown is one of the most in-demand session and touring vocalists in the biz, but parallel to this work, she has been crafting her own artist career, writing mature, alt-pop tracks like “From Here.” Begging questions about self-acceptance and the uncertainty of the road ahead, “From Here,” released in October, became the perfect quarantine companion just before the presidential election as the nation stood at a crossroads. Though she originally expected to spend her year on tour busses and backstage, working with the industry’s A-listers, COVID-19 allowed her a once-in-a-lifetime chance to stay in and tell the stories of the year through her own artist project.  

For Brown, her success as a songwriter and vocalist stems from more than sheer talent (though she could easily find success on her innate gift alone). It is her regimented soul-searching and her living by Nina Simone’s mantra “an artists’ duty is to reflect the times” that sets Brown apart from the pack as she builds her profile as not just a vocalist for others but as her own artist.

Ones to Watch spoke with Amanda Brown to recap her unexpected 2020, her advice to young women, and her plans for the new year.  

Ones to Watch: You’ve been working in various roles as a vocalist/musician for years. How do you approach your own music as an artist differently than the work you do with other acts?

Amanda Brown: When it comes to my work as a solo artist, I don’t hold back. What I mean by that is, when it’s my show and my recording session, I can do, say and sing whatever I want the way that I want! There’s a certain amount of freedom that comes with being a solo artist, accompanied by more responsibility. Whereas, when I am working with other acts, I am subject to the will and vision of those creatives. Not to say that I don’t enjoy those experiences and get lost in the music when I’m on stage. Performing with other acts carries it’s wonder as does my work as a solo artist and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to experience both.

You’ve been on the road a lot in the last few years, but COVID-19 this year has forced you to stay home. Have there been any positives to this tough situation?

I definitely miss traveling, meeting new people and playing live shows (while being in the same room as the audience); however, this year has allowed me the opportunity to create music for the sync and licensing world, which I’m enjoying. This year has also allowed me time to myself to think, learn and do things I’ve always wanted to do but never had the time, like gardening for example. I most definitely had a black thumb prior to the start of this year. I believe I’ve grown as an individual, for the better. I’m strong and resilient - those aren’t qualities I would have necessarily attributed to myself in the past, not because they weren’t true but more so because I’d be too shy to say them out loud. Also, witnessing the resiliency and strength of so many others around me has left me inspired and hopeful for the future. Yes, there are many downsides to covid-19, the main one being the loss of life (I lost family and friends this year). With that said, I’m hopeful that we will make it through the rest of this difficult year with the support and love of each other. Community is important and this year has driven that point home for me.

We’ve seen a lot of people lean on music to get them through such a tough year. What do you think an artists’ role is in our society today?

Nina Simone said, “an artists’ duty is to reflect the times” and I believe that to be true. Some artists are called to make social commentary, others are called to reflect upon their personal experiences and the experiences of those in their close circles. Either way, I believe art is a reflection of how an artist may be feeling, what they are experiencing and/or what they see others experiencing. Sometimes art is created to help people forget difficult things that are happening in the world - I believe that to be a reflection of sorts. Regarding myself and my art, I’m am learning to honor my feelings - not to silence myself in order to make others feel comfortable but to dig deep, be vulnerable and honest.

You’ve used your platform this year to speak on important social/cultural issues, especially in your collaboration with LACES for the single ‘they say.’ Has using your platform in this way always been a fundamental goal of your career?

I want to be myself and in order to accomplish that, I have to be honest at every turn. I may not share everything but when I do share, I want it to be the truth. Life experience has taught me that certain things should not be tolerated. Sexism, misogyny, white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, classism, and any other type of prejudice and discrimination is fucked up and should not be tolerated! We need to stand up to that shit and anyone that seeks to perpetuate those toxic behaviors and systems - I believe that should be the goal of everyone, regardless of whether you’re an artist or not. These social and cultural issues are human issues, and they should matter to everyone.

There are many people who grow up, dreaming of a career like yours. What do you think it took to set yourself apart as a vocalist and artist?

Sometimes I think I know the answer to this question and other times, I have no idea. There are things I could list off like me being hard-working, detail-oriented and studious but I don’t think those attributes alone are responsible for the career I’ve been fortunate to have thus far. I have not made it to this place in my career on my own. There have been so many people that believed in me throughout my journey, encouraged me, recommended me for work and supported my music and artistry. I think it may be a combination of qualities I possess, music training, live music experiences and the individuals that helped create opportunities for me. Regarding my success as a vocalist and artist, I think I’m equally indebted to some of those individuals that helped me as I am to my innate propensity for creating music and art and being disciplined within my craft.

What was a turning point in your career that really changed your life?

I’d say being a contestant on The Voice changed the trajectory of my career. It allowed me to perform in front of a national audience weekly. As a result of being on that show, I’ve had a number of beautiful music experiences playing all over the world and meeting fans of the show and myself. I’m grateful for the platform The Voice allowed me and to those that continue to listen to and support my music after watching my performances on the show.

Do you have any advice for a young woman hoping to create a career in music?

Don’t be afraid to experiment in order to figure out what you like. You will fail. Failure is a part of life and helps us grow. No one can tell you what’s going to work for you and your artistry. Only you can decide what is right for your music and art and the way that you’d like to create and communicate that art. Trust your gut. No one should make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe EVER! Surround yourself with people that inspire you to be the best version of yourself. A career in music is not easy. Educate yourself as much as possible. Make a list of all of your goals, figure out how to accomplish them and then execute them. You will often be the only person advocating for your vision (until you find your team) -  don’t give up! If you don’t believe in yourself, your gifts and your art, no one else will.

Looking ahead to 2021, what are some of your plans?

I’m ready to release more music and I can’t wait to perform in front of an audience. My next live show, I may try to hug every single person as they enter the venue, once it’s safe to do so of course. I’d want to collaborate with more female producers and songwriters. I’ve had lovely experiences working with women over the past three years and I want to create more of those opportunities for myself and others. I’m going to continue to build upon the good habits I’ve developed this year and pay more attention to my mental health. More gardening with homegrown fruits and veggies. I want a puppy friend next year, so I’ll be on the hunt for that little guy or gal. Also, people! I can’t wait to see people face-to-face…in-person and without masks or fear of getting sick because it’s no longer a big threat. I understand that all of the precautions we’re taking are necessary but I’m looking forward to the day when we can all hug and hang out together again.

Black Lives Matter! Trans Lives Matter! Stop Policing Women’s Bodies!