By Liz Hammond, Digital Media Editor
Every week I like to take time to reflect on the new or old music that I’ve been listening to. Since we just got back from break, I thought it was the perfect time to share some music that you can add to your playlists.
Starting with the alternative section of my music there are a few standouts.
“In For The Kill” by Billie Marten is one of those songs that will hit you in ways that you didn’t know possible.
This song was originally by La Roux, but Marten covered it, slowing it down and making it a stripped-down version. It hits you harder that way, making it seem a lot sadder and a lot less angry.
“Lost” by Liza Anne is also an incredibly sad song. I’m sorry for so many sad picks, but it is so beautiful. The lyrics are what make it so intense: “I’ll be lost if I love him/Lost if I won’t/And I can’t muster up the courage/ To say it’s best that I leave.”
So simple but yet so haunting, something we’ve all felt at one time but never really could put into words.
“watch” by Billie Eilish is one of those songs that makes me dance but sing along with so much passion. It’s not an angry song, but it has a vengeful taste to it that you have to sing with power. With lyrics like, “I’ll sit and watch your car burn/With the fire that you started in me/But I never let you back to put it out.” I mean, really?
That is just genius song writing and she’s only 15. Keep her on your radar, you can listen to her most recent album, “dont smile at me”, to hold you off.
“Face Like Thunder” by The Japanese House is the last song in this section. This song is a lot more light and breezy than their other tracks that leave you bogged down with heavy emotion.
Their new album comes out on Nov. 11 and I’m counting down the days until I get to hear more of Amber Bain’s voice.
Moving into the hip-hop selections, there a few songs that you might judge me for but I don’t blame you.
“Love a Loser” by Cassie (feat. G-Eazy) is a testimony to all girls who have dated losers and bounced back. It is the most empowering song to listen to when you’re dealing with a toxic relationship that just needs to end.
Cassie and G-Eazy are an amazing pair and with his rap and her voice singing the chorus, it adds much needed depth to the song.
“May I Have This Dance” by Francis and the Lights (feat. Chance the Rapper) is one song that just instantly makes me happy.
The music video is Chance dancing very weirdly, but somehow, he makes it work when he raps about his daughter saying, “I love you more than your mother/More than you love yourself.”
“Gucci Gang” by Lil Pump is iconic in all forms of the word. The lyrics I probably can’t put in this article, but I highly suggest that you listen to them carefully: they are so entertaining. As I’ve said before, this new round of SoundCloud rappers com- ing out is going to change the hip-hop sound forever.
Lil Pump may not have the lyric genius of Kanye, but he’s fun to listen to and that’s all he needs for a label to pick him up and his career to take off.
“Held Me Down” by NAV is soft R&B song that actually shows his vulnerability. Most rappers have too big of an ego to admit that a girl could mean so much to them.
With lyrics like, “I’m happy I found out you was at my show/You’re more than my girl/ You’re part of my soul,” it’s what every girl wants to hear.
“Roll in Peace” by Kodak Black (feat. XXXTentacion) is one song that I never thought I would like. Kodak’s sound is so peculiar, it normally takes me a few listens to like a song, but with this one it was immediate. It might be because X is on it and that automatically makes me like it. This song is a true testimony to Kodak’s evolution as a rapper. His style is becoming more refined and you can hear his confidence shining through.
Hopefully you can take away a few songs from this list to add to your playlists and give you some motivation to get through these next seven weeks.