Review Saturday: Charlie Puth - "Losing My Mind"

Charlie Puth

"Losing My Mind"

Nine Track Mind

Atlantic

A few days ago, Wikipedia uploaded the tracklist of Puth's debut album with a shock. One of the tracks, "Losing My Mind", features the Indonesian singer who aims the international market. I am not surprised, though, but somehow it looks fishy. If it were true, I expect "Losing My Mind" to be an upbeat song, with innuendo lyrics and erotic dance. Turns out it is not true. And turns out it's not an erotic song. It's not even an upbeat song.

"Losing My Mind" is a standard ballad, there's nothing special from it, though. Puth's vocal doesn't sound so bizarre at all; it's as if his voice is suited for ballad song. But, "Losing My Mind" is really nice ballad. It is stuck in your ear after the first listen. "Losing My Mind" is another apology--as though we need more. Puth sings tenderly as he apologizes that this relationship won't work is because of his fault. "And I'm sorry that I can't be the perfect type of man." 

I think "Losing My Mind" is one of the highlights of Puth's debut album. 

Review Tuesday: Parachute - "Without You"

Parachute

"Without You"

Wide Awake

Vanguard Records

There's always part in my heart for every Parachute's songs no matter how hipster I have become. It is not exaggerating as Parachute's songs contain quintessences and substances, as proven by their previous singles. There's no other song that slaps me as hard as "Kiss Me Slowly", a tender love song that is so beautiful it makes me cry. 

This Charlottesville band is back with "Crave" last year, but this song is really typical and forgettable, it's not like typical Parachute songs. They may grow; they may change. Even so, I still have some faith for Parachute. Then, they release "Without You", another taste from their fourth album, Wide Awake. And as if they are finally wide awake, "Without You" is back on their correct track. "Without You" is a pop-rock song infused with gospel sound. In a way, it sounds a lot like "Something To Believe In (Jeremiah)" especially in gospel choir department. "Without You" itself is a fun love song. Will Anderson with his distractive blue eyes sings "I don't wanna fall sleep without you", talking about an attachment that is formed when you fall in love. 

Review Sunday: Nicholas Krgovich - "The Place Goes Quiet"

Nicholas Krgovich

"The Place Goes Quiet"

The Hills

Tin Angel Records

The prolific Canadian multi-instrumentalist, Nicholas Krgovich, has released tons of materials in his Bandcamp account, yet there is not any single Wikipedia page for him. So, when I heard his latest song, "The Place Goes Quiet" and looked his name up on the internet, I can't gather enough information about him. I grew frustrated because "The Place Goes Quiet" is really fun. 

It's absolutely not a song for winter, but since his latest album, The Hills, will be released on March, I think he means "The Place Goes Quiet" to be a song to prepare for a spring. "The Place Goes Quiet" starts by cheery drum thump and beat, which kinda reminds me of Jonathan Boulet's songs. It's so gay--I mean the cheerful one. Krgovich's falsetto voice blends with his own rhythm. According to Krgovich, this song was written in 2010 when he looks an overlong grass in his uncle's yard. After he cut the grass, he felt so satisfied that he began to get inspired. It's a unique way to get inspiration, of course, but it is another prove that inspiration can come from anything. So, no reason to procrastinate, dickhead! Yes, you dickhead, Daniel!

Review Saturday: Chairlift - "Crying In Public"

Chairlift

"Crying In Public"

Moth

Columbia Records

Let me tell you an embarrassing story. I once have cried in a public space due to heavy burden that I must carry and such as. I will leave the frivolous details out, but you get a point that crying in public is not something triumphant. But, it's okay to cry sometimes. It's something healthy. And crying is humane, regardless of your gender. 

In New Year, where everything is so gloomy yet so festive at the same time, Brooklyn-duo Chairlift decides to release a ballad song as their third single from long-anticipated album, Moth, due release several weeks from now. It suits the cold and soft weather of January, but it is definitely different than previous two songs that Chairlift has released before: "Ch-Ching" and "Romeo". Still, Chairlift maintains their fun, but "Crying In Public" feels so tender and genuine. This is where Caroline Polachek's voice sounds the best as she sings the chorus, "I'm sorry I'm crying in public. I swear I'm falling for you, I'm falling for you." Have you ever felt falling in love so hard, that you wanna cry? Just ask Chairlift. They know. 

My Grammy Awards Prediction: Final Verdict

The nominations for 58th Grammy Awards just came out at last Monday. As usual, there are some shocking nominations and snubs. Courtney Barnett, for example, who's out of nowhere getting nominated for Best New Artist. Chris Stapleton  takes Sara Bareilles' random slot in Album of the Year nomination. Indonesian jazz-virtuoso Joey Alexander snatches two nominations away. No Drake's "Hotline Bling". Not enough Justin Bieber (I surprisingly defend, but to be fair, his comeback single and album are one of the finest this year). And the most sacrilegious thing that Grammy committee ever committed is no Carly Rae Jepsen whatsoever. Do they have any hidden agenda with Canadian artists? 

As you all may have been aware before, I have made some predictions for several Grammy categories in here and there. So, let's see how good my premonition is. 

1. Album of the Year

My predictions:

1. Taylor Swift - 1989

2. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly

3. Kacey Musgraves - Pageant Material

4. The Weeknd - Beauty Behind The Madness 

5. Mark Ronson - Uptown Special or James Taylor - Before This World

Final nominations:

Alabama Shakes, Sound and Color

Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly

Chris Stapleton, Traveller

Taylor Swift, 1989

The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness

Correct Prediction: 3/5

In my defense, I've never heard Chris Stapleton's Traveller before. I thought the country nomination will come from Kacey Musgraves or Little Big Town or Sam Hunt's Montevallo. I'm not surprised with Alabama Shakes' Sound and Color. In fact, I feel so ashamed I didn't include their album on the pool. 

2. Song of the Year

My predictions:

1. Taylor Swift - "Blank Space" (no question)

2. Ed Sheeran - "Thinking Out Loud"

3. Kacey Musgraves - "Biscuits" (it's a long shot, but why not)

4. The Weeknd - "Can't Feel My Face"

5. Kendrick Lamar - "Alright" or Paul McCartney, Kanye West, and Rihanna - "FourFiveSeconds" or Mark Ronson - "Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)"

Final nominations:

Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"

Taylor Swift, "Blank Space"

Little Big Town, "Girl Crush"

Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, "See You Again"

Ed Sheeran, "Thinking Out Loud"

Correct prediction: 3/5

I admit I cheat by adding three songs on my predictions. However, from those three songs, Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" is the only one I'm sure of because the committee will find a way to cram Kendrick Lamar's songs on little space. Surprised to see "See You Again" as it is too Billboard-y for Grammy Awards. Not too surprised to see "Girl Crush" because it's battle between Little Big Town, Sam Hunt, and Kacey Musgraves from country genre. 

3. Record of the Year

My predictions:

1. Mark Ronson - "Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)"

2. Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna - "FourFiveSeconds"

3. Taylor Swift - "Style"

4. The Weeknd - "Can't Feel My Face"

5. Jack U - "Where R U Now (feat. Justin Bieber)" or Carly Rae Jepsen - "Run Away With Me" (my wildest dream)

Final nominations:

D'Angelo and the Vanguard, "Really Love"

Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, "Uptown Funk"

Ed Sheeran, "Thinking Out Loud"

Taylor Swift, "Blank Space"

The Weeknd, "Can't Feel my Face"

Correct prediction: 2/5

This one is such a messy category. While I think "Style" is definitely has better production value than "Blank Space", Swift's team doesn't send it for Grammy. D'Angelo's acclaimed comeback album should've been nominated for Album of the Year, but they appear in Record of the Year. Not happy with Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud". Is it a good song? Yes. A good record? Nada. "Thinking Out Loud" is really forgettable. 

4. Best New Artist

My predictions:

1. Meghan Trainor
2. Sam Hunt
3. The Weeknd 
4. Years & Years or Fetty Wap
5. Walk The Moon (a really long shoooot) or Charlie Puth (possible, but I don't think so), or FKA twigs.

Final nominations:

Courtney Barnett

James Bay

Sam Hunt

Tori Kelly

Meghan Trainor

Correct prediction: 2/5

Bye, FKA twigs. Apparently Grammy has found more edgier best new artist than you. Not in a million years, I dare to dream to see Australian singer, Courtney Barnett, to be nominated in Grammy Awards, let alone in Big Four category. But, yeah, I'm startled to see her name on the category with the other predictable nominees. 

5. Best Pop Vocal Album

My predictions:

1. Taylor Swift - 1989
2. Kelly Clarkson - Piece By Piece
3. Carly Rae Jepsen - Emotion
4. Mark Ronson - Uptown Special or The Weeknd - Beauty Behind The Madness
5. Florence + The Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

Final nominations:

Kelly Clarkson, Piece by Piece

Florence + The Machine, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

Mark Ronson, Uptown Special

Taylor Swift, 1989

James Taylor, Before This World

Correct prediction: 4/5

I know I am awesome. If only it weren't for James Taylor, I will perfectly predict this category. But seriously though, who really considers Taylor's Before This World a pop album? This makes Emotion's omission feels more tragic. 

6. Best Pop Solo Performance

My predictions:

1. Taylor Swift - "Blank Space" or Taylor Swift - "Style" or Taylor Swift - "Wildest Dreams" or the committees go berserk and nominate all three Taylor Swift's songs.
2. Ed Sheeran - "Thinking Out Loud"
3. The Weeknd - "Can't Feel My Face"
4. Justin Bieber - "What Do You Mean"
5. Rachel Platten - "Fight Song" or Carly Rae Jepsen - "Run Away With Me"

Final nominations:

Kelly Clarkson - "Heartbeat Song"

Ellie Goulding - "Love Me Like You Do"

Taylor Swift - "Blank Space" 

Ed Sheeran - "Thinking Out Loud"
The Weeknd - "Can't Feel My Face"

Correct prediction: 3/5

There goes my wish to see Jepsen's "Run Away With Me" gets some recognition it deserves. Happy to see "Love Me Like You Do", though it makes me curious if the committee actually enjoys watching Fifty Shades of Grey. The other three nominations are so predictable that it doesn't make me happy.

7. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

My predictions:

1. Taylor Swift - "Bad Blood (feat. Kendrick Lamar)"
2. Mark Ronson - "Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)"
3. Wiz Khalifa - "See You Again (feat. Charlie Puth)"
4. Maroon 5 - "Sugar"
5. Paul McCartney, Kanye West, and Rihanna - "FourFiveSeconds"

Final nominations:

Florence + The Machine, " Ship to Wreck"

Maroon 5, "Sugar"

Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, "Uptown Funk"

Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, "Bad Blood"

Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, "See You Again"

Correct prediction: 4/5

"FourFiveSeconds" is so Grammy-bait and the committee decides to omit it and switch it with "Ship To Wreck". I mean this is the same committee that awards millions of Grammy to The Beatles. Why not give another one to its last standing man? 

8. Best Dance/Electronic Album

My predictions:

1. David Guetta - Listen
2. Madeon - Adventure
3. Jack U - Skrillex And Diplo Present Jack U
4. Major Lazer - Peace Is The Mission
5. The Chemical Brothers - Born In The Echoes

Final nominations:

Caribou, Our Love

The Chemical Brothers, Born in the Echoes

Disclosure, Caracal

Jamie XX, In Colour

Skrillex and Diplo, Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü

Correct prediction: 2/5

This is the only category where I'm feeling happy with all the nominations as it combines critical darling and popular musician. Caribou's Our Love and Jamie XX's In Colour are critical darling, and the other nominations are popular artists whose rating is not that bad either. 

9. Best Alternative Album

My predictions:

Blur - The Magic Whip

Bjork - Vulnicura

Death Cab For Cutie - Kintsugi

Wilco - Star Wars

Tame Impala - Currents

Final nominations:

Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color

Björk, Vulnicura

My Morning Jacket, The Waterfall

Tame Impala, Currents

Wilco, Star Wars

Correct prediction: 3/5

Not surprising at all, though I hope to see Courtney Barnett's latest album here. 

Final Verdict: Not bad at predicting. Yay!