Review Wednesday: Joanna Newsom - "Anecdotes"

Joanna Newsom

Anecdotes

Divers

Drag City

"Anecdotes" opens the much-acclaimed Newsom's latest album, Divers, and this is the right choice. "Anecdotes" is something that you can imagine from a Disney princess will sing. Its song structure, its harp pluck, and Newsom's haunting voice are exactly what Snow White will do to please her dwarves. You even wonder whether this song will be able to resurrect dead body or not. 

But, "Anecdotes" is so mellifluous that you can't help but ponder if it possesses such magic. It fits as the opening track of Divers as she sings, "Sending the first scout over", like a cartographer or a sailor who wants to start her new adventures in an unknown realm before. In fact, "Anecdotes" is filled with references from your childhood tale. "Camp", "kid with Rufous Nightjar", most of "Anecdotes" tell us about Newsom's nice chat with a bird. It's like what Snow White does, doesn't it? "Anecdotes" feels so fantasy and surreal, it begins a new journey, it's just so pure and wonderful and beautiful and enchanting. The fact that I'm lost at words when I describe this song proves how amazing this song is. 

Divers is just released on October 23rd by Drag City.

 

Review Sunday: Adele - "Hello"

Adele

Hello

25

XL Recordings

It's hard for me as a Swifties guy who happens to love Taylor Swift's works to review Adele's latest effort, "Hello", as people compare these two amazing women and their distinctive works; which will sell more. As of now, "Hello"'s music video has broken most viewed videos in 24-hour on VEVO, a record which was held by no other than Swift before. The battle of the fan has just begun, and I am not surprised that it can start the third world war. 

A question of who is more successful doesn't seem so essential right now, especially since Adele and Swift's target market is quite different. While Swift targets younger female audiences, and sometimes a pathetic guy like me, Adele has broader audience and it gives Adele a kind of advantage. But, when it comes to breaking record, sorry Swift, you may have collected three 5-times Platinum certified albums in USA, and most viewed videos in 24-hour on VEVO, but Adele effortlessly snatches all of your records away. 

But, let's stop talking about these two amazing women. "Hello" is Adele's new song after three years of anticipation, Her previous work, "Skyfall", a James Bond film soundtrack, earned her a Grammy Award and Academy Award--something that Swift hasn't yet achieved (okay, enough of your shady commentaries, Dude). So, when she announced her album, 25, all over the world go batshit crazy. 

It's with a reason, of course. "Hello" is unique as a first single. Many artists don't have courage to release a ballad as the lead single, but Adele is the exception. It's like a breath of fresh air after radio has been bombarded by R&B songs: The Weeknd and that annoying "Uptown Funk" have ruled the charts this year. 

However, for Adele, "Hello" is not breath of fresh air. Adele plays it safe this time. Compared to "Rolling In The Deep", "Hello" is kinda forgettable. It indeed has a grandiose concept, and the operatic atmosphere this song has feels really classy and grand, but this isn't something groundbreaking. I really adore Adele's vocal here, though. It's stronger than anything she's ever released before if that's ever possible. 

Adele stated that 25 will be a make-up album and it's proven by "Hello". She whispered "Hello, it's me" at the beginning of the song. It's not only a start of apology for her lover, but also a greeting for her fans all over the world. "Hello" reflects what relationship in the past is supposed to turn out as she sings, "I'm in California dreaming about who we used to be" When the chorus starts, the "I must've called a thousand times to tell you. I'm sorry, for everything that I've done" part reminds me of Back To December (okay, enough). 

If people all over the internet make meme about Adele and classic hits "Hello" by Lionel Richie, I'm sure that Adele's "Hello" will be also an instant classic. And, yes indeed. "Hello" is a really nice comeback from Adele even though it's kinda forgettable. 

However, "Hello" is superior than "Shake It Off". So, let's add another tally to Adele's scoreboard. 

Review Friday: Glass Animals - "Lose Control (feat. Joey Bada$$)"

Glass Animals

Lose Control (feat. Joey Bada$$)

Single

Caroline Records

Last year's Zaba by Glass Animals catches my attention. This British band provides something different than what I've usually heard. They are imbuing various ethnic sounds on their music; they sound so eclectic. So, when Glass Animals teams up with Brooklyn rapper, Joey Bada$$, only one word can describe this collaboration: dope. 

Glass Animals still keeps their ethnic percussion at the start of the song, but once Joey Bada$$ starts rapping, you begin to question whether this is the Glass Animals you usually hear or not. In fact, "Lose Control" is so badass that Joey Bada$$ starts singing, "Nobody move, nobody get hurt." It's like a threat: Glass Animals and Joey Bada$$'s collaboration is "'bout to go insane" and is "'bout to make people lose their brain". 

But, when Dave Bayley's laid-back vocal begins to fill your ear, you suddenly feel some kind of familiarity. That is Glass Animals you usually hear. Glass Animals you usually hear is still there. They don't go anywhere. They lose control, but they still maintain their roots. And that's what makes this song so special. 

Grammy 2016 Early Predictions - Part 2

I realized that predicting Grammy's nominations is really fun as I love to act like an aficionado in mainstream music, even though I know I'm not. I should've done this years ago. I should've begun to consider this as my main job. I cry. 

So, for the next part, I am going to predict more categories that I have the ability (boo!) to analyze. They are Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop/Duo Group Performance, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Alternative Album, and Best Dance/Electronic Album. 

1. Best Pop Vocal Album

Just like what happens on Album of the Year, Taylor Swift's 1989 will be a lock in this category. The only multiple winner in this category, Kelly Clarkson, also rarely misses this category, so I will expect to see her latest effort, Piece By Piece, in this category. And, what is best pop vocal album category without a nomination from queen of pop herself? I can see Madonna's Rebel Heart sneaks in this category. Meghan Trainor's debut album, Title, which is just released in January this year also can storm the category. Carly Rae Jepsen's Emotion which is one of the most acclaimed pop album of the year should be nominated as well, and it's a sacrilegious act to not include this album on this category, and I think this is the only category where Carly Rae Jepsen can stand a chance. If Lana Del Rey's Honeymoon which is just released last week has time to submit and fill the paperwork, it has the chance to be nominated as well as her EP, Paradise, has been nominated before.

For the male counterpart, the strongest contenders come from artists who can do genre-crossover. Unless Mark Ronson's Uptown Special and The Weeknd's Beauty Behind The Madness compete in R&B category, both albums can be a tough opponent on this category. Strongest pop albums of the year are dominated by female artists this year, and I can't think another male artist who releases a stand-out pop album this year. Nick Jonas' self-titled debut album comes in mind, but it's really a long shot, but anything's possible now.

From group, I will expect a nomination from Florence + The Machine's How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. This English band once has surprised us with a nomination on this category a few years ago with Ceremonials. Another potential best pop vocal album will be Years & Years' Communion, but it's like Nick Jonas. It's really a long shot.

Final 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

2. Best Pop Solo Performance
Expect to see more Taylor Swift in this category, with all "Blank Space", "Style", and "Wildest Dreams" all eligible for this category. Kelly Clarkson also rarely misses a nod in this category, so "Heartbeat Song" and another her self-empowerment song, "Invincible", can finally see a light and be nominated in this category. If Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" is still eligible, I may include this song as well. Carly Rae Jepsen may surprise us as well with her "Run Away With Me" and "I Really Like You", and hopefully the committees won't overlook these fine records.

The Weeknd will receive another nomination in this category with "Can't Feel My Face" unless, of course, he goes to R&B. But, apparently a single hits like this usually goes to pop category, just like when Daft Punk and Pharell Williams get a nomination in pop category while clearly "Get Lucky" is an electronic song. Justin Bieber will make a come back with his "What Do You Mean", and this song has a high chance to give Bieber his first Grammy.

Expect a dark-horse nominee, like Sia's "Elastic Heart", or Lana Del Rey's most catchy song, "High By The Beach", or Rachel Platten's "Fight Song here.

My final predictions will be:
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"

3. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
When you think finally you see a Swift-free category, think again. Her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar in "Bad Blood" may earn her a first nomination here. Another lock is definitely "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson and a Grammy darling, Bruno Mars. The safest best is of course 12-week Billboard Hot 100 #1, Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth's "See You Again". Don't forget the killer combo of Paul McCartney, Kanye West, and Rihanna in "FourFiveSeconds". You may think this is not a pop song, but it is a pop song. Expect Maroon 5 earns another nomination in this category with their "Sugar". I think that's all that I can think from this category. Wow, it's really rare to see an exact five nominations. I think Walk The Moon's "Shut Up And Dance" can be nominated, but I may hope too much.

Final predictions (of course):
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"

4.  Best Dance/Electronic Album
David Guetta is my safest bet in this category as he is often nominated in this category, and with his latest effort, Listen is just released on November last year, making it eligible for next year Grammy. Zedd, who won Best Dance/Electronic Recording with "Clarity" a few years ago surprisingly never earn a nomination in album category, so can True Colors grab a spot in this category?

Hugo Leclerq a.k.a. Madeon's debut album, Adventure, is universally loved by music critics, and I can see it will be nominated in this category as well. Deadly combo of Diplo and Skrillex--who happens to win this award twice--in Jack U can earn a nod with their debut, Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack U. Another Diplo's project, Major Lazer, can also be nominated with their latest album, Peace Is The Mission.

The XX member, Jamie XX, who also released the finest electronic album of the year, In Colour, can be nominated too, but I don't expect much as I am not sure his label, Young Turks, won't bother to send the record to the committee. The Chemical Brothers, who also has won this award twice, can get another nominations for Born In The Echoes.

Another wild hope that I have is Holly Herndon's Platform and Panda Bear's Panda Bear Meets  The Grim Reaper. But, if Aphex Twin can win this award last year, I believe that anything's possible at this point.

Final 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

5. Best Alternative Album
Alternative genre is the most criminally underrated genre in Grammy Awards. It only gets one category, making an alternative song must go cross-over to another genre to be nominated in Grammy. But again, alternative genre is really vague. I mean you can't classify and define what alternative genre is.

Enough with the rambling. Bjork rarely misses this category, so her surprise album Vulnicura will be a lock in this category. Talking about surprise album, Wilco, who once won with their album (surprisingly) A Ghost Is Born (and not critically acclaimed Yankee Hotel Foxtrot--it didn't even get a nomination. What's wrong with this committee?), also released a surprise album this year called Star Wars. It's really safe to say that Wilco will receive another nomination.

Watch out for former Best Alternative Album nominee, Tame Impala, as Currents is loved by music critics and there will be uproar outside there if it's not nominated. This category will be filled with previous nominees I guess. I expect to see Blur's latest album, The Magic Whip, here or Death Cab For Cutie's Kintsugi here. Or My Morning Jacket's The Waterfall. Supergroup Franz Ferdinand (who's been nominated twice) and Sparks called FFS, may receive a nod with their debut album, FFS.

Maybe it's time for Grammy to nominate new artist this year? Sufjan Stevens' heartbreaking album Carrie & Lowell should be nominated, but I'm sure Sufjan Stevens' own label, Asthmatic Kitty, won't even bother to send it to the committee. The same case with Courtney Barnett's Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit. Is hoping Passion Pit's Kindred to be nominated too much? Well, I can mention many albums that deserve to be nominated, but I guess Grammy will play it safe and only nominate the veteran.

Final predictions:

Blur - The Magic Whip

Bjork - Vulnicura

Death Cab For Cutie - Kintsugi

Wilco - Star Wars

Tame Impala - Currents

So, what do you think? Do I miss or overlook something? Please tell me your own predictions! 

Grammy 2016 Early Predictions?

With September 30th, the last eligible day to be considered into Grammy 2016, is just around the corner, I think it's quite safe now to predict the nominations for 2016 Grammys as there won't be any Grammy-darling release on the remaining days of September--unless suddenly NARAS becomes hipster and nominates CHVRCHES' Every Open Eye, Lana Del Rey's Honeymoon, or Julia Holter's Have You In My Wilderness. 

It's easy to predict the nominations for Big 4 categories (Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist), so I will only predict those four categories. I am no music critic, so I'm sorry if this isn't accurate. 

1. Album of the Year

Are you kidding me? Taylor Swift's 1989, which is released on October last year, will be a lock for this category. And, since Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d city was also nominated for Album of the Year as well, I can expect To Pimp A Butterfly will be nominated next year too. Then the rest of spots will become interesting as there aren't many that major albums released this year. It naturally will force the committee to consider a lesser and smaller album. In other words, there will be many new names for this category. It's really a crime to not include Carly Rae Jepsen's Emotion, the best pop album of the year, and Jepsen has been nominated for Song of the Year before, so hopefully NARAS will consider Emotion. The strong contender for this category also comes from fellow Canadian, The Weeknd, whose latest album, Beauty Behind The Madness, unexpectedly becomes a hit and spawns several hits singles. Or Drake's If You're Reading This It's Too Late which has the biggest first-week sales this year in United States. It will be a long shot, though, but anything's possible at this point. Another wild hope is Miguel's Wildheart, but it's too edgy for Grammys though. 

NARAS also loves country artists so much, and I can see they will nominate former Best New Artist nominee, Kacey Musgraves' Pageant Material. I will be really happy, though, since that album is really good. We can also some newbies' name on this category on this year. Meghan Trainor's Title comes in mind. Or a new country hottie, Sam Hunt's Montevallo. Or Mark Ronson's Uptown Special. Those three albums will be for random-album slot, like Sara Bareilles' The Blessed Unrest two years ago. 

The committees also love to put veterans here, like Beck's Morning Phase last year who also happened to snatch the most prestigious award, so I can expect I can see Madonna's Rebel Heart or James Taylor's Before This World. 

Final 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

2. Record of the Year

This category is sometimes confusing, and sometimes you can't differentiate it from Song of the Year. But, Record of the Year is to award best production in a song, so with that in mind, "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars will be a lock. As much as I hate (loathe, honestly) this song, "Uptown Funk" is well produced. Grammys love Taylor Swift, and I also happen to love her, and "Style" is one of the best produced songs the year, so I can't see that song won't be nominated for this category. I'm okay with "Blank Space" too. I expect to see deadly combo of Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna's "FourFiveSeconds" in this category. All three are Grammy-darling, and if the committees leave it out, they must have new committees there. 

The remaining of the slots will be really hard to predict. I am inclined to include The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face", Jack U's collaboration with Justin Bieber in "Where R U Now" is also my favorite contender for this category. Justin Bieber's solo single "What Do You Mean?" also has some potential to storm this category. Talking about good production, no one can deny that Carly Rae Jepsen's "All That" and "Run Away With Me" have good production value, but I can see the committees will overlook these records. Oh, well those are just my wildest dreams (Taylor Swift™ No copyright infringement intended. Property of TAS LLC Management 2014©). I really want to see Miguel's "coffee", but it seems really vulgar for the old people of the committees, but one can dream, right?

So, my final predictions will be
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)

3. Song of the Year
It's no surprise to see Taylor Swift again on this category. "Blank Space" will be a lock, I guess, as it has witty lyrics and good melody. Is Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" eligible for this category? Because I will include it, since the NARAS really love Ed Sheeran. If it isn't eligible, screw the Grammys. I expect to see Kendrick Lamar on this category. "Alright" is an alright choice, but my favorite is "These Walls (feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat)". Oh, such a wild hope.

From a country fellows, I really can see "Biscuits" by Kacey Musgraves snatches a slot here. Sam Hunt's "Take Your Time" can surprise us as well. One more country song that I wish to see is Little Big Town's "Girl Crush". 

The committees also sometimes include big hits of the year for this category, so I expect to see "Uptown Funk" again (booo!), "Can't Feel My Face", and "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth. "See You Again" is written by using heart and soul, and it will be heartless for the committees to omit the song from the category. I almost forgot to include "Elastic Heart". Even though the video is controversial, but this is Sia, so the committees can really overlook the controversy. Expect to see "FourFiveSeconds" too, even if the songwriting style is quite absurd and vague.

Final 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)"

4. Best New Artist
It's the easiest category to predict to be honest. Meghan Trainor, who is ineligible last year, will be eligible this year so she will be a lock. Sam Hunt, a former college football player who just started his music career last year, will be a lock as well. The Weeknd, even though he's almost a veteran, but since Grammy committees are bunch of old people who are really out-of-date (just kidding!), Abel Tesfaye a.k.a. The Weeknd can also be nominated, just like when Ed Sheeran is just nominated for this category years after he's popular. Tori Kelly can also be nominated as well. I also can see Charlie Puth, Walk The Moon (the same case with The Weeknd), and also Fetty Wap. And probably FKA twigs. Lol. So random. But, Grammys surprised us with Esperanza Spalding before so FKA twigs is not out of this competition yet. And don't forget Years & Years who comes first in BBC sound of last year.

Final 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.