Módl is a 23 year-old producer, songwriter, and vocalist from Virginia who infused his future bass roots with the likes of Indie, R&B, and Hip Hop. Módl’s first EP, Other Worlds, was released in 2016 with the idea of energetic songs in mind.
Módl’s Other Worlds EP is, in fact, otherworldly. To me, this almost dance but also downtempo EP sounds similar to artists such as Illenium or ODESZA. All of Módl’s songs in Other Worlds consist of deep, future bass-esque bass and bubbly synths to contrast. The thing I love most about Módl’s songs are the vocal chops. The vocal chops are well done and add an extra element of rhythm.
Daydreams and Hate to Turn are instrumental tracks, while Before I Leave, Questions, and Fallen contain lyrics. Particularly, Before I Leave has the most different sound with the inclusion of an acoustic guitar mixed with the same synths and deep bass. Also, the entire EP has an atmospheric sound that makes you feel like the sound is all around you. After listening to the album, I had the sudden urge to create a travel video since the songs felt so atmospheric. It is a great EP to listen to in the car, especially Hate to Turn, that one is my personal favorite.
I recommend Other Worlds for fans of ODESZA, Illenium, or other future bass artists who are looking for a similar style but with a focus on vocal chops and a balance of deep bass and synths. I found this EP after I was exposed to another song by Módl named Coastline and I explored the rest of his discography.
My favorites: Can’t Cool Me Down, Martin, Deadlines (Thoughtful)
Listen if you like: Pixies, The Microphones, LCD Soundsystem
The album, Making A Door Less Open, is Car Seat Headrest’s newest musical project released May 1st. It is the first new music they have released in a few years, and has been long-awaited by indie fans. This new album is synth-heavy and widely experimental, to me it seems heavily influenced by 70’s electronic rock bands. Car Seat Headrest has definitely evolved from where it began, as a solo project of Will Toledo created in 2010. This album has pushed past the lo-fi alternative/indie sound of their past albums into a more electronic, developed sound. Making A Door Less Open is sonically appealing as it intricately meshes gravelly vocals and synth electronics into something truly distinctive.
I found no clear narrative or pattern throughout the album, though a lot of it focuses on future plans, fame, and commercialism. The songs generally seem scrambled throughout the tracklist without thought, though the chaos somehow fits all the expectations I had for the album. In the almost-punk electro melody of Hollywood, Toledo yells out “Hollywood makes me wanna puke.” On one of the more acoustic-styled tracks, Life Worth Missing, he sings out: “I’m coming up short in a life worth nothing.” It’s a clear rebellion against consumerism, money, and all the other problems infecting society; though every song has a slightly varied melody and style.
Though I don’t think this is the best album by Car Seat Headrest, I really appreciate the direction Will and the other members are taking to evolve their sound and try new things, especially because I heavily enjoy the synth/electronic sounds. I hope that this project leads to new and better albums in the future by CSH, and hope you enjoyed my review of the album.
Are you surprised that I am reviewing something that isn’t metal? Yeah, I am too! Gangster rap is my favorite sub-genre of rap because of the lyrics, the beats, and the overall attitude of the genre. In some ways, gangster rap reminds me of metal because of how intense the songs are and ferociously violent the lyrics of some of the songs. Sometimes when listening to gangster rap, you can imagine riffs from guitars instead of beats and this is when you can see the semblance between metal and gangster rap.
Gangster rap emphasizes the “gangsta,” “O.G.,” and “thug life” lifestyle. The genre evolved from hardcore rap and was pioneered in the mid 1980s by rappers such as Ice-t and later by rap group N.W.A. While this form of hip hop was primarily underground, it soon became the most commercially lucrative sub-genre of hip hop. Many gangster rap artists openly talk about their associations with various active street gangs as part of their image, with the Crips and Bloods being the most represented. There have been a lot of criticism against gangster rap claiming that it promotes gang violence, substance abuse, and other criminal activities. Others have come to the defense of gangster rap and have stated that this music tells a story of personal lives and brings awareness of what goes on during inner-city violence. In my opinion, both of these things, can be true. Gangster can, both, promote and lend awareness to violence.
Ice-T released “6 in the Mornin’” in 1986 and is often regarded as the first gangster rap song. Ice-T has been an MC since the early ‘80s but transitioned into gangster rap themes after he was influenced by Philadelphia rapper Schoolly D and his 1985 album, “Schoolly D.” Schoolly D not only influenced Ice-T, but also Eazy-E and N.W.A., as well as the Beastie Boys.
This first blockbuster gangster rap album was N.W.A.’s “Straight Outta Compton,” which was released in 1988. This album established West Coast hip hop as a vital genre and established Los Angeles as a legitimate rival to hip hop’s long-time capital, New York City. In the early 1990s, former N.W.A. member Ice Cube would further influence gangster rap with his hardcore, socio-political solo albums.
Run DMC is often credited for popularizing hardcore and confrontational attitudes and lyrics in hip hop culture; but in my opinion, Run DMC is not even close to being brutal like gangster rap. They do talk about partying and objectifying women, but nowhere near the subject matter, language, and the tempo of gangster rap. In some of Public Enemy’s tracks you can hear some of the early gangster material that influenced the sound that became popular. Rappers like LL Cool J also influenced the overall lyrical format that gangster rap would later use. This type of lyrical content reminds me of hardcore music that you hear today in the metal scene.
In 1992, former N.W.A. member Dr. Dre released “The Chronic,” a massive seller which showed that explicit gangster rap could hold mass commercial appeal just like pop-oriented rappers. This album established the dominance of West Coast gangster rap and began to create the sub-genre of G-funk – a slow, drawled form of hip hop. Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” is one of my favorite all-time records because of the beats, lyrical content, and the grooves of the songs. This type of rap reminds me of groovy death metal in a way, both are easy to dance to. Death Row Records rappers Snoop Dogg and 2pac helped spread the popularity of gangster rap and G-funk. Other popular and influential G-funk rappers, Warren G and Nate Dogg also helped popularize this sub-genre of music into mainstream media.
The feud between East Coast/West Coast gangster rap hit mainstream media in the late ‘90s. Rappers from New York City such as Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., and Lil’ Kim, etc. pioneered a grittier sound known as East Coast hardcore hip hop in order to take back dominance from the West Coast. It has widely been speculated that the “East Coast/West Coast” battle between Death Row Records (West Coast) and Bad Boy Records (East Coast) resulted in the deaths of Death Row Records’ 2pac and Bad Boy Records’ The Notorious B.I.G. The feud is also credited for the downfall of the Gangster Rap genre. Add to this that, most of these artists are millionaires and can no longer relate to the streets that raised them. However, you can still find many people (including tons of metalheads) who still love Gansta’!
Here are some of my favorite gangster rap albums/songs!
Dr. Dre – The Chronic (album)
Favorite songs: F*** wit Dre Day & Nuthin’ but a G thang
Snoop Dogg – Doggystyle (album)
Favorite songs: Gin N juice, Who Am I (What’s My Name)?, Murder Was The Case
The current situation revolving around the Coronavirus global pandemic has led to many societal changes including operational changes for school and work, recreation, and entertainment. This has, of course, translated into the world of music as well. With most states including North Carolina still under stay-at-home orders, musical experiences like concerts are obviously no longer possible. Many artists have used this time to find creative solutions to reach their fans, and music lovers across the world have found ways to continue sharing and enjoying music together, even while under self-quarantine.
Concerts and Livestreams
So many musicians and groups have hosted concerts through broadcasts. This time of uncertainty has bred so much creativity and expression, like the unlikely combination which led to Travis Scott’s Fortnite concert. Groups like 88Rising have hosted global livestreams with performers sharing a concert experience from their homes or studios. This is such a good way to bond with others. My friends and I hosted a Zoom viewing of the 88Rising livestream and watched it together. The best part of these online experiences is that they can not only be shared with friends, they are also free! There is so much more accessibility – anyone with internet access can join these online livestreams and see musicians they love performing. Definitely check your favorite artists’ pages for updates, as I have seen a lot attempting to reach their supporters in this way.
Listening Parties
Listening parties are a great way for fans to connect based on their shared love of an artist, or for friends to come together and talk about new releases or old favorites. Music is something that allows us to beautifully connect together even from across the world. I have attended a few listening parties since quarantine, and it’s amazing to share the experience of a first-time listen or discuss an old classic with strangers or friends. For example, I joined a listening party for Lorde’s album Melodrama with members of a music-related Facebook group I’m a part of. We were all able to join a Discord server and share an experience, reliving the album and having an emotional rollercoaster in the presence of others. I have also listened to a few new releases with groups of my friends using Zoom or FaceTime. I highly recommend seeking these types of opportunities if possible, and organizing them if you can. It is such a unique way to get connected to the people around you especially because we all need a little extra connection during quarantine.
And More…
There are other ways of having shared musical experiences. You can check out my blog post about Spotify’s new Listening Together feature, which is a great way to find new music curated by musicians you like. A lot of artists have released singles or small projects on their platforms in response to being stuck at home. I’m also curious to hear about any other ways you all are staying connected musically, so feel free to comment!
I am a big fan of music created by and for women, and I find that female rappers best embody the strength and lived experience that women share and can relate to. I decided to compile a (condensed) list of my favorites, and a little about their individual contributions to music.
Ms. Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill is honestly one of my very favorite artists in general, and her pure talent as a rapper emphasizes the breadth of her musical abilities, among all of them. Hill has had such an impactful career. She was extremely successful as a member of The Fugees, and her solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is one of the most empowering and influential albums of all time. She is skilled in rap and is one of the few artists able to casually blend it in and out of her songs seamlessly. Lauryn Hill has influenced an entire generation of young artists and will continue to do so as her legacy continues.
Young M.A.
Young M.A. is possibly one of the hardest female rappers alive. She has a voice and flow rivaling any famed rapper and has gained prominence based on her amazing performances, including performing alongside 21 Savage and opening for Beyonce’s tour. Young M.A. is an inspiration as an artist: she has used her platform to share about her background openly and has done so seemingly effortlessly.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat started creating really unique raps unlike any other artists at the time in 2014 with her Purrr! EP, and I have been a big fan since. Although Doja Cat is mostly now known for her hit songs that have taken over TikTok, she truly has raw musical talent and is able to rap with incredible speed and clarity, even live. She is an impressive musician and a strong figure especially for young women, as she advocates for self-acceptance and empowerment. I can see her influencing the world of pop-rap in the future, more than she already has.
Megan Thee Stallion
Not only has Megan Thee Stallion basically taken over the rap scene, she is truly an icon and inspiration. As a liberated woman with empowering, sexy lyricism and effortless flow; she is also balancing being a student in college. Megan has impacted rap artists and has introduced features by other prominent artists. I really look forward to her growth as an artist, and definitely think she is one of the most improved artists this year.
Honorable Mentions
I definitely can’t list all of the most influential or best female rappers in one short list, and I want to keep this post short and sweet. I also really adore the following women and think they are incredible artists, all worth checking out: Flo Milli, Kari Faux, City Girls, Saweetie, Tierra Whack, and Kash Doll.
Hope you guys enjoyed, let me know what you think!
I might be a bit biased when I say that April is the best month of the year, since it’s the month in which I was born, but I also have another reason to appreciate this April. I’ve already made two other blog posts about my favorite songs and music videos from the month, but now that the month is officially over I have even more exciting music news to share.
It’s truly has been a crazy good month for new music, at least in my taste/ from some of my favorite artists, but I’m sure there’s plenty of good music and news I will miss in this, so make sure to let me know if I missed something you really loved or were excited for this month!
As far as artists, like I said a lot of my favorites released new material this month, including but not limited to: Twenty One Pilots, Hayley Williams, Rina Sawayama, Declan McKenna, and The Front Bottoms. I name these artists because I already covered their new material in my previous blog posts so I won’t go into any more detail here, but I am still super excited about these releases and think they’ve held up really well over the month.
As far as music I haven’t talked about yet, there’s new material from: Smallpools, Mindchatter, Gorillaz, J.P. Plains, Still Woozy, Bad Suns, Arson Daily, youngbuk, Beachtape, and chloe moriondo. There’s even more than that, but I won’t be able to cover them all in this one post without making it ridiculously long, so instead I put them all in a playlist which is linked below.
Local Band Arson Daily released their first full length LP on April 3rd titled Late Reflections. Pipe Dream is my favorite track at the moment, but the whole album is impressive and worth a listen. Their rock and indie infused sound is unique and soothing. Refreshing and original, this one of my favorite plays of the month. The band has done a few live stream concerts for the record already, so if you’re interested you should check them out online, they seem to be staying very active during this time.
‘Window’ by Still Woozy is a soothing pop track with an R&B vibe. It also fits in perfectly with a lot of the indie music on my playlist, since the artist’s sound is a very unique blend of genres, which has made it really stick with me through this month. This artist definitely stands out with his unique choice of instrumentation and hypnotizingly soothing vocals. Making this track short, sweet and kept on repeat.
Last, but as I said before not really the last, is Smallpools. They released the track ‘Play Pretend’ earlier in the month, and the track ‘slowdown’ about a week ago. The first song was used for ‘The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show’, a netflix original. The song is incredibly upbeat, fun, and with it’s catchy chorus and playful guitar riff, it definitely screams Smallpools. I find the chorus gets stuck in my head pretty fast and makes me want to dance. It contrasts nicely with the track ‘slowdown’, a lighter sounding track, though not completely mellow. It has a soothing midline beat that picks up in the chorus. The track was made as a collaboration with morgxn, and considering the netflix partnership they also had this month, it all makes me wonder what the band has in store for us next.
Those were just some of my favorite Music Moments from April. Like I said the month was overwhelmingly full of great new releases and news. You can check out more of my recommendations from the playlist below.
As always I have a question for you, what have been some of your favorite tracks and music news from this year?
Recommended if you like: Angel Olsen, Fiona Apple, Mitski
Lila Blue is not your average hippy dippy folk singer. Leave Me Be is by far the darkest, eeriest, most macabre folk album that I’ve ever heard. Music is Lila Blue’s entire life, and she has even traded her childhood for this, writing music since the age of 8. Now, at the young age of 20, she has released her third album, containing a power and intensity that would have made you think it was written by someone much older.
Blue’s voice changes styles astonishingly quickly, multiple times within the same song. In the first track, Grown Bones, Blue sings the line “hurricanes and lukewarm soup” with a sweet and beautiful intonation, but the way she growls the lyrics two lines down, “mama pushed you down the river in her favorite basket” sounds downright insidious. Adding to the frightening mood of this album are the suspenseful, discordant strings and deep, booming, rhythmic drums. This music makes me think of acres of burning cornfields and demonic symbols written in blood on the walls.
In this album, I feel the sweetness of youth and the pains that come with growing up and having to take on different roles in life. I especially felt this in the 5th track, Somber Silence, in which you’ll hear Lila Blue helplessly wailing “I can’t stop and I can’t go, I can’t go on, I can’t go on…” over and over again in the chorus. I appreciate that this song ends on a strong note: in the last chorus, the lyrics are changed to “I will go on”. The 8th track, Indigo, is about the apprehensions of growing old with someone, and then falling out of love and losing touch with your children, and forgetting what it was like to be young.
This album will bring out your deepest anger and fear.
Hypocrisy is just one of those bands that never get old; you never get tired of hearing any songs from the nearly 30-year catalog. Hailing from Ludvika, Sweeden, Hypocrisy formed in 1991 and is an important figure in the awesome metal (death and black) that has been pouring out of the Old Norse countries. They have spent their entire career on Nuclear Blast Records (which is saying a lot) – 12 studio albums, 4 EPs, one compilation album, and 2 live albums.
For the first two records (Penetralia in 1992 and Osculum Oscenum in 1993) Magnus Broberg handled writing lyrics and spewing gutturals and growls. These two records were simply and purely death metal. Broberg left in 93’ because of a ruptured eardrum, and later took part in forming Dark Funeral. Thus, in 93’ Peter Tagtgren (guitars) took over both the lyrical content and the vocal duties. At this point, Hypocrisy shifted toward melodic Death Metal and hit their stride.
With Tagtgren at the helm, the band’s discography is impressive: The Fourth Demension (1994) – featuring the first Death Metal ballad I have ever heard! Abducted (1996), The Final Chapter (1997), Hypocrisy (1999), Into the Abyss (2000), Catch 22 (2002), The Arrival (2004), Virus (2005), A Taste of Extreme Divinity (2009) and, End of Disclosure (2013).
Presently, Hypocrisy is Tagtgren (guitar, vocals), Mikael Hedlund (bass), Reidar “Horgh” Horghagen (drums) and live guitarist Tomas Elofsson. Tagtgren is also a producer, as owner of The Abyss studios, where he has worked with the likes of Sabaton, Dimmu Borgir, Immortal, Amon Amarth, Skyfire, Children of Bodom, Amorphis, and Celtic Frost, etc.
Favorite songs spanning the hypocrisy catalog: The Fourth Dimension, Valley of the Damned, Adjusting the Sun, Eraser, Let the Knife Do the Talking, Weed Out the Weak, Roswell 47, End of Disclosure, 44 Double Zero, Hell is Where I Stay, When Death Calls.
Though I am not an avid TV person, I can really get into shows that have great soundtracks. I’ll share some of my favorites below.
Atlanta
If you weren’t aware, the show Atlanta is created by and starring Donald Glover, aka popular musician Childish Gambino. The show mainly features songs by hit hip-hop artists, but also contains a lot of lesser-known gems, and there is a blend of genres within the tracklist. I especially love the songs they chose for the soundtrack by The Pharcyde, King Krule, and Death Grips. Really an interesting mix!
Insecure
I’ll be honest, I have actually not seen this show. Spotify recommended the playlist and it is basically all I listen to besides new releases. It includes artists I love like Blood Orange, Sampha, The Internet, and so many more. Again, a lot of it is top-200 music, but there are definitely some hidden gems.
Euphoria
This show by far has the best soundtrack. Watching it and listening to the playlist for it has introduced me to SO much new music, by artists I had never before heard of. It’s actually how I got first introduced to the icon, Megan Thee Stallion. The music on the show is really varied and enjoyable to listen to.
Twin Peaks
The epitome of weird, ambient soundtracks comes from Twin Peaks. I adore the show itself and like to listen to its soundtrack while working or studying. Listening to it always takes me right back to the mysteries of the show.
The Stand
Stephen King’s The Stand has a place in my heart because it’s one of the only King adaptations I feel is genuine to the story. The soundtrack to this show has a mix of music including truly beautiful piano melodies, bluegrass-style songs, and of course the iconic (Don’t Fear) The Reaper. All emotional and inspiring, and a perfect fit for the show.
Happy finals season everyone! I totally believe in you all, but, as I suspect most people feel, I just can’t wait for this time to be over. I’ve tried countless methods in an attempt to make this time better: study breaks at the bistro, going to those end of year events, and procrastinating with people who are also procrastinating so I feel less bad about it… Anyhow, I know finals are a bit different this year, but there is one tradition I have that I’ve been able to continue. I’s pretty reliable and always makes me feel good so I figured I’d share: hype music.
We all have those songs that make us feel like total hype beasts, so I made a short, but sweet, playlist of my favorite hype songs. I always listen to at least two or three of them before I go into an exam. I believe we’re self-fulfilling prophecies, so I think if we go into an exam feeling confident and strong we’re setting ourselves up for success.
I’m going to share my hype tracks with you, but I’m curious, what are your hype songs? What would you listen to to get yourself in the ‘I’m totally going to pass this thing’ mood?
Freaking Out by The Wrecks – Don’t let the title fool you, this track is definitely more uplifting to me then nerve wrecking. It makes me feel way better when I am freaking out, like the chorus says ‘I’m freaking out, but I feel fineeeee’.
What You’re Made Of by Arrested Youth – ‘Show me what you’re made of’ being shouted at me before an exam always makes me feel oddly empowered, makes me want to point out that mama ain’t raise no… coward. If you think that would work for you too, I highly recommend this track.
Ballin by Logic – This song is where this tradition came from. One year during finals the track came on and I just felt my mood go up about 100% and well after that, for like two weeks straight, it was all I listened too. Favorite line ‘I made a promise to my mama Ima turn these zeros into tens and commas’. If you can’t tell I’m very motivated to make my mother proud.
Baby You Got This by Cecil Frena – My absolute favorite hype song right now. The title says it all really, it’s a big part of the chorus, and hearing Cecil yell it at me, sounding like my hype man in the corner, really lifts my mood up every time.
Nothing Personal by Night Riots – This one’s kind of aggressive, but sometimes I find getting a little angry and arrogant before an exam is nice, it really forces all the nervous energy away. How can someone be nervous while also claiming their the best thing? It’s not energy I carry all the time, but we must do what we need to get through these exams.
You’re The Best by Joe ‘Bean’ Espositio – This track doesn’t need an introduction, if you’ve ever seen a Rocky movie you know that this is like the most hype song of all time, and a total must for any hype playlist (in my opinion of course).
I call this playlist ‘Exam time bb (Let’s get this A). Do you have a hype song playlist? If so, what’s it called and what’s on it? If not you should definitely give it a try and let me know!
