Category: Playlists

Great tunes to add to your own playlists

Categories
Playlists

Songs of Summer

Summer: it’s the time for hot weather and vacation. Unless of course, you’re living in a rainy town during a global pandemic, and have been under quarantine for months. But summer music is one of my favorite genres. These are the best summer songs and albums that take me right back to sitting on the beach and enjoying being under the sun. Hope you enjoy and have a fun, safe summer! 

channel ORANGE – Frank Ocean

This album is a really great one. It contains lots of upbeat songs that are great for a summer day, like Lost and Super Rich Kids. A summer playlist isn’t complete without Frank Ocean. 

PCH – Jaden 

Willow and Jaden’s vocals on this song make it so unique. The cool melody paired with their simple lyricism makes it a relaxing summer song that I can’t get enough of. 

Empty – Kevin Abstract
Listen to this song to get taken right back to your teenage summers. This song always gets me reminiscing about summers past. I absolutely recommend the song, once you hear it you’ll never forget it.  

STN MTN/Kauai – Childish Gambino 

This EP is extremely summer-y. It follows a narrative showcasing the “island life” of a vacation in Hawaii along with a narrative of Glover’s experiences in Stone Mountain, GA. I really recommend this whole EP, perfect for a summer on the beach. 

In The Flowers – Animal Collective 

This song borders more on the electronic, ethereal side but is beautiful. A great song for your visit to a field of flowers in the summer heat. 

King of the Beach – Wavves 

As the title suggests… this song will make you feel like the king of any beach you go to. I love any California pop-punk and this song is no exception. 

Birds Dont Sing – TV Girl 

This song and the album it appears on showcase the best of indie pop, and are perfectly upbeat but with contrastingly sorrowful lyrics. I love the samples used on the album and in this song particularly. 

You can find these songs and more at the playlist linked here. 

– Miranda

Categories
Playlists

Friday Favorites (7/10)

This week’s Friday Favorites include some of my favorite recent tracks by Black female musicians. Malcolm X said that “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman.” Modern discrimination against Black women is rampant, and so I want to highlight some powerful artists filled with talent despite the societal obstacles they’ve faced. 

Build (ft. Arin Ray) – Justine Skye

This song by Justine Skye reflects a tumultuous relationship. The disappointment and push and pull of an unhealthy couple. The music video for this song is very powerful as well; it helps raise awareness of domestic violence and encourages victims to seek help. 

Another Lifetime – Nao 

This alternative-R&B track by Nao reflects the emotions following the end of a relationship. The melody is pop-based but her lyrics and harmony used give the  track endless depth. 

Hello – Erykah Badu

Badu constantly pushes the envelope with her experimental tracks, veering in between R&B, pop, and rap. This lesser-known track has always been a favorite of mine. It has a beautiful melody and meaning. Give it a listen for sure. 

Sober – Mahalia 

Mahalia is an influential British R&B singer who has recently gained recognition in the modern R&B scene. This track is a love song with smooth vocals and a bit of jazz influence within it. It is a really pretty track. 

Black Truck – Mereba

This song is ethereal and light. Mereba is a multi-talented musician: she produces, writes, sings, raps, and plays guitar. This song portrays the story of her pursuit toward success in the music industry despite the barriers she faced.

As a reminder, you can find all of my Friday Favorites from this week and past weeks on WKNC’s Spotify page, found at this link. 

– Miranda

Categories
Playlists

New Music of June

 

Another month of good music releases is over, so it’s time to go back and reflect on some of my favorite tunes from June 2020. There will be a playlist with more songs linked below, but for now I’m going to highlight a few…

  • House by Baba Ali – I’ve talked about this track on the blog before, but given that it’s one of my favorites i’m going to talk about it again. This song highlights the feeling this singer has about how economic struggles can get in the way of a smooth and easy life, making a house not feel like the home it should. The message sticks by me every listen and it’s one I frequently come back to for its funky and unique sound. The track is genre-bending and blends elements of Pop, Funk, Dance and alternative/ indie. It’s one I came to for the sound and stuck by for its lasting impact.

  • Easy by Justin Starling – This song drew me in in the first few seconds and kept me hooked with its ear catching and confidence building chorus. The song is a hip-hop and rap mix that the artist uses to tell their story. The story starts with what it was like growing up for the artist and how they worked their way up to where they are now. The track is inspiring and so is the video that comes with it. The video was shot in Puerto Rico, and the artist got the opportunity after writing, recording and producing the track on his own. That’s definitely not an easy task, but just like he says ‘I know (he) make(s) it look easy’.

  • Sick of Feeling Useless by Neon Dreams – Need another track to boost your confidence and relate to? That’s what I love so much about this song. I’ve talked about it briefly in a post I made about the artist a little while ago, but the track definitely deserves some more recognition. The anthem-like chorus makes the song one that repeats in my mind long after a listen, and knowing just how much it took for the artist to get to this point makes it all the more powerful. ‘Scream out but nobody listens, try hard but it don’t make a difference’, but it makes all the difference to the listeners.

There are more at the link, including ‘Black Dog’ by Arlo Parks that I also recently made a post about. So if you’re looking for more new tunes, check it out here.

Until Next Time,

Let’s Stay Psyched about Music,

DJ Psyched

Categories
Playlists

Love and Breakups

There is so much musical content relating to emotion, specifically on the topics of falling in love and breaking up. Some of the best music is tied to emotions of love and heartbreak, and I created a playlist found at this link on Spotify with songs that cover these themes, to show the contrasting nature within the wide range of romantic feelings. I’m showcasing some of my favorites below with an explanation and a little more about the songs and artists. 

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 

This album holds some seriously powerful love and breakup songs. Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You is a beautiful cover of the classic song, which Hill gives an upbeat, hip-hop style spin to. This entire album really reflects the emotions of love. 

Burst Apart 

This album has two great tracks included on the playlist, but all perfectly balance the melancholic with the lyrically deep. Its songs are a little haunting but perfectly encompass the feeling of emptiness and loneliness after a breakup. 

Darwin Deez

I absolutely love the simplistic indie melodies of these songs and they definitely reflect the anger and sadness one can feel against a former partner or love interest. I really recommend Deep Sea Divers in particular. It paints a beautiful, somber picture in your head as you listen. 

We Are Born 

Sia’s greatest masterpieces come from this 2010 album. It drives through every emotion thinkable, applicable to breakups but also for releasing past trauma and pain. It is also my favorite pop album of all time, great for easy listening but also something more reflective. 

Devotion

Beach House created something beautiful with this album, combining a multitude of emotions. The two tracks I selected, Turtle Island and Some Things Last a Long Time are perfect for a breakup or getting over a loss in general. 

Be sure to check out the playlist, and let me know what you think! 

– Miranda

Categories
Playlists

Friday Favorites (6/26)

This week’s Friday Favorites segment will highlight some of my favorite songs by talented Black artists from the mid-1900s. Often these artists had to fight to break into mainstream music and were working against discrimination and racism. Despite their struggle, these artists all created amazing music. 

Grandma’s Hands – Bill Withers

Most of us know of the talent and impact of Bill Withers as a musician. He is an incredible songwriter, and this song in particular echoes familial love and gratitude. Its emotional lyrics pair with a cool R&B beat to create a memorable track. 

Mama Said – The Shirelles 

This is a really excellent song by this successful group which defined female vocal groups and helped influence the popular blend of pop and rock with R&B. This song is fun and upbeat with beautiful vocals and harmonies. 

You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles 

One of my favorite Black musicians is Smokey Robinson. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles created some of the most gorgeous music of the era, ranging from love songs to Christmas albums. The group is incredibly influential to R&B and this song is so beautiful. 

Ain’t Too Proud To Beg – The Temptations 

The Temptations were one of the most influential Motown acts of all time. Their vocals are extremely memorable and influential still today, and this song is a perfect example of why the group is remembered as one of the best of the 1960s. 

Please Mr. Postman – The Marvelettes 

This song is one of the best from The Marvelettes, a pop-influenced Motown girl group with gorgeous lead vocals and upbeat lyrics and song themes. This one is one of the most well-known by the group and has been covered by many artists since. 

As always, you can check out this week’s Favorites and all the songs from the past weeks on this playlist on WKNC’s Spotify. Hope you enjoyed! 

– Miranda 

Categories
Playlists

Friday Favorites 6/12

As the Black Lives Matter movement continues to rally support across the world, I have aimed to shift my content focus onto the movement. Thus, for this week’s installment of my Friday Favorites segment, I have chosen songs by black artists that reflect the spirit of the movement and remind us what we’re fighting for. 

Sandra’s Smile – Blood Orange 

A really powerful, haunting ode to victims of police violence, specifically in reference to Sandra Bland and Trayvon Martin, and their families. Blood Orange vocalist Dev Hynes reflected on being “inconsolable” after Bland’s death and the track reflects this. 

Alright – Kendrick Lamar 

This song is one of the most memorable from the iconic album To Pimp A Butterfly. Beyond the surface of the track as a catchy rap song is Lamar’s reflection on the treatment of black Americans including police brutality and identity conflicts caused by mistreatment. The hook to the song repeats “We gon’ be alright,” asserting that despite suffering, we will survive through solidarity. 

Mad (ft. Lil Wayne) – Solange 

Solange has created a breadth of music relating to the experiences of a black woman in America, especially highlighted in this track. It reflects the injustices of the system combined with the inability of non-black individuals to understand these issues and the frustration felt by the black community. 

Be Free – J. Cole 

This song addresses the continued discrimination of black Americans, beginning with slavery and continuing with mass incarceration, police brutality, and oppression. Cole includes a chilling testimony by Dorian Johnson, who witnessed his friend being shot multiple times by police. 

Freedom (ft. Kendrick Lamar) – Beyoncé 

Beyoncé’s Lemonade was focused around the struggles and emotions of the black woman. This song specifically focuses on liberation. Even within the current movement, the struggles of black women are largely underrepresented. Beyoncé calls us to action in rallying behind the Black Lives Matter and actively working against oppression and injustice. 

I hope you all were informed by this list. As usual, you can find all of my Friday Favorites at WKNC’s Spotify page, including this week’s new additions. 

– Miranda

Categories
Playlists

2k Indie Online

 

‘You’re on the WKNC blog, I’m DJ Psyched and this is 2k Indie Online’. I really miss doing that on air, anyhow, here’s some new indie music for this week:

  • Rain by J.P. Plains: This artist has a very unique sound that is difficult to describe. He blends themes of electronic music, maybe slight folk(?), and indie. The artists’ vocals have always been a big standout for me, it’s easy to tell J.P. Plains voice from any other. This track’s lyrics are a reflection of the artist contemplating why they exist and why life is as it is. It’s served as a perfect late night ‘laying in bed and staring at the sky’ track. It’s relaxing and has those perfect subtle sad boy hour vibes.

  • Dream Boy by Beach Bunny: This song is such a bop, the chorus is incredibly catchy and the pre-chorus is hard not to scream along with. I love the electric guitars in this track, and the drums are also pretty standout here. It’s a wonderful indie rock track and the whole album ‘Honeymoon’ is worth a listen. The vocals are smooth, and the power in the vocals during the pre-chorus and chorus really make this track one that sticks in my mind long after a listen. A power love-track demanding proper love, gotta love it.

  • Double Dare by Momma: Another wonderful female-vocal track. This track is also led by electric guitar and has a very Indie-rock sound. However, this song has more relaxed vocals and a much more chill sound overall. I find myself humming along to the ‘double dare double dare’ one liner. The outro to this track definitely took me by surprise, it’s an interesting contrast from the rest of the track. The guitars fade gradually into what sounds like carnival music, quickly taking me out of the music and making me feel like I’m in some kind of story book. I’m pretty excited for the full album, as this is one of three tracks that’s been released for the upcoming record coming June 6th.

‘Those were the top tracks of 2k Indie Online for the week, if you have any requests for next week please do let me know. Keep it locked because there’s sure more to come’

Until Next Time,

Let’s Stay Psyched about Music

DJ Psyched

Categories
Playlists

Friday Favorites (5/29)

This week in Friday Favorites I’m focusing on indie tracks that remind me of summertime, in lieu of it getting closer and closer to the summer solstice. Hope you all enjoy and definitely check out these tracks – they are some of my favorites that I’ve listened to for years. 

Among Dreams – Ariel Pink 

Ariel pink is an excellent musician, and this song from his album The Doldrums is really summery. The instrumentals remind me of some of the Grateful Dead songs I listened to growing up so overall the song has a nostalgic feel. Very much picnic/laying in the grass vibes, 10/10. 

Have Fun – Bleeding Knees Club 

This song is super energetic and is descriptive of a young love or teenage friendship. It describes growing older together and reflections of growth over the summer. I love it, it’s a great upbeat song for summer. 

Sweet Thing – Twin Peaks 

This song portrays to me a picture of lovers singing to each other in a field of flowers. I like how the vocals sound rough though the lyricism is playful and light; the guitar strumming also really adds to this. I love it a lot. 

Offer – together PANGEA

This song has a really catchy melody and has that almost-punk sound that so many indie Californian bands have; this band is pretty unique. This song is simple but good and is perfect for a summer drive. 

I Think it Is Beautiful That You Are 256 Colors Too – Black Moth Super Rainbow 

This is one of my favorite indie songs. It has really gorgeous instrumentals and compelling drum beats, and the lyrics are melancholy but intriguing. It’s very much an end-of-summer reflection type of song, which is why I adore it. 

As usual, you can find this week’s tracks as well as all of my Friday Favorites from past weeks at this link on WKNC’s Spotify. Check it out! 

– Miranda

Categories
Playlists

The Saw’s Summer Invasion

What’s going on Butcher Crew? It’s ya girl, your Master Butcher, The Saw and school is out so that means summer is in!! Summer brings some happy vibes for me and summer is a great time to listen to music with your car windows down and soaking up the sun!

This playlist will be something different. These are some of my favorite songs to listen to in the summertime! The majority of these songs will not be metal BUT that does not mean that they do not slap!! I like to listen to a wide variety of songs, and this is the playlist I use when hanging out with my friends by a bonfire during the summer. This playlist will give you a taste of the other sides of The Saw.

This playlist consists of rap, rock, and psychedelic music that always puts me in the summer mood. I hope this playlist provides you with some good times, good laughs, and fun during your summer break!

Summer Invasion Playlist (some of my favorite songs)

·      Rockstar – Dababy

·      Savage – Megan Thee Stallion

·      Juicy – Doja Cat

·      Special Affair – The Internet

·      Diamonds & Gold – Mac Miller

·      Versace – Migos

·      South Beach – Ty Dolla $ign

·      Distraction – Kehlani

·      I’m Different – 2 Chainz

·      Steamroller – Domo Genesis

·      Act Up – City Girls

·      My Type – Saweetie

·      Bootsy Bellows – Wiz Khalifa

·      Amphetamine – Smino

·      Nights Like This – Kehlani

·      Runnin’ Thru The 7th With My Woadies – $uicideBoy$

·      1800 – Snoop Dogg

·      Murder To The Mind – Tash Sultana

·      Overflow – Bootleg Rascal

·      Drive – Incubus

·      Savin’ Me – Nickelback

·      The Red – Chevelle

·      Babe I’m Gonna Leave You – Led Zepplin

Click here to open up the playlist in Spotify! 

What are some of your favorite summer songs?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Playlists

Música De Indie

 

Learning a new language can be hard and frustrating sometimes, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. I’ve found a hack to get the best of both worlds, not frustrating and rewarding: listening to music in the language. Music is a universal language and this method of learning is both enjoyable and effective. I’m learning spanish right now and I recently started listening to the language more for practice. At first I stuck to the music I knew and grew up on, but then I decided to checkout Indie music in spanish, since I love indie and spanish, and I absolutely love it. Música De Indie will serve the same purpose as 2k Indie, just with Spanish music. I’ll be giving you some of the new spanish indie of the week starting with:

  • Secuestro Al Corazón by Katzu Oso : Roughly translating to ‘A Kidnapping to the heart’. This track uses crime to describe what love feels like. The singer is conflicted as to whether their love is a mistake or not, but doesn’t want to admit it, they feel as if the love they feel is out of their control and they’re being held in this love unwillingly. The synths provide a very smooth and groovy vibe, and the mix of electronic noises, and other unique sounds used in the instrumentation, really make the music stand out in this one.

  • Epitafio by Caloncho : Epitafio translates to Epitaph, something similar to a eulogy. This song is about a man who wishes not to hurt those he loves when he passes. He wants them to know that he will move on to better things and leave the world happy. This song also instrumentally sounds as cute as its lyrics are. The soft vocals are accompanied by beautifully simplistic music full of acoustic guitar, some soft steady drums, and a slow but sweet electric guitar solo.

  • Todo tiene un precio by Niños Mutantes : This song has been incredibly helpful for practicing pronunciation. Being able to pull up the lyrics and sing along is really nice because I absolutely love this track and it’s repetitive enough not to be too difficult. The title translates to ‘Everything has a price’  and just as its title implies it’s a warning that everything comes with a price, and it’s not always money. The catchy and repetitive nature has made this my absolute favorite recently, and one I’d definitely recommend to anyone wanting to practice some singing in Spanish.

Vamos a emocionarnos con la música

DJ Psyched