Una Mattina by Ludivico Einaudi (From the Intouchables)

Today's track comes from a little french movie that came out about a month ago called the Intouchables. Now i am not one to spend my time listening to movie scores/soundtracks because i find it much more enjoyable when there are words involved, words that for me convey passion, pain, and joy. But there are times when you're watching a movie and the score completes the movie so well that you can't help but notice the music! Thats exactly what happened with this track; in the movie, they would always play this track during an especially intense emotional moment between the main characters such as when one of the main characters (who is paralyzed from the neck down) is waiting at a restaurant for the woman he is in love with and has been writing letters to for months. He's been afraid to call or see her because he's afraid she would be turned-off by his quadriplegia. Wait a minute, i want you to read that last sentence, listen to the track, read the last sentence again, and then read the last sentence again while listening to the track. I know that's alot but its such an incredible piece of music and it adds so much to the movie that i had to put it up here. Listen, Enjoy, and tell me what you think!


Score First Listen - 9/10 Re-Playability - 8/10

Domino by Jessie J

I have a treat for you my loyal readers! I am going to include not one but TWO videos with today's blog post so lets get into it. There are certain songs that exist for the sole purpose of making you want to stop what you're doing, throw off all responsibility, and dance forever and ever. That's exactly what Domino does to you. Listening to this song paints in your head the picture of dancing the night away with the one you love or a romantic interest. With this song, Jessie J has really perfected the melodic pseudo-Housemusic-ish sound that Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Pink are all going for nowadays. When i listen to it, i think of this little Mexican restaurant turned dance hall that some friends a i visited once. We were all cramped in this hot, stuffy, small room with about 30 other people while we all danced to Salsa music played live, and everyone was sweating and dancing and laughing and it was just great. This song makes me want to do that again with much intensity. Check out the video below and let me know what you think then read on for the second video!

Score: First Listen - 8/10 Re-Playability - 9/10

And now for the second video! Whenever i find a song that i really like, i always scour YouTube for covers of that song to see if there's anyone who's managed to cover that song well. Well Hellooo Dasha! when i first listened to Dasha's remake of Domino, i wasn't sure what to think, it was so different from the original in progression and instrumentals that i wasn't sure what to do with it, but let's be honest, that piano line is killer! and her vibe! she gives off this Samantha Smith-ish vibe mixed with a voice like Ingrid Michaelson! This cover is so different from the original, so uniquely Dasha, and so good that i had to put it up here. World, please say hello to Dasha!

Score First Listen: 8/10 Re-Playability - 7/10

Plain Gold Ring by Kimbra

wooo Kimbra! This is one seriously talented artist and Plain Gold Ring is her debut performance in my mind. The song starts off very sultry and attention getting. From the very beginning of the song, something tells you that this is not going to be your average song. Her vocals, the Melody, and the progression of the song just make you feel so.. Something! I have no words. My favorite part of this song is the last minute, when the drummer comes in heavy on the snare and she starts SCATTING! I'll repeat that; SHE STARTS SCATTING! who scats anymore outside of Esperanza Spalding?? This girl does! and so begins an intense play of drums, guitar, and vocals that end so abruptly, you almost forget it happened. But it did, and you just have to listen to it again and again and again.. Listen, Enjoy, and Tell me what you think in a comment below! Drummer's note: at the end, the drummer starts playing eighth notes on the kick and then transitions into this groove that's accented by quarter notes on the ride bell and i am just left speechless. that is musical bliss to a drummer and i am a little jealous i wasn't the one that wrote that groove! Score: First Listen - 6/10 Re-Playability - 8/10

The Fear by Ben Howard

One thing that i really love about our modern society is that we have developed a way to literally surround ourselves with music. its everywhere we go, which leads me to this song. I heard this song while watching a Vimeo video of some sharks feasting on a beached whale carcass and this song was playing in the background. Its one of those songs that sort of catches your attention and you're bobbing your head along to it before you know it. Another thing that i really love about this song is the little guitar riff that comes in around 1:08 in the song; its so melodic and stands out so well its like a little treat! this same riff goes on later in the song to build into an explosive chorus and its amazing! I'm really loving this track right now so Listen, Enjoy, and let me know what you think! P.s. - there is girl percussionist in the video and that is probably one of the hottest things on the planet (as a drummer). enjoy! Score: First Listen - 7/10 Re-Playability - 9/10

White Blank Page by Mumford and Sons

I have many friends who will swear by the lyricism of a song. for them, the higher the depth of lyrical content, the higher the pedigree of the song. I don't operate like that, i believe first and foremost that the instruments in the song must work together to first get and keep my attention, then i will listen to the lyrics. This view is most likely influenced by my Nigerian background (Nigerian music is very instrumental in nature, especially when it comes to drums.)This song by the popular folk (ish?) band Mumford and Sons is rare for me in that the Lyricism is gut-wrenching but the Instruments work so well together that the whole song is just straight goodness. Listen, enjoy, and tell me what you think! Score First Listen - 7/10 Re-Playability - 9/10

Skip The Charades by Cold War Kids

I don't remember where i first heard this song but i was hooked on first listen. This is one of those songs that i like to call 'Driven'; Driven by the intensely melodic guitar riff that kicks in as soon as the lead singer says "let's skip the charades.." Driven by the simple yet adequate drum groove with splash on four, and driven by the instruments that you have to really listen for to hear. This is my favorite type of song in that its so rich in Melodic instruments, its hard to get tired of it. I can honestly listen to this track for days. Listen, Enjoy, and comment with what you think! Scores: First Listen - 8/10 Hearts Re-Playability - 9/10 Hearts

Your Song by Ellie Goulding (Elton John cover)

Wow. This is one of those songs that really sneaks up on you. It starts off like your typical piano driven love ballad complete with cello in the background. But then something really interesting happens towards the end of the song; She starts doing this choral sound that sounds like 40 ellie Gouldings all singing along. she only does it once which leaves you wanting more! it really sneaks up on you and it feels great. I look forward to hearing more from her.



Scores:
First Listen - 7/10 Hearts
Re-Playability - 6/10 Hearts

Home by Foxes

I discovered this track while watching one of my favorite television shows (Gossip Girl) (I am not ashamed). This is one of those songs that take you to a sad place or makes you want to cry, the chorus of Home leaves you longing for something unbeknownst to you. The more and more i listen to this song, the more i realize its going to become a staple on my mp3 player. Listen, Enjoy, and tell me what you think. Scores: First Listen rating - 7/10 Hearts Re-playability - 8/10 Hearts