I decided to change things up a bit this year for Halloween. Instead of the usual suspects: Michael Jackson's Thriller, Ghostbusters, Monster Mash, etc., I thought I'd change it up with some good old fashioned rock and roll from those badass rockers from Down Under. Here's AC/DC and Highway to Hell...
Hello and welcome once again to New Music Fridays, where I share some of the best new music of the current week. We've got several notable tracks to cover this week, so let's get started...
Wolves - Selena Gomez, with Marshmello
Our first song this week comes from Selena Gomez, in collaboration with DJ Marshmello. The track has got a melancholic feel to it, with themes of lost love, though the chorus is musically uplifting. Billboard reports that Gomez' fans might have been expecting this sort of tune after the star revealed that she is battling the disease lupus, which means wolf in Spanish. Check out Wolves...
Heat - Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson has still got it! Her latest release from her freshly minted Meaning of Life album is an energizing blast of soul. Check out the official audio of Heat...
When I Was Young - MO
Okay, so here's one that I had a hard time finding out much about, but it is hella good and hella catchy. It's got a nice, vintage Euro feel to it, though several Internet searches turned up that the tune originates in India. Who knows? I still love it! Check out When I Was Young...
Never Let You Go - Kygo, with John Newman
You might remember British singer John Newman from his 2015 hit Good Things. Well now the soulful crooner lends his powerful pipes to Kygo's newest gem, Check out Never Let You Go...
Shivers - Rachel Platten
Singer Rachel Platten has got a real winner here with this neo-discoish Shivers. The track is immediately likable and will bring you back to the dance floor again and again. Love this one! Check out Shivers...
Por Favor - Pitbull, with Fifth Harmony
There was a time when it seemed as if Pitbull had been putting out hits constantly, but really I haven't heard anything from him in awhile, until now. This week the Miami-based rapper debuted a rhythmic Spanish-English jam with the ladies of Fifth Harmony. Check it out right here...
One More Light (Chester Forever Remix) - Linkin Park, Steve Aoki
I never would have imagined myself even mentioning rockers Linkin Park on this blog, but this hot remix of a beautiful ballad is absolutely the bomb. Shout out to deejay Steve Aoki for paying homage to fallen member Chester Bennington! Check out One More Light...
Well, I think I've given you all new music lovers something to whet your appetite from this week's crop of new music. Stay tuned for more New Music Fridays next week and in the meantime, check out some honoable mentions...
I Miss You - Clean Bandit, featuring Julia Michaels
Just in case any of you were wondering where was yesterday's Song of the Day, well, I was away. I spent the better part of the weekend in Straudsburg, Pennsylvania and yesterday we went chasing waterfalls...
Whatever happened to Florence + The Machine? Inquiring minds want to know! Here's one of theirs that always gets me going. Check out Dog Days Are Over and then go on and have a great Friday...
After what seemed like along hiatus, Nick Jonas has been trickling out new songs these past couple of months. Here's the second, and the most radio-friendly, of three new songs by Nick, which I included on September 15th's New Music Fridays. The chill vibes of Find You is said to be Robin Schulz-inspired, with the coupling of acoustic guitar and electronic beats. Maybe that's why I like it so much! Check out Find You...
Here's a funky song for your Hump Day, one that I keep coming back to in my listening time. Oh, I so wanna do a video for this one! It's the alternative hip hop artist Lizzo and the humorous and inspirational, love yourself no matter what jam, Water Me...
I'm still not sure exactly what to make of the band Portugal. The Man. My very first experience with the Portland, Oregon-based alternative band was their very funkdified jam, Feel It Still, though they've been around since 2004. Ever since hearing that one, I've kept a keen eye on them, hoping for more of the same. I've seen a couple of new releases from their current album, Woodstock, but nothing's excited me. That is, until now. The familiarity of this cover is immediately felt, and the bands newest, an homage to Oasis, is a wonderful addition to their catalog. I think I'll keep on watching and listening. In the meantime, check out an acoustic studio version of Oasis' Don't Look Back In Anger...
Being a part time music blogger, it's not always easy keeping up on dates. It was 25 years ago last Friday, October 20th, that Madonna's very controversial Erotica was released. With the coincidental release of the infamous Sex coffee table book, and following the sexually charged Justify My Love song and video, the backlash against Madonna was fierce. This was too bad, however, because musically she was at the top of her game. Erotica, the album, is surely up there in my top favorite Madonna albums of all time, and Erotica, the song, has grown on me with the years. Oh, that bass! Here's Erotica...
Now that I've had a week or so to digest P!nk's new album, beautiful Trauma. it's time to make an assessment. The album contains 13 tracks, the same as The Truth About Love, though that album had several incarnations which contained a few more. So my first thought after listening to the album left me wanting more. I came across a tweet from Idolator that summed up the record better than I could...
That assessment is spot on. P!nk does things on this album that she's never done before and on several tunes, she showcases her talented voice more than ever before. Possible pop hits are limited here, and there are even a couple of songs I'm already sipping, but it is P!nk, and so of course there is some meat here to sink your teeth into. So without further adieu, here's my take on the songs of beautiful Trauma...
beautiful Trauma
The second song released in advance of the record is not one that immediately sticks in your head. The tune begins like a ballad, but by the time she gets to the chorus, P!nk has you singing along to the uplifting chorus and the tune grows on you in no time. One of my favorites off the record. Check out an inspiring performance of the song on SNL...
Revenge, with Eminem
The last time Eminem appeared on a P!nk song was Here Comes the Weekend from The Truth About Love, and I absolutely did not like it. Out of all the songs on that abum, this was the one I listened to the least, for sure. Not so much this time around. Revenge has the feel of an old school groove, and our mistress lays out a catchy rap and once Em drops in, it feels like a true duet. To my glee, I've already heard this fun one on the radio and it made me smile! Check out Revenge on YouTube.
Whatever You Want
Whatever You Want was the third and final release in advance of the record and this one's classic P!nk. This acoustic gem is just that, a gem! The track is very catchy and very radio friendly and could land a hit for Ms. P!nk. Check out Whatever You Want...
What About Us
The first song released from beautiful Trauma is also the best it has to offer. With a poignant political message, a powerfully produced video, and of course P!nk's unique style of creating appealing music, this one inspired me to write a post just to say how much I appreciate her and her music. This one got me and I am sure many people excited for the new album. Check out What About Us....
But We Lost It
They say everything is temporary Who the hell are they anyways I wanna know where does love go to die Is it some sad empty castle in the sky? Did we just shoot too high and spoil like wine?
You walked by and it's like our bodies never touch No love, you hold me close, but I don't fell much I cry, maybe time isn't on our side We had a thing but we lost it One more go, I kinda thought if we took it slow It might be easier for us, yeah for us to know I know we never been quite here before I wish I knew it when we lost it
On The Truth About Love, P!nk proved she can do a power ballad as good as anybody, and But We Lost It is one killer heartbreak song. For anyone who's ever lost it with a special someone, this one will surely hit home. Beautifully sad!
Barbies
Okay, so here's the first song that I did not connect with. Maybe it's because I never played Barbies in my room...check that, it is the reason. I just don't connect with it lyrically. This one's another down-tempo tune, and it's got its nice melodies, but that's where it ends for me.
Where We Go
The melody in this one reminds me of something else I've heard before, though I can't quite pin it down. Somewhere in the alternative 90's perhaps, and mixed with a little bit of today's chill. This one is easy breezy and very likable, with nice, rhythmic verses and an uplifting chorus. Check out the audio for Where We Go on YouTube.
For Now
Here's another, this time more rockish, power ballad that's beautifully written and powerfully performed. This one's got that concert, hands in the air feel to it, and it really shows off P!nk's powerful pipes in a way we haven't seen much of before. It's not my favorite, but like the folks at Idolator said, it's got lots of heart.
Secret
Now here's a fresh sound for P!nk, and I am loving it. More mid-tempo and pretty hypnotic, this one reminds me of something Madonna might have done back in the day, and no, not because of the name of the song. Secret is definitely an early favorite of the album. Check it out on YouTube.
Better Life
Here's another tune that brings a little bit of freshness into P!nk's sound. Hearkening back to her R&B days, though a lot less brash than then, this one's got a really nice groove to it. I can definitely hear Better Life more on R&B radio than in pop, and I think it'd make a great single. Take a listen on YouTube.
I Am Here
This one gives me goosebumps! I Am Here is yet another new sound for P!nk, and this time it's a downright gospel feel, complete with a backing choir and foot stomping inspiration, and the vocals are simply spectacular! There are a lot of dead links out there for this one, unfortunately, so you're going to have to get beautiful Trauma to check it out.
Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken
I once penned an article for Yahoo entitled, Songs That Make You Want to Jump Off a Bridge. Well, this song isn't quite that, but let's just say I'll be skipping this one a lot. It's just not my type of song, though the vocals are really...wow! Probably the best they've ever been!
You Get My Love
If you didn't know that this was P!nk singing, you might think it was a Diane Warren song or maybe even Barbra Streisand. Again, it's not my type of tune...it's very torch song, but that being said, I don't think anyone's ever heard this type of vocal range from her ever.
So there you have it, the songs of beautiful Trauma. The new album is not nearly as exciting as P!nk's former collection. She's clearly pushing her own boundaries with many of the songs and sounds on the record, and her range is surely expanding. As was mentioned in the tweet by Idolator, there are not a lot of potential singles here, but it's all quality, lyrically, vocally and musically, and though fans of P!nk's who were looking forward to another Truth About Love may be disappointed, but then again, maybe they'll learn to love some new musical styles from their favorite artist.
British group The Vamps have released a new tune with singer Maggie Lindemann and it is pure pop sunshine. I included the tune on October 13th's New Music Fridays and just this past Friday the band released a video for the song. Check out Personal...
Hello and welcome once again to John's Music World's New Music Fridays. There's lots of great new music to check out this week, so let's get right down to business...
Gorgeous - Taylor Swift
Okay, so Taylor Swift has been trickling out new songs in anticipation of her newest album, Reputation, and this, the third such track is a light-hearted, catchy pop tune that's sure to keep her fans happy until the album's November 10th release. Check out Gorgeous...
Kids in Love - Kygo & The Night Game
Norwegian deejay/producer Kygo's newest record is already being compared to U2, Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire, and I'm going to add a little of The Who's Baba O'Riley into the mix. This one is a nice power ballad with a lot of energy and well worth a listen. Check out the hella cool Kids In Love...
Bedroom Floor - Liam Payne
The One Direction solo projects come out strong this week with a new album by Niall Horan and this new single by Liam Payne. Bedroom Floor is the closest thing to a One Direction song that I've heard so far, only with more of an adult theme. That being said, the tune is catchy and sure to be favorited by many fans of the One Direction phenomenon. Check out Bedroom Floor...
Anywhere - Rita Ora
Rita Ora is a name you're sure to be hearing more of as time goes on. I first discovered her on the wonderfully melodic Your Song and then again on Avicii's Lonely Together. Ora released a preview, Anywhere, from her debut album yesterday, accompanied by a fun video set in New York City. The song is nice, catchy and very easy on the ears. Check out Anywhere...
Seeing Blind - Niall Horan, with Maren Morris
Horan's recently released debut solo album, Flicker, also comes with an accompanying single. The beautiful ballad is a duet with country singer Maren Morris and you can check out the sweet Seeing Blind on iTunes or Spotify.
Back in Your Head - Tegan and Sara, Ryan Adams
From a new tribute album of the tenth anniversary of Tegan and Sara's monumental Cons album comes a hard rocking Ryan Adams cover that's too good to be missed. Check out Back In Your Head...
Good Advice - Fever High, Jeff Goldblum
My pick for funkiest tune of the week comes from a Brooklyn-based duo who call themselves Fever High. These gals have come up with a retro-sounding electro-pop single that'll be sure to have you bopping your head to the beat. Their voices blend perfectly together as they work their way through this jam, and actor Jeff Goldblum delivers a strange, but kinda cool monologue somewhere in there. Check out Good Advice on Soundcloud.
Though these new music tracks did not make my top choices for the week, please take note of these very worthy honorable mentions...
Big Jet Plane was originally a song by Australian singer/songwriter Angus Stone, and it was released way back in 2010. At the time it was a huge smash in Australia and remixes of the melancholy tune brought it to newer audiences across Europe in the immediate years thereafter. The Aussie classic has been remixed once again by the duo of Alok and Mathieu Kloss and I am loving it's chill and dancey vibes. Check out Big Jet Plane...
I watched a really funny video the other day. The video was posted by Madonnarama on Facebook and it was titled Kids React to Madonna, and is hysterical if you can imagine. One of the videos these pre-teens were showed was the classic Music. So, here's Music...
Maroon 5 have teamed up with R&B singer SZA for a brand new, funky groove that I am loving. It's a great tune to start your day off, so go ahead and check out What Lovers Do...
Here's Demi Lovato's latest from her new Tell Me You Love Me record and the sexy dirty jam is a perfect choice for any Hump Day. Check out Sexy Dirty Love...
Here's another song from that awesome week of New Music Fridays. It's by German upstart Kim Petras and the tune has got pop bubble gum written all over it. That being said, it kind of reminds me of Marina and the Diamonds. Check out the fun Hillside Boys...
I apologize for the late posting of this week's best new music, but my pc and I haven't had too much time together these past couple of days. Though I did manage to bookmark several new tunes, there are only three new tracks that I thought were noteworthy, so take a look and a listen...
Just Like You - Louis Tomlinson
Former One Directioner Louis Tomlinson is back with another single, this one a bit of a surprise, and it's a nice follow-up to his first solo single, Back to You. Just Like You is a sweet, mid-tempo ballad that's said to be influenced by Arctic Monkeys. Check it out...
Personal - The Vamps, feat. Maggie Lindemann
British pop rockers The Vamps are back with a brand new single featuring singer Maggie Lindenmann and it's got a really nice sound. I tell you, if you don't know this band then you should definitely check them out. They're slowly, but steadily building up a nice array of music in their catalog that's definitely got universal appeal. Unfortunately there's no video yet for the tune, nor audio track, so you should hop right on over to Spotify and check it out.
House Party - The Knocks & Captain Cuts
Okay, so other than the two previously mentioned tunes by more popular artists, here's one from a duo I haven't heard much from before. The Knocks have teamed up with production team Captain Cuts for this funky, jammy House Party. Oh, the funky beats! The head thumping vocals! Love this one...
Charlie Puth is one talented songwriter, but he's also a gifted singer. Here's his latest release from his forthcoming Voice Notes album, and it's a nice, up tempo pop tune that's sure to get a lot of airplay. Here's How Long...
Here's a song that's been growing on me more and more with each listen. It's the Justin Timberlake-influenced (literally!) trio, The Shadowboxers, with their funky, easy on the ears and on the dance floor jam, Hot Damn. Check it out...
Here's the latest from Emeli Sandé, a surprising dancey tune that I featured on New Music Fridays a few weeks back. The song is a departure from her usual, more mid-tempo stuff, but like with almost everything she does, it works! Check out Starlight...
It's here! The long-awaited P!nk album, her first since 2012's The Truth About Love, has finally been released and I can't wait to get at it. In the meantime, here's a brand new "dance video" of the title cut released just this morning. Stay tuned for more on beautiful Trauma...
Aw man, it's really tough choosing songs to whet some appetites for P!nk's new album beautiful Trauma, which is coming in less than a day now. I am so excited! In just six albums, her catalog runs really deep, with all sorts of genres, from acoustic to dance to the tenderest of songs. There are really enough genuinely good tracks to last me a month, but alas we'll just finish it up with this one and one more tomorrow before we check out the new stuff. Here's a raw, beautifully written and performed tune in which our heroine lays it bare for us. Check out the melancholic Please Don't Leave Me...
Continuing our celebration of the uber-talented P!nk this week in anticipation of the release of beautiful Trauma, here's one especially memorable performance of an especially beautifully written song. Here's Glitter in the Air...
P!nk's Who Knew is one of the most beautiful, most tender songs ever written, and you could definitely challenge me on that...but you'd lose. The song is about someone from her high school days that she lost, and as she says, it can be applied to anyone you've lost, which is what makes it so special. Check out the awesome, Who Knew...
Good morning and Happy Columbus Day! Well, we're one day closer to beautiful Trauma and we continue our special week of celebrating P!nk with the lead single off of her 2008 masterpiece, Funhouse. There's actually a sweet story behind this song that maybe some of you non-die-hard fans don't know. The Funhouse album was P!nk's breakup album. At the time of its creation, P!nk and husband Carey Hart were separated and most all of the songs on it were about their relationship, or lack thereof, and when she went to shoot the video, she asked Carey to be in it. That's when their love was rekindled and they've been together ever since. Sweet, right? Anyway, here's the fun, hard-driving, in-your-face So What...
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of New Music Fridays for October 6th, 2017. Once again, this has not been a major week for new music releases, but of course there's always something to catch onto. Check out this week's offerings...
How Long - Charlie Puth
Talented singer/songwriter Charlie Puth is not known for up tempo stuff, but his newest track, How Long, is a downright funky tune that I liked on first listen...a lot! The song is from his upcoming sophomore album, Voice Notes, and my interest is officially piqued. Who knows, I just may end up becoming a fan. Check out How Long...
Pray - Sam Smith
Grammy Award-winning Brit singer/songwriter Sam Smith continues his comeback with another beautifully written and performed ballad that shows off his angelic voice. Check out Smith performing Pray on SNL...
Help Me Out - Maroon 5, with Julia Michaels
Maroon 5 just released another single from their upcoming set, Red Pill Blues, and it's a pretty darned good song. Featuring Julia Michaels, the down tempo tune is a little bit ska and very likeable. Check out Help Me Out...
Whatever You Want - P!nk
This upcoming week is a big one for P!nk, and she just teased us with another tune from her new album, beautiful Trauma, the third such song from the new release. Of the three (including What About Us and the title cut), Whatever You Want is much more acoustic, a trademark type of song from the talented singer/songwriter. I'm not sure how memorable this ballad will be among the tracks on the new set. It's not as immediately catchy as the previous two, but still, I am sure it will grow on me. Check out Whatever You Want...
Right to It - Louis the Child, feat. Ashe
Our last entry this week is a summery tune with light-hearted vocals by guest vocalist Ashe and a nice, reggae-tinged back beat. A very nice jam. heck out Right to It...
Okay, so there you have it, five new, nice tunes to check out. I hope you've enjoyed this week's selections. Stay tuned for more new music on New Music Fridays, and of course, stay tuned to John's Music World for the Countdown to beautiful Trauma all week long.
It's almost time! In justfive more days before P!nk's beautiful Trauma hits our ears fully and I couldn't be more excited. The record is her first solo studio full length album in five years, the last one being, of course, the wonderful The Truth About Love. My friend Kyle said to me the other day that that one's going to be hard to top, and I agree, but she is P!nk, and judging so far from the three tracks she put out ahead of the album release, she'll be just fine.
Along with the release of Whatever You Want came the announcement of the beautiful Trauma World Tour, which begins March 1st in Phoenix, AZ and finishes up in LA exactly three months later. The tour will be making stops in the New York area in early to mid-April and I am so there!
So to celebrate, we'll be posting P!nk all week long, right up until Friday, when beautiful Trauma finally drops. We begin with the opening single to the album, a politically charged masterpiece that showed us all straight away that she's still got it. Check out What About Us and stayed tuned for more P!nk...
Today is the 20th Anniversary of Janet Jackson's monumental The Velvet Rope album and we're celebrating with the record's first single, Got Till It's Gone. I came across a interesting BuzzFeed article yesterday entitled, This Janet Jackson Album Made Beyoncé's Lemonade Possible. The piece speaks to the masterful work done by Janet on this set, both in its political statements and its musical content. From the funky horns of My Need and Go Deep to the sentimental, yet inspirational Together Again to the downright sexy Rope Burn and the tender remake of Rod Stewart's classic Tonight's the Night, this album still sounds as fresh as ever! Indeed, I found myself having already gone through the record twice since yesterday. Great stuff! So check out the article and this funky tune, masterfully reworking of Joni Mitchell's classic Big Yellow Taxi...
As we continue to mourn Tom Petty's death, here's one of his most well-known collaborations with another legend in the music world, Ms. Stevie Nicks. Their 1981 Stop Draggin' My Heart Around was penned by Petty and was one of several tunes they sang together, and by far the most popular. The video was the 25th played by MTV at its inception and is a classic to this day. Enjoy...
Here's a tune I featured on New Music Fridays a couple of weeks ago. Here's what I said then...
British and French actress and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg, whom I'd never heard of before today, has released a new tune from an upcoming album called Rest. The track is described by Spin's Anna Gaca as "dreamy [and] danceable," and I couldn't agree more with that assessment. The tune has a sort of strange, but funky bassline that's just immediately likable and the rest of it is, well, dreamy and danceable! Check out the "offbeat" video to Deadly Valentine...
Really, the bass and the overall ethereal sound of the track has still got me hooked. Check out Deadly Valentine...
Amid all of the shock, horror and sadness of yesterday's massacre in Las Vegas came some more sad and shocking news. Sometime in the afternoon, word got out that legendary singer/songwriter Tom Petty had suffered from a heart attack. Reports that the star had passed circulated, but were then taken back. Petty lingered throughout the day and finally succumbed at around 8:40 PST. The music world has lost a legend!
You'd have had to be living under a rock if you've been around since thee 80's and don't know any Tom Petty songs. I remember him with the Heartbreakers during the heyday of early MTV with such memorable tracks as Don't Come Around Here No More, Refugee, American Girl, and his classic duet with Stevie Nicks, Stop Draggin' My Heart Around. Here's one of my favorite Tom Petty songs, from his first solo album, Full Moon Fever. Enjoy Free Fallin'...
This picture is from Puerto Rico and I want to post it with today's song instead of the usual cover. I have several connections in my life to Puerto Rico: families of friends, former students, and yeah, even musicians whose music I've loved, like Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin Luis Fonsi, Ricky Martin, and of course, this guy. Marc Anthony is a talented singer and songwriter, and this beautiful, uplifting song is a perfect dedication to what we hope that all Puerto Ricans will end up doing soon...living their lives. Check out Vivir Mi Vida...
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of New Music Fridays. After what was a monumental week of great new music last week, this week's crop is somewhat less crowded, though not without some noteworthy stuff. Let's check it out...
Beautiful Trauma - P!nk
I am so excited for the new P!nk album that's coming in less than two weeks now. On Friday the ultra-talented singer-songwriter released the title track to the album, Beautiful Trauma. My first impression is that it's not as catchy and immediately likable as What About Us, but I am 100% certain its going to sink in very soon. Check it out and see for yourself...
Oh Child - Robin Schulz
The latest from German deejay/producer Robin Schulz's newest and highly anticipated album, Uncovered, is typical of his style...chill and dancey and very pleasing to the ears. Check out Oh Child...
Famous - ROZES
You probably already know singer ROZES, whose real name is Elizabeth Mencel, from her vocals on The Chainsmoker's smash Roses and she recently sang on Galantis' Girls on Boys. Well now she's got her own song and it's pretty good. The vocals are crisp and the track itself is very catchy and dancey. Check it out...
Fight and F**k - Terror Jr.
The pop/dance project known as Terror Jr. has just released a new track that, despite the title, is pretty darn smooth, bass-y, and funky. Nice tune! Take a listen...
Well, as I told you, after a week of lots of great new music, this week's picks are a bit scarce, though as always there's always something new and noteworthy to discover. Enjoy the week!
It's a beautiful, crisp Sunday morning, this first day of October, and it's a great time to feel inspired. And there's not much better for that than Ms. Emeli Sandé and this goose bump-inducing song. Check out Breathing Underwater...
