Song of the Day - Promises - Calvin Harris, Sam Smith

Here's a hot new dance tune from Calvin Harris and Sam Smith that I previewed here just a couple of weeks ago.  The two have since released a video and we've got it right here.  Check out Promises...

New Music Fridays, August 20th, 2018

Well, this turned out to be a nice week for new music.  Of  course, the biggest news was the release of Ariana Grande's Sweetener, but none of the new songs on the album match the intensity of its' first three singles.  And so you won't find any of them in this week's spotlight, but you will see and hear new stuff from Janet Jackson, Calvin Harris with Sam Smith, and other great new tunes to whet your appetite.  So without further adieu, here we go...

Promises - Calvin Harris, Sam Smith

One of the most interesting new music tracks of the week comes from Calvin Harris, featuring the beautiful voice of Sam Smith on vocals.  Promises is Smith's first foray into dance music since guesting on Disclosure's 2013 Latch, and to me this one is way easier to get into.  I usually shy away from Smith, mostly because I'm not a huge fan of ballads, but this one is oh so good.  Check out Promises...

All I Am - Jess Glynne

I love the sound of Jess Glynne's voice and I almost always love the inspirational/fee-good vibe to her songs, and this new one's got both.  Check out All I Am...

How Does It Feel - M22

If you love a big dance song with strong female vocals, then this is a song for you.  British dance music duo has come up with a big one featuring the powerful vocals of one Miss Hayley May.  Great vibe on this one...check it out...

Made For Now - Janet Jackson, Daddy Yankee

Janet Jackson is back in a big way with a somewhat surprising and pleasing new single (possible album in the works??!!!).  This one's got the feel of a vintage Janet tune, happy and catchy, and the addition of Daddy Yankee into the fold will surely expand the listening base of this one.  The two debuted the tune on Jimmy Fallon the other night, but there is also a video.  Check out Made For Now...

Exit (The Wrong Way) - Marsheaux

Ooh, I love this one.  It's by Greek synth-pop duo Marsheaux and it's got the feel of an 80's synth-heavy club jam.  Love, love, love!  Check out Exit (The Wrong Way)...

Here are this week's honorable mentions...

Happier - Marshmello, Bastille

Real Friends - Camila Cabello, Swae Lee

Goodbyes - The Knocks, Method Man

Sideways - Uffie

New Music Fridays, October 6th, 2017 - Five Fresh New Tracks For You

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. 

New Music Fridays: September 8th, 2017 - The Week's Hottest New Tracks

Hello and welcome back to John's Music World New Music Fridays.  As always, there is some great new stuff this week from the likes of Hailee Steinfeld, rapper ILoveMakonnen, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Smith and more.  Check out this week's hottest new tunes...

Let Me Go - Hailee Steinfeld, with Alesso and Florida Georgia Line

I have been loving everything actress turned singer Hailee Steinfeld has done so far, from the sweet and tender Starving to  the ultra catchy Most Girls.  This time Steinfeld's joined forces with country music duo Florida Georgia Line and Swedish deejay/producer Alesso for another irresistible pop gem.  Take a listen to this sure to be hit... 

Love - ILoveMakonnen, featuring Rae Stremmurd

Rapper ILoveMakonnen has come up with an immediately likable rock tinged tune that had me loving it from the moment I clicked play,  Check out this foot tapper...

Love So Soft - Kelly Clarkson

Oh yeah, Kelly Clarkson is back and sounding better than ever on this catchy new sexy tune from her upcoming 8th studio album, Meaning of Life.  If you're a Kelly Clarkson fan, you are gonna LOVE this one...

Too Good at Goodbyes - Sam Smith

There's one more notable comeback this week and that is by former Best New Artist Grammy Award winner Sam Smith.  The smooth British crooner has released a brand new gem from an upcoming second studio album and its as stellar as anything he's done before.  Check out the beautiful Too Good at Goodbyes...  

Up All Night - Beck

Oh man, I used to love Beck.  I absolutely wore out his 1996 record Odelay, but he completely fell off my radar since then.  When I saw this tune listed on Spotify's New Music Fridays, I was intrigued that he was still making music and checked it out.  Bottom line...he's still got it.  This one's catchy and pleasant and he just might make me a fan again.  Check out Up All Night...

Sometimes, like this week, it's difficult to come up with only five new songs to whet your appetites, so in addition to these great tracks, here are some other notable new releases:

Dusk Till Dawn - Zayn, with Sia

Disco Tits - Tove Lo

You're the Best Thing Abut Me - U2

I Just Can't - R3HAB, Quintino

Shockandawe - Miguel

Out of My Head - Loote

Song of the Day - Latch - Disclosure Sam Smith

It's Hump Day and I'm in the mood for  a nice sexy groove, and Disclosure's Latch will do the trick...

A Short Little Grammys' Highlight

How bout those Grammys last night, huh?  As usual, the show was pretty entertaining overall, full of beautiful (and not so beautiful) people, a lil controversy, and of course the awards themselves.  But for me and many others the highlights of the 57th Annual Grammy Awards show were all about the performances, and there was definitely enough to whet any music lover's appetite.  Since I posted a preview with commentary on the show yesterday, I've feel it necessary to do an obligatory follow-up...

 

Time

The Winners

As mentioned in today's Song of the Day post, Brit crooner Sam Smith was the big winner last night, taking home 4 Grammys for Best New Artist, Song and Record of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Album.  Other winners included alternative rocker Beck's Morning Phase for Album of the Year, Beyoncé for Best R&B Performance (Drunk In Love), Pharrell Williams' Happy as Best Pop Solo Performance, and Say Something, by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera for Best Pop Duo Group Performance.  Out of the six categories in which I predicted winners, only two came out to be correct (Smith for Best New Artist and Rather Be, by Clean Bandit taking Best Dance Recording). If you'd like to check out the rest of the winners, visit Grammy.com.  

Us

The Performances

Beginning with classic Aussie rock band AC/DC opening the show with Highway to Hell, the entire show was full of entertaining performances by the best in music today,  Some of the highlights for me included the great Annie Lennox joining Hozier for a rendition of his nominated Take Me to Church along with her own version of the classic I Put a Spell On You (and she did!), Mary J Blige joining Sam Smith for a beautiful and soulful performance of his Grammy-winning Stay With Me, Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna with a nice version of their FourFiveSeconds tune, and of course Madge's recreation of her new Living For Love video, complete with muscled minotaurs.  For the best and worst of Grammy performances, check out Billboard.

  

usatoday

Kanye and A Lil Controversy

Once again, Kanye West proved to be an ignorant idiot when he briefly stormed the stage upon guest presenter Prince announcing Beck as the winner of the Grammy for Album of the Year.  At first the stunt seemed innocuous, as West quickly returned to his seat with a laugh, but we all remember what he had done to Taylor Swift at the VMA's back in 2009.  Well, today USA Today reports that West did not think it was a joking matter and went into an ignorant tirade that proves he needs to be OUT of any sort of spotlight.

I don't know what he said, all I know is if the Grammys want real artists to keep coming back, they need to stop playing with us. We ain't gonna play with them no more. Flawless, Beyoncé video. Beck needs to respect artistry and he should have given his award to Beyoncé, and at this point, we tired of it...

Because what happens is, when you keep on diminishing art and not respecting the craft and smacking people in the face after they deliver monumental feats of music, you're disrespectful to inspiration and we, as musicians, have to inspire people who go to work every day and they listen to that Beyoncé album and they feel like it takes them to another place.
REALLY?

Well, West obviously has never taken any sort of time to listen to Beck, who has been around, and been very successful, for years now. I think they need to stop inviting him to awards shows...

There's so much more I could say about the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, but I'm sure by now if you're interested you'd have read it, or seen it all. Check out any of the links within to read more, and stay tuned for more music...

Song of the Day - Stay With Me - Sam Smith

bostoncbslocal

In case you missed it last night, soulful Brit singer Sam Smith was one of the big winners at last nights Grammy Awards, taking home four trophies for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best New Artist.  He was joined on stage by the legendary Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Ms. Mary J. Blige for a fabulous rendition of this, the Grammy-winning Stay With Me...