August 2014 "Haters Gon' Hate!" Playlist

Hey jammies! 

Before August is over and summer goes out with a fizzle, let's check out the tune's that have been revolving around my head this month. 

10) Rude - Magic! 

This song has been blasting on everyone's car stereo, and with good reason! It's a catchy, reggaesque tune that's fun and fiesty and gets stuck in your head easily, so give it a listen if you haven't already. 

9) Human - Christina Perri

This year, many stars made a comeback, (Hilary Duff and Ed Sheeran just to name a couple) and Christina Perri did so by releasing this tune in January. A change of pace from the hectic world of Pop and a meaningful piece that everyone can relate to. 

8) Shower - Becky G

This is another one of those songs, like Rude, that DEFINES summer! Move over Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, and Demi Lovato, because Becky G is here! It's fresh and flirty and this singer who my good friend Cuahuctemoc introduced me to does her job at promoting Latina's in the music industry, so pop this song on when you need a good boost in energy and positivity! =D

 

7) Old School Love - Lupe Fiasco featuring Ed Sheeran

I heard this one playing in H&M and thanks to Shazam it's been added to my collection. Fiasco's insightful raps mesh well with Sheeran's vocals to make a timeless track good for any occasion. 

(WARNING: The rest of this list is where SHIT GETS REAL! So do not bother crossing this border if you aren't ready for deep lyrics that will make you think about life and past experiences and give you a bad case of the feels!) 

6) Don't (Netsky Remix) - Ed Sheeran 

Netsky, one of Drum 'n' Bass's most talented DJs has decided to do a remix of the fiery red head's new single "Don't" and it is MARVELOUS! As Ed Sheeran always writes songs that are down to earth, true to heart and powerful, this remix is AMAZING! And if you aren't already familiar with the electronic genre of D'n'B, let this track be your introduction because its beat is da' BOMB! 

5) Dollhouse - Melanie Martinez 

I accidentally discovered this one by stumbling upon it on the Youtubes. This girl, Melanie Martinez, one of the faces of The Voice, sings this incredibly deep and dirty track about what really goes on behind the plastic faces and polished walls of most "happy" families. This is some deep shit! Just look at these lyrics:

1st Verse 

"Mom, please wake up.

Dad's with a slut, and your son is smoking cannabis."

No one ever listens, this wallpaper glistens
Don't let them see what goes down in the kitchen."

2nd Verse 

Hey girl, look at my mom, she's got it going on

Ha, you're blinded by her jewelry.

When you turn your back she pulls out a flask

And forgets his infidelity.

I mean, DAYUM! How much realer can you get? And this video is pretty awesome, which is why it gets an Honorable Mention for best videos of the month. Watch it to be as stunned as I was. 

4) The Worst - Jhené Aiko

This is another accidental find thanks to Youtube. I've actually heard this song numerous times but didn't know the artist or carefully listen to all of the lyrics. Gotta give it up to Jhené for reppin' the mixed chics with her Japanese, Spanish, Domincan, African American, Native American and German Jewish backgroud! (that's A LOT!) 

Once again, this song caught me off guard with how REAL and RAW it is. Below is my favorite part of the song:

2nd Verse

Tell me what you say now
Tell me what you say?
You said that you would come again
You (said) that we would remain friends but
You know that I do not depend on
Nothing or no one
So why would you show up
So uninvited then
Just change my mind like that

Please don't take this personal
But you ain't shit
And you weren't special
Til I made you so
You better act like you know
That I've been through worse than you
I just can't keep running away
(But I don't need you)

I dig how honest it is. And once again, this is backed by a great video, thus making it a candidate for Honorable Mention. One of the Youtube comments says that it's another example of a low budget R'n'B video, but I disagree. I think its simplicity is what makes it so artistic, but you can decide for yourself.

3) You Changed - Kelly Rowland (featuring Michelle Williams and Beyoncé) 

Another thanks to the handy app Shazam for finding this for me as I heard it while browsing the isles of H&M again. (I swear, H&M and Forever 21 ALWAYS play the BEST music!) Kelly Rowland does NOT get the recognition she deserves. She is a talented vocalist just like the rest of the Destiny's Child girls she stepped into the scene with, and once again, this is another deep track that reflects how some relationships work out in the long run. I like how SHE leads the way in this one. I can't stop listening to it! And the vocals are KILLER!

2) Numb - Marina and the Diamonds

Shout out to my girl Maribel who had referred me to yet another awesome song. This song is MESMERIZING! I was addicted to listening it to it for a week and a half STRAIGHT! The melody, the lyrics, the vocals, the instrumental arrangement, EVERYTHING is AH-mazing! Bask in its diamond studded glory! 

And drum roll please.  .   . 

1) Shake it Off - Taylor Swift

Need I say more?! BEST DAMN VIDEO EVAR!!!! Yaaaaaas B*thc, Taylor has made the declaration to switch over to Pop, and it really isn't that big of a transition compared to her hits like Trouble and We Are Never Getting Back Together. But this song, .  .  .  it's pure GOLD! Ms. Swift finally fights back by taking a stance on all of the hate she gets! This song has sparked major controversy and what #1 Hit hasn't!? This song will be forever stuck in my head as a confidence booster and an icon for the new image that Taylor Swift has given herself. You GO girl! ;)

That concludes this month's SPARKLING countdown. Please stay tuned for more upcoming playlists. 

Stay cool my fellow music junkies! 

^Special thanks to my girl Vanessa for finding me this adorable picture, a perfect fit for this blog!^

I Know July is Over, But Oh Well: Playlist

Hey jamsters! 

So, let's dive into July's (early August's) playlist, shall we? My usual mixes of new and old, keepin' it fresh and bold. ;)

(NOTE to Readers: You do NOT know the world of music until you hear it through Beats headphones. This is NOT an advertisement, just some friendly advice.) 

10) Friendly Fires - Hurting

Starting us off with a blast from the past, this song was actually discovered accidentally by my youngest cousin and I while looking at Vines, and I tell ya, the best discoveries are the accidental ones. (like Penicillin!) This video is oddly HILARIOUS which makes it a fabulous Honorable Mention for best videos this month. 

9) Britney Spears - Til it's Gone

I know I talked about beautiful Britney in the last blog post and I'm not gonna stop just yet! Her new album Britney Jean just grabbed me again with this song. 

8) Keira Knightley - Coming Up Roses (Begin Again Motion Picture Original Soundtrack)

Okay, I've always been a big movie buff, but I do NOT always like romantic dramas or rom-coms and I especially don't always like it when movies try to incorporate music in artificial, uncomfortable ways. But this movie, Begin Again, took my breath away. Not only is the story-line imaginative, easy to follow, deep and meaningful, but the music is AWESOME! Now, don't get me wrong, I know that Keira Knightley is NOT the best singer, and many may argue that they should have cast a popular vocal artist in her role, but to her defense, I doubt anyone else would have been able to capture the emotion she did throughout this gem of a film. It was not going to be my first choice to catch at the theater, but I'm so glad I did. Here's just one of my fave hits from the film and there will be more below. 

7) Keira Knightley - Lost Stars (Begin Again Motion Picture Original Soundtrack)

Another essential song to the film, this song does a great job of presenting the conflicts between the main characters. There's also the Adam Levine version, but this version is the better one, hands down. 

6) Grimes - Vanessa

Again, Grimes is another thing that I was NOT initially a big fan of. But my bestie Maribel got me into her and this is one of her great singles. 

5) Grimes - Genesis

While still on the subject of Grimes, this is probably the one song that made me like her most as it reluctantly got stuck in my head for an entire week! This video is also playful and whimsical in nature, a style I was hesitant to like, at first, but I have to admit that it's grown on me. It's a shame she isn't more well known, but hopefully this blog post will get her some more fans. The underground artists always tend to be my favorite ones, not that I'm a hipster like that or anything.  .  . 

4) Keira Knightley - Like a Fool (Begin Again Motion Picture Original Soundtrack)

This song, I think, is definitely one of the best in the film. Keira Knightly captures so much feeling here in her performance of this track. Especially in this particular scene of the film, it's something you really just have to see to believe and appreciate. 

3) Keira Knightley - Tell Me if You Wanna Go Home [Rooftop Mix featuring Hailee Steinfeld]  (Begin Again Motion Picture Original Soundtrack)

Gosh, there are just sooo many reasons to love Begin Again! This is my FAVORITE song from the film. Listen for the wicked guitar solo towards the end of the track and be sure to watch for this song's appearance in the film. The beauty of it really lies not only within the instrumentation and vibe of the musical arrangement, but in the fact that the lyrics really do an amazing job of summarizing the film and illuminating its message and spirit. I have listened to this song endlessly on repeat. I LOVE it! <3

2) Megan Trainor - All About That Bass

FINALLY! A song that celebrates the bigger girls! Every song nowadays, especially in the pop and hip-hop spheres as well as the media, only appreciates the thinly framed ladies. But this song is for the thick chicks! This jam is just so fun, bubbly, sassy and upbeat, and its video gets another Honorable Mention. My friend and pseudopartner Crystal turned me on to this one and I'm sooo glad she did! =D

And, drum roll please.  .  . 

1) Sia - Chandelier

This video fills me with awe. I am simply flabbergasted by the sheer complexity of the intricate dance put on by the astonishingly talented 11 year old Maddie Ziegler and the pronounced vocal strength of Sia! It's creepy, alluring, perplexing and brilliant which makes it an un-debatable recipient for the title Video of the Month. Check it OUT! (and if you think it's good, also see Sia's remarkable live performance on the Ellen Degeneres show) 

Peace out my fellow music junkies!

Britney Spears - Alien with and without Auto-tune: Why it's still good either way!

Hey friends! 

It would not be proper if I didn't blog about this recent discovery! 

Britney Spears' recent song on her new album, "Alien" has been going viral since a warm up version of her singing it is on youtube. Check out the auto-tune, final cut version as well as the auto-tune free version below: 

 (Here is the FINAL version on the album. Listen to this FIRST!)

(Here is the REAL, UN-EDITED version!) 

And HERE are MY thoughts: 

I don't think she sounds that bad! 

No, REALLY! I'm being serious! 

If you haven't seen Ke$ha perform live at SNL, then you are missing out! She sounds like a dying horse, and I'm being KIND! (okay, I'm being mean. But in all reality, Ke$ha is the auto-tune QUEEN of our day and age, and she has basically made a career out of talk singing, so there's that.)

(^Forgive the poor quality of this video, but here's Ke$ha butchering her own song "Tik Tok" live at SNL)

But I didn't make this blog to hate. I made it to laud talented artists. 

And though Britney's vocals aren't exactly up to par in the real and unedited version of her song "Alien", it was a WARM-UP version, and it's pretty darn good if you ask me!

Let's not forget, Britney was never much of a supreme VOCAL artist. But she is one HELL of a performer, taking the throne as the Princess of Pop. (right under the Queen of Pop, and recipient of her kiss, Madonna.) So let's not forget that she is AMAZING in concert! She has plenty of other skills that get us hot and bothered in her videos, live performances and even her public appearances, so let's not blow things out of proportion by letting one little leaked video of her singing without auto-tune make us trash her and kick her to the curb. 

Britney came BEFORE Gaga, before Grande, before Miley, BEFORE Ke$ha, and all of the other little pop singers we have today, so let's not fail to give her the proper recognition. 

As a 90s kid, I grew up listening to Britney and despite all of the scandals, I still love her today, so you WORK it Britney. Stay glamorous! ;)

Before June of 2014 is Over: Playlist

Welcome to the LATE June (and FIRST) Jam Junkie Blog Post!
This summer has been burning hot with massive hits, and here are a few of my favorites that I've been playing on repeat ALL MONTH LONG!!!

And the countdown starts:

10. Elvis Presley - Blue Moon

Please remember this from now on, I am one to mix the new with the old, and that's why this tune that I discovered in one of my classes is GOLD. Here's a taste of the early Elvis Presley with his tune "Blue Moon":

His vocal intonations are priceless here and a signature sound of his youthful beginning at a musical career. I love this piece because of its beauty.

9. Disclosure - F for You

This month, at least for me, is ALL ABOUT Disclosure! Check them out!

There is a version of this featuring the R'n'B Goddess Mary J. Blige, but unfortunately, I really don't like it as much as the original. Sometimes, the original is better left alone.

8. Disclosure - White Noise (featuring AlunaGeorge)

It took me a while to get this song out of my head. Enjoy! 

7. Disclosure - Confess to Me (featuring Jessie Ware)

Okay, this one is just SEXY! 

6. Disclosure - La La La (featuring Sam Smith) 

We all already know how magical Sam Smith's vocals are, so this one sure is a treat that me and one of my best friends can't seem to get enough of! 

5. DJ Snake & Lil Jon - Turn Down for What

Okay, this one takes the title for Video of the Month. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to check it out below. It is QUITE the experience! ;)

I also really love how this video is not only outrageously entertaining but utilizes actors from many minority groups. Nice touch, Lil Jon. I hold my glass up to you. 

4. Problem - Ariana Grande (featuring Iggy Azalea) 

I'm not really in love with Ariana Grande, she seems a bit pompous and childish, but this song is AWESOME! It deserves to be a hit! Most definitely! 

I'm loving the way that it's a female spin on Jay Z's song "99 Problems" and how Iggy is killin' it as one of the first ultra famous, white, female rappers. Kudos to you Iggy Iggs! :-*

3. Sleigh Bells - Kids

Taking it back 3 years, I just discovered this tune in my class as well. Its fast pace and in your face stereo sound are PERFECT for the Summer! 

2. Calvin Harris - Summer

So, speaking of summer, I have loved Calvin Harris from the start! Waaay before his stuff was ever mainstream. But this tune is addictive! I <3 it! 

And, drum roll for # 1 .   .   . 

1. Haim - Don't Save Me

I swear, whenever I'm shopping @ Forever 21, they play the BEST music! I heard this there a week ago and I CANNOT get it out of my head!!!! 

Here it is: 

And if you're lovin' Haim, (the Los Angeles good girl trio) check out their performance with Lorde on YouTube. :) 

Look forward to my upcoming post on the Norwegian one man band that I'm in love with, Bernhoft! 

Ciao for now my fellow music junkies! 

Welcome to Jam Junkie!

Welcome to Jam Junkie! 

Here, I (AKA Sky), an eclectic music junkie, will update monthly (if not weekly) to rant and rave about my new favorite songs! 

I don't care whether the songs I talk about were made yesterday, 10 years ago, 10 minute ago, 50 years ago, or tomorrow! If I like them, they WILL BE HERE!

See that little guy up there ^^^?  That's Grape Goodness, our little mascot. If you don't see him, it's not a legit Jam Junkie's playlist, post, or review! So make sure he's there! 

I will update this blog with playlists of songs I can't get enough of, so stay tuned for some Grape Goodness! =D