Tea Time

GENRE: flamenco What a delight it is to find foreign music that's so well-composed that you don't need to understand the lyrics to enjoy the music in of itself. Upon further research, it seems like it has come into a few movies recently, most notably Sing . Movie critiques aside, let's talk about what matters. Flamenco itself is not unknown to me. I absolutely adore the color of the music, what with it's rich tapestry of guitars and percussion. They've got some really interesting rhythmic passages in there too. But that's not unexpected with this genre of music. It's just been so long since I've listened to this type of music. Realistically speaking, it's not too complicated of a flamenco piece, it's just very solid and catchy. Perhaps it's the lyrics that elevate it? Nonetheless, it's nice to have some variety in the playlist, and an incredibly good piece at that. Rating: 9/10

GENRE: punk rock It's about time I give this band the respect it deserves. I haven't listened to much if any of blink-182  's material, and that's mainly because I never really liked them in my formative years. It just seemed unrefined and loud for the sake of being loud. However, growing up as a drummer, it's hard to not respect the influence that Travis Barker has on the genre. And, I'm not even really paying attention to the other pieces in the song. It's the drums that are so captivating. Travis Barker utilizes the FULL sound of his drumset. His cymbals don't punctuate and denote phrases in the song. He treats them like another one of his toms. It's truly inspiring, and serves as a testament to his talent. The song itself has so much energy because of Travis Barkers' modulation and energy throughout. Although not my type of music, it's impressive and awe-inspiring nonetheless. Rating: 7/10

GENRE: hip hop Although released recently, this is actually a restoration of a 1985 Ghanaian hip-hop single. I didn't even know they were doing this kinda thing over there back then. They look like they're having a ball over there.  For a pop song, it's definitely on the longer end, being 6 minutes long. As with most hip hop songs, you've got a looping drum track. What's fun is those background bongos, adding a bit of spice. It definitely works better a dance song. The cadence of the singers is also very fun to listen to, and they have some rapping chops too! "WE ARE THE BOYS"   is so fun to say, it's hilarious.  Rating: 6.5/10 

GENRE: indie rock Another one of those names that have always flown around in passing. Either that, or because this band is just in the vicinity of the songs that I enjoy listening to. From a glance, I can verify that the recommendations were accurate. Female vocalist, soft-ish instrumentation, but a killer fun drum part. You don't often see that aggression in these types of songs. Overall a very timid, subdued song. I know from experience that Frankie Cosmos  writes and performs a variety of intensities; this just so happens to be on the tamer end. Really, just a short and sweet piece. Although nothing special, it's not boring, and could be a fun listen hitherto. Rating: 6/10

GENRE: hip hop Saw it last year, let it pass by me unnoticed. Today, it got recommended by the all-knowing Youtube algorithm. Good thing it's summer right now, because the sun-soaked synths and beats are perfectly reflect the lethargic, oppressive, relaxing heat of the sun.  More than that, the music video seems to pay homage to numerous black artists. It's pretty cool to see all the different references.  I totally respect the syncopated jazzy intro of the song. It keeps a groove going, and in my opinion keeps you engaged. The rest of the song though feels a bit forgettable. The song feels more like a background than it does a structured, lyrical piece. The vocals kind of wisp away like a breeze in the wind and provide a painting rather than dotting the features of the song. That's not a bad thing though, because it totally excels at this. Rating: 8/10 

GENRE: pop Isn't it great when you listen a great song that is rooted in a memorable scene from a movie? If you didn't know already, this piece by Roy Orbison is associated with the scene in 50/50 where JGL and Seth Rogen burn his ex's painting. It's a neat, tender little moment between the two, as they bask in the luminous destruction of a piece of art tainted with the memories of his reprehensible ex-girlfriend. Whenever a piece of music sits alongside a visual tapestry, there is an opportunity for a different perspective. Not only do I get to learn about new pieces of music, but the emotions that I tie into it when I engage with the piece is further transformed. And with the case of this piece, it's much better for it.  Roy Orbison writes and performs sad songs very well. He has a great, sorrowful, tenor voice. The composition is simple and poignant, with a soft instrumentation of strings, a guitar, and a vibraphone(?) to emphasize the loneliness and ten

GENRE: chill I get a little excited every time I come across a song that fits in my current preferred genre. Consisting of smooth, relaxing, subdued beats, Show Me How  fits perfectly among some of the other songs on this playlist. From my personal viewpoint, it serves more as a campus than it does a song really. It feels like the same few bars looping, with little development across the board. Thinking back, I honestly can't remember any other lyric besides the ones in the song title, and that's a consequence of the repetitiveness of the song. In fairness, this is the type of style that Men I Trust is going for, so I can't really knock it for that. However, this is my blog, and my inner personality judges it as being...acceptable. I wouldn't listen  to this song, but I would definitely leave it in the background of my car, or a homework session. There's merit to it in that regard. Rating: 6.5/10

GENRE: ballad Over the long history of Queen's   relevance, a subsequently comparable amount of music has been put out. Of course, most people of my generation know the classics and smash hits. Getting out of my comfort zone, I find myself listening to a very passionate, quirky album. One of the biggest pieces (aside from Bohemian Rhapsody), is Love Of My Life . I should look into what exactly this song is about, but there's just a different air about this song. You have such a beautiful movement in the melody, with the subtle touches of what make Queen great. It's like a soft rock ballad, perhaps an opera? You even have a gentle solo from Brian May, with the baroque styled movements in the piano that Queen like to use. Rating: 8/10

GENRE: pop Ok, follow with me here. My current dinnertime show is Bob's Burgers , and when I want to put shows on in the background, I tend to put on episodes that I've already watched before (I like to give shows my full attention).  Well, I was re-watching the episode The Belchies. If you know the show, they have original songs during their credits all the time. The particular song for this episode was so catchy to me. I did some further research, and it turns out that it's actually cover for a song by Cyndi Lauper , that she herself covered for the show! Even more, the song was written for The Goonies  movie, which I haven't watched...yet.  Anyway, I was thrilled because I love Cyndi Lauper , and I enjoyed the cover of it already. Fortunately, I feel the same way, if not better about the actual song. You get more of  Cyndi 's quirky style, and of course, my favorite component of her singing is her power in the upper register. I can never get tired

GENRE: rock Wow, this artist is apparently very popular, but on a first listen it felt like the popularity was not commensurate with the impact that the song had on me. It took repeated listens to get into the song, because at first it seems quite standard. In particular, I was put off by the timbre of the instruments and the general tone of the composition, as it came off as that kind of poppy show/theater music. It's definitely that piano and that goddamn funk guitar in the background create that general mood. It's not anything against Mitski  herself, I'm just not into this type of music. The tone is a little too bright for my tastes; however, I do enjoy the cadence of the lyrics. The chorus itself is quite catchy. Rating: 5/10

GENRE: soft rock Considering what The Rolling Stones  are known for, I stand on the other side and find myself enjoying their slower material much more. Similar to Wild Horses , Angie  seems to be playing along the same vein, opting for emotional, moving chords paired along with Mick Jagger's beautiful, beautiful voice. At first glance, the song itself seems simple. But I believe that it is in its simplicity that it shines through as being more honest and meaningful.  There's not a lot going on in terms of instrumentation, but man is that one of its strengths. When you really just want to chill and hang out on a porch, I think this is one of the songs you want to be playing. Rating: 8/10 

GENRE: indie, psychedelic  Although there is room to argue that this song comes off as pretty average, I have a bias towards these kinds of songs that embody fluidity and a chill vibe. I swear I've heard this singer before, and it's really because this type of style is so prominent in the indie scene. One thing I can appreciate though is the use of a dissonant melodic line. The chords themselves are less popular as well, and employ interesting modes to create a unique sound. The slight unorthodox feeling is especially true when the verses feel ad-libbed as well, exploring lines outside of harmony and key. The overall impression makes me wonder if there's an accompanying music video, because it really begs for one. Again, it's not exactly groundbreaking, but it exudes personality and style that stands out among the more recent songs I've listened to. Rating: 6/10

GENRE: symphonic rock  Ok, this is going to be blatant cheating, but I'm throwing this song onto the playlist mainly because of how important it is to me, and how buried it was in my in the deepest recesses of my memories. The song itself resembles the literal end of an era, and as such goes along incredibly well with the music video it accompanies. Aside from the grand theatrics and musical impact points, I find the lyrics well-written and meaningful. There is so much weight in the performance, and that really carries through in the instrumental score too. Nobuo Uematsu is never one to be outdone, and it shows in this featured piece for Final Fantasy XIV. Writing about this only makes me want to go play some more, honestly. But, for all the depth and passion that goes into the performance, I can't get over the lone guitar chord that signals the jaw-gaping presence of Bahamut. It's just so isolated, dominating, and the choice to make it an inverted arpeggio only valida

GENRE: indie, dream pop This is actually one of the first times I recall delving into my "Made For You" playlist. I was more so curious to see whether or not it would do a good job, considering how particular I can be. Now, imagine as if you took Hala, but surrounded him with a bunch of clones. There you have it, Flowerstruck . I've got a soft spot for this sort of sunny, honey-dripped type of music. The synth melodies seem to just drip of the instruments and fly into the sky. The lackadaisical and slinky singing really puts the cherry on top. Imbuing their own flair of being of peace, complacent, and flowing along the wind is not an unknown brand, but it's certainly adding to the canon that is. For such a chill, short song, I really wish it did more than just repeat itself though. There's only so much time you can spend. Find them on Spotify. Rating: 6.5/10

GENRE: experimental, atmospheric  I'm not always too excited to be venturing out into music that gives an impression of being old but not a classic. I ventured into my recommended and came upon what felt like a haunting and lonesome experience. A lack of words, a lack of structure, and really a lack of theme that I've found makes for a sobering reflection. I imagine as if the artist was presenting to us a mirror by way of this song. I could see some substance to that argument going off of the creepy album cover. It begs for a deeper dive into who the artist is, especially when they haven't put out anything since 2014. Either way, this piece really does fit itself into a bigger picture. The album, based on the little I've looked into it, seems to be hitting the same vein when it comes to mood and atmosphere, and what the artist is trying to evoke from you. I dig. Rating: 8/10

GENRE: kpop When you get a recommendation from your sister, it's unwise to ignore it lest she pester you with an unknowable rage. One of the more recent songs by superstar group BTS , this one caught fire with both its aggressive style and intensity. Couple that with a unique choreography, and you have the basic elements that comprise a successful Korean pop song. With regards to how I feel about it, it's halfway there. The energy they pour into their performance is exhilarating, but this one doesn't quite have the finesse in its composition compared to their other songs. It's really a straightforward song with half of the effort being put into the physical component of the performance. Granted, it does have seem very entertaining fan participation as well, which I'm sure all the fanbase is ecstatic about. Any kind of interaction helps solidify the consumerism. Rating: 6.5/10

GENRE: rap rock In hoping to change my preconception of The Beastie Boys , I decided to listen their best song, apparently. Opening with an intro that reminds me of Aerosmith 's Sweet Emotion , you've got what seems like a pretty fat and catchy beat, perfectly fitting for the time and age. What's always  put me off of The Beastie Boys  is their vocal style. The energy, I can understand and sympathize. The timbre and tone, I can't. For some reason, the vocal register from which they rap makes me uncomfortable and it just seems so cheesy.  Seeing as how they have such a large fanbase, I'm almost afraid to say that in public. It can't be just me right? Their anger almost seems artificial, and that makes for a lesser than impressive piece of music. Rating: 4/10

GENRE: indie rock It's good practice to never take an artist for just one of their songs. Across albums, hell, even just within the same album, you'll have your favorites and your skips. Although not quite as extreme, I had a similar experience when being introduced to Last Girl  by Soccer Mommy , who previously I was not quite raving about. With today's song, I've found a piece that shifts my current opinion to the brighter side of the spectrum. I'm a big fan of the melody, using intervals that are infectious when used with the rhythm in question. There's enough variance in the composition and pacing to keep things interesting and moving. I think it all makes for a mature and well-written piece that sits at the core of teenage emotional complexities. Rating: 7.5/10

GENRE: alternative It's a bit embarrassing, but I've heard a bunch of Smashing Pumpkins' hits before, but never knew they names nor that they were the ones performing them. I've decided to do them proper justice and listen to one of those songs. To be honest, I only know the line, RAT IN A CAGE. And to think, it's not even the name of the song. Otherwise, it's got the angst and edge that Smashing Pumpkins can put out. The chorus is pretty iconic too if I remember correctly. What more could you want when you're feeling the mood? Rating: 8/10 

GENRE: indie Much to my feigned resistance, I still get to hear King Krule every now and then because of my friend's interests and proximity.  Either way, this song represents exactly what I imagine when I think of King Krule. You've got that lax, sunken voice paired with a frantic drum part. In fact, the drum part is incredibly energetic. It's especially fun to listen for the sticking patterns used, because they're all intuitive to the trained ear. While the chords themselves are unconventional, the timbre and tone are familiar and at home in this genre of music. More impressively, the transient and seemingly superfluous structure of the music yet held together by the consistent drumming. At once, it's a coherent piece while remaining seemingly unstable and unresolved. Rating: 7.5/10 

  GENRE: math rock Although they aren't my favorite bands when it comes to this type of intense singing and instrumental music, they certainly have a knack for appearing both interesting aesthetically and musically. I admire the structured composition, consisting of distinct sections to pace and add a journey through the listen. Although, some are more put together than others. The singer reminds me of Kermit the Frog sometimes, but that's just a quirky detail personal to maybe just me. Otherwise, I am a fan of the instrumentals that are evidently not quite as overbearing compared to other pieces within the same genre. Oftentimes it just feels like a solid wall of notes without care for the pauses in between. Not so much the problem here. Rating: 7/10

GENRE: indie A name that I've seen fly by during my stint with Phoebe Bridgers' music, Julien Baker  is apparently incredibly popular among the same crowd. You get a similar vibe with this song from her. This particular song was written earlier in her career, so I won't be base my entire opinion of her on this nascent work.  Isolated and vulnerable, this song is really just her voice, her accompanying harmonies, and her guitar. Arpeggios up and down the relevant chord progression are the name of the game with this genre. One of my favorite components this song is the rhythmic motif of the dotted eighths throughout the verse. It carries the piece quite well, and gives it the little kick it needs to be interesting and slightly more upbeat. Similar nuances ingrain depth and appreciation for her work. She's got my vote. Rating: 7.5/10

GENRE: rock and roll Not sure if this is accurate or not, but The Allman Brothers  are one of the older rock and roll bands and serve as a huge influence for a lot of the bigger names out there. Right or not, I've always had this quiet appreciation for their prowess and ingenuity, considering how early they were. Whipping Post  is a perfect example of that. I love me some odd time signatures. Starting with 11/8 is wild to me, especially when this was written near the beginning of rock and roll. Although they don't stick with it the whole way through, it's rhythmically interesting and adds a thin layer of complexity and musicality to their writing. This particular ensemble of instruments is classic as well. The synth is a prominent backing feature, alongside the traditional guitars and drums. All in all, it's just such a solid song and great starting point for digging into the upper echelons of older rock and roll. Rating: 8.5/10

GENRE: rap Aside from Denzel's biggest hit, I haven't actually listened much to his work. Off his latest album, RICKY was one the first songs to hit the airwaves. The production itself doesn't seem to be anything that stands out among the mainstream. You've even got the featured artist adding in bits and pieces, which we've all heard before. Denzel Curry himself doesn't expound upon a greater message than we've already heard these days. It's a shame that he doesn't show his chops on this song either. It's got the familiar off-kilter flow that Denzel Curry may be known for. I'm hoping he finds a better fit with another producer. Rating: 5/10

GENRE: math rock Well, I got back into math rock, and it was about time. I'm feeling completely motivated to improve myself within this specific genre, and what better way to do it then to learn what's out there and up and coming. I've heard about Covet before, and now's the time to dive into their music and figure out exactly what they got going on. Now that I'm practicing math rock techniques, I only have a greater appreciation and understanding for what they can perform. With glimmer in particular, I'm tuning into the specific movement of the chords that underlie the tapping melodies and such. Incredibly atmospheric and radiant, this piece is a great introduction to the genre. Rating: 7/10

GENRE: pop rock To be honest, the original song itself has been buried in the deep reaches of my memory, and hearing Japanese Breakfast  cover it so with such high fidelity unlocked it. I knew I recognized it at first, and I wonder why I never held so dear earlier. The verse (if you can even call it that) is so heartfelt and endearing. I'm particularly grateful that someone is covering it so closely to the original as well, because sometimes I just want to hear a good song brought to the modern quality it deserves. Regarding the artist, Japanese Breakfast  aligns pretty closely to the kind of music I've been listening to on repeat. You've got the female lead with a slower-paced indie backing band. I guess you can't really criticize the composition itself because it's just the cover, but the band covering it is so incredibly close to the original that criticizing it would essentially be the same thing. Even then, there's not much to say here, with the except

GENRE: hip hop Now that I've had time to listen to all of Flower Boy , it's safe to say that Tyler's creative mind has a way with production and words such that the album as whole is tied together with a nice little bow. It was hard to pick one song (one that I hadn't heard before of course) to write about today. I decided on on somewhere in the middle with Garden Shed , featuring another great artist, Estelle. Part of the reason why I really like Flower Boy in the first place is its coherent style and production. All throughout, you've got dreamy, jazzy instrumental chords, paired with more tuned vocal performances that act more like harmony themselves. The case is the same with Garden Shed . You've got a laid-back instrumental accompanied with Estelle's feature. Again, she's not the one taking over, but rather part of the supporting cast. Tyler comes in as well to deliver a somber verse, and the rest of the song plays out the same way it came in rea

GENRE: indie rock Arcade Fire  has some really good hits that I would rate really high on my scale. And based on evidence, you would think that the rest of their discography would evoke a similar response. Alas, that was not the case with this one. Put Your Money on Me  has glimmers of hope and it really does have this indie, hip, vibe. However, I feel like it falls flat and lacks the emotional depth and subsequent musical phrases to grasp the listener. The riff and vocals are definitely repetitive, which to me isn't what Arcade Fire  excel at. Their complex messages and themes, their vibrant combinations of electronic and rock, and their lyrical ingenuity  is what's missing from this puzzle, and only makes me yearn for their other work. Rating: 5/10

GENRE: experimental, dreamy It's always fun to take a trip to the more experimental alcoves in music. Rosewood  seems fitting as one of those walk in the park songs. The chirping song birds are out, and really the only instruments are the faded guitar and the pinging synths. The soundscape is incredibly expansive, even when the instruments are so few. From a musical perspective, it's the minimalism that you look for, the spaces in between consecutive melodic lines. The spacious progression of the chords is somber and slightly haunting, and I associate that feeling so much with the mysterious existentialism present in the album cover. Contemplative, small, and curious. Rating: 7/10

GENRE: indie Recommended to me by a friend, I had no idea coming in what this would sound like. To my surprise, it's more familiar to me than most, and provides that sort of comforting warmth everyone needs from time to time, but especially me at this moment. This song in particular is subdued, with minimal instrumentation, and the mixing intentionally creates that effect as well. It feels like things are going on in the background. Nothing stands out as being too difficult to play back. The bass line doesn't really feel like a standard bass line that anchors the song. The bass dropping out so much throughout lends itself to the empty spaces between consecutive lines and such. Most of the content in the song resides in the lyrics and the vocal performance. I am digging the harmonies paired with nearly every line in the song. It kind of reminds me of a softer Maggie Rogers. Rating: 8/10