Headphones: The D-O-Double G Outdoes Himself

This week in music features a ready-as-ever Snoop Dogg on his new 16-track-album "Neva Left." Another artist we though had left ever since her appearance in Disney Channel's 'Lemonade Mouth,' Bridgit Mendler has been releasing quality singles under our noses for the past year. Watch Lady Antebellum and Miley Cyrus's new, fun music videos. 

Album of the Week: Neva Left – Snoop Dogg: The legendary rap artist with the large personality has released his 15th studio album – luckily it feels just as though Snoop Dogg Neva Left. It includes old school 90s hip-hop beats and sounds he has never explored before. The artist features several significant artists on his album such as Wiz Khalifa, Redman, Methodman, K CAMP and Big Bub.

There’s a certain sense of nostalgia given off from the very start of the album with the jazzy beat in the first track "Neva Left." This introductory track samples the Charmels’ 1967 cut “As Long as I’ve Got You," a sample sometimes better known as The Wu-Tang Clan banger “C.R.E.A.M.”  Snoop’s verses are relaxed and patient, with free-flowing rhythm.

That first track is followed up by two of the strongest songs on the album: ‘Moment I feared’ featuring Rick Rock and ‘Bacc in da Dayz’ featuring Tray Deee. Snoop is distinct and precise in ‘Bacc in da Dayz,’ while still mastering a fun and playful song reciting lyrics like, “Party don’t rock like it used to rock.”

Another important track on "Neva Left," features October London’s melodic falsetto voice against a funky disco beat with throbbing synths. The two artists are incredibly different in sound, carrying their own specialties to create this smooth and organized catchy tune. Fast forward two tracks to ‘Toss It,’ featuring Bay Area legend Too $hort, and Nef the Pharaoh. This collaboration brings us right back to the classic 90s West Coast rap we all can appreciate and rap along to.

Two tracks on the album are all about Snoops favorite herb: Weed. ‘420 (Blaze Up)’ and ‘Mount Kushmore,’ are excellent, light-hearted songs that are so characteristic of the Dogg and his lifestyle. Devin the Dude, Wiz Khalifa and DJ Battlecat helped Snoop to create a chill crowd-pleaser with excellent producing by DJ Battlecat.

Snoop features artists from the DJ booth in his track ‘Lavender,’ remixed by Nightfall and featuring BADBADNOTGOOD and KAYTRANADA. These two key players in this track helped Snoop create a newer sound by employing more advanced producing qualities and refining his song into rap track with futuristic EDM elements. ‘Lavender’ is a song that addresses common topics in politics today such as Police brutality, and the disapproval many experience with president elect Donald Trump.

Overall, the album is fantastic. Snoop Dogg is able to release a 16-track-album that could not sound like any other artist’s piece of work. The hour-long record solidifies Snoop Dogg’s timeless role in hip-hop for the past 25 years and certainly proves he Neva Left.

Single of the Week: Pop: Can’t Bring This Down – Bridgit Mendler: Formerly known as Disney child star, Bridgit Mendler is back in the music scene since her last EP release of "Nemesis" in 2016. Mendler really surprised me with this new single. It is sophisticated, light-hearted, sweet and most importantly sonically sound and catchy. Mendler’s graceful vocals combined with rapper Pell’s verses create an incredible integration of chill pop/rap music. "Can’t Bring This Down," is easily Bridgit’s finest work and we can’t wait to see what her next piece of work will sound like. Once a teenage actress on Disney channel, and now a very well-established, creative artist Bridgit Mendler with the single of the week.

Music Videos

Country: You Look Good – Lady Antebellum: The talented trio has released three of 13 songs from their upcoming album "Heart Break." This will be the band's sixth album release, produced by famous producer and songwriter Michael James Ryan (Busbee) for the first time. It is no secret Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood have incredible voices. However, in this track specifically, the band harmonizes beautifully and playfully in a natural sounding way to create the best possible sound for the fun lyrics in this track telling someone they look good. The video depicts a story being played out of flirting in a bar; the male noticing the pretty girl and from there taking initiative to let her know, hey "you look good."

Pop: Malibu – Miley Cyrus: A sincere, innocent Miley frolics around the nature in Malibu singing about how happily in love she is. The video takes several different perspectives catching Miley in different places; all accentuating the organic nature of her feelings and making for a beautifully natural music video.

Update: Guns N’ Roses has revealed yet another set of dates to their upcoming “Not in This Lifetime” North American tour featuring several special guests like ZZ TOP and more.

Lana Del Rey’s highly anticipated Lust For Life EP is to be released on July 21.

Marking a year since being in prison this May 26, Gucci Mane plans to celebrate the anniversary by releasing his new album Drop Top Wop produced by Metro Boomin.

Listen to Kendrick Lamar’s remix of ‘Mask Off,’ as well as Justin Bieber’s remix of ‘Humble.’

Following the tragic terror attack during an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester this week, the artist has decided to postpone the Dangerous Woman European tour through June 5.

An organization known as ‘Operation Song,’ in Nashville has started five years ago, and continues to help veterans with song writing and music as a means to cope with difficult memories on the battlefield.

Celine Dion, Cher and Drake break records at the most recent Billboard Music Awards.