Headphones: 'Woodstock' Trips Back to 1969
Portugal. The Man is one we have not heard from in a while, as they released their most recent EP in 2013. Their new record, "Woodstock," will exceed your expectations and take you back to the legendary festival in 1969 with better production quality and more to pay attention to. We could not be more excited for DJ Khaled's upcoming album, along with his three early releases that have been topping the charts each week. DJ's fourth released single 'Wild Thoughts,' featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller will easily gain your approval and ring throughout your mind for the rest of the week. The band full of surprises, Radiohead, has just released an interesting and interpretive new music video for their bonus album OKNOTOK.
Album of the Week: Woodstock – Portugal. The Man: An entire album inspired by finding an old ticket stub; and not just any old ticket stub. Lead Singer of Portugal. The Man, John Gourley, found his father's $8 ticket stub to the 1969 Woodstock Festival while in Alaska last summer. The discovery led to the creation of their edgy, eighth studio album "Woodstock," the group's most profound and experimental work yet.
"Woodstock" involves all the tasteful psychedelia that occupied rock ‘n’ roll in the 60s, the hard-rock that took plight in the 70s, and the alternative-pop sound prevalent in the music industry today. In the first track, "Number One," featuring Richie Havens and Son Little, the group masters an alternative psychedelic style, sounding similar to Tame Impala. The song takes several twists and turns, with strong robotic-like vocals. We can thank producer and musician Danger Mouse for the impeccable production on "Number One." His diverse musical background producing albums for artists like A$AP Rocky and the Red Hot Chili Peppers certainly helped Portugal. The Man achieve their "Woodstock" vision.
The album picks up a notch with the second track, "Easy Tiger." This track takes us right into a groovy, energetic vibe that will reappear in each of the 10 songs. The EDM-pop-like qualities this track begins with will instantly wake you and bring out the inner "rebel easy tiger" inside you. "Easy Tiger" then begins to sound like an electronic Coldplay song with a distinctly different vocal and vibration. The bands chemistry is undeniable; each song fills your ears perfectly and tastefully. The track quickly forms into an alternative pop song. Each futuristic byte such as the lasers featured in "Easy Tiger," come in as refined and musically sound as possible. Lead vocalist and guitarist Gourley gives Portugal a real edge with his fascinating singing voice.
At this point in time, we would not suggest any album over this one for a road trip. This album is impressive because it's alternative, rock, funk, pop and most importantly — so rhythmic. You’ll see what we mean once the favorite, "Feel it Still," comes on. A song that is mysteriously sexy, fun and one of the many incredible highlights of Portugal’s striking album. This song sends all the right messages — you’re a badass; feel it, embrace it, live it. “I'm a rebel just for kicks, now / been feeling it since 1966, now / Might be over now, but I feel it still.”
One of the few tracks where the talented group slows it down occurs at another peak of "Woodstock;" the seventh track "So Young." This song is groovy because it manifests the melancholy feel while still sounding funky and smooth like a dance song. With less production and synthesizing involved, we hear how the gorgeous keyboard tune, the bass guitars and electric guitar solo, merge to produce something really special on their own.
Single of the Week: Wild Thoughts – DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller: Now we know what a DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller song sounds like; and it is quite amazing. The strong beat is completely derived from Santana’s ‘Maria Maria.’ Khaled enhanced the beat and tempo, but more importantly added Tiller and Rihanna’s signature touch. Island queen Rihanna singing about her "wild thoughts," is truly captivating and catchy. Tiller is one of the few rappers that has a beautiful voice while rapping quality verses. Here, they do nothing but flow gracefully back into Rih Rih’s wild thoughts. Carlos Santana’s electric guitar in this track immensely amplifies the soon-to-be song of the summer co-written by PARTYNEXTDOOR.
Music Videos: Man of War – Radiohead: For the band's 20th anniversary of their 1997 album "OK Computer," Radiohead is releasing three bonus tracks known as OKNOTOK. The bunch that has been around for over 20 years now has released a new music video that can give you anxiety. A paranoid middle-aged man in black slacks and a white button-down is followed throughout a city. The story takes up the filming technique of continuously altering perspective and mood — going back and forth between the character’s worry and paranoia (night time), to his nonchalant daily routine (day time). It is not unexpected of Radiohead to come out with a dark, mysterious single with an intricate, twisted music video to follow.
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Read what Santana thinks of his "Maria Maria," being sampled and turned into "Wild Thoughts."
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