White Winter Hymnals
As the winter slowly draws to a close, you may be struggling to find music to get you through the blizzards and single-digit temperatures. If this is the case, hopefully, a few recommendations can help you out. Here are some of the songs I’ve been enjoying lately, covering a variety of genres and styles, so next time you find yourself playing the new Drake album on repeat (which I know I’ve been doing), you can treat yourself to a little variety.
Foster the People - “Fire Escape”
After the success of their 2010 hit “Pumped Up Kicks”, along with a few other songs from their 2011 debut album Torches that made it to the radio, Foster the People went under the radar for a couple years. 2014 saw the release of their sophomore album Supermodel, which ended its tracklist with “Fire Escape”, a subdued ballad with understated acoustic guitar and evocative vocals. The song stands out as the only one of its kind in Foster the People’s discography, a testament to the band’s versatility, which we will hopefully hear more of in the future.
Vulfpeck - “1612”
If you’re looking for a song to lift your spirits as the end of winter seems just a little too far away, look no further than the funk vibes of “1612”. Its subtle, laid-back piano and its endlessly catchy walking bassline perfectly complement the singer’s unique vocal style and make the song a very worthwhile listen when you need something to pick you up.
The Griswolds - “Beware the Dog”
By far the most successful song off of The Griswolds’ debut album Be Impressive, “Beware the Dog” has attracted attention for its quotable chorus and catchy guitar riffs. But don’t be fooled by its outward cheeriness: the song draws inspiration from the sad story of a friend of the singer who became addicted to drugs. Behind the song’s happy exterior, the lyrics tell a much more somber story, but they are also very poetic, and certainly worth a close listen.
Kendrick Lamar - “The Blacker the Berry”
King Kendrick has released two singles recently, which have generated a wave of hype for his next album. The first single, “i”, was very upbeat and poppy, and saw a fair amount of success. The latter single, “The Blacker the Berry”, was a radical departure from the first. Drawing on racial themes undoubtedly inspired by the events in Ferguson and other similar happenings of late, it takes a much darker and angrier path than “i”. The two singles provide a testament to Kendrick’s versatility as well as his raw skill, which he has shown time and time again and will hopefully only continue to capitalize on moving forward in his career.
Dave Brubeck - “Take Five”
If you like jazz, you’ve probably already heard of “Take Five”, and if you don’t like jazz, this song may convince you otherwise. It was written in a 5/4 time signature, which can initially be confusing to some listeners, but Brubeck justifies it with a melody that will be stuck in your head for hours and fantastic saxophone and drum solos. For those who may be looking for something a little bit weirder to try and wrap your head around, check out Brubeck’s equally great “Blue Rondo á la Turk”.