Music Madness

Isaiah Rashad - “Cilvia Demo”Isaiah Rashad may be taking a backseat in the media to some of his more successful counterparts in Top Dawg Entertainment, such as Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q, but, make no mistake, Rashad can hold his own lyrically. On “Cilvia Demo,” he flaunts witty punchlines and an impeccable flow on top of a groovy and serene beat, proving that his voice is going to be one to listen for in the near future of hip-hop.Pentatonix - “Can’t Sleep Love”Pentatonix is an a cappella group from Arlington, Texas that is preparing to release its self-titled fouth studio album on Oct. 16. This album will be the group’s first album to be entirely composed of original songs. With just five voices to work with, Pentatonix still consistently manages to have a full sound and put together arrangements that are both intricate and fun to listen to. On “Can’t Sleep Love,” the group also showcases its songwriting abilities. Kevin Olusola provides stellar beatboxing while Avi Kaplan brings the track together with an immensely creative and catchy bassline. Pentatonix proves on this track that they can compete with any band producing pop music, with or without instruments.Youth Lagoon - “Afternoon”Many may be familiar with Youth Lagoon’s track “17,” and while it is his most popular song, it is far from all he has to offer. “Afternoon” is another song from his debut album The Year of Hibernation, and it is similar to “17” in how it starts off slow, with just piano chords and Trevor Powers’ unmistakable falsetto, and builds slowly, adding bass, guitars and drums into the mix until the song comes to a climax. Youth Lagoon is another artist to look out for in the near future, as he will release his third album, Savage Hills Ballroom, on Sept. 25.Cage The Elephant - “Take It Or Leave It”“Take It Or Leave It” perfectly exemplifies Cage The Elephant’s sound: experimental, unique and undeniably fun. The verses feature a bouncing bassline with restrained guitars and drums, while the chorus brings a much higher energy level along with an incredibly catchy vocal. The guitar solo after the second chorus, while short, also adds a lot to an already great song.Mitch Grassi - “Graveyard”Pentatonix’s tenor singer Mitch Grassi’s impeccable voice shines through on this simple yet elegant guitar arrangement. The song’s dark, yet melodic verses and its beautifully uplifting chorus make it a full experience to listen to despite its simplicity, and Grassi shows on this track that he does not flourish only in an a cappella setting, but is also capable of producing an extraordinary piece in any genre.