I Break Horses

Gee has Sweden advanced music over the recent years! This band is almost the flag of demonstration, begging the world to surrender to Sweden's non-stop excellence.  This particular song features multi-layers of delicious sound waves including traditional sing-song response folded neatly into layers of textural synths.  The outro of this song is absolutely epic.  Way to go I Break Horses! One of the best songs I've heard in a long time. I am officially recommending this whole album by them for your consideration.



Origin: Stockholm, Sweden

Artist: I Break Horses

Heartless Bastards

These guys really know how to make a heartwarming video. It effortlessly depicts the childlike wonder of romance with life with its expressive child actors and scenes from an America that is still promising, paved with roads and daydreams.

Origin: Cincinnati, Ohio
Artist: Heartless Bastards

Taylor Swift

Anyone that knows me, knows that I'm not much of a pop music listener. But I found an exception and it has taken me about 6 weeks of almost non-stop listening to much of her released material to confirm what I suspected from the very start. The question is- Is Taylor Swift a great songwriter? My answer is a resounding YES! As a songwriter myself- I am constantly amazed at her ability to string phonetically pleasing words together while still maintaining lyrical integrity towards the concept of her tracks. She also has a unique ability to add flourishes and nuances to the lines she sings...which consistently takes her lyrical lines to the realm of the exceptional. Not only do these lines sound phonetically incredible for the most part, they also sometimes include incredibly insightful observations for someone so young. Her songs themselves or the music- they give just enough a vehicle for her outstanding vocals to take the front stage. It is no wonder that her biggest fans know the words to all her songs and sing along loudly! They are just simply beautifully constructed. At times, she even takes chances and adds a spoken word, drops a beat into LFO absorption territory and always has a knack for just what spice or additive to add or remove from her song structure progressions to keep the momentum going, or to completely take a song off the path you think it's going. Her strategy, from what I see is to sometimes go off the path just to give the listener a look at the "forest" of the song only to snap you back in perfect time to see her walking through that forest in whatever mood or imagery she wishes to apply. One of the criticisms against her is that the majority of her songs tend to dwell on romantic topics or interpersonal observations. I can see her breaking out of this pattern if she wishes...but why should she? Her ever-growing legions of fans love her just how she is. 

Artist: Taylor Swift 
Origin: Reading, Pennsylvania USA

Jay Som (Song of the Year edition)

It's not too early to select Tion Tunesies song of the year 2017! This selection by Jay Som hits many good spots with its interweaving segments of sonic "bright lights."  Right from the start of the track to the end, the tune just keeps its listener mesmerized and energized with its spectacularly thoughtful playing and the dreamy singing of its lead singer Melina Duterte.  I was especially amused that they wear the baseball caps of their hometown team in a certain live video.  Here's to looking forward to what else this talented contingent brings in the future!

Artist: Jay Som
Origin: Oakland, California USA

Mac DeMarco

Can't get enough of this track so I had to reactivate this long-dormant blog to enthuse all about it. There is a very John Lennonish quality to the sonic construction in that it has this addictive supporting brass section and just the right splash of reverby-key/guitar not sure what it is, it serves as the perfect grazing ground for Mr. DeMarco's superb vocals to feed upon.  This track also possesses some understated yet very clever lyrics that match this tunes environment like a cold beverage does for a person on a hot summer day. End the summer and take a sip of Mac whenever you need to be reminded that great artists are still around us making fabulous music.

Origin: Duncan, Canada
Artist: Mac DeMarco

Yeek

Here we have a band that remembers how to put some "thump" into their tracks.  Very reminiscent of some of the better 80s style production where the driving beat leads from the front and the guys carefully craft a very catchy tune that is tailor made for singing along.  The guys create an effective harmony by layering two styles of singing that coincide with a jangly propulsive guitar.  Watch the video until the end for a laugh!  

Artist: Yeek
Origin: Los Angeles, California USA

BRONCHO

This artist is picking up the mantle of the great pop punk bands of the past and putting its own input on the genre. I feel a good connection to this sound as it manages to frame its surfy styled vocalist with a solid post punk derived rhythm section,  The solid guitars are expertly placed with the hand of amazing production strategies.  Ride out a few tracks with BRONCHO!  I believe this is a great road trip sound.    

Artist: BRONCHO

Origin: Norman, Oklahoma USA