As a composer, my brain is hard-wired to take apart music and separate different components of the music into categories. I am naturally attracted to music that presents challenges. This is the framework in which I created a pop-music playlist that won’t make your ears bleed.
“When Can I See You Again?” — Owl City
Given the lush poetry, soft electronics and rhythmic/melodic layering that makes up literally every Owl City song, it should be no surprise that “When Can I See You Again” is an enjoyable listen. This song embodies the energy of being young, excited and hopeful.
Most people don’t appreciate Stitches. It’s not complicated, the lyrics are easy to understand and it’s not an exciting song. Through pre-conceived notions aside, though, and watch Stitches’ music video — the depth of emotion Shawn Mendes shows make the song easier to appreciate.
This song warrants every single bit of attention and praise it has gotten — including the Thanksgiving Saturday Night Live sketch which was goddamn brilliant. The transition from verse to chorus is goosebump-inducing. Adele’s voice is sublime, the technical production of “Hello” is perfect and it deserves the highest praise. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like Adele — “Hello” is just plain excellent.
“Don’t Look Down” — Martin Garrix feat. Usher
“Don’t Look Down,” plainly, inspires you to keep going. It’s has the right blend of influences from EDM, pop and alternative. It’s constructed in such a way that it only uses the best chords, which is uplifting and really nice to listen to.
“Beggin For Thread” — BANKS“Beggin For Thread’s” musical aesthetic is breathtaking. Banks brings a really raw and gothic interpretation of the idea of seduction with this song, which just makes the listener want more.
“Scream & Shout”— will.i.am feat. Britney Spears
“Scream & Shout” is a long, fast song, but it will get you moving, making it feel significantly shorter than it actually is. The harmonic progression is attractive, and the combination of different rhythmic sounds creates an incredibly vibrant texture. It’s diverse musical construction ensures the listener will never grow bored.
“A Sky Full of Stars” — Coldplay
From the first few chords of the piano, you know this song going to be great. Coldplay’s “A Sky Full of Stars,” piano chords seamlessly transition into electronics, guitars and voices. The track has an otherworldly quality, transporting listeners to an ethereal place.There’s something so unique about Charli XCX’s vocals that’s so viscerally beautiful. When you put “Boom Clap” in the context of “The Fault in Our Stars” — on a side note, if you haven’t, you need to read that book and watch that movie — the song takes on an amazing magnificence.
In classical music there is what’s called an ostinato, which is basically a repeated riff that happens throughout a song or piece that holds everything together. The ostinato in M83’s “Midnight City” is infectious. If you like this song, you’ll be happy to hear M83 will be in concert at the Rialto Theatre on April 12.
I could listen to the baritone saxophone line in “Shake It Off” and probably never get bored. It’s a great pre-workout, pump-up jam — you’ll want to literally shake it off and begin another great day.
Follow Kincaid Rabb on Twitter.
