Welcome to Music on Repeat: a list of music that has been on my replay list recently. The songs that made this week’s list are as follows!
SECRETS – Sleep Well, Darling: A sweet rock-ballad about a lost lover. The instrumentation is minimalistic on this one, but it works to the song’s benefit as the light percussion makes a great complement to the lead vocals and some lovely, bittersweet guitar chords. The song breaks down into some raw electric guitar riffs toward the song’s coda, and everything comes together harmoniously.
GoldLink – U Say Ft. Jay Prince, Tyler, The Creator: A heavily string-backed instrumental is the backbone for this track alongside some tribal, afro-inspired percussion. A smooth, groovy song that very much encapsulates a late summer evening “let’s party” vibe.
As Tall As Lions – Circles: Oh, man. If you like indie rock, consider looking into this band’s discography. “Circles” is founded on a driving rhythm, endearing vocal melodies and harmonies, infectious guitar arpeggios…it’s beautiful.
CHOKER – PETROL BLISS: One of those rap and RnB inspired songs that makes you feel like you’re in the clouds. It features floaty, smooth atmospheres, an evolving pad, and a somewhat repetitive drum sequence: all of which complement each other well.
Erik Satie – Gymnopédie No. 1: Soothing and tranquil, Satie’s piano composition is elegant, composed, and pristine.
Disclosure – Latch Ft. Sam Smith: “If intimacy was a song, this is it.” Disclosure does a masterful job on the production on this track, creating an unlikely marriage between Sam Smith’s alluring, male vocals and captivating electronic instrumentation. A quintessential balance between dance and electronic music, “Latch” is a favorite.
tha Supreme – 5olo: So, you wanted some haunting trap melodies, a short trap motif, and some rapid-fire Italian lyrics about isolation? Here you go.
Tera Kora – Whine Up (Remix): Dance meets pop meets reggae fusion: an impeccable intertwining of genres. Honestly, it’s such a bop.
Lorde – Tennis Court (Flume Remix): Flume turned an indie-pop song into an EDM banger. What else is new?
Snoop Dogg – When It’s All Over (Feat. Patti LaBelle): Who knows what business Snoop Dogg had putting out a gospel album? Regardless, the drums and bass in this track are sharp and crisp, the choirs are ethereal, and LaBelle’s vocals will make you want to repent for all your wrongdoings. Simply amazing.
Red Velvet – Bad Boy: If you told me that an upbeat K-pop song imbued with elements of EDM and trap would be one of my all-time favorite bangers, I’d have said, “Yeah, for sure. I’d have also grown ten feet taller, right?” Yet, here we are.
Honorable Mentions
Clark Beckham – I Need: The instrumentation is very reminiscent of 90s white and black romance films—think Casablanca. I initially thought this song would fall into that dreadful category of music that centers around young male singers with good voices, pandering to a female audience of early adolescence to old age; thankfully, it did not. Instead, it’s an immense show of talent through Beckham’s strong vocals, well anchored by slick, sexy instrumentation. I’ll take it.
Marshmello - Where Are Ü Now (with Justin Bieber) [Remix]: Marshmello’s music often sounds to me like electronic production as the embodiment of a world of sweets, children, bouncy castles, and cotton candy. I’m not a fan. Just listen to the Autolaser remix instead. It’s undoubtedly better.
Dalon Riviere - Contributing Writer
Please feel free to email me at driviere@monmouthcollege.edu with any song suggestions you may have or tweet me @donalie923. I'm always looking for something new to listen to!