Finnish popstar Robin Packalen is back with a new single from the deluxe version of his newest album, 16. I've been very happy with how well Robin has done in his homeland, though the fact that he sings solely in Finnish makes his international prospects pretty much nonexistent. That's okay, though. I'd rather have him conquer Finland and stay true to the sound that's made him so popular. Kipinän Hetki, featuring rapper Elastinen, is definitely more on the hip-hop side of Robin's music, but it still retains that huge hook that he's been known for. I could do without the hockey siren sound effect prior to the chorus, but from what I can tell from the just-released music video, the song is also part of some hockey-themed soundtrack (?). Either way, it's great to hear Robin back with new music. He hasn't disappointed yet.
We're starting to get peaks of summer weather here and there, and it's got me building playlists full of bright, upbeat tracks. I love that roller rink style pop... simple and carefree and easy to sing along with. I'm not a diehard fan of Korean group 2PM, but when I saw that one of their members was releasing a new music video, I thought I'd give it a chance. I'm incredibly happy that I did, because R.O.S.E is the exact kind of bouncy, addictive pop I'm craving. It's all about those "uh yeah" parts in the hook. There's just something so classically cool and happy about it, like a lost Michael Jackson track from the 70's. It's actually pretty darn close to disco, and that's alright with me!
(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.
So I was hanging out on itunes Japan (you know, as you do...) and I made an awesome discovery via their "new albums" spotlight. His name is Miyavi, and he is incredible. He's a slap guitarist, which means that his music is bursting with incredible, intricate rhythm. For the first decade or so of his career, he worked in a harder rock genre, but starting with 2013's self-titled album, the music shifted in a funkier, poppier, and ultimately glammier direction. His most recent single, The Others, is a straight-ahead, singalong rock song that wouldn't have sounded out of place in the 90's. It also sounds a little bit like my favorite rock band, The Ark. But, the track I'm posting today is the monumentally huge Horizon, released in 2013. It has a more tribal sound, with a sky-high chorus and incredible guitar breakdowns. You will not regret hearing this track. It's just that good. Oh, and for those that aren't comfortable with songs in other languages, the songs from Miyavi's more recent albums are almost exclusively performed in English. He's a unique talent, and I can't believe it's taken me so long to discover him.
(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the new album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.
You may have seen this video over the weekend, and if not, you're in for a treat. Now, I certainly never imagined I'd be posting a track by David Hasselhoff on the blog, but this song has been recorded with tongue firmly in cheek, as a soundtrack cut from a kickstarter-funded 80's-inspired short film called Kung Fury. The video itself is impressively bonkers, with an endless stream of special effects and filters to give it a nostalgic feel. Nostalgia on acid, really. The accompanying song is pure 80's fist-pumping, power pop cheese, which of course means I absolutely adore it. Most will likely treat it as a joke and focus on the awesome visuals instead, but I may have already downloaded the mp3 (and will be jamming to it for the foreseeable future). Even if the song's not your thing, though, you can't deny that the opening scene of the music video is pretty epic.
(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the song here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.
...Transmissions come in from outposts all over the universe... Unfamiliar melodies stream into our radios... Fronted by colorful aliens with big voices... The music begins to catch on ... It's in our heads and it refuses to leave... And we like it...
