Eric Church - Springsteen

Up until now, I’ve been pretty good at containing my obvious love for country music and instead focusing more on my pop favorites.  But, it’s summer and that means two things: (1) it’s hot (really, really hot if you’re from D.C.) and (2) it’s time for country music. There’s something about the combination of hot summer nights and country music that is just too irresistible to pass up. Knowing that, country artists usually work to whip out a slew of new country songs right before we enter those hot and hazy months in order to capitalize on that feeling. Songs about old memories, summer flings, outdoor parties, and of course, adventures in fishing can all be found blaring from every country station. This summer is no exception. With all the new summer tunes to choose from, my absolute favorite this year is Eric Church’s “Springsteen.” Clearly an experienced musician, Church has been on the country music scene for quite awhile, but his most recent album is causing everybody to stand up and take notice. Known for his signature baseball cap and aviators, Eric Church has a distinct smooth sounding style that naturally sets him apart. His current single “Springsteen” is tearing up country music charts, and I guarantee if you turn on a country station, you’re bound to hear it within five minutes of air play. The lyrics set up the dynamic between past and present as it depicts the perfect scene of remembering a young summer romance set to the tune of Bruce Springsteen’s classics. Somewhere in the chorus, Church lays it all out with “Funny how a melody sounds like a memory…” a line that reminds us all that music sometimes holds our most precious memories and feelings. Church tells his story clearly, and by the end of the song, you can’t help but picture that young couple listening to some Springsteen on a hot, July night. With the abundance of summer songs out there, make sure you take a listen Eric Church’s “Springsteen,” as I’m sure it will get you in the summer mood, if you’re not already. I know it has for me. Enjoy. - Lindsey

Imagine Dragons - Its Time

Imagine Dragons is the name of the band but when I first heard this song I wasn’t imagining anything but awesomness! (yes, I know that’s not a word, but I think it’s perfect for describing my feelings about my first listen to this track)…  “Its Time” is one of those songs that could really be in a genre of its own. It starts off with a really cool hand clap arrangement and a funky (but cool) string pattern that carries you to the chorus, which is just commanding enough to have you singing along by the end of it. I watched them do a acoustic/live version of the song and its just as good as the original (you can check it out here. It’s a really beautiful rendition of the song)… While they have a bunch of other great songs that I like, this one is definitely my favorite from them so far. So with that said, now ITS TIME for you to take a listen!

You can purchase the song here, and be sure to check them out on Facebook and Twitter!

Ryan Star - Stay Awhile

The last time I heard anything (music wise) from Ryan Star was when he released his debut single “Breath” about 3 years ago, and while I really liked that song, this new track “Stay Awhile” is sheer perfection… The new track shows Ryan going in a completely different musical direction than his past effort (which was much more rock). The song is something I’d expect more from Mat Kearney actually but Ryan has a depth and intensity to his delivery of the song that really makes it his own (his voice isn’t one that you easily forget). I love the heavy percussions and really cool guitar rifts through out the track. Along with that, It’s such a far cry from anything else being played on the radio right now, I can’t help but respect it… I don’t know if this is the sound Ryan is leaning more toward for his upcoming album but if so, I cant wait to hear more. What do you think?

The song isn't available for purchase yet but be sure to check him out on Facebook and Twitter.

Emeli Sandé - Next To Me

If Adele’s U.S. success has proven anything, it’s that Americans are obsessed with British people (they do have awesome accents) and soaring vocals belting out about the heartaches and heartbreaks of love. Following the increasing popularity of Europop music, artists from all over Europe, specifically the UK are seeking to use that platform to get their foot (and songs) into the U.S. door and make their musical mark. Enter Emeli Sandẻ, whose powerful vocals are making her presence known with her current single “Next To Me.” Seen as this Adele/Beyoncẻ/ Robyn combo, Sandẻ, already immensely popular in the UK, is seeking to branch out and follow previous UK performer’s American success. Except instead of stepping into the “love gone wrong” territory that Adele so distinctly owns, Sandẻ is putting a twist on the magical musical formula, focusing on the other (good) side of love. Instead of lamenting over her lover’s cheating ways or working through a bad breakup, she celebrates the fact that her guy is actually a good one. The song describes how instead of cheating, partying, and doing whatever else those so called “bad boys” do, her guy is constantly by her side and that doesn’t change. I gotta say it’s a pretty refreshing change from the depths of despair we’re used to with Adele. Don’t get me wrong, I love Adele and the powerful punches she delivers, but sometimes her music can be a tad bit depressing.  Granted, Sandẻ does tend to move closer to this with the rest of her album, but that’s irrelevant. The point is, I love everything about this song – the lyrics, the music … even the simple video that just shows her pounding away on the piano keys. The piano in the beginning, the continual drum beats, and Sandẻ’s stellar vocals combine to make an amazing blend that I cannot stop listening to. (Sidenote: for a more toned down, haunting quality, check out her acoustic version.) So far, I like what I’m hearing from Emeli Sandẻ and I can’t wait to see how her entrance into the U.S. industry plays out. Fortunately for her, she’s only like 3 years away from becoming a doctor (she was pre-med in college) so if this whole music thing doesn’t work out, she’s got a pretty nice career to fall back on. But, something tells me nobody will be calling her Dr. Sandẻ anytime soon. - Lindsey

Caleb - The Long Walk

While going through the process of releasing my EP (you can check that out here) I came across this band who just so happens to go by the same name as me, Caleb. The band is partly made up of Caleb and Will Chapman who are the sons of popular Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman... It took me a little while to actually stop and listen to their music but once I finally did I couldn't deny these guys were seriously good. "The Long Walk" is my favorite song from their latest album. From the deep lyrics to the commanding sound of the track, I can't help but feel like I'm being taken on a journey when listening to it. And there's an awesome break down that they have right before they go into the chorus of the song, for a second time, that I think is just genius. It's just one of many things that really caught my attention when listening to these guys for the first time... To sum things up, their music is real and heartfelt and they've definitely inspired me, so be sure to give this song a listen!
P.S. - it would be super cool to do a song with them. Caleb featuring Caleb. That just sounds cool (to me)... or maybe its not and I just really wanna work with them. Hmmmm



You can purchase that song here. And be sure to check them out on Facebook and Twitter!

Keke Palmer - You Got Me

I've been following Keke Palmer's music career for some time now and as the years have gone by she has done nothing but get better and better with every song she puts out... "You Got Me" is her latest release, from her upcoming mixtape... Diving right into the song, the first thing that really stood out to me was Keke's vocals. She has great control and a tone to her voice that is very similar to that of Brandy's. Speaking of Brandy, the entire song ("You Got Me") has very reminiscent vibes of her song "What About Us" (the beat is sick). But even with those similarities Keke still owns the song and proves that she's got what it takes to make it as a major artist amongst everyone else in the game right now. Check it out for yourself!
 

The song isnt available for purchase yet but be sure to check her out on Facebook and Twitter.

Kris Allen - Teach Me How Love Goes

I was originally gonna do this post on Kris’s song “Vision Of Love” but I couldn’t help but go with my favorite track from his latest album instead... Before I get to the song I must say, I think Thank You Camellia is a great sophomore album for Kris.  It doesn’t stray to far from the direction/feel of his debut effort but you can definitely hear the growth in his music… While majority of the album is filled with upbeat tracks and a few power ballads, smack dab in the middle of all of that is this masterpiece of a song entitled “Teach Me How Love Goes”. The song starts out with a beautiful string pattern that carries you throughout the entirety of the track, and when the other instruments do (softly) come in they are never overpowering. The song is almost similar to “Stop This Train” by John Mayer, but at the same time its completely different and lovely in its own right. Lastly, I love love loooove the lyrics and Kris’s vocals on this track are nothing short of wonderful (He never over emphasizes anything but you can still hear that every word he’s singing is heartfelt)… So in conclusion “God what’s the secret? Teach me how love goes”.

You can purchase that song here. Be sure to check out Kris on Facebook and Twitter!