Josh Pyke

When hearing” Oblivion” for the first time the audience’s first interpretation may be vastly different than what the upbeat and playful rhythm may lead the listener to believe. “Oblivion”, a song written and performed by Claire Boucher a.k.a. “Grimes”, is a song with electronic beats, synth-pop tones, and almost inaudible, child-like vocals. Yet, when reading the lyrics the audience can uncover the darker meaning behind the “playful” song. The lyrics suggest a state of cluelessness or unawareness of one’s surroundings, as well as revealing Boucher’s experience with a sexual assault and the effects of the assault. Through the use of imagery, repetition, and the overall tone of the song the audience can view a traumatic event through the lyrics in “Oblivion”.

Certain songs resonate deep down within one’s soul. The reason may not seem clear, but particular songs cause an effect on a person when they are heard. Many songs cause this reaction, and even though a person cannot quite put his or her finger on the how and why, a person experiences this forever. A song can achieve incredible things. Whether the song lifts someone’s spirits, transports their mind to a time and place long since passed, or breaks their hearts, music is a constant. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” may have been overshadowed by the band’s songs “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama”, but “Simple Man” takes a person back to their childhood, evokes hope, and reminds people that the things needed in life remain simple

Like a chocolate truffle on valentines day with a dark chocolate center, the middle of this album is more bitter than the initial tracks. “The Thunder Answered Back”

For this song I aimed to portray as much natural emotion utilising heavy layering and particular notations for each part. By choosing an array of acoustic instruments and an underlying dissonant feel enriched in the piano part I was able to provide a solid foundation for the String and Vocal arrangements.

A number of poetry elements included throughout the song give strength to the lyrics overall. The specific elements that permeate the song include tone, similes,

Through the masterful choice in lyrics, the artist prompts a change in the thought process of the listener as they point out a correction in the manner of which the listener ‘sees’ the world around them.

The singer shares her past experience of being broken hearted but later accepts love back into her life. Women are often wary of men’s intentions when entering a new relationship but the singer wholeheartedly trusts this man. The rhythm of the song is slow and the tempo is moderate. The song features hand claps and foot stomps that alternate throughout. The chorus is faster than the other stanzas and uses background vocals to create a gospel music element.

World-renowned drummer Niall MacMillan’s world has been rocked by his brother’s betrayal. Still struggling to distinguish fact from fiction, he welcomes the distraction offered by the beautiful woman pulling him into her dreams.

As the poignant novel unfolds, Leland evokes a range of emotions through a dozen songs written and performed by himself—each timely composition more powerful, and relevant, than the one before, until a vulnerable Leland must confront a life-altering decision to follow his dream or follow his heart.

The opening track, “Scarlet Woman Variations” leads us to tranquil landscapes surrounded by a placid spirituality, a mood that shifts completely in the more flustered “Seventh Arrow”, where our senses are caught in the provocative rhythm, dazzling keyboard sounds, and the expressiveness of the horns that juxtapose each other with jumpy phrases.

The song has simple lyrics, that carry a huge strength, and haunt you even when the song is over. The juxtaposition of the beautiful landscape, the scent of flowers, with the blood of human beings brutally beaten, gives a powerful and poignant felling to the song. The song exposes the brutality of racism in America, and doesn’t leave any room for more words. When the meaning of the song is fully grasped, one remains shocked, angry and disguste by the imagery portrayed.

Learning to love someone besides yourself is a delicate choice that is exemplified throughout the song “Tranquilized” by Finish Ticket. In the composition, the lyricist appears to be one of the lovers in a relationship who undergoes the struggle of a breakup. Though the songwriter deals with a heart break, they learn to heal. As confusing as love is, Finish Ticket captures the emotional disconnection and healing that comes with the choice of loving another. Emotions are the fire to any relationship, determining whether the connection between two people can turn to love or separation.

Ohio native and Brooklyn based singer/songwriter, J. Hoard, is an artist on the rise. In 2015 he released his 4-track debut EP, “Feel Good”. The apropos title embodies the positive sound and theme behind the album. Feel Good contains atmospheric and dreamy soundscapes with elements of Gospel, R&B/Soul and Jazz. The EP offers introspective lyrics that evoke observations and questions of the spiritual connectedness within humanity and beyond. J. Hoard’s musicality, combined with his warm acrobatic vocals - that can jump from calm to vibrate in an instant – congeal to create a solid debut that is worth listening to. Additionally, J. Hoard has shared bills with prolific and accomplished artists such as Pharoahe

While passing through rainstorms on road-trips, I’d sit in the backseat with the music turned all the way up to block out the booming thunder. A velveteen voice croons against a lyrical violin score. The luscious words entangle me with their viscosity and I sink into their familiar embrace while the

The constant onslaught of raucous guitars and fat bass lines are punctuated really well by the meticulous production, significantly relying on their power, however, it presents itself as crystal clear in a genre where murkiness prevails. On the contrast, through ‘Pathfinder’, the guys have also made an effort to expand the sonic palette a bit. The song starts slower, intertwining leads from both stringed instruments and straightforward drums, before Jeff joins in. Halfway, they switch to a faster tempo, leaving the singer to lead on until they finish off with solos and a crushing, but melodic coda. A perfect end to this ramming EP, the track shows there’s no sign of any weakness, only more grooves for everybody. In Tensions is not only a stop-gap between LPs, but a sweet assurance that things are back into motion