This month was characterized first by snow, then not enough snow, then snow days, and finally travel delays. Trying to stay warm has influenced my taste in music this month -- songs with deep bass synths, along with tropical beats, have helped me stay positive through being sick twice, as well as long periods of midterms at school.
In the February edition of This Month in Music, you'll find my top new releases, favorite songs by mood, a concert I attended, long mixes to accompany you for working or partying, and a fun track to help you stay above the weather.
All 29 songs I mention are available via the button below.
- NEW RELEASES I'M LOVING -
Drake // If You're Reading This It's Too Late
What To Listen To: "Energy" // "Energy (GAWTBASS & Nato Feelz Remix) [not in album] // "10 Bands" // "Preach (feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR)"
I'm still warming up to this album, since I haven't had the chance to listen to it in full, but so far I'm a fan of the songs listed above. "Energy" and "10 bands" give off a super self-assured "energy," and definitely look like they're dedicated to the haters.
(Aside: His 2011 album Take Care is my favorite album of his -- it's intimate, raw and real. Love the classical elements in "Look What You've Done," by the way.)
I'm also a fan of the album cover. It's definitely an eye-catcher, and spot-on with the prayer hands emoji.
HUCCI // 404
What To Listen To: "Panic Cord (ft. G FrSh, Gabrielle Aplin)" // "Echelon" // "Moon"
I wrote about the album's release in this Song of the Week post but definitely think it deserves another mention here. Although he's only 18-years-old, HUCCI has an incredibly unique trap style that will, without a doubt, make you feel like an instant badass. He samples Lana Del Rey in "Echelon" and Alt-J in "Moon." 'Nuff said.
Download the album for free (or name your price and support HUCCI!) on Bandcamp here.
ODESZA x KAASI // All We Need Remixes
What To Listen To: "All We Need (feat. Shy Girls) [KAASI Remix]"
KAASI, who I dub the "King of Study Music" in my article here about music for productivity, finally released a new remix of ODESZA's "All We Need." It's easy to say that everything KAASI produces gives off hopeful, uplifting vibes, and this one doesn't disappoint.
They released an entire album full of "All We Need" remixes, which you can listen to on Spotify here.
Skrillex & Diplo // Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü
What To Listen To: "Take Ü There (feat. Kiesza) [Missy Elliot Remix]" // "To Ü (feat. AlunaGeorge)
Jack Ü, the collaboration between Skrillex and Diplo, released their highly anticipated album on February 24th. A common riff in their duo act seems to be the sound of nozzles turning (refer to 0:47 in "Take Ü There"), which is a bit harsh on the ears, but I'll accept it as a party banger album. I can't complain that Missy Elliott made a comeback on her remix of "Take Ü There." Love it!
TroyBoi // "Soundclash" & More
What To Listen To: "Soundclash" // "Do You?" // "Recognise Real" // "TTU (Too Turnt Up) (feat. Waka Flocka Flame) [TroyBoi Remix]" // "Nuffin"
TroyBoi was by far my #1 favorite producer of the month. His music ranges from trap to future bass, a genre that he calls #MyStyle. "Recognise Real" is the perfect example of that -- a blend of the two genres to create, for the lack of a better word, a super "trendy" sound. As the Londoner collaborated with Chicago-based DJ duo Flosstradamus in the banger "Soundclash" this month, I have a feeling that TroyBoi is going to becoming huge. Along with producer icekream, he's a part of SoundSnobz, and the two make bass-heavy, deep house tracks -- my favorite being "Nuffin."
- FAVORITES: MUSIC BY MOOD -
To Beat the Winter Blues // DEEP
The title explains it all. Deep voices and some future bass to keep your ears warm through the last of winter.
"Body Gold (Louis The Child Remix) - Oh Wonder
"Warm" - SG Lewis
"Talk is Cheap" - Chet Faker
We Out Here // RAP/HIP-HOP
These songs have style & attitude. Listen to these when you're hustling hard, doing work, staying motivated.
"The Purge / Rapfix Cypher (20syl Remix) - Schoolboy Q
"Drive Me Crazy (feat. Vic Mensa)" - KAYTRANADA
"Blessings (feat. Drake)" - Big Sean
Late Night Studying // TROPICAL
Go Hard or Go Home // TRAP
My go-to workout songs this month. As you've probably noticed by now, I can't get enough of dat bass.
"TTU (Too Turnt Up) [feat. Waka Flocka Flame]" - Flosstradamus
"Core (What So Not Edit)" - RL Grime
"Insomnia" - GAWTBASS
- CONCERT -
ZIMMER/AUTOGRAF/EAU CLAIRE
I went to the Zimmer / Autograf / Eau Claire concert in early February at U Street Music Hall. The tropical beats were awesome, and really helped set those feel-good vibes that you really could feel throughout the crowd during the night. If you like Kygo -- one of the more popular tropical house artists -- you'll also like this trio of artists. Zimmer's monthly mixtape "Space" from September is one of my favorites, since it starts with "Always This Late" by ODESZA, and it showcases his Parisian taste.
- LONG STUDY & PARTY MIXES -
MIXMAG
Mixmag, an epic dance music and clubbing magazine, welcomes tons of artists to perform long sets at their London lab and them uploads them on their YouTube channel here. The beauty of these long mixes -- and the reason why I think it's suitable for studying to -- is that they last for thirty minutes to over an hour, which means you don't have to waste time searching for more songs that blend well together. The two sets featured below are by RL Grime, who created the perfect party banger mix, and Disclosure whose deep house and disco-y beats make it easy for you to "get in the zone."
- "ELEPHANT DUBSTEP" -
MACKLIN FLUEHR
Yes, elephant dubstep. One of my best friends Olivia introduced me to her friend Macklin Fluehr's music, who created some cool electronic music during a Brown University course called 'Computers and Music.' I definitely think he has the talent to keep on producing and developing a unique musical style. I heard his track "Elephant Dubstep" and thought it was an awesome example of how music can transform the mundune -- like this YouTube video with random elephants facts -- into a track you can dance to. Check it out!
