Summer Songs 2015 Preview - The Dance Songs

I'm back after a long hiatus and took some time to explore different musical genres. I'm ready to tackle this year highly coveted title of the song of the summer. First up the pop edm songs.

Know that Crappy Song Before Everyone Else Does

This was on one of the music blogs I follow. If you can't stand a minute of this track ,you have more patience than I do.

These Songs on the Radio Are Good.

I have comeback after an extended vacation and getting everything back in order. Anyway here are the songs I like on the radio at the moment.


1. "Love Me Like You Do" - Ellie Goulding

I'm a sucker for a good Ellie Goulding track, and this song beat every expectation I had. Great pop vocals, and decent lyrics about her relationship.  Hard to believe Ellie Goulding hasn't had a major hit song since, "Burn" or even "Lights." I feel this song could be a number one hit on the hot 100 and could dethrone Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.  This synthpop ballad was written with Max Martin who is an evil genius on creating earworms that get lodged in your head for days and this song is no exception.  While the movie this song is taken from is probably going to be terrible at least we get a decent song from it. Goulddiggers (Ellie Goulding fan army) unite!

2. Sheppard - "Geronimo" 

This song has been out for a while, and one of alternatives better crossover tracks. Not feeling Vance Joy or Hozier tracks at all. It has a decent rock beat going, and plenty of chanting that a song like this needs.  Lyrically the song keeps the upbeat theme, and never overstays its welcome.

While I like the original song I can't abandon my electronic dance music roots and enjoy a decent remix of it. The Benny Bennassi remix of the song is true treat. He doesn't go too crazy with the breakdown, and provides plenty of high energy snyths to keep any ravers (like myself) happy. Honestly Walk the Moon or Sheppard could end up being one of my favorite alternative groups of the year. 

3. Imagine Dragons - "Shots"

I expect this song to get a release soon if it didn't already. Their first single on the album was a weird experiment of different genres that didn't add up correctly. It had Mumford & Suns feel that didn't go with the group intentions. 

Here Imagine Dragons do a disco vibe with this song I believe pull off very well.  It is song you can play on a Friday night or a Monday morning commute to get you upbeat. I wasn't a big fan of this group from the last album or any of three big singles from that album. This is a good start for me on liking some of their other material.

Aronchupa - "I'm an Albatraoz"

I smell a future review coming, but this song is awful.

Best Pop Songs of 2014 - Part 3

6. Echosmith - "Cool Kids"

Echosmith is an alternative rock group out of California that has gotten popular over the last year for this single.  I enjoy the laidback vibe of the instrumentation; it reminds me of 80s new wave rock ballads. 

What elevated this song from a good song to a great song is the lyrics. In the song Echosmith tells two stories, one from a girl perspective, and one from a boy perspective.  This song was aim at high schoolers but anybody can relate to that time of trying to be a "cool kid." From Echosmith point of view they were not the cool kids at all instead trying to be them and failing.  

"She sees them walking in a straight line,
That's not really her style"
I never noticed this from cool kids. I guess blocking the hallway from everyone else seems to acknowledge their presence. 

"They're driving fast cars
But they don't know where they're going
In the fast lane, living life without knowing"

I really like this line. The cool kids maybe rich, and have all of the expensive cars; however, the idea of being a cool kid will fade with time.  Being a high school kid is only four years of your life and your future is much longer than that. 

The vocals of the song are Paramore lite. That is probably the reason this song saw attention in the first place, but I am glad it did. It was nice to hear a song with some true meaning on the radio, and I hope to hear more from Echosmith soon. As the song states in its true meaning: Be Yourself.

5. "A Sky Full of Stars" - Coldplay

I make it no secret that I enjoy EDM influenced pop music, and this was the best song of the year for it. I already review this song in detail earlier in the year, but I thoughts on it have not change. The beat keeps bringing me back for an epic night on the town. Still is Coldplay best song in recent years, and continue potentially be their last. They are reportedly only doing one more album and moving on. 

Hear is the Hardwell remix of the song. This is my usually go to remix of the song.

Best Pop Songs of 2014 - Part 2

8. Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea - "Problem"

Summer 2014 crop of pop songs were pretty good this year besides the two biggest songs being less than desirable.  Enter,"Problem" arguably the third biggest song of the summer, and Ariana Grande biggest hit song to date. The production on the song is trend chasing with a saxophone hook reminiscence of Jason Derulo hit earlier in the year, "Talk Dirty." "Problem" uses a  sample from Star Trek specifically the red alert sound effect at the whisper part of the song.  I like the beat of this song.  The saxophone, hip hop drums, and samples were used to a great effect. The beat has never worn out on me.

Iggy Azalea raps stay on topic with the song with an idea of breakup being not a problem anymore. She even throws a necessary 99 problems reference which I knew was coming.

The weak point of the song is Ariana herself. As I have heard Ariana on my radio throughout the year she still seems to have same problem. Mainly her enunciation of words. In the pre chorus all her words seem to get mush together into something that is unintelligible unless you listen carefully. I would had rank this song higher if it were not of this problem. 

I enjoy this guy cover of the song. Embrace the sax.

7. Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne - "Rather Be"

In April when I was looking at the potential songs of the summer I thought this would the one.  Sticks with a friendly dance beat, lyrics about being with someone, and fantastic vocals. Of course this song peak in the late summer months, but I am slightly disappointed. Anyway onto the song itself.

Clean Bandit is a dance group that features classical music instrumentation.  Here on, "Rather Be" they feature a violin hook and chord production of the 90s pop music. I really enjoy every part of the production here. It is light and summer like to play at max volume down the road. 

Jess Glynne is an absolute highlight here. Her vocals rise above the production here making her statement about being with someone more impact coming with her. I couldn't any other vocalists pulling off this song. 

These two artists try to make magic again with a followup hit, "Real Love" So far no love for the follow up single.

Best Pop Songs of 2014 - Part 1

10. Iggy Azalea feat. Rita Ora - "Black Widow"

I know I am going to get major dislikes for this pick, but this song was important to me. This song showed me that Iggy has potential to be a big rap star and shake up the industry.  Stargate production is something that should not be missed here. The similarities to, "Dark Horse" are noticeable, but I see improvement here. The bass doesn't sound so powerful that it completes overwhelms like, "Dark Horse", and adds gradually building synths to the chorus to make Rita Ora statement about black widows powerful. 

 Iggy raps are less memorable here than on, "Fancy" but I see talent and potential than on, "Fancy". On "Fancy" she sounds like a wannabe rapper with a fake accent that is way over done. Here she dials it back and instead raps with confidence with no gimmicks. 

Rita Ora is still a Rihanna singer from the UK but she does a good job here.  She sings in and out the chorus with no problems and you can't help but sing a long to it. 

Iggy Azalea is going to be in the industry challenging Nicki Minaj for the Queen of Hip Hop in the coming years. Helps to have T.I. as a mentor in the quest for that.

9.  Pharrell Williams - "Happy"

Was this song overplayed this year? Of course it was. The "happiest" song of the year was bound to make the list. "Happy" keeps it simple with the song layout: great uptempo beat, positive lyrics, and good singing. The beat is a 60s Motown throwback sound with the choir harmonies in the chorus. It is perfect for the hand clapping in the song's video.

The lyrics are bit silly here, but they keep with the idea of being happy. Everyone wants to be happy. It may not be in this song for everyone but it is a universal idea. I feel Pharrell was successful in pulling this feat off. Every time I hear this song I feel happier for listening to it, and starting a good day with it. 

Pharrell vocals glide with the beat providing a positive voice to bring all of the elements together.  This song was number one hot 100 year end chart, and for good reason. It is a fantastic song.