It’s the 1st of July which can only mean one thing… the July mixtape is here!
This month’s is mostly an R&B affair but with the odd curveball thrown in…
Tag: Miguel
Music Monday – Volume Ninety Seven
1) Shura – Make It Up
Shura follows huge summer smash ‘What’s It Gonna Be’ with a gentler yet still funky track from upcoming album ‘Nothing’s Real’. ‘Make It Up’ is evidently inspired by 80’s synthpop and at times mirrors the likes of Haim and MUNA.
2) Adele – Remedy
Adele does what she does best – powerfully delivering a piano ballad – on this beautiful track from platinum selling album ’25’.
3) Maxwell – Gods
Slick and smooth track from neo-soul guru Maxwell, taken from upcoming album ‘BlackSUMMERS’ night’.
4) Campsite – Try Again
Campsite modernise and re-energise Aaliyah’s 2001 R&B smash into an EDM/tropical house track. It’s not necessarily the most innovative of re-workings but it works well and serves well in regards to the feel-good factor.
5) All Tvvins- These 4 Words
Irish duo All Tvvins return with this huge, catchy pop-rock track. Slick production and an electrifying chorus result in this energising track.
6) Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine Dragons – Sucker For Pain
In one of the most unlikely combinations of the year, American rock band Imagine Dragons team up with rappers Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa on this R&B/Rock track, lifted from the soundtrack of Suicide Squad.
7) The Avalanches – Subways
Funky disco-flavoured track from Australian electronic music group The Avalanches. Frisky bass lines, glistening synths and distorted vocals give this a late 70’s disco feel.
8) Berhana – Grey Luh
Fierce alternative R&B/neo-soul track from Berhana. The minimalist backing track works perfectly with the rich vocals.
9) Nina Sky – Champion Lover
Brilliant Caribbean-infused R&B track from American R&B duo Nina Sky. Buoyant percussion, squeaky synths and slick production result in a huge summer smash hit.
10) Miguel – Do You? (Live from Spotify SXSW Sessions)
Miguel still proves to be one of the world’s most underrated R&B artists. Fusing his rich tone with retro-inspired guitar riffs, dreamy layered harmonies and a frisky rhythm section, Miguel flirts with both metaphorical and literal references to drugs.
January Mixtape
After adapting Music Monday to make it strictly about current and new music, we realised that there was no way to draw focus to older music on this blog. So we have decided to publish a mixtape (or Spotify Playlist) of 20 songs on the first day of every month.
This makes January’s rather late but with no further ado, here’s the Music Box’s January Mixtape:
Music Monday – Volume Fifty Eight
1) Lianne La Havas – Unstoppable
Luscious piece of R&B/Soul with silky smooth vocals. Co-written by Paul Epworth, frequent collaborator with the likes of Adele & Duffy, this soul infused track is oozing with class and perfection.
2) Lianne La Havas – What You Don’t Do
Lianne La Havas is my discovery of the week and I cannot get enough of these two tracks. Her jazz-styled vocals are full of passion and soul and I love the big-band and soul infusion that underpins this catchy track.
3) Miguel – Coffee
Sexy, sultry and sleek. Miguel’s smooth vocals smother stuttering synthesisers and heavy percussion, resulting in a powerful piece of R&B perfection. Awesome lyrics to this too. Cannot get enough of this right now.
4) Miguel – What is Normal anyway?
Effortlessly smooth, with pensive lyrics and tinny guitar sounds. Miguel at his best.
5) Night Drive – Drones
Awesome electro-pop track which clearly uses elements of 1980’s electro and rock music as an influence. Catchy as hell.
6) Royworld – Dust
Irresistibly catchy pop-rock driven song with an awesome hook.
7) Teitur – One and Only
Gentle acoustic track which draws upon folk influences. Beautiful.
8) Jesse Boykins III – Plain
Awesome dance track with slightly off-pitch synthesisers, a throbbing beat, soulful vocals and gorgeous harmonies. SO good.
9) Sam Feldt ft Kimberly Anne – Show Me Love
Based upon Robin S’ massive nineties dance track of the same name, Sam Feldt gives it the 21st Century treatment and makes it more electro than dance. It’s a pleasant update of the original.
10) Shura – White Light
LOVE Shura. This is SO 80’s; imagine a hybrid of Janet Jackson & Madonna and you reach Shura. Fierce tinny drums, aggressive bass lines and funky guitar riffs, it’s catchy as hell.
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