song review – NZ Film Freak

I Feel Like We Lit – Fuze the MC

I’ll preface this review with an open declaration that this genre of music generally isn’t really my jam… However, I’m not going to deny that my foot was involuntarily tapping along to the beat.

I Feel Like We Lit is a song that I interpret to be about the moment Fuze the MC made it big, and I think it’s more than justified.

This tech-rap artist can be found on Spotify with his most popular song Materialistic Girl reaching nearly 300,000 plays, and has more than 440,000 followers collectively across all of his social platforms.

I feel like we lit
Cosigned, cosigned, cosigned
Rich
Show time, show time, show time
Hits
Motown Motown Motown
Flicks
Go time go time go time
Fuze the MC

At face value, you may think this song is just about the singer is sticking to the typical egocentric tones of classic rap and hip hop. However, since his fame is justified, I can see that this song is more about giving himself a pat on the back for making it.

(As a side note, the ‘go time’ lyric reminds me of that Seinfeld episode…)

Not only that, but vowing to keep his head and avoid letting the fame change him as a person.

A lotta fame bring a lot of glow, they going to make sure you pay the toll.
But don’t feed the trolls. Be the rose.
Paint a pretty picture with your honest soul.
Every rainbow don’t end in gold.
Fuze the MC

I couldn’t see who made the music video, but I really enjoyed it. Very clever.

If tech rap is your bag, then check out this new song by Fuze the MC!

Jodie

This is a paid review.

Holly Anna Lisa – Tyme, LiL Flip & Killa Kyleon

Houston-born rapper Tyme has teamed up with Lil Flip and Killa Kyleon and released a new rap single called Holly Anna Lisa.

Jeseka Price of Price Royalty Publishing Company is the executive producer and music publisher of the rapping trio.

Honestly, rap is not my thing. So I probably don’t have the capacity to fully appreciate this song. But I hear that these three rappers are the real deal in the industry.

They speak so fast I can’t understand what they’re talking about. However, I do like the choir in the background. Combined with the high-pitched melody, it creates a spooky feel.

Check their song out on YouTube below, or head to Spotify!

This is a paid song review via Fiverr.

No Goodbyes – Norman Alexander

R&B singer/songwriter Norman Alexander hails from Queens, New York.

His song No Goodbyes is a catchy yet solemn tune that showcases his natural vocal talent. Despite the electronic tinny drumbeat, Norman Alexander’s voice is a far cry from the auto-tuned, synthetic sounds typical of the R&B pop genre.

A song derived from the loss of his brother and sister, the mournful chorus certainly captures the sadness felt by the singer. I think the emotional heartbreak of the song is a welcome reality check to the genre that’s so often flooded with the far more shallow aspects of life.

An authentic and heartfelt song that is definitely worth a listen. Check it out below!

This is a paid review via Fiverr.

Unhinge – Panophonic ft Dani Mari

Singer/songwriter Tom Hugo is the frontman for Panophonic, who hails from Philidelphia. He’s written this track, Unhinge, which reminds me of a classic ‘Lazy Sunday’ album jam; it threw me back to the early 2000s.

Described as electro rock/indie pop Panophonic has a unique sound, which transforms triumphantly in this track. It sounds like it should be featured on a coming-of-age film like Up in the Air.

I quite enjoyed this song, particularly the ethereal vocals of Dani Mari.

Check out their new album Awakening here.

This is a paid review via Fiverr.

Cherry Blossom Trees – Leafy Satori Risk

Leafy Satori Risk - Cherry Blossom Trees

Cherry Blossom Trees is a lullaby love song to Japan by Leafy Satori Risk. It’s a cool blues/soft jazz song with an echo of folk that blends into a song that evokes a passionate and beautiful Spring romance.

The singer/songwriters Iris and Karl of Leafy Satori Risk both hail from Vienna, but have settled in France, Berlin, New Mexico and then finally in Los Angles. However, their hearts are forever in Tokyo where they spend two months of every year, and where many of their live shows are performed.

Both artists are creative by nature, both working in the film industry when they’re not performing in their band: Iris Karina is an actress and Karl Lohninger is a sound mixer and sound designer.

Inspired by the travelling duo’s dream of experiencing the bloom of cherry blossom trees, this dreamy song reflects on goals that may never be achieved.

Cherry Blossom Trees is a slow-tempo song about, perhaps, being shrouded in desire and aspiration. Just like the floating petals, the writer’s dreams are beautiful and bold, yet barely tangible. The showers of pink petals summons a scene of a soft, pink-hued world. Maybe we’re looking through rose-tinted glasses.

The lyrics describe tides of pink cherry blossom petals that rain down on to the palms of your hand. This imagery makes me think of opportunities that land in the palm of your hand, and it’s up to you to seize them, or ‘wait for the tide to turn’.

Stretch out your arms,
And watch them land on your palms,
We could drown in a sea of flowers if you want,
Or we could wait for the tide to turn.

It’s the theme of love and loss represented by the provocative saxophone and strong male vocals (reminding me of Barry White’s romantic ballads), and the breathy female vocals echoing softly-spoken French love songs.

These combinations of emotive genres and tones creates imagery within itself of a lost or unattainable love. Whether it be someone, something or some place that can not be reached. Judging by the soft strumming of the guitar and gentle hum or purr of the saxophone, I get the sense that as strong as this longing is, it’s been accepted that it may never be achieved.

My love why – why don’t you stay close to me,
The air is cool,
The light is strong,
And spring is near.

With inverted colours, the music video for Cherry Blossom Tree evokes a dream-like state as the singer wanders leisurely and reflectively through Japan. The video was shot by Karl Lohninger inside the Inokashira Park in Kichijoji and at the Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo.

The video, although simple, reflects the melancholic subject matter. Combined, the song and images articulate and engage so much emotion while saying so little. Therefore, you can read and interpret so much into it, which I like. Perhaps partly because of the musicians’ multi-cultural influences, every listener can find a new angle and meaning for it.

Have a listen on YouTube here, and let me know what it makes you think of. Check out Leafy Satori Risk’s website and Facebook.

Method of Madness 1 – CG Kid

method of madness

Method of Madness 1 by CG Kid, is not a song I would typically listen to.

It is described as ‘dubstep techno metal rap’. A sort of rap music that is influenced by heavy metal and techno genres.

This song was written for the mosh-pit environment, with the ‘speed rap vocals’ bringing a particularly anxious and frantic air to the music – it’s hard to sit still while listening to Method of Madness 1! The auctioneer-style vocals against the 1980’s-inspired techno instruments reminds me of German rock bands and rappers.

The messages in CG Kid’s tongue-twisting lyrics, are that of staying sober and clean.

CG Kid’s accompanying music video is of the fiery-red-haired rapper sat on a chair drinking ice-cold water is a peculiar juxtaposition to the music, but intriguing nevertheless.

It may not be my style, but I can see that CG Kid from Texas could easily summon a dedicated following – particularly from Europe, perhaps.