BM5's Sept 2021 Favorites

Favorite Interview

Daniel "Obi" Klein & Charli Taft - ReacttotheK

I always love these interviews with the producers and songwriters of kpop. It's a world that I would love to get involved with, being a songwriter myself. Yet while watching most of these, I realize that I completely lack the talent and drive to do so at a level that these artists do. These two are great examples and their catalog with some of my favorite groups just prove that. Check out the interesting stories of how they got involved in the music industry and eventually on the kpop side of things.

Favorite Debut Song

Got'ya - IChillin

Without a doubt, this song is one I've been obsessed with since release. The production, the choreography, the vocals, the rapping, the charismatic performance all culminates in my fandom. They killed everything and I went at length on this on one of my Patreon reactions to the performance video. How can you not find this super infectious? You know!

Favorite Comeback

4 Only - Lee Hi

I. AM. LATE!!! This album had soooo many fantastic tunes to jam from beginning to end. My favorite being the above shared song, H.S.K.T. Lee Hi has such a soulful approach to her music that oozes cool and ultimate vibes. Yeah, so I get why so many people get into kr&b, especially acts like Lee Hi when all you have to do is press play and settle into the mood. I'm most surely going to be doing a deep dive into her discography after this. How about you?

Favorite Music Video

Pressure - Krizz Kaliko

Symbolism. It's super simple in this video, but powerful. Krizz Kaliko has been on a roll ever since his separation from Strange Music and launching his own label, Earhouse. This song is another strong showing of what he is still capable of without such a huge independent label behind him. The song and video really shows exactly the perfect sentiment to make you understand the main theme. Life has many pressures that you feel you need to keep dragging along with you, but you should allow yourself the freedom to enjoy the ones you're doing work for.

Full Sept. 2021 Favorites playlist: click here

Fair Shake Review: Legend - Krizz Kaliko

Legend - Krizz Kaliko

(Genre: Alternative Rap/Hip-Hop)

You don't a legend to navigate these links:

Foolish (Music Video)

Drunk White Girls (Music Video)

You (Music Video)

Avoiding Mirrors (Audio)

Coloring Book (Audio)

The Level 2 Enterfear Forever (2 Strange Music Reviews)

Forever - Krizz Kaliko

(Genre: Hip-Hop/Alternative Rap)

 Enterfear: Level 2 - Tech N9ne

(Genre: Hip Hop/Alternative Rap)

Enterfear with the Immortal (2 Strange Music Reviews)

Enterfear: Level 1 - Tech N9ne

(Genre: Alternative Rap/Hip Hop)

Immortal - Krizz Kaliko

(Genre: Alternative Rap/Hip Hop)

BlipMasta5's August & September 2018 Favorites

Favorite Viral Video

Mooo! - Doja Cat

I've slowly become familiar with Doja Cat this month and it started with a break down of her song, "Go To Town". I soon realized that she has a fun personality who is open with her sexuality and presents it with wit. Yet, this viral video is what made me do the deep dive. If you haven't seen it yet, this really puts her carefree nature on display! It's pure fun with a bit of smart humor. As I dug deeper into her catalog, she uses that skill to talk about love, sex, and fun in a number of ways musically. If you're not offended by "crass" talk, I'd advise giving her album, Amala, a listen.

Three Mini Album Reviews

GO - Krizz Kaliko

Genre: R&B/Hip Hop/Alternative Rap

Krizz Kaliko from the Strange Music camp is a monument on the label as his versatile talents aid everyone in multiple ways. It's one reason why most people can't envision Tech N9ne without Krizz by his side, whether by adding a verse or singing a hit chorus. This creative mind also always brought his well-rounded style to each of his past albums while continuing to push his limits with every one. So I was heavily anticipating this current project, especially because he was going to focus his efforts more on his singing vocals and more live instrumentation.

Kaliko presents a introspective journey through funk, R&B, pop, and hip hop tracks that detail his means to escape depression and finally facing his problems head on. The singles do well to demonstrate the album's range with the danceable "Talk Up on It" and the melancholy "Stop the World". Other tracks that I found to become favorites include "Logged Off", "Orangutan", & "Happyish". Yet, I must recommend that anybody who loves R&B give this whole album a listen.

Far From Familiar - Sylvan LaCue

Genre: Hip Hop

My introduction to Sylvan LaCue was as QuESt on the album Searching Sylvan which made a fan with his passion, story, and craft over many styles of hip hop. After that album, he took a small break to regroup and rebrand by starting his own crew with Wise Up and dropping his moniker for his government name. Following that, he dropped an EP called Evangeline dedicated to his current love interest who helped him during his changes. This showed Sylvan was ready to come back with full force.

Far From Familiar still shows the great craftsmanship Sylvan became known for. We pick up following his story right where he left off, bringing life after the success of the previous album. He chronicles over production similar to modern trap beats then switch to singing something 808's and Heartbreaks-esque leading to a sound akin to Because the Internet's experimental moments. Sylvan clearly emotes lyrically and each track's atmosphere making tracks like "Fall From Grace", "Studio City", & "Crosswinds" so great. Thus, I must recommend this project to fans of Logic, Kanye West, & Kendrick Lamar.

Twenty88 - Twenty88

Genre: R&B/Rap

Now being a fan of one half of the newly formed duo Twenty88, I got interested through Jhene Aiko's teasing of a new project on social media. I soon realized that it would be a collaboration project with Big Sean, who I've always saw as a subpar rapper that has slowly improved over time. Once it released, I was surprised it was first on TIDAL before finally becoming available everywhere else. That delayed my listen to this project, since I dropped my subscription after my free trial expired. (Thank you, Yeezus!) Yet, I still got informed that this EP was coupled with a short film,"Out of Love", on the website, so I hoped I'd soon get to experience it.

That time came and I must say that their synergy is actually very apparent throughout the project. Their past collabs together (and love songs in general) have always seem to bring some decent songs out of Sean and I have to admit this gave me 7 out of 8. Plus the addition of Big Sean I feel probably aided the more diverse production which helped Jhene not get too stuck in one sound. The short film, which is set to a medley of 6 of the songs, presented a simple, but interesting watch following the artists living as a famous couple in an alternate sci-fi world. To conclude, I can recommend a listen to those who dig mainstream hip hop love songs. Oh, and favorites on this include "On the Way", "Push it", & "Talk Show".