Fair Shake Review: Euphonyus - Phony Ppl

Euphonyus - Phony Ppl

(Genre: Funk/Soul)

Reach euphoria with these Euphonyus links:

Fkn Around (Music Video)

Nowhere But Up (Music Video)

dialtone (Music Video)

what it feels like (Visualizer)

Howard University Radio Interview

rIVerse Reacts (to Fkn Around)

Fair Shake Review: An Evening with Silk Sonic - Silk Sonic

An Evening with Silk Sonic - Silk Sonic

(Genre: R&B/Soul)

An Evening of Related Links:

Leave the Door Open (Live @ the Grammys)

Smoking Out the Window (Live @ the AMAs)

Fly as Me (Live @ Soul Train Awards)

Apple Music Interview (w/ Ebro Darden)

TheNeedleDrop Review

Shawn Cee Reaction/Review

BM5's November 2021 Favorites

Favorite TV Show Analysis

The Failure of Victorious - Quinton Reviews

This is actually part 3 of a loooong series to cover everything that ties into iCarly. Quinton has become a reviewer that I've come across and enjoyed for his deep dives into these particular topics even when I'm not a fan of the subject; just like Victorious. He covers all the seasons of iCarly and this particular review goes over most of Victorious. You can tell he's really taken to and overanalyzed each character to describe them in such an entertaining manner that I truly was engaged for all 5 1/2 hours. If you can handle the commitment, or put it in portions, I recommend it for fans and casuals alike.

Favorite Anime Analysis

The Best Isekai that's Getting Better: Mushoku Tensei - Manime Matt

Mushoku Tensei is a phenomenal show. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk... Honestly, this short impressions video of season 2 covers everything I need to say. The different points that Matt conveys prove that this show really has set itself apart from many shows in this overpopulated scene relying on this premise. It's been one of my favorite shows to watch this season, which isn't much, to be frank, and the preceding video explains why.

Favorite Music Video

Smokin out the Window - Silk Sonic

 

Do I really have to explain? This song and video really put the talents and humorous personalities of both Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak, in center stage. We got the Hooligans showing up and showing out with the choreo and background vocals, as well as you lovely ladies, of course. Plus the night I watched it premiere, I got sad because they made it look so easy. So not to be dramatic, but I wanted to die knowing I could never measure. If you haven't heard this, you've must've been comatose. ENJOY!

Favorite Debut

Billlie

Billlie has been an astounding group to watch during their debut. The mini album is top-tier goodness that is varied in sound, rich in vocals, and iconic in raps. The concept is extremely intriguing and almost confusing (which adds to the allure, by wanting to figure it out.) Above is the dance practice video to the title track, "Ring x Ring". In it, you can see the incredible details they execute to keep a feast for the eyes similar to a buffet. "Flipp!ng a Coin" has become one of my favorite hype jams of the year, also with superb choreo. Then "The Eleventh Day" has the smoothest listen with its lofi R&B vibe on maximum. Now, I just can't wait to see how they do adding Sheon to the following comebacks!

Full November 2021 Favorites Playlist: click here

Fair Shake Review: Shelley FKA DRAM - Shelley FKA DRAM

Shelley FKA DRAM - Shelley FKA DRAM

(Genre: R&B/Soul)

Links FKA as related...maybe:

All Pride Aside (Music Video)

Exposure (Music Video)

Cooking with Grease (Music Video)

Tiny Desk Performance

Apple Music Interview (w/ Nadeska)

BM5's November 2019 Favorites

Favorite Live Performance

World's in You - Ella Jet & Future Soul

I love, love, love ELLA JET!!! Her and the band have been uploading more and more show footage and I'm ecstatic about it. If you haven't seen my mentions of them before, they are a blend of soul, funk, alternative, jazz, and rock. This happens to show more of the alternative side of theirs. If you check out their channel, you'll see how their blend of genres truly show what fantastic artists they are and wish they would already have a project out. Or maybe that's just me. You be the judge above!

Favorite Dance Cover

Eclipse - Got7 by LOONA

As an Orbit, I have quickly appreciate Loona's skill in dancing. In their choreography and dance covers, they have proven that they are becoming experts even with every member not having dance as their strong suit. They work within their means and still manage to create clean imagery, power, and grace with each piece. It has also made Heejin my dance bias. Loona is soon to become my ULT girl group if they keep up the content and the next album is better than Blackpink's. Plus, they already have more music out for me to listen to. Anyway, this cover is simply amazing and does its best to highlight all 12 members, so enjoy!!!

Favorite Music Video

Speedboat - Denzel Curry

Possibly my favorite song from ZUU; "Speedboat" has more than a lyric video now. They made it even more cinematic from the music to the video concept. They flash through key events in the storyline and then proceed to go through those vignettes backwards chronologically. It's simply spectacular! Showing a movie-esque take on how the environment that can lead to riches and death in the streets that coerce you to hustle to make ends meet. I can't imagine garnering a greater appreciation for Denzel Curry in the hip hop scene than I have now. Check it out!

Favorite KPop Discovery

Mamamoo

Eventually, you'll all get to see my reaction to listening to their latest album, Reality in Black. For now though, just know that "HIP" was my introduction this month and I've been obsessed. I did look into their past, since I heard they've had a bit of controversy, and I get into a bit of that in my reaction video, yet I've learned they also are marvelous artists in the Idol scene. Digging into the discography, a few fan events and other content has converted me into a MooMoo. The above video is probably my favorite renditions of "HIP" since you can truly see their personalities shine through the choreo and in waiting their turns. In addition, after immediately making Moonbyul my bias from the original music video, Wheein's charisma in this relay dance made her my bias wrecker. I told you that I'm getting into KPop, ya'll! Hahaha...

Full November 2019 Playlist: click here

BM5's August 2019 Favorites

Favorite Live Performance

Lizzo - Tiny Desk Concert

Lizzo has been a name I've been seeing pop up here and there for about a year and a half. Finally, "Truth Hurts" permeated my ears due to it's prevalence these days. Therefore when I saw a family member share this Tiny Desk performance, I figured I better give it a chance. I'm so glad that I did, because I truly got to see the extent of Lizzo's talent. She's honestly going to be someone we all will be praising as one of the great new talents. Her gospel, R&B, and hip hop blend is quite a spectacle and what a showcase this is, including her lovable personality. Check it out!

Favorite Anime Discussion

Why You Should Be Watching Shojo Anime - Get in the Robot

I am a huge advocate of this message! For many years, I've been slightly embarrassed to admit that I'm a fan of a good amount of Shojo shows. Lately though, I've shed that shame and realized that these are great shows and I have absolutely no reason to think it's wrong to love them. This is all explained so succinctly in the video above. This will now be my reference point to anyone who wants to come after me and my shojo love!

Favorite Music Discussion

The Rise of Asian Rap Culture - VICE Asia

With the emergence of 88 Rising and other Asian talents, I've been keeping a very curious eye on the scene and its place in popular culture. It seems that it's been noticed by the culture itself as well with this mini-doc. Are we getting to a point where Asians can truly be widely accepted in the greater rap culture or will they still be a pocket in the landscape, much like the earlier days of YouTube (i.e. Timothy DeLaGhetto, Lil Crazed, D-Pryde, Dumbfoundead, & more.) I know that there's certainly great hip hop being created from these voices and I look forward to their stories being shared.

Favorite Interview

Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott - Sway in the Morning

In lieu of this ICON winning the MTV Vanguard award, Missy Elliott went to Sway's Universe for an interview. They really made sure to give her her flowers and acknowledge that she is one of the greatest of all time. She still remains to be extremely humble and in this interview, she still is able to realize how much she has contributed to not only hip hop, but pop culture as a whole! Hear some of the tidbits of what led to her creating her legacy and what she plans for the future, including her new EP, Iconology.

Full August 2019 Favorites Playlist: click here

Top Five Recommended Music Videos

It's rare that I listen to the radio these days. Usually, I just pop in a cd or listen to my ipod. There were a few days last week when I was a bit tired of hearing the same things over again. I decided to give the radio a chance which led to hearing some songs I wouldn't have otherwise. Below, you'll find the songs and videos that stuck in my head or made an impression.


Grizfolk - Troublemaker
I'd never heard of this band before. Troublemaker is from their debut album, 'Waking the Giants'. It has quite a catchy chorus that gets stuck in my head. There's something else about the song that I like, but can't quite put my finger on. I might have to check out the rest of the album to see whether it holds up to this catchy song. The video features a familiar face in The Walking Dead's Josh McDermitt (Eugene). I'm not sure how the kidnapping plot of the video relates to the song though.



Silversun Pickups - Nightlight
For a band that formed in 2002, Silversun Pickups didn't manage to show up on my radar. Their debut album was released in 2006. The song in question is from their fourth album, Better Nature, which was released in September 2015. Nightlight was one of those songs that slowly grew on me. I wasn't sure if I liked it at all. The more I heard it, the more I liked it. The dual vocals work well on the song. Their sound is pretty reminiscent of 90s bands like The Smashing Pumpkins. It was later that I discovered the video stars Meg Steedle (Boardwalk Empire). In seven minutes and forty-five seconds, the director has captured everything Ryan Murphy wished he could have done with American Horror Story: Hotel.



Miike Snow - Genghis Khan
My next choice features a James Bond inspired video. Miike Snow is a Swedish indie pop trio that formed in 2007. Once again, I'd never heard of them despite two of the members being responsible for songs like Britney Spears' Toxic. Their debut album was released in 2009. This song, however, was released in December 2015. From the opening seconds, it's quite an earworm. The lyrics depict a man who feels irrationally jealous about someone he's not quite sure he wants to keep in his life. I'm quite amused by the video! It's so campy and fun.



Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - S.O.B
Where have I been for all these artists? Nathaniel Rateliff has been doing folk-pop since 2005. He formed Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats in 2013. Their self-titled release came out in August of 2015. The lead single, S.O.B., reminds me of old soul and blues songs. It's quite fun to sing along with. The video is a hommage to The Blues Brothers film from 1980. I'm quite curious to hear more from this group with their soulful sound.



Highly Suspect - Lydia
This trio traces their beginnings back to 2009. I'm really starting to wonder why I'm not listening to more modern rock radio. They released their second full-length album, Mister Asylum, in July 2015. Lydia was the first single from the album. It's a song that quickly stuck with me. It's not surprising that it peaked at number 4 on the mainstream rock charts. The video features a woman submerged underwater and unable to escape. It's quite a concept that ties in well with the lyrics.

Fair Shake Review: Malibu - Anderson .Paak

Malibu - Anderson .Paak

(Genre: R&B/Neo-Soul)

Anderson .Paak, has been an artist I've had my eye on for a while, so I'm glad to finally give him a proper review and recommendation to the world. Paak, formerly known as Breezy Lovejoy, is a recording artist who has been creating a buzz for a while with his soulful vocals, occasional raps, and the varying soundscapes he produces. He began to really garner attention after his album, Venice, that precedes this 2016 release. Venice increased his internet buzz through his musings with women to the backdrop of the Venice lifestyle: beaches, cruising the streets, & drug induced parties. This eventually led to a collaborative EP with producer Knxwledge and their breakout single, Suede. The hit got an A&R's attention which prompted an invitation for Paak to contribute to what became Dr. Dre's Compton soundtrack last year. With that exposure, Paak was now set to work with even more big names on this follow up album, Malibu.

Now armed with a more honed approach to creating his vision, the city of Malibu is the backdrop of his second album as Anderson .Paak. You can clearly hear his influences from funk, R&B, hip hop, soul, and even a little rock. Everything cohesively transition between each other as demonstrated through Venice, but with a wider range of topics. It begins with songs like "The Bird", "The Waters (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid)", & "The Season/Carry Me" that give you a grasp on who he is despite his troubled upbringing. Then enter some of the dancable love songs like "Put Me Thru" and "Am I Wrong (feat. ScHoolboy Q)". After which you can get hip hop relationship tracks such as "Without You (feat. Rapsody)" & "Room in Here (feat. The Game & Sonyae Elise)". You can't leave without a few bedroom songs of the likes of "Water Fall (Interluuube)" and "Silicon Valley". The project then ends in an uplifting fashion with "Celebrate" and "The Dreamer (feat. Talib Kweli)".

Anyone who currently enjoys Neo-Soul and current R&B should be able to turn this on and never skip a track. Paak has seemed to master having a soulful approach with thoughtful lyrics that can also slyly turn into dirty talk that you'll unknowingly jam to regardless. None of the features ever pull you away from the experience as they all just add a little extra color to whichever song they fit into snugly. The production from Paak work well between some other respected names, such as 9th Wonder, DJ Khalil, Madlib, & Hi-Tek. I highly recommend this journey as he continues to rise in his music career.

To start off my personal favorites, "The Waters" is cool since Paak approaches it in a sing-rap style as he confidently talks about his rise in the industry. The singles, "Room in Here" & "Come Down", are also standouts. The former being an easy head-bobbing, wooing joint with an infectious melody and a smooth verse from The Game, who also used Paak's talents on his double disc album last year. Then "Come Down" is so funky with a vocal performance reminiscent of James Brown and you just can't help but dance to it. Finally, "Silicon Valley" became one of those few sex songs that I can't resist. Its classic, respectful slow jam delivery mixed with it's eventual upfront intention charmed me. Plus, this song also has a switch up in the third verse that describes the amusing exchange between himself and his lady before the act. Honestly, there's not a single track that I would remove from the album. This definitely is a project that is worth a listen and a purchase if you like it as much as I did.

For more on Anderson .Paak, I advise watching these:

Hot 97 interview

Roselia (My introduction to Breezy Lovejoy)

Luh You (A favorite from Venice)

Suede (from NxWorries collaboration)

Suede choreo (Cuz Brian Puspos is dope & I do what I want)