Thursday, November 29, 2012

Diplo - Mix for SwayinInTheMorning (Trap/New Release)

Diplo does not disappoint yet again with the most recent mix he did for Chicago-based radio show SwayinInTheMorning about two weeks ago. Maybe I haven't been keeping up with Diplo enough, but I'm pretty sure that he just started releasing trap tracks - usually producing moombahton and neato world music mashups. But he has bought into the mainstream at this point, and if I were to analyze this latest mix like it were a book, it would be a brilliant satire. The genre of trap itself is absurd and I believe that it exists only to get people pumped up and encourage sex on the dance floor.

The word trap actually originates from Atlanta, Georgia meaning to acquire wealth in the context of drugs. This on its own is interesting because of course trapping, beyond the slang, refers to laying down traps to catch small game. Specifically I find it interesting that the drug dealing culture would be as whimsical to adopt this term for selling narcotics. From this, it only makes sense that the genre would be very whimsical.

And although the linguistics are interesting, just listen to it and realize that you're not really supposed to think about it.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Miniature Tigers - Tell It to the Volcano (Indie Rock/Pop)


This could very well be one of the catchiest albums I've ever listened to. I've known about this Brooklyn based Indie band for a while, but it's become clear to me only recently what this band really specializes in: making catchy songs. They have a really effective formula that is to say - it's all very upbeat, sing-song, and rhythmic; the lyrics are goofy and catchy, fun to sing along with and just listen to; and its full of chromatic twists and turns that give it almost a Broadway feel. I haven't actually listened to any of their newer albums, but I'm always very intrigued when an album fills a specifically niche so perfectly. I've also found that because of simple and accessible tonalities of all the melodies that this whole album is great for practicing singing harmony.

Give it a listen, memorize the lyrics accidentally, find yourself humming it all the time: