On My Spotify: 'Magazines or Novels,' Jon Batiste and Stay Human, "Bang Bang"

Oh August, you are a gift to the music world. So much good music has been released so far this month, and it's only August 8th. As we head into the final days of summer, there's no reason to let your 'Summer 2014' playlist grow stagnant, riddled with cobwebs. No no, dear reader. Instead, as these tracks to your playlist and you'll keep rocking all the way into fall. 

1) Magazines or Novels - Andy Grammar

Andy Grammar is one of my favorite musicians. He’s right up there with Eric Hutchinson and Jason Mraz in terms of quality, listenability and likability on social media (seriously, the guy’s great.) After memorizing every amazing song off his self-titled album, Andy Grammar, I have eagerly awaited the release of Magazines or Novels. Unsurprisingly, it is such a knock-out of an album. It opens with my favorite track, “Honey I’m Good” with such catchy vocals and melodies. Even slower tracks like “Remind You” are so interestingly composed, using a hint of synthesizer in the chorus, unexpectedly.

Andy Grammer said the album is named thusly to look at the juxtaposition between 'light' reading (magazines) and something more substantial (novels) and I think his album is a delightful mix of both. Honestly I love every song, but there are also those that are very carefully crafted, one's that may have taken more time, and some that may have come easier to him. Sometimes, you need to put down the novel to pick up a magazine.

This is an album I’ll need to have with me at all times for many years to come. The music is transcendental - you can listen to it anywhere and draw different emotions from each song every time - and as I’ve said, I cannot get enough of this man’s vocals.

Listen: Honey I’m Good., Holding Out, Blame it on the Stars

2) “Express Yourself (Say Yes)" - Jon Batiste and Stay Human 

Thank you, Stephen Colbert. Thank you for having these musicians on your show. Thank you for letting them do something out of the ordinary with their performance. Thank you for introducing me to Jon Batiste and Stay Human and their album, Social Music. 

“Express Yourself (Say Yes)” is such an intriguing song to listen to. It’s jazz, but it’s also R&B, it’s not pop but thinking about it now, it’s almost reminiscent of Pharrell’s “Happy" - but, better. Also, I love the intro to this song - people in different languages saying ‘express yourself.’ I like how you don’t really pick up on it until the fourth or fifth listening. Seriously - a lightbulb went off in my head, “oh, that’s what they’re saying!” 

If you do get a chance to listen to Social Music (find the time, people!) be sure to listen to "Express Yourself Outro," as well. It serves as a nice cherry on top of the "Express Yourself" sundae.

To get the full effect of this song, check out their performance on The Colbert Report. It is five minutes very well-spent.

Listen: Express Yourself (Say Yes)

3) “Bang Bang” - Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj

It’s being hailed as the new “Lady Marmalade” but “Bang Bang” has the potential to be greater. It’s a good song, any way you cut it. It probably won’t win a Grammy, but mixing these three women’s voices together is something special. Breaking it down one by one, the all bring something to the table that, without, would leave the song lacking a spark.

They may preform in different genres (‘genres’ being used very loosely, as you could argue all of them fall under Top 40/pop/hip-hop) but they all have such powerful voices. When they sing, you listen. Ariana Grande is the next Mariah Carey. Nicki Minaj is breaking glass ceilings in the rap world left and right. Jessie J sings complex and layered songs, not just mind-numbing stuff.

Listen: Bang Bang 

September has a lot to live up to.