Urban Arson

Some People Have Real Problems by Sia

I’m blown away! Who the hell is this person? Why does she talk like Crocodile Dundee and sing like an angel? Why can’t answer any of the questions in my own review?

All I can say is she’s from Australia and she’s incredible and awesome and great and astounding and I could continue this run-on sentence all day.

There is a song on this album which, in itself, completely changed my perspective on music. “Soon We’ll Be Found” is one of the most beautiful things I’ve EVER heard. I can’t explain it, I can’t back up my opinion, I’m not a musician. My brain just said:

“Aaron this is genius, it’s beautiful, it’s poetic, it’s human. You only get to hear it for the first time once. Take this opportunity to learn a lesson from it.”

- My Brain

The main lesson learned was never judge an album by its cover. You see an Australian woman staring off into the middle distance with marker all over her face, a plastic ring and the title “Some People Have Real Problems” written in MS Paint. Once you think about it its so damn clever! Ugh. I don’t have much else to say but buy this album. Listen to it on iTunes and Youtube to make up your own opinion. She’s Great!

Do yourself a favor and watch this video it will brighten your day!

808s and Heartbreak by Kanye West

Since the release of his third album Kanye West lost his mother and broke up with his fíance,  how could his 4th album be called anything but Heartbreak. The album art above has been retouched by Kaws, a deflated heart shaped balloon being ripped in two. Its simplistic and complex and beautiful and I could go on all day about it. Its genius. This albums has been described by Mr. West as a presentation of a new genre called “Pop Art”, not to be confused with the visual art movement of the same name.

Kanye’s voice has been altered by Auto-Tune (a plug-in for correcting pitch imperfections) it makes his voice sound choked up, like he has a lump in his throat and yet he still tries to sing his heart out. The palette used for the beats is simplistic yet expertly used combining unique instruments and sounds to create something brand new. Its easy on the ears and heavy on the heart.

Recommended Songs:

Say You Will – Excellent intro song, it sets the tone and gets you ready for an experience.

Welcome to Heartbreak – West describes the regrets and disappointments which come from his fame.

Heartless – Classic Kanye, this song is a throwback to his first three albums but still incorporates the feel of 808s & Heartbreak. I love this song.

Love Lockdown – Kanye first performed this song at the 2008 VMA’s. The bass drums play throughout the verses like a heartbeat. 

Paranoid – Classic Kanye, I really like this song, this gonna be a club hit for sure.

RoboCop – THE STRINGS! I really dig this song, its so fresh.

Bad News – This song is anything but Bad News, it really shows Mr. West maturing as an artist. I totally dig it.

Coldest Winter – This song is the definition of heartbreak. Losing your mother so swiftly. He lays it all on this lie in this one. Incredible.

This album is an incredible 4th effort from Mr. West. I hope next year brings another one. Pick it up on iTunes at 12am tonight. 

4.5/5 Stars

You might have never heard of Santogold but I can almost guarantee you’ve heard her music in commercials video games and other forms of subconscious intrigue.

I first ran across her on Kanye West’s excellent blog (Kanyeuniversecity) when he posted her music video for L.E.S. Artistes. I was shocked. It was a play on Alejandro Jodorowsky’s “Holy Mountain”, she was black and didn’t feel the need to mimic the ghetto ignorance that plagues today’s music. I had to know more. Luckily her first album came out soon after that. 

Santogold lived up to the promise of L.E.S. Artistes and provided me with so much more. She has a voice like Gwen Stefani and isn’t afraid to stray into other genres. Pick it up today!

Recommended songs:

Every song on the album! They just flow so well together.

5/5 Stars