The Oswegonian

The Independent Student Newspaper of Oswego State

Laker Review Music

Weekly Spotify Breakdown: Nov. 15, 2019

In contrast to last week’s international journey, listeners will remain local this week with the Nov. 15 recommendations. While the compilation is varied, it does not improve last week’s outstanding international mix. Including new tracks by artists such as R&B sensation Khalid (ā€œUp All Nightā€), latin-pop ace J Balvin (ā€œBlancoā€) or the late Lil Peep (ā€œFangirlā€), here are the latest recommendations that listeners should stick to.

English DJ and record producer Shahid Khan, recognized by his stage name Naughty Boy (ā€œLa La Laā€) has published a new single titled ā€œLive Before I Dieā€ featuring American singer and songwriter Mike Posner (ā€œCooler Than Meā€). A chill melody accompanied by a dance beat that tends to cover up the song’s lyrics relating to the personal struggles that Posner has faced as a result of club drugs in past years. Posner further indicates that by consuming he was striving to evade the reality, and that time does not wait for anyone. Proof of this can be found in the song’s pre-chorus: ā€œSee I’ve been running from my past / But my future’s just too fast / He don’t stop for no one, that’s no lieā€ set the tone for the tune’s overall theme of people turning to consumption rather than facing one’s problems face-to-face.

American DJ and record producer Christopher Comstock, commonly known as Marshmello (ā€œSilenceā€) dropped a new tune titled ā€œTongue Tiedā€ for which he put his head together with YUNGBLUD’s (ā€œOriginal Meā€). The title alone gives the listener an idea of what the theme of the lyrics is, as the idiom refers to the inability to speak. Despite its explicit verbiage, this is one that listeners should give a shot. Providing listeners with a somewhat electronic and punk music blend, the title serves as a metaphor to the restrictions that institutions, such as the government, impose on the idea of freedom of speech, a topic that is trending nowadays in terms of politics.

This week’s last recommendation comes in the form of American rock and punk band Fall Out Boy (ā€œThnks Fr Th Mmrsā€). As part of their new studio album ā€œBelievers Never Dieā€¦ā€ are remakes of songs released in their 2013 studio album ā€œSave Rock And Rollā€ such as ā€œAlone Together,ā€ ā€œMy Songs Know What You Did In The Darkā€ or ā€œYoung Volcanoes.ā€ However, one of the previously unpublished singles that can be found in this album is ā€œBob Dylan,ā€ an ode dedicated to the infamous singer made famous by his songs ā€œLike A Rolling Stoneā€ and ā€œKnockin’ On Heaven’s Door.ā€ The tune serves as a vehicle for Fall Out Boy’s lead vocalist, Patrick Stump, to convince his mistress that he wants to be loved in the same way that everyone appreciates Bob Dylan. In the closing lyrics, Stump even challenges his aforementioned mistress to bury him next to American singer and songwriter Johnny Cash. ā€œCause everyone loves Bob Dylan/ I just want you to love me like that, yeah/ Would you bury me next to Johnny Cash?/ I’m obsessed, do you love me like that?/ Yeah.ā€

While last week’s compilation was just perfect, that cannot be expected every week. Despite a slight lack in the latin-pop genre, this week’s selection, too, provides chords for listeners of all likes.