onward-to-the-edge-blog1

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “Dreams” by Bastille ft. Gabrielle Aplin

It was challenge to pick just one Bastille song, because all of their/his work is fantastic. But the harmonies in this song are just too pretty, and Gabrielle can hit those high notes like nobody's business. There isn't too much going on in the song on first listen, but there's a depth to its production that gives it a certain... surrealism? IDK, just listen to it, it's good.

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “Run Boy Run” by Woodkid

I heard this on an ad for Dying Light, a video game that looks super badass :D This song definitely contributed to the overall badass-ness of the trailer, I must say. 

The percussion in this song is really unique and ear-catching (that's a thing, right?), and the strings that are layered over it compliment beautifully. There's just this... swell to it. I love the way that this song gets your blood racing, even if you aren't actually running. Because let's be real. I don't run. You don't run. But we can pretend we do, when we listen to this song. And there aren't a whole lot of songs that can make you forget how incredibly unfit you are. 

Woodkid has a lot of great music, a lot of it being songs with cool lyrics and really interesting percussion. Check him out!

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “Pawn” by EpicLLOYD

The Epic Rap Battles of History are some of my favorite videos… ever. I don’t think higher quality stuff exists on YouTube. So, of course, I wanted to see what other fun things sprung from the brilliant minds behind ERB, and lo and behold, I found this song! EpicLLOYD has some awesome rap stuff on his personal channel, and this song not only has a great beat, but it also has some great lyrics. 

EpicLLOYD is, indeed, epic.

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” by Radiohead

I didn't get into Radiohead until I came across Thom Yorke's solo album in the library a few years ago. Something about that album clicked with me, and then I listened to Radiohead and EVERYTHING clicked. There's something distant and beautiful, yet relatable on so many emotional levels, about their music. 

If I have to pick a single full album of theirs, it would have to be In Rainbows. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that my favorite full album of all time is In Rainbows. It's melodic, full of every lovely and ugly sentiment woven together into an album I can only describe as deep. As I waded into it, "Weird Fishes" was the song that stuck out to me to most. I can't tell you why. It just did.

The same goes for Radiohead. I can't tell you why I love their music. I just do.

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “My Funny Valentine” by Frank Sinatra

I found this song in the OST for a Korean television show (of all the obscure places to find a song, right?) and I fell instantly in love. I know that there have been many renditions of this particular number, but Sinatra is Sinatra. The way he sings this song is just so... charming, like everything that Frank Sinatra does.

It might be a little weird, but I was listening to this song when I received news that someone close to me had a baby. So now, every time I hear this, I think of cradling a baby in my arms and singing this. I don't even like babies. But this song makes me kind of like babies.

The power of association O___O Anyways, this song always puts me in a trance, and Frank Sinatra's voice is too beautiful. The lovely, backhanded honesty of the lyrics really gets me every time. It makes it sweet and memorable, I think, and really sets it apart from the average love song. Definitely worth a listen, or a hundred.

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Applying to 15 colleges and 4990391039425890234 scholarships.

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “La Copa De La Vida” by Ricky Martin

This is a throwback, but it's one of my two favorite World Cup songs. I don't know much Spanish (I take French, myself), but it doesn't matter. It's Ricky Martin. It doesn't get any catchier than this, folks.

It's a fun, easy listen. It's also great motivation during a good run.

HAHAHAHAHAHA RUNNNING. Suuuuuuuure. Like that's ever going to happen.

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

WARNING: GRAPHIC AND GROSS IMAGERY - if that's not your thing, listen to the lyric video

Earworm of the Day: “Voodoo Doll” by VIXX

I warned you, I am a recreational k-pop listener. I CAN QUIT WHENEVER I WANT, OKAY?! IT'S NOT A PROBLEM! 

So the video for this song is pretty graphic, and I'd be lying if I said that the grossness doesn't contribute to my love for this song. The lyrics are really interesting, and actually quite relevant to the video (if you choose to look them up). 

What can I say? I like kpop, and VIXX is one of my favorite groups in kpop. Ever since "Superhero," I've been listening to them. And I've loved everything they've done so far. Their concepts are always really cool, their dances are on point, their videos are pretty damn edgy, and their talents aren't few. 

Don't judge me. Don't lie to yourself. You know you love it. 

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “A Horse With No Name” by America

I found this song on Breaking Bad (which is the best show ever). This is the quintessential roadtrip song. Any time I'm with my mom in the car, we pop it the CD and jam out. 

It just makes a person want to drive into the sunset. Or ride. I think I need to buy a horse.

I'm going to go do that while you listen to this :D

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.

Vincent Van Gogh

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “Little Girl” by Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse ft. Julian Casablancas

I discovered the album from which this song comes in the library. I saw Danger Mouse, whom I knew from Gnarls Barkley. And then I saw Sparklehorse, and even though I had no idea who/what Sparklehorse was, I knew I had to pick it up. I mean, COME ON, PEOPLE. SPARKLEHORSE. Does it get more epic?

This song was probably the most friendly-sounding on the album, but hey. On top of Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse (still not over that name, by the way), there's Julian Casablancas. And I love me some Julian Casablancas on any given track. The beat is great, the riff is awesome, the lyrics are cool. What more can you want?

I mean, SPARKLEHORSE. They call themselves SPARKLEHORSE. 

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “Thinking Bout You” by Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean's voice is too beautiful in this song, damn. I don't really listen to the majority of his music, but this song is such a killer. Seriously. I'm not sure how I heard of it, but I do know that when I did, I listened to it on loop for more than a few hours. 

But seriously, I dare you to be unimpressed by Frank Ocean's flawless falsetto in this song. 

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.

Carl Sagan

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “Happiness” by Sam Sparro

There are some songs that just lift your mood, and since my mood often needs some lifting, I have a vast repertoire of happy songs. Sam Sparro's got them power vocals, and he just belts out this feel-good anthem. 

What I love about this song, more than its jazzy synths and upbeat tempo, is its lyrics. It's about going and getting happiness, not just sitting around and being miserable. It's all about being proactive. And that's a message I can get behind :)

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “Whoa Whoa Whoa” by Watsky

I discovered Watsky through Epic Rap Battles of History, and I actually listened to his Slam Poetry before I found out about his music. Needless to say, it's all pretty fucking great :D He's so goddamn articulate, but he spits so fast that I have to relisten to catch everything. Also, I've got one of his signed CDs, so, you know, I'm completely unbiased here. The wordplay in this alone makes it worth listening to.

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Earworm of the Day: “Leaving You” by Audien ft. Michael S.

This song burrows into my ear and stays there whenever I listen to it. Straight up, if I'm interrupted mid-listen, I'll be singing it for the rest of the day until I can listen to it in its entirety. The beat is super catchy, and while Michael S's voice was a little off-putting on first listen because it was so damn high, it happens to complement the song pretty well. It isn't the most meaningful song, but it's still dope as fuck.

I found this song through the Tasty Network on YouTube. They've got some pretty great stuff if you're into this type of music. You should check it out~

[onward-to-the-edge-blog1]

Agnieszka Osiecka's Birthday - October 9, 2013 (Poland)

Somewhat of literary jack-of-all-trades, Osiecka was a poet, author, journalist, screenwriter, and a director. She is considered a Polish icon.

If you would like to know more about her, do like the doodle and Google her :D

(Google always has really cool international doodles, so I think I'm going to post the ones I think are coolest as a "this day in history" thing)