#stefani verse / modern

[retropopcult]

"Simple Kind of Life" is a song by American rock band No Doubt. Written by lead singer Gwen Stefani in late 1999 for the group's fourth album, Return of Saturn, the song contrasts Stefani's desire to settle down and start a family with fellow rocker Gavin Rossdale while still keeping her commitment to the band.

"Simple Kind of Life" was released as the album's first single for the holiday season of 1999. Peaking at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100, #18 on the Adult Top 40 and number 14 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.

The lyrics of "Simple Kind of Life" discuss Stefani's relationship with  Rossdale but also bandmate Tony Kanal whom she dated for seven years until he wanted to break up. She describes wanting to settle down, get married, and have children. In the final verse, she even dreams about how her life would be if there were a mistake in her birth control and she became pregnant.  But in the song she ultimately decides that settling down is just a fantasy for her since freedom and independence is more important to her. In real life, she would marry Rosdale just two years later and ultimately have three children with him.

The song was recorded with no rehearsals, a first for the band. Adrian Young's drum parts were mixed through low fidelity filters to get the feel of a lo-fi power ballad. It opens with a four-measure intro, which features the Dm9-Cmaj7 modal chord progression used for the song's three verses. After the third chorus comes a coda, which closes the song as Stefani repeats the phrase "a simple kind of life" ad libitum while the song fades. It received positive reviews from music critics, who noted the song's somber melody and raw but honest lyrics. Rolling Stone described it as being "at once grand, fragile and very, very sad".

[virtualduckbrigade]

OHHHHH MY GOD THERES SO MANY CHRISTMAS SONGS I FORGOT I LOVE

-we three kings/god bless ye merry gentlemen

-all 8 to 12 verses of good king wenceslas

-marshmellow world (i like the spg cover, its dimensional)

-white winter hymnal (the fleet foxes OG version. the penta cover loses all the depth and charm.)

-dominik the donkey

-we need a little christmas

-12 days (ITS FUN, YOURE JUST WEAK, SKIP GOING HAM FOR 5 IF YOURE TIRED OF IT)

- snoopys christmas

AND SOME REALLY GREAT MODERN ONES!!!

Bring me love- john legend

under the christmas lights- gwen stefani

12 days of christmas- straight no chaser (i love me a good parody ok?)

elfs lament-barenaked ladies

underneath the tree- kelly clarkson

ribbons and bows- kacey musgraves

christmas without you -dnce

[concreteparadiis]

-- IN REGARDS TO STEFANI SCOZZARI

( Also Known As, Stefani Scozzari in a more modern timeline )

Stefani’s ‘main’ FC is Anne Bancroft, who depicts her in Sal’s canon timeline. However because it’s hard to make quality caps of her movies without purchasing them ( because you know, with old movies you either have to pay or suffer from horrendous quality ) her alternate FC, who I will be depicting her with the most, is Julianna Margulies. Any thread that features her face is taking place in the modern day and she is definitely the mother to millennial Sal - who looks like this.

There are some major differences with Stefani in this verse, particularly in regards to what she does for money. Before Sal was born, she was working as a waitress at a social club ran by local mobsters. That’s where she met Sal’s dad, Franco. After Sal was born, she still showed up for work but had to walk away from that occupation because...

She was covering outrageous shifts and receiving pitiful amounts of tips ( due to the fact Sal’s dad was a rat. ) Sal was primarily in the custody of her parents, sleeping on their plastic-wrapped couch nightly. 

In 1996, the social club gets hit by undercover cops, and everyone in the building ends up arrested. Stefani included. Law enforcement tries to use Stefani for more intel in learning about the structure of the crime family, but she refuses since they aren’t offering her protection from the mafia, nor is she trying to be placed under witness protection since all of her family is in Brooklyn. That, and she was always raised to keep her mouth shut and turn the other way when it came to mafioso. 

This leads to Stefani working a few alternative jobs - still not enough to pay rent or buy a small kid the things he needs. So, she ultimately becomes affiliated with yet another front by the local crime family.  Now, in this case, Stefani is employed with a roofing company. She works as a telemarketer for the organization. The shift is yet again awful - and Sal is usually alone or with one of her boyfriends - but the check is great. She’s great over the phone.

[luuurien]

Sobs - Air Guitar

(Power Pop, Indie Rock, Jangle Pop)

A vision of indie rock where cosmopolitan power pop is steeped in the sound of 2000s electronica, skater punk and 90s twee pop, Sobs' first album in four years is the trio's every ambition realized. Pulling entirely away from the interior dream pop of their debut, Air Guitar's fizzy pop tunes give Celine Autumn's fantasies of love and heartbreak a timeless effervescence.

☆☆☆☆☆

From burnout often comes the most necessary artistic turnarounds, and that has never been truer for Sobs. Dropping into the 2010's indie pop scene with 2017's wonderfully pensive Catflap EP and their full-length debut Telltale Signs the year after, Sobs' relaxed bedroom pop sound made their hooks and chewy melodies land immediately and the trio's charm readily apparent, but it limited them to the point they needed to start exploring new ideas before stepping up to the plate again. Vocalist/guitarist Celine Autumn found herself embracing the brash and bold colors of hyperpop on her 2021 Cayenne EP, co-produced with Sobs bandmate Jared Lim, and the sugarcoated sound of those four glossy electropop tunes infects Sobs' jangly indie rock by way of 90s power pop and electronica, their sophomore album Air Guitar four years in the making with all the sharpness and perfection you'd expect from that timeframe as Autumn sings of cold romances and the anxiety of a sparkly new relationship with Lim's production and engineering evoking everything from skater punk to 90s twee pop to 80s new wave as he brightens up all the corners and leaves no area without a splash of neon paint. It's a constant rush of energy coming at you, but Sobs refuses to let a second of Air Guitar go to waste, their post-internet stew of modern production and classic indie rock formulas full of life and spotless no matter where you look. Lighter and lovelier than most of their fast-paced indie rock contemporaries, Sobs take advantage of power pop's huge choruses and crisp melodies in a myriad of genres, their inspirations ranging from Advantage Lucy's playful indie pop to C86 jangle pop to Weezer-indebted pop rock as Air Guitar scales up and down the trio's ambitious tree of ideas. Lucked Out stuffs a verse, two choruses and a bridge into less than two minutes, Autumn challenging herself to write the catchiest melody possible while Lim and Raphael Ong riff on noisy guitars and Shaun Khiu's killer drum work - his contributions to the album a constant delight whether it's the plain backbeat groove on Dealbreaker or LOML's four-on-the-floor kick & snare along with flashy drum fills when the moment calls. These are just some damn good pop songs, whether it comes in the form of Friday Night's drum 'n' bass-infused electropop, the grungy power pop highlight Burn Book, or a lighthearted Gwen Stefani in the case of Cool, Sobs' embrace of bigger instrumentation and hefty hooks holding onto the warmth and enclosure of their previous releases while making songs big enough to fill an entire stadium. Air Guitar is plain and simple indie pop through and through, but Sobs provide such a thrilling spin on things that they end up in a league entirely of their own. What balances all this bubblegum pop magic out is Autumn's songwriting and the band's thoughtful detours, Air Guitar's lamentations on unavailable love and the ache of new romance not just a layer of melancholy draped on top of raucous indie pop tunes but a core part of how the music unfolds. On the title track, sparkly synths and distortion-coated guitars play of the dissonance of an unnurturing partner she can't quite seem to drop ("I was searching for peace / But you swept through like nature / Changed the trajectory"), too nervous to officially end things but desperately searching for escape in the song's glimmering guitar work and tense percussion, and the post-punk kick of World Implode on the album's back half constructs a shoegaze noise wall around Autumn's most tender feelings of of imposter syndrome and held-back desire ("Is it weird, though I try to, I could never forget? / Does it make it any easier for us to pretend?"). Indie rock has existed at the intersection of introspection and escape for as long as easily accessible recording equipment has been around, but Sobs truly take advantage of it as technicolor swirls of noise pop (LOML) and synth-soaked jangle pop (Dealbreaker) juxtapose sensitive and heartfelt writing that draws from the history of confessional rock music without bending to its will, Sobs' own wavelength guiding them everywhere they go. Air Guitar is lovingly crafted pop songs with a dimension of depth and diversity to them few other bands can match, Sobs able to cram a discography's worth of ideas into 30 minutes and distill only the best elements of their music into these ten tracks regardless. It never feels overstuffed or hodgepodge because Sobs knows exactly how much they can fit into a good pop song before it completely bursts, always pushing the boundaries with Friday Night's surprise ending or the 90s grunge-pop kick of Burn Book but never losing tipping the scales too far one way. After four years of absence, they've absolutely nothing to lose and use the opportunity to try anything and everything with Air Guitar, their sublime hooks and fun instrumentation unsurprising for a trio so well-versed in indie pop but absolutely stunning in how they're contorted to execute some of the coolest ideas rock music has ran into this year. Air Guitar risks it all going for a home run time and time again, but they land every swing so solid that it's impossible to imagine how these songs could have turned out any other way.

[rejectdolls]

𝟏𝟓 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

ANIMAL  :     cat, wolf, collie dog.

COLOR(S)  :    blood red, lilac, orchid and mauve pink.

MONTH  :     october.

SONG(S)  :    rhiannon - fleetwood mac, gypsy - fleetwood mac, i drove all night - cyndi lauper, in the air tonight - phil collins, waking the witch - kate bush, california dreamin - the mamas and the papas  /////  modern verses : welcome to the black parade - my chemical romance, helena - my chemical romance, i’m not okay (i promise) - my chemical romance, the entire black parade album, metamorphosis - hilary duff, rock this world - hilary duff, wind it up - gwen stefani (i’ll probably edit this to add more bc i’m impulsive)

NUMBER  :     13, 414

DAY OR NIGHT  :     day  and  dusk.

PLANT(S)  :     rose, cherry blossom, fig tree, carob tree, pomegranate tree, orchids  

SMELL(S)  :     chocolate, lilacs, the atmosphere just before it rains, fresh garlic bread, baked goods, cinnamon, pumpkin spice

GEMSTONE  :    ruby.

SEASON  :     late summer - early fall

PLACE(S)  :      the mall, her bedroom, the cemetery, rock concerts, art classrooms, italian restaurants, glamour shot studios, her aunt sharon’s house, music stores, her mind

FOOD(S)  :      pizza, pasta dishes, figs, cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies, mint chocolate ice cream, cherry pie, cinnamon flavors

ASTROLOGICAL SIGN  :      libra

ELEMENT(S)  :      earth, fire

DRINK(S)  :     mocha iced coffee, strawberry lemonade in mason jars, pumpkin spice milkshakes

tagged by: stolen

tagging:  whoever wants to !

[wickedandtrue]

:: This Halloween Stefani has an exclusive vampire verse. Coming from the age of the  Sukhothai Kingdom she was once of a royal high standard. A princess who fell to the ills of kingdom collapse and disease. The middle ages were rife with both but this disease was not of typical pestilence. It was a curse fallen upon her from the wiles of a creature who slaughtered many. Her fate is sealed during this time but she does not commit herself to the earth as all who die. She rose as an offspring of this beast and thus fed on the blood of her people. 

Ages pass and she is now part of a modern world. So long have the centuries endured and she has remained ageless. 

If you want to plot with this verse drop a like. Only do so if you actually have something in mind and are interested please. 

[popjuicemag]

Our disco needs her: Dua Lipa finds her footing with Future Nostalgia

by Raphael Cheong • March 27, 2020

Let’s be clear about one thing: Dua Lipa was always poised to be a popstar from the very start.

Showing up with songs like Be The One, Hotter Than Hell and Blow Your Mind (Mwah), Lipa displayed a penchant for big choruses and huge hooks. It was clear that she stood out in a sea of electronic music that favoured soulless bass drops. Then, who could forget her viral moment in 2017 with New Rules, the crown jewel of her self-titled debut? The song became inescapable on summer playlists everywhere that year.

Three years on, the singer is back with her follow-up effort: Future Nostalgia.

Kicking off the new era with disco-tinged Don’t Start Now and a blonde new ‘do, Lipa established a clear sound for her second album from the get-go, inspired by the likes of Gwen Stefani, Madonna and Blondie.

The result: a largely consistent collection of eleven tracks, packed to the brim with rapturous moments. Future Nostalgia is the light at the end of the tunnel for a singer once struggling to establish her place in pop.

Her intentions are made clear with the opening title track, where she sings about being a “female alpha”. It’s a kind of braggadocio that also shows up elsewhere on the album. Cool, the first of the new tracks that we’re introduced to, is a bouncy Tove Lo co-write that sees her reach into her sultry lower register. Then comes Physical, a pulsating, workout playlist-ready song that interpolates Olivia Newton-John’s song of the same name.

Where the album shines most is in moments when Lipa lets herself go to have fun. Standout tracks Levitating and Hallucinate do this while embodying the album’s namesake. The groovy Levitating is dressed with strings, vocoder verses and distinctively on-trend trap beats. Hallucinate, on the other hand, plays like a modern take on Madonna’s discography.

Pretty Please has Julia Michaels written all over it, a flirtatious funk number that offers a break from the dancefloor. Then come Love Again and new single Break My Heart to keep the disco party going. “I should have stayed at home, cuz now there ain’t no letting you go,” she quips on the latter. It wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine this song getting seized by the TikTok-wielding kids in quarantine.

If there were to be a slip-up on Future Nostalgia, it would be in the form of album closer Boys Will Be Boys, a ballad calling out gender differences that sounds out of place after a non-stop run of ten high energy tracks.

Despite being marred by an album leak that influenced its release, Future Nostalgia remains a stellar sophomore effort that's unafraid to hustle to the beat of its own drum. After multiple twists and turns, Dua Lipa has finally found, and more importantly, cemented her sound in the echelons of nu-disco. And while her invitation for us to take it to the dancefloor may well be a distant reality for now, one can bet that when the fog is lifted, we'll be dancing to this for a long time to come.

[thebandcampdiaries]

Dr Ally K - Body

80s vibes with a modern heart.

Dr Ally K is a music project with a really unique sound. Their tone blurs the lines between classic 80s influences, celebrating some of the best and most exciting pop music of all time! From Madonna, to Duran Duran and Depeche Mode, you can breathe in Dr Ally K’s amazing new-wave influences, and beyond.

Dr Ally K’s recent release is a single titled “Body.” The song immediately comes in with some cool vocal hooks and a nice 4-on-the-4 beat, with some darker synth tones. The lead vocals are the cherry on top here, reminiscent of influential acts such as Madonna, Gwen Stefani, and beyond. The track has a lot of energy to it, and more importantly, Dr Ally K’s performance is nothing short of awesome. The main vocals are dynamic and vibrant, bringing so much focus to each line. It's not only about his singing ability but also about calibrating each verse with some amazing lyrics.

With lyrics such as “It’s a win-win game and I’m in the mood to play,” there is such a sultry, electrifying vibe to this track. The performance is endearing and so is the musical background that fuels the verses and the hooks. Dr. Ally K is all about bringing her unflinching personality to the stage, making for a fantastic experience for the audience.

“Body” has a fantastic modern tone, but the cool thing about this song is that it also has ties with the past, as mentioned earlier. This track would have been a massive hit in, say, 1988, and naturally, it holds up to today’s production standards as well, revealing a unique attitude.

Each line is delivered with passion and enthusiasm, and the unflinching passion of the vocals match the clever feel of the lyrics.

Find out more about Dr Ally K and check out “Body” directly on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/3eq5sg4n2ctILqtpi0C58a

[moonbeambucky]

tag game

Rules: Tag 10 people you would like to know better

I was tagged by @delicatelyherdreams and @bucky-smiles ~ thank you babes!

Put your playlist on shuffle and name the first four songs

Caress Me Down - Sublime

Now That You Got It - Gwen Stefani

The Modern Age - The Strokes

Making Things Up Again - The Book of Mormon Broadway Cast Recording

Grab the nearest book, turn to page 23, line 27

(I never know if this means the text on the 27th line or the 27th sentence but I’ll go with my first assumption 😬)

...hear from me!” His voice drifted to the unicorn, so faint and... (The Last Unicorn)

Ever had a song or poem written about you?

I think in 7th grade this kid that had a crush on me made me a “newspaper” sort of and it was full of nice things about me and possibly poems

When was the last time you played air guitar

Oh I have no idea

Celebrity crushes:

Sebastian Stan, Tom Hiddleston, Chris Evans

What is a sound you hate/love?

Hate: Any sound Coco makes when she’s in pain :(

Love: Her snoring! She makes these deep piggy noises and oh she’s the cutest!

Do you drive? And have you ever crashed

Yes and yes.

Last book you read?

All I read is fanfiction lol

Do you Believe in ghosts?

Ehhh I’m like 55/45 on the no to yes. I’d like to think there is life after death and maybe I could be like a cool ghost that just hangs out at Disney all day and goes to watch the Avengers remakes in 2137 with my fellow ghost friends like “Pfff you believe this shit?”

Do you believe in aliens?

If you mean green space men then no, but other “alien” life out there in the universe sure.

Do you like the smell of gasoline?

No

Last movie you saw?

In Theaters: Into the Spider-verse

At Home: Ant-man and the wasp

Do you have an obsession right now?

Uhh yeah I’m counting down the days until Endgame ends me!

Do you tend to hold grudges?

I try not to.

Are you in a relationship right now?

I’m in many fictional relationships which is why I am in zero relationships irl 🙃

tagging: @youngmoneymilla @notimetoblog @wi-atch @revengingbarnes @hufflebucky @kentuckybarnes @moonstruckhargrove @suz-123 @interestedbystanderwrites @keldachick

[mortalspark-blog]

🎤 ( specifically his set list of the mr verse? ;D )

MUSIC EDITION / accepting!

( we’re going with the premise that contemporary music exists in the universe of course! ) marked bold are the staples in his set, all the others are interchangeable. all songs are more or less orchestral / even stripped down and would fit the genre description of ‘ smooth jazz ‘. frederick has a BIG repertoire, which is demanded of him to fit any clientele that might frequent the moulin rouge.

george gerschwin - ii’ll build a stairway to paradises.hirley bassey - diamond’s are foreverj.amie cullum - don’t stop the music ( probs the best part of his set, also a subtle time appropriate lyrics change from ‘ dj ’ to ‘ band ’ )m.arina and the diamonds - how to be a heartbreaker ( probs together with @sparklings lbr, another highlight bc it’s fucking dynamite )the week.nd - the hillse.lle king - ex’es and oh’sl.ady gaga & b.eyonce - telephone ( also together with satine! )g.wen stefani - the sweet escape ( he sings it after newt and him have That Fight )d.avid bowie - modern lovethe k.illers - when you were youngthe f.our seasons - beggin’ b.illy joel - new york state of mindfr.ank sinatra - it was a very good year / sunday kind of love mashupa.ndrew lippa - what is it about her?s.ara barellelis - love song ( or gravity, if he feels particularly moody ) t.he last shadow puppets - sweet dreams, TN ( becomes a staple in the time he’s with newt )j.ohn legend - all of mes.am smith - latchbr.yan adams - heavena.my winehouse - back to blackl.ana del rey - born to die / national anthem / video games mashupk.aty perry - the one that got awayg.eorges guétary - i dreamt i was back in parism.oulin rouge - come what may ( later of course, when the song is written, since it would be newt’s promise to him to know he loves him whenever he hears or sings the song. i mean it is literally the last song he ever sings, so. )

[heartof-thepharaoh-blog]

🍔 - Favorite food

Past Self - Apples, Goat, Rice Modern Self - Fruits (all types really), Chicken, chocolate.

🎧 - Most listened to song Modern Self - Gwen Stefani - Luxurious  or Halsey - Gasoline

¿ - Embarrassing secret

Past Self - Perhaps that he’d a virgin. He has no interest in harems... Modern Self - He has panic attacks, is afraid of the dark, hates appearing weak...

💕 - Crush Past Self - Seto/Mahad/Mana (He’s greedy lol) Modern Self - Changes depending on verse - usually Kaiba.

☠ - Arch-enemy Past/Modern - Bakura of course. Seto if talking about rivals though.

👭 - Best friend Past Self - Mana and Mahad. Modern Self - Yugi, Joey, Anzu. (can change depending on verse)

🚗 - Favorite place Past Self - His mothers flower garden. Modern Self - A hill outside of the city where the stars can still be seen.

☕ - Guilty pleasure Past Self - Long, relaxing baths with massages and sweet smelling oils Modern Self - Random spending/buying expensive items.

✎ - Favorite color Past/Modern - Purple/Gold

💣 - Most recent dream or nightmare Past Self - He often dreams of Mahad’s death and the events leading up to it. Modern Self - Often dreams about the day he died - or about his time trapped inside the puzzle.

🎓 - Goal in life Past Self - To find a way to make up for the sins that had been caused by his family and to help his people to live a better life than they currently are. He truly wishes to help everyone - it’s just alot more difficult than imagined... Modern Self - Nothing really. He’s not sure as to why he’s still alive. Depending on verse/thread he’ll either be wishing for it to end or find something or someone to live for ^^

💝 - Sexuality Past/Modern - Demisexual

🏀 - Hobbies Past Self - Horse Riding, Archery, Playing the harp/lute, playing games, escaping out from the palace, drinking wine, dancing. Modern Self - Listening to music, dancing (in private), drinking wine, reading, playing video games.

🎉 - Happiest memory Past Self - Would be the first time that he and Mahad met Mana. Modern Self - Yugi giving him his name :)

For the masked friend - Flower Enigma.

[yogaadvise]

Beautiful Yoga Tattoos with Incredible Meaning

Go to any kind of yoga exercise workshop in New York City, in Divine superintendence, in Des Moines, even in Peoria, as well as you will see body art. You'll see tattoos of Sanskrit letters, of Hindu divine beings, of inspiring symbology. It seems that with the development of yoga's appeal in the West, mindful ink is additionally on the rise.

From a yogic perspective, the concept of an irreversible imprint on the body is inherently paradoxical, for the body itself is considereded as an evanescent vessel. While the physical technique of asanas, or poses, comprises the core of yoga for many Westerners, ancient yogis used it as a path towards sitting conveniently in meditation. Conditioning the body was part of the trip of conditioning the mind, where the body was one of numerous devices with which one could achieve one's yoga. The poses, as a result, are inevitably non-essential: they are one piece of the technique, yet one can be a sophisticated yogi without ever doing a downward-facing canine. For contemporary yoga professionals, on the various other hand, the body may be thought about a tool with which psychological and also spiritual ambitions are expressed.

In spite of these paradoxes, or perhaps because of them, lots of yogis have preferred to enhance their bodies with intellectual and also emotional tips of the practice. The symbology of the yogic tradition from chakras to Sanskrit letters has been coupled with global symbols of love, life, breath, and unity to develop a yoga-tattoo canon of types. The symbology has been reversed as well as reinterpreted gradually, to ensure that the range of a 'yoga tattoo' has actually come to be rather wide. Here we present a list of body art, which honors the variety of the many yoga family trees as well as the skillful and also artistic creativity of the modern-day yogi.

* * *

Taylor Hunt, Columbus, OH Hunt is an Ashtanga teacher as well as papa of two. Before yoga, he claims, he saw the globe only in black and white. With the method, his world relied on color-and so did his body! His back as well as torso are virtually covered in delighted and also vibrant photos of Hindu deities. In several hairs of yoga exercise, commitment to these deities is thought about a key element of the practice. As well as for those who decide to decorate their bodies with conjurations to their names or physical symptoms, what greater devotion is there?

Miles Borrero, Brooklyn, NY For Borrero, tattoos are pens of time, tips of that we were when we got the tattoo, and also a sign of who we are to become. The positioning of the bounding stallion functions as a continuous indicator of just what Miles calls 'real north.' It is a noticeable compass which 'highlights and sweetens' just what's currently existing in the forearm-the stamina, the softness, and the poise. Decorating the body with any kind of design is a statement of the ability for art and charm to recover. Right here especially, the motion as well as the flexibility of the horse acts as inspiration for Miles' practice on and off the mat.

Kenny Frisby, New York City, NY Kenny enjoys to fly. The bird on his appropriate bicep advises him of the agility, the poise, as well as the resilience which lives within.

Stefani Rose, New York City The lotus flower is both a main sign of makeover and likewise beauteous non-attachment in Hinduism. The lotus flower blooms out of the mud but is untouched by both the mud and also the water. It is the seat of opportunity as well as the mirror for reflection. In the above picture, the lotus undertakes its own sort of improvement, instilled with playful colors as well as drifting among a sea of other pictures. For Stefani, the principles behind the universal audio of om as well as the lotus flower are not up in arms with wild creativity and a playful wish to be obtainable as well as joyful.

From Left: Danielle Figgie, Brooklyn, NY, Susan Derwin, New York City, Reddit Customer Amelia_aerhart, Unknown

Sanskrit, like Aramaic, ancient Hebrew, as well as ancient Greek, is a spiritual language. It is the language of the divine Indian messages such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, as well as the Vedas. Numerous of the letters themselves consist of spiritual noises and icons, such as the om (over left), which is stated to hold the primaeval audio of the world and also live within every person. Words like satya (over center), meaning truth, or shanti (likewise over facility) significance peace, have actually become normative catch-alls in the Western yoga exercise world. On the right, there's a quote from Patanjali's yoga exercise sutras: 'Yoga chitta vritti nirodha,' which equates to, 'Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.' Somehow, this verse is the central creed of the yoga technique, when all else is removed, it is a technique of stilling the mind.

From Left: Prince Puja, Los Angeles, CA, Barry Silver, Brooklyn, NY In the physical yoga exercise practice, look is often routed toward the hands. Infinite symbols put on the knuckles and wrists are constant tips of that which is most essential in life.

Adriana Rizzolo, Brooklyn, NY Rizzolo, a yoga instructor as well as co-founder of Awakened Womanly, an assistance for women to live a transformational life, is adorned with many tattoos: her arms, legs, as well as back are all covered with art. 'They're markers of my healing,' she claims. Her butterfly is an icon of transformation, her Mendi-style yoga exercise tattoos are strong yet delicate imprints of her own inner feminine equilibrium. Her body is likewise tattooed with oms, flowers, and patterns that assist her 'live real.' For Adriana, a tattoo is an outside reminder of that which exists within.

Cover Photo by James Fideler

[thepapermixtape]

Digital Records: Funked Up Folk

By: Tori Adams

Image courtesy of Billboard

LADY GAGA / JOANNE. These words written in stark white grace the sky blue cover of Lady Gaga’s most recent album. Gaga, in profile, sports a pastel pink hat that is evocative of the traditional and iconic Stetson cowboy hat. Her hair hangs over her shoulders long and blonde; instead of the iconic platinum blonde of her four past album covers, Gaga now rocks a more natural shade of sandy blonde. The album cover alone should tip listeners off: this album is far from being a purely pop record. Gaga explores new genre territories and exposes a softer, more authentic side of her being lyrically and sonically. The pink pastel color of her hat reflects Gaga’s pop past, while the cowboy-esque shape shows how she will combine that aesthetic with a new country-folk future.

The album, which was released October 21st, was a collaborative effort with producers such as Mark Ronson (“Uptown Funk”), Bloodpop, and Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), fellow artists such as Father John Misty (Fleet Foxes), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), and Florence Welch (Florence and the Machine), and songwriters such as the country hit maker Hillary Lindsey (“Jesus Take the Wheel”). From Pop, to Alternative to Rock to Country, each collaborator definitely brought their own distinct dish to the album’s table.

The first song “Diamond Heart” opens with the lyric “Young Wild American.” This lyric sets the tone for the album and establishes the American West as a motif that will continue to appear throughout the album lyrically and sonically. Additionally, a pounding bass drum comes in with a steady beat that drives the melody and story forward. The stripped and gritty verses contrast with the synthesized and climatic choruses. From the outset the influx of genres is heard distinctly. The use of guitar, bass and bass drum give the song a rock and roll feel, while the synthesized melodies give it a pop spin. The lyrics on the other hand are more rooted in a country western style of storytelling.

The next song “A-YO” combines Gaga’s comfortable and familiar pop lyrical and vocal style with a funk based instrumentation (i.e. saxophones and trumpets).

The title track “Joanne” follows with a softer sound. Gaga sings in a sweet and unstrained vocal style, which is matched by a unassuming rhythmic acoustic guitar. The song is about her late aunt, Joanne Stefani Germanotta. Lady Gaga, formally known as Stefani Joanne Angelica Germanotta, was named after her. Gaga reflects on the heartbreaking nature of death and loss when she sings, “Every part of my aching heart, needs you more than the angels do.” The simplicity of the song makes it all the more powerful. You can hear the authenticity of emotion and experience in the song better since the backing music is less abrasive than other songs.

FOLLOW ALONG //

The softer side of Gaga reflected in “Joanne” is contrasted with the rough and rowdy “John Wayne.” Gaga laments the banality of city boys and pleads for an unpredictable cowboy like that of the iconic John Wayne. The track opens with Gaga saying rather than singing: “I just love a cowboy…I know its bad… can you go a little FASTER!?” The lyrics continue to play off of iconic imagery of a classic American western (“mustang speedin’”), but then it is revealed that this mustang is a car and not a horse when she sings about dead end roads, “rubber spinnin’”, and gears shiftin’. Lyrically, Gaga subtly combines the western world of country with the city world of pop. Once again a pounding bass drum drives the nuanced story along. The country style of the verses contrasts with the rock and roll synthesized and electric nature of the chorus.

“Dancin’ in Circles” uses a syncopated funky beat to set the groove. The backup vocals are sung in a nonchalant manner reminiscent of a 80s Madonna pop hit. Funk and pop elements are used heavily while disco and Reggae elements are delicately layered in.

The single “Perfect illusion” highlights the rock motif of the pounding bass drum, while the synthesizer brings in a crucial element of pop to the hit.

While “Perfect Illusion” describes the frustration and anger that comes at the end of a relationship, “Million Reasons”describes the grief and desperation that comes just before the very end. While the story is presented out of order, the decision to have the soft and introspective, “Million Reasons” follow the harsh and heavy “Perfect Illusion” makes the song more visible sonically. Like, “Joanne,” the song emphasizes the simplistic vocals and instrumentation (piano, guitar, bass) in order to highlight the authentic emotions delivered in the song. The song ties in the album theme of the west (“worn out leather”) and brings in a new theme of salvation (“Bow down to pray…lord show me the way”).

While past songs scratched upon the surface of the country western influence, “Sinner’s Prayer” digs deep into the gritty western desert. Instead of praying to the Lord as she did in “Million Reasons,” she prays to her lover to stay with her despite their unhealthy relationship. Again, the verses are the coarsest aspect of the song while the chorus is softer. However, the softness suggests a detached personality not an emotional one this time. The heavy-handed bass line is soaked in country twang and drive the song forward.

“Come to Mama” and “Hey Girl” are both about femininity, sisterhood, and acceptance. “Come to Mama” uses backup vocals, and a strong backbeat like the infamous Motown girl groups of the 60s did. “Hey Girl,” on the other hand sounds more like a modern day version of Prince or the 1973 Elton John hit “Bennie and the Jets.” This is achieved through the funky beat and synthesizer.

“Angel Down” is a narrative that connects the personal with the political. Gaga sings, “I confess I am lost…shots were fired in the street…Where are our leaders.” The political nature of lyrics tie it to the folk tradition, but the ethereal sound seems more like a gospel inspired pop creation. Additionally, the lyrical motif of the church and salvation tie it to the gospel tradition.

Similar to “Come to Mama” and “Hey Girl,” “Grigio Girls” focuses on sisterhood and strength. It has a quick but controlled tempo. The rhythmic strumming of a guitar and storytelling aspect of the song give it a country-folk sound. Like the wine it is named after, the song’s structure is simple and sweet with a splash of some exciting flavors.

“Just Another Day” uses strong but melodic keyboards, horns, and synthesizers to create a fun and playful song that sounds like it belongs in a soundtrack for a 90s Meg Ryan romantic comedy.

Unlike the eccentric and extreme songs and performances of past albums, Joanne showcases a stripped down look and sound that is honest and authentic and finds vulnerability in its simplicity. The album transcends genre classification in its genre bending and crossing. Gaga proves her vitality as an artist by refusing to stay within the bounds of one static genre. Gaga continues to embody the personality of a pop princess but also shows how she can be a country cowgirl, and rock and roll rebel all the same if not even more successfully.

HONORABLE RECENT RELEASES:

Tove Lo // Lady Wood // "Flashes"

Mayer Hawthorne // Party of One // "Someone Like You"

Kings of Leon // WALLS // "WALLS"

Empire of the Sun // Two Vines // "High and Low"

OneRepublic // Oh My My // "Born"

Bon Iver // 22, A Million // "00000 Million"

Passenger // Young as the Morning Old as the Sea // "Everything"

The Head and the Heart // Signs of Light // "Rhythm & Blues"

Grouplove // Big Mess // "Do You Love Someone"

COMING SOON:

Bruno Mars | The Rolling Stones | DNCE

[tjsawesomename]

The Top 50 Songs of 2016

I’ve been sitting on this one. For a while. You see, I don’t think I’ve EVER listened to more music than I have this past year. All told I listened - in full - to over fifty albums and approximately 300 new songs. After listening to so much, and realizing that I had added well over 100 songs to my shortlist, I realized that this year (and probably the years to come) needed an expansion beyond just 40 songs.

2016 - musically - was a fanfuckingtastic year. We got so many new albums by so many great artists. It would be impossible for me to shorten this list to forty, so this year I’m giving you fifty! Will I expand the list further next year? Depends on how much time I have! Also, this year I tried my absolute best to make sure that these songs were only released in 2016 (or SUPER late 2015) in SOME form, be it a music video or on Spotify. Next year hopefully I can be even more thorough than I was. Anyway, enough chit chat. First up, some honorable mentions:

Alexx Mack - Whatever I Want

Beyonce - Sorry

Bruno Mars - 24k Magic

Kanye West - Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1

Maty Noyes - lil’ bit wrOng

Redspencer - Fuss

Rihanna - Needed Me

A Tribe Called Quest - We THE People

Troye Sivan - YOUTH

50. Cloud Nothings - Internal World

While Cloud Nothings has released much better material, this track is still excellent and perfect for a chill night.

49. ELEL - Cherokee

The best track from Geode, “Cherokee” is a great ceiling music, or music to stare at your ceiling to.

48. Common - Little Chicago Boy

As a Chicago native, this song hit home well. My city is a fantastic one, but it is troubled. This song encapsulates that.

47. Twin Peaks - You Don’t

The best song that one of my favorite bands released this year.

46. SRNO - Stay Sane feat. Naaz

A haunting melody and tight vocals from Naaz make this track worth a listen.

45. Saba - The Billy Williams Story

Similar to “Little Chicago Boy,” Saba’s “Billy Williams” is an example of excellent storytelling in rapping.

44. Comet Blue - Spaceship

One of the best deep house songs released in 2016, Comet Blue’s debut single is very promising and shows how much potential this group has to be great.

43. White Sea - Bloodmoon

Ethereal, mystic, and beautiful are just a few words to describe this dream pop hit from White Sea. She’s definitely someone to look out for in the coming years.

42. Alex Newell - Keep It Moving

A throwback to early 90s power pop, Alex Newell proves she has the vocal chops to pull off a huge song like this. It reminds me of songs like “Don’t Wanna Fall In Love” by Jane Child, in the best ways possible.

41. Icona Pop - Brightside

Once again, Icona Pop delivers a perfect pop song. To me, they’re a staple of dance pop, and I will not rest until they are relevant in the mainstream once again.

40. Twenty88 - Talk Show

The R&B duo comprised of Big Sean and Jhene Aiko, Twenty88 proves they have a lot to bring to the table with their debut single. Telling the tale of two lovers who quarrel while being interviewed on a talk show, it shouldn’t work in theory, but by god it does. Big Sean and Aiko have a lot more charisma than they let on, and this song proves it. I’m looking forward to what this group releases in the future.

39. Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam - When the Truth Is

The perfect song to get absolutely blazed to, “When the Truth Is” is stoner rock at its best. Lyrics that are at times almost unintelligible feel haunting and match perfectly with the song’s vibes.

38. A R I Z O N A - Oceans Away

Another song with a haunting beat, “Oceans Away” portrays missing someone you love fantastically.

37. Madden - Golden Light feat. 6 AM

2016 was a good year for EDM. Songs like “Golden Light” are proof of that. While EDM is normally hard and cold, like the title suggests, “Golden Light” feels warm and positive in a way you don’t normally see this genre.

36. Joey Purp - Girls @ feat. Chance the Rapper

An absolutely hilarious rap song with an especially hilarious verse from Chance, “Girls @” is just fantastic and I highly encourage you to listen to it.

35. Gwen Stefani - “Asking 4 It”

My biggest guilty pleasure of 2016, Gwen Stefani proved that she’s still got it when it comes to pop music. The beat is absolutely DOPE, and Gwen’s vocals match the song to a T.

34. Classixx - Safe Inside feat. Passion Pit

Why did nobody think to combine Classixx and Passion Pit sooner? Two groups who are both amazing at their respective crafts (Passion Pit at electropop, and Classixx at remixing music to give it a house edge) couldn’t come sooner!

33. The Weeknd - In The Night

The most Michael Jackson song to ever be released by someone who wasn’t named Michael Jackson, The Weeknd proves that he has staying power and knows how to tell an amazing story through music.

32. Sturgill Simpson - Keep It Between the Lines

The best country song to come out this year, Simpson - along with Kacey Musgraves and The Steeldrivers - gives me hope for the failing country music genre. To be fair, country music is my guiltiest of all guilty pleasures, but to create a country song that is not only an earworm, but is also substantial? That’s an accomplishment!

31. Chelsea Lankes - Bullet

A great pop song that never charted, Chelsea Lankes could absolutely be a pop star if she wanted to be. Maybe with a bit better marketing she could be a household name. She’s a master at creating pop music, and this song is no exception.

30. Tim Suby - k goodnight feat. Jessie Reyes

A millennial anthem of sorts, the cover art for the single itself conveys the youth’s frustrations with modern romance and how picky people can be today.

29. John Dahlback - Won’t Back Away

2016 was by far the best year for EDM on record, in no small part thanks to people like John Dahlback. While the lyrics may be more one the basic side, what makes this song stick out is the utter positivity to this song, something 2016 desperately needed. Plus, sometimes we just need to listen to a basic love song, and this track fits the bill in spades.

28. Pional - Casualty

Going from saccharine-sweet positive to almost Lana Del Ray levels of ethereal (pro-tip: never go full Lana Del Ray. NEVER.), “Casualty” walks that fine line between super ethereal and super pretentious perfectly.

27. Bridgit Mendler - Atlantis feat. Kaiydo

Possibly the biggest shocker of 2016 was when Bridgit Mendler decided to change from Disney pop to do what she really wanted, and what she really wanted was this (okay so this is nowhere close to the biggest shocker of 2016 but whatever). This song really works! It’s about leaving behind feelings for your ex, burying them so deep they might as well be in Atlantis.

26. Boys - Happy Hour

Another super chill track, Boys seem to be like a more chill version of Haim. And Haim is already pretty fucking chill. 

25. Childish Gambino - Me and Your Mama

I was pretty disappointed overall with Childish Gambino’s new album. It wasn’t bad, but he’s certainly done better before. That said, the crowning glory to the album absolutely was “Me and Your Mama.” I can see why he released this track early; it’s creepy and terrifying and beautiful at the same time. Let’s hope he does more stuff like this in the future.

24. Gallant - Skipping Stones feat. Jhene Aiko

As I mentioned earlier, Jhene Aiko is much more charismatic than she lets on. Her work with Gallant is her at her very best, and this is also Gallant at his very best, too. Sleek, groovy, and downright sexy, “Skipping Stones” is the very essence of 2010s R&B.

23. Lincoln Jesser - Roll On feat. Anjulie

I discovered Lincoln Jesser a few weeks ago, and I gotta say, I’m very impressed. Anjulie’s vocals blend in perfectly with the beat here, and Lincoln Jesser delivers a beat so sick the doctors almost couldn’t revive it.

22. Santigold - Can’t Get Enough Of Myself

A song that’s so boastful it’s almost funny (and I’m pretty sure that was the intent) Santigold’s long-awaited third album was well received and couldn’t come sooner. The highlight? This track, of course! Every so often we need to listen to a song that’s about pure indulgence, and this is it for me. I can’t help but laugh every time I hear it.

21. Chance the Rapper - Blessings

Chance the Rapper feels blessed, and you can tell that he does. This track is heavily influenced by gospel to its benefit, and you can absolutely tell that Chance the Rapper thanks god every day for his success. It’s good to know that there are artists out there that are thankful for their success and don’t become assholes.

20. Kiiara - Gold

A haunting trap song by an artist that really shouldn’t have anything to do with trap. Everything about this song is a minimalistic cacophony that comes together so well you can’t help but try to sing along to the nonsense words during the refrain.

19. Birds of Hell - Astronomy Programmes

A helluva song, I’ll tell you that.

18. Lao Ra - Jesus Made Me Bad

If you’ve seen my review on this song, you know how beautiful I think it is. There’s really not much more I can add to it, it’s just a really great song.

17. Kanye West - Famous

Ha. The song with the music video of T-Swizzle’s tiny tits. But for real, this is a great track, and it samples one of my favorite songs of all time: “Bam Bam” by Sister Nancy. Kanye West is an asshole, who is also a musical genius. So I hate that I love everything he touches. But I still love it.

16. Big Grams - Fell In the Sun

Big Grams were a group I missed back in 2015, so I caught up to them in 2016. This group, comprised of two acts that I already love: Big Boi and Phantogram, blends together seamlessly. Their crowning achievement is without a doubt “Fell In the Sun.”

15. Rihanna - Desperado

“Desperado” is the best track Rihanna’s released in years. I’m in love with the Rihannaissance (a term I just made up that describes how Rihanna is back on top and releasing music that is her best work to date), and songs like this show why.

14. STRFKR - Tape Machine

Indiepop trio STRFKR is already great, and their latest album is the best they’ve released so far. “Tape Machine,” the opening track, is the best one on their best album. By extension, this is the best song they’ve ever released. Check it out!

13. Video Age - Dance Square

Reminiscent of 80s techno. “Dance Square” is like a more pop version of the stuff Black Marble releases, and the world can never have enough Black Marble.

12. Black Marble - Portland U

Black Marble is the best of lo-fi has to offer. I’ve been following them for a while, and the release of songs like “Portland U” shows that they’re still on their A game.

11. Jack Garratt - Worry

British-born Jack Garratt is someone who you wouldn’t think would be the type to sing R&B, but he pulls it off. “Worry” leans more to his PBR&B side than his indietronica side, but nonetheless this track is an example of him at his very best.

10. Kultur - White Door feat. Khary

A mashup of several different sounds, this song proves that tropical house is here to stay.

9. Ladyhawke - Wild Things

An absolutely beautiful electropop song, I’m sad that I didn’t discover Ladyhawke until this year. 

8. Krrum - Evil Twin

A great example of noise that comes together when it needs to to create a great bop.

7. Sleigh Bells - Baptism by Fire

Noise pop has never been better. Sleigh Bells is on, well, fire with their best song to date. Bombastic in its delivery with lyrics sharp as a tack, “Baptism by Fire” is the best song to jam to when you’re in your car angry at your ex for some reason.

6. Beyonce - Formation

Do I even need to say anything?

5. Kali Uchis - Ridin Round

This song is straight up BADASS. 2016 was very heavy with the Caribbean beat, and this song used it best. Uchis doesn’t need to prove her worth here, 

4. Bear Hands - 2 AM

A song about the fear of getting older. It’s a topic that’s been done over and over again, but Bear Hands has found a way to make it feel fresh again. Never have I felt happier to grow older, the pain, the joy, the boredom, the love, the responsibility, the maturity.

3. Flume - Never Be Like You feat. Kai

This was my number one hit song of the year, and it’s also a beautiful song. A defiant remark from Kai sends the whole song into motion. The flow of the song is ethereally beautiful. It was great. It is great. It’s an example of a perfect pop song that perfectly describes the year 2016 in music.

2. Solange - Where Do We Go

Beyonce may have had the best album of the year, but Solange had the best song of the two Knowles sisters. With a thumping beat and the amazing vocal talents of Solange, “Where” is without a doubt the best track from the album, and the best soul song of the year.

1. Glass Animals - Season 2 Episode 3

You can make a great song about any number of topics. For Glass Animals, that topic was about leaving your lover because she’s a pothead. “Season 2 Episode 3″ is a masterpiece of a song about not wanting to leave your lover, but realizing you have to. And by no means am I against pot, but I have met people who have developed a psychological dependence on it, and it is not fun at all. This track perfectly encapsulates that feeling. The melancholy, the regret, and the happiness that comes from it. Any song that can successfully convey that many feelings