Today I hate snow

Truth.

I guess I should give a little background.

In general, I love snow. I think it is beautiful, it turns the world into a quiet, lovely place that I can view through my window as I'm snuggled up with a blanket and a book (in my warm home). And, I even like walking in it, all bundled up with a fluffy coat, nice hat, gloves and scarf. Boots are a must.

But today, I was caught outside, with just a running jacket and shorts--SHORTS--when it started snowing. On my run. It was awful. The wind even started blowing it in my face, so the snowflakes were sticking to my eyelashes so I couldn't see. Sounds pretty bad, huh? (Okay, so it really sounds like I'm just whining to a captive audience, and I'll stop now)

What does this have to do with my post today, you ask? Good question. And it might be a stretch, but because I didn't have a song that just HIT me with it's epicness, I decided to go with one that I just plain like (kind of like comfort food, except a comfort song that will make me feel better, and hopefully win you over).

Wheesung is a new favorite of mine. You know how you go through phases in things you like? Okay, maybe you don't, but I sure do. Some days I can be jamming out to Three Days' Grace, and later that month I need to be listening to Yiruma (piano music to die for).

I didn't used to like the type of music Wheesung puts out, but at this point in my life, I am REALLY getting into his style.

The song I would like to present to you for your utter delight is "Night and Day." I ran into it maybe a week ago on a quest to find a new drama, and I was entirely entranced with his voice. This song is just... Amazing. It's soulful and painful and full of longing.

The music video was interesting (read: made my head blow up with not only sarcastic thoughts about how hair like that should not be under a cap, but also thoughts of the social commentary one could make on youth vs. experience in pop culture across the globe), and I actually liked it a lot. Of course, I listened to the song over and over before I took a look, but I loved the settings with the pillars, and then the story telling. I liked how the dancer stage kept changing from night to day and back, which was really cool.

I would go on more about how amazing his voice is (I'm talking about talent but also about the work he's obviously put in to be the singer he is today), but that would just bore you, and we can't have that!

Also: don't feel bad if you don't like this. Nobody can like everything :)

Have a great week, and I hope, wherever you are, you don't get caught in the snow in your shorts on a run :D

STANDING EGG - 맘에 걸려 and Crush(크러쉬)_SOFA

Because, duh. Standing Egg. And, of course, because... Crush.

When these two come out with something in THE SAME WEEK... We mustn't question our good fortune. We must roll with the punches and simply accept what the universe chooses to deal to us. Which is AWESOMENESS, in this case.

In all seriousness, I adore both of these groups. If we can really call either of them "groups." I suppose in Standing Egg's case we might? I mean, aren't they a group of composers/musicians who feature vocalists? And... Well, Crush is a solo artist, so not really a group there.

Anyway...

Both of these songs are wonderful, and I love them both. Both artists have unique sounds that they bring to these new songs, but manage to keep the songs fresh and new. Crush's song is soulful and beautiful, featuring a nice deep bass rhythm to emphasize his voice, which I feel like I could curl up with and just take a nap, it's so... enticing and yet comforting and familiar, if that makes any sense.

Standing Egg comes to us with their standard upbeat, happy-with-a-touch-of-wistful-longing kind of song--songs like this I never tire of, and this will be up there on my list. It feels simple but reaches into your heart and takes you captive. It's the kind of song that will get stuck in your head, and you'll find yourself humming it a week later, and you hadn't even listened to it in that week. Those are the best kinds of songs.

Confession: I didn't really watch the music videos. I blame my hoppin' social life (I visited a friend and we painted pumpkins for Halloween, and... Things got a little crazy, what with the monster of Frankenstein's pumpkin taking up so much paint. You know how it is...) I did watch just a bit of Standing Egg's music video, and my first thought was... Wait, both actors are WHITE! What is this?

I'm not racist, I promise. But... Those actors were NOT Korean. Standing Egg IS Korean, right?! I'm not crazy?

Okay, forgive the levity, I just thought that was funny.

Go, now my friends and watch the music videos if you haven't, and enjoy them! They're great songs.

Standing Egg:

Crush:

Have a spooky and fun Halloween, stay safe and don't eat so much candy you get sick. That's not fun at all!  See you next week :D

조형우 Cho Hyung Woo - 아는 남자 Someone I Know (feat. 김예림 Lim Kim)

Well.

Ummm... I'm sorry? Very very sorry about leaving you out in the cold for so long! My life got a little crazy there for a while. Many things happened, and all I can even say is that I am sorry.

But, I'm back now, so that's a positive, right?! I wouldn't be surprised if all of you wonderful people have moved on to something more amazing like... I dunno, ramen with eggs and cheese.

Which would be a real shame, because I've got a FANTASTIC music video for you! (You could probably eat said ramen while reading my blog post and listening to this amazing song. Just sayin'. I'd even let you keep the eggs and cheese!)

Preface: Along with not posting to Chill Music Stash, I have been very much out of the K-Indie scene, so I am woefully out-of-touch.

Which is probably why I've never heard of Cho Hyung Woo (조횽우). His music video/song, "Someone I know" (아는 남자) feat. Lim Kim (김예림), blew me out of the water. (Apparently it's got Ga In--가인-- in it as well (as the actress), but... Well, I'm not a huge fan of Ga In and that wasn't a huge draw for me... please don't hate me for that). I clicked on this music video because it featured Lim Kim, and now I have a new artist to follow, because I loved this song. So much.

Where to begin?? Oh, right ;)

The CELLO! 

Um, yes please? Excuse my fangirl language right there, but the Jazziness of this beautiful song is breathtaking, and then the cello just SWEEPS you away. It has such amazing moments of beauty, overcoming the piano and everything else that I just fell in love.

And then Cho Hyung Woo's voice--his clarity, the purity and tone. Wow. I love how he can go from whispery and soulful to BAM! Vocals soaring above everything. Amazing.

I love the timing of everything, how jazzy and catchy to slowly, softly sad with Lim Kim's vocals... and then somehow a crazy ending with the cello again. Slightly creepy ending, but it just adds to the charm.

The music video?! 

Holy cow, umm... Anybody else think it was super creepy, but so AMAZING?! Yeah, that's where I was too: I loved it. I thought the music video weirdly suited the song--perhaps??

I loved the black and white filming style at the beginning, and how it isn't that way the whole way through, only indicating the madness parts. I loved the touches of color in the music parts--the green of the plant, the red of the rug and the sun shining in with yellow rays.

I love the setting--dilapidated apartment with the paint coming away from the walls. I loved the creepy madness of it all. I really hope that doesn't make me creepy, too. I mean, the mv's story wasn't scary so much as sad, so I wasn't completely freaked out--and the song was so upbeat and jazzy that I couldn't really be frightened, you know? Which was perfect, because the song conveyed, somehow, the sorrow and wistfulness of the madness in the music video.

Now that I'm no longer making much sense, here is the video if you haven't seen it yet. It's not as bizarre as I just made it sound. Watch it, it really is so great!

I will leave you with a plan of me coming back again in a week with another amazing video to chat about. It will show my apology better than persistent, annoying declarations of remorse in a post.

Until next time, my Chill Music-listening friends!

My Two Current Favorites

Zion.T (자이언티) Dok2--these guys are my two absolute favorites.  At least, right now.

I say "current favorites," because there are always new artists coming out, and new songs.  That's one of the things I love about the music scene--there is something for everyone, it seems.  And there will always be more, even if you have to wait for it.

That being said, I also feel like I love these two artists not just because of one certain song, or because of any bias.  I genuinely like the music they release, consistently.  Yes, I wish Dok2 would stop using the obligatory f-word in every song, and sometimes Zion.T... Well, I can't think of anything about Zion.T's music I would like to change.  We all see now where my true sympathies lie!

But, in all fairness and seriousness, I just enjoy these two artists.  I love listening to their music, I like watching them perform, I like the evolution of their music (except the f-bomb).

I don't remember when I first heard of Dok2.  Perhaps (and I'm pretty sure this is it) it was when I heard one of G Dragon's new songs--new at the time--and thought to myself, who is this "Dok-two character?  I like his voice."  Ha ha, and I know what you're thinking, but give me a bit of a break?  I was stinking new to the scene, and I figured everything out with a little bit of research.  And then I started listening.  And, slowly, Dok2 (pronounced: Dohk-ee) has turned into the artist I will go to when I am in a bad mood and just need something to listen to.

With Zion.T...  I think the first thing I saw him in was something he featured in (Choiza?  Gaeko?  Primary?), and I thought he was WEIRD.  Have you seen his music videos??  And the others he features in?  If you were a new fan, of the genre or even of Zion.T, would you really instantly like him, or would you think he was a little bit weird?  Because I know that I loved his voice--was instantly captivated--but was strangely both drawn and also made a little cautious by his performance.  By the time Babay came out however, I was enough of a fan that I loved every single second of the music video.  Zion.T has become one of my absolute all-time favorites.  I love listening to him, quite enjoy watching him perform, and have to laugh at his interviews.

And, since this is a music blog, about music... Here's Zion.T's debut song, featuring Dok2.  I know, can life get any better?  Probably not.

*wait!  It could get better if Dok2 were actually IN the mv...*

Do you have any stories about your favorite artists?  Who are they, and why are they your favorites?  Leave me comments, questions, requests... You know, anything that suits your fancy.  Of course, if you're gonna be a troll, I might sneer at my computer as I read.  Beware!

Keep listening to your awesome chill music, and I'll see you back here next week!  I'm sure I'll have something awesome for you :D

Tidbits: Startline (스타트라인), The Richard Parkers (리차드파커스), and Ashgray (애쉬 그레이)

Just a few songs and videos that I want to share today.  No deep analyzing (hopefully), no criticism, simply music that I really like and feel should be heard.

Let's start with The Richard Parkers (리차드파커스) with "On My Way to Sleep (자러간가)."

Beautiful instrumentals, very chill, AMAZING vocals, such a nice match.  Lovely song, perfect rainy day music.

I loved the name, too-- "The Richard Parkers."  Fun!

Next, let's do Startline (스타트라인) and their song, "Time Goes By."

Here's another group with MirrorBall Music.  These guys, though, are more of a rock sound, and I really like the change of pace.  From Chill to Rock.

They have a nice, straightforward rock sound--sometimes you just want to listen to something that is upbeat and fun like this.  A nod-your-head song, and then at the chorus you get to sing along with the "Whoa-oh-oh," and life is good again.

I like the description, too.  It tells us that Startline is a "melodic punk band" and their song contains a "hopeful message."  Yes.  Definitely hopeful.  So much love.

Last is 애쉬 그레이 (Ashgray) with "어린왕자," or, "The Little Prince."

This is a group of three guys (as far as I can tell), and they're under BigFoot Records.

This song, combined with this music video.  Wow.  Just, wow.  

I watched the music video and I was creeped out a little bit at first, because the sound was a little creepy, and it looked like it could be some kind of horror music video; but then it turned into this very interesting artistic video with amazing editing and shots and fantastic ideas behind it.

And the song?  Wow.  I love what they did with it, especially where they warp the vocals going into the chorus.  Sooo cool.  Loved it.

Have fun with your listening, and I'll see you soon!!  :D

Somebirds (어느새) - Korean Salamander (도롱뇽) and 소란(SORAN) - Your Love

We're taking a step into the past today, kiddos.  Hope everyone's okay with that.

Not too far, of course.  Just a couple of months.

First we've got Somebirds (어느새) with "Korean Salamander (도로뇽)."

When I first saw the link, I was being judgmental again, thinking I wouldn't like the song.  But, I did listen to it, and it is rocking and chill, and I absolutely love it.  It's a fun walking song.  You know--when you are walking somewhere and you want music that won't rush you, but you can just strut to?  This is it.

I love the vocals, but in a very, "I'm not sure they would work for me without the rock/laid back sound of the instrumentals" sort of way.  Very quirky and fun.  The band is so much fun, too!  I love the electric guitar, and everything else (the keyboard: oh yeah!!).

The video is weird but fun as well.  I don't like his facial hair, but it definitely fits with what he is trying to portray.  At the beginning he climbs out of a box, and encounters varying human interactions (mostly fights that he accidentally gets in the middle of) as he walks along.  The description says the song is about Korean youth whingeing (yes, they used that word, and I adore it!) about their "severe realities."  That was almost a direct quote.  It makes sense, because he goes through a lot of weird and tough things, randomly meeting up with his band every so often and singing and playing with them.

Also: cigarettes are GROSS!  I am glad he didn't light up, and I hope he kicks the habit.  Because, those things will kill you.

I love his round glasses.  I love how the video transitions from sepia tone to color every now and then, and at the end, I not only like the old guy standing in front of his box, but I also enjoyed that the main guy turned into a salamander after he climbed into the box.  Very different and awesome.

I also want to talk about 소란 (Soran) and their song "Your Love."

This video is live, so we don't really need to discuss it.  I mean, except for the fact that they TOTALLY have an UPRIGHT BASS!!  Bah.  I think the last time I wrote about Soran, I was geeking over that fact, too.  Ah well.  Gets me every time.

I absolutely love this song.  It's definitely been a while since it was released, but it is so pretty, and subtle.  So very chill.

His vocals are very prominent in the chorus, but I love the feel of the actual instruments behind him, especially during the verses.  The vocalist falls quieter there, almost making his voice a part of the background, blending so beautifully and seamlessly with the music.  So lovely.

The thing about Soran is, I love that they are an actual band.  And not a rock band.  I do love me a good rock band, but it is so nice to have that chill, relaxed sound to listen to, with actual, acoustic instruments.  I admire musicians all across the board (DJ's, vocalists, instrumentalists, etc), but something about this combination... This song just feels like a conversation, or a poem.  It's so personal and feels so well-thought out, but also almost impulsive.

Okay, now that I have made myself sound ridiculous, I'm going to stop.

I hope you liked both of these.  Maybe not as ridiculously as I did, but that's okay.  It'll get you one day.

Have a great weekend listening, and I'll see you soon!  :D

Freestyle(프리스타일) _ Winter Song(윈터 송) (Feat. Navi(나비)) Drop a Beat

Yes, this video was released in December of last year.  That's okay, I didn't get to talk about it, and I really like it.

Another thing:  I just copied and pasted the title into the little title section for this post.  There really are that many parentheses.  Not joking.

Okey Dokey.

Freestyle (프리스타일) feat. Navi (나비) with "Winter Song (윈터송)."

This song is so chill, and I love the Spanish influence they decided to run with throughout the song, even so far as to add Spanish phrases here and there.  I especially liked how the tone of those phrases were different than the ones that were part of the rap and the song, softer, almost like they were said at a point when the couple was still together.

I am in love with the guitar they've got in this.  Yep, guitar geek here, letting her freak-flag fly.  Of course... I don't know enough about guitars, but this sounds like classical guitar (I mean in the classical romantic way they're playing it--because the guitar did originate in Spain, and that's the sound they've got), and I absolutely love it.  My sister would freak out about the flute in there, too.  It's gorgeous.  Also--is that a harpsichord I hear?  Probably synthetic on a keyboard, but still!

The music video kind of gives me this lingering feeling of sadness, like it is something that happened--and while it is sad, it's no longer as devastating as it was when it first happened, and she is now able to let go.  At the very end of the video, she drops the locket which he (probably) gave her, showing us that she's finally over it (the break up, I guess). 

 I don't understand what she was walking through--it looked like a furniture store.  Maybe (from what I understand of the lyrics), she was ready to move on with their life, but he was not?  I mean, when they began the relationship, maybe she assured him it was enough, but then started wanting more, and he either wasn't ready, or just couldn't?  Total guesses there.

I did like how the viewer got shots of their relationship (or maybe it was her imagining how it could have been, as she IS walking through a furniture store).

I think my favorite thing about this song and music video is how chill it is, and how perfectly everything works together for a harmonic whole.  Their voices and her voice, the beautiful and smooth instrumentals... Amazing.

Thanks for stopping by for Drop a Beat :)  Keep reading if you want to hear my thoughts on profanity in music (and in anything, really), or just come back for Chill Music Stash later this week.

Profanity Rant Here:

I had some other songs I wanted to comment on as well (more recent, too), but they were all rife with profanity!  I have been known to put up with an f-word here and there (go ahead, scoff at me for not typing it out--I forgive you), but when it's once in every single chorus and verse, that's a no for me.  Don't worry, I'm even more frustrated than you are that hip hop artists are under the misconception that "forceful" means "profanity."  Not true.

I know I've talked about that before, but I don't know that I explained very well or thoroughly.  Profanity isn't a substitute for intelligence, it's not a way to express yourself.  When you use foul language, you sound like an uneducated thug.  Of course, I am listening to music from hip hop artists, who are kind of marketing toward the streets and whatnot.  I get that.  

At the same time, do you know how refreshing it is to not have to dodge foul language in a song?  Profanity is not only awful to me as a human being, but also as a person who loves language and embraces expression.  It is so much more creative and impressive when an artist chooses to go with language that actually expresses their thoughts and ideas.  Complexity is amazing.  Choose the RIGHT words and you not only impress those worth impressing, you confuse those not worth impressing.

A big vocabulary is, frankly, one of the most attractive traits a person can display.  Not only are you showcasing your intelligence, you are also honoring the people around you with the thought that you think they are intelligent and well-read enough to understand all of your big words.

Stay classy, peeps.  If I haven't frightened you off with my rant on profanity, I'll see you back here for Chill Music Stash on Thursday.  Keep up the chill listening! :D