"ain't easy, you got to earn it"

photo by Terror Jr (@terrorjr on Instagram)

Making another stop on their road to pop music domination, my new favorite trio, Terror Jr, just released their fifth single and as always, it is a banger.

Produced by Felix Snow and Jerker Hansson, "Come First" has the perfectly light vocals, slightly suggestive lyrics, and 808-heavy production that have become a staple for Terror Jr.



Though the identity of vocalist, "Lisa," is still a mystery, the song has credits from "Campa, Zach Zorgen, Bill, Avena Savage, Double Helix, Lisa, Dr. Olov, David, Psycho Lisa & Kylie."

Maybe we will finally find out if Kylie Jenner is in fact part of the squad soon, but until then I'll gladly bop to the sounds of Terror Jr.

Happy Listening,

Robert

"in all this bitterness, you stay so sweet"

photo by Snakehips (@snakehips on Instagram)

As a follow up to their international smash hit and "get-back together" anthem, "All My Friends," London-based production duo Snakehips has teamed up with ZAYN on "Cruel."

Starting off mellow and slightly melancholy, launching into a massive, percussion infused chorus, and ending stripped down and only backed by a piano, "Cruel" is quite the rollercoaster and the perfect mix of electronic and R&B elements.

Snakehips are currently working on their debut album, due out early next year.

Happy Listening,

Robert

"live for the challenge, only makes me stronger"

photo by Kehlani (@kehlani on Instagram)

After a rough couple of months in her personal life and the surprise release of "24/7" a mid-tempo introspective record about battling with mental wellness, Bay Area singer-songwriter and tattoo aficionado Kehlani has bounced back with "CRZY."

With lyrics like "If I gotta be a bitch, I'ma be a bad one" and "They be trynna count me out, but I'm just counting counting blessings" over very low-key beat, the focus of the song is placed on what Kehlani has to say, and she emerges fierce, resilient, and unapologetic. 

Kehlani is currently working on the follow up to her Grammy-nominated mixtape You Should Be Here.

Happy Listening,

Robert

"two blue hearts locked in our wrong minds"

photo by Troye Sivan (@troyesivan on Instagram)

After releasing "WILD" last September as the lead single to his debut album Blue Neighbourhood, Troye Sivan has teamed up with Canadian R&B singer-songwriter Alessia Cara on a re-release and it is pure pop perfection.

Featuring a new verse from Cara and some added bells and whistles that breathe new life into the record, "WILD" makes you want to host a late-night beach bonfire and serenade all of your guests as you all dance the night away under the stars.

Happy Listening,

Robert

"i might drive myself insane, if those lips aren't speaking my name"

 photo by Adam Elmakias (@elmakias on Instagram)

Despite the fact that we all may try to hide it, most kids born in the late 90s went through an angsty pop-punk phase. For those who did not (or for those who don't really know what I'm talking about), this phase can be characterized by frequent visits to Hot Topic, graphic tees, skater shoes, and an obsession with bands.

My angsty pop-punk phase came during middle school, during which time, tracks from bands like All Time Low, Fall Out Boy, Boys Like Girls, and many others could be heard blaring through the terrible Apple headphones that came with my iPod nano (2nd generation).

As an ode to my middle school days, I made a playlist with some of my favorite songs from that era.

Below are the twenty songs that defined my early teens and solidified my love for music:

1. "The Beach" - All Time Low

"The Beach" was my ringtone for six months...I regret nothing. 

2. "Misery Business" - Paramore

3. "Thnks fr th Mmrs" - Fall Out Boy

4. "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" - Panic! At The Disco

5. "Shake It" - Metro Station

A staple at every middle school dance in the United States during 2008 and 2009.

6. "Dirty Little Secret" - The All-American Rejects

7. "Dear Maria, Count Me In" - All Time Low

8. "Love Like Woe" - The Ready Set 

9. "Check Yes, Juliet" - We The Kings

10. "Everything I Ask For" - The Maine

11. "DONTTRUSTME" - 3OH!3

"DONTTRUSTME" was probably the first truly "explicit" song I downloaded on iTunes.

12. "The Great Escape" - Boys Like Girls

13. "I Wanna" - The All-American Rejects

14. "Welcome To The Black Parade" - My Chemical Romance

15. "About A Girl" - The Academy Is...

16. "She's A Lady" - Forever the Sickest Kids

Six years later and I still break out into song every time I hear the words "backseat driver." 

17. "Punch-Drunk Love" - The Summer Set 

18. "Nine In The Afternoon" - Panic! At The Disco

19. "Hello, Brooklyn" - All Time Low

20. "That's What You Get" - Paramore

Oddly enough, I heard "That's What You Get" for the first time when my dad's iPod was on shuffle.

Even though I call it my "Middle School" playlist, I still listen to it once a week and whenever I'm at parties, I play it just to see who will sing along with me...I guess some things will never change. 

Happy Listening,

Robert

"i left my consciousness in the sixth dimension"

After spending four months in Prague, I decided that I wasn't quite ready to leave Europe, so I went to Madrid!

June was filled with travel around the Iberian Peninsula, pre-games that started at 1 AM (everything starts later in Spain), long walks through Madrid's breathtaking barrios, afternoons in Parque del Retiro, and most importantly, studying and doing homework for my super intense Spanish course.

Starting with upbeat pop songs like "No Money" (which accurately describes my existence during my six weeks in Madrid), slowing down with R&B jams like "Juke Jam," and finishing up with slew of Latin records that I proudly screamed at the top of my lungs (despite not really understanding them until the middle of the month), June is perfect for a kickback, a wild house party, and everything in-between.

Below are the twenty songs that served as my soundtrack to the month of June:

1. "No Money" - Galantis
2. "Tears" (feat. Louisa Johnson) - Clean Bandit
3. "Can't Fight It"- Quintino & Cheat Codes
4. "Testament of Youth" - Rebel Rae
5. "Hasta el Amanacer" - Nicky Jam
6. "Afterlife" (Remix by Frank Pole) (feat. Frank Pole) - Greyson Chance
7. "Ai Se Eu Te Pego" - Ao Vivo - Michel Teló
8. "Juke Jam" (feat. Justin Bieber & Towkio) - Chance The Rapper
9. "Wait a Minute!" - Willow
10. "Fragile "(feat. Hailee Steinfeld) - Prince Fox
11. "Good Enough" (Michael Brun x The Ready Set) - The Ready Set
12. "Ginza" - J Balvin
13. "Bury It" (feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore) - CHVRCHES
14. "Once in a While" - Timeflies
15. "El Perdón" - Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias
16. "DUELE EL CORAZON" (feat. Wisin) - Enrique Iglesias
17. "Light It Up" (feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG) - Remix - Major Lazer
18. "Snowflakes" (feat. Anuka & Lox Chatterbox) - AK
19. "Sexual" - NEIKED
20. "Youth" - leuan

Happy Listening,

Robert

"you need my power like a mophie"

photo by Terror Jr (@terrorjr on Instagram)

After dropping three incredible records over the past few months, Terror Jr is back with yet another banger. 

Much like "3 Strikes," "Sugar," and "Trippin," "Say So" pairs an 808-heavy synth-pop beat with beautifully light and airy vocals provided by the still unmasked lead vocalist, Lisa. 

"Say So" is definitely the most danceable of Terror Jr's records and is the perfect late-night summer bop that can be blared through the speakers of your car on the way to a party or through your headphones as you practice your twerking skills alone in your bedroom. 

I'm looking forward to see what's next for Terror Jr, but until then, I'll just keep dancing. 

Happy Listening, 

Robert