"behind the pen is a creator"

Northern Virginia born, L.A. based singer-songwriter Rebel Rae proves that she knows how to have a good time in the music video for her debut single, "Good Vibes."

The video, directed by Alexi Papalexopoulos, is a mix of 90's nostalgia and Los Angeles swag, with acid wash jeans, bucket hats, crop tops and flannels in abundance at the party that serves as the backdrop for "Good Vibes."

To make the video more authentic, Rae actually threw a party, inviting all of her friends to come perform alongside her. With solo cups and iPhones in hand, party-goers dance along as the R&B newcomer belts out the lyrics to the song. 

Rebel Rae is currently recording her debut album, and I am definitely looking forward to it. 

Happy Listening (watching),

Robert

"taking my time on my ride"

Just like December and January, February was a pretty intense month for me. On top of starting classes and having to learn how to survive in a city where I do not speak the language, I also traveled every weekend.

During those twenty-nine jam packed days, I needed something to get me through long tram rides, long bus rides (both domestic and international), awkward trips to the grocery store, late night walks and getting dressed for Hip-Hop night.

This playlist really only explores two moods: chill and turn-up, which pretty accurately describes what I wanted to do throughout the month.

Below are the thirteen songs that served as the soundtrack to my life during the month of February:

1. "Work" (feat. Drake) - Rihanna

2. "Ride" - Twenty One Pilots

3. "Not Above That" - D∆WN

4. "PILLOWTALK" - ZAYN

5. "Kiss It Better" - Rihanna

6. "Bang My Head" (feat. Sia and Fetty Wap) - David Guetta

7. "Skipping Stones" - Gallant and Jhene Aiko

8. "Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" - Jess Glynne

9. "Dreaming - The Chainsmokers Remix" - Smallpools

10. "Something New" (feat. Chris Brown) - Zendaya

11. "Ain't Nobody (Loves Me Better)" (feat. Jasmine Thompson) - Felix Jaehn

12. "Iced Tea" - crwn

13. "Work from Home" (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) - Fifth Harmony

Happy Listening,

Robert

"i personify the adolescent on a phone, speaking like i'm bigger than my body"

photo by The 1975 (@the1975 on Instagram)

Since the release of their self-titled debut album The 1975 in 2013, music critics and causal listeners have often struggled to categorize The 1975.

Are they a boy band? Do they make pop music? Would they be considered alternative?

The bands sophomore release, I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It, proves that Matty Healy, George Daniel, Ross MacDonald, Adam Hahn and their music are all of those things, and more.

Upon the first listen I Like It When You Sleep can seem pretty confusing. The album features so many different sounds that it is easy to feel lost.

In just under seventy-four minutes, the album somehow manages to hit nearly every genre with R&B and funk inspired bops like "UGH!" and "She's American," David Bowie-esque rock anthems like "Love Me" and perfect synth-pop radio records like "This Must Be My Dream" and "The Sound."

I Like It When You Sleep is all over the place, and that is precisely what makes it a great album. It is unapologetically imperfect, it dip and dives between light, fun jams you want to dance to at a party, love songs you want to serenade your crush with, and melancholy ballads you'll want to cry to in the shower.

The 1975 seem to have struck gold with I Like It When You Sleep as it has already peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart. Matty, George, Ross and Adam are also predicted to land their first number one album on the Billboard 200 in the coming weeks.

Hopefully, all of this success is a sign that these boys from Manchester will around for quite some time.

I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It is available on iTunes and paid-for streaming services including TIDAL and Google Play Music

Happy Listening,

Robert

"a truth so loud, you can't ignore"

photo by Troye Sivan (@troyesivan on Instagram)

Since the release of his debut album Blue Neighbourhood last December, YouTube vlogger and singer-songwriter Troye Sivan has been on the cover of Rolling Stone, performed on Ellen and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and is now on  a world tour that will hit theaters, music halls, and nightclubs all over the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Sivan will have seemingly conquered the world all before his twenty-first birthday. 

Two weeks ago, Sivan continued his quest for world domination with the release of the music video for "YOUTH," the light, playful electro-pop third single off of Blue Neighbourhood.

The music video, directed by Malia James, takes place at a house party, and like everything Troye Sivan related, is the perfect mix of pretty neon colors, tumblr aesthetics and awkward dance moves. 

"YOUTH" also features a cameo from actress and activist Amandla Stenberg, but the real star of the video is a "Make America Gay Again" snap-back, which is shown as Sivan and his fellow party-goers cuddle in a sheet fort. 

After watching "YOUTH," I'm sure you'll be prepared to bring roller skates and Care Bears to the next house party you attend, I know I will.

Happy Listening (watching),

Robert 

"i just shot an amateur video, i think i should go pro"

photo by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian on Instagram)

After a three GOOD Fridays, a plethora of Twitter rants, and a few name changes, Kanye West finally debuted his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo, during his Yeezy Season 3 presentation on February 11th at Madison Square Garden. 

The twenty thousand ticket-holders at MSG and millions at home who were streaming the event via TIDAL listened as songs featuring Kelly Price, Chance the Rapper, Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Chris Brown, Post Malone, and many others blared through the speakers. 

On February 14th, after epic performances of "Ultralight Beam" and "Highlights" on Saturday Night Live,  The Life of Pablo was officially and exclusively released through TIDAL.

The Life of Pablo is probably Ye's most sonically diverse record and its takes listeners on an eighteen song rollercoaster ride, starting with the gospel and soul infused "Ultralight Beam" and ending with the sample heavy, mid-tempo "Fade." 

From more traditional hip-hop records like "Real Friends," "30 Hours," and "No More Parties in L.A.", to R&B grooves like "Waves" and hype records like "Highlights" and "Facts," Pablo proves that West can do virtually anything, and do it well.

The Life of Pablo can be streamed on TIDAL and despite reports that the album has been downloaded illegally over half a million times, Uncle Ye has no intent of releasing the album through traditional means. 

Happy Listening,

Robert

"if you had a twin, i'd still choose you"

photo by Rihanna (@badgalriri on Instagram)

Last month everyone's favorite "bad gal" from Barbados, Rihanna, released "Work," the lead single to her long-awaited eighth studio album, ANTI. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the mid-tempo Drake assisted dancehall and reggae infused record was met with commercial success, topping charts and invading dance-floors and SnapChat stories around the world.

Jennifer Lopez, the undisputed queen of "booty," gave Rihanna and Drake one of the best gifts any artist could ask for by twerking to "Work" during an installment of "Ew" on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Today, Rihanna and Drake continued to fuel the buzz around "Work" by dropping, not one, but two videos for the song. 

The first video, directed by Director X, takes place at a sweaty party at "The Real Jerk" in Toronto and it is everything you hoped it would be. Plastic cups and Red Stripes bottles litter the floor, everyone is whining like their life depends on it, girls are fanning themselves with "Work" flyers, Drizzy is posted up in a OVO sweatsuit (you know he was sweating), and Rihanna is in the middle of it all. 

The second video, directed by Tim Erem, is slightly less eventful and only features Rihanna and Drake. Drenched in neon-pink light in what looks like someone's living room (but is most likely a soundstage), Rihanna and Drake simply vibe off of each other for roughly four minutes, delivering a plethora of GIF-worthy moments.

Following the release of the video, I'm pretty sure "The Real Jerk" will have lines out of the door and Google will see an uptick in people searching "How to Whine." 

Happy Listening (watching),

Robert

"you vandalize my perception but can't take style from me"

photo by The Grammys (@thegrammys on Instagram)

This year, the Recording Academy and CBS made the bold decision of broadcasting The 58th Grammy Awards live on both coasts on a Monday night. Unfortunately this year's broadcast did not fair so well, The Grammys received its lowest ratings in six years. Despite the low ratings, tweets about The Grammys were viewed over two billion times and I thought it was a pretty good show overall.

From Kendrick Lamar's five wins to Lionel Richie's star-studded and talent-filled tribute, there were an array of amazing moments at music biggest night. Below are my favorite moments from the show. 

5. Tori Kelly and James Bay's Duet

Best New Artists nominees Tori Kelly and James Bay wowed the audience at the Staples Center and charmed their way into the hearts of millions around the world using only their voices and guitars with a mash-up of their songs "Let It Go" and "Hollow."

4. Demi Lovato's "Hello"

Demi Lovato performed "Hello" as a part of the tribute to Lionel Richie. Backed by John Legend on the piano, Lovato solidified her position as one of pop music's most powerful vocalists.

3. Alabama Shakes winning"Best Rock Performance"

It was a big night for blues rock band Alabama Shakes. They brought home three Grammys including one for "Best Rock Performance." Shakes' lead singer Brittany Howard, who is the spitting image of her mother, put a smile on my face with her acceptance speech, so I had to include this moment.

2. Lady Gaga's Tribute to David Bowie

Though her performance has been met with mixed reviews from critics, Bowie's fans, and Bowie's son, Gaga's tribute to David Bowie was one of the most talked about moments of the night. While it did seem a little rushed, and slightly cluttered, Gaga sounded great and the performance marked the return of the "weird" Gaga who has been M.I.A. for quite some time.

1. Kendrick Lamar proving that "We Gone Be Alright"

Kendrick Lamar was the biggest winner of the night, taking home five Grammys, including "Best Rap Album." During the show, Lamar delivered an extremely power and visually stunning performance of his songs "The Blacker the Berry" and "Alright." Lamar began his performance by walking out as a member of the chain gain, then rapped his heart out in front of a bonfire, and ultimately finished in front of image of Africa with the word "Compton" inside of it.

Hopefully next year's Grammys will have just as many incredible moments as they did this year.

Happy Listening (watching),

Robert