This one's for real

I'm sorry everyone. I have to end my blog here. I know this is abrupt, but I have to focus on my outside life right now and I need time away from this sort of thing. Maybe someday I'll resurrect something along the lines of this, but for now, I'm signing off.

CanTunes Tuesday: "Back to Back" - Drake

Ahem...

DRAKE SLAAAAAAYYYYYYED.

Oh man, it's really too bad for Meek Mill at this point. He really doesn't have any sort of leg to stand on. Whatever credibility Drake didn't have, he just gained it all back.

And... that's all I can say, really. Hail Drizzy. Seeya tomorrow.

"Drag Me Down" - One Direction

One Direction are back!... One Direction never really left.

However, as I type this, One Direction are currently undergoing their biggest loss as a music group, as longtime and beloved member Zayn Malik has left the band. I for one will truly miss Zayn, and all the contributions he has made to the irreplaceable quintet that were One Direction.

...

Zayn's the blond one, right? No? Well, I tried.

Anyway, as far as I can tell, it seems that the members of 1D - which you would only call them if you were a square, which I am - are doing just fine without their departed member, as evidenced by their most recent outing, "Drag Me Down", which they most recently performed earlier this month on Good Morning America. Hey, it's as good a source as any.

As far as I can tell, 1D are experimenting with a new, more mature sound in 2015. I mean, it's not like they've gone full artsy or anything - they still have a member named Harry Styles, you understand - but it still seems like a step in the right direction.

Gone are the directionless (haha) days of being a musical group you could easily confuse with something you'd see on RadioDisney. One Direction have slotted themselves into the Maroon 5 position of still being a bunch of pretty boys, but somehow more mature. And with Adam Levine constantly flaunting his mid-life crisis and becoming increasingly irrelevant in the process, the door is open for acts like these to take over.

And as far as I can tell... they're doing a pretty good job.

One Direction have been going for a more mature sound ever since their Midnight Memories album in 2013, but as far as I'm concerned, this is where they're really starting to shine. I mean, they've got a nice Police-like riff going on there, some nice harmonies - it's coming together rather nicely for them, I'd say.

While One Direction have been involved with some questionable songs, I think that deep down, they are all really good guys - unlike certain other teen idols - and I'm happy to see them adjust well into their later career. Hopefully when the eventual breakup rolls around, they'll all have steady acoustic guitar-driven careers at the pinnacle of their maturity. And Harry Styles will be our next Justin Timberlake.

...what? It could happen! Maybe... nah.

Facemelt Friday: "Brother" - NEEDTOBREATHE ft. Gavin DeGraw

So, let me see if I've got this right. We go from a band that doesn't capitalize any of its letters last week to a band that capitalizes ALL ITS LETTERS this week. Is this an inside joke I somehow don't know about? Well, regardless, I guess it's time for a little battle between the uppercase and the lowercase!

I'm gonna be honest here. I don't think it's even a contest. This song blows twenty one pilots' offering out of the water.

It took a while, but I'm glad that on Friday I can finally discuss a rock tune that has actual raw emotion put behind it. This just sounds like a couple of guys pouring their hearts out, and I love when music can come from a real place.

Now. NEEDTOBREATHE are a Christian group...

Oh, come on! Come on! Don't start filing out all at once!

Ahem. Chirstian music is not inherently bad. If you want to sing about God and spirituality and your beliefs, I think that's great! What matters is the emotion you put into your performance. and as far as I can tell, NEEDTOBREATHE's music is a force for good.

They sound like they really put all their soul into their performance and their beliefs. It's awesome to hear the heart in these performances. And "Brother"'s got a great message! Two people working together, protecting each other. It's a really good message to hear.

I'm glad these guys are around to give Christian music a bit less of a bad rap. If you don't like listening to their music because your beliefs conflict with theirs, I guess that's fine. But don't try and link 'em in with bores like Amy Grant, because these guys have soul.

Watch-for-it Wednesday: "Drama" - Roy Wood$ ft. Drake

This song is honestly, truly, seriously boring for a song called "Drama". 

I've never heard a song before where I can attach less commentary to it than I can here. I honestly don't even know what to say. It's ridiculously dull.

I wish there was more. I really do. But I just don't think the song offers anything for me to grasp on. It's the biggest wasteland of commentary that I have to offer you. And... I'm sorry.

I can't make fun of anything or point out anything, it's all just... bleh. I'm at a loss. Hell, this has Drake on it! Surely there's gotta be something to say!

Okay, I think I can at least understand why I can't find anything to say about this song: I don't know what the hell this guy is saying.

He's so mumbly and incoherent that I didn't even know what this song was about before looking up the lyrics. And honestly... if I can't make out what you're saying, then staring at the lyrics won't do much for me.

I really don't know what to think. Maybe this guy's got better music up his sleeve, but as for this song, it's just a complete waste for me. I'm sorry guys.

CanTunes Tuesday: "Bring Down the House" - Dean Brody

Country music appears to not be as popular as it once was, but when country songs do get, big, I'm still obliged to acknowledge them. Even if those country songs are Canadian.

This is Dean Brody. If you know Canadian country music, you probably know him better than I do. This is actually the first song I've heard from him. What do I think of it? Well... it's decent, but I don't know how faithful it is to the country genre.

This seems to be one of those country songs that can just hang onto the title of "country music" because of a banjo twang here and there, but ultimately feels a little hollow because it lacks the full typical country instrumentation. Almost feels like it's a song that's embarrassed to be a country song.

But what does save it is the personality that Brody puts into his song. It gives back that country credibility that the song needs, and sounds pretty good in its own right. Brody, like many Canadian country artists, has some lyrical quirks that you don't typically find in country music.

And I say "Hey, I, want you girl"
You make my heart, heart flutter like a tilt-a-whirl

I don't know about the rest of you, but I certainly don't hear many references to tilt-a-whirls in country music. Which actually kind of surprises me. You'd think that the country and carny lives would be somewhat intertwined.

But anyway, Dean Brody gets the job done here and I do like this song. It's a good entry into the genre, and maybe it'll help spark some more Canadian country music.

"My Way" - Fetty Wap ft. Monty

I honestly had no idea this song was on the Billboard chart.

I don't even know if I can explain why. I think I saw two Fetty Wap songs next to each other, assumed I was seeing double, and skipped past it. But now that i'm aware of its existence, let me explain something pretty plainly: this is the worst Fetty Wap song I've ever heard.

I'm sure some will just be impressed that I've managed to actually distinguish between Fetty Wap songs, but... yeah. This is the worst. I'll try to explain why without coming off as a Fetty Wap fan, but it's going to be difficult.

I'll put it this way: despite the technical quality of Fetty Wap's other songs, there's an element of fun to 'em. It sounds like Fetty Wap is having fun, and if you squint your ears you can have fun too. I definitely do not get that from this song.

This song is just a drag. If you're not a fan of Fetty Wap's voice, stay the hell away from this song, because it plays a starring role. This is probably Fetty Wap at his most serious, and what person ever wanted a serious Fetty Wap?

I don't even know what else to say here. It's a Fetty Wap song that faisl at even being a Fetty Wap song. That can only be described as the most ultimate of failures.

Then again, there's still that.

Facemelt Friday: "Tear in My Heart" - twenty one pilots

twenty one pilots. What can you say about a band that doesn't even bother to capitalize its name properly?

Well, as far as I can tell, they're your typical fun indie rock band. nothing too out of the ordinary, and unfortunately, nothing too interesting. Take this song as an example. It's pretty paint-by-numbers music, with no real deviations except for the singer's voice. It's a nice song to listen to, but I can't really foresee it sticking with me like great classic rock used to do.

And that's the problem. Where's the staying power of all these songs? Where's the clout of the performers, the memorability? Rock music isn't about going through the motions, it's about making a name for yourself and making sure people remember you, just like all music. I hope I find something as memorable as "Uma Thurman" next time, is all I'm saying.

Watch-for-it Wednesday: "Things Change" - Omen ft. J. Cole

The problem with rap music today is that Vine shit is getting popular and making it to the top, while actual rap songs are stuck on my Wednesday segment. It's a cruel world we live in, guys.

But if it's in my Wednesday segment, it means I get to talk about it all the same, and oh god am I happy to talk about actual rap music this time around. This song is really good.

It's not the most exciting rap song I've ever heard (in fact, it's a little on the dull side), but it's just so nice to hear actual thought and effort being put into the lyrics. You hear these Vine raps these days and you wonder where effort like this has gone. Well, it hasn't gone anywhere. You just aren't buying it.

And that is truly a shame, because we need to be promoting more songs like this and less Fetty Wap, T-Wayne and especially Silento.

Ughhhh.

I suppose this entry is just a reminder that there is good rap still out there. You just have to search a little harder for it than you used to. As the song says, things change. Sometimes not for the better.

CanTunes Tuesday: "2 Heads" - Coleman Hell

On this day of the week, we look at Canadian artists who do things better. Case in point, here's someone doing "Wake Me Up" better than Avicii.

Man, if "Wake Me Up" was my only reference, you wouldn't be able to convince me that electronic music and folk go well together? But here? Like peaches and cream.

I'm actually really surprised I like this song, because as far as I'm concerned, it starts out like a Calvin Harris song.

Yeah... that guy. Ugh.

But once Coleman Hell starts singing, you know that he's got exponentially more talent than Calvin Harris. and then the banjos kick in and it just sounds amazing. I don't think I've ever seen folktronica done this well.

What really works about this song is that the two genres don't feel separate; they feel like they belong together, and they meld together well. you could easily make an electronica song and just slap some banjos over it and call it a day, but here, it's meticulously organized in order to actually sound good. A novel idea, really. Music that sounds good. What won't they think of next?!

I really hope this guy gains the popularity he deserves. I love seeing artists get recognition for good music.

"679" - Fetty Wap ft. Remy Boyz

...this guy has officially superseded one-hit wonder status. That's weird.

I mean... I think I was nicer to "Trap Queen" than most would be, but did we really need another hit from this guy? I think after "Trap Queen", we've pretty much dissected what this guy is all about, and we can forget about him. But... no. No, we can't. Because here he is again.

I honestly don't know what to say. Is Fetty Wap the future of music? And more importantly, am I okay with that? See, that's the important question here. Whether I, personally, am okay with it.

Well, I don't think Fetty Wap is the worst thing in music I've ever heard, but listening to his stuff he's definitely still a pretty significant step down from good music. You know when you're listening to the real deal, and you know when you're listening to a gimmick. This guy is a gimmick.

At the same time, though... he's honestly giving us some of the "best" mainstream rap of 2015.

You understand that's not exactly a big accomplishment, though. I mean, you've seen the shit I've covered this year. It's just... awful. I don't think I've seen a worse year for mainstream rap, at least not the stuff actually making it onto the Hot 100.

So, while Fetty Wap isn't great, I can honestly say I don't hate his music, probably by association with what he's up against. The Remy Boyz are fine, they do the "bitches bling" thing and call it a day. But oh god, can't we aspire to more than this?

This is not good, thought-provoking music. We need to set things straight quickly if 2015 rap has any hope of being any good. But then again... maybe we should all just bow down and hail our overlord Fetty Wap. YeeeEEEaaah? NaaaAAAaaah.