You all know the way syrup moves. It has a slow, sticky, viscous crawl to it. It’s also delicious and comforting and warm. These are all things we’re looking for in our songs this week. I added an additional stipulation, however, and constricted my search for Blissful waves to songs with female vocalists. I was looking especially for songs that gave me a sense of Saturday morning pancake breakfasts, maybe with some lightly sweetened tea and a loved one to share it with. It’s a nice warm feeling. Kinda sticky and gooey. Hopefully we can induce that sort of mood for you. This is The Syrup.
This is the Blisswave.
1. Alina Baraz & Galimatias – Fantasy
Alina Baraz has the one of the silkiest voices around, and the quirky beatcraft of Galimatias compliments the vocals to achieve just the sort of melodic flow we’re looking for this week. She even gives us a shout out to Blisswave with the lyric “Listen to the waves.” Do the nice lady a favor and enjoy the song. Thanks again for the mention, Alina. We love you too.
Support the artist: Alina Baraz, and Galimatias
2. Torra – Overcome feat. Meryn Jeann
Wow. Where to start with this one. I guess we go with how excellent the vocals are, and then praise the beatcraft behind them again. Overcome is a bit more up tempo than number one, but it’s still so relaxing and smooth. Another theme came up when I was looking for songs like this… The vocals need the editing behind them to succeed, but the editor has gotta have something to work with. It’s a fusion of sounds that’s really hard to nail down. The pattern that begins at 53 seconds exemplifies what I mean. Then they add the vocals back in and pluck a banjo for a bit. What’s not to love?
Support the artist: Tora, and Meryn Jeann
3. Atticus Beats – Decisions feat. Woodes
I love the way the voice of Woodes curls around the undertones of the track. If you listen closely at exactly 1:15, you can hear what I mean. Her voice goes one direction and then comes back on itself to line up again with the melody. Also notable is the awesome high hat beat in the background… Boom ba doom boom chee. Sweeeeet.
Support the artist: Atticus Beats, and Woodes
4. Flume – The Greatest View feat. Isabella Manfredi
Manfredi’s voice, more than the other tracks on this list, soars rather than simmers. It’s a bit of a departure from the previous tracks, but one can still hear the Syrup if they try. There are these moments where Flume’s tones escalate, and Manfredi goes up too. In between these moments are these long brass section sounds that remind me of a movie score. Flume did some great work on that background. It’s subtle and smooth, but still soars whenever it wants to.
Support the artist: Flume, and Isabella Manfredi
5. Clara Stegall & Ted Hunter – And I Know
Unlike the tortured couple that is the subject of this songs refrain, Blisswave, Clara Stegall, and Ted Hunter certainly “fit perfectly together.” My hope is that we can all survive. So if you just “promise me that you’ll stay with me” we can just spend some time enjoying Stegall’s awesome voice. Awesome in the magnitudinal sense, of course. Great Chilltrap from the both of them.
Support the artist: Clara Stegall and Ted Hunter
That’s all for this week of Blisswave. If you want to email suggestions for future themes, or have requests for music you’d like to see featured, email me at ethantrunnell@gmail.com. The only promise I can make is to consider your suggestion. See ya next week, and as always, bask in the Blisswaves.
Ethan Trunnell
Blog Writer – Aggie Radio
