Reality TV meets music meets inspiration? American Idol is back. Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan all bring experience and creativity to the table. Here’s 10 lessons creatives can learn from American Idol: (1.) Diversity There’s room for all types of creativity. There’s room for all types of personalities. We’re all different. And we… Continue Reading
She brought us Fight Song and Better Place. Now Rachel Platten is making waves with her new LP. I’ve been a fan since Fight Song. Loved her Wildfire album and Fight Song EP. She writes beautiful anthems. She’s a healer. Her latest album, Waves, features catchy melodies, rhythmic bass lines and inspirational lyrics. So here’s… Continue Reading
Younger Now. A paradox? Maybe? Creativity? Absolutely. Miley Cyrus showcases creativity from a thousand different angles in her latest album. Here’s a track by track review of Younger Now. (1.) Younger Now The opening and title track, Younger Now portrays introspective lyrics through an upbeat number. The verses narrate the story of the song beautifully,… Continue Reading
She’s an advocate for mental health. She champions making music that lifts people up and helps boost their confidence. She creates anthems encouraging people to love and celebrate themselves. So tell me you love Demi Lovato. Her latest album, Tell Me You Love Me, combines anthems and genre crossovers with pop music into a sound… Continue Reading
Can I just give you a reason to listen to P!ink’s new album? Beautiful Trauma is every kind of beautiful. P!ink gives us high-energy anthems, tender ballads and acoustic jams. Here’s a track-by-track review of Beautiful Trauma: (1.) Beautiful Trauma The title track makes the entire album. Opens with strings. Continues as a slow ballad. The… Continue Reading
So sad to hear about Tom Petty’s passing. The world was lucky to have been blessed with his music. Free Fallin’, his beautiful feel-good 1989 hit slow-jam, consists of only three notes. Pure songwriting genius. Free Fallin’ offers a great lesson about creativity. Parameters like that, in this case, using only three notes, forces you… Continue Reading
She reinvented country music. She created new avenues for other women in music to follow. She continues to push the boundaries in songwriting and in doing so, inspires musicians and non-musicians alike. Shania Twain is back. When I hear the word crossover, I think of her. Sweetens the rock chords with fiddles. NOW is a… Continue Reading
I’ve always loved her light electronic pop sound. Loved her album The Listening. Breezy, beautiful bops. Her hit Second Go is such a fun jam. Catchy, cool and cute. Have you listened to singer-songwriter Lights lately? The Canadian pop musician is back with new music. Lights’ rhythms and instrumentation make her a easy and fun… Continue Reading
When you listen to a mid-tempo feel-good jam that’s fun and easy on the ears? Despacito, anyone? Performed by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, featuring Justin Bieber, Despacito, which means slowly in Spanish, opens with English lyrics and continues in Spanish. Breezy solo acoustic guitar opens the song. Light instrumentation. Duet between the singers and… Continue Reading
Pop music fan? Then I’ve got something to tell you. Haim’s latest album is pop perfection. An American band, Haim consists of three sisters: Danielle Haim, Este Haim and Alana Haim. If you haven’t had the chance to listen to their latest album, Something To Tell You, have a listen. The album is pop, electronic dance… Continue Reading
Monika Weatherly 