This week we highlight HAIM’s great new song, Jhené Aiko, who’s always in top form, and a sort of light song from Grimes.
This Week’s Music is a weekly column that discusses the weeks’ best, worst, and most interesting songs. We try to select songs of different artists and genres to keep things interesting and to please a variety of music fans.
This week we highlight new music from HAIM, Jhené Aiko, who’s always in top form, and a sort of light song from Grimes. Have a listen.
Pop
HAIM – Hallelujah
HAIM has always stood out from some of their pop counterparts because they’re a truly a band. Their music has always felt layered and intricate, ever since they released their first record in 2013. Although they’ve always played with people’s perceptions and have had to accept criticisms and belittlement because they’re all girls and siblings, their careful compositions have always been able to speak for themselves. As the band ages, it becomes more clear that they have a large arsenal at their disposal, providing fun and bright songs but also melancholic and thoughtful ones, with plenty of layers in terms of voices and instruments.
R&B
Jhené Aiko – None Of Your Concern
RELATED: This Week’s Music: Sam Smith, La Roux And Nicki Minaj
Jhené Aiko knows her strengths well, always releasing songs supported by her amazing and distinct vocals and her simple yet clear musical arrangements. It’s hard thinking of an artist that is so well aware of their skills. “None Of Your Concern” is classic Aiko, from the heartbreak to the faintly oceanic sounds. I’d say that Big Sean’s participation diminishes the song’s effect; there’s no need to mess with a foolproof formula.
Electronic
Grimes – So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth
Despite the heavy song title and an even heavier music video where some kind of warrior battles a dragon while a planet burns and freezes in the background (I’m serious), “So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth” is kind of light. At least in terms of sound, the compositions are brighter and much less dour and edgy than some of Grimes’ previous outings. While I tend to lean towards a darker Grimes — even if she scares me — musical records need some balance. Let’s see what the rest of her album has to say once it’s released on February 21.
