The Jadelist: JUL 16

Hey hey lovely people!

I'm actually writing this post in the month it's meant to be wrote in.

That's right, I've actually found time in-between a thrilling life of playing Pokemon Go, listening to "dem dank tunes" and eating all the carbs to write a post. MVP!

I mean, fine, it's not on the first of the month, but y'know, credit where credit's due!

Now, I am probably being biased and, let's face it, still caught up in the music, but I really think this months music selection is the best of this year so far. A lot of indie pop style songs to jam to

So, let's not wait any longer. Without further ado, here's this months Jadelist:

1.

Electric Feel by MGMT

This song is nearly 10 years old. 

That's right. Just let it sink in.

I mean, that just seems outrageous, especially because I've never heard this song until this year. I mean, of course I know a few tracks from Oracular Spectacular, namely Time To Pretend and Kids, but I've definitely found a new top dog in this.

Like, lets just start the Electric Feel challenge now: Try to listen to the whole song without nodding your head to the rhythm.

It has that indie pop vibe that, of course, I'm obsessed with, but I particularly love the last 40-odd seconds where everything kinda amalgamates together, but still gels. 

2.

O Children by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Second song in and we're already at 'Jade is trash' territory.

So, Jade, where did you find such a distinct song from a band I can't recall hearing before?

Harry Potter.

That's right, I found this when I was rewatching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. 

I thought it'd be a great idea to rewatch the Harry Potter series, including watching Deathly Hallows part 2 for the first time in like five years, which ultimately ended in all the tears (RIP Snape), but also finding this little gem.

Now, this song is what I like to refer to as a gentle anthem. By that, I mean it has that feel and the lyrics that a classic anthem would have, but at a much slower, softer pace. 

So don't be underestimated by this song. It may start out as quiet, but quickly builds to epic when the chorus kicks in. 

3. 

Final Song by MØ

Let's be honest, I just think MØ is the bee's knees.

Is that because of the special Ø? Maybe...

But I think we can all agree that MØ's sound is incredibly fitting in today's music.

So, after the hit that was Kamikaze, she's back with Final Song.

Now, at first, the song takes a calm route, with quieter vocals, but a build up looming around the corner, until you go into brief acapella and the beat drops, going into the MØ that we know and love.

I think what makes her popular is this style of northern European dance that she channels, along the lines of Kygo and Avicii.

4.

Hold Me Down by Halsey

Is it too much of a stretch to say I found Halsey because of feminism?

I help present a radio show called The Girl Power Hour, and I was on the hunt for some girl anthems to play.

So after searching through a couple of Spotify 'girl power' playlist, I happened to stumble across Halsey for the first time.

Yeah, this led to me falling in love with her sound in I'd say a solid 10 seconds.

It's funny because the name Halsey seems very familiar, but never had I actually listened to her before.

I like to think of her as maybe a bit more of a darker Melanie Martinez sound, considering their vocals are pretty similar.

Definitely worth a listen for a different kind of sound. 

5.

Sleepyhead by Passion Pit

Now, this is definitely not the first time I've heard this song.

Throwback to nerdy Jade circa 2009-2010, when this song was actually used to advertise Little Big Planet 2. Y'know, that cutie game with the sack boy. Cheeky bit of nostalgia there.

The first time I heard this song play (On PS Home, because the cheesy level was real), I instantly fell in love with it.

Now, I'm struggling to remember why I started to listen to this again in July. I think it really might've just been as simple as me leaving my main playlist on shuffle and it staying as an earworm.

It has such a magical, kooky and unique sound, like some kind of quirky alternative dance song, if it can even be described.

This one will definitely be a long time favourite, just like it has been for years.

6.

You Are The Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne

Now for another song that I knew long before the month of July.

Just like the song above, I believe that I heard this again after leaving my main playlist on shuffle.

I mean, my main playlist has over 1000 tracks on it, it's like finding a needle in a haystack!

Nevertheless, Ray LaMontagne creates a vintage jazzy soul vibe with this song, so much so that I can't believe it's actually from 2008.

It's just a classical love anthem really that you can just rock to. Big up Ray and the incredible trumpet!

7.

Promise I Do by Whyte Horses

The opening of this song feels like some kind of time vortex to me.

Now, I wasn't around during the time when Brit Punk was a big thing, but I like to think that the first few second of this song encapsulates what that was like.

Or maybe I'm just being a massive music saddo. Who knows?

What I do know is that this song has some kind of classic Brit pop-punk vibe to it, something that doesn't feel of this time.

But don't let this put you off. This sound is what makes them so special.

It's really so hard to put into words, but just give them a listen and I promise you will instantly feel more British.

You're welcome.

8.

Are We Ready? (Wreck) by Two Door Cinema Club

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate Two Door Cinema Club?

Rarely do I hear a song by them that I can't completely fall in love with. They've really been a band that I've loved since the beginning.

The verses of this song seem to be a lot more bass heavy and, dare I say, they slightly have a reggae vibe to them.

The pace dramatically quickens with the bridges and chorus, and yet, it still works.

It's a different sound to say, Tourist History, yet still familiar as them and still lovable.

I approve of this change.

9.

Say My Name by Olafur Arnalds & Arnor Dan

Okay, whoah, Olafur Arnalds is incredible.

As you all probably know, I'm pretty much addicted to Radio 6. Is it on in the background right now while I'm writing this? Maybe.

Well, Olafur has featured on 6 Music a lot recently, mainly because of his Island Songs project.

Now, I'm not gonna go into too much detail, but starting in June this year, over the course of seven weeks, he visited seven different locations in Iceland, collaborating with seven different artists and, ultimately, releasing seven tracks, one each week.

Now, I'm probably just soppy, but I think that's incredibly cute and unique.

What I love about his sound is how he can turn a song into something so delicate, calming, almost with an aura of melancholy, but still beautiful.

Give him and some of his other tracks a listen. I promise you won't be disappointed. 

10.

Go! by M83 & MAI LAN

Okay, I know it's bad to have favourites, but really, this has been my favourite song for the month of July.

I mean, the first few seconds of this song could be summed up in these two words: Techno Jazz.

Weird huh?

Then, techno-like vocals kick in, with a build up of a countdown and a sweet guitar riff until the beat drops.

This song is just so jam packed with happy feels that I really can't stop listening to it.

Like, true talk now, every time this comes on Radio 6, I have to pause anything on my laptop and just appreciate the next four minutes.

You wanna feel some modern happiness? Listen to this bad boy!




So that's it for this months Jadelist! What was your favourite song of this month? Let me know in the comments below! I always love to check out some new music



As always, thank you so much for reading & I hope you have a lovely day!

Lots of Love