Despacito (feat. Daddy Yankee) - Luis Fonsi

The Beauty That Is Modern Latin

Seriously, I don't know why it is so hard for white people to make music as infectious and dance inducing. This song is great, and is a powerful culmination of the many songs that have come before it. Luis Fonsi is not the first to create Latin and Reggaeton pieces that flood the radio for months. Enrique Inglesias, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Romeo Santos, Pitbull, Selena, Don Omar and J Balvin have all riddled the radio with fantastic songs, and this is one is not really any better than those before it, it just makes good use of the material that has come before and is the newest hit to come out.

This song is great for a number of reasons. the acoustic guitar tempts the listener from the beginning with sounds of passion and mystery. Fonsi and Yankee come in with great vocals, well put together lyrics and flow that is impossible for a person to not sing along. The rhythm is perfect, it may be exactly like a fair amount of other Latin Pop hits, but its the genre, and that's alright. The bass goes well with it and everything is standard for Latin Pop. 

But there is something that makes this song particularly good, I would call this the balance of sound and silence through the song. Listen for when the vocals stop for the guitar to come or the drums quiet down for the chorus. Here is where the song makes some strong strides, being able to use the quiet moments as well as the louder dance moment, its a good sign of well crafted music. A fantastic song and I'm going to have to up my Latin music game.

Lastly, the song has gained a lot of popularity because a remix has Justin Bieber in it, the remix is just as good as the original actually, but I've focused more on the original for this review. Here is the remix, I recommend checking it out too.

Originality: 6

Instruments: 8

Vocals: 8

Longevity: 8

Red Score: 7.5

The Most Beautiful Girl - Charlie Rich

Country Classic On Repeat

I won't give much of a history lesson for this song, but just know that this song hit #1 in the U.S. music chats and was in the top 15 for at least 10 other countries, that is pretty amazing. Let's jump right in this song and why it is so good.

Country/folk/easy listening music has its place in the world, and if every song was done more like "The Most Beautiful Girl," I would listen to a lot more songs in this genre. The songs comes in with smooth strumming and accompanying piano and bass effortlessly and powerfully and the first "hey." The piano is sporadic, but each time it comes in it adds a great emphasis to Charlie Rich's voice. The constant acoustic guitar, well moving bass and background vocals support Rich perfectly, bringing out every syllable of his singing. Also, the added strings in the background is a nice touch, they don't make it into many of his live versions but the song sounds just as good without them.

The main spotlight is really on Charlie Rich and his voice, obviously. He has wonderful control and sounds just as good live 20 years later as he did in his original recording. He is strong, solemn, and spot on every note of the song. He may not be boasting his voice around in this song, but that is the point, it is a heartfelt song that is filled with regret, remorse and the slightest bit of hope of finding his love again.

This is fantastic song and if you don't like country music, listen to this one and it'll find a place in your heart. A great song and sound that needs to be studied and used for future country music.

Originality: 8

Instruments: 8

Vocals: 8

Longevity: 9

Red Score: 8.3

4:44 (Album) - JAY-Z

Back To Basics

When listening to JAY-Z, the hip-hop and rap master, you expect powerful beats and a huge amount of production value. This album takes us to a time and style of simplicity in rap. Relaxed beats on repeat as the artist raps and sings over the beat. Nothing crazy fancy or over produced, only the sublime beats and voice of JAY-Z on each track.

Each track isn't terribly repetitive, I'm just saying that they are simple and straightforward. Some of the songs are pretty mediocre, they sound alright, but the instruments used aren't that innovative and lyrics are just alright. However, there are a few songs that are more fun, more creative and I genuinely will listen to in the future. Overall, I wouldn't say the most impressive thing about the album is the music, it is the idea in general, the concept and the daring move to do relaxing, chill music instead of the modern popular radio hits. 

The message of the lyrics is raw and real, it is in your face and the language is something that we should all listen to, even if it makes us a little uncomfortable or awkward, see "The Story of O.J." as an example. My favorite song is "Caught Their Eyes" with Frank Ocean, its sound is the album's best use of simple and well made, repetitive sounds and I'll be listening to it for a while.  

JAY-Z could have written a bunch of garbage with electronic tropes to be played all the time, but this record shows how much he is in the music business to make new and innovative music. This album isn't his best and that's okay, it is the experimentation and strength in creativity that really stick out. I am excited to see what JAY-Z does down the line, and I would want to hear more music like this from him.

Kill Jay Z: 6 --- The Story of O.J.: 7

Smile (feat. Gloria Carter): 6 --- Caught Their Eyes (feat. Frank Ocean): 8

4:44: 6 --- Family Feud (feat. Beyoncé): 6

Bam (feat. Damian Marley): 7 ---  Moonlight: 5

Marcy Me: 6 --- Legacy: 5

Track Average: 6.2

Originality: 7

Longevity: 6

Flow: 8

Red Score: 6.8
(This video does have some inappropriate visuals, warning)

Saturn Barz (feat. Popcaan) - Gorillaz

Those Musical Animals Are Back

If you haven't listened to the new Gorillaz album, Humanz, you need to finish reading this review quick and listen to the whole album because the animated music kings are back. I have really enjoyed a number of songs from Humanz, but "Saturn Barz" really stuck out to me for its more relaxed and reggae influenced sound.

"Saturn Barz," like most Gorillaz' songs, takes some time to really appreciate. The first time I listen to this song, I only enjoyed it more or less. I was happy to hear new music from one of my favorite bands, but this song seemed to be good only because it was something new. However, after a few more tries, I could see the immense power and creative depth of each second of the song.

When I listened the first time to the drums starting with the bass and Popcaan with a small distortion with heavy electronics sounds, it sounded a little too far from the Gorillaz we are all used too. But then I realized that the beauty of Gorillaz is that their songs define them as a entity, not the other way around. Their experimentation and journey into wild and unique sounds and beats is what makes a song a Gorillaz song. The Fall, parts of their D and G Sides and parts of Plastic Beach all show that electro hip-hop is no where near the limit of Gorillaz, they defy genre limitations and create amazing songs that go beyond expectation.

"Saturn Barz" is a song you need to hear to love, the chorus back and forth, the choral voices mixed with chill beats create this ambiance that is a symbol of the unbelievable power of Gorillaz. Also! Check out this super amazing remix (it might actually be better than the original).

Originality: 8

Instruments: 8

Vocals: 7

Longevity: 7

Red Score: 7.5