Oslo by De Joie De Joie really captures the joy of thriving where you belong. Listening to this song put a smile on my face and I hope it will do the same for you. written by Dallas Fluegel
2.
Disclosure by The Silent Critics When I first heard The Silent Critics I was hooked. The music and lyrics were interesting, but the vocals were breathtaking.
written by Dallas Fluegel
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If Only You Knew by An Atlas To Follow An Atlas To Follow is a magical song that you will not regret listening to. Get yourself into your best music environment and enjoy the music. written by Dallas Fluegel
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Alaye by JKS Sundar, JKA Shalini Our only foreign language song (so far) is made for U.S. radio. If you like the current EDM trend you’re going to want to hear this. written by Dallas Fluegel
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You Are Mighty by Melonie Caudle This song truly captures how amazing and mighty God is. His unfailing love are things that we all need to be reminded of on a daily basis. I hope you get as much from this song as I do. written by Shaina Hawkins
You can go directly to our Top 5 playlist on Spotify or YouTube.
The Novel Ideas are a quartet from Massachusetts. This country folk band of friends describes their music as ‘pastoral, harmony, and plaintive Americana.’ However, I would just call it folk with a tinge of country. Currently The Novel Ideas have 4,398 monthly listeners on Spotify allowing them to be the focus of this week’s artist spotlight.
The Novel Ideas debuted their first album in 2012, a nine track collection of folksy goodness. My favorite song of the this album is The Blue Between Us. A tribute to the wonderful place we all call home. Enjoy your next four minutes of life by listening to The Novel Ideas’ The Blue Between Us. Lyrics and Commentary Below.
Well my mind’s still limber but my heart’s grown old From the time I left the only place I know And it makes me happy we didn’t get let go I couldn’t stand to see our love just decompose
Now I’ve been walking home nearly every night And here’s to everyone I ever loved but had to leave behind For the one thing I can’t find though I’ve been looking half my life And it’s damn hard to explain but I will try it if you like
If you ask me once I’ll tell you so That the blue between us never felt so cold And I miss the folk singers from the days of old When a three-chord song could save your soul
And no I’m never on time least that’s what I’m told So why’s everything feel like it moves too slow? And if I were scared I wouldn’t let it show ‘Cause if I die tonight I’m not going home
Why’s it seem so wrong to miss the town you love? When there’s just one state that you cannot stop thinking of I wouldn’t say I’m patriotic but I think that’s what I’ve become Sometimes it takes where you are not, just to remember where you’re from
Was it my fault that I meant every single word I said? When I told you it was not the end And if everything goes wrong, I hope we can get along If I lost you I would lose my best friend
And now we’re weathering the storm, side by side we’re looking on It takes a certain kind of love to bear this load But it’s not the tired romance of the open road
Commentary
I’m not sure why, but I love a song filled with grief. The desire to be somewhere, something, or even someone else can be conveyed so well in music as compared to other art forms. You can experience the distress of the artist in the combination of vocals, instruments, and lyrics that can’t be matched in a brush stroke, chapter, or picture.
The vocals and feel of this song pair perfectly together to express the distress of the singer. A person whose pleasant angsty voice magnifies the lyric’s message of longing. The soulful harmonies give the song depth while the honest lyrics portray a bold authenticity. The singer is nearly embarrassed with his intense feelings for missing home, but I find it endearing.
Here’s a novel idea.
Sometimes the things we are embarrassed by are the same things that endear us to our loved ones and watching world.
What do you think?
The Novel Ideas can be followed the on Facebook or Twitter. You can purchase their debut album on Amazon and iTunes or give directly to them to show your appreciation on bandcamp. I have bad news; as of September of 2018 The Novel Ideas are no longer a band, but you can still enjoy their music on Spotify and YouTube.
All Because of You (feat. Graham Colton & Lindsey Ray) by Sooner The Sunset
Sonner The Sunset is Graham Colton & Linsey Ray of Oklahoma. They released their one and only album in 2012 titled Sonner The Sunset featuring a pop-folk set of songs that are catchy and fun. Currently, Sooner The Sunset have 65 Monthly Listeners on Spotify making them a perfect candidate for our Artist Spotlight.
Sooner The Sunset excelled at love songs. I enjoyed the electric-pop feel of Love is Landing, and I just adore the humming involved with Helium Heart; However, I wanted to introduce you to my favorite song of theirs, All Because of You. A sweet song that I like to pretend they made for each other, but who knows. Enjoy.
Left the door wide open Didn’t have a clue Thought that I had locked it The lock was broken too In you came like summer rain Filling up my heart and yours too
I got all these symptoms I can’t describe Tell me is there something that can be prescribed All these nights of losing sleep Left me in this state my heart goes
Pitter pat I’m tongue tied I’m feeling all these butterflies My mouth is dry, can hardly speak My heart keeps playing hide and seek I think I’m coming down with something, love-sick kind of flu I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you
Do do do do do do (x3) All because of you
I’ve been dead I can’t kick No matter how hard I try My knees are getting weaker and I can’t deny Falling faster Falling deep Felt it from the start My heart goes
Pitter pat I’m tongue tied I’m feeling all these butterflies My mouth is dry, cad hardly speak My heart keeps playing hide and seek I think I’m coming down with something love-sick kind of flu I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you
I’m in love It’s all because of you (I can’t keep from falling) x8
Pitter pat I’m tongue tied I’m feeling all these butterflies My mouth is dry, can hardly speak My heart keeps playing hide and seek I think I’m coming down with something love-sick kind of flu I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you
Pitter pat I’m tongue tied I’m feeling all these butterflies My mouth is dry, can hardly speak My heart keeps playing hide and seek I think I’m coming down with something love-sick kind of flu I’m working up a fever and it’s all because of you
Do do do do do do (x3) All because of you
Commentary
What is there to say? This is just a lovely song. I really love the idea of blaming the other person for your feelings. Normally, I would considerate that irresponsible, but here it is sweet. It’s kind of funny how the same concept can be both horrible and wonderful.
If you listen with really good headphones during the ‘I’m in love, it’s all because of you” bridge you can hear a sort of conversation going on in the background. This is an interesting concept to me. I do not understand it, but it definitely gives the song an extra bit of warmth. It is so soft I can’t make out any of what is being said, but i’m sure it is lovely.
If you like this song you might want to check out our article on The Soorleys.
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Jak Sundar is a producer from Chennai, India. He is a huge fan of Machael Jackson’s music and it is with this inspiration that Jak has set out to make pop music. In his song, Alaye, Jak enlisted the help of singer JKA Shalini. Shalini is also from Chennai, India where she lives with her husband and kids. Jak Sundar has 1 monthly Spotify listener, and JKA Shalini has 608 monthly Spotify listeners making them a perfect duo for this week’s artists spotlight
Alaye is a song that has popular electronic music themes infused throughout the track like Shalini’s haunting voice, synthesizers galore, and an epic beat. It’s a song that belongs on the radio, and I hope it will take off in the United States soon. Since I am only a (sub-par) master of one language I reached out to JKA Shalini and she was kind enough to give me the lyrics of the song, which were then translated by a wonderful user of Reddit. But first, enjoy Alaye by Jak Sundar & JKA Shalini. Lyrics and Analysis below.
Alaye alaye alaye alaye Alaye alaye un aatralai tharava Nilave nilave nilave nilave Nilave nilave un olithanai thara vaa
Alaye un aatral tharayo Adiyen ivan nadai poda Nilave un olithanai tharayo Nilathil ivan karaigal than sera….
Alaye alaye alaye alaye Alaye alaye un aatralai tharava Nilave nilave nilave nilave Nilave nilave un olithanai thara vaa
Welcome the rain that comes down from the sky Let the road get wet for you to go Welcome the sea fish that swims far You go without slowing down
Among a thousand searches find your place Sing a song and tell your story
Go forward without stopping Push the opponents behind you Say that you will get up even if you fall Go as far as you can touch the skyline
Let the waves give the energy For him to walk Let the moon give the light For him to reach the shore
Go forward without stopping Push the opponents behind you Say that you will get up even if you fall Go as far as you can touch the skyline
Oh wave after wave after wave after wave Come wave after wave to give the energy Oh moon oh moon oh moon oh moon Oh moon oh moon come to give the light
Let the waves give the energy For him to walk Let the moon give the light For him to reach the shore
Wave after wave after wave after wave Come wave after wave to give the energy Oh moon oh moon oh moon oh moon Oh moon oh moon come to give the light
Meaning (from the Artist)
“This song portrays the struggles of a young boy who is bullied and harmed by people around him, which in turns makes the boy stronger and equips himself to face his struggles with the help of his affectionate brother… This song is dedicated to all the young children to grow up in life stronger and face all the hurdles in life.” ~ From the Youtube Description
Commentary
This song stands as a positive force in a time great darkness across the world. The human race is being bullied by its own members and the forces of nature. This song can serve as motivation that despite being knocked down we can always get up, learn from our mistakes, and face the issues at hand.
Let us therefore face the day with new strength. May you bring courage into your heart. May you fight for justice. May you be a force of peace in your home, neighborhood, and city. And finally, may you end this day knowing the world is at least a tiny bit better because of your actions.
If you’re interested in more music by JKA Shalini you can follow her on Facebook, Spotify, Instagram, or Youtube. JKA Shalini, herself, requests you take a listen to one of her newest songs, Alaathi.
The Soorleys’ are a ‘tousled bohemian outfit’ from Australia boasting upbeat folk songs. The band is made of up 4 sisters (Beth, Laura, Shelley, & Millie), 2 of the sisters husbands (Sam & Christopher), & brother (of Christopher) Nick. The Soorley’s are currently sitting at 1,458 monthly listeners on Spotify making them a prime candidate for our Artist Spotlight.
Listening to The Soorleys I found myself really enjoying quite a few of their songs. The first song I heard was their most popular track, Rumble, but whenever I dove into their discography I was especially drawn to Home, Boots, and Destination. I encourage you to listen both EP’s. The have really fun music.
The song Destination by The Soorleys is classic folk pop. It features great harmonies, fun guitar riffs, and a cheery attitude. Lyrics and analysis below.
Lyrics
I travelled out to sea just to find new shores I set out from the start just to find my gold But I’ll find you, I’ll find you
I anchored up my heart and I slowed my words And set a new path took a different turn But I’ll find you, I’ll find you
I can see my destination is always you My compass guides me, set it’s head it points back to you I can see my destination is always you
I opened up my hands tried to shield the sun The days are turning over into one But I’ll find you, I’ll find you
I can see my destination is always you My compass guides me, set it’s head it points back to you I can see my destination is always you
We won’t fight We won’t fight love (x9)
We won’t fight We won’t fight
We won’t fight love if we stay here We won’t fight love if we stay (x3)
I can see my destination is always you My compass guides me, set it’s head it points back to you I can see my destination is always you
I can see my destination is always you My compass guides me, set it’s head it points back to you I can see my destination is always you
I have listened to this song several times, written the lyrics, and then read the lyrics over and over, and I’m still am unsure of its meaning. However, there is a certain magic when you can capture an ambiguous narrative in a poem. It allows for the listener to glean their own meanings from the song.
My Interpretation
The phrase ‘we won’t fight’ is repeated 26 times. It is even yelled at some points. I’m not sure you could say something that many time in a 3 minute song and not it have it be the core message of you music.
In that context, most of the rest of the lyrics make a lot of sense. Traveling out to sea just to find new shores is metaphor for trying to find new ways to communicate. Anchoring your heart, slowing your words, and taking a new course are attempts to assume the best, listen, and seek understanding, respectively. By the way, those three guidelines are an excellent playbook for how to fight with your loved ones. Let’s use them.
I opened up my hands just to shield the sun. The days are turning over into one, but I’ll find you. This means that the conflict is filling up their day, and that the argument is lasting for days. Even so, the writer is determined to make peace; I’ll find you.
What makes the song super sweet is the persistence of the writer to seek unity with their partner. ‘I’ll find you‘ is said with determination 6 times, and ‘my destination is always you‘ reveals that the writer’s desire is for their partner even in the midst of their conflict. I think that’s a beautiful sentiment.
BUT…
I’m just guessing. What’s you guess?
Want More?
These Aussies seem like a fun group to be around. If you would like to hang out with them a little more, virtually of course, you can see their full live set with Audiotree Live below
The reason I know where you’re going is because I can see where your eyes are. Right here. If you’ve made it this far we both know that you’re thinking you have to share this article on Facebook or any other social media site you love because if it wasn’t for this website you would have never discovered The Soorleys. That’s a fair trade, right?
As always. I would love to hear your thoughts or interpretations.
De Joie is singer/songwriter Kaley Rutledge. Her 7,780 monthly Spotify listeners makes her (by far) the most popular artist we have spotlighted so far. In De Joie’s first album she grapples with the idea of home. Kaley lives in Nashville, but she really found a sense home in her travels to Western Europe. These places impacted her so much that when she got back to the States she made an album of four songs, a song for each city she visited.
Oslo is the first song on De Joie’s album August and is my personal favorite. She mixes vox, strings, and synths to give this song a healing presence. In Olso, De Joie really captures the joy of thriving where you belong. Listening to this song put a smile on my face and I hope it will do the same for you. Lyrics and Analysis below.
Can you hear me say “I love you” from across the sea? Can you hear me whisper to you my dreams? Well, the weather is fine here in Oslo We’re about to jump on a plane to the west coast
There’s a view we can’t miss I wouldn’t dream of it There’s a view we can’t miss I wouldn’t dream of it
I was born to be wild and free Traipsing the coast line of some craggy beach Go on and tell ’em I’m in good company Wild and free
Can you hear me say, “I love you” from theses far way places? All these wide open spaces seem to heal me
There’s a view we can’t miss I wouldn’t dream of it There’s a view we can’t miss I wouldn’t dream of it
I was born to be wild and free Traipsing the coast line of some craggy beach Go on and tell ’em I’m in good company Wild and free
DIVING DEEP
The concept of home has been something that I have thought a lot about over the last decade. It’s not just a physical space; instead it’s a near mythical land with powers to heal. Home is a place of recovery, our very own ICU that each of retreat to every day. This is an insane concept, but equally peculiar is that each of us rehab at our own unique center. How crazy is that!? Every one of us returns to our own distinct location for the same thing. Healing.
Kaley of De Joie does a fantastic job of exploring the concept of home. In the song Oslo we see two different homes. The first home is filled with the people she loves, but it is lacking. She has left it in search for something – Can you hear me say “I love you” from across the sea? Can you hear me whisper to you my dreams? We’re about to jump on a plane to the west coast. The second home is Oslo, which is also filled with people she loves, AND is a place where she finds healing – Well, the weather is fine here in Oslo. Go on and tell ’em I’m in good company.All these wide open spaces seem to heal me.
I really love how Kaley responds to the healing she receives when she finds home: She realizes she was born to be wild and free. This idea seems counterintuitive to me because before finding this new home Kaley was a wanderer, searching for home.. One could say that she was free to roam and be wild, but she did not feel that way.
However, when Kaley finds home, even though she is now tethered to a place (Oslo), she proclaims herself wild and free. How can we make sense of this?
It’s as if belonging to something or someone brings freedom while total independence produces turmoil. This is a thought worth sitting in, and for that I thank De Joie!
What do you think about home? What does home mean to you?
