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(04/15/19 8:54pm)
Based out of Washington D.C., Chelsea Lee and Max and Spencer Ernst met in high school floating in and out of various music projects until finally solidifying as the atmospheric, moody electro-pop trio SHAED.
While the twin Ernst brothers formed folk-rock duo The Walking Sticks in 2012, lead singer Chelsea Lee worked as a solo artist until she joined the brothers after the release of their first EP. In late 2013, after the addition of Lee, the group changed from folk-rock to dreamy electro-pop, and in 2016 their style change was followed by a name change as the group became SHAED.
Lee’s powerful vocals paired with the Ernst brothers’ production create eerie and expansive soundscapes, pairing little sonic details and layers with catchy lyricism, resulting in music that appears simple at first, but slowly pulls you in.
https://open.spotify.com/album/3WSazrD65bFptRnMvnesVH?si=U1WTOyd4SEezqVK4iGoyGw
SHAED crafts mystical and mysterious sounds on their newest EP, Melt, with songs like “Trampoline” and “Melt,” but show their diversity on the groovy summer pop song “You Got Me Like” which features indie R&B artist snny. Lead singer Lee has a hypnotic yet soulful feeling to her voice, lending herself easily to different genres within SHAED’s discography.
https://open.spotify.com/album/5Vrr6bcdIqweodnKpYXvDB?si=JbZ3s5YIS3S_TPbVCQhxVw
Melt, released in September 2018, showcases a more mature, darker approach to the sound they introduced on their first EP, Just Wanna See. “Silver Knife” is a haunting track where Lee sings in a higher register than usual, giving the song an unnatural, unsettling feeling.
Lyrics like “I’ve been talking to myself at night / It feels good, it feels right / Mental pictures of a silver knife / In your chest / It feels right,” reveal a story of fatal attraction set to a backdrop of light, sonorous chimes, and upbeat percussion. The subject matter of the song feels at odds with the instrumentation, which makes the song feel even more peculiar and intriguing to listen to.
Another standout song is the aforementioned title track “Melt.” “Melt” is trancelike with its steady pulsating beat, continuously building alongside Lee’s raw vocals. The song tells the story of Lee’s struggle working as a solo artist, with honest lyrics like, “Now you're beggin me to smile, but I can't fake / Thought the point was to create / I can barely feel myself / Like I'm frozen in the ice / Wish I could melt.”
“Melt” feels cold and lonely and the music video showcasing Lee wandering around an abandoned factory exacerbates the feeling. The end of the track is particularly noteworthy for how the music changes course, going silent and then switching to twinkling piano and chimes while Lee’s whispery voice repeats the “Wish I could melt” line over and over. It’s creepy and phenomenal all at once.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl51O_46UZk
SHAED manages to capture a subtle strangeness with their music. While some of it is familiar— the typical structure of a pop song for example—or the warmth of Lee’s voice, the trio manages to throw the listener off in surprising and exciting ways. Whether it’s reverting that standard song structure, or playing around with vocal tones, SHAED is bringing something new to energize listeners and challenge their expectations.
SHAED will play this Saturday (4/20) at 7:30pm-8:15pm for Culture Shock 2019 at Dunn Meadow!
(04/05/19 5:28pm)
As the spring sun melts the cold bitterness of winter, we all need some great music to melt our hearts too. Due to my passionate advocacy for K-pop, I have compiled a diverse collection of K-pop songs that will hopefully delight and inspire this spring season.
“Blooming Day” - EXO-CBX
When EXO-CBX released this song last April it seemed that K-pop had just acquired a new springtime classic. Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin showcase refreshing vocals and choreography over a clean, sharp synth and addictive bass line. “Blooming Day”’s catchy melody and charming lyrics make the perfect soundtrack for a walk around campus in the warm spring breeze.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib674A1yMtg
“You, Who?” - Eric Nam, Somi
Many K-pop fans are familiar with Korean-American entertainer Eric Nam. He’s not only famous for his prolific solo music career, but also for his stint as a host on the internationally popular variety show, After School Club. Nam has a carefree, warm voice, and paired with a cheerful guitar rhythm and former I.O.I member Somi’s sweet harmonies, “You, Who?” is the perfect song for springtime easy-listening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaG575r_Dyo
“1000” - Jonghyun
SHINee’s Jonghyun is well-known for his songwriting abilities and his talent as one of the group’s main vocalists. He’s was also born in April, and thus his presence on this spring-themed list feels especially significant.
“1000” was originally released by Jonghyun on his late-night radio program Blue Night, but was officially released in 2017 on his second compilation album, “Story Op.2.” The album tracklist is divided up with certain tracks pertaining to each of the four seasons. “1000” is listed under the spring section, and Jonghyun’s tender earnest voice is a welcome transition into spring after a harsh winter. Simple guitar accompanies the studio version, with piano accompanying the live version, both adding a feeling of romance and longing to the song. It’s fitting for relaxing on a spring day with a bedroom window open to let the sunlight in.
Enjoy this live performance of 1000, where Jonghyun’s passion as a musician really shines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enr7bRnaTy0
“What The Spring??” - 10cm
Duo 10cm originally promoted this release as a standard spring song full of the charm of the season, but once it was actually released the lyrics revealed a different story. Rather than being a celebratory song, the lyrics are critical of a romanticised spring season characterized by cherry blossoms and loving couples.
Biting lyrics like, “Do you really like spring you fools? Are cherry blossoms really that pretty you idiots? Flower petals eventually fall, I hope you all fall too. I hope you all break up” are combined with a relaxing, sweet guitar melody, making this song a comedic and fun change from the usual springtime fare.
Enjoy this live performance of the song, complete with English subtitles to help reveal the extent of the song’s humor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq2xZPpEc6c
“Healing” - Seventeen
For an upbeat song filled with spring-fueled energy, look no further than thirteen-member powerhouse boy group Seventeen. However large in number they are, Seventeen manage to craft sleek, dynamic music where each member stands out in their own way. “Healing” is no different, and from the first note it keeps the listener hooked with airy vocals and an increasingly building bass that culminates in a perfect pop chorus. Spring is all about renewal, and there’s no better way to experience that spirit of renewal than with this bright song full of all its healing charms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZD5m9K8hxk
“Galaxy” - bolbbalgan4
This female duo began making music out of a desire to promote a cheery, youthful sound, and this quirky love song is the perfect complement to the spring season. With use of outer space imagery, lead vocalist Jiyoung’s warm, raspy voice, and rapper Jiyoon’s steady rhythm, “Galaxy” is a sweet soundtrack to any spring romance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U8uA702xrE
“B612” - Oh My Girl
This mid-tempo ballad is inspired by the French novel, “The Little Prince.” It takes its title from the planet where the prince lives, and the lyrics compare a crush to the feeling the Little Prince harbors for his love, the Rose. This song incorporates a surprising mixture of sounds, combining layers of vocals with elements of acoustic guitar, chimes, synth, and trumpet. It’s a fresh and unique track that gives off a wandering feeling, perfect for strolling through a park on a sunny spring day contemplating unrequited crushes.
Enjoy this live video of the group performing B612 at their album showcase.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpw_r4qLFss
“Flower Way” - Sejeong
This emotional ballad sung by former I.O.I and current Gugudan member Sejeong is a sentimental and powerful song full of strong vocals, soft piano, an a string section that builds throughout the song until it climaxes in a bridge that blossoms just like spring blossoms out of winter.
K-pop is known for its collection of heart-wrenching, romantic ballads and this one is ideal for those days when the spring rain is falling and a day spent indoors listening to music feels like a day well spent.
Sejeong shows off her stellar voice in this live performance of the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xxo9ZtS0Bc
“A Supplementary Story: You Never Walk Alone” - BTS
While “Spring Day” is one of BTS’ most well known songs, “You Never Walk Alone” is an underrated gem. The gentle, haunting string instrumentation at the beginning of the song builds into powerful rap and vocal verses, illustrating a journey of hope and healing. “Spring Day” feels stuck in a winter that won’t end, wishing desperately for spring to come, but “You Never Walk Alone” brings a spring characterized by hope and promise.
This live performance of “You Never Walk Alone” and “Spring Day” from the 2017 Melon Music Awards illustrates the group’s passionate stage presence!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09UpoDqrmts
“Everyday With You” - IU
One of South Korea’s most successful solo artists, IU has released an impressive and versatile catalogue of music. “Everyday With You” is a calming acoustic ballad, and IU’s emotive vocals narrate the desire to be with one’s significant other and share every moment together. This song is the ideal soundtrack for dozing in bed on a spring morning as dew blankets the grass outside.
This live performance is complete with English subs, and a section of IU’s banter with the audience and her band. The song starts at 5:19.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA2T4GfWm6U
“Cherry Blossom Ending” - Busker Busker
A K-pop spring playlist wouldn’t be complete without this legendary song. Busker Busker was a 3 piece band that released this highly-praised spring song in 2012. Every year since, as the spring season has arrived so has this song back at the top of the Korean music charts. Its jaunty guitar and wandering bass promote an easygoing and nostalgic feeling, complete with a memorable melodica section. It’s the perfect song for relaxing under the spring sun surrounded by nature and friends, thinking about the things in life worth celebrating.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXV7dfvSefo
(10/31/18 6:33pm)
It was 2015, my junior year of high school, and I was obsessed with My Chemical Romance. Two full years after the devastating break-up of the band and even longer since their prime from 2005-2011. I was ten years too late, still clinging to that last breath of emo nostalgia and angst. In many ways, 2013 was the perfect time for My Chemical Romance to depart from us. It seems like emo music was never the same after they broke up, but their rowdy brand of elegance and energy was something that couldn’t be harnessed forever.
All good things must come to an end, after all. Nevertheless, the spirit they left behind endured and especially for me. So much so, that in 2015 I dressed up as Gerard Way (2004 Gerard Way, to be exact) for Halloween. The wonderfully androgynous, Prince of Darkness, Blood, and Bats Gerard Way—who was always my favorite.
The look was reminiscent of the style the band wore during the promotions for their sophomore
album, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, arguably the greatest album ever released. I wore a black wig that looked like it was meant for an anime character cosplay, a black suit and red tie combo, and striking red eyeshadow. I also decided to wear fake blood and vampire teeth, because why not.
I was an emo kid. I was dressing up as Gerard Way. It was Halloween. As a teenager obsessed with death, vampires, blood, and gore there was nothing more fulfilling for me than dressing up as Vampire Gerard Way and going trick-or-treating amongst all the “normal” kids.
I don’t know what any of the parents giving out candy thought of me, but did I really care? No. All that mattered was that I had never looked so damn good in all of my life. And if I’m being honest with myself, I don’t think I ever will look this good again.
Vampire Gerard Way, your beautiful, bloody legacy is eternal.