If none of these artists appealed to you because of the genres, Mac DeMarco might be for you.
DeMarco offers many different forms of indie rock that can align with any mood that you may be feeling. From his use of ethereal synth in “Chamber of Reflection” to guitar solos in “Freaking out the Neighborhood,” each song offers something different.
One of the main appeals of DeMarco’s music is that no matter how you are feeling or what you are doing, his music will always feel fitting for the situation.
This is displayed in one of his most popular albums, “This Old Dog.” For a more uplifting, groovy, and clean-guitar-driven beat on this album, I’d recommend “One Another .” If you’re looking for a slow, late-night jam, “On the Level,” “For the First Time” and “Moonlight on the River” are the songs for you.
One of the most popular artists among high schoolers is Indie/R&B singer Steve Lacy. Although he has had a large following for many years, he recently just experienced a recent boom in popularity due to multiple songs of his blowing up on TikTok. His most popular song, “Bad Habit,” has just recently accumulated nearly 200 million streams in the three months following its release in June.
However, this isn’t Lacy’s first time with a major hit, as he accumulated millions of streams on songs including “C U Girl,” “Infrunami” and “Dark Red.”
I think Steve Lacy brings something to the table for all music listeners, merging old-school R&B with a touch of modern funk and neo-soul. With his passionate voice and elite guitar skills, it’s no wonder why Lacy is taking over the game.
Adding to the Hip-Hop and Rap genre is Daniel Dumile, known as MF DOOM. Although slightly less popular than Ye, he’s still regarded as one of the most influential artists of all time.
DOOM released most of his music in the late ’90s and early 2000s, but after his death in 2020, he became more popular than ever.
Some of my personal favorites also happen to be some of his most popular. For example, “Meat Grinder.” With an elaborate beat and hypnotic flow, a genuine masterpiece is created.
Two of my other favorite songs of his are “Accordion” and “Rapp Snitch Knishes.” The latter happens to be his most famous song, but that is definitely for a reason; it is one of his best.
Often considered a true lyrical genius and “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper,” I think it is easy to appreciate the skill in every component of his music.
You don’t even have to know music to know Ye. Commonly known as Kanye West, he has been one of the world’s most influential musicians for longer than most SCDS students have been alive.
From his early releases like “The College Dropout,” “Late Registration” and “Graduation,” to his most recent albums like “Donda” and “Kids See Ghosts,” there are literally over one hundred songs that I would recommend. Incorporating angelic choir tones and harsh electronic noises, Ye’s music offers an immersive storytelling experience like no other.
Because it’s almost impossible to select a few particular songs of his to recommend, listening to his full albums is necessary.
My favorite albums of his are “Yeezus,” “Graduation,” “MBDTF” and “Ye.” All of these have variety within themselves and have so much to offer.
— By Andrew Burr
Originally published in the Sept. 28 edition of The Octagon
