apples
Team Owner
Frank Ocean and Miguel?
Their music is so similar, yet different from everything else out.
They both seem heavily influenced by Prince, another great writer that had a beautiful control over his music.
Thing is, I can't place Prince's genre either.
He is too edgy for r&b but to say he's pop doesn't quite sit right.
The habit of live music in the background as opposed to computer manipulated tunes is one thing that sets them apart. If I can hear the horns, a piano, and/or live strings, or if the song is acoustic I hate to label it pop. It's too personal to be pop.
There are pop bands out there that record their whole band, drums, keyboard, guitar and all but they usually have a rock sound. Think, the Fray. All their music sounds live but they have that soft rock element to it.
Another thing is the fact that you could read FO, Miguel, and Prince's lyrics without the music, and be comparatively satisfied. Long story short, their music usually has meaning, is usually written well, and may have some intelligent metaphors (as opposed to basic crap like "im a star, sheriff badge!!!!").
Because modern r&b consists of basic lyrics and melodies only meant to entice or guide you through some sexcapade or heartbreak, I don't want to give the aforementioned trio that label either. Their lyrics have a little more angle than that, and the music def has more edge.
I'm well aware that there are good r&b writers like Ne-Yo and Keri Hilson, but they don't take chances with their melody or music. Their music doesn't have that edge I mentioned.
I dunno, maybe I'm overthinking it, as I often do with music. Any thoughts?
Their music is so similar, yet different from everything else out.
They both seem heavily influenced by Prince, another great writer that had a beautiful control over his music.
Thing is, I can't place Prince's genre either.
He is too edgy for r&b but to say he's pop doesn't quite sit right.
The habit of live music in the background as opposed to computer manipulated tunes is one thing that sets them apart. If I can hear the horns, a piano, and/or live strings, or if the song is acoustic I hate to label it pop. It's too personal to be pop.
There are pop bands out there that record their whole band, drums, keyboard, guitar and all but they usually have a rock sound. Think, the Fray. All their music sounds live but they have that soft rock element to it.
Another thing is the fact that you could read FO, Miguel, and Prince's lyrics without the music, and be comparatively satisfied. Long story short, their music usually has meaning, is usually written well, and may have some intelligent metaphors (as opposed to basic crap like "im a star, sheriff badge!!!!").
Because modern r&b consists of basic lyrics and melodies only meant to entice or guide you through some sexcapade or heartbreak, I don't want to give the aforementioned trio that label either. Their lyrics have a little more angle than that, and the music def has more edge.
I'm well aware that there are good r&b writers like Ne-Yo and Keri Hilson, but they don't take chances with their melody or music. Their music doesn't have that edge I mentioned.
I dunno, maybe I'm overthinking it, as I often do with music. Any thoughts?