Stuck in my mind: N.A.S.A. - Gifted

N.A.S.A., which stands for North America/South America, is the dream-come-true for Sam Spiegel (Squeak E. Clean) and Ze Gonzales (DJ Zegon), who have teamed up to create music cramped with all their favourite and hyped singers, coming from various genres and backgrounds. I still haven't listened to their debut album "The Spirit of Apollo", but as soon as I get my hands on it a review is going to be posted. Today's post is dedicated to the single "Gifted", which has as guest stars Kanye West, Santigold and Lykke Li. "Gifted" happens to be their fourth single in a row. Although the song sounds a bit too crowded with the separate guest-stars I like the combination of Lykke Li's soft vocals with the rapping of West and the distinctive singing of Santi White. Probably not the most impressive track I have listened these days, but still worth listening.

Review: 808s & Heartbreak - an unexpected surprise

I have never said that I like music! I always say that I like certain types of music and the rest is just stuff that I don't listen to. There are some singers and groups I know quite very well, but I don't actually like, but I am quite aware of the things they make thanks to music stations. Kanye West is among those performers that I have always put in my ignore list. The easiest explanation is that I am really not into rap or R'n'B and I tend to avoid these styles.

Some time ago I posted my appreciation on Kanye's newest single called "Love Lockdown". I have never expected to like any songs of his, but there I was listening to this song several times in a row. I decided that it's just one shot in the music I like and spent the next days listening only to this track. In YouTube there are previews of his album "808s & Heartbreak" and I listened to some more stuff. My, my, miracles do happen! People change for good! "808s & Heartbreak" is a very pleasant mixture of electro hip-hop...please, don't think of M.I.A. or Santogold, but more like of good vibrations meeting lyrical soul/hip-hop. This turns out to be an album that I don't just stand, but I can actually listen to with pleasure.

What I like most about "808s & Heartbreak" is that is sounds like a sophisticated electronic album with various stylistic influences. Although this is a 2008 release I may say that it can turn into the best albums of 2009 with such great songs as "Love Lockdown", "Heartless", "Robocop" and "Say You Will". If you still don't believe me that a hip-hop artist can release an electronically influenced album just give him a try. I am sure that you'll find at least one song to relate to.

Personal rating: 8 out of 10

Kanye West - Love Lockdown

It all came of a sudden. As I was browsing Last.fm and I stumbled upon Kanye West's page there. He is a real pain in the ass, but I've decided to hear a song some friends of mine recommended to me. It's name is Love Lockdown and it's included in his newest album 808s & Heartbreak. I thought it was some rap crap that praises boobs, cars and money, but I was so wrong about it. The song turned out be a very nice synth pop composition with not even a single line of rapping or profanity. I have never expected to live the moment when I am actually going to like something released by Kanye West, but there you go. The beat is good, the song is down-tempo with some energetic parts and pleasant lyrics. Actually I liked it so much that I might even give his whole new album a try and the white rabbit might come out of there.

You can hear the song and see the video to it here: Kanye West - Love Lockdown