Thursday, March 26, 2015
These Tunes Will Kill Your Workday Blues
These Tunes Will Kill Your Workday Blues
by Dylan Chadwick
Some days are longer than others. At times, you’re in and out of the office in quick bursts, a living, breathing embodiment of “productivity” that spins those clock hands from 9 to 5 lickety split. Then there’s those other days, the ones that trundle along with a veritable eternity standing between you and your homeward commute. Once your afternoon coffee kick has worn off and your best office buds have retreated to their cubicles, you need that extra special kick to help power through your workday...but how?
Good music is a natural energizer that can get your blood flowing as you tap your toes and dance at your desk. The best work songs have high energy, upbeat lyrics and all-encompassing sounds. They charge forward at a tempo above 80 beats per minute with lyrics that are catchy and easy to sing along to and though I don’t always recommend in office singalongs, they can certainly boost workplace morale on those extra slow days. Believe it, the right song will crank your day to 11 and have you back on your way back to homebound relaxation in no time flat.
Here’s a few that’ll get you cruising through your workday with ease. Party on, 9-5 style!
Kanye West - “Blood on the Leaves”
Kanye West’s Yeezus sent ripples through the music industry with an unorthodox method of distribution, his decision to forego cover art and promotional tour more akin to an opera than a hip-hop stadium event. Beyond the subversive marketing tactics, West’s minimalistic approach to sampling and percussion added another innovative piece to his award-winning catalog of music. “Blood on the Leaves” is a stand out track that features an eerie vocal sample of the Billie Holiday’s standard “Strange Fruit” deftly layered atop powerful kicks, snares and bass. It’s a cut that will definitely rejuvenate your spirits, a feeling you’ll love almost as much as Mr. West loves himself.
N.E.R.D - “Killjoy”
Your parents may know Pharrell Williams as the “Happy” guy with that gigantic hat, but his career of hit began decades ago via with critically heralded, chart-topping hip hop production as one half of the Neptunes. In the new millenium, Pharrell and a few of his friends in the industry released a number of albums as the band N.E.R.D (a memorable acronym for ‘No-one Ever Really Dies). Their 2008 album, Seeing Sounds, sold 80,000 copies in its first week, and was widely acclaimed for its high energy and kaleidoscopic scope. Videos of fans crowdsurfing and forming mosh pits to the album cut, “Killjoy”, flooded Youtube, and the song became a certifiable cult classic. While your boss may not approve your in-office crowdsurfing routine, you can likely get away with some hearty air guitar at your desk while the song breaks down.
Justice - “D.A.N.C.E”
Electronic music has engulfed the music industry with a spate of Electro producers like Daft Punk and David Guetta selling millions of records and packing arenas. American fans now appreciate the composition and arrangements of this popular music more than in recent years allowing groups like Justice, some much-deserved stateside acclaim. It helps that they exist in an unorthodox realm, one that combines disco, hip hop, funk and shades of rock and their effectively titled hit song “D.A.N.C.E” will have you doing just that. An irresistible beat, infectious lyrics and an effervescent medley of beats and melody ensure you can’t stop at just one play. Desk dance party, population: you.
Music soothes more than the savage beast. When done right, it’ll banish those workday blues as well!
Friday, March 20, 2015
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