"Your Friends are Callin’ You Baby Stay with Me Instead"

As I mentioned yesterday, Odesza dropped their new A Moment Apart album yesterday. Shortly after mentally ripping off the packaging, I flew through snippets of all the tracks I hadn't heard with interesting cameos. On the top of that list was Across the Room with vocals from living soul legend Leon Bridges.

I'm still wrapping my mind around the blend of styles since it's much more gospel or take 'em to church sounding than what you'd normally hear from Odesza, but that's not at all a bad thing. Leon's vocals and the quiet beat create a chill, jazzy vibe. Don't get it twisted though, Odesza found a way to put their stamp on the track with a high-pitched gospel vocal sample adding to the crescendo of energy following Leon's verses. It along with La Cuidad are my new favorites after a few listens to the new album. Add those to the multitude of already awesome singles and there's plenty of potential for 2017 album of the year consideration...#AMomentApart

Odesza feat Leon Bridges - Across the Room

"Doctor Please, Give Me a Dose of the American Dream"

If I've figured out one thing about Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, it's that their music is far from formulaic. They've always made what they believe is great music without regard for what others are doing. Their style resides somewhere between Hip Hop, Pop and Soul, making it a neighborhood I enjoy visiting.

Their newest one features yet another 'em to church vibe that is elevated to new heights by the incredible voice of gospel singer Leon Bridges. If you don't know Leon, you will after you hear his vocals on the track. His vocals invite you to listen intently to the story that Macklemore tells about prescription drugs and their impact on people. I've always been of the mindset that if done tastefully, music is a great medium get across a greater message. Without getting in to deep, sometimes it's hard for me to watch pharmaceutical companies advertise to people. Drugs can be helpful and at times necessary, but if we spend as much money trying to prevent things from going wrong, we wouldn't need to rely on chemistry to get us back to healthy. (Stepping down off my soap box)...feel free to check out the debut of the track at the American Music Awards last weekend...#Kevin

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat Leon Bridges - Kevin