Twenty-Five

"I don't make music for the eyes. I make music for the ears." -Adele

Adele is far from your average pop star singer. For starters, her voice is distinct and unlike any other. Her lyrics are authentic and heartfelt. She keeps things elegant and simple. Adele isn't focused on how skinny society expects her to be. She doesn't rely on looks to help sell her music. Rather, she focuses on her music, letting the music sell itself, singing illustrations that are raw and real.

From her first album, 19, to her latest release, 25, Adele continues to sing from deep within the soul. In her newest album, 25, she sings of love, regret, better times, letting go, and new beginnings. The song, Hello, from her newest album, has been playing on repeat all over the radio. Hello is currently number one on iTunes and Adele has many more in the top ten charts. 

Be sure to check out Adele's latest album, 25, and also check out the newest releases below!

New Album Releases

25- Adele

Purpose- Justin Bieber

Heart Blanche- CeeLo Green

Storyteller- Carrie Underwood

Self Titled- Andrew McMahon In the Wilderness

Queens of the Clouds and Blueprint Edition- Tove Lo

Wilder Minds- Mumford & Sons

JEKYLL + HYDE- Zac Brown Band

Love Stuff- Elle King

Handwritten- Shawn Mendes

Strange Love- We the Kings

What a Time To Be Alive- Drake & Future

Magazines or Novels- Andy Grammer

Nick Jonas X2- Nick Jonas

Know-It-All- Alessia Cara

Delirium- Ellie Goulding

Badlands- Halsey

Self Titled- Fetty Wap

Damn Country Music- Tim McGraw

Between the Pines- Sam Hunt

Sounds Good Feels Good- 5 Seconds of Summer

New Jems

It's been said again and again how music is a part of us--a part of our souls. In all honesty, I couldn't imagine a life without music. Music tells a story through its melodies. Music is its own language and can speak to us without words.

Music can heighten our mood, whether we're feeling happy, excited, sad, or heartbroken. Here is a list of new and up coming music for all genres and moods. Enjoy!

Hide Away- Daya
Hit the Quan- iLoveMemphis fka iHeartMemphis
Confident- Demi Lovato
Stone Cold- Demi Lovato
Love Me- The 1975
Roses  ft. ROZES- The Chainsmokers
Break A Sweat- Becky G
White Inversion- Post Malone*
Hold Each Other ft. FUTURISTIC- A Great Big World
Simple Things- Miguel*
Back Up ft. Big Sean- De J Loaf*

Stay a Little Longer-Brothers Osborne
RGF Island- Fetty Wap*
Where Ya At ft. Drake- Future*
Powerful ft. Ellie Goulding &Tarrus Riley- Major Lazer
El Chapo- The Game & Skrillex*
Crash and Burn- Thomas Rhett
Jordan Belfort- Wes Walker & Dyl*
Me, Myself, and I- G-Easy & X Bebe Rexhab*

Cake By The Ocean- DCNE*
Talk Me Down- Troye Sivan
Fools- Troye Sivan*
Gonna Wanna Tonight- Chase Rice
Stand By You- Rachel Platten
Nothin Like You- Dan + Shay
Someone New- Hozier
Kingdom Come- Demi Lovato*
Dibs- Kelsea Ballerini
Big Rings- Drake & Future*

Hula Hoop- OMI
Antidote- Travis Scott*
Right Hand- Drake*
Can't Sleep Love- Pentatonix
My House- Flo Rida
New Americana- Halsey
Roots- Imagine Dragons



*Contains explicit content

Iconic 80's: Poison

Rewind 30 years ago, back to 1980s. Back to the decade of high-waisted jeans, big hair, and mismatched earrings. And, back to the explosion of rock and the hair bands. Many iconic bands and artists were big in this era and are still popular today. These icons include Queen, Madonna, Michael Jackson, AC/DC, Beastie Boys, Def Leopard, Joan Jet, Ozzy Osborne, Poison, and many more. 

Poison, one among these treasured bands of the '80s, was formed in 1983. Although, this band didn't get big until later in the decade. The Poison crew members were Bret Michaels, Matt Smith, Rikki Rocket, and Bobby Dall. Their biggest hits were, "Nothin' But a Good Time", "Talk Dirty to Me", "Unskinny Bop", and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn". 

When one is dealing with heartbreak or simply going through a challenging time, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", is the perfect song. The melody takes on the softer scene of rock'n'roll. Meanwhile, the lyrics talk about heartbreak and disappointment. 

Unfortunately, life is full of both heartache and disappointment. Life never happens as we plan; it's full of unexpected twists and turns. And, love doesn't always happen like we want either. Various life events or catastrophes can occur and people can change.

Despite the grief or the thorns that are placed in our way, life and love are the roses, beautiful even with its imperfections. Nothing in this life is perfect. We all make mistakes and choices that may hurt ourselves or the ones we love. But, that's how we learn and become better individuals. 

Life is all about perspective. We have all heard the saying "the glass is either half-empty or half-full". Abraham Lincoln said, "We can complain because rosebushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Every rose has its thorn. Without sorrow, we wouldn't know the sweetness of happiness. And, vice versa. Without happiness, we wouldn't know the bitterness of sorrow. It's our choice how we perceive these thorns and roses.  We can see life and love in two ways; we can be grateful for the good things that have come our way despite the bad, or be bitter of the bad things in life despite of the good. 

Kick-start Weekend

The word Friday is sweet music to the ears. Especially, after a taxing week of work, school, or chaos in any form, Friday seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel. Friday means the gauntlet of the week is over. And, Friday means the beginning of exciting endeavors, movie/TV episode binging, or kicking back and relaxing. No matter how you are kick-starting your weekend, be sure to check out the newest music releases for today.

Day after day, various celebrities helped assist Justin Bieber with the outstretched countdown for his single, What Do You Mean. Thirty days and many celebrities later, Justin Bieber's song is finally here. Today, his new single hit online music stores. Biebs also released a lyric video on YouTube.

For how much publicity this new single got, I was disappointed. If I was an eager fan being tantalized by the elongated countdown, I would've felt short-changed and disheartened once I heard the song. The song itself is fine. What Do You Mean has an interesting sound, but just isn't outstanding. In my humble opinion, I thought the song sounded monotonous. I kept waiting for the beat to drop, pick up speed, or whatever to spruce things up, but it never did. Justin Bieber has come a long ways and I'm sure he worked long hours on that song. But, I am just not in love with it. So, before you buy the song, I would suggest to listen to the lyric video.

Another music release for today is The Weeknd's newest album, Beauty Behind the Madness. Compared to What Do You Mean, Beauty Behind the Madness had almost no publicity. Personally, I have yet to hear a song by The Weeknd that I don't like. With that in mind, I went ahead and bought the album. I'm still working through it, but so far, so good. This album has The Weeknd's signiture sound and distint timbre. All in all, I would highly suggest to check out his new album. Especially, if you are a fan of The Weeknd. (This album does contain explicit content. Check out the clean version if you prefer.)

No matter how you may spend your weekend, do it with flair and with good tunes. Check out the newest music from Justin Bieber and The Weeknd. Also, check out all the newest singles and albums that have been released this past week. Happy weekend and enjoy!

The Weeknd

"When you're traveling constantly, every day you become inspired and it shows in my work, sonically, lyrically, visually. Conversations with women with different accents and stories told in those accents. I like to create characters based on different people I've met and relationships. I like to tell stories loosely based on real-life events." --The Weeknd

Life can be beautiful, full of love and vigor. But, life has its dark side as well. Life can be ugly and foreboding. The Weeknd has captured theses two aspects of life in his music. In many of his songs, he spins a tale of pain and that searching for love through his unique lyrics and rhythms. 

Abel Tesfaye, more famously known as The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer. In 2010, he began to upload music onto YouTube under the stage name, The Weeknd. The next year he released several mixtapes. It was 2012 when The Weeknd released his first album, Trilogy, He released Trilogy through the Republic Records and his very own label XO. In 2013, The Weeknd release his debut studio album, Kiss Land. Some of his big hits from that album were Kiss Land* and Live For*. The Weeknd's music exploded with his song, Earned it, for the infamous movie, 50 Shades of Gray. Now, fans anxiously wait for his next album, Beauty Behind the Madness, which is expected to be released this Friday, August 28, 2015. The songs Often*, Earned it, and my personal favorite, The Hills* are some of the big singles from his upcoming album, and the song, Can't Feel My Face has become his number one hit.

Yesterday, August 24, 2015, The Weeknd just released the music video for the song, Tell Your Friends, from his album, Beauty Behind the Madness. This music video falls on the darker side of the spectrum, but you can tell he had fun it. This song, Tell Your Friends, has a great beat, like the rest of The Weeknd's work. Also, this song is explicit, so if you are sensitive to such music, be warned. Be sure to check out The Weeknd's newest music video below and his album, Beauty Behind the Madness, on Friday. Enjoy!

*Songs contain explicit content. I tried to mark all of the song that were explicit, but proceed with care. 

5 Seconds of Summer

Summer is a time for sun kissed skin, smoldering days, and starry night skies. Summer is a time for new adventures, untouched views, and wild endeavors. Yet, like all good things, eventually it must come to an end. August and summer is quickly coming to a close, while September is slowly creeping among us along with cooler weather.

"The first week of August hangs at the very top of the summer, top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from the balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white lawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color." --Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting.

Even though the excitement and exuberance of summer is fading into the chills of autumn, there is one way we can still get a taste of the summer-- 5 Seconds of Summer. There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who are in denial of liking 5 Seconds of Summer, and those who have accepted the fact that they like 5 Seconds of Summer.

There are a lot of crazy fan girls out there. Personally, I know a few. The fan girl life revolves around the band, 5 Seconds of Summer, or 5SOS. I had a hard time remembering their names, meanwhile these girls memorized the birthdays, heights, and shoe sizes for each band member. But, like every other girl out there, we have consciously, or subconsciously, chosen a favorite. I quickly came to the realization that my favorite was not everyone else's. My favorite is Michael Clifford (took me a while to figure out his name), and in my wildest dreams we would hang out.

But, my wildest dreams aren't something to go into and are besides the point. Recently, 5 Seconds of Summer released another song titled, Fly Away*, from their upcoming album, Sounds Good Feels Good. In my humble opinion, this song is far better than their new single She's Kinda Hot. Fly Away is catchy and up beat. Thousands of anxious fans await 5 Seconds of Summer's new album, Sounds Good Feels Good to be released October 23, 2015.

*5 Seconds of Summer is keeping a tight lid on Fly Away. I found a lot of covers on YouTube, but none were actually of the band singing. So, if the link doesn't work check out iTunes or Google Play and listen to Fly Away.

Newly Discovered

The famous Ray Charles once described music to be a part of himself. "I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me--like food or water."

Many individuals, artists, composers, and song writers would agree with this quote. For some, music isn't just something they love. It's something that is simply a part of them. It's what drives people. And, in a way, music can grant immortality. The human body alone cannot last; it ages and decays with time. But, music has and will always exist. Music can turn a talented human being into a legend that can last forever. 

Artists today are driven or were once driven by this passion for music. That's why we are constantly hearing new music from our favorite artists or new, upcoming ones. The music industry is constantly changing.

It's that time again. I have found songs that are new to me and song that are climbing up on the charts. The songs below are songs that I have newly discovered and love. Granted, not all of the songs are newly released. Some of the songs may contain explicit content, so proceed with caution. I hope you enjoy!

Again by Fetty Wap *Explicit* Again by Fetty Wap is my new favorite. This song has great rhythm and I absolutely love its unique sound.

Wait For Life by Lana Del Rey & Emilie Haynie I recently discovered this song and love it. Of course, I love most songs by Lana Del Rey. This song has a much different sound from her other songs.

Alright by Kendrick Lamar *Explicit* Kendrick Lamar always has that unique sound his fans love. The music video to this song is very interesting also.

Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko I'm not against lesbians or gays, but I'm not usually one who sponsors it. But, I love this song and the music video is cute. I couldn't help smiling at the end. 

Burning House by Cam I for one am not a fan of country. But, it had unique sound and wasn't too hill billy for me.

Growing Up feat. Ed Sheeran by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Currently there has been some beef about his incorrect references, but this song is good. And, Ed Sheeran gives a different twist the typical Macklemore sound.

I Know by Big Sean *Explicit* I heard this song on the radio, so it's not necessarily new. But, this song is a good jam. Big Sean is at it once more with good beats.

Wicked Games by The Weeknd *Explicit* This song is definitely not new by any means. This song came out in 2012, I believe. But, it doesn't change the fact that this is a good song, and I have recently discovered it. True Weeknd fans have already heard this song.

Twenty Eight by The Weeknd *Explicit* Also, this is not a new song. I discovered it a few months back, and I absolutely love it! The Weeknd always has great beats and lyrics.

Stitches by Shawn Mendes I'm not much of a Shawn Mendes fan. But, his song Stitches is catchy and has a fun beat.

Hotline Bling by Drake Most big Drake fans have already heard this. I am not, but I am still a fan of Drake and his work. 

Locked Away feat. Adam Levine by R. City I, among many other young ladies, love Adam Levine. He is perfection. And, the song has good rhythm. 

Rae Sremmurd

The sound of the word Monday is enough to make one cringe. And, alarms blaring Monday morning is enough reason to put anyone in a lousy mood for the day.  Mondays don't nearly hold the same excitement as Friday does. But, Rae Sremmurd is breaking the mold of the dull Monday blues. Today, Rae Sremmurd has just released the music video for Drinks On Us, and has a dark, wild side to the club scene.

Rae Sremmurd has a unique party vibe. And, they have been blowing up the radios. These two brothers, Khalif "Swae Lee" Brown and Aaquil "Slim Jimmy" Brown, first started off producing music in their home. They would play for parties and at local bars. This duo originally went by St8 Boyz, Ear Drummers, and then finally, Rae Sremmurd, which is Ear Drummers backwards.

In 2014, Rae Sremmurd had officially arrived. Their biggest hits were No Flex Zone, No Type, and Thow Sum Mo feat. Nicki Minaj. Rae Sremmurd was being played on every radio throughout the nation. Their unexpected beats and sound has become a new favorite for hip-hop lovers. 

In 2015, Rae Sremmurd has released This Could Be Us, which is my personal favorite. Rae Sremmurd shows no sign of slowing down. These brothers are here and here to stay.

So, break away from the boring Monday routine. Make this Monday a little less monotonous. Click the link and check out Rae Sremmurd's new music video for Drinks On Us. Enjoy!

The Queen Bee

August 16, 1958, a pop star sensation was born. Yet, over the next 57 years, this queen has yet to lose her spunk and is still a music icon today. She is best known for pushing limits and her provocative flair. She is the original Material Girl. Some of her biggest hits were Like A Prayer, Vogue, Into The Groove, and Like A Virgin. If you're still wondering who this woman is, I'll tell you; It is the one and only, Madonna.

Today, Madonna is 57 years young and is still looking better than ever. Earlier this year, Madonna was on the cover of the Rolling Stones, after releasing her newest album, Rebel Heart. In the article, Madonna opened up about growing up as a youth, raising kids, and refusing to conform with age. Madonna stated, "Women my age have accepted they're not allowed to behave a certain way. I never followed the rules. I'm not going to start now."

Madonna also talked about how everyone has tried to pigeon hole her to one characteristic. Yet, in reality, she, along with every other human being, is made up of all different kinds of characteristics. Madonna also explained how she is both a spiritual and sexual person. "There's no law that says that you cannot be a spiritual person and a sexual person. In fact, if you have the right consciousness, sex is like a prayer. It can be a divine experience. So why do they have to be disassociated with one another?"

Towards the end of the interview, the interviewer asked "Do you think about mortality?" Madonna  replied beautifully, saying, "In some respects I will never die. Because art is immortal. What we leave behind and what we create--the energy that we put out into the world is eternal. The physical body is assembled just like a chair or a building or a flower, but the revolutions we start, the people we affect and inspire, that is eternal. So, in that respect, we do achieve immorality, and that makes me less fearful."

After reading the interview and Madonna's remarks, I quickly realized that I had more in common with this pop-star queen than I thought. Granted, I'm not nearly as talented nor successful as Madonna (who is?), but I concluded that we had similar views, thoughts, and ideas. And, like Madonna, I am a rebel at heart. 

Her album, Rebel Heart, contains music that is fresh, real, and the usual Madonna provocation. The music video for the song, B**ch, I'm Madonna feat. Nicki Minaj, encapsulates Madonna's attitude. Also, the music video is fun and carefree. Below are links to the songs on her album, Rebel Heart. Proceed with caution and enjoy!

Living for Love

Ghosttown

B**ch, I'm Madonna feat. Nicki Minaj

Illuminati

Holy Water

Wash All Over Me

French Kiss

Someone once said that a picture is worth a thousand words. But, the same can be said about kisses. In one kiss, you can feel sparks ignite. Kisses can send chills down your spine and butterflies to your stomach. Kisses can be soft, passionate, sweet, and most of all, kisses can be intimate. Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline starred in the movie, French Kiss, and explained how kisses can be more intimate than intimacy itself. 

French Kiss came out in 1995, starring Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. It's an unusual and unconventional tale of love. Meg Ryan plays the character Kate, who is engaged to be married, but has a fear of flying. So, she stays behind as her fiance, Charlie, leaves on a trip for Paris. Weeks later, she gets a call from Charlie saying he has fallen in love with someone else. This left Kate hurt and outraged. Despite her fear of flying, Kate gets a plane ticket for Paris. 

On the flight, she meets a french man, Luc. Kate quickly finds out that Luc is a liar and a thief. But, the two form the most unusual friendship. Luc and Kate come together to try to win her ex-fiance back. With the wits of Luc and the determination of Kate, they do just that. 

SPOILER ALERT: a plot twist comes along. When Kate has Charlie back, Kate realizes that she is in love with someone else--Luc. Charlie and Kate say their goodbyes, going their separate ways. And, Kate and Luc end up together. 

Not only did I enjoy this unexpected "chick flick", but the soundtrack for French Kiss was perfect. The music they chose helped create the romantic environment that one would expect to feel in Paris. And, like Paris, the music chosen for the soundtrack was timeless.

Someone Like You- Van Morrison

La Vie En Rose- Louis Armstrong

Les Yeux Ouverts- The Beautiful South (Dream a little Dream of me originally by The Mamas and the Papas)

Via Con Me- Paolo Conte

I Love Paris feat. Toots Thielemans- James Newton Howard

Feels Like a Woman- Zucchero

I Love Paris- Ella Fitzgerald

Verlaine- Charles Trenet

C'est Trop Beau- Tino Rossi

La Mer- Kevin Kline (Beyond the Sea originally sung by Bobby Caldwell)

I Want You (Love Theme From 'French Kiss'- James Newton Howard

Les Ueux de ton pere- Les Negresses Vertes

Kate: "I'm afraid that if he doesn't come back, that I'll . . . it'll hurt so much that I'll shrivel up and never be able to love anyone again."

Luc: "You may say that now, but after a time, you would forget. First, you would forget his chin, then his nose, and then after a while you would struggle to remember the exact color of his eyes. And, one day you wake up and he's gone. His voice, his smell, his face. He will have left you, and then you can begin again."

#LDR

"I refuse to escape reality. That I've accepted to see its beauty. I was awakened and I love this world."
 --Lana Del Rey

At times, reality can be referred as a "hard pill to swallow". Life can be far from easy, filled with sadness and struggle. Sometimes, it may feel as if our entire world is caving in around us. Reality can be the very thing that destroys the innocent soul.  Yet, despite the austere of life, beauty and happiness can be found. We must take off our rose colored glasses in order to see life in a new light. We must become "awakened" to see the beauty of the world we live in and love it.

Lana Del Rey has a unique sound and is incomparable. She expresses the range of euphoria and also the melancholy one may experience in life, through her voice and lyrics. Each song is its own masterpiece, unfolding a story of its very own.

Behind the face and voice of Lana Del Rey, was someone once only known as Elizabeth Grant. At first she used Lizzie Grant as a stage name, but made the switch to Lana Del Rey after releasing her first album in 2010, titled, Lana Del Rey. It wasn't until her second album that her music began to catch fire. Born To Die came out in 2012. The song, Summertime Sadness, helped Lana Del Rey's career explode. Her song was on repeat over the radios from coast to coast. Shortly after Born To Die, Lana Del Rey revealed the extended version, Born To Die: Paradise Edition.

Ultraviolence was the next album to be released by Lana Del Rey. Ultraviolence came out June 2014. Now, Lana Del Rey has announced another album is on its way titled, Honeymoon. The album will come out in September 2015. July 2015 Lana Del Rey released the first track on the record titled, Honeymoon. After publicizing Honeymoon, Lana Del Rey commented, "Here it is, the first and title track of my record-- Honeymoon. In some ways I feels it's where the record begins and ends. . . there are so many other tracks on the record, 13 others to be exact- Some with a muddy trap energy and some inspired by late-night Miles Davis drives. . . But I love this song because it encapsulates all of the things that come naturally to me."

Today, August 10, 2015, Lana Del Rey revealed another song from the album Honeymoon called, High By the Beach. Fans excitedly await the arrival of Lana Del Rey's new album and fresh music.

Again, I will declare that I am not a fan girl in any way for any music artists or celebrities. But, when it comes to Lana Del Rey, it's as close to fan girl-ing as I get. I am a huge fan of her music. And, I am one of the many fans who anxiously await for her upcoming album, Honeymoon. Lana Del Rey is hands down, one of my favorite artists of all time. I love her retro vibe. I also love her unique sound, rhythm, and lyrics. Lana Del Rey sings in a way that you can feel everything just through her voice. Lana Del Rey sings with distinct soul. Her music is easy to connect to. Often times, her lyrics have described how I am. And, in a way, I have been able to discover myself through her music.

Today is when Lana Del Rey released her song, High By The Beach. Today is also my birthday, and I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present. I absolutely love the original sound of High By The Beach. Under the comments of the video, one fan stated, "The Queen is back!" And, I completely agree. Lana Del Rey is back, and is coming with music that is original and fresh.

Below I made a list of some of my favorites from Lana Del Rey. A word of caution: some of the songs contain explicit material. Like always, I will try to mark which ones are explicit. Proceed with care and I hope you enjoy!

High By The Beach **Explicit

Florida Kilos--Ultraviolence **Explicit

Ride--Born To Die Paradise Edition **Explicit

Lolita--Born To Die (Paradise Edition)

Prom Song (Gone Wrong) Teenage Wasteland

Old Money--Ultraviolence

American-- Born To Die Paradise Edition

Black Beauty--Ultraviolence

Body Electric--Born To Die Paradise Edition

Serial Killer

Land of Enchantment

Welcome to New Mexico; A place where rock formations erupt out of the flat lands or where one can get lost in the fields of crops. From top to bottom, New Mexico is full of open skies and beauty, although, it may take a special eye to fully appreciate its beauty. From its diverse beauty to its unique culture, one can understand why New Mexico is known for the “Land of Enchantment”.

Compton and Detroit seem to be the big cities where many great artists are born and made. Yet, many don't know that some of the great classics and today's musicians are from New Mexico. Most don’t know that the artists John Denver and Demi Lovato were born in New Mexico. Also, many might not know that Jim Morrison lived in New Mexico while growing up.

One of my mom’s all time favorite singer is John Denver. John Denver was born at Roswell, New Mexico in 1943. It was in the 60’s when he made his big appearance as a folk singer. He and his band released over 300 songs, and John Denver wrote 200 of those. Some of his well known songs are Take Me Home, Country Road, Annie’s Song, Rocky Mountain High, and Thank God I’m a Country Boy. Not only was John Denver a talented artist, but he got involved with politics and campaigns. He also was a helping hand in several humanitarian projects. John Denver loved being in the great outdoors and flying. He was a pilot for many years and unfortunately, died in 1997 due to an airplane accident.

Demi Lovato was born at Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1992. She first appeared in Barney & Friends, but Demi Lovato made her big break singing and acting in Disney Channel’s Camp Rock. She continued on acting and singing. Demi Lovato isn’t one of my favorite music artists, but I hold high respect for her. She has dealt with depression, eating disorders, and self harm. Demi Lovato went into rehab in 2010. It was a rocky road, but she has been sober since 2013. Recently, Demi Lovato has released her song Cool for the Summer.

Jim Morrison, better known as the lead singer and songwriter for The Doors. Jim Morrison was born in 1943. He wasn’t native to New Mexico, but lived in Albuquerque for a time during his childhood. Jim Morrison is regarded to be one of the most iconic and influential in rock history. He and his band The Doors are best known for the songs Light My Fire, Break on Through (To The Other Side), Riders On the Storm, L.A. Woman, and several others. In 1971, Jim Morrison died of a suspected overdose, but no autopsy was done.

From the roads of New Mexico, to the farmers market, to the history of the state, I have found that New Mexico is truly the "Land of Enchantment".  “When you turn around, you'll see something I bet you've never seen before. If it takes your breath away, then you'll fit in nicely. If you don't feel anything, then maybe you don't belong here.” --Veronica Randolph Batterson, Daniel's Esperanza

New Muse

Johnny Depp once said that music touches us emotionally where words alone can't. Music isn't just something we listen to; it's something we feel. Music is something we can connect to. In one song, a flood of thoughts and memories can come rushing back.

Music can speak to anyone. And, music can move anyone's soul. Every time period, every genre, and every artist is unique and has something to contribute to the music community. Music can change or heighten a mood for anyone. We are all guilty of listening to a playlist of sad songs after a break up or after a rough time. 

Something I love to do is to search out new songs. I don't listen to the radio much, so I take matters into my own hands. Granted, not all of the music I find is necessarily "new", becomes the next radio favorite, or even makes it to the radio. But, that doesn't change the fact that I found a song I love and connect with.

Below is a list of songs that I found and are currently some of my favorites. The songs below are fun and have a great beat, in my humble opinion, of course. These songs may or may not be on the radio, and you may or may not have heard them before. I would also add that some of these songs may contain explicit content. I tried to label all the songs that do, but proceed with caution. Enjoy!

Yoga by Janelle Monae and Jidenna This song is currently my main jam. It has such a good beat. And, I have yet to hear a song by Janelle Monae I don't like.

Like I'm Gonna Lose You feat. John Legend by Meghan Trainor I really like the sound of this song, and every song with John Legend is almost always better. Meghan Trainor is not one of my favorite artists. She sings well, but her songs are over played. I'm afraid if I heard this song too many times, I would become tired of it like all of her other songs.

Here by Alessia Cara I love this song because I can totally relate to the lyrics. I am the mirror image of this song.

The Hills by The Weeknd (Explicit) The beat and his play on words in this song is unique and on point, which is a lot like his hair.

Often by The Weeknd (Explicit) This song has a good tempo and is very chill. But, let's face it. The Weeknd is the champ at creating great beats. 

How Deep Is Your Love by Calvin Harris Yet again, this track has great rhythm and would be a fun one to try to dance to.

Fire N Gold by Bea Miller My favorite part is the chorus. I didn't care for the music video because she kept making the same face, and it became over done and annoying. But, overall it's a good song.

Phenominal by Eminem (Explicit) Again, I really like the chorus of this song. I am not a big Eminem fan, but I do have a great deal of respect for him and how far he has come. 

Kings Never Die feat. Gwen Stefani by Eminem (Explicit) The combination of Gwen Stefani and Eminem was a job well done, and turned out much better than I expected. 

Black Magic by Little Mix This song is fun and hard not to like. Listening to this song takes me back to the days of my awkward phase. Great times.

This Could Be Us by Rae Sremunrd (Explicit) These guys have done it yet again. The song is great and is a fun jam. 

Beast feat. Busta Rhymes by Rob Bailey (Explicit) This song isn't like anything I've heard before. It's an interesting mix of rap and hard rock. I'm usually much of a fan of hard rock, but the two combined is different and done well. The sound track for Southpaw has some great songs.

R.I.C.O. feat. Drake by Meek Mill (Explicit) In spite of the blowout between Meek Mill and Drake, these two did a good job on this one. 

All Eyes On You feat. Chris Brown & Nicki Minaj by Mill (Explicit) Despite my feelings about Chris Brown, I can't deny the fact that he has a great voice. This song has a great beat that hits hard, yet has a chill vibe.

Cecilia & The Satellite by Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness I absolutely love this song! It's new, it's different, and the music video is how I envision myself to be. 

Sippy Cup-- Melanie Martinez (Explicit) I love this song. It's new and fresh.

Beautiful Now feat. Jon Bellion--Zedd The beginning didn't catch my attention much, but I started to like the song as it went along.

0 to 100/The Catch Up-- Drake (Explicit) I love the sound of this song and it reminds me a bit of his song Energy. It has a good tempo, but very steady and chill. 

Comfortable-- K Camp (Explicit) This track is great and so is the beat. 

You Know You Like It-- DJ Snake & Aluna George DJ Snake did a wonderful job fusing his beats with the voice of Aluna George. 

Omen feat. Sam Smith-- Disclosure The rhythm of this song takes me back to when I went to New York City. I for one am a fan of Sam Smith and his voice. I also enjoyed watching the music video for this song.

Budapest-- George Ezra I think this track has become a favorite for many. It has a timeless sound and it still never gets old. 

Tribute: Amy Winehouse

Everyone knows Amy Winehouse for her trademark voice and black eyeliner. Several also know Amy Winehouse for her provocative persona. And, too many individuals only know Amy Winehouse for her song "Rehab". But, few know that she dealt with depression and eating disorders.

I am far from being one of Amy Winehouse's fan girls. I'm not one of those individuals who know every little detail of a celebrity's life. I am too lazy for that amount of research and I simply don't care because most of it is insignificant to my life. But, I am an individual who appreciates her music. Amy Winehouse sings with such soul that you can't help but feel something when you listen to her. So, if you happen to be one among the many who only know her song "Rehab", let's expand your horizons. I even made a list of 10 songs by Amy Winehouse that I think everyone should hear and know. 

These songs are completely based on my taste and opinion, not top charts. In my humble opinion, I find these songs to showcase her voice well and also show her diversity. I might also add that if you are reading this and are not familiar with the song "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse, I would highly recommend to listen to it along with these 10 songs. Yet, approach with caution if you are sensitive to explicit music. Amy Winehouse is a talented artist, but her lyrics can be provocative.

1. Back to Black 

2. Amy Amy Amy

3. Some Unholy War

4. (There Is) No Greater Love

5. You Know I'm No Good

6. Valerie (I love the Live BBC Radio version)

7. Wake Up Alone

8. F**k Me Pumps

9. Take The Box

10. Tears Dry On Their Own

I had a difficult time narrowing it down to just 10 songs, so if you liked what you heard, I would highly suggest to explore her music. 

To explain for the random blogging of Amy Winehouse, Andy and I ended our last date watching the documentary on Amy Winehouse titled Amy (clever much?). Both Andy and I love her music, so naturally we went to go see it. 

I found the documentary very interesting. I thought the film directors did a job well done at trying to shining a neutral light on Amy Winehouse and her life. I was aware that I didn't know much about the life of Amy Winehouse, but after watching Amy, I realized I knew almost nothing. And, I realized I was wrong about what I thought I knew about her. 

Amy Winehouse was a gifted singer and enjoyed writing poetry, but she led a normal life at first. She was your typical girl, and her life wasn't perfect. For one, Amy's father divorced her mother. That really affected her and  was the beginning of her depression. Yet, a hop, skip, and a jump later, she worked her way up to the top.  Amy showed that Amy Winehouse lived a life that was far from easy. And, in the end, Amy Winehouse died of heart failure on July 23, 2011. They believed that she died from the possible combination of drinking and eating disorders. Her family didn't realize it at the time, but there were a few times where she talked about the "perfect diet", which is known as bulimia. Her family didn't think much of it nor did they realize how far she would go with the "perfect diet". 

Of all the things I didn't know, I had no idea Amy Winehouse had an eating disorder. This hit home because I have struggled with eating disorders in my past and still struggle with my body image. It took me years to talk about it, even with my closest friends and family. I was ashamed to say anything because I had nothing to show. I wasn't strong enough to drop the weight and wasn't nearly as skinny as I wished to be. 

Eating disorders are very much real, and aren't something to be treated lightly. Amy Winehouse isn't the only singer to die of heart failure due to an eating disorder. Karen Carpenter, also a famous, talented singer, died of heart failure because of an eating disorder.  There are also many celebrities and artists who have or are currently struggling with eating disorders. And, like me, there are girls, young ladies, and women who battle with eating disorders and their self-image.                                

Overall, Amy was excellent and interesting to watch. I have that much more of an appreciation for Amy Winehouse as an artist and also her music. I would recommend this documentary to anyone who is an Amy Winehouse fan or who enjoys watching an interesting documentary film.

Amy Winehouse was a woman who wanted to find happiness and be loved. Her life was no walk in the park. Yet, Amy Winehouse was able to create music filled with such passion and soul. Her music was able to touch so many lives and still continues to do so. She has left her mark on this world. And, may she rest in peace. 

I would like to thank and attribute the pictures to Google Images.