So how about that Peter Gene Hernandez? He is really destroying the charts right now, huh? You have a weird look on your face. Maybe this will help. Peter Gene Hernandez = Bruno Mars. That simple mathematical principle proves that this Hawaiian born soulful cat is here to stay. Bruno Mars combines old school soul swagger with contemporary pop appeal. It has been scientifically proven that his voice is causing global warming; on account of it being so hot. Scientifically = some random lady I sat behind on the train who was gushing to her crew about Mars’ mad musical skills.
Peter Gene Hernandez = Bruno Mars
We here at FreshScouts have had Bruno Mars in our ears ever since we featured him in our Weekly Jukebox back in January. This cat is smashing up the charts right now with the ultimate love song, “Just the Way You Are”. But let’s not forget about his smooth collabo with Travie McCoy on “Billionaire” and his memorable hook on B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ on You”. But wait, there’s more! Mars also co-wrote Flo Rida’s “Right Round” and K’naan’s “Wavin’ Flag”. Yeah, let’s just say that Bruno Mars knows what he is doing and he is ready to destroy with his first full album that is scheduled to drop in October.
While we wait for the October release, we offer up a sweet little gem in the form of an EP. On It’s Better If You Don’t Understand (released in May 2010), Mars delivers 4 hot tracks that showcase what he can do. Mars has the formula down and knows exactly how to get his music to the masses. That formula can do a lot of damage if put in the wrong hands. Thankfully, he uses his power for good and we are the victors. If Mars can keep himself out of trouble, he will no doubt become one of the biggest artists of 2011.
KC’s Personal Picks: “Count on Me” and “The Other Side” (featuring Cee Lo Green & B.o.B.)
Check out his live acoustic version of “Count on Me”
Buy It’s Better If You Don’t Understand
Let’s make a list of the things that Atlanta group The Constellations have going for them:
#1 – They’ve got an awesome logo:
#2 – They combine rap and rock in a way that’s not gimmicky or unauthentic, which is really, really hard to do.
#3 – Their new album, “Southern Gothic,” not only has one of the better album names of 2010 so far, but also features studs like Cee-Lo Green and Asher Roth.
#4 – They know who the great Tom Waits is, and even dedicated an entire song to the guy.
#5 – Capturing real local color on a record isn’t easy, but these guys have deliberately assembled eleven songs that do exactly that for the city of Atlanta. It’s ambitious and fun, and we like that sort of thing.
And there’s more. A lot more, actually, starting with the swagger of lead singer Elijah Jones, who’s got a completely unique and exciting vocal style. Do in large part to Jones’s nasally, too-cool-for-school vocal cadences, these guys have the potential to be the sort of band that is instantly recognizable the moment they come on the radio with a new song. You’ll say, “Isn’t this The Constellations?” And your friend will be all, “Yup.” And you’ll have known because Jones is so distinctive.
We first fell in love with the guys upon hearing “Felicia,” a seedy, tambouriney party anthem about a buxom beauty in a club, because it was so fun and energetic. The rest of “Southern Gothic” is equally entertaining, each track trying on different vibes and styles and genres. “Setback” is hip-hoppy, “Perfect Day” is indie-ish, “Love Is A Murder” is somewhere in between pop and soul, and “Step Right Up” is a jam-tastic musical narrative.
How many words did I make up in that last paragraph? I count four, but The Constellations probably deserve more.
For audio diversity, for fun, for a fair musical portrayal of night life in Atlanta, you’ve got to pick up “Southern Gothic.” We’ve got a list of five things they currently have going for them, but that list is going to grow, and quickly. Don’t wait for these guys to hit it big before you jump on their bandwagon. The Constellations are stars already. (Get it?)
Check out “Love Is A Murder,” featuring Cee-Lo:
And pick up “Southern Gothic” as soon as you can!
April Smith & The Great Picture Show – “Colors”
If you took out a little tube of bubbles and blew them into a caressing summer breeze, you’d get the voice of the lovely and talented April Smith, and that positive vibe rides this little diddy to absolute musical success. Prepare to be sucked into the catchiest song you’ve heard in months. Seriously, unless you want an elephant-sized earworm for the rest of the week, just skip ahead to Cee-Lo. You’ve been warned.
Cee-Lo Green – “Georgia”
I defy you to listen to this track and put it into a genre. You can’t, but when can you ever when it comes to Cee-Lo? He’s an artist who transcends classification, but this most recent track lies more in the stratosphere of soul than anything else. This ain’t your grandpa’s Temptations record, though; the beat is hot and it’s extremely contemporary. You’ll dig. You always do.
The Roots featuring John Legend – “Doin’ It Again”
Every interview I’ve ever done with a hip-hop artist, the conversation somehow comes back to Black Thought of The Roots being the most underrated lyricist in the industry. He’s sharp and witty but has the perfect tone and flow to ride a ?uestlove beat. This new track from everyone’s favorite Philadelphians is remarkably chill, yet exciting enough lyrically to get the ol’ butterflies in the stomach churning. Few hip-hop records get us excited like Roots records, and if you aren’t excited too, you have no soul.
Mike Posner – “Cooler Than Me”
This up-and-comer from Southfield, Michigan has got himself a Billboard climber with his first single, “Cooler Than Me.” Its heavy, borderline techno synth beat drives the song, but Posner’s smoky voice and hip lyrics have plenty to do with its continued success, too. This track is getting hot right now, but we promise you—it’s about to get even hotter.
Hanson – “Thinking Bout Somethin’ ”
Hanson, huh? That’s funny. I remember there used to be this band called “Hanson” back in the ‘90s, made up of little kids that sang pretty tight little harmonies and played their instruments damn well for being so young. “Mmm Bop” is immortal, yet ever-so-cheesy. That’s weird how there’s a whole other band called Hanson, also made up of three brothers who pull off tight harmonies and play their instruments damn well. Except this group is comprised of grown-ups. And their new song, “Thinkin’ Bout Something,” is hip, catchy, and has a great video. Sort of like “Mmm Bop” all those years ago. What a coincidence, right?
Bruno Mars featuring Cee-Lo & B.o.B. – “The Other Side”
We know Bruno Mars because he’s the guy who sings the hook for B.o.B.’s smash hit “Nothin’ on You,” but this track featuring Cee-Lo of Gnarls Barkley and Goodie Mob fame has the vibe of a bona fide smash hit. The hook hits hard, and it goes from smooth R&B (Mars) to rap (B.o.B.) to something in between (Cee-Lo). It’s got a little bit of everything, and it’ll be stuck in your head all week.
