Jerry's Pick: "Up All Night"

"Up All Night"-Beck

Here's a track that ain't exactly new. In fact, it's been in my iTunes rotation since last September. And to make me really sound like I'm late-to-the-party, an early version of this same Beck song was available via a FIFA video game toward the end of 2016. It was last week -- after noticing Beck's record label (Capitol) was finally putting its push to radio -- when I decided it was a good time to personally exude the awesomeness of "Up All Night."

The other reason for this post is to come to the defense of Beck. I mean, is there a genre that Beck hasn't yet slayed? You see, since "Loser" over 20-years ago, Californian Beck Hansen has become known as the ultimate alt-indie chameleon with studio creations ranging from folk and country to hip-hop and jig-saw jazz. But now -- with the release of "Up All Night" -- some of his longtime fans are screaming "sell-out!"

What's so wrong with making an extremely commercial power-pop dance single with vanilla lyrics and a catchy chorus? Cannot that be counted as one of Beck's ever-changing musical moods? I emphatically declare, "Yes, it can!"

Case in point: Daft Punk's "Get Lucky."

In fact, that was Beck's mission. He explained to Vulture.com, "I was trying not to be afraid of simplicity on this album (Colors). In those respects, the album is quite successful, as its sparkling production, bouncy rhythms and alluring melodies make it irresistibly celebratory and, well, colorful." He said he wanted "to make something that was uplifting, had a lot of energy, and made you want to sing along."

Mission: Accomplished.

Apparently Beck's inspiration for "Up All Night" was born after his first exposure to Pharrell's mega-smash hit "Happy" in 2013. But I recognized a couple of other popular party-anthems he may have subconsciously plagiarized along the way. Anyone else hear shades of "I Can't Feel My Face" (The Weeknd) and "I Can't Stop the Feeling" (Justin Timberlake)? You could also say there are hints of Passion Pit, Foster the People, Fatboy Slim and INXS with a George Michael "Faith"-like compressed-acoustic-guitar-power-strum-styled opening.

Sure, it's Beck's most mainstream single to date, but who cares?! "Up All Night" works. Wonderfully. It just comes with a ton of hashtags.

#Bright #Bold #Vibrant #Dynamic #Poppy #Funky #Festive #HighEnergy #FeelGood #YourNewDanceAllNightLongPartyAnthem #DriveWithTheWindowsDownSummertimeJam

In a nutshell: #Fun

Jerry's Pick: "Mystery of Love"

"Mystery of Love"-Sufjan Stevens

It’s truly unbelievable the effect that music can have on a person. I say this because my new favorite song just ripped my fucking heart out.

"Oh, oh whoa whoa is me..."

When I write about a particular tune I'm currently enamored with, I try to separate it from anything else it may be tied to, like a music video. But in this case, that was almost impossible.

The song is "Mystery of Love" which was written and recorded by Sufjan (pronounced SOOF-yahn) Stevens for the Academy Award nominated film "Call Me By Your Name," a coming-of-age story of a roller-coaster romance between Elio and Oliver set in 1980's Italy. This intimate recording -- paired with an emotional backdrop of innocence and a youthful summer love -- has the power to move through you in waves from deliriously happy to intensely sad and yet unapologetically hopeful. So much feels in just four-minutes.

In an interview with Olivia Dennis of Lindsay magazine, CMBYN director Luca Guadagnino revealed why he invited Stevens onto the project: "I wanted to have a narration that was not the banal usual literary narration," he said. "I wanted it to be more about something that really came from the soul. I wanted his epiphany in the movie and I had the privilege that he said 'yes'."

"Mystery of Love" (up for a "Best Song" Oscar next month) was recorded splendidly simple... a banjo, a guitar, a piano mixed with subtle strings and delicate vocals that are almost whispers, make this ballad all the more personal and agonizingly beautiful. Steven's lyrics -- which are full of symbolism -- are hopeful ("The first time that you touched me") yet hopeless ("The last time that you touched me.") But overall, the message ("Blessed by the mystery of love") seems to hint that going all-in with your heart is worth the pain that all too often supervenes.

No matter your gender or sexual orientation, I'm positive those with hearts that have been there will find Sufjan's intimation nostalgically familiar.

"Oh, will wonders ever cease?"

Yes, I'll admit it... "Mystery of Love" breaks my heart in all the right ways.