GHOST STORIES
Coldplay
This is the album that you’d want to tune into after office hours, or when you’re stuck in the traffic. Understatedly simple yet rich in subtlety, “Ghost Stories” delivers tales of love, fantasy and dreams woven in the mind-transporting lyrics (check out “Magic”). In retrospect, the direction Coldplay takes on for the album, for having it stripped to acoustic, is similar to the less-is-more approach pioneered by Daft Punk in their latest album. No matter what, Coldplay keeps it all authentic with the incorporation of artsy touches into the album, music videos and more.
XSCAPE
Michael Jackson
The second posthumous album of the pop legend reveals eight tracks and great collaboration with top American music heads. The producers’ list includes Timbaland, the man who lends his Midas’ touch to Justin Timberlake’s shining albums. Then there’s Mary J. Blige among the featured vocal guests. Songs like “Slave to the Rhythm” and “Chicago” are definitely worth a repeat in your playlist.
BUILT ON GLASS
Chet Faker
Low bass-strumming masked with faraway trumpet blows recreates the whole imagination of an urban city at night, glowing with yellow lights. That slice of musical poetry is delivered in a charming jazzy piece of “Talk is Cheap.” Born as Nicholas James Murphy, the Australian electronica artist took on the moniker Chet Faker as an homage to the late trumpeter extraordinaire Chet Baker.
GIRL
Pharrell Williams
His “Happy” single skyrocketed to the top of the chart in just a matter of days. 2014 might just be the year for the multi-talented Pharrell Williams, both on the music and the fashion lanes. While not so much can be said for his musical discovery since the album might be mistaken for that of Justin Bieber’s in terms of sound the stylish singer blazes more new trails when it comes to sartorial innovations. As a matter of fact, that’s practically the reason why we featured him in the DA MAN’s April/May 2014 issue as a fashion icon.
THE NEW CLASSIC
Iggy Azalea
Rap industry’s latest breed, Iggy Azalea is full of contradictions. Not only is she Australian, her pale complexion and slender physique disguise a powerful voice that’s worthy of comparison as the female version of Macklemore. “Fancy” is fresh and sassy, while “Work” tells her life story of moving from New South Wales to Florida, with no money and no family, at the age of 16, Off the stage, Iggy Azalea was the face of Levi’s Jeans in 2012 and models under Wilhelmina Models.
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