While a film’s music and stylistic choices are often an afterthought, contemporary films prove that the film’s musical score can have such a substantial impact on how the film is received. However, during the days of silent cinema, a film’s music wasn’t a part of the movie. The individual theatre was required to provide the accompanying sound, usually by a live band or a phonograph.
In 1929, all this changed when music was able to be synchronized with celluloid. The next twenty years were the golden age of film scoring, in which composers from concert music backgrounds would write orchestral pieces designed for film. Max Steiner, regarded as “The Father of Film Music” was a pioneer in this field.
The 1950s was a period of experimentation, where film scores found new ground by blending traditional styles with new sounds. The 1960s saw the rise of Jazz, Pop and Western-based film scores, with Western films like “The Magnificent Seven” paving the way forward.
The 1970s can be summed up in one name – John Williams. Williams ushered in a new wave of innovation with his score for “Star Wars”, and synthesizers grew in popularity. The world of film music hasn’t looked back since.
Martin Garrix is a pretty big player in the EDM space. He has performed right around the world and has become a DJ that other artists want to work with. His songs are awesome and definitely get people up on their feet and dancing, so it is no wonder that so many artists want to work with him.
Martin Garrix has done a fair few collaborations with other artists in his time, it is certainly difficult to handpick a few that is the best of the best. But there are a couple that does stand out and everyone who is into EDM will probably have these tunes on their playlist.
It is so exciting to see another EDM artist make it as a household name, so have a read on below at some of the best collaborations that Martin Garrix has ever been a part of:
In The Name of Love (with Bebe Rexha)
This song is taken to the next level with the help of Bebe Rexha. Her powerful voice sings out the lyrics, especially to the chorus, like no one else can. This collaboration with a pop artist in 2016 helped make Martin Garrix more widely known within a new genre of music. He even performed this song live on the Jimmy Fallon show.
Tremor (with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike)
This track was released in 2014 and speaks to a lot of EDM fans very well due to the big sounds and bass. It provides everything that his fans know and expects from him which is why it became such a successful collaboration for him. You should also check out the music video for this tune, as it certainly delivers as well.
Hold On (with Matisse & Sadko, featuring Michel Zitron)
One of Martin Garrix’s older songs and collaborations, he has teamed up with Matisse & Sadko a few times since then, but Hold On still remains one of the best. The artist Michel Zitron helps shape the song and makes it a real stand out due to his amazing voice and powerful lyrics.
Scared To Be Lonely (with Dua Lipa)
Dua Lipa is a massive artist in her own right, so when she teamed up with Martin Garrix, the song was always going to be destined for greatness. This song was played on the radio and was on all the charts, even included in so many people’s playlists. Scared To Be Lonely was also performed at the massive music festival, Tomorrowland.
Turn Up The Speakers (with Afrojack)
This was one of Martin Garrix’s early tunes and it is the reason why so many people did fall in love with his music, heavy bass, and big sounds. This was also something that Afrojack was really into, so they made the perfect combination. If you are looking for a tune to get you hyped up before heading out for the night, this is the song for you.
Gold Skies (with Sander van Doorn & DVBBS, featuring Aleesia)
If you are craving that summer feeling again, then Gold Skies is the perfect tune for you. It was released in 2014 and hits the spot for the nostalgia of back in a time that just seemed a lot simpler. It was such a big hit at the time; it received support from other major artists in the EDM space, like Nicky Romero, Hardwell, and Quintino.
Glitch (with Julian Jordan)
Teaming up with one of his friends, Julian Jordan, was a great move by Martin Garrix because this song is one of his greatest collaborations. This is another song that needs to be on your playlist to get you pumped up for a big night out on the town.
In general, listening to music can have a wide range of mental benefits for the user. Being involved in the creation of music is even better. For all the EDM lovers out there, you’ll be happy to know that EDM is no exception to this fact!
EDM evokes positive memories
Listening to EDM can help give you a much-needed pick-me-up, especially if you’re struggling because of personal things in your life. It’s specifically created to encourage people to dance and part ways with their inhibitions. It’s a great way to forget about your troubles for a while.
EDM is excellent for the gym
House music is also a great accompaniment for gym workouts. It’s proven that listening to music while you train can improve the quality of your workout, primarily because the fast tempo helps gym-goers keep their rhythm and finish their sets. It also enables you to drown out the noise of the gym and focus your concentration.
EDM inspires you to be creative
EDM continues to grow and evolve as an industry mainly because so many people are picking up the craft. EDM producers like Calvin Harris and Avicii have encouraged a new generation of DJs to pick up the mantle and create new, exciting tracks.
Australia has a rich and vivid history of country music, dating back to the early 20th century. From yodelling to more folk-oriented sounds, Australian country music has been heavily influenced by a range of foreign country genres, like traditional American country and Celtic folk. Here are Australia’s top 3 best country music songs.
#1 A Pub with No Beer
Arguably Slim Dusty’s most famous song, “A Pub with No Beer” has been an iconic Australian country tune since its release in 1962. It is believed that the song was initially written by Gordon Parsons in 1954; however, Dusty’s rendition has become the most well-known Down Under.
#2 I Was Only 19
While not traditionally seen as a country song, Redgum’s “I Was Only 19” is one of Australia’s greatest ever protest songs. Redgum, a folk band formed in Adelaide in 1975, wrote the song in protest of the Vietnam War and its effects on the soldiers returning home, many of whom were scarred by the conflict and a disturbingly unsympathetic public.
#3 Boys from the Bush
Closing off our list is Lee Kernaghan’s ‘Boys from the Bush”, which was released in 1992. Featuring laconic Aussie lyrics and humour. In 2004, Kernaghan received an Order of Australia Medal for services to regional Australia and country music.
While it may sound like a contradiction in terms, ‘classical’ style music is still being composed today, long after the death of famous artists like Mozart and Beethoven. While what we think of as classical music denoted a specific period in time, particularly in European history, the style and structure of the work (consisting of concertos and symphonies) is still alive and well.
Some of the best movie film scores can be considered principally similar to the classical style. For example, the big orchestral tracks in movie series like Star Wars or Pirate of The Caribbean (composed by John Williams and Hans Zimmer respectively) are very reminiscent of classical tracks that seem to tell a story in our minds without any words being necessary.
While the ‘Golden Era’ of classical music might be forever lost to history, it is certainly not dead as a genre of music. There are plenty of fantastic composers who are leading grand orchestras and symphonies with incredible poise.
Anyone interested in checking out these contemporary artists should. There is even an excellent TEDx Talk on ‘How to listen to contemporary classical music’ by Ksenia Anufrievathat is worth a watch.
Metal music isn’t just a story of bands, songs, and raving fans – it’s a story of larger-than-life personalities that capture the world’s fascination. For good or for bad, these figures have become household names even amongst those who have never listened to their music.
1. Ozzy Osbourne
Without a doubt, Ozzy Osbourne is one of the most influential personalities in all of metal history. The lead singer of Black Sabbath is affectionately known as the ‘Prince of Darkness’, and famously bit the head of a bat on stage at one point. Many cite him as the man who invented heavy metal as it is known in the public consciousness, and this more than makes up for his wacky personal life.
2. James Hetfield
As the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for the iconic band Metallica, there’s no doubting the influence of James Hetfield. He vocal ability and commanding stage presence make him a true one-of-a-kind performer.
3. Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine is the famous founder of ‘thrash metal’ and was the founder of the aforementioned Metallica before being kicked out and forming his own band Megadeath. At the centre of the most well-known band drama in the industry, Dave is undoubtedly an iconic figure who has an outstanding technical guitar ability.
The metal genre is one that has changed and evolved even more than the heavyweight hip-hop genre, with fans engaging in bitter argument as to what the true definition of metal music is. Keeping as loose a definition as possible, take a look at these 3 rising metal bands you need to start rocking out to.
1. Entheos
Based in California, Entheos is considered a progressive metal band that is somewhat of a Frankenstein of talent from other bands (Animals As Leaders, Animosity, Faceless etc.) They have a very weighty sound without sounding too distorted, making them pretty accessible to a new generation of metalheads.
2. Genocide Pact
With an attention-grabbing name, Genocide Pact is bringing in a new wave of death metal fans and is somewhat responsible for the genre’s comeback in recent years. With a raw and filthy sound, they definitely bring a 90’s style of aggressive music that will be refreshing to older fans and intriguing to new ones.
3. Moon Tooth
Described as a more psychedelic take on the style of metal legends Mastodon, Moon Tooth brings a ‘stoner metal’ appeal that’s mixed with clean vocals that a wider audience can enjoy.
Metal or heavy metal music is one of those genres that can be very confronting the first time you hear it. While it may be more normalised in today’s pop culture (thanks to plenty of pop culture references to it), the reality of the scene as it exists can still be quite easy to misunderstand.
Metal music is loosely categorised as aggressive, distorted guitar riffs and insane drum solos with loud, passionate vocals and heavy bass. There is no such thing as a ‘quiet’ metal song, as the entire genre is about lively and intense expression.
The genre is appealing to different people for different reasons. Some love it for the aggressive expression it enables, while others love it for its rebellious nature, being historically frowned upon by older generations (think of the stereotype of the teenager listening to heavy metal with a set of disapproving parents etc.)
While metal has one of the biggest fanbases in the world (probably only rivalled by hip-hop and EDM), it is also one of the most divided. It is not uncommon to see arguments online between fans of different bands arguing about what the true definition of metal music really is.
One of the most popular genres of music throughout the 20th century, it’s fair to say that Jazz has undoubtedly passed its popularity peak. However, it would be incorrect to suggest that some of the best Jazz songs of all time have not had a significant influence on contemporary music. Let’s check out some of the best.
Mood Indigo – Duke Ellington
Described by Duke’s biographer as “an imperishable classic”, Mood Indigo has been covered by a variety of artists, including Frank Sinatra and Joe Jackson.
Take Five – Dave Brubeck Quartet
Featured on their album “Time Out” (1959), “Take Five” was composed by Paul Desmond. Its initial release was lukewarm, however, two years after its original release, it became a surprise hit amongst audiences. As of 2020, it remains the most successful Jazz single (in terms of sales).
What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
One of the most iconic songs of the Jazz and gospel scene, Armstrong’s original rendition was recorded in 1967. His version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
One of the most acclaimed and popular performers of the 20th century, Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” remains one of the greatest Jazz songs of all time.
Blake Shelton is a truly lovable character and has been around on the scene for a while now. He has released a number of albums with singles that have been able to top the charts. Not only is he an amazing country artist, but he is also one of the coaches on the American version of The Voice.
There are simply so many different songs to choose from that are taken to the next level by Blake Shelton, but only a few can make it onto this list. He has got more than 20 #1 hits in the country music charts, so it definitely makes it hard to choose the best of the best. Blake Shelton is a true entertainer and has fans right around the world.
Only a select few can make this list of best Blake Shelton songs, have a read on below to see which ones are some of his best work:
Lonely Tonight (featuring Ashley Monroe)
It is the voice of Ashley Monroe that really helps take this track to the next level. Blake Shelton and Ashley Monroe are on the same level, which makes their voices an amazing combination. This duet has been able to remain popular for a few years now and is widely considered one of Blake Shelton’s best collaborations with another artist.
The Baby
If you are going to have a list of the best Blake Shelton songs, then The Baby certainly needs to be here. The emotion Blake Shelton shows on this track is enough to make the toughest man cry. The Baby was also Blake Shelton’s second song that went #1 and it shows just how much he was able to grow as an artist.
She Wouldn’t Be Gone
If you are looking for one of Blake Shelton’s most under-appreciated songs, then look no further then She Wouldn’t Be Gone. Yes, it did hold a high position on the charts, but it was quickly forgotten and the song in itself is so pure. If you haven’t heard this song yet, or haven’t heard it in a while, take a trip down memory lane with this 2009 track.
Boys ‘Round Here (featuring Pistol Annies & Friends)
You couldn’t really find a more classic country music song if you tried! While critics may not have necessarily loved this 2013 performance, it was certainly a fan favourite, and you couldn’t get more redneck than this tune. The lyrics are super catchy and makes you want to turn up the volume and sing at the top of your lungs.
Ol’ Red
Fans love this song and that is why, whenever he is performing live, this song always makes the setlist. A lot of different artists also performed this tune, but the fans seemed to only want Blake Shelton’s version of the song. While it never really gained traction on the charts, it still holds a special place in a number of fans’ hearts.
God Gave Me You
Blake Shelton showed off his more spiritual side with this amazing track. Many believe this to be one of his most meaningful records of more recent times. If you haven’t listened to this song before, you should certainly check it out straight away because you are missing out.
Some Beach
This catchy tune was Blake Shelton’s third #1 hit on the country music charts, and for good reason as well. This radio single was well received by many of his fans, and it is still on a lot of people’s country playlist to this very day. It didn’t take very long for fans to believe this was one of his greatest songs.
