Music

Ariana Grande And Thundercat Deliver A Funky Performance Of ‘Them Changes’ At The Adult Swim Festival

The pop singer previously performed the track back in at a BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge session in 2018. …

This year Ariana Grande and Thundercat have delivered great albums. Back in April, Thundercat delivered his album It Is What It Is, while Ariana’s latest, Positions, arrived a bit more recently, back in October. The two singers decided to join forces, sharing a funky performance of Thundercat’s 2015 Drunk track, “Them Changes,” at the Adult Swim Festival, the music fest happening virtually this weekend.

https://t.co/hS0ToYQLpV
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) November 14, 2020

Accompanied by JD Beck and DOMi on drums and keyboard, the performance began with Thundercat strumming away at his bass before the pop singer joins him on stage.

This is not the first time Ariana has performed “Them Changes.” Back in 2018, she covered it during a session on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge. At the time of her appearance on BBC Radio, she called the track one of her favorite songs. As for the Adult Swim Festival performance, the singers performed the song while standing in a replica of the kitchen from Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

Thundercat also spoke to Mac Miller on Friday about his connection with Grande. “It feels like Ariana and I are forever connected through Mac [Miller],” he said. “And this is part of the healing process.”

You can watch the performance in the video above.

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Album Review

Dian Sheng explores identity, life and love with “Sid” album

Dian Sheng releases his long-awaited first English-language album, “Sid,” a genre-defying collection of songs that includes pop, rock, electronic, and jazz. “Sid” is a deep, meditative exploration of identity, relationships, and self-growth, spanning 29 minutes and 12 seconds across eight tracks. This album is a personal exploration of the complex emotions of mankind and the vitality and jubilation of life.

From the opening track, “Right Now,” Dian Sheng establishes a sense of urgency and reflection. The upbeat song “I Come From Far” examines the connection between the self and one’s environment. It has joyful beats and layers that make you think and feel like part of the narrative.

The jazz ballad “Undecided Love” delves into the complexities of modern romance, featuring tender vocals and instrumentation that showcase Sheng’s delicate touch as a songwriter. “It Will Be Alright” is an empowering anthem about overcoming life’s biggest obstacles, combining electronic beats with a rock influence.

“Seventeen” is bursting with youthful energy, and its production captures the restlessness and emotionality of adolescent life. Two introspective songs with similar atmospheres, “The Way Before” and “This Life,” match chilling melodies with moving lyrics that touch on bygone relationships, self-awareness, and the quest for meaning we all experience.

The album concludes with “Shining As Your Name,” and the final few minutes of this piece alone evoke a strong sense of hope. Dian Sheng demonstrates his ability to join emotional depth with new styles. “Sid” is an invitation into the rich musical universe of Dian Sheng, where you can both consider yourself and feel influenced.

Written by:

Faith Koch

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Artist Spotlight

Feel the vibe with Sporty-O’s new EP “The P.L.U.R. Project,” a blend of emotions and sound

“The P.L.U.R. Project” begins like a rush of light across a crowded dance floor as jubilant, purposeful, and very human. This seven-song, 29-minute journey from the EDM pioneer Sporty-O is a cultural reset built around peace, love, unity, and respect.

Sporty-O establishes the emotional timbre for the entire project from the first track of its lead single, “Spirit Higher.” The song is anthemic, its purposes well outlined despite a high-gloss production. It’s a centerpiece that establishes the mood of an intensive exploration of sound and self-awareness.

“The P.L.U.R. Project” is just as much about managing your feelings as it is about moving. Sporty-O creates each record with intention, writing things that make people think on the dance floor. Another high-energy song is “Happy Together,” with Lorme and Chris Willis, pulsing warmth and togetherness. “SOLD!” has a clean, feel-good sound that embodies the community spirit of EDM culture.

Sporty-O embraces a multi-genre EDM palette on the EP, fusing forward-thinking sounds with uptempo beats. Tracks like “Revolution” with Specimen A and “Geek’d Up” with Baby Sweet provide lots of energy and edge. “Piece Of My Mind” is more introspective, while “Cheveyo” features a diverse array of collaborators and culminates in a rich, layered sound, all while maintaining a global welcoming spirit.

What makes this project unique is that it serves both and reminds people of the origins of dance culture. Sporty-O aims to help people rediscover the heartbeat of the community. “The P.L.U.R. Project” is an EDM experience that reaches beyond the speakers, colorful and thoughtful about meaning in music-based culture.