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Bryson Tiller “Anniversary” Review
Over three years since the release of his 2017 sophomore album, True To Self, Bryson Tiller came through with back-to-back music releases throughout the month of September. The Louisville singer dropped singles, “Inhale,” and “Always Forever,” followed by a TRAPSOUL deluxe, which included three new songs and a feature from The Weeknd.
The surprise drops built up fans’ excitement for Tiller’s grand finale, an announcement that he would be releasing his long-awaited third album, Anniversary, on October 2nd, marking the five-year anniversary of TRAPSOUL. The album’s cover photo fittingly mirrors the TRAPSOUL cover, with Tiller symbolically facing the opposite direction this time around and the color shifting from a deep red to deep blue. Tiller’s intended message with this album is crystal-clear: just like he oh-so-fittingly foretold on “Don’t” all those years ago, he’s back and he’s better, but not without some emotional turmoil.
Anniversary contains many of the elements necessary to fill the Cuffing Season album role, packed with Tiller’s signature 808s and assiduous yearnings for a woman whom he feels is slipping away from him. Finally free from the legal troubles he faced with his former management as well as a perhaps overwhelming sense of defeat following True To Self, Tiller seems to have been able to approach the making of Anniversary with a more clear mind, and intention.
On Anniversary, Tiller returns to his roots— so much so that many tracks on the album could even fit in seamlessly with their TRAPSOUL predecessors. While Anniversary might not necessarily be able to exceed the prestige of TRAPSOUL, due to simple circumstance and time, it is a solid body of work that shows promise for what is to come. Tiller’s most-celebrated body of work has incidentally also become the singer’s Everest: the daunting barrier planted firmly between him and attaining the “next level” as an artist.
Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images
Songs like “Always Forever,” “Sorrows,” and “Years Go By,” are surefire hits, and the album as a whole features Tiller’s characteristic admissions of love and heartbreak over soothing instrumentals, ensuring a gratifying listening experience.
On “Years Go By,” Tiller wastes no time addressing the elephant in the room— his hiatus from music. Tiller delves into the significance of the years that have gone by since TRAPSOUL, throughout which he grappled with his lack of confidence, struggling to shake the idea that his worth as an artist was derived solely from the public’s approval. He reveals that his desperation to fulfill the expectations of others came to the detriment of his music, digging him deeper and deeper into a pit of self-doubt. Tiller, however, has emerged from the darkness. No longer feeling his success is determined by praise and accolades, he’s shifted his focus to putting out work that feels authentic to who he is. With this, Tiller declares that his hit-music-making alter ego, God Tiller, has officially returned.
While “Years Go By” packs a punch straight out the gate, the remainder of the tracklist is much more of a slow burn. On “Things Change,” Tiller recounts his remorse regarding a girl he did dirty, wishing he had acted differently and wondering where they would be if he had. “Inhale” and “Sorrows” tell of similar melancholy, one-sided love stories. The sentiments he explores on the album are, for the most part, pretty familiar— nostalgia is often an irresistible temptation for both listeners and artists alike, after all.
Tiller links up with Drake on “Outta Time,” in which the two unravel their failing respective romantic relationships in a quintessential embodiment of the artists’ shared and beloved good-guy shticks. Seeing as Drizzy was one of the first people to back Tiller even before the release of TRAPSOUL, excitement for a collab between the two has long been building. Finally delivering, the pair’s highly-anticipated song was amiable but notably lacked a hook, causing the track to narrowly miss out on being able to claim the album’s pinnacle, and lowering the song’s overall sing-along friendliness.
The album’s second-to-last track, “Keep Doing What You’re Doing,” opens up with a voicemail message from Tiller’ grandmother, who passed away in April of this year, and to whom Tiller dedicated the album. In a captivatingly vulnerable display, Tiller laid everything bare as he expressed to his grandmother his gratitude for her unconditional support, promising to hold it down in her absence. It was a perfect demonstration of the much-needed potent emotional candor that complements Tiller’s alluring, relaxed beats, and contrasts his typical demureness perfectly.
In short, fans who wanted TRAPSOUL-era Tiller back, got exactly that. However, it should be noted that unlike when Tiller made his debut back in 2015, today his sound is no longer the novelty it once was. While Tiller took a step back from the music scene in 2017, in favor of some well-deserved R&R, other soulful R&B singers like Brent Faiyaz and Summer Walker swooped in, picking up where he left off. A lot can change in five years, as Tiller clearly knows— still, it would be interesting for him to consider partaking in some creative rejuvenation and incorporating, or exploring, more experimental elements in his upcoming music.
Tiller has hinted at plans to release even more music this winter, making it possible that Anniversary is simply the warm-up for another potential album soon to come our way. Seeing as Anniversary was certainly a step up from True To Self, we have high hopes that any music Tiller does decide to grace us with will continue propelling the Louisville crooner’s sound, style, and legacy forward.
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Eddie Castillo’s Powerful Ocean Conservation Video Campaign
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“We are the last generation that can save the oceans, and we are the first generation that must learn to live without them.” – Silvia Earle
By Altered State Productions
The Ocean Foundation has taken on a mission of critical importance: to save our dying oceans from the irreversible damage caused by human activity. With marine ecosystems teetering on the brink of collapse, the organization’s latest campaign aims to educate and inspire action through the power of storytelling.
Meet Eddie Castillo, Founder of Dallas production company Altered State Productions and media director who’s passionate about the ocean’s survival. His latest project with an ocean conservation organization takes viewers on an emotional journey, blending breathtaking aerial footage with a powerful stewardship message.
“It’s easy to become numb to the devastation happening around us”, says Castillo, “We scroll past images of environmental destruction, momentarily horrified, yet quickly moving on to the next distraction.” While other campaigns often depict the devastation—plastic, trash, turtles entangled in debris—the Last Generation campaign strives to remind us of the beauty we are at risk of losing forever. The brand video captures the ocean’s waves hitting the shore, smooth and therapeutic.
Castillo’s work, reminiscent of National Geographic’s Planet Possible, combines awe-inspiring visuals with a profound sense of responsibility for our planet. Using advanced drone technology, Castillo captured mesmerizing scenes of Hawaii’s North Shore, showcasing the pristine beauty of marine ecosystems under threat. These stunning visuals, paired with philosophical narrations by Alan Watts and a cascade of electronic synths, create a dreamlike quality that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.
The Ocean Foundation’s storytelling hinges on compelling imagery, reminding us of our collective responsibility to protect these fragile ecosystems. By raising awareness and inspiring change through the power of commercial video production, the project serves as a rallying cry for ocean literacy, species protection, and habitat preservation.
Altered State Productions proudly circulates its media campaign through syndicated sources, utilizing targeted messaging that hits viewers on a different level. “As a media production company, our mission is to create impactful messages that drive real change,” says Brian Medina, Communications Director at Altered State Productions. “We pour our hearts into every project, hoping to make a difference. We’ve successfully generated over a quarter billion dollars in attribution for brands and companies worldwide. If we can do that for profit, imagine what we can achieve for causes worth standing for.”
The media agency’s impressive portfolio includes over 96 nationally aired TV ad campaigns for brands like Jameson, Valyou, and OWN.
In one scene, two young children hold up a surfboard to protect themselves from an incoming wave, playing innocently as kids do. The scene cuts to a breathtaking timelapse of an iridescent coral reef, with aqua blue currents turning the rock. This moment signals that those two kids could be the last to witness such beauty, delivering the hard-hitting message of what we stand to lose—an ocean and all its wonder, and the chance to truly experience it.
In the end, we are faced with the undeniable truth that if we do not act, our children and their children may never know the oceans’ true splendor, leaving behind only a memory of what once was—a heartbreaking legacy of neglect, making the next generation, possibly the last generation.
Altered State Productions is a video production company and digital marketing agency, specializing in video editing services that propel brands with competitive advertising.
Business
How to Get Your Music on Spotify’s Algorithmic Playlists
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Hey there, music maker! Let’s chat about:
* The cool types of algorithmic playlists out there
* How Spotify’s playlist magic works
* Some nifty tricks to get your tunes on these playlists
* Ways to boost your chances of playlist success
* Some final thoughts to keep you inspired
Spotify’s Algorithmic Playlists: Your New Best Friend
Wondering how to get your music featured on Spotify’s playlists? No need to stress we’ve got you covered! Here’s the lowdown;
Option 1; Create a hit song that gains 5,000 to 10,000 streams, within the two weeks of its release. Sounds challenging? Keep reading!
Option 2; Consider using our Spotify advertising campaign to boost your streams and potentially catch the attention of those playlists.
Option 3: Use Spotify ad campaign to trigger the algorithm
Let’s dig in shall we?
Promoting your music on Spotify is like amplifying your voice in a room. Those algorithmic playlists? They’re like winning lottery tickets for artists helping them connect with listeners and even securing a spot, on Spotifys curated playlists. Stuff, right?
Think of these playlists as your music’s personal matchmaker. They introduce your tunes to listeners who might never have found you otherwise. It’s like having a friend who’s always saying, “Hey, you’ve got to hear this!”
Landing on a popular algorithmic playlist can give your Spotify profile a serious boost. And if you’re lucky enough to hit a trending playlist? Well, that’s when things can really take off!
What kinds of algorithmic playlists are out there?
Spotify’s algorithm is like a DJ that knows exactly what each listener wants to hear. Here are some of its greatest hits:
Discover Weekly:
Your personal Monday mixtape, filled with new tunes and old favorites.
Daily Mix:
A fresh playlist every day, blending your faves with similar tracks.
Release Radar:
Friday’s new music party, featuring your top artists and similar sounds.
Your Library:
A mix of your likes, saves, and new releases from your favorite artists.
On Repeat:
The songs you can’t stop playing, plus some new recommendations.
Repeat Rewind:
A blast from the past, featuring your old favorites and similar tracks.
Time Capsule;
Take a trip down memory lane personalized for you.
Spotify Radio;
Craft your playlist inspired by any song, artist or music genre.
Ever wondered how Spotify creates its playlists?
Think of Spotifys algorithm, as a music enthusiast robot with a memory. It observes listener preferences examines song details, adapts, to your listening patterns and notes how people engage with songs.Pretty smart, right?
So, how do you get your song on these playlists?
You’ve got two main routes:
Option 1: Create an amazing song that gets lots of love quickly. Aim for 5,000-10,000 streams in the first couple of weeks. Remember, Spotify also looks at things like user engagement and how well your song fits different playlists.
Option 2: Give our Spotify ad campaign a try. It’s designed to boost your streams and often triggers those algorithmic playlists. Plus, the benefits often continue even after the campaign ends!
Option 3: Use a Spotify ad campaign to trigger Spotify’s algorithmic playlists.
Here are some tips to boost your chances:
- Use Spotify for Artists: It’s like your backstage pass. Fill out all the info you can when submitting your music.
- Creating music is essential. It’s a no brainer!
- Share your music; Put your songs on playlists made by users reach out to curators and promote your tracks on media platforms.
- Create your own playlists: Mix your songs with similar artists and try to gain followers.
- Keep at it: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are music careers. Stay patient and persistent!
What’s next after you hit those algorithmic playlists?
Set your sights on Spotify’s editorial playlists. They’re like the Mount Everest of playlist goals and can really launch your career into the stratosphere!
Final Thoughts:
Music promotion can expose your tracks to new listeners and new potential fans. Spotify is a crucial platform to get exposed. Remember, the key to triggering these playlists is getting those streams quickly – aim for at least 5,000 in two weeks. And the more tracks you create and release, the better your chances to hit the algorithmic playlists.
You’ve got this, superstar! Now go make some noise!
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