Five Song Friday - January 24th

Hey everyone, happy Friday! It's time for another installment of Five Song Friday. I've been slowing down on the holiday music buying spree, but have still found plenty of songs to fall in love with. I've included video links again this week, so check out this week's tunes and see what you like. As always, thanks for reading!

1. Anything Could Happen - Ellie Goulding
   I had heard Ellie Goulding's works before, but was never incredibly impressed. That was, however, until I heard this song. Something about it's ethereal sound grabbed me, for it wasn't what I was expecting from what I had heard of her songs. It doesn't sound like anything I've heard, bringing in dance and pop to create an upbeat and echoing ride. It's not set at a fast tempo, and that works in it's favor, setting it apart by taking things a bit slowly. The build up to each chorus gets me every time, with Ellie chanting "Anything Could Happen" over and over until the song erupts in electronic drum beats and huge synths. I also really enjoy the bridge, which is another build consisting of one single line and a more acoustic sounding drum beat that offers some contrast to the heavy electronic influence. It's an underrated song from Ellie, and definitely worth checking out. 
2. We Are In Love - Cider Sky
   This song was a discovery I made thanks to iTunes Radio, which is slowly becoming my new favorite online streaming/radio service. It is very pop-oriented, with electronic beats, low-key synths, and clean guitar lines that come together to make a very easy listening experience for the ears. It also has an ethereal sound to it, but in a way that makes you think of the vastness of a remote forest or mountains. The song has a definite cute factor to it, thanks to the cheesiness of the romance the lyrics contain. The title is a dead giveaway to the nature of the song, but it doesn't come off as overrated or boring. It is a refreshing take on a love song that doesn't sound like mainstream pop and doesn't follow the same lyrical vein of pop music. 5/5
3. The Language - Drake
   I'm starting to regret not paying as much attention to Drake's latest release, Nothing Was The Same, when it first released. "The Language" is a more harder hitting song than some of the others I've really grown to like, but that's exactly why I like it. It's definitely got a swagger to it, with the way that the beat isn't so straightforward, almost feeling like it's going to be late. Drake does his singing/rapping thing a bit here, but he sticks more to normal rapping that adds to the song's swagger. Now, if you're not one for foul language, then this song is probably not for you, but I think that it's part of what adds to the more harsh atmosphere. This song also has a really good baseline, with low and deep bass beats that resound on the speakers that it's played on. If you like Drake, J. Cole, or Childish Gambino, then this song is a fit for you. 5/5 
4. Hurricane - The Fray
   The Fray has been a very consistent band, in terms of staying true to themselves and the tone and ideas they put across. Their sound has changed a bit over the years, but the core of who they are has remained. "Hurricane", for instance, is a respectable song about a girl, which is something that The Fray has done before, but this song contains an electronic element that they haven't tried before. It definitely has a radio-friendly sound, but again, that is consistent to what they have done before. The presence of a more prominent bass guitar and the electronic synth line catches your ear and draws you in. A perfect combination of The Fray's more innocent sound with a modern-pop influence creates this flashy and catchy song, and makes me more excited to hear the rest of the record. 5/5
5. Crystallized - Young The Giant
   I've been waiting for Young The Giant's latest release, and when it did drop, this was one of the songs that stuck out to me upon first listen. It somewhat has a more relaxed vibe, but also contains elements that kick things into high gear. From the first howl that Sameer lets out in the opening moments of the song, you can just tell that the song is going to be a fast-paced ride from start to end. The verses quiet things down a bit, but the chorus manages to be intense in the instrumental but very smooth and flowing in the vocals. Young The Giant has shifted their sound a bit since their last release, and this shift includes a more pronounced use of synths and electronic elements. I think this was a great stylistic move, for it complements their organic sound very well. The energy of this song can't be resisted, and it'll be playing in your head after just one listen. 5/5