Pharrell Williams Continues to Be Unstoppable, and ‘Happy'

Pharrell Williams has been in the news a lot lately. His latest resume additions include collaborations with some of the biggest names in the business, both as a producer behind the scenes, and as a voice on many a record in recent months. Last year Williams teamed up with Daft Punk, Robin Thicke, and Usher, to name a few, and previously had worked with industry heavyweights like Frank Ocean and Gwen Stefani. He’s been in headlines for his bold fashion choices, signature style, and effortlessly cool demeanor that keeps him at the top of pop.

This year his song ‘Happy” became the musician’s first ever solo Hot 100-topping hit, and delighted audiences as part of the Despicable Me 2 movie soundtrack. The song became something of a movement when William made it into a 24-hour music video, featuring cameos by everyone from Jimmy Kimmel to Kelly Osbourne. Williams also wowed an audience of millions who watched him perform “Happy” at the 86^th Academy Awards.

Now, the pop icon has a new solo album out called G I R L, which is already gaining widespread critical acclaim. Carrie Battan of Pitchfork explains that Williams “occupies the sideline of culture so compellingly that it often becomes its own unique stage,” and says that G I R L sounds “like a direct spawn of last year’s expensive disco-soul pop takeover, filled with grand orchestral flourishes, impossibly catchy funk licks, and his trademark falsetto.” With “Happy” having already pushed this new record above and beyond his previous solo work, Pharrell Williams certainly has lots to be happy about.

Says Williams, “I’m so proud of this work. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” of his success and acclaim garnered from G I R L. I’m definitely excited to see whatever it is that the performer does next.

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Rolling Stone’s Picks for the Best Albums of 2013

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As the calendar year nears its end, it’s enjoyable to reflect back on the last twelve months of music. 2013 was a wild year for the music industry; new stars rose, old acts revitalized themselves, and well, Miley did her thing. Rolling Stone Magazine recently released its picks for the “50 Best Albums of 2013,” a diverse list of talent that spans many genres. Here are some of the highlights from the list:

#50: Beck’s Song Reader. Beck was at it again in 2013, this time releasing a decidedly “old school” album of sheet music. Song Reader showcased a collection of folky songs, with quirky twist that only Beck could inject. This album was unexpected, enjoyable, and something we haven’t heard yet from the artist.

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#47: M.I.A.’s Matangi. Radical, dance-beat heavy and powerfully melodic M.I.A. was constantly on the radar in 2013; if not for record label drama, for her outstanding live performances and leaked documentary. Matangi is just what you’d expect from this rebellious musician, and that’s a good thing.

#44: Valerie June’s Pushin’ Against a Stone. This record was definitely deserving of “Best-Of” praise. Rolling Stone describes June as having “mixed blues, soul, country, string-band folk and gospel while the Black Keys’ Dan Auerback added old-school ambience. It’s the sound of a rookie doing her own thing like no retro-soul singer since Amy Winehouse.”

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#35: Best Coast’s Fade Away (EP). It’s pretty remarkable that a seven song EP made the list, but after listening to Fade Away, you’ll understand why. Bethany Cosentino has graduated from surf pop stoner rocker to bona fide songwriter, and this EP is her most mature work yet.

#19: Nine Inch Nails’ Hesitation Marks. The first album from Nine Inch Nails in five years, the magazine calls Hesitation Marks “a dance party at the edge of oblivion.” Trent Reznor combined the band’s iconic sound with newer techniques that elevated the impact of the record while still paying homage to the band’s legacy.

#1: Vampire Weekend’s Modern Vampires of the City. Vampire Weekend snags the number one spot with their 2013 studio effort. It’s catchy, elevated, carries musical depth, and also shows the evolution of a band that garnered early fame for their indie pop sound. Right behind them were Kanye West, Daft Punk, Paul McCartney, and Arcade Fire.

What do you think of these honorees? What surprises do you think 2014 holds for the world of music? 

Daft Punk to Debut New Album in Wee Waa

It’s been eight long years since Daft Punk released their last studio album, Human After All, and three years since their material for Tron: Legacy was released. Now the French duo has a brand new album coming out: Random Access Memories. Its official release date is May 21^st, but the world premier of the album will take place on May 17^th in Wee Waa, Australia.

Fewer than 2,000 people populate the New South Wales town, and the album’s first public airing will take place during the Annual Wee Waa Show—complete with all the regular agricultural fair happenings, such as the dog high jump. The duo has a cult following of millions of people, and the question on everyone’s mind is, “Why Wee Waa?” The release could have been anywhere they wanted, and yet they chose a tiny agricultural town in Australia.

According to the Melbourne Herald Sun, Wee Waa was chosen because it is the embodiment of community spirit—a reflection of what it took to create Random Access Memories. Its small size and rural setting also means that the launch will be of a completely different scale and feel from traditional launches.

The electronic dance musicians, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, have not confirmed whether or not they will be attending the launch party. A total of 4,000 tickets will be sold for the event, which is expected to bring in attendees from around the world—that is, if they can get their hands on a ticket before they’re all sold out.

Wee Waa is reportedly building a purpose-built stage, from which Sony will play Random Access Memories as the sun sets over the town. Details about the event are well guarded at this point, and we suspect it will stay that way until after the fact.