Tiësto & Ava Max “The Motto”
The Godfather of EDM meets “Sweet But Psycho” queen Ava Max on this surefire banger. “The Motto” utilizes what both of these talents do best: let Tiësto spin while Ava takes the mic with her sultry, pop-inducing voice. This song is easy to hear playing in a club with money raining down as Ava basically instructs, “Believe it, we ain’t got no plans to leave here … Oh, you know, you know, you know that’s the motto (mhm)/Drop a few bills then pop a few champagne bottles (mhm)/Throwin’ that money like you just won the lotto.” This against a catchy-as-hell backdrop courtesy of Tiësto — yeah, this one’s a keeper.
Guitarist, singer and songwriter Wess Willis didn’t mince words when asked in an interview with ED Magazine about the state of rock music: “Sometimes rock and roll can feel like a costume in 2021. You see a lot of retro-fetishization, or people using rock elements to sell what is really just a goofy pop song. But there’s still room for real, forward-thinking rock bands if you push yourself musically and write about what’s real to you. Obviously there’s no guarantee anyone will like it, but we did not come to bullshit.” That’s the mantra in “Burdens” which sees Willis and CURSE bandmate Stephan Hawkes rock out about Willis’ evangelical upbringing. The song is about being immersed so deep in something that you lose yourself and consequently casting off those “Burdens.” With their debut album upcoming, “Burdens” is a great intro to rock — and music fans — who are looking for a higher intelligence quotient in their music.
Classless Act “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
Sometimes it can be daunting to cover a classic, especially if it’s indelibly ingrained in the minds and ears of listeners. It doesn’t get much more classic than the Xmas jingle “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” But Classless Act, a five-piece band based out of Los Angeles, has stepped up to the plate and delivered a fun, edgy version of the beloved holiday track immortalized by Andy Williams. This song is bound to get you in the holiday mood, and maybe a different kind of mood if that’s what you’re after.
