Karmin- No Flex Zone (Remix) Review

On Friday, the 26th, self proclaimed Hip-Pop duo Karmin released a remix to the hit song "No Flex Zone", along with rapper Watsky, in their first collaboration. How does the trio fare on the track with an already large base of remixes to compete with? Find out after the jump.

The rap heavy track features a solid, haunting instrumental side of things, paired with flawless verses from Amy and Watsky, Trading verse for verse, line for line, the two both manage to pull their own weight as they battle it out throughout the three minute track. With Amy taking the lead on the short chorus, singing takes the back-burner on this remix, giving the two a chance to flex (ha) their rap vocals throughout the majority of the song.

The song features slick, clean production, allowing for the vocals and instruments to work wonders together on this quick paced track that delivers what it promised. With a stunning visual to go along with this near perfect remix, I really suggest any hip-hop fan to check the song out on iTunes below.

What did you think of the new remix? Post in the comments below, and I'll see you next time!

Karmin- Pulses Album Review+Download

On Tuesday,  March 25th, Karmin released their first full length studio album in the United States. Will the album pale to or leave their debut EP, Hello, in the dust? Find out below.

Pulses has an overall mood and feel similar to their EP Hello, featuring many uptempo, dance centered tracks, but takes the energy to a new, higher level. And as opposed to the album's lead single Acapella, many of the tracks feature a more mature feeling to them, absent in many of the tracks featured on Hello. Even the most party centered tracks, namely Night Like This, features a much more grown up aura than tracks such as Brokenhearted and Too Many Fish, both featured on Hello.

Pulses is able to differentiate itself from its predecessor in many ways, with many differences being visible between the two works. All tracks on Pulses also feature new, unique, hip-hop esque instrumental tracks, that pair perfectly with the duo's pop vocal verses, or Amy's rap verses, an element absent in Hello.  Speaking of, Amy's rapping also features a more mature sound to it, shedding its pop-rap exterior for a more hip-hop based rap vocal sound. Another difference between both works is the other half of Karmin, Nick. In Hello, Nick was only noticeably present in one song, and sang backup vocals for most of the other tracks. However, in Pulses, while still far from being the lead singer, Nick is actually audible in more of the album than not, actually garnering his own verses or lines in many of the album's thirteen tracks.

One thing about the album that baffles me about the album are the single choices. While Acapella overall was a fun, dance-able lead single, it failed to actually give us a real taste of the album. Rather, Acapella is musically different from most tracks on the album. The second single, I Want it All, is an even more confusing choice. While as a stand alone track the song is a fun pop anthem (although it fails to differentiate itself from the large pop landscape today), it is overall the weakest track off the album, and any song, even one of the ballads, would have been a better single choice than this.

Stream the entire album for free here

As the name suggest, the album certainly has its uptempo and downtempo tracks. However, the uptempos certainly outweigh the downtempos, with the album clocking in with 2 ballads. both are powerful relationship related tracks, that actually give the duo a chance to show off their vocals.

Overall, this is an album that's different from most pop/hip-hop albums today, something we don't hear everyday. In their previous works, Karmin has had a sound that to some, was just unbearable to listen to. While I never had that problem, from what I've heard it was her rapping that was the problem. With the more mature rapping style Amy has adopted with this album, it seems that the problem has been at least lessened a great deal. This could be a beneficial move for them that could garner them a new group of fans in the long run.

Overall, this diverse album full of pop, hip-hop, and downtempo tracks has a wide range of musical variety that can appeal to the public if promoted correctly by their label, Epic. The album features a new, maturer side of the duo, but also retains the same Karmin I fell in love with from the beginning. Make sure to tell me what you think about the album in the comments, and make sure to download Pulses below!

Karmin- I Want it All: Review + Download

Amy! You forgot your pants :o

Hey everyone! On Tuesday, Karmin released their long awaited second single from their debut studio album, Pulses, I Want it All. Will this manage to garner the success that their top 20 hit "Brokenhearted" achieved? Find out after the jump!

There are two very noticeable differences from this song from their previous singles, the first being that we actually get some (emphasis on the some) singing from the other half of Karmin, Nick. While it isn't much, it adds some diversity to the uptempo song.

The other difference is that this track features no rapping from front runner Amy. All other original songs from the duo have featured at least one verse of rapping, a component missing from I Want it All, and, I'm not sure how this will affect the song's airplay standings, as Amy's rapping skills are panned by some, and acclaimed by others, the omitting of rapping in this single could increase, or decrease its airplay.

The uptempo pop record has a large 80s feel to it,that shines mostly in the instrumental track, that works wonders on the flawless vocal track. All aspects of the song work very well together, and this song works well in showcasing Heidemann's vocals in a light we haven't heard them in previous singles. Take a listen above, and tell me what you think of the new single! Download links lead to Karmin's page on iTunes and Amazon, as the single hasn't been released to digital retailers yet, the links will be updated when it is!

                                           

Karmin- Acapella Review + Download links!

Early Monday morning the pop duo Karmin released their first work since their debut EP Hello. The new track, titled Acapella, follows the usual Karmin formula, with a totally different sound to it. Check out a review after the jump. Download links will be available on 6/25, when the single will be released at all digital retailers.



The new track Acapella follows the usual Karmin formula, with Amy doing the bridges, choruses, rap verses... ok everything, with Nick offering a few adlibs throughout the course of the song. However, as opposed to their debut EP Hello, which featured heavy drum beats, guitar synths, and bass, this track is rightly titled, as it tones down the instrumental side of the track and focuses on the vocals. The song features a wide range of sounds including the usual fierce, high paced rap verses, along with the fun pop vocals, all from Heidemann, that we've come to expect from Karmin, which make for a fun song filled with variety. However, as I said before, this song has a totally different feel to it than their usual pop songs, and it takes a few plays to really get used to it. With that said, I believe it will assimilate nicely into mainstream culture and recieve some light airplay.

Overall I really enjoyed this song. However from the previews of other songs we've heard from the new album I think there were other songs that would have been much safer bets for the lead single that could have got the attention of the mainstream media more easily. However, while this may have not been the best pick for the lead single,  I expect this to a big summer hit among the mainstream teen audience.
       
                                                                                                                                       -Colby