Hello world! This week I bring to you the music taste of Debra Lee, another member of UC Berkeley’s Hype Machine campus ambassador team. While midterms may have you bogged down, fear not, as Debra’s picks will keep you going through the next page, next cup of coffee, and next successful midterm season in Berkeley.

Clarity – Zedd

“I just saw Zedd and Porter Robinson (who co-wrote this song!) in L.A. last weekend and felt the need to pay tribute to these great young DJs. As EDM is becoming more and more mainstream, this track is the one that would convert any nonbeliever. The upbeat melody disguises the depressing lyrics but all together something you would catch me jamming to late night at Stacks. ”

 

 

 

The Mother We Share – CHVRCHES

“Insanely catchy. I don’t really know how to describe this song other than incredibly cute. The electronic and pop elements meld so happily together into this bubbly track.”

 

 

 

 

Fineshrine – Purity Ring

“Purity Ring really caught me off guard when I first heard their single ‘Obedear’ and soon after that, ‘Fineshrine.’  The vocals and lyrics were so incredibly creepy (‘cut open my sternum and pull my little ribs around you’??), the melody was so dark, it was one of those tracks that I fast forwarded through the first time on Hype’s ‘Popular’ tab, but would keep coming back to because of something really distinctive and captivating about it.”

 

 

 

Feel the Fire – Project 46

“You know those songs that you instantly recognize but never knew who they were by? I recently had one of those light bulb moments with Project 46. If you are a fan of the EDM scene, you have without a doubt heard their tracks being dropped by other DJs. I don’t get why they aren’t huge yet (although they just hit #100 on DJ Mag’s top 100!). All of their songs are so upbeat and catchy, ‘Feel the Fire’ definitely does not let down.”

 

 

 

Poetic Justice – Kendrick Lamar

“Janet Jackson’s vocals, Drake’s distinct voice, and Kendrick Lamar’s trademark style blend together to create such a butter- smooth track. This song really speaks for itself. ” (You can see him LIVE in Berkeley tomorrow, October 24 at Rasputin! See the Facebook event for details.)

 

 

 

 

Still With Me (Seven Lions Remix) – Tritonal

“For me, Seven Lions has become the standard for dubstep remixes of trance tracks (or even remixes in general). My obsession with his remixes began with his take on ‘Satellite’ by Oceanlab (go check it out!).  He hasn’t let me down since. It’s not every day that you can improve perfection but Seven Lions has definitely accomplished this. I feel like trance and dubstep are both genres that are really polarizing, but when put together, is something that anyone can appreciate. ”

 

 

 

Strange Attractor (Dzeko and Torres Remix) – Animal Kingdom

“Such an eargasm! This song is something you’ll find yourself bobbing your head to or tapping your foot to without realizing. So many element of this remix are just on point. However, if alternative rock is more your thing, check out the original, which is really beautiful as well. ”

 

 

 

 

Scared of Beautiful – Frank Ocean

“Everything on Frank Ocean’s newest production, Channel Orange, is so distinct— you can’t really go wrong with anything on that album.  I feel like every artist likes to have that one song about female insecurities, but instead of being cliché or pandering, this track feels really authentic and touching.”

 

 

 

 

A Wake – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

“I really liked this track from the outset due to the sort of old school vibe that it has. Definitely a chill song but also has interesting lyrics that really resonate when you listen to it a little bit closer. I will admit that I was drawn to this song originally just because of the melody, but I have been getting more and more out of it each time I listen.” (If you’d like to listen to Macklemore live and you missed his concert this past Sunday in San Francisco, don’t worry you get another chance! He’s here December 10th!)

 

 

Ridin’ – A$AP Rocky & Lana del Rey

“Oldie but goodie! This song actually came out a while ago but has remained in my ‘Most-played’ playlist for at least 4 months already for a reason. Something about the soulful vocals and the gritty rap really complement each other and after all this time is still something I find myself reverting to.” (A$AP Rocky is here in Oakland on the 24th!)

 

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