So here we are at week 5 of Open Mic Songwriters and yet again another amazing week of entries!
You guys never fail to impress, you make each and every week a pleasure to partake in as a judge and best of all I have the best excuse to sit down and listen to some truly brilliant music.
I can't believe we are past the halfway mark of the first edition of the Songwriters Challenge, it has been so much fun - I have heard so many amazing songs that may not have come into existence, had it not been for this Challenge.
I look forward to hearing what you guys will come up with in the remaining three weeks of the Challenge, you have blown me away week after week - with simply astonishing quality and variety of music, the different takes each of you have over that weeks theme.
Anyways my point is you should all be so proud of what you have accomplished here, so without further delays - here are my picks for this weeks top 5 entries in the Songwriters Challenge.
This week's top 5:
1st Place - @luisferchav- The Wait
I don't know where to start with this entry, you just blew me away in a big way!
What a brilliant entry so unique and beautiful, such a creative way to present this song - I love the looping track, I love it even more that it's all your voice (no instruments included in the loop).
Your voice is so stunning, you have amazing vocal control and range - you use it to full effect in this song, creating such a full and unique sound.
I love the lyrics and the way you have incorporated this weeks theme, you have created an amazing sound and a fantastic song!
There is so much texture to this song and it's even more impressive when you think that it was all done with your voice, this is one of my all time favorite entries into the Challenge and a clear leader in this weeks Challenge.
You use complex language with a decent meaning and better yet you created a beautiful and yet haunting song, with an important message contained within about self growth and self appreciation - a lesson we could all learn to take to heart, believe in yourself and don't allow others to hold you down.
There isn't anything I would change about this song, it is perfect in every way and I absolutely love it - you have given us so many brilliant entries I have no idea how you keep upping the ante.
The structure works so well, I enjoy how you use the evolving hook to aid in telling the story - it has a surreal energy within the timber and harmonic backing vocals.
I have a few favorite lines from this song "this underdog don't bow its head no more" and "I waited for too long Now I know not waiting anymore...", these two sections show the evolution of the character and the story as a whole - and they are in themselves two very powerful lines.
You had me sold on the first listen, I feel as though this is a viral song waiting to get traction - I hope it does go viral as music of this high degree should be shared with the world, so thank you for sharing it so willingly.
You have made a massive fan, not only of this song but of pretty much everything you contribute musically on the platform - I will be listening to this song for many years to come, that's for sure!
2nd Place - @basilmarples -Windswept shore
So Basil you broke me a little this week, your song was just so powerful and emotional - I don't know if it is because my own grandmother passed away last week, but you had me blubbering like a baby within moments.
I always feel a great song is one you can create an instant emotional attachment to, your song spoke to me on so many levels - lyrically, emotionally, technically and of course musically.
Even in a clear emotional moment you presented that song beautifully, in fact I felt it was made even more powerful by your emotional connection to the lyric and meaning.
Your songs lyric structure is tragically beautiful, the verse evolves perfectly telling the sorrowful story of loss you have experienced - and the chorus not only incorporated this weeks theme, but the way you have used it to such massive emotional effect throughout the song is unparalleled.
Over the past few weeks I feel as though I have come to know you in a small way, the moment you were on screen I knew something had deeply affected you - whilst I am so deeply sorry for your loss, the music you created in such loving memory is a majestic honor of those no longer with us in physical form.
In my opinion the most powerful and emotion filled lines (I am tearing up just trying to write this bit):
But long after I have gone
We'll still be walking on this windswept shore
And we wont need anything anymore
I will always love you
Upon this windswept shore
I dont need anything anymore
I have a lump in my throat just reading them, but when you hear the words sung with such clear attachment to the emotion - the listener feels every moment along with you, I think you hit a lot of people hard with this amazing tribute.
The point I was trying to make with the highlighted lyrics, was that they show the depths of the tragically beautiful song you have written - whilst you may feel alone at times you know he is with you and one day eventually you will again be joined, such a poetic beautiful sad conclusion it's just bittersweet perfection.
I can understand your hesitation to participate in playing the song again, but this was an absolutely breathtaking emotional journey - as is life and you have captured both the beauty and the pain with such precision you choked me up repetitively.
Now besides the lyric which is what really hooked me this week, it was coupled by absolutely flawless piano that suited the mood of the piece perfectly - aiding to contribute to the emotional factor even more.
The melody throughout was complex and varied, you showed the full range and tone of the song with your voice - in spite of the emotion becoming overwhelming at times, you held it together better than I could have and I tried singing along it didn't end well.
I have listened to this song at least 30 times now, each time you evoke an emotional response from me - in other words I have been blubbering for an hour writing this section, the tissues are plentiful.
Again I am so sorry for your loss, I cannot fathom the pain you must feel (I get a small idea from the song) - but I hope in some small way writing this song acts as some sort of catharsis for you and aids in the healing process even if only in the slightest.
Thank you so much for feeling secure enough within our community to share such a personal and vulnerable part of yourself with us, know that even if for only a small time you made people feel what you're feeling - which in my opinion is the sign of a perfect song.
In the video you said you weren't sure of the name of the song, for me the most powerful word used throughout the song was "Anymore" - I felt it captured all aspects of the emotion, tone and evolution throughout the song (just a suggestion not trying to force anything, especially if you don't want to revisit it again).
I feel like I could keep writing about this song for hours so I should cut myself off, but know that your song spoke to me on a deeper level - and I think in a way your song is helping me deal with my own recent loss, so thank you so much for that as well.
I appreciate how difficult putting this out there must have been for you, so again thank you for trusting the platform and the community with something so precious - I think it was an epically moving tribute.
3rd Place - @onetruebrother - Wind Swept Shore
Then you go and do it again, oh man I just love the feel of your music - there's a warmth to the tones you choose to use and it creates such a brilliant sound.
I don't normally go for longer intros, but with your music it just works perfectly - there's always such a vibe with your music, such texture and depth.
The lyrics are as always spot on this weeks theme and also just perfect storytelling material, your a seemingly bottomless pit of musical creation that just makes a perfect emotional connection to the listener.
People do like standard structures sure, same as they don't like change - but the thing is writing a good song that isn't necessarily to the formula, means at least to me more skill required to pull it off and indeed you have again.
Formulaic music can be beautiful, but we should never restrict our ability to convey a story and tune - having the versatility to make such a great sounding song that stands on its own, is even more impressive in my mind.
Because of your ability to not follow a formula, you have created yet again another classic @onetruebrother songs I have grown to adore and even love - for the unique and skillful creations that they are, you have a gift and I wish more musicians scoffed at the norms and created what they love and works for them.
Your vocals are as always beautifully arranged with your guitar composition, there is a nice balance within this song - it sounds almost harmonic at moments throughout the song and I just love the way it sounds.
I love the variety of music I have been hearing from you each week of this Challenge, there is always a new element that hits the perfect chord - helping you to create such a unique to you sound that I just love.
I look forward to binging on this weeks new entries and I really can't wait to hear what you have in store for us this time, your a brilliant musician and a great addition to the Songwriters Challenge - thanks for sharing your music with us each week it has been such a pleasure.
4th Place - @jaybird - Meet Me On The Shore
Well Jay I believe you have yourself a hit here mate, this song is great in so many ways - I love the darker tones throughout, but the lyric is also stand alone - but the melody is what sold me on this overall, I just absolutely love the power behind the melody.
The composition is brilliant, you tell a great story that just keeps building during the whole song - and that ending was just killer, you absolutely nailed it.
The verse tells the story and the chorus completes it perfectly, I love the way you build to only allow it fall back only to build again - it creates a song that you just can't help but get into, I love singing this song and best of all some of those power notes are quite a lot of work.
This is by far one of my favourites from you ever, it is a brilliant song and I could easily see this playing on the mainstream radio - you have an amazing talent and I am so grateful you are participating in this Challenge.
The rhythm you create in this song is infectious, I can't help but move to the music as I'm hearing it - that coupled with the lyrics, the amazing guitar and the super awesome vocals, what more could I want from a song?
Well in truth nothing you hit this one out of the park for me and as I said I truly hear groups of teens singing this song badly as they listen, you have a great hook, plenty of emotion and just a great overall sound.
I've been a fan of your music for a while now and this week you didn't fail to impress, I really look forward to hearing your submission for next week's Challenge soon.
5th Place - @kayclarity - Take a Picture
I was instantly hit by the light and airy feel to this song, coupled to such beautiful perfection with your stunning voice - just an all round great song and entry for this weeks Challenge.
Anyone who reads my Open Mic posts knows there are a few main things that make me feel a songs quality, one being if there is an actual story being told another is strong vocals and a great melody - and this song met both of these without breaking a sweat.
It's just such a beautiful sound you have created here, I love the happier feel the way the rhythm builds the song constantly onwards and upwards - I thought it worked so well when you changed the tempo on the word warm, it conveyed the nervous energy chilly people experience and I thought it was a creative element to include.
You have such a beautiful voice, your higher notes just forced me to join in involuntarily - the melody you created works brilliantly for this song, coupled to perfection with the lyrics.
Thank you for creating such a pretty song, I'm stoked your entering the Challenge and I can't wait to hear more from you soon.
Honourable Mentions:
@joseacabrerav - The coast shore song
@afrao0 - Singing Winds
@ausxen - Wind Swept Shore
@g10a - I Lost You
@ivan.atman - Wind Swept Shore
@pechichemena - Orillas de Soledad
@soykatonline -Nunca Más
@guitarlots - Wind Swept Shore
There have been so many entries this week, a bunch of new faces and I too want to share that the challenge isn't over until week 8 - every person still has a chance to win the amazing guitar.
You have all worked so hard to get to this stage, but the end is almost in sight - hang in there and keep pushing yourself to create the brilliant songs we keep hearing.
I so look forward to jumping into week 6 of the challenge in the next day or so, you guys are amazing keep it up and I can't wait to hear what you've prepared for this week!
A massive thank you to @luzcypher for hosting as always, your the rock of Open Mic - @meno for being the super generous sponsor of this Challenge, without you we wouldn't have a prize to offer - and @passion-ground for your continued enthusiasm in relation to music and the Open Mic projects.
Until next time have a good one and enjoy the tunes.
Which was your favourite entry this week?
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