Hidden Gem Bloggers: RAYD
Monthly Mixtape – May 2020
Nosedive – Mozi
https://open.spotify.com/track/6FNpxUbmPn2dSHDcFEkRiM?si=2N-D0xQnR3aH5eGzjAPFZA
This is a sweet song about sticking it out with a loved one, even if things seem to fall apart sometimes. Mozi just released a stunning, creative music video for this song this month, it's amazing and definitely worth checking out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlI6zquchHk
Everybody Business – Kehlani
https://open.spotify.com/track/2yNCD3Hs8j30hVZoH6rD3n?si=DFZWKkunRkqao47ZgOr3ZQ
Kehlani shows off her impressive vocals with a low-key, swinging tune, talking about how she's done with people around her spreading rumors and judging her romantic relationships:
At my big ol' age, I can't be fazed by what you mistake as going insane
Atom Bomb – Lauren Cimorelli
https://open.spotify.com/track/75X3XLh1SkkEA3EsjP12e5?si=gxxRPLmvR1iZmyBfn-PeQA
The youngest sister of girl group Cimorelli is back with another solo project- with a blend of pop and hip-hop production, honest lyrics with vivid imagery, and tons of cool vocal effects, this song is another hit in my book.
Dead Horse – Hayley Williams
https://open.spotify.com/track/4yHdbS8Qz8lGjpLsYlUye8?si=B5dMf_A9RSyKCQ3zWXXVIg
The frontwoman of Paramore is getting real about her ten-year long relationship with her former husband, and it's pretty biting.
I beat it like a dead horse, I beat it like a drum
Oh, I stayed with you too long
Skipping like a record, but I sang along to a silly little song
want u like that – Marisa Maino
https://open.spotify.com/track/0R2wEE9tfiTLM6bTmvhia6?si=RdfhaRBqRXy13arnk_Q8Iw
On a recommendation from Riley, Marisa Maino is the latest addition to my long list of girl pop singers I can put on repeat. It's catchy, it's fun to sing along with, the whole shebang.
Crush – Tessa Violet
https://open.spotify.com/track/47hDuWmh0PU9AARzs5vflv?si=ezju7nOgTPiRJmC2O1HPxw
Here it is... another song from TikTok that I unironically enjoy! The super simple instrumentation and cute, catchy melodies have made it great background music for countless videos I've watched, and now it's made it onto my rotation of car music this month.
Be Kind – Marshmello (with Halsey)
https://open.spotify.com/track/3Z8FwOEN59mRMxDCtb8N0A?si=hQMecXIiRLiBuXeS77qmgQ
Yes, this may be just another pop radio song, engineered to be catchy with a female vocal feature, but I can't get enough of it. As long as it's me choosing to play it all the time, and not the radio station playing it a million times against my will, I'm still not sick of it.
Clumsy – All Time Low
https://open.spotify.com/track/2z81IGdOL54S59AUdcFkw5?si=WXbqoYSFT66XUAw_9dnk7Q
It wouldn't be a monthly mixtape without at least one track that I can only classify as one thing... A BANGER. I've played this incredibly loudly while driving down the highway many, many times. This song has quickly become one of my favorites on ATL's latest album, which I wrote an entire review on a few weeks back, check it out here!
Beautiful Anyway – Judah and the Lion
https://open.spotify.com/track/0JFTb0IuSJFSCGmVL3imL1?si=JzdE1LYgTkudjd1ckNmOXA
This is a high-energy, grand song (with plenty of guitars, banjos, and mandolins, in true Judah fashion) with an encouraging message:
Raise your hands, take a second and breathe in
Singing’ I’m here for a reason
And away you fly, free with your head held so high
‘Cause you never let up the fight and you never gave in on those days in the pain
That’s what makes this life so wonderfully awesome and horribly awful
Yet somehow it’s beautiful anyway
Help – Spencer Sutherland
https://open.spotify.com/track/4DPbzIEMrCYjD16CZtnjrW?si=u0H2Kg6USjmzI_mgVIeeXg
Ever since I saw Spencer perform as the opening act for a show in Ohio a few summers ago, I've been hooked. He's got a distinct style, a mix of jazz, R&B, and modern pop, and his vocal range is crazy. This song stacks impossible amounts of vocal tracks, almost sounding like a gospel song in the choruses.
Save Us – Lennon Stella
https://open.spotify.com/track/45KIvymezcVSStboODBQWX?si=mRdnr-JFTfuJ-ygWEcu0TA
Lennon Stella's latest release has been on my playlist since the day it came out – I reviewed the entire album here, check it out!
Coil subscribers, keep on scrolling for my complete playlist for this month!
Thanks for reading!
Hello, Uphold!
I've got a brand new wallet!
It's not from Kate Spade or Target,
Coil just partnered with Uphold, a digital wallet provider that supports any and all forms of crypto and world currency – their slogan, “Anything To Anything,” rings true.
Now, instead of using Stronghold for receiving my streaming micropayments and boost payments in USD, Coinbase for buying & keeping crypto like XRP, and then having to use an ACH transfer to move funds to and from my bank account,
You can trade cryptocurrency, exchange foreign currency, and even trade & view the prices of precious metals like gold and silver. Uphold even has plans to release a traditional debit card so that you can utilize any of your assets to pay for purchases.
My payment pointer for Coil is now linked to my Uphold wallet, which in turn will be able to transfer my earnings directly onto my linked debit card! The mobile app has a great layout, and I was able to transfer my crypto holdings over to Uphold quickly and without a hitch. I'm just so excited to have everything linked this way, and so much easier to access from my phone.
With over 2 million users worldwide, it's easy to see the reasons why Uphold stacks up better against its competitors:
In short, Uphold looks incredibly promising and easy to use, and I'm beyond excited to begin using them for all of my future endeavors on the Internet Of Value!
(I really wish this was sponsored, or that I was incentivized to have people sign up, but I'm not!)
Follow Uphold on Instagram @upholdinc
Visit their website and create an account here
Thanks for reading!
(un)inspired
Single Saturday: Mother – Res Ipsa Loquitor
LISTEN HERE:
https://open.spotify.com/track/3iuDaMmM72CvMOTuG71bm8?si=z82mbVqITP-616wn1kCIsg
Today's single is brought to you by Nashville rock band Res Ipsa Loquitor... quarantine style!
Even while stuck in different houses across the US, the band released a new single this week, as well as a corresponding music video. Like other songs released during this time, the lyrics muse about being stuck inside, feeling like freedom is a thing of the past, and of course, being six feet apart.
Watch the DIY music video for this catchy rock song here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqOdH2tweto&feature=youtu.be
Thanks for reading!
Small Business Spotlight: Anna's House
Brunch, the most important meal of the day! At least, according to Michigan-local chain Anna's House. This fun, homey, retro-themed diner is one of the best places around me to spend a relaxing morning eating some seriously tasty food.
The coffee bar at Anna's House Westland.
Family-owned since 2002, Anna's boasts an extensive menu filled with vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options, so that almost anyone can enjoy their food.
I appreciate this a lot, being dairy-free myself and having many gluten-free family members. Being able to walk into a restaurant and order a tasty gluten-free waffle or pancake is a luxury for those with dietary restrictions; it doesn't happen often, so
In addition to the food being accommodating, it's also creative and delicious!
From french toast and waffles that are more like cake, to quiche, eggs Benedict, and Monte Cristos, Anna's has
They also boast a full-service coffee bar with brewed coffee and espresso drinks, as well as fresh, seasonal juices and smoothies.
For those who prefer the “lunch” part of “brunch,” Anna's also provides a selection of salads, sandwiches, and burgers.
Between the cute ambiance, amazing food, and dietary inclusivity, Anna's House deserves all the breakfast business they can get. Their eight Michigan locations are currently open for carry-out and delivery only, you can find their restaurants and order online here!
(All photos are from Anna's House Gallery or @annashouseus on Instagram)
Coil subscribers, keep on scrolling to see my personal favorite dishes I've ordered at Anna's!
Thanks for reading!
Wordless Wednesday: Makeup Product Shots
5 Creative Wallpapers for Your Desktop!
Canva is truly my new best friend. I've learned so much about graphic design and how to make my online presence more visually appealing in the very short time I've had the full, paid Canva Pro subscription.
Recently, I've wanted to jazz up my computer home screen that I'm staring at for hours each day, but finding good quality images that will translate well as a large desktop background is not as easy as I thought. Then I realized... I should just make my own!
So here's five fun, colorful backgrounds that I put together to spice up your desktop's look. These images have the correct pixel dimensions, so they should translate well to the size of your screen. Hope you enjoy!
Coil subscribers, keep scrolling for some bonus backgrounds!
Thanks for reading!
Single Saturday: If The Book Doesn't Sell – Ritt Momney
LISTEN HERE:
https://open.spotify.com/track/45s1j5gDUHwT8FqkFYlxF5?si=dTcyphdYSpSZeOrZnxsjsA
Today's track is a little more experimental than I usually enjoy, but I thought it was worth sharing. Ritt Momney is a 19 year old artist from Salt Lake City, Utah, otherwise known throughout the US as the central hub of Mormonism. This confessional song expresses the artist's spiritual turmoil in doubting his religion.
He illustrates this internal struggle through an extended metaphor of watching a conversation between God and the devil at his kitchen table. The simple vocal production and emotional delivery exposes the raw disappointment of the artist discovering that God isn't really what he was taught to believe within the stifling structure of Mormonism. It reads more like a poem than a song with a formal structure. He ends the song with a plea to not be controlled and to discover the truth for himself. It's a track that deals with pretty intense themes, but music is at its best when it really makes us feel something, right?
Thanks for reading!
Monthly Mixtape, Throwback Edition: May 2018
Over three years ago, I decided it would be fun to organize my Spotify listening into months – at the beginning of each month, I'd create a new playlist, and any new music that was released or that I discovered during that month would be easily accessible, all in one place. I am now forever grateful to my past self for doing that, because now, I have three years of my life documented through the music that accompanied my emotions and experiences. So I'm going to be taking some trips down memory lane and giving some short reviews of my past monthly mixtapes!
Drummer Boy – MisterWives
https://open.spotify.com/track/7tpJvC1WpUPJ6sD2pQqHpb?si=smTfEIkiRNa8yYeWPlxgYA
My boyfriend is a drummer, we were still “just friends” at this point in time, and I had a big crush on him the entire time... so this song speaks for itself.
BOY – Charlie Puth
https://open.spotify.com/track/7aSvPfoqiM0zwPqupLGaHd?si=MXJ4cSfpQhyl7jzVlm2SEQ
May 2018 was when I started my job at my credit union, where I still work today. I remember this album being released the same week that my training started, and I was so excited. The training center was a solid 30-40 minutes from my house in morning traffic, so I have many fond memories of blasting Charlie Puth, sweating in my hot car on the way to and from training.
The Good Side – Troye Sivan
https://open.spotify.com/track/7tSVyj8v1s3YyF7fvkKiOC?si=ap1DjONZQJK6GCH229aQTg
I totally forgot about this song, and I deeply regret that, because it's a MASTERPIECE. Sad, slow, and regretful, this one hurts, but in a beautiful way. The singer apologizes to a past lover for “getting the good side of things” after the breakup, and the music swells to a grand outro at the end.
Know The Feeling – HalfNoise
https://open.spotify.com/track/0PUb5NltgSVRYxz0YWqmwk?si=KO25xvsjQQKueDHTk0NWRg
Zac Farro of Paramore has his own solo project, and he makes nothing but bops. I had this song stuck in my head for AGES when I first heard it, it's terribly catchy!
The Harold Song – Ke$ha
https://open.spotify.com/track/4K41YQFFNY45aAZXzBb9Q3?si=n3_Jqf-QTNSkIHNSe42cLw
This is a sad song set to deceivingly upbeat pop music, reminiscing on all the good times had with a past love, and wondering what could have been if young love hadn't been abandoned.
Dirt – Florida Georgia Line
https://open.spotify.com/track/5CXnIPD6rTjszYYQm6fY2P?si=WG8c0Yo3Rxio_cAwOEHIXg
Alright, alright... I know many people have strong opinions on country music, and I usually don't enjoy it very much. But this song is just some good old fashioned, small town nostalgia, and I loved it when I heard it on someone else's playlist.
James Has Changed – Phoebe Ryan
https://open.spotify.com/track/0N0R6gngeVymhCN0tN7a5L?si=RrO-j6SsREuIWycFsyu7Wg
I haven't heard this quirky pop tune in ages, and this was another song on rotation on my long drives to training. It's a little over-dramatic, but in a fun way.
Nice For What / Friends / No Scrubs – Cimorelli
https://open.spotify.com/track/2MvJ1q2hzm2Aa0vGYck20K?si=zZ1r31Q9SmOv7GDRG83RHw
Oh man, this one. The girls took a couple of songs with similar themes and instrumentation (Friends by Anne-Marie, Nice For What by Drake, and No Scrubs by TLC) and made this wonderfully sassy mashup that I played on repeat for WEEKS. I played it until I had the rap memorized... and then played it a hundred more times. It was a great time.
Better Man – Little Big Town
https://open.spotify.com/track/0jMikeoKkkSOby4ofddqYs?si=-faj7zdTQdufeWzYjX2rmA
Gee, imagine that... another sad song. I can't get enough of them, and apparently I was really in my feels two years ago. I remember downloading this song because I had heard that Taylor Swift was a co-writer on it, so that explains why it's so good.
Stitches (by Shawn Mendes) – State Champs
https://open.spotify.com/track/0xQevbz2L13K1a4rWWXGy1?si=lEk1HNkKQz-Zq-jrA7V54Q
This one will NEVER get old! My favorite band (that I've seen countless times over the years) did a rock cover of Shawn Mendes' radio hit, and it's SWEET.
i loved you first – joan
https://open.spotify.com/track/3FpEXAupLwCHwzeUBxF99S?si=cgcNkRMGS-CBpDfhWMuvYQ
I discovered this song because it's very similar to LANY, a band I was just getting really into at the time. It's chill, melancholy, very 80's-style pop, complete with a guitar solo for the bridge.
Coil subscribers, keep scrolling for my entire playlist from May 2018... there's A LOT more than was mentioned here!
Thanks for reading!
