What's Good in Music around the World
I have always been interested in different languages of different countries from around the world. Being of Greek background, I always listened to Greek music from a very young age. A few years ago, I also started listening to music from other countries in their native language. I love the different ethnic and traditional sounds that many artists in these countries combine together with the contemporary sound of today to create the songs. Here are some of my favourite songs from around the world!
Mirela – Contigo (Spain)
Mirela is a big star in Spain, where she recently participated in Spain’s National Final to be the representative at Eurovision this year. Mirela entered with ‘Contigo’, where she controversially ended in second place. Two months after the final, Mirela has released a revamp of her hit ‘Contigo’. She has brought a longer version of the song, with an updated production, making the song sound more current to fit a bigger market. Take me to summer in Spain please!
Giorgos Papadopoulos – Mou He Pei (Greece)
‘Mou He Pei’ has a throwback pop and disco vibe, that mixes Greek instrumental elements in the song which works well. The soft verses, sang by Papadopoulos then build up to a higher tone and powerful chorus. The instrumental bridge in the middle of the track is also really cool, as it show cases traditional ethnic Greek sounds played on stringed instruments, with a up-tempo percussion instrument. It then builds the song to a softer chorus continued with the ethnic sounds that further created the bigger chorus ending of the song.
Eleni Foureira – Mono Gia Sena (Greece)
Eleni Foureira is ultimately my favourite Greek artist. Everything Foureira releases is gold, and ‘Mono Gia Sena’ is no different. Foureira takes a different route in this song to the Greek music in the charts currently, introducing a very apparent Indian/Bollywood sound to a dance and EDM beat. Foureira’s vocals are still used to potential in a powerful way despite the song being more of a song relying on a cracking beat. The music video is also very amazing, showcasing Foureira’s dance skills.
Derya Uluğ – Canavar (Turkey)
I have always loved Turkish, and Middle-Eastern sounding songs as I just love the traditional sounds of instruments mixed into a pop song. I may not understand what Ulug is saying, but her vocals match this kind of song, with an ear-worm of a chorus and breakdown.
Pitbull & J Balvin feat. Camila Cabello – Hey Ma (Latin America)
Latin superstars Pitbull and J Balvin teamed up with Camila Cabello, who departed Fifth Harmony several months ago for ‘Hey Ma’, which features in the new movie ‘The Fate of the Furious’. With an infectious chorus, a great Latin sounding beat bringing summer vibes, and Cabello’s powerful runs, this is a hit!
Saad Lamjarred – Ghaltana
‘Ghaltana’ is released as ‘The Modern Nomad’ on Australian iTunes, which could possibly be the meaning behind the song and what Lamjarred is singing about. The song is another example of the infectious and traditional sounds of the Middle East, meeting contemporary pop music. The use of an electric guitar for the introduction of the song is very cool production wise, along with the synth percussion instruments. As the song progresses, the beat has different vibes and layers of instruments being used, which I find really cool.
Amir – Au Coeur de moi (France)
Amir represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016, placing sixth. The song follows more of a mid-tempo pace pop song. The song isn’t as catchy as Amir’s previous songs, but it is still an enjoyable song to listen to.
Marco Carta – Il meglio sta arrivando (Italy)
This song was released just last week by Italian singer Marco Carta. The song which means, ‘the best is still coming’, has a very uplifting sound to the song. The song has soft parts in the bridge and verse that then build into a powerful and infectious chorus.
