Chairlift

One Liner: Basic synth pop with almost Sarah Mclachlan

Poster Position: 13

Thoughts:  My initial thought, upon hearing the first notes of the top song on the Popular list, was "holy crap, how many bad synth bands am I going to have to listen to?"  Because the intro to their biggest hit, "Bruises," is the sound of a Casio 2000 playing the base beat, then a simple bass line, that sounds like some kids in the garage screwing around.  But as the song develops, its actually kind of nice.  The song was apparently part of an iPod commercial campaign, which would explain its popularity as well.  With 21.8 million streams, here you go.

Her voice is super pretty, and lyrically it is cool imagery, between doing handstands for someone and ending up bruised from it.  Some of the vocals remind me of Sarah McLachlan's voice with music that reminds me of the Cure.  The band was originally from Boulder, which would explain the band name for a Brooklyn group.  Another interesting factoid, Wikipedia says they originally formed to make music for haunted houses.  Which sounds like something they made up to be interesting, but who knows.

Three albums out there, 2008's Does You Inspire You (which includes "Bruises"), 2012's Something, and 2016's Moth.  The first album is a bit more straight-forward synth pop, in the same way "Bruises" uses a super basic sound and the singer's great voice (a little bit Suzanne Vega in here).  "Met Before" is the standout track from the sophomore album, which goes a lot more 80's synth sound than the first disc (see also "I Belong in Your Arms," which belongs on the Breakfast Club soundtrack).  Seriously, if you liked Sarah Mclachlan back in the day, you are going to dig this stuff.  Try "Cool as Fire."

The new album has a little more funky sound, some 80's synth vibes, but also a little extra sax and bass line thing going on, that the older discs don't have as much.  "Romeo" makes me hear the new Lucius album.  "Ch-Ching" kinda makes me want to throw up.  But because it is the most popular track from this new album, you get to enjoy the semi-trap sounds of this one.  4.1 million streams.

Although the reference to the Inspector Gadget theme is appreciated.  But I'm otherwise not feeling the song at all.  According to the YouTube comments, that number she keeps repeating have something to do with bitcoin.  God, I'm getting so old now.  Her voice is great, I just don't much care for the music itself.  The rest of this music is just fine, but I wouldn't listen to it again, so I doubt I'll go watch the show.