Nutcracker, rap mix it up in A Grim Christmas
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Various artists
A Grim Christmas
Grim Muzik Studios
Little Rock’s Grim Muzik Studios’ nine-track compilation opens with a familiar sound — the sweet tinkling first notes of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. But 10 seconds into “Christmas Missed Us,” the drama drops. A dark and jarring overlay all but obscures Tchaikovsky, as YK (Kevin “YK” Mitchell) raps about how some seasons “Christmas missed us.” There’s a heavy bass line and gripes about Salvation Army Santas ringing bells outside low-paying places of employment. “Tax season’s for all the kids who missed out,” Mitchell raps.
But despite gifts being returned in order to get the lights turned on again, “We still had love.” And there were full bellies, and mama playing Motown and two-stepping with daddy in the kitchen. The track is catchy and cinematic. It’s likely to find its way to a film soundtrack soon.
The rest of the compilation deals in poppy R&B, a tad of Motown girl group (“Leaving His Throne” by CandySoul) and a bit of (cleaner than usual) gangsta rap. The best track on the album, “A Nightmare on Christmas” by Vincent Von Vegga featuring YK and Brutha Mac, takes Santa to task with an AK-47 for only visiting the “rich kids.” But then it reminds angry, broke fathers to keep tempers in check, unless they want children visiting them in prison.
The collection is high on groove, sentiment, electronically derived backing tracks and Jesus as the “true meaning” of the season. It’s low on profanity and speaker-busting boom.
For more info and to snag a copy, visit facebook.com/GrimMuzikStudios.
Hot tracks: “Christmas Missed Us,” “When I Think About Christmas, Part 1,” “A Nightmare on Christmas”
— CHEREE FRANCO
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Coldplay
A Head Full of Dreams
Parlophone/Atlantic
Get out your disco ball. Coldplay has dabbled with dance music before, but on the band’s new set, Chris Martin and company have gone full tilt.
While still recognizable for its sweeping, ambitious anthems, this is Coldplay with 50 percent more twirl. Credit (or blame) Norwegian production duo Stargate, best known for its work with Beyonce, Rihanna
and Katy Perry, who co-produced the set.
Speaking of Beyonce, she opens the lilting “Hymn for the Weekend,” which also features programming by Avicii. Swedish sensation Tove Lo drops by on “Fun,” about Martin’s conscious uncoupling from Gwyneth Paltrow that puts a positive glow on their split. Paltrow sings on “Everglow,” a bittersweet ballad about the ties that bind even after the marital cord has been cut.
All the wistful bonhomie becomes a bit precious on “Birds,” which cuts off midsong, and on “Kaleidoscope,” which features a spoken-word recitation by poet Coleman Barks that encourages welcoming the awareness life’s changes bring. Lyrically, Martin strives to find the silver lining in every disappointment.
Hot tracks: “Hymn for the Weekend,” “Fun” — MELINDA NEWMAN
The Associated Press