Music Mondays: Lorde Yeezus and Isbell.

Lorde-"Royals"

At only 16, Auckland's (New Zealand) Ella Yelich-O'Connor aka Lorde is on the verge of a major breakout in Europe and North America. 

Her EP, The Love Club was released in March and has already reached Gold status in Australia and New Zealand. Her biggest hit to date, Royals, has topped the charts and already reached 2x Platinum in her home country. Royals is everything you could ask for from an Indie-pop song with its witty and insanely catchy lyrics matched with refined harmonies and a hip-hop inspired beat. 

O'Connor's lyrics can't be highlighted enough. You'd think she's in her mid-late 20s with the maturity and wisdom that's in her song. Royals is just one big middle finger to the major American music scene and its seeming obsession with everything but music. 

Lorde is destined for a killer 2013/14. 

Kanye West-"Black Skinhead" 

There was once a time where we all loved Kanye West. Late Registration, The College Dropout, and Graduation where all fine examples of why Kanye was going to be our greatest living rapper. 

But regardless of how you felt about 808 and My Dark Beautiful Dark Twisted fantasy, a lot of people turned on Kanye as his head was on the verge of popping it got so big. The tipping point was his 'dis' to America's former sweetheart, T-Swift. Kanye then became a Bono-like figure in that while you were a fan of some of his songs, you weren't a fan of him. 

But through all of his bombastic shenanigans, Kanye puts it all together on Yeezus. Are some (most) of the lyrics absurd? Yes. But they almost have to be. 

Yeezus, while not for everyone top to bottom as an album, is nevertheless a very important one. 

"Black Skinhead" is probably the most accessible/best song/my favorite song on the album. It may have a bit to do with the fact that it's in the Wolf of Wall Street trailer...but nevertheless a certified jam from America's favorite "gay fish".  

Jason Isbell-"Elephant" 

Changing pace a bit is "Elephant" from Jason Isbell's new album, Southeastern. The former Drive-By Truckers member is proving yet again why breaking away from the Georgia/Alabama Southern-rock group was the best decision of his life. 

Not to take anything away from Patterson Hood or Mike Cooley, but from early on it was evident that Isbell's songwriting overshadowed everyone else in the band.  

Isbell's music is for just bout for everyone. Fans of Americana, Texas-country, Bob Dylan, or just plain rock'n roll can find something likeable on Isbell's latest album. 

Southeastern is a hard look into Isbell's struggle with addiction and an honestly look into his soul. It's arguably the best thing he's done to date and is further proof that he's a paramount of his genre.