NXTSTYLE’s 2020 ‘Songs of the Summer’: Stop Light Observations “Good to U”
INTRODUCING NXTSTYLE’S ‘SONGS OF THE SUMMER,’ HIGHLIGHTING OUR FAVORITE TRACKS WE’VE DISCOVERED THIS SUMMER. OVER 70 TRACKS FROM NEW AND INDEPENDENT ARTISTS FORM OUR SUMMER 2020 SOUNDTRACK. TODAY WE FEATURE ROCK BAND STOP LIGHT OBSERVATIONS. THEY HAVE THE KIND OF SOULFUL ROCK SOUND THAT HITS THE SPOT FOR US. WE FEATURED THEIR SINGLE “13BULLETS (PT.1)” EARLIER THIS YEAR AND THIS SUMMER THEY ROCKED OUR PLAYLIST WITH “GOOD TO U”. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BAND IN OUR FEATURED INTERVIEW.
“GOOD TO U” TAKES ON THEMES OF SELF CARE AND ESTABLISHING GOOD ENERGY AROUND YOU. TAKE US THROUGH THE CREATIVE PROCESS AND THE MESSAGE YOU AIMED TO CREATE FOR THIS SINGLE.
This song was truly a labor of love. Through years of revision and countless rough mixes, we decided to change the time signature from 4/4 to 3/4 and approached the vocal delivery from a place deep within you’re soul. A place of optimism, influenced by that most nostalgic feeling of young love, tragedy, heartbreak and the thrill of sexual experience. All flooding the minds movie reel until finally we found what we were looking for. I guess you really do need to spend years in the forrest to know and respect it’s most fierce predators, but you must also know, by then, the sweetest berries the tallest tree to climb, the moons best light, and the birds happiest songs. One of resounding love.
THIS SONG SEEMS PERFECT FOR A TV COMMERCIAL AND BEYOND. IF YOU HAD YOUR CHOICE WHAT WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE SYNC PLACEMENT FOR “GOOD TO U”
We are all big fans of HBO and the series they produce. To have the song used in a series like Watchmen or Big Little Lies would be quite the honor.
STOP LIGHT OBSERVATIONS
YOU ALSO RELEASED VISUALS FOR THE SINGLE THAT’S A MONTAGE OF NOSTALGIC VIDEO CLIPS. TALK ABOUT THE OVERALL CONCEPT OF THE VIDEO AND WHAT REALLY CONNECTED YOU TO THIS IDEA.
The visuals were not over thought but merely chosen to represent Americans sense of nostalgia and the age of old. What some may call a “Great” America was merely a bigoted nation disguised by layers of closeted prejudice and false patriotism. But this moment is new. Here we choose to stand up yet again and hope that as we have before we might make even the most minute of movements forward, towards a more bright hour in our history.
YOUR SONGS DIG DEEP ON INNER FEELINGS AND REALLY COME ALIVE THROUGH THIS HIGH-POWERED BLUESY SOUND. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT MAKES STOP LIGHT OBSERVATION WORK SO WELL AND WITH THE DEEPER SUBJECTS YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOU BRING TO THE LISTENER?
I think we have always been proud of our ability to address deep and dense subject matter but it is also our duty as artist. Ideally in a way that makes you groove but leaves you pondering. We also like to think we can craft a catchy little bop here and there just to keep from not being too heavy all the time.
AS WE DEAL WITH ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING YEARS AS A SOCIETY, DO YOU FIND THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THIS YEAR HAS CHANGED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS? HAS IT PLAYED AN INFLUENCED ON YOUR SONGWRITING?
Amid this nation’s worst pandemic, while we are being ruled by a white nationalist fascist who will abstract justice aimlessly and threaten to interfere with the integrity of the electoral processes, we the people, have decided to unite in many forms to fight a battle that has been raging for centuries too long. One for Equality, and one for Justice. While a virus consumes our bodies, we must fight a far more dangerous disease, one of the heart and of the soul, that in turn is far more deadly than the viral pandemic. This movement, with its new found international attention, is long overdue. This time…”The Revolution Will Be Televised”.
WHETHER IT’S AN ALBUM, BEING AROUND CERTAIN PEOPLE, OR AN ACTIVITY, WHAT IS ONE THING THAT HAS HELPED YOU MOVE FORWARD DURING THE PANDEMIC? ANYTHING YOU CAN SUGGEST FOR OTHERS?
As many others have done, I have been cooking. Something I’ve always loved. Also NBA 2K20 has been keeping me entertained late into the night.
OF THE TALENTED ARTISTS, SONGWRITERS, AND PRODUCERS OUT THERE, IS THERE SOMEONE YOU WOULD REALLY LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH NEXT?
You know, this is way far-fetched and prob a 0% chance of happening but if I could write, sing, chill, produce with anyone it would be Frank Ocean. His voice and delivery is healing and lyrically he has proven time and time again that he has his figure on our pulse. Above all there is Frank.
AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM YOU FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2020?
We’ve got a new EP slated to be released early Fall 2020 ‘ORANGE’ and potentially a single or two to follow. The music is coming as promised.
IS THERE A CHARITY THAT MEANS A LOT TO YOU THAT YOU URGE OTHERS TO LOOK INTO? ANY PARTICULAR CONNECTION YOU HAVE TO IT?
FAIR FIGHT. Stacy Abrams voting rights activist organization to fight voter suppression! With the election less than 3 months away this fight is exceptionally important. Please consider education yourself on voter suppression and if possible, donating to support a the never-ending fight towards equal voting rights for all Americans.
STOP LIGHT OBSERVATIONS’
SONGS OF THE SUMMER
- 1) Nina Simone “Baltimore”
- 2) Billie Eilish “my future”
- 3) Steely Dan “Do It Again”
- 4) FKJ “Risk”
- 5) Ray Charles “Bye Bye Love”
Listen to all of our featured artist’s favorite songs of the summer on our special Spotify playlist.
Discover New Music
THE ‘NEXT IN MUSIC’ PLAYLIST
Discover a wide range of new music we love from artists located all across the world. Follow the ‘NEXT in Music’ playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
MUSIC IN 2020 INTERVIEW SERIES
WE INTERVIEWED MUSIC PROS AND TASTEMAKERS TO GET THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON WHERE MUSIC IS HEADED AND TO DISCOVER WHAT NEW MUSIC THEY’RE LISTENING TO.