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Three Gorgeous Ballads You're Missing Out On

If you're looking for some refreshing, shimmeringly beautiful ballads, look no further.

By abigail louisePublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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In today's music industry, it's never been easier to make masterpiece songs with no live instruments whatsoever -- and while that's not a bad thing at all, I often find myself tiring of what I've been listening to, and taking a breather with a few simplistic piano-and-vocals-only songs. However, the difference between those songs and the ballads I'm about to mention is nothing less than the fact that these ballads were made with magic. So, if you're looking for some refreshing, shimmeringly beautiful ballads, look no further.

1. "Consequences" - Camila Cabello

While listening to Cabello's recent debut, Camila, for the first time a few weeks ago, this song shocked me. After hearing the darker, deeply melancholic songs of Cabello's past ("I Have Questions" and "Crying in the Club"), the last thing I was expecting was a sparkling piano arrangement & beautifully pure & honest lyrics.

Yet, that's exactly what she delivers on this track. Camila softens her voice to tell a loud story - and that's only one of the things that makes this track dynamic enough to already be on my "Top Songs of 2018" list. Listen to "Consequences" below:

2. "New Year's Day" - Taylor Swift

Now, before all of my Swift-naysayers roll their eyes and click off this: keep in mind you're making a grave mistake. This track, unlike the vibes that are most commonly associated with "ballads," are warm and fuzzy - telling the story of a happy ending. But if you listen closely, you'll catch a few lyrics that will make you think further than a typical feel-good song might.

With a rich, deep, & raw piano arrangement, and a few of Swift's classic but always beautiful background harmonies (in falsetto!!) New Year's Day is a timeless go-to that will be stuck in my musical library forever. Listen to "New Year's Day" below:

3. "New York Soul" - Jon Bellion

This is probably the one on this list that you haven't already heard of. But that's 100% fine - because it means I get to introduce you to who, in my opinion, is easily one of the best artists of this generation. This song is, sonically, a polar opposite from Bellion's typical sound; except if you know Bellion's style, it's really not.

His classically insightful and narrational lyrics join a soulfully simplistic piano/vocal arrangement to create a unique track with a widely relatable story. And that is something I don't really come across every day.

This song is circa 2013, so if you'd like to listen to some of Bellion's newer music (which I'd highly recommend) you can check out his most recent album, The Human Condition, or you can click below and bask in the emotionality of "New York Soul:"

Like I said, it’s super easy in this modern age to make an incredible song on your computer or with a MIDI device. But some of the best things, to me, are songs that are natural & honest -- and what better way to create a natural & honest song than simply sitting down at a piano, or even picking up a guitar, and singing? It’s also fascinating to see artists, better yet pop sensations, switching gears and going a different route with one of their recordings.

You’ve probably heard Cabello’s "Havana," it was one of the most successful songs of the summer -- or Swift’s recent "Look What You Made Me Do" and even Jon Bellion’s breakthrough single, "All Time Low"— but with these songs, you get to look in on an entirely different side of the artists behind countless pop bangers and musical masterpieces.

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About the Creator

abigail louise

scatterbrained songbird with a lot to say

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