Q-Pop selection for June/July 2019

eturnerx(69)

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Summertime for your ears from Kazakhstan. SBI and MAPX contest at the end of the post.

Smoking Hot /// Ziruza - 24/7

CREDIT: Ziruza (Зируза) - 24/7 video link

Intimate and thoughtful, Ziruza takes us on a stunning audiovisual journey as she feels through a world that sometimes seems upside down. Both hauntingly beautiful and summery with gentle production values that do not shout their complex undertones.

Hot /// EQ - QU

CREDIT: EQ - QU video link

EQ takes a break from their darker tracks to give us this summer boy band treat. It's like candy floss - we know the sweetness is not healthy, but guilty pleasures are pleasures still. Other notable boy pop releases are Isador - Baby and upcoming group 10IZ with their track Red Suit.

Hot /// Hurjan Kermenbaev & Ali Okapov - Is it easy to be in love?

CREDIT: Hurjan Kermenbaev & Ali Okapov (Нұржан Керменбаев & Али Окапов) - Ғашық болу оңай ма? / Gashak bolu onai ma / Is it easy to be in love? video link

Both capable male singers, including Steemian favourite Ali Okapov, this soundtrack song is not out of place away from its movie.

Hot /// Dana Kentai - I choose

CREDIT: Dana Kentai (Дана Кентай) - Таңдаймын / Tandaimahn / I choose video link

Oh to be Dana! Frustrated by an international bouquet of suitors, all her wishes come true when she chooses a Kazakh guy. Broken hearts the world over! Plenty of bouncy synths, hi-hats and no sharp, edgy bits - the production feels a little straight forward at times, but there are the occasional delicate touches.

Hot /// BOOGOO ft. IZI - Na Laite

CREDIT: BOOGOO ft. IZI - На Лайте / Na Laite (TENGRI) video link

Boogoo has always been a bit irreverent - their track ДВТЖ / DVTJ which has my favourite depiction of a kick to the groin. Cultures wither unless we interpret them a new. Tengri is the sky god in an old religion of the Turkic peoples from Mongolia to Hungary.

I want to acknowledge the passing of another follower of Tengri: Nature Ganganbaigal, lead Singer of Mongolian band Tengger Cavalry. May the Eternal Blue Sky find him at peace.

EchoTrack /// Erke Esmahan - 1001 Days

CREDIT: Erke Esmahan (Ерке Есмахан) - 1001 күн / 1001 Kun / 1001 Days, 2019 video link | lyrics

Erke perfectly annunciates those Kazakh consonants in this thoughtful track about the personal hole left when somebody dear passes. To quote some lyrics: 1001 days and 1001 nights are not enough to talk about you.

Bonus Hot /// C.C.Tay - Ainalaiyq

CREDIT: C.C. Tay - Ainalaiyq video link

I could not leave on a down note, so it is time for a bonus track. Perfect for summer relaxing and with upbeat ASMR appeal is the travelogue video. The production includes my favourite stabby trumpets, but they are all a fun part of your dream vacation.

Until next time.

Contest /// SBI, MAPX and @Steem-bounty

Choose another track from any of the artists mentioned above and let me know in the comments. All valid entries will get an upvote to earn @steem-bounty. There are three @steembasicincome prizes of 3, 2 and 1 SBI units and 13, 5 and 3 staked MAPX tokens (@map10k) for telling me what you like about the songs you find. Leave the MAPX tokens staked for free daily upvotes. I pay consolation prizes of 1 SBI or staked MAPX for all valid entries where budget allows. Contest closes when the post pays out.