Why so much sax? The factors behind its recurrence in POP music are numerous & complex; they range from pure 80s nostalgia to POP-jazz fusion. One thing is for sure: it seems that every new single features a saxophone solo these days! There are innumerable examples, but for our sake, I narrowed it down to three.
M83 - Midnight City - This is M83's best song in years - this from the girl who tye-died her T-shirt & wrote We Own The Sky on the back. Anthony Gonzalez of M83 is known for his faith in the recording studio, but his decision to add in the saxophone is new - and it fits. The sax definitely adds a dreamy, nostalgic element to the single, which is omnipresent right now (within the span of one hour yesterday I heard Mightnight City at Urban Outfitters, H&M, & then, disturbingly, on a Victoria's Secret commercial. Anthony Gonzalez is an indie POP king right now - rightfully so, because Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is brilliant)
Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) - This epic 80s throwback POP song is so fun that even Katy-haters can't help but sing along (Dr. Luke & Max Martin really struck gold with this one). The POP-happy saxophone slides in so casually that you almost forget it is featured - & we would, if not for the white-suited rooftop musician in the music video!
Lady GaGa - The Edge of Glory - You can count on Mother Monster to make the most of instrumentation in her music (Alejandro would not be the same without the violins). In The Edge of Glory the saxophone immortalizes her journey to the edge and adds a hint of good ol' fashioned rock n' rumble jazz - it almost sounds like a Harlem throwback (GaGa is never shy to delight in the city that raised her!)
Do you have any favorite songs that feature the saxophone? Let us know - Happy Friday POP-lovers!
Unapologetically,
Minna
