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.
Previous Q-Pop posts
Q-Pop selection for April/May 2019
April/May 2019 SBI contest results and community choices
Q-Pop selection for Feb/Mar 2019
Feb/Mar 2019 SBI contest results and community choices
Q-Pop selection for Dec/Jan 2019
Dec/Jan 2019 SBI contest results and community choices
Q-Pop selection for Oct/Nov 2018
KeshYOU (КешYOU) - Q-Pop girl power