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Aikya Balan - Mattresses & Masochists [Album Thread ~ TRACK 4] - Stay .. The only thing I beg of you .
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Offline kandii  
#1 Posted : 03 March 2014 08:03:37(UTC)
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Released March 8th , 2014
Genre Trip Hop , Dream Pop , PBR&B , Glitch Hop
Length 33:54
Label Studio60 records , Tric Jam
Producer(s) NinaT • inZane

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1. Mattresses & Masochists ft. Allison Cooper
2. Take Your Time ft. Lotus
3. Selfish Ways
4. With Me
5. The Boys
6. Take Control
7. Water Resistant
8. Paranormal Love
9. Master Key

Mattresses & Masochists is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Aikya Balan , released on March 8, 2014 by Tric-Jam Records . The album was mainly produced solely by NinaT with only the help of inZane on 1 track and inZane producing a track by himself . After signing a record contract with the major sub-label in December of 2013 , Balan made it clear to fans (whom she's gained from her debut mixtape and Tumblr) that she was nonstop working on her first studio album , not wasting any time before releasing her debut single on her birthday . Musically, Mattresses & Masochists contains a string of Trip Hop songs with Glitch Hop elements , with the album deriving characteristics from such musical genres as Dream Pop , PBR&B and Hip Hop .

The lead single , Take Your Time , was a critical and commercial success , peaking #2 on the Weekly Downloads Charts and being praised highly for the Trip Hop sound inflicted with the twisted form of Glitch Hop that she was introducing to 2014 . Critics all over described Aikya as "exactly what 2014 needs" just from her debut single . She then later released The Boys and it's music video via VEVO on February 23rd , 2014 which stirred up the masses with her "rape themed" track . The song was never sent to airplay and was given to fans as a free download .

How did you begin to embark on an adventure to create , complete and release your debut album ?
"It was after I released my first mixtape in early 2013 . It was pretty much huge ... well , not like Vanity huge . Or even big enough for it to even be considered a "flop" , really . But for an underground project , it did reach some new limits . If you guys didn't know , I'm all that and a pack of Twinkies in the underground world of music . After seeing how it all panned out and adoring the feeling of people falling in love with the art I created , I wanted to make my career official . I wanted to spread my music all over the world . I wanted to release a debut studio album . But I knew before I could do that .. before I could be mainstream , I had to find something to put out there that not only I loved , but something the masses would love to . See , the great thing about the underground music business is that it has love for anything different . Anything that would be turned down by airplay and Hollywood . My mixtape was different . It was nostalgic . It was creative . And unfortunately ... turned down by airplay and Hollywood . I only started to realize this after I was rejected by all the labels that I ever tried to contact . Most of the time just ignored . It was always about how my sound just wasn't what they were "looking for" , but still saying how they loved the fact that I sounded like such and such and that I should contact them further in my career when they have heard more of me . At the time I was being compared to a lot of artists like Janet Jackson and even Prince to an extent . I had the soft voice and the nostalgic funk sound to my music like many of the greats . While a lot of artists probably don't mind being compared to huge artists because ... you know , they're huge , I saw how quickly my artistry began to be put in a box , because no matter what I did or what I sent to the labels , I'd always be another "Janet" . And to be honest , I didn't know who I was as an artist . I was just making what I grew up listening to and adoring . But I quickly learned from my mistake and began to create something that was all me . To create something that was unique ... something that was different ."

What was it like getting signed to Studio60's Tric-Jam and how did it affect the process of your album ?
"Amazing . I had finally found my new sound and I had finally gotten a label that would support me musically and financially . I put the album on halt until the very moment I got signed and when I did , things began to pick up . At that point I felt like now would be the perfect time to start on the album . I really didn't want to waste any time ."

What part did Take Your Time take in your debut album ? How did your album come to be because of it ?
"Take Your Time was like ... the unofficial lead single , I guess . The song pretty much birthed the whole album . I had sent to Studio60 a demo of Take Your Time with just me on it and they loved it so I wanted to figure out a way to base an album around it . Lotus of course contacted me later and jumped on the track and when I was done creating it , I planned to release it as the first single on my birthday . The great response to the theme of the song and vocals inspired me to create an album that dealt with just that .. vulnerability . I had written and recorded only a few songs without really an aim of where the album should end up . Just knowing that the vulnerability was a key factor . The songs were Take Control and Master Key ."

Where did you get the title Mattresses & Masochists from ?
" After creating Take Control , Master Key and releasing Take Your Time , all three of the songs combined really got me thinking . I thought about the theme , the sound and even the title of Master Key and automatically thought about a relationship that depended on a sadistic and masochistic type of love . I did the same for Take Control and Take Your Time and thought about a relationship that depended on an unhealthy sex life . I did my research and felt like those would be the perfect situations to base my album on . Mattresses and masochists rhymes so you know , it had to be the title .

After getting a good idea of what you wanted the album to be , do you feel like things began to pick up or slow down because it narrowed the topics you could touch on ?
"It picked up instantly . Within 3 weeks I had written the rest of the tracks that I was certain was gonna make it on the album and all I had to wait for was the production . Then it was all up to how the album turned out and it was everything . Life in a CD . I absolutely loved it and was completely satisfied with the outcome ."

What does the 'Mattresses' in Mattresses & Masochists stand for ?
"While the 'Masochist' part in the title was the girl who didn't mind being his puppet slash punching bag , 'Mattress' stood for the girl who didn't mind being just a sex toy to him . I could have easily said something like whores or sluts , but you know , it doesn't rhyme . Takes all the fun out of the title . But also because I wanted to emphasize the fact that just like the masochist in the situation , she isn't exactly the dominant one . Cause you know , mattresses are slept on ... get it ? She's never on top ? Ha , I'm a genius . But yea , I wanted to let everyone know that though there are key differences , it's really hard to tell between the mattress and the masochist , implying that they could really be the same thing to an extent . Just dropped that life lesson on y'all . Reevaluate your lives ."

Exactly where did your new Trip Hop/Dream Pop sound come from ?
"To be honest , I really don't know . I just wanted to have a sound that reflected me . Weird but captivating . Different but irresistible . Not exactly family-friendly but perfect for a guilty pleasure . It's like all of these became one when I went the electronic route with everything . I always had this secret love for Vara and Pixie and I took a lot of the elements that made me love their music and mixed them with my nostalgic sound and my love for R&B and Hip Hop . This album is the outcome of all of that . The electronica of Vara's and Pixie's music , the wonders of the 80's R&B and the overwhelming Hip Hop beats . It just all went perfectly together ."


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REVIEW (TRACK BY TRACK) : AIKYA BALAN - MATTRESSES & MASOCHISTS
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"Stay ..|The only thing I beg of you." Pleads Aikya on the final track Master Key . The perfect finishing touch to an album like Mattresses & Masochists . It's been a while since we've had an artist like Aikya . In fact , we've never had one like her , period . Yea , we could compare her to many artists like Coke , Pixie , and even to an extent Suzie Stockholm when she lusciously whispers the sinistful lyrics on the track With Me . But if there is one thing we can conclude about Aikya from her debut studio album is that she is no longer comparable to anything we've been hearing on airplay . Not even the "indie" mainstream stations that play the likes of Vara Gallo have witnessed an artist like Aikya who's found the perfect way to infuse music obviously influenced by electronica with elements of R&B , Hip Hop and even Pop . Quite the opposite of her debut mixtape , which was a nostalgic piece that could've been labeled as a replica of the kind of music that created the movement caused by artist -- who also had soft and complex voices comparable to Aikya's -- like Prince and Janet Jackson where R&B , Pop and funk fulfilled it's long time destiny to be infused together . Not exactly the insult of the century but a big setback for an up-and-coming artist like Balan looking to make their own print in the sand . I think it's safe to say she won't have to worry about labels denying her versatility to morph into her own voice ever again .



Best to Worst PRODUCTION WISE
1. Take Your Time ft. Lotus
2. Take Control
3. Selfish Ways
4. Master Key
5. Water Resistant
6. The Boys
7. With Me
8. Mattresses & Masochists ft. Allison Cooper
9. Paranormal Love

Best to Worst LYRIC WISE
1. Master Key
2. Take Your Time ft. Lotus
3. Water Resistant
4. Paranormal Love
5. Mattresses & Masochists ft. Allison Cooper
6. With Me
7. Selfish Ways
8. The Boys
9. Take Control

Best To Worst VOCALLY
1. Master Key
2. Paranormal Love
3. Mattresses & Masochists ft. Allison Cooper
4. Take Your Time ft. Lotus
5. Take Control
6. Selfish Ways
7. The Boys
8. Water Resistant
9. With Me

AIRPLAY HIGHS : Take Your Time , Selfish Ways , Take Control , With Me , Water Resistant(?)
AIRPLAY LOWS : Paranormal Love , Mattresses & Masochists , The Boys , Master Key(?)

Edited by user 08 June 2014 02:32:36(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified
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thanks 11 users thanked kandii for this useful post.
RoseJapanFan on 03/03/2014(UTC), snap_itshannah on 03/03/2014(UTC), AmyJayneXoX on 03/03/2014(UTC), BrownSugar on 03/03/2014(UTC), freestylechamp on 03/03/2014(UTC), erich hess on 03/03/2014(UTC), Realms Of Darkness on 04/03/2014(UTC), Famouss7x7 on 04/03/2014(UTC), GirlSpice on 12/03/2014(UTC), Princess_Valentine on 15/03/2014(UTC), Andre Gandra on 10/04/2014(UTC)
Offline RoseJapanFan  
#2 Posted : 03 March 2014 12:18:34(UTC)
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Honor: I can tell I'm already going to LOVE this so much. I'm eagerly awaiting this album and I'm not even that much into R&B but seeing as there's a little of everything on here, I'm very intrigued.

OOC: I love this thread and how different it is, especially with the review as opposed to the standard review, I like the idea of rating the best for vocals, production, lyrics, and all that. Great idea :) I can't wait to see more.
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Do you like reading reviews on anime? Manga? Games? Do you wanna support a fellow black nerd? Then click above.
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Isabel-Pixie-Nova-Jennifer Armstrong-Dylan Shaw-Eden Pryce-Taara Jay-Jupiter Jones-Imani
Kato-Eilidh-Nothing But Trouble-Hayden-Serenity Scott-Anaísz-Kimi Kubo


"My God! We truly are a talented bunch. The fact that we write entire albums all on our own while the biggest stars in the world have 45 co-writers on ONE track?? Where the hell are OUR record deals and GRAMMYS?" -BrownSugar
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kandii on 04/03/2014(UTC)
Offline erich hess  
#3 Posted : 03 March 2014 13:09:34(UTC)
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erica:i think you are my new favorite person.such a fantastic artist.
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"I'm not saying its even a good thing to own a chimpanzee. But that's freedom, folks." Alex Jones.
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kandii on 04/03/2014(UTC)
Offline kandii  
#4 Posted : 04 March 2014 13:29:33(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: RoseJapanFan Go to Quoted Post
Honor: I can tell I'm already going to LOVE this so much. I'm eagerly awaiting this album and I'm not even that much into R&B but seeing as there's a little of everything on here, I'm very intrigued.

OOC: I love this thread and how different it is, especially with the review as opposed to the standard review, I like the idea of rating the best for vocals, production, lyrics, and all that. Great idea :) I can't wait to see more.


Aikya : Yay ! Thanks a lot , Honor :) Promise I wont disappoint ! But I'm just going to flat out say this , if you aren't into R&B , things between you and I will forever be rocky . Because that is like ... THE genre . And I'm not talking about that contemporary crap Beyonce tries to pull . I'm talking the R&B that makes you look of Satan if you aren't dancing along . And you would be like ... Hell's gatekeeper if you don't at least do one jook to this album .

OOC : Thank you so much , Tequila ! I really wanted to try something new with this RP instead of the same thing over and over again .

Originally Posted by: erich hess Go to Quoted Post
erica:i think you are my new favorite person.such a fantastic artist.


Aikya : Honey boo child , I'm everyone's favorite . *Hair flip* Lol , thank you , Erica :)
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Offline kandii  
#5 Posted : 07 March 2014 15:15:59(UTC)
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TRACK 1 : MATTRESSES & MASOCHISTS FT. ALLISON COOPER
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Production Wise : #8
Lyric Wise : #5
Vocally : #3
Airplay : Low

The starting track of an album can make or break the success of the project . Whether it be a skit , a simple intro song or a full one , it's probably the most important track included on any L.P./E.P. Tell me , if you began to listen to an album from the beginning and you weren't feeling the first impression of the album , would you continue to listen ? Not likely . No pressure , but as the first and title track of Mattresses & Masochists , there is a lot of weight this song is expected to carry and despite of how I feel about the rest of the album , Mattresses & Masochists (the track) did not carry it . Though I can't deny the song vocally , lyrically and production wise it is not exactly my favorite .

The song is a twisted R&B song with even more twisted lyrics . Regardless of my preferable tastes , Mattresses & Masochists is beautiful , sending a hauntingly calm chill through your spine as Aikya and Allison tries to unblur the lines between a healthy relationship and an unhealthy one , only to distort it even more . It's clear when breaking down the theme of the track why it was picked as the album's starter . "I'm just a product of what you created ." Sings Aikya right before ending the song with her and Allison's dulcet cries . This clearly makes way for all the tracks to come in the album . But when it comes to the production , it's a different story . Do not get me wrong , the music produced by NinaT and inZane for this track was not at all horrible . Just the riffs by the piano at the beginning of the song gives me goosebumps . It's a sick track , it really is . Only thing is that it does not fit at all with the rest of the album . You would think the title track of an album would define the 12" in every way possible , giving you a quick summary about the aim of the project -- which is does perfectly lyrically -- but seeing how pretty much the rest of the album touches on several genres like Trip Hop and Dream Pop and this one only branches out to Alternative R&B , it stands out in all the wrong ways .

Still though , I have to give the song applause . The way Allison Cooper powerfully blew the first few words and Aikya theatrically completed the sentence at the beginning of the song was everything . The vocal flexibility of Aikya's voice in the track (demonstrated in the verses and background) is something we'll only get to see once in an L.P .


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Track : Mattresses & Masochists
Artist : Aikya ft. Allison Cooper
Genre : PBR&B , Alternative R&B
Label : Tric Jam , Studio 60 Records , FREEDOM
Written by : Aikya Balan
Produced by : NinaT , inZane
Length : 2:41

Aikya
Allison
Both

Love me so , even if I'm everything you've ever hated
Respect me not , I'm just a product of what you created
I'll let you in just so you can push me further out
Oh

And you can get away with it
It doesn't really matter
I don't even have to say it
Baby you are , baby you are , baby you are...

Everything I've ever dreamed and even more
Everything I've ever wanted and longed for
Everything that I've ever found myself to love
And everything they've ever tried to warn me of

Mattresses and masochists
Kisses and satisfaction
Punches and bruises
What's the difference ? Tell me , what is it ?

(Love me so
Oh , yeah !)

Seems like my love for your strengthens by the day
The thought of giving you up has me crawling back again
'Cause you're everything that I've ever found myself to love
Despite being everything they've ever tried to warn me of
Oh

Mattresses and masochists
Kisses and satisfaction
Punches and bruises
I'm just a product of what you created
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snap_itshannah on 07/03/2014(UTC), freestylechamp on 08/03/2014(UTC), RoseJapanFan on 08/03/2014(UTC), Famouss7x7 on 11/03/2014(UTC), erich hess on 11/03/2014(UTC), GirlSpice on 12/03/2014(UTC), AmyJayneXoX on 13/03/2014(UTC), Princess_Valentine on 15/03/2014(UTC), Andre Gandra on 10/04/2014(UTC)
Offline freestylechamp  
#6 Posted : 08 March 2014 02:29:51(UTC)
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Kidd: Man this was... I don't know the song it self was great, I like the idea, the meaning behind it, so it feels weird when you think about who was doing the music and you hear it because the music was holding the song back. Wow how often do you hear that about that about NinaT and inZane just shows you how good this song could have been.

OOC: Very good start and I like the new layout, get people excited about what is coming next.

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Offline kandii  
#7 Posted : 11 March 2014 21:06:18(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: freestylechamp Go to Quoted Post
Kidd: Man this was... I don't know the song it self was great, I like the idea, the meaning behind it, so it feels weird when you think about who was doing the music and you hear it because the music was holding the song back. Wow how often do you hear that about that about NinaT and inZane just shows you how good this song could have been.

OOC: Very good start and I like the new layout, get people excited about what is coming next.


Aikya : I don't know , I thought the song was great . Really liked the piano and everything about it . It wasn't like they just made a screwed up beat to go along with this song . I told them my vision and this is how they portrayed it , which I think is perfect . *shrugs* Whatever though . Thank you for the compliments :)

OOC : Thank you !

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Offline GirlSpice  
#8 Posted : 12 March 2014 02:53:27(UTC)
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Glamazon: YOU, my dear, are a goddess. If looks could kill, you'd be in the world's most wanted. Oh, and why haven't I seen that album cover yet? Iconic.

OOC: Love how different this is to the usual album thread, everything looks great and very slick. :)
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kandii on 27/03/2014(UTC)
Offline kandii  
#9 Posted : 13 March 2014 13:00:45(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: GirlSpice Go to Quoted Post
Glamazon: YOU, my dear, are a goddess. If looks could kill, you'd be in the world's most wanted. Oh, and why haven't I seen that album cover yet? Iconic.

OOC: Love how different this is to the usual album thread, everything looks great and very slick. :)


Aikya : I'm already aware of this though . Lol , kidding . Thanks Glamazon ! Hope you know I was pretty sure you were describing yourself 3 words into that sentence ;P .

OOC : Thank you so much :)
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Offline Princess_Valentine  
#10 Posted : 15 March 2014 00:59:57(UTC)
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Kourtney: You've got quite a beautiful voice that it's always a pleasure to listen to your music. Keep up the good work love. :)
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Offline kandii  
#11 Posted : 06 April 2014 16:29:14(UTC)
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TRACK 2 : TAKE YOUR TIME FT. LOTUS
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Production Wise : #1
Lyric Wise : #2
Vocally : #4
Airplay : High

When it comes to artists who find a way to wiggle into the mainstream airwaves , they will always have a best song and a best known song . For example , if you were to ask any random person what the late Amy Winehouse's best song was , 9/10 you would hear Rehab . But if you asked a devoted fan , you would probably hear Back to Black or an underrated track of hers . With Aikya Balan and her hit single Take Your Time , her best known song could arguably be her best yet , peaking #2 on charts with no promotion and still receiving rave reviews .

With her soft , innocent moans she uses to sing in this track and the mesmerizing Glitch Hop beat that lies under the erotic lyrics provided by both Balan and the female rapper Lotus , Take Your Time gives Master Key (my personal favorite that comes later in the album) a good run for it's money . If you weren't impressed at all by the track before , this will certainly catch your attention . You don't believe me , try and listen to the first 60 seconds of this song . SEE WHAT I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE MOANING ? DID YOU FEEL THOSE GOOSEBUMPS TOO ? DID YOU NOT START MOVING WHEN THAT GLITCH HOP BEAT DROPPED ? You didn't ? Then you have no soul , my friend . Only explanation .

Everyone's 2014 New Year's resolution must have been to get a little bit more freaky this year because this song shot straight up to the charts after being released on Aikya's birthday , January 1st . The song received heavy rotation for weeks on airplay and will probably be the only song that receives that kind of treatment . I think the most beautiful thing about this song was that no matter how many times it was played , it was never overplayed . There was no way the radios could ruin something this perfect . This song was incapable of being annoying . Everything about it was done just right .

The highlight of the track would definitely be the verse provided by Lotus , one of the hottest rappers out right now . Usually , no matter how good the rapper's material is , we all have to bite our nails and get in a prayer circle when hearing about a rap feature . Especially in such a perfect song . Let's just take the time to thank Lotus for not going off topic . Let us be grateful she comprehended the song was about wanting to savor that special moment and even took it upon herself to broaden the meaning , rapping about an addiction to her lover and his 'drug' . She wins it all . And on top of that , they were incredible lyrics . Like , incredible lyrics . They transitioned perfectly into the pre-hook (which is my favorite) and gave the track that extra layer of erotica .


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Single : Take Your Time
Artist : Aikya ft. Lotus
Release Date : January 1st, 2014
Genre : Trip Hop , Glitch Hop , Alternative Hip Hop
Label : Tric Jam , Studio 60 Records , Permanent Reminder
Written by : Aikya Balan , Sarojini Lui
Produced by : NinaT
Length : 4:42

Take Your Time is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Aikya Balan, featuring rapper Lotus . The single was released on the singer's birthday , January 1st, 2014 . Balan and Lotus wrote and composed the song for Balan's debut album , Mattresses & Masochists . Take Your Time is a Trip Hop song which incorporates elements of Glitch Hop and Alternative Hip Hop . The song contains lyrics that reference to a celebration of passionate sex and a state of being mesmerized , leading up to a lust for a longer "round" .

Tric-Jam (A division of Studio60 Records) released Take Your Time on January 1st, 2014, as the album's lead single . The song was lauded by critics , who praised the addictive vocals , the guest appearance of Lotus and the vulnerability Balan portrays in the song . However , opinions about the theme of the song itself are heavily polarized due to the blatant sexual message .

In December of 2013, Balan had already recorded several songs before getting signed to the major label's division , Tric-Jam . She had actually used a preview of Take Your Time as a demo to send to several major labels which she never heard back from . "I don't know , I guess those labels just didn't listen to it or something because when I sent it to Studio60 , they flipped out over it . The very next day they called me back and had me come in immediately to sign a contract . I was actually really surprised because I went to so many labels trying to get a deal I would appreciate and never once got as much as a rejection . Me actually getting signed became somewhat of an unrealistic dream . "

Before meeting Balan , NinaT had already conceptualized the beat of the song and posted it to Soundcloud back in November . Within it's first few hours of being posted , the instrumental received a great response from the comments and was liked over 20000 times . At the time , the beat only contained what is heard in the last 48 seconds of the single -- minus Aikya's vocals -- looped . Once hearing from the label that Balan had made a song to it and was planning on releasing it for profit in mid-December , NinaT deleted the instrumental from off of her Soundcloud page and asked that Soundcloud deleted all of the reposts . She then went to add subtle parts to it and saved the original beat for pre-hook -- which contains the dark Glitch Hop breakdown -- so that it would add an even more dramatic effect to the lyrics of the pre-hook . "I loved the track the way it was , but it was even better when I remade the beat . It really shined a light on how clear and "sugar-coatedly" explicit the lyrics of the pre-hook are compared to the rest of the song and the track immediately received that perfect amount of edge . "

Chinese-American rapper Lotus became involved in the track when it was first being written by Aikya . Lotus was a fan of Aikya's earlier work on her mixtape and contacted her , suggesting that they get together sometime to collaborate . Balan immediately took her up on that offer , telling her all about the track and how it would be perfect with a verse from a rapper . Soon enough the 2 got together in a studio and Lotus instantly fell in love with the track and it's lyrics . "As soon as I heard it , it was love at first sight [laughs] . I just thought the track was so perfect and different and I had to be on it . Right after hearing the first verse , lyrics started to flow to me . I just ended up freestyling to it and then edited it , building on it and taking some stuff out of it ." When Lotus completed the rap and presented it to her , Balan thought it was perfect and made it the second verse since she was having a hard time with the ones she attempted to write , continuously scrapping them . Lotus ultimately ended up singing on the track as well . NinaT suggested it when the two were singing along to the track while she was playing it back for them , commenting on how well their voices went with each others and how sick it would be .

According to Aikya Balan , the lyrics of Take Your Time reference a state of being in a trance filled with love and lust and simply not wanting it to end too soon . " The song talks about how , when you are in love with someone and you guys lean on the sacrality of making love , you sometimes get caught up in the moment . It could be just sex for him and for you it could mean a lot more but either way , it's a feeling you both can't ignore . When you guys are at your climax . I think that's a moment everyone wants to cherish and savor . " Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone wrote that Take Your Time has "so many layers to it compared to your everyday lovemaking song ", that Balan's vocals "adds an innocence to the "erotica" ", which are gripped by emotions she " cannot control but wants to badly ".

Aikya
Lotus
Both

[Intro]
Mmm ... take your time
Mmm ... just take your time
Mmm ...
You don't have to rush it

[Hook]
Ooh , take your time
Ooh , take your time
You don't have to rush it
Make it last ...
Make it last ...
You don't have to rush it

[Verse 1]
Out of .. breath
Boy you got me at my climax
Another push and we just might fall
Another look and I just might call ...
Your ... name
Has the sweetest taste
On the tip of my tongue , taking up space
Confiscated my breath , suffocated by your love
Heart beat's racing , a drug like this is too dangerous to take

[Pre-hook]
'Cause you'll miss hearing my pleas
The silence full of screams
My nails in your back
And contemplating the fact
That I'm so small , but you can still go deep
And come back up wet , like you just went diving
... Then take a breath
And jump right back in 12 feet

You know it caters to your needs
And it means a lot to ...
You know it caters to your needs
And it means a lot to me so you should just ...

[Hook]
Ooh , take your time
Ooh , take your time
You don't have to rush it
Make it last ...
Make it last ...
You don't have to rush it

[Verse 2]
Undressing , get a good look at it
Deep kissing , biting lips , we goin' at it
Pinned me down , already know what's about to happen
Just leave your imprint , I wanna be your love addict
Got that drug magic
Put me in a trance , I'm feeling ecstatic
And I ain't mad at it
Too caught up in the moment to think about anything more
A thrust inside and suddenly I love you's don't count anymore
Caught up in the lust , just want you to make me yours
An alluring feeling like this is one I can't ignore
Something no one wants to escape
But we end up fading from anyways
So just tease me with what I want , satisfy me with what I need
Hold on as tight as you can knowing that if you let go of me ...

[Pre-hook]
You'll miss hearing my pleas
The silence full of screams
My nails in your back
And contemplating the fact
That I'm oh so small , but you can still go deep
And come back up wet , like you just went diving
... Then take a breath
And jump right back in 12 feet

You know it caters to your needs
And it means a lot to ...
You know it caters to your needs
And it means a lot to me so you should just ...

[Hook]
Ooh , take your time
Ooh , take your time
You don't have to rush it
Make it last ...
Make it last ...
You don't have to rush it

[Bridge]
Mmm ... take your time
Mmm ... just take your time
Mmm ...
You don't have to rush it
Boy just take your time !

[Hook]
Ooh , take your time
Ooh , take your time
You don't have to rush it
Make it last ...
Make it last ...
You don't have to rush it

Edited by user 06 April 2014 16:32:47(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified
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Offline kandii  
#12 Posted : 06 April 2014 19:05:47(UTC)
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UserPostedImage
TRACK 3 : SELFISH WAYS
UserPostedImage
Production Wise : #3
Lyric Wise : #7
Vocally : #6
Airplay : High


|Tell me you're my keeper| Sings Aikya , ever so slightly . Her voice sounds so fragile and delicate , a juxtaposition to the lyrics of Selfish Ways . I apologize ahead of time if I am a little bias when it comes to this song . I'm already heads over heels for it but as you can see by how it placed on the lists , I am still trying to put aside my feelings and give you guys the facts .

Definitely one of my favorite songs production wise , with it's electric sound , layered pitch-shifts which soon take over the song in a Glitch Hop form and it's reviving hook that gives off an 80's R&B vibe . Once again , Aikya shows that her + Glitch Hop = LIFE , like one of Newton's laws . The vocals were arranged perfectly for the track as Aikya softly sings the first 2 verses of the song and is suddenly interrupted by an interlude of an inaudible edited voice (Am I the only who gets the feeling that it's saying something important ... but it's inaudible ... so , what am I supposed to do ?) which eventually calms down and lets the hook of the track roll right on through . Just like how in the lyrics , the selfish ways of her lover gives Aikya life , the hook's vocals and production does the exact same thing to the song and the listener . I've jammed out to this religiously and can picture this happening in my car . All the time . Seriously . One of these radio stations should just keep this song on loop all day because I would definitely be tuning in .

When it comes to singing , just like in majority of the album , Aikya is only teasing us with her soft , childlike vocals . She doesn't try too hard to hit any notes or to be heard in that matter . You can tell Aikya wasn't exactly screaming while making this track as you can hear the whispering elements in her voice but thanks to technology she's still heard clearly over the music . Although , lyrically , this song reminds me a lot of Mattresses & Masochists , the opening/title track and even Take Control , a track that comes in later on . I wouldn't go as far as saying the same song was rewritten over again but there are definitely key similarities , just difference in the background .



UserPostedImage
Track : Selfish Ways
Artist : Aikya
Genre : Trip Hop , Glitch Hop , Alternative R&B
Label : Tric Jam , Studio 60 Records
Written by : Aikya Balan
Produced by : NinaT
Length : 3:07


Tell me you're my keeper
Make me believe you
Dig your nails in a little deeper
Sticks and stones don't break my bones
They only take me past my breaking point

By any means necessary
Have your way
My needs aren't necessary
When you're into whips and chains and I'm into pain

[Inaudible pitch-shifting]

You give me life , you know you give me life
With your selfish ways
You make me feel alive
You make me feel alive
With your selfish ways

You give me life , you know you give me life
With your selfish ways
You make me feel alive
You make me feel alive
With your selfish ways

You give me life , you know you give me life
With your selfish ways
You make me feel alive
You make me feel alive
With your selfish ways

You give me life , you know you give me life
With your selfish ways
You make me feel alive
You make me feel alive
With your selfish ways
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Offline kandii  
#13 Posted : 08 April 2014 09:55:00(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Princess_Valentine Go to Quoted Post
Kourtney: You've got quite a beautiful voice that it's always a pleasure to listen to your music. Keep up the good work love. :)

Aikya : Thank you so much , Kourtney ! :)
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Offline kandii  
#14 Posted : 08 June 2014 03:10:07(UTC)
kandii
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UserPostedImage
TRACK 4 : WITH ME
UserPostedImage
Production Wise : #7
Lyric Wise : #6
Vocally : #9
Airplay : High


By now , if you are not impressed by any of the tracks beign thrown at you , I know there's at least one question floating around in your mind . "Why should I love Aikya ?" And the fourth is the best song to explain so . Why you say ? Because she knows just how to capture a heart with an extraordinary track and at the same time , a simple one .

With Me is as minimalist as it gets . With nothing but whispering throughout the verses and breathy notes held to be mistaken as smooth sinister laughs throughout the hook and it's straightforward lyrics , the lack of standout things abotu this tracks .. stands out ! She makes the perfect "other-woman" lyrics with it's cliches and touches and the perfect music with it's whispering and laughing . Is it just me or does Aikya seem like the perfect girl to steal your husband ? She's so innocent looking but judging by her music , she's a freak LOL . Something tells me if there's anything she wants , she will have it and it's all thanks to this track ! I think it's hard to make a song and have listeners believe it's something they can connect to your real self -- despite your Hollywood persona . That's a real skill that so many can't seem to master .

Despite what a lot may consider as "suitable" singing to spend their money on , one thing about Aikya is that she knows who she is vocally . She doesn't need to bust out on every track and belt high notes that she knows she'll never be able to perfect live . She doesn't need to prove the strength of her voice for no one . Even if it means holding back on 90% of her whole album , she sings in a way that'll best fit the track . Not that will best please the critics . This is exactly why her songs and the production and lyrics fit and work so well together . She puts a science to everything and doesn't rest until she finds the perfect combination .



UserPostedImage
Single : With Me
Artist : Aikya
Release Date : April 8th, 2014
Genre : Trip Hop
Label : Tric Jam , Studio 60 Records
Written by : Aikya Balan
Produced by : NinaT
Length : 3:34

With Me is a song by American recording artist Aikya Balan from her debut studio album , Mattresses & Masochists . The song was written by Aikya herself , with production handled by Nina Tarantino (Rum) under her production name, NinaT. With Me was sent to radios in America on April 7, 2014 , and was released via digital download on April 8, 2014 worldwide , as the album's second promo single and third overall single . With Me incorporates elements of electronic music and conveys Aikya's ruthless mindset when it comes to "sharing" a married man with his wife .

Musically , With Me draws influence from electronic music genres and is set in common time with a tempo of 172 beats per minute . The song is not sung by Aikya but whispered . It's not until what would be the hook of the song rolls in that she sings , if not , holds notes , when Aikya and robotic versions of her voice fade in and out with an operatic and seemingly sinister laugh as she repeats "ha" and inaudible sounds over again . Lyrically , With Me is a song that taunts the wife of Aikya's lover as throughout the song she repeatedly ensures the wife who her husband is with . As Balan whispers the track for her album verses a single , the meaning becomes more apparent , as the songs on Mattresses & Masochists touch on topics that of Aikya doing anything for her lover like her previous promo single The Boys , not minding to have to take him away from his family if it means she has him . Just like The Boys , the song stirred up controversy -- if not a little -- with women all over responding to the homewrecker role Balan takes in the song . Of course -- once again , just like when dealing with The Boys' controversy -- Aikya claims the song [as a single] is taken out of it's context as a track on her album .

With Me received mixed reviews from critics for not only it's theme but lack of actual vocals . Robert Copsey of Digital Spy awarded the song a rating of four out of five stars , stating "Aikya ingeniously made the perfect "other-woman" inspired track . From the whispering to the robotic laughing , it feels as if this is what the world should have been doing all along ." Fraser McAlpine of BBC Music trashed the song , calling it "cliche-central" , bashing it for it's simplicity and saying , "What I hate is the fact that Aikya does nothing but whisper 98.3% of the track and still expects us to waste even a few pence on it . I mean , yes , we have wasted money on worse singles , but it's the principle , people !"



I heard your bed is empty
'Cause he's
Sleeping with me
I heard your bed is empty
'Cause he's
He's sleeping with me tonight

I don't have to lie , no lie
He's sleeping with me tonight
Nowadays ... he only focuses on pleasing me
That's why every night you're left unsatisfied

[Laughing]

I heard you're lonely
'Cause with me
I heard you're lonely
'Cause with me , he spends all his time

He's got you waiting at home
With the phone
Next to the bed while you're sleeping on his spot , tryna keep the temp just right
That ring says he's yours for life
But what's running through your thoughts tonight ?

[Laughing]

I heard your bed is empty

Edited by user 09 June 2014 21:14:56(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified
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