On the playlist “10 Songs That Go Strictly by the Numbers,” Arctic Monkeys, Drake, and Kamasi Washington are among artists providing ‘numeric’ tunes. 

On the playlist, 10 Songs That Go Strictly by the Numbers, we let the numbers speak for themselves – or at least the numeric song titles.  This wouldn’t be the first instance where numbers supply the song titles – see the 14-song playlist, Songs Where It’s All About the Numbers from 2017.  That said, this time around, things are tighter with only 10 songs, which are in numeric order.  That means, the first song must start with a “1” in its title, etc.  Artists supplying the tunes for this ascending list are Arctic Monkeys, Drake, and Kamasi Washington among many others.

1. Kamasi Washington, “One of One”

Heaven and Earth • Young Turks • 2018

We start this number-centric playlist off ambitiously with a bang – prepare to be shot (musically that is)! “One of One” concludes the first disc of Heaven and Earth, the epic album by adventurous jazz saxophonist and composer Kamasi Washington.  Quite a lengthy statement, “One of One” falls just short of ten minutes, truly embodying the jazz spirit.  That spirit is also captured via awesome soloing via Washington, all taking place over a hyper-rhythmic background constructed by bass and drums.  Meanwhile, the piano accompaniment definitely stretches the harmonic possibilities.    

2.Lykke Li, “two nights”

Ft. Aminé

So sad so sexy • RCA • 2018

Following a four-year hiatus, Swedish alternative singer/songwriter Lykke Li returned to action with her short, but sweet, 10-track LP, so sad so sexy.  Among the highlights was the numerical record, “two nights.” Producers Jeff Bhasker, Malay and Jonny Coffer stitch up a relatively low-key, but compelling backdrop. Lykke Li does an awesome job depicting the effects of what seems to be a dead relationship thanks to her man cheating. Even so, she gets a lift from underrated rapper Aminé, who plays the role of the unfaithful, providing a scintillating contrast.  

3. Maroon 5, “Three Little Birds”

Three Little Birds – Single • Interscope • 2018

“Don’t worry / About a thing / Every little thing’s gonna be alright.” Maroon 5 remained visible in 2018, despite the fact that their sixth studio album, Red Pill Blues, was released in November 2017.  This visibility included a covering a Bob Marley classic, “Three Little Birds”. On “Three Little Birds,” Adam Levine and company ‘handles their business.’ While it’s safe to say this take doesn’t trump the original, Levine channels his inner Marley extremely effectively.

4. Arctic Monkeys, “Four out of Five”

Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino • Domino • 2018

“Advertise in imaginative ways, start your free trial today.” “Four Out of Five” is among the crème de la crème of the strange but alluring Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.  That’s surprising given the fact that at its simplest, Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner is singing about the rating that the Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino taqueria received. Nonetheless, Arctic Monkeys make this record incredibly intriguing lyrically, musically, and vocally.

“Take it easy for a little while / Come and stay with us, it’s such an easy flight / Cute new places keep on popping up… / I put a taqueria on the roof, it was well-reviewed, / Four stars out of five / And that’s unheard of.”

5. Scotty McCreery, “Five More Minutes”

Seasons Change • Triple Tigers • 2018

“Wish I had me a pause button / Moments like those Lord knows I’d hit it / Give myself five more minutes.” “Five More Minutes”, a highlight from Seasons Change, packs a punch, thanks to its depth and substance. Deep-voiced American Idol winner and country singer Scotty McCreery essentially reminisces back to the ‘good ole days,’ further evidenced in the accompanying music video. Specifically, this is a song dedicated to his grandfathers.  Fittingly, he sounds mature vocally, delivering this well-rounded, memorable joint with authenticity.

6. The Weekend, “Six Feet Under”

Starboy • Republic • 2016

“Ask around about her / She don’t get emotional / Kill off all her feelings / That’s why she ain’t approachable.” On “Six Feet Under,” the 10^th track Starboy, the girl whom The Weeknd sings about wants money at any cost: “Six feet under she gon’ get that f**king paper.” He goes on to emphasize that she’s totally independent – a badass if you will. Notably, Future guests on the record, but plays a minimalist role on the hook and the outro. Slickly produced, “Six Feet Under” is in line with hip-hop and modern R&B.  Vocally, The Weeknd sounds as tender as ever, yet still packs a punch.

7. AWOLNATION, “Seven Sticks of Dynamite”

Here Come the Runts • Red Bull • 2018

“Lipstick like dynamite, seven sticks of dynamite / Lipstick like dynamite /…ooh…” AWOLNATION delivers a gem with “Seven Sticks of Dynamite”, a song from the ‘collective’s’ 2018 album, Here Come the Runts. “Seven Sticks of Dynamites” commences with relatively simple guitar accompaniment.  Once brainchild Aaron Bruno begins singing, he drops a ‘bomb’ on us – falsetto.  This approach keeps the record intriguing from the jump.  On the chorus, he blends chest voice alongside the falsetto with intriguing results.  There is naturally a bit more production during this section.  Also, it’s worth noting how memorable and catchy (if simple) the aforementioned chorus is. Following the second chorus, the song gets punchier, signaled by Bruno grittily singing, “COME ON!” Albeit delayed, the rock finally comes into full fruition.  Chilling choral backing vocals, drum runs, electric guitar, and more aggressive vocals replace the sweeter falsetto.

8. Drake, “8 Out of 10”

Scorpion • Cash Money • 2018

Among the standouts on the sometimes rewarding, excessively-long LP Scorpion, is “8 Out of 10.” “Drizzy ‘bout to drop, the game is in disarray / I’d tell you hear me out but we both know end of the day…” As evidenced by the aforementioned lyrics from the chorus, Drake seems take shots at Pusha T and Kanye West. He continues on the chorus, spitting, “…Your sister is pressin’ play, your trainer is pressin’ play / Your wifey, your wife, your wifey, your wifey – (true).”  Though not addressed in my review of Scorpion, worth mentioning is the clumsy, WTF outro sampled from a video by rapper Plies.  Totally unnecessary.

9. Drake, “9”

Views • Cash Money • 2016

“And I turn the six upside down, it’s a nine now.” For those who have been listening to Drake for a minute, or hail from Canada (whichever comes first), the “6” that he references is Toronto.  In other words, throughout his career, the Canadian rapper/singer has made a huge deal about the “6.”  Since he’s “king” in Toronto, on the energetic, relatively slow “9” Drake has figuratively “turned it upside down.” “All these handouts, man it’s getting outta hand / I’ma start telling n***as ‘get it how they can’ / I got it right now so I’m everybody’s friends / If I ever lose I bet we never speak again.”

10. NF, “10 Feet Down”

Ft. Ruelle

Perception • Capitol • 2017

“Yeah, I know the person in the mirror’s not a perfect one / I look at him every day and think he’s not enough.” NF keeps his third album, Perception going strong with “10 Feet Down, featuring Ruelle. On “10 Feet Down” NF is in full-on, introspective mode, exemplified by the aforementioned lyrical excerpt from the first verse.  He starts by examining “the man in the mirror,” citing his shortcomings, but essentially plans a meaningful ascent.  This is clarified in the second verse, where he’s critical of the process to attain fame and essentially, forgetting our purpose and from whence we came.

Photo Credits: Capitol, Cash Money, Domino, Interscope, RCA, Red Bull, Republic, Triple Tigers, Young Turks