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“11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in May 2019” features music by Joyner Lucas, Luke Combs, Mary J. Blige, Thomas Rhett, and Tyler, the Creator. 

Ah, we continue to be ‘tickled’ monthly on The Musical Hype.  In April, I selected 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in April 2019, including standouts from AJR (“Birthday Party”), Lauv (“Drugs & The Internet”), Lizzo (“Cuz I Love You”), ScHoolboy Q (“Attention”), and Taylor Swift (“ME!”).Now, post-April 2019, we do the same with 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in May 2019. All of the songs on 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in May 2019 were released as singles or as an album track in May 2019. Musicians that made our ears perk up in the month of May include Joyner Lucas (“Isis”), Luke Combs (“Beer Never Broke My Heart”), Mary J. Blige (“Thriving”), Thomas Rhett (“Center Point Road”), and Tyler, The Creator (“New Magic Wand”) among others.  Without further ado, here are 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in May 2019.

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1. Joyner Lucas, “Isis”

Ft. Logic

ADHD • Tully • 2019

Genre: Rap

“Me and Joyner need a couple hearses… / What’s beef? / Beef is when you murder motherfuckers on a beat, kill ‘em all, kill ‘em all.” Hmm, apparently, the beef is off between rappers Joyner Lucas and Logic.  Lucas taps the ever-prolific Bobby Hall for his single “Isis”,  the third single from his highly-anticipated 2019 album, ADHD. Following the intro, Joyner Lucas drops a fiery chorus, filled with counting – “…Five times for the bitches who ain’t called back (Yeah) / Six times for the kids like me who got ADHD just to…” Lucas goes on to drop an epic, ‘turnt-up’ verse, referencing ‘ISIS’ early on.

Lucas’ fire is further fueled by mean-sounding, minor-key production.

“Got a metal in the truck, I keep a semi when I’m bussin’

Niggas duckin’ (Bop)

Even Stevie Wonder could’ve see it comin’ (Brrrap, brap, bop).”

Couple that with his kick ass flow and “Isis” is ‘on 10’ early-on.  Logic adds his two cents on the second verse, dropping an electrifying verse in his own right, perfectly suited for this particular joint. The aforementioned references to the ‘beef’ hail from top of his verse btw. As always, he has his share of clever lines including referencing Regis and Kelly (“Yes, it’s egregious, I’m Regis / You Kelly, you pussy, you pussy”) and of course, murder.  Ultimately, Joyner Lucas and Logic are absolutely sick on “Isis.”  Both serve up some memorable, potent rhymes, further amplified by the ferocious backdrop. #Fancy Tickled.

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2. Thomas Rhett, “Center Point Road”

Ft. Kelsea Ballerini

Center Point Road • Big Machine • 2019

Genre: Country

Grammy-nominated country musician Thomas Rhett unveiled a sixth and final advance single from his fourth studio album, Center Point Road. On “Center Point Road”, Rhett tapped a fellow Grammy-nominated country musician, Kelsea Ballerini for the assist with   positive results.  “Center Point Road” has plenty of pros.  It is co-written by Rhett with a team of writers including Amy Wadge, Cleve Wilson, and Jesse Frasure.  Furthermore, Dann Huff joins a production team including Frasure, Wilson, and Rhett. The songwriting and the production are big reasons why “Center Point Road” is a roaring success.  The sound of this record is ‘country enough,’ but it also thrives with its pop/rock sensibility. Compared to other Thomas Rhett records, he doesn’t overdo the experimentation beyond country music, but still looks outside of its boundaries.  The record is reflective, remembering youthful, fun times and experiences.

Two more factors make “Center Point Road” a joy – Rhett and Ballerini, who do a superb job performing their respective parts.  Rhett sings the first verse and chorus, while Ballerini provides contrast on the second verse and follow-up chorus.  They join forces on the bridge, each singing individual lines, as well as together, before ending strong on the chorus and outro.  The chorus is one of the best parts of “Center Point Road.”

“We wrote our own destiny

In parkin’ lots and empty streets

Yeah, we got high on you and me

Jumped over cracks beneath our feet

And we thought it would never end

Then watched it go like summer wind

When growin’ up was just a dream

And Friday night was everything.”

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3. Mary J. Blige, “Thriving”

Ft. Nas

Thriving [Single] • Republic • 2019

Genre: R&B

“Keep smilin’, make ‘em wild out / Stay loud, don’t dumb it down / Hold my crown up to the sky / Hold your crown up to the sky.” Although Mary J. Blige may be past her most lucrative prime, but that doesn’t stop the Grammy-winning, ‘queen of hip-hop soul’ from releasing compelling, new music.  That’s exactly what she does with single, “Thriving”. As MJB indeed ‘thrives,’ she gets a lift from another top-notch musician in his own right, Nas.

Blige is on autopilot from the jump.  Backed by banging production by DJ Camper she flexes hard from the start. “Look what I did, I made history,” she sings on the first verse, continuing, “They don’t know what to do with me.” Her confidence continues to soar on the second verse, as she asserts, “You see, I’m on a mission (Yeah) / Ain’t no baggage weighin’ me down (No).” As great as the verses, refrain (featured at the top of the review), and the pre-chorus are, it’s the chorus the seals the deal:

“No, we’re not just survivin’, yeah we’re thrivin’ over here

All those sad songs don’t break me, just gave me a record deal

Ooh, ooh,

We’re not just survivin’, yeah we’re thrivin’ over here.”

As for Nas, he delivers the goods on the third verse, providing contrast, yet complementing MJB: “I dodged bullets and jail time and kept drivin’ / Stood tall through it all, keep thrivin’.” “Thriving” is incredibly well-rounded.

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4. Tyler, the Creator, “New Magic Wand”

IGOR • Columbia • 2019

Genre: Rap

“New Magic Wand” keeps the excellence of IGOR going strong.  In the context of Tyler, the Creator’s 2019 album, ‘matters of the heart’ remain the focal point. Tyler makes it clear that ‘she’ needs to get ‘out of the picture.’ “She really fuckin’ up my frame,” he states at the end of the verse, continuing, “She’s not developed like we are.” Hmm, to quote Amy Winehouse, “what kind of fuckery is this?”.

Tyler, the Creator makes it clear that ‘she’s’ not a ‘he,’ thus, not the same sex, which appears to be his preference… maybe. The second verse further fuels speculation as he asserts, “My brother said I’m on the spectrum…” Sure, maybe he’s referring specifically to remarks made by his step brother but given his ‘flirtation’ with sexuality on Flower Boy and now IGOR, the fact that he could be referring to the sexual spectrum seems very possible.  Where does this magic wand come into play? Well, he’s going to remove her from the picture – R.I.P.

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5. Luke Combs, “Beer Never Broke My Heart”

Beer Never Broke My Heart [Single] • River House Artists, LLC / Sony Music Entertainment • 2019

Genre: Country

“Longneck ice-cold beer never broke my heart / Likin’ diamond rings and football teams have torn this boy apart… / And longneck ice-cold beer never broke my heart.” Give Grammy-nominated country singer Luke Combs credit for his honesty on “Beer Never Broke My Heart”. Love, politicians, and sports teams have all messed him up, but never that glorious substance known as beer.  It shouldn’t come as a surprise – country musicians have notorious love for beer.

Luke Combs keeps it relatively tight on “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” just inching past three minutes in duration.  Besides a respectable length, he does a fabulous job of maintaining the country music script.  He delivers robust vocals, heavy on twang, and unapologetically country.  Within the country music community, there are those who favor the traditional approaches and those who embrace the new sound, which incorporates pop, electronic, and urban influences.  Here, Combs is all ‘old-school’ – there isn’t the slightest bit of pop or urban sensibilities to be found on this straightforward, turned-up, guitar-heavy joint. Combs may not revolutionize country music, but “Beer Never Broke My Heart” is a rock-solid flex-fest for him and the more traditional side of the genre.

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6. 5 Seconds of Summer, “Easier”

Easier [Single] • Interscope • 2019

Genre: Pop

“I love you so much that I hate you / Right now, it’s so hard to blame you / ‘Cause you’re so damn beautiful.” 5 Seconds of Summer continues to amplify the sleek pop of Youngblood on their short but sweet single, “Easier”. “The record barely crosses the two-and-a-half-minute mark, but 5SOS makes it worthwhile.  What stands out is the sound thanks to synths and programming.  Furthermore, the listener is treated to a heaping dose of falsetto; the head voice is ripe AF.  Even when Luke Hemmings isn’t singing in the stratosphere, his tone is on-point.

The rest of the boys join Hemmings on the best section of the record, the chorus:

“Is it easier to stay? Is it easier to go?

I don’t wanna know, oh

But I know that I’m never, ever gonna change

And you know that you’re always gonna stay the same

Is it easier to stay? Is it easier to go?

I don’t wanna know, oh (I don’t wanna know)

But I know that I’m never, ever gonna change

And you know you don’t want it any other way.”

If you don’t mind seeing the 5 Seconds of Summer embrace their status as a modern-day boy band driven more by electronics, then “Easier” is your cup of tea.

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7. Fantasia, “Enough”

Enough [Single] • Rock Soul / BMG Rights Management • 2019

Genre: R&B 

‘Grown-folks’ R&B ballad “Enough” marked Grammy-winner Fantasia’s first new music since releasing her Christmas album, Christmas After Midnight in 2017. The independently-released single runs past the four-and-a-half-minute mark, proving that it’s worth every second of its duration. The production work is one of the selling points; it’s a lush mix of adult contemporary R&B, urban contemporary, and pop. There’s brilliant, ear-catching use of pads, string bass, claps, and electric guitar. The sound is old-school, hearkening back to the adult contemporary R&B of the 80s and 90s.

Fantasia delivers strong vocals, the expectation for the powerhouse that she is.  A well-sung, memorable chorus is where her ‘bread is buttered.’ As for the premise of “Enough,” it’s real love, with Fantasia’s inability to “get enough” of him. On the first verse, she asserts, “I could just live here in your arms, I don’t wanna move.” On the second, she states, “And I’ll risk it all for you, baby, no, I ain’t got no shame, oh.” Later, on the bridge, she sings:

“All this love is more than I prayed for

More than I would see in a lifetime

And it’s getting stronger

Baby, just stay here with me.”

All in all, Fantasia ‘brings the heat’ and ‘delivers the goods’ on “Enough.”

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8. Clairo, “Bags”

Immunity • FADER • 2019

Genre: Alternative

“I’m not the type to run / I know that we’re having fun / But what’s the rush? Kissing, then my cheeks are so flushed.” Uh-oh – matters of the heart are firmly in play! Furthermore, it is officially Clairo (Claire Cottrill) season! The rising alternative singer/songwriter delivers a compelling record with “Bags”, the promo single for her highly-anticipated debut album, Immunity (August 2, 2019). Clairo gives us nearly four-and-a-half-minutes’ worth of song on “Bags” bucking the trend of briefer records some artists opt for.

Helping Clairo make “Bags” thrive is co-production by Rostam Batmanglij and Nick Breton.  The sound is quite alluring, featuring an awesome drum groove, driving bass and guitars, as well as some accentuating keyboard work.  It fuels Cottrill’s fire as she sings marvelously over the rhythmic backdrop, while maintaining chill and poise.  Beyond the sound, the songwriting is a notable proponent of “Bags.” Cottrill dabbles in matters of the heart, and all is not well in regard to the relationship. On the bridge, she sings, “Pardon my emotions / I should probably keep it all to myself / Know you’d make fun of me.” In other words, she’s holding back and willing to accept the status quo.  The chorus is what makes “Bags” truly the ‘cat’s meow’:

“Can you see me? I’m waiting for the right time

I can’t read you, but if you want, the pleasure’s all mine

Can you see me using everything to hold back?

I guess this could be worse

Walking out the door with your bags…”

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9. Denzel Curry, “Speedboat”

ZUU • Loma Vista • 2019

Genre: Rap

Denzel Curry packs a serious punch on “Speedboat”, the banging second single from his 2019 LP, ZUU. There’s good reason to salivate over “Speedboat.” The production, courtesy of Rugah Rahj, is a great starting point.  Rahj gives Curry a badass backdrop to spit over, including the piano lines and the beat.  Of course, Curry isn’t outshined in the least by the production, serving as the force that makes “Speedboat” the superb record that it is.

Following a dramatic intro, he unveils the simply glorious chorus that slaps the first time you hear it:

“Big talk, speedboat

Pray to God I don’t get repo’d

Didn’t go to college for a free throw

People gettin’ killed through the peephole

Have your money up before you go to war

Put the mask on like a luchador

My dawg didn’t make it to 21, so I gotta make it past 24.”

One of the most notable lines from the chorus references the late XXXTENTACION who was murdered at just 20 years old in 2018.  Beyond the chorus, Denzel Curry continues to bring the heat over the course of two verses.  He reflects on his life and his come-up.  “Gas, all in my brain, it fumigating my thoughts,” he raps on the second verse, continuing, “Thinking ‘bout intricate plots / To get out the hood, that’s when I started to jot.” Prior to the awesome chorus, the pre-chorus sets things up:

“Jesus, please deliver us from evil

Please pray over all my people

What you see in life’s illegal

I don’t wanna use my desert eagle.”

Simply put, Denzel Curry is on fire on “Speedboat.” “Speedboat” checks off all of those ‘hip-hop’ boxes – great production and tight bars.

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10. DJ Khaled, “Higher”

Ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend

Father of Asahd • Epic • 2019

At best, the 2019 DJ Khaled album, Father of Asahd, is average.  Even so, the biggest attraction of the album “Higher,” is definitely worthwhile.  “Higher” is a marvelous collaboration between the late Nipsey Hussle and John Legend.  The record elevates Father of Asahd to a ‘higher’ level thanks to soulful, gospel-infused vocals (Legend), awesome rhymes (Hussle), and high-flying, uplifting production work.

A change of feel within the production (a beat switch), occurring on the second verse only adds to the brilliance, allowing Hussle to switch up his flow as well.  Clocking in at under three minutes, despite its brevity, “Higher” is a surefire gem.  This is truly a great posthumous song by Nipsey Hussle by all means.  #Victory Lap

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11. YUNGBLUD, “Parents”

Parents [Single] • Geffen • 2019

Genre: Alternative

“‘Cause my high hopes are getting low / Because these people are so old / The way they think about it all / If I tried, I would never know… / ‘Cause parents ain’t always right.” On his single “Parents”, YUNGBLUD (Dominic Harrison) sings, quasi-raps, and delivers ample attitude.  Additionally, he has pretty rad production behind him courtesy of Zakk Cervini and Chris Greatti.  More edgy and risqué as opposed to playing it safe, “Parents” thrives because of its unapologetic honesty.

 

The message conveyed by YUNGBLUD is denouncing the narrow-minded thoughts that adults have in regard to youth.  Early on the first verse, he continues the sentiment of 21^st Century Liability as he depicts the ‘tortured’ nature of his generation.  On the first verse, the portions that pique the most interest actually appear at the end:

“My daddy put a gun to my head

Said, ‘If you kiss a boy, I’m gonna shoot you dead’

So, I tied him up with gaffa tape and I locked him in a shed

Then I went out to the garden and fucked my best friend.”

It’s outlandish but supports the overall message.  The ‘tortured’ sentiment continues on the second verse with YUNGBLUD going totally over the top on numerous occasions.  “Put a toaster in my bath, watch my mum and dad laugh / See a thousand volts go through the son they wish they never had.” Wow.  It gets even more wacky, as he later adds:

“But it’s hard to get an erection when you’re so used to rejection

Yeah, the teacher fucked the preacher

But then he had to leave her

Had to wash away the sins of a male cheerleader.”

Harrison does a fantastic job of selling it all, perfectly summing things up on the chorus, excerpted at the top of this blurb.

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[Photo Credits: Big Machine, Columbia, Epic, FADER, Geffen, Interscope, Loma Vista, Pixabay, Republic, River House Artists LLC / Sony Music Entertainment, Rock Soul / BMG Rights Management, Tully]

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