11 Songs That Embrace the Voice

Reading Time: 11 min read

11 Songs That Embrace the Voice features music courtesy of Halsey, Jake Shears, Lil Baby x Lil Durk, The Police, and Tinashe.

Are you prepared to VOICE your opinion? Keep in mind, it is important to use your voice. We couldn’t dare miss an opportunity to embrace the V-O-I-C-E in the form of a musical compendium – a playlist. 11 Songs That Embrace the Voice embrace it in various ways, whether it being used as an instrument, internally, or the speak out. Honestly, the voice is incredibly versatile. Anyways, focusing on the playlist, 11 Songs That Embrace the Voice features music courtesy of Halsey, Jake Shears, Lil Baby x Lil Durk, The Police, and Tinashe among others. So, without further ado, let’s embrace the voice!

1. Jake Shears, “Voices” (Ft. Kylie Minogue)

💿 Last Man Dancing • 🏷 Boys Keep Swinging Inc / Mute Artists Ltd. • 🗓 2023

“I hear a single falsetto / Faces come out of the shadows / Are these the choices? / Here come the gentle voices.” “Voices” marks an elite moment for Jake Shears (Jake Sellards) from his 2023, sophomore LP, Last Man Dancing. He taps the one and only Kylie Minogue for the assist – can you say #SLAY?! From the jump, this dance-pop, nu disco joint is a vibe-and-a-half. Ryland Blackinton and Vaughn Oliver put in work behind the boards; those exuberant, rhythmic synths are EVERYTHING!. Furthermore, the queen, Minogue, is on autopilot.  Her chemistry alongside Shears in the chorus is utterly stupendous, creating one of the best collaborations of 2023. 

“Calling you to action

Action (Ah-ha)

Passion (Ah-ha)

I hear voices

Calling you to love

Emotion (Ah-ha)

The notion (Ah-ha)

The voice is in me.”

Appears in 🔻:

Voice: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 48 (2023)

2. Yeat, “Talk”

💿 Lyfë • 🏷 Field Trip Recordings / Geffen • 🗓 2022

“Jump out at the show, jump out at the show / Had to change my flow, yeah, had to change the joke.” Woo! There’s something special about Yeat.  Is it the youthful swagger? Perhaps! On “Talk”, a highlight/single from his 2022 album, Lyfë, he talks that shit!  “Talk” is odd, first and foremost.  The listener gets an intro, which hypes things up.  It’s followed by the pre-chorus, excerpted at the top of this review.  Then, Yeat delivers a lengthy chorus.  As wordy as it may be, by the time you hear it again later, it endears itself.  There are some memorable lyrics, beginning with Yeat “Riding in that big, lil’ ass Tonka truck.” There is a verse, however, which is sandwiched between the two choruses.  Basically, he brags and flexes, asserting, “And I don’t give a fuck ‘bout the coupe, yeah, I pop the bitch on Tes’.” Well, that’s a sus line but ear-catching.  Further making “Talk” a vibe is the production work by BNYX®.  The backdrop is dark, malicious – perfect fuel for Yeat’s confident, hella cocky fire. “Talk” = entertaining banger.   

3. Halsey, “Whispers”

💿 If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 📅 2021

“It’s the thing in your thighs when you’re lonely at night / Scroll through your phone, gettin’ high off the light.” Those lyrics = thought provoking. They hail from the first verse of “Whispers,” the 10th track on If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power. Arguably, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power is the best album by Grammy-nominated artist, Halsey (Ashley Frangipane). On “Whispers,” Frangipane reflects on her state of mind – mental health.  “This is the voice in your head that says, ‘You do not want this’ / This is the ache that says, ‘You do not want him’,” Frangipane sings in the second verse, continuing, “This si the glimmer of light that you’re keepin’ alive / When you tell yourself, ‘Bet I could fuck him.’” Woo! Dark and enigmatic (production by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross), Halsey masterfully depicts the ins and outs of her head.  While the chilling, sometimes ‘whispered’ “Whispers” is specific to her experiences, anyone who has experienced mental health issues can relate. In other words, those voices are loud and clear!

4. Foo Fighters, “Hearing Voices”

💿 But Here We Are • 🏷 Roswell • 📅 2023

“I’ve been hearing voices / None of them are you.” “Hearing Voices” appears as the third track from Foo Fighters’ emotional, 2023 album, But Here We Are. “Hearing Voices” features a dark vibe and is fittingly set in a minor key. The rhythmic guitar intro is an early win for the band, while the anchoring bass line doesn’t hurt either. Notably, front man Dave Grohl initially sings in an undertone, which suits the enigmatic aesthetic (“It’s quiet in my room / The silence is unfair”). No worries though as Grohl rises to the occasion soon enough. Wrinkles in the harmonic scheme keep “Hearing Voices” from being predictable. Generally, Foo Fighters have a knack for this. In the context of the LP, three songs in, “Hearing Voices” maintains the tuneful vibes.

5. Tinashe, “Talk To Me Nice”  

💿 BB/ANG3L • 🏷 Tinashe Music Inc. / Nice Life Recording Company • 🗓 2023  

“Mix up my days, got me in a daze / Stuck in a phase, so talk to me nice.” Woo! Tinashe brings the heat, sexiness, and innovative spirit simultaneously on “Talk To Me Nice”, the opener from her 2023 album, BB/ANG3L. She continues singing in the chorus, “Come get me laid, sing me lullabies, yeah / Come drive me craze ‘fore I catch a flight.” Sex is written all over those lyrics, particularly anytime you bring the word laid into the picture. Tinashe gets a huge boost from the creative, distinct, futuristic, and rhythmic production work by Nosaj Thing and Scoop DeVille. You might say that they help amplify and elevate the sex! “Talk To Me Nice” explores more than pleasure, however. In the first verse, Tinashe seems to emphasize independence, differentiating between wants and needs. “I don’t wanna wait all life for the right time, I know,” she sings, adding, “You got options, I got options / Want you, but don’t need you / Tease you, but I please you.” Ooh-la-la! Still, by the time the change of pace in production arrives in the refrain of sorts, she emphasizes the fact that “This a feeling that money can’t buy /… Loyalty, what the money can’t buy.” That suggests a relationship more than just a hook up.  Even the second verse, suggests more, even with the sex front and center: “Ride on ya, when we gettin’ high, we the closest / High-end, private charter to an island / Real good sex to break the silence.” Ooh wee! “Talk To Me Nice” is nothing short of vibe. Call this one an intriguing balance between bomb sex and the R-word – relationship. 

Appears in 🔻:  

6. The Police, “Voices Inside My Head”

💿 Zenyatta Mondatta • 🏷 A&M • 📅 1980

“Jump, jump, jump!” “Voices Inside My Head” appears as the fifth track of Zenyatta Mondatta, the 1980 album by iconic rock band, The Police. Zenyatta Mondatta is one of multiple, multiplatinum albums by the collective. A non-single, the aesthetic of “Voices Inside My Head” is a huge selling point. It features an electrifying, infectious groove. Simply put, there is NO WAY you’ll be able to resist the body movement. The rhythm section is firmly in the pocket: drums, rhythm guitar, and a super athletic bass line 💪.

Some additional notes regarding those voices inside Sting’s head. Sting gives a great vocal performance, serving up unique vocals. Beyond his voice, the vocal production is well-rounded. Regarding the songwriting, “Voices Inside My Head” keeps the lyrics simple and repetitive: “Voices inside my head / Echoes of things that you said.” Yep, that’s about the size of it! Even with Sting singing uncomplicated text, those lyrics are a vibe. A sick gem from the 1980s, “Voices Inside My Head” never gets in a rush, giving off cool but incredibly potent energy.

Appears in 🔻:

The Police, Voices Inside My Head: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 6 (2024)

7. Lil Baby & Lil Durk, “Voice of the Heroes”

💿 The Voice of the Heroes • 🏷 Quality Control Music • 📅 2021

“Just keep on bein’ the voice, I’ll be the hero / and everything I got is a profit, started with zero.” Two of the hottest rappers of the 2020s joined forces. That’s right, Lil Baby and Lil Durk topped the Billboard 200 with their 2021 collaborative album, The Voice of the Heroes. Of course, what better way to commence the album than with the title track, “Voice of the Heroes.” “Voice of the Heroes” is produced by TouchofTrent and Haze, who certainly fuel Baby and Durks’ fire. Out the gate, Lil Durk brings it strong with his agile, melodic flow. In the first verse, he’s very honest about life, whether it’s missing his kids, seeing an uncle die, or seeing his “Brother stack his bricks up and it look like Tetris.” Following the verse, Durk goes on to give us the heroic chorus, which highlights the titular lyric. Next, Lil Baby drops his own slaughter fest, with his ever-distinct tone and compelling flow. Like Durk, he keeps things real, dropping the gem, “I showed all my niggas in the trenches it’s a better life / Never get too big for me to listen, I’ll take your advice.” A shorter Durk verse, followed by a shorter Lil Baby verse occurs before the chorus returns. “Voice of the Heroes” is both a fine opening cut, as well as a totally, worthwhile single.

Appears in 🔻:

8. Lil Durk, “The Voice”

💿 The Voice • 🏷 Alamo / Sony • 📅 2020

“Please don’t turn away from me / I got enough on my plate tryna turn away…/ Became the voice of the streets and my people ain’t believe in me,” Chicago rapper Lil Durk asserts on “The Voice”. “The Voice” is edgy throughout its course. Even so, there are ‘kinder, gentler’ elements. For example, the production by TurnmeupJosh, LowLowTurnMeUp, and Ayo Bleu is gorgeous. Set in a minor key, some of the highlights include prominent piano, slick drum programming, guitar, and organ. It sets up Durk for success. Durk, meanwhile, serves up his signature, melodic rap delivery. Even so, he delivers a captivating flow with nice rhythm and cadence that bodes in his favor. Thematically, he spits about his past life, including “Sleepless nights, barely changin’ clothes…” and “Plenty nights got me traumatized.” The end of the first verse is particularly potent:

“I can’t even vote for who I believe in, shit ain’t goin’ right
I didn’t drop a tear inside the funeral, I ain’t mourn right
And I nut in all the hoes I fuck, I blame the porn site.”

Raw and street – no cap. Street talk continues in the second verse: “I know a nigga from the hood, he’ll serve with no scale / Watchin’ bands make a play, I seen him score in the mail / Gave him thirty-nine years, I heard him cry in the cell.” Durk makes his point clear; he, indeed “Became the VOICE of the streets.”

Appears in 🔻:

Voice: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 48 (2023)

9. Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers, “Make Me Say It Again, Girl” (Ft. Beyoncé) 

💿 Make Me Say It Again, Girl • 🏷 RI Top Ten • 🗓 2022  

In 2022, Ronald Isley and The Isley Brothers returned with a new version of their classic, “Make Me Say It Again, Girl”.  Joining him on this remake is none other than Beyoncé, who collaborates with Isley for the very first time with superb results. No, “Make Me Say It Again Girl, Pts. 1 & 2”, from the 1975 album, The Heat Is On, didn’t require a remake. That said, this rework from Make Me Say It Again, Girl is legit. The smooth pipes of Ronald Isley remain elite – it’s truly surprising he’s in his eighth decade.  Furthermore, Beyoncé proves to be the perfect duet partner, showing how refined her instrument truly is.  She’s duetted with other veteran artists many times, and the results never fail to impress.  Given the timbre of Isley’s voice, as well as her own distinct pipes, the chemistry between the two is epic. No, “Make Me Say It Again, Girl” won’t change your life, or the face of R&B music, but this remake is beautiful!  

Appears in 🔻:

Awesome Songs: August 2022

10. TOOL, “Culling Voices”

💿 Fear Inoculum • 🏷 Tool Dissectional, L.L.C. / Volcano Entertainment II, L.L.C • 📅 2021

“Disembodied voices deepen my / Suspicious tendencies / Conversations we’ve never had / Imagined interplay.” WOW – that is some deep stuff right there, Maynard James Keenan. Adding more fuel to the fire: “Judge, condemn, and banish any and everyone / Without evidence / Only whispers from within.” We have all been guilty of that, unfortunately. The TOOL front man begins singing nearly a minute-and-a-half into “Culling Voices,” the seventh track on Fear Inoculum. Like most of the LP, “Culling Voices” exceeds 10 minutes in duration. Yup, the Grammy-winning alt/prog metal collective has lots to say! Once Kennan begins singing, he sounds amazing, showing off his clear, gorgeous tone. Following an enigmatic, restrained start, “Culling Voices” eventually picks up steam, triggered by the reiterated lyrics, “Don’t you dare point that at me.” Complementing those lyrics are fully charged guitars which sound hellish to the nth degree. Ah, the dangers of internal discussion, and a wandering, paranoid mind are dangerous and terrifying: “Psychopathy / Misleading me over and over.” 10 minutes well spent.

Appears in 🔻:

Voice: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 48 (2023)

11. Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Rhythm Street Band, “Express Yourself”

💿 Express Yourself • 🏷 Warner • 📅 1970

Two words: EXPRESS YOURSELF! That’s right! Use your V-O-I-C-E! Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Rhythm Street Band landed a quartet of songs on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1970 and 1971. The highest charting, most successful record is “Express Yourself” (Express Yourself). If you had the experience of growing up during the 1970s, you got to experience this no. 12 hit in real time. If you’re a millennial, perhaps your first experience with this gem was from Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 🛹 via the N.W.A. song which sampled to soul classic. The original is a surefire vibe on its own pushing individuality. The chorus sums thing up perfectly – “Express Yourself!” Beyond it, the verses exhibit plenty of personality and sound advice. “You don’t never need help / From nobody else,” Charles Wright sings, later adding, “Whatever you do, do, do, Lord, Lord / Do it good.” WOO! The pre-chorus sections, which are varied throughout, are quite insightful. In the first pre-chorus, Wright makes it clear that you can’t judge a book by its cover:

“It’s not what you look like

When you’re doin’ what you’re doin’

It’s what’s you’re doin’ when you’re doin’

What you look like you’re doin’!”

The wisdom is through the roof. Also, you know what else is pretty cool about this funky joint? The music! The band is lit! Honestly, reflecting on “Express Yourself”, how did it miss the top 10 on the pop charts? It’s what we call a decadent earworm!

Appears in 🔻:

11 Songs That Embrace the Voice (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; A&M, Alamo, Field Trip Recordings, Boys Keep Swinging Inc, Geffen, Mute Artists Ltd., Nice Life Recording Company, Quality Control Music, Sony, RI Top Ten, Roswell, Tinashe Music Inc., Tool Dissectional, L.L.C., UMG Recordings Inc., Volcano Entertainment II, L.L.C Warner; cottonbro studio from Pexels; Alemon, Vishnu R from Pixabay]

11 Songs That Embrace the Voice | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on March 1, 2024March 1, 2024