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“11 Songs Where Distance, Time, or Tempo Are Clearly a Factor” features music courtesy of 5 Seconds of Summer, Alec Benjamin, Ella Mai, and SZA among others.

Back in 2016, when The Musical Hype was a wee young music website just trying to get some footing, I wrote a playlist entitled 13 Songs Where Time is Clearly a Factor.  Since it’s been at least two-and-a-half years (as of publication time) since that early playlist arrived, what better than to drop a newer edition with different songs.  Rather than merely focusing on time, 11 Songs Where Distance, Time, or Tempo Are Clearly a Factor also considers ‘distance’ as well as ‘tempo.’ Obviously, there could be a lot more than 11 songs, but 11 is sufficient for this edition… wouldn’t want to spoil you.  Musicians contributing to this affair include the likes of 5 Seconds of Summer (“Talk Fast”), Alec Benjamin (“Let Me Down Slowly”), Ella Mai (“Shot Clock”), and SZA (“Broken Clocks”).  Without further ado, here are 11 Songs Where Distance, Time, or Tempo Are Clearly a Factor!

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1. Ella Mai, “Shot Clock”

Ella Mai • 10 Summers / Interscope • 2018

When a young, promising artist like British singer Ella Mai comes around, there’s definitely hope for R&B, a genre that has cooled off tremendously over the years. On her self-titled debut album, Mai shines like a beacon, including the record at hand, “Shot Clock.” On “Shot Clock,” Mai does wonders with a basketball reference, not to mention awesome production by DJ Mustard.  Notably, “Shot Clock” samples the Drake song, “Legend” (from If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late).

The pre-chorus is superb:

“When that nigga pull up on me, tell that nigga back, back
Don’t you know all of these niggas wish that they could bag that?
I’m just saying, boy, you’re playing, you’re gon’ let it wind down
You got 24 seconds and it’s starting right now.”

It’s also worth noting, prior to “Shot Clock,” that Mai sings another ‘shot’ song, “Cheap Shot.”  What goes down on “Cheap Shot?” Mai’s man makes her do things she usually doesn’t do.  Naturally, the wordplay with “shot” is intriguing (alcohol, and how he influences her).

2. Alec Benjamin, “Let Me Down Slowly”

Ft. Alessia Cara

Let Me Down Slowly (Ft. Alessia Cara) [Single] • Alec Benjamin • 2018

“The night is cold in the kingdom / I can feel you fade away.” Those emotional, poetic, and thoughtful lyrics come at the hands of Phoenix, Arizona-bred, pop singer/songwriter Alec Benjamin. One of the things that makes Benjamin so unique is his beautiful voice with a stellar, boyish tone. He impressed initially on his heartfelt single, “Let Me Down Slowly”, which appears on his well-rounded, debut mixtape, Narrated for You.

“Let Me Down Slowly” is a good ole, sound pop record that’s well-produced record without being incredibly ornate. Benjamin delivers a strong vocal performance, without the need for lots of flashiness or gospel histrionics – he definitely ‘does his thing’, and it pays dividends. He expressively delivers the lyrics, bringing emotions and the song itself ‘on home’ on the chorus.  Simply put, his little heart can’t take any sudden or extra pain. On the remixed version released post-Narrated for You, Benjamin gets a lift from Canadian Grammy-winning pop sensation Alessia Cara.  She shines on her own verse, while the two of them blend beautifully and seamlessly on the chorus.

“Could you find a way to let me down slowly?
A little sympathy, I hope you can show me
If you wanna go then I’ll be so lonely
If you’re leaving baby let me down slowly.”

3. Logic, “100 Miles and Running”

Ft. John Lindahl & Wale

YSIV • Def Jam • 2018

“New York to L.A., Hawaii, and Japan / I’m the motherfuckin’ man, ‘least I’m feelin’ like I am / Got the whole wide world in the palm of my hand / But don’t give a goddamn, I’m Sam, I am.” Grammy-nominated rapper Logic enlists Wale and John Lindahl for the grooviest song from his 2018 LP, YSIV, “100 Miles and Running.” Here, both distance (“100 miles”) and tempo (running is a fast action, duh) are clearly a factor. Safe to say, Sir Robert Hall goes off, delivering his most agile rhymes of the LP.  Wale doesn’t do too shabby for himself either, eating the beat alive during his guest verse (“Been the talk of the town, nigga, Virginia, Maryland / Did it all for the capital, hope you haven’t forgot”).

As for Lindahl? His falsetto is fierce to the nth degree.

“And it’s on now
Everybody know that it’s on now
Get in the zone now
Oh, no, no, no.”

4. 5 Seconds of Summer, “Talk Fast”

Youngblood • Capitol • 2018

“Oh, talk fast, romance /Oh, it won’t last, I’m okay with that / Oh, burn, crash, romance / Oh, I’ll take what I can get from you.” Aussie pop collective 5 Seconds of Summers like to talk – well, at least they’ve recorded a couple of songs with ‘talking’ as the focal point.  The song at hand integrates tempo, hence, it’s a perfect fit for this time-centric playlist, sigh.  On the Youngblood highlight “Talk Fast,” Calum Hood and Luke Hemmings handle the majority of vocal duties. Even so, the whole crew pipes in on the aforementioned chorus, where 5SOS’ ‘bread is buttered.’ The band shines on “Talk Fast,” keeping things fun and energetic to the nth degree.

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5. Lil Xan, “Tick Tock”

Ft. 2 Chainz

Total Xanarchy • Columbia • 2018

Polarizing to the nth degree.  That’s the best way to describe Latino Cali rapper Lil Xan, who quickly ascended in the rap game, as shocking as that is.  Who needs bars with depth when you can opt for ad-libs, sound effects, profanity, and mostly indecipherable lyrics chocked with overconfidence and meaningless sex?  Ugh, that’s what the majority of what the questionable Total Xanarchy encompasses, including the utterly dumb song, “Tick Tock” featuring 2 Chainz.

The best attribute of “Tick Tock” is the hard-nosed, menacing production work.  Production plays a big role in the SoundCloud movement of which Xan is a member of, something that’s well represented here.  That said, he doesn’t say anything notable, unless mimicking a damn clock counts, ugh. Give him credit for tapping 2 Chainz for the assist – this is type of record he ‘eats up’ with utterly charming stupidity.

 6. Joji, “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK”

BALLADS 1 • 88rising • 2018

On the downtempo “Slow Dancing in the Dark” (BALLADS 1) alt-R&B artist Joji deals with matters of the heart.  Call “Slow Dancing in the Dark” a heartbreak-tinged slow jam. As usual, he sings in an undertone initially, exhibiting chill, laid-back, and somewhat somnambulant vocals. He perfectly captures a nighttime vibe. Eventually, the listener is treated to clearer, more assertive vocals from Joji. “Slow Dancing in the Dark” finds Joji breaking up with his girlfriend as the relationship has run its course. On the second pre-chorus, not only does he reference the emotional aspects of the relationship, but also his desire for sex, even though it clearly won’t atone for their incompatibility.

On the chorus, he sings:

“Give me reasons we should be complete
You should be with him, I can’t compete
You looked at me like I was someone else, oh well
Can’t you see?
I don’t wanna slow dance
In the dark.”

7. 6ix9ine, “TIC TOC”

Ft. Lil Baby

DUMMY BOY • Scumgang • 2018

Controversial New York rapper 6ix9ine delivered one of the very worst albums of 2018 with his inept, totally substance-less debut album, DUMMY BOY. Yeah, the project was straight-up trash. There is a record that fits the parameters of this playlist to be found on DUMMY BOY, “TIC TOC.” “TIC TOC” pairs 6ix9ine with another breakout rapper from 2018, Lil Baby. Melodic like “FEFE”, “TIC TOC” also keeps things simple – perhaps basic is the better characterization.

But honestly, if a song is named after an onomatopoeic clock sound, what more can you expect?

“Okay, tick tock, Audemars wrist watch
I keep a stick, I keep a big Glock
You get hit, I do not miss shots
I keep a stick, I tell her, ‘Kick rocks.’”

8.SZA, “Broken Clocks”

Ctrl • RCA • 2017

Throughout the course of her major label debut, Ctrl, urban contemporary singer SZA showcases incredible artistry.  She totally slays on the soulfully-sampled “Broken Clocks,” which focuses on ‘HIS’ love for her.

While he still loves her, she’s moved on:

“All I got is these broken clocks
I ain’t got no time
Just burning daylight
Still love and it’s still love, and it’s still love…
Nothin’ but love.”

She still has place for him in her heart, but while he dwells on the past, she’s looking to the future.  Beyond the aforementioned, SZA continues to share various feelings, thoughts, and snippets about herself, all of which are brilliant.

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9. BADBADNOTGOOD, “Time Moves Slow”

Ft. Samuel Herring

IV • Innovative Leisure • 2016

“Running away is easy / It’s the leaving that’s hard / Running away is easy… / It’s the living that’s hard / And loving you is easy / It was you leaving that scarred.” Break-up blues… Yup. Toronto collective BADBADNOTGOOD are known for their eclectic blend of jazz, R&B, and hip hop.  Not only does BADBADNOTGOOD record their own unique brand of music, but they’ve also produced, written, and provided samples to many popular artists including Rihanna, Drake, and Logic.  For the gorgeous ballad “Time Moves Slow,” taken from their 2016 album, IV, the collective enlists Future Islands frontman Samuel Herring to provide vocals. The results are marvelous, oozing with soul on the end of the band, while Herring shines with a chilling, expressive performance.

“Time moves slow
When you’re all alone
And the time moves slow
When you’re out on your own
And time moves slow
When you’re missing a friend
And the time moves slow
When you came to the end.”

10. Fantasia, “No Time for It”

The Definition of… • RCA • 2016

“And if they’re bringing up problems / There’s not time for it.” Oh snap! Perhaps the best way to describe “No Time for It”, a standout from Fantasia’s 2016 album, The Definition of… is that it’s feisty.  This can be inferred from the title, but the song itself backs it. Ultimately, “No Time for It” is a sound record that is firmly entrenched in contemporary R&B, that eschews being flashy.

Thematically, Fantasia is giving a big ole fat middle finger to the haters – she doesn’t care what they’ve got to say.  On the chorus, she sings, “You wanna tell me how it is / But there’s no time for it… And the hate don’t really matter, nah / There’s no time for it.”  Essentially, Fantasia confirms the old “haters gonna hate” sentiment.

11. Ro James, “Burn Slow”

ELDORADO • ByStorm Entertainment / RCA • 2016

“Oh…shit / Girl, that Honey Jack put us on our back / When we on our back we get to that action / Pour up, pour up.”  Grammy-nominated R&B singer Ro James has a fun, sexy, and substance-filled night (and morning) with his girl on “Burn Slow.” Here, the tempo is clearly the factor, not only in relation to the BPM of this slow jam, but also what’s taking place in the bedroom. Basically, Ro and his girl have been drinking, smoking, and sexing – shocker.  On the falsetto-filled chorus of this slow, grinding ballad, James sings about how awesome the experience is.

“Waking up to you in the morning
It’s better than sunrise
So we can keep the curtains closed
Just light a few more candles and burn ‘em slow
Baking up with you in the morning
Trying to get a little rewind
‘Cause I ain’t really ready to let you go…
Just light a few more candles and burn ‘em slow.”

Photo Credits: 10 Summers, 88rising, Alec Benjamin, Capitol, Columbia, Def Jam, Innovative Leisure, Interscope, Pexels, Pixabay RCA, Scumgang

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