Tinashe, The Neighbourhood, Miley Cyrus, and Panic! At the Disco are some of the musicians that grace the “12 Half ‘With’ and Half Without” playlist.

Is it better to be ‘with’ or is it better to be ‘without’ – “That is the question.”  The good thing about the playlist at hand is that you can “have your cake and eat it too.” The criteria are simple.  Half of the songs (six) on the playlist use the word ‘with’ in their title.  The other half (also six) use the word ‘without’ in their title.  Among artists WITH something to share are Tinashe and The Neighbourhood, while some of the artists that are WITHOUT are Miley Cyrus and Panic! At the Disco. Prepare for the random with 12 Half ‘With’ and Half ‘Without’ Songs.  We’ve divided the with and without songs into two alternative waves just because.

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With: Wave One

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1. Vance Joy, “I’m With You”

Writers: Simone Felipe & Vance Joy « Producer: Simone Felipe

Nation of Two • Atlantic • 2018

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Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy is none too shabby when it comes to the balladry game.  Joy ditches common time for six-eight on “I’m With You.” No, he doesn’t flip the game on its side on this particular record, but ultimately, it’s radiant, thoughtful, and well-performed.

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2. Doja Cat, “Roll with Us”

Writers: Amala Zandile Dlamini, David Sprecher, Gerard A. Powell II & Rogét Chahayed « Producers: Jerry “tizhimself” Powell, Rogét Chahayed & Yeti

Amala • Kemosabe / RCA • 2018

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Rapper and singer DojaCat is already proving herself as a bold, risqué addition to pop music.  The bold and explicit “Roll with Us” appears on her quietly released debut album, Amala, which is named after her (Amala Zandile Dlamini).  “Roll with Us” is about what one expects from an urban contemporary record – sleek production, profanity, rhythmic, hip-hop-like melodic lines, and chocked full of confidence and edginess.

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3. The Neighbourhood, “Stuck with Me”

Writers: Brandon Fried, Jeremiah Freedman, Jesse James Rutherford, Lars Stalfors, Lewis Hugues, Michael Margott, Nicholas Audino & Zachary Abels « Producer: Lars Stalfors & Lewis Hughes

The Neighbourhood • Columbia • 2018

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The Neighbourhood are somewhat of a polarizing band.  That continues on their self-titled, third full-length album.  Nonetheless, Jesse Rutherford and company have their moments.  Arguably, the song at hand, “Stuck with Me,” isn’t necessarily the crème de la crème.  The concluding song on the standard edition of The Neighbourhood is a natural segue from the track that precedes it, “Too Serious.” As the record progresses, “Stuck with Me” does develop its own, distinct identity, aided by a driving groove, synths, and rich, robust vocals. They keyword is WITH.

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Without: Wave One

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4. Miley Cyrus, “Week Without You”

Writers: Miley Cyrus & Oren Yoel « Producers: Miley Cyrus & Oren Yoel

Younger Now • RCA • 2017

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“Week Without You” was one of the pre-release singles for Miley Cyrus’ 2017 album, Younger Now.  Younger Now was a flop for Cyrus, likely due to how starkly different it was from her last proper album, BANGERZ.  She ditched the unapologetic hip-hop culture for more traditional, retro-pop and country leanings.  “Week Without You” itself was so-so as an advanced single but shines more within the context of Younger Now.  The retro-vibes and throwback sound are pros. Vocally, Cyrus is in her wheelhouse.

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5. Chris Stapleton, “Without Your Love”

Writers: Chris Stapleton & Mike Henderson « Producer: Chris Stapleton & Dave Cobb

From a Room: Volume 1 • Mercury • 2017

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Chris Stapleton owned country music in 2017, releasing two brilliant albums, From a Room: Volume 1 and From a Room: Volume 2.  The song at hand, “Without Your Love,” hails from Volume 1, which brought Stapleton’s Grammy win total up to five (at time of publication). “Without Your Love,” the seventh song from Volume 1, continues to showcase the humble and poised vibe of the album.  Ultimately, it’s another consistent and enjoyable offering from Stapleton.  Notably, the harmonic progression is a selling point, not to mention the nuanced vocals of Stapleton.

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6. The Weeknd, “Nothing Without You”

Writers: Abel Tesfaye, Ahmad Balshe, Benjamin Diehl, Henry Russel Walter, Jason Quenneville & Thomas Pentz « Producers: Abel Tesfaye, Ben Billions, Cirkut & Diplo

Starboy • Republic • 2016

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“Nothing Without You” arrives near the end of Starboy, the third proper studio album by Grammy-winning urban contemporary artist The Weekend.  Here, that urban contemporary sound is full embraced.  “Nothing Without You” is lush in sound and lethargic in pace.  Despite the slow tempo, The Weeknd remains enthusiastic as he professes his love:

“I was too busy tryna find you with someone else

The one I couldn’t stand, to be with was myself.”

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With: Wave Two

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7. Tinashe, “Stuck with Me”

Ft. Little Dragon

Writers: Chelsea Davenport, David Singer-Vine, Marcus Moore, Tinashe Kachingwe, William Vanderheyden & Yukimi Nagano« Producers: Felix Snow & Reckless

Joyride • RCA • 2018

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“I’m a train wreck
I’m a car crash
But you’re shotgun
Get an airbag, get an ice pack for the weekend
‘Cause he stuck with me, I can feel it.”

Tinashe knows her niche, period.  After four years, she returned with her proper sophomore album, Joyride (some consider it her third album).  “Stuck with Me” checks off boxes associated with the urban contemporary, urban-pop chanteuse.  Box number one, it’s sexy.  Box number two, the production is sleek and slick to the nth degree.  Box number three, it’s a vibe.  There may be more boxes, but Tinashe and “Stuck with Me,” assisted by Little Dragon, cover the bases.

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8. Jesse McCartney, “Better with You”

Blue Suit • 2018

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Following a stint with urban-, R&B-infused pop on his previous studio albums, Jesse McCartney flips the script.  McCartney released the electro-infused pop record “Better with You” in 2018, following a four-year hiatus.  “Better with You” is reminiscent of the innocence and simplicity of arguably the biggest hit of career, “Beautiful Soul” (2004).  A full-grown, mature McCartney delivers a record that feels pure, throwing out the oversexualized music of the 10s in favor of love.

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9. Walker Hayes, “You Broke Up with Me”

Writers: Kylie Sackley, Thomas Archer & Walker Hayes « Producer: Shane McAnally

Boom. • Monument • 2017

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Underrated country singer/songwriter Walker Hayes made an impressive comeback (or career restart) with his sophomore album, boom.. No, boom. didn’t sell particularly well, but gave Hayes a moderate hit with the single, “You Broke Up with Me”. Unique in sound, Hayes doesn’t feel ‘tied down’ to the country music, exhibiting eclecticism and some quirk.  He exhibits tons of charm, with heaping dosages of tongue-n-cheek and novel. The vocals are crisp and clear, while the melody is light and rhythmic. The chorus is the crowning achievement.  Notably, this break-up anthem captures his break-up with Nashville.

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Without: Wave Two

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10. Ryan Adams, “To Be Without You”

Writer: Ryan Adams « Producer: Ryan Adams

Prisoner • Blue Note • 2017

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Brokenness and emptiness dominate Prisoner, the painfully underappreciated, 2017 album from Ryan Adams. Why is Adams so devastated? Divorce. On “To Be Without You,” Adams ends each verse with the lyric, “Nothing really matters anymore.” He illustrates therollercoaster ride of divorce – losing someone you love or once-loved.  Therefore, he exhibits what it means “to be without you.”

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11. Brett Young, “Sleep Without You”

Writers: Brett Young, Justin Ebach & Kelly Archer

Brett Young • Big Machine • 2017

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Brett Young earned his breakthrough single with “Sleep Without You”, even if “In Case You Didn’t Know” would become more popular. What makes “Sleep Without You” awesome in spite of the circumstances? Clean, slick production blending pop and country, crossover appeal, sensation vocals by Young, and a catchy, rhythmic chorus.

“But as long as the night ends with you in a yellow cab shootin’ me a text sayin’

Comin’ home soon

As long as I can bet on ya crawlin’ into bed after slippin’ out ya high heel shoes…

I can’t sleep without you.”

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12. Panic! At the Disco, “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time”

Writers: Amire Salem, Brendon Urie, Carl Lehmann, Catherine Pierson, Cynthia Wilson, Frederick Schneider, J.R. Rotem, Jake Sinclair, Jerker Hansson, Julian Strickland, Ricky Wilson & Teal Douville « Producers: J.R. Rotem, Jack Sinclair & Teal Douville

Death of a Bachelor • Fueled by Ramen • 2016

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“Alright, alright, it’s a hell of a feeling though!” Brendon Urie is turned-up to the nth degree on “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time,” one of numerous highlights from the Grammy-nominated Death of a Bachelor album.  Urie exudes exuberant spirit on the infectious chorus, excerpted above. Lyrically, “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” is incredibly zany.

“Champagne, cocaine, gasoline

And most things in between

I roam the city in a shopping cart

A pack of camels and a smoke alarm.”

Furthermore, the narrative is wild.  “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” matched the parameters of another playlist, Just ‘Don’t’ Do It Songs.  Remember kids, recycling is important.

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