13 O Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason | Playlist 🎧

1. Conan Gray, “Overdrive”

🎵 “Overdrive” • 🏷 Republic • 🗓 2021

🎙 Conan Gray dropped his first single of 2021, 🎵 “Overdrive”.  Clearly on “Overdrive,” Gray is on-point – he absolutely kills it. Starting with the sound, the production is L-I-T.  He works with a team comprised of pop’s elite producers: 🎛 The Monsters & Strangerz, 🎛 Chris Stracey, 🎛 Tobias Jesso Jr., and 🎛 German.  Awesome!  The record commences with an enigmatic introduction that’s certainly ear catching.  Beyond that intro, the sounds only grow more enticing, with a driving groove and ultimately, an epic chorus.

Of course, “Overdrive” isn’t merely all sound. As always, Gray blesses us with his beautiful, youthful vocals – very expressive and sweet. Along with the production itself, Gray builds things up leading the chorus (verse and pre-chorus).  Even if all the cards aren’t revealed on the verse, Gray is unapologetic, with that IDGAF attitude.  Exhibit A: “Don’t give a fuck bout labels.” There it is! Of course, it’s the ‘overdrive’ chorus that shines brightest.  Also, worth noting is the bridge, where Gray has some cool vocal effects going on, fitting the futuristic vibes of this totally intriguing pop joint.

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2. Ariana Grande, “Off the table”

Ft. The Weeknd

💿 Positions • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2020

🎙 Ariana Grande keeps things hot on 💿 Positions, her surprise 2020 album with 🎵 “Off the table,” her second duet with 🎙 The Weeknd (🎵 “Love Me Harder”, 💿 My Everything, 2014).  Since their first collaboration, it’s clear that both artists have matured.  This contemporary R&B slow jam was readymade for The Weeknd – the man excels when there’s a lethargic tempo in play.

That said, Grande shines bright like a diamond, giving us a blend of her cool energy as well as some grittier, more aggressive vocals as the record progresses. In addition to gorgeous vocals (including the ad libs and layering), the listener is blessed with gorgeous, ear catching production.  Something tells me, this has little to do with the dining room table…

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3. ZAYN, “Outside”

💿 Nobody is Listening • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021 

“So, leave my shit outside / Leave all of my shit outside / Leave my life outside / Oh-oh-oh, or let me in.” The falsetto on the chorus of 🎵 “Outside” alone is reason enough to listen to this highlight from 💿 Nobody is Listening. Backtracking, Nobody is Listening is the third studio album by former 1D standout, 🎙 ZAYN.

On “Outside,” ZAYN doesn’t only focus on his ‘head voice’ (he sings his mid-register on the verses), but the overall execution is superb.  Thematically, he focuses on reconciliation, hence why he urges her to let him in (he doesn’t really want her to “leave his shit outside”).

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4. Marshmello & Demi Lovato, “OK Not to Be OK”

🎵 “OK Not to Be OK” • 🏷 Joytime Collective • 📅 2020

DJ 🎙 Marshmello collaborates with 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop singer 🎙 Demi Lovato on 🎵 “OK Not to Be OK”. “OK Not to Be OK” is brief, lasting only 2:40 yet this is sufficient. It features a nice opening with an enigmatic, almost somber synth. The sound isn’t dark, but sort of reflective in tone. Beyond the opening and first verse, the production is bright by Marshmello, with strong results. Of course, it is those fine, compelling vocals by Lovato that sell “OK Not to Be OK.” She’s perfectly suited given the theme of this song.

“When you’re high on emotion
And you’re losing your focus
And you feel too exhausted to pray
Don’t get lost in the moment
Or give up when you’re closest
All you need is somebody to say
It’s okay not to be okay...”

As always, Lovato sounds expressive and quite nuanced. There’s excellent use of vocal layering, whether its backing vocals, soulful ad-libs, or etc. Furthermore, there are some tasteful electro-pop vocals effects during the pre-chorus that don’t take away from Lovato.  Both the pre-chorus and chorus are epic, latching the first time you hear them.  Also, on Marshmello’s end, I must compliment the use of the rhythmic guitar during the chorus/drop. Ultimately, there’s lots to like about “OK Not to Be OK,” including– the messaging.  We try to achieve perfection, and we often fall short and beat ourselves up.  Basically, we don’t have to be perfect, we’re allowed to make mistakes, and mistakes teach us lessons.

5. Wallows, “OK”

💿 Remote (Deluxe) • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2021

🎙 Wallows, comprised of 🎙 Dylan Minnette, 🎙 Cole Preston, and 🎙 Braeden Lemasters – dropped a groovy alternative smash with 🎵 “OK”.  Yes, it arrived March 20, 2020 if we’re being technical, but this is one of those exceptions! On “OK,” Minnette shows off the beauty of his pipes, including some falsetto, sigh.  It’s safe to say, his vocals are locked in.  Besides the prowess of the singer himself, the melody, particularly on the chorus, is quite tuneful.

The words are pretty sweet too:

“There’s no need to explain
I know what you gonna say
‘Cause you say, ‘Goodnight,’
If you think that’s alright
There’s no need to explain
I know that we can relate
Can we get up and try to feel okay again?
Can we get up and try to feel okay again?”

Later, the bridge is incredibly distinct – gimmicky and a bit novel. Thematically, “OK” encompasses insecurities in a relationship, and ultimately embracing it, per a newsletter from the band.  While all of that’s worth noting, arguably, it’s the sound and vibe that truly makes “OK” a treat.  Musically, there are so many pros.  The colorful palette comprised of keyboards, synths, and guitar is pretty sweet. The groove – well – it’s awesomeness just goes without saying. The harmonic progression isn’t incredibly complex, but a couple quirks give make it a major player in the song’s overall success.  Ultimately, “OK” thrives off of its strong vocals, colorful production and musical elements, and thoughtful, relatable songwriting.

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6. Jazmine Sullivan, “On It”

Ft. Ari Lennox

💿 Heaux Tales • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021

🎵 “On It” is a standout from 💿 Heaux Tales, the long-awaited, comeback album (or EP, apparently) by 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B singer, 🎙 Jazmine Sullivan.  Sullivan enlists fellow R&B artist 🎙 Ari Lennox for the assist.  The resulting duet definitely encompasses ample reference to the D – “D” as in ‘dick’ of course 🍆.  Worth noting, “On It” follows another sexually charged song on Heaux Tales, 🎵 “Put It Down”.

The double entendre of “On It” is steamy AF.  “Let me sit on it, yeah / I want you to prove it,” the ladies sing on the chorus, adding, “Baby come on and prove / Why I should move / I want to spit on it.” Damn, what can you really say to that! The power of the peen is sufficiently explored to say the least. Expectedly, there are references to size, the mouth, and of course, ‘waves.’  It’s risqué, but it’s an example of women liberating and unleashing their sexual side, which is pretty cool.

7. The Weeknd, “Often”

💿 Beauty Behind the Madness • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2015

🎵 “Often” appears as the fourth track on 💿 Beauty Behind the Madness, the 🏆 Grammy-winning album by Canadian R&B standout, 🎙 The Weeknd.  “Often” marks one of the more sexed-up, unapologetic moments on the album. If no other song earned Beauty Behind the Madness its parental advisory explicit lyrics label, “Often” certainly secured it.

“Often” finds Abel Tesfaye boasting, “In my city I’m a young god / That pussy kill be so vicious / My god white, he in my pocket / He get me redder than the devil ‘til I go nauseous.”  Wow! There’s a lot to unpack there with those lyrics.  Some narcissism, horniness, and perhaps most troubling, drug use… That said, those who are extremely familiar with his music won’t be shocked. Since Beauty Behind the Madness, there have been plenty of instances in Tesfaye’s career that haven’t relied on drugs as much.  Still, even on his Grammy-snubbed masterpiece 💿 After Hours, 🎵 “Snowchild” definitely isn’t talking about precipitation.

8. Kesha, “Old Flames (Can’t Hold a Candle to You)”

Ft. Dolly Parton

💿 Rainbow • 🏷 Kemosabe • 📅 2017

One of the very best songs from Rainbow, the 2017 album by Grammy-nominated pop star 🎙 Kesha, doesn’t arrive until near the end. 🎵 “Old Flames (Can’t Hold a Candle to You)” is certainly worth the wait. It also happens to be a cover, co-written by Kesha’s mom, 🎼✍ Pebe Sebert.

“Old Flames” actually marks the second country song from the album, with this one being most successful. Helping the cause is the fact she enlists country royalty, 🎙 Dolly Parton, who also once covered this gem.  Ultimately, the duet is magical, memorable, ranking among the crème de la crème of the pop star’s career.

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9. Sevdaliza, “Oh My God”

💿 Shabrang • 🏷 Twisted Elegance • 📅 2020

“I’ve been through a lot in life / I live distant from it all / I view myself from above…” Definitely telling lyrics, if I do say so myself, 🎙 Sevdaliza. Sevdaliza is an Iranian-Dutch singer, songwriter, and producer who can be characterized as an electronic artist, incorporating other styles as well.  She released her sophomore album, 💿 Shabrang, in 2020, led by the colorful bop, “Oh My God”.

“Oh My God” is accompanied by a contemporary, hip-hop beat, giving it some, dare I say, swagger! For the most part, it’s a minimalist cut, that relies on her vocals and the various effects surrounding them, coupled with some unique production cues.  Besides herself, who produces this electronic gem? That’s 🎛 Reynard Bargmann (aka Mucky) who also appears as the 🎼✍ co-writer. The catchiest section of the song is the chorus:

“Oh my God
Who should I be?
What is it you want when you come for me?
Every time, you’re another evil
Waiting for an angel that you bring to hell.”

“Oh My God” may seem simplistic to a certain degree, but actually transcends superficiality by all means.  Sevdaliza reflects on the hardships of her life (fleeing from her native Iran for example), as well as exploring the connotation of the titular phrase.  Ultimately, this is one pretty rad record. 

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10. Baby Keem, “Orange Soda”

💿 Die for My Bitch • 🏷 Baby Keem • 🗓 2019

“Lil’ bitch, shut the fuck up / Tell your best friend, shut the fuck up, ayy.”  Wow, that’s not very nice… What better way to make 🎧 13 O Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason more appetizing than including some 🎵 “Orange Soda”? Personally, Orange Crush is my jam – diet orange crush… Of course, as the aforementioned lyrics make crystal clear, this record isn’t about soda.  “Orange Soda” hails from rapper 🎙 Baby Keem appearing on his colorfully titled 2019 project, 💿 Die for My Bitch.  Maybe he will indeed ‘die for his bitch,’ but that lyrical excerpt doesn’t give me much confidence that is actually the case.

“Orange Soda” is a total banger, produced by 🎛 Keanu Beats and Baby Keem.  While Keem does actually mention orange soda (“Messy, you my orange soda shorty”), it’s actually about sex and drip.  On the chorus, Keem also manages to reference “smokin’ cat piss” (weed).

“Bitch sit on my face, I attack that
Choose up, lil’ junt, I’m finna pack him
When it comes to my bitch, I’m straight active
Dirtball in the coupe smokin’ cat piss
Lil’ bitch, shut the fuck up
Tell your best friend, shut the fuck up, ayy.”

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11. Nine Inch Nails, “Only”

💿 With Teeth • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2005

“There is no you / There is only me / there is no fucking you / There is only me / Only.”  Thanks for making that crystal-clear 🎙 Trent Reznor!  “Only” is a definite standout from 💿 With Teeth, the 2005 album by industrial rock band 🎙 Nine Inch Nails.  Of course, Reznor is the most important, notable piece of NIN.

Focusing on the song at hand, this mysterious joint finds Trent feeling ‘some type of way,’ and we aren’t referring to romance.  “Sometimes I think I can see right through myself.” Whoa! It should be noted, earlier on With Teeth, Reznor asks, “Don’t you fucking know what you are?” 

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12. Lil Nas X, “Old Town Road”

Ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

💿 7 (EP) • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2019

“Yeah, I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road / I’m gonna ride ‘til it can’t go no more.” 🎙 Lil Nas X is responsible for the brief, countrified/melodic hip-hop Billboard Hot 100 no. 1 hit, 🎵 “Old Town Road”, that topped the charts for a record 19 weeks! Also, worth noting, this record-breaking single which appears on the EP, 💿 7, arrives courtesy of a black LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 artist – more history. “Old Town Road” was certainly an interesting endeavor, with the results being a song that no one is sure to forget. 🎙 Billy Ray Cyrus guests on 🎵 “Old Town Road – Remix,” singing the aforementioned refrain (once), as well as the third verse.

“Old Town Road” is quite charming for a variety of reasons including lyrics that play off of clichés associated with country music. On the second verse, Lil Nas X kicks things off pop-rapping, “Ridin’ on a tractor” and later adds, “Bull ridin’ and boobies / Cowboy hat from Gucci / Wrangler on my booty.” ‘Furthermore, the hip-hop beat, coupled with ‘country-folk’ guitars, fueled by a prominent 🎙 Nine Inch Nails sample (🎵 “34 Ghosts IV”), add to the sheer excellence. A novel cut by all means that arguably, lacks substance, “Old Town Road” is infectious and does initiates important discussions musically as well as regarding race.

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13. Britney Spears, “Oops!… I Did It Again”

💿 Oops!… I Did It Again • 🏷 Zomba • 📅 2000

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!” Here’s one ‘O’ song that everybody’s been waiting for – “It’s Britney bitch!” 🎙 Britney Spears has plenty of hits, but arguably is any more beloved or iconic than 🎵 “Oops!… I Did It Again”? It is the title track – the main attraction on her 2000 album, 💿 Oops!… I Did It Again after all.  Furthermore, the record was nominated for a 🏆 Grammy, though lost to one-hit-wonder 🎙 Macy Gray (🎵 “I Try”).  🎵 “Toxic” would earn a Grammy though, so Brit’s covered!

The production (🎛 Max Martin and 🎛 Rami Yacoub) is on-point and the lyrics are catchy AF. Even though Spears isn’t a powerhouse vocalist, she sounds great here.  Again, can you say #ICONIC! Interestingly, veteran British folk singer-songwriter 🎙 Richard Thompson covered the pop classic on his 2003 album, 💿 1000 Years of Popular Music.  How cool is that?  Going back to the Britney version, the centerpiece of the record is definitely the chorus.

“Oops, I did it again
I played with your heart
Got lost in the game
Oh, baby, baby
Oops, you think I’m in love
That I’m sent from above
I’m not that innocent.” 

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