1. Solange, “Sound of Rain”

When I Get Home • Columbia • 2019

Solange has proven throughout her career that she is a restless, unpredictable musician. That’s part of her appeal.  Furthermore, the Grammy-winner (“Cranes in the Sky”) has done a terrific job of separating herself musically from her sister, Beyoncé.  Her third and best album, A Seat at the Table arrived in 2016 to rave reviews, not to mention the aforementioned Grammy win and a number one debut on the Billboard 200.  Her fourth studio album, When I Get Home, is definitely her most adventurous yet. With When I Get Home, Solange gives us a ‘sound’ record with “Sound of Rain,” the 17^th track.

Minimalism runs rampant throughout When I Get Home, and “Sound of Rain” is no exception.  From a production standpoint, the record is another wacky, Pharrell Williams co-production.  The ‘sound’ of “Sound of Rain” is definitely interesting.  Lyrically, there are three distinct sections: Chorus one, chorus two, and an outro. Solange embraces feminism, particularly on moments like “Let’s go, nobody givin’, addressing me / So nobody dress can ‘effeminate’ me” (chorus two) or “Swangin’ on them… / Your girl, she go hard in the baste” (outro).

2. Sam Fender, “That Sound”

Hypersonic Missiles • Polydor • 2019

“My mind is always troubled with / Where have I been and where am I going.” Interesting! British singer/songwriter Sam Fender is pretty rad.  So is the British singer/songwriter’s entire debut album, Hypersonic Missiles.  What makes Hypersonic Missiles the ‘cat’s meow?’ Excellent musicianship from Fender in regard to vocal performances and colorful, creative, and poetic songwriting.  One of the best moments from Hypersonic Missiles is “The Sound.”

Apparently, “…That sound” is “the only thing that keeps [Fender] grounded.” This is a crowd-pleasing, psychological number with a terrific chorus and post-chorus, and enjoyable songwriting overall.  Prior to the aforementioned lyric excerpted from the chorus, Fender sings:

“When my head comes crashing down
They’re all waiting at the bottom
Tryna claw me down beneath it all
Every night, I beg that sound
It’s the greatest revelation
It’s the only thing that keeps me grounded.” 

He sings quite well, while the production by Bramwell Bronte shines brightly.  Simply put, “I need to hear that sound / I need to hear that.” Fair enough!

3. Carly Rae Jepsen, “The Sound”

Dedicated • Schoolboy / Interscope • 2019

“Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy / But here’s my number, so call me maybe.”  There’s totally no denying that Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen is best known for “Call Me Maybe”, a breakout hit from her 2012 sophomore album, Kiss.  That said, Jepsen is definitely more than a ‘one-trick pony’ – more than a ‘one-hit wonder.’  The evidence is loud and clear on her fine fourth studio album, Dedicated, which arrived in 2019.

God, you make me so tired / Isn’t this the vision that you wanted? / Guess I’ll never understand you now / Love is more than telling me you want it.” In the context of Dedicated, “The Sound” finds Carly Rae Jepsen delivering slightly more assertive, biting vocals.  At the same time, she still remains relatively cool – talk about oxymoronic!  The 80s are in fashion once again, with superb production by English Breakfast (Tommy English and Noah Breakfast).  The chorus is golden and straightforward:

“I don’t need the words
I want the sound, sound, sound, sound, sound.”

4.Trey Songz, “How Dat Sound”

Ft. 2 Chainz & Yo Gotti

28 • Atlantic • 2018

After being in the game for a minute, Trey Songz continues to sing about the thing that made him famous – SEX.  Exhibit A: “Stick around baby, sit that ass down / Stick around baby, stick that ass out.” Yep, sex has fueled the R&B artist’s fire for years and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down judging by “How Dat Sound”, which appeared on his 2018 album, 28. Songz also enlisted some friends – 2 Chainz and Yo Gotti – who never have a problem getting nasty.

Trey Songz ‘draws first blood’, singing the aforementioned excerpted chorus.  Leading up to the final lines, he spits plenty of game about how awesome this girl is, and his own endeavors.  2 Chainz follows with the first verse, delivering his usual brand of dumb, sometimes cringe-worthy rhymes:

“I take a girl out to eat, then I feed her to the mattress
Turn her over, have her eatin’ the mattress
Turn her over, have her bein’ dramatic
Havin’ sex wearin’ a black Patek.”

Trey Songz takes the second verse, delivering shallow results: “Beat the pussy up like I’m Mike though / Eat the pussy out like a rice bowl.” Expectedly, Yo Gotti doesn’t amp-up the quality of the subject matter.  His ‘poetry’ is pretty one-dimensional, involving his ‘love below’.

“I want you now, not later
Baby, let’s create some haters (let’s make a mess)
I want to fuck you forever
But I ain’t signin’ no papers.”

Give Trey Songz some credit for the chorus – it’s catchy enough.  Furthermore, the production is idiomatic of modern urban contemporary music.

5. WALK THE MOON, “Sound of Awakening”

What If Nothing • RCA • 2017

“The sound of awakening / The virgin yawn of folded wings that cracks the crust of the cocoon / The breaking of first light inside the womb.” Okay… “Sound of Awakening” is the longest song off of What If Nothing, the 2017 album by alternative pop collective, WALK THE MOON.  “Sound of Awakening” may not be another “Shut Up and Dance,” but as the aforementioned lyrics suggest, it’s an interesting record.

“Sound of Awakening” is the most experimental, progressive number within What If Nothing, easily. Six-minutes-plus of sound – better yet ‘awakening’ – is always a challenge, but there’s definitely something special here, transcendent beyond the vocal effects.  Check out some more captivating lyrics, courtesy of Nicholas Petricca:

“The sound of awakening
The exoskeleton thickening
Do you feel the floodgates opening
To the sound of awakening
As whispers in the heart disclose the rumors of the truth
When the mind has all but hidden it from view.”

6. Tyler Childers, “Universal Sound”

Purgatory • Hickman Holler / Thirty Tigers • 2017

“My mind’s a mile a minute / And my thoughts they bark like hounds / I focus on my breathing and the universal sound.” Tyler Childers has a lot on his mind on “Universal Sound,” the penultimate track on his 2017 album, Purgatory.  Even with so many things swirling around his brain, everything appears to be “focused on the universal sound.” Without a true chorus, “universal sound” appears as the uniting hook at the end of each verse, with five verses in total.  This approach works ‘soundly,’ given the strength of the songwriting by Childers himself.  Also, worth noting, Sturgill Simpson serves as the producer, and we all know Sturgill Simpson kicks some ass.

Remaining focused, the lyrics are the strong suit of “Universal Sound.” Of course, Tyler Childers also sings them with a superb tone and nuance.  Beyond that “mile a minute” mind, Childers asserts:

“I think about my darlin’ girl sleepin’ all alone
I pray the stars will shoot her all the wishes she can hold
On the day that I return I am to lay her down…”

Of course, a line featuring that “universal sound” follows.  From there, Childers mentions vices, the impact of that ‘universal sound,’ and grace among other things.

7. Sylvan Esso, “Sound”

What Now • Loma Vista • 2017

“I was gonna write a song for you / Gonna sing it loud / Gonna sing it at such decibels that / All you hear is sound…” Those ‘sound’ lyrics arrive courtesy of vocalist Amelia Meath, who is one half of the alternative, indie-electronic duo, Sylvan Esso.  The other half of the duo is Nick Sanborn, who handles the production.  “Sound” appears on the duo’s sophomore album, What Now, which was released in 2017.  Not only does it appear in all its ‘soundness,’ but it commences the 10-track, 36-minute LP.

As the title suggests, sound plays a pivotal role on this particular record.  From the jump, “Sound” is distinct, thanks to the colorful, enigmatic sound effects. It should go without saying, minimalism is in play, as Nick Sanborn only incorporates a few select synths, and no percussion, along with Amelia Meath’s vocals.  In regard to the lyrics, they are quite limited, with the aforementioned verse repeated over and over by Meath. In the context of this list, “Sound” captures the premise and theme superbly – soundly, if you will!

8. A Tribe Called Quest, “Solid Wall of Sound”

We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service • Epic • 2016

In an age where it takes a truly special album to pique interest, the return of a legendary artist, band, or collective often does the trick.  In this case, the return of A Tribe Called Quest, releasing a final studio album after an 18-year hiatus, was definitely “kind of a big deal.” Amplifying the nostalgic appeal was the death of a key member, Malik “Phife Dawg” Taylor, who passed away in March 2016.  The result is We Got It from Here…Thank You 4 Your Service, a magnificent sixth effort by a legendary, once-in-a-lifetime hip-hop group.  The song that fits this sound-driven playlist? Why “Solid Wall of Sound” of course!

“Gonna hear electric music / Solid walls of sound…” “Solid Wall of Sound” is ambitious, brilliantly sampling Elton John (“Bennie and the Jets”).  Phife Dawg and Q-Tip rap the first verse following John’s ‘contributions’ to the chorus, before Busta Rhymes makes an appearance.  Busta blends perfectly with Q-Tip and Phife with his signature, agile flow.

“With a couple pound a weed and a couple dollar van
Hmm, broke pockets find another plan
Yeah, cyan dun, push up on the one
And big up the sound man, dibby dibby DJ walk.”

The uniqueness of “Solid Wall of Sound” is undeniable.

9. The 1975, “The Sound”

I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it • Interscope • 2016

The ‘pop’ was alive and well on I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it, the 2016 sophomore album by The 1975.  That’s right, Matthew Healy and company gave listeners some truly catchy, memorable moments.  Singles “Love Me” and “UGH!” were excellent sources of infectious, ear candy promoting the lengthily titled LP.  That said, I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it also had gems with the likes of “She’s American,” the gorgeous, religiously skeptic ballad, “If I Believe You,” and the rousing, hooky song at hand, “The Sound.”

Matthew Healy enthusiastically sings on the golden chorus:

“And I know when you’re around ‘cause I know the sound
I know the sound, of your heart
Well, I know when you’re around ‘cause I know the sound
I know the sound, of your heart.”

That’s pretty straightforward, right? Right.  Further strengthening the ‘soundness’ is bright, major key production and colorful lyrics beyond the simplistic ones that arrive on the chorus. Healy maintains the simplicity on the first verse, but a reference to a one-night stand always keeps things interesting (“I can’t believe I forgot your name / Oh baby, won’t you cum again?”).  Still, the second verse is the crown jewel:

“It’s not about reciprocation, it’s just all about me
A sycophantic, prophetic, Socratic junkie wannabe
And there’s so much skin to see
A simple Epicurean philosophy…”

Pretty rad, right? Definitely.

10. Alabama Shakes, “Sound & Color”

Sound & Color • Alabama Shakes / ATO • 2015

“Sound and color / With me, in my mind / Try to keep yourself awake / This life ain’t like it was…” Following an incredibly successful debut album (Boys & Girls, 2012), Sound & Color, the sophomore album by alternative collective Alabama Shakes, was among the most highly anticipated albums of 2015. Brittany Howard and company certainly lived up to the hype, delivering a superb LP, and winning three Grammys, losing only the highly coveted Album of the Year. Fittingly, we include the title track, “Sound & Color” on this most sound-tastic playlist.

“A new world hangs / Outside the window / Beautiful and strange / It must be I’ve fallen awake / I must be…” Interesting – very interesting! “Sound & Color” commences the album with an extended instrumental introduction.  Howard’s first vocals don’t enter until the one-minute mark.  “Sound & Color” has an air of mystery and unpredictability that engages early on and ultimately eschews predictability. The form of the record is interesting, with one verse, chorus, bridge, and an outro.  Other than mentioning the title once in the chorus (“Sound and color / With me, for my mind…”), the titular lyric doesn’t appear until the outro, where it is repeated numerous times.  Safe to say, “Sound & Color” isn’t only an awesome to start to an awesome album, but also a great addition to this playlist and your musical library of course!

11. Arctic Monkeys, “Mad Sounds”

AM • Domino • 2013

“Mad sounds, in your ears / Make you get up and dance / Make you get up / All night long they reappear / Make you get up and dance / Yeah, they make you get up.” Could Alex Turner and Arctic Monkeys be any clearer about the “Mad Sounds” that grace their 2013 LP, AM? Not really honestly.  The Grammy-nominated alternative collective depicts the power of hearing music on the gorgeous ballad – how music affects us ultimately.

On paper, “Mad Sounds” is relatively straightforward regarding its sections: verse(s), chorus, bridge, and an outro.  Pretty common. That said, beyond the order of verse, chorus, verse, Arctic Monkeys ‘throw in somewhat of a wrench’ by skipping a chorus, delivering a syllabic ‘bridge’ (“Ooh la la la, ooh la la la…”), followed by the chorus, and then, a syllabic outro (more “Ooh la la(s)”).  Furthermore, the first verse and chorus are penned in similar fashion, while the second verse changes things up both lyrically and melodically:

“Suppose you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do
We just weren’t feeling how we wanted to
You sit and try sometimes
But you just can’t figure out what went wrong
Then out of nowhere, somebody comes and hits you with an...”

“Mad Sounds” is ultimately quite… wait for it… SOUND!

12. Mary Mary, “The Sound”

The Sound • Sony Music • 2008

“‘Cause now it’s time to shout it / Fifty thousand problems / And words couldn’t solve them.” Grammy-winning duo Mary Mary (Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell) have been known for expanding contemporary gospel music.  Throughout their career, the sisters have incorporated elements of hip-hop, R&B, and pop into their music.  “The Sound,” the title track from their 2008 Grammy-nominated album, finds Mary Mary opting for a retro-soul backdrop and overall approach.

The vocals are playful, while retaining the power that Mary Mary have consistently showcased throughout their career.  What kind of ‘sound’ are the sisters touting?  According to the chorus:

“That’s the sound of victory and
That’s the sound of no defeat and
That’s the sound of holding on and
That’s the sound of staying strong, oh.”

The post-chorus goes on to find Mary Mary asserting, “I can’t do nothing but scream what I’m feeling / God knows my heart and I know that he hears it.”  By the end of this spirited number, if the gospel sensibilities wherever in doubt, Erica and Tina go ‘full throttle’ with dynamic, full-blow vocals.

13. Coldplay, “Speed of Sound”

X&Y • Parlophone • 2005

Before dipping their toes into a more pop-oriented sound (looking at you Mylo Xyloto), Grammy-winning British collective Coldplay were truly ‘alternative.’ No shade, but Chris Martin and company had some awesome albums, with awesome songs, that predated their shift in sound.  Parachutes (2000) gave us “Yellow” – classic.  A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) gave us “The Scientist” and “Clocks,” just to name a few.  Even with X&Y arriving in 2005, Coldplay remained an alternative rock force, delivering gems with the likes of “Fix You,” “Talk,” and the song at hand, “Speed of Sound.”

When “Speed of Sound” arrived back in 2005, I had one quibble – it sounded similar to “Clocks.”  “Speed of Sound” and “Clocks” are two different songs to be fair, but it seems as if the band were going for the same vibe. Hey, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” – “Clocks” was definitely ‘kind of a big deal,’ and “Speed of Sound” would also be quite big. Focusing only on “Speed of Sound,” Chris Martin sounds fantastic, particularly when he hits that marvelous falsetto.  The melody throughout is quite easy on the ears, and the chorus is golden:

“Birds go flying at the speed of sound
To show you how it all began
Birds came flying from the underground
If you can see it then you’d understand
Ah, when you see it then you’ll understand.”