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After completing one third of the challenge, The Musical Hype presents Part 1 of 30-DAY SONG CHALLENGE 🎶: THE PLAYLIST.

Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic was a new trend, the 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶. According to

Bustle:

The 30-day song challenge is a trending activity that allows Instagram users to share their favorite music along with a little information about themselves. Each day on the challenge’s calendar describes what type of song someone taking part in the challenge should post for that day.

30-Day Song Challenge 🎶: The Playlist works much like the IG trending activity. The Musical Hype releases a song a day, at 12 PM ET, based on the prompt for that respective day, for 30 consecutive days.  At the end of 30 days, the full-fledged 30-Day Song Challenge playlist will bow, in all of its glory (and it will be glorious).  After completing one third of the Challenge, The Musical Hype presents 30-DAY SONG CHALLENGE 🎶: THE PLAYLIST, PART 1.  PART 1 features the first 10 songs, including music courtesy of  Britney Spears, DaBaby, Kehlani, Max Frost, and Panic! At the Disco among others. Without further ado, dive into 30-DAY SONG CHALLENGE 🎶: THE PLAYLIST, PART 1!  Just Click on the arrows ↔ and buttons below ↓.

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🎶 Day 1: Mansionair, “Violet City” 🎶

Day 1 Prompt: A song you like with a color in the title…

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“Wide awake in this violet city / Where it washes over me / It hurts to say that I want you with me / Just draped across my frame.” Sigh, “Violet City” is a sleek record that arrives as the seventh track on Shadowboxer, the debut album by Grammy-nominated Australian trio, Mansionair (Lachlan Bostock, Alex Nicholls, and Jack Froggatt).

Mansionair previously appeared on the stellar 2017 ODESZA record, “Line of Sight”, hence their Grammy-nomination in advance of their debut album. Obviously, there is a color in the songs title (violet) and, I definitely like this song. So, why do I like this song with a color in its title?

Well, here’s why I heart “Violet City.” The vocals are lovely, particularly the commanding nature and pureness of the falsetto.  Additionally, the production is epic, characterized by rhythmic intensity, carried by the beat and a barrage of synthetic sounds.  The lyrics aren’t too shabby either, even as it’s easy to get lost in the vibe that Mansionair has brilliantly assembled.  The chorus is pretty sweet:

“Ooh, I can’t help myself, the moment that I let it go
Is when I find I’m in control, in control
Ooh, I need something else, the moment that I let it go
Is when I find I’m in control, I’m in control.”

To me, because of all these reasons, “Violet City” is phenomenal way to kickstart this 30-Day Song Challenge, constructing a month’s worth of songs into one gargantuan playlist, sigh. “Violet City” previously appeared on the colorful playlist, 14 Songs Characterized by Colors.

Day 1: Mansionair, Violet City | 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶

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Mansionair • Shadowboxer • Glassnote • 2019

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🎶 Day 2: Britney Spears, “3” 🎶

Day 2 Prompt: A song you like with a number in the title

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“1,2, 3 / Not only you and me / Got 180º, and I’m caught in between.” Kinky for sure.  Day 2 asks for a song you like with a number in the title, so, I’m just following the 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶 like a good boy… 😉

Anyways, Psychology Today defines a paraphilia as “a condition in which a person’s sexual arousal and gratification depend on fantasizing about and engaging in sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme.” The paraphilia that Britney Spears sings about in her no. 1 hit “3” (The Singles Collection, 2009) is Troilism, described by Psychology Dictionary as a “carnal activity where three people are engaged.” ‘Shit just got real’, didn’t it?

Naturally, a threesome comes to mind.  There are parallels between the two, but ‘troilism’ seems to focus on the ‘troilist’ fulfilling their sexual desires. Given the selfishness of troilism, Britney Spears ensures she’s the beneficiary aka the troilist.

“…Counting 1, 2, 3
Peter, Paul and Mary
Getting down with 3P
Everybody loves counting.”

Let me make it crystal clear what I like about this song with a number in the title.  I mean, the number three is okay, but it’s not the ‘end all, be all.’ Really, it’s how utterly catchy and infectious “3” is and definitely NOT Britney’s freaky ways! Honestly, when “3” arrived, I didn’t read into the way I would as a much more analytic blogger and music critic; it’s far more risqué than it seemed at the time. It previously appeared on the quirky, risqué 12 Paraphilic, Fetish Songs –  one of those lists I continue to ask myself, ‘Why did you write that?’ It also appears on tamer, more reasonable lists: 9 Songs That Reference the Number ‘3’ and 11 Number Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason.

Day 2: Britney Spears, 3 | 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶

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Britney Spears • The Singles Collection • RCA • 2009

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🎶 Day 3: Max Frost, Back in the Summer 🎶

Day 3 Prompt: A song that reminds you of summertime

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“You know that I got regrets / But I burn those shits like cigarettes / Because something’s out of place /… I wish we could just reset…” Hmm, “Burn those shits like cigarettes” – what a lyric!

Anyways, Max Frost is an ‘alternative’ musician from Austin, Texas. Musically, the incredibly talented artist incorporates numerous styles, making his own style, well, incredibly unique.  Frost released his debut album, Gold Rush, in October 2018.  Post Gold Rush single “Back in the Summer” definitely ‘warmed up’ January 2020 with its reminiscent, summery vibes.  Because of that effect, it perfectly fulfills the prompt for Day 3 of the 30-Day Song Challenge: A song that reminds you of summertime.

“Back in the Summer” works out pretty well for Max.  What’s better than a reminiscent single about summer and love? On the chorus, he recollects:

“Back in the summer
When we were lovers
And we had real big dreams in our heads
We were together
Called it forever
Even though all good times have an end
Wish that I could go back again.”

Beyond the reminiscent lyrics, the music is pretty sweet. Best characterized as a ‘pop’ record, it features sleek electronic production work. The synths are striking, while the groove is hip. Basically, there’s an abundance of ear candy.  Adding to that ear candy is the performance by Frost himself, who delivers agile, rhythmic melodic lines with an awesome, lighthearted approach. Even with so many fast-paced, rhythmic melodic lines, there are some more legato, melodic lines that show off the colorful nature of his voice.  Listeners get the full complement. Yeah, Max ‘puts in work’ on this enjoyable, summery gem.

Day 3: Max Frost, Back in the Summer | 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶

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Max Frost • “Back in the Summer” • Atlantic • 2020

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🎶 Day 4: Kehlani, “Toxic” 🎶

Day 4 Prompt: A song that reminds you of someone you’d rather forget

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“And that damn Don Julio made me a fool for you…” Grammy-nominated R&B singer Kehlani has been on a musical tear in 2020, releasing numerous singles including the song hand, “Toxic”.

“Toxic” served as the second single from her initially delayed sophomore project, due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Ultimately, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t saw the light of day on May 8, 2020.  Kehlani knows this guy is bad news, even as she participates in his ‘toxic’ sexual endeavors.  For me, fulfilling the prompt of Day 4 of the 30-Day Song Challenge, I think more along the lines of the title itself, and how there’s always somebody in your life you know is ‘toxic’ and detrimental to your well-being.  Yeah, Kehlani enjoys the toxicity here, but in the long run, toxicity is just that – toxic… Okay, I’m repeating myself, moving on!

The lush “Toxic,” set in a minor key, is produced by G.ry and K.Beazy.  Keyboard serves as the primary instrument, yielding moody backdrop which perfectly supports the theme of the record. The focus of the song is matters of the heart.  Look no further than the chorus for how Kehlani is affected by love:

“All of this love is toxic
All of this love is toxic
All these kisses and hugs is knock shit
You a damn drug, you’re toxic.”

That definitely sums it up.  The verses provide additional details, particularly the second verse, which keeps it 100. “Uh, all the sex on replay / Run it back like a DJ,” she sings, continuing, “Surfin’ on your face while you eat that / Tryna make a bad bitch behave, no…” Wow, and this is the opener for It Was Good Until It Wasn’t! Adding to the colorful nature of “Toxic” are uncredited vocals by Ty Dolla $ign, during the pre-chorus, bridge, and chorus in certain parts. Ultimately, “Toxic” is enjoyable, featuring a well-rounded vocal performance, sound production, and alluring songwriting, particularly that risqué second verse, and the catchy pre-chorus and chorus sections.

Day 4: Kehlani, Toxic | 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶

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Kehlani • It Was Good Until It Wasn’t • Atlantic • 2020

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🎶 Day 5: Cattle Decapitation, “The Geocide” 🎶

Day 5 Prompt: A song that needs to be played loud

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There is one thing is for sure – death/extreme metal band Cattle Decapitation has a distinct, totally unforgettable and disturbing name. Travis Ryan and company back up the name with an intriguing brand of music that certainly isn’t for the faint of heart – “Carnal Fecophelia Due to Prolonged Exposure to Methane” anybody?

Cattle Decapitation returned turned-up on their ninth studio album, Death Atlas in 2019.  Honestly, any of the songs would fulfill the prompt for Day 5 of the 30-Day Song Challenge: A song that needs to be played loud.  I go with my favorite song from the album, “The Geocide,” which appeared as a track of the week on Music to Atone to, as well as 51 Best Songs of 2019, 15 G Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason, and 11 Colorful Songs That Reference Devastating Disasters.  Yeah, I really, REALLY like this song. 

Death Atlas explores the Anthropocene, the most recent geological time period, highly influenced by humans. Cattle Decapitation are pessimistic about it, evidenced by lyrics like, “Fuck the future / Fuck all mankind,” that grace the brutally honest “The Geocide.” Because humans are so destructive and inconsiderate, and we’re firmly entrenched in the Anthropocene, in this foretelling record, we’ve screwed ourselves over.  The music is incredibly chaotic and unsettling, certainly a fitting soundtrack for the destruction of earth.  The guitars are utterly infernal, while the drums pummel to the nth degree.  Adding to this most damned occurrence, Travis Ryan delivers thrilling, incredibly malicious vocals, not to mention overtly pessimistic lyricism.  The keyword is BRUTAL, exemplified by the chorus:

“The universe, it always finds a way to purge
The sustainably inappropriate numbers that once surged
Death always wins, his molten torch forever burns
And to the ashes and the ground we are returned
Life exists to infuriate, berate, and subjugate
The hapless mortals shit-birthed on a human-altered planet Earth.”

Given how over the top Cattle Decapitation are, particularly no “The Geocide,” you’ll have no problem playing this death metal gem loud.

Day 5: Cattle Decapitation, The Geocide | 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶

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Cattle Decapitation • Death Atlas • Metal Blade • 2019

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🎶 Day 6: Dua Lipa, “Levitating” 🎶

Day 6 Prompt: A song that makes you want to dance

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Grammy-winning English pop artist Dua Lipa released an incredibly engaging, utterly consistent sophomore album with Future Nostalgia in 2020.  From start to finish, the pop star is on autopilot.

Not only is she ‘on,’ but I dare you find a chorus that won’t get stuck in your head after listening! Very danceable throughout its course, one of my favorite songs fulfilling the prompt for Day 6 of the 30-Day Song Challenge is “Levitating.” Yes, “Levitating” is definitely a song that makes you want to dance, sigh.

“I believe that you’re for me, I feel it in our energy / I see us written in the stars / We can go wherever, so let’s do it now or never / Baby, nothing’s ever, ever too far.” “Levitating” certainly makes a compelling case among the crème de la crème of Future Nostalgia, especially considering the ‘loving’ has Dua Lipa rising/floating, defying gravity.  As aforementioned, every chorus is pretty amazing throughout Future Nostalgia, but the chorus from “Levitating” hits especially hard:

“I got you, moonlight, you’re my starlight
I need you, all night, come on, dance with me
I’m levitating.”

“Levitating” was selected as the Fun Friday entry on Weekly Gems 💎 No. 2: Week of 4-6-2020, in addition to previously appearing on the playlist, 15 L Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason.

Day 6: Dua Lipa, Levitating | 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶

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Dua Lipa • Future Nostalgia • Warner • 2020

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🎶 Day 7: DaBaby, “Suge” 🎶

Day 7 Prompt: A song to drive to

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“I go where I want, I’m good / Play if you want, let’s do it / I’m a young CEO, Suge / Yeah, yeah.” Honestly, few rappers had a better year in 2019 than DaBaby, who became a breakout star.

The song that put DaBaby on the map is the absolutely infectious “Suge,” which appears on his 2019 debut album, Baby on Baby.  Let me just say, “Suge” is a perfect match for Day 7 of the 30-Day Song Challenge: A song to drive to.

The Grammy-nominated “Suge,” in all its infectious glory, tailor made for grooving to while driving, appeared as the fifth-best song of 2019 on 51 Best Songs of 2019.  What makes it such a bop? First and foremost, it’s the personality – confident and cocky to the nth degree – that DaBaby exhibits throughout this relatively short banger.  If you watch the accompanying music video, that personality is amplified to an even greater level, particular the moves he makes.  Also, contributing to the excellence, is the minimalist production, courtesy of jetsonmade and Pooh Beatz. From the jump, what is clear is the fact that DaBaby is ON… autopilot that is!

“No talkin’, I don’t like to argue with niggas (I don’t)
Ain’t gon’ be no more laughin’
You see me whip out guns, I’m gon’ be done shot me a nigga
I don’t follow no bitches on IG
But all of your bitches, they follow a nigga
And that lil nigga ain’t gon’ shoot shit with that gun
He just pull it out in his pictures (Bitch, uh).”

Day 7: DaBaby, Suge | 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶

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DaBaby • Baby on Baby • Interscope • 2019

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🎶 Day 8: Juice WRLD, “Righteous” 🎶

Day 8 Prompt: A song about drugs or alcohol

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Juice WRLD marked yet another tragic, untimely passing in hip-hop, dying only days after his 21st birthday on December 8, 2019. While alive, Jarad Anthony Higgins had his fair share of demons.  His music reflected a troubling, unsettling relationship with drugs. Even so, both his potential and talent were undeniable.

The first posthumous single from the rapper’s estate, “Righteous” arrived in 2020, showing him in top-notch form musically, even if the drug references are still troubling. Because “Righteous” is a song about drugs or alcohol, it perfectly fulfills the prompt for Day 8 of the 30-Day Song Challenge.

Musically, “Righteous” represents Juice WRLD’s sweet spot musically.  He embraces a melodic approach, while also exhibiting both chill and swagger.  He has a fitting backdrop (Nick Mira and Charlie Handsome), comprised of smooth guitars and anchored by a sleek urban beat. Following the intro, Juice gives us ‘the juice’ with a sweet chorus:

“All white Gucci suit, I’m feeling righteous, yeah
I know that the truth is hard to digest, yeah
Five or six pills in my right hand, yeah
Codeine runneth over on my nightstand…”

Sure, it’s hard to call something druggy sweet, but the chorus is one of the selling points, even representing Juice’s demons.  Those demons spill over into the verses, as the drugs are potent: “We may die this evening / Coughing, wheezing bleeding / … Blood moons are my eyes, stay low / Red and black, they glow.” Unsettling to say the least… It doesn’t stop there, as on the second verse, Juice WRLD goes on to say, “Too busy drinking codeine doin’ high speeds / Crash, pour a four, sip it slow, make the time pass.” Unfortunately, listening to “Righteous,” it seems tragedy and an unfortunate end was inevitable.  Though his career was a brief, Juice certainly made an impact. “Righteous” previously appeared on the playlist, 16 ‘R’ Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason.

Day 8: Juice WRLD, Righteous | 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶

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Juice WRLD • “Righteous” • Interscope • 2020

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🎶 Day 9: Panic! At the Disco, “High Hopes” 🎶

Day 9 Prompt: A song that makes you happy

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Ambition, determination, and hope are some of the virtues that come to mind when hearing the Panic! At the Disco song, “High Hopes”.  “High Hopes” ranks among the highlights from the alternative collective’s 2018 album, Pray for the Wicked. You could even argue that the record is indeed the crowning achievement.

“High Hopes” is incredibly consistent, kicking off with driving brassy, exuberant production work and set in a major key. Every time I hear “High Hopes,” it’s definitely a song that makes me happy. That, my friends (and perhaps enemies and fiends), fulfills the prompt of Day 9 of the 30-Day Song Challenge.

“Have to have high, high hopes for a living / Shooting for the stars when I couldn’t make a killing,” Brendon Urie sings on the optimistic chorus, continuing, “Didn’t have a dime but I always had a vision / Always had high, high hopes.”  Elsewhere, he speaks about destiny, dreams, “rewriting your history,” and being true to self.  Clearly, this is an anthem for dreamers and encouragement for the non-conformists of the world.  “High Hopes” was featured as Terrific Tuesday on Weekly Gems 💎 No. 2: Week of 4-6-2020, as well as previously appearing on the playlist 14 Songs Sure to Lift You Higher.

Day 9: Panic! At the Disco, High Hopes | 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶

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Panic! At the Disco • Pray for the Wicked • Fueled by Ramen • 2018

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🎶 Day 10: Hayley Williams, “Leave it Alone” 🎶

Day 10 Prompt: A song that makes you sad

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Hayley Williams released her debut solo album, Petals for Armor, on May 8, 2020.  One of the songs that appeared on the EP Petals for Armor I that bore a negative connotation is “Leave It Alone”.  Just think about it for a minute.

How did you feel when your parents scolded you as a child and said the expression, “Leave it alone?” Food for thought.  Obviously, “Leave it Alone” runs deeper than that.  It is definitely perfect for Day 10 of the 30-Day Song Challenge – a song that makes you sad.

“If you know love / You best prepare to grieve.” The thoughtfully penned “Leave it Alone,” produced by Taylor York, finds Hayley Williams totally consumed with grief.  The record has an extremely somber tone from the onset, instrumentally and lyrically. On the first verse, she sings, “‘Cause now that I want to live / Well everybody around me is dying / Now that I finally wanna live / The ones I love are dyin’.” Thinking about family members dying – people you care about leaving you – is totally depressing and overwhelming.  On the second verse, she’s further ‘triggered,’ providing a specific example of loss:

“You don’t remember my name somedays
Or that we’re related
It triggers my worry
Who else am I gonna lose before I am ready?
And who’s gonna lose me?”

The centerpiece of the record is the chorus, where “The truth’s a killer / But I can’t leave it alone…”  Clearly, I absolutely love “Leave it Alone” because I’ve featured it literally everywhere.  I used it as a track of the week for Music to Atone to and Somber Sunday for Weekly Gems 💎 No. 4: Week of 4-20-2020. Furthermore, “Leave it Alone” previously graced 11 Solitary Songs That Are Totally Alone, 15 L Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason, and 15 Songs That Possess a Negative Connotation.

Day 10: Hayley Williams, Leave It Alone | 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶

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Hayley Williams • Petals for Armor • Atlantic • 2020

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30-Day Song Challenge 🎶: The Playlist, Part 1 | Playlist  🎧 [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Fueled by Ramen, Glassnote, Interscope, Jive, Metal Blade, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Warner]

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