7 Contemporary Songs to Bask in the Moonlight To | Playlist

Keeping it contemporary in the 2010s, “7 Contemporary Songs to Bask in the Moonlight To” features songs courtesy of Ariana Grande, Grace VanderWaal, and Lil Xan among others.

Liken this seven-song playlist to an EP.  7 Contemporary Songs to Bask in the Moonlight To is self-explanatory.  That said, maybe the title is telling a bit of a white lie.  Why? Well, arguably, you can’t bask in the moonlight to some of these songs.  Minor technicality.  There are actually lots of moonlight songs, most of which are from the past.  Therefore, the likes of “Moonlight in Vermont” (Frank Sinatra among others), “Moonlight Mile” (The Rolling Stones), and Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight” in C-Sharp Minor (Ludwig Van Beethoven) have been omitted. No worries – Ariana Grande, Grace VanderWaal, Jay-Z, Lil Xan, Mac DeMarco, Tribal Seeds, and XXXTENTACION make the cut.

1. XXXTENTACION, “Moonlight”

? • Bad Vibes Forever • 2018

?  is indeed a question mark.  The 2018 album courtesy of XXXTENTACION is ‘all over the place.’ Among songs appearing on the project is “Moonlight,” a sleek, modern-sounding record. XXXTENTATION embraces a pop-rap flow initially, before switching to singing, which is prevalent throughout ?.  Short and sweet, the moonlightwhere “shawty look so good” only lasts two-minutes-and-fifteen seconds.

2. Ariana Grande, “Moonlight”

Dangerous Woman • Republic • 2016

“Moonlight” serves as the opener for Dangerous Woman, the third studio album by Ariana Grande.  For as dangerous (risqué) as Dangerous Woman is at times, “Moonlight” is a tastefully sexy, soulful ballad.  The silky smoothness of Grande’s vocals, particularly the falsetto is incredibly impressive.

3. Jay-Z, “Moonlight”

4:44 • Roc Nation • 2017

In the scheme of 4:44, “Moonlight” is a bit odd compared to the rest of album.  Nonetheless, there’s a couple of key things to note and to like about the record. One, the brief record samples “Fu-Gee-La” by The Fugees, a rap classic. Second, Jay-Z shouts out one of the few black films to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Only Jay-Z rocks pop culture like this:

“We stuck in La La Land
Even when we win, we gon’ lose
Y’all got the same fuckin’ flows
I don’t know who is who.”

4. Grace VanderWaal, “Moonlight”

Just the Beginning • Columbia • 2017

On “Moonlight”, Grace VanderWaal showcases her beautiful, distinct voice. The cracks and nuances provide ample character. The production keeps things simple, with a signature ukulele-driven sound.  This simplicity is smart; it doesn’t overpower or take away from VanderWaal herself.  The pre-chorus sets up and foreshadows an incredibly fun and catchy chorus, which is the highlight of the song.

“Remember last year when you told me
To always stay here and never leave me
The light from your eyes made it feel like
We-e-e were dancing in the moonlight.”

5. Lil Xan, “Moonlight”

Ft. Charli XCX

Total Xanarchy • Columbia • 2018

“Ayy, on my Post Malone shit, now I got my own bitch.” Okay… Arguably, finesse isn’t the selling point of TOTAL XANARCHY, the debut album from Cali rapper Lil Xan.  Most of the songs from the project are brief and devoid of substance.  While “Moonlight” isn’t a masterpiece (particularly lyrically), the mellow, romantic vibes conjured up by Xan and Charli XCX are worth something.

“Yeah, under the moonlight
She said she felt the mood right
I told her hold my hand
She said, ‘Is everything right?’
We drunk up off that moonshine...”

6. Mac DeMarco, “Moonlight on the River”

This Old Dog • Captured Tracks • 2017

“Moonlight on the River” arrives courtesy of Canadian singer/songwriter and self-proclaimed “jizz-jazz” artist, Mac DeMarco.  The lengthiest record from his 2017 This Old Dog, it’s easy to be lilted to sleep by the chill, mellow vibes and the signature detuned guitars.  DeMarco sings in cool, calm, and collected fashion, with incredible ease.

7. Tribal Seeds, “Moonlight”

Representing • Tribal Seeds Music • 2014

Changing the flavor of this list, we add eclectic roots/rock/reggae band Tribal Seeds to the mix.  Reggae just doesn’t get it’s just due in the 10s, at least as a ‘standalone’ style.  Tribal Seeds execute the sounds of the islands splendidly on the mellow, rhythmic “Moonlight.” Nearly six minutes in duration, it’s six minutes with a killer, laid-back vibe.  It’ll get you high to say the least.