Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: August 2021 | Playlist 🎧

1. Ed Sheeran, “Visiting Hours”

💿 = (Equals) • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2021

“I wish that Heaven had visiting hours / So I could just show up and bring the news,” 🏆 Grammy-winning pop singer/songwriter 🎙 Ed Sheeran sings on 🎵 “Visiting Hours”,  the second single from 💿 = (Equals). Thematically, “Visiting Hours” pays ode to Australian music executive, Michael Gudinski, who died in 2021.  Sheeran debuted this moving single at his funeral.

“I wish that heaven had visiting hours / So I could just swing by and ask your advice.” A gorgeous instrumental intro sets the tone for this pop ballad. Sheeran delivers radiant, expressive, and emotional vocals, even managing to dip into falsetto. I like the production with its mix of acoustic and electric guitars and piano.  Furthermore, I love how it expands scope on the second verse with layered vocals and increased dynamics. The chorus changes after each verse. An awesome touch is the use of brass following the second chorus, prior to the third verse. Notably, pad accompanies the third verse, contrasting the more dynamic second verse.  Ultimately, Visiting Hours” is superb thanks to the inspiration behind it – remembering someone special who is no longer here.  Sheeran gives his all here, providing a fitting tribute.

2. Lizzo, “Rumors”

Ft. Cardi B

🎵 “Rumors” • 🏷 Nice Life / Atlantic • 📅 2021

“They don’t know I do it for the culture, goddamn / They say I should watch the shit I post, oh, goddamn.” 🎙 Lizzo comes out swinging from the get-go on 🎵 “Rumors”.  Feisty and unapologetic, the 🏆 Grammy-winning pop artist has a bone to pick with the haters.  Her attitude = IDGAF. She’s assisted by fellow 🏆 Grammy winner, 🎙 Cardi B on this must-hear, electrifying joint.

“Rumors” keeps things brief but potent. Lizzo flips the bird to the haters and uses adversity as fuel for her fire.  Her vocals are playful, sometimes pitched while rapped and un-pitched at others. The pre-chorus, which is melodic is fabulous, including the memorable lines, “If you thought that I was ratchet with my ass hangin’ out / Just wait until the summer when they let me out the house, bitch.”

Besides a killer performance chocked full of attitude and personality, the production work is sensational (🎛 Ricky Reed). The backdrop shines particularly during the chorus section when brass enter in spirited fashion.  Furthermore, the drum programming deserves a shout out. The addition of Cardi B on the second verse is perfect. She provides a lift:

“Last time I got freaky, the FCC sued me
But I’ma keep doin’ what I wanna do
‘Cause all the rumors are
All the rumors are true, yeah!”

Lizzo and Cardi B make a formidable pair – two bad ass, unapologetic women! “Rumors” is awesome thanks to their big personalities, edgy songwriting/bars, and fantastic production work.  You won’t be able to stop spinning this fancy tickling bop!

3. Badflower, “Don’t Hate Me”

💿 This is How the World Ends • 🏷 Big Machine / John Varvatos • 📅 2021 

“Don’t hate me, don’t hate me / Don’t hate me more than I hate myself / Don’t let me destroy me / Don’t hurt me more than I hurt myself…” Los Angeles rock band 🎙 Badflower return in 2021 with their sophomore album, 💿 This is How the World Ends (September 24, 2021).  The band builds up buzz on 🎵 “Don’t Hate Me”.  It was produced by 🎛 Scott Borchetta, intriguing front man 🎙 🎛 Josh Katz, and 🎛 John Varvatos.

On this mid-tempo rock record, Josh Katz sings about his insecurity, beginning on the intro and eventual chorus (excerpted above). On the first verse, he’s upset about losing his ex, admitting, “I lost my mind today / I checked up on the guys you date.” Stalker! On the second, more of the mental health aspect enters the picture: “Am I more than just a friend? It’s not grandeur, I’m off my meds / I’m no danger, so call the feds / I’m no stalker / I just ignore restraining orders all the time.” Wow… On an interlude, he even ponders patterning his band after her boyfriends’ band – yikes! The downward spiral continues on the bridge: “Depression makes no exceptions, except the rich and sexy / My delusion is better than facing the truth about me.” “Don’t Hate Me” is disturbing, but incredibly entertaining.  Worth noting, 🎵 “Fukboi”, also released in August 2021, could’ve made the cut here too.

4. Red Velvet, “Queendom”

💿 Queendom – The 6^th Mini Album • 🏷 SM Entertainment • 📅 2021

“We are queens in the red castle / Don’t need crown.” Hmm, now that’s a statement right there! Girl South Korean K-pop group 🎙 Red Velvet unleash 🎵 “Queendom,” the opening and title track from their 2021 EP, 💿 Queendom – The 6^th Mini Album.  Safe to say, this queenly, queen song is a total B-O-P!

“Queendom” features both Korean and English lyrics.  The thing is, even if you can’t decipher the Korean sans translation, given the English lyrics, and the attitude exhibited, it’s easy to see what Red Velvet are going for.  Basically, these are confident girls, and nobody is going to tell them what to do. GIRL POWER, period!  They assert on the pre-chorus, “We are makin’ the rules.” As Beyoncé informed us years ago, “Who run the world? Girls!” That said, on the epic chorus, they’re inclusive of all: “‘Cause were queens and kings.” “Queendom” is superbly produced, and the energy is through the roof.  Safe to say Red Velvet slays!

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 13 Q Songs: No Rhyme or Reason

5. The Weeknd, “Take My Breath”

🎵 “Take My Breath” • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2021

“I saw the fire in your eyes / … I know temptation is the devil in disguise.” 🏆 Grammy-winning Canadian R&B artist 🎙 The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) returns with a superb promo single from his forthcoming album, 🎵 “Take My Breath”.  It’s safe to say that Tesfaye doesn’t miss a beat on this certified pop/R&B bop.  “Take My Breath” commences with an awesome, driving groove.  There is no way that you can sit still and not move your body listening to it.  The production by The Weeknd, 🎛 Max Martin, and 🎛 Oscar Holter kicks some serious butt. Like 💿 After Hours, Tesfaye embraces the R&B, pop, and dance of old – an awesome sound for him.

Once Tesfaye begins singing, his vocals are bright, pure, youthful, and potent as ever.  We’d know that beloved Canadian tenor anywhere! Abel has a super, catchy melody to work with – quite tuneful and ear-catching.  As far as form, “Take My Breath” is accessible and straightforward with verse, pre-chorus, and chorus.  The chorus is epic, featuring robust vocals by Abel over the picturesque, energetic backdrop.

“Take my breath away
And make it last forever, babe
Do it now or never, babe
Take my breath away
Nobody does it better, babe
Bring me close to –”

Lyrically and thematically, The Weeknd focuses on lust, sex, and temptation, but does so without being the least bit profane or crossing any lines. Once again, The Weeknd comes through big time, period.  After Hours is closed, and with “Take My Breath,” a new, exciting chapter has begun.  All boxes are checked of.  Are there any miscues to be found? Not by my estimations – Fancy sufficiently tickled!

6. Sub Urban & Bella Poarch, “INFERNO”

🎵 “INFERNO” • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2021

“No halo / Baby, I’m the reason why Hell’s so hot / Inferno.” Wow! 🎙 Sub Urban and 🎙 Bella Poarch make 🎵 “INFERNO” (Hell) sound heavenly – at least from the listener’s perspective! As you’d expect a song about hell must be set in a minor. Clocking in at just shy of two-and-a-quarter minutes, Sub and Bella make sure their bombard us with high quality.

I heart the instrumental intro on “INFERNO,” which sets the tone, prefacing the full-fledged, colorful production work.  Notably, the classical music cues utilized are sweet. Where vocals are concerned, I love the playful, expressive vocals by Bella Poarch – she has ample potential as a pop artist. It’s not only Bella though – how about that Sub Urban? Sub matches those playful vocals by Poarch; I’m digging his tone as he sings in an undertone.

“Manic like a chandelier, crack the ceiling
Marie Antoinette ‘cause she’s lost her mind
Falling for exteriors, as appealing
As they might be, I know I’m afraid.”

Overall, there’s a novel nature to this track that makes it intriguing. Melodically, it’s well-penned and tuneful to the nth degree.  Furthermore, the lyrics are successful. Ultimately, “INFERNO” is heavenly sounding, even if it is “hellish” given the song title.

7. The Killers, “Terrible Thing”

💿 Pressure Machine • 🏷 Island • 📅 2021

“I’m in my bedroom on the verge of a terrible thing.” Man, that is heavy – it hits hard. 🎵 “Terrible Thing,” as you’d expected, is sad.  It appears as the third song on 💿 Pressure Machine, the much sooner-than-expected, seventh studio album by 🎙 The Killers.  What exactly is that ‘terrible thing’ the male character in the song is on the verge of? Contemplating suicide.

Why does the character consider ending it all? He’s gay but he comes from a place where that’s unaccepted, particularly given the time.  You could say, he’s knee-deep into the Pressure Machine, as “Around here, we all take up our cross and hang on His Holy name / But the cards that I was dealt will get you thrown out of the game.” Wow.  Flowers does a masterful job performing this and putting himself in the situation of this young man.  It marks one of many fancy-tickling, bright spots from Pressure Machine.

8. Elton John & Dua Lipa, “Cold Heart – PNAU Remix”

🎵 “Cold Heart – PNAU Remix” • 🏷 Mercury • 📅 2021 

Remixes can be truly transformative.  Cutting straight to the chase, 🎙 PNAU – 🎛 Nicholas Littlemore, 🎛 Sam Littlemore, and 🎛 Peter Mayes – create a transformative remix with 🎵 “Cold Heart – PNAU Remix”.  “Cold Heart” features the talents of beloved icon 🎙 Elton John and 🎙 Dua Lipa. Notably, “Cold Heart” samples the John classic, 🎵 “Sacrifice” and interpolates another classic, 🎵 “Rocket Man”, with the result being “Cold Heart – PNAU Remix.”  Folks, this is nothing short of a bop that you won’t be able to stop listening to!

From the onset, “Cold Heart” grooves hard – there’s no way you won’t move your body.  As to be expected from a remixed, dance-pop record, the production work is brilliant.  It’s colorful, picturesque, sleek to the nth degree. PNAU outdo themselves crafting this song, a mix of late 70s/80s and present.  Elton John is the first voice heard, adorning the warm, groove production work with the lyrics from “Sacrifice” (🎼✍ Bernie Taupin, of course, penned those lyrics).  Following the verse and pre-chorus, Dua Lipa enters singing “Rocket Man” (!) making for a super cool effect.  As always, she sounds utterly sublime.  I like the way that Lipa’s vocals are layered as “Cold Heart” progresses.  Of course, Elton’s vocals also get into the mix too, creating a truly scintillating listening experience.  “Cold Heart” is everything – sweet, decadent ear candy!

9. Ben Platt, “Dark Times”

💿 Reverie • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2021

On his sophomore album, 💿 Reverie, incredibly talented actor/singer 🎙 Ben Platt generally opts for a ‘poppier’ sound.  Even so, select moments of Reverie revisit his sound on his underrated, 2019 debut, 💿 Sing to Me, Instead. 🎵 “Dark Times” marks one of those moments.  This is an expressive, meaningful, and moving ballad that reflects on being different (part of the LGBTQ+ community 🏳️‍🌈), life, and love.  It’s poetically penned.

“Now, you’re sitting on a secret no one knows,” Platt sings from a 13-year-old perspective, continuing, “You see him after school / He barely looks at you / ‘Cause you’re both afraid that people might suppose.”  On the second verse, Platt is 18, while the third and final verse he’s his current age of 27 (“We’re 27 now / Don’t have it figured out / But at least, no one can say, we haven’t grown”). The production matches the emotional songwriting, using piano and lush strings.  “Dark Times” isn’t like most of Reverie but is arguably its best track and tickles my fancy big time!

10. Lorde, “The Path”

💿 Solar Power • 🏷 Universal Music New Zealand • 📅 2021

💿 Solar Power, the third studio album by 🏆 Grammy winning New Zealand artist, 🎙 Lorde, gets off to a marvelous start with 🎵 “The Path.” It begins enigmatically, musically, and lyrically, before revealing its cards.  The lyrics are complex, poetic, and reflective – quite impressive.  At the same time (bigger picture), early on Solar Power, it’s clear that this album won’t necessarily deliver surefire ‘pop’ hits.  The response to Solar Power, notably, has been mixed – just depends on who you ask!

Regardless, let’s keep the focus on “The Path,” shall we? Once the drums enter, “The Path” picks up steam, making it one of the best moments.  So, what do those lyrics amount to thematically? Lorde states, despite her platform as a celebrity, don’t view her as a savior or this perfect role model – look elsewhere! “Let’s hope the sun will show us the path, path.” It’s intriguing to say the least.

11. Prince, “Born 2 Die”

💿 Welcome 2 America • 🏷 NPG / Legacy • 📅 2021

The late, great 🎙 Prince shines on 🎵 “Born 2 Die,” among the best moments of his 2021 posthumous album, 💿 Welcome 2 America.  Worth noting, Welcome 2 America was originally slated for release in 2010 but the legendary artist ultimately never released it.  Focusing on the song at hand, “Born 2 Die” is the total aesthetic – the V-I-B-E!

The Purple One is on his falsetto game on this soulful, throwback R&B number.  Musically, it’s sublime, with its horns and sweet backing vocals. What else makes “Born 2 Die” fancy tickling to the nth degree? How about that tuneful melody? Melodically speaking, it shines particularly on the infectious, playful chorus:

“Born to die, born to die
If you ain’t livin’ right, you know you’re
Born to die
Better watch out.”

Also sweetening the deal on “Born 2 Die” are the musical underpinnings – the harmonic progression 🤓.

12. Nas, “The Pressure”

💿 King’s Disease II • 🏷 Mass Appeal • 📅 2021

“The pressure weigh a ton, it’s gettin’ too heavy / Had to inspire them again like I didn’t already.” Woo! 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper 🎙 Nas commences 💿 King’s Disease II superbly with 🎵 “The Pressure.”  He’s backed by excellent production courtesy of 🎛 Corbett and 🎛 Hit-Boy.  From the onset, the rapper is on autopilot, dropping numerous lyrical gems.  “Real ones still around, release the confetti,” he continues spitting on the chorus, adding, “God’s Son across the belly.”

Among the best lines Nas reference throughout are his ‘fitness aspirations’:

“The world on my shoulders, it’s been gettin’ too heavy
I been bench pressing the problems, ain’t even get sweaty.”

And if that isn’t sufficient, the rapper goes on to add, “Miles on my Peloton, I been working on my core.” Of course, it’s not all fitness! Nas is reflective throughout “The Pressure,” also referencing family, society, and, of course, various pressures weighing him down.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Pressure: 5ive Songs No. 67 (2021)

13. Shawn Mendes & Tainy, “Summer of Love”

🎵 “Summer of Love” • 🏷 Island • 📅 2021 

Collaborations can unveil musical magic. Canadian heartthrob 🎙 Shawn Mendes and producer extraordinaire 🎙Tainy experience some musical magic on their collaborative single, 🎵 “Summer of Love”. “Summer of Love” is tailor made for a sexy summer! It commences with a gorgeous instrumental intro with warm pad.  Later, the flavor is enhanced with the addition of the Latin beat. Of course, Mendes delivers smooth vocals, flaunting his beautiful tone. Sexiness is evident from the opening lyrics, “Kisses on your body were like heaven / We were taking it slow.” Ooh la, la!

As titillating as that is, the centerpiece is the catchy, tuneful chorus:

“It was the summer of love
A delicate daydream
And for a couple of months
It felt like we were 18, yeah
It was the summer of...”

Instrumentally, on the chorus, I like the synths Tainy brings into the mix; they’re colorful and ear-catching. The chorus is followed by a playful, post-chorus, both endearing and infectious. I like the faster, more rhythmic vocals on the second verse, providing fine contrast to the first verse (“Meditation and tequila / Calling you my señorita …”). Furthermore, I heart those vocal risks (ad-libs and melodic tweaks) Mendes takes on the final chorus.  All said and done, “Summer of Love” is a fine, summery single.  Mendes ‘shows out’ vocally while Tainy does the same behind the boards.  The result is a bop that should not only carry us through the rest of summer, but also beyond.

14. Silk Sonic, “Skate”

🎵 “Skate” • 🏷 Aftermath / Atlantic • 📅 2021

After wowing with 🎵 “Leave the Door Open” 🎙 Silk Sonic – 🎙 Anderson .Paak and 🎙 Bruno Mars – come back strong on 🎵 “Skate”. Soulful, old-school vibes stand out the moment the record commences. This contemporary soul joint is produced by 🎛 D’Mile and Mars.  Safe to say, they put in work.

Anderson .Paak sings the intro (“Oh, oh my”), followed by sexy verse filled with swagger (“If bein’ fine was a crime / Girl, they’d lock your lil’ fine ass up in a tower”). Bruno Mars takes over the lead on the pre-chorus, and ‘brings it on home’ on the chorus. The chorus is memorable, and much like the .Paak verse, chocked to the brim with swagger.

“Oh, skate to me baby (Skate)
Slide your way on over (Slide your way on over)
Oh, skate to me baby (Skate)
I wanna get to know ya (I wanna get to know ya)
Come on
Oh my, oh my.”

Mars also sings the second verse, matching the sensibilities of .Paak, while serving up contrast (“Mmm, you smell better than a barbecue / Oh, a superstar is what you are”). Following the pre-chorus/chorus by Mars, Paak handles most of the bridge.  As with any good bridge, we get musical contrast, keeping things fresh (“I never fall, but tonight you got me fallin’ for you”). “Skate” finds two 🏆 Grammy winning musicians with a knack for simultaneously preserving the R&B of old and making it sound fresh in 2021.

15.Anthony Hamilton, “Love is the New Black”

 💿 Love is the New Black • 🏷 My Music Box / BMG Rights Management • 📅 2021

After a five-year hiatus, 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter 🎙 Anthony Hamilton is finally back! On September 24, the neo-soul star drops 💿 Love is the New Black.  On the third single, 🎵 “Love is the New Black”, Hamilton maintains utmost consistency and relentless soulfulness.

“Love is the New Black” serves as the opener, setting the tone.  Being true to Hamilton artistically, it features old-school production, in a retro-/neo-soul style (🎛 Cardiak and 🎛 WU10).  As far as the sounds, I love the keys, dramatic, lush strings, and the percussion-fueled groove –DECADENT! Furthermore, I love the fact that the instrumental intro percolates for a good 30+ seconds.  Of course, Anthony does his thing as always, delivering expressive, soulful vocals and romance-driven songwriting/theme.  Furthermore, he delivers utterly sublime ad-libs. While the aesthetic is familiar, with Hamilton in his niche, there’s contrast too.  Worth noting, “Love is the New Black” features only one section, the chorus:

“I know where I'm goin’
You know where it’s at
One thing that's for sure
Love is the new Black.”

Once again, Mr. Hamilton comes through.  Fancy sufficiently tickled!