Awesome Songs: August 2023 | Playlist

Awesome Songs: August 2023  features music courtesy of Dixon Dallas, Halle, Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler Childers, and Usher.  

It’s that time! What time it is? Why, Monthly round-up time, of course! It is the time to select the best songs of the month! All the songs on  Awesome Songs: August 2023 were released as singles or as an album track in late July 2023, August 2023, or whereabouts (exceptions are possible). Musicians that made our ears perk up in August 2023 include Dixon Dallas, Halle, Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler Childers, and Usher among others. The musical styles are all over the map on this musical compendium. So, without further ado, here are those  Awesome Songs: August 2023! Also, feel free to check out the previous month’s awesome songs!    

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1. Tyler Childers, “In Your Love”

Rustin’ In The Rain • Hickman Holler / RCA • 2023

“It’s a long hard war / Ah, but I can grin and bear it,” Kentucky country singer/songwriter Tyler Childers sings, continuing, “‘Cause I know what the hell I’m fightin’ for / And I will wait for you.” Childers wows on “In Your Love”, the promo single from his 2023 album, Rustin’ In The Rain (arrives September 8, 2023).  As the keyword of this gorgeous ballad suggests, LOVE is the big takeaway. Childers wrote “In Your Love” with Geno Seale.  The protagonist is willing to fight for love – give his all for the person he loves (“You’re the finest thing around / So I will stand my ground”).  

Tyler Childers absolutely slaughters – in the best way possible.  His voice is marvelous as he sings expressively, in nuanced fashion.  The authenticity that he performs with truly makes the listener buy what he is selling. The chorus is the the crème de la crème:   

“We were never made to run forever 

We were just meant to go long enough 

To find what we were chasin’ after 

I believe I found it here 

In your love.”  

A piano ballad initially, the instrumentation expands to include an idiomatic country sound palette. With the excellence of the song firmly established lyrically, musically, and vocally, the bold, stunning music video deserves mention –  a gay love story between two miners that perfectly parallels the songwriting. Haynes told Ann Powers of NPR he was inspired to do the music video by his older cousin, who is gay. It stars openly gay actors Colton Haynes and James Scully, while the story was written by Kentucky author Silas House and his husband, journalist/author Jason Kyle Howard.  Honestly, the video, which shows a marvelous love story, but ends sadly , is refreshing from country music. With “In Your Love”, Childers delivers one of the very best songs of 2023 – a perfect example of putting more acceptance, love, and respect in the world rather than judgement.   

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2. Halle, “Angel”

“Angel” • Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia • 2023

Grammy nominated singer Halle (Halle Bailey) unveiled her debut solo single, “Angel” in August 2023. Written by Halle, Sebastian Kole and producer,  Ron “Neff-U” Feemster, the results are quite positive. “Angel” commences angelically, with gorgeous, rhythmic production.  Vocally, Halle’s tone is stunning – celestial.  The control and ease with which she sings with is impressive, never breaking a sweat yet packing a formidable and mighty punch . Melodically, “Angel” is tuneful, particularly the chorus:   

“Black girl here, black girl with the black girl hair 

Took a little sunkiss just to look like this 

God-sent, you’re an angel (angel) 

Angel (angel) 

Angel (angel)  

Angel (angel).”   

Her high notes are EPIC!  Beyond the sound – piano, organ, and tasteful synths – and the voice, the theme and lyrics are #winning. Black girl empowerment, PERIOD.  “I’m more than a girl,” Halle sings in the second verse, continuing, “Won’t let the troubles of the world / Come weigh me down.” Among the most beautiful lyrics hail from the bridge, where she sings, “Some might hate, and they wait on your fall / They don’t know there’s a grace for it all / My flaws don’t make me.” All told, Halle nails it on “Angel”. BRAVO!  

 

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3. Offset, “JEALOUSY” (Ft. Cardi B)

“JEALOUSY” • UMG Recordings, Inc. • 2023 

“There’s a lot of drama between you and your beautiful wife, Cardi B.” And, with that Jamie Lee Curtis intro, so begins “JEALOUSY”, an enjoyable track credited to Offset featuring his beautiful wife, Grammy winner Cardi B.  After the mention of drama, the Three 6 Mafia sample of “Jealous Ass Bitch” (2000) kicks in in all of its gloria.  The sample is a great component of the hard-nosed production by OZ, Boi-1da, and Jahaan Sweet. The backdrop suits both Offset (verse one) and Cardi B (verse two).  The rhythmic nature of the beat totally kicks a$$.  

You know what else kicks a$$? The electrifying cadence and flow by Offset! It’s safe to say he eats the beat up. “‘Set, yes, nigga, don’t try me / In a Lamb’, I be damned if a nigga try me,” he spits, adding, “Gettin’ ham with the fam, man, a nigga gotta eat / Shawty, nuttin’, I’ma bust, I’ma trick for a treat.” WOO! One of his best lines, is the assertion, “I’m Michael [Jackson], I’m not no Jermaine / Jealousy, that shit gon’ eat your heart out.” As for Cardi B, she cries foul regarding others meddling in her marriage: “They’re too worried ‘bout me and my nigga (Huh) / You should worry ‘bout the nigga yours sleep with, hmm (Ah).” There’s also a clever Atlanta Braves lyric, related back to – wait for it – bitches. “JEALOUSY” lacks substance, but it is an enjoyable rap banger.  

via GIPHY

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4. Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good”

“Good Good” • mega / gamma. • 2023

On “Good Good”, Grammy winner Usher proves he’s still got it. On this four-minutes-and-change bop, he’s joined by Summer Walker and Grammy winning rapper, 21 Savage. “Good Good” features slick production work courtesy of  Mel & Mus. This joint, hence fits the Usher of old, but definitely does not sound anachronistic in 2023.  Unsurprisingly, his vocals are #GIVING, plus he has some tuneful melodies to deliver in the first verse and chorus.  He’s supported by sweet harmonies, which up the ante. The chorus is the crowning achievement, catchy and exemplifying being “good, good!”  

“I hate that we didn’t make it to forever 

Probably ain’t gettin’ back together 

But that don’t mean that I can’t wish you better (Oh-oh) 

We ain’t good, good, but we still good.” 

After dropping the first two choruses, Summer Walker arrives in the second verse, providing both complement and contrast. At times, we underrate Walker because of her more modest approach but she has an amazing voice. Like Usher’s background vocals in the first verse, I love the backing vocals that support her as well.  There is a great blend of both singers in the third chorus, prior to the arrival of the one and only 21 Savage.  Like Usher and Summer, he’s not outdone, riding the smooth production like a champ .  The cat has already been let out of the bag – “Good Good” = BOP!!!  

 

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5. Usher, “Boyfriend”

“Boyfriend” • mega / gamma. • 2023

“Somebody said that your boyfriend’s lookin’ for me / Oh, that’s cool, that’s cool.” Hmm, really Usher, is that cool? “Boyfriend” marks the third single in 2023 by the Grammy-winning R&B artist.  “Boyfriend” draws more attention than the previous singles thanks to the appearance of Keke Palmer in the music video, following the shaming incident with her boyfriend, Darius Jackson. Perhaps it’s a coincidence, but besides the video, the lyrics from the chorus only add fuel to the fire – surefire shadiness! But, let’s focus on the song itself…  

“Well, he should know I’m pretty easy to find / Just look for me wherever he sees you.” H “Boyfriend” features slick production work courtesy of a star-studded team: James “JLack” Lackey, Rico Love, DJ Camper, Believve, Tricky Stewart, and Laney Stewart. The record has a fun, playful aesthetic. The keys, synths, and the stuttering drums / incredibly rhythmic groove are all selling points.  Furthermore, “Boyfriend” embraces modern R&B.   

“Daydreamin’ about me, oh 

Tryin’ to be on your best behavior 

Lovin’ me on the low 

The taste of your thoughts I can’t wait until it’s over (Oh, oh).” 

Ooh, wee – she wants him badly! Vocally, Usher is awesome as always, serving up an expressive, nuanced, playful, and well-rounded performance.  He has tuneful melodies to work with from the onset, beginning with the chorus, and continuing in the verses.  Of course, the chorus is the crème de la crème. “Boyfriend” gives Usher another bop.    

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6. Doja Cat, “Paint The Town Red”

“Paint The Town Red” • Kemosabe / RCA • 2023  

“Said pop make money, now you try, bitch / You could use a revamp with a new vibe, sis.” Grammy-winning artist Doja Cat (Amala Dlamini) is locked-in in aggressive mode on her single, “Paint The Town Red”. Produced by Earl on the Beat, Amala gets a lift as the beloved, classic soul cut, “Walk on By” by Dionne Warwick (1964) is sampled overtly.  In fact, Warwick kicks things off, setting the tone for “Paint The Town Red.”    

 

The first thing we hear from Doja Cat is the chorus, in all its assertive glory. “Yeah, bitch, I said what I said / I’d rather be famous instead,” she bites, continuing, “I let all that get to my head / I don’t care, I paint the town red.” WOO! If the chorus weren’t feisty enough, the post-chorus certainly is, adding to the infectious nature of “Paint The Town Red”   

“Mm, she the devil  

She a bad lil’ bitch, she a rebel   

She put her foot to the pedal  

It’ll take a whole lot for me to settle.”  

Gah-day-ummm! Beyond the chorus, the biting, unapologetic bars continue in the verses.  The first verse commences with a bang: “Said my happiness is all of your misery / I put good dick all in my kidneys.”  Holy shit! Oh, and in verse two, there is no back down: “I’m a demon, Lord / Fall off what? I ain’t seen the horse.”  Fully embracing all things rap and hip-hop, Doja Cat shines on “Paint The Town Red”.  

Appears in :  

• These 13 Songs Bleed Red (2023)
• Paint : 3 to 5 BOPS No. 67 (2023)

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7. Dixon Dallas, “F150”

  2 More – Single •  Dixon Dallas •  2023

“Well, when we get to sipppin’ whiskey / And we get a little frisky, I climb up on him, ride him like a F-150,” country singer Dixon Dallas asserts in the chorus of his entertaining, unapologetic single,  “F150”.  In case you entered “F150” thinking that the gay alter-ego of Jake Hill was referencing the beloved Ford pickup truck, Dallas shuts that notion down. The lustful refrain continues, “Got me hootin’ and hollerin’, I’m begging him for more / Nothing but my boots on, baby let’s get down on the floor.” Clearly, with some alcohol in him, Dallas is a freak, who enjoys it from the back. 

Dallas Dixon keeps things brief on “F150,” to the tune of little more than two-and-a-half minutes in duration. It benefits from a fine countrified instrumental featuring a fabulous guitar riff. Furthermore, the piano shines too.“F150” never grows overblown.  Hill sings with a terrific tone, sounding idiomatic of country through and through. The songwriting is catchy, fun, and of course, G-A-Y, while the melody is equally tuneful in the verses and chorus. Shout out the unapologetic nature of the songwriting, something that country music itself could use plenty more of.  “F150” truly tickles my… fancy . 

 

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8. Olivia Rodrigo, “bad idea right?”

GUTS • Olivia Rodrigo / Geffen • 2023

“Fuck it, it’s fine.” Yup, that’s the kind of energy that Grammy-winning pop artist Olivia Rodrigo serves up on “bad idea right?”, the second single from her sophomore album, GUTS. As always, exemplified by the excerpted, f-bomb lyric, Rodrigo is bold, Gen-Z AF, and unapologetic.  Her fuel is fired by a Dan Nigro production, who also co-writes this snarling gem with her. From the jump, “bad idea right?” isn’t a bad idea from a listening perspective.  The pop/rock groove is infectious and intense – rock TF on . Olivia’s vocal performance is alluring as she’s feisty in the verses with spoken, unapologetic lyrics (“Haven’t heard from you in a couple of months / But I’m out right now and I’m all fucked up”). The spoken portion, and the vibe of “bad idea right?” bears similarities to “Brutal” ( Sour, 2021). Even with similar energy, it clearly separates itself.  “Bad idea right?” also has its fair share of sung vocals, and when it is melodic, it’s truly tuneful.  The section to beat on this ex-fueled joint is the chorus:  

“Yes, I know that he’s my ex 

But can’t two people reconnect?  

I only see him as a friend 

The biggest lie I ever said?  

Oh, yes, I know that he’s my ex 

But can’t two people reconnect?  

I only see him as a friend  

I just tripped and fell into his bed.” 

“Bad idea right?” gives Rodrigo yet another hit.

 

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9. Lauv, “Love U Like That”

“Love U Like That” • Lauv •

Lauv (Ari Staprans Leff) released a sexy single in August 2023, “Love U Like That”.  Who is he singing to? Well, notably, there are no pronouns, which keeps things interesting and allows his love and sex interest in this song to be wide open (Note: Leff came out in 2023)! The results are positive on “Love U Like That.” It features a gorgeous palette of sounds: radiant pads, synths, and a fabulous rhythmic groove.  It was produced by Lauv, Federico Vindver, and Michael Pollack.  Furthermore, Leff, Vindver, and Pollack wrote the record with Annika Bennett. Leff gives us smooth, romantic, and sensual vocals. In addition to his tone, the vocal production is marvelous, fitting the aesthetic and vibe.  The pre-chorus is superb: “And you’re kissin’ on my neck / I’m like, ‘Oh’ / Got your hands up on my chest / I’m like, ‘Oh’…” Yup, ‘Oh’ is right, Lauv! The chorus is incredibly catchy:  

“I love you like that 

Everything you do just turns me on 

I love you like that 

Body on my mind like all night long 

Six o’clock in the mornin’, babe 

Want you more than yesterday 

Used to judge myself, now I don’t care ‘cause, hey 

I love you like that…”

The self-judgement suggests Leff is making a nod to his sexuality and allowing himself to be who he is which is awesome. Also awesome is his falsetto – ooh-wee!  All told, Lauv has dropped a gem.

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10. Doechii, “Booty Drop”

“Booty Drop” • Top Dawg Entertainment / Capitol • 2023

“Don’t that make your booty drop and make your booty pop.” Woo! Never underestimate the power of a booty shaking anthem, let alone a booty itself! Bisexual Tampa rapper Doechii embraces the butt and specifically, twerking on her naughty but extremely fun single, “Booty Drop”. Sure, there are a plethora of rump shaking anthems but this StarGate produced joint still brings the freshness, and unapologetic-ness too! A sample fuels the fire: “Bubble Gum” courtesy of UNIIQU3.

Clearly, Doechii doesn’t give a flying fck, letting the stripper vibes run rampant.  “Strip club, dance, dance, do it in a handstand / Drop down, get bands, do it on command, now make her drop.” Sure enough, on cue, in the risqué music video ,  those booties sho’ nuff drop.  It gets more explicit too as Doechii makes it X-rated-ly clear “That pussy bussin’, super soaker, ‘nough to make her, ooh.” Again, it doesn’t stop there! Some of the totally NSFW highlights served up include “Eat that ass like DoorDash,” “Swimmin’ in the pussy like a scuba,” and “Dive in, deep dive, thick thighs, she a cougar.” Gah-day-um! And, of course, shaking a$$ is more fun with friends: “How much a private boom? / Fuck it, you can bring your friends.”  While arguments can be made that female rap fixates too much on sex (and yes, we know, the men do it way too much too), it’s hard to deny how hot “Booty Drop” is.  There’s little substance, but plenty of… !!!

 

Appears in :

• Doechii, Booty Drop: Midnight Heat 68 (2023)

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11. Paul Russell, “Lil Boo Thing”

Lil Boo Thang • Paul Russell / Arista • 2023

“You my lil boo thang / So, I don’t give a hoot what your dude say.” Woo, Paul Russell! He adds in the chorus of “Lil Boo Thang”, “I be shooting that shot like 2K.”  With “Lil Boo Thang,” Russell serves up a bite-sized record that clocks in under two minutes in duration.  Despite its brevity, this joint is infectious AF from the get-go. “I’ma keep it real when your man long gone / If you’re looking for a friend then you got the wrong song.”  So, what makes “Lil Boo Thang” epic? First and foremost, it’s the beloved sample that fuels the fire. The no. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit by  The Emotions, “Best of My Love”, is utilized liberally.  Paul even go so far as to lift the lyrics, in addition to the recognizable instrumental.  Even relying heavily on a soul classic, Russell delivers an exuberant, memorable performance. He serves up plenty of personality – ample G-A-M-E: “To the back, to the front / You a ten baby girl, but I’m the one (Hey).” With no shortage of catchy lyrics, the crème de la crème – the crowning achievement – belongs to the chorus. Perhaps Russell says it best towards the end of the chorus: “Tell ‘em I’m. next / Tell ‘em you found a lil something too fresh.” WOO! “Lil Boo Thang” = !!!

 

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12. Tinashe, “Talk To Me Nice”

“Talk To Me Nice” • Tinashe Music Inc. / Nice Life Recording Company • 2023 

“Mix up my days, got me in a daze / Stuck in a phase, so talk to me nice.” Woo! Tinashe brings the heat, sexiness, and innovative spirit simultaneously on “Talk To Me Nice”. She continues singing in the chorus, “Come get me laid, sing me lullabies, yeah / Come drive me craze ‘fore I catch a flight.” Sex is written all over those lyrics, particularly anytime you bring the word laid into the picture. Tinashe gets a huge boost from the creative, distinct, futuristic, and rhythmic production work by Nosaj Thing and Scoop DeVille. You might say that they help amplify and elevate the sex! 

The thing is, “Talk To Me Nice” explores more than pleasure. In the first verse, Tinashe seems to emphasize independence, differentiating between wants and needs. “I don’t wanna wait all life for the right time, I know,” she sings, adding, “You got options, I got options / Want you, but don’t need you / Tease you, but I please you.” Ooh-la-la! Still, by the time the change of pace in production arrives in the refrain of sorts, Tinashe emphasizes the fact that “This a feeling that money can’t buy /… Loyalty, what the money can’t buy.” That suggests a relationship more than just a hook up.  Even the second verse, suggests more, even with the sex front and center: “Ride on ya, when we gettin’ high, we the closest / High-end, private charter to an island / Real good sex to break the silence.” Ooh wee! “Talk To Me Nice” is nothing short of vibe. Call this one an intriguing balance between bomb sex and the R-word – relationship.     

Appears in :

• Tinashe, Talk To Me Nice: Midnight Heat 63 (2023)

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13. Charlie Puth, “Lipstick”

“Lipstick” • Atlantic • 2023

“We can make it more than rumors / That I’m your man ‘cause I’m your man (Yes).” Charlie Puth i enters his R&B era with “Lipstick”, which commences with a lovely groove with a sensual vibe but ultimately, non troppo (not too much). Puth, ️ Happy Perez, and Pop Wansel bring those R&B cues to life via the production. The harmonic progression – the underpinnings – are simple, focusing two chords primarily: tonic and dominant . As far as songwriting, Puth, Happy Perez, and Pop Wansel composed “Lipstick” alongside Jacob Kasher, known for his pen. The lyrics won’t change your life, but they’re entertaining.  The chorus is infectious to the n^th  degree, easily getting stuck in your head: 

“Come and put your lipstick on my neck and my body (My baby) 

Just to show these bitches that you’re mine (Mmh-ooh) 

Lipstick on my collar, show ‘em you ain’t no hobby (My baby) 

You’re the one who gets it all the time (Ooh-ooh).”

 

Puth’s vocals are playful. He delivers a ripe falsetto, and floats atop the backdrop. He never breaks a sweat, bringing a cool energy. Also amplifying the energy are vocal harmonies. Notably, the interlude and bridge sections are fun if a bit, um, schmaltzy. Puth spits a bit of game () in the interlude, while the bridge embraces the lips… and sex, of course .  Charlie Puth, who is fit, handsome, and as horny, if not hornier than anybody else, still falls short of a surefire sex symbol.  Still, “Lipstick” is moderately sexy and worth spinning.

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Awesome Songs: August 2023 [: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Arista, Capitol, Columbia, Dixon Dallas, Hickman Holler, Kemosabe, mega / gamma., Olivia Rodrigo / Geffen, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, RCA, Tinashe Music Inc. / Nice Life Recording Company, UMG Recordings, Inc.; Tnarg from Pexels]

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