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

1. Conan Gray, “Overdrive”

🎵 “Overdrive” • 🏷 Republic • 🗓 2021

🎙 Conan Gray dropped his first single of 2021, 🎵 “Overdrive”.  Clearly on “Overdrive,” Gray is on-point – he absolutely kills it. Starting with the sound, the production is L-I-T.  He works with a team comprised of pop’s elite producers: 🎛 The Monsters & Strangerz, 🎛 Chris Stracey, 🎛 Tobias Jesso Jr., and 🎛 German.  Awesome!  The record commences with an enigmatic introduction that’s certainly ear catching.  Beyond that intro, the sounds only grow more enticing, with a driving groove and ultimately, an epic chorus.

Of course, “Overdrive” isn’t merely all sound. As always, Gray blesses us with his beautiful, youthful vocals – very expressive and sweet. Along with the production itself, Gray builds things up leading the chorus (verse and pre-chorus).  Even if all the cards aren’t revealed on the verse, Gray is unapologetic, with that IDGAF attitude.  Exhibit A: “Don’t give a fuck bout labels.” There it is! Of course, it’s the ‘overdrive’ chorus that shines brightest.  Also, worth noting is the bridge, where Gray has some cool vocal effects going on, fitting the futuristic vibes of this totally intriguing pop joint.

2. Mahalia, “Jealous”

Ft. Rico Nasty

🎵 “Jealous” • 🏷 Warner Music UK • 📅 2021

British R&B singer 🎙 Mahalia definitely brings some attitude on her single, 🎵 “Jealous”.  Here, she gets an assist from 🎙 Rico Nasty.  The resulting record is quite the bop, a bop many artists should be jealous they didn’t record!

“Jealous” commences with a mysterious intro with a chill vibe. Don’t let that fool you! Soon enough, that subdued intro is superbly integrated into the production (🎛 Cadenza) once the record settles in.  That beat definitely anchors things down adding some more oomph.  Mahalia drops some cool vocals but also manages to pack a mean punch – she definitely brings that attitude.  I mean, attitude is required for lines like “All my bitches with me we paved our way / Cinnamon and sugar, yeah, I’m made this way,” right?  In addition to some aggressive lyrics, another pro for the artist is harmonized vocals.  Of course, there’s also the centerpiece of the record is the chorus.  After Mahalia kills it on her second verse, Rico Nasty appears on the third, dropping melodic but potent, tough bars.  She both complements and contrasts Mahalia.  The outro by both artists is pretty sick – quite aggressive – on this surefire gem.

“Baby, buss it, turn me out
I’m a winner, there’s no doubt
They too inner, leave me out
Show me somethin’, what you ‘bout?” 

3. Still Woozy, “Rocky”

🎵 “Rocky” • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2021

“So, I just, I just dream / Dream, dream, dream, dream, dream.” Don’t we all, though?Ascending California pop singer/songwriter 🎙 Still Woozy (Sven Gamsky) has returned! After releasing two singles in 2020, he’s back with his first single of 2021 with 🎵 “Rocky”.  Gamsky keeps things tight on “Rocky,” which clocks in under three minutes – that’s a respectable duration.  He writes and produces this record alongside 🎼✍ 🎛 Lars Stalfors.

As to be expected, the sound of “Rocky” is ear catching.  The production is sleek, with lush pads, rhythmic lines (notably the bass), and a sick groove.  Still Woozy gives us beautiful, chilled-out vocals that establish quite an aesthetic.  Honestly, it’s a total vibe.  Naturally, the ‘dreaming’ is part of the modus operandi on the first verse (“When I am sleepin’ and I’m dreamin’ in my bed”). Notably, his second verse is wordier and more rhythmic, which provides some contrast.  Of course, the sleeping and dreaming continues. The form of the song is quite straightforward making it incredibly easy to follow and accessible.  The crème de la crème – the centerpiece – unsurprisingly, is the chorus (excerpted above). “Rocky” shows the versatility and incredible potential by the Gamsky. Great vocals, catchy chorus, killer vibe, awesome production – what more could you ask for?

4. Ariana Grande, “worst behavior”

💿 Positions (Deluxe) • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2021

💿 Positions, the sixth album by 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Ariana Grande, ended up being another welcome addition to an incredible discography. In February 2021, she issued 💿 Positions (Deluxe) which added five addition tracks to the original 14.  Among those five additions was a brand-new, short but sweet bop, 🎵 “worst behavior.”

As the title of the penultimate joint states, Grande is on her “worst behavior.” Yes, there’s pleasure involved on this sleek bop, but the surprising takeaway is the secrecy of the particular relationship within the narrative.  Per Grande, “No phone, no pics, no postin’ us / This love just ain’t disposable / Just take what’s yours, don’t run from it / Don’t be actin’ like that…” Okay then! As always, she serves up awesome vocals, characterized by both expression and finesse, plus she’s backed by top-notch production work (🎛 Tommy Brown, 🎛 Mr. Franks, and 🎛 Tommy Parker).  Fancy sufficiently tickled!

5. Purple Disco Machine, “Fireworks”

Ft. The Knocks & Moss Kena

🎵 “Fireworks” • 🏷 A Positiva / EMI • 🗓 2021

“Better days and tomorrows / We all just want some purple greens and blue yellows / Fireworks will make it come.” If you are in need of a dance record to put a smile on your face, look no further than 🎵 “Fireworks”.  “Fireworks” hails from DJ, producer, and remixer Tino Piontek, better known as 🎙 Purple Disco Machine.  He ultimately produces this colorful dance track and enlists the services of electronic duo 🎙 The Knocks and London R&B artist, 🎙 Moss Kena.

There’s plenty to love about “Fireworks.” The production by Purple Disco Machine is a great starting place – key to success of “Fireworks” by all means.  The backdrop is definitely a vibe with a great beat, robust bass line, rhythmic guitar, keys, and perhaps most uniquely, choir (🎙 Leon Lacey’s Kids Choir and the 🎙 House Gospel Choir).  Woo! The choir is a perfect fit given the energetic, optimistic sound that characterizes this joint. The work put in by Piontek and The Knocks is electric. That said, Moss Kena is the star, delivering those emphatic lead vocals. From the jump, he nails it, serving up some legitimate ear candy.  Of course, it helps that he has a catchy pre-chorus and chorus to work with, with the choir joining in on the chorus (excerpted above).  Awesome production/arrangement, excellent choral arrangement, exuberant, intriguing lead vocals, optimism through the roof, and catchy, memorable pre-chorus and choruses make this a certified bop.

6. KAYTRANADA, “Caution”

🎵 “Caution” • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021

Canadian DJ/Producer 🎙 KAYTRANADA (Louis Kevin Celestin) delivered quite the groovy, vibe-laden instrumental gem with his single, 🎵 “Caution”. “Caution” keeps things tight, running just over two-and-a-half minutes. You should definitely proceed with “Caution” as you’ll easily find yourself moving to this joint! Written and 🎛 produced solely by KAYTRANADA, it’s the rare record in this day and age constructed by one person.

The results are marvelous as Celestin drops some truly ear catching minimalism. The music speaks for itself.  It’s hypnotic, fusing electronic and R&B seamlessly.  This joint is readymade for the club or simply some self-care – dance therapy – at the crib.

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Caution: 3BOPS No. 17 (2021)

7. Dua Lipa, “We’re Good”

💿 Future Nostalgia (The Moonlight Edition) • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2021

After releasing the best pop album of 2020, 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Dua Lipa reissued it in expanded form in 2021 as 💿 Future Nostalgia (The Moonlight Edition).  Among the gems of the deluxe version is the single, 🎵 “We’re Good.”  Honestly, you could characterize this as the track to beat – the crowning achievement.

Sleekly produced by 🎛 Sly, Dua Lipa has a superb backdrop to paint those expressive pipes over.  Her tone and respective vocal nuances continue to impress, particularly on the chorus.

“We’re not meant to be like sleeping and cocaine
So, let’s at least agree to go our separate ways
Not gonna judge you when you’re with somebody else
As long as you swear you won’t be pissed when I do it myself
Let’s end it like we should and say we’re good.”

She’s at her best towards the end of this brief but potent number when she ‘lets loose,’ all without ever losing composure or dare over singing.

8. SG Lewis, “Chemicals”

💿 Chemicals • 🏷 PMR / Universal Music Operations Limited • 📅 2021

🎵 “Chemicals” has a strong case for the crowning achievement of 💿 Times, the debut album by British DJ, producer, singer, and songwriter 🎙 SG Lewis. “Chemicals” is incredibly assertive – that beat is overt and in your face.  Notably, Lewis produces alongside 🎛 Julian Bunetta, as well as 🎛 Chad Hugo (🎛 The Neptunes).  That’s a team right there!

In addition to the beat, the canvas, which Lewis paints with his own bright, sexy vocals, is quite splashy – picturesque to the nth degree.   The chorus is absolutely epic!

“But if you stay
We could always blame it on the chemicals
I might be seein’ double, but I need you both
Might be seein’ double but I need you both.” 

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Chemicals: 3BOPS No. 18 (2021)

9. Lil Tjay & 6LACK, “Calling My Phone”

🎵 “Calling My Phone” • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2020

“Steady callin’ my phone / I done told you before that it’s over, leave me ‘lone / Know it’s hurtin’ you to see me gone…” 🎙 Lil Tjay and 🎙 6LACK join forces for 🎵 “Calling My Phone”, a relaxed, vibe-laden, totally ear catching single about exes. The production creates quite the vibe; it’s lush and moody.  Adding to the vibe is the slow, extremely relaxed pace of the song. Lil Tjay unveils the catchy, melodic chorus at the onset (following the instrumental intro), with a post-chorus (“I can’t get you off my mind now”) following. He then follows the chorus and post-chorus with a syrupy, smooth melodic rap verse.

On the post-chorus that follows Tjay’s verse, we get some nice ad-libs by 6LACK. 6LACK delivers his own smooth, confident verse.  Ultimately, the record has an incredibly hypnotic quality – it just sort of sucks you in as you listen. All in all, “Calling My Phone” is relatable, at least to some extent, as it deals with matters of the heart, specifically, ex-GFs.  Fancy sufficiently tickled!

10. Lucky Daye, “Access Denied”

Ft. Ari Lennox

💿 Table for Two (EP) • 🏷 Keep Cool / RCA • 📅 2021

On 🎵 “Access Denied,” among the crème de la crème of 🎙 Lucky Daye’s 2021 EP, 💿 Table for Two, he enlists the 💿 Shea Butter Baby herself, 🎙 Ari Lennox.  As to be expected, this is a superb collaboration.  What particularly stands out is the fact that this is more collaborative than the duets that precede on the EP.

Throughout, Daye and Lennox either trade lines, harmonize, or sing in unison.  Besides the awesome vocal chemistry, the groove is lit AF, in the most soulful way possible. This is ‘old school’ yet doesn’t feel anachronistic.  🎛 Allen Ritter and 🎛 Vinylz definitely set up Daye and Lennox for success.  Fancy is definitely tickled listening to this R&B B-O-P!

11. Foo Fighters, “Waiting on a War”

💿 Medicine at Midnight • 🏷 Roswell / RCA • 📅 2021

Question: “Is there more to this than that?” 🎵 “Waiting on a War” ranks among the most thoughtful records from 💿 Medicine at Midnight, the tenth studio album by 🎙 Foo Fighters. On this particular record, front man 🎙 Dave Grohl reflects on the state of world and the effect that it has on the young, who are often adversely affected by the happenings of the world.

Inspired by his own childhood during the 80s and a conversation with his daughter, he perfectly captures the sentiment of feeling like war is imminent when that shouldn’t be the case.  Perhaps the lyric that stands out the most is, “Every day waiting for the sky to fall,” which is both metaphorical but also quite literal in some cases. 

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 War: 5ive Songs No. 15

12. Cardi B, “Up”

🎵 “Up” • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2021

“If it’s up, then it’s up, then it’s up, then it’s stuck, huh!” WOO! 🏆 Grammy-winning rap sensation 🎙 Cardi B dropped the short but sweet 🎵 “Up” in February 2021. The record is set in a minor key and features relatively simple but banging production courtesy of 🎛 DJ SwanQo, 🎛 Sean Island, and 🎛 Yung Dza. It’s perfect ⛽ for the 🔥 to say the least.

On “Up,” we get an aggressive, energetic performance by Cardi B.  She’s unapologetic AF, pushing the envelope being utterly risqué: “If I had a dick, you’d probably lick it like a lollipop.”  As to be expected, she delivers some truly colorful rhymes that raise eyebrows and at times, make you either (1) open your mouth with in complete and utter awe or (2) giggle (“He nutted on my butt, I said, ‘I’m glad that you came’”). The hook (appearing at the top) is quite simple, but also catchy, infectious, and incredibly effective. Of course, the hook is part of the controversy surrounding “Up” – plagiarism allegations.  That’s a separate discussion, of course. Ultimately, it’s a banger that you should totally turn ⬆.

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Listen UP to These 15 Songs

13. Joshua Bassett, “Only a Matter of Time”

💿 Joshua Bassett – EP • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 2021

“And when did you stop bein’ kind? / You twisted your words like a knife…” Connotation = negative.  The lyrics hail from 🎵 “Only a Matter of Time”, a gorgeous if ‘troubled’ song from actor and singer 🎙 Joshua Bassett, who releases his self-titled debut EP March 12, 2021.  Undoubtedly, “Only a Matter of Time” is definitely an asset.

What shines most about “Only a Matter of Time” is the lofty musicianship exhibited.  In many ways, this is a simple record, focused more on the lyrics than the production.  That said, the production (Bassett and 🎛 Jake Gosling) is quite the selling point, particularly the prominent use of piano.  There are other sounds, but the rhythmic piano chords are the main driving force.  Vocally, Bassett sings radiantly, as he pours out his heart in his speculated response to “drivers license”.  He gives us middle and upper register, with his falsetto coming off quite sweet.  Of course, the biggest draw are the lyrics.  There’s nothing incredibly complex or otherworldly, just emotionally fueled, honest lyrics.  The chorus is the centerpiece, but the contrasting bridge just might be the most intriguing section. What’s not to like about this ballad? This is a bop from the 20-year-old.

14. Brent Faiyaz, “Eden”

🎵 “Eden (from ‘Black History Always / Music for the Movement Vol. 2’)” • 🏷 Hollywood • 🗓 2021

“I got on my knees and pray / Ain’t no problems go away / Here in Eden…” Unfortunately, even though prayer is the key, that doesn’t mean ‘this thing called life’ is without trials and tribulations.  Clearly, R&B standout 🎙 Brent Faiyaz (Christopher Brent Wood) discovers that on his new single, “Eden”, which appears on 💿 Black History Always / Music for the Movement Vol. 2.  Even though there’s plenty of pain and problems to be sorted out, and the prayer hasn’t assuaged or atoned at this point, “Eden” is a marvelous, must-hear record from a truly talented musician.

“Eden” marks another winning moment for Brent Faiyaz, period.  First and foremost, vocally, he sounds absolutely stunning. His vocals are quite rich, expressive, and nuanced on the verses. The falsetto that he exhibits on the chorus is particularly wonderful – definitely ear catching.  Consistently, Faiyaz sings with incredible soul and authenticity – you definitely buy what he is selling.  Further boding well in his favor is the sound of the record.  The production by 🎛 Los Hendrix is pretty sweet, with guitar being the key accompaniment.  Still, eventually, he also gets support from background vocals, strings, a robust bass line, and keyboards.  Last but not least, the songwriting is strong too, as Brent explores spiritual matters, including referencing the Garden of Eden.  The context? The struggles of being black, including the cruel injustices and searching for equality in what’s clearly and unequal world.  Deep to say the least. Fancy tickled!

15. Clean Bandit, “Higher”

Ft. iann dior

🎵 “Higher” • 🏷 Atlantic UK • 🗓 2021 

UK dance collective 🎙 Clean Bandit enlists the services of breakout Puerto Rican artist 🎙 iann dior for their bright, hella enjoyable single, 🎵 “Higher”. Clean Bandit provides a colorful backdrop – pummeling drums, drum ‘runs,’ exuberant and rhythm synths – the whole shebang.  This, of course, is perfect fuel for the fire of dior (more on him in a bit). CB shine their absolute brightest on the post-chorus (the drop), which is usually the case on a dance-pop cut.

As for iann dior, the pop artist delivers awesome vocals. I like the warmth of his tone. His second verse remains melodic, but it’s a bit more assertive – more hip-hop oriented.  Of course, his biggest triumph is the chorus, where he definitely ‘rises to the occasion.’ The chorus simple but catchy – definitely crowd pleasing to say the least.

“But when you look at me
I’m higher, higher, higher
Eyes on me
I’m higher, higher, higher
Nothing matters at all when I see you with your eyes on me
I’m higher, higher, higher.”

Perhaps the straightforward “Higher” won’t change your life, but it’ll definitely ‘tickle your fancy’ sufficiently and enhance your playlist.