Awesome Songs: February 2022 | Playlist 🎧

7. Jazmine Sullivan, “BPW”

💿 Heaux Tales Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2022

“And even though we ain’t official / You know I ain’t no regular girl,” 🎙 Jazmine Sullivan sings confidently in the chorus of 🎵 “BPW”.  She continues the chorus from the sexy standout from 💿 Heaux Tales Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe (2022), singing, “So tell me whenever I’m with you / I got the Best Pussy in the World.”  Prior to “BPW,” a skit, 🎵 “Mona’s Tale”, sets up the celebration of that BPW. Mona asserts, “I want to fuck your head / I want you to miss me / I’m a great fucker.” Jazmine, of course, builds off that inspiration.

The chorus summarizes while the verses highlight the pleasure being given.  In the first verse, Sullivan sings, “Tell me how you never ever had it like this / And it’s a privilege to let you hit / So, act accordingly.” In the second and third verses, it gets even more NSFW.  “Gas me up / Talk that shit that make me wanna back it up,” Sullivan encourages her man in the second verse. In the third, it’s that “Bomb head and the best sex,” “Great pussy is the best flex,” and my favorite:

“And when we finished, you be outta breath

Tryna make you wanna cry

And have you thanking God

Sayin’ that you’re so blessed.”

While NSFW, “BPW” marks a fabulous moment from 💿 Heaux Tales Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe.  Sure, some will encourage more ‘ladylike’ behavior and discourage this sexual liberation, but personally, I think “BPW” and Heaux Tales Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe is a great discussion piece. “BPW” is explicit, but it is also thought-provoking.

Appears in 🔽:

• Jazmine Sullivan, “BPW”: After Dark 🕛 🌃 14 (2022)

8. Krosis, “Hyacinth (Rejections of a Holistic Divine)”

💿 E.V.I.L. • 🏷 Seek & Strike • 🗓 2022

“One lone purple hyacinth now signifies my consecration / A nihilistic error breathing in the smoke of failure.” 🎵 “Hyacinth (Rejections of a Holistic Divine)” is something else! “Everlasting sorrow with no hope for a tomorrow / I’ll leave this macrocosm once I’m sure no life will blossom.” This outlandish record appears as the fifth track on 💿 E.V.I.L., the 2022 studio album by North Carolina prog death metal band, 🎙 Krosis. Vocalist 🎙 Mac Smith is difficult to decipher without the lyrics in front of you. With those lyrics to reference, what he sings is, again, something else!

“Tragedy is upon us / What will be done to persecute these visions? / Sinister and pernicious / Rightful rejections of the god of wisdom.” The lyrics are dark but poetically penned on “Hyacinth (Rejections of a Holistic Divine).” The excerpt is both thought-provoking and damning. It doesn’t end there, with plenty of rich vocabulary such as sacrosanctic, cataleptic, and a personal favorite, nefarious!

“Caught within the fires of frustration with no chance to rebuild

Brutal rejection of sacrosanctic values ever unfulfilled

Premonitions felt among us

What is done to persecute these visions?

Cataleptic and nefarious

Brutal rejection of sacrosanctic values ever unfulfilled.” 

“Hyacinth (Rejections of a Holistic Divine)” is intriguing, no cap. The songwriting may be dark and negative, but it’s brilliant.  The music, as to be expected, is harsh – heavy-hitting to say the least.

Appears in 🔽:

• Krosis, “Hyacinth (Rejections of a Holistic Divine)”: Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 4 (2022)
• Hyacinth: 3 or 4 BOPS No. 4 (2022)

9. Tate McRae, “she’s all I wanna be”

🎵 “she’s all I wanna be” • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2022

“Stupid boy making me so sad / Didn’t think you could change this fast / She’s got everything that I don’t have / How could I ever compete with that?” Woo! That’s a statement right there, 🎙 Tate McRae! The teenage pop artist continues to see her star ascend.  The Gen-Z up-and-comer has a surefire hit on her hands with 🎵 “she’s all I wanna be”.  Just as the lyrics from the excerpted chorus suggest, this is a song that EVERYBODY can relate to in some way at some point in their lives.

On “she’s all I wanna be,” McRae collaborates with a pop master, 🎼✍ 🎛 Greg Kurstin. As always, the songwriter/producer puts together an excellent musical backdrop for his client.  I love the driving, rhythmic guitars, which gives this record a nice mix of pop/rock. As for McRae, she has a nice tone, which rides that pop/rock backdrop with ease. She never over nor under sings, delivering a well-rounded performance all said and done.  Returning the focus to the theme, essentially, she paints a picture of being envious of what other girls have that she doesn’t. Why feel that way Tate? Well, these other girls woo these stupid boys, and she finds herself heartbroken.  Bummer! While this experience is made personal to her, it is applicable to any and everyone, honestly.  The best moment of the song is the chorus – the clear centerpiece. All in all, “She’s all I wanna be” is a fun, relatable, and well-rounded pop song that will please Gen-Z but also anyone who enjoys a catchy pop record.

10. Shamir, “Gay Agenda”

💿 Heterosexuality • 🏷 AntiFragile Music • 🗓 2022

“You’re just stuck in the box that was made for me / And you’re mad I got out and I’m living free.” Those are some telling lyrics, 🎙 Shamir.   The tough-to-categorize musician goes all-in on sexuality on his 2022 album, 💿 Heterosexuality.  Of course, Shamir is not heterosexual, and furthermore, the song at hand is entitled 🎵 “Gay Agenda”.  He continues singing, on the centerpiece of this ‘gay’ joint, “Free your mind, come outside / Pledge allegiance to the gay agenda.”

Well, you can bet conservatives won’t feel this one – WHO CARES, right? Shamir encourages those “stuck in the box” to free themselves – come out and experience freedom.  So often, those who aren’t heterosexual find themselves trying to play a role as opposed to being themselves, afraid to be honest and come out.  Furthermore, those who are heterosexual judge those who don’t feel and love the same way; they need to open their minds.  Over the course of two verses, the nonbinary musician supports being true to self.  Does he really promote a “gay agenda?” Perhaps some will feel that way, but the lyrics aren’t explicitly gay, though speak to close-minded folks’ perceptions:

“Pray as much as you can, there’s no hope for me

I will see you in hell, I will be bringing the heat.”

“Gay Agenda” is a marvelous way to commence Heterosexuality.

Appears in 🔽:

• Shamir, “Gay Agenda”: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 10 (2022)

11. ROSALÍA, “SAOKO”

💿 MOTOMAMI • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2022

One of Latin pop’s most gifted musicians, without question, is 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 ROSALÍA.  She returns strong with 🎵 “SAOKO”, a single from her 2022 album, 💿 MOTOMAMI. The title (and keyword), interestingly, don’t have an English translation; it’s Puerto Rican slang.  Even without understanding the slang, let alone Spanish without the lyrics on hand, “SAOKO” is a surefire bop.

“SAOKO” is ear-catching from the opening tip – infectious to the n^th degree. Notably, it distinguishes itself from other Latin pop because of its experimental, innovative spirit; it’s less predictable and less traditional. I love the assertive, aggressive approach that ROSALÍA employs – more of rapped, chanted performance. As always, she’s the main attraction.  Otherwise, lyrically, “SAOKO” focuses on transformation, something the translated chorus highlights especially well:

“I’m my own, I transform

A butterfly, I transform

Drag queen makeup, I transform

Stars raining, I transform

Out of line, I transform

Like sex siren, I transform

I contradict myself, I transform

I’m all things, I transform.”

As far as sound is concerned, “SAOKO” features superb production work by ROSALÍA, 🎛 Noah Goldstein, 🎛 Dylan Patrice, and 🎛 Michael Uzowuru. It incorporates skeletal ideas, keys (including jazz piano), and of course, a banging beat. Worth noting, “SAOKO” samples the 🎙 Wisin record, 🎵 “Saoco” featuring 🎙 Daddy Yankee.  ROSALÍA pays ode to classic reggaeton which is a plus.  “SAOKO” is short but incredibly sweet.

12. Ed Sheeran, “The Joker and the Queen” (Ft. Taylor Swift)

🎵 “The Joker and the Queen” • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2022

“How was I to know? It’s a crazy thing / I showed you my hand and you still let me win,” 🎙 Ed Sheeran sings iin the first verse of 🎵 “The Joker and the Queen”. He continues, “And who was I to say that this was meant to be? / The road that was broken brought us together.” The 🏆 Grammy winner delivered a stunning ballad that appeared as the sixth track on his 2021 album,  💿 =.  He returns with a duet version featuring a fellow 🏆 Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, 🎙 Taylor Swift.  “The Joker and the Queen” might be their best collaboration EVER!

The remixed, duet version features notable contrasts to the original.  Worth noting, these contrasts are surefire selling points. Sheeran sings the original opening verse (excerpted above), as well as following up with the gorgeous chorus:  

“And I know you could fall for a thousand kings

And hearts that would give you a diamond ring

When I fold, you see the best in me

The joker and the queen.”

Beyond that, Taylor Swift delivers a brand-new verse.  As she sings, she sounds utterly sublime. At the end of the verse, she and Sheeran join forces, something that happens again on select parts of the chorus.  The vocal chemistry is fabulous – they make a formidable team.  Besides the chemistry and terrific songwriting, the production (Sheeran, 🎛 RØMANS, 🎛 Johnny McDaid, and 🎛 FRED) remains key. I love the lightness and warmth of the sound – it’s a vibe. The strings are quite lovely. All in all, 🎵 “The Joker and the Queen (Remix)” is a winner.  Both Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift sing their respective parts superbly.  Their chemistry, as well as the production, is heavenly.  Sure, it’s slow, but nothing short of beautiful.

13. ODESZA, “The Last Goodbye” (Ft. Betty LaVette)

🎵 “The Last Goodbye” • 🏷 Foreign Family Collective / Ninja Tune • 🗓 2022

“Let me down easy / Though your love for me is gone / Let me down easy / Since you feel to stay is wrong.” Those are some emotional lines, 🎙 ODESZA! Actually, those lines are properly attributed to 🎙 Betty LaVette, the featured guest on the 🏆 Grammy-nominated electronic duo’s first single of 2022, 🎵 “The Last Goodbye”.  Betty LaVette + 🎙 Harrison Mills and 🎙 Clayton Knight? How did that collaboration come about? Sampling, of course! The result of the Seattle duo’s first single of the 2020s is sheer excellence.

ODESZA transforms a Betty LaVette gem into something truly fresh and captivating.  Her soulful sample voices fit perfectly with the duo’s creative backdrop.  Following a dramatic intro (the verses), Mills and Knight make “The Last Goodbye” their own. They establish a steady tempo, a consistent beat, and no shortage of rhythms and riffs.  There are colorful synths, a strong bass line, and no shortage of seasoning making “The Last Goodbye” ear-catching.  Clocking in at about six minutes, the boys and LaVette take us for an unforgettable musical trip.  The return of ODESZA is BIG! Not only do they return, but they drop a surefire winner.