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

1. Olivia Rodrigo, “Drivers License”

🎵 “driver’s license” • 🏷 Geffen • 🗓 2021

🎙 Olivia Rodrigo totally compels on her no. 1 single, 🎵 “drivers license”. “Drivers license” was written by Rodrigo and 🎼 ✍ Daniel Nigro, who also produces. While Olivia should totally be stoked here – she gets her driver’s license after all – she’s bummed. “Today I drove through the suburbs / Crying ‘cause you weren’t around.” Ugh.  Of course, the guy she desired to be with is with someone else, and that person makes her totally insecure – I feel that.  On the third verse, she continues her lament, expressing how “All of my friends are tired / Of hearing how much I miss you.”

Rodrigo sums up her feelings superbly on the chorus, asserting at the end, “I guess you didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me / ‘Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street.”  She also gets totally in her feelings on the bridge, dropping the bomb: “Can’t drive past the places we used to go to / ‘Cause I still fuckin’ love you, babe.” “Drivers License” is a bop thanks to the songwriting, solid production and of course, an emotional, strong vocal performance, particularly on the chorus and bridge.

2. Jazmine Sullivan, “Lost One”

💿 Heaux Tales • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021

One of the simpler, yet best records from 💿 Heaux Tales, the long-awaited return of 🎙 Jazmine Sullivan, is 🎵 “Lost One.”  After messing things up, Sullivan tries to make amends and admit her shortcomings.  Still, she’s “a selfish bitch” as she requests on the chilling chorus, “Just don’t have too much fun without me /… Please don’t forget about me.”

Like much of Heaux Tales, Sullivan is raw, yet manages to remind us of the glory of neo-soul and a more soulful brand R&B. Also, producer 🎛 Dave “Pop” Watson” deserves a shout out for his simple, tasteful backdrop.  Ultimately, this is a relatable record that should totally tickle your fancy – it tickled mine!

3. Aaron Frazer, “Leanin’ on Your Everlasting Love”

💿 Introducing… • 🏷 Dead Oceans / Easy Eye Sound • 📅 2021

🎙 Aaron Frazer, a member of 🎙 Durand Jones & The Indications, steps out on his own his 2021 debut album, 💿 Introducing…. Throughout the retro-soul LP, Frazer definitely makes the best of a soulful backdrop and his ability to croon like an absolute boss.  He concludes Introducing… with arguably its most triumphant moment, the gospel/blues-infused ballad, 🎵 “Leanin’ on Your Everlasting Love.”   

While Frazer continues to deliver a calm, cool, and collected vocal, on “Leanin’,” it feels as if he brings more oomph and punch.  Maybe it’s the passion, coupled with one of the best production jobs 🎛 Dan Auerbach serves up on the entire album.  If you can’t feel the passion on this one, well, you must truly have a heart of stone! 

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Leaning: 3BOPS No. 5 (2021) 

4. Foo Fighters, “No Son of Mine”

💿 Medicine at Midnight • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021 

“No son of mine, will ever do / The work of villains, the will of fools.” Right on, right on! There are only a select few rock artists that build up huge anticipation when they announce a new album in the 2020s.  The 🎙 Dave Grohl-led, 🏆 Grammy-winning, totally badass 🎙 Foo Fighters are among those select few. In 2021, they return with a brand-new studio album, 💿 Medicine at Midnight.  The set’s second single, 🎵 “No Son of Mine” is quite energetic and rousing.

“No Son of Mine” has ample pros.  It starts with those electrifying, jagged guitars, that pretty much roar, like a lion, from the jump.  Furthermore, the bass anchors things down, while the drums pummel hard AF.  Of course, the biggest pro is none other than the electrifying front man, Grohl, who is as potent and turned-up as ever.  Everything about “No Son of Mine” rocks hard, including the repetitive, infectious and in-your-face titular lyric.  Not only does “No son of mine” appear on the chorus (four times in most instances) it appears on every verse multiple times.  No, the Foos aren’t serving up a poetic lyrical masterpiece, but they have clear intent, per the front man’s quote from Rolling Stone: “Lyrically it’s meant to poke at the hypocrisy of self-righteous leaders, people that are guilty of committing the crimes they’re supposedly against…” “No Son of Mine” is a big and obnoxious record, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

5. SZA, “Good Days”

🎵 “Good Days” • 🏷 Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA • 📅 2020

“Good day in my mind, safe to take a step out / Get some air now, let yo edge out,” 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B artist 🎙 SZA sings on the opening lines of the first verse of 🎵 “Good Days.” Unfortunately, her ‘good day’ is derailed, as she goes on to state, “Too soon, I spoke / You be heavy in my mind, can you get the heck out?”  On the Christmas Day 2020 release, SZA wrestles with moving past the past and embracing both now and the future.  “Gotta let go of the weight, can’t keep what’s holdin’ me,” she sings on the pre-chorus, continuing, “Choose to watch while the world break up in front of me.”

SZA obviously has plenty to say on “Good Days” considering the record approaches five minutes in duration.  It’s a delectable 4:40 with solid production work courtesy of 🎛 Carter Long, 🎛 Nascent, and 🎛 Loshendrix, not to mention some guest vocals and songwriting by Grammy-winner and virtuoso musician 🎙 Jacob Collier.  That personnel alone are enough to make a good day for SZA.  Of course, beyond the adversity, she keeps her head up and embraces those good days:

“All the while, I’ll await my armored fate with a smile
I still wanna try, still believe in
Good days, god days, always.”

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 15 Stellar Good or Bad Songs

 6. Lana Del Rey, “Chemtrails Over the Country Club”

💿 Chemtrails Over the Country Club • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2021

“I’m on the run with you, my sweet love / There’s nothing wrong contemplating God / Under the chemtrails over the country club.” In January 2021, 🎙 Lana Del Rey dropped the fabulous 🎵 “Chemtrails Over the Country Club”, the title track from her forthcoming 2021 album of the title. Like many Lana Del Rey songs, “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” doesn’t spare length, running four-and-a-half minutes.  The good news is that this a well-rounded, enjoyable record that’s clearly worth the time. It was penned by 🎼 ✍ Del Rey and 🎼 ✍ Jack Antonoff with both producing.  From a songwriting perspective, the results are quite intriguing – poetically-penned with numerous allusions.  Of course, the best moment arrives from the jump, with Lana singing in her signature vocal style on the chorus (excerpted above).

“Chemtrails…” is certainly a vibe. The cool energy served up is nothing short of awesome.  The same can be said of the vocal production, which is spot-on.  Initially, accompanied only by piano, more instruments enter the gradually, including guitar and drums, filling things out nicely. After singing initially in her lower register on the chorus, Del Rey ascends into her gorgeous, rich upper register, showing her vocal versatility. Interestingly, the jam-packed “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” concludes with just a drum groove for an expanded period of time.  All in all, fancy sufficiently tickled!

7. Kings of Leon, “The Bandit”

💿 When You See Yourself • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2021

“Chiseled their names in stone / Heavy the load you tow / And the red horse is always close / And the fire don’t burn below.” Thankfully, 2021 marks the return of 🏆 Grammy-winning rock collective 🎙 Kings of Leon, with the release of their eighth studio album, 💿 When You See Yourself (🗓 March 5, 2021). KOL released two singles simultaneously, including 🎵 “The Bandit”.

With “The Bandit,” Kings of Leon gives us just the right amount of song to work with, running north of four minutes. Rhythmic guitar lines kick off the record energetically. Soon enough, we get the full complement of instruments, before 🎙 Caleb Followill begins singing (drums, bass).  As always, on the second track from When You See Yourself, he serves up expressive, commanding, and powerful vocals. He remains gritty and nuanced, cutting right through the production. He has a nice melody to work with on the verses, while the chorus is pretty memorable.  Ultimately, “The Bandit” is well-rounded.  Caleb is on-point, the band sounds ‘rock’ solid, and the writing is appealing.

8. Jeremy Zucker & Chelsea Cutler, “this is how you fall in love”

🎵 “this is how you fall in love” • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2021

“This is how you fall in love / Let go and I’ll hold you up.” Aww, what better subject matter than love for a pop duet? Continue with that excerpt, please! “So, pull me tight and close your eyes / Oh, my love, side to side” Ah – chorus that exemplifies sheer perfection to the nth degree! On 🎵 “this is how you fall in love”, 🎙 Jeremy Zucker and 🎙Chelsea Cutler join forces (once again) to deliver a radiant song all about L-O-V-E.  The chemistry between the two is superb, while separately, they sound pretty sweet as well. Zucker and Cutler both wrote and produced this sub-three-minute gem.

On “this is how you fall in love,” Zucker delivers a gorgeous vocal performance; his tone is impeccable.  He sings with incredible authenticity; he sounds expressive, nuanced, and tender.  One of his best moments is incredibly subtle, when he sings “Oh” on the pre-chorus (it recurs post-second verse). The same praise can be bestowed upon Cutler, who appears on the second verse.  Notably, she has an expanded sound palette accompanying her, as well as getting a lift via layered vocals.  Cutler’s second verse serves as the transition to loftier heights for “this is how you fall in love.”  Even as the record ascends to a fever pitch, Zucker and Cutler’s ‘duet section’ intentionally brings things back down – a great thoughtful touch. “This is how you fall in love” possesses both a degree of simplicity as well as a degree of utter satisfaction.

9. Ariana Grande, “34+35 (Remix)”

Ft. Doja Cat & Megan Thee Stallion

🎵 “34+35 (Remix)” • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2021 

On the🎵 “34 + 35 (Remix)”,  The first verse remains intact, where 🎙 Ariana Grande makes sure she’s taking care of herself so that she can keep him and so the sex can remain lit.  The innuendo, unsurprisingly, is over the top (the song title does add up to 69 after all): “Can you stay up all night? / Fuck me ‘til the daylight / Thirty-four, thirty-five.” Where things change on are the second and third verses.  🎙 Doja Cat appears on the second verse, playing off the sexual vibes of the theme (“I want that six-nine without Tekashi / And I want your body and I’ll make it obvious”), with Grande folloing up with the sexy chorus. Then, 🎙 Megan Thee Stallion drops the third verse, remaining unapologetic and sexed-up to the nth degree (“I’m up like Starbucks, three pumps, ooh / This pussy good for your health, call it superfood.”

Grande closes out with chorus once more, followed by the original outro:

“Means I wanna ‘69’ with you
No shit
Math class
Never was good.” 

All in all, the original magic of “34+35” is retained on the “34+35 (Remix).”  Both Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion bring the heat.  Fancy sufficiently stimulated and tickled!

10. Juice WRLD & Young Thug, “Bad Boy”

🎵 “Bad Boy” • 🏷 Grade A / Interscope • 📅 2021

“Raf Simons match my Prada jeans / I’ma do the dash, get the bag, ain’t no one bad as me.” Woo! 🎵 “Bad Boy” keeps things short and sweet.  Even so, the latest posthumous 🎙 Juice WRLD record continues to preserve his legacy.  Sigh, another one gone far too soon. “Bad Boy” features sleek, banging, minor-key production courtesy of 🎛 Pi’erre Bourne.  The sound complements the sensibilities of both rappers extremely well.

Early on, we get an aggressive, assertive approach by Juice WRLD. Of course, he ‘chills out’ some, but he remains commanding and of course, ‘emo.’ 🎙 Young Thug, somewhat surprisingly, ends up being a nice collaborator, given his own melodic approach when it comes to rap. Where at time Thugga is an acquired taste, he definitely ‘puts in work’ here, particularly on his own colorful verse.  Where both rappers are concerned, I love the agility of the rhymes throughout – pretty sweet.  Of course, the centerpiece of “Bad Boy” is none other than the memorable, catchy chorus (Juice), as well as the post-chorus (Thugga).

“Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, I’m a bad boy
Went and got off my ass and got to the cash and got in my bag, boy
Please don't think it's sweet, I stay with the heat even though I’m a sad boy
You better watch the way you breathe around me 'fore that breath be your last, boy...” 

All in all, “Bad Boy” is us another Juice WRLD banger.  Again, sadly, he’s no longer with us.  “Bad Boy” is unlikely to change your life mind you, but it will definitely enhance your playlist.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 15 Stellar Good or Bad Songs

11. Selena Gomez, “De Una Vez”

🎵 “De Una Vez” • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2021 

On 🎵 “De Una Vez”, a single sung exclusively in Spanish, 🎙 Selena Gomez delivers a solid, enjoyable performance.  According to Billboard, Gomez, who’s proud of her heritage, asserts, “It felt empowering to sing in Spanish again.” “De Una Vez” (“At Once”) is perfectly suited to Gomez.  It’s a brief number that’s not particularly flashy, moderately slow in pace, and quite chill in its overall sound.  The backdrop, produced by 🎛 Tainy, 🎛 Jota Rosa, 🎛 Albert Hype, and 🎛 NEON16, gives Gomez the perfect canvas to express matters of the heart.

Truly empowering, the best moment of “De Una Vez” is definitely the chorus, where she sings (translated):

“Once and for all, ah-ah-ah
I’m stronger alone, ah-ah-ah
I don’t regret the past
I know the time by your side cut my wings
But now this chest is bulletproof.”

With him out of the picture, Gomez is stronger, even if it hurt her in the past.  She’s come to terms with the fact that she doesn’t need him – she’s strong all by herself.  That’s powerful. While not a game changing Spanish pop number, empowerment, as well as the respectable performance, with cool and colorful production work, make “De Una Vez” a winner in my book.

12. Morgan Wallen, “Sand in my Boots”

💿 Dangerous: The Double Album • 🏷 Big Loud / Republic • 📅 2021

“Somethin’ ‘bout the way she kissed mе tells me she’d lovе Eastern Tennessee / Yeah, but all I brought back with me was some sand in my boots.” 🎙 Morgan Wallen commences 💿 Dangerous: The Double Album with a surefire bang.  No, 🎵 “Sand in My Boots” isn’t an up-tempo country banger, but it is a gorgeous country ballad that ‘gives off those feels.’

Wallen showcases his terrific instrument, singing with incredible expression and nuance.  The songwriting is solid, particularly the centerpiece, the passionate chorus where he’s “Dodging potholes in my sunburnt Silverado / Like a heart-broke Desperado, headin’ right back to my roots.”

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Boots: 5ive Songs No. 8 (2021)

13. ZAYN, “Outside”

💿 Nobody is Listening • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021 

“So, leave my shit outside / Leave all of my shit outside / Leave my life outside / Oh-oh-oh, or let me in.” The falsetto on the chorus of 🎵 “Outside” alone is reason enough to listen to this highlight from 💿 Nobody is Listening. Backtracking, Nobody is Listening is the third studio album by former 1D standout, 🎙 ZAYN.

On “Outside,” ZAYN doesn’t only focus on his ‘head voice’ (he sings his mid-register on the verses), but the overall execution is superb.  Thematically, he focuses on reconciliation, hence why he urges her to let him in (he doesn’t really want her to “leave his shit outside”).