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

1. Diana Ross, “Thank You”

💿 Thank You • 🏷 Decca • 🗓 2021

After a 15-year-hiatus, 🎙 Diana Ross returns with a brand-new studio album, 💿 Thank You. Woo! The soul icon is a ripe, young 77. 🎵 “Thank You” proves to be a compelling and fitting lead single for Thank You. It’s an exuberant, impressive showing – a welcome addition to a timeless collection that shows a legend filled with life.  Her energy is infectious to the nth degree.  As you listen to this 🎛 Troy Miller-produced number – patterned after pop and soul of old with the advances of modern technology – you feel the nostalgia of 🎙 The Supremes/Ross solo cuts of old.  Furthermore, I hear that assertive, cutting, timeless voice, coupled with a playful performance, and I hear something us, the music enthusiasts, have been missing for years.

Diana Ross is ‘giving’ from start to finish, particularly the moments when she ad-libs and shows off an awesome personality.  I’d just like to say, ‘thank you’ to Ross for sharing a surefire contemporary soul bop with “Thank You.” This is an awesome reintroduction for an icon.  Ross sings well, showcasing tremendous personality.  The production is the right balance of old school while sounding refreshing in 2021.  The songwriting, also, is fitting for a queen.  Fancy sufficiently tickled!

2. Billie Eilish, “NDA”

💿 Happier Than Ever • 🏷 Darkroom / Interscope • 📅 2021

“Did I take it too far? / Now I know what you are / You hit me so hard / I saw stars.” 🎵 “NDA” is an unexpected yet incredibly rewarding single from 💿 Happier Than Ever, the sophomore album from 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Billie Eilish. Billie and her brother, 🎼✍ 🎛 FINNEAS, are a perfect match.  FINNEAS ‘shows out’ on the boards, particularly the chorus.

“NDA” is a darker moment from Happier Than Ever, with the title serving as an acronym for non-disclosure agreement.  Billie lets us peek into her world throughout the song.  She rose to fame as a teen, and she imparts the downside of fame including stalkers, lack of parties, and the time she “Had a pretty boy over, but he couldn’t stay / On his way out, I made him sign an NDA.” Later, on this intense yet intriguing gem, she adds, “I’ve been havin’ fun gettin’ older now / Didn’t change my number, made him shut his mouth / At least I gave him something he can cry about.” I love how Eilish sounds throughout, particularly the brief but gorgeous chorus, as well as her ratcheted up intensity on the outro (excerpted at the top). “NDA” is utterly sublime. It’s well-written, superbly produced, and yields an elite vocal performance from Eilish.

3. The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “Stay”

💿 F*CK LOVE 3: OVER YOU • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2021

The biggest attraction on 💿 F*CK LOVE 3: OVER YOU is undoubtedly 🎵 “Stay”.  🎙 The Kid LAROI collaborates with 🏆 Grammy-winning, Canadian mega-popstar 🎙 Justin Bieber.  This short record is pleasant – a vibe. “Stay” is ‘expensive,’ with a songwriting team comprised of Howard, Bieber, 🎼✍ Blake Slatkin, 🎼✍ Charlie Puth, 🎼✍ Isaac Debon, 🎼✍ Cashmere Cat, 🎼✍ Michael Mule, 🎼✍ Omer Fedi, and 🎼✍ Subhaan Rahmaan.  Four of those – Slatkin, Fedi, Puth, and Cashmere Cat – also produce.

The results are positive sound wise, with The Kid and Bieber delivering on their respective verses.  Vocally, they mesh well with coarser pipes by The Kid and smoother, chiller ones by Bieber. Thematically, matters of the heart guide both.  Howard sums it up on the chorus, asserting, “I know that I can’t find nobody else as good as you / I need you to stay, need you to stay.” Several times, he asserts, “Oh, I’ll be fucked up if you can’t be right here.” Bieber is similarly dedicated, though his dedication is to his wifey.  The verdict – a bop, of course!

4. Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow, “INDUSTRY BABY”

🎵 “INDUSTRY BANGER” • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2021

“I ain’t fall off, I just ain’t release my new shit.” Anyone who thought that 🎙 Lil Nas X would be a one-hit-wonder was totally tripping.  The unapologetic, openly gay pop artist has been ‘eating it up’ throughout 2021 – NO CAP!  Sure, 🎵 “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” had some folks upset because he embraced being queer, gave Satan a lap dance, and sold some Satan shoes, but those folks who love and respect art didn’t give two flips. Once more, he’s killing it on 🎵 “INDUSTRY BABY” collaborating with red hot rapper 🎙 Jack Harlow (Harlow doesn’t lie when he asserts, “I didn’t peak in high school, I’m still out here gettin’ cuter”).    

Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow on the same track? Magical. How about throwing in the production genius of 🎛 Take A Daytrip and 🎛 Kanye West?  The sound of the record is epic with hard-hitting drums and bright, accented brass.  Unsurprisingly, some samples shape the backdrop, which fuels both Lil Nas and Harlow.  I love the sheer confidence of Nas as well as the fact he doesn’t shy away from who he is: “I don’t fuck bitches, I’m queer, hah / But these niggas bitches like Madea, yeah, yeah, yeah, ayy.” Harlow gets his in too, beyond the ‘cute’ line cited earlier: “I sent her back to her boyfriend with my handprint on her ass cheek.” Day-um, Jack!

Can Lil Nas X do any wrong? That’s a resounding HELL NO!!!

5. Swedish House Mafia, “It Gets Better”

🎵 “It Gets Better” • 🏷 SSA Recording / Republic • 🗓 2021

“It gets better, baby (Better baby) / I want you, baby (I want you baby), yeah.” Woo-hoo 🎙 Swedish House Mafia – 🎙 Axwell, 🎙 Steve Angello, and 🎙 Sebastian Ingrosso – are back!  🎵 “It Gets Better” is an electric, electronic vibe, period.  Swedish House Mafia produces alongside 🎛 Carl Nordström, yielding colorful, ear catching results.  This includes a stomping beat, moody, minor-key synths, and some key samples.  The Mafia incorporates elements of 🎵 “Lightning’s Girl” (🎙 Nancy Sinatra) and vocally/lyrically, 🎵 “One More Time (A cappella)” courtesy of 🎙 Divas of Color featuring 🎙 Evelyn “Champagne” King.

The way that SHM has synthesized various ideas is utterly brilliant – the biggest takeaway from “It Gets Better.” The lyrics are minimal which is common in dance, electronic, and house music.  Sure, those vocals samples aren’t giving award-winning songwriting, but they help make “It Gets Better” the gem that it is. This is a fab electronic cut that should fly onto any electronic enthusiast’s listening rotation.

6. ICE NINE KLLS, “Hip to Be Scared”

🎵 “Hip to Be Scared” • 🏷 Fearless • 🗓 2021

“You’ll find no escape once you’re captured on tape / I’m aware it’s a bit avant-garde.” Indeed, indeed! With a metal/metalcore band like 🎙 ICE NINE KILLS, there’s never a dull moment – understatement.  Following up a fantastic LP (💿 The Silver Scream, 2018) is difficult. That said, single 🎵 “Hip to Be Scared” continues and builds on the excellence established by INK.  The band enlists 🎙 Jacoby Shaddix (🎙 Papa Roach) for the assist.

“‘Not the fucking face, you piece of bitch trash!’” “Hip To Be Scared” is foreboding, set in a minor key predominantly. This, of course, perfectly suits ICE NINE KILLS. “Hip” begins enigmatically, embracing and maintaining a horror schtick.  As always, front man 🎙 Spencer Charnas ‘gets it done’ in the vocal department, serving up both a sweet melody and some expressive, shouted vocals that fit the ‘scared’ vibe (and colorful lyrics).  Besides awesome production and top-notch vocals, I like the shifts incorporated throughout this record, keeping things unpredictable and intriguing to the nth degree.  So often, songs can be more monolithic, and INK ensures that is not the case here.  The chorus is one of the biggest selling points:

“So, to hell with good intentions
So, to hell is where I’ll go
But the Devil makes exceptions
For all-American psychos.”

Rock TF on. ICE NINE KILLS serves up an excellent mix of impressive musicianship and entertaining, tongue-n-cheek, horror-laden moments.

7.Troye Sivan, “could cry just thinkin about you (full version)”

🎵 “could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)” • 🏷 EMI Recorded Music Australia • 🗓 2021

“Every guy I want looks something just like you…” In 2021, 🎙 Troye Sivan finally unveiled  and a full-length version of his 💿 In a Dream (EP) song, 🎵 “could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)”.  Sivan wrote “could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)” alongside 🎼✍ Teo Helm (Helm produces too).  In its ‘full version,’ the song expands to north of two-and-a-half minutes in duration. With added verses, we get gorgeous vocals by Sivan, singing expressively without over-singing.  He sells the music with a sense of poise, as well as thoughtful, emotional, and relatable lyrics.

“We wrote a life all by ourselves,” he sings on the first verse, adding, “Wish I could put it back on the self.” On the second verse, he closes with “But life’s a blackening wave drifting us further than we are / And now, we’re knee-deep in this mess.”  That final line appears at the beginning of the original, by the way.  So, we’ve got eye candy (shirtless Troye on the cover and music video) + a full-length version of a song that should’ve been full length to begin with it.  What more can you ask for? “Could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)” is just what the doctor ordered, even if it is a “summer bummer” for the artist himself.

8. Brandi Carlile, “Right on Time”

💿 In These Silent Days • 🏷 A Low Country Sound / Elektra • 📅 2021

“It wasn’t right / But it’s right on time.” 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Brandi Carlile experienced a productive 2020/2021 despite COVID-19.  She published a memoir (📚 Broken Horses: A Memoir) and recorded a new album, 💿 In These Silent Days, the follow-up to 💿 By The Way, I Forgive You.  Opener 🎵 “Right on Time” is an amazing promo single. “Right on Time” commences simply.  Carlile is initially accompanied by piano, with bass entering the mix.  Brandi sings with great control.  Eventually, she expands her scope, showing off the sheer power of her pipes.  After setting the tone over the course of the first verse, the instrumentation expands on the second, including drums and guitar.  Also, add backing vocals, sweetening the mix as well.  The point is, Carlile does a fantastic job of starting minimal and building “Right on Time” into a gorgeous, grandiose record. So, what’s the one aspect that we haven’t highlighted? The songwriting!

When Brandi Carlile is the songwriter, you can expect nothing short of elite writing.  That’s what we get with “Right on Time.” That said, she co-writes alongside a talented team comprised of 🎼✍ Tim Hanseroth, 🎼✍ Phil Hanseroth, and 🎼✍ Dave Cobb.  The lyrics are poetic, and Carlile sings them with great emotion.  Notably, she highlights the title of her album: “It’s not too late / Either way, I lose you in these silent days.” Carlile = AWESOME – can’t emphasize her awesomeness enough.  “Right on Time” is a single that INDEED arrives right on time.  It plays to her strengths: great writer, great singer, and a top-notch artist.

9. Omar Apollo, “Go Away”

 🎵 “Go Away” • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2021

🎙Omar Apollo (Omar Velasco) is a special artist. The Chicano musician is one of the young, rising stars.  Once more, Velasco shines on his three-and-a-half-minute-long single, 🎵 “Go Away”, produced alongside 🎛 Carter Lang and 🎛 Chromeo. As with most Omar Apollo songs, there are some big-time selling points.  Perhaps the first is the gift of groove.  Listening to “Go Away,” it makes you want to move your body. Next, and most importantly, are the vocals. Velasco gives us a range of sounds, including middle register, falsetto, and some smooth, heavenly harmonies.

Apollo’s best moments lie on the memorable, shimmering chorus:

“But if you had to go away again
I just don’t see you enough
I wish I saw you enough
It’s something in the way I feel your skin
I just don’t see you enough
I wish I saw you enough.”

With a talented team behind the boards, it’s not surprising that the backdrop is S-W-E-E-T.  Sure, “Go Away” is labeled alternative, but sounds and feels more alternative R&B or pop. In addition to the chorus, the lyrics are effective, selling a theme of L-O-V-E. Perhaps it’s less ‘left of center’ compared to some of his previous offerings but that doesn’t hold it back in the least. Fancy sufficiently tickled!

10. Normani, “Wild Side”

Ft. Cardi B

🎵 “Wild Side” • 🏷 Keep Cool / RCA • 🗓 2021

“This type of shit have you windin’ (ooh) / Last minute trips to the islands.” Woo! 🎙 Normani she comes through big with 🎵 “Wild Side”, tapping 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper 🎙 Cardi B for the assist. When it comes to production, there are ‘lots of cooks in the kitchen.’ Even so, the good news is that “Wild Side” sounds awesome.  It’s fueled by the 🎙 Aaliyah classic, 🎵 “One in a Million”.  This source material is tailor made for Normani, who exhibits great personality and delivers marvelous vocals.

Normani’s performance is risqué, sexy, and ear catching:

“I wanna drive you crazy
Pull up inside me, baby
Fuckin’ it up like oopsie-daisy 
Ain’t no ‘if, ands, buts and maybes’.”

Clearly, Normani wants to see and participate in this boy’s wild, sexual side.  Of course, Cardi B complements her on the third verse and leaves little to the imagination.  Some sexual lyrical highlights from Cardi: “It’s my dick and I want it now,” “Baby, let me blow it like a trumpet,” and “Drive this pussy down low like bombs away.” Ooh wee – can’t listen to “Wild Side” and not be titillated! Ultimately, “Wild Side” is successful, ticking off boxes: vocals, production, and personality.  Sure, the songwriting isn’t deep, but it’s entertaining and certainly stimulating!

11. Lorde, “Stoned at the Nail Salon”

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

“I love this life that I have / … But I wonder sometimes what I’m missing…” After a four-year hiatus, 🏆 Grammy-winning alternative pop artist 🎙 Lorde (Ella Yelich O’Connor) is back with 💿 Solar Power (August 20, 2021). O’Connor killed it on her promo single, 🎵 “Solar Power”.  Once again, she’s on fire on the second advance single, 🎵 “Stoned at the Nail Salon”. “Stoned at the Nail Salon” sounds as chilled out and mellow as its title suggests. This is a prime example of a song that floats along. O’Connor gives us subtle but beautiful vocals from the start.  Her tone is warm and chill; appealing.  On the pre-chorus, I love the layered vocals, which helps keeps “Stoned at the Nail Salon” intriguing (“Well, my blood’s been burning for so many summers now / It’s time to cool it down, wherever that leads”).

On the chorus, she sings with more oomph, yet never forces things.

“‘Cause all the beautiful girls, they will fade like the roses
And all the times they will change, it’ll all come around
I don’t know
Maybe I’m just stoned at the nail salon
Maybe I’m just stoned at the nail salon, again.”

As far as the production (Lorde and 🎛 Jack Antonoff) things are minimal and spare. This simplicity bodes in O’Connor’s favor, allowing her voice to shine.  As far as the theme, O’Connor reflects on getting older – relatable to everybody.  I love how she poetically tackles the topic.

12. Badflower, “Family”

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

L.A. alternative rock band 🎙 Badflower kills it on 🎵 “Family”, the promo single from their sophomore album, 💿 This is How the World Ends (September 24, 2021). “Family” is a complete, well-rounded alternative rock record.  There are several components that make it stellar.  For one, this a ‘musical’ track.  Early on, the band pulls back rather than showcasing the full deck of cards. Front man 🎙 Josh Katz takes the time to sing with poise while still holding the audience’s attention.  He tells this authentic, personal story about family, that leads to things a huge climax.

On the magnificent peak, both Josh and band kick things up considerably.  Gone is all sense of poise and control in favor of aggressive, bad ass, hard rock.  Here, you get a sense of the emotions Katz is experiencing:

“‘Cause I let you down
And I lost my fucking mind
Then everything got messy
And everyone got angry
I cursed my blood tonight
It happens all the time
Is everyone against me?
Has everyone goddamned me?
What happened to this family?” 

Woo! Katz ‘brings it down’ after that gargantuan burst of aggression, again showing awesome musicianship. “Family” is epic to the nth degree.  This is a fabulous rock record that features great vocals, personal songwriting, and superb attention to detail from the band musically.

13. Jennifer Hudson, “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)”

💿 RESPECT (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2021

It’s been far too long since 🏆 Academy Award/Grammy winner 🎙 Jennifer Hudson released new music. Thankfully, that wait has come to an end! Hudson plays the late, great 🎙 Aretha Franklin in the biopic, 🎦 RESPECT. The anointed, robust-voiced diva isn’t only blessing us with her acting chops, but also, her singing on the 💿 RESPECT (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).  In addition to covering Franklin, she shines on a brand-new original, penned in the style of Franklin, 🎵 “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)”.

“Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” was written by 🎼✍ Carole King, 🎼✍Jamie Hartman, and Hudson.  🎛 Will.i.am and 🎛 Johnny Goldstein produce the gospel-infused, neo-/retro-soul record.  With thoughtful lyrics and an old-school backdrop, Hudson has elite material to work with.  You know what she possesses that elite? That voice, and as you’d expected, she sounds angelic, nuanced, and soulful on “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home).”  It begins with a dramatic, free intro, something that Aretha was known for and comes directly from the black church/gospel music.  Soon enough, “Here I Am” settles in with more flow, and J Hud delivers the goods. Upping the ante are backing choral vocals – gotta love a supporting gospel choir! “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” has the spirit of Aretha Franklin is written all over it. Hudson slays.

14. Jacques Strange, “Breathe”

🎵 “Breathe” • 🏷 Jack Strange • 📅 2021

Welsh pop musician 🎙 Jacques Strange comes bearing the gift of the bop – a surefire, must-hear pop record! Adding to the ever-expanding LGBTQ+ community 🏳️‍🌈 of musicians that are ‘doing the damn thing,’ Strange unleashes 🎵 “Breathe” in all its glory.  Safe to say, Jacques has ‘leveled up’ our listening rotation.  Furthermore, check out that cover art – the man is killing it!

The moment the music starts, the body begins moving – pick your choice of head, feet, or full-on dancing! The backdrop (produced by 🎛 Sevenths) is killer with picturesque synths and top-notch drum programming, particularly that synthetic snare. Beyond the instrumental, the star, Jacques, is giving certified excellence.  That excellence includes a cool, catchy, and infectious melody. He sings fantastically, delivering lower/mid-register vocals.  I heart falsetto, but honestly, it’s refreshing to hear some vocals with some ‘bass.’  Besides a fresh melody performed with fresh vocals, what about that personality Jacques serves up? It’s one thing to sing proficiently, but another to sell something with authenticity.  There’s nothing ‘strange’ about Strange – that boy can ‘sang’ and make us buy what he’s selling. “Breathe” is sure to leave you breathless!

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 13 Breathe Songs That Leave You Totally Breathless

15. Asbjørn, “Remember My Name”

🎵 “Remember My Name” • 🏷 Embassy of Music • 📅 2021

“But you’re gonna remember my name / The boy that got away / You’re gonna remember my name / You’re gonna be so happy soon…” 🎵 “Remember My Name” is a triumphant record from Danish pop musician 🎙 Asbjørn (Asbjørn Toftdahl Terkelsen).  The production work is picturesque – sleek to the nth degree. There’s ample R&B influence on this pop cut, that has more of that urban feel. Also, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that the sound is reminiscent of the late 90s/early aughts.  Terkelsen sings with a beautiful tone and performs confidently.  His vocal ad-libs are on point, as is the vocal production. In addition to the lead vocals, there is some fantastic vocal harmonization.

What else makes “Remember My Name” a bop? There’s the memorable, tuneful chorus. In addition to the chorus, the melody on the verses is also tuneful and rhythmic.  I love how the bridge section distinguishes itself from the rest of the record; it’s a sublime, unpredictable change of pace. The lyrics are also awesome. Asbjørn serves up sharp songwriting. Terkelsen continues to enhance and successfully expand the LGBTQ+ catalog.  “Remember My Name” fits the catalog perfectly given the ex-lover tilt while also fitting the broader idea that one day, he’ll be acknowledged and remembered.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Remember My Name: 3BOPS No. 51 (2021)