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

1. H.E.R, “We Made It”

💿 Back of My Mind • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021

Multi-award-winning R&B singer/songwriter 🎙 H.E.R.  gets off to an awesome start on her debut album, 💿 Back of My Mind, with🎵 “We Made It”.  Early on, the instrumental shines, taking nearly a minute to simmer.  I heart the production by 🎛 DJ Camper and 🎛 Flippa. Once Wilson begins singing, she’s ‘on-point,’ never over-singing, delivering expressive and nuanced vocals; the richness of tone is stunning.

Beyond the picturesque backdrop and sweet vocals, there’s also strong songwriting.  Wilson mixes contemporary, love-motivated, reflective, and gratitude within the same song. There are several key moments, including a favorite:

“They said I won’t come up with the family and cop a couple of Grammys
All the things they said I can’t be, revenge taste just like candy.”

To reiterate, “We Made It” is an awesome way to start off Back of My Mind.  Furthermore, it’s awesome standalone record.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Made: 5ive Songs No. 51 (2021)

🔗 🎧 13 Songs That Totally Have It MADE

2. Megan Thee Stallion, “Thot Shit”

🎵 “Thot Shit” • 🏷 1501 Certified Ent. / 300 Entertainment • 📅 2021

“I don’t give a fuck ‘bout a blog tryna bash me / I’m the shit per the Recording Academy.” That’s true, 🎙 Megan Thee Stallion – well – the part about the Recording Art Academy.  Early in her career, Megan is already a 🏆 three-time Grammy winner – that’s amazing.  She electrifies on her latest banger, 🎵 “Thot Shit”. “Thot Shit” marks the return of her alter ego, Tina Snow.

“Thot Shit” features production work by 🎛 OG Parker and 🎛 LilJuMadeDaBeat.  They stitch up the track for Megan, who drops a compelling flow, as always.  We get exactly what we’ve come to expect from her: explicitness, outlandishness, rawness, and surefire, unapologetic-ness, all from the jump. The chorus is repetitive, simple, yet highly effective: “Hands on my knees, shakin’ ass, on my thot shit.” Beyond those memorable lyrics, Megan delivers numerous ear catching lines. Two fine examples: “Missionary or doggystyle, I’ma top shit / Pussy-ass niggas hatin’ on me from the closet, ah” and “2021, finna graduate college / Goth girl shit, I’m a real hot topic.”  The former lyric is both sexual and seems to reference the closet, in reference to gay men.  Do with that whatever you will. “Thot Shit” is totally worth bumping – another enjoyable banger to add to the listening rotation.

3. Migos, “Vaccine”

💿 Culture III • 🏷 Quality Control Music • 📅 2021

🎛 Jabz and 🎛 Buddah Bless set up 🎙 Migos for success on 🎵 “Vaccine.” How so? Well, one of the best features of the song is the sample, which is totally unlikely: Peter Tchaikovsky.  That’s right, the Russian composer sees the famed riff from The Nutcracker, Act 1: No. 2 “March” flipped from major to minor to fit this drippy gem from 💿 Culture III.

Honestly, “Vaccine” is Migos at their best.  It begins with a killer chorus courtesy of the chorus king himself, 🎙 Quavo: “Pop out (Skrrt-skrrt), what’s up? / We makin’ money in quarantine (quarantine) / Dirty my stick and my whip clean (whip clean) / It’s the blue Benjamin’s, vaccine (Vaccine).” From there, all three members, beginning with Quavo, 🎙 Takeoff, and 🎙 Offset drop verses, with the Quavo chorus following each.  Do any of them say anything particularly deep? No, but they ride the Tchaikovsky loop with the robust bass line like champs! Ultimately, “We makin’ money in quarantine,” or so Quavo proclaims regarding his 🏆 Grammy-nominated group.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 V: 5ive Songs No. 49 (2021)

🔗 🎧 13 V Songs: No Rhyme or Reason

4. Lorde, “Solar Power”

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

“I hate the winter, can’t stand the cold / … But when the heat comes, something takes a hold.” Yeah, baby! 🎵 “Solar Power”, the comeback single by 🏆 Grammy-winning alternative pop artist 🎙 Lorde is a certified vibe.  While Lorde sings in relatively low-key fashion, she exudes ample personality – the same magic she had on 💿 Melodrama.  The songwriting, evidenced by the lyrical excerpt, is terrific.

She touts the power of summer, and everything associated with it, including ‘the heat’ in a more passionate sense (“My cheeks in high colour, overripe peaches / No shirt, no shoes, only my features”).  Of course, the centerpiece is the glorious chorus, which is readymade for a carefree, fun and sexy summer:

“Turn it on in a new kind of bright
It’s solar (Solar, solar, solar, solar)
Come on and let the bliss begin
Blink three times when you feel it kickin’ in.”

“Solar Power” marks an utterly sublime return from O’Connor.  Low-key but expressive vocals, solid production (🎛 Jack Antonoff), and on-point songwriting make this a must-hear.  Fancy sufficiently tickled!

5. Bad Bunny, “Yonaguni”

🎵 “Yonaguni” • 🏷 Rimas Entertainment • 📅 2021

“Tell me where you are, that I’ll grab a flight for you / And I’ll go to Yonaguni.” On 🎵 “Yonaguni”, 🏆 Grammy-winning Latin superstar 🎙 Bad Bunny is willing to go to the ends of the earth to find her – she’s the one. As we’ve come to expect from a Bad Bunny record, he has awesome production supporting him.  In this case, 🎛 Tainy and 🎛 Smash David deliver a sleek, warm backdrop.  The beat plays a gargantuan role in the overall success, inciting foot tapping and head nodding. As for Bunny himself, I love the warm, bright tone he sings with.

Additionally, “Yonaguni” thrive off a tuneful melody. Thematically, Bad Bunny focuses on matters of the heart, including sex.

“You kill it with whichever outfit
Baby, you are different
Shorty, has a big butt
Too, too big
And I’ve studied it, I’m graduating now
And I’ll tattoo it on my face.”

While you can read his intentions, by the end, on the outro (performed in Japanese, mind you), he comes right out and says, “I want to have sex today.” The silver lining: “But only with you / Where are you?” All in all, Benito Martinez executes like a champ, and honestly, we’d expect no less.

6. Doja Cat, “Need to Know”

💿 Planet Her • 🏷 Kemosabe / RCA • 📅 2021

On 🎵 “Need to Know”, one of the best moments from 💿 Planet Her, 🎙 Doja Cat is accompanied by sleek, modern production work from 🎛 Dr. Luke.  This smooth, fresh backdrop plays to her strengths, which lie in the realm of pop, R&B and melodic rap. Here, Doja gives us a little bit of everything, singing often, but dropping some un-pitched rhymes on the second verse.

So, what is the theme and topic of choice for Doja?  SEX!  What really sells this sexed-up joint is her big personality and as we all know, size matters (“What’s your size? (Size) / Add, subtract, divide (‘Vide)”).  The crème de la crème – the crowning achievement – is the memorable chorus:

“Wanna know what it’s like
Baby, show me what it’s like
I don’t really got no type
I just wanna fuck all night.”

Doja Cat remains on an upward trajectory, period.  “Need to Know” finds the pop artist thriving with her cutting edge, unapologetic approach.  Fancy tickled silly!

7. Asbjørn, “(Love Like a) Teenager

🎵 “(Love Like a) Teenager” • 🏷 Embassy of Music • 🗓 2021

Perhaps Danish pop musician 🎙 Asbjørn (Asbjørn Toftdahl Terkelsen) is more popular in Denmark and Europe in general.  That said, more folks here in the United States need to check out this incredibly talented artist.  Terkelsen delivers a surefire bop on 🎵 “(Love Like a) Teenager”. Vocally, he sings incredibly smooth and beautifully.  He never forces things, singing with incredible ease and an exquisite tone.  When his vocals are harmonized, man does it make the ears perk up! Besides his own suave vocal performance, the vocal production is sweet too.  You know what else is sweet? The production, a collaboration between him, 🎛 Tom Stafford, and 🎛 Rob Rox.

Terkelsen has a sleek, backdrop to paint those sweet, tuneful melodies atop, with some inspiration from the 90s.  That backdrop includes keys, synths, and drum programming.  One rad musical feature, for the music theory nerds out there – there’s a modulation! A rarity in popular music these days, but more folks need to bring it back. Finally, you can’t mention “(Love Like a) Teenager” without highlighting the songwriting. Asbjørn delivers the goods bringing lyrics that are infectious and personal.

8. Dyllón Burnside, “Heaven”

Ft. Daley

🎵 “Heaven” • 🏷 Quintette • 📅 2021

Actor and singer 🎙 Dyllón Burnside, best known for his role on the FX series 📺 Pose, drops a sweet new single, 🎵 “Heaven”.  Take one listen to this soulful pop record, and you will feel as if you’ve died and gone to heaven!  While Dyllón kills it in his own right, he gets a marvelous assist from British R&B singer 🎙 Daley. Together, Burnside and Daley make quite a formidable team, and more importantly, deliver an awesome single.

There’s plenty to heart about “Heaven.”  Featuring a backdrop that sounds simultaneously refreshing and vintage, it’s produced by Burnside and 🎛 Phinisey.  It’s groovy, rhythmic, and most of all, soulful.  What’s more fitting atop that backdrop than smooth, chill vocals by Dyllón, sigh?  He sings with both incredible ease and expression; his tone is gorgeous.  Of course, when you throw the higher, equally expressive pipes of Daley into the mix, things only grow more awesome.  When both sing together, the chemistry is remarkable – a match meant to be.  Songwriting is another winning area of “Heaven.” The lyrics are sexy, but tastefully so.  I love the fact that both musicians keep it incredibly classy.  The centerpiece is none other than the heavenly, memorable chorus.  That said, also shout out the bridge, with that magnificent upper register of Daley.

9. Clairo, “Blouse”

💿 Sling • 🏷 FADER Label • 📅 2021

“Why do I tell you how I feel / When you’re too busy looking down my blouse.” On 🎵 “Blouse” (💿 Sling), alternative pop standout🎙 Clairo (Claire Cottrill) is searching for a deeper connection, yet she feels like everything is centered on a physical relationship and admiration for her body.  “It’s funny now I’m just useless and a whore,” she sings on the second verse, continuing, “But I get a cosign from your favorite one-man show.” Worth noting, one Genius annotator connects this reference to the 🎙 Joni Mitchell classic, 🎵 “For Free”.

The bigger point is, Clairo is seeking an emotional connection, confirming this on the chorus: “If touch could make them hear, then touch me.” That’s brilliant for sure.  There are plenty of brilliant things regarding “Blouse,” including the intimate nature of the performance, the thoughtful and relatable songwriting, and the gorgeous production (🎛 Jack Antonoff co-produces with her). Ultimately, “Blouse” is a beautiful return for Clairo.

10. Tyler, The Creator, “LUMBERJACK”

💿 CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2021

“Rolls-Royce pull up, black boy hop out / Shout out to my mother and my father, didn’t pull out.” Woo! 🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 Tyler, The Creator, shines on the brief, potent 🎵 “LUMBERJACK” from his 2021 album, 💿 CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST. Tyler is back to being unapologetic – at least for two-minutes-plus!

“LUMBERJACK” has more of an old-school, less refined quality where production is concerned.  Notably, it samples 🎙 Gravediggaz 1994 song, 🎵 “2 Cups of Blood”, giving it that vintage hip-hop edge. Tyler takes it and runs with it.  He begins the record with an excerpt from the eventual chorus before dropping an intro that properly (or, at least, interestingly) sets up the record.  The chorus is the centerpiece – one of the best aspects of the song:

“Rolls-Royce pull up, black boy hop out
Shout out to my mother and my father, didn’t pull out
...Whips on whips, my ancestors got they backs out
...Call me lumberjack ‘cause I wish a nigga would race.”

Tyler comes through over the course of two verses too.  “I took the gold bitch home, niggas was big mad,” he spits on the first verse, referencing his Grammy. As for the second verse, it’s arguably more outlandish whether it’s “My nigga tall, look like a bitch, I call him Mulan” (ah, another queer reference from TTC) or “Used to treat me like that boy from 📺 Malcolm in the Middle.” All in all, “LUMBERJACK” finds Tyler, The Creator being true to self.  While it runs only two minutes, there’s plenty to unpack.

11. Lazarus Lynch, “Black Queer Anthem”

🎵 “Black Queer Anthem” • 🏷 Lazarus Lynch • 📅 2021

🎙 Lazarus Lynch is fearless.  More people should have the fearlessness and bravery of this self-described black gay artist, intellectual, and activist.  A prime example of his fearlessness is his assertive, bold single, 🎵 “Black Queer Anthem”.  The title alone is enough to make conservatives, homophobes, and racists cringe in sheer ire.  I’m pretty sure Lynch is like, ‘bring it on.’

“Black Queer Anthem” runs just two-minutes-and-change, but that is ample time for Lynch to share both black and queer pride alike.  Honestly, it is an intriguing listen that latches instantly.  The vocals are distorted intentionally, adding a gritty tone to support Lazarus’ cause – thoughtful musical, activist move.  Furthermore, the production is anchored by hard, pummeling drums that scream and incite a march for justice.  The groove is enough to feel this track, sparking body movement but also passion. Lyrically, Lynch keeps it repetitive and simple, constructing a surefire vibe, call for action, and empowering the black, queer army.  Hopefully, allies join the cause as well as Lazarus is preaching good stuff.

12. Don Toliver, “Drugs N Hella Melodies”

Ft. Kali Uchis

🎵 “Drugs N Hella Melodies” • 🏷 Cactus Jack / WeRunit Ent. / Atlantic • 📅 2021

“No place I can’t go / Love ain’t here, no / Drugs and hella melodies.” Intriguing lyrics, 🎙 Don Toliver. Those lyrics, hail from the chorus of the Houston, Texas artist’s latest single, 🎵 “Drugs N Hella Melodies”. Toliver doesn’t sing about those drugs and melodies all by himself enlisting R&B standout 🎙 Kali Uchis for the assist.

“Drugs N Hella Melodies” features silky smooth, soulful production work courtesy of 🎛️ Sir Dylan, 🎛️ DJ Dahi and 🎛️ Los Hendrix.  The backdrop is fire – a vibe – setting up Toliver and Uchis for bigtime success. Uchis delivers stunning vocals, sounding expressive, nuanced, sexy, and soulful. Her refrain ranks among the biggest selling points of “Drugs N Hella Melodies.”

“Sex full of adrenaline
This pussy put you right to sleep just like a sedative
Not to sound conceited, I’m not one to brag
But I’m the girl you needed that you never had...”

Following Uchis, Toliver brings his own warm, relatively soulful touches.  First, it’s the chorus, excerpted above. Then, we get a brief first verse, where, ultimately, it’s more ‘vibe’ than substance.  Later, Toliver delivers a lengthier verse, focused on love/sex.  His chorus appear as the final lyrics of the song, with a sweet, lush musical outro.  Ultimately, “Drugs N Hella Melodies” is compelling with Don and Kali working well together.

13. Leon Bridges, “Why Don’t You Touch Me”

💿 Gold-Diggers Sound • 🏷 LisaSawyer63 / Columbia • 📅 2021

“If you’re still in love, oh, like you’re sayin’ / Then why don’t you touch me? Yeah.” Good question, 🎙 Leon Bridges! The 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B singer returns in 2021 with his third studio album, 💿 Gold-Diggers Sound.  The song at hand, 🎵 “Why Don’t You Touch Me”, marks his third advance single, yielding positive, fancy-tickling results.

It goes without saying that Bridges is a fantastic vocalist.  He’s always possessed a soulfulness beyond his years, something he continues to showcase on “Why Don’t You Touch Me.” That said, while the background still has its share of neo-/retro-soul sensibilities, it also sounds more contemporary compared to past work. Beyond the warm, well-rounded adult contemporary R&B sounds constructed by 🎛 Nate Mercereau, 🎛 9AM, and 🎛 Ricky Reed, as well as marvelous vocals from Bridges, the songwriting is relatable.  With the relationship seemingly slipping, yet there’s still love between the two, Bridges is rightfully concerned.  The best moment, unsurprisingly is the chorus, excerpted above and continued as follows:

“...I’m dressin’ to the nines and your eyes strayin’
Oh, why don’t you touch me? Yeah
Why don’t, why don’t, why don’t? Yeah, yeah.”

All said and done, “Why Don’t You Touch Me” marks another strong music showing for Leon Bridges.

14. Billie Eilish, “Lost Cause”

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

“Thought you had your shit together, but damn, I was wrong.” Woo! Now that’s a bullet right there 🎙 Billie Eilish.  The 🏆 Grammy-winning alternative pop superstar brings some bite and sass to 🎵 “Lost Cause”, the fourth single from her highly anticipated sophomore album, 💿 Happier Than Ever.  As always, Eilish works with her ‘right hand man,’ her talented bro, 🎼✍ 🎛 FINNEAS. Once more, on “Lost Cause,” the duo is on fire. 

“Lost Cause” checks off all boxes. The record features an awesome rhythmic groove – man, FINNEAS keeps on ‘putting in work.’ The production, overall, is excellent, being characterized as being colorful and tasty. Worth noting, the sound has more of an urban pop flavor, a contrast to some of Eilish’s past music.  This is a welcome contrast that Billie eats up. Notably, Billie actually sings a bit more dynamically than usual, from the onset – contextually, of course. I love her tone here. There’s an indulgence about her performance that makes it quite charming. Her harmonized vocals on the chorus are quite ear-catching. Of course, the chorus itself is quite infectious:

“You ain’t nothin’ but a lost cause (Cause, cause)
And this ain't nothin’ like it oncе was (Was, was)
I know you think you’re such an outlaw
But you got no job (job).”

As you can tell, from the biting excerpted lyrics, Billie Eilish is ripping this guy a new one.  It all goes back to those matters of the heart which in this case didn’t work out particularly well for Billie. At least, it works out masterfully for the listeners!

15. Christian French, “Avalanche”

🎵 “Avalanche” • 🏷 Disruptor / Columbia • 📅 2021

“I thought I’d always love you / But now I can’t / Oh, I started an avalanche.” Indeed, 🎙 Christian French, indeed.  The good news, however, is 🎵 “Avalanche”, the pop single, is a surefire bop.  Yeah, maybe things are messy in French’s love life, or so the lyrics suggest, but this ‘French’ original right here – fire.  So, what makes “Avalanche” a bop? Well, it starts with the authentic, expressive vocal performance.  Listening to Christian sing these heartfelt, honest, and reflective lyrics, you buy what he’s selling – believable to the nth degree. Listening to him sing, and reading the lyrics, I can totally visualize and relate to the feelings conveyed.

“These thoughts that started in my head
So cold had a snowball effect
Oh no, I tried, I can’t outrun
The damage is already done.”

When reflecting on the song and his own experiences during a difficult year via IG, it makes sense that he’s giving his all on this record.  Beyond the vocals and songwriting dabbling in those matters of the heart – reneging on the love – “Avalanche” benefits from sound, fitting production. Sure, French has unleashed an avalanche, he won’t ‘snow’ on your listening parade… Okay, that made no sense, but what I’m saying is, French delivers ‘the goods’ with “Avalanche.”

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Avalanche: 3BOPS No. 39 (2021)