Awesome Songs: June 2022 | Playlist 🎧

Awesome Songs: June 2022 features Beyoncé, Isaac Dunbar, Joji, Pharrell Williams, & Rina Sawayama.

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t’s that time! Time for what? Time to select the best songs of the month! All the songs on 🎧 Awesome Songs: June 2022 were released as singles or as an album track in June 2022, or whereabouts (I reserve the right to make exceptions).

Musicians that made our ears perk up in the month of June include 🎙 Beyoncé, 🎙 Isaac Dunbar, 🎙 Joji, 🎙 Pharrell Williams, and 🎙 Rina Sawayama among others. So, without further ado, here are those 🎧 Awesome Songs: June 2022!

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1. Beyoncé, “Break My Soul”

💿 RENAISSANCE • 🏷 Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia • 🗓 2022

After six long years, the most awarded woman in 🏆 Grammy history, 🎙 Beyoncé, began her 💿 RENAISSANCE 🤘. She gets off to an electrifying start with 🎵 “Break My Soul”, which features no shortage of writers including  🎼✍ Terius The-Dream Nash and 🎼✍ Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, who also produce. The boisterous intro by 🎙 Big Freedia gets you hyped for what’s to come (sampling 🎵 “Explode” from 2014). “Break My Soul” establishes itself as a house-driven pop/R&B joint, contrasting what Beyoncé has served up in the past. It’s a positive thing.

The record features an infectious, danceable groove, led by beloved, archetypical house keys, bass synth, and beat. Beyoncé produces alongside The-Dream and Tricky, who kill it. Lyrically, “Break My Soul” features its fair share of inspirational lyrics, including the titular lyric – “You won’t break my soul” – as well as exudes confidence. (“Motivation / I’m lookin’ for a new foundation, yeah / And I’m on that new vibration / I’m buildin’ my own foundation, yeah / Hold up, oh, baby, baby”). Besides singing, Beyoncé also serves up a rapped verse, keeping things interesting.  Furthermore, can’t fail to mention those lovely, harmonized backing vocals, sigh – such a V-I-B-E!  Honestly, there’s lots to heart on this bop, ready-made for summer!

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2. Pharrell Williams, “Cash in Cash Out” (Ft. 21 Savage & Tyler, The Creator)

🎵 “Cash in Cash Out” • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2022

“Cash in, cash out, cash in, cash out.” There will always only be one 🎙 🎛 Pharrell Williams.  Sometimes, his creations are far beyond our planet (and galaxy), but he has a clear musical identity.  In a totally unexpected collaboration with 🎙 21 Savage and 🎙 Tyler, The Creator, 🎵 “Cash in Cash Out”, Pharrell is true to self.  That includes the iconic four-count and one of the most badass beats you’ve heard all year.  Williams he leaves the rapping up to 21 and Tyler.

21 Savage shares the simple, repetitive chorus with us early on.  Usually, the chorus is the centerpiece.  In this case, the verses by 21 (first verse) and Tyler, The Creator (second) are more notable. I adore 21’s flow in verse one as he brags about drip, specifically, fashion: “I put Chanel on my feet / European model got Chanel on my seats / Put me in a third world country in the middle of the slums / I’ma turn it to a million-dollar street.” There is no shortage of confidence.  My favorite line is totally inappropriate: “She swallow all my kids, she a bad babysitter / Kim Jong-Un, in my pants is a missile.” Tyler, The Creator isn’t outdone – he’s as colorful in his delivery as ever: “Nah, I ain’t heard off that, I hit the beach in a furry hat / She got a guy but she purrin’ back, I’m lookin’ like, ‘Where he at?’” There are pop-cultural references (Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Rihanna and “Umbrella”), a reference to bisexuality (“Goin’ both sides, yeah, you could say I’m B-I (Hey, hey)”), and, of course, money and fame (“I got offered two-point-five for the last show (Last show, nigga) / I declined ’cause the stage didn’t match my ethos”). Cash in, cash out, cash in, cash out,” indeed! What happens when three 🏆 Grammy-winning musicians come together?  Magic!

Appears in 🔻:

• 30 Best Songs of 2022 (So Far)

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3. Rina Sawayama, “This Hell”

💿 Hold the Girl • 🏷 Dirty Hit • 📅 2022

Just know, “This hell is better with you / We’re burning up together / Baby, that makes two.” 🎙 Rina Sawayama returns ferociously with 🎵 “This Hell” (💿 Hold the Girl). Although things are utterly hellish, the ear candy and musical excellence that Sawayama serves up is anything but!

“This Hell” commences with energetic production (🎛 Paul Epworth and 🎛 Clarence Clarity) in the form of a compelling groove and a lit melodic guitar line.  After the intro, when Sawayama begins singing, the sound changes, revealing a couple of unexpected tricks. Ultimately, the verses have a different harmonic scheme compared to the pre-chorus and chorus, which the instrumental intro highlights.  In the verses, Sawayama keeps things real. “Saw a poster on the corner opposite the motel,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “Turns out I’m going to hell if I keep on being myself.” She’s basically like, ‘fuck it,’ “God hates us? Alright then / Buckle up, at dawn, we’re riding.” Similarly, in the second verse, Rina flips birds, criticizes the paparazzi for how they’ve destroyed countless female celebs, and shows incredible resolve: “That Satan’s looking thirsty, not even he can hurt me.” Even though she’s got her “Invitation to eternal damnation,” Sawayama responds by saying, “Get in line, pass the wine, bitch.”

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Gloriously, Infernal HELL Songs
• 30 Best Songs of 2022 (So Far)

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4. Joji, “Glimpse of Us”

🎵 “Glimpse of Us” • 🏷 88rising / Warner • 🗓 2022

“She’d turn the rain to a rainbow / When I was living blue,” 🎙 Joji sings in the first verse of his stunning single, 🎵 “Glimpse of Us”.  He continues, “Why then, if she’s so perfect / Do I still wish that it was you?” The gifted Japanese musician recalls expired love that he still desires despite being in a new relationship.  His pain is our listening pleasure in this utterly stupendous ballad. Joji’s vocal performance thrives off its subtlety; he never gets too high yet comes off quite expressive from the start.  Almost on the same level as those radiant vocals are the authentic, honest, and relatable lyrics.  He’s NOT over his past love, even though he’s now with someone else.

The chorus sums up his feelings masterfully:

“‘Cause sometimes I look in her eyes

And that’s where I find a glimpse of us

And I try to fall for her touch

But I’m thinkin’ of the way it was

Said I’m fine and said I moved on

I’m only here passing time in her arms

Hopin’ I’ll find a glimpse of us.”

The production (🎛 Connor McDonough) on this piano ballad matches the radiance of Joji’s tone and those vulnerable lyrics.  The subtlety allows for the vocals and words to shine, something that is underutilized – not everything needs to be gargantuan and overblown. “Glimpse of Us” is one of the best and most beautiful songs released in 2022.

Appears in 🔻:

• 30 Best Songs of 2022 (So Far)

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5. Demi Lovato, “Skin of My Teeth”

💿 HOLY FVCK • 🏷 Island • 📅 2022

“Demi leaves rehab again / When is this shit gonna end?” Woo! HOLY FVCK, 🎙 Demi Lovato! Lovato is one of the most honest musicians in the game – too honest at times…  That characteristic hasn’t changed as the 🏆 Grammy-nominated musician unveils her 2022 studio album, 💿 HOLY FVCK, and lead single, 🎵 “SKIN OF MY TEETH”. What has changed, however, is the style. “SKIN OF MY TEETH” finds Lovato joining so many others on the pop-punk train.  Is it successful? You bet! Lovato has both the vocal chops and biography for pop-punk.  Over the years, the nonbinary musician struggled with addiction, something that has graced many of their songs including “SKIN OF MY TEETH.” Demi is brutally honest (shocker) on the gargantuan chorus:

“I’m alive by the skin of my teeth

I survived, but it got harder to breathe

Askin’ why doesn’t make it easier

Go easier on me

Goddamn it, I just wanna be free

But I can’t ‘cause it’s a fuckin’ disease

I’m alive by the skin of my—.”

Lovato penned “SKIN OF MY TEETH” with 🎼 ✍ 🎛 OAK (also produces), 🎼 ✍ Keith Sorrells, 🎼 ✍ Laura Veltz, 🎼 ✍ lil aaron, and 🎼 ✍ Alex Niceforo.  Well, six writers are par for the course when it comes to songwriting these days, especially in pop.  OAK does a fantastic job, as always, assembling an awesome backdrop for the incredibly talented singer. Even with the stylistic shift, Demi can still B-L-O-W! The reasons why “SKIN OF MY TEETH” works are the theme and lyrics (addiction), high-flying vocals, electrifying production, and the artistry and personality of Demi. HOLY FVCK, count me in!

 

Appears in 🔻:

• Teeth: 3 or 4 BOPS No. 13 (2022)

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6. Alexander 23, “The Hardest Part”

💿 Aftershock • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2022

“I guess the hardest part of getting old / Is that some people that you love don’t.” That is incredibly heavy, 🎙 Alexander 23 (Alexander Glantz); it hits something fierce. The handsome pop musician shines on the sad but ultimately superb 🎵 “The Hardest Part” (💿 Aftershock ). Glantz penned “The Hardest Part” alongside 🎼✍ Amy Allen and 🎼✍ 🎛 Daniel Nigro. Notably, he produced with Nigro as well.

The theme of “The Hardest Part” is grief.  Alexander 23 expresses his skepticism about releasing the record but goes on to say he hopes it comforts those experiencing grief.  He laments the fact that the person he sings about won’t live to grow old – their life ended at just 28 years old.  Glantz offers some poetic specifics in the first verse, asserting, “And the year is gonna get a lot colder / But you will always be stuck in June.” So, so sad! In the second verse, he recollects, “Yeah, I cried when I read / The last text that you sent / ‘Cause I’ll never see those three dots there again.” Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, excerpted at the beginning, and commencing with the words, “I never said goodbye, and now it’s sinking in / The last time I saw you we were kids…” All told, Alexander 23 sings well, and the songwriting is terrific.

 

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7. Panic! At The Disco, “Viva Las Vengeance

💿 Viva Las Vengeance • 🏷 Fueled By Ramen • 🗓 2022

“Someone did me wrong, stole my favorite song, yes, it really hurt (Really hurt) / Stepped on every chord, fell on every sword, yes, Excalibur (Excalibur).” Woo – what a trip! Anytime 🎙 Brendon Urie sings, it’s ‘kind of a big deal’ in my eyes! 🎙 Panic! At the Disco is back with a vengeance, releasing 🎵 “Viva Las Vengeance”, the promo single from the 🏆 Grammy-nominated band’s seventh studio album, 💿 Viva Las Vengeance. Ultimately, this 🎛 Jake Sinclair-produced joint is another welcome addition to the P!ATD collection.

Vocally, Brendon Urie is a gift we are so blessed to have.  Besides his prodigious instrument and the sound/distinct production (those heavenly vocal harmonies) on “Viva Las Vengeance,” the lyrics stand out.  There is no shortage of unique happenings and references to be unpacked. Urie wrote “Viva Las Vengeance” himself, surprising considering how many songwriters have appeared in the band’s previous work.  Some of those references include the plight of fame and perhaps the slippery nature of the music business.  Notably, in the first pre-chorus, his desires are simple: “On a sofa with Sativa / Living the dream.” Interestingly, in the memorable chorus, we get the titular lyric, which seems metaphorical, all told.  All told, 🎵 “Viva Las Vengeance” is stellar. Even as Urie gets older (he’s 35 at press time), his voice only seems to get riper with age.  This one’s a fun one.

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8. Osvaldo Supino, “Gold”

🎵 “Gold” • 🏷 Osvaldo Supino • 📅 2022

“Every time it makes me stronger / I’m made of gold.” Italian pop musician 🎙 Osvaldo Supino sure knows how to lift the spirit on his single, 🎵 “Gold”. In addition to lifting spirits and showing incredible resolve, the LGBTQ+ artist also knows how to make us dance.  With an exuberant and energetic backdrop supporting him (Supino and 🎛 Riley Smith), Supino delivers a surefire bop everybody can get behind.  He wrote “Gold” alongside 🎼 ✍ Emily Ili.

It’s not all happiness from Osvaldo, at least early on.  “Feel the collapse of the world, got it falling down / On me, on me,” he sings in the first verse.  Similarly, in the second, Supino is ‘on the struggle bus,’ asserting, “It’s overwhelming to convince myself that I’m / Worthy, worthy.” Low self-esteem and feeling like you’re less than others is a horrible yet relatable feeling.  Despite the hell that he’s experiencing, Osvaldo knows that he’s got to turn it around – he’s the best candidate! Despite the bad and blue days, he asserts, with strength, “Yeah, I know I got me, myself, and I / Always find the light / Every time it makes me stronger / I’m made of gold.”  The chorus is the biggest and brightest section of this uplifting dance-pop gem, particularly when Supino shows off his flawless upper register. “Gold” truly is golden by my estimations!

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9. Isaac Dunbar, “Bleach”

💿 Banish the Banshee • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2022 

🎵 “Bleach” marks the second consecutive bop on 💿 Banish the Banshee, the 2022 EP by the young and gifted 🎙 Isaac Dunbar. “Bleach” served as the promo single from Banshee and it’s a killer one.  Dunbar does a fabulous job of incorporating Baroque pop, something you hear few 19-year-olds embracing.  The Gen-Z musician not only serves up a cool, colorful instrumental, but he also impresses with his pen.

In “Bleach,” Dunbar is in a rebellious phase.  He asserts early on, “I should bleach my hair to make my parents mad, especially dad /… I’m gonna pierce my face in my rebellion, wow, what a sin.” Dunbar’s second verse is particularly impressive, as is the bridge (“I might butcher aa song, stir the pot just for kicks”) while the pre-chorus and chorus are quite memorable.  Also, worth noting, that there’s a key change! Pretty cool stuff from the rising queer musician.

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 B Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

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10. Cautious Clay, “Puffer”

🎵 “Puffer” • 🏷 Cautious Clay • 🗓 2022

“I’m puffy on the outside / On the inside, I’m a slow drive.” A single about a puffer fish, 🎙 Cautious Clay? Yes! 🎵 “Puffer” yields positive results – a surefire vibe that’s somewhat odd, throwback, alternative, and ultimately, infectious.  Cautious Clay penned this two-and-a-half-minute gem alongside 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Andrew Wells and 🎼 ✍ Anthony Rossomando.  Clay and Wells handle production.

Starting with the production and sound, “Puffer” is nothing short of intriguing.  Cautious Clay moves well beyond the realm of R&B on “Puffer.” This is alternative through and through; indie-pop. It’s a contrast  – an about-face – but it works brilliantly.  Lyrically, the writers do a nice job of characterizing the ‘puffer fish’, but more importantly, capturing introspection and reflectiveness.  Despite the clever verses, it’s the chorus that’s the centerpiece in all its glory:

“’Cause еveryone’s alone

But it’s the meaning that you want (Meaning that you want)

Like a flower in the sun (Sun)

Now I just wanna grow, grow, grow

Broad and wide, wide, wide.”

Ultimately, Cautious Clay delivers a truly unexpected, unique single with 🎵 “Puffer”.  Quite a vibe!

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11. Sleepy Hallow, “Die Young” (Ft. 347aidan)

🎵 “Die Young” • 🏷 Winner Circles Entertainment • 📅 2022

“Lookin’ through my memories, fallin’ into jealousy / How can I miss you? You’re really just my enemy.” Woo! Teen Canadian rapper 🎙 347aidan kicks off the short but sweet vibe that is 🎵 “Die Young”.  347aidan is responsible for the intro and eventual chorus of this 🎙 Sleepy Hallow-led single.  Young 347 continues, “Breakin’ apart, but I gotta hold my legacy / And I don’t wanna die-I don’t- I don’t wanna die young.”

347aiden sets the tone. 🎛 Great John, likewise, stitches up the production.  Both give Sleepy Hallow ample fuel for his fire though I suspect, the Jamaican-born, NYC drill rapper was already locked-in. “Ayy, I don’t wanna die young, so I stay with a stick / Still on that shit, fuck two times six.” Woo! Over the course of two verses, he exhibits a confident, kick-ass flow (“When I’m cookin’, I’m not in the kitchen I’m probably somewhere outta town doing business”).  He shouts out his close friend, Sheff G early on in the first verse.  As to be expected, the rhymes are street savvy and unapologetic – Sleepy don’t play! He references sex, multiple times, and of course, he’s tough – “Fear nobody, I’m ready to bleed.” “Die Young” is an enjoyable two-and-a-half-minutes all told. Bonus points for the entertaining music video.

Appears in 🔻:

• Young: 5ive Songs No. 27 (2022)

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12. Sub Urban, “Uh-Oh” (Ft. BENEE)

💿 HIVE • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2022

A young twenty-something named 🎙 Sub Urban (Daniel Virgil Maisonneuve) is doing a nice job daring to be different. His debut album, 💿 HIVE, showcases immense potential.  Throughout HIVE  there’s no shortage of effort, talent, and unique songs, all of which Sub Urban produces or co-produces.

“Uh-oh, uh-oh

Uh-oh, you made a mistake

… Tell me things that can’t be true.”

Among the most fun records from HIVE is 🎵 “Uh Oh!” featuring 🎙 BENEE.  Expectedly, it is the titular lyric that fuels an infectious chorus you won’t possibly get unstuck in your head! Beyond the chorus, the approach is dark and mysterious – that’s how Maisonneuve rolls folks.  He performs the first verse, with BENEE supplying the darkness in the second verse.  Make no mistake about it – this is a bop.

Appears in 🔻:

• Mistakes: 5ive Songs No. 32 (2022)

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13. rei brown, “Thinking Bout You” (Ft. Joji)

💿 Xeno • 🏷 Jimaku Super • 🗓 2022

“Barely made my flight, we were up all night / Now I’m thinking ‘bout you.” Oh, the feels, the feels, 🎙 rei brown! The Japanese, queer, alt-pop artist based in New York releases his debut album, 💿 Xeno (short for xenophobia).  Brown describes Xeno as an album that explores the otherness he’s felt throughout his life.in July 2022. In the intriguing single, 🎵 “Thinking Bout You”, he gets an assist from Japanese-Australian alternative pop/R&B musician, 🎙 Joji with stellar results.

Brown is the first voice heard, smoothly delivering the chorus with some cool vox effects.  He sets the tone of this song about missing significant others.  Brown asserts, “I wrote my part mostly in the context of a long-distance relationship. There are hints in it that suggest it takes place in a different more sci-fi reality.” Cool and utterly compelling, to say the least. During his verse, we get ‘standard’ vocals from brown, contrasting the ‘spacier’ chorus, addressing the said relationship.  “It’s never easy to leave you / … You can bet that I bleed too, take me back to the shore,” he sings poetically.  Joji provides a stark contrast in the second verse, vocally, while addressing distance from his own perspective:

“Made me look the other way

No longer summer days

They see it in my face

I know it’s just a graze

They got me in a maze

And I hope it’s just a phase.”

Contributing to the vibe of this record, beyond brown and Joji is 🎛 Holz, who produces with brown. “Thinking Bout You” speaks volumes.

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14. Saucy Santana, “Booty” (Ft. Latto)

🎵 “Booty” • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2022

Question: “Who else got a ass like this? / Who else throw it back like this?” Well, apparently it’s the colorful, sassy, openly gay rapper, 🎙 Saucy Santana.  On the short but potent single 🎵 “Booty”, he links up with fellow rapper 🎙 Latto for an infectious, bootylicious anthem.  Has Pride month ever been so lit?

The prominent sample used on “Booty” probably sounds familiar.  That’s because 🎵 “Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)” by 🎙 The Chi-Lites was notably sampled by 🎙 Beyoncé in her breakthrough solo hit, 🎵 “Crazy in Love”.  🎛 Johnny Goldstein produces this banger – good stuff! The Chi-Lites fuel both Saucy and Latto’s respective performances.  In the cause of Mr. Santana, there’s no doubt his ‘role’ as he highlights that his “Ass so fat but it still match the legs,” and, “Make him pass out when he hit it.” Woo! Confident AF, he later asserts in the bridge, “Booty make him cook, booty make him do the dishes (Uh-huh) / Booty-booty, make him wanna turn me to his Mrs/missus.” Day-um! Latto is ‘saucy’ too, kicking off the second verse touting her “flat tummy,” and adding, “One of ninety-nine reason bitches hate me.” Of course, it’s not the tummy these men ‘came for’ but rather the booty: “Girl, he love it here, I’ma shake it like dice (Shake it) /Wrapped around my finger, eatin’ booty from the bite (Ooh).” Well, one thing’s for sure – there’s no shortage of 🎵 “Booty”, and you can never have too many booty songs, right? Right!

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Awesome Songs: June 2022  [📷: 88rising, Adrian “Rosco” Stef, Brent Faulkner, Cautious Clay, Columbia, Dirty Hit, Fueled By Ramen, Interscope, Island, Jimaku Super, Kelly Sikkema, The Musical Hype, Osvaldo Supino, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, RCA, Unsplash, Warner, Winner Circles Entertainment]

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