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

1. Lil Nas X, “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”

🎵 “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2021

“I’m not fazed, only here to sin / If Even ain’t in your garden, you know that you can…” Woo!  🏆 Grammy-winning, genre bender 🎙 Lil Nas X returned with a hot, controversial new single, 🎵 “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”. Nas X, who came out as gay 🏳️‍🌈 when acquiring his success with 🎵 “Old Town Road” has embraced his sexuality and identity – AWESOME!  On “MONTERO,” he reflects on his own experiences with his sexuality – he is Montero Lamar Hill, after all.  Fueling the fire musically is sleek production courtesy of 🎛 Roy Lenzo, 🎛 Omar Fedi, and 🎛 Take A Daytrip.  That said, it’s the lyrics and narrative that make “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” truly special. The eyebrow raising music video is something in its own right, making conservatives totally lose their 💩.

Lil Nas X keeps things short but totally sweet on “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name).” The sweet part are the many experiences he references associated with many gay men at some point or other. On numerous occasions, he expresses desires including “I wanna feel on your ass in Hawaii / I want that jet lag from fuckin’ and flyin’ / Shoot a child in your mouth while I’m ridin’” and arguably, more intriguingly, “Never want the niggas that’s in my league / I wanna fuck the ones I envy, I envy.” The latter lyric from the second verse is ear-catching because of the layers – crushing on someone more fit, handsome as well as potentially someone who is heterosexual as opposed to homosexual. The other notable thing expressed by Nas X is the plight of being a gay (LGBTQIA+ 🏳️‍🌈) individual whether it’s being trapped in the closet, religious tension, or any number of factors. Lots to unpack on this bop, and everyone should take the time to do so regardless of your sexuality. 

2. Silk Sonic, “Leave the Door Open”

💿 An Evening with Silk Sonic • 🏷 Aftermath / Atlantic • 📅 2020

🏆 Grammy winners 🎙 Bruno Mars and 🎙 Anderson  .Paak join forces as duo 🎙 Silk Sonic releasing an album, 💿 An Evening with Silk Sonic.  In advance of the album, the duo released an instant classic in 🎵 “Leave the Door Open”. “Leave the Door Open” was written by Paak, Mars, 🎼✍ Christopher Brody Brown, and 🎼✍ Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, with Mars and D’Mile also producing. The four-minute-plus cut features a lush backdrop – we’d expect no less from these two.

We get soulful vocals by .Paak on the first verse: “We should be dancin’, romancin’ / In the east wing and the west wing / Of this mansion, what’s happenin’.” Sexy! He doesn’t stop there, bringing the heat to the second verse as well: “There’s so much love we could be making /… Girl, let’s jump in, it’s bubblin’.” As for Mars, he serves up the pre-chorus and the centerpiece, the chorus:

“I’ma leave the door open
...That you feel the way I feel
And you want me like I want you tonight, baby.”

Both artists sing on the bridge and outro.  Beyond top-notch performances, the underpinnings deserve love. The harmonic progression is pretty sweet, hearkening back to the soul music of old. “Leave the Door Open” is just what the doctor ordered, checking off all of the boxes.

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Leave: 5ive Songs No. 27

3. Lana Del Rey, “For Free”

Ft. Zella Day & Weyes Blood

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

🎙 Lana del Rey is always good for a cover on many her albums.  She concludes her seventh studio album, 💿 Chemtrails Over the Country Club, brilliantly with the 🎙 Joni Mitchell classic, 🎵 “For Free.” Del Rey enlists 🎙 Zella Day and 🎙 Weyes Blood for the assist on a truly chilling interpretation.  The vocals are elite, the harmonies haunting, and the production absolutely stunning.

The original – intact with clarinet solo, fitting – is magical.  Likewise, the Del Rey take is also quite special, and has a strong case for crowning achievement on a truly intriguing album.  That’s saying something considering how many great originals grace Chemtrails.  Del Rey definitely makes “For Free” sound like her own song.

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🗣 Joni Mitchell vs. Lana Del Rey: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 7 (2021)

 4. Elle King & Miranda Lambert, “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)”

🎵 “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” • 🏷 RCA• 📅 2021

“So, bartender, take my keys / What do you want from me? / Baby, I’m drunk and I don’t wanna go home.” Woo! Sounds like situation to me. While the drunkenness may not ultimately be optimal, the situation where two musicians the caliber of 🎙 Elle King and 🎙 Miranda Lambert (a 🏆 Grammy winner) join forces is only positive.  The resulting duet, 🎵 “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” is pretty sweet, fusing country, pop, and rock seamlessly.

“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” catches the ear from the onset.  It’s definitely the beat, which incites head nodding, foot tapping, and hand clapping. By the chorus, there are more ‘countrified’ cues, thanks to the inclusion of driving, rhythmic guitars. Besides the electrifying production from 🎛 Martin Johnson and 🎛 Brandon Paddock, there are also electrifying vocals.  Both King and Lambert have powerful voices and do a fabulous job of conveying attitude and feistiness.  Because both are so adept at this, the chemistry between the two is marvelous.  As far as the songwriting, it is perfect for country music in particular, referencing whiskey and of course its effects (“We’re in the bathroom stall gettin’ tatted, there’s a line in the hall / Tryna be my sugar daddy, gettin’ handsy in the stalls.” Woo! “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” is a ‘must hear’ folks – definitely entertaining with its drunken antics!

5. Justin Bieber, “Peaches”

Ft. Daniel Caesar & GIVĒON

💿 Justice • 🏷 Def Jam • 🗓 2021

“I got my peaches out in Georgia (Oh, yeah, shit) / I get my weed from California (That’s that shit).” There’s nothing profound about either of those lyrics 🎙 Justin Bieber sings on his 📉no. 1 Hot 100 hit, 🎵 “Peaches” and yet, it’s absolutely and utterly infectious to the nth degree.  He continues on the golden chorus of this 💿 Justice gem (which I failed to properly acknowledge when reviewing the album), “I took my chick up to the North, yeah (Badass bitch) / I get my light right from the source, yeah (Yeah, that’s it).”  While it seems that Bieber has this fruit-loving number on lockdown all by himself, he enlists the services of Grammy winner 🎙 Daniel Caesar and Grammy nominee 🎙 GIVĒON.

Caesar and GIVĒON definitely owe Bieber you might say. Why? Both earn career-first no. 1 hits lending their awesome vocals to this joint.  This isn’t a game changing record, hence why initially, I didn’t provide heaps of praise, yet the more you listen you find yourself hypnotized and wooed.  In the context of Justice, Bieber loosens up (the profanity on the chill chorus), while still focused on the modus operandi, love. Both Caesar and GIVĒON devote their verses to their respective lovers ❤️. “Peaches” is definitely a tickle-fancying vibe!

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Peach 🍑: 3BOPS No. 23 (2021)

6. Demi Lovato, “Dancing with the Devil”

💿 Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over • 🏷 Island • 📅 2021 

🏆 Grammy-nominated pop artist 🎙 Demi Lovato is back with her seventh studio album, 💿 Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over (April 4, 2021).  Leading the charge is the title track, 🎵 “Dancing with the Devil”, which is both powerful and incredibly personal.  Besides being powerful and personal, Lovato does what she does best – sings her face off.  Lovato co-writes “Dancing with the Devil” with 🎼✍ Bianca Atterberry, 🎼✍ John Ho, and 🎼✍ Mitch Allan. As far as the sound and production, 🎛 Allan provides Demi with a fine canvas to paint upon 👍.

It’s the narrative and the words that truly make “Dancing with the Devil” the triumph that it is.  Lovato, always incredibly open and transparent, reflects on her near fatal overdose.  It begins on the first verse with her justifying “It’s just a little red wine, I’ll be fine.” Of course, as is the case with addiction and substance abuse, things progress, with Demi further justifying “A little white line, I’ll be fine” and eventually “a little glass pipe.” Yikes! Obviously, the end result nearly cost her life (to a greater extent than anyone was aware), as exemplified on the centerpiece, the chorus:

“I was dancing with the devil, out of control
Almost made it to Heaven
It was closer than you know
Playing with the enemy, gambling with my soul
It’s so hard to say no
When you’re dancing with the devil.”

On the bridge, she recaps her mistakes and repents for them, before powering out on the chorus in all its glory. “Dancing with the Devil” is arguably best musical representation of what was an unfortunate reality for the pop standout (she’s released several singles tackling such subject matter).

7. Zuli Jr., “Blue Sky”

💿 Stop It God.• 🏷 Nurtured Ideas • 📅 2021

If you aren’t familiar with alternative/indie pop artist 🎙 Zuli Jr. (Ryan Zuli Jr.), well, it’s time to familiarize yourself.  Pencil in his new album, 💿 Stop It God. (May 14, 2021), as the perfect opportunity to do so. Better yet why not start with the absolute bop, 🎵 “Blue Sky”, the second advance single from the album. “Blue Sky” was written 🎼✍ and produced 🎛 by Zuli Jr., Aire Atlantica, and TK the Architect. The rhythmic nature of the production is one of the biggest selling points of the record. “Blue Sky” has one foot in the door of the past, while simultaneously feeling fresh enough for 2021.  Adding to the allure is the song’s underpinnings – music theory lovers get excited! The harmonic progression definitely gives the record a lift and a unique sound.

Of course, the biggest reason why “Blue Sky” is so rad is Zuli Jr himself. The man has an absolutely radiant tone.  His falsetto is incredibly sweet.  Furthermore, the songwriting is excellent, providing further fuel for the fire.  The best part is the chorus.  Here, in particular, the writing, vocals, hyper rhythmic drums, synths, and etc. all make it feel like you’re experiencing a slice of heaven. Listening to “Blue Sky” it’s clear that we definitely don’t want ‘The Man Upstairs’ to dare stop Ryan from serenading us and flaunting his artistry 🙏 💪.

8. St. Vincent, “Pay Your Way in Pain”

💿 Daddy’s Home • 🏷 Loma Vista• 📅 2021

Annie Clark, aka 🏆 Grammy winning singer/songwriter 🎙 St. Vincent, drops her first new album of the 20s with 💿 Daddy’s Home.  Leading the charge is single and album opener 🎵 “Pay Your Way in Pain”.  As always, Clark never fails to disappoint. “Pay Your Way in Pain” was written by Clark and 🎼✍ Jack Antonoff.  Furthermore, both musicians produce the unique sounding record.

“Pay Your Way in Pain” commences with sort of this cabaret sound –throwback in quality. Soon enough, it transforms into this adventurous joint with a blend of funk and electronic cues.  This quirky number is definitely alternative through and through. If nothing else, St. Vincent delivers an ear catching record that doesn’t conform in any way, shape, or fashion.  I love the playful ways that she uses her voice here. The songwriting is also intriguing, telling a compelling story, characteristic of the artist’s music of the past. Specifically, the character seems to be facing plenty of pain as the adversity is through the roof from lack of money, being judged, becoming homeless – it’s a lot! “Pay Your Way in Pain” is quirky as albeit and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Pay: 5ive Songs No. 22 (2021)

9. Jon Batiste, “Cry”

💿 We Are • 🏷 Verve • 📅 2021

🎙 Jon Batiste delivers one of the year’s best and most satisfying R&B albums with 💿 We Are. Any number of songs from the album could’ve graced 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: March 2021 – 🚫🎓 (no cap, if you couldn’t read the emojis). The song that tickled my fancy most, however, is the third track, 🎵 “Cry.”

The soulfulness is fully ingrained into “Cry” including a righteous, robust bass line anchoring things down.  Throw in a simple but effective drum groove and commanding, colorful vocals from Jon and “Cry” is nothing to cry over in the least – save for its inspiring, ear catching brilliance! You know what else fuels that ear catching brilliance? The messaging, which laments the injustices of the world:

“For the loss of the innocence
For the struggle of the immigrants
For the wrongful imprisonment.”

10. Nick Jonas, “This is Heaven”

💿 Spaceman • 🏷 Island • 🗓 2021

“At the gate / I’m coming inside, I know that it’s late / But I’m here, ‘cause your body my motivation.” Most would agree that sex is heavenly.  The same could be said about love, at least when it’s ‘on.’ 🎙 Nick Jonas certainly believes in the power of both on 🎵 “This is Heaven”, the second single from his 2021 solo album, 💿 Spaceman. “This is Heaven” marks another gem penned by Jonas, 🎼✍ Greg Kurstin, and 🎼✍ Mozella. The backdrop is on-point: the keys, synths, and an absolutely infectious groove.

Jonas, again, serves up a respectable vocal performance, with his best moments arriving during the centerpiece, the chorus:

“This is Heaven
And I don't know how this could get much better (Yeah)
Than you and me, here right now
This is Heaven
And every time I touch you, it gets better
I'm on my knees, I can't stop now
This is Heaven.”

On the verses, Nick sings in his lower and middle register.  He ascends higher on the chorus where he proclaims love to be ‘celestial’ of course. Overall, “This is Heaven” is indeed pretty heavenly and definitely fancy tickling 😀!

11. Drake, “What’s Next”

💿 Scary Hours 2 • 🏷 OVO • 📅 2021

🎙 Drake commences his three-song single, Scary Hours 2, with a surefire bang. 🎵 “What’s Next” definitely “kicks ass and takes names,” haha.  The record features banging production work courtesy of 🎛 Maneesh and 🎛 Supah Mario.  The backdrop definitely fuels the fire for Drake, who spits with incredible agility and confidence.  Honestly, his flow is on-point and he goes the hardest I’ve heard from him in years.

Two sections in particular stand out on “What’s Next.” The refrain first appears at the top of the record, in all of its glory: “I sit in a box where the owners do / A boss is a role that I’ve grown into.”  As awesome as the refrain is, the chorus is absolutely electrifying:

“Well, summer, all I did was rest, okay?
And New Year’s, all I did was stretch, okay?
And Valentine’s Day, I had sex, okay?
We’ll see what’s ‘bout to happen next
Okay? Okay? Okay?”

This is the type of record that definitely tickles my fancy 💪!

12. BROCKHAMPTON, “BUZZCUT”

Ft. Danny Brown

🎵 “BUZZCUT” (Ft. 🎙 Danny Brown) • 🏷 Question Everything, Inc. / RCA • 🗓 2021 

🎙 BROCKHAMPTON have a new album on the horizon: 💿 ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE).  But first, 🎙 Kevin Abstract and company unveiled 🎵 “BUZZCUT”, tapping rapper 🎙 Danny Brown for the assist. As with many BROCKHAMPTON singles, there’s lots to like.  The production is epic, handled by 🎛 Jabari Manwa, 🎛 Johan Lenox, 🎛 Video Store, and 🎛 Queen Sixties.  Part of the allure of the production are the samples/interpolations utilized – 🎙 Jay-Z, 🎙 Raekwon, as well as BROCKHAMPTON themselves! The backdrop certainly sets up all parties involved for success.

Kevin Abstract takes first blood, delivering a colorful verse referencing Latino protection, racial injustice (“A platinum record not gon’ keep my black ass out of jail”), and a virus, which seems to have multiple meanings besides the COVID-19 pandemic. He follows up his verse with a wacky if endearing, gimmicky chorus.  It’s the perfect lead into Danny Brown.

“You niggas ain’t alphas, you’re incels
You normies ain’t a part of the script, doxx your house with crips
Pop shit, now you got content, constant
Where to begin? A veteran with medicine pen.”

Yep, that’s Danny Brown at his most Danny-est.  He’s simultaneous tough and idiosyncratic, which fits the aesthetic and vibe of this banger. Beyond Brown’s distinct verse, we get a bridge, which has similar lyrics to the chorus, but the sound is a stark contrast.  Also, there’s an outro that further distinguishes itself from the rest of the record. Ultimately, “Buzzcut” is definitely some kind of trip, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! 

13. Camilo, “Ropa Cara”

💿 Mis Manos • 🏷 Sony Latin • 📅 2021

Dashing Medellin, Colombia musician 🎙 Camilo (Camilo Echeverry). has written hits for others, first dropping his own album in 2020 (💿 Por Primera Vez). Striking while the fire is hot, he released his sophomore album, 💿 Mis Manos, 11 months later, resulting in a number of excellence songs, including the song at hand, 🎵 “Ropa Cara” (“Expensive Clothes”), arguably, the best song from Mis Manos.

“Ropa Cara” is the definition of a latino urbano/reggaeton banger.  So many things work extremely well here.  There are the playful vocals by Camilo (both sung and spoken), the minimalist production, and of course, the swagger, and drippy vibes, particularly on my favorite chorus of the entire album:

“Balenciaga, Gucci, Prada
Balenciaga, Gucci, Prada.”