Awesome Songs: March 2022 | Playlist

6. 5 Seconds of Summer, “COMPLETE MESS”

“COMPLETE MESS” • 5SOS, LLC / BMG Rights Management (US) LLC • 2022

“Caught up in heaven, but your heaven ain’t the same / And I’ve never been a saint, have I?” Despite such a messy title, Aussie pop collective  5 Seconds of Summer don’t dare serve up a  “COMPLETE MESS”.  Luke Hemmings owns his hellishness, adding another question in the first verse, “But I’m never one to change, am I?”  Hemmings handles the heavy lifting vocally. Still, all members contribute to the chorus (“You make me a complete mess”), while  Calum Hood and  Michael Clifford perform the second verse.

Again, “COMPLETE MESS” is anything but a complete mess.  It was penned by quartet solely with Clifford serving as producer. Even if 5SOS are no longer signed to a major label, the quality remains strong .  Notably, the beginning of “COMPLETE MESS” bears similarities to past songs.  This love-driven cut is groovy and well-executed.  The chorus is #winning for sure! The Aussie band remains on the up-and-up.

Appears in :

• C Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

7. Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa, “Sweetest Pie”

“Sweetest Pie” • 1501 Certified Ent. LLC / 300 Entertainment • 2022

What happens when two Grammy winners collaborate with each other? On paper, a hit.  Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa join forces for “Sweetest Pie”. “Sweetest Pie” has all the bells and whistles, featuring several producers.  The resulting backdrop is buttery smooth though anchored by a hard beat. Even though Megan rides mellower production that doesn’t keep her from being, dare I say, savage.

Dua Lipa blesses the track with gorgeous vocals on the memorable chorus. “Ooh, this the ride of your life,” she sings, continuing, “Hold on ‘cause, baby, I might / I might just give you a taste of the sweetest pie.”  Ooh wee! From there, Megan brings on her agile, sexed-up flow, commencing her verse referencing her private parts – anyone shocked? Besides the fact that her “pussy is the meanest,” she speaks about his pipe, being thick, and bragging about the fact “I ain’t never had to chase dick in my life.” Dua Lipa isn’t as savage during her brief second verse, but Megan atones in the third verse with lines like, “Wanna put his Nutty Buddy in my Fudge Round.” Holy ‘f#¢king’ $hit, girl! She doesn’t stop either: “Pussy tighter than a bitch, he ain’t had it like this / Toes curling like they’re throwing gng signs on Crip.” Woo! Ultimately, “Sweetest Pie” is another W for these two superstars.

8. Phife Dawg, “Nutshell Pt. 2” (Ft. Busta Rhymes & Redman)

Forever • Smokin’ Needles / AWAL Recordings America, Inc. • 2022

The original “Nutshell” arrived as a posthumous single by renowned A Tribe Called Quest rapper, Phife Dawg (1970 – 2016).  Also notably, “Nutshell” was produced by another deceased hip-hop titan, J Dilla (1974 – 2006), who predeceased Phife by a decade.  In 2022, a posthumous Phife album materializes in Forever, comprised of 13 tracks.  Notably, a remix of “Nutshell” arrives entitled “Nutshell Pt. 2”.  The late, great rapper is assisted by two of his friends, Busta Rhymes and Redman. “Nutshell Pt. 2” is a throwback to the hip-hop of old, which is refreshing in 2022.

DJ Rasta Root assists behind the boards on “Nutshell Pt. 2.”  Like the original, Phife Dawg spits the first verse, filled with confidence, delivering some kickass wordplay.  “Peep the rebirth of the reborn as I rebuild / Reconnect with this rebel, redefining raw skill,” he asserts in the first verse, later adding, “Had to refuel, reactivate to reemerge / Reevaluate, recalculate, bitch I return.” Woo! The ‘R’ words fuel the fire for the legendary MC. In the second verse, Busta Rhymes keeps the same energy, focused on U words.  “Look / Unpredictable, I’m so unfuckwittable / Unfathomable, the love I get, unconditional / Unequivocal, undestructable, unthinkable” – you get the idea! Redman enters in the third verse, focused on “I” – “Yo, I keep moving, I keep bud, I keep fire / I keep an attitude for niggas to keep tryin’!” Woo! He also shouts out his buds: “Phife and Bus’, that’s my brothers, keeper, keeper.”  All three join for the final extended chorus with Red delivering the spirited outro. “Nutshell Pt. 2” = surefire rap banger.

Appears in :

• Phife Dawg, “Nutshell Pt. 2”: Rap BNGRZ 11 (2022)

9. Rex Orange County, “Open a Window” (Ft. Tyler, the Creator)

Who Cares? • Rex Orange County / Sony Music Entertainment • 2022 

Rex Orange Country (Alex O’Connor) returns much improved on Who Cares?, an album filled with reflection, introspection, matters of the heart, self-deprecation, and ultimately, arriving at a better place regarding mental health.  One of the best songs on his third LP is “Open a Window” featuring Tyler, The Creator.  The production is ear-catching on this surefire bop, with its potent groove and old-school cues – those strings! Also, the bass line is to die for.

Adding to the musical goodness that makes “Open a Window” stellar is the harmonic progression, the tuneful melody, and of course, O’Conner’s colorful, sometimes raspy voice.  The chorus is golden: “Can I open a window? / Can somebody open the door? / There’s so many reasons / I can barely take it anymore.”  Besides the superb chorus and theme of being overwhelmed and needing to breathe (or escape), how about that Tyler, The Creator feature? Tyler is locked-in: “Open door, but you can’t / Try to run, but you pant / Out of breath, you can’t vent / ‘Cause the AC actin’ up.” Woo! Stellar cut!

10. ROSALÍA, “Chicken Teriyaki”

MOTOMAMI • Sony • 2022 

“Pa’ ti naki, chicken teriyaki / Tu gata quiere maki, mi gata en Kawasaki!” Woo! Face it, folks – ROSALÍA is on a creative tear! The Grammy-winning Latin pop standout never seems to release a bad song. She patea traseros y toma nombres (Eng. Kicks ass and takes names) on “Chicken Teriyaki”, the third single from her 2022 studio album, MOTOMAMI.

“Chicken Teriyaki” is a surefire vibe.  As always, ROSALÍA amps up the personality – totally badass. Thematically, she flexes throughout the two-minute joint, asserting at one point, “Quiero una cadena que me arruine to’a la cuenta / Como Naomi en los 90” (“I want a chain that ruins my entire account / Like Naomi in the 90s”). Woo! The chorus, excerpted above, is the crowning achievement, sure to easily get stuck in one’s head. Even so, the third verse is awesome too: “De azúcar la mami, todo sin recibo / Leo pentagrama’, pero no lo’ escribe” (“Mami’s sugar, all without a receipt / I read pentagram, but I don’t write it”). “Chicken Teriyaki” isn’t deep, with the music video, in all its silliness, confirming such.  Still, that reggaeton beat (ROSALÍA, El Guincho, Michael Uzowuru, Noah Goldstein, and Sky Rompiendo) is no joke, encouraging listeners everywhere to move and groove.

Appears in :

• C Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

11. Lucky Daye, “Fuckin’ Sound”

Candydrip • Keep Cool / RCA • 2022

“Got me sittin’ all up in my feelings / Really, is you for me? Is you with me?” Take one look at the steamy cover artwork for Candydrip, and it’s crystal clear that Grammy-nominated R&B artist Lucky Daye is on that sensual shit. The awesome song as hand, “Fuckin’ Sound”, is sexy AF.  The production ( Gabriel Lambirth, Ayo & Keyz, and D’Mile) is marvelous with its sweet, smooth guitar, shimmering keys (including organ), and stunning choral backing vocals.

The backdrop is fuel for Daye’s sensual fire, with the centerpiece being the chorus.  This is where we know how Lucky longs for her:

“I don’t care ‘bout who’s around, I just wanna lay you down

I just want you here right now, I just wanna lay you down

Hear you make that fuckin’ sound

‘Til you make that fuckin’ sound.”

Honestly, there’s no need to overthink this one, right? Daye is willing to have sex with her any and everywhere, period.  I’m totally on board with this steamy standout!

12. Ghost, “Darkness at the Heart of my Love”

IMPERA • Loma Vista • 2022 

“There’s a darkness at the heart of my love / That runs cold, runs deep.” Poetic, thought-provoking lyrics for sure! Darkness and love should be two starkly different things, right? Perhaps, but Ghost makes them clearly related on the marvelous “Darkness at the Heart of my Love.” “Darkness at the Heart of my Love” has a strong argument for the crowning achievement of IMPERA, the fifth studio album by Grammy-winning Swedish metal band, Ghost.

The lyrics are cynical, critical of those who say they’re filled with love (and God) yet are hypocritical to the n^th degree. Anti-Christian themes are commonplace in Ghost’s music, so, if you’re easily offended, look elsewhere.  That said, even if you’re a believer like me, there is something to be said about the points Tobias Forge makes.  Furthermore, there’s a lot to be said about the musicianship – the performance, the melody, the production.  Honestly, there’s something celestial about this hellish cut – fancy sufficiently tickled!

13. Joshua Bassett, “Doppelgänger”

“Doppelgänger” • Warner • 2022

“I guess I’m not as over you as I thought that I was / I saw someone who looked like you at our favorite coffee shop.” Ah, such a relatable lyric, Joshua Bassett.  The actor/pop singer/songwriter continues to bring plenty of talent to the table on “Doppelgänger”, which should speak volumes to many who have broken up with someone in some form or fashion and find themselves continuing to long for them.

Bassett never utters the word doppelgänger in the song! Sometimes that’s a bummer but I find it neat that he simply references it by seeing someone who looks like his past lover.  As excerpted above, the chorus is the centerpiece, continuing with Bassett’s sadness: “And part of me was hoping we would get the chance to talk / I guess I’m not as over you as I thought.” The verses support missing this person and still longing for that unlikely reunion.  Nonetheless, all of us has someone in our past that we’re going through the same feels as Bassett, triggered even more if we encounter that doppelgänger. Beyond theme and lyrics, Bassett sings well – I love the sweetness and vulnerability of his instrument.  Furthermore, the music and the production are perfect for such a personal record – kudos!

14. Stromae, “Fils de joie”

Multitude • Monsaert Label / Universal Music France • 2022

After an eight-year hiatus, Belgian musician extraordinaire Stromae (Paul Van Haver) returned with Multitude, a fantastic LP.  Among the best songs not named “Santé” or “L’enfer” is “Fils de joie” (“Son of a Hero”). Thematically, the record de-stigmatizes prostitution. Notably, at one point, the son of a prostitute comes to the defense of his mother rather than be ashamed of her profession. “I’m a son of whore as they say /… Oh, dear mom / They dehumanize you /… But they also court you / And everybody looks the other way.”

Besides the theme, the music itself is awesome! There’s a superb use of rhythmic strings which adds a classical element, not to mention ample personality. “Fils de joie” is anchored by an awesome beat and groove. Van Haver offers a mix of pitched and un-pitched (rapped) moments, exhibiting great balance.  I truly heart the level of drama during the chorus.

15. Troye Sivan & Gordi, “Wait”

“Wait” • EMI Australia • 2022 

“One thing I am sure of is everything will change / Time moves fast / You grow old / Days we can’t rearrange.” Yep, those lyrics couldn’t be truer Troye Sivan.  Honestly, they seem to fit great with this soundtrack single, “Wait” from Three Months.  Sivan and Gordi seem to embody the spirit of the movie, and the teenage protagonist, Caleb, who must wait three months for HIV results after exposure and apparently, “finds love in the most unlikely places.”

“Wait” has a pop/rock flavor that suits both Sivan and Gordi.  In the first verse, he reflects on his struggles, asserting, “I hate Florida sometimes / Is it take and take / Or is it my mistake?” He follows up by expressing the confusion he’s experiencing on the pre-chorus (collaborating with Gordi), before delivering what he does understand in that marvelous chorus.  Worth noting, in the brief second verse, performed by Gordi, there’s expansion, including ‘love,’ we assume (“Only you and me, and all we’re going to be”).  Perhaps you can only decipher so much from this song, but what is being presented is high quality. All in all, Troye Sivan and Gordi impress. Even beyond the film, it’s a solid, well-written song. Fancy sufficiently tickled!