Awesome Songs: March 2023 | Playlist 🎧

6. Halsey, “Die 4 Me”

🎵 “Die 4 Me” • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 2023

“Said you’d die for me, you’d die for me, you’d die for me / But you lied to me, you lied to me, you lied to me, yeah.” 🎙 Halsey, a featured guest on the 2019 🎙 Post Malone track, 🎵 “Die For Me” (💿 Hollywood’s Bleeding), drops a solo version in 2023, 🎵 “Die 4 Me” with brand-new verses with positive results.  The production on “Die 4 Me” still has a hip-hop, R&B vibe, much like the Post Malone version.  Regardless, it plays more to Halsey’s strengths – more pop driven.  Throughout, she delivers clear, expressive vocals, all the while crying foul regarding this person’s assertion to be there through thick and thin. Following the tuneful chorus, she is fired up from the opening line of the first verse: “I hope you think about me every time you touch it / I hope your new girl hears it and she loves it.” In the second verse, she unveils her vengeful, bi side: “I don’t play anymore, I went through your phone / And called the girls in your DMs and took them all home.” Oh, snap!  Another notable moment: “I sold 40 million copies of our break-up note.” Da-yum!  The alternative pop singer/songwriter didn’t play in the slightest on 🎵 “Die 4 Me”, WOO! Halsey made it known she’s unbothered (essentially) after he treated her the way that he did.  She learned a difficult love lesson, yet, ultimately, she’s better off.  Her love pain is our listening pleasure on this fine solo joint.

via GIPHY

Appears in 🔻:

• 15 Epic Songs Worth Dying For (2023)

7. Jxckson, “DROWNING”

🎵 “DROWNING” • 🏷 Jxckson Music • 🗓 2023

“I’m drowning / Waves crashing over me.” Don’t drown, 🎙 Jxckson – you are far too talented to let those waves consume you! The Austin, Texas independent alt-pop artist returned boldly and fiercely in 2023 with single 🎵 “DROWNING”. “DROWNING” marks his reintroduction, and that reintroduction is giving sheer excellence through and through. He describes the record as “the feeling of being both overwhelmed and numbed by the waves of emotions after a relationship and then trying to find a way to cope.” Jxckson sings, “I never knew I would need you this much / Lost forever, yea I was void of your touch.” Those pesky matters of the heart are the real cause for the drowning.  The end of a relationship can truly be overwhelming, something that is captured brilliantly throughout “DROWNING.” “I don’t feel anything / Why can’t I feel anything?” he asks, continuing, “All I have is me / My past is my only enemy.”  As always, he captivates with his playful vocals, showcasing plenty of personality.  That playfulness, personality, along with the authenticity captured within the songwriting and vocal performance itself, makes this dramatic, experimental pop track a triumph. Produced by 🎛 Boy Sim, Boy the sick beat and slick, dizzying synths provide the perfect fuel for Jxckson’s fire.

8. Marc E. Bassy, “god damn, god damn” 

🎵 “god damn, god damn” • 🏷 New Gold Metal • 📅 2023

“Goddamn, Goddamn / You play your cards close to your chest ‘til the final hand / Goddamn / You had me thinking I was the man.” Clearly, 🎙 Marc E. Bassy was NOT the man, or so he sings on his colorful single, 🎵 “god damn, god damn”.  The chorus is the best part, with Bassy expressing that his lady, whom HE was cheating on, also cheated on his cheating @$$! Of course, it’s his own fault. During an interlude that prefaces the second verse, Bassy asserts, “You know the craziest part is, I fucked up first. And she found out, but she didn’t tell me that she found out.” Gah-day-um! Bassy continues singing in the chorus, which precedes the interlude, “It taste a little bitter in my cup / The high ain’t feeling quite the same / Told me two could always play that game, yeah, yeah.” Basically, the player got played on this scandalous but highly entertaining pop/R&B song. Bassy sounds great on the chorus (the timbre in the verses is different but unique), while the production –  🎛 Alex Hau, Mike Woods, and Ian McDonald– is a major selling point.

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Dayum Good Damn Songs (2023)

9. Maluma, “La Reina”

🎵 “La Reina”  • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 2023

“Mami, es que tú ere’ una reina, mírate bien / Que hasta el espejo se sorprende cuando te ve.”  🎙 Maluma crowns her on the short but sweet single, 🎵 “La Reina” (“The Queen”).  Translated in English, the handsome, gifted Colombian sings, “Mami, you are a queen, take a good look at yourself / Even the mirror is surprised when it sees you.” High praise, indeed! “La Reina” commences with smooth guitar. From the jump, it is clear this record is all about those chill, laid back, yet royal vibes – she’s a queen, after all! As always, Maluma delivers radiant vocals, wowing with his smooth, impeccable tone and marvelous nuance. Beyond his superb performance, he also serves up plenty of personality, including concluding the single with his signature phrase, “Maluma, baby!” As far as the verse, Maluma continues to praise her, characterizing her as la octava maravilla – the eighth world wonder.  Additional things to admire regarding “La Reina” is the production (🎛 Edge, Casta, and L.E.X.U.Z), including the aforementioned guitar and the epic beat.  Also, shout out the tuneful, rhythmic melody which contributes to the surefire vibe.  #BIG MOOD! So, does Maluma baby come through again or nah? Of course, that handsome, talented, hunk of a man shines 😍!  Sure, he only gives us about 2:20 of song but that is sufficient.

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10. Logic, “Come On Down” (Ft. Jordan Harris)

💿 College Park • 🏷 Three Oh One Productions, LLC / BMG Rights Management (US) • 📅 2023

💿 College Park marked the first independently released album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper, 🎙 Logic after a successful run on a major label.  Among the highlights on the conceptual LP is 🎵 “Come On Down,” which enlists 🎙 Jordan Harris, who performs the intro.  That intro speaks to the death of one’s goodness and pureness to become a star.  Logic embraces this in the chorus, where he asserts, “I want the world, I want the money, I want the respect…” Furthermore, in the verse, he continues, “Let me get it all, get all the money, get the women / Motherfucker better give me ten of them.” While his aspirations seem have a degree of shallowness, dig deeper, and it’s more than just the money and women he can hook up with.  The rapper lets us peak into the door of a painful past as he spits, “Can’t speak on the things that done happened to me as a child / I’m talkin’ ‘bout sodomy / Oh no, I can’t let you see that side of me.” Also, it’s worth noting that the outro by 🎙 Lil Keke makes listeners rethink perceptions about gangsters.  Thought provoking commentary to say the least.

11. Ryan Beatty, “Ribbons”

💿 Calico • 🏷 Warner Music UK • 🗓 2023

Reflective piano is one of many glorious production touches on 🎵 “Ribbons”, the first 🎙 Ryan Beatty single of 2023, appearing on his third studio LP, 💿 Calico.  Focusing on the production (Beatty and 🎛 Ethan Gruska), in addition to reflective piano, “Ribbons” features more ear catching keys, as well as strings.  In fact, nearly the final minute-and-a-half of the song is instrumental.  Ultimately, the backdrop is one of the big selling points of “Ribbons.” Of course, the best touch regarding “Ribbons” are the vocals by Beatty.  He has a gorgeous tone and excels at balladry. Another pro for is the vocal production, which has consistently amplified his solo music.  A tuneful melody bodes well as Beatty sings about the plight of love/ fleeting love (“It took all of California / To remind you while you came / … Ribbons running down your face / ‘Cause you’ve never known love like that”).  Things grow more depressing in the second verse, where Beatty asserts, “And suddenly you’re older / Spinning the turnstile over and over / Who’s gonna hold you while you sleep? Well, / It’s brave to be nothing to no one at all.” Thought-provoking for sure… and sad 😢. Ultimately, 🎵 “Ribbons” is well written, authentically performed, and thoughtfully produced. Ryan Beatty is a vibe and “Ribbons” is a vibe, too.

Appears in 🔻:

• Ribbon 🎗️: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 25 (2023)

12. Saint Levant, “Tell Me I’m Dreaming”

💿 From Gaza, With Love • 🏷 2048 LLC • 📅 2023

On 🎵 “Tell Me I’m Dreaming,” the opener from 💿 From Gaza, With Love, the debut EP by rising multicultural musician, 🎙 Saint Levant (Marwan Abdelhamid), shows off his trilingual skills (English, French, and Arabic). Sure, Abdelhamid focuses mostly on English, but throws in a few Arabic and French lines too. Furthermore, on this introductory track, he references his popular hit, 🎵 “Very Few Friends”: “Just the son of a nation that will never fall / I’m the grandson of immigrants that saw it all / They talk about us online but we know who we are / And I got very few friends that know who they are.”Notably, Marwan sets the tone with easygoing vibes. He’s buttery smooth, never seeming to perspire, yet still manage to drop some kick-ass bars 💪.  The production work is a vibe in its own right, further fueling the fire with soul sample. Is it far-fetched to cite the influence of Drake? Nope, not in the slightest!

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13. JSJ, “Honey”

🎵 “Honey” • 🏷 JSJ • 🗓 2023

According to the handsome, incredibly talented Canadian musician, 🎙 JSJ (Joshua Säde James), 🎵 “Honey” is “by far the sexiest song I’ve ever written, from the vocals to the lyrics.” Ooh-wee! It’s getting hot in here! From the intro of “Honey,” where the incredibly slick production work is unveiled, it is clear that this single is fueled by the sensual.  Of the brief,  but incredibly potent, sub-two-minute record, JSJ comments, “When I wrote ‘Honey’,  I was in a long-distance relationship and missing my other half. I wanted it to feel like the song has the same message throughout; one of wanting someone else with you.” Mission accomplished, Joshua!

One of the biggest attractions of “Honey” are the vocals.  JSJ is a beast – in the best way possible.  His tone is to die for.  His pipes are sexy, soulful, and sultry to the n^th degree. He sings with incredible authenticity, easily convincing all who listen to buy what he is selling. Adding more fuel to his vocal fire are the top-notch ad-libs – the runs and the flawless, ripe falsetto. According to him, “The vocals build the story of this song, which drips with sexual frustration.” The praise for this pop record goes beyond that sexually frustrated voice.  The melody is incredibly tuneful and rhythmic; it sounds fresh. Also, the centerpiece of this short but sweet bop is none other than the chorus, where we all fall in love with Joshua Säde James 😍. 🎵 “Honey” is an epic addition to the LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 catalog.  That said, if you are a music fan, specifically a pop enthusiast who loves to hear elite singing, “Honey” is a must-hear.  Also, how about leaving you with more commentary from the artist himself: “This song is a love letter to my exes and everything they’ve missed out on. It’s time to show them what they’re missing.” Absolutely, JSJ 💪!

Appears in 🔻:

• JSJ, “Honey”: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 9 (2023)
• 11 Songs That Are Sweet Like Honey 🍯 (2023)

14. Dionne Warwick & Dolly Parton, “Peace Like a River”

🎵 “Peace Like a River” • 🏷 KIND MUSIC GROUP • 🗓 2023

What happens when two icons – two legends – collaborate? Magic, of course, sheer magic! 🎙 Dolly Parton and 🎙 Dionne Warwick join forces to praise The Most High, aka God 🙌.  Parton is 77 years young, while Warwick is 82 years young.  Both have been in the game for years, so, hearing both on the inspiring single, 🎵 “Peace Like A River” is nothing short of awesome.  Parton wrote this thoughtful Christian number.  In recent times, Parton remains most active from a performance and recording standpoint.  That signature, distinct set of pipes remains powerful.  She does the heavy lifting on “Peace Like A River,” reminding us why she is such a national, worldwide treasure.  “Peace like a river / Bathe me in your holy stream,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “In your soothing, living waters / Flood my soul and wash me clean.” Dionne Warwick joins Dolly in the second verse, continuing to serve up the praise and seek to live as a good Christian ought (“And may I be a great reflection / Of the things that’s right and good”).  Warwick’s voice throughout is more coarse and weathered, yet still packs a punch and brings ample character.  The contrast between the two dynamic artists is part of the charm.  The best moment of record should come as no shock – the chorus: “He’s the answer / To our questions / To our prayer and to all peace / He’s the healer of imperfections / The provider of all needs.” Six words: “He is peace / Like a river.” All told, 🎵 “Peace Like A River” is just what the doctor ordered, particularly if you need a lift in spirit.

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15. Whitney Houston, “He Can Us Me”

💿 I Go To The Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 2023

“I wanna live / So that God / Can use me / Anytime / Anytime / And anywhere.” That is a good word right there! 🎵 “He Can Use Me” marks the second single from the posthumous gospel compilation by 🎙 Whitney Houston (💿 I Go To The Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston). Like 🎵 “Testimony” that preceded it, we hear a young Houston (recorded in 1981, when she was a teen) showcasing a truly anointed, special voice – one that would only mature, reaching higher heights.

The premise of “He Can Use Me” is simple.  On this nearly five-minute gospel record, Whitney Houston is singing about serving the Lord – letting him use her as he sees fit.  “See, I wanna walk, yes / Yes, in this world / So the Lord will walk with me,” she sings on the verse adding, “I wanna talk / … Just knowing that the Lord will talk with me” 🙌.  Houston is supported by a reverent backdrop, one that sufficiently supports this faith-driven journey. Getting more context into the early career of Whitney Houston – her gospel roots – helps us to appreciate her once in a lifetime artistry even more. All told, 🎵 “He Can Use Me” is a welcome addition to the Houston catalog.

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