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

1. Olivia Rodrigo, “good 4 u”

💿 SOUR • 🏷 Geffen • 📅 2021

Perhaps there’s no better way than to kick off Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: May 2021 than with the energetic single, 🎵 “good 4 u”. “Good 4 u” gives 🎵 “drivers license” – the crowning achievement of 💿 SOUR, the debut album by 🎙 Olivia Rodrigo – a run for its money. Written by Rodrigo and 🎼 ✍ Daniel Nigro, Nigro also produces alongside 🎛 Alexander 23. Nigro and Alexander 23 craft a lit pop-punk oriented backdrop filled with angst.

Rodrigo matches the intensity, bringing ample personality via her angst-filled Gen-Z teenage persona!  Furthermore, she has the songwriting to sell via her performance, dabbling in that ever-relatable topic of heartbreak. The best moment is the chorus where she’s “Cryin’ on the floor of my bathroom / But you’re so unaffected, I really don’t get it / but I guess good for you.”  Fancy sufficiently tickled!

2. Burna Boy, “Kilometre”

🎵 “Kilometre” • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2021

“Kilome, kilome, kilometres!”  🏆 Grammy winning Nigerian rapper/singer 🎙 Burna Boy (Damini Ogulu) returned with a hot new single, 🎵 “Kilometre”. Though it runs just over two-and-a-half-minutes, it’s a total vibe! “Kilometre” was produced by 🎛 Chopstix, who gives Burna Boy a sick backdrop to work with. “This time, I call Chopstix for assistance,” he asserts on the first verse.

There’s plenty to totally rave about “Kilometre.” Beginning with the production, the groove is potent, the sound is colorful and definitely idiomatic of global music.  This provides Burna Boy with fuel for the fire.  That said, Burna is on autopilot from the start, beginning with a hella infectious chorus that will stick in your head for days and days. On the verses, Burna is also on fire, performing in his native dialect, dropping some sensational bars.  Even with the distinct differences “Kilometre” may have compared to an American pop or rap song, there are some bars that truly hit hard and resonate throughout:

“People think I be Johnny just come
Like I just got rich, like my money just come
Send them back to where they come from
For talking like the product of a torn condom.”

Woo! From the opening tip, “Kilometre” is a total bop. Truly talented, Burna Boy is indeed an African Giant.

3. Bella Poarch, “Build a Bitch”

🎵 “Build a Bitch” • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2021

🎵 “Build a Bitch” arrives courtesy of Filipino-American pop singer, 🎙 Bella Poarch.  On the eyebrow raising song (or, at least its title), Poarch is about women’s empowerment and criticizing guys looking for physical perfection. There is lots to like about this record with the message conveyed by the songwriting being the biggest triumph.  The chorus, which appears at the onset, sets the tone. “This ain’t Build a Bitch (a bitch) / You don’t get to pick and choose,” Bella sings, continuing to name the details so many men scrutinize when it comes to women.  She adds at the end of the chorus, “I’m filled with flaws and attitude / So, if you need perfect, I’m not built for you.”

Poarch makes it clear that far too many men set an impossible standard for their own benefit.  On the verses, she goes on to elaborate about the opposite sex’s search for perfection, further illustrating her point.  Beyond the songwriting and a strong performance from Poarch, “Build a Bitch” features sleek production work (🎛 Elie Rizk and 🎛 Sub Urban) that’s definitely ear catching.  All in all, Bella delivers.  She manages to make a brief, colorful pop song, while delivering a notable message.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Build: 3BOPS No. 29 (2021)

4. Anthony Hamilton, “You Made a Fool of Me”

🎵 “You Made a Fool of Me” • 🏷 My Music Box / BMG Rights Management • 📅 2021

On 🎵 “You Made a Fool of Me”, 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B standout 🎙 Anthony Hamilton oozes with soul and heartbreak. “You Made a Fool Me” is lushly produced, sounding idiomatic of both the neo-soul and adult contemporary vein of R&B.  Especially for us old souls, this is incredibly refreshing in 2021.  “You Made a Fool of Me” possesses the kind of production (🎛 Jermaine Dupree and 🎛 Ramon Montgomery) that always perfectly fuels the fire of Anthony Hamilton.  As always, Anthony gives an authentic, expressive, heartfelt, and nuanced performance.

One thing I’ve always ‘hearted’ about Mr. Hamilton is how he truly ‘gives his all’ in each and every performance.  Here, it is especially easy to do so given the circumstances constructed via the songwriting (Hamilton, Dupree, Montgomery, and 🎼✍ Manuel Seal).  Honestly, as the title suggests, [She] “made a fool of” [Him] and doesn’t care about him the way he cared about her.  It’s a classic case of unrequited love as well as C-H-E-A-T-I-N-G since she slept with another man – scandalous!  Hamilton perfectly captures the pain of his heartbreak on this three-and-a-half-minute contemporary soul gem. “You Made a Fool of Me” gives Hamilton another gem where he masterfully preserves the sanctity of soul music.  Everything feels right about this cut: the vocals, the lyrics and theme, and of course, the production.  Even if that weren’t enough, the vibe – the aesthetic – is absolutely awesome.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Fool: 3BOPS No. 28 (2021)

🔗 🎧 15 Totally & Utterly Foolish Songs

5. P!nk, “All I Know So Far”

💿 All I Know So Far: Setlist • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2021

On 🎵 “All I Know So Far”, a new studio single appearing on her live album, 💿 All I Know So Far: Setlist, 🏆 Grammy winning pop superstar 🎙 P!nk (Alecia Moore) shows just how elite her artistry is. “All I Know So Far” runs north of four-and-a-half-minutes. No worries, it’s well worth the duration! Written by Moore, 🎼✍ Benj Pasek and 🎼✍ Justin Paul, the great 🎛 Greg Kurstin produces 💪. “All I Know So Far” commences with prominent rhythm guitar, which serves as the primary accompaniment for a while.  Later, drums enter the mix on the chorus, truly asserting themselves on the second verse, where the production evolves more. From start to finish, the backdrop is ample fuel for the fire as we get gorgeous, nuanced vocals by the pop star.  Beyond production and the vocals, the lyrics are absolutely beautifully-penned – very poetic and thoughtful throughout the course of the song.

Of course, there are a few salty words thrown in, but they don’t take away from the excellence and refined nature of this song. The chorus is clearly the centerpiece, where P!nk is able to show just how elite she is vocally. Of course, she has nothing left to prove at this point! A few more notes. The songwriting on the chorus is particularly special – it definitely gives off those feels.

“You throw your head back and you spit in the wind
Let the walls crack, ‘cause it lets the light in
Let ‘em drag you through hell
They can't tell you to change who you are
That's all I know so far.”

Furthermore, I love when Moore further lets loose on the post-chorus (or refrain), backed by harmonized vocals and delivering some stellar ad-libs.  Also, the bridge provides fine contrast, as well as that signature f-bomb. Every box is checked off as P!nk continues to impress us with her artistry.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 ‘A’ Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

6. J. Cole, “9 5 . s o u t h”

💿 The Off-Season • 🏷 Dreamville / Roc Nation • 📅 2021

🏆 Grammy-winning rapper 🎙 J. Cole kicks off his sixth studio album, 💿 The Off-Season, with a bang with 🎵 “9 5 . s o u t h.”  It begins with an intro by 🎙 Cam’ron.  Then, Cole gets things started, touting his skills and success in the game (“This shit too easy for me now / Nigga, Cole been goin’ plat’ since back when CDs was around”).

Cole brilliantly takes a shot at rappers who rely on quantity over quality with very little gain, continuing the aforementioned first verse as follows:

“What you sold, I tripled that, I can’t believe these fuckin’ clowns
Look how everybody clappin’ when your thirty-song album do a measly hundred thou’.”

There’s no chorus, but there is an interlude between the first and second verses, with a badass outro following the second.  On the outro, we get more Cam’ron as well as a timely 🎙 Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz sample, 🎵 “Put Yo Hood Up”.

“Put your hood up...
Put your clique up...
Represent your shit, motherfucker...
Represent your clique, motherfucker...
If you scared to throw it up, get the fuck out the club...”

Epic start to The-Off Season to say the least as well a standalone record that sufficiently tickles my fancy.

7. Billie Eilish, “Your Power”

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

“Try not to abuse your power.” That is definitely a powerful lyric from 🏆 Grammy-winning alternative pop superstar, 🎙 Billie Eilish, who is set to release her sophomore album, 💿 Happier Than Ever on July 30, 2021.There’s lots to heart about the third advance single, 🎵 “Your Power”. The biggest thing to love about “Your Power” is the songwriting – the theme and the lyrics.  Billie Eilish goes big, tackling an ‘abusive’ relationship in some form or fashion.

“...I know we didn’t choose to change
You might not wanna lose your power
But havin’ it’s so strange.”

While this song is personal to Eilish, she seems to aim at an entire congregation wronged by power – abuse.  Vocally, Eilish sings as beautifully, intimately, and understatedly as always. Her brother, 🎼✍ 🎛 FINNEAS, co-writes and produces with great results. “Your Power” is more acoustic sounding compared to her previous records.  The use of guitar as the driving force within the accompaniment is very musical, much like Billie’s vocal performance.  Focusing once more on the main attraction – the songwriting – Eilish manages to get a catchy, memorable chorus out of this emotionally charged record. “Your Power” is another win for Billie, as well as our playlists. Fancy sufficiently tickled.

8. Coldplay, “Higher Power”

🎵 “Higher Power” • 🏷 Parlophone • 📅 2021

“You’ve got a higher power / Got me singing every second, dancing every hour.”  On their latest single, 🎵 “Higher Power”, 🏆 Grammy-winning alternative rock/pop band 🎙 Coldplay ‘take us to church,’ well, sort of.  “Higher Power,” an exuberant pop record produced by 🎛 Bill Rahko, 🎛 Max Martin, and 🎛 Oscar Holter, thrives off spiritual references without specifically referencing God or a specific deity.  Quite an intriguing, picturesque record as far as sound (those synths, New Wave cues) and ‘spirit,’ “Higher Power” is definitely ear catching from the first time you hear it.

As always, 🎙 Chris Martin is brilliant, serving up energetic and expressive lead vocals; it’s incredibly easy to buy what he’s selling.  The lyrics aren’t overly complicated and certainly don’t go incredibly deep, even with the spiritual ideas.  The first and second verses feature some repetition and feel more like a ‘vibe’ than something possessing immense depth.  The pre-chorus definitely sets up the centerpiece, the chorus (excerpted above), in all its glory.  Beyond the verses and chorus, there’s the high-flying bridge that celebrates that higher power, as well as an outro which references prayer… well… maybe.  “When for so long I’d been down on my knees,” Martin sings, continuing, “Then your love song saved me over and over.” Again, Martin could be talking about God, a god, or merely someone who ‘saved him’ though not in a salvation sense. All said and done, there’s lots to heart about this record.

9. Shelley FKA DRAM, “The Lay Down”

Ft. H.E.R. & watt

💿 Shelley FKA DRAM • 🏷 Atlantic / EMPIRE • 📅 2021

🎙 Shelley FKA DRAM embraces R&B exclusively on his sophomore album, 💿 Shelley FKA DRAM.  Shelley, which runs just 10 tracks deep and 38 minutes long, proves to be well worth the wait, with a number of gems.  Among those gems is 🎵 “The Lay Down,” where DRAM truly outdoes himself.

On “The Lay Down,” the lushness and buttery smooth vibes are breathtaking.  This particular record definitely shows various faces of R&B. DRAM sings angelically, as does his 🏆 Oscar and Grammy-winning co-vocalist, 🎙 H.E.R. The chemistry is epic.  Also, throw in 🎛 watt writing and working behind the boards and “The Lay Down” only grows into a bigger juggernaut.  The two best moments: the chorus and a stellar guitar feature.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Lay: 5ive Songs No. 40 (2021)

🔗 🎧 10 Songs Focused on Lay

10. Conan Gray, “Astronomy”

🎵 “Astronomy” • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2021

“As much as it seems like you own my heart / It’s astronomy, we’re two worlds apart.” Ah, 🎙 Conan Gray captures the plight of love perfectly on single, 🎵 “Astronomy”. The aforementioned lyrics excerpted from the chorus of this Gray/ 🎼✍ Daniel Nigro co-write (Nigro produces as well) show a relationship dying – running its course. Despite having “Seen everything from Saturn to Mars,” keeping the astronomy references going, things have changed, and two people have, regrettably, drifted apart.

A classy record through and through, Gray sings beautifully, expressively, and most notably, sincerely.  His tone matches the singer/songwriter vibe, as he depicts the good times they’ve experienced as couple, yet ultimately admits, “It’s time to go, it’s time to go.” On the second verse, one of the most gut wrenching and poetic lyrics is when he sings, “I thought if I wandered, I’d fall back in love / You said distance brings fondness but guess not with us.” Ouch – that totally stings.  One of the best moments is the bridge, where the intensity is ramped up exponentially relative to the rest of the song.  Here, Gray just lets her rip – more than I’ve ever heard – as he asserts:

“Stop tryna keep us alive
You can’t force the stars to align
When they’ve already died
Oh, we’ve died, ooh.” 

“Astronomy” is intriguing from start to finish.  This is a relatable singer/songwriter styled pop cut that shows the versatility of Gray, particularly the rousing ending from the bridge on. 

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 ‘A’ Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

🔗 🎧 Space: 5ive Songs No. 43

11. Thomas Rhett, “Country Again”

💿 Country Again (Side A) • 🏷 Big Machine • 📅 2021

🎵 “Country Again,” has a strong case as the sincerest ballad on 💿 Country Again (Side A), the fifth studio album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated country artist, 🎙 Thomas Rhett. On this particular album, Rhett, previously known for his multi-genre experiments fused with country, returns to his country music roots. “Country Again” is a song that really finds Rhett reclaiming those roots – musically and personally – after shedding them.  No, not merely shedding a crossover approach to country music, but based on the songwriting, his actual life and how he’d moved away from what he was/his roots to some extent.

Now, as Rhett has become older, he’s returned to being ‘country again’ even if certain things have totally changed.  “But last night, we cracked some cold beers and craned Eric Church to ten,” he sings, as he recalls of a meeting with his “back home buddies.” He ultimately reflects in that instance, and throughout the record, “‘Man, it feels good to be country again.’”

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 15 Songs Featuring Music Genres in their Title

12. Lil Nas X, “Sun Goes Down”

🎵 “Sun Goes Down” • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021 

“I wanna run away / Don’t wanna lie, I don’t want a life / Send me a gun and I’ll see the sun.” Wow, those lyrics from 🎵 “Sun Goes Down” are definitely troubling, capturing the suicidal thoughts of a younger 🎙 Lil Nas X, apparently.  Beyond the chorus, the 🏆 Grammy winner goes on to expound about his younger life, coping with bullying, colorism, and homosexuality.  While there’s ample sadness as to be expected, Nas X arrives at a happier place later, asserting, “And I’m happy by the way / That I made that jump, that leap of faith / I’m happy that it all worked out for me…”

The production is a big selling point on “Sun Goes Down.” A team comprised of 🎛 Take A Daytrip, 🎛 Omer Fedi, and 🎛 Roy Lenzo do a marvelous job, with some of the best features being the warm sound, created by guitars and later, strings.  This is perfect fuel for Lil Nas X, who also has a well written, tuneful melody to work with. He gives a fine vocal performance, showing off his lower register.  The effect is a masculine sound that is definitely sweet music to the ears.

13. Asbjørn, “Young Dumb Crazy”

🎵 “Young Dumb Crazy” • 🏷 Embassy of Music GmbH • 📅 2021

🎙 Asbjørn (Asbjørn Toftdahl Terkelsen) is a talented, 28-year-old pop musician from Denmark. The Danish artist proves he’s no slouch, shining on 🎵 “Young Dumb Crazy”, the promo single from his upcoming third studio album, BOYOLOGY.  On “Young Dumb Crazy,” which Terkelsen wrote himself, he speaks from the perspective of an ex-boyfriend, but also, reflects on his own poor decisions within a relationship. “I put all the things into the song that I wished he would have said to me,” he says, later adding, “As I wrote the song, I realised the double-perspective, the irony and my own hypocrisy.” “Young Dumb Crazy,” as you might suspect, is a must-hear.

There’s plenty to heart about “Young Dumb Crazy,” period. Produced by Asbjørn and 🎛 Tom Stafford, the backdrop is warm, never crowding the vocalist.  More impressive are the lovely, cutting vocals by Terkelsen.  I love his tone, as well as the vocal production itself.  He delivers an authentic, expressive, and truly nuanced vocal performance.  Adding to the awesomeness is the sheer honesty of the lyrics and the personal tilt, as previously mentioned.  The crème de la crème is definitely the catchy, memorably penned chorus.  Somewhere around the 2:17 mark, “Young Dumb Crazy” picks up intensity with some distinct vocal effects and colorful production touches. It’s a contrast to both what precedes and proceeds. All in all, he delivers the goods on “Young Dumb Crazy” singing fantastically, writing great, personal, and reflective lyrics, and constructing a solid backdrop. Terkelsen adds another gem to the LGBTQ+ catalog and the pop catalog.

14. Manchester Orchestra, “Dinosaur”

💿 The Million Masks of God • 🏷 Loma Vista • 📅 2021

🎵 “Dinosaur” is a personal favorite from 💿 The Million Masks of God, the sixth studio album by Georgia alternative rock collective, 🎙 Manchester Orchestra. On “Dinosaur,” Manchester Orchestra begins rather enigmatic, opting for restraint and poise as opposed to full-blown, ‘hits your chest’ rock.  No worries though, because the record eventually reaches an epic fever pitch, with front man 🎙 Andy Hull digging deep for his grittiest vocals of the album on the bridge (“Over and over”).

Besides the gargantuan bridge, the chorus is quite delightful, continuing the reflective, thought-provoking vibes of the other cuts that precede it.  Oh, and by the way, the chorus is reprised from “Keel Timing.” Very interesting! According to an interview with Bernard Zuel, “Dinosaur” was written about Hull’s son.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Dinosaur: 3BOPS No. 27 (2021)

15. Twenty One Pilots, “Shy Away”

💿 Scaled and Icy • 🏷 Fueled By Ramen • 📅 2021

🏆 Grammy-winning alternative duo 🎙 Twenty One Pilots are back with their sixth studio album, 💿 Scaled and Icy.  In advance of the LP, 🎙 Tyler Joseph and 🎙 Josh Dun unveiled promo single, 🎵 “Shy Away”.  Like so many of the band’s music of the past, there’s plenty to sink one’s teeth into on “Shy Away.”

Twenty One Pilots keep things short and sweet on “Shy Away.” As always, the production is quite intriguing – sleek and well rounded.  Given its rhythmic sound and quick pace, there’s definitely no way to “Shy Away” from this record.  Joseph exudes ample personality as he performs.  As always, the theme and lyrics truly go a long way in making this a successful record. Here, Tyler encourages ditching the shyness and being unafraid to reach for dreams and ambition – shedding modest and reaching for the stars.

“Don’t you shy away (Ah-ah-ah)
Manifest a ceiling
When you shy away (Ah-ah-ah)
Searchin’ for that feelin’
Just like an ‘I love you’ (Ooh, ooh)
That isn’t words (Ooh, oooh)
Like a song he wrote, that’s never heard (Ah-ah-ah)
Don’t you...” 

Once more, Twenty One Pilots have truly tickled our fancy on “Shy Away.” Great vocals by Tyler, great production, and thoughtful, positive songwriting make this song a surefire winner.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 ‘S’ Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2