Awesome Songs: May 2023 | Playlist 🎧

Awesome Songs: May 2023 features music courtesy of Bad Bunny, H.E.R., hemlocke springs, Janelle Monáe, Kesha, and Niall Horan.

It’s that time! What time it is? Why, Monthly round-up time, of course! It is the time to select the best songs of the month! All the songs on 🎧 Awesome Songs: May 2023 were released as singles or as an album track in late March 2023, April 2023, or whereabouts (exceptions are possible). Musicians that made our ears perk up in May 2023 include 🎙 Bad Bunny, 🎙 H.E.R., 🎙 hemlocke springs, 🎙 Janelle Monáe, 🎙 Kesha, and 🎙 Niall Horan among others. The musical styles are all over the map on this musical compendium. So, without further ado, here are those 🎧 Awesome Songs: May 2023! Also, feel free to check out the previous month’s awesome songs!

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1. Kesha, “Eat The Acid” & “Fine Line” 

💿 Gag Order • 🏷 Kemosabe • 🗓 2023

“You don’t wanna be changed like it changed me.” Remember that lyric, folks – it is a crucial, recurring line from 🎵 “Eat The Acid”, the first of two promo singles from 💿 Gag Order, the fifth studio album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop singer/songwriter, 🎙 Kesha. Take one listen to “Eat The Acid” and it is clear that Kesha opts for a different direction – one that is incredibly refreshing. The production is a key part of the change of direction. This dark pop record thrives off its minimalism. Drums are absent 🤯! “Eat The Acid” is hypnotic and intense. Kesha produces alongside 🎛 Rick Rubin, Stuart Crichton, and Jason Lader. The keys and synth work is utterly stupendous, carrying the rhythm and propelling the intensity.  Vocally, she sounds elite, never over singing, exhibiting poise.  She is never forced to over sing given the tunefulness of the melody – utterly infectious.  Thematically, she experiences a spiritual awakening, recollecting her mom’s advice not to “eat the acid” (aka LSD), and connecting with God.  The third verse truly stands out: “I searched for answers all my life / Dead in the dark, I saw a light / I am the one that I’ve been fighting the whole time / Hate has no place in the divine.”  The Kesha who graces 🎵 “Eat The Acid” is starkly different than the Kesha of the past and that shows evolution. 

  

“There’s a fine line I’ve been walkin’ / And trying to balance is exhaustin’,” 🎙 Kesha asserts in the first verse of 🎵 “Fine Line”, the second, brilliant promo single from Gag Order.  She continues singing, pissed off, “This is where you fuckers pushed me / Don’t be surprised if shit gets ugly.” Oh, snap 🫰, more like, oh, sh– 💩! Like 🎵 “Eat The Acid”, there are no drums on “Fine Line” – no beat supplying the groove.  No worries as the instrumental provides ample energy, fueling the singer’s fire.  Fiery she is, dropping profanity everywhere expressing her anger.  “All the doctors and lawyers cut the tongue outta my mouth,” she asserts in the pre-chorus, admitting, “I’ve been hidin’ my anger, but bitch, look at me now.” Clearly, “Fine Line” is Kesha’s reaction to the ongoing Dr. Luke lawsuit, and how it has affected her. “There’s a fine line between genius and crazy,” she asserts in the chorus, later adding, “Sick of walkin’ that fine line.” Furthermore, she’s “so goddamn sick of fightin’.” Incredibly emotional, “Fine Line” allows Kesha to get the anger, disappointment, and pain off her chest.  In this regard, art and music can be incredibly therapeutic. Furthermore, the artist’s pain is truly the listener’s pleasure.  Fancy sufficiently tickled by both joints!    

 

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3. Miguel, “Give It To Me”  

🎵 “Give It To Me” • 🏷 ByStorm Entertainment / RCA • 🗓 2023 

“Your body on inferno, inferno, your mind on my, my, my / But you deserve to let go, to let go, to let yourself unwind…” Although the 2020s have been extraordinarily quiet for 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter, 🎙 Miguel, he whets the listener’s palate with the enjoyable, well-rounded, and sexy single, 🎵 “Give It To Me”. “Give It To Me” runs four minutes and change 🪙, and it’s totally worth every second! The record was penned by Miguel and 🎼✍ 🎛 Scoop DeVille, who also produces. It commences with an intriguing intro that is moody and features an unsettled sound.  Listening initially, it is hard to tell what direction Miguel is going. Soon enough, however, the singer’s dynamic, easily recognizable voice takes over.  Instrumentally, the tone of the drums and the use of distorted guitar are #winning.  This gives “Give It To Me,” which is about S-E-X, a fitting raw, animalistic sound.  There are many memorable lyrics including  “You lit, I’m lit, we lit / And I’m ready to fly” in the pre-chorus, as well as the catchy chorus, where Miguel asserts, “Yeah, I like what you got, ‘cause I like what you got / I like what you got, would you give it to me?” Another selling point is the excellent contrast that occurs in the bridge, which includes vocoder effects. All in all, 🎵 “Give It To Me” is a welcome addition to the listening rotation.     

 

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Appears in 🔻:  

• Give: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 43 (2023) 

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4. Mad Tsai, “in my head” 

🎵 “in my head” • 🏷 Mad Tsai • 🗓 2023

“I know it’s selfish to wish that you’re hurting / Just to prove that it was worth the / Pain and the joy that you put me through…” 🎙 Mad Tsai is the sugar honey iced tea.  The bisexual pop singer/songwriter has a knack for making satisfying bops. Love is often a theme in these bops, and single 🎵 “in my head” is no different.  What is different is that Tsai opts for balladry. He penned “In my head” alongside 🎼 ✍ Jeremy Zuckerman.  Fittingly, it features amorous production (Tsai and 🎛 Drew Polovick).  Some of the ear candy includes dramatic strings and a wall of sound during the bridge. As far as those matters of the heart, Tsai has his heart broken. Ugh, how could anyone break this handsome man’s heart? Given the love pain, he sings authentically and expressively with a gorgeous tone. “Broke my heart, said our love was like movies / I’m not the one that you’re choosing / God, why do I always love alone?” he sings in the first verse. He’s been left and he laments his luck when it comes to love. “But in this life, I’m not complete / You found someone I can’t compete,” he sings, adding, “So, guess I’m stuck with loving you inside my head / ‘Cause in another world we’d be again.” This is incredibly relatable, which is one of the reasons why 🎵 “in my head”, as well as Mad Tsai as artist, is so lovable.  

 

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5. Janelle Monáe, “Lipstick Lover” 

💿 The Age of Pleasure • 🏷 Wondaland Productions LLC / Bad Boy • 🗓 2023 

“I seen it from the back, and I’m excited.” WOO! “Baby, I’m obsessed, get me undressed / I wanna feel your lips on mine.” Double WOO! 🏆 Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter 🎙 Janelle Monáe delivers those sexy, sensual vibes on single, 🎵 “Lipstick Lover”. Produced by 🎛 Nate “Rocket” Wonder, “Lipstick Lover” appears on Monáe’s 2023 album, 💿 The Age of Pleasure. “Lipstick Lover” can best be described as reggae-tinged pop/R&B record. Given the style and the laid-back groove, it is tailor made for those sexy vibes Monáe delivers.  Her vocals are strong 💪 as always, with plenty of expression and nuance.  In addition to her personality-filled lead vocals, the harmonized vocal moments also deserve a shout out. One of the best examples of this is during the pre-chorus: “‘Cause for your love, I’ll take my time / Just wanna feel your hips on mine.” S-E-X-Y to the nth degree! The pre-chorus leads sensationally into the chorus where Monáe touts her lipstick lover – duh! “I really got a thing for my lipstick lover, lover, lover, lover, lover.” She doesn’t specify who that lover is, but, clearly, the sex is electric (“Hope it’s something nasty, we can try it”). “Lipstick Lover” gives Monáe another winner in her fine musical catalog.     

   

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 6. Jake Shears, “I Used To Be In Love”  

💿 Last Man Dancing • 🏷 Boys Keep Swinging Inc / Mute Artists Ltd. • 🗓 2023  

“I used to be in love / Now I’m out dancing / Like a better man / In white satin gloves.” WOO! Hard to believe that 🎙 Jake Shears is in his mid 40s 🤯 (the handsome, talented man doesn’t seem to age 😍). More importantly, his voice remains utterly exceptional post-Scissor Sisters 💪 🤩. 🎵 “I Used To Be In Love” marks the third single from his sophomore album, 💿 Last Man Dancing. “I Used To Be In Love” runs an optimal three-and-a-half minutes. The production by 🎛️ Le Chev and Boys Noise is lit 🔥.  The groove is everything, sure to make you dance your booty off.  Beyond the groove, the disco and house cues up the ante giving the record simultaneously a modern and throwback feel.  The instrumental is amazing, but the true star of the show is Shears who sounds potent as ever.  He sings authentically, clearly, and expressively – you buy what he’s selling! Jake sounds particularly effective during the chorus, where his vocals are harmonized, in all their glory. Even though love has exited the building, those dancing shoes look and sound pretty damn good on him 💪.  Fancy sufficiently tickled!    

 

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7. hemlocke springs, “sever the blight” 

🎵 “sever the blight” • 🏷 Good Luck Have Fun / AWAL • 🗓 2023 

“‘Where are you, my lady?’ / I’ve been in the basement / She tied my ankles up / As a near defacement.” Say what? “You see, I’m not Snow White,” 🎙 hemlocke springs asserts in the verse, adding, “The fairest in our land / I heave a sighing breath / My cavity expands.” Impressive songwriting and plenty of personality make springs and her uniquely titled and themed single, 🎵 “sever the blight”, utterly compelling. The 24-year-old singer/songwriter penned and produced “sever the blight” alongside 🎼 ✍ 🎛 BURNS.  The record features beautiful, expressive vocals, with her upper register shining through. Not only does she sing sublimely, but she also has a radiant melody to perform on “sever the blight.” Fittingly, given its title, there is a cool medieval-inspired accompanying music video. Focusing on the song, the crème de la crème melodically is the chorus where she sings, “Love is smiles away / Will I still wait here?”  There are some variations lyrically, but the effect is consistent with each iteration of the chorus.  Lyrically, “sever the blight” intrigues, embracing a familiar topic, matters of the heart.     

Beyond the vocals, theme, and lyrics, “sever the blight” excels from a production and sound standpoint.  A marvelous palette of sounds, comprised of keys and synths, shape the record into a sweet, indie-/synthpop joint. There is an element of surprise initially, as the listener feels out where springs is going with “sever the blight.” A thoughtful change of pace, occurring about 54 seconds in, reveals the cards.  Here, “sever the blight” adds a lit driving groove and awesome, rhythmic picturesque synths.  Although 🎵 “sever the blight” is a strong listen initially, its magic is revealed with each successive listen. If you enjoy alternative pop, you are sure to love hemlocke springs and “sever the blight.”   

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8. Niall Horan, “Meltdown”  

💿 The Show • 🏷 Neon Haze Music Ltd. / Niall Horan / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 2023  

“When it all melts down, I’ll be there.” Good to know, 🎙 Niall Horan! The Irish singer/songwriter released 🎵 “Meltdown” as the second single from his third studio album, 💿 The Show. “Meltdown” is brief but potent, running about two-and-a-half minutes in duration, more than enough for the listers to experience that Niall magic, WOO! He wrote “Meltdown” alongside 🎼 ✍ Amy Allen, Joel Little, and John Ryan.  Little and Ryan also produce the track, with incredibly positive results. “Meltdown” benefits from an electrifying groove and driving bass line.  Furthermore, Niall gives us strong vocals.  “Screamin’ in your car (Yeah) in the driveway / Spinnin’ out, think your life’s goin’ sideways,” Horan asserts in the first verse. In the second, he adds, “Sleep is so thin (Yeah) out of habit / Hard to tell the real from the dreams you imagine.” Clearly, things are NOT going well for this person.  Even so, superhero Niall is there for you, he reveals on the memorably penned, tuneful chorus! Good to know! All in all, “Meltdown” is a surefire earworm after the first listen!  

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9. Dolly Parton, “World On Fire”  

💿 Rockstar • 🏷 Butterfly / Big Machine Label Group • 🗓 2023 

According to the iconic 🎙 Dolly Parton 🤩, we live in a 🎵 “World On Fire”. In the promo single from her highly anticipated ROCK album, 💿 Rockstar (November 17, 2023), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee asserts in the chorus, “Liar, liar, the world’s on fire / What you gonna do when it all burns down? / Fire, fire, burnin’ higher / Still got time to turn it all around.” “World On Fire” is one of the original songs from Rockstar, which is comprised of numerous covers and collaborations with numerous big-time musicians.    

“World On Fire” finds Dolly Parton sounding marvelous, as always. Well into her seventies, Parton’s voice sounds as distinct, effective, and fresh as ever.  Assertive in her performance, you buy what Dolly sells regarding the state of the world. In the first verse, Parton asserts, “Everybody’s trippin’ over this or that / What we gonna do when we all fall flat?” She has point – we live in divisive, polarizing times.  In the second verse, the man upstairs comes into the picture: “When did we lose ‘In God we trust?’ / God almight, what we gonna do? / If God ain’t listenin’ and we’re deaf too.” Parton even slides in some profanity, crying foul regarding “Greedy politicians, present and past / They wouldn’t know the truth if it bit ‘em in the ass.” Real talk.  Parton supports the assertion that the world is on fire, even if solving the problem is the taller task. Well written and well produced, this rock version of Parton, which does not alienate her country fan base, sounds good so far.   

  

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10. Post Malone, “Mourning”  

💿 Austin • 🏷 Mercury / Republic • 🗓 2023

“Don’t wanna sober up / The sun is killin’ my buzz, that’s why they call it mourning.” Ah, clever 🎙 Post Malone – we see what you did there!  The singer (the best way to label him these days) drops the short but sweet second single from his 2023 album,  💿 Austin, 🎵 “Mourning”. “Mourning,” produced alongside 🎛 Louis Bell and ​watt, finds Post in reflective mode, bothered by, shit for lack of a better word (“Got a lotta shit to say, couldn’t fit it in the chorus”).   

  

The shit that has affected Post Malone is substance issues – the alcohol.  Part of the problem seems to be those “quote-unquote friends” who enable him, with him footing the bill of dinner, and them dragging him “to a party out in Malibu.” Things get worse in the second verse, where he asserts, “Stumblin’ down the corridor, came across and open door / Throwin’ up is easy and who put on The Commodores.” A brilliant reference to the famed soul collective, it also speaks to Malone’s alcoholism.  Despite his substance issues, which are no joke, 🎵 “Mourning” is sweet music to the listener’s ears. This is an authentic, honest, and well written single.  Post Malone is being true to self.  

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11. H.E.R., “The Journey”  

🎵 “The Journey” • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2023  

“And when you’re going with your heart you can go / Farther than you’d ever thought possible / Prove them all wrong.” Prove who all wrong, 🎙 H.E.R.? Why, the doubters, the haters, and skeptics! WOO! On her first single of 2023, the soaring ballad, 🎵 “The Journey”, the 🏆 Academy and Grammy award-winning musician delivers positive vibes.  “The Journey” is encouraging, reassuring, and totally uplifting.  Commencing as a piano ballad, the record expands, incorporating strings, robust bass and by the second verse, a drum groove as well as rhythm guitar.    

  

With a thoughtful message, and fabulous production, the rich vocals by H.E.R. cannot be neglected.  On “The Journey,” she serves up far more powerful vocals than she’s delivered in the past.  The verses, which are tuneful, showcase balance and poise, but by the chorus, she truly lets it rip.  As the song progresses, her voice becomes even more ambitious with some marvelous runs and plenty of power.  In the chorus, she asserts, “It’s the journey / It’s the getting there to where you’re going to / Going through hell but still you’re gonna make it through…” Another strong moment from “The Journey” is the bridge, which successful contrasts the verses and chorus.  Fittingly, the most epic chorus of all follows, concluding this radiant, uplifting ballad.  Ah, 🎵 “The Journey” in the hands of H.E.R. is pretty sweet!   

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12. Just Shy, “Sea Can’t Cure” 

🎵 “Sea Can’t Cure” • 🏷 John Rowley • 🗓 2023

“There are some comedowns that even the sea can’t cure / I surrender myself when I hear the sirens’ lure.” Oh, the poetry, 🎙 Just Shy, not to mention the tense happening 😬.  The Australian pop singer/songwriter (John Rowley) comes through with a bop in 🎵 “Sea Can’t Cure”. The excerpted chorus is one of many reasons why “Sea Can’t Cure” is a must-add to the listening rotation. He’s has made his fair share of mistakes on this night, suffering the consequences of his actions: “I know I was lacking discretion with each recollection / I’m feeling ashamed.” Rowley brings the heat on “Sea Can’t Cure,” alongside melancholy and synths.  

Rowley describes “Sea Can’t Cure” as “a melancholy, melodic synth-pop exploration of the aftermath of overindulgence – ‘hanxiety’ and comedowns.” That is heavy! Even though “Sea Can’t Cure” is emotional, it is a track that easily satisfies the ears.  First and foremost, Just Shy sounds utterly fantastic.  His vocals are smooth. Furthermore, his use of his middle and lower register more often than not feels fitting given the anxious – or should I say, hanxious – vibes of the record. Beyond his five-star performance, Rowley also has a tuneful melody with terrific lyrics that totally endears.  Upping than ante even more is the incredibly, slick synth-pop production (🎛 Dion Shaw) – the synths and that groove (non troppo if you will) are king, baby! Worth noting, the sound of the record features many sources of inspiration per Rowley including William Orbit, Moby, Cub Sport, and Troye Sivan. Clearly, the man has great tastes.  Furthermore, he is a talented musician.  Once again, Just Shy delivers a sensational bop with 🎵 “Sea Can’t Cure”.  Don’t sleep on this gifted Australian.    

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13. Angie Stone, “Kiss You”  

💿 Love Language • 🏷 Conjunction Entertainment / SoNo Recording Group • 🗓 2023 

“Ooh, boy your lips (Boy your lips), the way they sittin’ (Sittin’) / I can’t focus, I can’t even pay attention.” 🎙 Angie Stone is clearly turned TF on by this boy on 🎵 “Kiss You”. “Kiss You” marks one of the best moments from her 10th studio album, 💿 Love Language.  She continues in the steamy pre-chorus, “I lick my lips (Lick my lips), they start to glisten (Glisten) / You wanna bite ‘em every time they’re in your vision.” Woo! So enticing! For “Kiss You,” Stone samples the 🎙 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, 🎵 “I Miss You”.  A popular source for many contemporary R&B/neo-soul joints, with the help of producers 🎛 Walter Millsap III, Xavier Gordon, Balewa Muhammad and Candice Nelson, “Kiss You” gets some modern swagger thanks to those epic drums anchoring things down 💪.   

  

“And I just wanna kiss you, kiss you, kiss you, kiss you / Kiss you, baby.” “Kiss You” is a classy sex song.  The three-letter word is never uttered by Stone, but it goes without saying.  Those “kisses” being served up in the chorus are obviously going to lead to something else 😈! In the verses, Stone sets up the sensual vibes.  In the first verse, she wants his hands on her body – ooh la la! In the second, she wishes to “go somewhere low-key and private.” Hmm, wonder why! In the third verse, this man has her feeling some type of way – “I find it hard to keep my composure.” Angie, a good man will do that to you… or so I’ve heard! 🎵 “Kiss You” is a bop 🔥!     

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Appears in 🔻:  

• Angie Stone, “Kiss You”: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 No. 41 (2023)  

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14. Bad Bunny, “WHERE SHE GOES” 

🎵 “WHERE SHE GOES” • 🏷 Rimas Entertainment LLC • 🗓 2023 

🎙 Bad Bunny needs no introduction – he’s Bad FKN Bunny! WOO!  The 🏆 Grammy-winning, Puerto Rican superstar is on fire once more with 🎵 “WHERE SHE GOES”, a single that finds him expanding his palette artistically. 🎛 Mag, who handles the production duties, does an epic job – he kicks ass and takes names!  This intense joint commences with moody synths.  Early on, a dark, minor key is established. Once he begins singing, he brings additional assertiveness – he is even more aggressive than the moody synths.  Soon enough, the production grows more dynamic, with a beat entering and anchoring things down.      

  

Once the rhythmic identity is established on  “WHERE SHE GOES,” it seems as if there will be a degree of predictability. WRONG! Even with the drums solidifying the direction of the song, there are surprises.  During part of the second verse, the drums drop out, and things become more legato (long) delivering welcome contrast.  Generally, Bad Bunny serves up rhythmic rhymes during the verse, embracing a more melodic identity during the chorus.  Even though 🎵 “WHERE SHE GOES” is exclusively in Spanish, like most Bad Bunny songs, it is a surefire vibe. Check out the English translation and there is plenty of reference to S-E-X 😈. Also, the accompanying music video is totally rad.  

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15. Kisos, “Bite Your Tongue” 

🎵 “Bite Your Tongue” • 🏷 Miller Place • 🗓 2023

“In my world everything’s fine / Don’t understand why you are terrified.” 🤬 “And those kids at the border line / Ship ‘em back they’ll be alright / Follow the rules that justify,” pop singer/songwriter 🎙 Kisos continues singing on his single, 🎵 “Bite Your Tongue”. You should be mad as hell listening and reading the lyrics – that is the intent of the songwriting. Sadly, there are people in the world who have strong, incredibly insensitive opinions about those who are marginalized.  Describing his marvelous single, Kisos states it is “a heavy, eerie track dragging everyone who is passive and unfeeling in the face of genocide of marginalized peoples.” WOO! 

   

“Now you leave us bleeding ‘cause you bite your tongue.” The theme is arguably the crowning achievement of “Bite Your Tongue.” Saying nothing, aka being passive, is not acceptable, and honestly, plays in the role continued marginalization.  Deep stuff that not enough artists tackle in all honesty. Of course, beyond the awesome songwriting, the voice, music, and production are all selling points. From the start, “Bite Your Tongue” is locked-in with the rhythmic guitar accompaniment, a driving force throughout the track.  Furthermore, additional music cues and production touches (synths and such) make this socially conscious anthem even better.  Vocally, Kisos has a fabulous instrument on his hands. His performance feels authentic with beautiful, expressive vocals that cry foul to these passive folks.  Also, the harmonized vocals are worth shouting out.  ALSO, what about the tune? There are some great melodic moments, executed by Kisos’ pipes stupendously.  All told, he skwirted out a gem – a call to action bop –  with 🎵 “Bite Your Tongue”.  

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Awesome Songs: May 2023 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Boys Keep Swinging Inc / Mute Artists Ltd., Butterfly / Big Machine Label Group, ByStorm Entertainment, Conjunction Entertainment / SoNo Recording Group, Good Luck Have Fun / AWAL, Kemosabe, Mad Tsai, Miller Place, RCA, Wondaland Productions LLC / Bad Boy; Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay] 

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