Awesome Songs: November 2022 | Playlist 🎧

Awesome Songs: November 2022 features music courtesy of BROCKHAMPTON, Cigarettes After Sex, Dove Cameron, Rihanna, and Saint Levant.  

It’s that time! Time for what? Time to select the best songs of the month! All the songs on 🎧 Awesome Songs: November 2022 were released as singles or as an album track in November 2022, or whereabouts (I reserve the right to make exceptions). November 2022 featured plenty of noteworthy tracks, to say the least! 

Musicians that made our ears perk up in the month of  November 2022 features music courtesy of 🎙 BROCKHAMPTON, 🎙 Cigarettes After Sex, 🎙 Dove Cameron, 🎙 Rihanna, and 🎙 Saint Levant among others. The musical styles are all over the map on this 13-song musical compendium that is sure to carry you throughout the remainder of 2022 and beyond. So, without further ado, here are those 🎧 Awesome Songs: November 2022! 

1. Rihanna, “Lift Me Up”

💿 Blank Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By • 🏷 Def Jam • 🗓 2022 

“Lift me up / Hold me down / Keep me close / Safe and sound.” After a lengthy hiatus – six years – 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B/pop artist 🎙 Rihanna (Robyn Fenty) returned in 2022 with 🎵 “Lift Me Up”, the promo single from 💿 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By. She penned “Lift Me Up” alongside 🎼 ✍ 🎛  Ludwig Goransson (also produces), 🎼 ✍ Ryan Coogler, and 🎼 ✍ Temilade.  Here, Fenty pays tribute to the late actor 🎭 Chadwick Boseman who starred in the lead role of the original 🎦 Black Panther.    

Given its tribute status, “Lift Me Up” is a ballad.  Rihanna has recorded her fair share of ballads, even if it’s her quicker records that tend to catch the ear the most.  Vocally, on “Lift Me Up,” she sounds utterly sublime.  Her lower register still has a bite and an edge that is stunning.  Her upper register, including some falsetto moments (for lack of a better word), is also quite impressive.  The backdrop by Ludwig Goransson is warm and feels like a proper memorial and tribute, much like the simple but thoughtful lyrics: “When you depart, keep me safe / Safe and sound.” “Lift Me Up” isn’t game-changing in the world of pop but marks a strong return for an artist who dominated during her prime.  

Appears in 🔻:  

• 11 Songs U Need 2 Listen UP 🆙 2 

2. Cigarettes After Sex, “Pistol” 

🎵 “Pistol” • 🏷 Spanish Prayers / Partisan • 🗓 2022

“Give me the pistol / Aim it high / I’m out in the desert / Shooting at the sky.” 🎙 Gregory Gonzalez and 🎙 Cigarettes After Sex are back with a fantastic single, 🎵 “Pistol”. Well, perhaps Gonzalez or the character he plays on “Pistol” isn’t feeling fantastic.  Thematically, those pesky matters of the heart come into play as Gonzalez struggles to cope with an ended relationship.  His pain on this record, which he superbly writes, produces, and sings, is our listening pleasure.  

There’s plenty to love about “Pistol.” The sound is enigmatic at first before the groove and guitar settle in.  Gonzalez’s vocals are radiant, sang quietly, in an undertone. The tone is celestial, and I adore the tenderness of the performance. Even though the verses are performed quietly, the melody is incredibly tuneful. The first chorus adds a bit more oomph (added instrumentation), but never gets too high or out of character with what’s been established up until that point. There’s something truly hypnotic and mesmerizing about this performance. The songwriting is thoughtful in the verses and the chorus, which is tuneful like the verses:   

“You’ve been on my mind  

… I can’t deal with it  

You’ve been on my mind 

And I’ll waste my time 

‘Til you lift me off the floor 

And love me again.” 

All in all, “Pistol” is a marvelous musical offering from Cigarettes After Sex.  Gonzalez shines, delivering a truly relatable gem about the plight that is love. 

3. Chlöe & Latto, “For the Night” 

🎵 “For the Night” • 🏷 Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia • 🗓 2022

“You can leave your guard at the door / And let me love you for the night.” Woo! 🎙 Chlöe and 🎙Latto conjure up magic on the enjoyable, sexy single, 🎵 “For the Night”. “For the Night” was produced by 🎛 London On Da Track as well as 🎛 Omer Fedi, and 🎛 Boobie among others. Given the skills behind the boards, “For the Night” has a sweet sound.  It’s modern – sounding very 2022 – yet it also hearkens back to the hip-hop-infused, contemporary R&B and pop of old.  The musical inspiration is there for both Chlöe (melodically) and Latto (un-pitched, with her rhymes).   

As is often the case with Chlöe’s music, and pop/R&B in general, sex plays a sizeable role.  “And you crave those long nights with me,” Chlöe sings in the chorus.  The verses feature rhythmic melodic lines that a filled with sharp, ear-catching lyrics, particularly the second verse: “You and your mouth, cashing checks that you know gonna bounce /  You say you promise and promise, you’ll figure it out / But I cannot wait, you’re teasing me, I back down.”  As for Latto, she’s true to self, asserting, “You need a bitch, know what to do with you,” later adding, “I’m the only one who know everything you like / You can have this for the night or for your life.” Ultimately, Chlöe and Latto put in work on 🎵 “For the Night”. It’s fun, memorable, and sexy.  

Appears in 🔻:  

• Night: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2022) 

• 13 Ear-Catching Night Songs 

4. Saint Levant, “Very Few Friends” 

🎵 “Very Few Friends” • 🏷 Saint Levant • 🗓 2022  

“I wanna take you to Paris and spoil you / I wanna go to Marseille and enjoy you / I want those guys in your DM’s who talk to themselves / And then tell all their friends that they know you.” Woo! 🎙 Saint Levant (Marwan Abdelhamid) serves up good vibes – better yet, sexy vibes – on his single, 🎵 “Very Few Friends”.  The brief “Very Few Friends” showcases the appeal, talent, and versatility of Abdelhamid.  This handsome musician with a diverse background (Palestinian/French/Algerian/Serbian) raps in multiple languages: English, French, and Arabic.  To characterize it as ear-catching would be an understatement.  

Saint Levant never gets too high while performing “Very Few Friends.” The smooth backdrop gives off love-oriented, romantic, R&B vibes.  Abdelhamid raps smoothly, supporting romantic sensibilities.  After dropping some Arabic rhymes, he continues spitting in the first verse, “Love boy Levant back in the building.” He goes on to drop  French as well.  Even if you’re not proficient at Arabic or French, English lines like, “We have designer sex in the morning / Expensive when you moanin’,” as well as the memorable closing lyric, “When we come together it’s a fuckin’ problem” makes it clear what Abdelhamid has in mind. The chorus is a highlight: “I have very few friends / I’m focused on very few friends.” 🎵 “Very Few Friends” gives a terrific snapshot of Saint Levant, showing his versatility. Furthermore, it will easily enhance your playlist, particularly when it comes to matters of the bedroom.   

5. Dove Cameron, “Bad Idea”  

🎵 “Bad Idea” • 🏷 Disruptor / Columbia • 🗓 2022 

“Baby, we’re a bad idea / Fuck it, let’s do it again.” Hmm, typically, when an idea is bad, you should avoid it like a plague.  🎙 Dove Cameron does the exact opposite – embraces the badness of the idea on 🎵 “Bad Idea”.  While rekindling the relationship seems like a bad idea,  there’s nothing bad about this relatively brief single.  

Honestly, Dove Cameron is relatable in “Bad Idea.” How many times have we embraced someone we shouldn’t, against our better judgment,  and for whatever reason, can’t quit them?  That’s the case in this playful gem where Dove ultimately says, “fuck it,” let’s play with fire.  The chorus, with its key f-bomb, is the crowning achievement.  That said, the verses – a mix of singing in an undertone, whispers,  and some spoken word – are ear-catching as well.  Also, shout out to the production (🎛 Evan Blair). In the first verse, it’s Cameron’s lover who reaches out: “You’re having revelations / Wish you never let me go / And you say that you miss me…” In the second verse, she states, “Go ahead and tell me something / That you learned in therapy / And it’s almost convincing / But I’ve been known to go against my instincts.” All told, even considering the red flags, Dove Cameron ignores them on 🎵 “Bad Idea”.  It’s sort of like a vicious cycle, right?  Right. Well, what’s not vicious is this record – a vibe with cool energy.   

Appears in 🔻: 

• Idea 💡: 3 or 4 BOPS No. 24 (2022)  

6. Yung Gravy, “Dancing In The Rain” 

💿 Marvelous • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2022  

“Dancing in the rain, I cannot refrain / From sliding in your dame, I get change / Dancing in the rain, can’t fuck with these lames / I cannot complain, I get change.” Woo! The Midwest is in the house! Better yet, 🎙 Yung Gravy (Matthew Hauri) is in the house! Backed by slick production work courtesy of 🎛 dwilly and 🎛 Nick Seeley, Hauri smoothly delivers his sugar honey iced tea on 🎵 “Dancing in the Rain” (💿 Marvelous, 2022) – like G-R-A-V-Y, baby!  

After a soulful, feel-good intro, the knocking beat enters, making this a surefire rap banger. As previously stated, Yung Gravy brings smoothness to his rhymes.  He’s chill and easy-going yet has no shortage of personality – he’s entertaining to the nth degree! “Bitch, I’m dead fresh, I might pull up in the hearse truck/ Gravy been a dog, Lisa Ann was my first love.” Oh, $hi†! It doesn’t stop there of course: “Juice, sauce, little bit of guala / Oops, just, super soaked your momma.” Gah-day-um! The chorus, of course, is where the bread is truly buttered – infectious as hell!  

“50k for a show, and a hunnid for my wrist 

Hundred fifty for my skrrt 

Couple milli at the crib 

Ain’t your baby, baby 

You can keep the gravy out your lips 

Ain’t no way that Baby Gravy gonna change the way he live.”   

Appears in 🔻:  

• Yung Gravy, “Dancing In The Rain”: Rap BNGRZ 🔥 No. 26 (2022) 
• 11 Songs Where When It Rains It Pours (Pt. III) 

7. SZA, “Shirt”  

🎵 “Shirt” • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2022

“Blood stain on my shirt / New bitch on my nerves / Old nigga got curved / Going back on my word / Damn, bitch, you so thirsty.” Woo! Now that’s an assertive chorus, 🎙 SZA! The 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist returns with a bang on 🎵 “Shirt”.  “Shirt” has been floating around for a couple of years, with an excerpt shared as early as Fall 2020.  Now, after being teased, “Shirt” gets it just due.  

So, what does “Shirt” encompass? Matters of the heart, of course.  SZA appears to be on the losing end. Basically, she’s let this man totally mess her up.  In the chorus, excerpted above, she goes on to sing, “Still don’t know my worth / Still stressin’ perfection / Let you all in my mental / Got me lookin’ too desperate / Damn (You ain’t deserve).”  The verses and the pre-chorus set up the anxious, bothered feelings of the singer. She is self-aware, at least, asserting, “Feel the taste of resentment / Simmer in my skin.”  While we don’t wish SZA any of the love pain she’s experiencing, it’s sweet music to our ears.  So is the rhythmic production by 🎛 Rodney Jerkins and Freaky Rob, which gives her the perfect inspiration to perform, beyond the sus, seemingly unrequited love itself. All in all, SZA delivers the goods on 🎵 “Shirt”. Yes, she’s in a sketchy place with the universal four-letter word but there’s nothing sketchy about this long-awaited, relatable, and well-produced single. 

8. Joji, “Die For You”  

💿 SMITHEREENS • 🏷  88rising / Warner • 🗓 2022 

🎵 “Die For You” appears on Side A of 💿 SMITHEREENS, the brief, 2022 album by 🎙 Joji. “Die For You” is a beautiful record, thanks to a sweet vocal performance, dedicated lyrics, and lush production work (🎛 Jacob Ray, Wes Singerman, and Tay Dex). Saddened by a relationship that no longer exists, Joji – or the character he represents within the song – struggles with moving on.    

The verses perfectly capture his emotions. The chorus, meanwhile, finds Joji giving her his blessing: 

“I heard that you’re happy without me 

And I hope it’s true.”  

Furthermore, a smitten Joji asserts, he’d give his life for her. Wow! One of the reasons “Die For You” is so awesome is thanks to its authenticity and relatability. 

9. Fousheé, “supernova” 

💿 softCORE • 🏷 Trackmasters Entertainment, Inc. / RCA • 🗓 2022  

“Supernova high like glitter in the sky / I’m faded out my mind, let’s make a memory.” So, let’s get this straight, 🎙 Fousheé.  You’re high as f#¢k and want to have some fun? This seems to be the case in the chorus of her single, 🎵 “supernova”, which graces her debut album, 💿 softCORE. She continues singing in the unique, vibe-of-a chorus, “Runnin’ through my mind, I think you may be my type / Or you could be cyanide but I’ll never leave.” Intriguing!  

“Supernova” is alluring from the start – an understatement. It all begins with that active, robust bass line.  The drum groove also contributes to the ear-catching vibe. “Supernova” is only a minute and a half long, but that’s the perfect length for Fousheé to, um, surprise us with this enigmatic earworm.  The vocals are breathy, high-pitched, and playful.  True to the chorus, she sounds high or perhaps, extraterrestrial.  The first time you listen, it’s truly off-putting.  Listen a couple more times, and you’ll be hypnotized by her ambitious, rhythmic performance.  She has no shortage of attitude, bringing some hip-hop swagger to this alternative joint that’s honestly, tough to categorize.  Things we know for sure are, “My squad got the blicky, don’t squeeze / ‘Cause my niggas don’t play about me,” and, “Smokin’ on that stanky shit, might pull up in a new spaceship / I’m his supernova so he shootin’ star’d my necklace.” Um, blast off 🚀?  

Appears in 🔻:  

• Supernova: 3 or 4 BOPS No. 23 (2022) 

10. BROCKHAMPTON, “Big Pussy”  

💿 THE FAMILY • 🏷 Question Everything, Inc. / RCA • 🗓 2022

“This shit a classic, ain’t even been out a week.” Woo! Now that’s sheer confidence, 🎙 Kevin Abstract!  Abstract takes the reins on 🎵 “Big Pussy” (meow!), the promo single from the final 🎙 BROCKHAMPTON album, 💿 THE FAMILY.  By taking the reins, I mean that only Abstract performs on the single. 🎛 Nick Velez and 🎛 bearface produce this wild as f#¢k track.  

The most prominent sample from “Big Pussy” is 🎵 “Hustlin’” by 🎙 Smoothe da Hustler.  That said, the intro of the record samples a punk record, introducing the titular lyric: “Fuck you / Fuck you, come up here then / Oh, wow, big pussy.”  Beyond that, “Big Pussy” gets weird quickly, with a blend of punk, jazzy, and old-school hip-hop vibes.  Kevin Abstract keeps the same energy with two unapologetic, gives no flying f#¢ks verses. It’s worth noting that both verses have two entirely different backdrops, adding to the uniqueness of this joint.  Some of the highlights include Abstract confirming the final studio album (“The group is over without being on the album”), fulfilling recording expectations (“theneeded thirty-five minutes of music”), and, for the millionth time, affirming he’s a proud gay, black rapper (“It’s the true shit, faggot nigga out of Houston”). It doesn’t stop there, of course, but one gets the most out of “Big Pussy” by listening and experiencing it for yourself.  While “Big Pussy” is left field to the nth degree,  I appreciate the ambition, as well as Kevin, being true to himself – not giving a fizzuck. 

11. Romy & Fred again.., “Strong” 

🎵 “Strong” • 🏷 Young • 🗓 2022 

Seven words: “You don’t have to be so strong.” That’s the chorus from 🎵 “Strong”, a collaboration between 🎙 Romy (Romy Madley Croft, known best as 1/3 of 🎙 the xx) and producer 🎙 Fred again... “Strong” is a vibe from the start with the enigmatic, lush pad. After about 20 seconds in, an infectious beat, and driving synths enter the mix. We get solid production work by Fred again.., Romy, and 🎛 Stuart Price. Even with so many driving rhythmic ideas, both Romy and Fred again.. do a nice job of providing contrast and eliminating predictability.  

Romy delivers lovely vocals that are breathy and never overreach. While the lyrics seem secondary to some degree, there are some noteworthy moments and messages. In the first verse, Romy encourages, “Let me be someone / You can lean on / I’m right here…” In the second, she sings, “You carry so much on your own / if you need someone to lean on…”  Essentially, Romy is offering herself as a support to this person who’s had to be strong sans help, which is quite thoughtful and selfless. Well, Romy also would benefit.  Romy and Fred again. make a formidable team.  🎵 “Strong” is, by all means, a strong musical offering from these two musicians.  It’s picturesque, enjoyable, and soundly executed, all in all.   

Appears in 🔻:  

• Strong: 5ive Songs No. 71 (2022) 

12. Juice WRLD, “In My Head” 

🎵 “In My Head” • 🏷 Grade A Productions / Interscope  • 🗓 2022

“Fill my lungs with ganja / When they fill my brain with drama / From my past, I have all this trauma / Getting cash, hope the racks solve my problems.” Tragically, a traumatized, issue-laden 🎙 Juice WRLD has long proven to be a highly inspired Juice WRLD.  The rapper, who passed away at the age of 21 in 2019, continues to be a fixture in the hip-hop world.  His emo-tinged, melodic brand of rap hit differently while he was alive and continues to be influential long after his unfortunate demise from an overdose.  Making things even more gut-wrenching is how his music – again, alive, and posthumously – is a cry for help.  The fabulous 🎵 “In My Head” is a testament to this.  It’s a great song but utterly tragic, to say the least.   

“In My Head” commences with moody vibes, which suit the Juice WRLD aesthetic.  🎛 TrePounds, 🎛 Max Lord, and 🎛 Sheldon Ferguson provide the perfect backdrop. Although we’ve heard the late rapper embrace his struggles time and time again – alive and posthumously – it never grows old.  Juice WRLD is honest about his mental health and substance abuse.  “They wondеr why I get high as fuck /  They wonder why I gеt high so much,” he raps, adding, “Um, I’m trapped in my head too much.” All told, he shines on 🎵 “In My Head”.  His melodic performance is beautiful even though he’s clearly plagued by issues.   What’s saddest about “In My Head” is that his coping mechanisms – money and drugs – ultimately didn’t solve his problems.  He admits this in the chorus: “Getting cash, hope the racks solve my problems /… But it don’t work, no, it won’t work out / Yeah, it don’t work, now the pain’s worse.”  

13. PinkPantheress, “Do you miss me?” 

🎵 “Do you miss me?” • 🏷 Warner Music UK • 🗓 2022

“I can’t even breathe without you / I don’t think you understand.” Uh-oh! Those pesky matters of the heart are at play again! 🎙 PinkPantheress’ love pain is our listening pleasure on the short but utterly sweet 🎵 “Do you miss me?”.  An epic groove from the onset is ear-catching, helping to make “Do you miss me?” a surefire vibe.  

On “Do you miss me,” we get light, tasty vocals by PinkPantheress.  Her pipes perfectly match the busy, colorful rhythmic groove.  In addition to the groove, the production deserves credit for its nice use of keys.  The chorus is catchy, emphasizing the titular question (“Do you miss me? Miss me, ah / Miss me, miss me, yeah…”) It’s not only the chorus that’s memorable.  There are memorable lyrics elsewhere, particularly in the second verse when PinkPantheress sings, “All I wanted was to scream / When I saw one of her messages that popped up on your screen.” Oh my! In the bridge, which follows the second verse and precedes the final chorus, she asserts, “I can be discreet if you don’t want her seeing you / With me on your arm / Cause I know you can’t tell her yet  / Practice my ‘I dos’ when I’m home ‘cause I know I still want you.” All told, “Do you miss me?” is short but absolutely and utterly sweet! PinkPantheress always seems to impress. A vibe! 

Awesome Songs: November 2022 [📷: 88rising, Brent Faulkner, Columbia, Def Jam, Disruptor, Grade A Productions, Interscope, The Musical Hype, Niklas Jeromin, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, Question Everything, Inc., Partisan, RCA, Republic, Saint Levant, Spanish Prayers, Trackmasters Entertainment, Inc., Warner, Warner Music UK]