Bops That Pop: June 2024 | Playlist 🎧

Bops That Pop: June 2024 features music courtesy of Billie Eilish, Cole Redding, Halsey, Moses Sumney, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tommy Richman.  

It’s that time! What time it is? Why, monthly round-up time – time to acknowledge those Bops That Pop, like boom 💥! Bops That Pop represents the best songs of a given month on The Musical Hype! All the songs on Bops That Pop: June 2024 were released as singles or album tracks in late May, June, or whereabouts. Musicians who served up the bops in June 2024 include Billie Eilish, Cole Redding, Halsey, Moses Sumney, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tommy Richman. So, without further ado, here are those Bops That Pop: June 2024! 

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1. Billie Eilish, “LUNCH”

2. Sabrina Carpenter, “Please Please Please”

3. Cole Redding, “Gay Americana”

4. Cigarettes After Sex, “Baby Blue Movie”

5. Fred again.., Anderson .Paak & CHIKA, “places to be”

6. Halsey, “The End”

7. Zach Bryan, “Pink Skies”

8. Normani, “Candy Paint”

9. Omar Apollo, “Less of You”

10. Orville Peck, Kylie Minogue & Diplo, “Midnight Ride”

11. Glass Animals, “A Tear in Space (Airlock)”

12. Kehlani, “Next 2 U”

13. Moses Sumney, “Vintage”

14. Tommy Richman, “DEVIL IS A LIE”

15. Polo G, “Angels in the Sky”

16. JORDY, “SEX WITH MYSELF”

17. BRONZE AVERY, “HEATWAVE”

18. sedgwick, “Vices”

19. Luke Combs, “The Man He Sees in Me”

20. Cory Stewart, “I Shoulda Known Better”

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1. Billie Eilish, “LUNCH”

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT // Darkroom / Interscope // 2024

“I could eat that girl for lunch / Yeah, she dances on my tongue / Taste like she might be the one.” Academy and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Billie Eilish is honest regarding attraction and sexuality in her song, “LUNCH”. “I’m interested in more than just bein’ your friend,” she adds in the bridge. “LUNCH” is the second track from her critically acclaimed, third studio album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.  An authentic, honest, and personal track, Eilish embraces her queerness. In 2023, she came out unintentionally, stating she didn’t know people were unaware of her attraction to women. Early on “LUNCH,” Eilish is transparent about having a relationship with a woman. She adds in the centerpiece, the chorus, “It’s a craving, not a crush.” The lyric legitimizes her desire – it’s no fluke.

In the verses, Eilish ‘opens up’ about her feelings about this girl. All the while, she maintains the lunch metaphor.  “Baby, I think you were made for me / Somebody write down the recipe,” she sings in the first verse, adding, “Been tryin’ hard not to overeat / You’re just so sweet.” Things progress, with Eilish offering to help this girl ‘take off her clothes,’ desiring to “get her off.” In the second verse, she’s impressed with her beautiful looks, complimenting her skin.  She cleverly concludes the verse by singing, “She’s the headlights, I’m the deer.” What makes “LUNCH” impressive is how vulnerable Eilish allows herself to be. Navigating sexuality is difficult.  That is an understatement!  Here, with her amazing, distinct voice, and the stellar production of her right-hand man, FINNEAS, Eilish conveys her truth, masking nothing. This “LUNCH” is delicious and makes us beam ear to ear with Pride 🏳️‍🌈.

Appears in 🔻:

• Billie Eilish, LUNCH: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 22 (2024)
• 50 Bops from 2024 That Make You Beam with Pride 🏳️‍🌈

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 2. Sabrina Carpenter, “Please Please Please”

Short n’ Sweet // Island // 2024

“I beg you, don’t embarrass me, motherfucker, oh / Please, please, please.” Sabrina Carpenter followed up her surefire bop “Espresso” with the groovy, vibe-heavy song, “Please Please Please”, from her album, Short n’ Sweet (arrives August 23, 2024).  “Please³” was written by Carpenter, Amy Allen, and Jack Antonoff.  Besides his writing credit, Antonoff produced the bright, major-key cut featuring acoustic and electronic instruments/music cues.  She drops the mf-bomb in the chorus, but otherwise keeps things clean.  What is the premise of the song, and why does she call him a motherfucker?  He’s sus! The ‘sus-ness’ occurs early on as Carpenter cites her belief in her judgment regarding men though others disagree.  Also, she urges her boyfriend, an actor (*cough* Barry Keoghan), to “act like a stand-up guy / Whatever devil’s inside you, don’t let him out tonight.”  How much of a liability is he? “Well, I have a fun idea, babe, maybe just stay inside,” she asserts in the second verse, adding, “And we could live so happily if no one knows that you’re with me.” Houston – rather, Sabrina – we have a problem! The chorus is the crème de la crème, with that ear-catching ‘mf’ line, continuing to encourage him to be on his best behavior. “Please Please Please” is pleasing to the ears because of great vocals by Carpenter, fabulous Antonoff production, tuneful melodies, and memorable songwriting.

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3. Cole Redding, Gay Americana

“Gay Americana” // Cole Redding // 2024

“Shy boy with too many secrets / I know what it’s like to be him.” In an Instagram post, Cole Redding describes “Gay Americana” as the song he wished he had growing up gay. In an earlier IG post, promoting the song, he captions the cover art as “MY WHOLE HEART. The scared, shy, self-hating 13-year-old me is real proud.” The handsome, talented pop musician released an authentic and moving anthem. He penned “Gay Americana” with Stephan Santa Teresa and Rachel Kennedy. “Gay Americana” thrives for many reasons with songwriting and inclusivity topping the list.  Redding advises this gay young man, “Promise it won’t make the world end / If you say you don’t want a girlfriend.”  This is one example of the freedom exhibited by the songwriting.  Don’t box yourself into the heteronormative world – be who you want to be and live true. In “Gay Americana,” “You can be anything you wanna.” Redding offers up so many meaningful, inclusive thoughts including:

“Put the stars and stripes

On a rainbow flag 🏳️‍🌈

And we’ll fight for love

Cause it’s all we have

We were born this way

And they can’t change that

No, we won’t go back.”

Beyond the songwriting and theme, the musicianship is turned up. Redding sings beautifully and easily on this uplifting pop joint.  He’s authentic, selling the text superbly. The melodies are tuneful, particularly when he celebrates gay Americana in all its liberating glory. The instrumental is fire, incorporating the sheen of modern pop with some classic music cues.  “Gay Americana” is a great addition to any Pride 🏳️‍🌈 list. It’s also an inclusive pop song that everybody needs to hear.

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4. Cigarettes After Sex, “Baby Blue Movie”

X’s // Spanish Prayers / Partisan // 2024

“Baby blue movie with always4tuesdays / And her love, Sarah, at Brooklyn House Hotel.” Greg Gonzalez and Cigarettes After Sex… where are you going with “Baby Blue Movie”? “Don’t you understand / Don’t you know the love that you wants all the love that you needed…” Hmm, thought-provoking.  The third single and seventh track from X’s is unique. Not straightforward, Gonzalez commented to The Line of Best Fit that the song’s story “is intentionally meant to be more cryptic storytelling wise than the lyrics I usually write.” I concur. First things first, a baby blue movie is softcore porn. There are two verses brief verses written similarly.  Notably, the pre-chorus and chorus feature more lyrics than the verses, which speaks to the nontraditional structure of “Baby Blue Movie.” Both the pre-chorus and chorus are memorable and tuneful. Gonzalez sings superbly from start to finish.  His cool, calm, and collected voice remains tried and true.  Also, the instrumental – the sound of the record – is marvelous.  Clocking in at over four minutes, “Baby Blue Movie” is so hypnotic and mesmerizing that it’s finished before you know it.  Even if it takes some decoding and deciphering, Cigarettes After Sex released another intriguing, worthwhile song.

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5. Fred again.., Anderson .Paak & CHIKA, “places to be”

“places to be” // Atlantic UK // 2024

“When I get home I want you.” Noted, CHIKA. The Grammy-nominated rapper adds, “Hello, I got places to be / Places to be.” Fred again.., Anderson .Paak, and CHIKA join forces for the ill dance/electronic/pop single, “places to be”.  Grammy-winning producer Fred again.. produced “places to be” with Boo and Skrillex. The sounds ‘kick ass and take names.’ It begins with the sick percussive groove.  Also, there are awesome, creative, and picturesque synths. A vibe, a vibe, a vibe!

“Places to be” thrives off repetition, at least initially.  There are few lyrics in the first verse, or the chorus performed by CHIKA. Still, she brings the heat.  This heat continues in the drop in all its glory.  Grammy winner Anderson .Paak enters the mix in the second verse, bringing more lyrics and lyrical variance.  He rides the production like a champ. “Baby girl, there’s nothin’ that could keep me from you (And you know I love you),” he sings in the second verse, continuing, “Haters always wanna keep me from you (Wanna keep me from you) / Got me pickin’ out my speed now for ya / Please be loyal.” Woo! He collaborates with CHIKA in the subsequent chorus and performs a bridge that leads to another drop. CHIKA gets the last word in: “I be adjustin’ my speed.” No extensive analysis is necessary for “places to be”, a fun collaboration between three incredibly talented individuals.

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6. Halsey, “The End”

“The End” // Columbia // 2024 

“If you knew it was the end of the world / Could you love me like a child?” Halsey (she/they) asks in the chorus of “The End”. “Could you hold me in the dark? / If you knew it was the end of the world,” she continues singing, showcasing authenticity and vulnerability.  “The End” comes after trials and tribulations for the singer/songwriter, who has experienced a host of health-related issues including endometriosis, Lupus, and T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder.  They share their journey on the self-penned, emotional single. Halsey produced “The End” alongside Alex G and Michael Uzowuru. Vocally, they sing marvelously. Their tone and the personality they bring to the table make them compelling.  Lived experiences ‘up the ante’ on “The End.” The accompaniment, guitar (Alex G), and keys (Sir Dylan), is perfectly suited for their voice. The main attraction is the songwriting.  Halsey addresses their medical issues. “Every couple of years now, a doctor says I’m sick,” they sing in the first verse, adding, “Pulls out a brand-new bag of tricks, and then they lay it on me / And at first, it was my brain, then a skeleton in pain.” Heavy.  In the second, it is clear they have an arduous relationship with medicine: “So I ran into the clinic, and I asked to see the man / With his white coat and his stethoscope like a snake around his hand.” Biblical allusions appear throughout, with references to the snake and the Great Flood.  In the outro, they address their treatment for Lupus and the rare T-cell disorder.  “The End” is stunning – a song that leaves you speechless.  Halsey put their heart and soul into this one.

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7. Zach Bryan, “Pink Skies”

Great American Bar Scene // Belting Bronco / Warner // 2024

“The kids are in town for a funeral…” Thus begins “Pink Skies” (from Great American Bar Scene) by Grammy-nominated country singer/songwriter, Zach Bryan. From the beginning, “Pink Skies” is country to the core.  The instrumentation includes harmonica – a stellar touch. Bryan penned this memorializing funeral tune. He continues singing in the first verse, “So, pack the car and dry your eyes / I know they got plenty of young blood left in them / And plenty nights under pink skies / You taught ‘em to enjoy.” Throughout “Pink Skies,” Bryan delivers expressive, gritty, and compelling ‘rough around the edges’ vocals.  His artistry is impressive.  The songwriting is intriguing.  He constructs a great narrative where someone influential has passed away. The memories are vivid, including one that paints a portrait of a nonjudgmental soul: “You bailed him out, never said a thing about Jesus or the way he’s living.” That takes a special person.  The most memorable lines occur in the chorus, where he concludes, “Your funeral was beautiful / I bet you heard God coming.” Bryan continues his upward trajectory with “Pink Skies”.

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8. Normani, “Candy Paint”

Dopamine // RCA // 2024 

“If you let me take him, you might never get him back / I’m a baddie and I don’t know how to act.” Oh, snap, Normani! One thing’s for sure, the Dopamine is flowing in her second single, “Candy Paint”. There is nothing timid about this Tommy Brown-produced joint. Normani delivers a fun and infectious record that fits into the pop and R&B music spheres. Things pop from the beginning thanks to an irresistible groove. That beat incites head-nodding.  It’s the catalyst for body movement particularly shaking that booty! The production is minimalist, which is perfect for this banger. Normani delivers sexy, confident vocals – she eats! The huskiness of her tone is utterly sublime, adding a sultriness. She doesn’t spend much time on each lyric, however. The melody is tuneful but also rhythmic. The best moment is the chorus, where the self-proclaimed ‘baddie’ continues singing, “Booty candy painted with the diamond in the back / It’s too bad your nigga don’t know how to act.” Ooh-wee! Beyond the chorus, Normani sings her fair share of memorable lines like “Big girl shit, baby, I don’t do no runnin’ / I can make it boom-boom clap like I’m drummin’.” Holy sugar honey iced tea! Of course, we must mention the “Shake it, make it tick, tick, tick, brum-bumpin’” refrain. Normani served up a bop with “Candy Paint”. It is readymade for summer!

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9. Omar Apollo, “Less of You”

God Said No // Omar Apollo / Warner // 2024

“Is this the last time I see you?” Omar Apollo asks his partner in “Less of You”, the third single from his sophomore album, God Said No. “Is this goodbye?” All indications suggest it’s the end of them. Omar, expectedly, is deeply affected. He sees their bond dissipating, yet, he still lusts after him.  Matters of the heart look good on the handsome, Grammy-nominated pop singer/songwriter.  He penned and produced “Less of You” with Teo Halm. The third track from God Said No finds Omar Apollo being true to himself, emotionally and thematically (“I seein’ less of you / I’m still undressing you / Am I depressing you? / Felt like a blessin’, you”). He’s reflective and vulnerable.  Where the contrast comes into play is the sound. “Less of You” is an about-face compared to most of his work. He dips into synth-pop, dance-pop, and modern disco.  A far cry from his ballads, his bravery to ‘go against the grain’ and ‘shake things up’ is admirable. He continues to sing well, even if his vocals aren’t big, robust, powerhouse vocals. One cool moment is the post-chorus, where his voice is drenched in vocoder (“I still got a lot to say / Don’t wanna end the night this way”). The aesthetic and vibe is sublime, reminiscent of the gay 🏳️‍🌈 club scene. “Less of You” is a fun one.

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10. Orville Peck, Kylie Minogue & Diplo, “Midnight Ride”

Stampede // Orville Peck, LLC / Warner // 2024

Did you ever expect Orville Peck, Kylie Minogue, and Diplo to collaborate? Likely your answer is ‘absolutely not.’  However, those three talented musicians join forces for  “Midnight Ride” from Peck’s 2024 album, Stampede. “Midnight Ride” was written by Peck, Minogue, Marci, and Chris Stracey. Diplo, Stracey, and Picard Brothers produced. “Midnight Ride” is set in a minor key – dark, but not too dark. The production is fantastic. It incorporates cues from pop, country, and dance. Country music fans may cry foul that it’s nontraditional, but non-country music fans will embrace the eclectic vibes.  The smoking hot Peck is the first voice heard, singing with a beautiful tone. The warmth, depth, and masculine timbre of his voice are impressive. Following his verse and the pre-chorus, the listener gets the first taste of the irresistible chorus:

“Let me take you on a midnight ride

Baby, you and I

Ooh, so much we could explore

Pull me closer under moonlit skies

Fire in your eyes

Ooh, you got me burnin’.”

Minogue enters the mix in the second verse. She contrasts Peck’s singing with subtlety in an undertone.  She rises to the occasion duetting with him in the second chorus, showing more commanding, dynamic vocals. Besides the chorus, one of the most fun moments of the song is the bridge where both singers show off their personalities. Orville, Kylie, and Diplo kill it on “Midnight Ride”.

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11. Glass Animals, “A Tear in Space (Airlock)”

I Love You So F***ing Much // Polydor / Universal Music Operations Limited // 2024 

“Love, do you want love? Do you want lust / Say you don’t know.” The lyrics hail from the first verse of “A Tear in Space (Airlock)”, the second single from Glass Animals’ fourth studio album, I Love You So F***ing Much. Matters of the heart fuel the fire on the album’s fifth track penned and produced by Dave Bayley. Once again, the indie-pop band delivers a bop.  What makes it so good? It starts with the instrumental. A colorful sound palette is established at the beginning. The instrumental intro is the sugar honey iced tea.  It’s dramatic and sets the tone for the track. The backdrop is rhythmic and might be cliché to say, but, it is ear-catching.  Besides the exquisite backdrop, Bayley shines on vocals.  He sings coolly but expressively, never over or under-singing.  The melodies are tuneful while the harmonic progression is sweet too.  That leaves the songwriting as the final piece of the puzzle. It’s enjoyable and well-rounded from the verses (“Stretch me like leather rope / Make me invisible / Shape me into your form / What are you waiting for?”) to the crowning achievement, the chorus:

“Water, running down my face

Water, running different ways

Water, like a billion waves

Water, just a tear in space.”

So, where does the airlock come into play? Bayley mentions it in both pre-chorus sections (“Loving you from the airlock of / Your heart, from airlock one”).  And, just in case you’re unfamiliar, an airlock is a room between two areas that have different air pressure, allowing you to go from one area to the other. The reference only makes “A Tear in Space (Airlock)” more intriguing.

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12. Kehlani, “Next 2 U”

Crash // TSNMI / Atlantic // 2024 

“You know, you know I’ll be down, down, down.” Word, Kehlani (Kehlani Parrish). The bold “Next 2 U” appears on their fourth studio album, Crash. Parrish penned “Next 2 U” alongside Ant Clemmons and Darius Dixson. Dixson also produced the track. Initially, “Next 2 U” is enigmatic and nebulous.  It commences with a robust, malicious-sounding synth that catches the ear instantly. Soon enough, Parrish’s vocals enter, drenched in reverb. Eventually, a groove settles in giving it stability.  This is a song that appeals even more with successive listens.  As always, Kehlani brings the heat. Their tone is gorgeous, and they command the track. There is no shortage of lush vocal moments, particularly the layered, harmonized vocals.  Beyond the ear-catching backdrop and fabulous vocals, the lyrics also intrigue.  The theme is L-O-V-E which is always relatable. The first verse is repetitive, while the second features more lyrical variance. The dedication is real:

“If you ain’t around to catch me when I’m fallin’

I’ma fuck around and tat angel wings

On my back, just in case

If you ain’t around when I’m around, I’ma fuck around and (Promise that).”

Of course, the chorus is key too, where Parrish asserts, “They gon’ have to see about me to get next to you.” The boldness of “Next 2 U” goes beyond the audio.  The music video is queer 🏳️‍🌈 and pro-Palestine.  Parrish has been vocal about Palestine, criticizing celebrities for not condemning the genocide. Queerness and politics only ‘ups the ante’ on “Next 2 U”, a bold and well-rounded R&B cut.

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13. Moses Sumney, “Vintage”

“Vintage” // TUNTUM // 2024 

In 2024, the aromantic, handsome, and talented Moses Sumney returned with “Vintage”. He, Elliot Cleverdon, and Graham Johnson (quickly, quickly) penned the song. Sumney produced it with Johnson.  The results are sweet. First and foremost, Moses sings superbly.  His voice is expressive and gorgeous from the beginning.  He excels at a calm, cool, and collected approach.  He also impresses with his ripe, utterly sickening falsetto. Secondly, the songwriting is captivating.  Given the vintage nature, Sumney ‘takes us back,’ singing in the first verse, “I wanna walk it back like Michael,” aka the famous moonwalk by the King of Pop.  In the refrain, he asserts, “I remember how you nectar sweet / Now you got your specter hanging over me / I’ma take it back to 1993 / When I get my fingers on a time machine.” Oh, snap! The titular lyric is also uttered, in the chorus: “Can we turn vintage? / Can we put the afro-sheen on it? / It’s alright, it’s alright, I feed on it.” Besides a bevy of unique lyrics, the accompaniment – the backdrop – is sweet too.  The sound is soulful, and, wait for it – “Vintage”! All told, Moses Sumney shines on this fabulous comeback track.

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14. Tommy Richman, “DEVIL IS A LIE”

“DEVIL IS A LIE” // ISO Supremacy / PULSE // 2024

Tommy Richman is refreshing. The rapper, singer, and songwriter represented Virginia like a champ on his breakout hit, “MILLION DOLLAR BABY”, one of the best songs of 2024. The Gen-Z musician dropped another banger with his self-penned single, “DEVIL IS A LIE”.  Jonah Roy, Max Vossberg, and Kavi produced it. “DEVIL IS A LIE” commences with an enigmatic intro.  The keys/synths are ear-catching. The beat is also part of the success of the accompaniment.  It’s not a heavy-handed beat, but it anchors superbly. The record is rhythmic, another selling point. You can hear the Brent Faiyaz vibes and the influence of The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo). Richman brings ample confidence and swagger to the table. Are the lyrics deep? No, but they are entertaining (“I tell her, ‘Pipe down, baby,’ hell nah (Yeah) / You know my roundabouts, baby, hell nah (Yeah)”). His voice is compelling. This includes when he dips into his falsetto. Adding to the allure is the vocal production and arrangement.  The vocal harmonies are sweet.  The section to beat, unsurprisingly, is the chorus:

“But you really got no confidence, lately (Mm, mm)

Really wanna run around and chase me (Mm, mm)

I’m not no Travis, baby, not no Chase B(Ah, ah, ah)

I work too hard, can you fuckin’ pay me?”

“DEVIL IS A LIE” is another short but utterly sweet winner from Tommy Richman.

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15. Polo G, “Angels in the Sky”

HOOD POET // Columbia // 2024

“One life, you get one chance / Lot of shit I’m goin’ through, no, they don’t understand,” Polo G raps in “Angels in the Sky”. He continues in the section to beat, the chorus, “I was walkin’ through the trenches with my gun in hand / I know losses come with the gang, but that wasn’t the plan.” “Angels in the Sky” is the 13^th track on Polo’s fourth studio album, HOOD POET.  Oz On The Track and 1HittWonder produced.  Both producers provide Polo G with a sound backdrop, set in a minor key. Even though he’s “got angels in the sky,” the rapper has experienced plenty of darkness. Polo G drops sweet, melodic bars.  The sweetness comes from the pitch, not the content. Polo is tough-minded and brutally honest. A prime example occurs at the end of the first verse:

“Heard the opps, they want me dead because I’m dissin’, tellin’ lies

Feeling mutual, stuff bullets in that SIG and let it fly

Execute him, headshot, knock his brains up out his eye.”

Of course, there’s more violence. Not even an ill Tim Duncan reference eliminates it: “Yeah, the gang scored up in that field, we got some rings together / Ballin’ like Tim Duncan, win or lose, I’m with my team forever.”  Woo! All told Polo G shines on “Angels in the Sky”. It’s a success thanks to his flow, his bold bars, and the backdrop.

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16. JORDY, “SEX WITH MYSELF”

SEX WITH MYSELF // JORDY // 2024 

“It’s better alone ‘cause I know / Just what to do more than you.” The sex, I mean, that line ‘hits different,’ JORDY (Jordy Shulman)! Rather than rely on the stimulation of a boy who isn’t coming to the party, Shulman has decided to have sex with himself on “SEX WITH MYSELF”. “SEX WITH MYSELF” is the seventh track from his sophomore album of the same name.  Yes, the song is quite, um, masturbatory, but it goes beyond the physical stimulation of solo touch.  “Put on a show of my own / And I’ll follow through,” the sexy, talented artist continues singing in the pre-chorus.

“I’ll just have sex with myself / I’m obsessed with myself / I’ll keep my hands to myself…” This ode to self-pleasure and acknowledging, ‘I don’t have to have a man to fulfill me’ was written by JORDY and Perry Xthona alongside producers Alex Borel and Colin Foote.  The sound is danceable, flirty, and, of course, sexy.  Upping the ante are the playful vocals by JORDY. He seems unbothered that it’s just him and his body. “Think I’m catching feels / Fall in love, think I might be the one,” he sings in the second verse, concluding, “Me myself and I’m getting closer.” Anyways, if the audio titillates, watch the music video. Not only does JORDY have a blast, all alone, the way he simulates the sex with himself, tastefully, mind you, is, hawt… On the sleek, sexy “SEX WITH MYSELF”, Jordy makes ‘self-sex’ sexy… or sexier… you catch my drift.

Appears in 🔻:

• JORDY, SEX WITH MYSELF: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 33 (2024)

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17. BRONZE AVERY, “HEATWAVE”

HEATWAVE // BRONZE AVERY // 2024

“Flash my titties from the sunroof / Merman in the lagoon / Splashing to a pop tune on a boulder.” Say what now?! BRONZE AVERY flashes his titties as the lyrics of “HEATWAVE” suggest. “HEATWAVE” is the opener from his 2024 album, HEATWAVE.  This carefree song sets the tone for the album.  As a single, it perfectly captures sexy, summery vibes with no restrictions. AVERY penned “HEATWAVE” himself.  He produced it alongside Dex Barstad.  It is bright, energetic, and feel-good from the opening tip.  If you are stressed, there’s no way you won’t forget about it while listening and dancing to this infectious pop joint.  BRONZE AVERY says it best in the chorus:

“Imma do what I want

Imma do it my way

Feel it dripping all over my face

In the sweat of the club

At the front of the stage

Burning up in the heatwave.”

The man’s just living it up without a worry in the world! The audio is giving, and the accompanying music video is flaming hot! How so? It is incredibly queer, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.  It begins with AVERY messing around with the beautiful and hunky Zane Phillips. As cute (and hot) a couple as BRONZE and Zane make, BRONZE doesn’t appear tethered to him.  Boys just wanna have fun, right? On “HEATWAVE”, BRONZE AVERY is having a blast and sharing sweet, evergreen summer music with the world. 

Appears in 🔻:

• BRONZE AVERY, HEATWAVE: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 34 (2024)

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18. sedgwick, “Vices”

“Vices” // sedgwick // 2024

“And I broke the chain of freedom / But still, I’m on my knees / And my demons are too strong for me to beat them / So, I reach for something else to find relief.” Oh, the vices! Edmonton, Canada pop artist sedgwick (Sean Daniel Sedgwick) ‘brings the heat’ with his ear worm, “Vices”.  From the beginning, “Vices” has the ‘it’ fact.  Sedgwick is ‘going through some things’ but, it’s sweet music to the ears.  Why is “Vices” the sugar honey iced tea? It begins with none other than sedgwick.  He can sing his butt off, PERIOD! His vocals are expressive.  He’s commanding and energetic without ‘doing too much.’ Specifically, his riffs, runs, and ad-libs are utterly sublime.  Toward the end, he ups the ante digging in more. Sedgwick has a hand in the next reason that “Vices” is awesome: the songwriting. The lyrics are catchy, particularly the recurrent chorus:

“The vices aren’t working

So, I think I need a better solution

I’m wasting my time

Always searching for the perfect delusion

Oh, and if the drugs don’t work,

And the liquor don’t work,

And the lights don’t work,

And the music don’t work,

What’s a guy gotta do?

Just to keep a little of the illusion.”

The melodies are memorable too.  Also, I love the pacing of this track which never gets hurried. The use of space between lyrics is a selling point and quite musical.  Finally, the production is scintillating.  The ear is blessed with picturesque keys and colorful synths, anchored by an infectious, danceable beat.  The groove, well, it’s grooving! “Vices” is a hypnotic, mesmerizing track that sucks you in from the opening tip. Bravo!

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19. Luke Combs, “The Man He Sees in Me”

Fathers & Sons // Seven Ridges / Sony Music Entertainment // 2024

“He waves that blanket like the checkered flag pullin’ offa the interstate / With a Happy Meal cup held high like I won the big race.” Luke Combs sings about his sons on “The Man He Sees in Me”, the promo single and seventh track from his album, Fathers & Sons. He and Josh Phillips penned this reflective and thoughtful song.  He produced it with Chip Matthews and Jonathan Singleton. “The Man He Sees in Me” gives all the feels. Combs sings with a beautiful tone idiomatic of country music. Accentuating his dynamic lead more are stunning vocal harmonies arriving during the chorus.  The chorus is the crowning achievement, where Luke hopes he can be the man his sons view him as:

“Well, I hope he never finds out that I didn’t hang the moon

And I’ve never scared a monster out the closet of his room

Some day between him leavin’ home and drivin’ on my knee

But maybe I’ll finally be, the man he sees in me.”

“The Man He Sees in Me” is a well-rounded, sincerely penned, and performed song about fatherhood.  Luke’s sons think the world of him. He wants to be the greatest father that he can be.  Furthermore, he wants them to grow up to be great men.

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 20. Cory Stewart, “I Shoulda Known Better”

“I Shoulda Known Better” // Cory Stewart // 2024 

“Buh bye / Buh bye…” Handsome and talented Canadian singer/songwriter Cory Stewart isn’t waving us off. Rather, he regrets a sus romantic endeavor.  His annoyance with this toxic person is our listening pleasure. Stewart penned and produced “I Shoulda Known Better” alongside Gavin Bradley.  The result of their musical union is a bop perfect for Pride 🏳️‍🌈 and any time of the year! What makes “I Shoulda Known Better” the sugar honey iced tea? It starts with Stewart, who sounds fantastic.  He sings incredibly smoothly.  Also, when he sings, he evokes plenty of personality. Not only are you wooed by the tuneful melodies he’s penned, but you also buy what he’s saying because you feel the authenticity and artistry.  Besides a stellar voice and awesome melodies, the lyrics are entertaining. Stewart criticizes the shallowness and superficial nature of this person, hence why he asserts, “I shoulda known better / Than to ever love you.” Damn, right! The chorus is lit, as is the bridge, but the second verse is epic:

“Babe, I know it’s cool to you

To be poor when you’re choosing to

But while you’re posting all those TikToks

The rest of us are working our ass off.”

Oh, snap! The final reason why “I Shoulda Known Better” is the bop we all need in our life… the instrumental is sick! The beat is groovy AF, while those synths are electric! Cory Stewart, you have delivered a surefire pop bop, PERIOD!

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Bops That Pop: June 2024 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Belting Bronco, BRONZE AVERY, Cole Redding, Columbia, Cory Stewart, Darkroom, Interscope, Island, ISO Supremacy, JORDY, Partisan, Polydor, PULSE, Orville Peck, LLC, RCA, Sedgwick, Seven Ridges, Sony Music Entertainment, Spanish Prayers, TSNMI, TUNTUM, Universal Music Operations Limited, Warner; agoss, allysonmiller1969, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, David, M. Harris, Mohamed_hassan, succo from Pixabay]

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