Bops That Pop: March 2024 features music courtesy of Ariana Grande, Ben Platt, SZA, St. Vincent, twenty one pilots, and Vampire Weekend.ย
Itโs that time! What time it is? Why, monthly round-up time โ time to acknowledge those Bops That Pop, like boom ๐ฅ! Bops That Pop represents the best songs of a given month on The Musical Hype! All the songs on Bops That Pop: March 2024 were released as singles or as an album track in late February/ March 2024 or whereabouts. Musicians that served up the bops in March 2024 include Ariana Grande, Ben Platt, St. Vincent, SZA, twenty one pilots, and Vampire Weekend, among others. So, without further ado, here are those Bops That Pop: March 2024!
1. SZA, โSaturnโย
ย โSaturnโ // Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA // 2024ย ย
โIf thereโs a point to losing love / Repeating pain (Why?) / Itโs all the same (Same) / I hate this place.โย Grammy-winning R&B artist SZA has outer space on her mind in her single, โSaturnโโฆ to an extent.ย Essentially, she needs a change of pace, one that doesnโt seem like an option on earth or in her current trajectory.ย In the pre-chorus, she asserts, โStuck in this paradigm / Donโt believe in paradise / This must be what hell is like.โ Ooh-wee! She adds that sheโs โSick of this head of mine / Intrusive thoughts, they paralyze.โ True, true.ย Getting inside of your dome โ it can mess you up! What isnโt a mess in the least is โSaturnโ from a musical perspective.ย SZA penned this standout alongside Carter Lang, Rob Bisel, Solomonophonic, and Scott Zhang (Lang, Bisel, Solomonophonic, and Monsune produce). The lyrics and instrumental are fabulous.ย The backdrop matches the introspective nature of the lyrics with a recurrent, string-like rhythmic synth, robust bass line, and soulful groove.ย The melodies are tuneful and rhythmic in the verses, where SZA is critical of her current status and has questions.ย In the second verse, she asks, โIf karmaโs really real / How am I still here?โ As she sings, she sounds radiant, with that signature, expressive and warm tone.ย The centerpiece is the chorus, where Saturn arrives, โringsโ and all: โOoh / Lifeโs better on Saturn / Got to break this pattern / Of floating away / Ooh / Find something worth saving / Itโs all for the taking / I always say.โ Ultimately, โSaturnโ is nothing short of delightful.
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2. twenty one pilots, โOvercompensateโย
Clancy // Fueled by Ramen LLC // 2024
The Grammy-winning, alternative band twenty one pilots return in 2024 with Clancy, concluding a narrative spanning multiple albums. Leading the charge on Clancy is single, โOvercompensateโ, written and produced by Tyler Joseph and Paul Meany. As always, Josephโs partner in crime, Josh Dun, supports his bestie and packs a punch on the drums. While the conceptual cut is complicated, the ambitious nature of the song at hand speaks volumes. โOvercompensateโ commences with warm piano. Soon enough, smoother keys transform into edgier synths โ an industrial sound. So begins the lyrical intro with lines in German, French, and Spanish.ย The groove is electrifying, setting up โOvercompensateโ as an alternative banger. Prior to the first verse, thereโs a transitional โbreakโ section that leads to an epic beat switch. Joseph raps/sings with an epic cadence/flow and strong tone beginning in the first verse. Here, the titular lyric first appears: โEarned my stripes, three hundred track sin my Adidas track jacket / Bless your ear holes while you react, acting / Gobsmacked, donโt hesitate / To maybe overcompensate.โ The second half of the first verse also closes with the line regarding overcompensating. The titular lyric reappears in the tuneful chorus:ย ย
โI said I fly by the dangerous bend symbol (Wait, what? Wait, what?)ย
Mm, donโt hesitate to maybe overcompensateย
And then by the time I catch in my peripheral (Wait, what? Wait, what?)ย
Mm, donโt hesitate to maybe overcompensate.โย
The second verse moves beyond explicit mention of overcompensating. Joseph mentions Clancy explicitly: โIf you canโt see, I am Clancy, prodigal son / Don running, come up with Josh Dun, wanted dead or alive.โ There is also a bridge, which separates itself from the rest of the song. Thereโs lots going on withย โOvercompensateโ but at its most basic, the single is an engaging musical gem.ย ย
3. Pharrell Williams & Miley Cyrus, โDoctor (Work It Out)โ ย
โDoctor (Work It Out)โ // Columbia // 2024
When Pharrell Williams and Miley Cyrus join forces, plenty of magic is unleashed.ย These Grammy-winning standouts bring the heat on โDoctor (Work It Out)โ. This three-minute and change joint was penned by Williams, Cyrus, and Michael Pollack. Pharrell hands the work behind the boards, kicking things off with his signature, four count.ย From there, over a minimal but potent instrumental, following the tone-setting, introductory bar, Miley gets to work! โI could be your doctor / And I could be your nurse / I think I see the problem / Itโs only gonโ get worse,โ Cyrus sings, in all her โmedicalโ glory in the tuneful chorus. She continues, โA midnight medication / Just show me where it hurts / I need to rock you, baby / Before your body bursts.โ Ooh-wee! In the post-chorus, for good measure, she asserts, โLet lil mama work you out.โ Gah-day-um! The record only features a sole verse, but Miley makes it worthwhile whenever and whatever she sings.ย Her lead vocals are expressive and playful, while the background vocals add to the fun and allure with their tongue in cheek vibes. The songwriting isnโt deep, nor is it intended to be โ โAre you on the fence? / Still playing on the side / Are you on the fence? / Donโt waste my damn timeโ โ but ultimately, โDoctor (Work It Out)โ is entertainingโฆ also, groovy.ย ย ย ย
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4. Vampire Weekend, โClassicalโ ย
Only God Was Above Us // Columbia // 2024ย
โUntrue, unkind, and unnatural / How the cruel, with time, becomes classical.โ Mic-drop moment, Ezra Koenig.ย Koenigโs Grammy-winning collective, Vampire Weekend, return in 2024 with their fifth studio album, Only God Was Above Us.ย โClassicalโ, marks the third advance single from the LP.ย The ambitious, well-rounded four-minute-plush record was written by Koenig.ย He produced it alongside Ariel Rechtshaid with top-notch results. The music is nothing short of brilliant. It is groovy from the onset. Furthermore, โClassicalโ boasts a unique sound palette that is on brand for the band.ย The instrumentation includes guitar(s), string bass, piano, organ, synthesizer, bass, wailing tenor saxophone, and programming. Beyond the dazzling instrumental, we get sweet lead vocals by Koenig. The verses feature a beautiful, tuneful melody, as well as distinct, thought-provoking lyrics. โIn times of war, the educated class knew what to do,โ he sings in the first, adding, โIn times of peace, their pupils couldnโt meet your baby blues.โ In the second, he mentions โA staircase up to nothingness inside your DNA / Well, thatโs a bleak sunrise.โ Indeed.ย In addition to the verses, the pre-chorus (excerpted at the top) and the chorus is tuneful and memorable as well (โItโs clear somethingโs gonna change / And when it does, which classical remains?โ). As ambitious as โClassicalโ is, the form is straightforward. After the second verse, there is an extended instrumental break, prior to the return of the fantastic pre-chorus and chorus. โClassicalโ marks an elite alternative song from Ezra Koenig and company โ the bomb dot com!
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5. Charli XCX, โVon Dutchโย
โVon dutchโ // Atlantic // 2024ย
According to Charli XCX, โIโm just living that life / Von Dutch, cult classic, but I still pop.โ โVon dutchโ arrives as the promo single from her sixth studio album, Brat. It references the clothing brand, yet itโs not really about the brand.ย This electro- / hyperpop banger was written by Charli and produced by EASYFUN, who puts his foot into this one. From the jump, its groovy, the synths picturesque, and the overall vibe giving #DANCEFLOOR. Besides the banging instrumental, the biggest reason for the success of this banger is Charli.ย She has no shortage of personality, pointing fingers at the haters early on. Prior to โliving that life / Von Dutch,โ she asserts in the verse, โItโs okay just to admit that youโre jealous of me / Yeah, I heard you talk about me, thatโs the word on the street.โ Essentially, she reads this person something fierce, adding, โYouโre obsessing, just confess it, put your hands up / Itโs obvious Iโm your number one.โ Woo! Continuing with the chorus, excerpted earlier, XCX continues with the Von Dutch vibes: โVon Dutch, cult classic in your eardrums / Why you lying? You wonโt fuck unless heโs famous / Do that little dance, without it, youโd be nameless / Itโs so obvious Iโm your number one.โ What more is there to say? Charli XCX sounds as fierce as she ever has on this infectious, attitude-laden pop single.ย
6. Matt Champion & JENNIE, โSlow Motionโ ย
Mikaโs Laundry // RCA // 2024ย
โLike moving in slow motion, yeah.โ Noted, Matt Champion. Post-BROCKHAMPTON, Champion unveils his own solo album, Mikaโs Laundry. โSlow Motionโ, a collaboration with JENNIE of Blackpink, serves as the 12th track and third single from the LP. The alternative track is a refreshing, welcome change of pace for both Champion and JENNIE, who penned it with Henry Kwapis, Romil Hemnani, Reske, โDijon, and Ging.ย Champion, Kwapis, and Dijon produced this intriguing sounding cut. While new to listeners, โSlow Motionโ has been in the works for years. Following that Champion intro, JENNIE beautifully sings much of the first verse. โYouโre my escape from reality,โ she sings, adding, โYou know what you mean to me.โ Aww! There is more collaboration in the chorus, where the song transforms from balladry to incorporating a drum n bass groove.ย Specifically, they sing together in the lines, โWould make it any easier for me to love you? / โCause you know Iโm shy for you still / So bad that it kills / And I canโt help but feel.โ Champion takes over the second verse, keeping the love lit with his masculine, dedicated pipes (โEven when we in the rough / I remember when we met / Was it a blessing or a curse? / Another memory I kept to keep you always on my mindโ). Clocking in sub-three minutes, Matt and JENNIE give listeners lots to sink their teeth into with โSlow Motionโ.ย ย ย
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7. St. Vincent, โBroken Manโ ย
All Born Screaming // Total Pleasure // 2024
โOn the street, Iโm a king-sized killer / I can make your come.โ From the jump, โBroken Manโ is an alluring gem from St. Vincent (Annie Clark) โ itโs ear-catching to the nth degree! The song serves as the promo single from her seventh album, and first, self-produced affair, All Born Screaming. St. Vincent โbrings itโ on this high-energy, ear-catching tour de force. โBroken Manโ engages from the onset.ย The instrumental is unique โ distinct, intriguing, and minimal.ย This minimalist sound is hypnotic, serving as the perfect accompaniment to her. Clark delivers colorful, distinct vocals atop the backdrop.ย She brings ample attitude and personality to the table.ย โHey, what are you looking at? / Who the hell do you think I am?โ she asks in the memorable chorus, adding, โLike youโve never seen a broken man.โ Woo! After establishing the minimalism in the opening verse, โBroken Manโ gets fuller instrumentation in the second, led by the lyrics, โLover, nail yourself right to me / If you go, I wonโt be wellโฆโ Thatโs a moment in itself.ย Notably, boisterous, distorted guitars (and synths) kick some serious assโฆ AND TAKE NAMES! By the conclusion of โBroken Man,โ it has transformed into this epic, hard rocking alternative cut bearing some industrial influence.ย St. Vincent is one of a kind, something she flexes hard on the must-hear โBroken Manโ.
8. Luke Hemmings, โShakesโ ย
boy (EP) // Arista // 2024
โYour touch is deadly and I wanna call / Is it better to feel this or feel nothinโ at all?โ That is the question, Luke Hemmings! Hemmings, the lead vocalist of 5 Seconds of Summer, steps out on his own once more with his EP, boy.ย Leading the charge is the radiant single, โShakesโ. Hemmings penned โShakesโ alongside producer Sammy Witte.ย Witte โputs his footโ into the production, crafting a warm and inviting backdrop for Luke to sing over.ย โShakesโ proves to be a fabulous ballad for the handsome Australian singer.ย Luke matches the warmth of the backdrop, delivering smooth, nuanced vocals. He sounds especially refined in the verses, singing with poise โ more of a cool, calm, and collected performance.ย In the chorus, he continues to wow, showing off his upper register, in all of its glory.ย As to be expected, the chorus โups the anteโ with more rhythm and energy, as well as the most memorable lyrics and melody of โShakesโ:ย
โHoney, I just wanna be yours, wanna be yoursย
Inside your dreams tonightย
Oh, no, oh, noย
Canโt shake this feelinโ.โ
And for good measure, thereโs a post chorus, which emphasizes the word โ wait for it โ SHAKE! Thematically, loneliness and matters of the heart affect Hemmings (โOh, I canโt help but chase you, my butterflyโ).ย All told, Luke Hemmings impresses on โShakesโ.ย ย ย
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9. Kacey Musgraves, โToo Good to be Trueโย
Deeper Well // Interscope / MCA Nashville // 2024ย
โMade some breakfast, made some love / This is what dreams are made of.โ โToo Good to Be Trueโ marks the reflective, second single from Deeper Well, the sixth studio album from Grammy-winning country musician, Kacey Musgraves. โToo Good to Be Trueโ was penned by Musgraves alongside Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk, and Anna Nalick. Musgraves produced the mellow number with Tashian and Fitchuk as well.ย Initially, this sub-three-minute cut features rhythmic guitar accompaniment. Upon the arrival of the second verse, the instrumentation grows fuller, including an anchoring drum groove and synthesizer. The sound is fabulous but the biggest claim to fame are those signature calm, cool, and collected vocals by Musgraves.ย The melodies she sings are memorable too. Also, throw in some harmonized vocals at select moments and the listening experience is โ wait for it โ too good to be true. Thematically, after seeing the worst of love (divorce), Musgraves is opening herself up to love again. โSummerโs gone and youโre still here / For both of us, itโs been a year,โ she sings in the first verse, continuing, โA tidal wave without a warning.โ In the second, she adds, โIโll admit that Iโm in deep / that I donโt know how else to be / And I donโt wanna slow down.โ The chorus, of course, is the crรจme de la crรจme:
โPlease donโt make me regretย
Openinโ up that part of myselfย
That Iโve been scared to give againย
Be good to me and Iโll be good to youย
But please donโt be too good to be true.โย
โToo Good to be Trueโ isnโt a dynamic record, but marks a beautiful, enjoyable, and well-rounded offering.ย ย
10. Benedict Cork, โNice Guyโย
Notes on a Hopeless Romance // Benedict Cork // 2024
โNice Guyโ appears as the second track from Notes on a Hopeless Romance, the debut album by British pop singer/songwriter, Benedict Cork. Cork penned this advanced single alongside Jonny Wright and produced it with HOOST.ย The sound is alluring and quite ear-catching, with the combination of guitar and colorful keys, and anchored by a driving drum groove.ย Of course, the main reason why โNice Guyโ shines is Benedict Cork.ย
Cork โbrings the heatโ from start to finish on โNice Guy.โ Vocally, his tone is pure and while heโs energetic, he never overreaches or over sings.ย The melodies in the verses and chorus are memorable, while the songwriting earns high marks too.ย โWeโll stay up all night, if thatโs the way that you want it,โ he sings in the first verse, continuing, โSet this bed on fire, if thatโs the way that you like it.โ Thatโs the nice guy part of Cork, who sings in the same verse he could โRip your pretty heart out and then tear it in two.โ Of course, he doesnโt, as the crรจme de la crรจme, the chorus, makes crystal clear:ย
โBut you know, Iโve always been the nice guyย
Never hurt you back, tried to treat you rightย
But, baby, I know I could be the man of your dreamsย
If I learn to fuck you over just like every other guy that youโve been withย
Or could you love a nice guy like me?ย
Like me.โ
Good guys always finish last, unfortunately.ย Regardless of whether his nice guy ways pay off in love, they pay off well on โNice Guyโ.ย Sound all around, Cork excels on this pop cut.ย ย ย
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11. Ben Platt, โAndrewโ ย
Honeymind // Interscope // 2024
โHis hair falls in cool careless waves without tryinโ / Goes days without cryinโ / But still treats me kind.โ Oh, โAndrewโ! Talented actor, singer, and songwriter Ben Platt penned the single/third track from his third studio album, Honeymind, alongside Alex Hope. Hope also produced the four-minute gem alongside Dave Cobb.ย The sound is celestial, giving off folk-pop vibes with instrumentation comprised of guitar, keys, bass, drums, and layered vocals. As always, Platt delivers gorgeous vocals. He sings expressively, with ease, never forcing things.ย The inspiration is a boy he had a crush on.ย The songwriting superbly captures Plattโs feelings for him.ย In the second verse, he sings, โHe floats through the air unaware of the damage / A hard right of passage for soft-hearted boys.โ The pen game is awesome! See the pre-chorus for more excellence: โOne look in his eyes and I’m gone / Helplessly dumb / My senses go numb / My brain is on fire / They say wanting someone is supposed to be fun / That’s because they never loved an Andrew.โ The perspective will resonate with many in the LGBTQ+ community, crushing on someone who is impossible to attain. See the EVERYTHING chorus for clarity:
โHoney, I know thereโs no one to blameย
But honestly, damn youย
Itโs just a cruel joke that chemicals playย
You donโt wanna kiss me, โcause Iโm not at allย
Like the girls in the posters that hang on your wallย
What a time wasting heartbreak to fallย
For an Andrew.โ
Notably, the final chorus has a slight variation, but the effect is the same.ย All told, โAndrewโ is a distinct, singer/songwriter pop record by Platt. He deserves plenty of love for this authentic, superbly penned and performed number.ย ย
12. Cigarettes After Sex, โTejano Blueโย
Xโs // Spanish Prayers / Partisan // 2024ย
โAnd when you drag me on the floor and blue tejanoโs on / You keep your eyes on me.โ Alternative and ambient pop collective Cigarettes After Sex, led by Greg Gonzalez, return with their third studio, Xโs, in 2024. Leading the charge is the marvelous โTejano Blueโ. Gonzalez โputs his footโ into this gorgeous cut which he penned and produced. โBlue Tejanoโ features a lovely, dreamy instrumental, led by its warm guitars. Greg serves up a calm, cool, and collected brand of vocals, even with those dirty, profane lyrics that appear in the first verse. โWe wanted to fuck with real love / We wanted it sweet, so pure and warm,โ he sings, adding, โNever only sleeping over / We wanted to fuck like all the timeโฆโ Ooh-la-la! His tone is beautiful, f-bombs, and all, while the melodies in the first and second verses, as well as the chorus are memorable.ย In the chorus, he sings:ย ย
โSo, get in the waves, swim in your leatherย
I always will make it feel like you were the last oneย
Get in the waves like it was the first timeย ย
Bless your heart, make you part of my life forever.โย
Stunning! Gonzalez eschews profanity in the second verse, still delivering a delightful, potent performance.ย All in all, โTejano Blueโ is stupendous thanks to a strong pen game, sensational vocals, and utterly sublime production.ย
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13. BRONZE AVERY, โSPRING BREAKโย
โSPRING BREAKโ // BRONZE AVERY // 2024ย
โIโve been counting the days / Til I take, take you / Take you all the way.โ Ooh-la-la, BRONZE AVERY! Prior to that assertion, in his single, โSPRING BREAKโ,ย the handsome, talented pop artist makes it clear, โAll roads are leading to me at the start.โ What is clear from the start of โSpring Breakโ is that it is a surefire vibe that not only ushers in the spring โ beachy, poolside vibe โ but also hints at the possibilities for some sweet S meets E and then they X. AVERY wrote and produced this groovy, carefree Spring gem. Dancing is highly encouraged! HOWEVER, itโs more than dancing thatโs encouraged! In the second verse, he sings, โTake off your top like itโs boys gone wild / Steady and doing it with a smile.โ If youโve got, then you should flaunt it, right? DAMN RIGHT! And we canโt stop staring at BRONZE AVERY, topless on the single cover artworkโฆ Just saying ๐! Of course, weโre most enamored by his musical talent. The crรจme de la crรจme, as to be expected, is the chorus.ย Avery sings, โThe clock is ticking / I need a Spring break / My bodyโs melting / Escape to the rave / Donโt care โbout anything / I just wanna feel the sun / Spring break.โ Need the perfect song for your Spring / spring break endeavors? Look no further than โSPRING BREAKโ courtesy of BRONZE AVERY!ย
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14. d4vd, โMy House is Not a Homeโ ย
โMy House is Not a Homeโ // Darkroom / Interscope // 2024ย
โHello, Iโm at your door again / I just need a friend, but now I share a bed with you.โ Teen alternative pop musician d4vd (David Burke) is authentic and honest on โMy House is Not a Homeโ.ย In the first verse, he comments about the adult decisions heโs made, pushing 19 years oldย (โIโm not a little boy no more, Iโve made stupid choices too / Tell my mother that Iโm sorry, tell my father just the sameโ).ย Born and bred in Houston, heโs moved to โspacious LA / Where the grass is always greener, and the world can scream my name.โ Burke penned this four-minute ballad alongside Lucio Westmoreland and producers Jack Hallenback and Scott James.ย Also producing is Silent Sky.ย The results are stunning. Throughout the record, d4vd serves up beautiful, expressive vocals.ย His tone is intimate and warm. Specifically, his falsetto, which appears in the chorus, is EVERYTHING. The melodies are tuneful throughout, as he speaks about his life and a questionable relationship (โYou get drunk then start to curse me outโ and โBut baby, you can call me when itโs over / I talked to your therapist, he said you were getting soberโ). The centerpiece is the chorus:ย ย
โBut you never really cared about the way that everything turned outย
You didn’t wanna fall in love, you’re looking out for yourself nowย
It’s starting to piss me off, I thought I had you figured outย
Never thought you would call my bluff, guess who belongs to someone else now.โ
Besides a marvelous vocal performance, and honest songwriting, the production โ the backdrop is gorgeous too. D4vd has perfect accompaniment to reflect upon. And reflect he does on the stunning โMy House is Not a Homeโ.ย ย
15. Ariana Grande, โthe boy is mineโย
eternal sunshine // Republic // 2024
โHow can it be? You and me / Might be meant to be, canโt unsee it / But I donโt wanna cause no scene.โย Ariana Grande is fierce AF on the 90s-inspired โthe boy is mineโ, the eighth track on herโฏcritically acclaimed, 2024 LP,โฏeternal sunshine.ย In this song, written and produced by Grande alongsideโฏMax Martin,โฏShintaroโฏYasuda, andโฏDaviDiorโฏ(ILYAโฏalso produces), Grande accepts the controversy she receives being in a relationship with this man. In the first verse, she adds, โIโm usually so unproblematic,โ but of course, the power of the boy has driven her to the dark side (โAnd God knows Iโm tryinโ, but thereโs just no use in denyingโ).ย Despite being devilish, she sounds angelic from a vocal perspective. In the second verse, she makes it clear the way this relationship has gone down wasnโt as intended. Still, sheโs confident that โMy girls, they always come through in a sticky situation / Say, โitโs fine.โโ In the bridge, she takes accountability for the mess, but also states, โI canโt ignore my heart, boy.โย In the chorus, Grande embraces her lustful side: โThe boy is mine / I canโt wait to try him / Le-letโs get intertwined / The stars, they aligned.โ Messy love or nah, the Grammy winner brings the heat on this one.ย ย
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16. Justin Timberlake, Drownย
Everything I Thought It Was // RCA // 2024ย
โAnd you let me drown / You didnโt even try to save me.โ Thatโs horrid! Abysmal! Justin Timberlake returned in 2024 with his sixth studio LP, Everything I Thought It Was. โDrownโ, the second single from Everything, is both dramatic and emotional. Timberlake penned this โwateryโ single alongside Amy Allen, Henry Walter (Cirkut), Kenyon Dixon, and Louis Bell. He produces with Bell and Cirkut. The trio delivers a warm, slick backdrop, with bad ass syncopated drums and pulsating synths leading the charge.ย Adding to the drama, โDrownโ is set in a minor key. Backed by a sound instrumental, Timberlake sounds sensational. Vocal harmonies accentuate his performance, adding another dimension to โDrown.โ The verses feature supremely tuneful melodies.ย In the second verse, Timberlakeโs runs shine, showing him taking more liberty with the tune.ย The centerpiece, of course, is the chorus. โYou showed me exactly who you are, and I shouldโve believed it (Believed it) / You left me alone out in the dark with all of your demons (Demons),โ he sings, emotionally. He adds, โGot caught up in the tide of all the tears you cried / Yeah, you know I was blinded by my heart, sinking from the start / Should’ve never followed you this far, now I’m in the deep end.โ During the bridge section, โDrownโ benefits from a dramatic contrast which includes a key shift, and a change of music cues.ย No worries, as things shift back afterwards.ย The electronic sounds during the final chorus/post-chorus and outro (โItโs about to breakโ) are scintillating. Timberlake sounds top-notch on โDrownโ.
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17. Cardi B, โEnough (Miami)โ ย
โEnough (Miami)โ // Atlantic // 2024ย
โOne bitch, two bitch, old bitch, new bitch / None of yโall bitches not gonโ do shit.โ Ah, the gospel according to Grammy-winning rapper, Cardi B.ย On โEnough (Miami)โ, Cardi is NOT playing around.ย Backed by a malicious, minor-key backdrop produced by OG Parker, Romano, and DJ SwanQo, sheโs energetic from the opening tip, as evidenced by the intro where she gasses herself up. Serving up a badass, compelling cadence and flow, Cardi rides the beat hard and doesnโt let her foot off the gas. โWhen I step, itโs a stampede / Foot on neck, canโt breathe,โ Cardi asserts in the pre-chorus, continuing, โLucky Charm, Van Cleef / Diamonds on the dance team.โ As excerpted above, sheโs unapologetic with his rhymes, giving no Fs whatsoever. โGive me one shot and Iโm raising the glass / Give me two shots and Iโm shaking this ass,โ she spits, confidently in the second verse, adding, โGive me three shots and Iโm ready to fuck / Five, four shots, I be ready to splash.โ Woo! The chorus is tough โ a selling point by all means: โI see my opps linkinโ up, Iโm like, โWhat in the fuck?โ / If you scared, then just say that, ho, enough is enoughโฆโย All told, โEnough (Miami)โ is a fun rap banger.
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18. ZAYN, โWhat I AMโ ย
ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS // Drop Zed Music, LLC / Mercury / Republic // 2024
Sometimes, a departure is just what the doctor ordered. For the handsome and talented ZAYN, he takes a departure on โWhat I Amโ, the promo single from his fourth studio album, ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS.ย He penned this โalternativeโ single โ a blend of pop, country/folk, and R&B โ himself.ย He produced it alongside an unlikely producer, given his previous releases, in Dave Cobb. While itโs a different sound and vibe, the results are stunning. โWhat I Amโ commences with a super brief intro before he jumps in. As always, his tone is beautiful. Furthermore, I like the rawness he exhibits at times, particularly in the second verse.ย Ultimately, he sounds nuanced and soulful.ย Initially, heโs accompanied by guitar, which is the perfect backdrop for his reflective brand of songwriting. In the first verse, he sings, โIโve had enough of running โround this board game / You can know your own name, I wonโt give it up.โ In the second, he adds, โIโve been readinโ old shit, and I canโt make sense of it / Ainโt no conspiracy that can save me.โ Word.ย The pre-chorus is gorgeous, with the initial pre-chorus โupping the anteโ instrumentally.ย Fuller instrumentation and vocal layers arrive in the section to beat, the chorus:
โIf I told you I loved youย
Would you say that it’s fucked up?ย
If I told you they’re flyinโย
Would you say that you looked up?ย
Don’t take me for what I’m sayinโย
Just take me for what I amย
โCause this is where I’m stayinโย
My two feet are in the sand.โ
Ah, gotta love it when ZAYN slips in an f-bomb! He brings welcome contrast during the bridge, specifically with the harmonic progression. โWhat I Amโ is a winner.ย ย
19. Sexyy Red, โGet It Sexyโย
โGet It Sexxyโ // Open Shift / gamma. // 2024ย
โSlim, thick, chrome skin / 5โ5โ, this bitch a ten (Yeah) / Hair done, bills paid / Catch me slidinโ in a Benzโฆโ Sexyy Red is something else! Ultimately, itโs how unapologetic and outlandish that the rapper is that makes her interesting, even if the bars she spits lack transcendence.ย There are far better and more talented rappers, but songs that โgo stupidโ like โGet It Sexyyโ, are entertaining to listen to.ย Stitching up the track is her go-to producer, Tay Keith, as well as Jake Fridkis. They give her a malicious, minor-key backdrop that is perfect fuel for her fire. Sheโs true to self with simple, highly sexual bars, and ample confidence. Beyond the chorus (excerpted above), Sexyy Red delivers a sole verse with no shortage of wild bars. โYeah, boy, you know this ass super fat (I ainโt lyinโ, though),โ she brags, continuing, โFuck me good, Iโm throwinโ that shit back (I’m his favorite hoe).โ Thereโs more, with the likes ofย โBig Sexy blood, love the hoes / Bounce that ass, touch them toes / Booty shorts, coochie swoll / Thong all up my booty hole.โ Woo! She also manages to flip a nursery rhyme and make it, ratchet: โLittle miss Sexyy walkinโ down the street (Beep beep) / I donโt know what to do โcause the niggas after me (Yeah, yeah).โ Like many of her other records, there is clapping because, why not? Even as โstupidโ as โGet It Sexxyโ goes, there are some enjoyable, melodic moments in the backdrop. Furthermore, even though this banger lacks class and depth, and has no shame, but itโs incredibly entertaining.ย
20. Chris Grey, โLET THE WORLD BURNโ ย
โLET THE WORLD BURNโ // Rebellion // 2024
โI shouldnโt have fallen in love.โ Famous last words, Chris Grey.ย The adverse effects of the universal four-letter-word have put the Canadian R&B singer in a bad, bad way. He adds in the first verse of โLET THE WORLD BURNโ, โI let you get too close / Just to wake up alone / And I know you think you can runโฆโ Hmm, somehow, the ending doesnโt seem greatโฆ Regardless, Gray pens (alongside Allegra Jordyn Maizels) and produces an entertaining, minor-key vibe with โLET THE WORLD BURN.โ The supporting instrumental is perfect fuel for his fire. In the spirit of Canadian contemporary R&B, the sounds are dark, dramatic, and lush.ย Even as Grey becomes a hellish arsonist post-break-up, the backdrop remains celestial.ย Vocally, he also sounds angelic, particularly when he dips into his falsetto, despite his assertion in the chorus:ย
โIโd let the world burnย
Let the world burn for youย
This is how it always had to endย
If I canโt have you then no one canย
Iโd let it burnย
Iโd let the world burnย
Just to hear you calling out my nameย
ย Watching it all go down in flames.โย
Thatโs some deep, obsessive stuff, Chris.ย Of course, love will make you do crazy things, particularly if you are obsessed.ย The good news is that โLET THE WORLD BURNโ is merely an epic song and not actually a crazed, obsessed, heartbroken guy willing to destroy us all to keep his ex from being happy elsewhere.ย This song right here = BOP!ย ย
ย
Bops That Pop: March 2024 [๐ท: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista, Atlantic, Benedict Cork, BRONZE AVERY, Columbia, Darkroom, Drop Zed Music LLC, Fueled by Ramen LLC, gamma., Interscope, MCA Nashville, Mercury, Open Shift, Partisan, RCA, Rebellion, Republic, Spanish Prayers, Top Dawg Entertainment, Total Pleasure; agoss, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Lynda Smith, Mohamed_hassan, succo from Pixabay]
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