Bops That Pop: September 2024 | Playlist 🎧

Bops That Pop: September 2024 features music courtesy of Kehlani, Sabrina Carpenter, Tommy Richman, Victoria Monét, and The Weeknd.

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: September 2024 were released as singles or as an album track in late August 2024, September 2024, or whereabouts. Musicians serving the bops in September 2024 include Kehlani, Sabrina Carpenter, Tommy Richman, Victoria Monét, and The Weeknd. So, without further ado, here are those Bops That Pop: September 2024!

---

~ Table of Contents ~

1. The Weeknd, “Dancing In The Flames”

2. Kehlani, “When He’s Not There (Ft. Lucky Daye)”

3. Tommy Richman, “THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE”

4. Doechii, “BOOM BAP”

5. Linkin Park, “The Emptiness Machine”

6. Victoria Monét, “SOS (Sex on Sight)” (Ft. Usher)

7. Coldplay, “WE PRAY” (Ft. Lil Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & TINI)

8. Megan Thee Stallion, “Neva Play” (Ft. RM of BTS)

9. John Conlin, “Kissing Other Girls”

10. Sabrina Carpenter, “Bed Chem”

11. Jamie xx, “Dafodil”

12. John Duff, “Forgotten How to F*ck”

13. Kehlani, “Clothes Off” (Ft. kwn)

14. Shawn Mendes, “Nobody Knows”

15. ericdoa, “search & destroy”

16. Geordie Kieffer, “Jesus Van”

17. Brooke Candy, “Next Bitch”

18. Micah McLaurin, “Call Me”

19. Ryland James, “You’re Still My Man”

20. Isak Danielson, “Desperate Guy”

21. King Willonius, “They’re Eating The Dogs”

---

1. The Weeknd, “Dancing In The Flames”

Hurry Up Tomorrow // The Weeknd XO Music ULC / Republic // 2024

“Traffic dies while we are racin’ home / Melted lights cover the open road.” Poetic, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye). He continues, “I hope we make it, ‘cause I’ve been chasin’ / Another odyssey, oh.” The Grammy-winning Canadian superstar returned in September 2024, with “Dancing In The Flames”, a promo single from his sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.  Tesfaye, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter penned and produced the slick, mid-tempo, synthpop/R&B cut. The sound of “Dancing in the Flames” suits Tesfaye perfectly.  It comprises bright, rhythmic synths, a bouncy bass line, pummeling drum runs, and 80s-sounding drum programming. He delivers strong, pure, and expressive vocals. The melodies are tuneful with great attention paid to the melodic contour. The lyrics focus on driving and crashing, comparing it to love (“We’re dodgin’ headlights, and you say, ‘Hold tight’”). There are nice use of vocal harmonies during the chorus, the centerpiece.

“I can’t wait to see your face

Crash when we’re switchin’ lanes

My love’s beyond the pain

But if I miss the brake

We’re dancin’ in the flames

It’s indescribable.”

Vocoder appears on the word, indescribable during the post-chorus, giving off Daft Punk vibes. The bridge section distinguishes itself from the rest of the song. The spacey, enigmatic instrumental outro is a nice touch. With memorable songwriting, a well-rounded vocal, and ear-catching production, Abel Tesfaye ‘does the damn thing’ on “Dancing In The Flames”.

~ Table of Contents ~

---

2. Kehlani, “When He’s Not There (Ft. Lucky Daye)”

While We Wait 2 // Atlantic // 2024

“I come over when he’s not there / He don’t even know that I here.” Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Kehlani shines on “When He’s Not There”, from her mixtape, While We Wait 2. “When He’s Not There” features Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter, Lucky Daye. With numerous songwriters in addition to Kehlani and Lucky Day, it was produced by Ambezza, Dillon, and Nik D. The sound of the record is resplendent.  It is bright, lush, soulful, and warm.  While “When He’s Not There” is idiomatic of contemporary R&B, it also hearkens back to the past.  Both Kehlani and Daye sing beautifully.  Both lyrics and melodies are memorable.  “Girl, does he know you’re yearning, yearning for me?” Kehlani asks in the first verse, adding “Don’t tell none of your homegirls ‘cause nobody needs to know, no.” Context: Kehlani and this girl (who has a boyfriend) are hooking up and nobody needs to know! Hence, why in the chorus, “I come over when he’s not there.” Oh, snap! She expounds on their relationship in the second verse, admitting, “Lord knows I won’t end a happy home, but I’ll leave a condo broken.” Ooh wee! Daye enters the mix in the third verse, playing a similar role to Kehlani and the girl she’s cheating with: “Well, damn, guess, he won’t know what he hand until it’s gone / Guess he can’t read between the lines / While he ignore and I explore /… We’re having hour fun and they ain’t gotta know.” All told, “When He’s Not There” is a steamy, irresistibly delicious song about cheating. Kehlani and Lucky Daye put their foot into this one!

~ Table of Contents ~

---

3. Tommy Richman, “THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE”

“THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE” // ISO Supremacy / PULSE / Concord // 2024

According to Tommy Richman, “I thought you were the one, ah / I thought you were the one that got away.” Word. “THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE” continues a prolific 2024 for the Virginia-bred musician. Richman wrote the highlight. He produced it with Elliot, Limo, and Jonah Roy. “Oh, I know you love me / Oh, you push and you shove me out.” Hmm… Like singles “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” and “DEVIL IS A LIE”, there is lots to like about “THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE”.  The sound and instrumental accompaniment is a big selling point. It has a nice old-school vibe.  The groove is fabulous, while the rhythmic, detuned synths, keys, and big, infectious synth bass line catch the ears. Furthermore, there is a degree of nostalgia about this cut. The vocals by Richman mark another selling point. The melody is rhythmic and tuneful. The theme is simple yet complicated – matters of the heart.  At the end of the verse, he asserts, “I still know we’re a good fit, baby, good fit / I don’t know what to say, but fuck it anyway / I know we’ll have some good kids, baby, good kids.” Word. All in all, Tommy Richman delivered another winner with “THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE”.

~ Table of Contents ~

---

4. Doechii, “BOOM BAP”

Alligator Bites Never Heal // Top Dawg Entertainment / Capitol // 2024

“I gave my soul for this shit, ate lumps of coal for this shit.” What more can you say but, oh, shit! According to sickening Florida rapper and singer Doechii (Jaylah Hickmon), Alligator Bites Never Heal. Word.  Leading the charge for the mixtape is the short but potent “BOOM BAP”.  “BOOM BOP” was written by Doechii, Camper (Darhyl Camper), and DIXSON.  Additionally, Camper produced the brief track alongside DJ Miss Milan.  The soulful backdrop is one of the biggest selling points and fuels the fire of the fiery rapper.  It doesn’t hurt that an interpolation is part of the mix. With a kickass backdrop, Doechii brings the heat.  Her flow is compelling, the bars biting, and her personality is through the roof.  She brings an innovative spirit to the table.  Her approach is non-standard, more alternative, and left-field which makes “BOOM BAP” ear-catching and engaging.  She still goes hard asserting in the first verse, “They want real rap from a bitch like they out-rappin’ a bitch / Yeah, she can clap a lil’ bit, do that, they  ain’t sayin’ shit.”  Maintaining a brash approach, she adds, “Even the moms know what it is, but y’all niggas can’t see what it is.” Word! In the chorus, which is sort of unorthodox, she spits, “Get Top on the phone / Tell him it’s a wrap, nigga / Say it’s real, and it’s rap / And it’s a boom, and it bap / And it bounce, and it clap / And this house, and it’s trap.” The second verse is intriguing too: “[I’m] Mugsy Bogues with the shit, might call J. Cole for this shit.” “BOOM BAP” is a surefire bop.

~ Table of Contents ~

---

5. Linkin Park, “The Emptiness Machine”

From Zero // Linkin Park, LLC // 2024

There’s lots to ‘heart’ about “The Emptiness Machine”, the comeback single for new-look Linkin Park who welcomes a new co-vocalist (Emily Armstrong), drummer (Colin Brittain), and touring guitarist (Alex Feder).  The promo single from From Zero begins with the driving guitar and pummeling drums – always a recipe for success! The chemistry and contrast between Mike Shinoda and Emily Armstrong is another selling point. Shinoda sings the first verse, pre-chorus, and chorus, with a cleaner, mellower approach. The melody is memorable, particularly in the chorus:

“Let you cut me open, just to watch me bleed

Gave up who I am for who you wanted me to be

Don’t know why I’m hopin’ for what I won’t receive

Fallin’ for the promise of the emptiness machine

The emptiness machine.”

After the mellower first chorus, Armstrong sings most of the second verse. She brings assertive, powerful, and impressive pipes. Shinoda joins her in the pre-chorus.  Armstrong is electrifying when the second chorus comes around, showing just how dynamic she is.  Once more, we get a lovely contrast between Shinoda and Armstrong during the bridge.  Emily is locked in on the final chorus, including a well-placed f-bomb (“Don’t know why I’m hopin’, so fuckin’ naïve / Fallin’ for the promise of the emptiness machine”). The outro is sweet too, with mellow Mike once more contrasting assertive Emily.  All in all, the return of Linkin Park, with all its changes, turns out to be a welcome one. “The Emptiness Machine” rocks!

~ Table of Contents ~

---

6. Victoria Monét, “SOS (Sex on Sight)” (Ft. Usher)

“SOS (Sex on Sight)” // Lovett Music, Inc. / RCA // 2024

“I need that SOS, sex on sight, baby, it’s urgent / Let me fuck up all your plans, come put this work in.” Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Victoria Monét is honest about her sexual desires in her single, “SOS (Sex on Sight)”. On “SOS,” she taps one of R&B’s sexiest musicians, Grammy-winner Usher for the assist. Monét, Usher, Ant Clemons, Daniel Church, Ido Zmishlany, and producer Camper penned “SOS.” There is plenty to love about “SOS (Sex on Sight).” It benefits from a soulful, old-school sound. There’s nothing like lush instrumental accompaniment and a big, robust bass line. Monét takes the reins first. She never gets too high or too low. She delivers a well-rounded, cool-energy performance.  After setting the tone in the first verse, she unveils the chorus, which features a tuneful melody and memorable lyrics:

“I am way too sexy

To be alone

Wanna show you what type

Of time that I’m on (What type of time I’m on)

Want you to come (Want you to come)

Send me your ETA

And when you lay me down

Pin my legs to the clouds

And I hope you’re ready for the rain.”

Oh, snap! Besides the lyrics and tune, instrumentally, there is a welcome addition of synth horns post-chorus (“SOS, please / Let it fall, let it go”). Usher enters the mix during the second verse. His performance begins with rap and spoken word.  It adds to the character of the song. Soon enough, he finds his pitch, singing the rhythmic, sexed-up vocals. “And when I hit it right in the right place / Look me right in the eyes, do what I say,” he sings, adding, “Bend it over, throw it back, you and I, tongue-tied / I’ma kiss it good, good, good night.” Victoria Monét and Usher hit all the right notes on “SOS (Sex on Sight)”.

 ~ Table of Contents ~

---

7. Coldplay, “WE PRAY” (Ft. Lil Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & TINI)

Moon Music // Coldplay / Parlophone // 2024 

“And so, we pray / For someone to come and show me the way / And so, we pray / For some shelter and some records to play.” Amen! Decorated British alt-rock collective Coldplay returned with their 10^th studio album, Moon Music. Chris Martin and the boys bring prayers on “WE PRAY”.  Coldplay enlists four unique guests on this faith-based single: British rapper Little Simz, Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Palestinian-Chilean singer, Elyanna, and Argentinian singer, TINI.  “WE PRAY” features numerous credited songwriters. Bill Rahko, Daniel Green, ILYA, Max Martin, and Michael Ilbert produced.  The instrumental backdrop is modern, rhythmic, and sleekly produced.  The strings, when they enter the mix, and the groove are two of the best features.  Fuel for the vocalists’ fire.

Following a prayerful intro, Martin sings the first verse. The prayer is ample: “I pray that I don’t give up, pray that I do my best / Pray that I can lift up, pray my brother is blessed / Praying for enough, pray for Virgilio wins.” The Virgilio reference is ultra-specific.  Martin also sings on the chorus (excerpted at the top), joined at times by Little Simz and Burna Boy.  Little Simz takes the reins in the second verse, dropping an uplifting verse asserting, “Pray I speak my truth and keep my sisters alive,” adding, “Pray when she looks at herself in the mirror / She sees a queen, see sees a goddess.” Thoughtful to the nth degree. Burna Boy performs the bridge, where he prayerfully “Keep a smiling face, only by His grace.” As for Elyanna and TINI, they appear in the final chorus, lending their vocal talents.  All told, “WE PRAY” is an entertaining, socially conscious, and thoughtful pop record.

~ Table of Contents ~

---

8. Megan Thee Stallion, “Neva Play” (Ft. RM of BTS)

“Neva Play” // Hot Girl Productions LLC // 2024

“One, two, three, four (One, two, three, four) / Five, six, seven, eight (Five, six, seven, eight).” Early on in her single, “Neva Play”, Megan Thee Stallion flaunts her counting skills. She continues, “Countin’ zeroes every day (Yeah) / You know that we never play.” Word.  “Neva Play” is a flex fest from the Grammy-winning rapper.  She enlists the services of an unexpected guest: RM of BTS.  The results are P-O-S-I-T-V-E. The unforgettable numeric hook appears at the top of “Neva Place.” Also, making our ears perk up at the onset are ear-catching synths.  The loops is infectious.  Another cool musical feature is how the tempo accelerates during the introduction.  LilJuMadeDaBeat, Shae Jacobs, B Ham, and Peter Fenn drop a sickening, mean-sounding, minor-key instrumental supporting both rappers. Beyond her colorful chorus,  Megan delivers an aggressive flow and rhymes. “Just know when it’s time for me to get my lick back / All y’all finna be finished (Hadouken),” she spits in the first verse, adding, “Check the credits, you know who wrote it / With a flow this hard, this heavy, Kotex (Mm).” Aggressiveness from Megan is the expectation.  One of the biggest surprises is RM, specifically how low and masculine he sounds while rapping.  Even with his ‘manliness at an all-time manly level,’ his flow is chill and relaxed (“For Asia, man, we paved the way”). The contrast between him and Megan is one of the selling points of “Never Play.” All told “Neva Play” is a total vibe.

~ Table of Contents ~

---

9. John Conlin, “Kissing Other Girls”

“Kissing Other Girls” // John Conlin // 2024

“Don’t you know you make me / Cry just a little / Die just a little / Say we’re just DL, noncommittal / So superficial, caught in your middle / It hurts / I know you’re kissing other girls.” That is a bummer, John Conlin. What isn’t a bummer is the authenticity and sheer excellence that is “Kissing Other Girls”.  It was penned by the handsome and talented Toronto pop singer/songwriter.  He produced this must-hear gem alongside Jamesfromtheinternet. The sound is ‘to die for.’ The instrumental backdrop includes warm pads and synths that concoct a surefire vibe. Conlin serves up gorgeous vocals, tuneful melodies, and reflective, questioning lyrics.  The situation is one where he and his ‘boyfriend’ are on two different pages. John seems comfortable with the relationship while the nameless boyfriend is DL and still partakes in heterosexual experiences. “I’ve been on my knees praying / That I take up space inside your  head,” Conlin sings in the first verse, continuing, “Two dimensional, you fuck across the hall, baby.”  He’s not fucking other guys, either: “Your rust on the straight blade / It cuts, badly both ways…” Conlin, singing angelically, continues to voice his sadness over the state of their ‘relationship.’ He asks, “Am I just a phase / Just a body you play.” Understanding his partner, he asserts, “And when you, can’t finish [with her, presumably] you picture me.” Ooh-wee! The bridge separates it from the verses and chorus yet continues the theme of John’s boyfriend/partner/FWB struggling with his sexuality.  The situation isn’t ideal, yet, common where homophobia – external and internal – runs rampant.  “Kissing Other Girls” is the cat’s meow – the sugar honey iced tea! Get it, John!

~ Table of Contents ~

---

10. Sabrina Carpenter, “Bed Chem”

Short n Sweet // Island // 2024 

“Manifest that you’re oversized.” Sabrina Carpenter is referencing bigness, but specific to the private area 🍆, if you catch my drift (“Out of breath, got me goin’ like…”).  These excerpted lyrics make “Bed Chem”, the sixth track from Short n Sweet, the 2024 breakout album by Carpenter, ‘something else.’ “Bed Chem” was written by Carpenter, Amy Allen, Ian Kirkpatrick, John Ryan, and Julia Michaels.  Kirkpatrick and Ryan produced. In its sub-three-minute runtime, Carpenter packs a punch – a sexual punch! In the pre-chorus, it seems like she references her alleged boyfriend, Barry Keoghan (“Who’s the cute boy with the white jacket and the thick accent”). Even if she isn’t referencing the Academy Award-nominated Irish actor, she is referencing a hottie from a different country.  The section to beat is the chorus where Carpenter sings, “But I bet we’d have really good bed chem / How you pick me up, pull ‘em down, turn me ‘round /… How you talk so sweet when you’re doin’ bad things.” Holy smokes! The second verse is fun too, with Sabrina asking him, “Where art though? Why not uponeth me? / See it in my mind, let’s fulfill the prophecy.” Ah, the dangers of a wandering mind 😈.  Carpenter’s fantasies seem endless, and pleasure is front and center.  “And I bet the thermostat’s set at six-nine.” Hmm, I wonder why it’s set at that number 😏? “Bed Chem” is a blast, all told.  Carpenter is honest about her desires, keeping things sex positive.  She sings well with her breathy, flirty pipes.  Also, she’s accompanied by a sleek, groovy, sexy instrumental. The chem is chem-ing 🧪!

 

Appears in 🔻:

• Sabrina Carpenter, Bed Chem: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 74 (2024) 

~ Table of Contents ~

---

11. Jamie xx, “Dafodil”

In Waves // Young // 2024

“Lovely sweetness that filled the air / Came from a daffodil in your hair / I placed it there.” Grammy-nominated DJ/producer Jamie xx (James Smith) is the man when it comes to producing music. Ahead of his second studio album, In Waves, Smith released the ear-catching single, “Dafodil”,  assisted by  Kelsey Lu, John Glacier, and Panda Bear. Also, he collaborated with Rodaidh McDonald on the production.  The results are stellar. “It all started one summer night in London.” Word. “Dafodil” is enigmatic from the onset. The intro sets the tone for a distinct, experimental track.  “Dafodil” is built on spoken word, sang vocals, and makes unique use of samples. Specifically, it samples “Touching You” by Astrud Gilberto and “I Just Make Believe (I’m Touching You)” by J.J. Barnes.  The assisting musicians nail their respective parts, contributing to this musical tour de force.  A great example of ‘dream work makes the team work,’ part of the charm of “Dafodil” is the fact that there is no star – everyone does their fair share.  Besides the samples, the instrumental accompaniment is tasteful.  With a distinct form, the bridge distinguishes itself from everything else, keeping the song engaging (“Lost just thinking of someone / Think they met at a party / There’s someone for everyone…”). “Dafodil” is a winner from Jamie xx.

~ Table of Contents ~

---

12. John Duff, “Forgotten How to F*ck”

“Forgotten How to F*ck” // Donald Duff // 2024

“It’s been so long since I got some / Soon as you call, I’ll probably come.”  Something tells me, John Duff could’ve spelled the word come differently, given the context… He continues singing in the chorus of his bold, sexed-up song, “Forgotten How to F*ck”, “Dreaming of your touch without a glove / I think I’ve forgotten how to fuck.” Honesty is the best policy.  Incorporating a big band into the mix gives the song a refreshing, retro sensibility. Because he hasn’t had sex in so long, Duff has forgotten how it works.  He uses Biblical/spiritual references throughout, believe it or not.  “Born again, baby / Born again and going crazy.” He adds, “40 days and 40 nights / Seems like they just flew right by / Am I saved? / Or just depraved?”  The lyrics play on abstinence and celibacy associated with Christianity, etc.  Still, he’s not quite Saint Peter: “Stay rock hard / Like Rock Hudson / Long for some lovin’, touchin’, squeezin’ / No hidden meaning.” Perhaps there is no hidden meaning but, Rock Hudson, one of the actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood, was gay, and died of AIDS at age 59.  Other intriguing lyrical moments include, “I’m not politically correct / But I’m literally erect / Just thinking about last season / When it was you and me.” The sexual innuendo is ripe AF on “Forgotten How to F*ck” and we wouldn’t have it any other way! The dashing John Duff and his team of producers (Koil PreAmple, Niko The Kid, and Eren Cannata) drop a hot 🥵 retro-pop bop.

Appears in 🔻:

• John Duff, Forgotten How to F*ck: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 71 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~

---

13. Kehlani, “Clothes Off” (Ft. kwn)

While We Wait 2 // Atlantic // 2024

“Girl, the way you’re pushin’ up on my body, huh / It’s you that do it for me.” Oh, snap, kwn (Khy Wilson)! Kwn assists Grammy-nominated, lesbian nonbinary R&B singer/songwriter Kehlani (Kehlani Parrish) on “Clothes Off”, the third track from Parrish’s mixtape, While We Wait 2. Wilson and Parrish are enamored with their respective girls on the sensual number. Per kwn, this girl ‘makes them feel good.’ Besides singing, Kwn co-wrote and produced “Clothes Off.” What a talent! The sex is on fire on “Clothes Off,” period. “Can I dare to leave your bed a mess and wet? / ‘Cause we sure gon’ sweat,” kwn asserts in the sexy, first pre-chorus. This follows ‘Lani’s initial praise of the girl’s skills in bed. She performs the centerpiece, the chorus, the first go-round: “Oh, you better take my clothes off, yeah / … Can we, uh? Oh, baby.” With clothes coming off, clearly, ‘it’s going down’ in the bedroom. Kehlani brings the heat in the second verse, singing, “Girl, the way you sex me make me feel like / I can’t get with nobody else.” They add, “I just can’t let you get no other bitch involved.” WORD. Not only is the sex good, but, Kehlani wants to lock things down with her.  Right on.  As always, Parrish shines with their sweet vocal performance – never over singing, yet potent. The instrumental accompaniment is marvelous too – idiomatic of contemporary R&B.  With awesome vocals, and a longing pleasure and potential beyond the bedroom, Kehlani and kwn shine on “Clothes Off”.

Appears in 🔻:

• Kehlani, Clothes Off: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 73 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~

---

14. Shawn Mendes, “Nobody Knows”

Shawn // Island // 2024

“When you’re so in love / And your souls touch / But it’s still not enough / Where does it go? / Nobody knows.” Shawn Mendes – what a handsome, talented man. The short but sweet “Nobody Knows” marked the third single from Shawn, his fifth studio album. His voice is in top-notch form.  Also, he wears his feelings on his sleeve, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! Mendes, Mike Sabath, Scott Harris, and Eddie Benjamin penned “Nobody Knows.” Mendes, Benjamin, and Sabath produced it. Mendes delivers personal and vulnerable lyrics throughout “Nobody Knows.” Likewise, his vocal performance matches the spirit of the lyrics. Love is firmly planted in his mind.  In the first verse, he captures a warm, meaningful feeling: “When your touch walks me home / When you taste this good.” Aww! In the second, he gets ‘saltier,’ dropping a bomb: “You’re an amateur drunk, and everyone knows it / But, fuck, you’re the one, and I live for those moments.” Word. Backed by a folk-rock backdrop (similar to singles “Why Why Why” and “Isn’t That Enough”), Mendes sings authentically, freely, and radiantly. This sound and vibe suits him. Amplifying this beautiful, ear-catching listening experience are celestial vocal harmonies (Sabath and Benjamin). “Nobody Knows” is another strong performance and song from the gifted Canadian.

~ Table of Contents ~

---

15. ericdoa, “search & destroy”

“search & destroy” // ericdoa / LISTEN TO THE KIDS // 2024 

“It’s a free-for-all / You wanna feast with the team, it ain’t cheap at all.” Word. Ericdoa is an intriguing music artist.  He never fails to catch the ears with his often brief but ‘left-of-center’ songs.  The Gen-Z standout drops another ear-catching song with “search & destroy”.  Two things make “search & destroy” unique. The first is the fact it references a video game: Call of Duty. It’s not often you hear “You know there ain’t no respawn” in a song, woo! Even before that lyric, ericdoa asserts, “Throw a flare, we gon’ meet back here.” Other lyrics that stand out include the titular, “You’re the last one left, search and destroy” from the chorus, as well as, “I gave them my soul, but they still treat me like a boy.” The second reason why it stands out is the sound. Ericdoa penned the track, while Glasear, Zetra, pluko, and mochila produced it.  The electronic sounds make “search & destroy” futuristic.  Sure, the electronic sound palette is being used by all genres to an extent, but in this case, the song doesn’t sound like all the rest (rhythmic, otherworldly synths, and a banging, danceable beat).  Even given a brief two-minute runtime, listening to how distinct the music is, it’s understandable how four producers had a hand in this one. The unique “Search & destroy” is worthy of spinning multiple times!

~ Table of Contents ~

---

16. Geordie Kieffer, “Jesus Van”

“Jesus Van” // +1 // 2024

“I got Jesus in the back of my van.” Amen, Geordie Kieffer… I think… I mean, Jesus is everywhere – all-powerful and omniscient – but the bisexual musician thinks more with his pants than about his soul in his single, “Jesus Van”. The most devout Christians would not only consider “Jesus Van” to be sexually charged, but also, blasphemous.  There are ample spiritual references, but, how sincere is the ‘Agro pop’ star? Even if it is a sinful listen, the instrumental backdrop is sweet with its electronic sounds and rock elements.  As the excerpted lyrics suggest, Geordie has a big personality.  He sings marvelous, infusing the lyrics with no shortage of eyebrow-raising, innuendo-laden moments.  At the top, Kieffer sings, “Hey pretty babe wanna dance the line / With them cowboy dudes and them southern dimes / I got shagged on the floor of my pony express / Gun on the dash and a cross on my chest.” He may have a cross ✝️, but it also seems he enjoyed some S-E-X. He doesn’t lie when he says, “There’s a wild congregation in this holy mobile / So get your ass in the wagon that my friend take the wheel.” Holy, huh? It’s giving more like ‘holy fuck’ than anything else. Sex is the modus operandi. It’s Kieffer’s gospel: “Can a man move his body like he’s blessed and possessed / I’m just preaching the gospel of foreplay and sex.” Continuing to be ‘religious,’ he asserts he’s a priest and the prophet, with his apostles near… So, he’s Jesus? Near the end, he informs us, “I got the power of the spirit in the palm of my hand / But I hate to tell ya baby you ain’t coming with me.” Why? “I got Jesus in the back of my van.” It won’t save your soul, but “Jesus Van” is terrific.

Appears in 🔻:

• Geordie Kieffer, Jesus Van: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 60 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~

---

17. Brooke Candy, “Next Bitch”

“Next Bitch” // Brooke Candy // 2024

“Taste the rainbow 🌈, take one bite / Bubblegum, yeah, pop tonight.” Fo’ sho, Brooke Candy.  Give us more of those slick lyrics! “Special taffy, pink and white / Cotton candy bed tonight.” That is some sugary sweet sugar honey iced tea! We’d expect no less from Candy who is “Next Bitch”! That’s the name of her rainbow-bubblegum-taffy-cotton candied first single from her album, Spiral! That said, the lyrics from the bridge are much tamer than the more explicit, fiercer lyrics that appear on much of this brief but potent single.  Candy’s confidence is ‘through the roof’ on this Jon Santana-produced bop. Candy, Santana, and Liam Benayon penned this bitchin’ joint. “Next Bitch” features electric musical accompaniment.  The rhythm is driving from the onset.  The synths are lit, and the anchoring beat goes hard.  The backdrop sets up Candy for success and indisputable fierceness. After characterizing her (who is nameless) as wack, in the intro, she asserts in the chorus, “I’m the next bitch / I’m infectious / Fuckin’ reckless / You gon’ bite this?” Woo! It’s difficult to catch everything Candy spits in the first verse, but the overall takeaway is that this girl is bad! Not only is she bad enough to “Shave my head and then pierce my nips,” she legitimately poses the question, “How many bitches get down like this?” She’s also a ‘bad bitch’ when she sings, bragging, “I, when I walk in the room / These bitches in the tomb / Miss Candy, if you pay me, pay me.”  What more needs to be said? The thirtysomething rapper/singer drops another one!

Appears in 🔻:

• Brooke Candy, Next Bitch: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 58 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~

---

18. Micah McLaurin, “Call Me”

“Call Me” // Micah McLaurin // 2024

“You know what / I came for / So give it to me now / Give me more.” Oh, snap! Something tells me, the ‘it’ is S meets E, and then they X, Micah McLaurin.  The gifted, Charleston, South Carolina musician (a virtuoso pianist) follows up, inviting us – rather, ‘him’ – to call him names. What?! “Call me slut / Call me whore / there’s no shame in a name,” he sings, asserting, “I’m all about the fame / I would like you better if you call me…” Honor the man’s wishes, I suppose! McLaurin penned the brief “Call Me” alongside Daniel Padilla, Fernando Garibay, Ramiro Padilla, and Simon Wilcox. Garibay, Padilla, and Padilla produced this sleek, sexy gem.

In an interview for Paper Mag by Erica Campbell, McLaurin asserts, “‘Call Me’ is more than just the lyrics on the surface. It’s symbolic of me taking my power back and reclaiming my identity after I felt it was stolen from me in childhood.” He also states he’s allowed to show a different side of himself. He sings wonderfully, bringing ample personality and sexiness to his performance.  His vocals are breathy, playful, and – wait for it – sexy 😈. He’s a beautiful, naughty boy: “Look at the way I’m moving I’m serpentine / Sliding up against your skin / I know I make you want what you shouldn’t but / Go ahead and let me in.” Beyond the engaging vocal performance, the instrumental accompaniment is sickening. Set in a minor key, the dark, enigmatic pop and dance cues are firmly planted. The groove, which appears during the slutty, whorish chorus, is everything. Running just over two minutes, McLaurin brings the heat 🥵 – the midnight heat – on “Call Me”.

Appears in 🔻:

• Micah McLaurin, Call Me: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 76 (2024) 

~ Table of Contents ~

---

19. Ryland James, “You’re Still My Man”

“You’re Still My Man” // 21 Entertainment Group // 2024

“You’re still my man / Nothing can change it / We still belong together.” Canadian musician Ryland James is filled with dedication on “You’re Still My Man”. However, he wasn’t the first to sing those ‘tethered’ lyrics (despite the end of a relationship, mind you).  Whitney Houston originally sang “You’re Still My Man” on her 1987 tour de force, Whitney. Covering a Whitney song takes big vocals and a lot of courage. James, who has a commanding instrument, has no issue with tackling this rarely covered song from a male perspective: he identifies as queer.

James makes “You’re Still My Man” his own, with more of a ‘pop-leaning’ sound.  He sings radiantly, showing off his distinct, expressive, and nuanced pipes. The falsetto notes he hits are glorious. He is accompanied by piano initially as he laments the union with his man.  “And the feelings between us / Will never disappear,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “How can you be far away / When you’re spirit’s here?” In the second verse, he’s certain “soon you’ll be missing me,” adding “There’s a magic we share together / And no one can break that spell.” As the song progresses, the accompaniment expands including strings, bass, and drums.  The most powerful section of the song is the outro, where Ryland shows how dynamic and powerful he is as a vocalist.  The ad-libs and riffs are on point. He navigates the key changes soundly, one of the harder aspects of this big, big song. Covering Whitney Houston is no easy task, but Ryland James does a fabulous job with “You’re Still My Man”.

 

Appears in 🔻:

• Ryland James, You’re Still My Man: Covers No. 38 (2024) 

~ Table of Contents ~

---

20. Isak Danielson, “Desperate Guy”

“Desperate Guy” // Isak Danielson // 2024

“If I’m your mistake, please make it twice / I’m just a fool, who just loves you for miles.” Aww, Isak Danielson 🥹.  The Swedish 🇸🇪 musician pours his heart out on his single, “Desperate Guy”. Danielson is unafraid to bare his feelings. He penned the brief but potent song with Simon Strömstedt. He’s supported by a radiant accompaniment (keys, guitars, dramatic strings) produced by Kevin Anderson. He delivers gorgeous, nuanced vocals from the onset of “Desperate Guy.” His tone is stunning. Authentic to the nth degree, he sings with incredible sincerity.  The lyrics are poetic and heartfelt. “I never pretend when I’m with you / How can a love, so sweet and so pure,” he sings in the second verse, continuing, “Cut me so deep, causin’ me pain / But I’d do it over, and over again.” The chorus is especially tuneful, where his desperation is most pronounced:

“I feel the rain on my skin

Now I know what they mean

…I’ll stay here, stay here

So, you know where to meet

Just look for a desperate guy on your street.”

“Desperate Guy” pulls back the final 20 seconds of the song. Danielson is only accompanied by a guitar.  He sings the final verse, continuing to share his love and yearning for this man: “If I’m late too late, I wish that you knew / Don’t think I’ll ever find someone like you.” Isak Danielson, you put your whole foot and whole heart into this one!

Appears in 🔻:

• Isak Danielson, Desperate Guy: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 61 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~

---

21. King Willonius, “They’re Eating The Dogs”

“They’re Eating The Dogs” // Delicious Bath Water // 2024 

At the ABC Presidential Debate held on September 10, 2024, former President Donald Trump said a lot of outlandish things.  Baited by Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, Trump took the bait every time, making for an unhinged yet entertaining television experience.  The most memorable, outlandish, and racist thing Trump uttered was about Haitian immigrants stealing and eating pets – cats and dogs – in Springfield, Ohio. Rightfully, the former POTUS received criticism from everywhere.  Beyond criticism, the memes, reels, shorts, and TikToks have been abundant.  From frightened cats and dogs hearing the ‘fake news,’ to Gen-Z guys dancing to killer songs remixing Trump’s words, the internet has won. King Willonius gets into action via AI (artificial intelligence, if you’re living under a rock) with his soulful, 1970s-sounding single, “They’re Eating The Dogs”. I found myself giggling like a schoolgirl listening to the song. As shocked as everybody was hearing Trump’s unfounded claims about pets being stolen and eaten, AI storyteller, comedian, and showrunner King Willonius captures it perfectly in this two-minute, old-school-sounding gem.  What makes it sound vintage? It’s the biting, articulated horns, the dusty, soulful groove, the piano and guitar riffs, and the prominent bass line.  The vocals rival the big-voiced, gritty soul icons of old, filled with the blues. “They’re eating the dogs /… They’re eating the cats / What the hell goin’ on? / What the hell’s goin’ on? ” That’s about the size of it.  King Willonius captures our show in the most entertaining way possible. “They’re Eating The Dogs” = AI gold.

Appears in 🔻:

• King Willonius, They’re Eating The Dogs: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 75 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

---

Bops That Pop: September 2024 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 21 Entertainment Group, Atlantic, Brooke Candy, Capitol, Concord, Delicious Bath Water, Donald Duff, ericdoa, Hot Girl Productions LLC, Isak Danielson, Island, ISO Supremacy, John Conlin, Linkin Park, LLC, LISTEN TO THE KIDS, Lovett Music, Inc., Micah McLaurin, Parlophone, PULSE, RCA, Republic, The Weeknd XO Music ULC, Top Dawg Entertainment, +1; agoss, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, cragnetta, Mohamed_hassan, succo from Pixabay]

---