Neon | 3BOPS

1. Snoh Aalegra, “Neon Peach”

Ft. Tyler, The Creator

💿 Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies • 🏷 Artium Recordings / Roc Nation • 📅 2021

“It’s the things that you do / I know we’ve gone too far.” Swedish-born and bred Iranian singer/songwriter 🎙 Snoh Aalegra ‘shows out’ on her third studio album, 💿 Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies. Over the course of 15 tracks, she captures the listener’s attention with cool but expressive vocals and songs centered on matters of the heart. She pairs up with 🏆 Grammy winning rapper, singer, and producer 🎙 Tyler, The Creator on 🎵 “Neon Peach,” which ranks among the top tier of Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies.

“I don’t even try to bring up and remind you
All the things that you have done
So put the past behind you
You’re livin’ a lie to
The present time has had enough.”

Woo Snoh! Continuing to amplify his game behind the boards, Tyler gives Aalegra an awesome instrumental that fuses hip-hop, jazz, and soul.  Additionally, he supports her with some great bars on the verses (“You got better shots, but you blockin’ the rim / But too scared to work it out ‘cause you locked in the gym”). She shines on the pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, and outro.

2. Morgan Wallen, “Neon Eyes”

💿 Dangerous: The Double Album • 🏷 Big Loud / Republic • 📅 2021

“They started out blue like an East Tennessee June sky / Full of small-town innocence, guarded by a picket fence.” So, 🎙 Morgan Wallen, what happened to the eyes? How did they become neon?  One thing’s for sure, “Girl, once you love a cowboy, you’ll never be the same.” Word.  The country musician enjoyed a successful run in 2021 with his sophomore album, 💿 Dangerous: The Double Album.  He made it exponentially harder for himself with his poor choices, but his wallet seems to be doing just fine – the beauty of doubling down 😏.  Dangerous has numerous highlights, one of which doesn’t happen to be the sole neon song on the album, 🎵 “Neon Eyes.”

On Dangerous, Wallen experiments beyond country in some instances, but wisely, never strays too far. “Neon Eyes” is a prime example of ‘shoring up the base’… for the most part.   It’s energetic and entertaining, continuing to play to his strengths. His biggest strength, of course is his expressive voice.  Furthermore, a catchy chorus that seals the deal.

“Told you I'd leave you with neon eyes
Dancin’ with a ghost on the dance floor
Never really getting’ what you came for
Lonely lips sippin’ on a margarita
Girl, I’d hate to see you with neon eyes.”

3. Twenty One Pilots, “Neon Gravestones”

💿 Trench • 🏷 Fueled By Ramen • 📅 2018

“I could use the streams and extra conversations / I could give up and boost my reputation / I could go out with a bang / They would know my name.” 🏆 Grammy-winning duo 🎙 Twenty One Pilots (🎙 Tyler Joseph and 🎙 Josh Dun) deliver more often than not when it comes to studio albums.  Their 2018 album, 💿 Trench, ranks among their best.  Trench didn’t have the same commercial success as Blurryface (2015), but it was still a fabulous, must-hear LP. Among the best, most powerful records from Trench, 🎵 “Neon Gravestones,” is also one of the heaviest and moodiest.

“Neon Gravestones” dabbles with the delicate topic of suicide. Specifically, the record examines troublesome posthumous fame as well as potentially opting to commit suicide as an attention-seeking means.  Joseph is known for highlighting mental health issues, and honestly, “Neon Gravestones” is among his biggest and boldest statements.

“Neon gravestones try to call
Neon gravestones try to call for my bones.”