Roaring 20s | 5ive Songs

1. Flo Milli, “Roaring 20s”

“Roaring 20s” • RCA • 2021 

“Stupid shit, it’s just a double standard / I made my own lane, and I took advantage (Flo Milli shit) …” Rapper Flo Milli impresses, exhibiting ample attitude over a Fiddler on the Roof sample ( “If I Were a Rich Man”) on her short but sweet banger, “Roaring 20s”. It’s pretty sick the way that Flo and the trap beat change up the flow from the introductory sample.

Her voice rises above the backdrop in commanding fashion, with the agility and confidence of her flow being an additional selling point. She serves up a mix of melodic rap and un-pitched rhymes.  Further providing fuel for the fire is nice production work courtesy of Kenny Beats who doesn’t have to do much, anchoring the sample with a tight trap beat. With no glaring cons, perhaps the sole con is that it would be nice if this brief banger were a bit more developed.

Nonetheless, I’ll leave you with a few more ‘profound’ lines from Flo:

“You can’t hate on pussy if it rule the planet (Yeah, yeah)
I just came in the game and I'm doin’ damage (If I was a rich man).”

2. H.E.R., “21”

I Used to Know Her • RCA • 2019

“After-show afterparty, orange juice and Bacardi / I’m old enough, I made enough to move to Abu Dhabi / And who could stop me?” On “21” ( I Used to Know Her), Grammy-winner H.E.R. is real, reflective, and manages to deliver a R&B bop in the process.  She manages to keep old-school alive, while simultaneously sounding contemporary and fresh. “21” has a soulful, throwback vibe with its robust bass line, smooth guitars, and dusty drum groove (produced by H.E.R., Walter Jones, and King Michael Coy).  Focusing on the songwriting, H.E.R. reflects on her career, which started at an incredibly young age, and reaching ‘adulthood’ – 21. Notably, on the second verse, she mentions hard work paying off ultimately (“Can’t cheat the grind”).

The record’s crown jewel, of course, is the gorgeous, incredibly honest chorus:

“No everybody not made for this life
I wouldn’t trade it for the world
I’m 21 now, oh I’m 21.”

3. Panic! At the Disco, “Roaring 20s”

Pray for the Wicked • Fueled By Ramen • 2018 

“Roaring 20s” appears on Pray for the Wicked, the 2018 album by alternative collective – really more one-man-band these days – Panic! At the Disco. “Roaring 20s” is a heavily rhythmic record that’s big-band styled nature is reminiscent of “Crazy=Genius” from Death of a Bachelor.  Furthermore, the influence of Brendon Urie’s participation in the Broadway musical Kinky Boots is highly evident.

As always, the lyrics are intriguing, balancing both a 1920s vibe and exemplifying the twenty-something/post-twenty-something lifestyle.  “This is my roaring, roaring 20s,” Urie sings on the chorus, later adding, “Roll me like a blunt ‘cause I wanna go home.”

4. Sabrina Carpenter, “Pushing 20”

Singular: Act II • Hollywood • 2019

“You got a way, you’re messing with my faith / You’re tryna paint a picture but you’re running out of paint / You had your say ‘til I took it away / Out of yours in my controlla…” Actress and pop singer Sabrina Carpenter released the fierce, sleek new single, “Pushing 20” in advance of 20^th birthday.  The single ultimately appeared on her 2019 nine-track project, Singular: Act II. This sleek joint, produced by Oak, features a hard-nosed beat and sharp synths. Rebellious, youthful spirit are all captured within his backdrop.  Carpenter eats it up, singing swagger-laden lyrics, heavily influenced by hip-hop culture, and giving off ‘that attitude.’

The centerpiece is definitely the unapologetic chorus that portrays Carpenter as one fierce, nearly 20-year-old:

“I’m pushing 20, got no time for others
I’m pushing 20, got no time for others
Who ain’t on the same wave, yeah, on the same page?
Tryna tell me what to be, yeah. Tell me what to think.”

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5. Vampire Weekend, “2021”

Father of the Bride • Sony • 2019

“2021, will you think about me? / I could wait a year, but I couldn’t wait three / I don’t wanna be (boy)…” Vampire Weekend released one of the finest shorter songs you’ll ever hear with   “2021”, which appears on their Grammy-winning comeback album, Father of the Bride. “2021” samples Japanese musician Haruomi Hosono, making the music incredibly intriguing. Adding to the greatness are vocal contributions from Jenny Lewis, specifically on the memorable, “Boy, boy.”

Ezra Koenig remains a force himself, sounding absolutely beautiful on the sole, repeated verse, partially excerpted above. He sings the verse up an octave the second time. Despite its brevity and simplicity, “2021” remains jam-packed and complex – gorgeous and well-produced.  The songwriting conveys a deeper meaning, focusing on perceptions and remembrance in the future.

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