True or False | 5ive Songs

1. Bob Dylan, “False Prophet”

Rough and Rowdy Ways • Columbia • 2020

Rough and Rowdy Ways is a bloody brilliant album by rock icon, Bob Dylan. In the context of the 2020 album, “False Prophet,” the second track, marks a stark contrast to the reflective opener, “I Contain Multitudes.” “False Prophet” embraces blues rock and an assertive, punchy sound. Dylan showcases ample personality, blessing us with his ‘ace in the hole,’ masterful songwriting.  FYI, the false prophet (or lack thereof) is mentioned explicitly for the first time on the third verse, reappearing on the seventh and the tenth and final verse.  Bob Dylan is on autopilot.

2. Tame Impala, “Is it True”

The Slow Rush • Island • 2020

On the groove-tastic “Is it True,” love and the future have Kevin Parker feeling nervous.  Previously on The Slow Rush, the Tame Impala brainchild preached against the past, and now, it’s the future that’s the issue. “We started talkin’ ‘bout devotion / The kind that goes eternally,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “And I tell her I’m in love with her / But how can I know that I’ll always be?” There may be some cold feet on his end of things, but “Is it True” keeps The Slow Rush, and this miniature list piping hot.

3. Taylor Swift, “False God”

Lover • Taylor Swift • 2019

“False God” stands out on Lover, arguably the best ‘pop’ album released by Taylor Swift. It shines for numerous reasons including playful, rhythmic melodic lines sung respectably by Swift, as well as unique production by Jack Antonoff.  Some of the elements of the production that shine include the beat/groove, synths and keyboards, and harmonized saxophone lines.  Beyond the melody, production, and vocals, the other big selling point are the religious allusions that appear throughout.  

The chorus is a prime example:

“But we might just get away with it
Religion’s in your lips
Even if it’s a false god
We’d still worship
We might just get away with it
The altar is my hips
Even if it’s a false god
We still worship this love
We still worship this love
We still worship this love.”

4. Mark Ronson, “True Blue”

Ft. Angel Olsen

Late Night Feelings • Sony • 2019 

“True Blue” is the lengthiest song on Late Night Feelings, the 2019 album by Grammy-winning musician/producer Mark Ronson. Here, Ronson is assisted by Angel Olsen.  The sound of the record masterfully blends pop, retro-pop, and new wave.  The guitars have some bite, while the bass line is robust – quite prominent in the mix.

Olsen brings some attitude, particularly on the profane chorus:

“Fucking around, I’m falling in love
Saying goodbye ‘cause you’re giving it up
All that you were, all that you lost
Who ever thought it came with a cost?
I ran to you, I ran to you
I ran to you and you know why.”

5. The Weeknd, “False Alarm”

Starboy • Republic • 2016

“False Alarm”, the second track from Starboy, is a record about a gold-digging girl. The Weeknd masterfully depicts her shallowness, asserting, “So obsessed with the camera lights,” “She loves everybody / She gets off all the time,” or “Dolla, dolla bill is her only type.” He also manages to squeeze in double-entendre for make-up centering around drugs: “Bathroom stalls for the powder nose.”

A danceable, pop-rock oriented groove anchors this joint, which bears some influence from Prince, at least to my ears. The record has an edgy, biting, rock quality that’s quite alluring. Throughout, a darker palette of sounds is used.  Lyrically, aside from the aforementioned lyrical standouts, the chorus is definitely the centerpiece.