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WEEKLY GEMS 💎 NO. 4: WEEK OF 4-20-2020 features music courtesy of DaBaby, Grimes, The Strokes & Usher among others. 

Welcome to Weekly Gems 💎, a conceptual column that features one song for each day of the week.  Where did this brilliant idea come from? While taking a shower actually… Anyways, here’s an outline of each of the criteria/premise of each day of Weekly Gems.  Monday serves as the official start of the week.

Mad Monday serves as a marvelous means to start off a hectic, work week for many.  Monday is among the more hated days of the week, so let’s spice it up with some music, shall we? After taking a “L” on Monday, Terrific Tuesday seems to be an ideal, perfect way to rebound.  Go on and “Brush the dirt off your shoulders” and absolutely kill it on Tuesday. Wacky Wednesday is reserved for an intriguing song or piece of music that’s out of the ordinary – definitely ear catching.  What better way to celebrate hump day, right? 

Throwback Thursday (TBT) looks back at songs that have truly captivated or stuck with me for whatever reason.  In some cases, there’s a compelling story or memorable happening behind the fan-girling. Fun Friday features songs that are energetic and exciting; supercharged for the weekend.  There will be no BALLADS whatsoever on Fun Fridays! Steamy Saturday features songs where the temperature is hot, and we’re not talking about Celsius or Fahrenheit.  Songs appearing on this day are seductive; sensual; sexy. Somber Sunday perfectly captures the end of the weekend with its sadness, disappointment, and look towards yet another mad Monday.

So, with everything accurately laid out, and weeks no. 1, no. 2, and no. 3 behind us, let’s jump right into WEEKLY GEMS  💎 NO. 4: WEEK OF 4-20-2020, which features seven songs for each day of the week.  WEEKLY GEMS 💎NO. 4 features music courtesy of DaBaby, Grimes, The Strokes, and Usher among others.  Just Click on the arrows ↔ and buttons below ↓.

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The Strokes, “The Adults Are Talking” | Mad Monday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎No. 4 | Mad Monday No. 4, 4/20/2020

The Strokes spice up Mad Monday with “The Adults Are Talking,” the quick, energetic, and potent opener from The New Abnormal.

Mad Monday serves as a marvelous means to start off a hectic, work week for many.  Monday is among the more hated days of the week, so let’s spice it up with some music, shall we? Today’s Mad Monday (April 20, 2020), arrives courtesy of The Strokes with “The Adults Are Talking,” the opener from The New Abnormal, their sixth studio album overall and first new album in seven years.

“The Adults Are Talking” is quick, energetic, and incredibly potent.  This indie-rock record possesses a fun, danceable sensibility. Julian Casablancas gives a muted, even-keel vocal performance for the most part, ascending into a sweet falsetto within the final two minutes. Don’t let this deceive about its MAD implications.  The performance makes sense, given the messaging – the inability for a subordinate’s voice to be heard. This alone is a great reason why “The Adults Are Talking” is the perfect fit for MAD MONDAY.

“They will blame us, crucify and shame us
We can’t help it if we are a problem
We are tryin’ hard to get your attention
I’m climbin’ up your wall.”

Besides the social and political aspects of “The Adults Are Talking,” there are also references to a relationship, which is pretty intriguing.

The Strokes, “The Adults Are Talking” | Mad Monday 💎

The Strokes • The New Abnormal • RCA • 2020

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Big Sean, “Bounce Back” | Terrific Tuesday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎 No. 4 | Terrific Tuesday No. 4, 4/21/2020 

Big Sean atones for the “L” taken on Monday, with “Bounce Back,” just the resilient track you need to ring in Terrific Tuesday. 

After taking a “L” on Monday, Terrific Tuesday seems to be an ideal, perfect way to rebound.  Go on and “Brush the dirt off your shoulders” and absolutely kill it on Tuesday.  How are we going to kill it this particular Tuesday, April 21, 2020?  Well, we look to Big Sean and his 2017 hit single, “Bounce Back” (I Decided.), just the resilient track necessary to ring in Terrific Tuesday!

“Bounce Back” is characterized by tight production work (Hitmaka, Metro Boomin, and Amaire Johnson): slick drums and dark synths, set in a minor key. Big Sean’s rhymes are incredibly agile. His flow is quite the selling point, and he delivers compelling wordplay, particularly with the word, “bounce.” The second verse trumps the first, showing a more confident, punchier ‘Sean Don.’ Additionally, the production work on the second verse has more bite, matching the growing lyrical intensity. The hook is catchy AF – the major selling point:

“Last night took an L, but tonight I bounce back
Wake up every morning, by the night, I count stacks
Knew that ass was real when I hit, it bounce back
(You ain’t getting checks)
Last night took an L, but tonight I bounce back
Boy I been broke as hell, cashed a check and bounced back
D town LAX, every week I bounce back
If you a real one, then you know how to bounce back.”

To reiterate, the resilience – the winning spirit – speaks to those Terrific Tuesday vibes.  Sure, the “Knew that ass was real when I hit, it bounce back” is a line that would’ve been at home on Fun Friday or Steamy Saturday, but still, this song contains the confidence need to persevere – soldier TF on! 

Big Sean, “Bounce Back” | Terrific Tuesday 💎

Big Sean • I Decided. • Def Jam • 2017 

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Grimes, “We Appreciate Power” | Wacky Wednesday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎 No. 4 | Wacky Wednesday No. 4, 4/22/2020

Grimes makes Wacky Wednesday truly wacky and quite compelling with “We Appreciate Power” from her 2020 album, Miss Anthropocene. 

Wacky Wednesday is reserved for an intriguing song or piece of music that’s out of the ordinary – definitely ear catching.  What better way to celebrate hump day, right?  Let’s get wacky on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 with “We Appreciate Power” courtesy of Grimes who’s assisted by HANA.

“What will it take to make you capitulate?” “We Appreciate Power” appears as the 11^th track off of the deluxe edition of Miss Anthropocene. It should go without saying that Grimes exemplifies the characterization ‘one of a kind’ artist.  She enlists HANA for the assist on the chorus and bridge sections (HANA sings the excepted lyrics, FYI). “We Appreciate Power” could be described as a mix of pop, metal, and industrial – now that’s wacky if I do say so myself! Billboard described the record, upon its release in 2018, as “a dystopian, aggressive dive into a more rock-leaning sound.” The sound of the record yields no shortage of power, with its hard-hitting drums, aggressive guitars, and colorful keyboards/synths/programming.

If the actual sound of the record weren’t enough to set it apart from almost everything else, what about the concepts, themes, and the lyrics?  That “dystopian” characterization? The bridge is particularly key:

“And if you long to never die
Baby, plug in, upload your mind
Come on, you’re not even alive
If you’re not backed up on a drive.”

Certainly, compelling to say the least. Here’s another interesting observation about “We Appreciate Power.” Grimes delivers a much subtler performance against a more powerful, hardnosed backdrop.  On the first verse for example, she sings in a whisper, which is both weird yet totally intriguing (“God’s creation, so misunderstood / Pray to the divinity, the keeper of the key / One day everyone will believe”).  Comparatively, HANA is more aggressive, popping out more, quite obvious when she assists Grimes on the second half of the bridge. Honestly, one could write an entire essay about this powerful record, previously featured on the playlist, 11 Energetic, Powerful and/or Strong Songs.

Grimes, “We Appreciate Power” | Wacky Wednesday 💎

Grimes • Miss Anthropocene • 4AD Ltd • 2020

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Prince, “Nothing Compares 2 U” | Throwback Thursday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎 No. 4 | Throwback Thursday No. 4, 4/23/2020

Taking it back to the 80s, we look to Prince on Throwback Thursday (TBT) with the original recording of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” 

Throwback Thursday (TBT) looks back at songs that have truly captivated or stuck with me for whatever reason.  In some cases, there’s a compelling story or memorable happening behind the fangirling.  For the fourth Throwback Thursday, dated April 23, 2020, we look to Prince and his original studio version of his song that Sinead O’Connor made a classic, “Nothing Compares 2 U”.

On April 21, 2016, the world lost an icon.  The death of Prince ranks among the most shocking in entertainment history.  Part of that is because icons truly seem immortal. While the multitalented, versatile pop, rock, and R&B musician was incredibly prolific throughout his career, it’s still sad, four years later, knowing that there will be no more ‘brand-new’ music from Prince.  That said, he left a vault full of unreleased music, hence why the sole studio recording of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” from 1984, sees the light of day.

When “Nothing Compares 2 U” was released as a single in 2018, Matt Miller of Esquire Magazine described it as “fucking incredible” – I agree! The original is indeed EPIC, exemplifying the icon at his best.  His vocal tone is distinct and pure, perfectly suited for his own melody.  The overall vocal performance is nuanced, filled with emotion and personality.  The falsetto – magnificent.  Adding to the allure is the production, namely the beefy guitars, pummeling drums, the soulful saxophone solo (Eric Leeds), and the supporting vocals backing the masterful lead.  Fittingly, “Nothing Compares 2 U” concludes Prince’s 2019 posthumous album, Originals.  Again, what better way to throwback than with The Purple One?

Prince, “Nothing Compares 2 U” | Throwback Thursday 💎

Prince • Originals • Warner • Release: 2019

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Usher, Lil Jon & Ludacris, “SexBeat” | Fun Friday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎No. 4 | Fun Friday No. 4, 4/24/2020

Reunited after 16 years, Usher, Lil Jon & Ludacris bring some surefire, sensual fun to Fun Friday with “SexBeat”.

Fun Friday features songs that are energetic and exciting; supercharged for the weekend.  There will be no BALLADS whatsoever on Fun Fridays! So, with that considered, for Fun Friday, April 17, 2020, we enlist Usher, Lil Jon, and Ludacris for the sensual R&B joint, “SexBeat”. Okay, it’s a bit slower in BPMs than the usual Fun Friday entry, but, it’s certainly fun.  

“SexBeat” commences romantically with a lush keyboard intro. This sets the sensual vibe of the record.  While “SexBeat” maintains a degree of lushness, things become more assertive once the actual ‘sex beat’ – a trap beat – drops.  The production is one of the biggest selling points, and it comes courtesy of Lil Jon, continuing the throwback vibes that characterize the entire record.  Following the intro, you would expect Usher to take over. Nope – it’s Ludacris, with ad-libs from Lil Jon! Ludacris is loud and suggestive, as to be expected.  That said, he’s not nearly as filthy as more contemporary rappers might’ve been (“Have you ever had orgasms in the double digits, digits, digits, digits?”).  Still, don’t get it twisted – he’s Luda after all!

Usher makes his first appearance on the chorus, where the emphasis is on the ‘sex beat,’ with the keyword being sex.  “When we get in that room and the bass go boom,” he sings on the chorus, continuing, “Something about the way you make me move, move.” From there, he’s on autopilot on the second verse, admitting, “I painted pictures in my mind / Tonight, I’m bringing ‘em to life, oh-oh, through my…”

Clearly, “SexBeat” is tailor made for FUN FRIDAY, especially a fun Friday night.  This is a prime example where Fun Fridays and Steamy Saturdays can overlap. 

Usher, Lil Jon & Ludacris, “SexBeat” | Fun Friday 💎

Usher, Lil Jon & Ludacris • “SexBeat” • RCA • 2020

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DaBaby, “Nasty” | Steamy Saturday

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎 No. 4 | Steamy Sat No. 4, 4/25/2020

DaBaby, assisted by Megan Thee Stallion & Ashanti, exemplifies Steamy Saturday, with the filthy “Nasty” from his 2020 album, Blame it on Baby.

Steamy Saturday features songs where the temperature is hot, and we’re not talking about Celsius or Fahrenheit.  Songs appearing on this day are seductive; sensual; sexy.  For Saturday, April 25, 2020, I use of the steamiest, nastiest records I’ve heard in 2020, “Nasty,” a highlight from Blame it on Baby, the 2020 album by DaBaby. Here, the “SUGE” rapper is assisted by Megan Thee Stallion and Ashanti on perhaps the most unapologetic records you’ve heard in years.

The best moment of Blame it On Baby, hands down, is also the nastiest – like pornographic nasty! “Nasty,” the penultimate cut, certainly lives up to its name. DaBaby is freaky AF here – quite X-rated in his sexual endeavors. “She know I’m nasty / She like it when I pull it out and I put it all over her ass cheeks,” he raps on the first verse, later adding, “I take both her legs and I put ‘em behind her head like she a pretzel / Then I pick her up and slam her down on her head like I’m a wrestler…” Woah, Nelly! Perhaps ‘she’ does indeed benefit, but we don’t really know until Megan Thee Stallion puts her two cents in about the level of pleasure on the equally filthy second verse:

“Quit talking that shit, when I drop that pin, come drop that dick
He deep in them covers, this pussy like butter, he put it in damn near nutted
…I put one leg on the headboard and leave the other leg on the mattress
Look down at him while he smackin’ get them headshots like a actress.”

Smackin’ – OMG! There’s more filth from DaBaby, who segues into a third verse, which includes exercise: “I’m doing my push-ups in that pussy.” Yes, absolutely TF “Nasty.”  The classiest part of the songs arrives courtesy of Ashanti, whose 2002 R&B hit, “Baby” is sampled.  This is the total exemplification of a steamy Saturday, though it also would’ve made the cut for Fun Friday, wouldn’t you agree?

DaBaby, “Nasty” | Steamy Saturday 💎

DaBaby • Blame it on Baby • Interscope • 2020

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Hayley Williams, “Leave It Alone” | Somber Sunday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems  💎 No. 4 | Somber Sun No. 4, 4/26/2020

Hayley Williams helps Somber Sunday live up to its name with her grief-filled record, “Leave It Alone,” hailing from Petals for Armor.  

Somber Sunday perfectly captures the end of the weekend with its sadness, disappointment, and look towards yet another mad Monday. On this fourth edition of Somber Sunday, April 26, 2020, Hayley Williams, the front woman of Paramore, brings full-on somberness with “Leave It Alone”, which hails from her 2020 solo album, Petals for Armor. 

“If you know love / You best prepare to grieve.” The thoughtfully penned “Leave it Alone,” produced by Taylor York, finds Williams totally consumed with grief.  The record has an extremely somber tone from the onset, instrumentally and lyrically. On the first verse, she sings, “‘Cause now that I want to live / Well everybody around me is dying / Now that I finally wanna live / The ones I love are dyin’.” Thinking about family members dying – people you care about leaving you – is totally depressing and overwhelming.  On the second verse, she’s further ‘triggered,’ providing a specific example of loss:

“You don’t remember my name somedays
Or that we’re related
It triggers my worry
Who else am I gonna lose before I am ready?
And who’s gonna lose me?”

The centerpiece of the record is the chorus, where “The truth’s a killer / But I can’t leave it alone…”  “Leave it Alone” has previously appeared on the playlists 11 Solitary Songs That Are Totally Alone, 15 L Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason, and 15 Songs That Possess a Negative Connotation.  Just to reiterate, “Leave it Alone” is the perfect fit for SOMBER SUNDAY.

Hayley Williams, “Leave It Alone” | Somber Sunday 💎

Hayley Williams • Petals for Armor • Atlantic • 2020

Weekly Gems 💎No. 4: Week of 4-20-2020 [Photo Credits: Brent Faulkner, Def Jam, Interscope, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Warner]

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