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Weekly Gems 💎 No. 8: Week of 5-18-2020 features music courtesy of Bad Bunny, Isaac Dunbar, and Todrick Hall 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 the first month of Weekly Gems behind us, let’s jump right into WEEKLY GEMS 💎NO. 8: WEEK OF 5-18-2020, which features seven songs for each day of the week.  WEEKLY GEMS NO. 7 features music courtesy of Bad Bunny, Isaac Dunbar, and Todrick Hall  among others.  Just Click on the arrows ↔ and buttons below ↓.

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Toothless, “The Neighbors” | Mad Monday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎 No. 8 | Mad Monday No. 8, 5/18/2020

Wilkes-Barre, PA metalcore collective Toothless bring ample anger (and hellishness) to Mad Money with “The Neighbors” (Misinformed EP).  

Ah, 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 (May 18, 2020), arrives courtesy of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania metalcore collective Toothless, with “The Neighbors,” from their 2020 EP, Misinformed.

Toothless kicks off Misinformed (EP) – a project that focuses ‘on the current obsession with anti-intellectualism and the weaponizing of disinformation in the modern age’ – with “The Neighbors,” which certainly isn’t devoid of chaos.  The three-minute-plus record commences with crunchy, distorted, and messy guitars. The sound is simultaneously energetic and enigmatic.  Adding to a dark and damning sound, the listener is treated to intense, wild screamed vocals by Travis Antoniello that lack one iota of melody.  While that might be negative in some instances, it’s certainly not the case here, where the vibe is hellishly alluring.

“I took a path less traveled to the place I’ll call home
I never met the neighbors, but they won’t leave me alone
They’ve got rusted crowns and rusted mouths
But they never speak – they never speak.”

One minute in, “The Neighbors” experiences a change of pace that incites further chaos – a truly unkempt transitional section.  It resolves to a degree of stability, at least contextually.  Still, this is noisy and abrasive music.  Even with its ambitiousness and extremely loud dynamics, “The Neighborhood” exhibits some order, with the original section – featuring the aforementioned, angry lyrics – returning to close out the rad cut. “The Neighbors” is definitely an exemplary selection for Mad Monday!

Toothless, The Neighbors | Mad Monday 💎

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Toothless • Misinformed (EP) • 2020 

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Ricky Dillard, “He’s My Roof Top” | Terrific Tuesday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎 No. 8 | Terrific Tuesday No. 8, 5/19/2020 

Ricky Dillard rings in Terrific Tuesday with some Sunday flair with an amazing Mighty Clouds of Joy cover, “He’s My Roof Top.”

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, May 19, 2020? Well, Ricky Dillard is gonna take you to church this Terrific Tuesday with “He’s My Roof Top” from his superb live gospel album,  Choirmaster.

“He’s My Roof Top,” the fifth song on Choirmaster, isn’t brand-new. No, it’s actually an enhanced cover of a The Mighty Clouds of Joy staple, “He’s My Rooftop”, from the 1983 album, Sing and Shout.  The Mighty Clouds of Joy version was funky in its own right – a progressive sound for contemporary black gospel music at the time. On this awesome take by Dillard, he enlists the awesome Keith Wonderboy Johnson for the vocal assist.   

Where the original clocked in at five minutes, Ricky Dillard and company go eight-and-a-half minutes and man, oh, man, is it energetic, funky, and high-flying to the nth degree.  Characterizing it as spirited is an understatement – it’s that potent.  Lyrically, the themes are familiar and idiomatic of black gospel: God is my all, and “I’m gonna serve him.” Again, regardless whether you are particularly pious or not religious at all, it’s hard to deny the power of this song, not to mention the rooftop metaphor (“For he’s my rooftop in the rage of the storm / He’s my protector, There will never be no harm”).  Definitely a way to lift the spirit on Terrific Tuesday.

Ricky Dillard, He’s My Roof Top | Terrific Tuesday 💎

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Ricky Dillard • Choirmaster • Motown Gospel • 2020

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Todrick Hall, “Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs” | Wacky Wednesday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎 No. 8 | Wacky Wednesday No. 8, 5/20/2020

On Wacky Wednesday, Todrick Hall intrigues with his entertaining, quarantine anthem, “Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs,” from Quarantine Queen.

Ah, Wacky Wednesday; 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, May 20, 2020 with “Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs,” courtesy of Todrick Hall!

On “Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs,” Todrick Hall opts for a ‘pandemic’ remix of “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels” (Haus Party 1, Pt. 1, 2019).  The colorful track appears on Hall’s COVID-19 EP, Quarantine Queen. “My mask, gloves, soap, scrubs / My mask, gloves, soap, scrubs …” Like “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels,” when you listen to this dance/house-inspired cut, the first word that comes to mind is FABULOUS.  Yaaasss, even in quarantine Todrick Hall is FABULOUS.  The lyrics are honest and relatable, but also quite entertaining, lighthearted, and definitely funny.  I mean, it really starts at the beginning of the first verse:

“My mask, gloves, soap, scrubs
TikTok, Grubhub
Twinks, jocks, bears, cubs
Zoom is the new club
Six feet, no hugs
Still beat these mugs
Sick beat got a rug
Joe Exotic is a thug
Kitty cat, cat, tell me Carole Baskin
Where is the husband everyone’s asking?
Stimulus check, everybody better cash in
Mask and gloves, yeah, that’s the new fashion.”

Of course, there’s even more on the second verse including the stellar line, “Left, right, left, right, swiping on Tinder / What was life like? I can’t remember.” The bridge goes H.A.M. with fitting phrases like “Mop for me,” “Stay away from me,” and “Squirt for me” – totally not sexual, of course ;).  “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels” was featured on Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 2.

Todrick Hall, Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs | Wacky Wednesday 💎

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Todrick Hall • Quarantine Queen • Todrick Hall • 2020

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Boyz II Men, “End of the Road” | Throwback Thursday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎 No. 8 | Throwback Thursday No. 8, 5/21/2020

This Throwback Thursday, we travel back to 1991 with Boyz II Men and their Cooleyhighharmony classic, “End of the Road.” 

It is Throwback Thursday (TBT) time! 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 Throwback Thursday, dated May 21, 2020, we look to Boyz II Men and the “End of the Road” from their 1991 album, Cooleyhighharmony.

“Although we’ve come to the end of the road / Still I can’t let go / It’s unnatural, you belong to me, I belong to you.” It’s almost unbelievable that “End of the Road” is nearly 30 years old (as of publication). Boyz II Men were huge in the contemporary R&B in 1991, and throughout the 90s, with “End of the Road” arguably being the crown jewel of their debut album.  Honestly, you just don’t hear such authentic, soulfully infused ballads like this anymore. There’s nothing dated about this – it’s timeless.

The vocals are high-flying, and the harmonies – celestial to say the least. The Grammys definitely took notice, awarding the R&B group Best R&B Performance by a Duo/Group with Vocal in 1992 for this transcendent gem. “End of the Road” appeared previously on the playlist 11 Songs Keyed in to The End.  Definitely one of my personal favorites!

Boyz II Men, End of the Road | Throwback Thursday 💎

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Boyz II Men • Cooleyhighharmony • Motown • 1991

Boyz II Men, “End of the Road” | Throwback Thursday 💎 [Photo Credits: Brent Faulkner, kalhh, The Musical Hype, Pixabay, Prettysleepy]

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Bad Bunny, “Pa’ Romperla” | Fun Friday 💎

Ft. Don Omar

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎 No. 8 | Fun Friday No. 8, 5/22/2020 

Bad Bunny brings plenty of fun and partying to Fun Friday with “Pa’ Romperla” assisted by reggaeton vet Don Omar.

Ah, 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, May 22, 2020, we enlist Bad Bunny, assisted by reggaeton veteran Don Omar on “Pa’ Romperla.” LFFB – Let Friday’s Fun Begin!

“Pa’ Romperla” marks one of the best moments from Las Que No Iban a Salir, a surprise album that was finished in just two days! One of several productions by Tainy on Las Que No Iban a Salir, the sound alone is a vibe.  That vibe, of course, is party centric, with the bedroom as the ultimate destination.  Don Omar sings, on the first verse, “We’re going to drink, we’re going to smoke, a song to fuck to…” via the English translation.  As for Bad Bunny, he confirms the sexual aspect throughout the second verse, asserting, “I’m giving it to her as her boyfriend watches Jordan” and “With me, your girl gets horny…” “Pa’ Romperla” – or at least what goes down on “Pa’ Romperla” – is definitely within the realm of a Fun Friday.

Bad Bunny, Pa’ Romperla | Fun Friday 💎

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Bad Bunny • Las Que No Iban a Salir • Rimas Entertainment • 2020 

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Trey Songz, “Love Faces” | Steamy Saturday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎 No. 8 | Steamy Sat No. 8, 5/23/2020

Trey Songz exemplifies Steamy Saturday, with the hella sexy “Love Faces” which appears on his 2010 album, Passion Pain & Pleasure.

It is Steamy Saturday time! 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.

This week, May 23, 2020 we enlist Trey Songz to steam things up with “Love Faces” which appears on his 2010 album, Passion Pain & Pleasure.

Question: “Don’t it feel good when I touch it? / Would it be nice if all night I was in you?” Trey Songz excels at sex, period. The handsome R&B singer is the perfect messenger when it comes to matters of the bedroom.  On “Love Faces,” Songz is focused on the facial expressions while ‘getting it on.’ Lyrically, the Passion, Pain & Pleasure standout is hot enough to stimulate almost anybody.  Adding ‘insult to injury,’ the lush, super smooth production work (Edrick Miles and Troy Taylor) screams ‘it’s going down.’ Of course, on the memorable chorus, it does indeed go down.  The “O” faces seem to be full throttle from both parties.  And how could they not be with Trey Songz in the driver seat?

“Making love faces
Making love faces
Shadows on the wall while the candles burning
Messing up the bed while you sweating out your perm
Making love faces
Making love faces
My hands rubbing on your skin
Let’s go hard, don’t hold it in.”

“Love Faces” is definitely indicative of what a Steamy Saturday is all about.  The song previously appeared on the list 13 Songs That Focus on the Face.

Trey Songz, Love Faces | Steamy Saturday 💎

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Trey Songz • Passion Pain & Pleasure • Atlantic • 2010

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Isaac Dunbar, “Suicide” | Somber Sunday 💎

2020 | Weekly Gems 💎 No. 8 | Somber Sun No. 8, 5/17/2020

Teen alternative pop artist Isaac Dunbar ushers in Somber Sunday with the darkly poetic standout “Suicide” from his 2020 EP, Isaac’s Insects.   

Sigh, Somber Sunday perfectly captures the end of the weekend with its sadness, disappointment, and look towards yet another mad Monday.

On Somber Sunday, May 24, 2020, Wunderkind Isaac Dunbar tackles extremely heave subject matter on “Suicide,” which hails from his 2020 EP, Isaac’s Insects.

Throughout Isaac’s Insects, Isaac Dunbar lets us into his life.  He’s young, but he also manages to tackle truly relevant topics including identity, internalized homophobia, sexuality, and the subject matter at hand, suicide. As expected, penultimate number “Suicide” is dark and haunting. Dunbar sings expressively, prompting the listener to lean on his every note and every word.  While his voice is beautiful sans effects, there are some neat pitch shifted moments providing a colorful, unique contrast.  Lyrically, “Suicide” is darkly poetic, particularly the centerpiece, the chorus:

“My skin is very young
But my heart is very old
My mind thinks lips and tongue
But my bones decide my home
My fears ran through my lungs
And my eyes only saw gold
My room’s where my throat hung
And my fingers turned purple.”

Those lyrics are chilling, exemplifying somberness superbly if I do say so myself…

Isaac Dunbar, Suicide | Somber Sunday 💎

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Isaac Dunbar • Isaac’s Insects (EP) • RCA • 2020 

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Weekly Gems No. 8: Week of 5-18-2020 [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Motown, Motown Gospel, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Rimas Entertainment, Todrick Hall, Toothless]

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