Bops That Pop: September 2024 features music courtesy of Kehlani, Sabrina Carpenter, Tommy Richman, Victoria Monรฉt, and The Weeknd.
Itโs that time! What time it is? Why, monthly round-up time โ time to acknowledge those Bops That Pop, like boom ๐ฅ! Bops That Pop represents the best songs of a given month on The Musical Hype! All the songs on Bops That Pop: September 2024 were released as singles or as an album track in late August 2024, September 2024, or whereabouts. Musicians serving the bops in September 2024 include Kehlani, Sabrina Carpenter, Tommy Richman, Victoria Monรฉt, and The Weeknd. So, without further ado, here are those Bops That Pop: September 2024!
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1. The Weeknd, โDancing In The Flamesโ
2. Kehlani, โWhen Heโs Not There (Ft. Lucky Daye)โ
3. Tommy Richman, โTHOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONEโ
5. Linkin Park, โThe Emptiness Machineโ
6. Victoria Monรฉt, โSOS (Sex on Sight)โ (Ft. Usher)
7. Coldplay, โWE PRAYโ (Ft. Lil Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & TINI)
8. Megan Thee Stallion, โNeva Playโ (Ft. RM of BTS)
9. John Conlin, โKissing Other Girlsโ
10. Sabrina Carpenter, โBed Chemโ
12. John Duff, โForgotten How to F*ckโ
13. Kehlani, โClothes Offโ (Ft. kwn)
14. Shawn Mendes, โNobody Knowsโ
15. ericdoa, โsearch & destroyโ
16. Geordie Kieffer, โJesus Vanโ
17. Brooke Candy, โNext Bitchโ
18. Micah McLaurin, โCall Meโ
19. Ryland James, โYouโre Still My Manโ
20. Isak Danielson, โDesperate Guyโ
21. King Willonius, โTheyโre Eating The Dogsโ
1. The Weeknd, โDancing In The Flamesโ
Hurry Up Tomorrow // The Weeknd XO Music ULC / Republic // 2024
โTraffic dies while we are racinโ home / Melted lights cover the open road.โ Poetic, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye). He continues, โI hope we make it, โcause Iโve been chasinโ / Another odyssey, oh.โ The Grammy-winning Canadian superstar returned in September 2024, with โDancing In The Flamesโ, a promo single from his sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.ย Tesfaye, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter penned and produced the slick, mid-tempo, synthpop/R&B cut. The sound of โDancing in the Flamesโ suits Tesfaye perfectly.ย It comprises bright, rhythmic synths, a bouncy bass line, pummeling drum runs, and 80s-sounding drum programming. He delivers strong, pure, and expressive vocals. The melodies are tuneful with great attention paid to the melodic contour. The lyrics focus on driving and crashing, comparing it to love (โWeโre dodginโ headlights, and you say, โHold tightโโ). There are nice use of vocal harmonies during the chorus, the centerpiece.
โI canโt wait to see your face
Crash when weโre switchinโ lanes
My loveโs beyond the pain
But if I miss the brake
Weโre dancinโ in the flames
Itโs indescribable.โ
Vocoder appears on the word, indescribable during the post-chorus, giving off Daft Punk vibes. The bridge section distinguishes itself from the rest of the song. The spacey, enigmatic instrumental outro is a nice touch. With memorable songwriting, a well-rounded vocal, and ear-catching production, Abel Tesfaye โdoes the damn thingโ on โDancing In The Flamesโ.
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2. Kehlani, โWhen Heโs Not There (Ft. Lucky Daye)โ
While We Wait 2 // Atlantic // 2024
โI come over when heโs not there / He donโt even know that I here.โ Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Kehlani shines on โWhen Heโs Not Thereโ, from her mixtape, While We Wait 2. โWhen Heโs Not Thereโ features Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter, Lucky Daye. With numerous songwriters in addition to Kehlani and Lucky Day, it was produced by Ambezza, Dillon, and Nik D. The sound of the record is resplendent.ย It is bright, lush, soulful, and warm.ย While โWhen Heโs Not Thereโ is idiomatic of contemporary R&B, it also hearkens back to the past.ย Both Kehlani and Daye sing beautifully.ย Both lyrics and melodies are memorable.ย โGirl, does he know youโre yearning, yearning for me?โ Kehlani asks in the first verse, adding โDonโt tell none of your homegirls โcause nobody needs to know, no.โ Context: Kehlani and this girl (who has a boyfriend) are hooking up and nobody needs to know! Hence, why in the chorus, โI come over when heโs not there.โ Oh, snap! She expounds on their relationship in the second verse, admitting, โLord knows I wonโt end a happy home, but Iโll leave a condo broken.โ Ooh wee! Daye enters the mix in the third verse, playing a similar role to Kehlani and the girl sheโs cheating with: โWell, damn, guess, he wonโt know what he hand until itโs gone / Guess he canโt read between the lines / While he ignore and I explore /โฆ Weโre having hour fun and they ainโt gotta know.โ All told, โWhen Heโs Not Thereโ is a steamy, irresistibly delicious song about cheating. Kehlani and Lucky Daye put their foot into this one!
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3. Tommy Richman, โTHOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONEโ
โTHOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONEโ // ISO Supremacy / PULSE / Concord // 2024
According to Tommy Richman, โI thought you were the one, ah / I thought you were the one that got away.โ Word. โTHOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONEโ continues a prolific 2024 for the Virginia-bred musician. Richman wrote the highlight. He produced it with Elliot, Limo, and Jonah Roy. โOh, I know you love me / Oh, you push and you shove me out.โ Hmmโฆ Like singles โMILLION DOLLAR BABYโ and โDEVIL IS A LIEโ, there is lots to like about โTHOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONEโ.ย The sound and instrumental accompaniment is a big selling point. It has a nice old-school vibe.ย The groove is fabulous, while the rhythmic, detuned synths, keys, and big, infectious synth bass line catch the ears. Furthermore, there is a degree of nostalgia about this cut. The vocals by Richman mark another selling point. The melody is rhythmic and tuneful. The theme is simple yet complicated โ matters of the heart.ย At the end of the verse, he asserts, โI still know weโre a good fit, baby, good fit / I donโt know what to say, but fuck it anyway / I know weโll have some good kids, baby, good kids.โ Word. All in all, Tommy Richman delivered another winner with โTHOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONEโ.
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4. Doechii, โBOOM BAPโ
Alligator Bites Never Heal // Top Dawg Entertainment / Capitol // 2024
โI gave my soul for this shit, ate lumps of coal for this shit.โ What more can you say but, oh, shit! According to sickening Florida rapper and singer Doechii (Jaylah Hickmon), Alligator Bites Never Heal. Word. ย Leading the charge for the mixtape is the short but potent โBOOM BAPโ.ย โBOOM BOPโ was written by Doechii, Camper (Darhyl Camper), and DIXSON.ย Additionally, Camper produced the brief track alongside DJ Miss Milan.ย The soulful backdrop is one of the biggest selling points and fuels the fire of the fiery rapper.ย It doesnโt hurt that an interpolation is part of the mix. With a kickass backdrop, Doechii brings the heat.ย Her flow is compelling, the bars biting, and her personality is through the roof.ย She brings an innovative spirit to the table.ย Her approach is non-standard, more alternative, and left-field which makes โBOOM BAPโ ear-catching and engaging.ย She still goes hard asserting in the first verse, โThey want real rap from a bitch like they out-rappinโ a bitch / Yeah, she can clap a lilโ bit, do that, theyย ainโt sayinโ shit.โย Maintaining a brash approach, she adds, โEven the moms know what it is, but yโall niggas canโt see what it is.โ Word! In the chorus, which is sort of unorthodox, she spits, โGet Top on the phone / Tell him itโs a wrap, nigga / Say itโs real, and itโs rap / And itโs a boom, and it bap / And it bounce, and it clap / And this house, and itโs trap.โ The second verse is intriguing too: โ[Iโm] Mugsy Bogues with the shit, might call J. Cole for this shit.โ โBOOM BAPโ is a surefire bop.
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5. Linkin Park, โThe Emptiness Machineโ
From Zero // Linkin Park, LLC // 2024
Thereโs lots to โheartโ about โThe Emptiness Machineโ, the comeback single for new-look Linkin Park who welcomes a new co-vocalist (Emily Armstrong), drummer (Colin Brittain), and touring guitarist (Alex Feder).ย The promo single from From Zero begins with the driving guitar and pummeling drums โ always a recipe for success! The chemistry and contrast between Mike Shinoda and Emily Armstrong is another selling point. Shinoda sings the first verse, pre-chorus, and chorus, with a cleaner, mellower approach. The melody is memorable, particularly in the chorus:
โLet you cut me open, just to watch me bleed
Gave up who I am for who you wanted me to be
Donโt know why Iโm hopinโ for what I wonโt receive
Fallinโ for the promise of the emptiness machine
The emptiness machine.โ
After the mellower first chorus, Armstrong sings most of the second verse. She brings assertive, powerful, and impressive pipes. Shinoda joins her in the pre-chorus.ย Armstrong is electrifying when the second chorus comes around, showing just how dynamic she is.ย Once more, we get a lovely contrast between Shinoda and Armstrong during the bridge.ย Emily is locked in on the final chorus, including a well-placed f-bomb (โDonโt know why Iโm hopinโ, so fuckinโ naรฏve / Fallinโ for the promise of the emptiness machineโ). The outro is sweet too, with mellow Mike once more contrasting assertive Emily.ย All in all, the return of Linkin Park, with all its changes, turns out to be a welcome one. โThe Emptiness Machineโ rocks!
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6. Victoria Monรฉt, โSOS (Sex on Sight)โ (Ft. Usher)
โSOS (Sex on Sight)โ // Lovett Music, Inc. / RCA // 2024
โI need that SOS, sex on sight, baby, itโs urgent / Let me fuck up all your plans, come put this work in.โ Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Victoria Monรฉt is honest about her sexual desires in her single, โSOS (Sex on Sight)โ. On โSOS,โ she taps one of R&Bโs sexiest musicians, Grammy-winner Usher for the assist. Monรฉt, Usher, Ant Clemons, Daniel Church, Ido Zmishlany, and producer Camper penned โSOS.โ There is plenty to love about โSOS (Sex on Sight).โ It benefits from a soulful, old-school sound. Thereโs nothing like lush instrumental accompaniment and a big, robust bass line. Monรฉt takes the reins first. She never gets too high or too low. She delivers a well-rounded, cool-energy performance.ย After setting the tone in the first verse, she unveils the chorus, which features a tuneful melody and memorable lyrics:
โI am way too sexy
To be alone
Wanna show you what type
Of time that Iโm on (What type of time Iโm on)
Want you to come (Want you to come)
Send me your ETA
And when you lay me down
Pin my legs to the clouds
And I hope youโre ready for the rain.โ
Oh, snap! Besides the lyrics and tune, instrumentally, there is a welcome addition of synth horns post-chorus (โSOS, please / Let it fall, let it goโ). Usher enters the mix during the second verse. His performance begins with rap and spoken word.ย It adds to the character of the song. Soon enough, he finds his pitch, singing the rhythmic, sexed-up vocals. โAnd when I hit it right in the right place / Look me right in the eyes, do what I say,โ he sings, adding, โBend it over, throw it back, you and I, tongue-tied / Iโma kiss it good, good, good night.โ Victoria Monรฉt and Usher hit all the right notes on โSOS (Sex on Sight)โ.
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7. Coldplay, โWE PRAYโ (Ft. Lil Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & TINI)
Moon Music // Coldplay / Parlophone // 2024ย
โAnd so, we pray / For someone to come and show me the way / And so, we pray / For some shelter and some records to play.โ Amen! Decorated British alt-rock collective Coldplay returned with their 10th studio album, Moon Music. Chris Martin and the boys bring prayers on โWE PRAYโ.ย Coldplay enlists four unique guests on this faith-based single: British rapper Little Simz, Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Palestinian-Chilean singer, Elyanna, and Argentinian singer, TINI.ย โWE PRAYโ features numerous credited songwriters. Bill Rahko, Daniel Green, ILYA, Max Martin, and Michael Ilbert produced.ย The instrumental backdrop is modern, rhythmic, and sleekly produced.ย The strings, when they enter the mix, and the groove are two of the best features.ย Fuel for the vocalistsโ fire.
Following a prayerful intro, Martin sings the first verse. The prayer is ample: โI pray that I donโt give up, pray that I do my best / Pray that I can lift up, pray my brother is blessed / Praying for enough, pray for Virgilio wins.โ The Virgilio reference is ultra-specific.ย Martin also sings on the chorus (excerpted at the top), joined at times by Little Simz and Burna Boy.ย Little Simz takes the reins in the second verse, dropping an uplifting verse asserting, โPray I speak my truth and keep my sisters alive,โ adding, โPray when she looks at herself in the mirror / She sees a queen, see sees a goddess.โ Thoughtful to the nth degree. Burna Boy performs the bridge, where he prayerfully โKeep a smiling face, only by His grace.โ As for Elyanna and TINI, they appear in the final chorus, lending their vocal talents.ย All told, โWE PRAYโ is an entertaining, socially conscious, and thoughtful pop record.
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8. Megan Thee Stallion, โNeva Playโ (Ft. RM of BTS)
โNeva Playโ // Hot Girl Productions LLC // 2024
โOne, two, three, four (One, two, three, four) / Five, six, seven, eight (Five, six, seven, eight).โ Early on in her single, โNeva Playโ, Megan Thee Stallion flaunts her counting skills. She continues, โCountinโ zeroes every day (Yeah) / You know that we never play.โ Word.ย โNeva Playโ is a flex fest from the Grammy-winning rapper.ย She enlists the services of an unexpected guest: RM of BTS.ย The results are P-O-S-I-T-V-E. The unforgettable numeric hook appears at the top of โNeva Place.โ Also, making our ears perk up at the onset are ear-catching synths.ย The loops is infectious.ย Another cool musical feature is how the tempo accelerates during the introduction.ย LilJuMadeDaBeat, Shae Jacobs, B Ham, and Peter Fenn drop a sickening, mean-sounding, minor-key instrumental supporting both rappers. Beyond her colorful chorus,ย Megan delivers an aggressive flow and rhymes. โJust know when itโs time for me to get my lick back / All yโall finna be finished (Hadouken),โ she spits in the first verse, adding, โCheck the credits, you know who wrote it / With a flow this hard, this heavy, Kotex (Mm).โ Aggressiveness from Megan is the expectation.ย One of the biggest surprises is RM, specifically how low and masculine he sounds while rapping.ย Even with his โmanliness at an all-time manly level,โ his flow is chill and relaxed (โFor Asia, man, we paved the wayโ). The contrast between him and Megan is one of the selling points of โNever Play.โ All told โNeva Playโ is a total vibe.
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9. John Conlin, โKissing Other Girlsโ
โKissing Other Girlsโ // John Conlin // 2024
โDonโt you know you make me / Cry just a little / Die just a little / Say weโre just DL, noncommittal / So superficial, caught in your middle / It hurts / I know youโre kissing other girls.โ That is a bummer, John Conlin. What isnโt a bummer is the authenticity and sheer excellence that is โKissing Other Girlsโ.ย It was penned by the handsome and talented Toronto pop singer/songwriter.ย He produced this must-hear gem alongside Jamesfromtheinternet. The sound is โto die for.โ The instrumental backdrop includes warm pads and synths that concoct a surefire vibe. Conlin serves up gorgeous vocals, tuneful melodies, and reflective, questioning lyrics.ย The situation is one where he and his โboyfriendโ are on two different pages. John seems comfortable with the relationship while the nameless boyfriend is DL and still partakes in heterosexual experiences. โIโve been on my knees praying / That I take up space inside yourย head,โ Conlin sings in the first verse, continuing, โTwo dimensional, you fuck across the hall, baby.โย Heโs not fucking other guys, either: โYour rust on the straight blade / It cuts, badly both waysโฆโ Conlin, singing angelically, continues to voice his sadness over the state of their โrelationship.โ He asks, โAm I just a phase / Just a body you play.โ Understanding his partner, he asserts, โAnd when you, canโt finish [with her, presumably] you picture me.โ Ooh-wee! The bridge separates it from the verses and chorus yet continues the theme of Johnโs boyfriend/partner/FWB struggling with his sexuality.ย The situation isnโt ideal, yet, common where homophobia โ external and internal โ runs rampant.ย โKissing Other Girlsโ is the catโs meow โ the sugar honey iced tea! Get it, John!
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10. Sabrina Carpenter, โBed Chemโ
Short n Sweet // Island // 2024ย
โManifest that youโre oversized.โ Sabrina Carpenter is referencing bigness, but specific to the private area ๐, if you catch my drift (โOut of breath, got me goinโ likeโฆโ).ย These excerpted lyrics make โBed Chemโ, the sixth track from Short n Sweet, the 2024 breakout album by Carpenter, โsomething else.โ โBed Chemโ was written by Carpenter, Amy Allen, Ian Kirkpatrick, John Ryan, and Julia Michaels.ย Kirkpatrick and Ryan produced. In its sub-three-minute runtime, Carpenter packs a punch โ a sexual punch! In the pre-chorus, it seems like she references her alleged boyfriend, Barry Keoghan (โWhoโs the cute boy with the white jacket and the thick accentโ). Even if she isnโt referencing the Academy Award-nominated Irish actor, she is referencing a hottie from a different country.ย The section to beat is the chorus where Carpenter sings, โBut I bet weโd have really good bed chem / How you pick me up, pull โem down, turn me โround /โฆ How you talk so sweet when youโre doinโ bad things.โ Holy smokes! The second verse is fun too, with Sabrina asking him, โWhere art though? Why not uponeth me? / See it in my mind, letโs fulfill the prophecy.โ Ah, the dangers of a wandering mind ๐.ย Carpenterโs fantasies seem endless, and pleasure is front and center.ย โAnd I bet the thermostatโs set at six-nine.โ Hmm, I wonder why itโs set at that number ๐? โBed Chemโ is a blast, all told.ย Carpenter is honest about her desires, keeping things sex positive.ย She sings well with her breathy, flirty pipes.ย Also, sheโs accompanied by a sleek, groovy, sexy instrumental. The chem is chem-ing ๐งช!
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11. Jamie xx, โDafodilโ
In Waves // Young // 2024
โLovely sweetness that filled the air / Came from a daffodil in your hair / I placed it there.โ Grammy-nominated DJ/producer Jamie xx (James Smith) is the man when it comes to producing music. Ahead of his second studio album, In Waves, Smith released the ear-catching single, โDafodilโ, ย assisted by ย Kelsey Lu, John Glacier, and Panda Bear. Also, he collaborated with Rodaidh McDonald on the production.ย The results are stellar. โIt all started one summer night in London.โ Word. โDafodilโ is enigmatic from the onset. The intro sets the tone for a distinct, experimental track.ย โDafodilโ is built on spoken word, sang vocals, and makes unique use of samples. Specifically, it samples โTouching Youโ by Astrud Gilberto and โI Just Make Believe (Iโm Touching You)โ by J.J. Barnes.ย The assisting musicians nail their respective parts, contributing to this musical tour de force.ย A great example of โdream work makes the team work,โ part of the charm of โDafodilโ is the fact that there is no star โ everyone does their fair share.ย Besides the samples, the instrumental accompaniment is tasteful.ย With a distinct form, the bridge distinguishes itself from everything else, keeping the song engaging (โLost just thinking of someone / Think they met at a party / Thereโs someone for everyoneโฆโ). โDafodilโ is a winner from Jamie xx.
12. John Duff, โForgotten How to F*ckโ
โForgotten How to F*ckโ // Donald Duff // 2024
โItโs been so long since I got some / Soon as you call, Iโll probably come.โย Something tells me, John Duff couldโve spelled the word come differently, given the contextโฆ He continues singing in the chorus of his bold, sexed-up song, โForgotten How to F*ckโ, โDreaming of your touch without a glove / I think Iโve forgotten how to fuck.โ Honesty is the best policy.ย Incorporating a big band into the mix gives the song a refreshing, retro sensibility. Because he hasnโt had sex in so long, Duff has forgotten how it works.ย He uses Biblical/spiritual references throughout, believe it or not.ย โBorn again, baby / Born again and going crazy.โ He adds, โ40 days and 40 nights / Seems like they just flew right by / Am I saved? / Or just depraved?โย The lyrics play on abstinence and celibacy associated with Christianity, etc.ย Still, heโs not quite Saint Peter: โStay rock hard / Like Rock Hudson / Long for some lovinโ, touchinโ, squeezinโ / No hidden meaning.โ Perhaps there is no hidden meaning but, Rock Hudson, one of the actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood, was gay, and died of AIDS at age 59.ย Other intriguing lyrical moments include, โIโm not politically correct / But Iโm literally erect / Just thinking about last season / When it was you and me.โ The sexual innuendo is ripe AF on โForgotten How to F*ckโ and we wouldnโt have it any other way! The dashing John Duff and his team of producers (Koil PreAmple, Niko The Kid, and Eren Cannata) drop a hot ๐ฅต retro-pop bop.
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13. Kehlani, โClothes Offโ (Ft. kwn)
While We Wait 2 // Atlantic // 2024
โGirl, the way youโre pushinโ up on my body, huh / Itโs you that do it for me.โ Oh, snap, kwn (Khy Wilson)! Kwn assists Grammy-nominated, lesbian nonbinary R&B singer/songwriter Kehlani (Kehlani Parrish) on โClothes Offโ, the third track from Parrishโs mixtape, While We Wait 2. Wilson and Parrish are enamored with their respective girls on the sensual number. Per kwn, this girl โmakes them feel good.โ Besides singing, Kwn co-wrote and produced โClothes Off.โ What a talent! The sex is on fire on โClothes Off,โ period. โCan I dare to leave your bed a mess and wet? / โCause we sure gonโ sweat,โ kwn asserts in the sexy, first pre-chorus. This follows โLaniโs initial praise of the girlโs skills in bed. She performs the centerpiece, the chorus, the first go-round: โOh, you better take my clothes off, yeah / โฆ Can we, uh? Oh, baby.โ With clothes coming off, clearly, โitโs going downโ in the bedroom. Kehlani brings the heat in the second verse, singing, โGirl, the way you sex me make me feel like / I canโt get with nobody else.โ They add, โI just canโt let you get no other bitch involved.โ WORD. Not only is the sex good, but, Kehlani wants to lock things down with her.ย Right on.ย As always, Parrish shines with their sweet vocal performance โ never over singing, yet potent. The instrumental accompaniment is marvelous too โ idiomatic of contemporary R&B.ย With awesome vocals, and a longing pleasure and potential beyond the bedroom, Kehlani and kwn shine on โClothes Offโ.
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14. Shawn Mendes, โNobody Knowsโ
Shawn // Island // 2024
โWhen youโre so in love / And your souls touch / But itโs still not enough / Where does it go? / Nobody knows.โ Shawn Mendes โ what a handsome, talented man. The short but sweet โNobody Knowsโ marked the third single from Shawn, his fifth studio album. His voice is in top-notch form.ย Also, he wears his feelings on his sleeve, and we wouldnโt have it any other way! Mendes, Mike Sabath, Scott Harris, and Eddie Benjamin penned โNobody Knows.โ Mendes, Benjamin, and Sabath produced it. Mendes delivers personal and vulnerable lyrics throughout โNobody Knows.โ Likewise, his vocal performance matches the spirit of the lyrics. Love is firmly planted in his mind.ย In the first verse, he captures a warm, meaningful feeling: โWhen your touch walks me home / When you taste this good.โ Aww! In the second, he gets โsaltier,โ dropping a bomb: โYouโre an amateur drunk, and everyone knows it / But, fuck, youโre the one, and I live for those moments.โ Word. Backed by a folk-rock backdrop (similar to singles โWhy Why Whyโ and โIsnโt That Enoughโ), Mendes sings authentically, freely, and radiantly. This sound and vibe suits him. Amplifying this beautiful, ear-catching listening experience are celestial vocal harmonies (Sabath and Benjamin). โNobody Knowsโ is another strong performance and song from the gifted Canadian.
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15. ericdoa, โsearch & destroyโ
โsearch & destroyโ // ericdoa / LISTEN TO THE KIDS // 2024ย
โItโs a free-for-all / You wanna feast with the team, it ainโt cheap at all.โ Word. Ericdoa is an intriguing music artist.ย He never fails to catch the ears with his often brief but โleft-of-centerโ songs.ย The Gen-Z standout drops another ear-catching song with โsearch & destroyโ.ย Two things make โsearch & destroyโ unique. The first is the fact it references a video game: Call of Duty. Itโs not often you hear โYou know there ainโt no respawnโ in a song, woo! Even before that lyric, ericdoa asserts, โThrow a flare, we gonโ meet back here.โ Other lyrics that stand out include the titular, โYouโre the last one left, search and destroyโ from the chorus, as well as, โI gave them my soul, but they still treat me like a boy.โ The second reason why it stands out is the sound. Ericdoa penned the track, while Glasear, Zetra, pluko, and mochila produced it.ย The electronic sounds make โsearch & destroyโ futuristic.ย Sure, the electronic sound palette is being used by all genres to an extent, but in this case, the song doesnโt sound like all the rest (rhythmic, otherworldly synths, and a banging, danceable beat).ย Even given a brief two-minute runtime, listening to how distinct the music is, itโs understandable how four producers had a hand in this one. The unique โSearch & destroyโ is worthy of spinning multiple times!
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16. Geordie Kieffer, โJesus Vanโ
โJesus Vanโ // +1 // 2024
โI got Jesus in the back of my van.โ Amen, Geordie Kiefferโฆ I thinkโฆ I mean, Jesus is everywhere โ all-powerful and omniscient โ but the bisexual musician thinks more with his pants than about his soul in his single, โJesus Vanโ. The most devout Christians would not only consider โJesus Vanโ to be sexually charged, but also, blasphemous.ย There are ample spiritual references, but, how sincere is the โAgro popโ star? Even if it is a sinful listen, the instrumental backdrop is sweet with its electronic sounds and rock elements.ย As the excerpted lyrics suggest, Geordie has a big personality.ย He sings marvelous, infusing the lyrics with no shortage of eyebrow-raising, innuendo-laden moments.ย At the top, Kieffer sings, โHey pretty babe wanna dance the line / With them cowboy dudes and them southern dimes / I got shagged on the floor of my pony express / Gun on the dash and a cross on my chest.โ He may have a cross โ๏ธ, but it also seems he enjoyed some S-E-X. He doesnโt lie when he says, โThereโs a wild congregation in this holy mobile / So get your ass in the wagon that my friend take the wheel.โ Holy, huh? Itโs giving more like โholy fuckโ than anything else. Sex is the modus operandi. Itโs Kiefferโs gospel: โCan a man move his body like heโs blessed and possessed / Iโm just preaching the gospel of foreplay and sex.โ Continuing to be โreligious,โ he asserts heโs a priest and the prophet, with his apostles nearโฆ So, heโs Jesus? Near the end, he informs us, โI got the power of the spirit in the palm of my hand / But I hate to tell ya baby you ainโt coming with me.โ Why? โI got Jesus in the back of my van.โ It wonโt save your soul, but โJesus Vanโ is terrific.
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17. Brooke Candy, โNext Bitchโ
โNext Bitchโ // Brooke Candy // 2024
โTaste the rainbow ๐, take one bite / Bubblegum, yeah, pop tonight.โ Foโ sho, Brooke Candy.ย Give us more of those slick lyrics! โSpecial taffy, pink and white / Cotton candy bed tonight.โ That is some sugary sweet sugar honey iced tea! Weโd expect no less from Candy who is โNext Bitchโ! Thatโs the name of her rainbow-bubblegum-taffy-cotton candied first single from her album, Spiral! That said, the lyrics from the bridge are much tamer than the more explicit, fiercer lyrics that appear on much of this brief but potent single.ย Candyโs confidence is โthrough the roofโ on this Jon Santana-produced bop. Candy, Santana, and Liam Benayon penned this bitchinโ joint. โNext Bitchโ features electric musical accompaniment.ย The rhythm is driving from the onset.ย The synths are lit, and the anchoring beat goes hard.ย The backdrop sets up Candy for success and indisputable fierceness. After characterizing her (who is nameless) as wack, in the intro, she asserts in the chorus, โIโm the next bitch / Iโm infectious / Fuckinโ reckless / You gonโ bite this?โ Woo! Itโs difficult to catch everything Candy spits in the first verse, but the overall takeaway is that this girl is bad! Not only is she bad enough to โShave my head and then pierce my nips,โ she legitimately poses the question, โHow many bitches get down like this?โ Sheโs also a โbad bitchโ when she sings, bragging, โI, when I walk in the room / These bitches in the tomb / Miss Candy, if you pay me, pay me.โย What more needs to be said? The thirtysomething rapper/singer drops another one!
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18. Micah McLaurin, โCall Meโ
โCall Meโ // Micah McLaurin // 2024
โYou know what / I came for / So give it to me now / Give me more.โ Oh, snap! Something tells me, the โitโ is S meets E, and then they X, Micah McLaurin.ย The gifted, Charleston, South Carolina musician (a virtuoso pianist) follows up, inviting us โ rather, โhimโ โ to call him names. What?! โCall me slut / Call me whore / thereโs no shame in a name,โ he sings, asserting, โIโm all about the fame / I would like you better if you call meโฆโ Honor the manโs wishes, I suppose! McLaurin penned the brief โCall Meโ alongside Daniel Padilla, Fernando Garibay, Ramiro Padilla, and Simon Wilcox. Garibay, Padilla, and Padilla produced this sleek, sexy gem.
In an interview for Paper Mag by Erica Campbell, McLaurin asserts, โโCall Meโ is more than just the lyrics on the surface. Itโs symbolic of me taking my power back and reclaiming my identity after I felt it was stolen from me in childhood.โย He also states heโs allowed to show a different side of himself. He sings wonderfully, bringing ample personality and sexiness to his performance.ย His vocals are breathy, playful, and โ wait for it โ sexy ๐. Heโs a beautiful, naughty boy: โLook at the way Iโm moving Iโm serpentine / Sliding up against your skin / I know I make you want what you shouldnโt but / Go ahead and let me in.โ Beyond the engaging vocal performance, the instrumental accompaniment is sickening. Set in a minor key, the dark, enigmatic pop and dance cues are firmly planted. The groove, which appears during the slutty, whorish chorus, is everything. Running just over two minutes, McLaurin brings the heat ๐ฅต โ the midnight heat โ on โCall Meโ.
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19. Ryland James, โYouโre Still My Manโ
โYouโre Still My Manโ // 21 Entertainment Group // 2024
โYouโre still my man / Nothing can change it / We still belong together.โ Canadian musician Ryland James is filled with dedication on โYouโre Still My Manโ. However, he wasnโt the first to sing those โtetheredโ lyrics (despite the end of a relationship, mind you). ย Whitney Houston originally sang โYouโre Still My Manโ on her 1987 tour de force, Whitney. Covering a Whitney song takes big vocals and a lot of courage. James, who has a commanding instrument, has no issue with tackling this rarely covered song from a male perspective: he identifies as queer.
James makes โYouโre Still My Manโ his own, with more of a โpop-leaningโ sound.ย He sings radiantly, showing off his distinct, expressive, and nuanced pipes. The falsetto notes he hits are glorious. He is accompanied by piano initially as he laments the union with his man.ย โAnd the feelings between us / Will never disappear,โ he sings in the first verse, continuing, โHow can you be far away / When youโre spiritโs here?โ In the second verse, heโs certain โsoon youโll be missing me,โ adding โThereโs a magic we share together / And no one can break that spell.โ As the song progresses, the accompaniment expands including strings, bass, and drums.ย The most powerful section of the song is the outro, where Ryland shows how dynamic and powerful he is as a vocalist.ย The ad-libs and riffs are on point. He navigates the key changes soundly, one of the harder aspects of this big, big song. Covering Whitney Houston is no easy task, but Ryland James does a fabulous job with โYouโre Still My Manโ.
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20. Isak Danielson, โDesperate Guyโ
โDesperate Guyโ // Isak Danielson // 2024
โIf Iโm your mistake, please make it twice / Iโm just a fool, who just loves you for miles.โ Aww, Isak Danielson ๐ฅน.ย The Swedish ๐ธ๐ช musician pours his heart out on his single, โDesperate Guyโ. Danielson is unafraid to bare his feelings. He penned the brief but potent song with Simon Strรถmstedt. Heโs supported by a radiant accompaniment (keys, guitars, dramatic strings) produced by Kevin Anderson. He delivers gorgeous, nuanced vocals from the onset of โDesperate Guy.โ His tone is stunning. Authentic to the nth degree, he sings with incredible sincerity.ย The lyrics are poetic and heartfelt. โI never pretend when Iโm with you / How can a love, so sweet and so pure,โ he sings in the second verse, continuing, โCut me so deep, causinโ me pain / But Iโd do it over, and over again.โ The chorus is especially tuneful, where his desperation is most pronounced:
โI feel the rain on my skin
Now I know what they mean
โฆIโll stay here, stay here
So, you know where to meet
Just look for a desperate guy on your street.โ
โDesperate Guyโ pulls back the final 20 seconds of the song. Danielson is only accompanied by a guitar.ย He sings the final verse, continuing to share his love and yearning for this man: โIf Iโm late too late, I wish that you knew / Donโt think Iโll ever find someone like you.โ Isak Danielson, you put your whole foot and whole heart into this one!
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21. King Willonius, โTheyโre Eating The Dogsโ
โTheyโre Eating The Dogsโ // Delicious Bath Water // 2024ย
At the ABC Presidential Debate held on September 10, 2024, former President Donald Trump said a lot of outlandish things.ย Baited by Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, Trump took the bait every time, making for an unhinged yet entertaining television experience.ย The most memorable, outlandish, and racist thing Trump uttered was about Haitian immigrants stealing and eating pets โ cats and dogs โ in Springfield, Ohio. Rightfully, the former POTUS received criticism from everywhere.ย Beyond criticism, the memes, reels, shorts, and TikToks have been abundant.ย From frightened cats and dogs hearing the โfake news,โ to Gen-Z guys dancing to killer songs remixing Trumpโs words, the internet has won. King Willonius gets into action via AI (artificial intelligence, if youโre living under a rock) with his soulful, 1970s-sounding single, โTheyโre Eating The Dogsโ. I found myself giggling like a schoolgirl listening to the song. As shocked as everybody was hearing Trumpโs unfounded claims about pets being stolen and eaten, AI storyteller, comedian, and showrunner King Willonius captures it perfectly in this two-minute, old-school-sounding gem.ย What makes it sound vintage? Itโs the biting, articulated horns, the dusty, soulful groove, the piano and guitar riffs, and the prominent bass line.ย The vocals rival the big-voiced, gritty soul icons of old, filled with the blues. โTheyโre eating the dogs /โฆ Theyโre eating the cats / What the hell goinโ on? / What the hellโs goinโ on? โ Thatโs about the size of it.ย King Willonius captures our show in the most entertaining way possible. โTheyโre Eating The Dogsโ = AI gold.
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Bops That Pop: September 2024 [๐ท: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 21 Entertainment Group, Atlantic, Brooke Candy, Capitol, Concord, Delicious Bath Water, Donald Duff, ericdoa, Hot Girl Productions LLC, Isak Danielson, Island, ISO Supremacy, John Conlin, Linkin Park, LLC, LISTEN TO THE KIDS, Lovett Music, Inc., Micah McLaurin, Parlophone, PULSE, RCA, Republic, The Weeknd XO Music ULC, Top Dawg Entertainment, +1; agoss, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, cragnetta, Mohamed_hassan, succo from Pixabay]