Memorial Day Weekend. The first weekend where almost all of the states are fully open with no restrictions. The perfect weekend for parties. The perfect weekend to get together with everyone you haven’t seen in a while and go all out. This is set up to be one of the craziest weekends in a while. Spending the last year and a half inside and/or surrounded by restriction people are now ready to get back to normal life.
Last weekend there was way more than the necessary amount of music released as artists geared up for this weekend. This week there wasn’t as much music and for the most part, the music that was released as singles. Honestly, I think that this was a good thing, one because coming off last week made getting through the music for this article easier for me, and two because it gives the listeners and DJs a wider range of playability instead of having to search through the entire albums to find the right songs (outside of the singles).
T.I. – what it’s come to single
Kxng crook – make it single
Ransom ft Royce da 5’9” – greed single
Bun b – this world single
Kidd g – break up song single
Ohgeesy- get fly single
Q – want single
Jojo – creature of habit single
Blxst- movie single
Blueface – patience single
Tone stith- like the first time single
J balvin – que mas pues single
Bad bunny – 100 million single
Mustafa – when smoke rises album
Tate McRae – darkest hour single
Before I get to the top five list of this week I have to spend a minute on the legendary DMX and his posthumous album, “Exodus,” that was released today. There is no question that DMX is a legend and created a catalog of iconic songs. One could argue that DMX created a sound for a generation. There was and never will be another artist like DMX. His iconic bark, his iconic growl, his iconic aggression, his iconic sound, as soon as the song starts you immediately know it’s DMX.
“Exodus,” is filled with legendary artists. Every song features at least one legend or one iconic rapper of this generation. Jay-Z, Nas, The Lox, Griselda, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and more take over this album. This album will be played everywhere this weekend and fans of DMX, Hip-Hop, and music will be playing this album in memorial of DMX.
I don’t want to go into too much detail about this album, one because I wrote an entire article on DMX and I believe another whole article on DMX and this album, but it’s better if you go listen to this album for yourself.
Now on to the top five of this week.
Enlisting Pink Sweat$ and Swae Lee, PnB Rock drops off a good-sounding upbeat sad love song. These three together sound great, these three together on a love song sound even better, these three on a sad break-up love song sound amazing. A spaced-out acoustic guitar as the driving melody is perfect and catches you immediately. “We supposed to be together / This was supposed to be forever / You’re never gonna find someone better.” Don’t we all say this, but how many of us actually believe it, or is it just a ploy to get them back. Either way, PnB Rock’s writing skills show out on this track, creating a song that compliments each of them perfectly.
Another spaced-out acoustic guitar as the leading melody, but what would you expect from 88rising, this is their leading sound. “I don’t wanna be the one that’s left behind.” This is the perfect song for this weekend, this song is going to be one that is played at every backyard party. The melodies and flows are crazy. The song is the perfect west coast chill-out vibe. But what else would you expect from 88rising?
I came across this song after seeing it on my timeline as I was looking for more songs to feature in this article. I wasn’t sure what to expect because I am not too familiar with Robyn, but this song surprised me. You would think another country love song would be a little redundant at this point in this article, but in this case, I disagree. This isn’t just another love song, this is a song about someone finding love. You know it’s real when you want to tell that person everything. When you want to tell them about your past hurt, your scars (both emotional and physical), and everything about you.
I have a little familiarity with Chase but not enough to tell you everything about him and his catalog. Because of that, this album was a little under my radar, but it clearly exceeded expectations coming in at number two this week. I will say that you are going to have to be a fan of his and true country music to enjoy this to the fullest extent, but at the same time, this album is good enough to keep you interested if you just lend an ear for it it a minute or two.
This album provides you with just about every emotion you could have in a relationship. Possibly the most clever song is, “Lonely if you are,” where he says that when the girl calls if she says she is lonely, then he is lonely too. That is something we hear in songs in different ways, and that guys say but don’t really mean it, I believe he means it.
After that, he goes on to speak about the hurt that comes from breakups. However, just like us all, he doesn’t want to feel the pain and only wants to break up if they are drunk. Where that may not always be the best, it is a clever way to say I want to numb the pain of you leaving. Breaking up while drunk may not be good because you may say things you don’t mean and may not remember everything in the morning, but it definitely is a great way to numb the initial pain.
Remembering the first kiss, having the best night ever, remembering the best nights, showing the true feelings, getting to the bedroom, and even speaking on the breakup, Chase gives you everything in this album.
I featured Zoe’s song, “Ghost,” a few weeks ago which is an incredible song. Then she comes with this five-song EP and adds fuel to the fire. Seeing ghosts in the mirror is still an incredible concept and lends itself to an incredible EP. With incredible vocals, amazing musicality, and great concepts, this is one of the best projects to come out this year. Filled with emotions, filled with feelings, filled with everything you would want and expect from Zoe.
Trying not to lose control, wanting the old ways back, seeing ghosts in the mirrors because of past hurt, and all of it leading to overthinking, this whole project had me captivated from start to finish. If you haven’t already GO CHECK THIS OUT! IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY GO LISTEN TO ZOE! There is nothing much more I can say.
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