Hello Guys, welcome back!!!! How was your weekend? Mondays right?! I know!!!!
As the do-gooder I am, I am seeking to make your Monday and in fact your whole week a fun and memorable one. And what better way to do that than with MUSIC!!!!
Like a whole lot of you already know, I am an avid listener of music. I love music a lot and honestly enjoy all genres of music except for Hard-core Rock, I don’t want my ears to bleed LOL. But yeah, I love music, and lately, I have been deeply immersed in it, probably because it helps me concentrate, and most importantly, it helps me understand most of my emotions and eases my mental state. Music is powerful. For this post, I will be sharing my top 10 songs of the week, these are songs that I have honestly been listening to on repeat either because of their message, the feels I get from them, or just because they are so very good.
Superm – Tiger Inside ( I think at this point, this song might be the most played on my phone. It is quite amazing and so well done!!! The rap, the vocals, the beat, the technicality behind this tune is quite astonishing. I especially like how it takes my mind on a journey, it is so fast-paced, and it is exhilarating. Now let’s talk about the VOCALS. Baekhyun and Taemin are one of the best vocalists in K-Pop right now, there is a part in the song when they were harmonizing and the way they complimented each other, Taemin’s soft and soothing vocals plus Baekhyun Powerful range, it’s so very nice to listen to, it pulls you further into this futuristic world that they’re trying to create. Amazing Song )
Sam Smith – Fix You (so, I was doing my random rounds on YouTube and I saw this as a recommended, I immediately clicked on it because well, it is Sam Smith and you damn know it will be amazing. So, I’m listening, 2 minutes in and I am in tears. The original version of this song is frankly sad and powerful but there is this thing about Sam Smith’s voice that just takes those emotions and makes it 100 times higher. The way he enunciates every word, making you actually listening to the song, to understand the message that it conveys, the way he draws you in, he wants you to feel everything he is feeling and so much more. It is a skill that many Musicians lack. Reading the comments on the video made it even more meaningful, people sharing their stories and how much the song means to them, especially people who were suffering from depression and mental struggles hit me really hard because frankly, I can relate. )
StrayKids – Back Door and Any (Would it be a list without a K-Pop song? Hell no!!!! There are actually 2 songs listed here because I could not just pick 1. So, last week, StrayKids released a repackaged album and it had extra songs added to their old album. These songs are all interesting, except maybe the tortoise and the hare frankly because I couldn’t understand what was happening on that tune LOL but yeah, the rest were so good and these 2 really stood out for me. For ANY, it’s just the sound and arrangement, I get this Mexican, tropical sound mixed with futuristic pop feel from it, the beat is so nice, it’s kind of uplifting too and makes you want to dance. For BACKDOOR, DAMN!!!! Just Damn!!! That is a song!!!! Changmin’s voice, how raspy and raw It is, is so sexy and dominating. LOL, I just love the arrangement and how well they sounded, really impressed. )
Iggy Azalea and Tinashe – Dance Like Nobody is watching ( This song came on through shuffle and I ended up putting it on repeat for the rest of the day. I have always been a fan of Iggy Azalea, it’s the way she raps for me, she flows, her tone, and it’s so interesting and pleasing to me and my ears. This song, she did what she needed to do and Miss Tinashe Carried and Ate!!! A very thoughtful collaboration, I highly recommend.)
Niyola – Go on ( Lately I have been listening to old Nigerian Pop songs, probably because every release now feels so commercialized, the days of creativity and actual vocals are gone. Sad. But anyway, one of my favorite tunes was this song. There is this bad bitch vibes I get from it, like independent, f**K you, I can do this shit on my own and well kind of vibes. The song itself was so well done and don’t get me started on the vocals, I am a sucker for a vocally powered song, like clear, high range, harmonized song, and Miss Niyola delivered as always. Also check out Toh Bad, another amazing tune. Ps, I hope she is good, I’ve not heard anything new from her since then.)
Ty Dolla Sign and Nicki Minaj – Expensive (To be honest, no tea no shade, I like Mr. Ty but um, I only listen to this song because of Nicki Minaj. Her rap on this song is so nice!!!!! It’s the flows for me, the tone, the chilled vibes, the way she delivers every line, Nicki Minaj will always carry and that’s on period!!!!! PERIOD!!!! Notice the way she always and I mean ALWAYS eat up every song she is featured on by a male artist? There is not one song featuring Nicki Minaj by a male artist that she hasn’t Ate them up!!!! Comment anyone that she hasn’t and I will show you the lie.)
Pause!!!! I am writing this post and I am like, is this not too long? Are you still reading? Thank You, Okay, Let’s carry on.
Ava Max – Sweet but Psycho ( I first heard this song on a TV show, I think it was Lindsey Lohan’s show on MTV, forgotten the name and not interested in searching though, but I heard the song and immediately went to search for it on YouTube and I have been a fan of Ava Max since then. Her vocal ability is so impressive, to be honest. The way she sings like I said earlier, I am a sucker for vocals and her high pitched raspy yet powerful voice is quite impressive, it’s almost like a mix of Demi Lovato and Lady Gaga. Highly recommend)
ONEUS – Come Back Home and To be not to be ( The thing about Oneus is that, aside from their amazing and well thought out music videos, when it comes to vocals, like actual melodies and harmonies, they will always deliver. Again there are 2 songs on this list because I cannot honestly pick just 1. The way they sing, to be honest, they might be among the top 10, if not top 5 vocally powered K-pop groups right now.)
Usher – Moving Mountains (Usher has been a fave for the longest time and this song is one of my favorite of his. It’s the way he sings, the harmonies, the background vocals, the soft yet intriguing beat, this song was well produced. It is your typical RnB track but with something extra special, it is so nicely done. The way he sings the lyrics to the beat is so interesting and anytime that part comes on, I just bop my head. This song has always been on the playlist and I don’t think I will stop listening to it anytime soon. )
Christina Aguilera – We Remain (I think this has to be my favorite Xtina song of all time. I LOVE this song!!!! Christina is one of my favorite vocalists. Even with the way the song starts and her vocals enter, you already know you’re about to be taken on a magical journey and you will love every minute and second of it. I especially love the ending, no beat, no background vocals, just her voice, singing, pulling you in, it so emotional, it is so powerful. Highly recommend. )
Phew!!!! You made it to the end!!!! LOL Thank you!!!!! There you have it, my top 10 songs right now. I hope you enjoyed my reviews, I mean you must have if you read this to the end. Hope you have a nice and fulfilling week. Okay Bye.
• Ben Platt: Temporary Love. {I first heard Ben Platt sing in the movie Pitch Perfect, I knew he sounded good but didn’t really pay attention to him, then I heard him sing on the Netflix Series The Politician and I was blown away, a couple of YouTube videos later, I found myself downloading all his songs!!!!!
His Sound is so pure and very powerful!!!! His voice resonates in the air, it literally feels like you’re flying in the sky when you listen to his songs, it’s a beautiful high. And his lyrics and message are actually relatable and enjoyable, they make sense, it’s simple, engaging, beautiful and surreal at the same time. He is my favourite artist rn and this is my favourite song.
Its just so freaky and nasty and twerky, its just everything!!!!!!! I really hope the gp starts fucking with todrick cause he creates art!!!! I mean this is album is a massive shift from straight outta oz and forbidden but even those albums had hoe songs in them too, I mean, you had Doll hairs ft Shangela, Low ft Rupaul, Wrong Bitch ft Bob the drag queen, just to name a few, so these type of songs, commercial as they may seem, aren’t necessarily a stretch for him.
• Bts: Anpanman {Tbh I was going to put up their whole album as a favourite here but that won’t be fair. I still bop so hard to this song. Music defies language barriers. I just get my groove on every time I listen to a bts track; their sound is a whole mood!!!!! I’m actually listening to this song rn and I’m feeling myself so hard!!!! LOL. They’re so good!!! I need a new album tho.
• Ed sheeran ft Khalid: Beautiful People {You know that kinda sounds that you feel like you need but deep down you are scared that they might not go well together and then they mix and it’s so yummy and delicious, this is me pre and post listening to this song. I randomly came across it while doing my weekly music downloads and at first I was like “WTF” this looks so good, it might not sound great. I finally had the courage to listen to it and man, I was hooked!!!!! They sounded so freaking good together!!!! It was amazing to listen to, their voices complimented each other’s really well. Beautiful song with a very deep and resounding message.
• The Weekend: Six feet under {This song makes me feel like I should not think or dream of stopping till I secure every single bag….. You know that kind of tune that just motivates you and makes you want to slay everything in your path and reinforces your every decision?! Lol, I swear I get a totally different energy from songs than most of y’all.
• Beyonce: I Was Here { I watched this video last night and lemme tell you, I cried so hard!!!! I downloaded the audio this morning and I really listened to it, replaying as much memories of my life that I could remember. It makes you think, makes you want to do more, do better, give, love, be happy but it still has a hint of sadness especially when you realize that you might not be living. There’s the quote “You are alive but not living”. It’s one thing to be alive and it’s another to live a life. Ask yourself, are you really living a life?! If the answer is no, then please try and start doing that today.
• M.I: Viper {lemme tell you, I don’t buy into beefs and diss of any kind, I will forever see them as stunts to make irrelevant acts trend or be the downfall of a young artist on the rise. Tbh, I didn’t even know that Vector had a diss track for M,I till then day this song came out, I was just scrolling aimlessly on twitter and majority of the tweets were about M.I and I was abit worried cause tbh, good shit never really trend on twitter and I’m lowkey a fan of his, I just love his vibe, he looks cool. Anyways, I digress, so, I see he is trending and I click on his name and all the tweets pop up about him destroying Vector in his new tune, at first I was like “pass” but I heard a snippet on twitter and I was like “WOAH, this is fire!!!!!!”. The flows, the delivery, the simple ways he rode the beat, the bible quotes, the clarity, everything was on freaking point. I just didn’t like the fact that it was a diss song tho, cause it’s just for trend and that’s it, no life. But still, a nice one.
• Johnny Drille: Count on you {I think this is like the third song of his I’ve actually listened to, I think he has more than this or even an album out, correct me if im wrong tho, tbh, I really don’t go searching for most Nigerian songs, I just feel like most of the songs here are over commercialized and just to fit a particular trend, theres no more creativity or longevity of tracks, tbh I can’t remember the last Nigerian song I actively searched for or was really really excited to listen too, and this goes for some American songs too. I have a specific taste.
Anyways, I remember a friend of mine was talking at length about this guy and he gave me the song and I was really impressed. It’s like a light a breezy mix of john legend and keith urban. His sound is so nice and breezy!!!! Very beautiful song. I recommend.
• Tiwa Savage: 49:99 { when I tell you how hard I smiled while watching this video!!!!! I was beyond impressed!!!!! The scenes were very beautiful; the outfits were impeccable and sexy!!!!! She freaking delivered!!!! Tbh, I’ve been abit sceptical about her works for a minute tho, Tiwa is one of the very few musicians I follow in naija and not to be that guy but before the gift collaboration with Beyonce, I was abit not impressed with her works but, she really came through on that project, giving me every single bit of vocal range I needed and she is keeping it moving. I see a new wave for her and I hope she rides it and gets all her high. Good song. Great video.
• Sean Paul ft Leona Lewis; Good Vibes {anytime Sean Paul teams up with Leona Lewis, they always create magic. Yes MAGIC!!!!! Leona Lewis is one of my favourite vocalists ever!!! Like period!!!!! Her sound is pure and angelic. It is just grace and effortless!!!! And the notes she hits, some of your faves will never hit that even with the auto tune and tweaking…. Tbh, I didn’t know I had this song on my playlist, it just randomly came on and once I recognized her voice and I sat up right, like I wanted to hear every single breat and sound in the song.
It’s so freaking good!!!!!! Her tone is just beautiful and distinct. It’s like Beyonce or Sia or Mariah and even Whitney, by their sound; you just know who is singing. Good song.
lifestyle on a budget 