In a rather dry week for pop music, this week’s playlist features new music Imagine Dragons, Jon Bellion, Anderson Paak, Lil Pump, Bipolar Sunshine, Madison Beer, and a bunch of dead people. Since this week is so thin, the post is short 😦 (This is in no way related to how busy I was with my actual job this week.)
Singles
- Ariana Grande released “thank u, next” last Saturday, but since Saturday is after Friday it has to be included in this week’s playlist. You probably already know all about and the memes and analyses have all been posted. It’s one of her best singles in a while, and it’s simplicity and poignant message have resonated with fans. She’s been breaking all kinds of records. This might just be the best break-up anthem since Bey’s “Irreplaceable”.
- In this house, we support Madison Beer. She’s a relatively no-name pop-singer with a slew of EDM micro-hits, but that doesn’t make her any less amazing! This week, she offers a middling pop song, “Hurts Like Hell” featuring none other than Offset. There’s literally no way in hell these two have met, but their chemistry nonetheless shines through. The beat and the catchy-as-hell chorus make the song stand out as more than just a one-off pop single. She might be on to something here. (She’s also on a k-pop single this week. Wig!)
- Ashley Tisdale releases “Voices in my Head” a cute single that sounds like Bloodpop produced it and like it belongs on Hillary Duff’s last album. It’s that cloudy, alt-pop about some intangible, spiritual growth as a person. It’s the kind of single the world needs more of but will be ignored because everyone’s obsessed with dead rappers.
Albums
- Jon Bellion, a poet among men, has released his album, “Glory Sound Prep”. It’s a sonic adventure, as he creates soundscapes that are just as interesting as the art that accompanies them. The album is filled with triumphant horns, tragic synths, soaring vocals and the lyricism Mike Posner thinks too much to be capable of. It’s all and all a great effort, and much more interesting than his wildly melancholy previous album. Also, his beard is dreamy. That alone should be worthy of an award.
- It is here that I must formally apologize to my readership and the music community at large for not listening to a certain album until this past week. The artist, whom I stan, deserved better from me. I should’ve been there the MOMENT it dropped. The album in question is El Mal Querer by Rosalía, the flamenco-pop international sensation. Her album is literally one of the best of the year, and her unprecedented level of talent and artistry is worthy of a full review. My review of El Mal Querer is coming shortly. Stay tuned 🙂 Until then, some of my favorite songs on the album are included in this week’s playlist.
Dishonorable Mention
- Jonas Blue teams up with songwriting legend and alt-voice extraordinaire, Jessie Reyez for the latest single, “Wherever You Go.” It’s a simple trop-pop ditty, and it’s horrible. The single is in support of Jonas Blue’s new album, “Blue”, which I’m hesitant to listen to because most of the latest singles have been horrible. With the exception of the incomparable “By Your Side”, “Perfect Strangers”, “Mama” much of it’s been terribly boring. Oh well.
Literally nothing interesting happened this week. So disappointing. Fingers crossed we get some more good pop before the year closes out!
eardnov 