Tea Time

GENRE: pop Coming in I had few expectations. Post-listening, I will say that I'm quite surprised. What usually deters me from listening to top-of-the-charts hits is their mundane and homogeneous production.  I may not have been caught up with the current industry, but I can definitely jam with that bumping bass line. Going staccato and funky was the right choice to go, and feels like Daft Punk in that regard. I also appreciate the diversity of sounds thrown in throughout the song. I'll have to do more research, because this could be Dua Lipa  coming into her own style. I hope she continues to grow from this. The only downside I would attach to this is the monotony of her voice. Her timbre and her cadence is just too similar to some generic song you'd find in a club. Rating: 6/10

  GENRE: experimental, pop Ok, so this is one of Panda Bear 's projects, and I already know I feel about his work. Sometimes I feel that it can be reaching in terms of how approachable it is. With this one, however, I can sit back and almost zone out. The song is a multi-layered fusion of pop and experimental music. It begins with a ticking that anchors the entire piece, with a repetitive melodic line in the back. From the ethereal, the piano grounds you with its soft tones and clean chords. The vocals are really clean too, it feels like minimal effects have been added on to alter them. The message of environmentalism, and almost loosely documenting its history stands strong, and you can certainly hear the pain in his voice too. I think that's the most powerful component of the song. Rating: 7/10

GENRE: pop Oh, I should've checked in more often. Kero Kero Bonito  snuck by and released a whole EP, even when I had caught their single when it first released. On this EP, they continue to innovate their sound, transforming it to be both more mature and more in line with their aesthetic and style. You get techno sounds with emotional synths, quirky samples, laden across like an intricate painting. They've done it again. Rating: 7/10

GENRE: pop I'm assuming this is closer to the end of Sinatra's career. You can really hear it in the huskiness of his voice compared to his other more famous songs. What I really enjoy about this song is the strong influence of soul and almost gospel-like style of the song, in combination with Sinatra's charming voice. I would almost describe it as a Randy Newman song, what with those blaring songs throughout the entire song, and that jazzy ending. His singing takes on a more casual approach too, slurring a tiny bit. It really makes you want to swing, don't it? Rating: 7.5/10

GENRE: pop Wow this is like a mini-Avengers scenario for me. I only know Charli XCX through that one song with the guns. But, I legitimately know the other two. It's crazy; I don't think I've been able to accomplish that. But now, I'm in.  This is a pretty balanced piece when it comes to featuring all the artists. The production is incredibly representative of Yaeji 's work. Clairo 's voice sneaks in here and there, with robotic elements as dictated by Yaeji 's tastes. This song doesn't really play like a normal pop song either. There's actually a gradual buildup before an eventual, fading, closeout. The Korean is a nice touch too—really makes the piece stand out from Charli XCX 's usual work while still maintaining a semblance of her composition style. I'm quite surprised how well the song is mixed. Rating: 7/10

GENRE:   pop I'm always down to include a Kero Kero Bonito song. What's more, they continue to evolve with each coming album. The most recent one was jam-packed with a fusion of rock, pop, and sometimes experimental. This song in particular is far different from any of their past works, taking on a bit of a darker, solemn tone. Anchored by the riff in the beginning, you can sort of tell that they wanted to get off on a different foot. I wouldn't be surprised if they used some of their older synths, and re-purposed them for this newer song. And honestly, I didn't recognize it as a KKB  song until Sarah came in. Although she retains her characteristic tone of voice, the melody itself is less poppy and jovial. Overall, the song gives off a determined, more mature vibe from this once cheery band. I don't even think they lean on the Japanese anymore. Rating: 7/10

GENRE: pop rock First of all, who are the Shondells? Second, as good as this song might be, I can't help but feel like it's a bit too  plain, perhaps poppy. Obviously, this could be attributed to the time of when it was written. It definitely sounds a bit dated when I think about the musical phrases. The lyrics themselves are quite lackluster. They don't do much for me, especially when they're so simple. The melody itself, although memorable, just doesn't have enough of a catch. It's the worst kind of memorable. Oddly enough, it's in a very similar genre to yesterday's song by The Mamas & Papas. I can respect the psychedelic interlude, but frankly it just isn't enough. Rating: 4/10

GENRE: pop Don't you want to just sway side-to-side to this song? Or perhaps, get in a car and drive out on the highway? Wholesome from start to end, you have a soft-spoken singer, a deliberate and genuine bass line, a poppy and cheerful xylophone, and even a tambourine. Another way to put it, we've found quintessential hippie music. The content itself is about a specific person that's gotten out into the peaceful, quieter life in Texas. I absolutely love the way they've incorporated the lyric in the second verse: "She's living in a cool green farmhouse"  The cadence is much more rapid compared to the slower-paced verses, but it's presence gives the song much more energy and variety. Overall, it's a very well-written song with something to like for anyone and everyone. Rating: 8/10

GENRE: pop Wow, this was not quite exactly what I was expecting. My last impression of Post Malone  was this rap hip-hop fad. However, I do know in his history that's been a fan of a whole bunch of things. I guess you could say that we had very similar tastes in music. We just generally like music across various genres. And I respect him a lot for branching out his interests. The music video I have to watch some time later. It looks ridiculous and hilarious. Circles  feels a lot more poppy, almost like Katy Perry had a helping hand in writing it. The snappy bass line is shines through all the production, but everything else to feels a bit plain. I would describe it as a sugar donut. It's a plain donut, with the mildest topping. Still sweet, but there are better things out there. Rating: 5/10

GENRE: pop  I like some of Katy Perry's songs (mostly her big ones). This one is not one of those. She usually puts in powerful, impactful anthems for teenagers across the world. Small Talk  is a little bit more subtle. Overall, I can relate to the message. But omg, that verse is just a mess. The cadence and pacing is all over the pace. It's just too hard to follow. Nothing really stands out to me, and it ends up feeling like a stream of consciousness. Also, what is going on with the "blah blah blah" in the background of the chorus? Seriously, she has potential but there's something a little lost here. Rating: 3/10

GENRE: pop I wanted to write about a recent pop song today, and it was originally going to be Elle Goulding's Hate Me . Very quick: I don't like it —it's incredibly repetitive and bland. Luckily, Spotify's recent promoted artist features an up and coming pop artist with a taste for the uncanny and experimental. My first thoughts are that she has a flair for creating catchy cadences that play off her background track. Although the beats are simple (anyone can really make these with a little bit of training), Lolo Zouai's personality really emanates from her vocals and makes her songs. And, I don't think I've heard anywhere yet, but she also alters her voice during one of the choruses to make it seem grittier. It caught me by surprise because I don't know how common it is among female artists, but it definitely works with her personage she is trying to carry. There isn't really a climax in this song I would say, everything kind of floats and chills ...

GENRE: pop Isn't it great when you listen a great song that is rooted in a memorable scene from a movie? If you didn't know already, this piece by Roy Orbison is associated with the scene in 50/50 where JGL and Seth Rogen burn his ex's painting. It's a neat, tender little moment between the two, as they bask in the luminous destruction of a piece of art tainted with the memories of his reprehensible ex-girlfriend. Whenever a piece of music sits alongside a visual tapestry, there is an opportunity for a different perspective. Not only do I get to learn about new pieces of music, but the emotions that I tie into it when I engage with the piece is further transformed. And with the case of this piece, it's much better for it.  Roy Orbison writes and performs sad songs very well. He has a great, sorrowful, tenor voice. The composition is simple and poignant, with a soft instrumentation of strings, a guitar, and a vibraphone(?) to emphasize the loneliness and ten...

GENRE: pop Ok, follow with me here. My current dinnertime show is Bob's Burgers , and when I want to put shows on in the background, I tend to put on episodes that I've already watched before (I like to give shows my full attention).  Well, I was re-watching the episode The Belchies. If you know the show, they have original songs during their credits all the time. The particular song for this episode was so catchy to me. I did some further research, and it turns out that it's actually cover for a song by Cyndi Lauper , that she herself covered for the show! Even more, the song was written for The Goonies  movie, which I haven't watched...yet.  Anyway, I was thrilled because I love Cyndi Lauper , and I enjoyed the cover of it already. Fortunately, I feel the same way, if not better about the actual song. You get more of  Cyndi 's quirky style, and of course, my favorite component of her singing is her power in the upper register. I can never get tired ...

GENRE: chill, R&B I've heard this name float around a lot, and today I decided to actually dig in. I just first want to say that the piece itself is quite simple, but that is part of its strength as a song. The singer legitimately has parts few and far between. The melody transfers between instruments, which I find gives a lot of depth to an otherwise mellow song. Even then, I think the harmonic content in some of the solos (especially the guitar) is catchy. Although, the cadence in the lyrics seem a little off sometimes, like an extra word needed to fit in there.  But, there's nothing to scoff at when it comes to the actual production. It's incredibly clean, and there's interesting bits and pieces here and there that I think is needed more in today's mainstream pop.  Rating: 7/10 

GENRE:funk, pop, rap  I've heard this song before (maybe only like 5 seconds of it). But, it was catchy enough for me to do a deeper dive. Lizzo  has been growing quickly in the past year, and I can definitely see why. Her style and attitude is uniquely hers, and the instrumentation is catchy as can be. On top of being a eloquent rapper, her singing is tight, focused, and just fun to listen to. A lot more than just proper pitch and tone goes into a vocal performance. She certainly adds her own flair to the whole thing. The backing track itself incorporates the stereotypical elements of a funky pop hit, with that twangy guitar, a bumping bass line, and a choir to complete the piece. There's nothing wrong with it, but you've definitely heard this before. It's really Lizzo 's contributions that put it a cut above the rest. I will say that the break around 2:30 is incredibly stylish. Rating: 7.5/10

GENRE: pop, oldies I've only ever heard of Dionne Warwick from her feature on Michael Jackson's We Are The World , and I guess now I kind of understand the rationale for her addition. The song itself isn't particularly grandiose or overly romantic as some of its contemporary pieces. However, it makes up for it (maybe it doesn't have to compensate at all) by its charming, gentler rhythm and composition, with a boppy vocal performance by hers truly. It's just a fun, short, and quick piece with a lot of pep. I would consider it an appetizer, and man does it serve its purpose. Rating: 8.5/10

GENRE: pop Now, when I said "Bette Davis Eyes" was one of the quintessential 80's songs, I was slightly fibbing. This  is what the 80's sounds like. To be honest, I might find an even more fitting song in the future. The similarities are apparent. The synth plays an integral part is defining the identity of the song. At first, it sounds a bit off too. The riff is in Eb major, but there's nothing off-kilter here. Perhaps it's the vibratory, phaser effect being added that makes it seem a little weird. That's definitely not a bad thing either, because it really adds to the charm of the piece. I'm also a fan of key changes, which occurs a little more than halfway through the song. When done right, they add a lot to the theatrical and thematic message of the song. Now, if it wasn't convincing enough, it's one of the themes for Top Gun. I can't say much more to make the case. It may not mirror the love songs of today, but that's what mak...

GENRE: pop SNACK: tacos Something about this song seems extremely  familiar, which makes me think I've listened to it before. I wasn't able to find where I may have heard it, but man does it give off the 80's vibe. The synth is classic . I love that particular sound, and that shaker is just the cherry on top. What's most interesting to me is Kim Carnes's lower register and huskier, raspier tone. She makes the most of it and that's really a defining trait of the song. Not many people can really make that work. Upon further research, it turns out the Bette Davis is one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, and she's definitely a peculiar look on her face (below). Other than that, I don't know really know it might mean. Apparently Bette Davis was famous for playing cynical characters. Perhaps that's what the song is hinting at. Nonetheless, the song describes the opposite. The girl that's the subject of the song is beautiful, talente...

GENRE: pop HERSHEY'S COOKIES AND CREAM I've seen this name pop up everywhere, and I refused to click until recently. He's put out an album recently, and I might go through it eventually. Consider this my first impression/reaction. The synth riff, particularly its production, is delightful. Other than that, nothing too gripping. His vocal range is a nice feature, especially when the airy falsettos are mixed in with the more grounded emotional vocals. Unfortunately, that's where the positives end. I'm having trouble finding other pieces of the song that I enjoy. That's not necessarily bad, but it defines an upper limit for the song. I'm not being a hater though, because I really  enjoy his other song/collab lovely   (with Khalid).  As such... Rating; 6.5/10

genre: pop I picked this up from Netflix's Umbrella Academy , where the estranged siblings dance to the same beat, in their own individual rooms. The scene is beautifully done, and you should watch it if you're interested in X-Men or Watchmen. But, back to the song. This song is just straight-up addictive . It's hard to stay seated. The rhythm and cadence is spunky, upbeat, and uplifting. The material itself is so reminiscent of the teenagers back in the 80's. I can't say I relate, but to experience it vicariously has some merit in of itself. In short, this is the voice of a generation. Aside from the melody, my favorite elements are the synth-generated glockenspiels(?) that articulate the melody. They are well-placed, intentional, and fit so well with the song. As over-the-top the 80's can be, this song blends itself with the perfect balance of heartfelt passion. Quite honestly, it's quite endearing and takes you back to your younger days. This is on...