Mercury Retrograde is finally over, which means my head is now clear enough to share volume II — the flow that got me through this Mercury Retrograde.
So much music is coming out this year, with a lot already released so far and it’s only April. Streets are saying that 2024 is here to give 2016 a run for its money….
ALBUMS
COWBOY CARTER
act ii of Beyonce’s most iconic and disruptive era in her career history.. I have to admit, I was unsure how this project was going to come together and come to life. I didn’t doubt her abilities, but I was unsure I would be interested in the results. Overall, I was impressed when I first listened to the whole album. Beyonce seriously is one of the most talented artists of our lifetime, if not the most. Four songs landed on my repeat list:
1. ‘LEVII’S JEANS‘
love. i actually really enjoyed Post Malone on this and his lil folk ass vibe on here. It’s giving country R&B and I am here for it.
2. ‘BODYGUARD‘
this was an immediate #1 for me, yet everyone on social media was obsessed with some other songs that couldn’t dare even make my top 5…. free yourselves from the groupthink!
3. ‘YA YA‘
SO fun. Giving me 2010s pop music vibes in this for some reason, but in a good way. very nostalgic sound on this.
4. ‘SWEET / HONEY / BUCKIN’
Something about these multi-dimensional songs that really do it for me. Same with on Renaissance, PURE / HONEY was my shit. Justice for ‘Honey’ to have been longer than two 8 counts.. we were robbed. Shaboozey was also a nice little surprise on this. What an album to have features on!
SCARLET 2 CLAUDE
Oh Doja… It’s unfortunate that pop-Doja had to be put to rest in order for this version of Doja to emerge, but personally, I’m not mad at the result. I will admit, upon first listen, I didn’t get it. I thought this album was an immediate skip and I was not enjoying it or seeing the potential. But, I gave it another listen a few weeks later and suddenly it clicked for me. Sooner or later you either get it, or you don’t!
The biggest disappointment for me though, was her track with Teezo Touchdown. A perfect collab, in my opinion, with both of their styles and aesthetics kind of leaning into this “rebellion” of anti normalcy & edgy self-expression; Yet I didn’t think this feature went nearly as hard as it could have been. Only seven songs on this project and I’m split 4:3, 4 that I enjoy and 3 that I will be skipping. Besides the fact that this album generally made no noise, I just know that one day the general population is going to look back on some of these tracks and realize she was onto something ahead of her time.
1. ‘ACKNOWLEDGE ME’
A fabulous first track on the album. The instrumentals were reminiscent of something that Kanye would be on — it felt like a hip-hop track with nostalgic influence, not all that aggressive shit that y’alls favorite rappers be using…
2. ‘DISRESPECTFUL’
I understand how this song could be underwhelming to a mass audience, but in the right setting it works I swear! Listen to this song and go for a walk & it will make more sense.
3. ‘URRRGE!!!!!!!!!!! (feat A$AP Rocky)’
I appreciate A$AP Rocky’s commitment to a non-traditional beat, and Doja actually sounds good on it. By no means is this a chart-topping track, but it is a great addition to the project and thankfully I have the ability to see that!
4. ‘HEADHIGH’
This song is my #1 from this album. The chorus??? The instrumentals?? So vibey & I’m here for it. Just makes you want to sway and bob your head. I wish y’all could hear what this song sounds like to me, through my ears. And, she is kinda spitting on this. One thing about Doja, she can really be in her bag when she isn’t trolling.
THE RISE AND FALL OF A MIDWEST PRINCESS
Chappell Roan, I would like to sincerely apologize for not giving you a chance back in March when I literally attended Olivia Rodrigo’s SOUR tour when you were the opener. I can admit my wrongs! This is why it’s important to come back to music you’ve already given an initial listen. There are some hits on here and I am very excited to see what else she produces in the future. Oh! And I will be seeing her at Lollapalooza because, well, redemption.
1. Femininomenon
Again, really strong start for the first track on an album. The lyrics in this are also kinda funny, true, but also light-hearted. I appreciate queer music… we’ve heard enough about men and the experiences of the male gaze. Huuuuge moment for the LGBTs!!!
2. Red Wine Supernova
So this was actually the song I initially gave a listen to back in March and I just couldn’t fully get into it. But thankfully I came back around. This song really gives Midwest-sound to me idk, she really is a Midwest Princess!!
3. HOT TO GO!
10/10. no notes. I personally have seen this all over social media after her Coachella performance. I’m excited to see this live!! And with the cute little dance she has that goes with it?? Bringing back the fun in a performance and interacting with the crowd. As an entertainer should!
SONGS
Espresso
TikTok is absolutely going to run this song into the ground in a way that the radio would’ve pre-TikTok. The lyrics are so simple & rudimentary it’s hard to take it seriously, but I fear that makes it even better. To me, pop music is great because it’s fun and catchy and upbeat. I’m glad we are getting another upbeat track from Sabrina Carpenter because all the slow ballads are just not doing it for me. All the junior pop girlies need to make more upbeat music and stop trying to make Taylor Swift music!!!!
I LUV IT (feat. Playboi Carti)
WOWW. Hyper Pop is SOO BACK!!! So 2014-coded I love it, no pun intended. The instrumentals are carrying on this, but that’s kinda the point of pop, especially hyper pop. Just fun dancing music for feeling yourself, the club, the pregame. etc. On the first listen, it’s definitely giving kinda silly and stupid, but it’s catchy and I appreciate that. Also coming from miss Camila Cabello??? Good for her, I love to see my ex-Fifth Harmony girls succeed… well at least one of them!!!
ALRIGHT
Unfortunately, there weren’t a ton of songs that I found to have replay value on ‘Jaguar’, but this one is a hit. The beat on this is a bit more basic which I think helps the song have longevity and prevent it from becoming irritating like ‘On My Mama’ — sorry not sorry. Very underrated and deserves more attention!
All the songs this week are by Women artists??? Yes women!! Happy listening ❤
THE IDENTITY CRISIS 