I’m an avid Spotify user (sorry, Apply Music people!) who enjoys my comfort tunes. I love that Spotify curates and constantly updates my list of commonly repeated songs. Currently, these are my top 30:
“Disgusted” by Wé Ani
Thank God I dodged a bullet not an arrow shot by cupid.”
Some of you discovered Wé from American Idol; however, I first saw her on The Voice when she sang “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone in her blind auditions under the stage name Wé McDonald. I heard this song on Instagram as a little snippet from Song House, a songwriting group that challenges artists with a track to apply their lyrics before publishing on social media. If it gains traction, the song is recorded and released for streaming. I love Wé’s play on words with disgusted and discussion.
“sun and moon” by anees
I give you all my protection
And I’m tryna stay by your side ’til the day I die“
Anees is breaking ground as a self-proclaimed soul/pop artist! His music is versatile in genre, like that of Bruno Mars, while being uniquely himself. I love hearing his story as a former lawyer-turned-singer when Anees realized he wanted to do something he loves. He included previously released singles, like this one, on the tracklist of his new album summer camp. (P.S. You’ll see him mentioned more on the list. Sorry not sorry.) The chorus has my heart.
“Calm Down (with Selena Gomez)” by Rema
Who you come dey form for? Woah (mhmm)“
Africbeat has been circling the music industry, and I’m here for it! I love this mashup by Rema and Selena Gomez alongside the music video. This is a perfect summer song. Fun fact: Rema is only 23, and he’s making waves!
“Show Me Love (feat. Miguel)” by Alicia Keys
I just wanna bask in it, winnin’ it like a championship“
Alicia Keys is a songstress. Her writing is poetic, genuine, and transparent from the heart. I love her album cover and this song. Her choice of feature with Miguel (more on him later) fits with his singing style. This differs from the previous pieces I’ve heard from him. The harmony makes the song elude love and desire.
“THAT’S A JOKE” by NF
How could you call me unskilled?
That’s like lookin’ at Mount Everest and then calling it a small hill
NF is my rapper. I’ve been an NF fan since Therapy Session, although I did like a song from his first album, Mansion. I turned friends and peers into NF listeners as well. Clouds is one of my top three albums by him. NF grows in every song and album. He is no longer his past self; he uses his music to heal and comprehend the world around him. Every music video is purposeful and unforgettable.
“free me” by anees
Happiest me that you’ve ever seen and
I’ma rise from the ground like a rose from the seed
I feel beautiful whenever I protect my energy
Sometimes you gotta make space from fake people to breathe
I love his intro and outro. It’s a personal jam session about self-care and peace from bad situations and people.
“Apple Juice” by Jessie Reyez
But I’m stuck tryna save you from you
And you should know that I’m at your mercy
I’ve spent my life searching for you“
I don’t know where I first listened to this song or how I discovered it, but I love the R&B vocals and music. The song title is random, but it’s worth a listen. It talks about tough love with someone who doesn’t know how to show love, and even with all the tears, the speaker is there to teach them how to love.
“Sure Thing” by Miguel
Treat you like a friend
Respect you like a lover”
Even though this song is all over the radiowaves, it is not new. Released in 2010, the song resurfaced to bring out some neo-soul thanks to TikTok. I love the intro. In the music video, he uses every beat in a movement or shifts to tell his song’s story. I heard about Miguel when he was featured in a J. Cole song titled “Power Trip.” He has beautiful, soulful vocals that transcend the lyrics.
“DRIFTING” by NF
Told you look into the mirror and say, “I love you” /
Ignorant to my ignorance
Tell me I’m worth it, God
Give me the faith to rise and help me diversify
To take a step forward, immersed in my belligerence, amplified
The feelings and words collide”
I can’t get enough of NF. This song is about regrets and self-doubts that try to resurface when you feel like you’re drifting from where you want to be. But NF never just stops. There’s a change where he dives into asking for truth and a breakthrough from God because this drifting feeling sucks.
“wannabe” by anees
But everything comes naturally (Comes naturally)
When you’re next to me (When you’re next to me) /
Don’t you understand that you’re my sun and moon?
My endless love, sent down from above, yeah /
Just one thing, I’ll pray you let me stay ’cause”
I get it; you hear “Wannabe” and instantly think of the Spice Girls, but this is top-level. This comes from his summer camp album, giving a warm vibe. Anees tweeted that this song would be underrated (and it is *tears*). There are also lyrical mentions of “sun and moon” and “leave me” in verse two, which makes my heart happy.
“Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” by PinkPantheress and Ice Spice
And I can’t eat enough without you (Huh)
If you don’t speak, does that mean we’re through? (Huh)“
Yes, I heard this from TikTok and Instagram. No, I don’t know why PinkPantheress pronounces liar the way she does. I heard ‘leo’ the first couple of times. She’s a 21-year-old Brit. The song has a different beat that makes it stand out. Unapologetically, I listen to this for the Ice Spice rap. The music video is wholesome as a look of friends singing to a camera while living in New York comes to life. There are many homages and references to Brooklyn and New York rap and club songs.
“Written in the Stars” by Old Dominion
Are we last call kissing or will we be reminiscing
With each other for the next forty years?“
My friend is an obsessive country fan. He shared a country starter pack with me, and this one stood out in my top 30 repeated. I love the lyrics. I can imagine many depictions of the song; the words hold true when considering any new connection. This song is the country version of “Hot N Cold” by Katy Perry with more reflection and soul. Old Dominion is singing about determining the depth of effort to make with a person and whether it’s worth it.
“Hrs & Hrs” by Muni Long
I could do this for hours
Sit and talk to you for hours
I wanna give you your flowers”
My heart. I love Muni’s (pronounced “money”) Billboard performance for this and her Spanish version titled “Horas y Horas,” where she begins similarly with, “¿Pero te puedo cantar… en español?” This song can create some sensual choreography or soundtrack. Her R&B flair is noted, respected, and wanted.
“slip” by anees
Bring my blood to a boil
But your heart is where my home is
Your soul exists in my soil”
This is a love song, through and through, written for his wife and recorded in his car. I love all the lyrics, and choosing a section was brutal. The love for his wife is crazy deep as the first verse calls her a queen. He is transparent, talking about the positives and negatives of their relationship, but he says he’s “unworthy” to have her and won’t lose his chance. “got your heart inside my hands / And I’m holding a firm grip” *crying*.
“HOPE” by NF
I done said things I can’t take back
Was a lost soul at a crossroad who had no hope but I changed that /
If I’d have never hit rock bottom
Would I be the person that I am today?
I don’t believe so”
NF shakes the game when he releases music, and this title track is no different. The music video is fantastic as his past and present selves interact in former album settings. I analyzed the song in-depth as if it was a college poem. This is my favorite song from the album. It’s a full circle moment with his growth and previous song lyric mentions.
“how deep?” by Tai Verdes
Turns into “How was your day?” (day)
Turns into “Meet at my place”
Turns into you and me drinking rosé
Turns into “How did you sleep?” (How did you sleep?)
Turns into “It’s been a week” (week)
Turns into gave you a key
Turns into conversations talking ’bout what are we?
I, found a thing when I wasn’t even looking for a thing”
This is a dance-in-your-room vibe. I love the beat and lyrics of yet another uncertain about a potential relationship/current situationship song. While watching the music video (a good one), I saw a comment that made me laugh: “I used to be a fan but after this masterpiece I am whole air conditioner.” The rhythm and blues make this a song you can’t sit still.
“Are You That Somebody” by Aaliyah
You can’t tell nobody, I’m talkin’ ’bout nobody
I hope you’re responsible
Boy, I gotta watch my back, ’cause I’m not just anybody
Is it my go? Is it your go?”
Why not take it back to 1998? The song was published again in the attached album in 2002. I love the vocals because it’s the R&B that I grew up listening to. Be sure to watch the music video. There’s a repeated theme of wanting to ensure a person is there for the right reasons and to withstand the rain.
“sunny day” by Anees
I got my eyes on your every move, I
I see my home in you
I think God took His time when he molded you, you
You give your love for free
Girl, you don’t know just how much you mean to
To me, you’re my everything
And everything is you, it’s true“
On Twitter, Anees noted that this would be the most popular song on his album.
“MOTTO” by NF
Yup, congratulations, you can raise your voice
Hope you break both of your legs fallin’ off your horse
(Oh, snap) this is the industry
Where it ain’t how big you are, it’s how big you seem
Where people sacrifice the art tryna chase a dream
Then they wonder why they music’s lackin’ creativity”
First, I enjoyed the music video (as always with NF). NF is raw and doesn’t care about fame or nominations, which is evident. He reflects on fantasizing about wanting to be respected to now avoiding trends so he doesn’t lose himself.
“Very Few Friends” by Saint Levant
But I’m down
Gotta bring you back to my town
طيارة دغري ع بلادي
وأكيد I’ll show you around
Bien—, bienvenue dans mon quartier
Sur son bracelet, c’est du Cartier
Elle veux que tu parles en français (Tu vas rien comprendre)
I love the Hip-Hop/rap mix of this song. This is the first Arabic/French/English song I’ve listened to, and I love polyglots (I’m an aspiring one over here). His music video is natural as he sings at a table. It matches the flow of this nonchalant song about his girl. This song was the precipice of his career. It went viral when he released it as a USC student (yes, he’s 22). Inspiringly, he infuses his Palestinian culture and family nationalities in his music.
“Pressure” by Ari Lennox
The music video transported me to a scene in Hairspray as it channels the 60s until it reaches the 00s. It gives Diana Ross and later Soul Train. Like the decades displayed, this song is sensual and timeless. I love the R&B vocals and passion.
“maui” by Anees
“Bu-bum, bu-bum, bum”
I can’t just move on
No and trust me, I tried to
Don’t you know my heartstrings are tied to you?
“Bu-bum, bu-bum, bum”
You’re stuck in my songs
And baby, I need you, oh”
I love the live video session. The song was transported in the exact rendition and depiction imagined because it fits the summer camp theme. Again, he references other songs from this album. I love the chorus because of the onomatopoeia and the outro because of the ‘live performance’ vibe.
“Nate” by NF
But everything that breaks you down can also build your character
‘Cause people love to see you fail, just be aware of it
Don’t let nobody tell you who to be or write your narrative
Look, we’re all products of the things that we experience”
I love The Search album (another top three). In this song, he talks to his younger self.
“1 step forward, 3 steps back” by Olivia Rodrigo
I kinda find it all exciting
Like, which lover will I get today?
Will you walk me to the door or send me home cryin’?”
Oof, the whole triangle mess of songs that came from the background story behind this album is another story. However, this song is transparent about feeling like no matter the effort, there’s no progress. Her intro and piano is also a compilation inspired by Taylor Swift’s New Year’s Day.
“No Scrubs” Weezer
And I know that he cannot approach me
‘Cause I’m looking like class and he’s looking like trash
Can’t get wit’ a deadbeat ass”
I love R&B girl groups like TLC and Destiny’s Child; however, I also love alternative and rock. When I first heard this cover by Weezer, I was amazed. Usually, to listen to rock covers, I have a couple go-to bands, but I didn’t know Weezer had a whole cover album until I found this gem.
“home again” by anees”
So, wherever I go, I have family
I won’t ask the world for its affirmation
‘Cause Heaven is a place that exists in me”
Anees’ favorite song on his album. I love when singers talk in their songs, as Muni Long did in her intro.
“PANDEMONIUM” by NF
Right, I’m not the one to pick a fight with
Try and bully me make you regret it quick
The only person I allow to push me around is my self“
The first song that I can remember that uses the word pandemonium in it is “Airplanes (feat. Haley Williams)” by B.o.B. I love words, and, as an English major, I especially love words that set the tone.
“Best Part (feat. H.E.R.) by Daniel Caesar
You’re the Tylenol I take when my head hurts
You’re the sunshine on my life”
I haven’t listened to many songs by H.E.R. or Daniel Caesar, but I love this dI have yet to listen to many songs by H.E.R. or Daniel Caesar, but I love this duet! It’s a romance encasing that their experience together is the best part while both are waiting for the other to put this feeling into words.
“Always On Time: by Ja Rule and Ashanti
And I gave you my all, now baby be mine”
2001 Ja Rule is up next! From the beat to this incredible duo, I’m not surprised I’ve been listening to this number repeatedly. The focus is on how love is pain and trouble. In this song, he’s not depending on the emotions or getting into feelings because it’s a struggle.
“leave me” by anees
Maybe you wouldn’t be gone if I wasn’t chasing these songs
And I spent my energy trying to actually be a better man”
And, of course, closing us out is none other than an authentic and raw song by Anees. This is the first song I heard from Anees, and I never looked back.
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