1. The Boss by Diana Ross
The release of Diana Ross’ 1979 album The Boss had its 41st anniversary this past week, so it seems fitting to start by focusing on its iconic title song.
If ever a song could be called “feel good,” this is it. It’s one of the grooviest disco tracks of the 70s – a boogie demanding to be had --- and with the added perk of genuinely reflective lyrics: “Thought I could turn emotion on and off, I was so sure, but love taught me who was the boss”. (It's unfortunately inevitable how cringe lyrics start to seem when taken out of context.)
The melody and brass compositions are stunning and Ross fabulously shows off her insane vocal range, especially in the second half of the song.
If ever in need for irresistible good energy, you know where to turn.
2. Free as a Bird by Soom T
At the very least, I can guarantee that this one will surprise you.
Born in Glasgow to Indian immigrant parents, the huge range of musical influences that Soom T grew up with has made her artistic style an eclectic mosaic of genres that are impossible to pin down.
Her best known track Free as a Bird showed up on my Discover Weekly a few months ago and I was blown away by the singer's wild vocal versatility. Let me be specific: for the first 30 seconds of the song you settle into her light folksy vibe, and then suddenly the voice turns to sharp R&B. For the rest of the track she alternates between these two styles – and with such ease you might think you were hearing a duet. (I'm definitely not the only one who did a double take on first listen and checked to make sure I was still listening to the same person.)
3. Everywhere Home by Yom
I think it's safe to say this is the only time I'll be posting about a song in which the clarinet alone is the focal point of everything. (I'm sure there's a huge vault of such music but unless I go digging I'm not expecting to stumble into it any day soon.)
But this week something mesmerizing has kept me coming back to Everywhere Home, a beautiful instrumental piece by French clarinetist Yom. For the song's first two minutes, only electric guitar strums and a haunting clarinet carry the tune --- only Yom's sharp breaths between bars add an extra touch of intimate eeriness.
Needless to say, lovers of clarinet will love this one.
4. Oceansize by Oh Wonder
Also on repeat right now is Oceansize, the fourth single released as a part of Oh Wonder's Home Tapes series. The song is quintessential Oh Wonder: an extremely mellow beat topped with their dreamy harmonized vocals and all kinds of instrumental tinkles.
Although the chorus lyrics are pretty generic, the verses have some really beautiful content: “My brain is saying ‘simmer down’ / Keep your voices quiet, not too loud / But it’s scary when there ain’t a sound”. In the same vein, the duo have described the song as being about “yearning for freedom and getting back out into the world" --- something they tried to bond over with fans in the accompanying video:
Listen on Spotify to all 'Songs of the Week' here.
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