1. the 1 by Taylor Swift
I might as well first confess that I’ve never really been a fan of Taylor Swift, but I’m one of the many long-time doubters who were still charmed by her latest album folklore – probably because it reverts to the folk-based simplicity of her early years. Since my first listen-through, opening track the 1 has remained my top pick.
An ode to what could have been, I like that the song isn't flowery or overdone: just a basic clap beat, strings to assist, and melodic lyrics that are just nostalgic enough while musing lightheartedly (“It would’ve been fun if you would’ve been the one”). She captures the feeling of loss when a relationship runs awry while still recognizing happiness in the way things ended up (“I’m doing good / I’m on some new shit”) (and sorry --- it's hard to make lyrics not sound terribly cringe when taken out of context).
It probably helps that I listened to this album immediately after watching Miss Americana, a documentary that inevitably leaves you with a sense of admiration and respect for Swift’s work, regardless of your relationship with her music.
2. Bittersweet by Lianne La Havas
Lianne La Havas just released her third self-titled studio album, including as opener and closer two versions of her formidable single Bittersweet.
She once explained that “in the context of the whole album, [the song] is kind of the overview of reconnecting with yourself and realizing that you may have to change something dramatically in your life to make yourself happier and to get more fulfillment from your life.”
Showcasing her soulful powerhouse of a voice, Bittersweet finds the singer moving on from the chapter of a relationship and tapping into a new energy. Through each verse, the vocals build up towards the chorus in which she “notices her light diminishing” and realizes the need for a change (“Now my sun’s going down, telling me something isn’t right … no more hanging around").
La Havas has one of the most enriched and stirring voices of the British music scene these days – highly recommend giving this album a full listen-through.
3. People Can’t Stop Chillin’ by Sports
Every time I listen to People Can't Stop Chillin' I'm amazed how effortlessly the song puts you in a very specific scene: walking into an after hours bar with someone playing mournfully at the piano on stage, ignored by the drunk crowd surrounding. They capture all of the little end-of-night details (even the occasional glass smashing), and finally the way the piano smoothly melts into the sax and closes in on the scene is gorgeous. It’s like the somberly realistic side of Piano Man.
4. Meditate by EARTHGANG, J.I.D.
From EARTHGANG’s collab with J.I.D., Meditate is one of the most compelling rap songs I’ve ever been shown (thank you Arty) – both because of its hypnotic beat and the importance of its lyrics.
The artists sample the haunting hums of the main beat from Numb’s Oh Land, adding the sharp drums to create their rhythm. They convey their perspective as Black men “looking for peace” in Trump’s America – “I put colors on the spectrum / I let you assign them worth” – and speak to the appropriation of Black culture across the world.
Listen on Spotify to all 'Songs of the Week' here.
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