It’s almost August which means that this pandemic has been going on for too damn long. Lucky for us, Billie Ellish, Beyoncé and Brandy are still out there working hard to bless our ears from the deafening sound of our own loneliness. Here are some new songs you should definitely know about from the perspective of our Entertainment writer, Diandra Ross.
“My Future” – Billie Ellish
In her latest single, Billie Ellish sings about the most important love in her life: her future. The sounds of “My Future” are reminiscent of those popularized by the Kiwi artist Lorde in her debut album “Pure Heroine.” Ellish’s beautifully haunting vocals are front and center in the track; the first half of the song is her voice over a lightly strumming guitar. Drums come into the second half of the song, creating a more upbeat and R&B feel. Billie rejects the idea that she needs a significant other to be happy, and instead is happy and excited to see where the rest of her already age-defining career will take her.
“Move Ya Hips” – A$AP Ferg, Nicki Minaj and Madeintyo
With a two-line hook that plays on loop, “Move Ya Hips” will be a difficult song to forget. Fun and catchy, the song will at the very least get you to bop your head to its beat. The track has all three featured artists not only exchanging verses but also individual lines, making the song feel cohesive. Nicki Minaj seems to shine brightest when she is a featured artist and “Move Ya Hips” is no exception. The Queens rapper manages to stand out in a track that’s barely over two minutes, switching back and forth between her distinctive rap styles.
“Find Your Way Back (Melo-X Remix)” – Beyoncé
Featured on the deluxe edition of “The Lion King: The Gift,” this remix interpolates the instrumentals of the original song to create an entirely new sound. Beyonce’s vocals still convey a sense of nostalgia and longing as they do in the original and are even a bit clearer at times as the instrumentals occasionally drop out. Melo-X added a couple of new percussion sounds, giving the song a more reggae feel. The song manages to justify its existence as a remix by not changing what made the original great but by still managing to stand as its own exceptional piece of music.
“My Oasis” – Sam Smith Feat. Burna Boy
A collaboration between the British pop singer and Nigerian Afro-fusion artist, “My Oasis” is an interesting song for both musicians. Reminiscent of the early 2010s R&B sounds from artists like Usher and Ne-Yo, Smith and Burna Boy recount their feelings of doubt and insecurity about someone they love. The song is wavy and relaxed yet passionate, which manages to come through in Smith’s vocals. Burna Boy is a welcome addition to the song, with his unique vocals making the song stand out even more. A song like this only proves that collaborations across genres should happen more often.
“Baby Mama” – Brandy Feat. Chance the Rapper
The lead single from Brandy’s first album in seven years, “Baby Mama” is a song of empowerment for all single mothers. Brandy sings about the love she has for her daughter and the pride she has for herself as she raises her on her own. Brandy still displays her uniquely deep voice that made her a hit R&B artist in the 90s and early 2000s. Meanwhile, Chance the Rapper switched up his usual slower melodic rap style with a quicker, more playful and somewhat toned-down style. In his verse, Chance talks to the man who insists on being a part of Brandy’s life, telling him that he’s easily replaceable and that he takes her for granted. “Baby Mama” is a fun collaboration between artists from two generations of music that still manage to inspire each other.
