Author: Alex Harris

On April 9, 2021, Doja Cat released the irresistible single Kiss Me More, featuring SZA, as the lead single from her acclaimed third studio album, Planet Her. The disco-influenced pop/R&B track was written by Doja Cat, SZA, Yeti Beats, Rogét Chahayed, Tizhimself, Carter Lang, and Dr. Luke, with the chorus interpolating the iconic melody from Olivia Newton-John’s 1981 hit “Physical.” In an interview with Zane Lowe, Doja Cat explained the song’s origins simply: “I wanted to make a song about kissing. I just thought it would be cute.” Lyrical Breakdown Lush, pulsating synths reminiscent of the golden age of disco lay the…

The Raw, Intimate Sound of Michael Marcagi’s Viral Smash In late 2023, the yearning strains of a solitary acoustic guitar drifted across TikTok, soon echoed by millions of spellbound listeners. The melody came from Scared to Start by Michael Marcagi, a young Cincinnati singer-songwriter who had captured a pervasive cultural mood with his folk-tinged clarion call to embrace life’s uncertainties. Produced by David Baron (The Lumineers, Jade Bird) and co-written with Marcagi’s former bandmate Andrew “AJ” Yorio, Scared to Start arrived as the lead single for Michael Marcagi’s debut EP, American Romance. But even before its official release in February 2024, this haunting yet…

Discover the 50 Best Love Songs of All Time, a curated list of classic love songs and romantic hits that have topped the Billboard charts. From iconic tracks by Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston to modern anthems by Rihanna, this ranking includes the greatest love songs ever. Perfect for creating the ultimate wedding playlist.

A Sizzling Country-Pop Crossover Blazes New Trails On March 29th, the music world was set ablaze by the arrival of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. The genre-melding masterpiece fuses pop, country, Americana, and more into an audacious artistic statement. Among its many highlights is the rousing II Most Wanted, a duet with none other than Miley Cyrus. As Beyoncé revealed, “Each song is its own version of a reimagined Western film.” The song was written by Beyoncé, Cyrus, Michael Pollack, and Ryan Tedder, and produced by Beyoncé, Shawn Everett, Pollack, and Cyrus. A Shot Across the Bow: Chart Success and Star Power II…

Tumultuous Breakups and the Catharsis of Kenzie’s word vomit Lyrics Going through a difficult breakup is one of the most painful experiences a person can face in life. The severing of an intimate bond, the loss of a future you had envisioned together, and the lingering feelings of betrayal can take an immense emotional toll. It’s a situation that prompts a whirlwind of raw emotions: sadness, anger, hurt, and confusion. Processing all of those turbulent feelings in the aftermath is often an agonizing process. For the 21-year-old pop artist Kenzie, born Mackenzie Ziegler, channelling the angst of a recent tumultuous…

Reckless Love, Cory Asbury’s chart-topping Christian hit, is not just a song—it’s a transformative journey through the profound depths of God’s unconditional love. Released in October 2017 as the lead single from Asbury’s debut album with Bethel Music, Reckless Love has become a touchstone in contemporary worship music, renowned for its poignant lyrics and soul-stirring composition. But what truly underpins this melodious tune? From Divine Spark to Worship Anthem: The Genesis of Reckless Love The genesis of Reckless Love is as stirring as the anthem itself. Asbury describes a profound spiritual awakening to God’s love that predated the song’s inception.…

A Vulnerable Musical Journey After teasing his highly anticipated fourth studio album, Room Under the Stairs, Zayn has released the profoundly personal new single Alienated. The track sees the former One Direction member laying bare his emotions over sparse, stripped-back instrumentation. “I wanted each song to feel as if it was just me sitting beside you telling you how I feel, singing directly to you,” Zayn explained of the album’s intimate sound. “It’s raw and the type of music I always hoped to make.” An Honest Expression of Isolation Written solely by Zayn himself and produced alongside Dave Cobb, Alienated finds the artist grappling…

The Master of Camp Meets Her Match When Dua Lipa unleashed Future Nostalgia in 2020, she reinvented pop through a dazzling disco kaleidoscope. For her third album, Radical Optimism, the Grammy winner is once again pushing boundaries, this time deconstructing the smoke and mirrors of modern romance. Lead single Illusion, released on April 11, 2024, plays with power dynamics through Dua Lipa’s wry lyricism and an audacious sound blending synth opulence with live percussion. A Lyrical Game of Cat and Mouse “Was a time when that shit might have worked / Was a time when I just threw a match and…

Ariana Grande’s thank u, next isn’t your typical pop breakup ballad. Released in November 2018, the song shattered expectations, becoming a cultural phenomenon that shattered records, topped charts, and resonated with millions. Thank u, next wasn’t just catchy; it was a cathartic anthem of self-discovery, wrapped in a glossy pop package. Let’s unpack the layers that made this song such a global sensation, diving into its insightful lyrics, genre-bending production, record-breaking music video, and the lasting impact it had on music and popular culture. The Creative Minds Behind the Music The production of thank u, next was helmed by Michael “Mikey” Foster, Scootie, and TBHits,…

Atlanta’s finest, Future and Metro Boomin, surprised fans on (April 12th) with the release of Red Leather, track number 18 on their collaborative project, We Still Don’t Trust You. This track marks the first time Future and J. Cole have joined forces on a song, making it a much-anticipated drop for fans of both rappers. But Red Leather arrives amidst a whirlwind of hip-hop drama, leaving listeners to question whether Cole’s bars are aimed at Drake. A Track Steeped in Recent Events The release of Red Leather comes just weeks after the firestorm ignited by the song Like That from Future and Metro Boomin’s first…