A Heartbreak Anthem Chappell Roan has quickly established herself as one of pop’s most compelling storytellers with her vivid, cinematic songwriting. The Missouri-born singer-songwriter’s 2023 debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, earned widespread critical acclaim, landing at #2 on The A.V. Club’s year-end list. Now, she’s ushering in her highly anticipated “next chapter” with the searing new single Good Luck, Babe! The Emotional Centrepiece of Her Next Era Released on April 5th, 2024, as the lead single from an as-yet-untitled upcoming project, Good Luck, Babe! marks Roan’s first new music since her breakout debut last year. The poignant track…
Author: Alex Harris
Alex Harris
Lyric sleuth. Synth whisperer. Chart watcher. Alex hunts new sounds and explains why they hit like they do.
In the crowded landscape of viral TikTok hits and instantly forgettable pop confections, Doechii’s “What It Is (Solo Version)” from early 2023 has remarkably stayed in steady rotation. The track’s irresistible hooks, clever sampling, and Doechii’s magnetic presence have allowed it to transcend one-hit-wonder status and remain a fan favourite over a year after its release. As we approach the one-year anniversary of What It Is dropping, it’s the perfect time to revisit what made this solo version such a standout smash. Doechii flipped expectations by fusing nostalgic R&B samples with her unique hip-hop flavour and undeniable swagger. The result is a…
Noah Kahan’s Stick Season lyrics unpack heartbreak, inherited depression, and small-town stillness in raw detail.
The Runaway Success of a Deeply Personal Track In early 2024, an unlikely song from the indie artist Djo (aka Joe Keery of Stranger Things fame) started gaining major traction online. Originally released in September 2022 on Djo’s sophomore album DECIDE, End of Beginning quickly became a viral phenomenon on TikTok. The melancholy synth-pop track’s poignant lyrics about reflecting on past selves and life transitions clearly struck a chord. Chronicling a Major Life Shift The inspiration behind End of Beginning is deeply rooted in Keery’s own journey. As he revealed in an interview, the song captures his experience of leaving his hometown…
A Swoon-worthy Debut Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter Laufey has taken the music world by storm with her viral hit From The Start. Released on May 11, 2023, as the lead single from her second album, Bewitched, the jazz-pop track quickly resonated with listeners, racking up over 80 million Spotify streams and helping Bewitched break the record for the biggest first day for a jazz album on the platform. From The Start is a delightfully intoxicating blend of bossa nova rhythms, lush instrumentation, and Laufey’s velvety vocals. Produced by Laufey and Spencer Stewart (Olivia O’Brien, Alina Baraz), the song transports listeners to a smoky jazz…
The Party Doesn’t Stop On their first solo release since last year’s acclaimed blue water road album, Kehlani has dropped the upbeat and undeniably catchy After Hours. The infectious track sees the R&B star tapping into a seductive party vibe powered by an instantly recognisable sample. A Nu-Dancehall Throwback The pulsating rhythms of After Hours are built around the “Coolie Dance Riddim,” made famous by Jamaican producer Cordel Burrell in the early 2000s. That same riddim provided the foundation for Nina Sky’s 2004 smash “Move Ya Body,” which Kehlani ingeniously samples here. The combination of Khris Riddick and Alex Goldblatt’s production with these…
Forget the corner office and the six-figure salary. In the quirky world of TikTok, the title of “CEO” takes on a whole new meaning, often sprinkled with a generous dose of irony and humor. This article dives into the phenomenon of “CEO of (something) Mean” on social media, exploring its playful origins, how it fuels social media engagement, and its place within the ever-evolving landscape of TikTok trends. From Boardroom to Bedroom: The CEO of Irony While “CEO” traditionally stands for Chief Executive Officer, the abbreviation takes a playful detour on social media platforms like TikTok. Here, it’s used to…
Country music continues to captivate fans worldwide, as evidenced by the chart-topping success of artists like Zach Bryan, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs. The year 2024 sees a vibrant mix of tracks such as Texas Hold ‘Em and hits by Kacey Musgraves dominating the country music scene, reflecting the genre’s rich storytelling and emotional depth. This evolution follows a year where songs like Watermelon Moonshine and Need a Favour set the stage for what has become a compelling lineup of the best country songs, underscoring the genre’s enduring appeal and the dynamic shifts in its landscape. As we explore the top country songs…
The internet is a treasure trove of humour, and memes are undoubtedly some of its most sparkling gems. Among these, the Expectation vs. Reality meme holds a special place. This simple yet powerful format takes the age-old concept of shattered dreams and spins it into laugh-out-loud gold. Origins: A Timeless Concept, A Digital Format While the Expectation vs. Reality meme’s current form is undeniably digital, the concept itself stretches much further back. Comics from student publications dating as far back as the early 1900s depict similar themes. The specific side-by-side image format we know today likely emerged in the mid-2000s,…
Explore what ‘bop’ means on TikTok—uncover its evolving slang definitions, from viral music trends to attention-seeking connotations in today’s digital culture.