We're getting closer to the end of the year, and you know what that means... that means this series will end soon! Yeah, I don't think I'm going to continue this series in 2020. Especially with how busy I get in college, I would prefer to not overwhelm myself with a monthly series like this. I still want to write stuff music related, but it won't be this. However, I am determined to finish this series, and that means I will get through these last few months. Anyways, September has some great music and some terrible music, surprise surprise. Click here to read the last one. Let's go.
THE TOP 3
Genre: Hardcore Hip Hop
"Psycho" by slowthai & Denzel Curry is probably the best musically induced panic attack you will get this year. I know, it's an odd thing to say, but it's true. This song goes so hard that it's legitimately kind of scary. The biggest proponent is the beat. It has a thick bassy trap instrumental with these sharp, stinging Alfred Hitchock style strings stabbing you in the ear drums. They constantly play in these high pitched triplets, and it sounds frightening. And both slowthai and Denzel Curry sound aggressive as hell. Both of their flows and voices compliment the beat very well, perfectly matching in intensity. There's even a point where slowthai starts straight up screaming his lyrics. It's pretty gnarly. And the outro is killer as well. This track is a dark, freaky, scary banger of a track, and I love every second of it. Just be sure to be careful when watching the music video, because it very well could cause epilepsy due to all the flashing lights. You have been warned.
Genre: Hip Hop
This is one of the most entertaining rap songs of the year. The production is very animated, almost sounding goofy. Danny Brown's flow is fantastic, and his yelpy vocals are so unique. It's definitely an acquired taste, but I quite enjoy it, especially on this track. And the lyrics are hilarious. On this song, he's talking about all of these sexual escapades he went on before he was clean. He definitely doesn't mince his words, and the way he tells these stories are so funny. Lyrics like "So we did the humpty hump in a Burger King bathroom" and "Eight ball in my jeans, fiends say it tastes like soap" stick out in particular. This song is quite vulgar, but there's something humbling about it. It's almost as if Danny Brown is making fun of himself with this song. But anyways, this song is a lot of fun. It's definitely different from anything off of his last album, anything I heard from it anyways, but it's still great. Give it a listen if you want.
Genre: Art Folk
This song is absolutely gorgeous. It's a little over six minutes, and it takes you on such a grand musical journey. It starts off rather quiet, but then it explodes at the chorus with a beautiful full orchestra. The strings are incredible. It makes the track sound so grand and epic, and it adds a lot of elegance, beauty, and power to the track. Olsen's somewhat nasally voice compliments the grandiosity very well, and it makes for some epic moments. The subtle quieter moments add a nice atmosphere, but the ways they build up to the musical climaxes, particularly the one at the end, are amazing. The closing of this song is easily the best part. The strings are powerful, the guitars are distorted and crushing, and Olsen sounds angry. This song is amazing. It's another one of those songs that feels more like an experience than a song. It's big, beautiful, and downright powerful. Don't miss it.
Honorable Mentions
Genre: Experimental Hip Hop
Genre: Folk
Genre: Dream Pop
THE BOTTOM 3
Genre: Pop
Yeah, this is about as corny as most people say it is. It has a pretty decent beat, but none of the vocalist offer much of interest. It's trying to convey a female empowerment message, but considering the history of Charlie's Angels, which this song was written for, it's messaging seems pretty backwards. There's not much substance here other than "men are disrespectful pigs and don't you dare try to talk to me." And none of the singers are contributing to the best of their abilities. Miley sounds fine on here, but Ariana is punching well below her weight, and Lana sounds like she's on a completely different song. None of them have any chemistry with each other, and it all comes across as awkward. There is nothing particularly special about this track, and it doesn't make me want to see the movie any more than I already did (which was not at all).
2. "Dear Future Self (Hands Up)" by Fall Out Boy ft. Wyclef Jean
Genre: Pop Rock
Wow, this is annoying! I've never been a Fall Out Boy fan. I know it's easy to say considering the pop route they've been going down as of late, but even their early stuff hasn't done much for me. However, I can at least respect their early work. What they've been doing since their comeback has been rather frustrating, and this song is no exception. This track is about as obnoxious as it gets. From the fast surf rock guitar to the weird scratchy guitar runs at the intro to the WAY too loud vocals, everything comes across as grating. And the feature is completely out of place. There is absolutely no purpose to Wyclef Jean being on the track. This song is definitely more mind numbing than it is catchy or fun. It's certainly a reminder as to why they're not taken as seriously as they were before. But hey, at least this is better than "Young and Menace."
Genre: Pop Rap
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Dishonorable Mentions:
Genre: Trap
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