Muse Clues! #6 (Music Discoveries)

Hey there Insighters, I hope the month of October proved to be most prosperous for you guys and gals. I know that the return of this segment has been long-awaited.

So today, after a four month hiatus, Muse Clues! has made a triumphant return here on #FiveOnFridays.

And for those of you who may not be familiar with how ‘Muse Clues!’ works, here’s a brief overview.

Yeah, that’s pretty much the gist of Muse Clues. I’ll give a brief backstory of how I discovered said songs, and as always give my depiction of each one, while ranking the entries from 5 to 1.

That said, I’m really excited about today’s lineup of tracks. I’ve curated this list with flavors both old and new. Plus, everything here I’ve discovered within this month, so that’s a bonus.

So without anymore talk, let’s dive right into today’s countdown.

NUMBER-FIVE [5]

Camila Cabello – ‘Cry For Me’ [2019]

Recently catching up with the slew of new music on YouTube, I realized several releases from ‘Havana’ songstress Camila Cabello. I listened to ‘Liar’, ‘Shameless’, then “Cry For Me” – all of which are reportedly leading up to her upcoming sophomore album.

Of all these singles, this one sonically resonated the most. Additionally, it just has a familiar feel to it. From the subtle opening over simplistic strings to Camila growling on the pre-chorus. Likewise, the icing on the cake, the very Marina and The Diamonds styled chorus.

Seriously, the slight modulation on Camila’s voice makes her sound almost identical to Marina. “I want you to cry for me, cry for me/
Say you’d d-d-die for me, die for me”, she croons passionately and angrily for her ex-lover.

As more of the lyrics begin to register, you realize the song tells about the pain associated with seeing an ex move on faster than you would’ve liked.

Certainly, while stewing in this gumbo of remembrance, heartbreak, and discomfort, Camila produces a feasible Pop hit.

Not to mention, an edgy vocal performance implemented alongside kickass electric guitar!

NUMBER-FOUR [4]

Frank Ocean – ‘Solo’ [2016]

After recently reviewing Pitchfork’s Top 200 Albums of the 2010’s, I was led to Frank Ocean’s most recent work, Blond[e].

Admittedly, I’ve been meaning to get into his music, especially considering all the positive feedback his music usually generates between friends, relatives, acquaintances, and music critics alike.

Hence, I finally dropped the excuses and gave Blond a full-on listen. Needless to say, it was entertaining, quirky, yet melodically soothing.

Additionally, I found myself grooving to a plethora of tracks, fading into the airy, space odyssey production. Adding to this titillating feeling of wanderlust are Frank’s pleasing vocals and clever lyricism.

‘Solo’ along with its reprise just happened to be my favorite tracks from the album. Indeed, this song finds Frank reflecting on a myriad of experiences, most of them from a first person perspective.

These narratives bleed insight into his personal life – of getting high, sleeping long hours to cope with sting of being alone.

Also, there’s such a cool play on the word solo throughout the track. One noteworthy line included: “Bones feeling dense as fuck, wish a nigga would cross/ And catch a solo, on time“.

Likewise, I couldn’t help taking note of the gradual, emotional distress. The repetition of solo reflecting just how “low” he’s feeling emotionally. It’s this kind of brilliant use of verbiage that made me enjoy not just this track, but his entire 2016 opus.

NUMBER-THREE [3]

Harry Styles– ‘Lights Up’ [2019]

Scouring the trending page on YouTube earlier in the month, I was pleasantly surprised to see a release from Harry. Clicking on the video, I found myself instantly enamored not only visually, but sonically as well.

Initially, I was unable to detect which direction the track was heading, which made me all the more excited to have at it. Again and again, I listened until I followed its odd structure and flow with ease.

Indeed, ‘Lights Up’ is jarringly different from any track I’ve heard in 2019 thus far. It finds Harry Styles re-entering the musical fold with a uniquely interesting sound, one that’s nostalgic yet, still unfamiliar to the masses.

The track begins with tingling guitar and bass strings, hazy horns, and some drums to keep things a tad lively. Vocally, Harry somehow sounds clearer, more assured, defined, and evolved in his artistry.

Furthermore, the lyrical content seems symbolic, hinting of acceptance of one’s self in terms of sexuality, insecurities, anxieties and so on. While the chorus provides room for self-reflection “Lights up and they know who you are/ Know who you are/ Do you know who you are? (oh)”, the bridge welcomes listeners to embrace their inner-most selves.

“Shine, step into the light/ Shine, so bright sometimes/ Shine, I’m not ever going back“. Truly this track is one of liberation. And with a choir, poignant message, and admirably odd arrangement, it’s one of the more interesting Pop songs of 2019.

NUMBER-TWO [2]

Weyes Blood – ‘Something To Believe’ [2019]

One night while conducting musical research on the best albums of 2019, I saw ‘Titanic Rising’ by Weyes Blood. Personally, I’ve never heard of the American Singer-songwriter until now. Intent on developing my own opinion on her most recent work, I listened purposefully.

Quite frankly, it’s an impressively well-composed artwork. There’s this old-timey aesthetic to the entire album. It reminds me of a simpler time, when music was more raw, piercing, and direct.

Hence, I found my ears hearkening to this little number. Within mere seconds, I felt the transience of the melody; I was swaying effortlessly to the overly-relatable lyrics that allude to losing hope in everything, feeling an overwhelming sense of numbness.

The chorus perfectly captures the essence of this feeling. “I just laid down and cried/ The waters don’t really go by me/ Give me something I can see/ Something bigger and louder than the voices in me/
Something to believe, to believe“.

Soon enough, you find yourself floating in the ether with the spacious melodies, ethereal, vocal harmonies, and atmospheric instrumentation. It’s a cathartic listen, one that posits reflection, realization, and a sense of humanity. Certainly, it’s one for the ‘Muse Clues!’ books.

HONORABLE-MENTIONS

• Vincint – ‘Someday’ [2019]
• Sharon Van Etten – ‘Malibu’ [2019]
• Tame Impala & Justin Timberlake – ‘The Less I Know The Better x Sexy Back (Mashup)’ [2019]
• Ke$ha – ‘Raising Hell’ ft. Big Freedia [2019]
• Selena Gomez – ‘Look At Her Now’ [2019]

*NUMBER-ONE [1]

Little Simz – ‘Offence’ [2019]

Deviating from the more moody entries on today’s segment, English Rapper-Singer Little Simz breathes attitude with her slightly funky Rap number ‘Offence’.

This track is just one of many gems of her latest LP ‘GREY Area’ released earlier this year. The opus garnered much critical acclaim and cemented her in my mind as an artist I now adore. For me, the album has no skips. Every song was something I’d want to listen to repeatedly.

Achieving such a rarity in my listening experience, she rightfully took the top spot on today’s ‘Muse Clues!’ segment. That said, ‘Offence’ finds Simz channeling bodes of female energy over zany, animated production that SLAPS.

On top of that, are her flow and badass lyricism. My favorite lines being , “The biggest phenomenon and I’m Picasso with the pen” and “I’m Jay-Z on a bad day/ Shakespeare on my worst days”. Such lines speak to the quality of her craft and how these skills become heightened on life’s crappier days.

Lastly, the chorus spoke profoundly to my soul as the ultimate fuck you. It rings loudly in this sassy voice, “I said it with my chest and I don’t care who I offend, uh-huh/ Haa“.

Did you enjoy today’s Muse Clues segment? Have you given these songs a listen? If so, which ones do you enjoy the most? Let me know in the comment section below.

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