(via Shutterstock)
So much good music, and it seems often, so little time to listen to it all.
Thankfully thought in a world awash with artists and songs, some do make it through all the digital white noise and make themselves first known and then welcome, enriching commutes, workdays or drives to places that are crying out for a great road trip soundtrack.
These five songs are definitely worth your time and energy and they will make things better; maybe not permanently but long enough for you to catch your breath, revive your spirit and feel ready to throw yourself back into the fray …
“F.U.” (ft. Erykah Badu) by Jamie xx
(courtesy official Jamie xx Facebook page)
Now this is how you use some serious musical talent!
The legendary American singer-songwriter Erykah Badu, known for brilliantly engaging R&B, soul and hip hop, has teamed up with English musician-DJ-record producer-remixer Jamie xx for a gloriously compelling tune, “F.U.” (no prizes for cracking the riddle of that acronym).
It starts off with sass and some great beats before kicking off into high drive, delivering up a massively listenable song that Acid Stag described thus:
‘F.U.’ delivers a trademark groove from Jamie xx that is as addictive as they come, with a robust nature rising from the foundations all the way up to the synths and bass compiled that unearths an effortlessness that is spread right across the soundscape. With Badu’s playful melodies soaring across the top of the mix, ‘F.U.’ rises to the occasion with a cohesive blend of the two artists which compliments each other immensely in a polished output overall.
(courtesy official MØ Facebook page)
Oh be still my music-loving heart!
Two of my favourite artists on the scene today, MØ, a singer-songwriter who hails from Denmark, and Biig Piig, an Irish singer and rapper who calls West London home, have combined their prodigious talents on the deliciously catchy song “Sweet” which demands repeat listens from the moment you hear it from the first time.
It’s fantastically melodic, beat-heavy pop with undeniable presence which Acid Stag pays home to with this perfect review:
‘SWEET’ wastes no time in bringing the power to the masses with an enforcing nature through those commanding drums setting the tone from the outset that gives MØ’s vocals the perfect podium to launch from. With robust foundations set from the bass held in the backbone, ‘SWEET’ tantalises itself through buzzing synths that even with their emphatic nature allow for those catchy melodies plenty of room to command your attention.
“Joyride” by Kesha
(courtesy YouTube)
One of the best things about YouTube is how easy it is to disappear down a rabbit hole of like-for-like videos which really proves its value when you strike a hugely listenable song and the algorithm, which I suspect cares not for my musical happiness but contributes to it anyway, serves up more of the same but different.
I cannot recall what song led the way to Kesha’s “Joyride” but good lordy whichever track it is, I am supremely grateful because this is one very catchy, life-soundtracking song that goes and goes and goes and takes you deliriously along with it.
Released in mid-year in 2024, “Joyride” appears to directly reference Kesha’s nine-year battle with former producer Dr Luke which ended with a settlement about the same time as her contract with her record label ended and she was finally free to release music on her own terms.
The result is this wonderfully propulsive number which serves as the lead single from her upcoming sixth album and radiates attitude, freedom and the sense that anything is possible.
The video taps into that vibe perfectly accenting a song that all but demands you hit the road, fire up your favourite streamer and go for broke with the volume WAY UP.
“Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga
(courtesy official Lady Gaga Facebook page)
It’s probably not fair to say that the luminously legendary Lady Gaga is back since the multi-talented singer-actor-songwriter etc etc never really went away.
But there’s something about “Abracadabra” which feels like a much-welcome return to the pop song that made her a household name in the first place and its move with an inspiringly uplifting momentum that given even more energetic vibrancy by a clip that features some impressively on-point choreography and dancing.
“Abracadabra” does what many of her songs do so flawlessly – it makes you feel alive, thrilled to be there, and buoyant with beat and lyric to an almost dizzyingly euphoric degree.
This is pop candy and it works an absolute treat, proving to be the perfect calling card for Lady Gaga’s next album, Mayhem, which releases 7 March.
Watch this for the clip’s rehearsal video which shows good the talent assembled for this song is.
“Good Morning London” by Rae Morris
(courtesy official Rae Morris YouTube channel)
Ever have those days when what you need, what you really, REALLY need, is a song that feels like a big warm hug that, rather than recoiling from life and horrors within and without, simply smiles at and makes you feel welcome.
“Good Morning London” (and a whole host of other cities) by English singer-songwriter Rae Morris is just such a song and it radiates a joyously contented sense that everything is not just going to be alright but rather quite delightful, thank you very much.
It’s exactly the shot in the name all of us likely need right now and it comes with a clip shot in London that showcases the city and the smilingly happy countenance of Morris who makes you feel like your day is going to be very good indeed.
This songs is a joy on every level and the exact addition to your playlist if you need music that will elevate you and make you see the world in a whole new light.
EUROVISION 2025 UPDATE!
There has been a LOT going on in the lead up to Eurovision, not least the selection of entrants for a host of countries via various contests and internal selection processes. If you check the participants page at Eurovision.tv, you will see a host of new faces, and of course, songs, with a strong tilt this year to having lots of fun stage which, given the state of the world, is just the escapist pivot we all need.
Being an Aussie site, the highlight of all the recent news has been the selection of brilliantly quirky and super talented pop artist, Go-Jo as the Australian representative. He will perform the addictively good song, “Milkshake Man”, which should do very well with the televote audience which is key because the semifinals – Australia competes in the second semifinal on Thursday 15 May – no longer have a jury vote component.
Other favourites of mine of the song currently out in the Eurovision wild are:
“Ich Komme” by Erika Vidman (Finland)
“Run With U” by Mamagama (Azerbaijan)
“Zjerm” by Shkodra Elektronike (Albania)