Fresh from the team that puts together the contests in the FanLabel app, writes our marvelous blog posts, and produces our “Play the Music” podcast – here is a handful of songs we’re obsessed with at the moment:
Daman
“Level Up” – Ciara
If you’re looking for the perfect song to listen to while you’re going crazy on the stairs at the gym, Ciara’s “Level Up” is it.
“Got My Number” – Kim Petras
Kim Petras put out single after single this year, and “Got My Number” is definitely my favorite. It’s pure pop fun – the perfect soundtrack to a Friday night with friends.
“Girl of the Year” – Allie X
Allie X dropped the “Super Sunset” EP last fall, and it’s “aged” like fine wine. “Girl of the Year” is the standout track in my opinion – modern synth-pop with a touch of 80’s inspiration.
“Want You In My Room” – Carly Rae Jepsen
Speaking of 80’s inspiration, we got a little something from the throwback queen herself. Carly Rae Jepsen blessed the world with her album, “Dedicated,” released earlier in 2019. She collabed with Jack Antonoff on “Want You In My Room,” and it’s become quite the crowd-pleaser.
“Delicious” – Charli XCX (feat. Tommy Cash)
Charli XCX’s “Delicious” is without a doubt one of my favorite pop songs from a production standpoint. The entire track has a really dark, sexy, robotic vibe, until after the bridge (where Charli actually samples her own song ,“Boom Clap”), bringing it into what’s probably the greatest dance-pop climax I’ve heard.
“Come Down” – Anderson .Paak
This track is off Anderson .Paak’s 2016 release, “Malibu,” and the bassline is just… 👌
“Bad Things” – Cailin Russo
If I had to pick one song that perfectly embodies laying next to a pool in the summertime with nothing to worry about, it’d definitely be “Bad Things” by Cailin Russo.
“Bounce Back” – Little Mix
“Bounce Back” is the girl group’s latest release following their 2018 album, “LM5.” Serving one of their highest-energy tracks (right up there with “Power”), they put a new twist on Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life.”
Ryan:
“10,000 Hours,” – Dan + Shay feat. Justin Bieber
I don’t want to be that guy who claims to have known about an artist well before they were popular, but it’s true with Dan + Shay. I have been listening to the duo ever since their first single, “19 You + Me,” was released and I know just about every lyric to hidden gems such as “Somewhere Only We Know.” Flash forward to 2019, and everything they put out is gold. Adding a superstar like Justin Bieber to the track “10,000 Hours” gives the song even more of a “wow” factor.
“Kinfolks” – Sam Hunt
Sam Hunt is an outstanding singer-songwriter and loves to blur genre lines between country, pop and even a little bit of hip-hop. “Kinfolks” is Hunt’s first single release since “Downtown’s Dead” in May 2018, and the song is an absolute banger. I highly recommend giving it a listen if you haven’t yet.
“Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
Lambert released her album, “Wildcard” in early November, which was her first studio album release since “The Weight of These Wings” in 2016. This song, “Bluebird,” is easily my favorite one on the tracklist. If you listen closely, the lyrics provide a motivational message to just keep on going, even when the odds feel stacked against you.
“Lonely If You Are – Chase Rice
Chase Rice is an extremely talented country singer-songwriter who is finally starting to get his due. This particular song, “Lonely If You Are,” is constantly stuck in my head, and after learning more about how songs are constructed, I know exactly why. This is a well-crafted song that follows a verse-verse-chorus model with a catchy melody, a strong hook and a chorus that is easy to sing along to. Love it.
“All Over Again,” – Luke Combs
If you can’t tell, I am the resident country guy on the FanLabel staff. Whatever Luke Combs does right now becomes an automatic hit. His brand new album, “What You See is What You Get” doesn’t have a single bad song on it, and “All Over Again” is my personal top track. I like how the song leads you in somewhat slowly and then picks up and hooks you right in.
“Cornelia Street,” Taylor Swift
I’ve always been a huge Taylor fan, but I prefer her older, country music to her newer stuff (of course). “Cornelia Street,” however, breaks that mold for me. The storytelling lyrics are compelling. The melody is clean. The chorus is catchy. The nostalgic feelings she speaks of feel authentic. This is without a doubt my favorite track from the “Lover” album.
Andy:
“Hit Me Up” – Omar Apollo, Dominic Fike, Kenny Beats
This alt-pop collaboration seems to prove that rising stars Omar Apollo and Dominic Fike work together seamlessly. With stellar production by fellow rising star Kenny Beats, this is definitely one of the better collaborations in recent memory.
“Digital” – IDK
I first discovered IDK from a freestyle with Denzel Curry released last year. I didn’t really think much of IDK at the time, so his recent breakout album, “Is He Real,” took me by surprise. “Digital” might be my favorite track from the album, but it was admittedly tough to choose. Without a doubt, IDK is a name to watch for 2020, and I’m excited to see what he does next.
“Rock Steady” – Whispers
I wasn’t born in the 80’s, so I only have an abstract, romanticized idea of what it was like. This song in particular seems to encapsulate the energy of the era. It’s just a blast to listen to.
“Babouche” – Jidenna (feat. GoldLink)
Jidenna is quickly distinguishing himself as a bold, unique artist. With phenomenal production and a verse from GoldLink, this song was definitely one of my most played tracks of the fall.
“This Changes Everything” – Robert Glasper (feat. Buddy, Denzel Curry, Terrace Martin, James Poyser)
I can’t believe this song exists. Denzel Curry and Buddy, two of my favorite rappers, made a song with legendary producers Robert Glasper and Terrace Martin, and it turned out great. It’s hard to find this much talent on one track.
“Violence” – Grimes
I have always appreciated Grimes’ full creative control of her tracks. “Violence” is yet another testament to her ability to paint a vivid picture with both production and vocals. While her upcoming album is still a few months away, this song is sure to tide fans over with tons of replay value.
Cara:
“If You’re Gonna Lie,” Fletcher
Best known for her catchy track “Undrunk,” Fletcher is such an underrated pop singer-songwriter. “If You’re Gonna Lie” is her self-proclaimed prequel to the aforementioned track. You’ll be hearing much more from Fletcher soon, as she’s joining Niall Horan on his 2020 “Nice to Meet Ya” tour as an opening act.
“everything i wanted,” Billie Eilish
Is there anything sweeter than Billie Eilish’s relationship with her brother, Finneas? I didn’t think so, until she wrote and dropped a song about him. Cue the waterworks. Their performance together on Saturday Night Live earlier this fall still gives me chills.
“What Have I Done,” Dermot Kennedy
“Without Fear” was one of my picks for most anticipated albums of fall 2019, and Kennedy did not disappoint. This is one of my favorite tracks from the album.
“Lose You to Love Me,” Selena Gomez
Maybe I should not admit this, but I am obsessed with this song, ya’ll. Have you heard the Selena/Justin mashup version that incorporates Bieber’s “Sorry”? Grab a pint of ice cream and some tissues, because for some reason, it feels like we’ve been collectively dumped.
“Habits” by Ron Pope
I’ve been a devoted follower of Ron’s since the “A Drop in the Ocean” beginnings, through the rocky “Calling Off the Dogs” years and beyond. His latest EP release and its title track, “Habits,” gives me those folk rock vibes of his I’ve been longing for the past few years.
