Music Monday (235): Lizzo & SZA, Luther Vandross

Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: Lizzo released another version of her song, Special, from her most recent album (also the same name). I already loved the original, but I really like the collaboration with SZA. The vocals work so well together, and I love it!

Andrea: Hi all! This week, I'm listening to an oldie, Never Too Much by Luther Vandross! Enjoy and have an amazing week!

What are you listening to this week?

I Listened to Special by Lizzo

I’ve been a fan of Lizzo for a while now, and one of my most anticipated albums of the year was her follow-up to 2019’s Cuz I Love You. It was one of my favorites during its release year, and that album (and the ones before it) set the bar pretty high for the kind of fun and quality music I expect from Lizzo. (Don’t even get me started about her 2016 EP, Coconut Oil. I still love it.)

Lizzo’s latest release, Special, more than continued with that trend, delivering catchy retro 80s pop and disco beats, mixed with hip hop and funk. In terms of lyrics and messaging, Special is a pretty positive album overall, especially in its tone. However, it was also reflective and heartfelt too, especially with songs like 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready), Break Up Twice, and Special, just to name a few.

There are no features on the album, but honestly, Special didn’t need any. Lizzo’s artistry was on full display. What I thought was interesting was how she used a variety of samples to really drive home the aesthetic of the album, but they didn’t overpower the tracks.

The hype for Special was more than deserved. It really is one of my favorite albums of 2022, and I look forward to whatever Lizzo releases next.

Have you listened to Special yet? If so, what did you think about it?

Music Monday (208): Lizzo

 Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: This week, I'm listening to Lizzo's long awaited new album, Special. One of my favorite songs is 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready). I could go on and on about how good it is. Instead, just give it a listen!

Adri: Since my co-bloggers are listening to Lizzo, I decided to join in. My pick for today is Coldplay.

Andrea: Hi all! I'm listening to Special too, and my pick is the title song. Have an amazing week!

What are you listening to this week?

Music Monday (197): Lizzo, Shena, Full Intention

Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: Lizzo announced a new album, Special, which is supposed to come out in July (so not too far away). She also released a new single. It's called About Damn Time, and I love it. Luckily for me, there's more Lizzo music on the horizon to look forward to.

Adri: My House / Dance playlist is so large that I end up adding more songs from artists that I already had. And that's what happened with I'll Be Waiting by Full Intention featuring Shena. My second pick is the Lux Sunset Edit.

What are you listening to this week?

I Listened to Cuz I Love You by Lizzo + The B Side by Dainá....

It’s been a hot minute since I did a post entirely dedicated to some of the music I’m currently listening to that’s not weekly meme related. And with the arrival of Lizzo’s Cuz I Love You and Dainá’s The B Side this past Friday, I suddenly had a lot to talk about.

Cuz I Love You

With singles like Juice, Tempo, and Cuz I Love You, the hype for Lizzo’s long awaited album seemed endless on my end. Well, it’s finally here, and it doesn’t disappoint. From the first track to the last—with songs featuring Gucci Mane and Missy Elliott—Cuz I Love You is an experience. Lizzo’s powerful vocals pairs perfectly with the deep, meaningful, and inspiring lyrics prevalent throughout the album. The beats are excellent and catchy, and there isn’t a song I don’t like. You can almost hear the work that went into this album, and I appreciated every minute of it. Besides the well-known singles, there are a number of other noteworthy songs as well. For example: Like a Girl is snazzy; Jerome and Crybaby are like two-peas-in-a-pod with smooth beats and strong vocals; and Heaven Help Me noticeably features flute music and has an upbeat sound. Overall, Cuz I Love You was worth the wait. It’s the best album I’ve listened to so far this year...

• (Cuz I Love You was released on April 19, 2019.)

The B Side

Also out last Friday was The B Side by Dainá. I’ve listened to and liked music by this artist before, and was excited for what she would do next. I'm not going to lie, for me, as an EP with just five songs, The B Side was a surprise weekend hit. It’s stylish and entertaining with songs like Say My Name, Stacks, and Dainero—with the latter being one of my favorite tracks from the EP. Overall, The B Side is great, and it left me wanting more music from Dainá....

• (The B Side was released on April 19, 2019)

Have you listened to any music by Lizzo or  Dainá? Do you plan to listen to Cuz I Love You or The B Side?

Music Monday (76): Lizzo

   Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: Lizzo’s new album is finally here. I won’t say too much today, because I’m going to go more in depth about it on a different post. However, I wanted to mention the titular track, Cuz I Love You, because it’s one of my favorite songs from the album...

What are you listening to this week?

Music Monday (70): Lizzo, Jessica Hernandez, Lion Babe, Sam Smith, & Normani

   Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: A full month of 2019 is almost over, and already, there have been some truly great singles released on the music side. I’ve talked about music by Lizzo and Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas before. Now, I’m talking about them again, because Lizzo dropped a new song, Juice. That’s not all. Now, Jessica Hernandez is also back with another single: Baby. Honestly, I enjoy both of these songs. Juice is such an addictive song, and whenever I listen to it, I always have it on repeat....

Baby is another fantastic song. I love the sound and lyrics. It’s pretty in line with what I’ve come to expect from Jessica Hernandez.

Adri: For this Music Monday, my pick is The Wave by Lion Babe ft. Leikeli47. I've been listening to it since they sang it at Coachella, and I was so excited when I saw that they recently released a video for it....

Andrea: I just wanted drop in to share one of the songs I'm listening to this week. Check out Sam Smith and Normani's song, Dancing With A Stranger.... 

What are you listening to this week?

Music Monday (16) Twenty One Pilots, Lizzo, Cissie Redgwick, & Alice Francis

   Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Adri: Recently, I've listened to more electro swing. It's a type of music that I've been enjoying for the last few years. So, for this Monday's first pick, I chose Gimme That Swing by Cissie Redgwick. It was actually the first electro swing song that I heard that wasn't from the Great Gatsby soundtrack.

My second pick is also my second find thanks to recommendations from youtube: St. James Ballroom by Alice Francis. Its just so groovy to me.

Breana: I first heard about Twenty One Pilots back in 2015 when their song Stressed Out was released. I pretty much like all of the songs from the Blurryface album. So, you can imagine my excitement when Heathens came out. That song is so good. From the first time I heard it, I absolutely loved everything about it. Oh yeah, and the music video is pretty cool too.

My second pick this week is Worship by Lizzo, which is a song I’m really excited to share. Oh man, Lizzo is one of my favorite singers. I found her music by complete accident. I was looking for something new to listen to on youtube and happened to come across her song Humanize. Needless to say, Lizzo is awesome, and her Coconut Oil EP just gives me life. Worship is one of those songs that I can listen to on repeat and never get tired of it.

 

Do you have any songs that you came across by accident but really loved? If so, tell us in the comments down below.