Singles Roundup: Week of Nov. 18

Story posted November 18, 2019 in

Billie Eilish – “everything i wanted”

At just 17 years old, Billie Eilish has already achieved a substantial amount of fame and recognition at an incredibly young age. Her 2019 breakout album "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" was praised for its fantastic production and poignant songwriting.

With her new single “everything i wanted,” Eilish continues her ability to create music with a mindset that is well beyond her years. The single features Eilish’s signature mellow, somber instrumentals. It’s a sound that carried her latest album, and Eilish has not strayed far from it in her first single since that release.

Lyrically, the single features the “'beyond her years” maturity that the 17-year-old Eilish has consistently been praised for. She looks at topics such as fame and quick success with a perspective that few her age have.

The song discusses Eilish's paranoia with having her success and fame taken away from her, doing so in a way that is truly compelling.  —Jim Krueger

Khalid – “Up All Night”

Khalid released his new single “Up All Night” this week, and it has a meaningful message. The song tells its listeners the importance of realizing how every day is a gift. Khalid sings about how life can be hard at times, but it always gets better in the end. “Up All Night” has a different sound and tempo than most of Khalid’s work, but he makes it his own with his incredible voice.

Khalid is a great artist because he puts so much thought into his words: a trend that continues into “Up All Night.” Even though the topic of the song is so heavy, Khalid is able to balance out the deeper lyrics with a lighter sound, which includes a semi-fast tempo, a hint of acoustic guitar, and his always significant vocals.

Khalid’s latest release, “Free Spirit,” dropped in April earlier this year. At this moment in time, it’s unsure whether or not “Up All Night” is a hint for a new album on the way.  —Emily Mugno

Glass Animals and Denzel Curry – “Tokyo Drifting”

British four-piece psychedelic group Glass Animals have released their first piece of new music since 2016, titled “Tokyo Drifting.” Glass Animals recruited rap megastar Denzel Curry for their triumphant return.

The dreamy, psychedelic single is expertly produced with a catchy drumbeat to boot. The synth work is subtle but effective. The chorus is an earworm and a half, with frontman Dave Bayley delivering a melodic refrain about “Tokyo Drifting.” What does that mean? In simpler terms, lavish lifestyles, which both  Bayley and Curry deliver lyrics about.

Denzel Curry does Denzel Curry things on his feature. His delivery is as constant as ever. His charm and comedic lyrics also feature, even spinning the Itsy Bitsy Spider into a line about his jewelry.

“Tokyo Drifting” proves that Glass Animals can still craft a catchy track after a three-year hiatus from releasing new music.  —Owen Paiva

A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Lil Uzi Vert – “Reply”

A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Lil Uzi Vert have dropped their new collab known as “Reply.”

The track is evocative of classic other Boogie tracks when it comes to lyrics and sound, as Boogie's fast bars and euphoric production take full priority. There are plenty of altered vocals and reverb in both Boogie and Lil Uzi's lyrics, but they detract from the track at all.

Weighing in with lyrics about conflicting relationships, Boogie and Uzi combine for one of the smoothest and most cathartic pieces that the artists have put out in a while. The atmosphere of “Reply” is rather melancholic but also relatable for most people with conflicting feelings about their significant other—even going to extremes in some cases. But in the end, this track’s lyrical content juxtaposed with its sound makes it one of the most surprisingly fun songs released this year.  —Jack Grossman

 

Jack Grossman is a senior majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email jackdgrossman@gmail.com.

Jim Krueger is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email kruegerjim19@gmail.com.

Emily Mugno is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email esm6@psu.edu.

Owen Paiva is a junior majoring in film-video. To contact him, email owenpaiva@sbcglobal.net.

About the Contributors

Owen Paiva's photo

Owen Paiva

Senior / Film/Video

Owen Paiva is a senior majoring in film-video. He currently serves as a social media director at CommRadio. In the past, he interned at both WPSU as a sports production intern and at Shadowbox Studios as a production intern.  f you want to contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

jackgrossman's photo

jackgrossman

Senior / Telecommunications

Jack Grossman is a student, audio producer, writer, photographer, and schmoozer. Growing up alongside all different forms of media, it was clear to him that his calling was to produce and create content. Whether his own original work or a reinterpretation or review of another, Jack is able to produce and create content that speaks to the current generation, while maintaining a sense of classic professionalism.