Valentine’s Day is a marketing dream in music. Love, relationships, it’s the human connection, that’s what music is all about isn’t it? Love songs have taken different forms over the years though. This week’s new releases are a collection of love professed across multiple genres. Whether it’s the smooth grooves of Muni Long, or the sugary sweet sounds of Sabrina Carpenter, there’s something for you. Whichever genre you gravitate towards to express feelings, there’s no greater emotion to sing about than love. And since Valentine’s Day landed on New Music Friday, today’s topic was inevitable. Now that we’ve passed the cluster of years where turn-up music was taking over the charts (not that I don’t love a party track), I really feel like we are seeing a resurgence in music with feeling. I noticed this start to happen right after the prime of COVID. Muni Long’s “Hrs & Hrs” hit the big time around Valentine’s Day 2022, and since then we have been blessed with so many love anthems. Just this past year Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars finished a five-week stint at #1 with their own ballad “Die With A Smile”, while Billie Eilish had her own big hit with “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”. I am always going to be a sucker for a romantic vocal and a slow-tempo. I love for the focus of any song to be the vocals and melody. It makes for such an intimate listening experience. 

 

There was a time when Diane Warren and David Foster owned the Hot 100 with their romantic ditties. Songs like “Because You Loved Me” and “I Will Always Love You” were actually what one would consider the quintessential pop songs to dominate pop radio. Those types of songs may not be as popular nowadays, but their offspring is all over the charts. A love song doesn’t always have to be the traditional 3:30 song structure, with a big vocal at the end, or a dramatic event. J.Lo showed us last year that dramatic professions of love don’t really work with the general public anymore. In some cases, less really is more and the more ambiguous the better. Leave it up to the audience to associate their own experience with the emotion in the songs. As another Jennifer says in Sex and the City “love is the thing you know!” – but maybe not jammed too far down our throats lol.  

Before moving on to the new songs that kept me company this Valentine’s Day, we have some really exciting releases to look forward to next week, and it’s looking like it’ll be an all pop-girlie extravaganza. New music from JENNIE, Doechii, Coco Jones, Tate McRae and Jessica Simpson will enter the stratosphere. I grew up loving Jessica, this is a big moment for me. Also we are experiencing record levels of snow in Toronto so I could use the heat. Let’s go girls! 

 

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Slow Grind” by Muni Long

Baby-making music is a genre I know very well. There’s something about a good R&B slow jam that makes me want to sing at the top of my lungs, while vibing to the max of my capabilities. This song has a classic 90s throwback vibe, from the “I’m feenin’” lyric to the actual melody. It’s Jodeci meets Y2K-era Mariah Carey, similar to Muni’s last major hit “Made for Me”. Except while the latter song was more romantic and wholesome, this one is nastier and freakier. Think of “Slow Grind” as the rebellious single younger sister. A freaky love song that will have you feeling like you’re listening to it in 1996 on a mix cd your crush made you. Muni Long has brought back the wonder that has been missing in R&B music, the energy we haven’t felt since the heyday of Usher and Monica. When I say I want to hear sexy music, this is what I’m talking about (take notes Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR). 

 

 

“High Fashion” by Addison Rae

Ladies and Gentleman, my favourite new popstar of the 2020s. If you had asked me three years ago what I thought of TikToker Addison Rae, my opinion would have been highly unfavourable. However, ever since her complete rebrand as a popstar, she has been hitting it out of the park. For one, the music she’s been releasing over the past year has been quality pop music. Her latest “High Fashion” is no different (even Demi Moore thinks so). The 90s trip-hop inspired track is like if you took Fiona Apple and Tori Amos, and mixed it with Britney Spears (basically, pop gold). The video features multiple nods to Britney of course, from the diamond bra/jeans combo to a bottle of Fantasy perfume. Addison has long been compared to Britney, and has been very open about pulling tons of influence from her. What I love about Addison though, is that she has created a sound that is unique to her that while she is getting Britney comparisons, she is still very much in her own lane. Tate McRae on the other hand I feel is getting the brunt of the Britney comparisons because of the actual sound of the music. Addison’s creative mind is all over the music video, with provocative imagery that reminds me of a 90s Madonna. Her upcoming debut album is unannounced as of yet, but given the recent Rolling Stone cover story and the fact that this is the third single from the project, we’re sure to get an announcement soon. 

 

 

“Busy Woman” by Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter can lay down a glittery-pop track that our Y2K queens would be proud of. “Busy Woman” is one of the five new deluxe tracks that she released, and is definitely the standout banger. A total girl power song, the lyrics are classic horny Sabrina as she sings “my clothes are off, I’m coming over to your place”. My personal favourite lyric “if you don’t want me, I’ll just deem you gay”, reminds me of the scrapped Taylor Swift lyrics from the OG “Picture to Burn” (if you know, you know). I chuckled, and honestly once you hit me with comedy, you already won. This song got an add to my playlist the minute she made me laugh. It’s also giving Romantic Comedy vibes. I can picture Kate Hudson getting ready for a work day with this song playing in the background. Here’s to blondes who clearly do have more fun. Cheers!

 

“Set You Free” by Jack Harlow

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a breakup song. This year it comes in the form of a rap song by a cutie from Kentucky. Jack Harlow’s latest release has him roaming the streets of New York with his boys as they coach him through his latest heartbreak. Breakups aren’t always a bad thing, and this song symbolizes the fresh start that can come out of one. Harlow raps “I’m not scared to leave you, because I know I need to” over a breezy, rhythmic, percussion-heavy beat. Knowing you still love someone, but also knowing they are the wrong person for you is a level of self-awareness we can all strive for. Jack raps so confidently, like a man who means every word and is asserting his independence. His solo Valentine’s Day dinner caught by on-lookers last Friday may just be the prime example of this. That or it’s a clever way to promote the new single, either way it worked on me, didn’t it? This track is the third release in the last few months for Jack, fueling speculation that a full-length album is coming soon. This would be his first album since 2023’s Jackman. 

 

 

“last night i dreamt i fell in love” by Alok, Kylie Minogue

Brazilian DJ Alok has teamed up with the one and only Kylie Minogue on a dance anthem sure to fire up gay clubs around the world. Alok played Kylie’s classic jam “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” at one of his sets in 2021 to a wild response. If you know one thing about the fans in Brazil, it’s that they love their pop queens, and Kylie is as royal as they come. Kylie co-wrote this track, saying that she literally dreamt the title and concept of the song, before bringing it to life in the studio. The Sophie Muller directed video is Kylie in her disco diva element, complete with colorful strobe lights and sparkly outfits. The track is a euphoric dance song about a girl who dreams of a love that felt so real, even though it wasn’t. The soundtrack to a night of disco balls and bad decisions. Released as Kylie’s Valentine’s Day present to her fans, the song also comes just in time for the launch of her worldwide Tension Tour, which kicked off in Australia just last weekend. I have the privilege of going to her show in Toronto at the end of March and I can’t wait to share my experience with you all. 

 

MC’s VIRAL PICK

“If I Could Turn Back Time” by Cher 

SNL celebrated its 50th over the weekend with multiple star-studded events including the Homecoming Concert. The show featured huge stars, truly one of the best celebrations of music I have seen on TV in such a long time, everyone from Backstreet Boys, Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, Robyn, Lauryn Hill and more. The performances were all over my feed from Friday night into today, especially with Sunday’s event. The main constant through all the clips, snippets and viral moments as far as my feed is considered, is none other than Cher. Cher performed her iconic hit “If I Could Turn Back Time”, wearing her signature black diamond encrusted bodysuit. You know, the one she made famous in the 80s, making sure to let us all know that she may be in her late 70s, but she looks and sounds better than all of us. 

(ORIGINAL)

 

(SNL 50, #17 ON YOUTUBE TRENDING)

 

One of our world’s greatest treasures if you ask me, I will fight for that statement. And I don’t think I’m alone either, because the performance has been in the Top 20 of YouTube’s trending chart since it was posted, earning millions of views, with the song itself also passing the 400k uses mark on TikTok. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@starpush1/video/7471494250220539182
 

There are some celebrities that we call the stars to the stars, the upper echelon of the ladder of fame if you will, stars that have celebrities themselves losing their cool. Cher is in that group, just take a look at how everyone (particularly Kevin Costner) was reacting to seeing her in action. I mean, it’s freaking Cher! The fact that Cher was actually seated with Kevin two nights later, well was that a coincidence? I’ll let you guys squawk that one out… 

@the1carrotcrew

Oh That look. Kevin Costner you have set the Bar for all men. This is the absolute best #thelook #kevincostner #cher #snl #dream

♬ original sound - T1🥕Crew
@stuartbrazell

Cher’s performance at the SNL 50 Homecoming Concert has Kevin Costner and Jon Hamm enamored! #cher #jonhamm #kevincostner #snl

♬ original sound - stuartbrazell
@cherdion.tok

Love it 🤩🙌🏻. #cher #icon #live #kevincostner #snl #snl50 #ificouldturnbacktime #78

♬ Originalton - Cher Dion

“Time” has always been one of my favourite 80s songs period, one of those that you just need to belt at the top of your lungs every time you sing it. We have the queen of love songs Ms. Diane Warren to thank for this one as she was the sole writer. Diane and Cher have done some amazing music together, but clearly this one is the little song that could. Almost 40 years later and it is still giving us moments.

You can also check out my “MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE” Spotify playlist here to keep up to date with my weekly picks throughout the year. Join us at The Squawk to talk about all things music today. (App link here)

With Love, 

MC

 

Addison Rae steps out in New York, February 15, 2025
Photo credits: JosiahW/ Backgrid

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