MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE: MOODY VIBES

Lana Del Rey has always been consistent with her sound; you either love it or you hate it. It’s dark, it’s moody and definitely requires a willingness to enter a specific headspace when you’re listening to it. Having said that, her music has defined a generation of festivalgoers since her debut and now she’s back with a new single that stays true to the sound that her fans have always treasured. 

While I love a hard-hitting banger, I’m also a sucker for a slow-tempo moody song. Music can evoke so many different emotions and can help trigger feelings that you would have had trouble getting to otherwise. Whether it’s an emotional ballad, a romantic slow-jam or an introspective lyric, there’s a time and place for all of them. Lana has always been a sure thing for a moody vibe, but one criticism she has been met with is that a lot of her songs sound the same. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, is that what they say? While she may have a lot of the same energy in her songs, there are moments where greatness shines through, like on her 2019 smash album Norman F*king Rockwell, which earned her first Grammy nomination for Album. Her new release this week “Henry, come on” comes after close to a year of absence from the public eye and sees Lana delivering a country-western inspired ballad.

Lana’s signature sound – marked the cinematic production, melancholic lyricism, and “sad girl” mystique has left a lasting imprint on so many emerging artists. Her ability to blend vulnerability with romanticized darkness has helped create a whole new sub-genre of pop music that was never considered marketable to a mainstream audience before she burst onto the scene. That influence is now echoing through rising stars like Addison Rae who is attempting to channel a similar haunting, introspective energy in her own work. In many ways, Addison feels like the next evolution of the Lana effect: the new face of the sad-pop lineage, embracing raw emotion with a glamorous, modern twist. Addison was one of the first artists on social media to post Lana’s new track on her IG stories upon its release, and has said in many interviews how Lana is an inspiration to her. Now Lana can see the next generation she inspired make their own music as Addison gears up to release her newest single “Headphones On” next week. She has shared a snippet already, and it’s Lana-meets-Jessica Simpson. I’m tuned in. 

Aside from the new Addison Rae track, next week we have the comeback album of late 2000s R&B princess Keri Hilson. Keri has been making some noise in the last few weeks, finally spilling the tea on this infamous 2009 remix to her hit “Turnin’ Me On”, which has been the subject of fan speculation for years. The song was seen as a diss to Beyoncé, and while I’m glad my girl Keri finally got to say her peace, there’s a part of me that is giving side-eye since she knows she has an album to promote. That album is out next week, and I’ll be listening. This week’s picks however are all about setting the mood. New music from Lana Del Rey, Shaboozey, Myles Smith, Sabrina Claudio, Rema, a remix of a classic Mariah Carey song, and an “easy” viral pick straight from the ‘70s. 

Listen on…

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Henry, come on” by Lana Del Rey

It’s the lead-single from Lana’s forthcoming album The Right Person Will Stay, a twangy, emotional, country-tinged ballad. It’s not her first trip to country, as she went there back in 2021 on “Let Me Love You Like a Woman”. There had been tons of talk early last year when Cowboy Carter was released that Lana would be the next artist to make the leap into country. While she hasn’t committed to a full country album, this new single is an indication that she is at least headed in that direction. Lana sings about “Henry” a cowboy who hangs his hat on the wall. The lyrics are filled with references to western aesthetics, smoothly ushering in her “classic country, southern gothic” era. It is a little surprising however that she chose a breakup ballad to be the first-single of this upcoming tenth studio album, especially given her recent marriage to Louisiana tour guide Jeremy Dufrene just last fall. Maybe life doesn’t always have to imitate art, at least not in Lana’s case. The song is very slow, but like I said, there’s a time and place for everything. If you’re just looking for something to have on while burning sage in your apartment, or lighting a candle with the lights out, then this is for you. 

 

“Blink Twice” by Shaboozey, Myles Smith

Shaboozey made history in 2024, officially tying for the song with the most weeks at #1, and with a feat like that comes doubt and one-hit wonder allegations. He has already had a few songs chart on the Hot 100 since “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” but he has yet to have another smash to completely remove him from the one hit wonder category. With the release of his latest single “Blink Twice” with Myles Smith, he is hoping to do just that. The song is a catchy country-bop with elements of folk music embedded throughout. The claps, the stomps, it’s giving Mumford & Sons but with some flavour. Both Shaboozey and Myles sing together in chorus, and make for a solid duet, singing lyrics like “no time for living a lie” and “time flies so don’t blink twice”. Live in the moment and cherish being the most authentic version of you that exists, your best version if you will. Could “Blink Twice” be the next installment in what’s promised to be an illustrious career? Time will tell, but Shaboozey is in hot pursuit of further success, performing at both Coachella and Stagecoach festivals just this month. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQL_CROqewg

 

“Before It’s Too Late” by Sabrina Claudio

Continuing the string of singles releases she’s been on since March, Sabrina Claudio drops the ethereal R&B track “Before It’s Too Late” as the latest offering from her upcoming album of the same name. Since the theme of the week is moody vibes, Sabrina’s entire discography could be highlighted, so the fact that she’s back with new music is a treat. The lyrics dive into the notion of time and it being the one main source that we all as a human race are trying to find more of, but it just cannot be manmade or purchased. It’s about what we can’t control. Sabrina sings in her sensual tone over a comforting electric guitar riff. The song is romantic and dreamy all at once, and its accompanying visuals feel like the perfect companion to the already vivid song. Sabrina will be joining Russ on tour this summer as one of his opening acts, and her upcoming album is expected later in the season.

 

“Bout U” by Rema

Rema’s got a crush and he’s infatuated with her. The song is a funky Afro-R&B banger that shows Rema determined to let nothing break his love affair with this woman. It’s similar in vibe to the previous Sabrina Claudio track with an electric guitar made for the bedroom and a sultry melody that is sure to help lead you into said room. This one definitely gets an add to my “love hour” playlist. The track is the second single release of the year for Rema, who saw success earlier with his single “Baby (Is It A Crime)” which samples Sade. This new track doesn’t have a noticeable sample, but there is a Megan Thee Stallion reference (around the 4:30 mark) so just as good lol. 

 

Mariah Carey “Don’t Forget About Us (KAYTRANADA REMIX)”

This past weekend was a very important anniversary for Ms. Carey, as she celebrates 20 years of The Emancipation of Mimi, the comeback album, the one that saved her from a lifetime of Glitter jokes (thankfully, we have since gotten justice for that). It had all the hits, including “Don’t Forget About Us” which at the time of its original release became her 17th #1 single on the Hot 100; she has since earned two more. Now, as the part of the anniversary rollout, we have gotten this sleek new remix of the song by none other than the electronic R&B king himself – KAYTRANADA. The mix takes an already flawless song and elevates it, giving it a fresh experience. Mariah’s voice has always lent itself so well to a remix whether it be a house dub or a hip-hop collaboration. This time around, the mix, while still keeping true to Mariah’s sound, has elements of KAYTRANADA’s genius all over it, and you can hear it’s been handled with care. It should come as no surprise as he himself is a fan of Mariah’s, wearing this t-shirt during a concert set. Mariah has been gearing up for this anniversary of the record for almost a year now as she has been in Las Vegas performing her residency appropriately titled “The Celebration of Mimi”. A special deluxe edition of the album complete with demos, unreleased tracks, remixes and live performances is set for release at the end of May. The deluxe will also include the official streaming release of this gem that leaked online back in 2005. It’s so great to have all these songs finally available for us to hear, truly one of the perks of the streaming era. I’ll take a new album while we’re at it, Mariah, it’s been seven LONG years since Caution… how long does a lamb have to wait?

 

MC’s VIRAL PICK

“Easy” by Commodores

If you take a glance at the Viral 50 charts on TikTok, you’ll notice this 70s classic sitting pretty at the #1 spot with over 450k uses and climbing rapidly. The song is associated with the “god forbid” trend, where people jokingly describe something they absolutely refuse to do. This of course is followed by the punchline “God forbid I’m…”, followed by something that’s actually chill, healthy, or self-caring – implying how absurd it is that they resist it. Hence the usage of “Easy” by Commodores, a simple and easygoing song, fitting with the theme that the actual action in question is way more relaxed than one is making it out to be. It doesn’t sound as funny on paper, but once you understand the sarcasm attached to it, you can’t get enough. Some of my favourites are below.

@taliyah.joelle

It’s a crime to be excited apparently 💀

♬ Easy - Commodores

@howdy22062

i just want hot goss #fyp

♬ Easy - Commodores

@madsbaileybabe

everything’s funny if you think about it

♬ Easy - Commodores

The trend has brought one too many laughs out of me. The way it mixes humor, emotions and of course the soulful sounds of Lionel Richie’s voice on that classic song give a funny and relatable edge to the trend. Also, it’s easy. There’s no choreography or lyrics to learn, you just have to come up with one teeny, tiny punchline. 

@haley.marshalll

Miss my little sketch ball

♬ Easy - Commodores

@melissamariabanuta

like are my communication skills not attractive to you #fyp #easy

♬ Easy - Commodores

@kitdelahunty

it’s just a joke haha

♬ Easy - Commodores

Easily one of the most recognizable songs from the soul/funk boom in the late-70s, the song only reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 1978; I say that because you’d think a song as iconic as this would’ve spent weeks at the top spot. It may not have ever reached the peak of the Hot 100, but its longevity and ability to appeal to generations of music listeners through the decades speaks for itself. 

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. 

With Love, 

MC