MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE: PCD Forever

Ten-year-old MC is very happy this week and this time it has nothing to do with Hilary Duff. Instead it’s another 2000s pop act making their return; I’m nothing if not reliable. The Pussycat Dolls are back with a new single and major world tour. There’s only one catch though - it’s only going to be three of the six original members: Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts are back as the Dolls and ready to serve.

The girls have done a bunch of new interviews as a trio and they seem to be getting along better than ever before, answering nostalgic questions about their music and creating new dance routines to their single “Club Song”. The song is fire and such a classic Dolls track, more on that later. But we can’t ignore the obvious, that there are some missing players, which is interesting given that this isn’t the first time The Pussycat Dolls have reunited, the first being in November 2019 – so you would assume all the girls would come back again (minus Melody who skipped out on the 2019 reunion). At the time, they’d released the single “React” and had an Australian and UK tour planned before COVID hit. That tour never came to fruition and a legal dispute between Nicole and the creator of the band Robin Antin ensued. The word is that Nicole wanted majority of the earnings and Robin just wasn’t having it, after all it is her baby. Add in the fact that the four other girls needed to get paid, and boom the tour was canceled. It seems that Nicole’s Broadway run softened her up to the idea of returning to her pop roots because only two years after the initial lawsuit, Nicole is back with the girls. Well, maybe the fact that two of the girls weren’t invited this time around also helped sweeten the deal. Upon announcing the reunion last week, former members Jessica Sutta and Carmit Bachar posted to social media that they were not invited to the reunion and felt betrayed. Both of them have stated on countless occasions that they would not return to the group so it perplexes me that now they choose to say otherwise. Jessica has become full-on MAGA and anti-vax in recent years, even attending the premiere of Melania a few months ago. Going back to being a Pussycat Doll while promoting all things Trump just doesn’t go together for me, sorry girl.

The legacy of the Dolls as a pop group over the years has evolved in many ways. On one hand they have a discography of iconic pop throwbacks like “Don’t Cha” and “Buttons”. On the other hand, they remain heavily memed, with Nicole always being at the center, with none of the other girls allowed to sing. Except for Melody of course - that 2006 Fashion Rocks performance always cracks me up, you can just tell she was READY for her chance to shine. Melody never agreed to neither the 2019 or 2026 reunion though, so from the get-go it was always still going to be Nicole at the center. Melody was however the only PCD member to publicly congratulate Nicole on her 2025 Tony win for her role in Sunset Boulevard, so it seems her absence from the reunion is on more amicable terms than the other girls. Also, the Pussycat Dolls have always had a little bit of drama in the DNA, I always call Nicole Scherzinger something of a pop villain. Watch her 2012 Behind the Music interview and you will know what I’m talking about, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love her now. In fact, I’ll be right there front row at the reunion tour cheering her on. 1, 2, 3 – P-C-D!!!

Next week gives us new music from the beautiful Coco Jones. This week, in addition to PCD, we have new music from Kacey Musgraves, Jack Harlow, Durand Bernarr and 50 Cent. Plus, a viral pick that is supposedly supposed to help us all make a ton of cash.

 Listen on…

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Club Song” by The Pussycat Dolls

Nostalgic acts returning for a reunion tour is generally met with a warm reception but new music is a whole different ball game. The Pussycat Dolls do not disappoint with their new track, as it is a total signature PCD bop from start to finish. Nicole is still the lead vocalist but we finally do hear some vocals from the other members and they actually sound like a group. Plus, that siren beat drop is the very sound that the girls helped make popular back in their heyday. One thing I always appreciate from nostalgic acts is when they come back as themselves and it feels authentic. Nothing is more authentic to the Pussycat Dolls than Nicole at the center and some members hating her guts (re: the Jessica and Carmit situation). “Club Song” is the perfect pre-game bop to play with your crew when you’re getting ready for a night out. It automatically gave me flashbacks to my days as a pre-teen dancing in my bedroom to their CD. Three members or six, the Dolls have always understood the assignment when it comes to “sexy but classy” pop music, and this new track slides right into that category. It’s glossy, a little chaotic, and exactly the kind of song that reminds you why the girls owned the mid-late 2000s club scene in the first place. If this is the sound of the “PCD Forever” era, then consider me signed up. As if I wasn’t going to be already, LOL.

“Dry Spell” by Kacey Musgraves

My rule for country music is that for me to enjoy it, it must be performed by a bad bitch. Kacey Musgraves is the baddest of them all, at least from the crop of current country divas. “Dry Spell” details a period in which Kacey was not getting any action, something that I can relate to at this time, so I feel seen by her. The lyrics are spicy, which is a big reason as to why I always resonated with her, she’s not your typical country gal singing about a cowboy and a pick-up truck. Some standout lines like “I’m so lonely, lonely with a capital “H” if you know what I mean” and my personal favourite “and nobody but the chickens are getting laid” paint an explicit picture of what goes through the mind of someone who …well… hasn’t gotten laid in a long time. A “long time” means something different for everyone, but in Kacey’s case she claims in a recent interview that the song was born out of the longest period of being “single” that she’s ever had. We’ve all been through it, so it’s the tunes like these that help keep our spirits up until the spell comes to its eventual end; and yes, all dry spells do eventually end. I promise that’s not just a mantra I’m repeating to myself.

“Trade Places” by Jack Harlow

Oh Jack. This one has me torn because the truth is, I really like the song, and I’ve always been a fan of his, so it stings when someone I’m a fan of does some dumb sh-t. The song and album it comes from is Jack Harlow re-inventing himself as an R&B artist and it sounds quite pleasant, like the perfect soundtrack to a calm rainy Sunday morning. “Trade Places” is the lead single from his new album Monica and it’s both smooth and perfectly in his vocal range. A range that before my first listen to the album, I didn’t even think that he had. Unfortunately, his recent viral comments have sparked a total circus online and let’s just say the ick is real. In an interview with the New York Times Popcast he talks about the recording process for this album and how he “got blacker” during its formation rather than retreating to country music like other white rappers (i.e. Post Malone). That’s a f-cking wild thing for a white artist to say no matter the intention and it’s a prime example of white privilege. These comments have (rightfully so) ruffled quite a few feathers online including my own. Being inspired by different genres and cultures is one thing, but trying to cosplay as said culture is a whole other level of appropriation that I thought we left behind in 2004 with Gwen Stefani. Jack is on the Justin Bieber promo tour, another white artist seeking legitimacy by making Black music. He’s even highlighting his long-time friendship with Druski as his co-sign, a move that Bieber made on his album Swag. This could just be a coincidence but still one that is hard to ignore. Basically, the music is good but this is one of those cases where an artist putting their foot in their mouth has hindered the experience for me. Hear it for yourself and let me know what you think… if you can still stomach him that is.

“No One Told Us” by 50 Cent, Leon Thomas

Anyone who considers themselves a fan of any of the shows in the Power franchise will particularly enjoy this music pick as it serves as the theme song for the newest installment in the series. Power: Origins is the set to premiere later this year but the buzz is starting early,  especially after the most successful series in the franchise, Power Book: Ghost, was cancelled last year. This new track is a preview to what we will be singing at the beginning of every episode once it hits streaming. Releasing the theme song months before the actual series helps to build anticipation while still staying true to the heart of the franchise which is, well, 50 Cent himself. He also has an album that he’s been teasing for a while so it’s expected that this track will be included on the record. Leon Thomas is the hottest name in R&B right now, after winning two Grammy awards back in February and an upcoming stint as opening act on Bruno Mars’s North American stadium tour dates. Having him on the song helps keep 50 in the musical conversation. “No One Told Us” lyrically follows a similar vein to the previous Power theme song “Big Rich Town” which featured guest vocals from Joe. 50 choosing to use Leon this time around represents a completely new era for the show and it feels exciting. I can’t tell you how sad I was when Ghost was cancelled, my Friday nights have never been the same since, so the idea of getting that back is everything.

“Bossa Bossa” by E-WHIZZ, Durand Bernarr

The man who helped produce Durand Bernarr’s Grammy-winning album BLOOM is taking his work with Durand to his own solo album Whizz’s Archive, Vol. 3. “Bossa Bossa” has a serious groove to it, and perfectly embodies Durand’s flamboyant and contagiously positive energy. He just has a way of conveying the feeling of a song that feels unique while still incredibly comforting. It’s sultry with that hint of diva that is laden through all of Durand’s vocal performances. As an independent artist, E-WHIZZ has been putting out his music for years but with the newfound interest in Durand as an artist comes musical discoveries that have long gone unnoticed by the masses. His blend of Afrobeats with alternative R&B is proving to be a hit with both Gen Z and Millennial listeners. His official artist bio lists his intention of “turning frequencies into feelings” and Durand Bernarr is the perfect choice to help him do so. This track is all I listened to on Sunday morning before my Oscars shift at ETALK and it made for the perfect way to ease into what was going to be an exciting yet stressful day. Never underestimate the power of a peaceful cup of coffee and accompanying Sunday morning playlist, it truly is an unmatched music experience.

MC’s VIRAL PICK

“Ring My Bell” by Anita Ward

Since we’re already on the topic of turning frequencies into real-life reactions, let’s talk about my favourite trend on TikTok this week. Apparently, the frequencies in the 70s R&B classic “Ring My Bell” by Anita Ward are directly linked to a stroke of good financial luck and I’m intrigued. The story is something of an urban legend that creators have picked up on, even saying that the song was banned from being played in casinos to limit the winnings from players. Influencers are calling this the “abundance frequency” saying that the more you play the song, the higher your chances of coming into tons of money. This trend first started gaining attention in early January when one user claimed the song was a “matrix hack” showing followers that it helped her win a $5 scratch lottery. So, yes, I am playing the song as I type this right now in hopes of manifesting a healthy growth spurt to my own personal bank account, and I will accept all $5 rewards. My mom tells me that manifesting works, so I’m giving it a try. The fact is, whether the “abundance frequency” theory is correct or not, it’s quite telling of the tough financial times we are in right now that we are depending on a 70s hit to help us make some cold hard cash. Fast forward to March and the song has also spawned a dance trend which is quickly taking over the app. Money AND a dance trend? Basically, the perfect formula for a viral hit.

@joeanybody #greenscreen Anita Ward “Ring My Bell” Theory. #ringmybell #frequency #attraction #theory ♬ Ring My Bell - Anita Ward

@444angelprincess

bro this + listening to custom visualizations on Stella has me WINNING

♬ Ring My Bell - Anita Ward

@katzroar Okay witches what happens when I play it on the bass 🤑 Check out my band KATZROAR for more spells 🔥 Thank you @GoddessInanna15 for the code ✨ #witchesoftiktok #ringmybell #abundance #basstok #femalebassist ♬ Ring My Bell - Anita Ward

Can the frequencies in an audio recording really bring an abundance of wealth into your life? I’ll let you all give me the verdict on that one, but one sure thing is that hundreds of thousands of music listeners have now discovered a classic 70s tune. Although it peaked at #1 back in 1979, “Ring My Bell” isn’t the most recognizable throwback among today’s kids…until now. Just in the last 24 hours the song has earned over 300,000 streams on Spotify and upwards of 2 million+ streams over the last week. If you don’t come into a large sum of money by listening to this song, at the very least you can expect some good old fashioned groovy feels.

The 2026 “MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE” Spotify playlist is officially live. You can add it here to keep up to date with my weekly picks throughout the year. 

With Love, 

MC