MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE: Heavy Themes, Glitter Beats

Pop music has a reputation for being a little shallow at times and not as artistic as other genres. There may be a little truth to that as not every pop song makes the most sense in terms of vocabulary (LOL, cue “Now that I become who I really are” from Ariana Grande’s “Break Free”). But for all the pop songs that aren’t deep, you’ve got a whole category of others that hold some heavy subject matter but are masked by an upbeat pop sound. Those are the songs where you feel like you’re discovering something special as it forces you to listen with more intent and challenge the norms of what pop has become known to be.

Hilary Duff’s new album luck… or something is one of the last releases that both fans and critics never expected to be packed with rich and relatable lyrical content. She’s made it clear though that with her return to music, she was going to be doing it her way and on her terms. Hilary is 38 years old now, and the topics she is singing about are experiences that many people in their 30s can relate to on some level. She tackles strained relationships with both her sister and her father on the songs “We Don’t Talk” and “The Optimist” respectively, confirming long-standing online theories about her family over the years. Other songs like “Weather for Tennis” and “Future Tripping”, which are arguably the most pop-sounding songs on the record, candidly address her insecurities in her, whether it’s arguments between her and her husband or fears over whether he will want to leave her in future years. It’s that imposter syndrome of when you have something great going with someone and feeling like maybe you don’t deserve it and it’s all going to fall apart. Hilary of course is married to musician Matthew Koma with whom she wrote this entire album, so it’s even more interesting to listen to her singing about whether she’s having enough sex with her man when the man himself is in the room helping write the lyrics and produce the music. It takes couples therapy to a whole new level. Finally, you have Hilary dealing with the struggles of growing up in the industry and forever being compared to her younger self on “Adult Sized Medium”. That song had me crying upon the first listen because I truly felt seen as someone who struggles with becoming the person I feel I need to be but still honouring the person I was. It’s deep for me, and all a welcome return to the world of music for an artist that up until this point was known for more surface-level teeny bopper tunes. She herself says in a recent interview that she didn’t feel like “sophisticated songwriting” was the intent back then, even making the connection to Taylor Swift’s songwriting to “before Christ and after Christ”, LOL. This is Hilary’s magnum opus, and she laid out her most personal feelings and experiences in the process.

The idea of a darker or deeper subject matter being masked by fun upbeat energy is not a new idea of course. Britney Spears sang about the troubles of fame over a Swedish bubble gum instrumental on “Lucky” and Foster The People sang about a school shooting on “Pumped Up Kicks”. That song became one of the biggest radio hits of 2008 with a melody so catchy that I you just can’t help but sing the lyrics no matter how shocking they are. Third Eye Blind even had a song about someone on a full-on drug bender in “Semi-Charmed Life”. This trick has been used often and when it’s done well, it’s very effective.

Next week is Bruno Mars’s big album release which serves as his first solo album in close to a decade. The first single “I Just Might” has topped the charts already, so the hype is real. This week sees new tunes from Hilary Duff, Baby Keem with Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Ty Dolla $ign with Leon Thomas, and Bebe Rexha. Plus, Fergie makes a cameo in this week’s column as a viral pick that has content creators sharing their most precious loves.

Listen on…

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Weather For Tennis” by Hilary Duff

The opening track to Hilary’s most personal body of work yet is the pop bop “Weather For Tennis” which gives some light 80s meets indie vibes. The song is an honest look at a sometimes-dysfunctional relationship and analyzing each person’s faults and the roles they play in the dysfunction. Hilary describes herself as a “seasoned apologist” who makes excuses for the people she loves while calling her partner “a mouthful of inconsistencies”. One’s unreliable while the other always makes excuses – sounds like your average relationship to me, LOL. To think that the same artist who once sang the lyrics “if the light is off then it isn’t on” is now singing lyrics like “You calling me batsh-t’s the fastest antibiotic for thinking you’re different this time” is the definition of growth. Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve never associated Hilary Duff with quality songwriting (and that’s not a bad thing), but she really surprised me. Hilary’s new sound is not her chasing trends or attempting to recreate her Disney Channel glory days, she built a record and sound that is rooted in truth. There’s no such thing as a perfect relationship, and some dynamics are a bit more complicated. Hilary makes a reference to her own parents’ divorce in the song and how she is a “kid of divorce” which serves as the cause of her constant avoidance of confrontation. So long as love is the root and the safety that is present through every obstacle, some arguing here and there can’t break it. Then you have the melody of the song which is simple yet effective, like the greatest pop songs are. It’s a standout track from the album and has all the right ingredients to be a big radio hit or at the very least could become a top streaming hit on millennial gay men’s pop playlists.

“Good Flirts” by Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar, Momo Boyd

In a surprising turn of music sampling, Kendrick Lamar has sampled Common’s “The Light” on his verse in this new Baby Keem track which also happens to be the very same track that J. Cole used just two weeks ago on his own album on the song “I Love Her Again”. I talked about it then as that song was used as a way for Cole to discuss his part in the feud between Kendrick and Drake. Clearly, Common struck a chord with his own testament of love and crafted a touchstone for rappers who want to get in touch with their more emotional side. “Good Flirts” is just a quality track all around from the clever rhymes to the catchy melody. Kendrick’s verse includes a reference to watching Sinners with his “favourite sinner” and even a catchy and cheeky set of lyrics to “crushing”, “loving” and “kissing” on his lover’s booty. All enjoyable activities, no doubt. Baby Keem on the other hand is on a serious ascent to the top of the hip-hop charts. He’s Kendrick’s baby cousin and has been making a name for himself in the rap game. His latest album Ca$ino is being met with positive reviews and has already delivered some serious bops that have made it to my gym lifting playlist. It’s his second studio album and has arrived more than four years after his debut so he took the time to develop his sound before returning. This song also stands out for being Momo Boyd’s first-ever feature, and only her third track on streaming. This song is destined for success, and you can bet that you’re about to hear her on a lot more rappers’ hooks in the future. It reminds me of when we all first heard Ashanti featured on Ja Rule’s “Always On Time” and the rest was history. Having your first feature be with a rising star and one of the most famous rappers on the planet is worth writing home about.

“Save The Day (From “Hoppers”)” by SZA

SZA is officially entering the Disney universe in this new inspirational mid-tempo track that serves as the theme song to Pixar’s latest release. Hoppers is Pixar’s newest adventure which sees a scientist bring an animal avatar to life and to live with the other animals. The film is set to hit theatres in March, but in true Disney fashion the promotional train for the film is ramping up early with a little help from SZA’s name. “Save The Day” plays during the end credits of the film and manages to maintain her signature sound while also sounding fit for a Disney flick. Her vocals are instantly recognizable, and it follows a similar melodic structure to her previous work. SZA has a way with her melodies that feel angelic and calm. There’s a hint of softness to every sound she makes with her voice, and it lends perfectly to an animated film. If you’re a fan of hers, you will enjoy this in the context of it being a soundtrack song. Every major artist needs a hit or two from a film in their discography. It’s like a badge of honour and with Disney in her corner, the song is sure to get a ridiculously high reach. Just look at what they’ve been doing to promote “Zoo” by Shakira. The song has reached #1 on countless worldwide charts and has spawned tons of online trends, and I’m assuming that they will try to duplicate that success. Why else choose one of music’s top charting artists to sing the theme song?

“miss u 2” by Ty Dolla $ign, Leon Thomas

It’s always a moment worth celebrating when these two link up for a new single. Ty Dolla $ign played a major hand in the recent ascension of Leon Thomas, having signed him to his record label, so there’s some next level chemistry there. “miss u 2” is the traditional trap-R&B that Ty has become known for, but it’s Leon’s feature on the song that elevates it and brings true quality to the otherwise predictable song. Leon’s vocals are pristine and he’s singing about using his AMEX and impressing a girl he wants to be his baddie. That’s the whole overarching theme of this new collection of music that Ty Dolla $ign is releasing, the ever so loved “bad bitch”. While hyping up this new EP girl music, vol. 1, Ty began sharing photos of some of pop culture’s most beautiful women to promote the music. Everyone from Brandy, Halle Berry, Lisa Bonet, Zendaya, Tyla, Sade, Gwen Stefani, Olandria, Mariah Carey, Lucy Liu, Pamela Anderson and even Marge Simpson got a post in their honour. It’s giving his version of Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s $ome$exy$ongs4U album released last February. I guess every winter there’s a lover boy who wants to give us some bedroom tunes. The remaining songs on the EP have yet to be announced, but having one of R&B’s brightest voices on your first release is already starting things off in a very strong way.

“Çike Çike” by Bebe Rexha

Last week, Bebe Rexha launched the rollout for her new album Dirty Blonde which sees fans voting every week for a new single to be released from the list of 13 tracks that will ultimately make up the full album. “Çike Çike” was an immediate favourite and highlights Bebe’s Albanian heritage in a fierce way. The title of the song translates to “hey girl, hey girl” in English which Bebe says is an expression she used often during childhood. The song itself is Bebe singing about a wild girls’ night out. It’s giving party anthem to fit comfortably with Bebe’s other party smashes. The beat is another nasty dance track which seems to be the exact musical direction of this album, and I love to see and hear it. Bebe is making the music that suits her vocals and writing style the best, and so far is producing some of her best music in years. “Çike Çike” is EDM with an Albanian edge which according to Bebe was intentional, she called it her “superpower”. There was a time in music where artists who weren’t American had to hide their true heritage for fear of being misunderstood. Nowadays, things couldn’t be more different and it’s the artists who confidently celebrate and honour their culture that really resonate with listeners. Plus, hearing Bebe singing in Albanian over DJ Snake’s pulsating beat is sexy as hell. I love when popstars sing in various languages over a dance beat, Gaga’s German moment on “Scheibe” comes to mind so Bebe is in great company. Especially since Bebe is actually Albanian; not that I can’t appreciate Gaga’s German homage, LOL.

MC’s VIRAL PICK

“Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)” by Fergie

This might be my favourite viral trend of 2026 so far, and it’s very clear why: dogs, dogs and more dogs. With Valentine’s Day having just passed, online creators have been sharing their love with the world, whether it be with a significant other or with themselves. Anyone who has a dog however can tell you that there is absolutely no valentine that can compare to the love from a furry friend. Naturally, content creators have merged the love of their pets with Valentine’s Day, posting videos of their dogs being adorable with the bridge of Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)” playing in the background. It’s kind of the perfect sound to use with lyrics like “I’ll be your best friend and you’ll be my valentine” merging the idea of “man’s best friend” and “valentine”. The key to the trend however is covering your pet in lipstick kisses. You can always tell which dogs enjoy their kisses the most too, because some of those smiles are just so infectious you can’t help but explode with joy. Dogs really are from heaven and we don’t deserve them, but wow are we ever so lucky to be in their proximity.

@kyleyguess my favorite valentine 🥹💌 #foryoupage #fyp #trend #dog #valentinesday #valentines #dogvalentine #pet #bestfriend #az ♬ original sound - rein ✨️

@dexterisgolden

His wink😭😭😭😭

♬ original sound - rein ✨️

@ri_rose7 my valentine 🥹🐾 #foryoupage #valentinesday #valentine #goldenretrievers #trend ♬ original sound - rein ✨️

 

Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry” was easily the biggest hit from her solo album The Dutchess but it also was one of the biggest hits of 2007 period. The song continues to live on today with close to 800 million streams on Spotify and reaching the Top 10 on TikTok’s top songs chart. It really is one of those timeless hits that will continue to live on for generations to come. Between her hits with the Black Eyed Peas and her solo work, Fergie has a viral hit every other month. She’s been long gone from the spotlight since that infamous All-Star game national anthem performance, but I feel like we’re far enough removed from that that we can give our girl another chance, right?

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