I feel like I’ve been living in a fever dream of different variations of Britney Spears when it comes to today’s pop girlies. Just this week alone, two big releases include some very clear nods to the OG princess of pop, channeled through Tate McRae and Coco Jones. This isn’t the first time in the last few years since Britney’s self-imposed musical retirement that her influence has been evident. Whether it be through fashion references at the VMAs, direct samples of her songs, or just the general energy she exuded on stage, the lasting impact of her music and performance is truly remarkable.
Tate McRae released her third studio album So Close To What this week, and leaks be damned she pulled through and delivered a strong pop record. The sound of early 2000s pop is felt throughout the entire project, and for a nostalgia-head like myself, I couldn’t have dreamt up a better case. From the first sounds of “Miss possessive”, the record takes you straight back to 2003 in the best way possible. Tate is the exact same age Britney was when she made her In The Zone album, so it’s not a coincidence that this new project feels like the fruits of Britney’s labour. Tate is always very gracious and humble when the Britney comparisons come up, and given that she is in the midst of an intense promotional blitz for her album, they are coming up a lot.
On the topic of In The Zone, the most famous song off that album, “Toxic”, is sampled in the latest track by Coco Jones. Coco takes her first stab at choreography in the video, but whether or not it meets the standard is up to interpretation. I will always give kudos to the girls who are actually trying to improve their performance. Enough time has passed since Britney’s time in the spotlight that we can acknowledge that pop music just has not been the same since, and we have been deprived of solid performance artists for years. It’s no wonder today’s girls want a “taste” of it.
Since this week’s lounge has Britney’s spirit written all over it, what better time for one of her contemporaries to make her return to music. The one and only Jessica Simpson. You can read a more detailed analysis of her comeback in my piece from yesterday, but it does certainly feel rewarding to see Jessica taking control of her narrative and returning to music simply because she loves it. As we saw with Britney, the passion for the music can get taken from you.
Next week is the release of LISA’s new project (I have not stopped listening to “Born Again” since it came out a few weeks ago), plus everyone’s favorite crotch-grabbing gymnast Benson Boone kicks of his new album cycle. This week, Along with Coco Jones, Tate McRae and Jessica Simpson, we got some room for the boys in the form of a Nigerian hit maker and a British alt-rocker. Plus, a viral pick that went viral before it was even released.
Listen on…
MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK
“Taste” by Coco Jones
Coco Jones is finally gearing up to release her debut studio album Why Not More this April, and seems to be in her Normani bag with this new single. The song, which heavily samples “Toxic” by Britney Spears is an R&B/pop jam, ready to be performed down. The production is somewhat laid-back, reminiscent of something Aaliyah may have done – and the Britney sample is pitched down to give a darker feel to the song. It’s definitely a bold move on Coco’s part to not only sample such a known track, but to sample the entire chorus of the song. “Toxic” is one of the most recognizable pop songs in history, so there is always going to be the challenge of actually making something still feel original if you are using that sample. I feel Coco did a great job, but that could also just be my thirst for new Britney music talking, lol. The online discourse about the song is rather split down the middle, but that’s always going to happen when there is such a big name attached to the song you’re putting out. When Halsey released her single “Lucky” last summer, which also used an entire Britney chorus, she made the mistake of putting too much emphasis on Britney. Coco is letting the music speak for itself, as the piece of art that it is. This track is an MC certified hit baby.
“Dear God” by Tate McRae
Tate’s third album So Close To What is officially out and in case my constant screaming about her music as of late wasn’t enough of a hint, I am really excited about it. After about seven straight listens this weekend, I can very confidently say this is my favourite pop record of the 2020s decade so far. As you all may know, I consider myself a little bit of a 2000s music connoisseur so this is literally like a pop album made exactly for me. “Dear God” is the one that I keep going back to the most. As a Madonna fan, there’s nothing I love more than a religious reference interlaced with sensual innuendo. In the song, Tate is pleading to God to “take ‘amazing’ out the sex” with her and her toxic ex-lover, along with any attachment feelings she may have. We’ve all had those lovers we just can’t shake, no matter how much we know we need to come to our senses. At least I have. Her baby voice singing over the sultry R&B beat is straight out the Nelly Furtado playbook, yes please.
“Update” by Burna Boy
Burna Boy knows his way around a sample. After sampling 90s queens Toni Braxton and Brandy on past tracks, he’s flipped yet another classic from the decade. Burna’s use of Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life” hits right off the bat on the first note of the song, and flows through the entire thing with a mix of afrobeats and ampiano music, of course. It’s a summer anthem for sure, but since songs take a while to catch these days, he might be onto something by releasing it so early. I also love anytime an R&B gem from the 90s gets introduced to a younger audience, so if this is foreshadowing for a Soul II Soul resurgence this summer, let me hop on that train from now. Burna Boy’s eighth studio album No Sign of Weakness is due later this year, and I’m manifesting a collaboration with his girlfriend Chloe Bailey on the album. I just know they would make the perfect slow jam.
“People Watching” by Sam Fender
Every now and then, an album gets thrown in my zeitgeist that takes me by surprise and I have Lainey to thank for this one. Little did I know when she recommended this new album to me, I’d have the newest addition to my infamous yacht rock playlist. (And Lainey got it from Jacek!) This is Sam Fender’s first album in four years, and the result was the heartland rock album People Watching. The full album was released this week, but the first single “People Watching” was actually released last November. I hadn’t heard any of the songs prior to the album’s release, but this is the song that had me feeling the most euphoric. The music video (starring Andrew Scott!) only hit the web a few weeks ago in anticipation of the album’s release. In an interview with Billboard, Sam spoke about the lyrics of the song and how they were written in honour of Fender’s late mentor who was very close to him, drawing inspiration on his walks to her caring facility, while also criticizing the healthcare system as a whole. The lyrics are deep, but that doesn’t take away from the breezy feel of the track which to me makes me feel like it needs to be played out the speakers of a convertible car.
“Use My Heart Against Me” by Jessica Simpson
Bust out your Daisy Dukes because Jessica Simpson’s comeback single “Use My Heart Against Me” is a country-swingin’ lustful anthem, with just the right amount of soul courtesy of her signature vocals. Lines like “double down like I’m your whiskey” and “drink me in until you’re tipsy” make it sound like it really is Daisy Duke herself singing this song. I like to think of that era of her career as the seeds she planted for her to finally have this moment of creative independence today. As shown in this lovely mini-documentary, Jessica used all live instruments in the recording of this song and the accompanying EP (which drops March 21). In a world where synths and electronic sounds are being overused, there’s just nothing like the real thing. PSA to all artists to please use more live instruments in their music! Kudos to Jess for coming back to music and doing it her way. Now, if we can only get her sister Ashlee to do the same. Simpson sisters reunion tour anyone?
MC’s VIRAL PICK
“ExtraL” by JENNIE, Doechii
JENNIE’s been serving us singles leading up to her album Ruby out March 7th. The grand pre-album push comes in the form of this banger with the it girl herself, Doechii. The song is a fun classic bad bitch anthem, I f-king love when it’s the girls rapping about money and fast cars. In the words of Vivian Wood from Charlie’s Angels “never send a man to do a woman’s job”. JENNIE and Doechii have crafted a song for all of our “getting ready for a night out” playlists.
The song may be a vibe, but it is the video that has me completely locked in. The matching suit and bra combinations the two ladies wear are the perfect eye candy to go with the popping beat. JENNIE’s mouth jewels, the HAIR, the hair, THE HAIR. It’s a “gay music video night” dream. If you know you know. The collaboration was already going crazy on socials when it was announced, and once the choreography was out, it set the dance community on fire. Not 4 days since the songs release, and thousands of videos with fans dancing the song’s official choreo have surfaced. JENNIE herself has been reposting tons of them. If this were 2020, I would probably have given the dance a shot, but my dancing TikTok days are long behind me, now I just share them.
@wannt_it ëŠì¢‹ 너무 ì–´ë ¤ìš´ë°ìš”🥹 #jennie #ì œë‹ˆ #extral #doechii #kpop
♬ ExtraL - JENNIE & Doechii
@jayb.babyy BIG MOVES ONLY EXTRA LARGE!! ♥ï¸ðŸ’ªðŸ¾ Dc by @TyrikJPatterson @JENNIE @OA #JENNIExDOECHII #JENNIE #ì œë‹ˆ #extraL #Doechii #Dancecover #dance #fyp
♬ ExtraL - JENNIE & Doechii
@ec0babe Lemme serve with @Doechii this morning #ootd #doechii
♬ ExtraL - JENNIE & Doechii
@kristenyscho big moves only extra large #jennie @JENNIE #doechii @Doechii #dance #cover @uh it’s justin...? @3mmaylu
♬ ExtraL - JENNIE & Doechii
(dance tutorial)
@qteez.kpopteam EXTRAL - JENNIE, Doechii DANCE TUTORIAL. member: @🪩 #jennie #coverdance #doechii #extral #dance #dancepractice
♬ ExtraL - JENNIE & Doechii
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.
Attached - Coco Jones in New York earlier this month for Fashion Week.
With Love,
MC
