FoxTakes : February 2023

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Rihanna Top 25

In honor of Rihanna's halftime performance, I decided to do a ranking. This was a tough list to narrow down, so I decided to do a top 25. I ultimately decided to omit collaborations where Rihanna isn't the main featured artist, but I did include some honorable mentions.

Honorable Mention - Rihanna featured collabs

"The Monster" - Eminem ft/Rihanna "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" (2013)

"Love The Way You Lie" - Eminem ft/Rihanna "Recovery" (2010)

"Run This Town" - Jay-Z ft/Rihanna & Kanye West "The Blueprint 3" (2009)

25) "FourFiveSeconds" - Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney (2015)

24) "Cheers (Drink To That)" Loud (2011)

23) "What Now" Unapologetic (2013)

22) "Lift Me Up" Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Music From And Inspired By (2022)

21) "Shut Up And Drive" Good Girl Gone Bad (2007)

20) "What's My Name" ft/Drake Loud (2010)

19) "American Oxygen" (2015)

18) "Needed Me" Anti (2016)

17) "Where Have You Been" Talk That Talk (2012)

16) "S&M" Loud (2011)

15) "Bitch Better Have My Money" (2016)

14) "Work" ft/Drake Anti (2016)

13) "Te Amo" Rated R (2010)

12) "This Is What You Came For" Calvin Harris & Rihanna (2016)

11) "SOS" A Girl Like Me (2006)

10) "Don't Stop The Music" Good Girl Gone Bad (2007)

9) "We Found Love" ft/Calvin Harris Talk That Talk (2011)

8) "Only Girl (In The World)" Loud (2010)

7) "Rude Boy" Rated R (2010)

6) "Pon de Replay" Music Of The Sun (2005)

5) "Stay" ft/Mikky Ekko Unapologetic (2012)

4) "Diamonds" Unapologetic (2012)

3) "Disturbia" Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded (2008)

2) "Love On The Brain" Anti (2016)

1) "Umbrella" ft/Jay-Z Good Girl Gone Bad (2007)

Sunday, February 5, 2023

2023 Grammy's Album Of The Year Review: "Voyage" - Abba

With the Grammy nominations announced, its time for my annual review of every album of the year nominee. Track information in this review if courtesy of genius.com.

"Voyage" - Abba

Polar/Universal Records

1) "I Still Have Faith In You"

This is about bonds & loyalty. The song finally comes alive in the chorus, but lyrically overall its so-so.

2) "When You Danced with Me"

With a fun beat, this is an uplifting track that reflects on past times.

3) "Little Things"

A seasonal track, this feels a bit out of place on this album.

4) "Don't Shut Me Down"

This deals with the regrets of a breakup.

5) "Just A Notion"

A previously unreleased track from 1978, this really clicks into place.

6) "I Can Be That Woman"

This deals with regrets of wasted years in relation to addiction. Its basis is a good idea, but the song itself trods along.

7) "Keep an Eye On Dan"

This is about a child during a divorce. Once more, its a powerful idea, but as laid out this song just doesn't work. It sounds awkward and stilted.

8) "Bumblebee"

This relates to climate change.

9) "No Doubt About It"

This track is about flares of emotions during a relationship.

10) "Ode to Freedom"

There's a majestic-sounding intro, where the instrumentals blends well with the vocals.

This album overall is a bit clunky. Abba's sound doesn't carry over to today's age perfectly. (79)

"In These Silent Days" - Brandi Carlile: 96

"Renaissance" - Beyonce: 93

"30"- Adele: 92

"Mr Morales & The Big Steppers" - Kendrick Lamar: 90

"Harry's House" - Harry Styles: 89

"Special" - Lizzo: 88

"Good Morning Gorgeous" (Deluxe) - Mary J Blige: 82

"Un Verano Sin Ti" - Bad Bunny: 81

"Voyage" - Abba: 79

"Music Of The Spheres" - Coldplay: 77

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

2023 Grammy's Album Of The Year Review: "Harry's House" - Harry Styles

With the Grammy nominations announced, its time for my annual review of every album of the year nominee. Track information in this review if courtesy of genius.com.

"Harry's House" - Harry Styles

Columbia/Erskine Records

1) "Music for a Sushi Restaurant"

This is relating to his desire for a relationship; "If the stars were edible, And our hearts were never full....Could we live with just a taste".

2) "Late Night Talking"

This track is very lyrical; "I've never been a fan of change, But I'd follow you to any place, If it's Hollwood or Bishopgate". I wish there was more of a bridge.

3) "Grapejuice"

This is a song of reflection.

4) "As It Was"

A reflection on past & loneliness; "Answer the phone, 'Harry you're no good alone, Why are you sitting at home on the floor? What kind of pills are you on' ".

5) "Daylight"

Harry is being pushed away by his partner; "Get the picture cut out my middle. You ain't got time for me right now".

6) "Little Freak"

This is a ballad about how a previous relationship slipped away; "Jumped in feet first and I landed too hard. A broken ankle, Karma rules. You never saw my birthmark".

7) "Matilda"

This is about somebody being mistreated by family; "You don't have to be sorry for leavin' and growin' up".

8) "Cinema"

Dealing with the early, uncertain part of a relationship.

9) "Daydreaming"

An upbeat track on how a relationship feels like a daydream,. There's not much there lyrically.

10) "Keep Driving"

Dealing with perseverance this could use more with the backing instrumentals.

11) "Satellite"

This is about a lack of communication; "We share the last line, Then we drink the wall till we wanna talk". Everything just falls into place with this track.

12) "Boyfriends"

This is about how boyfriends mistreat their partners, looking at a perspective couple; "You love a fool who knows how to get under your skin". There's a perfect folksy feel to this track.

13) "Love Of My Life"

With a tranquil feel, this is about Harry's love of home.

There are a number of standout tracks in "Harry's House". This album has me hoping that Harry's next project is along the lines of Taylor Swift's "Folklore" & "Evermore". (89)