Welcome to my first music round up of 2018! I haven’t posted one of these lists in a while, and maybe that’s because 2018 has gotten off to a slow start musically. To remedy my dislike of the current music state, I have retreated to listening to oldies, and it’s actually quite refreshing. Although I have been throwing it back musically, I have found some diamonds in the rough that we call music in 2018. Now, let’s get started with this round up. The songs listed below are in no chronological order.

“My My My!”-Troye Sivan

I came across Troye Sivan around two years ago when I heard his track “Wild,” which is a song I still enjoy today. Outside of “Wild” and his other track “My Youth,” I didn’t look further into Sivan’s music, but now in 2018, Troye Sivan has come in hot with a new track entitled “My My My!” I discover a lot of music through, believe it or not, ads on Spotify. I kept hearing the infectious chorus to “My My My!” on ads, and I just had to check the song out. This track is one that makes you feel good, as it features Sivan singing about a love interest against atmospheric production. If I could change anything about the song, it would be the title. Sivan repeats “Oh my my my!” throughout the song, but calling the song “My My My,” with an exclamation point just looks really cheesy. If I had it my way the song would be called “Oh My” with no exclamation point. Despite the off putting title, I love this track, and if you haven’t heard it, give it a listen.

“Human Nature”-Michael Jackson

Yes, I know this song is not new, but I’m still putting on this list because I’ve been vibing to it for the past month now. Back in January, I was scrolling through YouTube, and one of my favorite content creators-The Needle Drop- did a review of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Being a Jackson fan, I clicked. Fantano’s review made me revisit a lot of MJ’s music, a lot of which is found on several playlists on my Spotify account. Anyway, when I looked at the track listing for Thriller, I didn’t recognize the title “Human Nature,” which is strange considering I’ve had Thriller on vinyl for four years now. I searched for the song on YouTube and heard a very familiar beat that I never identified as belonging to Michael Jackson . I realized that Chris Brown sampled the beat in his song “She Ain’t You,” so that is where I first heard it. As “Human Nature” went on, I still failed to recognize it from an earlier listen, until I reached the point in the song where Jackson sings, “Why? Why? Tell ’em that it’s human nature.” At that point, I realized I actually did know the song, probably from one of my earlier listens of Thriller or just from hearing it in passing. The song is beautiful. The Toto-produced synths throughout the song are spacy and atmospheric. The lyrics are dreamy and idealistic, and MJ sounds angelic. I’m really happy that I rediscovered this song because it’s so classic. Check out the video above of Jackson performing “Human Nature”-it’s magic.

“IDGAF”-Dua Lipa

Ever since hearing her track “New Rules,” I’ve been liking Dua Lipa more and more. Lipa is such a talented vocalist, but she also fairs decently as a lyricist. Now, I know “IDGAF” isn’t exactly lyrically genius, and I know that phrase is vulgar, but in the context of the song, it works. I love the unapologetic and biting nature of this song. Lipa sings about a former flame, who’s trying to inch his way back after messing up and saying sorry too many times. Maybe in the past Lipa caved in to his apologies, but this time, she’s done. She doesn’t care how he feels. The pop appeal of “IDGAF” is undeniable, and Lipa’s vocals are truly what makes it shine.

“Be The One”-Dua Lipa

The last track is another from Dua Lipa. “Be The One” is a song from her debut album Dua Lipa which was released back in the summer of 2017. Despite its appearance on her most recent album, it has been making the rounds sense 2015, and I just discovered it this year. I love the lyrics, I love the vocals, and I love the production. I think out of all of Dua Lipa’s songs “Be The One” has to be my favorite. In the track she croons about a relationship where she and her significant other aren’t seeing eye to eye, yet she still wants to be the one for him. When I first heard this track, it sounded so familiar, and I still can’t put my finger on where I had heard it prior to this year. “Be The One” is a fantastic song that you ought to listen to.

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed this round up an discovered some new tracks. As evident by the tracks I’ve selected, I’ve been in a very poppy mood lately. During the doldrums that are January and February, I need music that’s makes me feel happy and makes me want to dance, so that’s probably why.

Until the next round-up,

Couturely Sound ❤