If you listened to Apple Music’s “Today’s Hits” playlist on the evening of February 26th (EST), you would have heard Sam Smith first. Smith’s “To Die For” is solemn but catchy, and well-constructed. It features some standard pop love song hyperbole, but seeps into your heart anyway.
Pink lemonade sippin’ on a Sunday/Couples holding hands on a runway
“To Die For” was followed by the tableau of romantic contentedness “Intentions” by Justin Bieber featuring Quavo. Bieber is smooth as you like in this mellow earworm and Quavo’s part fits in well. Fifth on the playlist was The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” an upbeat drama anchored by an 80s-style synth. Next is the irreverent banger “ON” by BTS. Combining Korean and English, I caught the sound of ‘90s boy bands in the lines:
“Rain be pourin’/Sky keep fallin’/Everyday oh na na na”
Eighth on the list and rounding out the tracks that jumped out at me on the first couple listens was “Know Your Worth” by Khalid and Disclosure. Khalid’s sincere vocals are backed by a warm-bright synth and a periodic yelping sound effect which is much more effective than you might imagine.
If aliens landed on Earth and got their hands on nothing but an iPhone, a pair of earbuds, and these tracks, I think they would be impressed by humanity’s creativity and passion. As we begin a frightening new decade, pop music’s masters undoubtedly provide solace. But maybe they offer something more as well—reason for (p)optimism.
Music, etc. 