6 questions for the [Jan. 12 2024 new music] Culture
On January 12, 2024, multiple stars of the music industry released new songs that hinted at their new music direction, but who amongst them garnered the appropriate attention?
BY HARPSICHORD
JANUARY 12, 2024
Collage of album covers from Ariana Grande, 21 Savage, Lil Nas X, Kali Uchis, Jennifer Lopez, and ‘The Book of Clarence’ Soundtrack.
“Questions For The Culture” is a column series that appears on the Hot Takes page for Harpsichord Zine. It asks about and tries to dissect curiosities about the hottest topics being discussed during a significant music event.
At the start of 2024, music listeners and critics were teased with a slew of new releases. It looks as though the music industry is already leaving 2023 behind, and are jumping straight into what the new year has to offer. The roster includes Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, 21 Savage, JAY-Z, Kali Uchis, Jennifer Lopez, and Lil Nas X all offering what they are pushing for their new eras of music. And as an editorial note: These questions and opinions were generated after a first night listen, so matters could always change as time goes by. But with that being said: Who passed the test, and who needs to continue proving their worth, as for now?
Question 1
Was “yes, and?” the appropriate comeback single for Ariana Grande?
In the voice of Tokyo Toni, in her ever popular meme on Stan Twitter, “well… sorta kinda.”
It’s been nearly three full years since Ariana Grande released her last studio album, ‘positions,’ so the pressure mounts on what she will bring with the album that went under the moniker of ‘AG7.’
“Yes, and?” keeps the pace of Grande’s discography and brings back the house music nostalgia of tracks such as “Be Alright” from ‘Dangerous Woman’ and hints of “no tears left to cry” from ‘sweetener.’ Sampling Madonna’s “Vogue”– which dropped in 1990– the song seems like a play directly from the book of Beyoncé’s critically acclaimed ‘Renaissance’ album, which itself includes “Break My Soul,” which promoted a remix that draws on “Vogue.” That being said, ‘yes, and?” seems a bit… outdated. In fact, “yes, and?” seems to fall behind the curve of what’s progressing mainstream music forward today.
To say the least, “yes, and?” is safe for a comeback. The popstar extraordinaire relies on her signature high register, harmonies, and vocal stacking that draws parallels to the ‘90s style of singing that raised her. The song eases people back into her presence, and does so through an uptempo nature. It’s sure to be a song that will bop at gay clubs– particularly for the opening tracking weekend that will count for the Billboard Hot 100. The most addictive portion of the number is not the verses, which are fine on paper, but rather the earworm chorus where we get hints of where she’ll go next.
However, the track is a bit underwhelming for the standards of Ariana Grande. Although it has a replay value because of its short length of 3 minutes and 34 seconds, anyone who has top dollar in the industry could have made this track. And because Bey has released ‘Renaissance,’ which pushed the envelope on house and electronic dance music, it feels as though “yes, and?” falls behind the curve. Right now the industry seems to be moving more towards cosmopolitan sophisti-pop (see: Kenya Grace’s “Strangers”), an evolving aerodynamic vaporwave of hyperpop (see: PinkPantheress), and certified new wave (see: the resurgence of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer,” four years after its initial release).
There is a mark missing overall. Simply put, “yes, and?” sounds kinda, sorta… basic. And if Dua Lipa is struggling with the release of “Houdini” dominating– unlike her own tracks such as “Don’t Start Now”– then Ariana Grande will need to come with something a bit more edgy.
More than likely– just like Bey’s “Break My Soul”– this comeback single reads as a set up. There is probably so much more fire awaiting us on ‘AG7’ (now purportedly titled, ‘Eternal Sunshine’). This track is just here to do the job, which is more than likely helping her secure a No. 1 single leading into the official, finalized album release. But even taking charts out the equation, and looking at this from a music fan perspective: there has to be more behind her red-lipped gaze…
Question 2
Which Doja Cat feature was better: “JEEZU” or “n.h.i.e.”?
Doja Cat told us on ‘Scarlet’– particularly “Paint The Town Red”– “I don’t need a new feature or a new sidekick.” Well one thing about Doja Cat, the artist and character, is she often contradicts herself– as most rappers do… At the start of 2024, she’s in fact featured on two tracks. Both dropping on the same night, they are contrasting in nature.
“JEEZU” finds her on a soundtrack song– the first since 2022’s “Vegas.” “JEEZU” appears on ‘The Book of Clearance’ with Adekunle Gold and Kodak Black. With elements of southern boom bap (thanks to Kodak Black) and Nigerian-styled ragga (fortified by the holy cries of Adekunle Gold), the driving force of the track is a flute, marching gun salutes, and a gospel organ. And to say the least, Doja rips the track with her storytelling. It feels like a continuation of ‘Scarlet,’ as she gets straight to the point with her most poignant bar being “I made the web/Fed up, turned a Charlotte to some pancetta.”
“n.h.i.e.” appears on 21 Savage’s new album, ‘American Dream,’ where he discusses not letting his opps slide, while also mocking the debates surrounding his immigration status. On this track, Doja Cat accesses her Kendrick Lamar-like voice. The coy, high squeaky pitched voice that delves into her more menacing nature. It’s standard trap darkness that ropes in 21 Savage’s fans.
While both songs have stellar performances, the winner is “JEEZU,” and it’s actually not because of Doja Cat. Doja will always deliver and play her part. She rarely misses, and this release night furthered her argument for being one of the most versatile rappers in the game– male or female or nonbinary. Kodak Black is who is the overall winner. His verse on “JEEZU” is very reminiscent of the pocket he stood in on his 2016 mixtape, ‘Lil Big Pac.’ He’s gotten back into the art of earnest storytelling and repentance– the line “My daddy was a Rolling Stone, but he's still a legend/Wondering if a nigga like me can go to Heaven,” hitting close to home.
Question 3
What will be discussed on social media once everyone gets wind of JAY-Z’s verse?
Also appearing on the soundtrack for ‘The Book of Clarence’ is a nine minute and 33 seconds track featuring D’ Angelo and JAY-Z titled, “I Want You Forever.” “I Want You Forever” is a psychedelic soul song with the attitude of afrofuturism. As the movie’s producer, JAY-Z continues a throughline of how ‘70s inspired music keeps his relationship with Queen Bey in line. There’s nothing much to really dig into. Rather there is more insight on what [probably] went on in The Carters’ household after their troubling times of infidelity, which was relived in the ‘Lemonade,’ ‘4:44,’ and ‘Everything Is Love’ trilogy. “You know that week you ran back to your momma house/Ask my friends, they can vouch (Ooh)/Slept on the couch, 'cause the bed ain't a bed without you.” That part being slightly analyzed, it’s only the start of 2024, and “I Want You Forever” is one of the year’s strongest releases. In fact, if promoted correctly, this soundtrack may be a strong contender for Album of the Year in the 2025 Grammys race.
Question 4
After first listen, what is the best song on Kali Uchis’s album, ‘Orquídeas’?
Following up her stellar album from last year, ‘Red Moon In Venus,’ Kali Uchis has delivered yet another bonafide project with sincerity. Confirming her pregnancy with bae, Don Toliver, the Colombian singer gives a love manifesto soundscapes by intergalactic latin pop that relies on intergalactic bossa nova, reggaeton, sophisti-pop, and R&B. It’s hard to tell off a first night listen what will be the go-to single. Let alone the best song.
*Sigh* Although the album is mostly Spanish– honoring her native language, the answer for what’s the best song is “Young Rich & In Love.” Placed in the middle of the album, the track has the best balance of all the sounds that makes ‘Orquídeas’ come to life as an enjoyable listen. It has the hypnotic nature of Sade-vibing sophisti-pop, while swerving back and forth between the lanes of English (in a trapped-out sense) and Spanish. In terms of the all Spanish track that will make for a nice single, “No Hay Ley, Parte 2” featuring Rauw Alejandro. But in terms of deep cuts, “Tu Corazón Es Mío…” best encapsulates the LP’s feeling.
Question 5
Why is the lead single from Jennifer Lopez’s next album… a bop???
Jennifer Lopez always receives criticism online. Whether that’s a Twitter thread digging up a history of background vocals not belonging to her, or her naysayers calling out her thirst for attention– J Lo manages to be one of those iconic legends that will forever remain in the press. And at this point, Jenny From The Block simply does not care. Or does she?
For a while she’s been teasing her upcoming studio album and visual film, ‘This Is Me… Now’– the sequel to her third studio album, ‘This Is Me… Then’ (released in 2002). The lead single, “Can’t Get Enough” features a music video where she goes through multiple weddings and receptions with multiple suitors. Never shy about never getting it right when it comes to love, at this moment it seems like she has become one with her long lost love and current husband, Ben Affleck. Or so it seems, as his face continues to go viral (and contradict that notion) because of his resting sad face.
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While looking at the video, the song read as jumbled up, to say the least. Talking moments from actors interrupt the flow of the song. However, upon an audio only listen, “Can’t Get Enough” plays as a fun bop. Not only does it recall her sound from the 2000’s, but it also maintains a present spunk– interpolating the hook and melodies from the 1967 song "I'm Still in Love with You" by Ellis. Its main producer, Hit Boy rounds out the groove with boom bap that comes directly from the streets of her native Bronx. Blending R&B with pop and the elements of hip hop, what could be deemed a legacy song is in fact unorthodox– with the capabilities of transforming into a slow burner hit.
Question 6
Is Lil Nas X’s playbook tired?
Again… In the voice of Tokyo Toni… “Well, sorta kinda.”
The king of trolling, Lil Nas X, is getting redundant. He’s introduced a new alter ego of being “J Christ.” His music video includes cross dressing that we’ve witnessed on multiple Halloweens. He spoofs celebrities (briefly) that we attack or debate about on Stan Twitter. The motif of the devil radiates throughout the video. “I'm finna get the gays hyped,” he claims on the song that centers itself on seducing a love interest. The beat of “J Christ” is dark and piano-driven perplexing. While the song itself sounds like a banger that will stick around, and probably go up in clubs when snuck into a DJ rotation for those who aren’t phased by queer politics, we’ve seen this formula before from Lil Nas X. The next question is, will he bring something different to the table the next go round?