Even though 2020 has been an interesting year to say the least, that hasn’t stopped artists from releasing some of their best work while locked inside their houses. Between Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa, here are some of our favourite songs released in 2020 so far!
“Do It” by Chloe x Halle
If you haven’t heard this song yet, I honestly feel bad for you. R&B duo Chloe x Halle released the lead single for their second album Ungodly Hour “Do It” in May 2020. The fun girls’ night out track stands out on the album thanks to its upbeat production and vocal performance. In case you haven’t heard of the duo comprised of Chloe and Halle Bailey, they started their music careers by posting covers on YouTube and were discovered by the one and only Beyonce. They released their debut album The Kids Are Alright in 2018 and were nominated for Best New Artists at the Grammy’s. If Beyonce approves of this song, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go listen to it right now!
“Pretty Please” - Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa released her second album Future Nostalgia in March 2020 and she finally ditched the basic pop sound and upgraded to something mature and retro-inspired. While the album has several standout tracks including “Levitating” and “Break My Heart,” I ultimately chose “Pretty Please” as my favourite off the album. The smooth production and Lipa’s voice blend together so perfectly and it sounds fresh every time it comes up on my playlist. Personally, I can’t wait to see what she releases next but until then, I’ll keep listening to “Pretty Please.”
“Take Yourself Home” by Troye Sivan
Troye Sivan has been one of my favourite new artists since he released Bloom in 2018 but his latest single “Take Yourself Home” is an amazing next step in his career. The production goes perfectly with the dark tone of the track and the quarantine-inspired lyrics hit hard. I am very excited to see what he releases next and how his sound continues to evolve.
“Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande
I’m going to keep this short and sweet: Ariana Grande’s vocal runs? Check. Lady Gaga’s emotion? Check. Fun production? Check. Great lyrics? Check! What more do you need in a song? “Rain On Me” is the collaboration that I never knew I needed and I can guarantee that I’ll be blasting this song all year long.
“In Your Eyes (Remix)” by The Weeknd ft. Doja Cat
While the standard version of “In Your Eyes” on After Hours is still a great song, Doja Cat really elevated this song with her 60-second verse. Not only did she keep things interesting by switching up her flow in the rap section, but she also sang the first half of her verse, which is something new for non-hardcore Doja Cat fans. Sorry The Weeknd, but Doja made you look like a Monday on this song.
“Savage Remix” - Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyonce
Speaking of remixes, Beyonce was able to bring “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion to the highest of all levels with her remix. Not only does Beyonce have 3 verses on the song, but she constantly adds harmonies and backing vocals throughout the song which makes listening to it an outer-worldly experience. Not to mention that Megan also wrote a new verse for the remix AND it topped the Billboard Hot 100, so this is a win-win situation for everyone!
“Experience” by Victoria Monet, Khalid & SG Lewis
While you might not know Victoria Monet’s name, I can guarantee that you’ve heard one of the many songs that she’s written for your favourite artists, including “7 rings” by Ariana Grande and even “Do It” by Chloe X Halle! She also releases her own music and it is criminally underrated. “Experience” is her latest release and will be on her upcoming album Jaguar. The disco track is upbeat and the lyric video with the roller skates only adds to the nostalgic vibes.
“Dance Alone” by Tayla Parx
You also might not know Tayla Parx by name but I’m sure that you’ve heard one of the many Top 40 songs that she’s written. From Ariana Grande to Panic! At The Disco to Kesha, she’s worked with everybody. Although, her busy schedule hasn’t stopped her from releasing some amazing original music! She released her album We Need To Talk in 2019 and recently released the slow jam “Dance Alone.” While the retro production is refreshing, the lyrics are very relatable and Parx’s vocal delivery is impeccable, which is what really makes the song stand out. Her and Victoria Monet are the queens of underrated artists and I can’t wait to see their solo careers blossom.
“claws” by Charli XCX
This might be a little bit of a curveball for some of you reading this, but “I like, I like, I like, I like” this song (you'll get the joke if you listen to the song)! I’ve never been the biggest Charli XCX fan but when I first heard this song, the melody was so infectious that I couldn’t stop listening. Charli’s experimental style of production combined with modern trap drums created something that was familiar yet still very unique for listeners and I have nothing bad to say about this song (except for the 3 seconds of noise at the end, I usually skip that).
“Smile” by Katy Perry
Ending this list is Katy Perry’s new single “Smile.” The upbeat single is much deeper than it seems at the surface. Perry has admitted that she was depressed after her Witness era and “Smile” is her saying that she has moved on and is happy again. The fun production adds to the energy of the song and this new single makes me even more excited for her upcoming album of the same name.
In conclusion, we have all been blessed with some amazing songs so far this year and I can’t wait to see what’s to come in the upcoming months!
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