So 2025 huh...
Y'know the world has been shit enough as it is, but I'm glad that music can still be the escapism I need to get out of this mess for a bit. Last year was probably still one of the most insane year for pop music I can remember at least, but the insanity was balanced out by good music. This year so far has been just insane. Album bombs after album bombs and some stayed long enough to be featured on here. There's also two album bombs from Lady Gaga and Jennie which I will only take the highest charting one on here. Even after all of that, this season felt scattered thanks to those album bombs in question. There's five songs here that come from members of boyband and that's after I took out Who by Jimin. We are in a weird time for pop music and I don't know how I can assess the quality here because it's all over the place. Well let's get on with the weirdness of the chart in a very anxious time as we ranked this top 20*
20. That's So True - Gracie Abrams
Well this is a shrinker. I don't think this song could've gotten worse for me over time but yeah it did. There are couple of reasons why this song has gotten worse for me but the biggest culprit has to be the production. This song is a biggest lump of well lump that I've heard thus far this year. That bouyant feel felt so wrong especially with the bare guitar. The production really highlighted how limited Gracie Abrams' range as a singer songwriter especially the lyrics. This lyrics is basically just Taylor Swift breakup song at home. The details aren't there and it's surprisingly juvenile with the swearing. Yes Taylor would incorporate swear words in her later albums but the thing is that Gracie is replicating Red era Taylor which can be mixed bag. It's probably one of two bad songs here on the ranking, the rest of the ranking will be interesting at least.
19. Te Queria Ver - Aleman ft. Neton Vega
And this is the other bad song here. To be honest the reason why this song is this low is because that squealing synth that sounded like grounded up helium balloons. The fact that the synth is there with a pretty bog standard reggaeton beat really outstayed its welcome by the time Neton Vega got his verse in. It's not lower on the ranking because that switch up to trap production is actually pretty good. Neton Vega is probably the least regional Mexican act I've heard and what I mean by that is how he doesn't have anything new to add to the scene really. He's not as unique as Peso Pluma nor is he that much of a douche than Fuerza Regida or Oscar Maydon. He just exist and his rise is kinda baffling.
18. Like JENNIE - Jennie
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Oh would you look at that, death threats! Nah I'm just kidding this song is just a mid tier Blackpink song. One bad habit that Blackpink and its members always come across is always making too many "I'm back, bitch!" songs. For those who don't know, the "I'm back, bitch!" songs are basically singles where the song didn't have any substance whatsoever and instead that substance got replaced by bravado and loud personality. This term was used first by Todd in The Shadows and he really nailed in the head how empty these type of songs usually are. But that doesn't mean it can't work, Jennie literally had one with Mantra and it was a great song. This one on the other hand...it's not really it. I don't really buy the badass Jennie all that much and that's really the main issue of the song. The phonk inspired production do work here but it still left me a bit empty by the end. Just listen to Mantra and skip this one.
17. Timeless - The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti
This song didn't changed for me one way or the other but I do wanna talk about the recent controversy about this song. A lot of people were a bit baffled by Carti's delivery on this song that some people suspecting him to use AI vocal filter or something. Then surprisingly the Carti fanbase on his subreddit are suspecting that Lawson, one of the writers on this song, was the one that actually did the verse himself and using AI vocal filter that sounded like Carti. Now this is some serious allegations that really went beyond ghostwriting. If this allegation is indeed true that definitely would open up the debate of AI use in rap songs that I'm definitely on the side of against the usage of AI. But, after seeing the proof and also listening to the song more time that I want to, My conclusion is that it's not AI and I do think that this is the best Playboi Carti has sounded since Die Lit era. If it's proven for a fact that Carti is using AI in this one then I would put this straight on the worst list because to me generative AI is something that I despise as someone in the creative space. I know that people in nature want the simple life and the prospect of getting an art piece right there and then is enticing. But, that to me is not art anymore, it's a product and I really don't want to admiring products. This really also one of the indications of fascism because they want to keep the nations stronger by weeding out the odd one out, it create conformity mentality that I really despise. Anyways yeah support your local artists and do commission more!
16. TATTOO - Tito Double P
Gonna keep these two entries short because they are both latin songs that I don't have much thought about but still have decent tune behind them. This one is slightly worse because Tito Double P sounded like he's dying here I don't know why. Other than that, it's just your standard curridos tumbados which automatically will give it at worse meh tier (unless something worse came along). I think the theory of Global Latina Belt is true especially for music since even though this song is entirely in Spanish, it felt familiar to me for some reason. Same goes with a lot of latin american music. It's just something that really still grab me even again I don't speak the language.
15. La Plena (W Sound 5) - W Sound, Beele, & Ovy On The Drum
So y'all remember BZRP Music Session that became such a juggernaut in 2022-23? Well turns out there are another new type of this collaboration where an artist will come to the booth and make a song then uploaded it on YouTube. This one came from Colombia and it's called W Sound. W Sound is a brainchild of a Colombian youtuber Westocol and frequent reggaeton producer Ovy On The Drum whom wrote a lot of Karol G stuff (speaking of Colombia). The song itself is just a more subdued reggaeton joint with some excellence balance of the percussions and just a great fun fact for y'all.
14. Anxiety - Doechii
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One thing about the charts and just the public at large is that when they got it right, they can get songs that I've always love to chart high and becoming a staple in pop music pantheon. In this case however the listening public can be a bit silly and decided to do something silly. Like decided that we don't wanna make songs from Doechii latest mixtape to become a hit like Nissan Altima, but instead the public chose a 2017 song that was sampled by Sleepy Hallow and after that she re-recorded her verse and boom here we are. Look I love Doechii obviously we can expect a stellar verse and some kookiness from her and yeah that second verse is something alright. But like why though? Why this song? Well I'll tell you why...zoomers nostalgia. Yes this song is basically Doechii singing and rapping through Somebody That I Used To Know beat. It's just so bizarre that this might be her biggest hit when other options exist. I don't get you TikTok.
13. Sweet Dreams - J-Hope ft. Miguel
Welp BTS might be coming back this year or the next one. Since 2022, we have seen a lot of solo stuff from BTS members as we waited for all of them to finish their military services. Out of all of the solo stuff, J-Hope stuff is probably the least essential one. I think it's because his palette is just good enough that it would sounds good but not good enough that you really would call youself a fan. He doesn't have the star power that Jungkook has nor the chop that Jimin has and even the experiment that RM has. That being said, I do think hip-hop tinged RnB is a good look for the guy and this song is a step in the right direction. The breezy laid back feel is perfect for Spring to Summer transition and honestly he really sounds good in it. Can't say the same about Miguel which his voice is kinda wonky in the mix. So yeah it's very decent but I wanna hear more.
12. Garden of Eden - Lady Gaga
...Man this Lady Gaga song sure does exist doesn't it. Anyways so MAYHEM is good but not great. I think the sound of it is in the right direction for her but I think she really make some big blunder with the lyrics not being groundbreaking. I mean I don't really expect Lady Gaga to just read bakunin over a sick beat but Born This Way had Judas and the title track being overtly supportive of queer rights long before gay marriages were legalized. This album...beside the other track we will talk about, most of these aren't that groundbreaking nor is it pushing the genre. It's not bad that you want the comfort but my expectations for Gaga is high and this just barely cleared it.
11. Anxiety - Sleepy Hallow ft. Doechii
Not gonna lie, the fact that this song is just collapsing after Doechii released her remix is kinda unfortunate because I do believe this song is better. The usage of that Anxiety song by Doechii chopped up and only being shown a few notes of the original samples were clever. And Sleepy Hollow actually bringing out two compelling verses of somber and very personal thing he has went through and that's ver commendable. It's just still funny that the samples will be the one that's more famous now than the song where the samples got popular in the first place. It's like when Kanye made Pt. 2 and that got Desiigner his number one hit but even more goofy.
10. APT. - ROSE ft. Bruno Mars
This song hasn't grown or shrunk on me thus far so I'm just gonna talk about the state of the Hot 100 chart at the time of writing this April 3rd. WHAT ARE Y'ALL DOING??? I know that we have been slammed by album bombs after album bombs, but like seriously Lose Control still at the top 10??? It's not even just the radio that's the only factor here, people are streaming this song still. I think we are seeing another stagnation of the chart where album bombs are aplenty, but the radio keeping long charting songs still charting high. This is why one of the reasons why I'm using Global 200 chart is for this exact reason...despite the fact that we have the same problem but with streaming which actually could be worse but shhhhh.
9. ExtraL - JENNIE ft. Doechii
This is probably count as a guilty pleasure I guess, but this one is actually good and I think it's just Doechii. You know I do still think that JENNIE has the best year out of any Blackpink members this year but like not by much? Ruby is a fine album but I know for a fact that JENNIE got outstaged by every features beside Dominic Fike because my god he's not good at all. Anyways Doechii is really the best part of the song and it's not even close. Her charisma alone carried this very much stock beat and the reason why this isn't so low on the list. But please can we give Nissan Altima a second chance?
8. TOO BAD - G Dragon ft. Anderson .Paak
I was wondering about Anderson .Paak and how is he doing post Silk Sonic. Seems like now his mission is to gathering all the kpop stans. First it was the new kpop stans in RM and now it's the older ones with G Dragon. And honestly I really like this one mainly because I missed organic productions on my Kpop as of late. I know that this production isn't as organic as I built up to be especially with the vocal productions and the lack of groove in the verse. But that chorus from Anderson .Paak is just infectious and what we get is basically Get Ugly but better. What I can say more about this beside go listen to it!
7. Nuevayol - Bad Bunny
I really love seeing the evolution of Bad Bunny over the course of 7 years...2018 IS SEVEN YEARS NO- Anyways yeah Bad Bunny has gotten my respect as the leading voice of latin music as a whole. After Un Verano Sin Ti and Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Manana hitting massive success and both are making what Bad Bunny really is, a versatile artist that highlighted a lot of cultural signifacant genres and also shouting out regional act in Puerto Rico. Bad Bunny now created to me his most cohesive album to date with Debi Teras Mas Fotos and honestly it's better than the two of his previous albums. As usual this album blended a lot of genres from Latin America but now it focused more on Puerto Rico and the surrounding areas. This is fitting because the theme of the album is basically Puerto Rico and the good the bad and the ugly that came from being Puerto Rican. You can hear it with the opening track Nuevayol which is about the celebration of Nuyorican which is a community of Puerto Ricans living in New York. Sampling Un Verano en Nueva York, this song devolved to dembow and reggaeton grooves that could be a successor of Titi Me Pregunto. We are being presented with a party first and foremost to ease us to what would be a dense album about Puerto Rico and how they have been devastated by a lot of factors but especially the imperial core of the US government. We will talk about Bad Bunny more but honestly I'm glad he's here because the chart could use more of him.
6. Sports Car - Tate McRae
Hey would you look at that finally Tate McRae found her lane...as a nostalgia act for 2000s nostalgia. I mean when the song is good I won't complaining and this one is a good one. She and Ryan Tedder took the best part of the mid 2000s era Middle Eastern inspired productions and just removed the most annoying part which is always the attitude and the vocals. This is basically the best version of Buttons is all I'm saying. That drum is so chunky with the MidEast inspired instrumentals and synth. And Tate McRae hit the sweet spot of sensual and also seduction that even Nicole Scherzinger always missed. The lyrics is just background enough not to be distracting. Overall a good song and honestly the best Tate McRae singles.
5. Messy - Lola Young
I literally don't have anything to say about this song that I haven't said before with my previous blog so definitely check my Winter ranking. But I do wanna point out that we might be seeing the rise of UK pop again in the US especially with Lola Young and Alex Warren. Watch this space
4. Abracadabra - Lady Gaga
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This is definitely the best Lady Gaga singles we got since...maybe Rain On Me? Oh god it was five years ago ahhhh. Anyways Abracadabra is everything that I want in a Lady Gaga singles. Abrassive synth with good grooves and I love that drum flutters there. Though I do think that the mixing could be better especially with the Gaga vocals because she can sounds a bit squeeze. I think the only issue I have with this song is the way that it's not that subversive? Like sure the song is great and a step in the right direction, but it's not Bad Romance or even Alejandro. Maybe because the song and the album itself drew so much from Born This Way which has more subversion of pop relative to that time. All I'm saying is that Lady Gag should work with AG Cook.
3. Baile Inolvidable - Bad Bunny
This is the second songs from the album here and we got the longest Bad Bunny song and yet it didn't feel like it. Primarily because this is a salsa song and there are multiple parts of the songs that flow together well enough to keep you interested. I love how slow the song starts with this ghostly synth with some trumpets coming in. And then after a spoken word interlude, the song turned into a full on party with the salsa instrument and really lush productions. Then the chorus hit with the singalong chorus that are about his heritage as a Puerto Rican. And the slowed down moment where you get this tender piano and wow this song is amazing. Again the point of the album is definitely about his personal experience as a Puerto Rican and with one other song left in this ranking would you be wondering which one is the #1 in my ranking...well
2. Luther - Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA
I don't really have any new opinions about this song that I haven't said in my last ranking so go check it out. But one observation I will make especially after the music video for this and Nokia (new song by Drake), I think there are fundamental differences between Kendrick Lamar and Drake where the former could be seen as someone who cared about women's right even though he collaborated with Kodak Black and Playboi Carti (I know they're both his evil twins but it's still questionable nontheless, meanwhile the latter is branded as a misogynist who really don't care for women despite his beginning being more vulnerable to women and even made a women anthem. I think those differences are insecurities. Sure Kendrick might still have some insecurities and on Mr Morale & Big Steppers he laid down every insecurities he had towards women, his family, and the abuse he had to endured. But, right now especially with Luther, he's more secure than ever and portrayed the confidence that every men should strive for. Drake on the other hand is consumed by insecurities of trying to be tough especially after his rap beef with Pusha T. Because of that Nokia's lyrics sounded so pissy and just reeks of a desperate man. So that's why Luther works and Nokia didn't.
1. DTMF - Bad Bunny
Bringing political analysis to pop songs can be tricky. Sometimes you bringing out the political context as to why and how the songs are portrayed and trying to conveyed and you'll probably be branded as "that one friend who is too woke". But sometimes pop songs could carried a weight of a community and even entire ethnicity because to them that song is very important to them. So with that said, The latino community has been hit the hardest under the second Trump administration. Not only the tariff will make their livelihood and their jobs insecure, but also they're being terrorized by ICE agents if they are being accused of part of a gang and being thrown to literal slave labor camp thousands of miles away without due process. It has been tough for the latino community and Bad Bunny is here to try and comfort them. This song is so comforting with the chiptune synth, the mix between reggaeton and plena singalong (another nod to Puerto Rican culture), and the subdued performance of Bad Bunny. That alone would put this song at top three, but the lyrics are on another level. The lyrics is basically Bad Bunny regretting to not take more picture of his ex before they both separated. Sure it's pretty typical subject, but the fact that this is the title track of the album and the centerpiece of the album, plus you have the album cover that's pretty universal. No wonder this song became a hit on Tiktok from migrants who missed their hometown because they're pursuing better life and bettering their parents lives. But this song as well being used by Gazans to show their homes before the genocide that happened after October 7th and how they should've take more photos of the place that are now in rubble. It's emotional and very universal and to me, my favorite song this Spring.
