CommRadio Weekly Playlist: Mar. 28

Story posted March 28, 2022 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Department

Here members of the Arts and Entertainment Department will talk about the songs that dominated their playlists during the week and what makes them so good.

“When I’m Gone (with Katy Perry)” - Alesso

Alesso’s song “When I’m Gone” featuring Katy Perry stood out to me this week. This was the first collaboration between the Swedish DJ and pop star Perry that was released in the winter of last year.

Alesso and Katy Perry became the first artists to debut their music videos at a live event on ESPN. It premiered at the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship that occurred on Jan. 10. It is an electro-pop dance track the pair put together that puts you in a good mood when you listen to it.

It is characterized as a break-up song, although I have not experienced any break-ups recently. You will notice in the lyrics that Katy Perry is referencing a current or past heartbreak, but the upbeat tempo of the song overshadows that.

The song works to blend high-tech beats with heartbreaking lyrics. Katy Perry has been one of my favorite pop artists since I was young. She has an amazing voice and sounds great on any track she is featured in. Alesso and Perry should collaborate again soon to produce another hit track that I can jam out to on the way to class. - Lara Judkowski

“Male Fantasy” - Billie Eilish 

There are some weeks when I just want to listen to the same sad songs on repeat, and this week was one of them.

“Male Fantasy” is the closing track of Eilish’s 2021 album, “Happier Than Ever.” This album was written by her and her brother, Finneas O’Connell, who also produced it. The pair also wrote Eilish’s first album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”

The first verse of the song holds a reference to the famed notion of the “male fantasy.” This is the idea that much of the entertainment industry is dominated by men and that much of the media we all consume is produced from that viewpoint.

“Happier Than Ever” is an excellent sophomore album, and captures the essence of her rapid rise to fame and the effects it has had on her. As the first artist born after the year 2000 to top the Billboard 200, her rise to fame has been stressful, and she’ll likely be continuing to top the charts for a long time. - Izzy Charboneau

“KEEP IT UP”- Rex Orange County

The first single off Rex Orange County’s new album “KEEP IT UP” has been stuck in my head since this album dropped.

While some may think having a song stuck in your head is a nuisance, “KEEP IT UP” is exactly what I need going on in the back of my brain right now. The good vibes of the instrumental and encouraging lyrics have been motivating me all week.

The lyrics are so genuine, like, “Most of my life, I’ve felt so tired. But now and then, when I try, I say. Keep it up and go on. You’re only holding on for what you want.”

Every time I get down, I put this song on. The repetitive “it’s enough, it’s enough” paired with the upbeat instrumental motivates me to stop indulging in my stress and just keep working.

Rex Orange County said he wrote this song over quarantine. He didn’t feel the words but knew they were what he needed. I hope this song never gets out of my head; I always need encouragement in the form of a great song. - Sophia D’Ovidio

“Meet Me At Our Spot” - THE ANXIETY, WILLOW, Tyler Cole

One of the things that shocked me the most this week–besides the Movin’ On performers announcement–was the fact “Meet Me At Our Spot'' was stuck in my head and eventually made its way to my Spotify.

Don’t get me wrong WILLOW is great, but I have never been a fan of this song. When I first heard it, I thought it was annoying.

This isn’t the first time this has happened.

I remember Olivia Rodrigo was first on the rise with “driver’s license”. I could not stand that song or any of the other tracks on her album.

It was one day while I was driving that I heard “deja vu”. Maybe it was the additional bass in the car, but I was surprised to find that I didn’t want to change the radio station.

After that moment, I decided to give “SOUR” a listen. I tried to get into it, but couldn’t understand the hype around the album. However, I will admit “deja vu” grew on me because of certain musical features, which eventually caused me to like the rest of the song.

In this case, I like certain parts of “Meet Me At Our Spot”, but I am not a fan of the chorus, which makes up maybe 80 percent of the track.

Maybe one day the chorus will grow on me too. When? I have no idea. - Abby Chachoute

“Be My Boyfriend” - Olivia Dean

Maybe it’s just the spring weather, but my hopeless romantic mindset has recently returned and I’ve needed something to kindly knock some sense back into me. “Be My Boyfriend” by Olivia Dean has certainly been doing just that.

Dean’s vocals are smooth like butter, incredibly strong and lightly accented and it sets the tone of the song. She maintains a fairly small alto range making the song a great karaoke choice and doesn’t do anything too fancy.

While Dean’s voice undeniably adds to this soulful piece of art, the way the lyrics and the song come together as a whole is what truly makes this such a good listen.

The brass and string in the instrumental adds so much to the overall sound. While its addition is fairly simple, its occasional usage makes a distinct difference in the feeling of the lyrics and it is a surprisingly smooth transition from the bass and typical pop trap style.

The production is unique enough to find something new on each listen, but not so crazy that it sounds messy. A true balance of what makes music good.

I think the instrumentation definitely plays a huge role in my desire to hear this song on repeat, but the lyrics help out as well. The sense of empowerment that comes from self-love is so important yet so hard to develop. Dean’s choice of words speaks directly to that idea especially when she sings, “lately, I’ve been just what I need.”

I can’t say that I’ll be listening to all of Dean’s tracks, but this song will undoubtedly remain on my personal top 10 for a while. - Erell Williams

Lara Judkowski is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her email lkj5109@psu.edu.

Izzy Charboneau is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email ijc5186@psu.edu. 

Sophia D’Ovidio is a first-year majoring in communications. To contact her email sgd5184@psu.edu.

Abigail Chachoute is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email axc6070@psu.edu.

Erell Williams is a first-year majoring in broadcasting journalism. To contact her email exw5303@psu.edu.