This Week's Top Songs - Volume 9
Featuring the likes of Paul Weller, JID, Yeat and Kanye West!
Good afternoon and welcome to Volume 9 of the Sawtooth Newsletter!
I hope you’re all doing well.
This is the first week I’ve had in a while where I’ve truly been bored.
I have gone from doing revision 24/7, to just sitting around and twiddling my thumbs.
But, I’m enjoying it, and it has allowed me to actually look past the end of the textbooks and look forward to my upcoming holiday which is at the end of the month!
In other news, the Mavs beat the Timberwolves in 5 the other night. I was very surprised to see how useless the Timberwolves were against the Mavs.
So from now on, I am a Mavs fan in the hopes that they can deny Boston another ring that they’ll gloat about just like their 2008 ring.
Question to the Readers
I don’t know about you, but I am almost constantly listening to music, if that’s in the shower, at the gym, on the bus or just chilling in my room, music is always playing.
Thus, my question to you this week is:
How much music do you listen to a day?
For me, it has to be at least 2 hours a day.
Songs this week:
Power Trip - Yeat
Shiva - Spillage Village, JID, EARTHGANG, Benji; Jordan Bryant
Under the Sun - Dreamville, J.Cole, Lute and DaBaby
The Changingman - Paul Weller
Waves - Kanye West
Power Trip - Yeat
Coming off of Yeat’s ‘2093’ album that was released earlier this year, ‘Power Trip’ is a funny one for me.
It has 3 distinct sections, the ‘light hearted’ intro, the heavier - bass induced - middle and then a gradual outro.
I’d be lying if I said I loved ALL of this song. Don’t get me wrong, I love this song, BUT, I think the outro does kill it a bit.
Especially after the ramp up - Crescendo if you will - from the intro to the main body of the song works so well.
I just feel it’s a little bit too out there for what Yeat is.
But still check it out, and why not the whole album? The production on ‘2093’ is miles ahead of his other work.
Shiva - Spillage Village, JID, EARTHGANG, Benji; Jordan Bryant
‘Shiva’ is a rap song unlike any other.
I first listened to this song 2 years ago, and was transpired by how good it was.
And, 2 years later, I still love this song.
Featuring the likes of JID, Benji and Jordan Bryant, this song acts as a cornerstone in the album ‘Spilligion’ with all artists expressing unseen battles they’re fighting in their own lives.
This is emphasised by the line at the start of the chorus:
“I’ve got more than 50 shades of grey, livin’ in a house of blues”
The actual music is mellow, with a chill vibe attached to it.
It also has sentimental attachment for me as this was linked to the fable summer of 2022 where I had just finished College and had a car.
Under the Sun - Dreamville, J.Cole, Lute and DaBaby
First things first, if you haven’t heard this song before, stop what you’re doing and listen to it right now. I’ll wait.
This song has the greatest 3 features on an individual song. EVER.
J.Cole, Lute and DaBaby all work so well on this song and compliment the beat perfectly.
Whilst researching this song, I also found that Kendrick Lamar has a surprise appearance and sings the chorus.
Which is also surprising and funny to look back on considering all the beef that has happened in the past weeks.
‘Under The Sun’ features a laid back beat and samples ‘I’ll be waiting for you’ by the Argo Singers throughout.
If you were searching for the song of the summer, this could be it!
The Changingman - Paul Weller
Another wild swing to the left.
This is yet again a song that I’ve stolen from my brother.
‘The Chaningman’ captured my attention from the guitar that features throughout the song.
It first comes in at 0:02, and it is so different that I love it.
However, we can’t forget the rest of the song, and the phenomenal guitar.
As it says on the tin, this song is about Paul Weller being a changing man, and how he can be different tomorrow from today.
“I'm the changingman, whoa built on shifting sands”
I’m finding myself getting more and more pulled towards this type of music. I don’t even know what genre it really is, but the more guitar centric it is the more I find myself enjoying it.
I also enjoy just listening to the music sometimes, and not have the words get in the way.
Waves - Kanye West
This is one of those songs that I feel should get more recognition as one of Ye’s greatest.
Coming off ‘The Life of Pablo’ album, ‘Waves’ originally wasn’t going to be on the album.
But, Chance The Rapper insisted it be on the song, and luckily it was added.
Talking about Ye’s relationships and how they’re like waves, coming and going, but always there.
Highlighting how people can go away, but the feelings will never, specifically for your family and loved ones.
Spotify Playlist
As every week, above is the fabled Spotify playlist.
Feel free to like or even download it, that way you’re able to keep constantly up to date with the best music of the week.
That’s all for this week. Join me again next week for another dose of great music!
‘Till next time! (P.S. Subscribe)