The Zombies – “Tell Her No”

Best known for "Time of the Season" and "She's Not There", "Tell Her No" is my favourite Zombies song. It was a track I first discovered through Rock Band, as it's just a pleasant song to sing or play on any instrument.

Metallica – Seek and Destroy

Metallica's debut album is wild and unhinged album that largely doesn't give a damn about traditional song structure. Seek and Destroy is possibly their most reigned in song on this collection, though it still packs quite a punch. For some reason, I've heard this song come up a lot lately and I'm enjoying it quite a bit.

Musical Vision Quests

The Beatles were a band whose music was around me for my whole life. My dad would play their music all the time in the house and to this day hails them as the greatest to ever do it. Despite my exposure to them and casually enjoying a few of their songs, I never took …

Usher’s Sophomore Album “My Way” is Still Hot Fire Flames

For me, Usher's album "My Way" has aged like fine wine. I played the hell out of it when it first released in 1997(!) but these songs are still enjoyable today.

Great Performances — Nas Live From the Kennedy Center: Classical Hip-Hop

Back in February of 2018, PBS aired a special featuring Nas performing his classic album Illmatic while backed by the National Symphony Orchestra. Illmatic ranks as my favourite hip-hop album of all-time, having bought multiple copies of it and listened to it from front to back a countless number of times. Still, it sounded fresh and regal watching Nas perform it live with an orchestra.

Cardi B – “I Like It”

Cardi B's debut album Invasion of Privacy has been out for a bit now. I thought the album as a whole was okay, but this track with the Tito Nieves sample is hot fire flames.

Prince – “The Most Beautiful Girl In The World”

Released shortly after switching his name to The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, this mid-tempo ballad is a touching ode to the one you love. It doesn't get the recognition of his bigger hits, but it's a gem that I'm glad to have discovered, even if I'm decades late to the party.

Reel 2 Real – “I Like To Move It”

In modern times, "I Like To Move It" might best be known for its association with the Madagascar movie franchise. But back in the 90s, this Reel 2 Real song was the hottest dance track on the planet. When I was first getting into music, this is one of the songs I had on my first mixtape. I still have no idea what he's rapping about, but the rolling drums, hypnotic synth, and anthemic chorus was guaranteed to get bodies moving.

Cardi B – “Be Careful”

The mainstream success of "Bodak Yellow" caught me off guard last year, as that wasn't really designed to be a pop hit. In spite of that, it became a 2017 anthem for many. This time around, Cardi B is gunning for the charts with "Be Careful", with Cardi even singing on the hook. 

Alicia Keys – “You Don’t Know My Name”

Hot off the heels of her successful debut album, Alicia Keys takes her game to the next level with "You Don't Know My Name". Backed by a vintage soul sample and her signature tickling of the piano, this song about longing for someone that doesn't know you exist always hits me right in the feels.