“Break the Rules,” - Charli xcx: A much different sound than her most recent album, Brat. Charli was clearly going for a radio-friendly pop anthem with this track, and while it’s not her best, it’s still one of my favorites as I grew up with it in my freshman year of high school, and I liked the badass, no fucks given attitude Charli exuberated. She personally regrets the song, but I think it’s still a classic electro punk bop, that did what it set out to do. I highly encourage people to listen to this song, while also listening to Charli’s later stuff, as she’s definitely evolved.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABhDiXbUaBE
“Take Five,” - Dave Brubeck: Where to begin with this track? Whether its the iconic piano chords from Brubeck, or the phenomenal alto saxophone passages from Paul Desmond, it’s no wonder why this track is one of the most famous and beloved jazz tracks of all time. Over 60 years later it still holds up incredibly well, and has been covered by numerous artists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmDDOFXSgAs
“BYE BYE BYE*” - *NSYNC: Those that know my music taste, know I’m not the biggest fan of bubblegum pop, but this song is a classic, and plays a very good part in the newest Deadpool movie. It’s catchy, has great pop production, and out of all the well-known boy band tracks it’s probably one of the best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ydCvkxuNm4
“Panic Attack,” - Dream Theater: Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but I first discovered this song when I unlocked it in the game, Rockband 2. It’s one of the hardest tracks in the game on guitar, bass, and drums, and it perfectly encapsulates what a panic or anxiety attack would sound like in musical form. Whether it’s James LaBrie’s stressful vocal delivery, or the insane guitar solos from John Petrucci, this track is a progressive metal masterpiece.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hDs6mCVAKs
“Angel of the Morning,” - Juice Newton: We close this week’s list off with another track from the Deadpool soundtrack, being the first Deadpool film that came out in 2016, everyone who’s heard this track most likely knows it from the opening scene, with the hilarious opening credits. It cracked me up when I first saw it in the theater. Song wise, Juice Newton is a powerful singer, even though the lyrics are pretty basic. If you’re an insecure type of straight guy, you probably don’t want to be caught listening to this song out loud, because people will definitely think that you’re gay. Regardless this song’s a bop.