Rick Beato - TOP 10 SONGS OF 2024??
Rick Beato revisits the top 10 songs of 2024, providing his reactions and insights into their musical composition and production quality. He starts with 'Die with a Smile' by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, praising its 70s influence and well-crafted structure. He appreciates Taylor Swift's 'Cruel Summer' for its professional songwriting, noting its traditional song structure. Beato comments on 'One of the Girls' by The Weeknd for its unique evolving bass drum pattern, though he finds it surprising as a hit due to its lack of standout elements. He continues with 'Too Sweet' by Hozier, appreciating its harmonies and guitar sound. 'End of the Beginning' by Joe is noted for its 80s vibe but criticized for lacking depth. Beato finds 'Lose Control' by Teddy Swims well-written and performed. He acknowledges the groove in 'Gata Only' by Floy Menor as non-obnoxious, a rarity in its genre. 'Birds of a Feather' by Billie Eilish is praised for its mellow vibe, though not fitting his mood at the time. He critiques 'Beautiful Things' by Benson Boon for its screeching vocals but admits it's better than he initially thought. Finally, he highlights 'Espresso' by Sabrina Carpenter as a well-constructed song, noting the traditional song structures prevalent in the list.
Key Points:
- Songs are well-written with traditional structures, featuring verses and choruses.
- Rick Beato appreciates the production quality and songwriting of most tracks.
- He highlights the 70s influence in 'Die with a Smile' and the evolving bass pattern in 'One of the Girls'.
- Critiques include lack of depth in 'End of the Beginning' and screeching vocals in 'Beautiful Things'.
- Overall, the list reflects a trend towards retro and well-produced music.
Details:
1. ðķ Introduction to the Top 10 Songs of 2024
- Rick Biato introduces his plan to react to the top 10 songs of 2024, revisiting songs he previously discussed to assess if his opinions have evolved.
- He notes that new songs have been released during the four-month gap since his last review, which he will comment on for the first time.
- The review begins with the song ranked number 10, 'Die with a.'
2. ðĩ Reaction to 'Die with a Smile' by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
2.1. ðĩ Musical Analysis of 'Die with a Smile'
2.2. ðĩ Personal Opinion on 'Die with a Smile'
3. ð Reflecting on 'Cruel Summer' by Taylor Swift
- 'Cruel Summer' by Taylor Swift is considered better than initially realized, showcasing its excellence in both composition and lyrical depth.
- The song is crafted by professional songwriters, featuring a structured composition with verses, intros, choruses, and pre-choruses, despite the absence of traditional bridges.
- Lyrically, the song captures the intensity and turmoil of a summer romance, resonating with listeners through vivid imagery and emotional honesty.
- The song has been well-received, contributing significantly to Swift's album 'Lover', and enhancing her reputation as a skilled songwriter and performer.
- Musically, 'Cruel Summer' combines synth-pop elements with Swift's signature storytelling style, creating a catchy and memorable track.
4. ð§ Analyzing 'One of the Girls' by The Weekend, Jenny, and Lily Rose Depp
- The song demonstrates exceptional production quality, comparable to the sophistication of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
- A distinctive feature is the evolving bass drum pattern, which introduces a dynamic element to the track.
- The combination of snare with bass is utilized to create a unique sound texture.
- Incorporating halftime grooves contributes to the song's rhythmical uniqueness.
- Overall, the production intricately blends various elements to craft a distinctive auditory experience.
5. ðļ Thoughts on 'Too Sweet' by Hozier
- 'Too Sweet' by Hozier became one of the biggest songs of the year despite lacking standout features, highlighting its unexpected success in the music industry.
- The song made it to the top songs list, which surprised many, indicating its broad appeal and resonance with audiences.
- The harmonies and vocal performances are identified as strong elements, contributing to its overall appeal.
- The guitar sound, enhanced by the use of reverb, is particularly appreciated, creating a pleasant auditory experience.
- The song's success might be attributed to its subtle charm and the effective combination of musical elements that resonate with listeners.
6. ðđ Exploring 'End of the Beginning' by Joe
- The song 'End of the Beginning' by Joe is appreciated more over time, indicating it may have a timeless quality or improved perception with context.
- Ranked at number six, the song enjoys a high level of popularity and appreciation.
- Musically, it features the DX7 synthesizer and muted guitar, hallmarks of the 1980s sound, which contribute to its nostalgic feel.
- The song's structure is unique, described as having an unusual form with feedback elements in the chorus, setting it apart in its genre.
- While aiming for a 'moody' aesthetic akin to The Cure, the song is noted for not fully achieving that specific style, highlighting its distinct mood and identity.
7. ðĪ Reviewing 'Lose Control' by Teddy Swims
- The song may lack mystery and vibe for some listeners, indicating a potential area for engagement improvement.
- Lyrics evoke a sense of struggle and feeling overwhelmed, with imagery like walls closing in and the devil knocking at the door, highlighting the song's emotional depth.
- The song is well-written and well-recorded, indicating high-quality production values.
- Teddy Swims' vocal performance is excellent, showcasing his strong singing abilities and adding to the song's appeal.
- Despite its strengths, the song could benefit from more dynamic elements to enhance its overall impact.
8. ðķ Insights on 'Gata Only' by Floy Menor & Chris
- The groove in 'Gata Only' is not obnoxious, distinguishing it from similar tunes that often have unpleasant grooves.
- 'Gata Only' by Floy Menor & Chris is noted for its unique blend of rhythms and engaging beat, which has been well-received by audiences.
- The song's production quality is highlighted as a strength, contributing to its appeal and replay value.
- Listeners appreciate the balance of elements in the song, making it both catchy and enjoyable without overwhelming the listener.
9. ðŠķ Impressions of 'Birds of a Feather' by Billie Eilish
9.1. Impressions
9.2. Chart Performance
10. ðïļ Evaluating 'Beautiful Things' by Benson Boone
- 'Beautiful Things' by Benson Boone is ranked as the second most popular song of the year, demonstrating high listener engagement and widespread appeal.
- The song is critiqued for its 'screeching' vocal tone, which may be perceived as harsh or unpleasant by some listeners. Despite this, it remains highly ranked, suggesting its popularity outweighs the vocal criticism.
- To improve the listening experience, the reviewer recommends technical adjustments, such as using Notch filtering to reduce specific frequency ranges (3K and 1K), which could soften the perceived harshness without altering the song's core appeal.
- The song's popularity may be driven by its emotional resonance or lyrical content, aspects not directly addressed by the vocal critique, indicating a complex relationship between technical quality and audience preference.
11. ð Concluding with 'Espresso' by Sabrina Carpenter
- Sabrina Carpenter's 'Espresso' is recognized as the top song of the year, highlighting her significant impact on the music scene.
- The song features a traditional Verse-Chorus structure, demonstrating the enduring effectiveness of classic songwriting techniques.
- Despite its traditional form, 'Espresso' has a contemporary sound that resonates with modern audiences, illustrating the blend of old and new musical elements.
- The song's use of three minor chords adds musical complexity, enhancing its appeal and showcasing Carpenter's artistic depth.
- 'Espresso' and other top Spotify songs of 2024 exemplify high-quality writing and production, underscoring the importance of excellence in music creation.
- The song's reception has been overwhelmingly positive, contributing to its status as a standout track of the year and reinforcing Carpenter's influence in the industry.