Today is the anniversary of Ariana Grande's second studio album My Everything! It was released on August 25, 2014 actually four years ago to this day! The album went on to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200, spawned five hit singles including Problem featuring Iggy Azalea & Break Free featuring Zedd, was nominated for a Grammy Award Best Pop Vocal Album in 2015 and certified double platinum in March of 2016. I remember the My Everything era way back in 2014 as Ariana released hit after hit after hit single. It was described by Grande as "an evolution" from her debut album Yours Truly (2013). It explored with different genres like EDM, electropop, dance pop, R&B and synthpop music. Grande also made history by becoming the first female artist to have her first two albums debut at number one since Scottish Susan Boyle did it with her two studio albums titled I Dreamed a Dream (2009) and The Gift (2010). It also remains as her best selling album to date with over 700,000 copies sold worldwide. My top five favorite tracks are Break Free, Why Try, Problem, Love Me Harder and One Last Time. My Everything is one of my favorites by Grande along with Sweetener (her most recent album), Yours Truly and Dangerous Woman. I would like to personally thank Ariana for blessing all of us with the My Everything album and four years later, it still has an affect on me and all of the devoted Arianators. The album cover, the songs and the lyrics is what makes us love Ariana Grande even more. I still can't believe that it has been four years already. Time flies fast, doesn't it?
Buy/stream My Everything on every music platform in honor of its four year anniversary:
Sweetener is the fourth studio album by singer Ariana Grande that was released on August 17, 2018 through Republic Records. It serves as a follow-up to her last studio effort Dangerous Woman (2016). It is also the first time that the album cover is not in black and white. The album features guest appearances from rappers Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliot and singer Pharrell Williams. All of the songs are stylized in lowercase, except for R.E.M and God is a woman. Sweetener is primarily a pop album, but it explores with genres like R&B and trap music.
1. raindrops (an angel cried)
raindrops (an angel cried) is the opening track on Sweetener. She posted a snippet of Raindrops along with the video on her 25th birthday. It is also a cover song of The Four Seasons' "An Angel Cried" as Grande sings acapella with the lyrics, "When raindrops fell down from the sky/ The day you left me, an angel cried/ Oh, she cried, an angel cried/ She cried".
2. blazed (featuring Pharrell Williams)
blazed featuring Pharrell Williams is a groovy pop song where Grande and Williams come together singing, "There is somethin' between us, I can see it right now/ Your magnetic demeanor, that’s something can't be found/I thought that I was dreamin' ’til my love came around/Now I just come on over, show you how we get down/
Shawty, you can get blazed".
3. the light is coming (featuring Nicki Minaj)
the light is coming featuring Nicki Minaj is a song that talks about seeing the positive side of things that can get you through the hard times. Minaj raps on the first verse with, "Ay, yo, trophy wife, out you won me/ Until you had to find out it's one me/ Now you benched, aww your bum knee/ Now I'm the bad guy, call me Chun-Li". Then Grande exchanges her verse on the chorus with the lyrics, "The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole/ The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole". Then Grande sings her verse on the chorus with, "The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole/ The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole".
4. R.E.M
R.E.M is a reggae track that samples from an unreleased Beyoncé song titled "Wake Up" as Ariana sings on the chorus, "Before you speak, don't move/ 'Cause I don't wanna wake up/ Wake up, wake up, wake up/ If you can believe/ You're such a dream to me, mmm, boy". R.E.M stands for rapid eye movement and is a stage of the sleeping cycle. It's an important phase of sleep when memorable and vivid dreams occur alongside bodily movement and an increased heart rate.
5. God is a woman
God is a woman is about sexual female empowerment as Grande sings on the first verse, "You, you love it how I move you/ You love it how I touch you/ My one, when all is said and done/ You'll believe God is a woman/ And I, I feel it after midnight/ A feeling that you can't fight/ My one, it lingers when we're done/ You'll believe God is a woman".
6. sweetener
sweetener is the title track that talks about bringing a positive vibe or improving a situation that is at its worth. Ariana sings, "When life deals us cards/ Make everything taste like it is salt/ Then you come through like the sweetener you are/ To bring the bitter taste to a halt", and she goes on to the post-chorus with, "And then you get it, get it, get it, get it/ Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it/ Flip it, flip it, flip it, flip/ You make me say oh, oh/ Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it/ Mix it and mix it and mix it and mix it/ Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it, kiss it/ You make me say oh, oh".
7. successful
successful is an uplifting anthem with Ariana celebrating the joy of her making it in the music industry while also telling others that they can make it too. Grande sings on the chorus with the lyrics, "Yeah, it feels so good to be so young/ And have this fun and be successful/ I'm so successful, yeah/ And, girl, you too, you are so young/ And beautiful and so successful, yeah/ I'm so successful".
8. everytime
everytime is described as a "upbeat trap-infused" song about the infatuation felt to someone, even to the extend of returning to reckless love. On the first verse, Ariana sings, "get tired of your no-shows/You get tired of my control/They keep telling me to let go/ But I don't really let go when I say so/I keep giving people blank stares/ I'm so different when you're not there/ It's like something out of Shakespeare/ Because I'm really not here when you're not there", then continues with, "I've tried to fight our energy/But every time I think I'm free".
9. breathin
On breathin', Ariana talks about the days when her anxiety would make her seem like the "sky's falling" and "things just take way too much for her energy" as she sings, "Some days, things jus take way too much of my energy/ I look up and the whole room's spinning/ You take my cares away/ I can so over-complicate, people tell me to medicate". But in the end, she finds to courage to just keep "breathin" with the lyrics, "Just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin' and breathin'/ I know I gotta keep, keep on breathin'/ Just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin' and breathin'/ I know I gottta keep, keep on breathin'".
10. no tears left to cry
no tears left to cry is a powerful self-lifting song that has some elements of disco music as Ariana sings, "Right now, I'm in a state of mind/ I wanna be in, like, all the time/ Ain't got no tears left to cry/ So, I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up/ I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up/ I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up/ Lovin', I'm livin', so we turnin' up/ Yeah, we turnin' it up".
11. borderline (featuring Missy Elliot)
Lyrically, borderline is a funk pop song that talks about being in a relationship with somebody. Grande sings her verse on the chorus with, "Baby, I just want you to be mine
Won’t you give me a bit of your time, oh woah
Chasin’ you, no, I won't stop tryin’
Just meet me at the borderline", then Missy exchanges her verse with the lyrics, "Uh, I'm like, you got me so on a chase
Got me feeling so out of place
Think 'bout you all of my days
Wish you'd chew on me like fresh grapes Not tryna cuff you or crowd your space I'm tryna find you words just to say "Dang, you fine, and look at that face"
At the borderline, beside me, you lay".
12. better off
better off is about Ariana starting realize that being in a relationship isn't for her and that she's "better off without him". This is rumored to be about Mac Miller, Ariana's former boyfriend, a relationship with whom she previously denounced as "toxic" as she sings, "Know better than to bark up my tree/ Just for me to fall and leave/ Nah, I'd rather just watch you smoke and drink, yeah". Then she goes to the chorus with, "I'm better off without him/ I'm better off being a wild one/ On the road a lot, had to keep it a thousand/ So that I'm better off not being around ya".
13. goodnight n go
goodnight n go is cover version of Imogen Heap's song of the same name from her album, Speak For Yourself. Except, Grande decided to remixed the song for the album and added some lyrics of her own. She sings on the first verse, "Tell me why you gotta look at me that way/ You know what it does to me/ So baby, what you tryna to say? Ayy/ Lately, all I want is you on top of me", and then she moves to the chorus with, "Oh, why'd do you have to be so cute?/ It's impossible to ignore you, ah/ Why must you make me laugh so much?/ It's bad enough that we get along so well/ Just say goodnight and go/ Oh, oh, oh/ Just say goodnight and go/ Oh, oh, oh/ Just say goodnight and go".
14. pete davidson
pete davidson serves as the only interlude for the album. This song is personally dedicated to her fiancée Pete Davidson with whom Ariana became engaged to in June 2018. She opens the first verse with, "I thought you into my life (woah), look at my mind (yeah)/ No better place or a time (look), how they align/ Universe must have my back, fell from the sky into my lap/ And I know you know that you're my soulmate and all that/ I'm like ooh, ooh, my whole life got me ready for you, ooh, ooh". Then, the track comes to an end with Grande saying, "Got me happy, happy/ I'ma be happy, happy, yeah/ I'ma be happy, happy/ Won't get no crying from me, yeah".
15. get well soon
get well soon is the fifteenth and final track for Sweetener. It is the longest track on the album as the singer talks about her anxiety like she did with "breathin". She says on the first verse, "They say my system is overloaded/ (Girl, what's wrong with you? Come back down)/ I'm too much in my head, did you notice?/ (Girl, what's wrong with you? Come back down)". Towards the end of the song, there is forty seconds of silence to honor the victims of the Manchester attack which occurred on May 22nd. Thus, the length of the song being 5 minutes and 22 seconds as a tribute to Manchester.
Okay, so, I listened to the Sweetener album the day that it was released. After I listened to it from beginning to end, I loved it. Ariana has really showed a different side musically with her album as far as making it fun, emotional and honest at the same time. This album basically tells the story of how Ariana went through a tough time both personally and emotionally, but through it all, she was able to find light and come out stronger than she has been before. I give Sweetener a 10/10.
Make sure that you go and stream Sweetener on Spotify, ITunes, Google Play, Amazon Music, SoundCloud Go+, Pandora, Tidal, and Deezer:
Don't forget to buy new merchandise from the Ariana Grande store. The Sweetener x Nicopanda hoodie and crew shirt is only available for a few more hours! Here's the link to the store if you still want to get your hands on it:
Did you know that you can do your very own streaming party for the Sweetener album? Well, now you can. Use the hashtag #SweetenerStreamingParty on Twitter to send some screenshots of you streaming the album. This will help Sweetener to debut with higher numbers. Here are the platforms that you can use to stream Sweetener:
Lights is the debut studio album by singer Ellie Goulding that was released on February 26, 2010, through Polydor Records. The album spawned different genres like folk-pop and synth-pop along with dance-pop music.
On the Google Play version of Lights, the title track serves as the opening song for the album. It's a synth-pop song that talks about not being able to sleep with the lights off. Goulding on the beginning sings, "I had a way then/ Losing it on all my own/ I had a heart then/ But the queen has been overthrown/ And I'm not sleeping now/ The dark is too hard to beat/ And I'm not keeping up/ The strength I need to push me". Then on the chorus, she says, "You show the lights that stop me turn to stone/ You shine them when I'm alone/ So I tell myself that I'll be strong/ And dreaming when they're gone/ Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home/ Calling, calling, calling home/ You show the lights that stop me turn to stone/ You shine them when I'm alone".
Guns and Horses is a pop song that tells the story of an online romance with a guy that doesn't go as planned with the lyrics, "Let's type words/ Because they amount to nothing/Play it down/ Pretend you can't take what you've found/ But you found me/ On a screen, you sit at permanently", then continues on the chorus with, "But I wish I could feel it all for you/ I wish I could be it all for you/ If I could erase the pain/ Then maybe you'd feel the same/ I'd do it all for you, I would".
Starry Eyed is about letting go of the past. Goulding sings, "Handlebars that I let go, let go for anyone/ Take me in and I'll throw out my heart and get a new one/ Next thing, we're touching/ You look at me, it's like you hit me with lightning", and then moves on to the chorus with, "Oh, everybody's starry-eyed/ Oh, everybody's starry-eyed/ And everybody glows/ Oh, everybody's starry-eyed/ And my body goes".
This Love (Will Be Your Downfall) is lyrically about Ellie and her lover playing with each other's emotions while they're in a relationship as she sings, "Who are we to be emotional?/ Who are we to play with hearts and throw it all away?/ Who are we to turn each other's head?/ Who are we to find ourselves in other people's bed?", then continues on the chorus with, "This love is be and end all/ This love will be your downfall/ This love is be and end all/ This love will be your downfall".
Under The Sheets is about a guy and a girl being in a very dark relationship that is only based on being physical. On the hook, Ellie says, Like all the boys before/ Like all the boys, boys, boys, boys", then sings on the chorus with, "We're under the sheets and you're killing me/ In our house made of paper, your words all over me/ We're under the sheets and you're killing me".
The Writer talks about how you'd do anything to change absolutely everything about yourself just to be noticed by that one person. On the chorus, Elle sings the lyrics, "But I've got a plan/ Why don't you be the artist and make me out of clay? Why don't you be the writer and decide the words I say?/Because I'd rather pretend, I'll still be there at the end/ Only it's too hard to ask, won't you try to help me?"
Animal captures the idea of falling in love with someone repeatedly shows how deeply you care for them. You're more less having an obsession for the person that you love like an "animal". The chorus suggest otherwise with the lyrics, "You have stolen all my senses/ There's a fever in my heart/ And you're taking my defenses/ You are pulling me apart/ Forever we're young and we are dying/And we will be spilling all our blood/ So I will take away my feelings/ I will be an animal/ An animal/ An animal".
Every Time You Go is where Ellie begins to miss her lover and starts reminiscing about the memories that they shared together with her singing in the intro, "Every time you go/ Every time you go", and goes on to the next verse with, "It starts with a picture/ And it sits in your frame/ And we part with a letter/ And it ends in my name/ And it starts with forever/ And it ends with a touch/ And I know that you're clever/ And I don't ask for much/Maybe we forgot all the things we are when we are together".
Your Biggest Mistake is a very personal track for Ellie that talks about her father and how he left the family when she was 5 years old. The song is a message to dad and the question about him leaving his family. She opens up on the beginning with, "Take cover/ Signs don't show/ You drove me off the road/But you let go/Because your hope is gone/ And every question fades away", then Goulding goes to the post-chorus with the lyrics, "You know this is your biggest mistake/ What a waste, what a waste, what a waste/ And all of the things you never explained/ You know this is you biggest mistake".
Salt Skin is the only pop song that really involves her finding love. On the first verse, she sings, "You're as bright as the sun and as calm as the moon/ I don't know when you'll break, but it's going to be soon/ If my will caves in, I'll be in the same boat with you", and then continues with, "I've got the salt skin, running where he is/ Never going to give in, even with the strength/ He's stealing salt skin/ Telling me I'm winning wars they created/ Just to understand... "the meaning of".
Your Song is the last track on Lights. It's also a cover version of Elton John's hit song of the same name. She begins with, "It's a little bit funny/ This feeling inside/ I'm not one of those who can easily hide/ I don't have much money/ But boy if I did/ I'd buy a house where/ We both could live/ So excuse me forgetting/ But these things I do/ See I've forgotten if/ They're green or they're blue/ Anyway the thing is/ What I really mean/ Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen", then continues on the chorus with, " And you could tell everybody/This is your song/It may be quite simple but/ Now that it's done/ I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind/ That I put down in words/ How wonderful life is now you're in the world".
This was the first time that I have ever listened to an Ellie Goulding album. After listening to Lights from beginning to end, I loved it. I liked the production of the album, the songs, lyrics and all of the instruments that fit perfectly for some of the tracks. I would give Lights 10/10 because this album is just so original to me.
Make sure that you purchase Lights from Google Play, Amazon Music, Spotify & ITunes:
I am counting down the days until Ariana drops her Sweetener album! We have exactly nine days until Sweetener is released! But until then, let's take a look at some of the best songs that Ariana Grande has released so far in her discography:
1. No Tears Left to Cry
Everybody has to have a comeback song for their comeback album. So why not, Ariana Grande? Oh my gosh, man. When Ariana first released this song, I was so overjoyed! It was the first new music that I had heard from Grande in a long time. I have literally put this song on repeat on YouTube. This is one of my favorite songs by Ariana that I really love!
2. Dangerous Woman
I loved Ariana's last album Dangerous Woman and the title track for the album is very sultry. This midtempo song is so addicting. And the music video for it was amazing. You can see Grande sing an acapella version of this song in her latex bunny costume right here:
3. The Way featuring Mac Miller
The Way was Ariana's first break into the music business. With Grande vocals being compared to that of Mariah Carey's to the sweet whistle tone sounds near the end, I think that The Way will forever be one of Ariana's signature songs. Did you know that Garnde can sing track in Spanish? You can watch a video of The Way (Spanglish Version) down below:
4. Problem featuring Iggy Azalea
I loved how Ariana channeled retro music using a dance-pop infused with R&B elements on the lead single from her sophomore album My Everything titled "Problem" featuring Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. The lyric video along with the music video has that throwback feel to it when you watch it. This is so Ariana Grande bringing the same throwback that did with her "Baby I" music video back in 2013.
5. Into You
Grande goes back to using EDM with her dance-pop song Into You. The disco beat, sharp clicks and lyrics is what makes you wanna get up and shake what your momma give you! Hey!
6. Break Free featuring Zedd
Ariana first used electronic dance music for her second single title "Break Free" featuring Russian-German music producer Zedd. I recommend that you check out both the lyric video and the music video for this song. It is out of this world!
7. Bang Bang featuring Jessie J and Nicki Minaj
This all-female anthem Bang Bang featuring Ariana, Jessie and Nicki was so on point. It was the first collaboration for all three of these talented artists. The clap-heavy production and how each singer had their own part is what makes this song so irresistible.
8. God Is a Woman
I loved God Is a Woman along with the lyric and music video for it. How the trap production worked really with this song and also Grande using her voice to mid rap certain parts of the track. And the layered voice of Grande to make it sound like a gospel choir was so angelic.
9. Love Me Harder featuring The Weeknd
Love Me Harder is a slow R&B song with some elements of synth-pop music added to it. The way that Grande and The Weeknd (yes, that is actually how he spells his name. No kidding) each sang their verses in a very seductive way was so good. And the music video is even sexier with Ariana rolling around in the sand striking some very sexy poses for the camera.
Make sure that you pre-order Sweetener now and check out some of the new merch added to the Official Ariana Grande Store while you're at it:
Today, I want to talk to you guys about the Words with Friends 2. Words with Friends 2 was released on November 8, 2017. It serves as a sequel to the original Words with Friends game that was release in 2009, marking eight years since the first game was released. Here is a summary from Google Play on what Words with Friends 2 has to offer:
"The world's most popular word game is back with more ways to plays!
Want to boost your word game? Play against fictional characters in new solo challenge events, updated with new themes and opponents twice a month.
Got a competitive streak? Jump in for a fast-paced team match to test your rapid word building skills in the NEW Lightning Round.
The classic one-on-one gameplay you love is here too and now you can earn unique themed badges for completing weekly challenges and scoring big against your friends.
Words with Friends 2 backs up your gameplay by pulling in all of your past games, friends and progress from previous versions. There's nothing to lose, and more fun to gain!
Sometimes staying in touch is as simple as playing the perfect word.
You can also use new and different boosts like Hindsight or Tile Swap Plus to expand your word game.
Download and play the NEW Words with Friends 2 today! May the Best Friend Win ™".
So, I had downloaded this app on November 17, 2017 after I saw a commercial about Words with Friends 2 on TV. Overall, I liked the new and very refreshing look to the game compared to the one on Words with Friends. I also enjoyed the new features to the game like the fast-paced team match in the Lightning Round. I had actually played the Lightning Round before like three or four times. It was awesome! I really enjoyed the new solo challenge as well with the new themed WordMaster characters each month. One more feature that is included is the newest in-game dictionary with 50,000 new words inspired by pop culture and different players. Now, that is very new and exciting for Word with Friends 2! This app is perfect for friends and family members to play. I recommend anyone who loved Words with Friends, to definitely try out Words with Friends 2 and see if you prefer the original or sequel version of this popular and very fun word game. You can purchase the Words with Friends 2 app now on Google Play & iTunes:
The Two of Us is the free debut mixtape by R&B duo Chloe x Halle that was released on March 16, 2017. It was made available to all streaming platforms.
Click on this link to listen to "Used to Love" on YouTube
Used to Love serves as the opening track for The Two of Us. It's a light-hearted song that talks about a relationship going awry with Chloe singing on the first verse, "How come you don't answer when I call you on a Wednesday?/ When I hit you with a smile, you frown, you're never friendly/Duck and dodge me but I know you're never really busy/ That's some foul play and you misstyled it", then both of the girls sing on the chorus, "We used to love (we used, we used to love, yeah)/ We used to love (we used, we used to love, yeah)/ We used to love (we used, we used to love, yeah)/ We used to love (we used, we used to love, yeah)".
Click here to listen to "Too Much Sauce" on YouTube
Too Much Sauce is about all of the boys acting like babies towards Chloe and Halle. The girls, however, are teaching these boys a lesson about being a gentleman to them. Halle sings in the beginning, "Boys texting me and/ Begging me to see 'em/ You can't schedule an appointment with a queen like me/ I'm the forbidden fruit/ Steadily watching you/ Try and make a move/ Don't you know you gonna lose?", and then Chloe comes on the second verse with, "All in my glory/ Hittin' my phone and/ Reading my stories/ Man, are you lonely?/ Leave me alone/ I want you gone and/ Ain't got time for borin'/ You make me snoring/ Wish you were foreign/ All in my glory/ All in my glory". Then the song begins to go into "Future".
Future is the first interlude on the project. The girls believe that they can see the future in your eyes saying, "Baby, I can see the future in your eyes." Future then leads into "Poppy Flower".
Poppy Flower is about this guy messing around with some fast girls and Chloe x Halle about how some of these girls would wish to be this dude's "poppy flower" along with the girls. They sing on the chorus, "I can be your poppy flower/ Fall into a coma after hours/ I can make you feel, real, real, real nice, oh/ Let me be your poppy flower/ Poppy flower/ Poppy flower/ Poppy flower/ Poppy flower".
Chase is the second interlude where the sisters find themselves wondering if this guy ever thinks about them just like they do with him. The song opens up with, "I sometimes wonder if you even wonder, oh/ About me and see me in your dream/ Like I do in my dream, do you even wonder?/ What are you mocked to the phone/ Thinking of it like I do cause it's not a wonder". The girls then begin to set this guy straight saying, "Cause if you're trying to play me for a fool/ Well little mister man, let me tell you/ The only heart that's gonna break it ain't mine/ Buckle up, I'm bout to take over that's right, right, right". Then the track moves into "Partna".
Partna is the third interlude that is all about needing more than a friend, but more like a partner to be with. Both girls sing on the chorus, "Friendship never did me well/ I always fell under their spell/ I need a partner/ Give me a partner".
Dum Dum Dum is the fourth interlude that 28 seconds with the girls repeating, "Dum Dum Dum (yeah)/ Dum Dum Dum (yeah)/ Dum Dum Dum (yeah)/ Dum Dum Dum (yeah)". Dum Dum Dum then goes into "Worries".
Worries is the fifth interlude that features Steve Lacy. Halle and Steve sings about forgetting all of you worries saying, "So, I follow the base line/ Sing away all of the worries/ Goes like, shoo be do la la/ Bah, bah, all of the worries". Then Worries leads into "Upset Stomach".
Upset Stomach is where a man uses some corny lines and intrusive compliments throughout the song with Chloe x Halle expressing that they feel sick or have an "upset stomach" when being approached by this type of man singing, "You're causing me to have an upset stomach/ With the words coming out your mouth/ Going coming out your mouth/ Upset stomach/ Up-up-up upset stomach/ Up-up-up-up-up-up-up - stomach". Then on the first verse Chloe is expressing her feeling towards the man with the lyrics, "Hush be quiet, I'm already not feeling well (huh)/ Please be silent, so I can start feeling well (huh)/ I don't like hurting feelings/ But you're making me feel worse/ (What's up, babe?)/ No offense, I'm just sick/ But you're making me feel worse/ Hush be quiet, I'm already not feeling well (huh-huh)".
Simple is where the girls talk about the frustrations with the people who believe that their music is "too complicated to understand" so they address them in a calm and simple fashion. In this short intro, Chloe x Hall are saying, "No, I'm not calling anybody out it's just/ People telling us, "Oh, you know, your stuff's too complex for the average ear to get it. Maybe you should just be simple"./ Huh?/ That doesn't make any sense/ So, today we're writing this song called (together) simple/ And it's gonna be (together) simple". Halle opens up her verse with, "X equals Y, nevermind/ You're still at grade three, so would you excuse me?", then the girls sing on the chorus, "Is this simple enough for you?/ Is this simple enough for you?/ Does your brain not know what to do?/ Is this simple enough for you?/ ABC, 123/ Pacify the baby/ Is this simple enough for you?/ Is this simple enough for you?". Then Chloe exchanges her verse with, "I'll be your teacher for the day/ But we speak different languages/ Je se va su quand foo foo/ Je no comprend pour la boo boo/ Boo boo, boo boo". On the bridge, they tell their haters, "I'm not gonna dumb down my mind for you/ I'm not gonna dumb down my mind for you-you-you/ So, you understand that I don't want to be deluded/ Ay no, I'm not gonna dumb down my mind for you-you-you".
Mistake is the sixth interlude on The Two of Us. It's a piano-driven song where the sisters may make some mistakes in the past, but the change comes through lessons learned. Chloe sings, "I make mistake/ More than I can count on my fingers/ We good today/ Then the wrong things come and linger/ Forgive and forget/ But some things I remember/ But I learn and then it's over (oh oh)", then they come together and say, "That's why pencil come with eraser/ (Pencil come with eraser)/ Pencil come with eraser/ We don't have to be paper tracers/ Cause, pencil come with eraser".
All I Ever Wanted is a 42 second interlude that leads into "Tra Tra Tra". Chloe x Halle repeats the song's title sixteen times with their voices changing each time they're saying, "All I ever wanted, (All I ever-), All I ever-/ All I ever wanted, (All I ever-), All I ever-/ All I ever wanted, (All I ever-), All I ever-/ All I ever wanted". Then the song transitions into "Tra Ta Ta".
Tra Ta Ta is where the sisters daydream about what life would be like if they were animals and to be free with nature with the fishes and insects. Halle sings, "What if we were all birdies?/ And we could freefall into the branches of life's tree/ And days would linger swinger/ So fly fast past our wings/ And we would feed on the flowers/ Sweet no sour/ Through the hours/ Flying towers", and then Chloe x Halle both say on the chorus, "Tra, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta/ Tra, ta, ta, ta/ (It's all okay)/ Tra, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta/ Tra, ta, ta, ta/ (I'm all okay)". Then Chloe comes in with her verse singing, "What if we were all fishing?/ And we found our Nemo down deep below no digging/ The treasure of gold hidden in our soul unlocking/ And we'd find precious pearls all in the sand/ And we'd all smile cause we can". The song ends with the girls saying, "Fly away on a dragonfly's back/ All I ever wanted is to be happy/ Fly away on a dragonfly's back/ All I ever wanted/ All I ever wanted".
Up All Night describes the enjoyment that Chloe x Halle get with their night-time hustle with the lyrics, "Til the wee wee hours of the morning/ Till the sun spread from the sky I call it dawning/ I'll be singing with the owls and floating on stars/Flying with the bats and dancing in the dark". Then Chloe says, "Call it whatever you want to call it/ Nearly floating in space and I'm falling/ Call it whatever you want to call it/ But when you get your sleep, you know it'll be/ I be working, working/ I be working, working". The sisters tell their listeners on the chorus, "I'll be up all night/ I'll be up all night/ I'll be up all night/ I'll be up all night".
Lucky Leaf is where you can see a vision of your dreams and then go and try to achieve your goals. Halle begins the song with, "I am you/ See the illusion of me touching the moon/ I grab out and take it/ Call me thief, I steal it/ I'm gonna steal it, it's now mine/ Don't have to owe noon and hide/ It's what I took don't have to ride/ The train away from town tonight". Chloe and Halle harmonize on the chorus, "Lucky leaf, I caught you/ Red handed in my hand and then froze you/ Suspect convicted out of the branches you throw/ Will you be the lucky leaf, lucky leaf, l-l-l-l-lucky leaf/ Lucky leaf, lucky leaf, lucky leaf, lucky leaf".
Lulla-Bye is the last song on The Two of Us. Chloe speaks on the first verse with, "It's never quite easy/ To say goodbye and let go/ But I promise there will be/ A new tomorrow/ So, as the day falls/ And the night rise/ Help me sing you to sleep/ With this lullaby", and the girls sing gently saying, "Lullaby, lullaby, I, hi, I, hi, I, hi/(Lullaby, ohh, by)/ Lullaby, lullaby, hi, hi, I, hi, I, hi/ Lulla, lulla, bye/ Lulla, lulla, bye/ Lulla, lulla, bye/ Lulla, lulla, bye".
I love Chloe x Halle's music, man! These are some talented girls straight outta Atlanta, Georgia, honey! I can put this mixtape of theirs on repeat if I want to because it's so good. I just wish that some of the songs were a little bit longer like Too Much Sauce, Used to Love, Partna, Chase and Mistake. Overall, I give this mixtape a 10.
Make sure that you listen to The Two of Us on YouTube, SoundCloud & Spotify or buy it on Google Play & Amazon Music:
H.E.R. is back with a brand new EP called I Used to Know Her: The Prelude. It was released on August 3, 2018. I Used to Know Her: The Prelude serves as the anticipation for H.E.R.'s upcoming debut studio album, which is set to be released this year.
Lost Souls featuring DJ Scratch is the opening song for I Used to Know Her: The Prelude. It also serves as a tribute to Lauryn Hill's classic song Lost Ones. On the first verse, H.E.R. is giving us some major Lauryn Hill vibes rapping, "Confusing self-conscious with self-confidence/ So you monogamous, be body positive/ Those pills you swallowing, for a following/ What he got to offer? He don't see the kids that he fathering/ If you don't bother then, why you responding then?/ Careful where you plant them seeds, before you water them?/ Uh, I don't click up, I don't click up, nah/ I don't click up, I don't click up, that's why/ I don't click up, I don't click up, hey/ I don't click up". Then she sings on the outro with, "A lost soul can't lead the people, no/ A lost soul can't lead the people, no,no/ A lost soul can't lead the people, no/ Yeah, yeah, yeah/ Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah/ A lost soul can't, lost soul/ Can't lead, can't lead".
Against Me talks about how the singer is not feeling like herself after she starts having doubts about trust in a relationship. She sings on the first verse, "I should've listened to my intuition/ I've put myself in this position/ It's all my fault, look in the mirror think what am I missing?/ Seeing thing different, oh am I lost?/ Feelin' a way, nothing's the same/ I wish you would change, oh I'm lost/ Numbin' the pain, don't make it okay/ Nothin' to say but-", and then ask her lover not to blame her for all of their issues with the lyrics, "You brought all the issues (issues)/ And I would stay here with you/ Don't hold it against me ('gainst me)/ Against me ('gainst me)/ Hold it against me. against me (yeah)/ And I don't trust you lately/ And if that makes me crazy/ Can't hold it against me ('gainst me)/ Against me ('gainst me)/ Hold it against me, yeah". On the outro of the song, H.E.R. begins to speak a little poetry saying, And the corners of a man's mind is a place where vulnerability hides/ And intimacy is not the act of physical intertwined but it's the isolation of two minds/ That's why he keeps his heart and his head separate/ There's only one he can connect with/ The multiple names on the checklist, only calls when he's desperate/ I'm too high maintenance, way too many expectations when, we're just dating, right/ But I'm special, right?/ Deny, deny, deny/ All you do is lie, word is bond/ But not with me because I don't know what it's like/ I'll never understand the needs of a man or how to nurture/ And what she doesn't know can't hurt her/ To my women with the utmost respect, intellect/ We often forget and neglect intuition can see through illusive intent, listen to it".
Be On My (Interlude) is about the singer moving on from a previous relationship, so that she can have a fresh start with herself. She starts off with, "If I'm giving you the cold shoulder, that's closure/ Needed someone to hold/ But we both had our motives, never told him that mine was to stay alone/ And you don't belong to me/ So, you don't have to let me go/ Doesn't always have to be something more/ I'll be on my way (I'll be on my way)/ I'll be on my way (I'll be on the way)/I'm no good if I stay (I'm no good if I stay)/ So, I'll be on my way (I'll be on my way)/ My way (my way)".
Could've Been featuring Bryson Tiller talks about the possibilities of a relationship between two hopeless romantics. H.E.R. sings on the first verse with the lyrics, "Somebody give me, uh/ Somebody tell me the answers/ Me and you isn't the answer, uh/ Me and you isn't/ Maybe I'm telling myself that/ But there ain't nothing that'll change that/ What good would it be, if I knew how you felt about me?", and then continues on the chorus with, "We could've been/ And we tried to pretend/ Every now and again/ We don't dream about, we don't think about/ We could've been/ Though I'm holding again/ Cause I know in the end/ You dream about, I think about/ We could've been/ We could've been, yeah". Tiller exchanges his verse with, "What we could've been/ what we should've been/ If I wasn't, if I wasn't-/ With somebody, if you gotta hide it what's the point of trying?/ I ain't just your friend, no, what's the point of lying?/ Tryna sell a story, ain't nobody buyin'/ Look me in the eyes, don't that feel nice?/Why should it end? Baby, I could've been/ I could've been him, more than your friend/ Just say where and when, where to make a trip/ Baby, make a wish, be the one I'm with".
Feel a Way is where the singer finds herself dealing with the fact that her partner is mad at her, but also bringing up some stuff from their past. She sings on the first verse, "I'm up, late night, my phone so dry/ No goodnight, I'm tight cause I'm paranoid/ I can't sleep, you're still mad at me/ It's not that deep, we been here before". On the chorus, she is asking her lover to "Don't make me feel a way/ Don't make me feel a way/ Don't make me feel a way/ Don't make me feel a way (don't make me feel)/ Don't make me feel a way (don't make me feel)/ Don't make me feel a way (don't make me feel)".
As I Am is the final track on the EP. On this song, H.E.R. takes on a more happier and loving tone which is different from some of her previous songs where they were both fierce and empowering. The singer wants to have and embrace the love for her partner as she sings, "It's like the morning time/ Don't wanna wave goodbye/ Just wanna stay in bed/ But if I'm next to you/ I'm looking forward to/ Just layin' in this bed", and then moves on to the chorus with, "Tell me I'm the best, I am/ I'll be feelin' like, yes, I am, I am/ You know I'm the best, I am/ Be a fool not to take me as I am/ Tell me I'm the best, I am/ I'll be feelin' like, yes, I am, I am/ You know I'm the best, I am/ You'd be a fool to not take me as I am".
I listened to I Used to Know Her: The Prelude EP on Google Play last night! I absolutely love it. This is my new favorite EP by H.E.R. so far. I give this project a 5/5! Make sure that you go and purchase I Used to Know Her: The Prelude from Apple Music, Google Play, Tidal, Amazon Music, SoundCloud and Deezer:
