Drums of Death
FKA Twigs feat. Koreless
The third single from FKA Twig’s reflection on raving is part booty call, part wake-up call and part call to arms.
With pounding percussion and empowering lyrics, it’s an incredibly enlivening song about sex and self-acceptance. In a tone that’s both seductive and sinister, FKA urges the listener to own their desires — “Shed your skin ... Fuck who you want / Babygirl, do it just for fun.” The titular drums could perhaps refer to a racing heartbeat or a thumping bassline — both things one might experience on a night out; sounds that signal rising action. Twigs encourages the listener to take full advantage of the moment — “Hello, it's your life, do you want to meet later? ... You're my main character / I'm here anytime, you can call me up.” Because even the best night ends eventually — death is inevitable. But the awareness of death — of the temporary nature of life — only adds more urgency to Twigs’ message. In the club, and in life, we have a finite amount of time to create the experiences we want to have. On this track, Twigs encourages us to soak up as much of them as we can — “Devour the entire world.” Of course, that requires a certain level of tenacity, which is why she ends the song with a final command — “Serve cunt, serve violence.”
Goodie Bag
Kylie Cantrall
From “Denim” to handbags, this is another pop/R&B throwback from Kylie Cantrall that uses fashion as a metaphor for sexuality.
On “Goodie Bag” Kylie brags about her beauty, style and sexuality. “I'm like a billboard for Yves Saint Laurent ... Little bitty waist with that cute little stomach / Wear anything that I want and it's stunning.” But while "Denim" had moments that felt genuinely flirty, “Goodie Bag” is pure camp. The lyrics are so blatantly shallow, it's comedic. “Flip my hair back with my white french tips ... Bubble gum in my mouth, popping it.” The humor only adds to the song's charm — and silly as they are, the lyrics feel intentional. The song is obviously not a serious feminist statement, but it is an unapologetic celebration of a high femme sensibility. Kylie's depiction of femininity is so over-the-top, it almost feels like drag — and like drag, it feels at least a little tongue-in-cheek and, thus, a little more meaningful. Kylie may be singing about putting “Fenty gloss on my lips ... Baccarat Rouge on my neck,” but that doesn't mean she's not carrying something of substance in her goodie bag.
Think About It
Bratz
This song is a reminder of how suprisingly good the music made for the Bratz doll line is.
One of my “hear me out” albums for pop fans is the Forever Diamondz album released to coincide with the popular doll line. There are some cheesy tracks and most of the them have some cringey kid-proofed lyrics, but sonically, a lot of the songs sound like they could have been singles from the Pussycat Dolls or Black Eyed Peas. “Think About It” is something of a comeback single for the dolls and a true return to form. A few remastered and remixed versions of their older songs made their way to streaming services over the past year or so, to little fanfare. But with this track, the dolls did not come to play. Released alongside a music video featuring the latest Bratz doll line, with the characters dressed like background dancers in Tate McRae’s “2 hands” video, the song perfectly recaptures the Y2K vibe the Forever Diamondz album perfected while keeping in step with today’s trends. In the wake of 2025's Y2K resurgence, the song ironically sounds just as fresh today — if you had told me this was a bonus track from Tate’s So Close to What, I just might've believed you. The catchy, danceable throwback beat wouldn't sound out of place next to “It's ok I'm ok” or “Miss possessive.” But the lighthearted, empowering lyrics about chasing your dreams (“Walk in feeling like a star ... Lip gloss on, I'm feeling good .. Think about it, work it out and all is possible”) make this song an empowering bad bitch anthem all ages can enjoy.
Tears In My Pocket
Rebecca Black
On this track from Rebecca Black's stunning 2025 effort Salvation, she reflects on emotional intimacy and vulnerability in romantic relationships.
On the track, Rebecca doesn't just reassure her partner that she's willing to help her carry the weight of her emotional struggles (“You can keep your tears in my pocket”), she goes as far as saying her partner's emotions “fascinate me” to the point that even she thinks, “There's something wrong with me / Pathologically, maybe.” Indeed, the lyrics describe a sort of co-dependent dynamic. Rebecca supports her partner not just to comfort her, but to reassure herself of their relationship (“That shit you won't unpack makes me feel closer to you”). It's a complex emotional situation that could easily turn toxic, and the lyrics highlight Rebecca's own internal conflict about her role in the dynamic (“I like the way you get vulnerable / Maybe that makes me bad / But you make it so touchable”). Her vocals sound angelic on the track, and the sweetness of her voice contrasts nicely with the bittersweet lyrics and a noisy, high-paced electronic instrumental, further highlighting the ambiguity of her situation. The tension in the story is never resolved, but the beat builds to a climax as Rebecca says one last time, “Baby, you can keep your tears in my pocket.” It sounds like a promise and you believe her, even as her true intentions remain unclear.
Disco Daddy
Disco Shrine
This euphoric club banger is a fitting introduction to up-and-coming artist Disco Shrine.
Not only does the track perfectly encapsulate her nostalgic dance sound, but the lyrics are essentially an explanation of her ethos — "They call me disco daddy ... it's time to live it up.” Her cheeky use of “daddy” to refer to herself is fun, as is the high-energy electro-pop production. But there's also the slightest hint of longing in the lyrics, as she invites a love interest along for the ride (“Let me drop you the addy .. come meet me at the party”). Disco is the life of the party — but like Charli xcx, it seems she only threw this party for you. As much fun as this song is, it's hard to imagine anyone could resist her invitation — “I just wanna' roll with you / Maybe you can join in, too.”
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