BLACK GIRL DEBUT MAGIC™ - WINNER

[Mr.Arroz]

#37

Garden (Say It Like That)


8.359


Highest score: 10 x 11 (@BML, @Heaven on Earth, @K94, @R92, @Remorque, @Jwentz, @TRAVVV, @Sanctuary, @constantino, @Petty Mayonnaise)
Lowest scores: 6 x 4 (@kermit_the_frog, @happiestgirl, @soratami, @CorgiCorgiCorgi)
My score: 10


Track background: During her recent set at #VevoHalloween 2017, SZA explained that “Garden” was written as a conversation from a slightly older version of herself to a younger version, to someone she needed as that younger SZA. Video here. Co-writing was handled by Craig Balmoris and Daniel Tannenbaum joining SZA, with production assisted by Best Kept Secret, Likeminded, and Bekon.


My thoughts: This one was really rather instant for me, from how many shades of her vocal that we hear, as well as the lyrics, which again, are madly relatable, to the inescapably warm instrumental break that leads us "Broken Clocks". I also really love how “Go Gina” transitions into “Garden” – I rarely listen to either without the other, too. The production here is so goooooooooooood, and it leading into "Broken Clocks" with that hilarious-ass memo with her grandmother (?) kills me every time.


Your thoughts:
@TRAVVV (10) - NEED YOU FOR THE OLD ME. NEED YOU FOR MY SANITY, NEED TO TAT THIS ON MY FOREHEAD UGH PARDON THE ALL CAPS BUT ITS THE ONLY WAY TO CONVEY HOW WELL WRITTEN THIS ONE IS. DELETE THIS.

@Jwentz (10) - She reminds me so much of Amy Winehouse on this track.

@Bangers&Bops (8.5) - Hypnotic and sensitive, that slowed down bop.

@happiestgirl (6) - SZA sis, your booty is fine. I love the beat but the lyrics get a bit grating

@Mr.Arroz sidebar: sis you do know that she probably wrote this back when she was bigger, right? And grating lyrics? SMH

@ohnostalgia (9.5) - It’s a privilege to experience such vulnerability.

@constantino (10) - Production-wise, this is one of my favourite things she has ever done - so lush. The synth flourishes scattered throughout the verses and the outro are some of my favourite moments on the album.

@Solenciennes (9) - She’s so great at emoting, the chorus is huge, I almost wish it hadn’t been paired with this particular track because it doesn’t sit right to these ears.

@Trouble in Paradise (7) - The booty lines are somehow both fun and crushing. I love the the lyrical twists of the verses. I really appreciate how SZA has an ability to plumb insecurity in such a fresh way.


Live performances:














Not quite what you wanted @happiestgirl, but still. SIGH.​

 

[Deleted member 21339]

Y’all...

 

[Petty Mayonnaise]

Open your heart up
Hoping I never find out that you're anyone else
Cause I love you just how you are
Hope you never find out who I really am
Cause you'll never love me
You'll never love me
You'll never love me
But I believe you when you say it like that

 

[Jwentz]

 

[K94]

Saw my name tagged and I was praying that it wasn't Garden! It's the cornerstone of the album and should have been top 10. That beautiful, shimmering production juxtaposed against those lyrics of crippling anxiety and panic is perfect. An utter mess that it's gone already!

 

[Mr.Arroz]

The top 25 is a fucking TRIP.

 

[happiestgirl]

Not quite what you wanted @happiestgirl, but still. SIGH.​

Of course the SZA song I initially disliked but had warmed up to since voting and eventually grown to love is the one that leaves

 

[Mr.Arroz]

Me roasting @happiestgirl about their SZA opinions yesterday

Me opening the spreadsheet to actually do the write-up's

Life the leaderboard comes at you fast

 

[happiestgirl]

Me roasting @happiestgirl about their SZA opinions yesterday

Me opening the spreadsheet to actually do the write-up's

Life the leaderboard comes at you fast

This is how I feel giving songs a 5-6 vs. when they leave the rate sooner than I expected.

 

[constantino]

ANOTHER Solána cut???

 

[inevitable]

Welp.

 

[Vitamin]

Fuming.

 

[Mr.Arroz]

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie.








































































#36

Enough


8.436


Highest score: 10 x 6 (@He, @A&E, @KingBruno, @ohnostalgia, @LE0Night, @constantino)
Lowest scores: 6.5 x 2 (@JamesJupiter, @Trouble in Paradise)
My score: 9


Track background: Written by Kelela and Mocky, “Enough” was produced jointly by Arca, Ariel Rechtshaid & kwes..



In the above interview, Kelela describes “Enough” almost as a counterpart to opening track “Frontline”, whose defiant, empowered stance is completely at odds with the vulnerable devastation depicted with “Enough”. The LP’s intent is to further explore how drawn out breakups can be, as well as how complex relationships can be over their respective courses, with these tracks showing distinct, yet similar turning points in letting a love finally end.

It’s Take Me Apart’s fourth track.


My thoughts: I agree with @TRAVVV below in that, yes, there is a lot going on in the track, but I think that that’s almost intentional, as if to musically illustrate the haze/daze of the situation at hand – finally accepting that a love/connection is at its ending point, and having to assemble all of those swirling emotions to somehow confidently walk away. That outro too is heartbreaking. I felt too, that of the image files handed to me by @constantino, that the one used for this elimination was most appropriate for emphasizing the track's purpose.


Your thoughts:
@TRAVVV (7) - There’s a lot going on here. It’s kind of hectic.. the melody makes me feel uneasy. She definitely creates the mood of what she’s going for here.

@Bangers&Bops (9) - This practically crushes the you with the simple words, “It's not enough right now,” potentially sophomoric in the wrong hands, Kelela sears them into your brain and heart here.

@KingBruno (10) - The combination of tribal house with sinister sonics give Kelela’s energy the most fantastical touch possible.

@ohnostalgia (10) - This absolute cascade of vocals is shaking me to the core.

@constantino (10) - This is just...otherworldly. I just love it when Miss Kelela goes all futuristic sea nymph princess on us. She doesn’t just create songs, she creates moods. She creates worlds to inhabit whenever I hear her music. Sonically, this is so abstract that I can see it getting done wrong in this rate so let me give this a cheeky 10. Lyrically this packs a punch; it has one clear message to the male subject - do better.

@Solenciennes (7) - Vibey. I don’t feel much towards it, but it’s cool; again I think the production swamps everything else which doesn’t do much for me as a lover of lyrics and vocals.

@Trouble in Paradise (6.5) - The verses are solid but I really can't deal with the chorus. I really enjoy the bridge and the release into the final chorus. The outro is also really well done.


Live performances:

​

 

[ohnostalgia]

Stop it.

 

[inevitable]

Not to self: be a 10/10 troll next time, just do it x

 

[Mr.Arroz]

#35

Feels Like Vegas


8.449


Highest score: 10 x 11 (@constantino, @2014, @Sanctuary, @paperboyfriendd, @soratami, @Solenciennes, @ufint, @inevitable, @kermit_the_frog, @ThisIsRogue, @1991)
Lowest scores: 6 x 1 (@CorgiCorgiCorgi)
5.5 x 1 (@KingBruno)
5 x 1 (@BML)
My score: 9


Track background: Produced by Stargate, the team also co-wrote "Feels Like Vegas" with MoZella, Tinashé, and Roscoe Dash 2.0 . It was first announced on Twitter, approximately three weeks ahead of the album release, on September 15th, 2014:


Tinashe speaks on the song itself below:



My thoughts: Let's just say that I've come far...

It's garbage and has no life.

After "2 On" and the beauty of "Pretend", I was initially underwhelmed to an overwhelming degree when "Feels Like Vegas" premiered. For me then, it just seemed like a waste of energy, as I felt it lacked its own special something. But over time, and especially as my musical taste and expectations have widened/changed, coming back and reevaluating the track has revealed it to be really quite sexy, with the "flashing lights" hook really catching. Still not my favorite Tinashe song, so more than okay with it leaving us now.


Now, onto y'all:
@Sprockrooster (8.5) - A bit of a basic bop and I do not feel like dirty saying I love it because of that.

@digitalkaiser awards this an 8, while drinking generous amounts of something potent: This and thug cry are the perfect one two punch at this stage of the album, really adore it. It kind of feels like the spiritual successor to a song like pretend, but with a tad more bite. Love it. The “Feels like Vegas donnit” repeated never fails to get stuck in my head.

Come on down, sis.



@Bangers&Bops comes through with perhaps a better assessment of the track, giving it a 7.5 - I read somewhere that this feels more like Toronto than Sin City. Tinashe’s vocals are the jackpot with a flirty toast to success and rough sex though.

@happiestgirl (9) - she sounds like Britney on this song in some parts

@Posh Spears (9.5) - A perfect easy breezy bop

@ohnostalgia (8) - This was obviously foreshadowing for Tinashe dancing sexily with Britney at a Vegas Slumber Party!!! “Life’s crazy ain’t it?”

@constantino (10) - My wig would know what Vegas feels like, since it’s currently flying over the Nevada desert as I type. The euphoric, luscious, otherworldly production is so thick and so full that I need an inhaler just to get through it.

@Solenciennes (10) - I’ll be forever fucking mad that she didn’t perform this when I saw her live when it’s one of the top three from the album. These flaaaashing liiiiights…

@Trouble in Paradise (9) - When this song clicked for me, it really clicked. Her voice is great, I love how she opens up for some longer notes in the later chorus. The "flashing lights" part is one of my favorite parts of the album. The chorus can be a bit repetitive but the duet dynamic keeps it fresh and fun.

@Remorque (7.5) - A great little moodpiece. An ode to sex and success via synthy production? I'm in!


Live performances:

Enjoy this Dick's Sporting Goods (yes that's a real store) commercial with "Bet" and "...Vegas" playing in the background tho

See y'all tomorrow. It's bout to get real real up in this.​

 

[Solenciennes]

Seeing as Tinashe herself paid it dust I'm not surprised the forum did too. I still maintain it's one of the best on the album and I'm still bitter that she didn't do it live when she stopped by the UK. I went on a Megabus for her!!

 

[Mr.Arroz]

Seeing as Tinashe herself paid it dust I'm not surprised the forum did too. I still maintain it's one of the best on the album and I'm still bitter that she didn't do it live when she stopped by the UK. I went on a Megabus for her!!

She was probably a couple seats ahead of you why didn't you get an autograph?

 

[Solenciennes]

She was probably a couple seats ahead of you why didn't you get an autograph?

It's dangerous to speak the driver of the bus when the vehicle is moving

 

[TheDangerZone]

Aquarius

(6/14 - 42.9% remaining)

1. Aquarius
2. Bet (feat. Dev Hynes)
3. Cold Sweat
4. 2 On (feat. ScHoolboy Q)
5. How Many Times (feat. Future)
6. Pretend (feat. A$AP Rocky)
7. All Hands on Deck
8. Far Side of the Moon
9. Feels Like Vegas
10. Thug Cry
11. Bated Breath
12. Wildfire
13. Watch Me Work
14. Vulnerable (feat. Travi$ Scott)

Ok no more Tinashe cuts ty x

Every single one of these songs is a 10.

#35

Feels Like Vegas

8.449


Highest score: 10 x 11 (@constantino, @2014, @Sanctuary, @paperboyfriendd, @soratami, @Solenciennes, @ufint, @inevitable, @kermit_the_frog, @ThisIsRogue, @1991)
Lowest scores: 6 x 1 (@CorgiCorgiCorgi)
5.5 x 1 (@KingBruno)
5 x 1 (@BML)
My score: 9


Track background: Produced by Stargate, the team also co-wrote "Feels Like Vegas" with MoZella, Tinashé, and Roscoe Dash 2.0 . It was first announced on Twitter, approximately three weeks ahead of the album release, on September 15th, 2014:


Tinashe speaks on the song itself below:



My thoughts: Let's just say that I've come far...



After "2 On" and the beauty of "Pretend", I was initially underwhelmed to an overwhelming degree when "Feels Like Vegas" premiered. For me then, it just seemed like a waste of energy, as I felt it lacked its own special something. But over time, and especially as my musical taste and expectations have widened/changed, coming back and reevaluating the track has revealed it to be really quite sexy, with the "flashing lights" hook really catching. Still not my favorite Tinashe song, so more than okay with it leaving us now.


Now, onto y'all:
@Sprockrooster (8.5) - A bit of a basic bop and I do not feel like dirty saying I love it because of that.

@digitalkaiser awards this an 8, while drinking generous amounts of something potent: This and thug cry are the perfect one two punch at this stage of the album, really adore it. It kind of feels like the spiritual successor to a song like pretend, but with a tad more bite. Love it. The “Feels like Vegas donnit” repeated never fails to get stuck in my head.

Come on down, sis.



@Bangers&Bops comes through with perhaps a better assessment of the track, giving it a 7.5 - I read somewhere that this feels more like Toronto than Sin City. Tinashe’s vocals are the jackpot with a flirty toast to success and rough sex though.

@happiestgirl (9) - she sounds like Britney on this song in some parts

@Posh Spears (9.5) - A perfect easy breezy bop

@ohnostalgia (8) - This was obviously foreshadowing for Tinashe dancing sexily with Britney at a Vegas Slumber Party!!! “Life’s crazy ain’t it?”

@constantino (10) - My wig would know what Vegas feels like, since it’s currently flying over the Nevada desert as I type. The euphoric, luscious, otherworldly production is so thick and so full that I need an inhaler just to get through it.

@Solenciennes (10) - I’ll be forever fucking mad that she didn’t perform this when I saw her live when it’s one of the top three from the album. These flaaaashing liiiiights…

@Trouble in Paradise (9) - When this song clicked for me, it really clicked. Her voice is great, I love how she opens up for some longer notes in the later chorus. The "flashing lights" part is one of my favorite parts of the album. The chorus can be a bit repetitive but the duet dynamic keeps it fresh and fun.

@Remorque (7.5) - A great little moodpiece. An ode to sex and success via synthy production? I'm in!


Live performances:

Enjoy this Dick's Sporting Goods (yes that's a real store) commercial with "Bet" and "...Vegas" playing in the background tho

See y'all tomorrow. It's bout to get real real up in this.​

I SAID NO MORE CUTS DAMMIT.

Yeah it's maybe a bit basic lyrically compared to some of the other tracks but its got such a killer melody and it's probably got one of the most memorable hooks on the album.

For the record, Bet would've gotten my 11 and if you shady heifers even think about paying it dust I will nuke this entire forum.