Song of the Week: Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus Deliver a Duet for the Ages with “II MOST WANTED”
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The post Song of the Week: Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus Deliver a Duet for the Ages with “II MOST WANTED” appeared first on Consequence.
Consequence’s Song of the Week highlights the latest and greatest new tracks each week. Find these new favorites and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist, and for other great songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus join forces for a collaboration for an unforgettable collaboration.
Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus have two of the most distinct voices in music today. Cyrus has embraced her rasp more with each passing release, and there’s simply no other vocalist like Beyoncé. The two are also both southern gals, with Queen Bey hailing from Texas, Cyrus from Tennessee. They both spent their entire adult lives in the spotlight. And while a collaboration with Miley might not have been what most people expected from ACT II: COWBOY CARTER — solidarity with anyone else who deluded themselves into thinking “Telephone” part two was imminent — but the truth is, this duo really works. And maybe on an initial listen, there’s something almost jarring about hearing them trade off lines, but by the final chorus, it’s nearly impossible not to be swept away by the balance of raw gifts and technical grace.
Now that we’ve all heard COWBOY CARTER in full, it’s clear that Beyoncé was correct when she said ACT II isn’t a country album, but a Beyoncé album. She’s always had a preference for plucking from genres as she pleases and blurring lines, and this project is no different. There are certainly elements of country music past and present, but Beyoncé will never be confined. “II MOST WANTED” is one of the more straightforward tracks on the album, though, and the themes of the song feel especially rooted in a more traditional view of the genre.
“II MOST WANTED” is a bit mournful and nostalgic, acknowledging the ever-flowing passage of time and our inability to stop it. It’s a song focused on the desire to get out of town and just drive. There’s also a number of promises woven into the track; messages to a loved one, and a refusal to let go. Elsewhere on COWBOY CARTER, Beyoncé notes, “Used to say I spoke too country/ And the rejection came, said I wasn’t country enough.” I dare anyone to give this one a listen and find a way to characterize it as not country enough.
— Mary Siroky
Associate Editor
Honorable Mentions
Bored at My Grandma’s House — “How Do You See the World?”
Bored at My Grandma’s House, the project of Amber Strawbrige, is back with “How Do You See the World?,” the third single off her upcoming debut album Show & Tell. Though there are themes of some serious frustration — the powers that be ignoring climate change, corporate greed, ad existential anguish — the song radiates with beauty. It’s as if she’s making “How Do You See the World?” into her own utopia, and she wants us to see it, too. With such warm guitars and crisp production, Bored at My Grandma’s House is making it look easy. — Paolo Ragusa
Dietz — “Swinging Bridge”
In less than four minutes, Williamsburg, Virginia indie pop artist Dietz accomplishes so much. The song is divided into two parts: a headstrong, glamorous, fast-paced indie banger, and then, after the two-minute mark, a gentle, melancholic stroll. Both parts are incredible and need each other to function properly. “Swinging Bridge” has a sad energy to it, even during its more energetic moments; there’s a nostalgia to the song, reminding listeners of perhaps a childhood summer, but conjuring emotions of a very adult loneliness. The song is the second single to be released from the artist’s upcoming record, Heatsick, out April 5th. — Venus Rittenberg
Doechii — “Alter Ego” with JT
Two Floridians come together to maximize their joint slay on “Alter Ego,” which features Doechii and JT of City Girls trading bars against the backdrop of the Everglades swampland — and one sick beat. The house vibes offer a perfect contrast to the setting of the music video, which kicks off with a promise from Doechii: “The swamp is better than a resort, better than a spa, and better than the city.” — M. Siroky
Ekko Astral — “devorah”
The Washington DC post-punks have returned with a nearly-six minute song that takes a listener on a fantastic journey. Jael Holzman’s vocal melodies are intense, aggressive, and undeniably powerful. There’s something triumphant about the way Holzman yells, “I’ve got solidarity with all the missing murdered people,” embracing loss. The second verse is a celebration of the mundane. Musically, the song is a heavy and thunderous post-punk force, demanding immediate attention. The song is of epic proportions, coming in anticipation of their new album, Pink Balloons, out April 17th. — V. Rittenberg
Kill Gosling — “Bobby Hobby”
Columbus, Ohio, indie punk outfit Kill Gosling turn angst into increasingly catchy, concise, bullet-proof guitar jams, and their latest, “Bobby Hobby,” is no exception. Clocking in at under 90 seconds, the tune packs in hook after hook, offers up lick after lick, and all but forces you to hit replay. Along with recent single “Cow Tools,” the song previews their upcoming EP, which fans of melodic, power-pop-leaning punk should be sure to keep on their radar. —- Jonah Krueger
Merce Lemon — “Will You Do Me a Kindness”
Pittsburgh songwriter Merce Lemon knows how to pen a tune that’ll bring a picturesque tear to your eye while you’re fist-pumping the air. “Will You Do Me a Kindness” is perhaps her most potent example of such a feat yet, coming complete with vulnerable lyrics, a building structure, and a lighters-in-the-air guitar solo. Consider my lighter held as high as possible. -— J. Krueger
Purple Disco Machine — “Higher Ground (feat. Roosevelt)”
In the ultimate groovy German electronic combination, Purple Disco Machine has teamed up with Roosevelt for the euphoric “Higher Ground.” Both of these artist have a penchant for sticky, immaculate dance, and “Higher Ground” adds to that legacy with bright, ’80s-esque synths, swooping bass, and a harmony-laden lead line from Roosevelt. “Higher Ground” is a collaboration that combines the best of both worlds, and its central groove is one to relish each time. — P. Ragusa
Teens in Trouble — “Sick”
Teens in Trouble’s full-length debut, What’s Mine, drops today, and it’s 30 minutes of deliciously crafted power punk supplemented with anxiety-laden lyrics and singable guitar lines. Take mid-album cut “Sick,” which exemplifies the delicate balance between nervousness and anger that underscores the best moments on the record. In short, it’s a rager. — J. Krueger
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Song of the Week: Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus Deliver a Duet for the Ages with “II MOST WANTED”
Mary Siroky and Consequence Staff
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