Blondie – X Offender
Blondie emerged from New York’s grim punk scene to become one of the first new wave bands worldwide. They excelled at crafting catchy pop songs with rock edge and Debbie Harry’s distinctive vocals, making for one of the first albums dedicated exclusively to new wave music – their self-titled debut being an essential work in this regard, featuring classic cuts such as X Offender, In the Flesh by Phil Spector-style doo-wop music and Rip Her To Shreds which took aim at critics from high up on high.
Gary Valentine and Debbie Harry wrote and produced „X Offender”, originally released for Private Stock Records in 1976, for Private Stock Records’ album Plastic Letters; its lyrics tell of an 18-year-old sexual offender arrested by police. Radio stations would not play Sex Offender so, to accommodate this change in playback, the band changed it to „X Offender”. With In The Sun as its B-side. Chrysalis Records later released this track as part of Blondie’s 2nd album Plastic Letters reaching No. 14 on Australia’s chart
Tinashe – X
Tinashe decided, after the success of Songs for You in 2019, to embrace her wild ideas and unleash her creative side, creating an album which seamlessly transitions between hook-heavy jams and more introspective mood music.
She plays with vocal textures and production rules with ease, creating an enjoyable listening experience. „Unconditional,” for instance, begins as an alternative R&B track before shifting into an ethereal anthem by its conclusion. Kaytranada-produced „Pasadena,” another powerful cut on this album, indulges her love of pop without succumbing to pastiche-y tropes.
Tinashe has shown with her new album cycle, 333, that she can still deliver an engaging body of work despite experiencing setbacks with her previous label. If anything, this album establishes Tinashe as one of today’s premier R&B artists despite ongoing disputes with previous labels; indeed this record marks an essential ride or die moment in Tinashe’s musical career.
Beyonce – XO
Beyonce released „XO,” from her 2013 self-titled album. The music video for this track was shot at Coney Island under fashion photographer Terry Richardson and features Beyonce with her three best friends (portrayed by models Jourdan Dunn, Diandra Forrest and Jessica White).
Beyonce uses her lyrics in this track to express her affections for both Jay Z and her fans, with pop elements being fused throughout its composition for an energetic pop tune.
Notable among its many features of the song is its use of an excerpt from an initial NASA public affairs officer reaction recording to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster which claimed seven lives in 1986. While some fans criticized its inclusion, Beyonce explained it as part of her subtheme of life being unpredictable.
Beyonce’s hit „Formation” has been covered by many artists since it first debuted, including HAIM (2014) and John Mayer (2014). While HAIM’s version possesses an atmospheric New Wave sound, Mayer’s interpretation features more folk-rock with harmonica accompaniment.
Funkdoobiest – XXX Funk
Funkdoobiest was established in Los Angeles, California, in 1989 by DJ Ralph M The Mexica (Ralph Medrano), with Son Doobie (Jason Vasquez) and Tomahawk Funk (Tyrone Pacheco) serving as back-up MCs. Their debut studio album entitled Brothas Doobie was released later that same year.
Muggs’ production on this track expands on the blunted funk sound he pioneered with Cypress Hill while simultaneously demonstrating Funkdoobiest’s ambition. Son Doobie in particular fully embraced his „Porno King” persona from Pussy Ain’t Shit and proudly represented what Kool Keith dubs „pornocore rap.”
Kendrick Lamar – XXX.
Kendrick Lamar has long been known for creating enjoyable hip-hop that serves as social commentary. On his 2018 release DAMN he goes one step further; rather than using narratives such as To Pimp A Butterfly and Good Kid, M.A.A.d City for its narratives, DAMN stands on its own merit.
At first glance, this album may seem eclectic; with multiple genres combining to form an array of sounds. But two standout tracks – „DNA,” a tribute rap to Tupac Shakur; and „HUMBLE,” an exploration into how complex relationships lead to black oppression in America – stand out.
Bono and The Edge from U2 collaborated with rappers on one standout track from this album: it opens with a news clip from Fox News and asks whether wickedness or weakness drives people into sexual promiscuity, something it revisits throughout.
Jonas Brothers – X
The Jonas Brothers returned with two new tracks in May: X and Five More Minutes. X is a Latin pop crossover song featuring them with Colombian reggaeton star Karol G on its dance track, premiering during coronavirus lockdown as an unusual way of practicing social distancing during COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, its music video premiered during coronavirus lockdown; perhaps as a way of practicing social distancing during coronavirus pandemic; its song also appeared as credits in Happiness Continues documentary, plus performances at 2020 Grammy Awards performances as well as live concert film Five More Minutes live concert film Five More Minutes!
Tina Turner – X
Tina Turner was an American-born, naturalized Swiss retiree singer-dancer-actress widely dubbed as the Queen of Rock 'n’ Roll. Rising to prominence as part of Ike & Tina Turner Revue before branching off on her solo career she earned worldwide renown as an iconic solo performer known for powerful stage presence and iconic recordings like 1984’s Private Dancer and 1986’s Break Every Rule; also receiving praise as an actor appearing in movies such as Last Action Hero and TV show Ally McBeal; among many others.
Her most successful single was „A Fool in Love,” from her 1993 album What’s Love Got to Do with It, which became an international smash hit, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart while reaching top 10 on numerous other charts worldwide. Tamyra Gray covered it on American Idol while Fleur East covered it on The X Factor; both artists covered this song at some point during their careers.