Music

Time to kick off Pride with Music Monday and some anthems! This month, I’m not following my normal format of just one song; instead, I’ll be sharing a few per post.

From the camp excellence of Queen to the 90s liberation of George Michael and the modern dance floors of Lady Gaga, I’m looking at how the tide turned from the 80s breakout to the 2000s mainstream.

To wrap up May, I’m looking at an odd but perfect bridge into June: Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” From his 1996 beginnings to the 2002 8 Mile explosion, this track is the rawest document of seizing a “one shot” opportunity against overwhelming odds. I’m not a massive rap fan, but the songwriting here is so full of meaning that it rivals the likes of Bob Dylan a sentiment the legend himself actually shared.

I have a confession: I haven’t actually watched K-Pop: Demon Hunters yet. I’m not usually a fan of musicals, but when a track like “Golden” by Huntrix starts spreading across the entire cultural ecosystem, you can’t really ignore it. This week, I’m looking at how a highly “processed” piece of pop songwriting from a Sony/Netflix collab managed to find its way onto my radar—and why it might just be the catchiest thing I’ve heard all year.

As we dive into a month of pop culture, I’m starting with the show that defined the “Prestige TV” era. From the rise and fall of Walter White to the gritty, heavy sounds of the underground, I’m looking at why Breaking Bad still looms large. Plus, I’m showcasing a technically impressive metal tribute by supralightning that perfectly captures the intensity of the series.

We finish our April journey of renewal with a deep dive into Taylor Swift’s “Clean.” From the “water-drop” synth sounds to the legendary story of her reclaiming her masters, I look at why this track is the perfect “clean slate” to end the month. Even if you are not a fan, the songwriting on this one might just surprise you.