Music Notes with Jess

Halsey ' s a modern pop singer since 2014. Breaking through The Chainsmokers ' 2016 #1 hit "Closer" , she brings an edgy darkness in her music. Preparing her 5th album, Halsey released promo singles: "The End" , "Lucky" , and "Lonely Is the Muse " .  "Lucky" has double mashup samples by Britney Spears and Monica . Learn the biographies of all 3 women, tying in each hit song used.  Theme Song: "Dan...

Little Big Town are a country group and special unit, celebrating 25 years together. They've consistently performed hits about 20 years, one of the most successful in their genre. Releasing a Greatest Hits compilation and touring with Sugarland , I created this top 10 of songs I recommend of theirs (including 3 not on the album).  Theme Song:  "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Text the...

Celine Dion is a famous Canadian bilingual singer. She's sang over 40 years in French and English, but unfortunately has suffered from Stiff Person Syndrome . Aiming to get stronger in her new documentary , she movingly concluded Paris' Summer Olympics opening ceremony a week ago! Growing up loving her music, I reminisce  memories loving these 10 songs from her.  Theme Song: "Dance Track", compose...

Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Send us a Text Message. Support the Show. The  Summer Olympics began last night in Paris France, and I created this French lyrics playlist !  “La Vie En Rose” - Edith Pilaf (1947);  Celine Dion's Eiffel Tower peformance  A Star is Born 's scene - Lady GaGa (2018) Lady Gaga's Summer Olympics opening ceremony performance “Michelle” - The Beat...

Shaboozey is featured artist on Beyonce's COWBOY CARTER album, and is now has a #1 genre fusion song! Learn his music background, the unique unity of "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" , and music history it's made.  Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Text the show , Support the Show. Shaboozey biography interview links: Color X Studios Lovin' Life Music Fest NPR Shaboozey & Jelly Rol...

Katy Perry 's having quite the summer! She quit her American Idol judging position, announced new music , and recently certified 4 Diamond singles selling over 15 million copies! I discuss which songs hold this record, and review promo single "WOMAN'S WORLD". Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Support the show, Text the show Katy cleaning diamond awards - video "Roar" (2013)...

Happy  NOT  4th of July? These particular 7 songs are popular to hear on this holiday, but lyrically aren't appropriate. I analyze each one and soundtrack the fireworks show I saw the night before this 4th of July! Enjoy!  Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Text the show, Support the show NOT 4th of July playlist “Independence Day” - Martina McBride (1992, 1994) “Born in the...

Imagine Dragons are one of the best selling rock bands of all time! Crossing over in pop and globally, their 6th album Loom is out now. I give my review, tell the biography of the band, and personal connections to frontman Dan Reynolds.  Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Text the podcast,  Support the show. Imagine Dragons YouTube channel Music Videos: "Eyes Closed" "Nice t...

Maren Morris ' featured in Billboard's Pride Month issue . Learn why and new music she's releasing, as I countdown 10 of her top hits. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Text Music Notes with Jess , Support the show Maren Morris Top 10 playlist: 10. “Craving You” - Thomas Rhett (2017) 9. “I Could Use a Love Song” (2016, 2017) 8. “Make You Say” - Zedd feat. Beauz (2022) 7. “C...

Luke Combs is embracing fatherhood as a father of 2 young sons, thinking about memories he's spent with his own father and grandfathers as a young boy. His 5th album Fathers and Sons , documents those moving perceptions and adages this Fathers Day weekend. I discuss its new tracks and past fatherly songs that Luke sang a few years back. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Sen...

Call it "magic" or a coincidence that there's 2 songs out now called "Houdini", like the legend magician. I discuss Harry Houdini's bio, songs that tribute using his name and vanishing tricks, including Dua Lipa and Eminem. Don't disappear without hearing other magical facts I reveal at the end! Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Text Music Notes with Jess , Support the show...

Halfway of 2024, the music's been incredibly diverse, unpredictable, and defensive. What could be this year's summer song? I look into these 6 that have a shot.  Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Radio Insight article Billboard's Song of the Summer chart 2024 Summer Song? playlist “I Had Some Help” - Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen “Espresso” - Sabrina Carpenter "Too Sweet”...

The Beach Boys  have been an actively legendary group over 60 years! With a new documentary and updated memoir , I wanted to show their talent by counting down 10 rare songs from their catalog.  Text Music Notes with Jess! Support the Show. The Beach Boys Rare 10 playlist 10. “Forever” (1970, 1971) 2000 biopic clip Full House wedding "Forever" (1992) - John Stamos & The Beach Boys 9. “Dance, D...

A year after Miranda Lambert broke a 20-year recording contract, she's now signed under a different label and has a new song out! "Wranglers" returns the role of her character plotting revenge, like how she sang in earlier songs. Working on so many other projects, when can we expect this track to be on a 10th album in Miranda's discography? I recap the impact of her recent albums, discuss "Wrangle...

The 59th ACM Awards will air an Amazon Prime Video livestream on 5/16 8pm/e . Reba McEntire will host a 17th time! Before the show airs, I "announce" my predictions who could win the ACMs' 10 popular categories : Visual Media of the Year, Music Event of the Year,  Song of the Year,  Single of the Year, Duo of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Al...

Dua Lipa has released her 3rd album, Radical Optimism .  She's worked hard the past decade to pursue pop/dance music, and likes passing along relationship lessons learned along the way in her lyrics. I made a top 10 countdown of her hits, and share my album critique. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Top 10 Playlist 10. “Break My Heart” (2020) 9. “Blow Your Mind (Mwah)” (20...

Taylor Swift released her 11th album on 4/19/24:  The Tortured Poets Department , and an expanded double album 2 hours later: The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology ! Even with 31 songs at our fingertips, reviews are mixed between Swifties and the media. This caused a 3rd Amazon Music version doing track by track commentary on the original. "Delicately" sharing my honest review, I recap Tayl...

Power vocalists Teddy Swims and Benson Boone , followed similar paths in music. They both found their voice in high school, sang cover songs online, got signed to Warner Records, and are now global pop singers with a #1 hit! I discuss the events leading up to Teddy Swims' "Lose Control" and Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things" .  Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Billboard Art...

Americans were in awe of the solar eclipse on 4/8/24 . Seen from Mexico, midwest U.S., and upper northeast, one of the totality spots was near the Rock and Roll of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio! They created a thematic playlist, and so did many others! I talk about some of those popular streams, and add in my picks.  Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Segue Song: "Ambient Piece",...

Two trailblazing women put out new albums 3/29: Beyoncé and Sheryl Crow . Both are singing life lessons they’ve learned through their families, society, and themselves. Beyoncé enforced last minute changes on her current record, and Sheryl Crow got reminded how her efforts won’t go unnoticed. In this episode, I’ll review Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER , and Sheryl Crow ’s Evolution . Running the world an...

Mariah Carey just turned 55, will have a Vegas residency soon, and nominated to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ! Honoring her incredible career, I made a top 10 of popular hits fans recognize, and shared my personal favorites in a separate playlist.  Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena My Top 10 Mariah Carey favorites playlist Top 10 Playlist: 10. "Touch My Body" (2008)...

CMT  has nominated 2 recent American Idol contestants for 4/7's  CMT Music Awards !  Gabby Barrett and Chayce Beckham competed separately during ABC's revived seasons. Gabby achieved crossover success in 2020, and Chayce's current single helped him win the show in 2021! In this episode, I review American Idol's alumni who pursued country music, as well as Gabby Barrett and Chayce Beckham's progres...

Pop/Rock artist Eric Carmen , suddenly passed away weekend of 3/9-3/10. He was lucky to write, produce, play musical instruments, and sing like the music he admired. Making it as Raspberries' frontman and his own solo career, I tribute his life in 5 of these popular hits he was involved in.  Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Eric Carmen's website Tribute Playlist: "Go All t...

Kacey Musgraves took a personal hiatus and setting it to new music. Her 6th album Deeper Well, will be out 3/15, scheduled an upcoming  world tour , philisophically singing acoustic folk. Viewing how this could compare to Kacey's previous work, I recap her  discography , read into promo singles "Deeper Well" , "Too Good to Be True" , and the unique merchandise she's offering on her online gift sho...

Justin Timberlake 's 6th album Everything I Thought It Was is coming out 3/15. He released promo singles "Selfish" , "Drown" , performed "Sanctified" exclusively on Saturday Night Live, and done interviews. When "Selfish"'s single was released, Britney Spears' fans spited to stream her 2011 song "Selfish" . This triggered a feud and possibly resolved by Janet Jackson. A social media post Britney w...