Music Notes with Jess

Kelly Clarkson has quit The Voice in the U.S. For Season 22, former Fifth Harmony member and Latin pop singer Camila Cabello will replace her vocal coach chair. Simon Cowell saw Camila's potential in 2012, on The X Factor U.S.' 2nd season. To familiarize with Camila Cabello's music catalog, I created a top 10 of songs I recommend from her. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena...

Harry Styles' 2022 single "As It Was" has been trending globally almost 6 months straight! BIllboard just declared it this year's Song of the Summer, also achieving historic charting. Assumed to be about his girlfriend and Don't Worry Darling co-star Olivia Wilde, "As It Was" is a personal track Harry Styles wrote about how the pandemic affected his emotions. I recap the Hot 100's #1 songs from th...

For Labor Day weekend and the next few weeks, I curated a playlist of 9 songs about missing summer. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/34tqOefCyEbi0tGERFFX2i?si=acf9a9717b894158 “Goodbye Summer” - Danielle Bradbury & Thomas Rhett (2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMnStKVzMGk - "Hello Summer" (2017): https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Before MTV's 38th Video Music Awards aired, I "announced" 10 categories from this year's ballot, predicting whom fans may have voted to win. VMA Ballot Results: https://www.facebook.com/musicnoteswithjess/posts/pfbid0kJWb8mL3oDdhhpCEhAF1fqWqK362hHnkCKjPdNNAMtssYMJ5BAfnkWRsDWYjBKHVl https://twitter.com/jesscatena/status/1564038271843422212 https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch3AVXegTZN/ VMAs website: http...

My favorite 'folklore' track from Taylor's Swift's 8th album, has been a popular stream all month: "August". It has yet to be a music single, and trending most likely because there aren't any August holidays on the American calendar. Looking back, I discuss "August"'s creation process, analyze its lyrics, and love triangle with 2 other 'folklore' tracks. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jess...

Australian singer/actress Olivia Newton-John, lost her 30 year breast cancer battle on 8/8/22. She was a month shy turning 74. I became in awe of her seeing Grease the first time 20 years ago, and Xanadu a few years after. To honor one of my favorite vocalists, I countdown 10 songs I love singing from her, and share my own voice tributing her at the end. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jess...

Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard, quietly confirmed his duo's breakup on iHeartRadio's Bobbycast with Bobby Bones. The decision was amicably discussed a year ago with fellow FGL member Brian Kelley, both interested in trying solo careers. Brian Kelley started 2021, Tyler Hubbard started this summer. I flashback this duo's origin, discography, pick my favorite tracks from their 5 albums, and di...

Beyoncé's 7th album 'RENAISSANCE' is out now. The promo single "BREAK MY SOUL" attracted attention the past month due to its song sampling, and encouraging people to quit their jobs! From former girl group Destiny's Child to her multi-genre solo career, Beyoncé is a global music icon over 25 years. I recap her discography, breakdown "BREAK MY SOUL"'s composition, and give my 'RENAISSANCE' album re...

Queen's guitarist/founder Brian May, just turned 75 on July 19th! I was brought up loving this band, one of the most famous in rock music. To celebrate, I made a top 10 acknowledging Brian's guitar playing, composing, and singing. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Brian May Top 10: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1AKwVy5wvcSM7W7B55kCiL?si=35dcd96c735f4717 10. "All Dead, A...

Originating from southern California, “Yacht Rock” is mellow soft rock music from the 1970s and 1980s, incorporating jazz fusion, harmonized vocals, and bouncy rhythms. The name came from a 2005 web series of that title, influencing musicologists to further analyze. There’s playlists, countdowns, online polls, cover bands, podcasts, and streaming stations branding yacht rock. At the helm of my own...

Country's Luke Combs just became a dad, has his 3rd album out: 'Growin' Up', and new top selling single. "The Kind of Love We Make" is a soulful intimate love song, with a sweet romantic music video. I discuss Luke Combs' bio, "The Kind of Love We Make"'s background, and achieving an impressive charting history record. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena "The Kind of Love We...

Happy Independence Day! I appreciate you tuning in every year during this holiday weekend. For this podcast's 3rd edition of celebrating 4th of July, I selected 7 songs to do with America. Some have never been on a playlist until now. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena 4th of July - America Songs: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Gw4EU7xf2YRYwlHthduYV?si=c1c8f912094d4033 “...

Marking 15 years since my high school graduation, I flashback 10 songs I like from January-June 2007. Check out the then and now of these artists I mentioned. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena 2007 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6CNCLBrI98htyXKZiiDdeE?si=b18b3a394dc14d1f "Glamorous" - Fergie feat. Ludacris (2006-2007): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0SyUgw98t...

Happy 80th Paul McCartney! We've all grown up listening to his music in The Beatles, Wings, and solo work. Celebrating his six decade career, I chose 10 songs of his to highlight. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2wI7ZOcNZwaThMKfNDkBo4?si=c8a3398f0f064e5a&pt=c4fef1b6d5832207f2f1a3f841683d2c 10. "Wonderful Christmastime" (1979) Mu...

Just as American Idol turned 20, their best selling contestant is making a comeback. After singing Christmas and gospel the past 2 years, Carrie Underwood has new country album 'Denim & Rhinestones'. I discuss her bio, and my favorite track from her 7 country albums. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena 'Denim & Rhinestones' streaming links: https://carrie.lnk.to/DenimAndRhine...

Top Gun's movie sequel Maverick, is a box office success! Lady GaGa and OneRepublic sing new songs on their soundtrack. I discuss the plots and hit songs of both Top Gun films. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Top Gun Soundtrack: https://open.spotify.com/album/6K8iDZW8jPaoiqSzFFebJA?si=deeb68b5325e4683 Top Gun: Maverick Soundtrack: https://open.spotify.com/album/3tjIKRAPBy...

Summer season is officially here, but will be Billboard's 2022 Song of the Summer? Song of the Summer monitors which #1 Hot 100 hit will stay in that spot from Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day. I recap this year's Hot 100 #1 hits, suggest what songs could go to #1, or the possibility of it being something new. Turning this into a game, you can vote on Music Notes with Jess' social media below every...

NYU's Class of 2022 had quite the graduation ceremony this year. Taylor Swift was their commencement speaker, receiving an honorary Doctorate's degree in Fine Arts! She eloquently expressed her personal experiences and music as words of wisdom, including 2012 song "22". I discuss the original background of "22"'s single, lyrics, music video, instrumentation, and setting up her commencement speech....

Apple ran out of their iPods inventory this week, but chose to discontinue the product due to low sales. This music device revolutionized modern music, marketing, and technology for 20 years. I flashback the significance of iPod's products, iTunes Music Store, and App Store. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Apple's Press Release Announcement: https://www.apple.com/newsroom...

The Rock & Roll of Fame announced this year's inductees on 5/4. I discuss each inductee's bio and achievements: new wave band Duran Duran, rapper Eminem, classic rocker Pat Benatar, pop duo Eurythmics, country’s Dolly Parton, singer/songwriter Carly Simon, and R&B’s Lionel Richie. In addition, others affiliated in the music industry will be acknowledged in special categories: heavy metal band Juda...

Miranda Lambert has recorded country music for 17 years, and surrounded by it her whole life. Her new album Palomino, just came out 4/29. I discuss her bio and pick my favorite track from all 8 albums. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Palomino album link: https://t.co/GLmNHcV5jU Playlist- Miranda Lambert Favs: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2QYEBkxZGWlVRlgUSGFBMH?si=a48...

Kelly Clarkson turned 40 4/24/22, almost 20 years after winning American Idol! Nowadays, you can watch her host NBC shows: The Kelly Clarkson Show, American Song Contest, and be a seasonal vocal coach on The Voice. I made a top 20 of songs I recommend from her music career. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Kelly Clarkson Top 20 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2...

It's almost a month that Foo Fighters' drummer Taylor Hawkins tragically overdosed. While on tour in Bogota, Columbia, he was found in his hotel room 3/25/22. The band posthumously won 3 Grammys a few weeks ago. While Foo Fighters are grieving on hiatus, countless tributes have been expressed among fans and celebrities. To give a proper tribute, I invited my friend Luke Porco to co-host and remini...

It's the 20th anniversary of Ashanti's 2002 debut single "Foolish", and self-titled debut album. She worked her way up behind-the-scenes to gain her own solo career at just 21. I discuss her music history, all of "Foolish"'s composition influences, and media achievements. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena "Foolish" Songs Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/210s0oiEy...

The 64th Grammy Awards aired 4/3 8pm on CBS and Paramount+. The Recording Academy added 10 entries to the Grammys' Big Four categories: Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. I "announce" my predictions for the Big Four, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Rock Song, Best R&B Performance, Best Rap Album, and Best Country Album. You can...