#HitsOfTomorrow: A Weekly Rundown Of The ‘Should-Be’ Hits

It’s heating up and this week gives us a number of big album releases and singles that are likely to impact the charts quickly and it will be fun to see which survive the summer!

Lewis Capaldi presents his latest LP Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent – his sophomore album that basically gives us more of the same. The balladeer isn’t really reinventing the successful wheel he’s created as the sort of little British step-brother of Adele and Sam Smith. While folks seem to lap it up, here’s hoping he expands his versatility a little because at this rate, these songs just remain memorable.

The same cannot be said for Kesha’s latest Gag Order, a mature album by a very self-aware artist trying to combat the traumas she’s literally not been able to talk about, at least in her music. While “Rainbow” was about self-love, we’ve not heard the singer this angry. It works to create a dynamic album – even producer heavyweight Rick Rubin is a part of the project! “Only Love Can Save Us Now” is probably the most radio-ready as she hams up the verses with Kesha 1.0 style in the most ironic of ways while the chorus is instantly catchy and basically takes us to church. Probably her most eclectic album yet.

The week also has some huge new singles in the form of Bad Bunny with “WHERE SHE GOES” which will likely zoom up the charts before we finish the weekend. And speaking of global domination, with the release of FAST X this weekend at movie theaters around the world, the soundtrack is likely to catapult at least a couple of its singles straight to the top. Recreating the magic of “See You Again” is unlikely but they sure are trying with “Angel Pt. 1” featuring perhaps the most bizarre lineup of artists together since “We Are The World” – the single features Kodak Black, NLE Choppa, Jimin from BTS, JVKE and Muni Long. I wonder if the song was specifically designed to target every demographic, much like the film’s cast! I actually think the better collab is “Won’t Back Down” with YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Bailey Zimmerman and Dermot Kennedy. Equally bizarre group of artists, but it somehow works.

While these artists and songs are likely to define the summer of 2023, here’s hoping some of the bangers featured in this week’s #HitsOfTomorrow also make the cut. So without further ado, let’s get to the songs that deserve our little extra attention.

“Padam Padam” – Kylie Minogue

In my head, Kylie Minogue never needs any extra little attention but at the age of 54, this consistently brilliant dance-pop icon is back and I’m worried! “Padam Padam” is so chock full of instantly memorable hooks, literally any female pop artist would kill for this song. But unfortunately, Minogue’s age pushes her out of the mainstream context. It really would be a shame because the singer’s return to the modern dance vibe is sensual perfection. The song really deserves Top 40 love – I mean Cher’s “Believe” crossed over right when she was older, right? Please programmers, don’t relegate this to the gay clubs, Minogue is one of our finest pop stars and this single proves, she’s still relevant for everyone, so spin the damn song! We can’t get it and her out of our heads!

“Red Wine Supernova” – Chappell Roan

“Champagne Supernova,” this is not. Chappell Roan however does give us an instant bop with “Red Wine Supernova,” a girl-on-girl anthem we didn’t know we needed in 2023. The artist – who is prepping her debut album – has already amassed quite the following and her ability to create a pop hit is clearly in no short supply. The single is witty, fun and the type of summer bop that has been in recent short supply. Roan deserves attention with this track and here’s hoping for just that this summer!

“Psychopath” – Morgan Wade

Morgan Wallen is likely to get some stiff competition later this year as another Morgan is returning to the country fold. After her stellar debut album Reckless, Morgan Wade returns with the title track from her forthcoming sophomore album titled Psychopath. Wade’s songwriting continues to offer sass and sophistication bundled together in the most modern of ways as her style is everything country but there is a very strong dose of pop and rock here – just what Top 40 needs to play this smash-in-the-waiting. We’ve yet to really see any women of modern country successfully navigate the country and pop worlds simultaneously without a deliberate musical pivot. Wade sure looks and sounds like the one!

“Daydreaming” – NxWorries, Anderson .Paak, Knxwledge

“Daydreaming” is just that, dreamy. NxWorries is the collaboration project between Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge and they don’t disappoint. The single shines here especially as the track progresses as .Paak’s vocal delivery just instantly makes us wanna relax and chill. The two are planning a 2023 Summer World Tour and with tracks like this, they are likely to make us want summer to be never-ending. .Paak rarely makes a misstep and after Silk Sonic (and that awesome feature on Hailey Steinfeld’s “Coast”), NxWorries is the perfect next step. We need an album!

“Stars” – PNAU, Bebe Rexha, Ozuna

Ever since PNAU’s remix of “Cold Heart” featuring Elton John and Dua Lipa hit big, I was hopeful the electronic trio would get their own global smash without a remix and despite working with heavyweights Khalid and Troye Sivan recently, that didn’t seem to be the case. That’s likely to change because reliable dance feature powerhouse Bebe Rexha is here and Ozuna comes along for the modern disco single that fits its title, “Stars.” The single just sounds like the summer and is just pure pop perfection. The three acts work well together, seamlessly creating a vibe that’s likely to get us to the beach, at the club and hopefully on many a playlists through the summer and beyond.

Even More Hits!

“Giving Up” – The Used

“In Between” – Dami Im, Jude York

“Venera” – George FitzGerald (yay, summer instrumental jam!)

“Lore” – Chris Malinchak (yay, another summer instrumental jam!)

Listen To #HITSOFTOMORROW Playlist on Spotify!