Pandemic Playlist: Top 5 tracks to get your groove on and slide into that weekend vibe
The quarantine continues, but that does not mean we have to let it get us down! Now that we're staying indoors, we don't need to let our mood be defined by external factors—your day can be what you need it to be.
So as another weekend rolls around, why not get your groove on with this colourful playlist full of some tropical R&B and reggaeton bops that are sure to get you in the perfect mood for some much-deserved downtime?
Just kick back, pour yourself a drink—alcoholic or not, your choice!—and queue up these groovy numbers.
Childish Gambino - 'Summertime Magic'
"Just dancin', havin' fun / Out in the shinin' sun of the summer"
Who says it has to be summer for you to enjoy some tropical magic? This track was featured in the film 'Guava Island' starring Donald Glover, Rihanna, and Letitia Wright that dealt with some interesting social issues, including class struggles and the need for artists to be able to find their voice. It also featured an amazing soundtrack that, as is usual with an artist like Glover, is layered with everything from social commentary to lighter concepts like the pleasure of a summertime romance.
And important world-defining topics aside, 'Summertime Magic' makes for one of the smoothest ways to ease into that chill weekend mood.
Tinashe ft. Ty Dolla $ign & French Montana - 'Me So Bad'
Speaking of dancing all night long, Tinashe is another artist that puts out music you can always dance to. 'Me So Bad' is a beautifully smooth R&B track with 'island flavours', or in other words, it's a track that peppers in some reggaeton and brings the Caribbean right to you.
The song is also a great track to hype yourself up since it is all about loving your own body and basking in the glory that is yourself. And, after all, what weekend vibe playlist is complete without songs about appreciating yourself more?
And speaking of loving yourself...
Drake - 'Nice For What'
While many may debate for days on end about Drake as a person, it's hard to deny that 'Nice For What' is an absolute bop. You can't help but want to groove along to this gorgeous track, and that really shouldn't come as a surprise given that it samples the iconic Lauryn Hill song 'Ex-Factor'. Hill herself went on to remix Drake's song live at the Apollo in 2018, just adding to the track's already iconic status.
A bonus is that this song really is one of the best self-love anthems out there. The song revolves around women taking ownership of their own lives with Drake singing about respecting and appreciating how hard they work despite the hate they put up with. The music video features women of various ethnicities and body types and includes representation for the LGBTQIA+ communities. That, in effect, makes this a pretty inclusive song that isn't just for women.
It is also the perfect track to remind you that you work hard and deserve some time off to just let yourself relax and enjoy the music.
Jay Park - 'Me Like Yuh'
Another artist known to dabble in a bit of controversy, Park does still manage to put out some undeniably catchy music amidst all that buzz - especially music you can dance to. And 'Me Like Yuh' is up there as one of the best songs to put on for when you're trying to create that perfect weekend vibe.
It's a great song for a fun night out on the town, but it also works perfectly for a private dance party as you unwind.
Joji & Jackson ft. Swae Lee & Major Lazer - 'Walking'
While this song is basically an R&B track with a healthy dose of tropical reggaeton flavours in there, it's also an absolutely beautiful collaboration between artists from different genres and cultures that simply share some similar tastes in music - and humour.
The music video features a giant lobster, played by 88rising's Joji, terrorizing a city with K-Pop idol Jackson Wang coming to the rescue by operating a giant robot. When the two beasts collide, however, it turns out the lobster was simply misunderstood all along and the two become odd friends. Following which they engage in a bit of slow-motion dance fighting and pretend cannibalism.
Yeah, it's a pretty wild ride. But if anything, it's a great reason to throw on that dinosaur onesie you have lying around and terrorize the unsuspecting showpieces in your living room.
Hilarious imagery aside, the song is really just about wanting to dance with someone and lays that message over a track and visuals that really just make you want to "shake your worries away." So go on, shake it off and enjoy our weekend! You've earned it.
Pandemic Playlist is a daily list of songs that will keep you entertained instead of feeling drained while you're isolated at home. Look out for a fresh selection of great tunes from MEAWW to refresh your mood every day!