
Listen to this: New singles from Bruno Mars and The Weeknd
Nicholas Jennings
It’s been seven years since the world lost Michael Jackson, but his influence keeps growing ever stronger. Two of pop’s biggest current stars, Bruno Mars and The Weeknd, are both deeply indebted to the King of Pop. Their singles this week each has a soulful snap that reflects, unmistakably, the “Thriller” singer’s classic sound.
Bruno Mars: “Chunky”
The latest single from Bruno’s new 24K Magic album is a funky, Jackson-style tribute to independent
women. “She gotta have her own money/Shout out to the girls that pay their rent
on time,” sings Bruno. “Chunky, looking for the girls with the big ol’ hoops/That
drop it down in Daisy Dukes.”
Bruno wasted no time tweeting out his love for curvy women with oversized earrings and short shorts.
Ladies. Put on your finest pair of gold hoops and daisy dukes. https://t.co/nnwb5mGADS
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) November 17, 2016
The Weeknd: “I Feel
It Coming” feat. Daft Punk
With his falsetto singing voice, the Canadian
electro-R&B artist (real name Abel Tesfaye) has long been channeling
Michael Jackson. His new single from his much-anticipated
Starboy album is his second collaboration with the French
electronic music duo and sounds a lot like
Off
the Wall
-era Michael.
To alert fans of the new single’s place on the album, the “Can’t Feel My Face” singer posted its track list to his Instagram feed.
Hello! music columnist Nicholas Jennings surveys the pop landscape each week to find the most dynamic tracks to add to your playlist.