WHAT makes a hit? Is it the lyrics, the artiste, the hype at the time? Is it 'something special' about the voice or rhythm? The TEENage Hitlist pinpoints the hits and the misses as soon as we hear both local and international releases.

Local Hit of the Week

This Morning by Jesse Royal

Quietly there is an ongoing resurgence of reggae music taking place within Jamaica and the Jamaican diaspora. One of the artistes that are a part of this movement is Jesse Royal.

The upcoming artiste has found a breakout single, with his fast-rising This Morning, produced by Curt Q'ban of Crash Dummy Productions.

It is an upbeat inspirational reggae ballad, which features lyrics focusing on positivity, optimistic determination, and Rastafari principles.

The song's true selling point for listeners and media outlets will be the infectious chorus courtesy of Royal.

In addition, Curt Q'Ban must be commended for providing the perfect background for the song's lyrical theme, as the instrumentation includes lush bright synths coupled with the perfect guitar riff throughout the track.

TEENage Hitlist believes that This Morning is a cheerful reggae anthem that is sure to make some noise during the historically ironic dark period for dancehall during the Christmas season.

International Hit of the Week

Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars

From 2010 into late 2011, only a few artistes had achieved what Bruno Mars had done during this period.

The Hawaiian crooner managed to infiltrate the pop, hip-hop, and even reggae markets, with singles peaking in each category from his album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, and the numerous collaborations he done.

Fast-forward to 2012, Bruno Mars is readying his sophomore project Unorthodox Jukebox, with Locked Out of Heaven, as the album's first single.

Lyrically, the track is about an admirer describing his love interest with religious similes and metaphors.

The sound of Locked Out of Heaven is reminiscent of Police's new wave-reggae rock hybrid used in the 1970s, flavoured with a power hook as expected from Mars.

TEENage Hitlist believes that Locked Out Of Heaven is a solid first single by Bruno Mars, but will take a longer time to digest than his previous efforts.