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

Summer Break by Bugle Ft Chevaughn and Razz & Biggy

Last year both Bugle and Chevaughn had individual popular summer singles. Bugle’s singles were Anything Goes and Summer Time, while Chevaughn was featured alongside Ding Dong on undoubtedly last year’s most popular dancing song Holiday. This time around, both Bugle and Chevaughn have joined forces for a track titled Summer Break.

Summer Break is a Notice Production track that features chirpy synthesisers and light drums in an effort to make the song easily danceable and to not drown the vocals in instrumental.

Bugle throughout the song makes references to Jamaican summer necessities such as summer attire for men that include Clarks, Converses, white coloured Air-Force Ones and matching tees, summer attire for the ladies that includes short shorts and sunglasses. Other necessities Bugle highlights are igloos, flashy cars and motorbikes and an overall good vibe among persons hanging out.

Chevaughn provides yet another catchy bridge and chorus for the masses this summer with support adlib wise from Razz and Biggy.

TEENage Hitlist believes that Summer Break is at the premature forefront for song of the summer and will surely be enjoyed by listeners no matter the venue played.

International Hit of The Week

California Gurls by Katy Perry Ft Snoop Dogg

Last year Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ monster hit Empire State of Mind was an anthem-like dedication to their hometown New York City. Upon hearing the track, pop singer Katy Perry wanted to record a similar track for her native state California. The result of this is California Gurls, a song that features a guest verse from California rap legend Snoop Dogg.

California Gurls is a song about the geographic, entertainment and fashion aspects of California that their natives have grown to become patriotic about.

Katy Perry’s vocal range isn’t showcased much in this song, but doing so is expedient because the aim of pop songs of this nature are for listeners to not only to be able to listen to the song, but also be able to sing-along without much difficulty.

Snoop Dogg’s lyrics compliments the lyrics of Katy Perry’s verses well, however, at times did not mesh well with the electro-pop instrumentation.

Listeners may also note a similarity in the production and melody in comparison to Ke$ha’s Tik Tok. This is perhaps so because both tracks were produced by Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco.

TEENage Hitlist believes that California Girls will easily be a mainstay on charts worldwide as it will appeal greatly to the large pop fan base of Katy Perry, but will not attain the crossover appeal to listeners of all genres.