Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande assert that pop supremacy = pop ubiquity, and they’re more or less correct. New stuff from Alessia Cara, Christina Aguilera, Kygo + Imagine Dragons, Major Lazer + Anne-Marie, 2 Chainz, Bebe Rexha, 2 Chainz (feat. Drake & Quavo), and Martin Garrix. Oh, and SOPHIE released one of the year’s best albums. (Check out the full review here)
The Rub:
Troye Sivan teams up with Ariana Grande for the late night burner “Dance To This”. The hotly anticipated collaboration between the mellow singer and the pop princess was a bit of a letdown. It’s a pretty song, but there’s a lack of energy throughout that makes it tiresome, if not a bit boring. Ariana Grande is under-utilized and her contribution to the song doesn’t help it stand out as one of Troye’s best. It’s arguably the worst taste of his upcoming album so far, which is surprising. Not a bad song, just not what was expected, and def not their best work. Also, maybe I’m not white enough, but you literally can’t dance to it. Someone make it make sense. (Fingers crossed for a Tiesto/Oliver Heldens remix)
Nicki Minaj also teams up with Ariana Grande for another sultry, sexy collab. So glad Ari is giving us songs this summer! It’s not as charismatic as Get On Your Knees or club ready as Side To Side, but it’s the kind of perfectly crafted sexy song you’ll want to add to your playlists. In a very “Pills and Potions” fashion, Nicki and Ari take turns singing about the ultimate ~Netflix and Chill~ date. It’s the kind of song you might dance around to when you’re home alone in your underwear and feeling ~sexy~. Job well done ladies.
And just because she loves us, Nicki Minaj released “Rich Sex (feat Lil Wayne)” another teaser from her album (surely to see which sound will fare better with the GP before finishing the track list) and it’s a rap banger. It’s the kind of sexually gratuitous sex rap that only Nicki can get away with. It finds Nicki at her dirtiest, most confident self, an appropriate b-Side to “Bed”. And as always, Lil Wayne bring another great verse you’ll be proud to rap along to when this comes on at parties.
Christina Aguilera is back with a new album. It’s fine. As far as pop culture is concerned, she’s not all that interesting. She’s is still one of the most talented vocalists in the game, no doubt, but there’s a certain relevance lacking in her current branding and song choices. There are a few good songs on Liberation. the title track is a cinematic, Ellie Goulding-esque intro that seems wholly unecessary. “Sick of Sittin” is an old school jam. “Right Moves” is the Caribbean slow burner no one asked for. “Deserve” is a “California King Bed”-level ballad most will like. You know “Fall in Line.” Everything else is a bit dull, not compelling or captivating in any real way, but I think we’d all preferred a subdued Xtina over the try-hard Xtina of “Lotus.” It’s for the best.
Martin Garrix‘ new single with Khalid, “Ocean” is here. Why do EDM DJs keep working with Khalid? All his music sounds like one never-ending, dismal gospel dirge. For a singer so young, he sings with so much weight, and it’s mind numbing. That said, “Oceans” is surprisingly pretty. Garrix’ production saves the day with this one, giving us a “Wolves”-esque drop in the chorus. And while the song is still too sad for no good reason, it’s arguably one of Khalid’s best.
Kygo + Imagine Dragons = magic on “Born To Be Yours”. Thank GOD. I have been WAITING for Dan Reynolds to lend his voice to a Kygo song. It’s magical. It’s the kind of backyard Americana Electro nonsense Kygo thought well enough to give us. It’s like the lovechild of Avicii and Mumford and Sons. The soft rock touches of Reynold’s voice we’re made for this kind of hypnotic dance music. This is some of Kygo’s best work since It Ain’t Me.
Bebe Rexha continues to drop singles this year at meteoric pace. This blog stans Bebe Rexha, so you’ll rarely see a negative comment about here. And while “I’m A Mess” isn’t her best song, it’s an authentic, honest pop song with an inspirational, quirky chorus. The R&B track rips open some of Bebe’s most personal insecurities and it’s hard not to relate a bit to her message of learning to overcome your worst qualities and look on the bright side. This song bode well for her upcoming album, although it won’t make nearly as big a chart splash as “Meant to Be”.
Another Major Lazer song? Wig. This week they’ve teamed up with Rudimental and rising pop princess Anne-Marie, & Mr. Eazi for “Let Me Live.” It’s yet another island pop song, which miss Anne Marie has become famous for penning. (check out “Can I Get Your Number” and if you live under a rock, “Rockabye“). It’s a summer ready jam, quite straightforward, with no upsetting EDM surprises, exactly the kind of thing you’ll want to listen to on your way to the beach.
RL Grime brings Tory Lanez and Jeremih together for this incredibly hot track “Undo”. It’s an EDM banger in which the R&B crooners ask a woman to essentially “un-do” them. Out of character for them, yes, but thankfully so. It listens much like a SOPHIE track and you’ll want to turn this one ALL THE WAY UP.
Dis-honorable Mentions
Alessia Cara returns with “Growing Pains”, her first solo single in quite some time. Her sound hasn’t evolved much, and she’s as lyrically dense as ever, but she’s confident, triumphant, and we’re happy she’s here. Her song about growing up isn’t as interesting as, say, The 1975, but this mid tempo pop bop should do pretty well. It’s not as impactful as “Scars to Your Beautiful ” or that song she did about suicide, and it’s not as fun as “Stay”, but it’s true to her artistry, so it’s not a total loss.
Maroon 5 covered “Three Little Birds”… I love Maroon 5 just as the next millennial, and it’s fun to see bands rework old songs sometimes, but this….this is an egregious offense that will not be tolerated. It’s a weak, thinly woven cover that reaks of caucasity. Tragic. Leave Bob Marley alone! This isn’t as bad as the Taylor Swift x Earth, Wind, and Fire fiasco, but still…bad.
eardnov 