What Went Down – Foals – If Radiohead are the Oxford upstarts who went hi-tech and Elbow the university boys most likely to stand a round at their local, Foals are the kid brothers who take themselves way too seriously… with predictable results. But any band with lines like “I fell for a girl with a port-wine stain, I knew her initials but never her name” are alright in my book and this blistering rocker is as good as Elbow at their best. A shocker – A-
Good For You – Selena Gomez – A$AP Rocky adds a lousy verse to this predictable r&b jam – C+
No Sleeep – Janet Jackson – Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are back for this slow jam – B
I’m Up (feat Kid Ink and French Montana) – Omarion – This is the guy from B2K and this is the third slow jam in a row. Maybe it is something in the food? – B-
Foundation – Years & Years – I don’t think anybody doubts for a moment that these guys are gonna break pop big time in the US, they are a synth pop duo with an ear firmly attuned to the mainstream and big time good looking. They’ll break, but not with this mood piece – C+
Killin’ It – T-Wayne – In a rush to cash in on the excellent “Nasty Freestyle”, he rushed too fast and this song won’t do it – C+
Move On – Clare Dunn – Sis country! In the sophisticated world of Kacey and Miranda, this is straight up no chaser country pop. While it’s true we don’t have to worry about sincerity in the long run, in the short run, Kacey sounds better with every passing moment – C
