Going Steady: New Singles 1-13-22 – 1-19-22 Reviewed
One Of Us – Ava Max – completely disappointing at Jingle Ball in December, she came across as a poor man’s Dua Lipa, but better on record and this is a catchy but minor dance pop, synthy sound – B
SO HARD TO TELL – DEBBY FRIDAY – electronic dance immersion via Toronto – B-
The Magic Number – De La Soul – a terrific song from 1989 arrives as the successful alt rappers will finally get their catalog on streaming services after WB refused to negotiate sample releases. Tommy Boy saved the day and expect March 3rd as the EDA. This is a terrific song – A
Wasted (feat. Kodak Black & Koe Wetzel) – Diplo – terrible hard rock genre switch with a totally wasted Kodak – C
Changes – Sped Up – Jeremih – I don’t glom on this “Sped Up” idea, why not just re-recorded at a faster temp if that’s what you? It’s like being serenaded by chipmunks – D+
NOISE OF YOU – John Cale – with computerized beats and wild choir harmonies, the song is a constructed gerrymander of mainstream footsie playing weirdness – B
Oceans Niagara – M83 – Anthony Gonzalez is hard pressed to improve on the 2011 breakthrough Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming but the upcoming album, based upon this gorgeous and other wordly soundscape, might do it – SINGLE OF THE WEEK – A-
Flowers – Miley Cyrus – middle of the road dance pop, must try harder – C
GOSSIP (feat. Tom Morello) – Måneskin – a rock popper with guitars aplenty and a hook that makes em more than 2021’s flavor – B-
On Wat U On (with GloRilla) – Moneybagg Yo – two Memphis superstars have a great mix of vocals on this hard beat rapper – B
2 LIVE – Offset, Hit-Boy – for his first song since Takeoff’s shooting Offset and Hit-Boy (California producer) first song Mixed & Mastered collaboration with Patrón is generic but not terrible – B-
C’est Comme Ça – Paramore – the hook is solid gold (the na na nas) and it is the second winner out of three – B
Her Old Friends – PARTYNEXTDOOR – the OVO due with an r&b track going nowhere – C
Gimme (feat. Koffee & Jessie Reyez) – Sam Smith – I love everything about Sam Mach Three, this is nearly on pace with “Unholy”) and Jessie sounds terrific, a great meld of sounds and it should be a biggie – A-
Kill Bill – Sped Up Version – SZA – this is a great song slow or fast, though why the “sped up”? – A-
Pride (In The Name Of Love) – Songs Of Surrender – U2, Karsh Kale – an abysmal take on a very good song, Bono is so sincere blood is dripping out of his mouth – D+
