Going Steady: New Singles Reviewed 3-24-17 – 3-30-17
Todo Cambio – Becky G, GNCO – This will break big on the Latin American charts but stands a great chance of hitting the Hot 100 as well. Addictively salsa beated EDM by a woman who shoulda broken two years ago. If anybody is still speaking to him, give Dr. Luke the remix – B
Long Time – Blondie – Dev Hynes might be the most overrated man in creation but Blondie owe him big time for their best songs since before No Exit. A “Heart Of Glass” re-write with classic rock vibes on the chorus, if this doesn’t do the job than 70 year old Debbie Harry is a victim of ageism – A-
Big Boys – Chuck Berry – It is quite crazy that at the end of his life, Berry could do it once again. That’s Tom Morello on guitar but the song is all Berry all the time, a flat out masterpiece and if the lyric was just a little tighter it would fit on The Great 28. It is hard to imagine a better send off and promises that this dance as seduction self-explanation, as well as upcoming album, Chuck , may well be the best of 2017 – A+
Light My Body (featuring Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj) – Davd Guetta – Guetta has been unable to sustain his 2010 height and this doesn’t either, but as mainstream pop goes it is a steady trap beat with all the affectation taken out of the cymbal – B
Cave – Future Islands – Somewhere between dozy indie and steady beat dance, this is hurt through that overdramatic vocalist – B-
Andromeda – Gorillaz, D.R.A.M – D.R.A.M. is the “Broccoli” guy, thereby proving that Damon remains as cutting edge as ever, dependent of course on what you consider cutting. Surely not this disco track? – C
We Got The Power – Gorillaz and Jhenny Beth – Savages lead singer adds nothing to this crappy anthem – C-
Saturn Burnz – Giorillaz, Popcaan – Popcaan is a talented fellow with that reborn Reggae riddem clutching to Major Lazer’s coattails, but Gorillaz are too needy pop artists who want the hits without getting their knees dirty – C
Ascension – Gorillaz, Vince Staples – The best by far of the new Gorillaz songs, but that’s because, except for live where he sucks, Vince has had a great coupla years with “Norf Norf” followed by “BagBak,” leading the way and a terrific verse here – B+
Mo Bounce – Iggy Azalea – Hook on hook on hook, it should get her back on the charts – C+
Hope The High Road – Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit – Sounds like the Dawes in their sweetest of dreams – B+
The Heart Part 4 – Kendrick Lamar – Sure he can rap, absolutely he can rap. he can rap circles round the planet… what he can’t do is write great songs – B
The Jazz In You – Patti Labelle – Terrific version of the Gloria Lynne song, harbors extremely well for her upcoming jazz album – B+
XO Tour Llif3 – Lil Uzi Vert – This will be a hit and at least we know why, his dance, that shoulder shimmy, has gone viral and birthed a new dance craze – B-
Slip away – Perfume Genius – The would be genius widens his legs and palatte with this brooding but popful dance bounce – B
Speak To A Girl – Tim McGraw, Faith Hill – The would be first family of country sinks into molasses and dies without a trace – D+
Gang Up – Young Thug – with 2 Chainz and Wiz Khalifa, the latest releast from the fast And The Furious soundtrack. Where is Charlie Puth when you need him? – C-
Still Got Time – Zayn, PARTYNEXTDOOR – Zayn has done pretty well since leaving 1D… a pity he suffers from such crippling stage fright. This is catchy as all get out – B
