Sure: Lil Nas X, “Rodeo” feat. Cardi B – While I genuinely love “Old Town Road,” the rest of the viral Atlanta rapper’s EP out today is underwhelming. A stand-out is this song with Cardi B which treads in the same yeehaw energy as his big hit, but honestly Cardi rules the song when she raps, “I’ll be chilling watching Oxygen, my favorite show is Snapped.” Incredible. —Hazel Cills
This could be much worse: Sebastián Yatra, Daddy Yankee, Natti Natasha, “Runaway” feat. Jonas Brothers – The Jonas Brothers are those awkward kids who got invited to the party but can’t dance. In the music video, they stand off to the side both literally and figuratively; as in, if they weren’t credited here, I never would have guessed it was Nick and Joe’s voices mingling with the dulcet tones of Sebastián Yatra. This song is alright, but it leaves me wanting more from all the talent here—we need a new Daddy Yankee record, post-haste! —Frida Garza
Eh, maybe: Major Lazer & Anitta, “Make It Hot” – Major Lazer returns to vaguely appropriative beats on this song with Anitta, which the two dropped in partnership with Bacardi. The corporate tie-in doesn’t necessarily make it a bad song, but it is a bit jarring to uncover. Still, Anitta sounds confident and fresh as ever on this track; if anything, this song just reminds me the Brazilian singer is a seriously talented vocalist with whom everyone should be rushing to collaborate. —FG
Sure: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes, “Señorita” – I have some good news: the first is that the rain in New York will come to a halt this weekend, and the second is that we will almost surely not have to hear Camila sing “Havana” at award shows this year! Though the annoying magic of that single, which helped the Cuban American singer rise to stardom as a solo artist, isn’t quite replicated here, I don’t hate this. She and Shawn have natural chemistry both melodically and as actors, making this a sweet summer listen and watch. Warning for all non-Latinx listeners though: don’t expect anyone to call you “señorita” anytime soon unless it’s a tio or abuelo. Excuse me while I go look up motorcycle lessons. —Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo
Not bad!: Nicki Minaj, “Megatron” – Some of Nicki Minaj’s newer releases have left me underwhelmed, but “Megatron” feels like a return to form. Aside from thinking the overly Autotuned chorus is a little annoying, I have nothing else negative to say about the track! It’s a great song for summer, the video is fun, and Nicki looks great in it. I haven’t enjoyed a Nicki song this much since “Good Form” so hey, I’m here for this. —Ashley Reese
This could be much worse: Sebastián Yatra, Daddy Yankee, Natti Natasha, “Runaway” feat. Jonas Brothers – The Jonas Brothers are those awkward kids who got invited to the party but can’t dance. In the music video, they stand off to the side both literally and figuratively; as in, if they weren’t credited here, I never would have guessed it was Nick and Joe’s voices mingling with the dulcet tones of Sebastián Yatra. This song is alright, but it leaves me wanting more from all the talent here—we need a new Daddy Yankee record, post-haste! —Frida Garza
Eh, maybe: Major Lazer & Anitta, “Make It Hot” – Major Lazer returns to vaguely appropriative beats on this song with Anitta, which the two dropped in partnership with Bacardi. The corporate tie-in doesn’t necessarily make it a bad song, but it is a bit jarring to uncover. Still, Anitta sounds confident and fresh as ever on this track; if anything, this song just reminds me the Brazilian singer is a seriously talented vocalist with whom everyone should be rushing to collaborate. —FG
Sure: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes, “Señorita” – I have some good news: the first is that the rain in New York will come to a halt this weekend, and the second is that we will almost surely not have to hear Camila sing “Havana” at award shows this year! Though the annoying magic of that single, which helped the Cuban American singer rise to stardom as a solo artist, isn’t quite replicated here, I don’t hate this. She and Shawn have natural chemistry both melodically and as actors, making this a sweet summer listen and watch. Warning for all non-Latinx listeners though: don’t expect anyone to call you “señorita” anytime soon unless it’s a tio or abuelo. Excuse me while I go look up motorcycle lessons. —Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo
Not bad!: Nicki Minaj, “Megatron” – Some of Nicki Minaj’s newer releases have left me underwhelmed, but “Megatron” feels like a return to form. Aside from thinking the overly Autotuned chorus is a little annoying, I have nothing else negative to say about the track! It’s a great song for summer, the video is fun, and Nicki looks great in it. I haven’t enjoyed a Nicki song this much since “Good Form” so hey, I’m here for this. —Ashley Reese
0 Comments