Close, but no: Julia Michaels, “Anxiety” feat. Selena Gomez – Right off the bat, Julia Michaels tries too hard on this song: Over laidback strumming, Michaels talk-sings “My friends, they wanna take me to the movies/ I tell them to fuck off, I’m holding hands with my depression.” Michaels’ earlier songs are strikingly clear-eyed about mental health and relationship problems, but instead of sounding relatable, the lyrics on “Anxiety” sound like reverse-engineered to fit in as many anti-social tropes as possible. Selena Gomez, too, comes in with a long-winded, nonsensical confession about wishing she was “one of those people in the room/ That says something and everyone puts their hand up.” Between the barebones guitar and the plain singing style, the opening track on Michaels’s latest EP falls a little flat, in a way that doesn’t seem intentional. I’ll be listening for her next one. —Frida Garza
Hard pass: Weezer, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – We should all be shocked and horrified that in the year 2019, Weezer just put out a cover album. The tracklist—including “Everybody Wants to Rule The World,” “Take On Me,” and “Happy Together”—is so cheesy, I almost can’t look at it, and each song is virtually identical to the original; the only difference, of course, is that Rivers Cuomo is singing. His rendition of “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” is the worst offender, as Cuomo tries to match every dip and warble in Annie Lennox’s voice, an act I find disrespectful and wholly unlistenable. This performatively nostalgic crap should have stayed at home on someone’s MacBook. Now let’s never speak of this album again. —FG
It’s a ‘yes’ from me, folks: Maren Morris, “GIRL” – Morris’ latest single, in the most unimaginative terms, is an empowerment anthem—as if we need more of those, regardless of how melodic—and the same could be said for her video. The difference, however, is found in the visual’s digestible delivery. My favorite moment comes at the very end, the camera framed on a giggling Morris, presumably mid-interview. She says, “Well, one of the hard things about being a girl is having to always answer questions about why its hard to be a girl.” Her laughter is an attempt to soften the blow of an astute observation, one the world, and especially the world of country music, doesn’t want but needs to hear. It’s an enjoyable romp, and a decent one for her fans to internalize. —Maria Sherman
Yes: Boy Harsher, “LA” (video) – Western Massachusetts duo Boy Harsher never cease to put out undeniably catchy cold wave bangers—their latest single “LA” is the rule, exuding a masterful understanding of balancing lust and darkness. The video, too, brings the concept to life, co-director Kathleen Dycaico describing it in a press release as the story of “two country camgirls in love and longing.” I adore it. —MS
Y: C. Tangana, Alizzz ft. MC Bin Laden, “Pa’ Llamar Tu Atención” – This is my favorite song of the year thus far. Alizzz, who’s worked with Tangana in the past (on songs like “Antes de Morirme,” which features his talented ex Rosalía, and “Booty” with Becky G), hit it out the park again. By merging Laden’s sexy Brazilian carioca funk with Tangana’s flow, the Spanish producer takes the listener on a ride carried by Latin percussion and an airy, dreamy pan flute. “I’m gonna jump out a plane, escape prison, get on the television… to get your attention,” Tangana sings in Spanish. The two playboys lay it all out on the table, listing all the things they’d do to win the heart of a crush. Lazy video aside, this is what I hope to see more of this year—risk. —Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo
Y: Rubén Blades & Making Movies, “No Te Calles” – Sonically incomparable to anything else in Rubén Blades’ portfolio at the moment, yet in line with his career-long messages of justice and unity, “No Te Calles” is a timely protest anthem for Latin America amidst political strife. A beautiful, albeit unexpected collab. “La corrupción ataca, ahoga con su trampa // Político ladrón que destruye a la nación. Sal a la calle y no te calles,“ the Panamanian icon sings as temporary frontman of unique, young rock band Making Movies. Corruption attacks, drowns us in her trap. Thief politician who destroys the nation. Go out to the streets, and don’t stay silent. A seamless blend of Latin and rock rhythms to feed the souls of protesters in the Americas and beyond. Gracias departe de todos. —ELC
Hard pass: Weezer, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – We should all be shocked and horrified that in the year 2019, Weezer just put out a cover album. The tracklist—including “Everybody Wants to Rule The World,” “Take On Me,” and “Happy Together”—is so cheesy, I almost can’t look at it, and each song is virtually identical to the original; the only difference, of course, is that Rivers Cuomo is singing. His rendition of “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” is the worst offender, as Cuomo tries to match every dip and warble in Annie Lennox’s voice, an act I find disrespectful and wholly unlistenable. This performatively nostalgic crap should have stayed at home on someone’s MacBook. Now let’s never speak of this album again. —FG
It’s a ‘yes’ from me, folks: Maren Morris, “GIRL” – Morris’ latest single, in the most unimaginative terms, is an empowerment anthem—as if we need more of those, regardless of how melodic—and the same could be said for her video. The difference, however, is found in the visual’s digestible delivery. My favorite moment comes at the very end, the camera framed on a giggling Morris, presumably mid-interview. She says, “Well, one of the hard things about being a girl is having to always answer questions about why its hard to be a girl.” Her laughter is an attempt to soften the blow of an astute observation, one the world, and especially the world of country music, doesn’t want but needs to hear. It’s an enjoyable romp, and a decent one for her fans to internalize. —Maria Sherman
Yes: Boy Harsher, “LA” (video) – Western Massachusetts duo Boy Harsher never cease to put out undeniably catchy cold wave bangers—their latest single “LA” is the rule, exuding a masterful understanding of balancing lust and darkness. The video, too, brings the concept to life, co-director Kathleen Dycaico describing it in a press release as the story of “two country camgirls in love and longing.” I adore it. —MS
Y: C. Tangana, Alizzz ft. MC Bin Laden, “Pa’ Llamar Tu Atención” – This is my favorite song of the year thus far. Alizzz, who’s worked with Tangana in the past (on songs like “Antes de Morirme,” which features his talented ex Rosalía, and “Booty” with Becky G), hit it out the park again. By merging Laden’s sexy Brazilian carioca funk with Tangana’s flow, the Spanish producer takes the listener on a ride carried by Latin percussion and an airy, dreamy pan flute. “I’m gonna jump out a plane, escape prison, get on the television… to get your attention,” Tangana sings in Spanish. The two playboys lay it all out on the table, listing all the things they’d do to win the heart of a crush. Lazy video aside, this is what I hope to see more of this year—risk. —Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo
Y: Rubén Blades & Making Movies, “No Te Calles” – Sonically incomparable to anything else in Rubén Blades’ portfolio at the moment, yet in line with his career-long messages of justice and unity, “No Te Calles” is a timely protest anthem for Latin America amidst political strife. A beautiful, albeit unexpected collab. “La corrupción ataca, ahoga con su trampa // Político ladrón que destruye a la nación. Sal a la calle y no te calles,“ the Panamanian icon sings as temporary frontman of unique, young rock band Making Movies. Corruption attacks, drowns us in her trap. Thief politician who destroys the nation. Go out to the streets, and don’t stay silent. A seamless blend of Latin and rock rhythms to feed the souls of protesters in the Americas and beyond. Gracias departe de todos. —ELC
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