N: Sam Smith’s Bond song “Writings on the Wall” sounds exactly like a Bond song, with its sad, extravagant orchestra. I’d never listen to it in my personal time. [Billboard]
Y: Lana Del Rey does lots of underwater soul searching and eye-fucking in the video for “Music to Watch Boys To.” Cool. [Idolator]
Y: Gladys Knight’s spirited single “Just a Little” has some funk in it. The beat needs to settle down a bit. [Billboard]Y: Little Mix mostly pulls off the retro jukebox vibe on “Love Me Like You,” channeling the sha-la-la-la girl group aesthetic. [Billboard]
Y: This JoJo video has some cool warehouse voguing choreography in it, but most importantly, wondering if I can pull off wearing that sheer cape.[Rap-Up]
N: Jadakiss had the nerve to take turn Drake’s sob story into “Thotline Bling,” an offbeat-singing record about “thirsty” women. [Rap-Up]
N: Not feeling Florence and the Machine’s cover of one of my fave songs of the year, “Where Are Ü Now.” It’s like it’s stuck in buildup mode and I wanna scream “Speak up!” [Idolator]
Y: I’m imagining listening to Skylar Grey’s “Cannonball” while searching for something in the woods, not sure why. [Idolator]N: Following up “Sausage,” Lil Mama hops on the ’80s rap train once again on “Fly” and I’d like her to stop. [Rap-Up]
Y: Wales’s video for “Falling” is about the calming spaces between the madness. The director says, “It’s about slowing down time and letting go, finding some kind of inner-peace.” Word. [Fader]
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