Y: Though it’s giving me heavy Sia vibes, I like how Demi Lovato twists and teases her voice on “Kingdom Come,” which has a pull to it despite a lousy Iggy Azalea verse where she raps, “Long live the queen.” I don’t love this, but it’s a fine pop song. [Rap-Up]
Y: Lots of tongue-licking, red lights, fuck-me glares and what looks like an underwater orgy in Miguel’s video for his surfy single “Waves.” [Idolator]
Y: Trina’s “Hotline Bling” remix could’ve been longer, but she gets the point across that “you lame.” [Fader]N: I think I want One Direction to retire. [Idolator]
Y: Charli XCX’s rasp sounds so good against the metal throbs and screeches of her Sophie collabo “Vroom Vroom.” [Pitchfork]
Y: “Dear Diary” is Junglepussy practicing self-love, rapping nonstop about why she’s amazing. Fav: “God made me so perfect just to stunt, straight flex on the fellas who curved it.” [Saint Heron]
N: Orange Is the New Black’s Jackie Cruz (Flaca) covered Selena’s “Como La Flor” and it was a bad idea. [Billboard]
N: I have to respect Usher for making a song about police brutality. I just don’t feel the passion in “Chains” (which also features Nas and Bibi Bourelly) and Usher has a way of toeing the line between genuine and affected. [Rap-Up]Y: Watching these Florence and the Machine videos in the “Odyssey” series—the latest is “Delilah”—feels like a homework assignment you kept procrastinating on that somehow ends up being rewarding. [Idolator]
Y: Does Tinashe ever not sound cool and lush? I love her and Chance the Rapper on Snakehips’ boom bap-y “All My Friends.” [Pitchfork]
Y: I’m not quite sure why R. Kelly released a song/video called “Backyard Party” in autumn. It’s cool and summery and okay. [Miss Info]
Y: Yacht acts blasé about hoverboards and selfie sticks and funnels all of our thoughts about the insanity of technology into the video for “I Thought the Future Would Be Cooler.” [Stereogum]
Y: This JoJo and James Fauntleroy duet “Better with Love” has a sexy, playful and intimate vibe and I’m playing it on repeat. [Idolator]
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