04-01-2025, 19:48
NEW MUSIC FRIDAY 3.01.25 #13
Smile – Morgan Wallen (6.5/10)
Showcasing a lighter, more acoustic side of Morgan, Smile gets the emotions across extremely well and highlights another side of Wallen that sounds like it would connect with fans. It maintains the quality of country-pop, and if this marks a new era for Wallen, then I’m all for it!
Dum, Dumb and Dumber – Lil Baby/Young Thug/Future (8/10)
This has the flow of a hit rap song and brings in every rapper. I truly feel the vibe on this and think it has big potential. As someone who's not the biggest rap fan, I can confidently say this is amazing. The beats have more elements than your usual and feel like they went all out on this. It’s also quite autotuned, which is a huge change, and I actually like something of that nature!
Location – Zerb/Ty Dolla $ign/Wiz Khalifa (6/10)
With a few tweaks, something tells me this could be a chart-topper. It has that electronic, club-like sound but feels like it’s missing more height and bounce to be the song people thrive for. I think the three artists worked better than expected, though, and still gave us a quality piece of house music with fresh synthesizers and a pumping drum. I rate this! It has potential!
Everyday – Celeste (6.5/10)
Giving off a more haunting, thriller vibe, Everyday starts with a gothic, mysterious style and then blends into alternative rock. The transition is great! It accompanies all those raw emotions of heartbreak and pain, blending them into one song where you can really feel the emotion in her voice. It’s beautiful.
Euphoria – Armin Van Buuren/Alok/Norma Jean Martine (6.5/10)
A dance song that lifts the mood and builds a connection with the listener! It’s also high-quality electronic that doesn’t disappoint!
Hello, Hi – Lil Simz (6.5/10)
British drill is slowly dying out, and I believe Lil Simz is one of the last hopes to bring back this genre. In 2024, she had her first Billboard Hot 100 hit with WE PRAY (as a feature). This is a pretty good release by Simz. It has a drum and guitar loop that brings back traditional drill as she flexes about her life. My problem with Simz is that she sounds the same in every song, and how she drills is highly predictable, with only the beat making changes. Despite that, I still think this is quality.
JRJRJR – Jane Remover (2/10)
I’m starting to think that AOTY is trolling by rating this single high. The production on this is disorganized, and the hype-pop elements are ear-splitting. This sounds like a disaster. Honestly, this would fit on Museum Music.
Focus On Me (All The S*xy Girls) – Darkoo (4/10)
It’s such a basic Afrobeat song that mimics any other Afro-party track. It feels weak, and while the elements of the song are okay, it’s not impressive. I’m not going to shame the producers here, but their bland take on the genre doesn't do it for me.
What3ver – Redveil (6.5/10)
Okay, I’ll admit, this may not be rap cr*p. It has real production quality and thought behind it, but it’s just not my thing and doesn’t connect for me. I’m giving it a 6.5 because I genuinely see that there’s real work here that paid off, but it’s still not for me.
Shandy In The Graveyard – Panchiko/Billy Woods (6.5/10)
Very interesting and cool choices made in this song! Effort was definitely put into it.
Lvstlove – Cynthoni (7/10)
After releasing the disappointing single Cynthoni Of Flames, she comes back with a bang and releases a song that takes you on a journey and creates a magical atmosphere! It may not have the extravagance of a massive hit (considering a looper was used), but this is still impressive and deserves a replay.
Just How It Goes – Low Roar (6.5/10)
Lovers – Ace Of Thorns (7/10)
Ace Of Thorns returns with a huge improvement! The production has those post-grunge guitars that sound clear and cool, with a very stylish hint. My only complaint is that in some parts, the vocals aren’t as balanced, and I wish I could hear them better. But despite that, the other parts of the song, such as the instrumentals, sound great!
The Old Guard Is Dead – Ghais Guevara (5/10)
Smile – Morgan Wallen (6.5/10)
Showcasing a lighter, more acoustic side of Morgan, Smile gets the emotions across extremely well and highlights another side of Wallen that sounds like it would connect with fans. It maintains the quality of country-pop, and if this marks a new era for Wallen, then I’m all for it!
Dum, Dumb and Dumber – Lil Baby/Young Thug/Future (8/10)
This has the flow of a hit rap song and brings in every rapper. I truly feel the vibe on this and think it has big potential. As someone who's not the biggest rap fan, I can confidently say this is amazing. The beats have more elements than your usual and feel like they went all out on this. It’s also quite autotuned, which is a huge change, and I actually like something of that nature!
Location – Zerb/Ty Dolla $ign/Wiz Khalifa (6/10)
With a few tweaks, something tells me this could be a chart-topper. It has that electronic, club-like sound but feels like it’s missing more height and bounce to be the song people thrive for. I think the three artists worked better than expected, though, and still gave us a quality piece of house music with fresh synthesizers and a pumping drum. I rate this! It has potential!
Everyday – Celeste (6.5/10)
Giving off a more haunting, thriller vibe, Everyday starts with a gothic, mysterious style and then blends into alternative rock. The transition is great! It accompanies all those raw emotions of heartbreak and pain, blending them into one song where you can really feel the emotion in her voice. It’s beautiful.
Euphoria – Armin Van Buuren/Alok/Norma Jean Martine (6.5/10)
A dance song that lifts the mood and builds a connection with the listener! It’s also high-quality electronic that doesn’t disappoint!
Hello, Hi – Lil Simz (6.5/10)
British drill is slowly dying out, and I believe Lil Simz is one of the last hopes to bring back this genre. In 2024, she had her first Billboard Hot 100 hit with WE PRAY (as a feature). This is a pretty good release by Simz. It has a drum and guitar loop that brings back traditional drill as she flexes about her life. My problem with Simz is that she sounds the same in every song, and how she drills is highly predictable, with only the beat making changes. Despite that, I still think this is quality.
JRJRJR – Jane Remover (2/10)
I’m starting to think that AOTY is trolling by rating this single high. The production on this is disorganized, and the hype-pop elements are ear-splitting. This sounds like a disaster. Honestly, this would fit on Museum Music.
Focus On Me (All The S*xy Girls) – Darkoo (4/10)
It’s such a basic Afrobeat song that mimics any other Afro-party track. It feels weak, and while the elements of the song are okay, it’s not impressive. I’m not going to shame the producers here, but their bland take on the genre doesn't do it for me.
What3ver – Redveil (6.5/10)
Okay, I’ll admit, this may not be rap cr*p. It has real production quality and thought behind it, but it’s just not my thing and doesn’t connect for me. I’m giving it a 6.5 because I genuinely see that there’s real work here that paid off, but it’s still not for me.
Shandy In The Graveyard – Panchiko/Billy Woods (6.5/10)
Very interesting and cool choices made in this song! Effort was definitely put into it.
Lvstlove – Cynthoni (7/10)
After releasing the disappointing single Cynthoni Of Flames, she comes back with a bang and releases a song that takes you on a journey and creates a magical atmosphere! It may not have the extravagance of a massive hit (considering a looper was used), but this is still impressive and deserves a replay.
Just How It Goes – Low Roar (6.5/10)
Lovers – Ace Of Thorns (7/10)
Ace Of Thorns returns with a huge improvement! The production has those post-grunge guitars that sound clear and cool, with a very stylish hint. My only complaint is that in some parts, the vocals aren’t as balanced, and I wish I could hear them better. But despite that, the other parts of the song, such as the instrumentals, sound great!
The Old Guard Is Dead – Ghais Guevara (5/10)