Big week for new music including Selena Gomez and a quartet of female musicians collaborating for a pretty controversial song plus a special review of a freshly released new single from....the Backstreet Boys.
Song: Back To You
Artist: Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez frustrated me the majority of last year because her best work was when she was working in EDM pop be it with Marshmello on "Wolves" (a song I've changed my mind on) and on "It Ain't Me" with Kygo (a song that made my top ten best hit songs of 2017 list) but when she went out on her own she released R 'n' B pop songs that...well...sucked.
The reason why I say that is because her newest single from the second season soundtrack of "13 Reasons Why" is actually pretty darn good, it plays in the EDM pop lane that doesn't stress Selena's vocals and it works so well for her. "Back To You" is allegedly said to be about Justin Bieber but really does it matter when it's a pretty breezy lightweight pop song that just works?
Rating: 8/10
Song: Girls
Artist: Rita Ora, Cardi B, Charli XCX, Bebe Rexha
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So this song has gotten a lot of attention for the lyrics with singers Kehlani and Hayley Kiyoko calling out the song for creating a rather false impression of bi-sexual women which lead vocalist Rita Ora later apologised for but regardless of the lyrical content which is a little obnoxious to be honest. Come on there's more to be bi-sexual than just kissing women, it's a pretty basic song that doesn't really get past hooking up with some woman. I've long ago stopped suggesting choruses need to have a brain or a point.
Rating: 5/10
Song: Temporary Me
Artist: Kings
Well this song reminds me of Andy Grammer in a strange way however Kings lyrics are a bit more blunt than Andy. Overall I get the lyrics which are your standard Kings is jealous of the new man in his ex-girlfriend's life and he feels that this new guy is just a replacement for him and knows that once she's done with him, she'll be back with him...it's a bit pissy if I can be blunt but the problem is with the oddly chipper production which features whistling which sounds awfully out of tune here.
Rating: 6/10
Song: New Light
Artist: John Mayer
John Mayer sounds like he has been inspired by Charlie Puth's new sound (that is working for him) and Fleetwood Mac all in one go but unlike Puth's new direction, this really does not work at all for Mayer. I'd prefer Puth or even Shawn Mendes over this kind of production that is somewhat way too smooth and too slick for Mayer.
Rating: 6/10
Best of the week: "Back to You" by Selena Gomez
Worst of the week: "Girls" by Rita Ora and co. It could have been much better than what it is. Wasted potential.
Next New Music Friday:
"Downtown's Dead" by Sam Hunt
"Fall in Line" by Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato
"Solo" by Clean Bandit feat. Demi Lovato
That and more tomorrow!
A song that did drop today and will appear on the new New Music Friday playlist is the new single from a 90s boy band whose middle name might as well be 'longevity' because they are still around in an age where boy bands are only meant to last five years tops.
Song: Don't Go Breaking My Heart
Artist: Backstreet Boys
So I can't deny that I am a Backstreet Boys fan and did grow up with songs like "Backstreet's Back (Alright)" and "All I Have To Give" so this could sound very biased when I say that this new single "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" is an unexpectedly funky pop song when by title alone I was expecting a ballad so to hear a song that actually is pretty fresh every time I hear it is pretty sweet.
The guys vocals are on point and the chorus reminds me a little of Mariana's Trench single "Rhythm of Your Heart", it's groovy and it's message to this girl to stop messing around with their hearts.
So yeah, I hope this is a hit, please let this be a hit, Australia, the boys deserve it not just for the song but for the dancing which is perfectly synchronised!.
Rating: 8/10
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