Justin Timberlake - Filthy
The trousersnake is back and now he’s out of the woods and filthy. This smacks of an attempt to regain the sex appeal of 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' after the ambitious (if pretentious) dual album 'The 20/20 Experience', its production characterised by electro funk and dangerous, womping basslines. “What you gonna do with all that meat?”, he sings with a wry smile. But this slick electronic sound seems at odds with the Brokeback Mountain-esque Americana feel of the album’s launch trailer earlier this week. And how much of this is Timberlake clinging to the coattails of long-time producer Timberland? And more than anything, where is the hook?
Bruno Mars & Cardi B - Finesse (Remix)
'24k Magic' was mostly filled with saccharine sex anthems, but Finesse is a rare example of the 90s pastiche working. Yes, it sounds just like MJ’s Remember The Time, but it’s a polished and loving throwback to an idol who has so clearly influenced Mars. Cardi B is underused in this remix version, but featuring on such a high profile release just proves how far she’s come.
Kendrick Lamar with SZA - All The Stars
It was announced this week that Kendrick will be creating the soundtrack to Marvel’s Black Panther film, which might just end up being the best thing about it. All The Stars is Kendrick at his most commercial – this is certainly a conservative track compared to his previous albums. Even so, he’s able to offer a cinematic anthem that’ll sound great over the credits, a balance of confrontation and hope between his brooding verses and SZA’s soaring chorus.
Liam Payne & Rita Ora - For You
From one soundtrack to another, here’s Liam and Rita with a theme song as damp and generic as the sex scenes in the Fifty Shades film it accompanies. *bin emoji*
Charlie Puth feat. Boyz II Men - If You Leave Me Now
Puth’s second album, ‘Voicenotes’, has been pushed back from its January release, but we at least have this beautiful little a capella number featuring Boyz II Men. It might not be as fun as Bruno Mars’ 90s throwback, but this more traditional take is full of heart.
Chloe x Halle - The Kids Are Alright
Two young Beyoncés singing a youth anthem over gently hypnotic synths. The sisterly duo, discovered on YouTube and signed to Beyoncé's own Parkwood Entertainment company, are effortlessly on the bleeding edge of cool and here educate us all on youth empowerment. "Call it how we see it, we a genius generation," they sing," better go and get your life".
BØRNS feat. Lana Del Rey - God Save Our Young Blood
This track will feature on BØRNS' second album due next week. The American singer, best known for Electric Love, lives in the past almost as much as Del Rey with his 70s inspired glam rock sound. This, though, is a breezy, polished electro-pop track that charts new contemporary territory for them both.
Superorganism - Everybody Wants To Be Famous
Superorganism is a fitting name for an indie-pop band who met online and span the Pacific, but it's also fitting for this new single: it's like an amorphous, vibrant blob of trilling synths, guitars, cash register samples and vocals leaden with ennui. "It seems like everybody wants to be famous," sings lead vocalist Orono, bored with Internet fame. Judging by this, fame is something they're going to have to get used to.
