“The Roster” is a series created by Aneesh Batchu. Each week, a tier list of the best, most average, and worst new releases is published alongside blistering hot takes. The best of the best receive a trophy, and the worst of the worst are tossed in the bin. First, Batchu tackles the latest singles, and then his team comments on the most recent albums.
Singles
Good
🏆 4batz, Lil Baby – “roll da dice” and take your chances on this lil industry plant, because he delivers more often than not. Lil Baby’s singing (not rapping), fits this “soulmate-searching” song surprisingly well, amplifying the longing this song heavily emphasizes.
Nessa Barrett – “DIRTY LITTLE SECRET“ features escalating electronic production that complements Barrett’s wailing voice, much like a fine wine and cheese pairing. This track brings a fresh, unique sound to Barrett’s discography.
keshi – “Kiss Me Right” upgrades keshi’s latest album, Requiem, to a “bonus edition” record. Though this hyperpop piece is not representative of the rest of Requiem, the track’s style cooperates with keshi’s voice much more effectively than the main album’s style.
Lecrae – “Die For The Party” is a hard-hitting song that discusses generational trauma, religion, substance-abuse, and other vulnerable themes with clever wordplay. Lecrae pairs this with a piano-heavy beat that makes this feel like a classic in the making.
Sierra Spirit – “better wild“ follows an alt-folk, country route moreso than other works in Spirit’s discography have. However, Spirit is clever, building this new twang without upsetting the country-suspicious like myself through employment of unique vocal rhythm and power.
Mid
Ava Max – “Spot a Fake”-Ass Ava Max song tutorial: found it! While not sonically unpleasant, this song is a Youtube parody of a generic pop song; it’s not inauthentic and forced.
Tommy Richman – “WHITNEY” showcases the now-familiar Virginian hyperpop style. It interpolates “Photo ID” in the strangest way, and I felt the need to to the pre-interpolated song afterwards to clear my mind.
Rich Amiri – “COUNT MY BANDZ” is the quintessential Amiri song, showcasing his typical methods of music-making of bass-heavy instrumentals and repetitive vocals.
Bad
🚮 Meek Mill – “CYBER TRUCK” is as goofy as the car of its namesake. Specifically, Mill’s voice is as grating as the Cyber Truck is visually assaulting.
Kid Cudi, Chip Tha Ripper – “DON’T WORRY” about listening to this one, we’ve gone through that for you. Despite being a feature, Chip’s voice melds with this generically positive beat better than Cudi’s, which only brings vague vocalizations to the table.
Nardo Wick, BossMan Dlow – “Oh Shit,” Wick & Dlow forgot halfway through this song that it was supposed to be hype! The groundwork for energy was all there: a strong bassline, a catchy and repetitive chorus, and a consistent vocal range, yet these parts never came together.
Odetari – “OMG XD” is the second time Odetari has made it to this section IN A ROW. This song is a new chronically online anthem with its immature lyrics and use of buzzes and beeps.
Chase Atlantic – “DOUBT IT“ that this is going to make waves in the industry. This track is exactly like the rest of Atlantic’s discography th ematically, sonically, and lyrically.
Albums
Good
🏆 Quinn XCII – Lunch is served. If the record were a déjeuner, it’d be a perfect grilled chicken sandwich and freshly squeezed lemonade: the meal of summer. The beats on Lunch are groovy and the chorus is well-done. I am definitely leaving a 5-star review and coming back in the future for more. – R. Ho
Lil Tecca – PLAN A, in spite of its bloatedness, delivers one of the better performances of the week, with songs that present some of Tecca’s most standout beats and smoothest instrumental lines. Further, this spotlight on Tecca’s unique flair pairs well with a beautiful Don Toliver feature. – A. Batchu
Mid
Alec Benjamin – (DELUXE) 12 NOTES [16 Notes] sticks to the established style of the original record, adding four tracks that emulate the same needy, pleading energy in a sonically pleasant way. – A. Batchu
Katy Perry – 143 Despite weighty features and occasional returns to her classic vocal form (see: NIRVANA), Katy Perry provides nothing to bring us back. Is this “dance in a mediocre club off three shots” music? Maybe. Is this “dance in your room doing laundry and daydreaming” music? Absolutely not. – J. Nwosu
Orion Sun – Orion aims for the constellations, but does not land among the stars, utilizing soft resonance and echoing melodies to create a whimsical, yet melancholy mood. Her breathy vocals contribute tonally, but sometimes leave the music lacking fullness. Though the album is an introspective look into Orion’s relationship with love, it is still lyrically immature. The gentle drums and quiet guitar strums aren’t enough to recover this album from lines like “Good day, Mary Jane. Take this pain away.” – T. Millenson-Willens
Jamie xx – In Waves, like its name, has good and bad songs rippling throughout the project. While fans of punchy & heavy electronic dance music would enjoy this, it feels to me like standing still in a club I don’t want to be at. – A. Batchu
Future – MIXTAPE PLUTO is the scraps of the We Don’t Trust You duet. Here, Future tries to salvage the streams for his new repetitive project from the previous FuturexMetro record’s hype. – A. Batchu
Bad
🚮 You tell us. Share your thoughts in the comments!
