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. Then, the team comments on the most recent albums.
SINGLES…
Good
🏆 JENNIE, Doechii – “ExtraL” may not be extraordinary; it is closely parallel with the female empowerment themes of her previous lead single “Mantra.” Likewise, the lyricism falls flat and feels superficial. Nonetheless, the song is saved by its overall catchiness and Doechii, whose heavy lifting verse brings the track to the top. – C. Nnadozie
Don Toliver, Speedy, j-hope, Pharrell Williams – “LV Bag” simultaneously ventures into Toliver’s past and expands the exploration of his newer style. It successfully captures the best of both worlds, of his past and future. While using an older production style focused on bouncier electronic elements, the song also emulates his recent album with its lyricism and innovative feature incorporation.
Coco Jones – “Taste” tastefully features a clever interpolation of the memorable “Toxic” chorus as the backing music and Jones’s own chorus. In these lyrics’ pairing with Jones’s powerful vocalizations, the song presents a new twist on the pop hit. It’s an ideal new listening experience for audiences.
Wallows – “Coffin Change” is a slight change of pace from the more downbeat attitude of the band’s last single. “Coffin Change” instead takes a more positive approach to its melody that pairs well with their vocal style and instrumentation, and the ultimate sound emulates their previously most successful works.
J. Cole – “cLOUDs” is one of Cole’s more innovative and varied flows in his recent works. Although over a more calm beat, Cole’s delivery succeeds at communicating complex messages of artistic authenticity, political advocacy, and community protection.
Mid
Selena Gomez, benny blanco, Gracie Abrams – “Call Me When You Break Up” will not be getting many calls back from me. It’s a template Gomez song with a repeated titular chorus over a catchy, yet ultimately boring, guitar-based melody.
Quavo – “Trappa Rappa” is a standard Quavo song, featuring a return to his typical flow. The rap plays out over an entertaining but repetitive beat consisting of a catchy synth melody and percussive elements.
Joey Bada$$ – “Pardon Me” is every Bada$$ song. With braggadocious lyricism backed by an engaging choral sample, it’s enjoyable, but the song doesn’t push the envelope. It’s just another track in his discography.
Rico Nasty – “TEETHSUCKER (YEA3x)” is the soundtrack to a sport car montage edit. Despite atrocious wordplay, the song maintains entertainment, capturing the listener’s attention with high-energy vocals and rock instrumentation.
grentperez – “Movie Scene” is a beautiful, if not generic, lead single in promotion of his upcoming album. Featuring wordplay allusions to cinematic masterpieces, the song is a necessary change of pace from his other latest singles.
Surfaces, Arden Jones – “Miss Sunshine” is ironically named considering Jones’s prior hit “Mr. Sunshine.” This song meets expectations by maintaining an upbeat instrumental throughout and pairing it with expectedly generic yet romantic lyrics.
Bad
🚮 Dove Cameron – “Too Much” is definitely a little too much of an attempt by Cameron to emulate Gaga’s discography. Between the vocal style employed by Dove here, the electronically infused production and the choral structure, the song feels like a half-assed attempt to end up on the rollout of Gaga’s own album.
Lil Mosey – “Call My Phone” is a classically boring Mosey mumble rap piece over an equally boring heavy electronic bass beat.
ALBUMS…
Good
🏆 Sunny War – Armageddon in a Summer Dress successfully lives up to its name. The folk and punk rock-esque fusion in this album stands out greatly against other releases this week. Sunny War should continue incorporating this melange of sound in her future releases. – C. Nnadozie
Tate McRae – So Close To What is better than close; it accomplishes what McRae’s music always tends towards: uniqueness in an oversaturated pop genre. While pop particularly tends to recycle the same sounds throughout any longer-form project, this album successfully keeps its songs’ sonic elements distinct. Further, the record sees McRae varying from her traditional pop style to a vein within house. – A. Batchu
SAINt JHN – FESTIVAL SEASON is a festival of sound, establishing itself as another JHN highlight of the modern bass genre. This album presents listeners (even those without much of an informed background in this genre) with a great variety of songs to choose a favorite from, each texturally unique in its use of pacing, melody, or intensity. – A. Batchu
Mid
Nardo Wick – WICK has beats that appear decent enough. However, everything about this album is repetitive, from the production to the lyricism. Wick’s monotonous flow doesn’t help his case, instead lowering the record’s quality, culminating in a tedious project to listen through. – C. Nnadozie
iann dior – Nothings Ever Good Enough (II), this record included. This album certainly wasn’t anything special. In spite of dior’s claims to rediscovery of self and sound, his music feels the same as it always has. Featuring a few replayable songs with attempted deviation from his norm, the album overall falls flat of being exploratory. – A. Batchu
