Wow, yes: BTS, “Dynamite” – The Bangtan boys have clearly studied up on their Western boy band tradition. “Dynamite” is BTS’s first track recorded fully in English, released more as fan service than any attempt at crossing over. They’ve proven time and time again that progressive, curious U.S. audiences don’t require songs recorded in English to become certifiable bangers, and for that reason, there’s something delightfully transgressive about their decision to release the song now, in the midst of a global pandemic that’s keeping most of us as home.
Yes, but only because of quarantine: Taylor Swift, “the lakes” – Despite my undying allegiance to Taylor Swift and everything she does, her latest album folklore is lacking in a lot of ways. This track is lyrically good, although melodically boring, only because it captures the current moment of how desperate people are to be outside. As a city bitch who recently discovered that lakes are where it’s at, I understand and can vibe to Swift’s longing to just be at a lake and scream into the watery void. I think if the world were not clamoring for the great outdoors in this moment, this would just be another boring cottagecore track. —Shannon Melero
Yes: Moor Mother, “Forever Industries A” – At the risk of taking the easy way out of this blurb: Moor Mother’s punk Afrofuturism defies categorization, and fittingly, her “Forever Industries” singles series defies time—the poet-activist-musician Camae Ayewa’s A-side marries spoken word, rap, meditative ambient synth, skittering drums loud in the mix and what I imagine to be archival recordings into an expansive three minutes. It requires multiple listens. —MS
At any rate, the song is heavily Jungkook-focused, the group’s maknae (or youngest member, think of him as embodying the Western “cute one” trope a la One Direction’s Niall Horan), a clever decision considering his popularity stateside. The song, too, is disco-pop along the lines of Lizzo’s “Juice,” a wholesome pastel wonderland that’s sure to land on U.S. radio. Please spare me one more ham-fisted 1D comparison, but it feels spiritually similar to the U.K. boy band’s earliest days: endearing pop hits meant to elicit a feeling of total joy, a warmth expressed in the purest way—through the embarrassment-free, callow charms of the biggest boy band on the planet. —Maria Sherman
Yes, but only because of quarantine: Taylor Swift, “the lakes” – Despite my undying allegiance to Taylor Swift and everything she does, her latest album folklore is lacking in a lot of ways. This track is lyrically good, although melodically boring, only because it captures the current moment of how desperate people are to be outside. As a city bitch who recently discovered that lakes are where it’s at, I understand and can vibe to Swift’s longing to just be at a lake and scream into the watery void. I think if the world were not clamoring for the great outdoors in this moment, this would just be another boring cottagecore track. —Shannon Melero
Yes: Moor Mother, “Forever Industries A” – At the risk of taking the easy way out of this blurb: Moor Mother’s punk Afrofuturism defies categorization, and fittingly, her “Forever Industries” singles series defies time—the poet-activist-musician Camae Ayewa’s A-side marries spoken word, rap, meditative ambient synth, skittering drums loud in the mix and what I imagine to be archival recordings into an expansive three minutes. It requires multiple listens. —MS