I mean, whatever: Grimes, “4ÆM” – It’s currently unclear if I am capable of being objective about the quality of Grimes’ new music, considering my first thought when I heard this song was: “This definitely sounds like a roll of nickels.” Anyway, the song is fine, but its clear that the lighting-in-a-bottle pop joy that permeated every fiber of Art Angels has completely evaporated from her production and lyricism. I imagine this song sounds perfectly ok when blasting through the speakers of the Tesla Cybertruck, orange wig on with her megalomaniac inventor boyfriend at her side, but playing through my computer speakers, I was left feeling despondent. The DNA that makes up Grimes core sound remains unchanged—frenetic rhythms and disembodied pixie vocals—but there is something hollow, if sleek, about the end result. Like rain on the cold, hard surface of the Cybertruck. (Can’t wait to hear the complete album, though!) —Joan Summers
Sure: Lizzo, “Good As Hell” (music video) – Here’s the thing: Lizzo originally released “Good As Hell”—with a music video—back in 2016. Releasing another feels like a cheap play at upping streaming numbers, or something, which isn’t great… but this band-geek video is pretty delightful, so I cannot completely deride it. It’s fun. Not “fun as hell,” but a decent ride all around. —Maria Sherman
Sure: Lizzo, “Good As Hell” (music video) – Here’s the thing: Lizzo originally released “Good As Hell”—with a music video—back in 2016. Releasing another feels like a cheap play at upping streaming numbers, or something, which isn’t great… but this band-geek video is pretty delightful, so I cannot completely deride it. It’s fun. Not “fun as hell,” but a decent ride all around. —Maria Sherman