Yes, with luv: BTS feat. Halsey, “Boy With Luv” – I am genuinely concerned with how many times I’m going to listen to this today. “Boy With Luv” is a joyous, pop banger—it’s as if BTS managed to capture the exact sound of a stomach filling with butterflies, the explosiveness of having a good interaction with a crush. I was concerned with how the K-Pop boy band would institute Halsey’s sleepy whisper-singing into their maximalist pop and it turns out they… didn’t do much? She’s heard low in the mix in the chorus, but that’s it. The song is better for it, but her fans will likely feel disappointed. —Maria Sherman
Y: Lizzo covers Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson’s “Nothing Breaks Like A Heart” – Leave it to Lizzo to make a pop song I already like even better. Instead of speeding the tune up—which would’ve been extraordinarily easy for her, she slows it down and lets her rasp do the work (plus, that gospel chorus doesn’t hurt.) It’s gorgeous, and I love it, simple as that. —MS
Y: Jessie Reyez and 6lack, “Imported” – Reyez’s delicate yet croaky voice, and songwriting genius really shine in this song. The storyline, simplistic nature of the video and their emotional deliveries make this a beaut. With standout lines like “get over them by getting under me” and “I drink liquor like it’s water, hope my liver can afford it” guzzled in breathless, heartfelt runs, Reyez and 6lack take the relatable agonies of unrequited love and somehow make listening to them sing about it enjoyable. *Chefs kiss.* —Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo
Y: Lizzo covers Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson’s “Nothing Breaks Like A Heart” – Leave it to Lizzo to make a pop song I already like even better. Instead of speeding the tune up—which would’ve been extraordinarily easy for her, she slows it down and lets her rasp do the work (plus, that gospel chorus doesn’t hurt.) It’s gorgeous, and I love it, simple as that. —MS
Y: Jessie Reyez and 6lack, “Imported” – Reyez’s delicate yet croaky voice, and songwriting genius really shine in this song. The storyline, simplistic nature of the video and their emotional deliveries make this a beaut. With standout lines like “get over them by getting under me” and “I drink liquor like it’s water, hope my liver can afford it” guzzled in breathless, heartfelt runs, Reyez and 6lack take the relatable agonies of unrequited love and somehow make listening to them sing about it enjoyable. *Chefs kiss.* —Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo