Justin Timberlake
“Can’t Stop the Feeling”
Pop

Justin Timberlake launches a preemptive strike on summer radio with a catchy tune that doesn’t generate as many good vibrations …

Florida Georgia Line
“H.O.L.Y.”
Country

Bro country practitioners Florida Georgia Line trades lusting ‘n’ leering for love so devoted it dives into … idolatry.

Volbeat
The Devil’s Bleeding Crown
Metal, Rock

The latest hit from Danish metal act Volbeat seems to express sympathy for the devil … and some other demonic …

P!nk
“Just Like Fire”
Pop, Rock

P!nk’s pop-rock contribution to the soundtrack for Alice Through the Looking Glass ponders what it takes to do the impossible.

Twenty One Pilots
Ride
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, Reggae, Rock

This reggae-tinged electropop hit from Twenty One Pilots is paradoxically upbeat and melancholy at the same time.

Carrie Underwood
Church Bells
Country

Carrie Underwood’s latest hit finds the country icon once again returning to a theme she’s explored before: deadly revenge.

Rihanna
Needed Me
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, R&B

Rihanna to her fans: “Didn’t they tell you that I was a savage?”

Nick Jonas
Close
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, R&B

We must conclude that this is pretty much Nick Jonas’ full understanding of what it means to get “Close.”

Ariana Grande
Dangerous Woman
Pop, R&B

There’s not even the pretense of narrative here. It’s just Ariana putting herself on display.

Meghan Trainor
No
Pop, R&B

Meghan Trainor’s latest song delivers a blunt rebuff to men who would objectify her … even as its video invites …

Fifth Harmony
Work From Home
Pop, R&B

Fifth Harmony had to change the name of its latest hit to avoid confusion with a recent Rihanna track. And …

Beyoncé
Formation
R&B, Rap/Hip-Hop

Beyoncé’s “Formation,” for all of its controversy, for all of its potential benefit and harm, for all of its political …

Lukas Graham
7 Years
Alternative, Pop, R&B

“7 Years” of whiplash, you might say of this Lukas Graham song. Liberal, conservative. Immoral, moral. High and sober.

Zayn
Pillowtalk
Alternative, EDM/Electronica/Techno, Pop, R&B

Zayn Malik has shed his association with One Direction. And his first solo hit sheds—and shreds—what few inhibitions his former …

Rihanna
Work
Pop, Rap/Hip-Hop, Reggae

When Rihanna sings about having too much “work,” she’s really talking about something else entirely.