The Best and Worst Singles of the Week — From Boosie to Screaming Females
Tove Styrke
“Borderline”
RCA/Sony Sweden
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Can two Swedish singers named Tove cross over with confessional jams in the same year? New RCA signee Tove Styrke would love to match the success of Tove Lo’s “Habits (Stay High)” with the slithering “Borderline,” but her colorless lyrics — “I’m borderline happy and I’m borderline sad” — sink the snappy dancehall production. –Jason Lipshutz
From Kendrick Lamar to Garth Brooks, the Best and Worst Singles of the Week
Screaming Females
“Ripe”
Don Giovanni
Screaming Females graduated from being a buzz band long ago: The trio is arleady prepping its sixth studio LP, and frontwoman Marissa Paternoster exhibits the muscular cry of a seasoned pro. Unfortunately, the vocal force of “Ripe” doesn’t make up for the unpleasant drill-sergeant melody on the hook. –Kristen Yoonsoo Kim
From Gwen Stefani to Sleater-Kinney, the Best and Worst Singles of the Week
Fickle Friends
“For You”
Crazy Heart
After its debut single, “Swim,” this Brighton, England, group has another indie-pop-rock pleasure, “For You,” which finds singer Natti Shiner once again wrapping her melancholy graceful melodies. The hook is immediate, but the minute details — backing male vocals on the pre-chorus, a breath-catching pause — are just as arresting. –Jason Lipshutz
The Best and Worst Singles of the Week — From Fifth Harmony to Spandau Ballet
Boosie Featuring Webbie
“On That Level”
Atlantic
The first street single from Boosie’s upcoming post-prison LP is a mirror for the man: slightly menacing, goofy and hard to resist. The club track gets its heft from the methodical delivery of Louisiana’s most divisive character, his voice pitched slightly deeper — and his words wiser — compared with his early years. –Dan Hyman
This article originally appeared in the Nov. 29 issue of Billboard.
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