Singles: September 6, 2013

Robin Thicke Feat. Kendrick Lamar, ”Give It 2 U”
The best song on Thicke’s recent album isn’t ”Blurred Lines” — it’s this half-sexy, half-silly synthesizer romp featuring a manic Lamar, who issues the most stupid-brilliant pickup line heard on the radio in ages: ”You’re like a needle in a haystack/I wanna sit you where my face at.” B+ —Nick Catucci

Janelle Monáe Feat. Miguel, ”Primetime”
Ballads have always been Monáe’s Kryptonite — she’s much stronger at scatting about aliens over a jittery slap bass than torch-singing about feelings. But every slow jam sounds better with Miguel, who steers this snaky groove into proper baby-making territory. B+ —Kyle Anderson