SONG: Party People
ARTIST: Nelly feat. Fergie
It used to be that Nelly, with his skippy nasally flow and stubborn refusal to properly pronounce “here,” had one of the most recognizable voices in rap music. Even on tracks like “Grillz,” which featured a markedly different beat than anything on his debut, the original St. Lunatic himself found a way to preserve his style. But on “Party People,” Nelly’s trademark country grammar is replaced by clubby slurring – and quintessential drunk girl Fergie isn’t helping.
Grade: C-
ARTIST: Robyn
Swedish diva Robyn started making electro-pop hits as a 16-year-old more than a decade ago. And since then, her style hasn’t changed much. “Who’s That Girl” features a New Wave-throwback beat from The Knife, which makes it very ’00, but includes an ultra-peppy chorus that sounds totally ’90s. But so what? The track’s mindless fun, and the rest of her most recent album, Robyn, is even better.
Grade: B+
SONG: Don’t Touch Me
ARTIST: Busta Rhymes
Just before the three-minute mark on “Don’t Touch Me,” Busta Rhymes gasps as the noisy drum groove clattering behind him halts. It might be the first breath he takes. The first single of Busta’s eighth release shows his chops are still strong as ever – though his judgment might be waning: The album includes a collaboration with Linkin Park. I guess that’s what rappers do when they get into their mid 30s.
Grade: B+
SONG: Better as a Memory
ARTIST: Kenny Chesney
This song might be a bigger buzz kill than the ultra-mellow Feist performance that served as the musical anti-climax to Little 500 week. But Kenny might have the right idea. Maybe it’s time to decelerate a little and enjoy a sappy country song. Enough bumping and grinding. It’s time for a good slow dance.
Grade: B
