Welcome to “Cut Through the Noise,” a series of weekly music reviews covering recently released songs. This week’s edition is jam packed, with two writers reviewing a total of six new tracks.

“River (feat. Ed Sheeran)” by Eminem: ★★★

When I listened to this song for the first time I found it boring and unoriginal. However, with additional listens I was able to get more into it.  “River” is a catchy song, and Ed Sheeran’s vocals on the track add a twist to Eminem’s traditional rap verses, which flow well together. Although the song is enjoyable, it’s all too familiar.  It reminds me a little too much of Sheeran’s “Eraser” off  his latest album, “Divide.” The choruses sound almost identical, just substituting Sheeran’s rap verses for Eminem’s. Eminem’s rap verses are kind of dry, and they lack substance and relatability. Ed Sheeran saves the rap verses with his vocals on the chorus, showcasing his range and raspy voice. Overall I would enjoy “River” if I heard it on the radio, but I’m not going to race to purchase it.

“Backseat (feat. Carly Rae Jepsen)” by Charli XCX: ★

“Backseat,” similar to “River,” didn’t initially pull me in.  Under all of the autotune and overproduction, Charli XCX and Carly Rae Jepsen’s newest song lacks substance. The autotune is so heavy I couldn’t understand a word she is saying. After listening to the song, I had to look up the lyrics to understand, and even listening to the song several times while looking at the lyric video, I still struggled to understand the words. The end lyric is “It’s Charli, baby” leaving a horrible lasting impression of an already bad song. Carly Rae Jepsen’s vocals are lost due to the heavy autotune not being able to recognize who is singing which part. Overall, “Backseat” is a slog to listen to, and should remain a forgettable album track.

“&burn (feat. Vince Staples)” by Billie Eilish: ★★★★

16-year-old Billie Eilish is taking over the music scene, and her new song, “&burn” solidifies her place as a pop up-and-comer. While the song has a strong pop sound and resonates with mainstream listeners, it also maintains a unique sound that distinguishes Eilish from her competitors. Her edgy vocals and songwriting ability makes the song great, whereas another singer could not bring the same tone to the song as she does. Eilish’s songs are made to fit her voice, which makes them sound even more powerful. Vince Staples does not play a big role in the song – his verse did not add or take away from the song. Staples’ verse is unmemorable, which I don’t feel is necessarily a bad thing, considering the focus of the song remains on its catchy chorus.

“Finesse (feat. Cardi B)” by Bruno Mars: ★★★★★

Reaching the top 40 with only one day of streaming, Bruno Mars and Cardi B’s collab “Finesse” provides a fun song to kick off 2018. Belcalis Almanzar, also known as Cardi B, first rocked the music industry with her smash-hit, “Bodak Yellow,”, but veers away from trap and into funk on her latest feature. Almanzar continues to surprise listeners with her witty lyrics, giving energy to Mars’ ‘80s throwback beat. Mars’ velvety tone truly portrays how much finesse he can use in a song. His tenor vocals contrast well with Cardi B’s rap, crafting a funky, 80’s jam with a modern twist. With a vibe reminiscent of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Mars and Cardi B came together to create a fun and dancey anthem.

“All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA: ★★★★

Hopefully the second of many collabs to come, “All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA is one for the books. Barring its 40 second intro, Solana Rowe, also known as SZA, starts kicks the song  off with power and poise. Even though at times Rowe meshes her words together, the song’s lyrics are both poetic and refined. The beat sounds like “Controlla,” by Drake, smoothly transitioning between of Lamar and Rowe’s voices. “All the Stars” is the first track off Marvel’s Black Panther soundtrack, curated by Lamar, and it’s a revelation.

“Filthy” by Justin Timberlake: ★★★

Justin Timberlake returns to the music scene with his new lead single, “Filthy.” Produced by Timbaland for his upcoming album, “Man of the Woods,” “Filthy” has a techno yet retro feel, culminating with a quirky 70’s vibe. Justin Timberlake also strays from his roots, by showcasing his tenor vocals and by mostly talking throughout the song, similar to Bruno Mars’ “24k Magic.” Timberlake’s smooth vocals pair well with the electronic beat, giving the song an almost eerie feel near the end. The woman speaking at the end of the track advances the creepily haunting sensation Timberlake provides in “Filthy,” giving a bizarre and unexpected cap to the funky electronic hit.