Welcome to “Cut Through the Noise,” an Entertainment column from the St. Louis Park Echo covering new music releases. Every week, a different Echo staffer takes on the role as writer, reviewing recent single releases from a variety of artists.

“Empty House” by Billy Lockett: ★★★☆☆

Billy Lockett, a fairly unknown musician, has stepped it up from his previous work  with  his new single, “Empty House.” The song gives off a strong sense of regret, mostly about acknowledging past mistakes. The lyrics are poetic and bittersweet and leave listeners  feeling lonely and wistful. Billy Lockett’s mournful vocals fit perfectly with the song’s melancholy. The chorus is fairly repetitive and the worst part of the song overall. The bridge, on the other hand, is much more soulful and touching, ultimately making up for the lackluster chorus. “Empty House” has good production value, allowing for the vocals and lyrics to have a greater, more defined impact on the listener. All in all, “Empty House” is a song I would add to my playlists but definitely won’t be one of my favorites.

“Lullaby” by Sigala and Paloma Faith: ★★★☆☆

Sigala and Paloma Faith’s “Lullaby” is upbeat, idyllic and perfect to jam to whenever you’re in a good mood. Opening with a techno beat, a staple of the dance/electronic genre, “Lullaby”  has a catchy melody and enjoyable verses. Though not a masterpiece, the song is well done, with a common but fun chord progression. The tune pulls from a well of easy tricks that the rest of the pop world continuously drains, causing this song to fade into the sea of pop songs that all sound too similar. However, “Lullaby” is still an enjoyable tune that grows on you each time you hear it. The lyrics are the lone standout portion of the song, romantic, vivid, and do a fantastic job of pulling listeners into the song. Though very derivative, “Lullaby” still manages to be enjoyable and, with the rate it’s growing on me, I’m sure it will make its way onto my playlist within the week.

“Want You Back” by 5 Seconds of Summer: ★★★☆☆

5 Seconds of Summer released their first track in two years on Feb. 23, continuing their trend of solidly okay contributions to the music industry. Though “Want You Back” is a slightly different style for the band, they still utilize the same musical themes that have brought them success in the past. The tune is forgettable, fading into the background of subpar pop songs. Falsetto singing is common in music and 5 Seconds of Summer does a good job of using it to their advantage in “Want You Back’s” catchy chorus. The song starts out with a piano riff in the background that creates a more personal, acoustic vibe. This leads into a much more techno chorus and a bland and repetitive bridge towards the end of the track. Though maybe not a song I’d add to my playlist, I’d still turn it up if it came on the radio.