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.

“Cool” — Jonas Brothers ★★★☆☆

The new Jonas Brothers single “Cool” is a fun song, but a disappointment in contrast to its other current music. “Cool” is a decent stand-alone song about fun times and good vibes. However, the track tends to feel repetitive and unoriginal and doesn’t bring anything creative to the music scene, compared to its recent single, “Sucker.” With so much hype surrounding the Jonas Brothers’ return, I was prepared for this song to display worthwhile vocals from both Joe and Nick Jonas. When in reality, “Cool” offers little to no vocals from Joe, which was a complete letdown. On the upside, the vocals throughout the song are rather impressive, with a great display of range from Nick Jonas. Amusing and endearing lyrics can be interesting on the surface, but ultimately lack meaning behind them.

“Poetry by Dead Men” — Sara Bareilles ★★★★★

“Poetry by Dead Men” by Sara Bareilles is a beautiful depiction of what happens when someone you love cannot commit to you. Bareilles writes from a place of experience, and she displays that effortlessly with her lyrics. Her vocals are gorgeous and add deep emotion to the song. The instrumental does a great job of uplifting Bareilles’ vocals without overpowering her. Although “Poetry by Dead Men” repeats itself all through the chorus, the reiterations emphasize key themes throughout the song. Harmonies in the track are also stunning, highlighting important parts of the song by layering different notes. Bareilles masterfully crafts this meaningful song.

“The High Road” — Molly Tuttle ★★★★☆

“The High Road” from Molly Tuttle’s debut solo album is a sweet and engaging song about two people going their own ways. The acoustic instruments bring a vulnerable, yet relaxing feel to the song, making a very pleasant listening experience. Tuttle offers lovely vocals, which add to the emotional nature to the song. The lyrics in the song are poetic, describing a tough situation with an optimistic attitude. She discusses how difficult it can be to grow apart from someone, which is an experience anyone can relate to. When listening to the vocals and lyrics, you can tell “The High Road” was written from the heart. Tuttle makes a strong impression through talented vocals and well-written lyrics.