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.

“ISIS”- Joyner Lucas ft. Logic ★★★★☆

“ISIS” collab with Joyner Lucas and Logic was very good and finely polished. I enjoy that both artists came together in order to make a good song. Though both Lucas and Logic had “beef,” they seem to have put it behind them and made a song that is written well. Lucas’s lyrics add a lot to the song with the rhyming and alliteration displaying his skill. Logic’s appearance halfway through the track capitalizes on mood and beat of the song. I believe both being very lyrical rappers forces mumble rappers to look back at what they are doing.

“Cross Me”- Ed Sheeran ft. Chance The Rapper & PnB Rock ★★☆☆☆

“Cross Me” is a track meant for mainstream radio, but not capable of a stand alone single I would actually want to listen to. The beat is more of a headache inducer than quality music. The only redeeming quality about this mediocre track “Cross Me” is Chance the Rapper’s verse I really think that without Chance the song would be in the gutter. The passionless “Cross Me” is destined for radio and shouldn’t stay there long.

“Ransom” – Lil Tecca ★★★☆☆

“Ransom” is a diamond in the rough I heard on youtube. Before this, I had never heard of Lil Tecca, but Tecca’s upbeat delivery carries this track. With distant chimes with some heavy 80’s and rattling hi-hats, it is almost like Lil Tecca is trying to catch up to the beat. Lyrics such as “The opps they tryna law me ’cause they hate the place I’m from” proves Tecca’s ability to spit some clever bars even in the early stages of his rap career. Lil Tecca’s breakout track “Ransom” shows potential to the future of his career, but all in all the style of the track deserves a 3/5 in my book.