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.

‘Future Nostalgia’ – Dua Lipa ★★★★☆

“Future Nostalgia” is the title track from Dua Lipa’s newest album, set to be released sometime in 2020. Right from the beginning, the catchy lyrics and solid backup instrumentals makes you want to dance. The blend in the song is perfect, and none of the included components seem to be overpowering or hidden away. An interesting thing I noticed while listening to this song is that Lipa’s british accent seems to be more prominent – and I like it! Overall, “Future Nostalgia” is the song I never knew I needed. It’s the type of song you put on when you want to be in a good mood, or when you’re already in a good mood and want to dance. With this stellar release, I am excited to hear the rest of the tracks on the new album.

‘Runaway’ – Hayley Kiyoko ★★★☆☆

Hayley Kiyoko’s most recent single, “Runaway”, feels like the type of song one would open a sold out concert with. Kiyoko’s captivating lyrics and consistent vocals complement the heavy bass pumping in the background. In my opinion, however, I do feel this song is a bit repetitive. As a casual fan of Kiyoko’s music, “Runaway” seems rushed and not as well thought out as her previous singles. It could be that she is trying to experiment with a new sound, but it just doesn’t work for me. Hopefully, she can impress me with her upcoming album, which is going to be released late December. 

‘Under The Moon’ – 070 Shake ★★★★☆

Danielle Balbuena, more prominently known as 070 Shake, is at the top of her game with this release. The heavy synth along with a steady electronic rhythm allows the listener to relax, but doesn’t lull you to sleep. Balbuena’s deep, rich voice is magnetic, and over the course of the song, her ability to balance both the vocals and the instrumentals really shines through. What I like about “Under The Moon” is that it incorporates multiple genres; electronic, rap, and hip hop. As someone who didn’t listen to 070 Shake before hearing this song, I was impressed and left with a curiosity for more. In conclusion, I will definitely be on the lookout for more of Balbuena’s music in the future.