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 of writer, reviewing recent single releases from a variety of artists.
Kali Uchis and Karol G — ‘Labios Mordidos’ ★★★★☆
Two giants of the Latin music industry have joined forces and do not disappoint with “Labios Mordidos.” I was excited to hear the new track, Spanish for “bitten lips,” as both singers have different sounds — Karol G tends to make songs of the typical reggaeton sound, while Kali Uchis makes more R&B/soul music. While both their voices blend well, the track is heavily reggaetón influenced more than anything. With most of her songs, the first thing that stands out to me is Uchis’s mind-blowingly angelic voice. She never fails to impress, and hit the mark on this single. The song sounds very similar to much of modern reggaetón music, with its “dembow” (the signature regggaetón beat) repeated throughout the whole song. While I enjoy it, others may find it a little repetitive. Something that I did find repetitive, though, was the chorus. Multiple “oohs” are repeated during it and I found it forgettable. Karol G’s and Uchis’s voices work exceptionally well together. I wish they had harmonized with each other because I thought it would have added depth to the song. Overall, Uchis and Karol G are no strangers to making top hits, and know how to crank out more like “Labios Mordidos.”
Zara Larsson — ‘Memory Lane’ ★★★☆☆
Zara Larsson has been under the spotlight for a while — when her first chart-topping hit, “Ain’t My Fault,” first came out, she was just 18 years old. With such a full life already lived at 25, the Swede has much to share in “Memory Lane.” The concept and lyrics of the track aren’t very original. Larsson sings rather casually about how she’s grateful for all of her past experiences, as they have turned her into the person she is today. I found many of the lyrics cheesy and cliche, like the line “So I sing a little louder, get carried away and I thank myself for who I became.” Although reflective, it feels too preachy for a listener to enjoy. Aside from that, the instrumentals make for a standard pop song. Nothing truly stood out for me, making it forgettable after a few listens. Knowing that Larsson, in her teenage years, was making worldwide hits, I expected a bit more. It was bland, and I know there are more cutting-edge pop songs out there. Nonetheless, fans of her music will appreciate it, while others, like me, will probably be indifferent to it.
Tom Rosenthal — ‘My Body’ ★★★★★
The American singer/songwriter is back with another single, and “My Body” is a sad but moving experience. Rosenthal is an undeniable genius when it comes to writing — he creates his songs in a way so unique to him that when I listened, I felt like I was living through that experience. He sings of receiving news in the hospital about an illness of some kind, and he is trying to come to terms with that fact in his life, questioning things about the functionality of his body. In the chorus, he sings, “It’s like I’m not quite me anymore, a body born to break, a body born to break, my body.” There are melancholy notes throughout the song, Rosenthal appreciating the times when there weren’t constant questions about his health. I appreciated the simplicity of the instrumentals, which were light piano and strings, as the lyrics delved into a heavy topic. Rosenthal’s voice is velvety and jarring — I was immediately captivated by his voice and lyrics upon first listening. A beautiful voice and powerful lyrics are a recipe for success, and “My Body” undeniably ticked those boxes.
