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.
Ariana Grande — ‘yes, and?’ ★★★★☆
Although I am not a regular listener of Miss Grande, I did enjoy her new single, which was released Jan. 12. This new year, 2024 is seemingly going to be the year of house/club music, so this song kicks off the new year with the right vibe. Tied in with a catchy beat, this song is centered around protecting her peace. Grande’s lyrics urge listeners to focus in on themselves and not so much on the people around them. It definitely feels like a piece about empowerment, especially for Grande as a celebrity who has been in the industry since her adolescence. One aspect of this song that I really found cute was Grande’s ode to her late ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller. One lyric in particular (“Say that s*** with your chest”) is a direct reflection of one of Miller’s songs “Jet Fuel,” which was released on his 2018 album titled “Swimming.” Overall I enjoyed this song, I could see myself incorporating this song into my mix of hype music on the occasion.
Kali Uchis ft. Peso Pluma — ‘Igual Que Un Ángel’ ★★★★★
After releasing her debut album “Isolation” in 2018, Uchis has made a number of Billboard hits and singles and did not disappoint with her newest release of her album “ORQUÍDEAS.” Serving as her second Spanish album, I personally really enjoyed the mix of lyrics in English and Spanish — every line transitioned smoothly among each other. Another addition to this track was the secondary voice of Peso Pluma, both of their voices flowed incredibly well together and added another sense of depth. The title translates into “Just Like An Angel,” and this song covers singing about a strong woman, who even through hardships, stays true to herself. As a groovy and casual song, I will be adding this track to my winter playlist, as well as giving the rest of the album a spin.
Jhené Aiko — ‘Sun/Son’ ★★★★☆
Released on Jan. 11, Aiko gives her listeners an ethereal track to listen to right off the bat. The first fifteen seconds are filled with Aiko’s angelic voice harmonizing. The song itself has a very soft, inviting and comforting tone. Although seemingly simple, these lyrics carry depth and meaning about how important her family is. As Aiko welcomed her son, Noah, in the fall of 2022, this song encapsulates a sweet love letter to her son. On top of this, through her lyrics, Aiko reveals the new journey of personal growth she has experienced through the healing of motherhood. My only critique for this song would be how short the running time is, while just under 3 minutes, Aiko also released a piano version as well. I really enjoyed this song and I am excited to see what Aiko has in store for the future.
