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.

Rihanna — ‘Friend of Mine’ ★☆☆☆☆
When I was researching songs that came out this week, I was excited to see that Rihanna had a new song coming out. However, when I looked up the song on Spotify, I was surprised to see that “Friend of Mine” released May 16, was actually part of the soundtrack for the upcoming film “Smurfs”, which is set to be released July 18. The song starts out with a strange, almost robotic-sounding voice with heavy reverb, which was impossible for me to understand. I am not even entirely sure if it was supposed to sound like actual words. The rhythm then picks up and we hear some more echoes of the voice before Rihanna finally starts singing. I was disappointed that her voice was layered with so much autotune and reverb that she, too, was hard to understand. After looking at the lyrics, I saw that they were very repetitive, with the words “you feel like a friend of mine” playing over and over again. That verse was literally most of the lyrics. Overall, the song was very boring and got old quickly. That being said, I know it wasn’t intended to be a song that you would blast in your car to sing with, as it was intended for a kids’ movie. Still, with it being performed by Rihanna, I expected much more excitement and was hoping to actually hear her voice rather than having it be drowned out by the background music, autotune, and reverb. I don’t know if I would recommend this song to anyone, as it was one of the most boring, predictable and repetitive songs I have heard. I would say you are better off not wasting 3+ minutes on “Friend of Mine” by Rihanna.
John Foster — ‘Tell That Angel I Love Her’ ★★★★★

Before listening to “Tell That Angel I Love Her” by John Foster, I had never heard of him. After a bit of research, I found out that he was the runner-up for American Idol season 23, which recently finished. I was shocked to learn that he was only 18, as his voice had a very classic, clear, and old-fashioned sound to it, similar to that of Kenny Chesney. “Tell That Angel I Love Her” was originally released in 2023, but an updated version was released on May 18, 2025. Foster performed the heartfelt and tragic song on the American Idol Grand Finale. The song expresses Foster’s grief about the loss of a close friend. He sings in the chorus, “Lord, won’t you tell that angel I love her as soon as you can?” The more I listened to the song, the more emotional it made me feel. The song is slow-paced and Foster’s voice carries hurt and sorrow that rings out in each verse. It is truly a beautiful song that is complemented by a simple guitar and rhythm. I would recommend this song to anyone who is willing to tear up a bit, as this song pulls at your heartstrings. It is a country song with a timeless melody that is relatable to most people who have lost someone important in their lives.

Alex Warren — ‘Bloodline’ ft. Jelly Roll ★★★★☆
Other than “Bloodline”, I couldn’t name any other Alex Warren songs. However, I was captivated by his raw and raspy voice and was impressed with his songwriting. “Bloodline” is about breaking out of bad generational cycles, and the song encourages people that there is always hope for the future. In the chorus, Warren and Jelly Roll sing together: “And if you got tomorrow, then you still got time to break the chain that left you scarred, from where you came isn’t who you are”. The song also depicts a friendship filled with support. I thought it was a nice addition to include Jelly Roll in the song, as his voice fit the vibe of the song. The song is about overcoming challenges, and Jelly Roll has had many setbacks in his life, so it was touching to hear the song from his perspective. As for the actual music, it starts out with a guitar, and as Warren begins to sing, the tempo picks up. The chorus is also upbeat, and more backing instruments are added, which gives “Bloodline” a positive and hopeful feel. Overall, I thought the song was uplifting, cheerful, and strong. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a bit of inspiration and a fast-paced song.