New Music Friday - 06/06/2025

Albums/EPs:

• Addison Rae - Addison
• Cynthia Erivo - I Forgive You
• MARINA - PRINCESS OF POWER

Singles:

• Barbra Streisand (with Laufey) - Letter To My 13 Year Old Self 
• Bellah Mae - Sting 
• Bow Anderson - Slap In The Face 
• Carla Wehbe - Fuck It I'll Be My Own Best Friend 
• Charlie Lee - Come and Get It
• CHINCHILLA - Avoidance 
• ELIO - Adderall 
• Elle Coves - Body 
• Ethel Cain - Nettles
• FLETCHER - Boy 
• Jessie Murph - Touch Me Like a Gangster
• Juno James - Can't Fit In His Shoes 
• KATSEYE (feat. Ice Spice) - Gnarly
• Kiesza - Stays In Bed 
• King Princess - RIP KP
• Mariah Carey - Type Dangerous
• Mimi Webb - Love Language
• Rita Ora - Heat
• Sabrina Carpenter - Manchild
• Sam Pomerantz - Except For Us
• Say Now - Brick By Brick 
• Victoria (feat. Ashnikko) - DADDY 
• Wafia - Big Thoughts (From the Garden) 

Addison Rae - Addison:

New York: Quite an interesting start. Lowkey and a bit moody. Not really what I expected but I like it---woah okay, I guess we're going with a beat now. I like it a lot with the beat. Woah, okay, really fun towards the end of the song. You know what, this is a win. Big win. 8/10

Diet Pepsi: The HIT! Honestly, I can't lie, it doesn't hit for me as much as it did but that may be it being overplayed or something. It's still good though. It was definitely a fantastic lead single for the album and it is really catchy. Key changes towards the end are some of my favourite things too. 7/10

Money is Everything: This is FANTASTIC. HIT! Love it. Instant classic. Addison Rae's album is everything. It's just immediately such good pop music. That production is great. So is that chorus. 9/10

Aquamarine: This is another fantastic song. Honestly, the more I listened to it the more it grew on me. I really do like the Arca remix too. It fits really well in the context of the album too. The production fits so well. 8/10

Lost & Found: Now why are we having interludes in this album? Does it fit quite well? Yes, it does. Am I mad I'm not getting more proper tracks? Yes, I am. It does flow really nicely into High Fashion though, and I'm not mad it exists. I just want more tracks in addition to it. The ending of it kinda flopped a bit though. [No rating].

High Fashion: Another stunning single, and again fits really well in the context of the album. I think it may be one of my least favourite of the singles but she's still good. We don't need to know about your foot fetish though thanks! The transition into the last chorus is definitely the best bit. 7/10

Summer Forever: This could potentially be more of a flop depending how it goes. Yeah, this almost feels more whiny and annoying somehow. Definitely my least favourite song so far. Could it maybe grow on me? Yes, I see the potential. But for now, it's the biggest flop. Still decent though! That's how you know she's good. 6/10

In The Rain: Meanwhile, this could be another HIT! I really like this actually. It's quite infectious immediately again. That chorus is greattt. Thankfully, we left the super whine behind. That...piano? is great. Me when I can identify instruments. 8/10

Fame is a Gun: You know what, I didn't like this really on first listen, but I think in the context of the album I really get it, and it's clicking for me a lot more now. Massive increase in how much I like this. It's really catchy! I do think the vocal effects annoy me a bit, but way less than it did. 8/10

Times Like These: Ohhhh, this is a slightly different vibe. I think I like it. Yeah, that's another really nice chorus in my view. I really like that production. It's great. It's infectious again. GREAT song. 8/10

Life's No Fun Through Clear Waters: Did we need another interlude? No. I want MORE. Give me MORE. MORE!!!! Was this a good interlude though? Yes, it was. I really liked it actually. I'm just mad we have these interludes and not more 'actual' songs still. [No rating].

Headphones On: This is a stunning song. It is a fantastic song to close out the album. And you know what, I think it may be the best song on the album now. It's such an earworm. I could listen to it again and again. Lyrically and also production wise, it's a really nice close. GREAT song! 9/10

Overall Verdict: This was a STUNNING first album from Addison Rae. Really good. Only one track even remotely approached flop territory, and there were some really standout tracks too. This was a really good debut album. I don't like how a lot of it was released as singles, and I also don't like that 2 of the tracks were interludes, but still. Does it reinvent the pop wheel? No. Is it a really strong pop album with a good vision, and proves Addison Rae has a future career locked in for pop music? Yes Anyway, it was a fantastic first and last album for Addison Rae. What a great music career. Obsessed, the AR EP and this album. Can't believe it's all over now. I've heard some good stuff about a new artist called Addison though...

Cynthia Erivo - I Forgive You:

Why (Interlude): Starting with an interlude is kinda wild. Sounds decent. But how is it an interlude and not just like an intro? Confused. Anyway, fine "interlude". Didn't see much reason for it but whatever. [No rating].

Best For Me: Based on this so far, not really sure this album is going to be for me. It's a bit boring to start with. This kinda reminds me of a game soundtrack for some reason with some of the production. She sounds fine. That whistling or whatever is annoying. 6/10

More Than Twice: It's a piano. Could go either way. Not a fan of it so far. Just very bland so far for me. It feels somewhat empty and like it's missing something. I'm bored of this song. Why is it still going on? Also, how many times can you repeat the same thing? The ending of the song really didn't need to be this long. 5/10

You First: I swear this wasn't the vibe of the single I remember listening to. This is a really slow album. Great for those who like this type of music I suppose. I don't. She does sound really good though, obviously. Some really nice instruments here though, even though it's quite boring for me too. Not here for the ending of the song either. 5/10

Save Me From You: Who's surprised, I feel the same about this song. ZZZZZZZ. Oh, nevermind, this song is getting better. The production here is a lot better. It's a better song by far. I liked it a fair bit. 7/10

Worst Of Me: This feels like another better song. More in line with what I remember the lead single to be too. Really good voice here as ever. I like this song a lot more too. 7/10

I Want You (Interlude): It's an interlude to exist. Meh! Moving on... [No rating].

She Said: Started as another meh song. We'll see how it goes. It may improve. Or it may not. Nevermind. 5/10

What You Want: What is that? No. I'm not here for that. Don't do that. Bad! This is bad...yeah. I do not like this at all. It sounds bad to me. 4/10

Play The Woman: Could this be another flop? Potentially. Well, it was. Boring and nothing really. 5/10

Push and Pull: This is better once again. It has substance to it. Woah, we're switching to speaking now? Hmm, not sure if I'm feeling that or not. 6/10

Until You Saw Me (Interlude): Oh, another interlude that is an interlude to exist. Anyway, moving on... [Interlude].

Holy Refrain: That felt like it was going to go somewhere else but sadly it did not. Oh well! I can't believe this album is like an hour long like...help...I need it to end. She does sound good though! Woah, a kinda switchup towards the end. That bit does sound better. But it's not enough. 5/10

I Choose Love: I guess this was also a bit better. Nice piano and contrast with the rest of the song. And it sounds more interesting. 6/10

Be Okay: Absolutely not. I hate these vocal layers with nothing else. Please stop it quick. I need saving. And that whistling, oh no, no no no no no. BAD! 2/10

How I Could Fall: I'm left wondering why we still have so many songs to go like helppp. What is there left? She sounds good here but why...an alright song anyway. 6/10

I Forgive You (Interlude): Oh, it's yet another interlude. Save me please I've been good. Don't really have many thoughts on this one either really. [No rating].

Replay: THIS was the lead single? Oh I completely forgot about that. It is definitely one of the better songs still. Oh no it's the annoying whistling again. It definitely improves a lot when the full production kicks in. But it's just a better song than a lot of the rest of them generally. 7/10

Brick By Brick: Great voice once again, and this is more of an interesting song. Almost some sort of grand element to it? This is quite nice actually. There should have been more of this in the album. It was a lot more interesting. Vocal power to end the song, nice! 7/10

Grace: Finally, the last song. Get me out of here. To be fair to this song, I feel like it's a good song to end the album on. It has good ending song energy. It also is a lot more interesting than a lot of the previous songs. Why couldn't have this been the whole album? I wouldn't have minded as much it being so long if that was the case. It sounds good here! Nice ending. 7/10

Overall Verdict: This was a badddd album. BAD! The production throughout, for the most part, was bland and uninspiring. The album did not need to be over an hour long. It heavily overstayed its welcome. A lot of the songs were really similar, and bland as hell. The one consistent highlight is that Cynthia's voice is fantastic, but I can listen to songs that both have fantastic singers but also are not boring as hell to listen to. This was painful for me to listen to. Could be one of my least favourite albums of the year honestly!

MARINA - PRINCESS OF POWER:

PRINCESS OF POWER: This could be an interesting intro. Here's the fun beat! Or is it kinda annoying too? Unsure. Hmm, maybe it's kinda annoying more than it is fun. I'm really torn actually. I can't decide if I like it or not. Maybe this song being 4 minutes is getting me used to it. I don't know, this isn't my favourite at the minute. 6/10

BUTTERFLY: I think again this song grew on me. The verses were always decent to me. But it was the stupid child like chorus that was the main thing that grated on me. I feel like I've been ground down somewhat because it's not as annoying. MARINA's vocals are great on this song too. Good song! It's nice these tracks are longer actually, I don't think they overstay their welcome. 7/10

CUNTISSIMO: SLAY!!! CUNT!!! MOTHER!!! The production is an instant standout to me, love it. It's just a song I really could listen to on repeat. Of course people still say YOLO! I really like the pre-chorus too, but the chorus really takes the cake. 9/10

ROLLERCOASTER: Woah, what is this? Could this be a mess? A big mess? Well, seems like I was accurate in that description. What is this. Highly annoying. I guess I like some of those twinkling synths? But it still feels messy to me. MESS! 5/10

CUPID'S GIRL: This is a much better song. Can see why it was a single over that previous mess. Got some really good production and it sounds really good. Even like the chorus with the more high-pitched stuff. But that production really carries it. 8/10 

METALLIC STALLION: Great vocals here, she sounds great. Stunning voice. It's a really nice more laid back song too. I actually really like this. It's carried by her stunning voice, and the production of this song compliments it well. The switchup is also nice too, though I wouldn't have minded it staying slow the whole time. 8/10

JE NE SAIS QUOI: Nice intro. Oh, okay, this could be really good depending on how it goes. MARINA's voice really does sound good. Yeah, this is pretty good. Sounds really good. It has the chiller energy with her stunning voice that I really like. 8/10

DIGITAL FANTASY: Ohhh this is fun! Great intro. I really like the production. It's an interesting vibe switch generally too. End those frauds MARINA! 8/10

EVERYBODY KNOWS I'M SAD: Great production immediately. Also, real honestly. The second part of the pre-chorus kinda has too much going on. Wow, okay we're going into banger territory. I really like the s-s-s-s-s-s-sad and b-b-b-b-bad parts. Fun synths too! 8/10

HELLO KITTY: A lot more of a chill and laidback song and I really like it too. Except maybe the "hello kitty" part of it. Other than that, really good. Great synths once again. Also, GREAT voice. 8/10

I <3 YOU: Hmm, this could lean into the too annoying territory with those high vocals. Yeah, I'm not feeling this one as much unfortunately. Really is leaning into too annoying for me. 6/10

ADULT GIRL: It's piano time. Pretty standard MARINA ballad territory I think. It's not my favourite honestly with the vocal effects and the basic piano but it's a really nice song lyrically. 6/10

FINAL BOSS: Oh, is this the best song to end the album on? It could be. That production is infectious. Noooo, why did you stop it? COME BACK! I want it back!! It's still a good song though. It should have kept those hits more in the foreground honestly. Still a great song though. That post chorus is gooood. Good vocals once again. Game OVER! 8/10

Overall Verdict: I think one of the highlights of this album for me is MARINA's voice. It's stunning and this project really highlights that well. I also think this was a really good album from here. For the most part (except a few flops), it has some really good songs. They range from slower and more emotional tracks that really highlight MARINA's voice to just really fun bops. It's a great pop album, and I think a potential highlight of her discography. It has a very strong potential to be one of my favourite albums of the year at the end of it. 

Singles:

Barbra Streisand (with Laufey) - Letter To My 13 Year Old Self: Really grand and nice intro to this song. And I think it makes sense Laufey is on this song too. Great voice! And I really do like this honestly, weirdly. This was a really good song. 8/10

Bellah Mae - Sting: Going to be a good song! Fun production here. I like this song a fair bit. 7/10 

Bow Anderson - Slap In The Face: I hear fun synths. This has good potential. Okay, this seems like it's a win already honestly. Good production and fun vocals! Kinda reminds me of Sigrid a bit maybe? 7/10

Carla Wehbe - Fuck It I'll Be My Own Best Friend: It's kinda generic but I still like the production here, and Carla does sound good. That chorus does really hit though. Good stuff! I must be in a really good mood today reviewing music honestly. 8/10

Charlie Lee - Come and Get It: Hmm, not sure I'm feeling this. Vocals aren't really giving to me. And it feels almost...cheap or something? I don't know. Okay, I get it a bit more in the chorus. It sounds better. Okay, maybe I get it more now and it was just the first verse that flopped. Don't know why it sounded so much worse than the rest of the song to me. Good song after all! Catchy, good production. 7/10

CHINCHILLA - Avoidance: Interesting song. I think I like it. It's definitely different than the other songs I've listened to this week I think. 6/10

ELIO - Adderall: Not sure I'm feeling this majorly so far. Okay, it got a bit better in the chorus. Still doesn't think it's her best song. 6/10

Elle Coves - Body: For some reason I was feeling reluctant to add this to the list and listen to the song. But it's good. I like it! Good song. There's something catchy about the way it's structured. Good voice too. 7/10

Ethel Cain - Nettles: Pleasant listen thus far. Ethel Cain probably is never going to make music for me, but still. Great vocals. This was a really nice song actually. I enjoyed listening to it. A good lead single for the album. 7/10

FLETCHER - Boy: Oh, an album is coming from FLETCHER? That's fun. Going to be a sad ballad song. We'll see how I find it. Not what I expected but this was a really nice and emotional song. Great voice. It's sad she's scared of the reception to the song though. It's a bit cringe to apologise like she is almost. But it's even more sad that some people will be very not normal about it. Some of the online reaction to it is weird saying "during pride month?". Shock, but women who date men are also in the LGBTQ+ community. Who would have known? I really liked this song anyway. 8/10

Jessie Murph - Touch Me Like a Gangster: I want to know a secret! This was kinda nothing for me. Good voice but mehhhhh. 5/10

Juno James - Can't Fit In His Shoes: It's a guitar! Run away. Not really feeling this song sadly. It's okay. But it's just okay. Okay, it picked up a bit. Fair. Still... I mean, it *is* better from that point on. Upgraded ranking! 6/10

KATSEYE (feat. Ice Spice) - Gnarly: Still a good song! Except the Tesla mention still... Ice Spice is a good addition to this song. For once she sounds good on a song. I think she works well here. But she's not in that much of the song. It's already over! 7/10

Kiesza - Stays In Bed: Fun beat on this. Pretty solid dance track. Nice voice too. Not my favourite song ever but still good. 7/10

King Princess - RIP KP: I like this so far. This is quite catchy actually. Chorus is pretty good! Could listen to this song a lot more honestly. Great lead single for the album. I'm sat. Only problem is it's way too short! What's that about?  8/10

Mariah Carey - Type Dangerous: Interesting start. This is alright. She sounds good. It's kinda catchy too. But it's not my favourite either. 6/10

Mimi Webb - Love Language: This could be good! It starts promising at least. Well, it wasn't anything reinventing the wheel but it's a decent pop song and I could come back and listen to it more. 7/10

Rita Ora - Heat: This feels really generic honestly. The production is alright but it feels like it's not quite there. Oh, and that was a letdown. Really generic and kinda nothing honestly. Just a song to exist. 5/10

Sabrina Carpenter - Manchild: Oh shut up. It's hater time. Pretty synths tho. Are we leaning into a kinda country vibe again with this song? I'm not here for this. I mean, it's fine. But why can't she make good music? Challenge level: impossible. The country parts of her last album were the worst part and we're going more in that direction? Okay. It was alright. But we don't need more of that country stuff, please. It was bad then, and it's bad now. 5/10

Sam Pomerantz - Except For Us: Well, I'm excited for this one. One of my Bluesky mutuals. GREAT voice! So good actually. I'm really liking this so far. It's a really nice song. Really have to repeat, great voice. I'm also really liking the production of it. 8/10

Say Now - Brick By Brick: This is a really fun song! Really enjoyed listening to it. I like those production hits. But it's just a really good song generally. 8/10

Victoria (feat. Ashnikko) - DADDY: Interesting start. OH IT'S ON. Let's goooo. Instant win from me. Great production. Going to be a fantastic song. And it really is. Could listen to it a lot. We love DADDY TOWN! 8/10

Wafia - Big Thoughts (From the Garden): This was a really pleasant and chill listen. Not generally my vibe but I did enjoy listening to it. Great voice. 7/10