part 3 or as I call it, the Grammy 2025 nominees section...:
41. Conversation (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds):
starts out somber and full of moodiness but the switch up point where the gospel bleeds in is such a stunner.
42. 16 Carriages (Beyonce):
mirrors the momentum and churn of a train going… somewhere. Looking out of the window into the haze of time, it's an epic of faith, loyalty and hardship. Heady and heartrending, '16 CARRIAGES' is an edifying glimpse into a survivor's story and frankly, a country anthem for the ages. (CLASH MAGAZINE)
43. Mumble Rap (Lupe Fiasco):
Lupe has created his own brand of hip/hop and this is a prime example.
44. Von Dutch (Charli XCX):
not sure we could’ve gotten a better first taste of Charli XCX’s Brat era than “Von dutch.” The song’s “Fuck you, this world’s MINE” bravado goes unbelievably hard: Easyfun’s careening production—cavernous bass, a near relentless drum track and arresting synth squelches—gives a vocally distorted Charli the perfect foundation to taunt her naysayers’ jealousy, turning “I’m your number one” into an intoxicating mantra. It’s a manifesto of the brat vibe—an instant club classic—but its rip-roaring glee also makes the nuance and emotional shifts elsewhere on Brat all the more impactful. (TREBLE)
45. Como Asi? (Kali Uchis):
the leadoff track from Kali Uchis’ OrquÃdeas is merely the opening of a door, a ceremonial introduction to the eclectic and rich world that unfolds from there. But it’s hard not to just want to camp out here for a while, with gauzy downtempo synth haze blowing in like a warm breeze against propulsive house beats and Uchis’ dreamily expressive vocal performance. She reaches phenomenal, breathtaking heights against a lush and luxurious backdrop. “If you come around here,” she sings, “You’ll never wanna leave.” She’s right, you know. (TREBLE)
46.Alone (The Cure):
misery has always been beautiful for the Cure but here Smith offers perhaps the only valid evolution of that perfect work in Disintegration, moving it to the peaceable grandeur of ballrooms and old age, a neoclassical atmosphere without the obnoxious air. (TREBLE)
47. Catfish (Doechii):
just getting started and sending out the warning.
48. Vintage (Moses Sumney):
Sumney goes all-in on classic ’90s R&B, with steady, echoing drums and his ever-so-reliable falsetto runs, updating the tradition a little with spiraling synths piercing through the mix. Musing on someone who haunts him like a ghost, Sumney pleads to rewind the clock, and, in turn, creates a song that is both nostalgic and pushing forward into his future. Could spraying Afro Sheen preserve this moment in situ? If I lock this sweater in a vault, will it still smell like you? Sumney thinks it’s worth it, just to make the memory last an instant longer. (PITCHFORK)
49. Birds Of A Feather (Billie Eilish):
a clear play at pop radio and summer music playlists, this song has summer anthem written all over it. From the breezy production that harkens back to the late 90s heyday of Natalie Imbruglia, the song mixes dark lyricism about obsessive love with a very sunny pop production. (STUDY MUSIC PLAYLIST)
50. What Year Is This? (Clarence Clarity):
always bringing the mess to pop and smoothing out its edges.
51. Crimes Of Compassion (Gallant):
silky smooth crooning.
52. Sad Lads Anonymous (Nadine Shah):
more poetry then song but it's a magical hybrid.
53. The Boy Is Mine (Ariana Grande):
she knew exactly what she was stepping into with her fandom but manages to in them over with this stunner.
54, The Kill (Maggie Rogers):
describes the feelings of falling in love—even when she was putting up a wall. “So difficult, but so invincible / Irresistible, but I lovеd you still / You were going in for the kill,” she sings over a western-inspired guitar riff and a thumping kick drum, channeling the empowered country-folk songstresses of the ‘90s. (PASTE)
55. Statues (Friko):
big anthemic track that follows the loud-quiet-loud method.
56. Earth Sign (Brittany Howard):
opens with a spacious avant-jazz pastorale that gets bigger, stronger, and grittier as it builds to a sunburst climax. (ROLLING STONE)
57. Bassline (Matt Martians):
nifty and groovy, as is hi usual way.
58. High Kick (Mynameisntjmack, Femdot & Mick Jenkins):
great homie rap.
59. Soporific Cell (Of Montreal):
Barnes is back to close manic best.
60. Ellipsis (serpentwithfeet feat. Orion Sun):
even when simplicity forms the core of his message, the song can break out into beautiful epiphanies
