New Good Song: "No Sleeep," Janet Jackson 6.22.15

Here's a new good song: "No Sleeep" by Janet Jackson.

As a gay man in his mid-30s, I am contractually obligated to be excited about Janet Jackson's comeback, and I am. I like several of her songs, and very much respect her as an influential and multi-talented entertainer. I am among a rare group who thought her 2008 offering, "Feedback," was among her best songs ever. Now after seven years of near silence -- which has certainly fueled interest in her, at least among people my age -- Janet returns with "No Sleeep," co-written and -produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, her famously influential longtime collaborators.

Will "No Sleeep" be a big hit? I wouldn't dare to make such a prediction. At first listen, I would say no, because it's more mellow, sexy and retro than what's on the charts now. Also, R&B -- real R&B -- is generally unpopular in the '10s, and "No Sleeep" is heavily rooted in that genre. But the public's tastes often surprise me, for better or worse. Perhaps the fact that this single fills a void on mainstream radio will be the very factor that propels it to great success.

"No Sleeep" is a new good song. I'm impressed with the way it's catchy without being annoying and in your face, as so many modern songs are. Clearly this track is not the result of an attempt to mimic current production and songwriting trends. But that's the best thing about it. There's nothing sadder than a living legend trying to reintroduce herself by co-opting modern trends that are antithetical to her artistic identity. "No Sleeep" is a nice reintroduction. Its familiar aspects will please fans, and let younger audiences know what Janet stands for musically and lyrically. If those young people don't take an interest, "No Sleeep" will debut high on the iTunes chart and quickly tumble out of sight, like the recent releases of Madonna, Mariah Carey and other stars whose "comeback" offerings have on some level underwhelmed.

It's hard for a veteran singer to light up the charts, because people respond to what's fresh, new and different. When you're established, how do you walk that line between being unexpected while staying true to your signature sound? The most commonly cited comeback of this nature was Cher's worldwide No. 1 smash "Believe" in 1999. That was an organic sensation. There was no artificial marketing hype around Cher's "big comeback." She just released a great song that people responded to. Santana did the same thing around the same time with "Smooth," featuring Rob Thomas. So successful comebacks happen, but rarely.

But nobody really knows what will be successful, or why. Over the weekend, the top song on the iTunes chart was "Cheerleader" by Omi, a song I almost featured on this blog a few months ago but which I wasn't entirely sold on. I would never have imagined that this song would do so well; it's very out of sync with today's trends. But that's the way of the music-consuming public -- always surprising me. So I'm not going to call the fate of Janet's comeback yet, except to say that I have reasonably good feelings about it. "No Sleeep" is a cool song and it may just ignite new interest in Ms. Jackson. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Velvet," Fickle Friends 6.14.15

Here's a new good song: "Velvet" by Fickle Friends, an act responsible for another new good song earlier this year, "Could Be Wrong." Enjoy.

New Good Song: "Body Talk," Foxes 6.14.15

Here's a new good song: "Body Talk" by Foxes. In fact, this is one of the best new good songs of 2015, if not the very best. It's an absolutely addictive '80s-inspired toe-tapper that gets almost everything perfectly right -- instrumental arrangements, production, melody, lyrics, vocals. The only misstep is the abrupt ending; a fade-out would have been more effective for this type of song. But that aside, this is a fantastic offering that I've had on repeat for days. Foxes, you might recall, was the featured vocalist on "Clarity," credited to producer Zedd, which was the 73rd best new good song of 2013. Looking forward to hearing more from her if this is any indication of her taste and abilities. Enjoy.

New Good Song: "Delirious," Susanne Sundfør 5.28.15

Here's a new good song: "Delirious" by Susanne Sundfør. It's a dramatic, theatrical '80s-inspired pop song about ... murder? It's great.

New Good Song: "Someone Else," Lany 5.13.15

Here's a new good song: "Someone Else" by Lany. I really like this group. They had the third-best new good song of 2014, "ILYSB," And they've had a couple other nice offerings too -- "Walk Away" and "Made In Hollywood." All of these tunes are stylistically similar, '80s inspired, but fresh, catchy and emotive. Enjoy this new one, "Someone Else."

New Good Song: "Infinity," Mariah Carey 5.13.15

Here's a new good song: "Infinity" by Mariah Carey. Not among her very best, not likely to be a hit, but cute enough.

New Good Song: "U Got," Sivik 5.13.15

Here's a new good song: "U Got" by Sivik. The vocals are reminiscent of Mike Posner. Enjoy.

New Good Song: "A Color You Can't Ignore," Karly Lynn Willis 4.21.15

Here's a new good song: "A Color You Can't Ignore" by Karly Lynn Willis. String-filled, inspirational adult pop, beautifully written and confidently produced with the right amount of instrumental flourishes. Lovely vocals as well. Have a listen, won't you?

New Good Song: "Shadowlands," Laila Biali & The Radiance Project 4.21.15

Here's a new good song: "Shadowlands" by Laila Biali & The Radiance Project. Energetic, quirky, bright, unusual. Could do without the over-the-top gospel element at the end, but there's lots to appreciate prior to that. Enjoy.

New Good Song: "Alcohol," Shannon LaBrie 4.21.15

Here's a new good song: "Alcohol" by Shannon LaBrie. It's a piano ballad about someone in a relationship with a heavy drinker. A downer, indeed, but great -- reminiscent of Fiona Apple or Rachael Yamagata.

New Good Songs: "In Dreams," Marion Raven 4.5.15

Here's a new good song: "In Dreams" by Marion Raven. It's not that new, but new enough. She was half of M2M, a duo responsible for two new good (and very underrated) songs in 2000: "Mirror Mirror" and "Don't Say You Love Me." This is the only version I could find, but the one in iTunes is better-produced. Enjoy!

 

New Good Song: "I Bet," Ciara 4.5.15

Here's a new good song: "I Bet" by Ciara. This singer was responsible for some so-so- music in the '00s, but this new material is nicely done R&B. Enjoy.

New Good Song: "Doing Time," Searls 4.5.15

Here's a new good song: "Doing Time" by Searls. Reminiscent of early '90s piano ballads. A weeper. Enjoy.
 

New Good Song: "Could Be Wrong," Fickle Friends 4.5.15

Here's a new good song: "Could Be Wrong" by Fickle Friends. I feel like I hear a mild sample in here of "Taste My Love" by Cathy Dennis. Anyway, nice little song.

New Good Song: "One More Life," Shy for Shore 4.5.15

Here's a new good song: "One More Life" by Shy for Shore. Reminds me of School for Seven Bells, who had the 50th best new song of 2012, "Faded Heart." It's synthy and '80s and nice. Enjoy.

 

New Good Song: "Honestly I Lie," Struan Shields 4.5.15

Here's a new good song: "Honestly I Lie" by Struan Shields. He has a sound similar to that of Paradise Fears, who had the second best new song of 2013, "Who You Are." Nice, melodic, melancholy breakup song. At the time of writing this posting, this video has 4 views. A disgrace. Should be 4 million.

New Good Song: "I Want You To Know," Alyson Stoner & MAX 3.11.15

Here's a new good song: "I Want You To Know" by Alyson Stoner & MAX, a cover of a song by Zedd f/ Selena Gomez, which you can hear here. I purchased and consumed this lovely, rich piano ballad prior to realizing that Alyson Stoner is that little girl dancer with the ponytails from the Missy Elliott videos. I'll be. Anyway, this is lovely. Enjoy.

New Good Song: "Thumbalina," Coleman Hell 3.11.15

Here's a new good song: "Thumbalina" by Coleman Hell. A tiny bit jarring at first, but undeniably catchy. Awesome bridge. Neat lyrical content. Enjoy.

New Good Song: "Steps," Handsome Ghost 3.11.15

Here's a new good song: "Steps" by Handsome Ghost. A mid-tempo soft-alt-rock tune with a very catchy rhythm in the melody and nice instrumental arrangements. Enjoy.

New Good Song: "Still," The Japanese House 3.11.15

Here's a new good song: "Still" By The Japanese House. An electronic ballad with digital vocal treatments that create cool harmonies. I hear influences of Imogen Heap and Lany. Enjoy.