New Good Song: "Green Light," Lorde 3.18.17

Here's a new good song: "Green Light" by Lorde. I liked her two big hits from a few years ago, "Royals" and "Team." They were my 63rd and 69th favorite songs of 2013 and 2014 respectively. But I think this new one is actually better. The piano arrangement is brave and effective. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Kids On The Street," Of Verona 3.18.17

Here's a new good song: "Kids On The Street" by Of Verona. It's very similar to "Cool Kids" by Echosmith, in both musical style and lyrical themes. It's good. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "I'm Betta," Bell Biv DeVoe 3.18.17

Here's a new good song: "I'm Betta" by Bell Biv DeVoe. This groundbreaking R&B trio resurfaced a few months ago with the decent "Run." I think "I'm Betta" is a little betta, but both are solid in a throwback kind of way. Whenever I see old-school R&B groups release new material, which happens quite a bit, I always wonder ... Why? There's a 0% chance these will be popular because the public's taste has changed. So I don't know why "I'm Betta" exists, but here it is. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Some Kinda Wonderful," Betty Who 3.18.17

Here's a new good song: "Some Kinda Wonderful" by Betty Who. This Australian singer, who for some reason doesn't seem to have an Australian accent during the speaking part of this video, has had one of the most consistent marketing pushes on iTunes I can recall. And yet she remains obscure and unknown in the United States. Her 2014 song "All Of You," which originally was credited to Peter Thomas featuring Betty Who but later was credited solely to her, was one of my favorite tracks of the year (but certainly not one of my favorite videos; yeesh). I haven't been particularly fond of her subsequent output, but "Some Kinda Wonderful" is a fun track. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Crying On The Bathroom Floor," Muna 3.18.17

Here's a new good song: "Crying On The Bathroom Floor" by Muna. This all-female "dark pop" trio is one of my favorite acts to emerge in the past 12 months. I loved their previous singles "Loudspeaker," "So Special" and "I Know A Place." This one is darker but also fantastic. Enjoy! 

New Good Song: "Chained To The Rhythm," Katy Perry f/ Skip Marley 2.26.17

Here's a new good song: "Chained To The Rhythm" by Katy Perry f/ Skip Marley. In the '90s, my taste was very mainstream. In the '00s, I didn't find much of anything I liked, but to the extent I did, it was generally mainstream. In the '10s, though, my taste has become more obscure, probably because it's easier to find non-mainstream music than it ever has been. But as mainstream acts go, Katy Perry is among my favorite. Her output is consistently solid, this included. I also appreciate the attempt to go at least somewhat deeper, lyrically, than what is typically on the radio. Great throwback production and vocal performance here as well. The synth on pre-chorus ("So put your rose-colored glasses on ...") is especially delicious. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Collateral Damage," Levv 2.26.17

Here's a new good song: "Collateral Damange" by Levv. This act is tremendous; they had my 6th favorite song of 2015, and dare I say I already think "Collateral Damage" is perhaps even better. Just jaw-droppingly beautiful, and goes in a dance direction midway that's a risk but works. Certainly will end up in a good spot on my 2017 year-end list, I'm sure of it. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Ain't Love Strange," Stanaj 2.26.17

Here's a new good song: "Ain't Love Strange" by Stanaj. This is definitely a slow-cooker; it's been on my playlist for a couple months but only recently did I start to really get into it. It's an earnest R&B waltz that asks an awfully good question. He's also sporting quite a sexy physique beneath this dorky-hipster exterior. See for yourself. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Paris," The Chainsmokers 2.3.17

Here's a new good song: "Paris" by The Chainsmokers. This duo had tremendous breakout success in 2016, the best of their output being "Closer" f/ Halsey and "Roses" f/ Rozes, singles that landed at No. 29 and 52 on my year-end tally respectively. They also had a huge hit with "Don't Let Me Down" f/ Daya, but I don't happen to care for that one. "Paris" builds to a climax very similar to M83's "Midnight City," a song I love. I drew this comparison completely independently, Googled it just now and discovered others have noticed the same thing. In fact here's a mash-up of the two tracks. "Paris" features an un-credited vocal by Emily Warren. It's a good effort. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "City Of Stars," Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone 2.3.17

Here's a new good song: "City Of Stars" by Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone. This is, of course, from the highly lauded film La La Land. The tune is repeated a few times, including a scene with Gosling and Stone. This version, available on the soundtrack, apparently was recorded on set as opposed to in a studio. It's very catchy and moving, and I've enjoyed having it on my playlist to remind me of the movie, which was truly a treasure. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Issues," Julia Michaels 2.3.17

Here's a new good song: "Issues" by Julia Michaels. The background string plucks are cute, and the melody is pretty good. This is Michaels' first release after years of success writing songs for A-list acts like Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson and Selena Gomez. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Dancing On My Own (Tiesto Remix)," Calum Scott 1.15.17

Here's a new good song: "Dancing On My Own (Tiesto Remix)" by Calum Scott. I loved Robyn's original version of this song and generally bristle at covers of great songs, especially when they're released just a few years after the original. That said, I have to admit I like what Calum Scott did with the track here; his vocal delivery transforms the song from an empowerment anthem to a self-pitying ballad with a bisexual twist. I've noticed a lot of degradation and backlash online about Scott's version, but I personally like it, and I'd say that if it creates even one new Robyn fan, then it was a success for that alone. The original version of Scott's cover is nice but I prefer what Tiesto has done on the remix. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Don't Wanna Know," Maroon 5 f/ Kendrick Lamar 1.15.17

Here's a new good song: "Don't Wanna Know" by Maroon 5 f/ Kendrick Lamar. I like some of Maroon 5's music but am not a devoted fan. This track is simple, understated and catchy. I'm also glad to see a pleasant song that's well-sung and contains notes cut through the clutter of an iTunes chart top-loaded with unbearable noise created by Migos, Rae Sremmurd and Drake. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Starboy," The Weeknd f/ Daft Punk 1.15.17

Here's a new good song: "Starboy" by The Weeknd f/ Daft Punk. This is the first time I've featured a song by The Weeknd as a lead artist because I didn't particularly care for his releases from the 2015 album Beauty Behind The Madness. I'm not enamored with his voice, and I find the lyrical content's emphasis on "edgy" drug and sex talk to be an inauthentic and somewhat desperate plea for attention. But "Starboy" is a clever, slick pop song that's well-suited to his strengths, so I'm enjoying having it on my playlist. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "I Go Through," O.A.R. 1.15.17

Here's a new good song: "I Go Through" by O.A.R., a group that does some good music. Not totally sure I follow the lyrics and message here, but it's solid musically. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "I Know A Place," Muna 1.15.17

Here's a new good song: "I Know A Place" by Muna. This group was perhaps my favorite find from 2016; they landed on my year-end list at Nos. 4 and 13. Now here they are with "I Know A Place," another alt-pop throwback song that fits in their ongoing theme of self-empowerment. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Bitten By The Apple," Big Black Delta f/ Kimbra 1.15.17

Here's a new good song: "Bitten By The Apple" by Big Black Delta f/ Kimbra. I've been enjoying Kimbra's efforts so consistently for the past five years that it's safe to call me a fan. She's a regular presence on my year-end lists of the best songs, and I love her voice, expressiveness, fashion and demeanor. Some of her work takes a few listens before I "get it," and this collaboration with Big Black Delta is an example. After hearing "Bitten By The Apple" enough times that I can sing along with it and anticipate what's coming, it's turning into one of my favorite tracks of the moment. And the video is a trip. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "So Close To Magic," Aquilo 12.18.16

Here's a new good song: "So Close To Magic" by Aquilo, one of my favorite discoveries of the past five years. They've done it again with another song that sounds like such an instant classic I almost can't believe it's not a remake. These guys are just incredible at capturing mood with music. They had my 17th favorite song of 2014, "I Gave It All," and my 28th favorite song of 2015, "Good Girl," which has a terrifically conceived, acted and directed video to boot. Enjoy "So Close To Magic"!

New Good Song: "Hypnotizing," Aaron Camper 12.18.16

Here's a new good song" Hypnotizing" by Aaron Camper. When I first came across it, I liked what I was hearing but wasn't necessarily transported ... until about 45 seconds in, then I was like, "Wait, what is this?" and then when those harmonies come in at 00:57 I just about went insane. This is an absolutely grade-A example of what electro-influenced R&B can achieve when care is taken to pull the pieces into a cohesive arc, and have a message that isn't trite or disgusting. This is just fantastic work by Camper; he should be very pleased with how it came out. Enjoy!

New Good Song: "Oceans Away," Arizona 12.18.16

Here's a new good song: "Oceans Away" by Arizona, sometimes stylized as A R I Z O N A, which is dumb. But this song has a pleasant, classic chord progression and instrumental arrangement. Nice job. Enjoy!