Here are my reviews of the top 10 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of January 4, 2025. Currently, the Top 10 is dominated by Christmas songs, and since this issue will be coming out after Christmas, I’ve chosen to review the Top 10 Non-Christmas songs on the Hot 100.
1) “Die With A Smile” (Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars) – Once past the infiltration of Christmas songs, this is the first most popular song on the Hot 100 right now. A pretty typical pop ballad overall, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga harmonize so well it’s easy to look past the rather mundane lyricism.
2) “Luther” (Kendrick Lamar & SZA) – “Luther” is an easy, relaxed duet between two of the biggest hitmakers right now. The string instruments and vocal layering gives this song a particularly dreamy-quality that especially stands out in the context of Lamar’s album GNX, which has a lot of fast-paced tracks.
3) “Birds Of A Feather” (Billie Eilish) – With shimmering instrumentals, it’s easy to mistake “Birds Of A Feather” as another pretty love song. But with a closer look, you’ll notice her haunting lyrical imagery of graves, caskets, and a body turning blue. Kind of like classic fairy tales, which we remember for their descriptions of magic and castles, but are actually quite dark and disturbing.
4) “TV Off” (Kendrick Lamar featuring Lefty Gunplay) – I have some mixed feelings about this track. There’s just so much going on, from the remixed sample of Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” to the prolonged scream, to the cluster of horns. On their own, each of these are interesting additions to a song, but together, the effect is overwhelming. As a result, the other unique samples featured in the melody are overlooked.
5) “That’s So True” (Gracie Abrams) – The upbeat acoustic nature of this song reminds me of early 2010s folk-pop hits, like “Little Talks” by Of Monsters and Men. While Abrams’ unsteady vocals might be seen as a lack of skill, there is something charming about a singer who just belts out a song, voice cracks and all. That said, I have heard this song many, many times, and I’ve still yet to decipher the story Abrams’ is trying to tell us through her lyrics.
6) “APT.” (ROSE & Bruno Mars) – Yet another Bruno Mars collaboration on the chart! This time with Rosé, who continues her signature bubblegum-pop sound in “APT.” Minimally produced and reliant on a steady drumbeat, this song feels more organic compared to a lot of pop music. It’s a welcome break from overly-produced songs that seem to use every instrument available just because they can.
7) “Taste” (Sabrina Carpenter) – To my surprise, “Taste” has moved past “Espresso” on the charts. The wittiness Carpenter demonstrates on her other songs isn’t nearly as present here. And for a song about getting revenge on an ex-partner’s current lover, she doesn’t sound vengeful—at least not enough to make a lasting impression.
8) “Squabble Up” (Kendrick Lamar) – “Squabble Up” is an upbeat and danceable song that’s sure to be a hit at future parties and dances. My favorite part is the sample of the 80s electro song “When I Hear Music” by Debbie Deb. It’s a small detail, but it really adds character to an otherwise standard beat.
9) “30 For 30” (SZA & Kendrick Lamar) – “30 For 30” has the same dreaminess of “Luther,” though a bit more emotionally-charged. Lamar and SZA have the kind of voices that can really sing anything together and still sound good. It’s an easy song to get swept away in, thanks to the dramatic percussion and the variety of string instruments used.
10) “Espresso” (Sabrina Carpenter) – It may be a new year, but Sabrina Carpenter’s breakout hit of 2024 still lingers on the chart. While I’ve personally grown tired of this song, I will admit that Carpenter’s smooth nonchalance has the potential to capture listeners for generations to come.