ELECTRONICA/DANCE
MARTIN GARRIX
“Animals” (5:05)
Producer: Martin Garrix
Writer: Martin Garrix
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing
Spinnin
After being shrouded in mystery for weeks, Dutch producer/DJ Garrix revealed himself as the mastermind of this dynamic debut track. Concocting a cocktail of shadows and rage, Garrix, 17, flexes his melodic muscles while pushing out drops with a subtlety far beyond his years. -Nick Williams
COUNTRY
WILL HOGE
“Strong” (3:25)
Producer: Will Hoge
Writers: Will Hoge, Ashley Gorley, Zach Crowell
Publishers: various
Cumberland Recordings
A Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter with an earthy voice, Hoge delivers a compellingly understated gem with this lead single from October’s “Never Give In.” Tapped by Chevy for its 2014 Silverado truck campaign, the song paints a portrait of a man whose integrity has kept him close to one woman throughout his life. “Everybody knows he ain’t just tough/He’s strong,” Hoge sings in a quiet, earnest voice that underscores the potent lyrics. -Deborah Evans-Price
Related
LATIN
PRINCE ROYCE
“Darte un Beso” (3:27)
Producers: Geoffrey Royce Rojas, Efrain “Junito” Davila Jr., D’Lesly Lora
Writers: various
Publishers: various
Sony Music Latin
Prince Royce pairs the simple guitar work on “Darte un Beso” with a tale of complicated romance. The Bronx native crafts a breezy hit about wooing a forbidden love, and if loving her is wrong, Royce most assuredly doesn’t want to be right. It’s difficult to ignore Royce’s seduction when he’s asking so politely. -Kathy Iandoli
HIP-HOP
EMINEM
“Berzerk” (3:59)
Producer: Rick Rubin
Writers: various
Publishers: various
Aftermath Records
Although his lead singles have often nodded to contemporary radio trends, Eminem dismisses the need for a hook to match those of “The Real Slim Shady” or “Not Afraid” on “Berzerk.” Instead, the veteran MC goes ballistic over a heavy sampling of guitar riffs from Billy Squier’s “The Stroke,” and even shouts-out Kendrick Lamar-making clear that this “Marshall Mathers LP 2” single is a conscious attempt to counter Lamar’s amazing “Control” verse. -Jason Lipshutz
ROCK
THE AVETT BROTHERS
“Another Is Waiting” (2:09)
Producer: Rick Rubin
Writers: Timothy Seth Avett, Scott Yancey Avett, Robert William Crawford Jr.
Publishers: First Big Snow Publishing/Nemoivmusic/Ramseur Family Fold Music/Truth Comes True Publishing (SESAC)
Republic Records
The Avett Brothers recorded their forthcoming “Magpie and the Dandelion” during the same sessions with Rick Rubin that produced last year’s “The Carpenter,” and first single “Another Is Waiting” carries over the previous effort’s rustic exuberance. At a little more than two minutes, the song crams in banjo-plucking, a flare-up chorus and a thoughtful breakdown that’s become a staple of the Avetts. -Jason Lipshutz