COUNTRY?
DANIELLE BRADBERY
“The Heart of Dixie” (3:30)
?Producer: Brett James
Writers: Brett James, Troy Verges, Caitlyn Smith?
Publishers: various?
Big Machine Records?
There’s no denying the Dixie Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces” vibe of “The Heart of Dixie,” the debut single from latest “Voice” winner Bradbery. As the youngest artist, and first country act, to win the singing competition, the 16-year-old steps out strong with an inspiring song that nods to genre trailblazers like the Chicks and Carrie Underwood while displaying the distinct country identity of its vocalist. —Jill Menze?
ROCK?
KINGS OF LEON?
“Supersoaker” (3:50)?
Producer: Angelo Petraglia?
Writers: Kings of Leon?
Publishers: various
Related
?RCA
?Following the overwhelming success of the singles “Use Somebody” and “Sex on Fire” in 2009, Kings of Leon released an album, 2010’s “Come Around Sundown,” that was accessible but a bit too saccharine. Three years later, the Tennessee rockers return with a single that’s bruising, disheveled and less self-conscious—all in all, an encouraging sign for the quartet’s next set. —Jason Lipshutz
?POP
?LORDE
?“Royals” (3:10)
?Producer: Joel Little ?
Writers: Ella Yelich “Lorde” O’Connor, Joel Little?
Publishers: Copyright Control/EMI April Music (ASCAP)?
Lava?
Among the most promising artists in the new class of female alt-pop singers is 16-year-old Lorde, whose “Royals” is already a hit in her native New Zealand and just cracked the outer reaches of the Billboard Hot 100. The sultry salute to the simple life crystallizes the euphoria of early-2000s Neptunes production with its minimal bass thump and finger snaps. —Chris Payne
?POP
?JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE?
“Take Back the Night” (5:55)?
Producers: Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Jerome “J-Roc” Harmon?
Writers: various?
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group?
RCA?
Funky and tight where recent hits like “Mirrors” and “Suit & Tie” were a little too languid, Justin Timberlake’s “Take Back the Night” is armed with a melody that recalls Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough.” Timberlake again relies upon the dexterity of Timbaland and protege J-Roc to create a production that’s both retro and singular. —Andrew Hampp
?HARD ROCK?
AVENGED SEVENFOLD
?“Hail to the King” (5:06)?
Producer: Mike Elizondo?
Writer: Avenged Sevenfold
?Publishers: various
?Warner Bros.?
Avenged Sevenfold layers so many guitar tracks on “Hail to the King” that one might believe another six-stringer had joined the band’s two-guitar lineup. With drummer Arin Ilejay now replacing the late Jimmy “the Rev” Sullivan, the strong focus on ear-pleasing hooks was likely drafted to complement Ilejay’s stripped-down style. “Hail” effectively reinforces Avenged Sevenfold’s brand of accessible hard rock that doesn’t get too dirty for radio. —Christa Titus