ALTERNATIVE
THE BLOW
“Make It Up” (3:17)
Producers: Melissa Dyne, Khaela Maricich
Writers: Melissa Dyne, Khaela Maricich
Publisher: ASCAP
Kanine Records
After a seven-year absence, cult indie duo the Blow returns with electro-pop perfection on “Make It Up.” The sobering, languid lead performance from Khaela Maricich finds a hypnotic rhythm, and the co-dependent backing vocals from Melissa Dyne make the comeback single catnip for fans of the pair’s excellent 2006 album, “Paper Television.” -Nick Williams
LATIN
ROMEO SANTOS
“Propuesta Indecente” (3:55)
Producer: Anthony Santos
Writer: Anthony Santos
Publishers: Mayimba Music/Palabras de Romeo (ASCAP)
Sony Music Latin
Aventura alum Santos offers no shortage of sonic seduction on his latest hit, “Propuesta Indecente” (Indecent Proposal). Through ricocheting maracas and slick accordion keys, Santos tosses out some sexy scenarios, like fogging up car windows or getting drunk and making some intoxicatingly bad decisions. The beat, courtesy of Santos himself, is as smooth as his lyrical advances. -Kathy Iandoli
COUNTRY
TIM McGRAW
“Southern Girl” (4:15)
Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
Writers: Jaren Johnston, Rodney Clawson, Lee Thomas Miller
Publishers: various
Big Machine
For those curious about just what makes a Southern girl special, McGraw will gladly dish on the allure of a woman with “kisses sweeter than Tupelo honey” and who’s a “little bit crazy, like New Orleans.” The country star’s latest single is rife with innuendo, but the strumming singalong is all in good fun-just don’t tell the girls from out West. -Jill Menze
ROCK
CAGE THE ELEPHANT
“Come a Little Closer” (3:49)
Producer: Jay Joyce
Writer: Cage the Elephant
Publishers: 4U2ASKY Entertainment/Sony-ATV Songs/R&R Nomad Publishing (BMI)
RCA Records
At the start of Cage the Elephant’s new single, “Come a Little Closer,” Matthew Shultz’s vocals are drenched in reverb, resting atop minor-chord dissonance in a more measured move than the energetic whiplash of the Kentucky group’s 2011 effort, “Thank You, Happy Birthday.” Then an ecstatic chorus enters, and the band members of Cage settle back into themselves. -Dan Hyman
POP
LADY GAGA
“Applause” (3:33)
Producers: Lady Gaga, Paul “DJ White Shadow” Blair
Writers: Lady Gaga, Paul “DJ White Shadow” Blair, Dino Zisis, Nick Monson, Martin Bresso
Publishers: Stefani Germanotta pka Lady Gaga/Sony-ATV Songs/House of Gaga Publishing/GloJoe Music (BMI), Maxwell & Carter Publishing (ASCAP)
Streamline/Interscope
While the chorus of Lady Gaga’s first “ARTPOP” single equates clapping with a pop star’s life blood, the verses take aim at dismissive critics and discuss the relationship between pop culture and art. Highbrow concepts aside, Gaga still knows how to throttle a pristine dance hook, and “Applause” contains one of her best to date. -Jason Lipshutz