HIP-HOP
JAY Z Featuring JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
“Holy Grail” (5:39)
Producers: Timbaland, The-Dream, Jerome “J-Roc” Harmon
writers: various
publishers: various
Roc-a-Fella/Roc Nation
The first 80 seconds of “Holy Grail” features lots of JT crooning and zero Jay Z rapping; the intro would feel like an eternity if not for Timberlake’s raw, dynamic musings on his vacillating relationship with fame. Jay admirably rides shotgun here, dropping references to Kurt Cobain and others swallowed by the spotlight while later interpolating Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” -Brad Wete
ROCK
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ROOTS
“Walk Us Uptown” (3:22)
Producers: Elvis Costello, Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, Steven Mandel
writers: Elvis Costello, Ahmir Thompson, Steven Mandel
publishers: Sideways Songs, Universal Music/MGB Songs (ASCAP)
Blue Note Records
On paper, Costello and the Roots are sonic opposites, but “Walk Us Uptown” is a strikingly fluid preview of their “Wise Up Ghost” collaboration. Balancing Costello’s bratty croon with the Roots’ dub-inflected funk groove — ?uestlove provides an especially fierce boom-bap beat — the song finds all parties delightfully unhinged and creating an exciting new sound. -Ryan Reed
COUNTRY
COLE SWINDELL
“Chillin’ It” (3:18)
Producer: Jody Stevens
writers: Cole Swindell, Shane Minor
publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Code Six Charles Music (BMI)
Warner Bros. Records
Even before inking his label deal, Swindell sold more than 100,000 copies of this debut single, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Country fans have latched onto the rural, tempered anthem, which is highlighted by the Georgia native’s vibrant delivery and a standout hook that fits snugly into any summer playlist. -Deborah Evans Price
ALTERNATIVE
PANIC! AT THE DISCO Featuring LOLO
“Miss Jackson” (3:13)
Producer: Butch Walker
writers: various
publishers: various
Fueled by Ramen
Swapping emo-pop for glossy alt-rock, Panic! positions “Miss Jackson” as a dangerous ode to the ultimate femme fatale. Gang vocals not unlike Fall Out Boy’s “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)” and a pulsing beat fuel this shimmery, frantic comeback bid, with Brendon Urie shrieking, “Where will you be waking up tomorrow morning?” -Nick Williams
POP
PRIYANKA CHOPRA Featuring PITBULL
“Exotic” (4:06)
Producer: RedOne
writers: various
publishers: various
Interscope
It would be easy to dismiss “Exotic” as a reproduction of Jennifer Lopez’s most recent dance hits, especially given producer RedOne’s involvement. As the first major attempt of India’s Bollywood industry to produce a legitimate U.S. pop star, however, “Exotic” features authentic bursts of classic Indian music and Hindi lyrics sprinkled throughout, in order to achieve more of a cultural triumph than a creative one. -Andrew Hampp