Weekly Track Reviews 24/7/26: Best & Worst Songs Ranked
It’s been a long time since I published my last weekly track reviews. I took a temporary break from this article, but from this week I’m back again. And honestly, this was a good week to return to. Both sides of this list have a story to tell — one side about artists coasting on names alone, the other about artists actually taking chances. Let’s get into it.
TOP 5 WORST TRACKS OF THE WEEK
01. The Strokes – “Lonely in the Future”
The worst track of the week is The Strokes with “Lonely in the Future.” This one genuinely stings to write. It’s a rough listen from a band that’s meant so much to rock music for over two decades. The vocal performance sounds childish here, almost like a demo that never should have left the studio, and the production doesn’t do it any favors either. It’s a shame to see a band like this put something this weak out into the world.
02. Pitbull, Jason Derulo – “Privacy”
At two is Pitbull and Jason Derulo with “Privacy.” Prime Jason Derulo expired a long time ago, and pairing him with Pitbull at this stage feels less like a collaboration and more like a warning sign. The whole thing reeks of boredom. Even the timing feels off — the soccer World Cup buzz that a track like this would’ve tried to ride is already over. This one’s just late to a party that’s ended.
03. Alyssa Grace – “Bones”
At three is Alyssa Grace with “Bones.” I wanted this one to hit. Instead, the vocal performance comes off bitter rather than genuinely sad, and that distinction matters. A track like this lives or dies on whether the emotion actually lands, and here it just doesn’t. Not a track I can see myself coming back to.
04. JENNIE – “Less than a Lover”
At four is JENNIE with “Less than a Lover.” This is a real head-scratcher. JENNIE built her name on maximalist, confident production, and here she strips it all the way down to minimalism — but the trade-off doesn’t pay off. The hook isn’t memorable, and if I’m being honest, there were moments where I couldn’t even place her voice. When an artist’s biggest strength disappears from her own single, that’s a problem.
05. Morgan Wallen – “Been By Now”
At five is “Been By Now” by Morgan Wallen. This guy remains a nightmare for country music, and I say that as someone who genuinely loves the genre. Last year he made me fall out of love with country almost entirely, and now he’s back with something that isn’t outright terrible, but is aggressively mediocre. That might be worse, honestly — at least a bad song makes a statement. This one just exists. The worst track of the week, no question.
TOP 5 BEST TRACKS OF THE WEEK
05. Shaboozey, Leon Bridges – “Burn It Down”
At five is Shaboozey and Leon Bridges with “Burn It Down.” Shaboozey couldn’t quite keep the breakout momentum going after his run last year, but this single is a genuine banger. The country vibes here feel exactly right, and his vocals sit perfectly in that pocket. Leon Bridges only strengthens the whole package. A real return to form.
04. Rico Nasty – “Frenzy”
At four is Rico Nasty with “Frenzy.” I didn’t expect to say this, but she outperforms Sexyy Red here, and it isn’t close. The ad-libs are great, the energy never dips, and the rapping itself is sharp from front to back. The maximalist production matches her performance perfectly instead of overwhelming it, which is exactly the balance a track like this needs.
03. Martin Garrix, U2 – “Fireflies”
At three is Martin Garrix and U2 with “Fireflies.” After a year of underwhelming collaborations, Martin Garrix finally delivers something great, and it’s a legitimately legendary pairing. This is the best collaboration of the week without much competition. The electronic production gives U2’s performance real space to breathe, and the result is a genuinely great listen from start to finish.
02. Charli xcx – “Camera”
At two is Charli xcx with “Camera,” one of the standout tracks on her latest album. There are traces of Brat-era DNA in the production, but this one commits fully to rock rather than dancefloor energy — because, as she’s made clear, the dancefloor is dead. It’s a confident, well-executed swing in a new direction.
01. Lizzie McAlpine – “The Light in the Painting”
The best track of the week is “The Light in the Painting” by Lizzie McAlpine. This wasn’t a close call. The ambient production gives her vocals room to just exist in the space, calm and sweet without ever overreaching. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t need to shout to make an impact, and that restraint is exactly what makes it the best listen of the week.
That’s the full list for my return week. The Worst side told a familiar story — names coasting on reputation, mismatched pairings, and one genuinely disappointing swing from an artist who should know better by now. The Best side was the opposite: real risks that paid off, from a rock pivot to a stripped-down ambient standout at the very top.
Good to be back. I’ll be back soon with more. Until then, keep listening carefully.
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