Weekly Track Reviews (15/5/26): Some Artists Delivered Real Moments. Others Delivered Empty Noise.
Hi everyone, it’s Anthony Stirford from Anthony XO.Music, and I’m back with another weekly track review.
This week had some genuinely big moments — and some genuinely avoidable ones. The best tracks carried real cultural weight and real artistic intention. The worst ones reminded me that a recognisable name on a tracklist means absolutely nothing if the song behind it doesn’t show up. Same format as always. Five tracks that delivered, five that didn’t. Let’s get into it.
TOP 5 BEST TRACKS OF THE WEEK
Number Five: Tove Lo – “I’m young girl right?”
At five is Tove Lo with “I’m young girl right?” Tove Lo in her unfiltered, emotionally chaotic mode is always worth attention, and this track sits right in that lane. She doesn’t clean herself up for the listener and she never has — and that refusal to be palatable is exactly what keeps her interesting. A strong closer for the Best list this week.
Number Four: Gracie Abrams – “Hit the Wall”
At four is Gracie Abrams with “Hit the Wall.” I’ll be honest — going in, I wasn’t expecting much from this one. I was wrong. Gracie continues to write captivating, emotionally grounded songs built around her guitar, and “Hit the Wall” is a reminder of why that approach works when it’s done with real conviction. It’s also genuinely good to see her still standing and still delivering at this level, because a lot of artists from her generation have already started to fall apart. Gracie hasn’t. That counts for something.
Number Three: Genesis Owusu – “BIG DOG”
At three is Genesis Owusu with “BIG DOG.” New Genesis Owusu is always an event, and this week is no different. He remains the most exciting and unpredictable artist on this list and the dance energy running through “BIG DOG” is exactly the kind of thing that’s been driving the strongest critical receptions of the year. When an artist this singular drops something new, you pay attention. This one earns it.
Number Two: Shakira, Burna Boy – “Dai Dai”
At two is Shakira and Burna Boy with “Dai Dai.” World Cup theme songs used to be boring. Not this time. Shakira arriving as the face of the World Cup soundtrack was always going to change the conversation, and “Dai Dai” delivers on that expectation completely. The blend of Latino and Afrobeats feels natural rather than forced, and the chemistry between Shakira and Burna Boy is the real story here. They truly nailed it. The World Cup vibes feel alive in a way they haven’t in years, and this track is the reason.
Number One: Drake, Future, Molly Santana – “Ran To Atlanta”
At number one this week is Drake, Future, and Molly Santana with “Ran To Atlanta.” This is the standout moment from ICEMAN and it wasn’t a difficult call. Future reunites with Drake here in a way that immediately brings back the energy of one of Hip Hop’s greatest creative partnerships, while Molly Santana’s appearance adds a gritty new-generation edge that feels like a nod to Lil Durk’s early work. Drake stays quiet and minimalistic — letting the track breathe around him — while Future brings the high-energy chemistry that made their best collabs feel inevitable. When Drake and Future get together, the results are almost always gold. That streak remains unbroken.
TOP 5 WORST TRACKS OF THE WEEK
Now for the other side. These are the releases this week that I genuinely could not defend. A couple of these are from artists I’ve followed for a long time, which makes it harder to write — but also more necessary.
Number Five: Dan + Shay – “Young”
At five is Dan + Shay with “Young.” This is a very safe, very predictable song, and that’s not something you can get away with in 2026 anymore. Dan + Shay in cautious country-pop mode is one of the most creatively unadventurous sounds the genre has produced in years, and “Young” doesn’t suggest they’re interested in changing that. It exists. That’s about the best thing I can say for it.
Number Four: James Savage – “Say Sumn”
At four is James Savage with “Say Sumn.” Boring and instantly skippable after the first listen. James Savage has appeared on this Worst list before and the pattern hasn’t shifted — this is more of the same from an artist who keeps showing up and keeps underdelivering. At some point the consistency of the underperformance becomes the story itself.
Number Three: Tone Stith – “PAGEANT STAGE”
At three is Tone Stith with “PAGEANT STAGE.” Repetitive, sleepy, and easily forgettable. There’s no moment in this track worth coming back for and no reason to linger on it longer than I already have. Moving on.
Number Two: MGK, Wiz Khalifa – “girl next door”
At two is MGK and Wiz Khalifa with “girl next door.” Wait — is that actually Wiz Khalifa on a MGK rock track? Because that’s what this is. Ever since MGK made the switch into rock music, he’s been tripping, and bringing Wiz Khalifa along for the ride doesn’t change that. If anything, it just confirms how far both of them are from their best work right now. Not the collab anyone needed.
Number One Worst: Martin Garrix, Ed Sheeran – “Repeat It”
The worst track of the week is “Repeat It” by Martin Garrix and Ed Sheeran. I’m going to say it plainly: I am now convinced that the prime version of Ed Sheeran is not coming back. I don’t understand the decision to keep moving away from the acoustic pop writing that made him one of the biggest artists on the planet, and “Repeat It” is the latest and most frustrating evidence of that. Martin Garrix’s electronic production layered against Ed’s acoustic guitar sounds like exactly the nightmare you’d imagine — two artists pulling in different directions without either of them winning. This collaboration didn’t need to happen. The song proves it.
That’s the full list for the week—five tracks worth your time, five that aren’t.
The Best side this week had genuine cultural stakes — a World Cup track that actually feels alive, a Drake and Future moment that delivers on its promise, and Genesis Owusu reminding everyone why he’s one of the most exciting artists working right now. The Worst side had a clear pattern running through it: artists moving away from what made them good without landing anywhere better. That gap between the two halves was wide this week. Worth naming.
I’ll be back soon with more. Until then, keep listening carefully.
Listen To My Playlist of “Best Songs Of 2026” on Spotify:
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