Annamaria Ihekoronye of St. Paul:
1 Lizzo, "Cuz I Love You." I've been a big Lizzo fan since her days with the Chalice. I love her female-empowerment worldview so much that whenever I see Lizzo on the internet and in magazines, I just can't help but fall in love with her beautiful outfits. And I can't say enough great things about her song "Juice."
2 Lana Del Rey, "Norman Rockwell." On her upcoming fifth full-length album (produced by Jack Antonoff of Bleachers fame), she is really going all SoCal-flavored, especially on "Mariners Apartment Complex," which is just nothing short of a heaven-sent gem.
3 Ariana Grande, "Thank U, Next." When "7 Rings" and "Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" showed up on my playlist, I just couldn't get enough of them. I also love the stylishly glam outfits that she wears on tour.
Contribute: popmusic@startribune.com.
Jon Bream of the Star Tribune:
1 "Dear Evan Hansen," the Orpheum. This powerful and poignant play about high school loners and parental expectations uses well-placed songs to further the plot and personalities, often relying on multiple singers to maximize the impact.
2 Patricia Barber, the Dakota. Erudite, jazzy and funny, the Chicago singer-pianist triumphed with smart new songs, standards and a stunning voice-and-bass treatment of "Ode to Billie Joe."
