Sting has outdone himself. He never rests and is incredibly evolving when it comes to choosing music partners. Even back in 1985 he sang on Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing” and now it’s a classic, a staple on radio and an all time highlight of rock music. More recently, he’s had a very successful partnership with reggae star Shaggy for the last couple of years, touring and recording a hit Grammy winning album, “44/876.”

He’s got a new single out today that you will put on repeat immediately. It’s called “2 in a Million,” listen to it once and you’ll want to hear it again. Sting’s sweet remarkable falsetto worthy of Smokey Robinson opens the record cold and draws you right in. This time, he’s in a collaboration with Steve Aoki, the great DJ and songwriter whose father invented the Benihana restaurant chain. And also on the record is the hot trio Shaed, composed of a girl singer named Chelsea Lee, her husband, Spencer Ernst, and Spencer’s twin brother Max Ernst.

The real Max Ernst, of course, was the famous (to say the least) surrealist painter and sculptor from the early and mid 20th century whose work is celebrated in the same category as Kandinsky and Richter, artists immortalized in the great museums. That Max Ernst would have made great records if he were alive today. The Ernsts’ parents had a good sense of humor.

Shaed has had a hit all summer with a song called “Trampoline.” It’s below. “Trampoline” was used on Apple commercials. When you hear it, you’ll say, “Oh, right.” It’s very catchy.

You may have your favorite member of One Direction, but it always seemed to me that Niall Horan was the real deal. He actually composes his own music, he’s a decent pop singer, his future was secure. Sure, Harry is the cute one, the others are whatever they are. But in this new song dropped today, called “Put A Little Love on Me,” Niall gives us more than we deserve. His label should pay off everyone at radio and get this thing on the air. Z100, this would class up the air. I’m looking forward to this guy’s album. He’s playing at MSG December 13th. Listen, girls, don’t scream. Listen. There’s a melody here. Maybe he should write songs for Harry. Really, listen to that chorus. It’s good. He’s a songwriter.

The people who make Harry Styles’ records are doing him a disservice. He obviously knows little of what’s already been in the world. They write and produce songs for him that sound like stuff people over 40 will remember. I guess if you’re under 40 and know music back to 1990, that’s ok. But otherwise, a Styles record is an invitation to figure who it is this time. And the winner is Crowded House, “World Where You Live,” 1986 and other Neil Finn records.

And listen, I like Harry. He’s a nice guy. He’s a good actor and comic. There’s nothing objectionable about him. It’s just these damn songs.

Remember (so long ago now) when Taylor Swift wanted use of her songs in a Netflix documentary? Well, it’s all worked out apparently.

“Miss Americana” will open the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2020. Then it will play on Netflix sometime next year.

Press release says: “Miss Americana is a raw and emotionally revealing look at one of the most iconic artists of our time during a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer, but as a woman harnessing the full power of her voice.”

Uh huh. On January 23rd we’ll know if Taylor is planning on performing or appearing at the Grammys, just three days later. It would seem hard to do both, what with rehearsals for the Grammys commencing the next day, but she’s young. Anything is possible.

“Miss Americana” is directed by Lana Wilson (After Tiller, The Departure) and produced by Academy Award winner Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?), Academy Award winner Caitrin Rogers (20 Feet From Stardom, The Music of Strangers), and Christine O’Malley.