Takes by the Ocean: Disney Rap-Rock vs. Richard Thompson Twee

Also: pop stars saving rap, half-wasted potential, and prog good and bad

Doja Cat (and Christina Ricci) in “Demons”

YES

Olivia Rodrigo, Guts

I complained at first. “All-American Bitch” is too archetypal and swipes its opening gambit from a personal Liz Phair favorite. Which pointed up the secondhand feeling of punchlines nevertheless better than T. Swift’s while also retreating into herself somewhat; the abused classmate detailed in “Hope Ur Ok” staved off potential narcissism.