This week’s new top songs have a very South by Southwest feel, with plenty of variety and some of the artists who are performing at the music and media festival this week. The big news undoubtedly is the early release of Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp A Butterfly,’ a strong follow up to the monstrously popular ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city.’
To keep it one hundred only nine tracks were selected for this week’s list; head over to Spotify and check out their New Music Tuesday playlist for the entire field and have a listen for yourself.
9. Bad Man – Skrillex Remix by Ragga Twins
The song starts out sounding like it’s blasting from an old school boombox, as the verses unfold you can hear Skrillex’s influence, while letting the reggae do its thing and not taking over completely. The drop itself feels 2015 fresh, showcasing why reggae and dubstep work so well together.
8. Strange by Laura Marling
Laura Marling’s strength and appeal has always been her songwriting, clearly apparent on Strange, a folksy tale of how hard the demands of modern love can be. Her voice here is more storytelling than melodic, striking a hard note a time or two, but sings sweetly on parts of the chorus. Acoustic guitar, striking vocals and a rhythmic bongo pull all of the components together, making it a delightful contribution to the world of offbeat modern day folk.
7. Show Me by R.Lum.R
From the beginning futuristic scats, the energy of Show Me captivates you. One part The Weekend, One and a quarter parts Jamie Foxx, R.Lum.R inflects these sound influences but still creates a sound all his own. A new project from Reggie Williams Music, R.Lum.R is a “musical, emotional, and spiritual evolution” from the self described acoustic, jazz and pop band. If this is evolution, can’t wait to see what’s coming further down the road.
6. That’s Love by Oddisee
Not many rappers choose to rap over what is essentially organ chords, but Oddisee does, and makes it work. On top of that, as Oddisee raps he flows so smoothly you can’t help but head bob your way through the verses. The lyrics themselves are a beautiful “for better or worse” ode to a person unwaveringly being there for another, which one might also say not many rappers choose to include in their songs. That’s love.
5. Let It Happen by Tame Impala
The follow up to 2012’s well-received Lonersim, Tame Impala continues to deliver their one of a kind indie not-quite-pop with a psychedelic twist. At seven and a half minutes long, Let It Happens takes plenty twists and turns, and you’d be right to just let the song ‘happen.’ A front runner at Coachella later in the year, Let It Happen is sure to be a hit at festivals throughout the rest of 2015.
4. Come and See Me featuring K.R.I.T. – Ludacris
At first listen one can’t help notice the irony; a decade ago Ludacris was rapping “Get back you don’t know me like that” and now he’s adopted an genial attitude of “Whatever you need little homie, come and see me.” It’s nice to see his Southern Hospitality; as aggressive as the Atlanta rapper can get, this one is all bass, stylistic and polished, ready for cruising.
3. Savages by Marina and the Diamonds
Savages shows Marina and the Diamonds lyrical versatility. Marina is more known for her fun, alt pop hits, having sang of being of a prima donna, in the aptly named ‘Prima Donna’, or the frooty deliciousness of la dolce vita in ‘Froot.’ Savages, however, is a thoughtful, poetic look at how harsh human behavior can become, blending heavy lyrics like ‘were we born to abuse, shoot a gun and run, or has something deep inside of us come undone?’ with her signature sweet sound.
2. King Kunta by Kendrick Lamar
As the 3rd song from To Pimp A Butterfly put out before the entire album was released, King Kunta is a funky blend of the self love and optimism of ‘i,’ and the rawness & fury of ‘The Blacker the Berry’. The lyrics “I mad, but I ain’t stressin” seem to sum the song up entirely; it speaks of the injustice of today, but also the feeling of having earned one’s way up to the the top. It’s no wonder that songs like ‘King Kunta’ helped to set the world record of most plays of a new album in one day on Spotify.
1. Should Have Know Better by Sufjan Stevens
Beautiful acoustic guitar at its best, Should Have Known Better takes a dip from simple melancholy to heart wrenching, sharing deeply personal lyrics with an Elliot Smith feel in its delivery. The song is all heart, feeling like the curtains have been pulled back on private family moments. The tempo midway through picks up, giving the listener the musical equivalent of a story with a happy ending.
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