There’s nothing like that feeling following weeks of anticipation waiting for a new song, movie, book, what have you, from one of your favorite artists. That feeling when you hit play is something akin to THIS reaction, producing a spark to boost you through your day. For Lady Gaga fans, they’ve been patiently waiting out teasers for the release of Perfect Illusion this week. For Tyga fans, his singles are as sporadic as they are varied, and this week he finds himself shopping with his pal Desiigner on Gucci Snakes. Green Day continues with their latest spark originated via Bang Bang with Revolution Radio.
Spotify knows that you can’t find your new favorite song without a spark, so they’re giving you 60 new ones to try out on the New Music Friday playlist. We have our own tally of the best new songs from the last six months, head over to Busted Wallet New Music Friday All Stars for the full rundown.
10. Singing Low by The Fray
It’s fair to say that most turn to The Fray when they’re looking for a gust of emotion to sweep over you. Singing Low doesn’t disappoint, as the band (and their hearts for that matter) is singing low, but manage to get some beautiful lyrics and images in to caress your soul. The Fray is on tour this fall with ‘best day of my life’rs American Authors, starting on the west coast and criss crossing their way across the country.
9. Two Way by KT Tunstall, James Bay
KT Tunstall’s most popular songs may be synonymous with the box office hits of 2006, (most notably The Devil Wears Prada) but that doesn’t make her exempt from an image change and reboot with James Bay at his most sincere. Following a move to LA from her native Scotland to become a student of movie scores, her latest album KIN speaks volumes to a very fresh vibe, not stuck in the past at all (which would only be us the listeners, not her, anyway). Two Way is as laid-back as it wants to be, making for an easy and drawn out singalong if you’re in the mood.
8. Hallucinating by Elohim
This one doesn’t take too much brain power to grasp. At the crux of the song it delivers its theme: “I’ve got paintings staring back at me/I swear I think its eyes just moved/I’m hallucinating.” But really what do you expect when your stage name is the Hebrew word for deities, some weird omnipotent stuff is just waiting to happen. No matter what state spawned the inspiration for the song, Hallucinating is surprisingly easy to listen to, given the topic. Elohim’s electro pop voice mixes with a steady pace, only taking a short discourse with a mariachi break.
7. Flow With It (You Got Me Feeling Like) by St Paul and the Broken Bones
Taking a break from the hollowing anthems of love or lack thereof, Flow With It is an ode that finds its groove and sticks with it, the art of being under one’s spell. For the most part the song follows one vein of thought, but meanders slightly, like getting into random things outside your plans on a lazy weekend afternoon. Flow With It finds its home on the just released Sea Of Noise, which puts forth 14 ultra-original tracks.
6. All In A Day’s Work by Pell, brandUn DeShay
There’s nothing that acts as a bigger gust of fresh air than a hip hop act that isn’t built on pretenses and makes an effort to strike a chord of honesty. That’s why when you hear Pell say “I’ve been searching for words that concur with the fact that I’m salty” it makes you sit up and take note: when was the last time that we’ve heard a rapper admit to saltiness? This one is introspective and breezy, making it an perfect accomplice to your drive home after a day’s work.
5. digging for windows by Zack De La Rocha
When Prophets of Rage formed consisting of two former Rage Against The Machine members Tom Morello and Tim Commerford, fans of the band were left wondering if we’d be hearing from the former frontman at all, or have to settle to listening to his Run The Jewels track on repeat. Nothing but good news, then, with the release of digging for windows, and his management confirming that a solo album is imminent as well. digging the windows feels like an updated sound mixed with the scathing rhymes he became famous for: “I stare at a future so toxic/No trust in the dust of a promise/Won’t mark the name on the a ballot/So they can be free to devour our options.”
4. My Name is Human by Highly Suspect
Between Glass Animals ‘How To Be A Human Being’ and Highly Suspects’s latest release, affirmation on being a human being is at an all time high. Well, that may be a stretch, but in any case it’s the first taste we’re getting to the forthcoming album ‘The Boy Who Died Wolf’ (out November 18th). Their trademark heaviness prevails, coupling it with a big, noisy sound in the best way possible. For something new there are speeded up verses, that feel like for a moment we’ve wandered into an experimental G-Eazy track. This one will match the heavy feeling of the oncoming of fall as the months go on.
3. The Greatest by Sia, Kendrick Lamar
Winning the award for best inspiration we didn’t know we needed this week by a landslide, Sia’s breathy repetition of ‘I’ve got stamina’ will give you a boost, no matter your current energy levels. A perfect pairing was found in Kendrick Lamar, as both artists don’t shy away from detailing all the ways life can break you down, and come up survivors every time. The music video features a beautiful yet heartbreaking tribute to Orlando victims, with Maddie Ziegler’s rainbow tears and 49 fallen dancers.
2. Perfect Illusion by Lady Gaga
Well here it is, the outcome of Gaga’s collaboration amongst hot tastemakers, from producers Mark Ronson and BloodPop, Josh Homme on guitars and Kevin Parker of Tame Impala for a track ready for the radio (her legion of ‘soccer mom’ fans can attest to that), that doesn’t sound like anything on the radio right now. Gaga told the Radio1 show that the song was composed on a typewriter, but was written about the ‘perfect’ illusion that we create of ourselves on social media. The thing that blows us away here is Gaga’s amazing vocal range, showing the training and discipline she put into making Cheek To Cheek work has paid off in spades. It’s all love.
1. Waste A Moment by Kings of Leon
With the spotlight on the anticipated release of Lady Gaga and Sia, it was easy to overlook the fact that KOL was looking to make their first move on the way to promoting the forthcoming album, Walls. Waste A Moment is the sleeper hit of the week, evoking the spirit of the band’s big hits, but coated in a layer pure contentment. Lead singer Caleb Followill told Entertainment Weekly that the band is in the best place they’ve ever been, enjoying what they’re doing and a great relationship exists outside of the music. Waste A Moment will serve as the perfect track to accompany good news, good moods, and serve as the soundtrack of highlight reels from your very best vacations.
Leave a Reply