This week’s top 10 sprung from a vast and varied well that is April’s new releases. With 50 songs to browse, honorable mentions include another groove filled single from Snoop Dogg, continued greatness from Best Coast, and a single that can only be described as a breath of fresh air from Sugarland’s Kristian Bush.
Before you know it Tuesday will be here again and this list will be gone; make sure you head over to Spotify for a full account of the week’s freshest.
10. No Words by Erik Hassle
As easy as it is to dance to the beat of No Words, there’s a sense of irony that the first line is “Walking home I passed by a funeral there was a woman there crying cursin’ at the gods.” But as there’s always two ways to look at things, this song is a Carpe Diem anthem, encouraging a revel in life’s tender moments and special people. Straight outta Stockholm, this latest from the ‘soul pop’ star is likely to be a viral hit, impacting hearts & souls all across the world.
9. Holy Dove by Civil Twilight
In today’s field of new alternative music, it’s remarkable how many bands sound derived from Muse. That is the case in the opening of Holy Dove, but as the sing drives on the band reclaims the narrative wholly back into their own. The track is the second single from the forthcoming album Story of an Immigrant, sharing their story about immigrating to the United States from their hometown Cape Town, South Africa.
8. For the Town by SonReal
Following in hip hop’s fundamental tradition of repping your city, Vancouver based rapper SonReal throws it up hard for CA(nada) in For The Town. The best thing about both the song and the rapper is his authenticity; he’s not trying to be anything else but himself and throwing in a decent amount of charm and hot fire in for good measure too. With a Canadian tour planned for Summer 2015, SonReal is sure to see a lot of love from his fellow countrymen and virally everywhere else in the world in the months to come.
7. Still Want You by Brandon Flowers
I can’t be the only one who saw this title and thought “I Still Want You…and the Killers to get back together” as my heart still burns for the transformative sound the band created in the early 2000s. At least part of the sound is still alive by way of Brandon’s voice in I Still Want You, a percussion heavy, catchy verging on jingly track. It is those pipes that makes the song work, characterizing his solo career of light and merry music.
6. DEATHCAMP by Tyler, the Creator
Perhaps it is the title in all caps, it could be his combative reputation on Twitter, or simply the song’s title itself; but it doesn’t take a crystal ball to conclude this track is AGGRESSIVE, before even pressing play. The opener on his latest album, Cherry Bomb, is heavy on both Pharrell’s N.E.R.D. influence and rebellion as he sings “I don’t like to follow the rules, and that’s just who I am.” Duly noted.
5. California Girls by NoMBe
On a sound and topic that can best be described as laid-back and extremely cool, California Girls is great in the electronica chill department. The vocals alternate from low and gravelly to high pitched like the Bee Gees, as the music fades in and out from slow to fast. Not slacking in the lyric department either, with lines like “she thinks a Rolex makes her timeless” that both make a cynic of and bask in the West Coast lifestyle. By “Ooh how I like the smell of West Coast pheromones” you’ll be hooked.
4. Catch Us If You Can by Elle King
With a spot on Hot Pursuit’s soundtrack and a SNL famous father, it’s relieving to hear that Elle King has a raw musical gift, cooling any thoughts of entertainment nepotism. If anything, King sounds like Adele’s way more fun and just as talented sister. Catch Us If You Can is a bruiser of a song, bluesy & pounding, making you feel as if you could be in hot pursuit from the law yourself.
3. Ex to See Live from Spotify New York by Sam Hunt
Reviving a handful of songs from the ultra popular “Montevallo” on a quick Spotify session, a listen of Ex to See highlights all the reasons why the album did so well – country is often accused of being a one trick pony, whereas Sam Hunt has lyrical depth and a fresh contemporary take on the genre. The differences here are marginal – but just like hearing an encore of a band’s most popular song at a concert, you won’t mind at all.
2. Make Some Room by The Suffers
Even though Spotify is late to the party – the band’s EP dropped in late January – you still need to act like you know The Suffers, or risk missing out on one of 2015’s best EP’s so far. Comprised of no fewer than ten band members, The Suffers describe themselves as ‘Gulf Coast soul,’ Kam Franklin leading with impassioned vocals. The song is all GROOVE. Do not miss it.
1. Best Friend by Yelawolf, Eminem
It’s unfortunate that even some of the best in the game pale in comparison when Eminem is involved in a collaboration. On my first listen that was the case, as I admittedly was anxious to get to the part where Em jumps in and kills it. Eminem fans won’t be disappointed, as he absolutely slays it, but it should be said that Yelawolf just as much shows his strengths, as it is, after all, his song. An eery somber track, the pair’s tone and tenacity ebb and flows perfectly together.
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