With the year moving closer and closer to its half way point, this week list’s contains many songs from artists who have been featured on the new music’s playlist already this year, including Toro Y Moi, Lola Marsh, Major Lazer and Leon Bridges. Also of note this week is a new one from Method Man, with help from Hanz On and Streetlife.
The game hasn’t changed; check out the 50 new songs featured before they ‘expire’ and are replaced by a fresh new batch next week Tuesday. They’re all waiting for you, only on Spotify.
10. Judge Me by Superwalkers
When seeing ‘Judge Me’ in music, there’s a tendency to associate it with fiery lines like Tupac’s ‘Only God Can Judge Me’ or Jay Z’s “Either love me, or leave me alone.” So it’s easy to be mislead by Superwalkers when it turns out to be a super chill track from a super chill electro synth duo. There’s relatively aggressive lines like ‘Must be so insecure, time for me to judge that’ but there’s no need to take it too seriously; the track has a tongue in cheek feel to it, better to take in its chill vibes than offense.
9. Phenomenal by Eminem
No one in the rap game is more self aware than Eminem, dropping lines in his latest like ‘Cause I work my butt off, it’s a subject that I don’t even know about how to shut up about now.’ It’s what makes Eminem’s message of overcoming adversity and messiness (‘the messiest thing that you’ve ever had go through is your purse’ is also included in the diss lines) feel so obtainable – an imperfect subject himself, yet he’s still able to reach ‘phenomenal’ statuses.
8. Annie by Neon Indian
The lyrics of Neon Indian read like a hide n seek game gone terribly wrong – ‘Annie don’t run away where I can’t find you, the game has gone too far.’ While Alan Palomo harmonizes if Annie are you whoa-k, the song remains pleasing to listen to; it gives off a warm summer vibe, making you feel like no matter when they find her, everything is gonna be alright.
7. Cages by Woolf & the Wondershow
Following the release of the quickly successful “Cloaked” Woolf & the Wondershow come right back with another fresh one, this time noticeably less Victorian (though there’s still elements there if you listen closely) and more of a warped electro sound. A sense of delicacy pervades the entire track – cages, after all, referring to the poor man’s ribs – now beginning to bend again.
6. Waiting by Aquilo
A song of simple heartbreak, Waiting doesn’t need much to make it’s full impact – just vocals and a piano. A talented duo out of Lancashire England, Aquilo has built their fan base by delivering song after song of ‘calm, electro pop.’ Unfortunately the waiting they’re referring to isn’t in regards to something exciting like a planned vacation, but more like when you’re watching your phone and you know it’s not going to ring. Suitable for the next time you just want to be sad for a moment or two.
5. The Handler by Muse
After many singles released, Muse finds themselves less than a week away from the official release of Drones. The Handler serves as one of their hardest singles in anticipation for the album, quite a feat when it’s going up against tracks titled ‘Dead Inside’ and ‘Psycho.’ Arguably the best of what Muse has put out so far this year, The Handler is all rock n roll, encapsulating the anti-authority spirit of what Drones is all about.
4. How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful by Florence + The Machine
The self titled track from the album that is – just -not -done -yet! – Florence has penned a love ballad to the earth, the universe and to each other. The track reaches and reaches, never really hitting a fever pitch, but taking it you along with its dizzying trajectory. Perfect for your next orbit around the Earth.
3. Last Kiss by Overdoz.
Overdoz. epitomizes the soul of West Coast rappers, taking a page out of the 70s styled funkiness on Snoop’s BUSH, including lines like can’t hold a lot of money, she can hold a lot of grudges that are a throwback to the love problems of Skee-lo, and the clincher: he includes Pharrell on the track.
2. Hold Me Down by Halsey
With a sound and look that all the bright young things we love, Halsey is primed to take the Summer over with her latest release, perfectly timed in anticipation for her very first full album out at the end of August. Proving she’s more than just a pretty voice & face in a vast pool of pretty voices and faces, Halsey shows her lyrical capability with lines like They Fight Me/Vigorous and Angry Watch Them Pounce/Ignite Me/Looking At The Flames They Bring About.
1. What Is This World Coming To by Nate Ruess, Beck
Much like in the spirit of R.E.M.’s classic ‘Everybody Hurts’ Nate Ruess’s latest plays out like someone in dire need of a hug. Sad clown antics aside, Ruess’s finds a musical kindred spirit in the former of Mr. Album of The Year, the two playing together so naturally it seems to be destined they were were to come together on the track. I guess that’s just what Nate Ruess’s career is coming to.
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